Two Birds On A Wire

ch 37

"Bubba?" Julian's voice held a tone of uncertainty.

"Hm?" Ivan had a forced smile plastered on his face and it only scared Julian.

Ivan had grabbed his hand and walked in to the nearest bus station, hopped into the first bus that arrived and they have been riding in it for almost half an hour and Ivan showed no sign of getting off. Worse, the bus had entered the next town.

"Where are we going?"

"I dunno". When Julian gaped at him, Ivan threw his arms up in the air in defense. "What? I just wanted to go somewhere with you!"

"We're a freaking town away from home!"

"It's more fun" Ivan rolled his eyes.

"Dude, you scare me"

"It's not like I'm a human trafficker or anything"

"Now that you mention it, I can't scratch the possibilities". Julian's eyes followed Ivan as he got up and looked out of the window.

"C'mon this seems like the right place"

•••

It was already getting dark and Julian felt strange and a bit uneasy as he stood by the road, which had overgrown grass filling the sides, leading to what he assumed was the woods.

"If I remember correctly, there should be a dining place nearby. After we get our fill, I'll take you somewhere.. Interesting. If that place still exists, I mean" Ivan mumbled and started walking ahead, and Julian had no other choice but to follow.

"You've been here before?" Ivan's attitude only raised Julian's doubts.

Ivan hummed in response. "It's been a while though". Julian rolled his eyes as he stumbled behind the other boy, following him into an uneven branch road.

The sun had started to fall behind the trees that stood high and the pathway was getting swallowed by the dark. In no time, the street lights flickered on and people hung lanterns in front of their houses, letting the light of the flame illuminate the pathway better.

Eventhough Julian had a strange feeling about the whole situation, he didn't find it any tiring to be there. He had actually took quite a liking for the place, that seemed to him more like a little village.

"This is where my grandparents live" Ivan spoke after what felt like ages and Julian visibly startled. "Oh".

"We're here" Ivan dragged Julian into a diner. The place was small but strangely peaceful. It was run by an old couple and they seemed happy just to serve their customers. It was heart warming just to be there.

Ivan ordered something and Julian couldn't help but notice how the waitress seemed to be kind of fond of him.

"You really knew where you were taking me" he observed with a scowl etched on his face, his arms crossed.

"I had an idea, yes. I just wanted to keep you on the edge" Ivan snickered and Julian rolled his eyes. He just hated the other boy's guts. But it wasn't too bad.

•••

"Are you sure that is where you wanna go?" Julian asked as he pointed into the dark woods with a scrunged up face. Ivan had made him walk a pretty few meters only to tell him he wanted to go into the woods at this hour. A monster troll would show up for Christ's sakes!

"Yeah" Ivan shrugged.

"But it's dark... And scary" Just the sight of the place made a shiver run down Julian's spine.

"Is that a chicken I hear?" Ivan snickered and Julian rolled his eyes. "Just trust me, will you?" Ivan grabbed Julian's hand and with the aid of a flashlight, stepped into the woods. "I know this place well enough"

Julian knew of how his instincts screamed at him to turn back and run away. However, there he was, deciding to go along with whatever the other boy was up to. It was just that he put all his trust in this one guy. And he hated himself for it.

The walk was weary. Atleast that's what it seemed like to Julian. Ivan kept babbling about whatever that came to his mind. But Julian was just too preoccupied with his surroundings to be listening to anything he said. He swore he heard a slithering every now  and then. It had him so worse that he jumped at even the sight of a harmless little spider.

"Aanndd--" Ivan halted and raised his voice excitedly, demanding Julian's attention. "Here we are!" He flashed his light up and down a tree and Julian saw a wooden ladder go up the tree trunk. On top of it was a tree house-- a big one. He couldn't help but find himself getting a bit excited. He loved stuff like this.

"I wonder if the wood's still good" Ivan checked the ladder and climbed two steps up. He turned around to give Julian a wink. "C'mon!"

"After you, princess" Julian grinned and followed after.

After he helped Julian climb into the tree house, Ivan stood straight up and extended his arms to his side, declaring excitedly "Welcome to my Haven!"

"Majestic, indeed" Julian passed a cheeky grin as he kicked off a few leaves that lied at his feet.

"Hey, the sky looks great from up here. Come and take a look!" Ivan dragged Julian to the sides and the both of them found themselves being fascinated by how beautiful the starry sky stretched above them as the gazed up with glistening eyes.

"It's been so long since I last saw the sky like this" Julian murmured and Ivan turned his head to look at him. "What's more, the moon is out too!"

The moonlight cast a faint shade of blue on Julian and Ivan saw the slightest glimpse of a glittering in the boy's eyes. He was smiling genuinely and he seemed so happy just to be there. And Ivan had never felt so proud of himself.

Feeling Ivan's gaze on him, Julian turned his head to look at him. He felt amused by the softened look on Ivan's face. "What?" He mused.

"Your eyes..." Ivan took a moment as he let his eyes wander the other boy's face. "They're beautiful".

Julian raised his brows in amusement. He turned away with a scoff.

"Cheesy".