Darkness

Outside

Scott rummaged through Avi's closet and came back with a pair of black socks and a white shirt. He handed both to the man who was sitting on the bed.

"The shirt is white and the socks are black, but it's warm out so you can probably just put on your moccasins or something. Where do you keep your sunglasses?"

"I don't need- oh..yeah, to keep me from freaking people out when I stare at them" he mumbled to himself and looked up. "I don't know where they are."

Scott thought for a second and took his sunglasses from his shirt. They were similar to Ray-Ban's and displayed the colors of the rainbow when the sun hit the glass. "You can have mine, I'm not wearing them." He watched Avi get changed, saw how he struggled with his shirt and his shoulder but managed to get it on without help.

"Okay, I think I'm ready."

"Alright, lets get you some ice cream. By the way, I found your phone charger in the closet, on the floor. It must've fallen." Scott plugged Avi's phone in and placed the sunglasses on his nose after he got up.

Avriel followed him to the front door, felt for his moccasins and put them on before he stood back up and leaned against the wall for support until he was able to keep his balance.

"Your cane, Avi?"

The bass frowned and looked in Scott's direction. "I don't want to. Can I just- hold onto your arm? It worked pretty good when mom and dad took me home."

Scott thought for a moment. He wanted Avi to get more experience and practice with the cane but right now his focus was more on just getting him out of his apartment. "I guess you can leave it here for now. But one day you have to take it with you and try" he said and reached for the bearded man's hand to guide it to his biceps.

Avi's fingers curled around his upper arm from behind and he allowed Scott to guide him out of the apartment. He trusted Scott to watch out for him, to avoid him bumping into something or someone or tripping. He heard the door of the apartment building creak, then a careful nudge.

"Go ahead, Avi. One big step and then we'll turn right and walk down the street towards the park. There aren't a lot of people, you don't have to worry about bumping into someone."

"I trust you" the bass said and started walking next to Scott. It was a weird feeling, hearing all the noise around him. Cars, chirping birds, other people talking, skateboards on the pavement. He felt the sun on his back, the warmth soaking through his shirt, the soft breeze in his hair, pushing his curls from his shoulders and making him flinch when a curl unexpectedly tickled him. His grip around Scott's biceps tightened and made the tall man chuckle.

"You alright?" he asked and patted Avi's hand, squeezed his hand by pressing his arm against his side. "Just some wind, nothing serious."

Avriel hummed. "Just...lil' too much. Overwhelming. So much noise."

"Focus on moving your legs, and the birds. Or the sun, something you feel or hear. Maybe it helps."

"Are...are they staring at me? The people?"

"No, not a single one. Everyone's just busy with their own stuff, hm? Nobody's judging you" Scott answered gently and kept walking.

They went all the way to the ice cream store where someone coming from inside held the door open and watched out for Avi who went in first, still holding onto Scott's arm. The baritone thanked the stranger and guided Avi to the small line that had formed.

"What would you like? Cone or cup?"

"Cone I think. Do they have chocolate ones?"

"Yes they do. Chocolate and even sourdough."

Avi thought for a moment. "Chocolate. What flavors do they have?"

The baritone described how the different ice cream flavors looked like and Avi ended up choosing dark chocolate brownie and coconut while Scott went for mango and banana.

"Can I pay?" the bass asked and started to pat the pockets of his pants to find his wallet but Scott denied and handed a couple of dollar bills over the counter.

"Got it. My treat."

"Scott..."

"Just a little thank you for going on this walk with me." He chuckled and reached for Avi's ice cream cone. "Here you go." He handed it to the smaller man and then took his own.

"Thank you" the bass mumbled and started eating his ice cream. He was distracted, almost didn't notice one of the steps in front of the door and would've fallen if Scott hadn't stopped him n the last second.

Together they slowly walked through the park where it got quieter since most people were still at work. Avi listened to the birds and ate his ice cream in peace, focused on the different smells that hit his nose along the way. They sat down on a bench near a smaller pond and Avi let go of Scott's upper arm.

Being outside felt good. He was thankful that Scott had forced him to leave the apartment and even though he was sad that he couldn't look around and admire the plants and animals he felt more calm and centered now that he wasn't stuck in the hole he called his apartment.

"The ice cream's good" Avi mumbled and licked it again, tasted the chocolate and the small chunk of brownie he had caught. He didn't want to ask if they could go again sometime soon, he didn't want to be a burden but when Scott started talking his worries disappeared.

"We can go again! Whenever you want. Way better than sitting inside all day, huh?"

Avriel hummed. Yes, it really was better than hiding.