Photograph [on hold]

Castles

The rain beat against the window and thunder shook the walls. I lay in my bed in a pair of blue sweatpants, a black t-shirt, and my hair in a French braid, absolutely deprived of sleep. My eyes close but so many thoughts run through my head that my brain won't calm down enough to let me rest. Ugh. Why can't I fall asleep already?! I groan and roll over when I hear the doorbell. I check the time. 12:43. Figuring I'm just hallucinating due to lack of sleep, I ignore it. It happens again and curiosity wins. I cautiously walk down the stairs, flick on the porch lights, unlock the latch, and stick my head out the door. My eyes widen as I take in the person standing before me; their suit is drenched, their hair is soaked, and their eyes hold a look of... guilt? I quickly allow him inside and relock the door. "Um, Mr. Blackbourne?" I ask, confused. He gives a sheepish smile that makes him look so young I have to try to keep my mouth closed. After I know it's starting to open quickly shut it again. "Sorry if I interrupted your sleep," he says quietly, running his fingers through his sopping hair. I shrug. "It's fine, I couldn't sleep anyway." We stand there awkwardly for a moment before I realize he's probably wet and cold. "I'll be right back," I tell him, quickly running and grabbing some towels. I hand them to him. "You can take your shoes off, if you'd like. Do you have a change of clothes?" I ask, hoping he does because I certainly don't have anything for him. He nods, pointing to a bag hoisted over his shoulder. I give him a smile and lead him to the bathroom. When he is finished, I put his clothes in the dryer and make some cocoa, pouring it into two mugs. I hand him a mug and sit next to him on the couch. Silence stretches between us before I decide to break it myself. "So what brings you here so late?" "Work." He says shortly. I nod, deciding not to push it. If Mr. Blackbourne wants you to know why he's late, he'll tell you. "Do you need to stay the night? I have an extra bedroom." He shakes his head. "That's alright, I can probably head back to my place." I frown as I listen to the storm raging on outside. "I don't think that's a good idea. Driving around at night and especially in these conditions could be dangerous. Let me do something for you, please." I beg. He looks at me and raises his eyebrow, but I don't break away from his gaze. In fact, I practically challenge him to refuse my plead. He finally gives a short nod. "If that pleases you then I suppose it couldn't hurt," he says. I set my mug down and do a happy dance. He chuckles and I freeze. "Did you just laugh?!" I ask. He cocks his eyebrow again but nods. "And?" "You don't laugh very much." "Well, before you came along I didn't really laugh at all." I frown as I study him. So mature in a way it seems that he grew up too fast- probably had as much childhood I had. Close to none. "I'm sorry. I can relate to that. I can't imagine what you must have been through to have such a big castle." Something in his gaze turns soft but at the same time, turns pained. But all he says is, "Castle?" I nod. "Everyone has a castle. But everyone's castle structure is different. You've built your castle walls high. You keep your emotions inside. Castles are supposed to guard your emotions- but in your castle, it's more of a prison. Instead of guarding them, you're locking them away. Your walls are so high they can't climb over. Your gates are locked and your composure is like the key. And if you seldom lose your composure- you seldom let yourself feel." He closes his eyes and let's this sink in. He softly pats the couch next to him and I sit, watching my hands. I lace my fingers together and separate them before lacing them together again. He tugs my chin so I am looking into his eyes and he looks so exhausted. "Sang- I think you are exactly, 100%, correct. But it's harder for me to let down walls then it is to build them." I pull him into a hug and he slowly wraps his arms back around me. I smile softly. "Then I guess I'll have to help you." He pulls back to look at me. "Just promise you'll be patient with me? This is going to take a lot of work and I'm going to have to do things I'm not used to doing." I nod. "Promise, only if you try." He nods and I hold out my pinkie. He tilts his head. I giggle softly and take his hand, wrapping his pinky around my own. His eyes brighten a little as the corner of his lips turn up. "Repeat after me, okay?" He nods. "By the pinkie of you," "By the pinkie of you," I laugh a little but continue. He repeats. "By the pinkie of me," "By the pinkie of me," "A promise is a promise and a promise I will keep." "A promise is a promise and a promise I will keep." "And should I fail," "And should I fail," "Or merely forget," "Or merely forget," "Then I am in," "Then I am in," "Consequential debt." "Consequential debt." He finishes and we both start laughing to the point of tears. Can you believe that?! We eventually settle down and head off to bed to try and sleep. Before we part ways in the hallway I quickly give him another hug and a smile. "You're already making progress." He smiled back. "Goodnight Sang." "Goodnight Owen."

Yay! Sang got Owen to let his walls down a little bit! I'm glad they finally had a heart to heart. Someone once said "Heart to hearts can only happen if someone makes room for it in their heart first" so yeah! Thanks for votes and comments! See you later!