We Were Created.

Chapter 2: Near The Lake.

Years later, a gorgeous lake lay not far from a charming village. The sunrise rippled across its surface, creating a tranquil and beautiful sight. Daisies bloomed along the lake's edge, their soft petals swaying gently in the cool breeze. As the sun began its ascent, the sky transformed into a vibrant display of colours – from a deep purple to a mesmerizing pink and fiery yellow. The peaceful lake was enveloped by a veil of fog, casting an air of mystique over the nearby trees. The serenity of the scene filled the air, creating a moment of tranquil beauty and contentment.

All of a sudden, a man, with his black, wavy hair, strolled along the lake's edge. His dark coffee bean eyes gleamed with contentment as he absorbed the beauty of nature; the glorious sunrise, the melodic symphony of birds, and the soothing serenity of the moment. The fog gracefully twisted and turned around him, causing soft goosebumps to rise on his skin. He was dressed in a stylish yet comfortable black leather jacket, a snug black shirt adorned with a shimmering silver chain with a single teal crystal attached, and baggy, black jeans that hung loosely on his lean frame. He walked calmly across the verdant grass. The man suddenly halted, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and lighting one quickly. He took a few puffs before a sudden noise from the nearby trees caught his attention. He extinguished the cigarette and gave a small, bemused chuckle, shaking his head softly. As footsteps grew closer, the man's smile widened, his attention fixed only on the approaching figure. Anticipating their leap, he swiftly moved to the side, avoiding their clumsy attack. As the figure stumbled, almost falling into the lake, the man instinctively reached out, grabbing hold of their hood just in time to prevent them from taking a dip.

"Well, well, if it isn't Matias." The man grinned, tightening his grip on Matias's hood with a hint of playful malice. "What a shame it would be to let go right now and watch you take a dive into the bracing lake, wouldn't it?" The man chuckled, clearly enjoying Matias's expression of terror. Matias stood there, his curly brown locks almost hiding his eyes. His clothes consisted of a simple white shirt, a black jacket with a star icon sewed onto the front, black Samba shoes with three white stripes, and grey, multi-pocketed baggy trousers.

The man jerked Matias backwards, causing him to topple onto the cold, damp grass. As the fallen man began to speak, the first man cut him off with a firm yet light-hearted warning. "Watch your language." He calmly lit the cigarette again, taking a deep drag. The boy brushed off the grass from his clothes and stood beside the other man, both their gazes fixed on the fog-shrouded sky as the man exhaled a plume of smoke, further enveloping the area in a misty haze.

The boy sheepishly asked, "Can I-" but the man interrupted him bluntly.
"Go away," he commanded, his voice cold and stern.
"I'm just a year younger," Matias protested, his emerald eyes locking onto the man's gaze."Besides, you started smoking when you were like twelve," he pointed out.
The man took another drag from the cigarette, the smoke wafting around like a haze.
"Are you searching for a reason to take an icy morning dip?" he retorted coolly. "Plus my childhood was a chaotic mess." They stood silently for a moment, the only sound being the soft whistling of the breeze. After ten minutes, the man extinguished his cigarette and turned towards the boy.
"Why are you even here?" he asked in a cool, distant tone. "Don't you have more interesting things to do?" The man's eyes scrutinized the boy from head to toe.
In response, Matias retorted playfully, a small smirk dancing on his lips. "I could ask you the same thing, Orpheus."

"Just shut up and enjoy the sunrise," Orpheus instructed, his gaze fixated on the beautiful hues of yellow creeping over the lake's rippling surface, blending with the pink and purple. Both Matias and Orpheus stood there reverently, their silence only broken by the soft sounds of the lapping lake water and the rustling trees.

Orpheus glanced over at the boy, a gentle smile forming on his lips. As they both turned their gazes back to the setting sun, he asked softly, "How have you been?"
The boy sighed heavily and replied bluntly, "Shit."
Orpheus shot him a disapproving glance and gently scolded, "Watch your language."
The boy's expression darkened further as he added, "My parents are getting a divorce."
Silence hung heavily between them, Orpheus's eyes widening with surprise and sympathy.

"Oh my God, what happened? Are you alright?" Orpheus uttered, shifting his full attention to Matias.
"My mum discovered my dad cheating with the woman from the book shop," Matias shared, not looking up.
As he struggled to refrain from smirking at the thought of Matias's father and the librarian being together, Orpheus took a puff of his cigarette.
"Your father has quite unique preferences, doesn't he?" he gently teased before putting the cigarette out. He placed a reassuring hand on Matias's shoulder and whispered softly, "You'll be okay."

Matias slumped onto the floor, his gaze fixed on the mesmerizing ripples on the lake's surface. He mumbled doubtfully, "Will I?"
Orpheus settled down beside him, his eyes reflecting concern as he observed the troubled boy. He gently lifted Matias's chin, making their gazes meet.
Orpheus looked into his eyes, his voice filled with sincerity and conviction. "Of course you will," he assured him, his lips curling into a comforting smile. "I have utter faith in you."

They sat in silence, the fading golden hues of the setting sun gradually replaced by the vast expanse of blue that hung gently over their heads. Orpheus arose and extended his hand to help Matias, who took it with a grateful smile. "Let's head back to the village," Orpheus declared, a chuckle escaping his lips. "I could use a nice cup of tea." Matias followed closely behind. A faint grin played on his lips as he confessed, "And I wouldn't mind a slice of toast." Despite the chaos surrounding his parents, Orpheus brought a sense of calmness and peace to Matias' world, and that's all that mattered.