Days Go By | lavashipping

.*.

He came with some time to spare and decided to just have a cup of tea meanwhile Kai finishes up and goes to change.

He was just mindlessly scrolling through random apps on his phone, barely paying any mind to it as he sipped on the remains of his green tea. Until a notification popped up.

Kai Just Smith
IM A FREE MAAAAN

Cole chuckled at the message and finished his tea, expecting Kai to show up any second. And he was right because Kai was running towards the glass door, a backpack jumping up and down on his back. He smiled as the flushed brunet came to him, bending over and panting.

“Gimme a sec.”

“You know I wouldn't run anywhere, so where's the rush?”

“No reason.” They stood up, their gaze falling on the empty cup, lone on the table. “Hold on, I got this.” Then he left him alone for a while again, as they went back into the shop to retrieve the cup. The next time he got back, his hands were filled with snow-white napkins.

“Brownie?” he offered and Cole obliged.

They walked side by side, finishing the brownies with just a few bites as they talked and once again, Cole had to wonder how easy it was, despite barely knowing them.

“Good thing is, that there's a food court right next to it. It's just made for lunches! Anyway, what would you like? I'm thinking kebab... Hmm, but there's a brilliant pizza place...”

“Do you always get junk food for lunch?” Kai looked anywhere but at him.

“Maybe...”

“Kai...”

“What? I exercise!”

He had to laugh. “You can't cook or something?”

“Oh no, I'm a great cook! I just suck at time management and this is faster.”

“Right...”

“I'll show you one day and you'll be on cloud nine with how great I cook, you'll see!”

“Fine. I'll take your word for it.”

With a smile, they looked away and lead Cole to a stand selling kebabs, where they both ordered, Cole managed to pay before Kai could, and they walked away with their dürüms. The smell filled his nose and Cole felt his stomach grumble – how come he didn't notice how hungry he was until now? He had a brownie a while ago!

Lucky for them, that day has been nice since morning. The sun was shining with no clouds in sight that could block it but it wasn't too hot thanks to the gentle breeze. He could hear the birds in the trees as they entered the park.

Now he understood why Kai was so desperate to get him to see it. Despite being in such a busy part of the city, it felt like they entered another realm. It was calm and soft, the polar opposite of the outside world. The trees rustled in the breeze, birds nested in their green leaves.

Several people walked on the sandy paths, often in pairs or with an animal companion. He saw a couple of mothers with their strollers. On the green grass were people too, some sitting on blankets and reading, or chatting. He saw a lone artist by the pond, presumably drawing the peaceful sight as ducks swam across the surface.

It appeared they weren't the only ones who decided to eat lunch there.

In the very centre of the park was a fountain, with a huge silver lotus flower statue designed so well, it made it look like it was floating. There was a plaque nearby, most likely containing information about the creation. Cole stopped walking as he admired it. Then Kai was back by his side.

“Impressive, huh? It was revealed not that long ago. I think it was when we just moved in... The lotus is completely made of titanium.”

“It's really stunning.”

“Yeah. It looks way better than that Temple of Fortitude... I mean, sure, it's old and whatnot but it wouldn't hurt them to fix it up a little...”

Cole turned around. Through the trees, he could vaguely make out a building and he had to give it to Kai, it was truly a stark contrast. While the fountain shone in the sunlight, the temple seemed to rather drown in shadows.

“Let's go sit down,” Kai said. “My legs hurt.”

They found a bench hidden in a cool shadow. Kai took off his backpack and put it between his legs on the ground. Turning to Cole, he said, “So? How do you like it?” They took a bite.

“It's beautiful. And so calm.”

“Right? I love to come here, it's so relaxing. But there's still so much you have to see. Personally, I love going to the history museum. My bro's mum works there, so I get there pretty often and cheaply. I've got some of the exhibitions memorised but it's fun every time anyway. I've heard they were preparing a new section for the Serpentine War,  I'm excited to see that. It should be pretty soon, maybe we could go there together? I'll show you around. Maybe it could work as inspiration! What do you say, a time-travelling clothing collection, inspired by old times? That could work, no?”

Cole felt so stupid, smiling at their rant like that but he couldn't help himself. There was just something about the way his eyes seemed to shine and how overall excited he seemed. And the way they thought about him in the mess of thoughts as well...

“That's actually a good idea,” he muttered. Then grinned at him. “Yeah, that sounds like fun.”

“Great, then I'll let you know once it should be ready. I have firsthand info, you know? But before that, you could go visit the aquarium, that's also not a bad place. There's a lot of fun places to visit, actually...”

He found himself absent-mindedly chewing on the food as he listened to Kai's trains of thoughts, secretly adoring the look in their face that seemed to shine brightly despite being in the shadow.