We Were Born Under Burnt Skies (Yakulev)

Chapter 7

Paris was far busier than they imagined. It wasn't tourist season, however, that never really mattered to anyone. There were the trademark locations: Arc de Triomphe, The Louvre, the lock bridge, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Eiffel Tower. They had one night to run free in the streets of Paris. One night to try popular desserts and throw around their youth.

Mori would grab a hold of Lev and excitedly point out small shops. They'd look through the windows and only enter stores they knew they wouldn't spend excessive amounts of money in. They'd wrap flamboyant scarves around their necks and imitate what they conceived the upper class to be. The city dissolved as people turned into their hotels and abandoned the night life. Quiet fell over the skyline; only the hum of cars dragging around straggling people who were just as sleepless as the new pair of tourists.

No one else was in the metal structure, so their voices echoed and mixed. Footsteps bounced around creating hundreds of duplicates racing up the stairs; boisterous laughs mocking the sluggish park below. Wind blew through the spaces of the beams, fluttering their clothes and nudging them to move faster, climb higher. At some point it formed into a race. Smaller more agile legs sped up the stairs, as longer took two stairs clumsily in an attempt to catch up.

They'd finally reached solid ground and the world blossomed around them. The sky opened up and with the little energy Mori had left he bounded towards the rails and stared out over the buildings and streets. Lights peeking out against the black like stars.

Lev leaned breathless against the wall closest to the stairs. He watched Mori's back and smiled regardless of his exhaustion. He continued to gaze at Mori as he turned and the winds brushed his hair from his face; ambient lighting creating a honey-like glaze to his milky white skin.

"Gosh look at you," Mori huffed as he crossed back to Lev, "You look about ready to keel over!"

Lev just groaned in response and wickedly grinned as he placed his full weight onto Mori. His small frame shook, barely able to hold him up. His laugh surrounded them in a haze as his legs gave out and the two toppled over themselves into a pile on the ground. Lev's tonnage pressed down, but not in such a way that it was uncomfortable or smothering. Mori's laugh fizzled out and they stayed on the floor. Their heaving breaths calmed though their hearts were still racing. Mori reached up and absently rubbed at Lev's shoulders. No urgency or force to the motion.

"You're heavy get up," he droned. The cooling of his sweat mixed with the bitter metal under his back was causing his temperature to drop uncomfortably.

"Don't wanna, my legs are sore."

"Already complaining? C'mon~ you can walk it off." Mori gave two small taps to Lev's back; ushering him to move. Their bodies slid away from each other and everything felt instantly polar. Whether it was the wind, the night or the groaning metal, was unclear. Mori slunk to his feet and held a hand out for Lev. The pair went to the rail and Lev sucked in his breath, surveying the city as Mori had just done minutes before.

"God... it's beautiful," Lev muttered.

Mori hummed an agreement; leaning his elbows on the rail, a shiver running up his spine. Olive eyes watched him curiously, unease flashing across before he slid himself behind Mori. Slender arms wrapped around frigid small shoulders. There was a moment of hesitation preliminary to Mori leaning back and placing his hands over Lev's arms. His head fell back onto his chest, a resounding sigh punctuation the movement.

"You're warm."

"You're just extremely cold. 'S like holding a block of ice."

Mori swatted Lev, no real malice behind it. The sounds of the city all but stilled and the air was starting to swirl with something unfamiliar. Mori tilted his head up, seeing Lev already looking down at him, a hazy look on his face. Unease started to weigh down on them.

Lev held Mori a bit tighter and they stood like that for a while. Neither said anything, just gazed at each other with a new light in their eyes.

"It's getting late..." Mori started, the tension urging him to speak.

"Yeah," Lev rubbed Mori's shoulder with his thumb, small circular movements.

"It's our first time up here-" He continued stating facts, trying to ground his self control.

"It is."

"You..." he got caught on the compliments when Lev's eyes scanned his face, "I've wanted to sketch the way you look up here for a while now."

Lev, understanding what he meant, smiled, "And I've wanted to desperately put you into words- so I'll never forget." He was close enough that Mori could feel the warmth of Lev's breath on his face. Just a whisper as to what was going to follow.

A siren wailed not even a block away and Mori instantly detangled himself from Lev and turned to face him, hands grabbing the rail behind him as he pressed his back into the metal; putting a few inches between them.

They stayed apart until the sirens faded into the void. Anxious eyes fixed onto hesitant. Neither breaking eye contact. Neither saying a word. A silent acknowledgement passed between them when Lev finally stepped back enough for Mori to slip out.

A miracle of a taxi carried them to their hotel. The room was found easily. It was kept dark as they changed into nightwear in an ongoing stillness. Shock was keeping Mori's tongue captive and worry had a hold on Lev's.

They'd only gotten a one bedroom, to save money; but now it feels too crowded. Awkward would be a better word. Mori laid down first, back to the center of the bed, which dipped down as Lev got under the sheets opposite of Mori.

The night lasted for much longer than it should have, minutes crawled by for Mori. It was impossible for him to sleep. The uneven breathing beside him signified Lev was having the same issue.

He'd considered turning around a handful of times. However, his pride got in the way. He couldn't be caught dead starting a conversation about this; he's always been adept at waiting.