The Many Faces of Edmund Fig (ManxMan)

Chapter 1: Coffee in the Rain

Warning: if you do not know how to read or do not understand the concept of ManxMan please do not continue reading past this. This is a romance between two men. If you do not like this I highly suggest you exit this story immediately. If you do then please keep reading. I hope you enjoy :)

Chapter 1: Coffee in the rain

Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad.

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I lazily held my satchel in my hand, my chest feeling a thousand pounds heavier than before. My boss berated me in front of the entire staff. I still have yet to understand why that man hates me so much. What did I do to deserve the focus of his anger? I show up on time and have yet to miss a day of work in my entire career. I do my job properly and don't participate in the typical gossip like my coworkers. Yet I am the one at the end of his backlash. I sighed looking up and seeing a familiar gray trench coat. The same red scarf was woven tightly around his neck. He didn't even spare me a glance.

"Never let your head hang down. Never give up and sit down and grieve. It's bad posture and just plain rude."

I almost cracked a smile. I walk past him, a subtle fragrance wrapping around me. Cinnamon, wet leaves, fire wood and something else. If the autumn had a smell it would be this. I turned meeting those same murky eyes, my breath catching in my throat. A thin wild blue ring wrapped around his iris. He looked back at the tree and I averted my gaze to the ground and kept walking.

Later that evening I was unable to sleep. This afternoons humiliation and those murky eyes were keeping me wide awake. I turned over burying my face into the pillows. Why can't I form a sentence around Mr. trench coat? Why can't I stay out of the line of fire with my boss? I frowned laying on my side, a heavy sigh sinking me further into the sofa bed. Rain droplets tapped my window tempting me into sleep that felt like it would never come. A terrible torture I would later suffer more often than nought. The agony of teetering between sleep and being awake.

Thunder cracked like a whip and lightening filled my room with light though the small barely functioning window above my nightstand. I forced my eyes closed and was met with hazy shifting light and dark.

For three very long days I would pass the spot where Mr. Trench coat would stand and stare up at the same tree and only be greeted by the empty space and the loud bustling city that surrounded it.

Each day I would silently hope he would miraculously appear instead of the large empty space occupying my path. I suppose it is strange to seek comfort in a complete strangers presence. But for the briefest moment it was like stepping foot into a whole knew realm. Time stopped momentarily and all you could hear was silence. It was peaceful. Comforting. Safe.

By the fourth day Mr. trench coat stood in his usual spot only this time he no longer donned the constricting scarf. In its place was nothing. Just the tips of a starched white collar sticking out. Mr. Trench coat half turned towards me, our eyes locked and I felt myself being pulled into that suspended world where everything was peacefully silent. I took a deep breath, every muscle in my body beginning to relax at its own accord. I blinked shocked. I reached up and touched my nose and looked at my glove and then up at the sky. As if a mat was ripped away rain poured down and thunder cracked across the sky.

I looked back at Mr. trench coat and wondered if he would still stay out here even in the rain. He frowned in response. Had I said that aloud? I certainly hope not. We crossed the street and entered the coffee shop, water dripping from our heads to the freshly mopped floor. Someone was going to be pissed off about the floor but whatever.

Mr. Trench coat sat at a table tucked in the middle near the window and sat down. I forced my eyes towards the Barista and walked over and ordered my coffee. I gave her my name and walked back to my personal puddle that had mixed with Mr. Trench coats not that long ago. I glanced over and those same gray eyes were on me. I turned back sharply my breath hitching. I really need to not act like some hormonal preteen on the verge of having a mental breakdown.

"Joseph."

I walked up and thanked the girl for my coffee and took a cautious sip of it. My gaze traveled back to my main distraction. He had removed his coat and was taking a coffee from one of the workers. Mousy brown hair curled out from under his cap. He look up as he sipped from his coffee, full pink lips moistened from the steam. He simply stared at me and I stared back. He looked younger without that old fashioned trench coat on and the red scarf. He was surprisingly attractive. He set his coffee down and sat back. A silent invitation. I hesitated looking back for something to tell me not to step back into that strange world that so easily consumes me.

Defeated I walked over and sat across from him shrugging off my coat and gloves. We sat there in silence for what felt like an eternity. His eyes staring out into some far away place, mine unsure of we're to focus.

"Why do you stare at that tree?"

I flushed the minute it burst past my lips. It feels as if all my manners and dignity flew out the window. He looked over at me unoffended.

"Why do you wake up in the morning? Why do you blink 28,800 times a day? Why do you stare at a complete stranger without a word to say?"

I gnawed on my lip drawing back slightly. His tongue was as sharp as his cheekbones. I took a sip of my coffee and set it down awkwardly. He pushed his cup forward and tossed a couple twenties on the table before shrugging his trench coat back on.

"I will be here tomorrow." He glanced up at me. "You are to refer to me as Edmund."

He walked past me and I waited until I heard the bells sound. I sat back my eyes darting back and forth. Edmund. What a curious name. I tossed a twenty on the table and stood looking at where Edmund was sitting only moments ago. My lip twitched slightly. Finally a name to a face.

Well that was chapter one of Edmund. Please tell me what you think. I am open to critiques, suggestions, ECt. If you have any questions or concerns please message me and I will gladly get back to you.

-MM