Autumn is a second spring

170. Stupid

Ohm stepped out of Thas's cottage and closed the door behind him quietly. The conversation inside still lingered in his mind, but the tension that had built up throughout the evening had finally loosened. The night air felt cool and calm against his skin.

For a moment, he stood there on the dim pathway between the cottages.

Going back to his own cottage would have been the obvious choice. Fluke was probably still asleep exactly where Ohm had left him earlier, sprawled across the bed after drinking too much.

But Ohm didn't turn toward his cottage. There was somewhere else he needed to go.

With his hands tucked into his pockets, he began walking down the path that led toward the beach.

The faint sound of waves grew louder as he approached the coastline. The moonlight shimmered across the dark water, and the salty breeze carried the rhythmic crash of waves hitting the shore.

Ohm walked along the beach slowly.

His eyes scanned the coastline until they landed on a familiar figure sitting on top of the large tetrapods laid along the shore.

The waves slammed against the massive concrete structures, spraying water that glimmered briefly under the moonlight before disappearing again.

To Ohm, the violent rhythm of the ocean sounded almost like music. He climbed up the tetrapods carefully, stepping from one massive block to another.

When he got close enough, he called out casually. "Enjoying the tragic scenery, heartbroken Romeo?"

The figure turned.

Boun's irritated voice rang out immediately. "Oh for f—" He stopped himself halfway and instead growled, "Can you not ruin even this moment for me?"

Ohm chuckled and sat down on the tetrapod beside him.

From up there, the view of the ocean was breathtaking.

His eyes drifted downward. Several empty beer bottles lay scattered beside Boun.

Ohm raised an eyebrow slightly but didn't comment.

Boun noticed the look anyway. "What?" he muttered defensively. Then he grabbed another bottle from the small crate beside him and held it out. "Want one?"

Ohm smirked and accepted it. "Why thank you." He twisted the cap open and took a slow sip.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

The only sound was the ocean roaring against the tetrapods.

Eventually, Boun broke the silence. "So," he said, staring at the dark waves, "what are you doing here?"

Ohm chuckled softly. "Shouldn't I be the one asking that?" He took another sip of beer. "Why are you sitting here alone in the dark instead of cuddling with your fiance?"

Boun didn't respond.

Ohm glanced sideways at him."I noticed you have been in a bad mood all day," he continued. "You didn't even show up at the party tonight." He paused. "You and Prem had another fight?"

Ohm added thoughtfully, "Didn't you two just make up a few days ago?"

Boun kept staring at the waves. 

They crashed violently into the tetrapods, exploding into white foam before retreating back into the sea.

"I just wanted to clear my head," Boun muttered.

Ohm frowned slightly. "What happened?"

Boun remained quiet for a long moment.

Then he finally spoke in a low voice. "I tried talking to Prem. About our issues."