New Reflections (Burnsmithers)

Part Eleven: Together

At the manor again, rather than staying indoors, they went outside into the gardens, walking together.

"It seems like a long time ago that we went jogging here," Burns said. Waylon nodded, remembering the eventful bar visit that had followed. "But then, we were here again only some days ago..." Though, Waylon thought, much had changed between them since the last time they'd done this.

Now they walked slowly, their focus on one another.

"Waylon."
"Yes?"

Burns turned towards him. "When we were speaking earlier, before we left the hospital, and I said I had no qualms about being together in public-"

Waylon should have expected him to change his stance. "And now you don't want to do that."

Burns glared. "I was not finished. I mean what I said then, but- I do not want to do everything for the public to see. I am sure you can agree to that?"
"I- if that's what you want, but-" What is he afraid of? "If this is about your reputation, I don't think that it would be affected negatively."

Burns looked at him for a while. "Fine, perhaps it is somewhat how I am perceived, but I cannot seem vulnerable. I do not want to feel like I did with Eloise, either. And do you remember, what I was before? Now that I have this youth, I cannot let myself-"

"You can't let yourself do what you want?" Waylon didn't want to interrupt Burns again, but he was becoming indignant. "You aren't weak or vulnerable, you never have been. What happened to 'I can do what I want'? You can't worry about what everyone else is thinking about you all the time, and you shouldn't."

Burns didn't scold him again for interrupting, but narrowed his eyes in thought. "And what about the article?"
"It's garbage. And anyone who takes it seriously isn't worth your time, none of those people at the gala who brought it up. You can't waste time stopping yourself from doing what you want because some lowbrows get ideas from it. Then you're letting them get to you."

"Yes..." Burns stopped, "why should I give a damn what these Neanderthals have to say?" He straightened himself and put his hand on Waylon's shoulder. "Then, I shall do what I wish. Thank you."

Waylon sighed. "Of course. Er, does that mean you wouldn't mind doing some things, at least, in public? Normal things, like holding hands-"

"Holding hands? Are we five?" Burns scoffed.
"-or, er, kissing. Just little things."

Burns nodded. "Yes, that should be fine." He added, "I only want for some activity to remain between you and I and no-one else."

Waylon smiled to himself at the last statement. "And do you still want to look into Tim?"
"Oh, that..." Burns wrinkled his nose. "You did already start that ordeal. And he did write that without thinking he would have consequences for the way he wrote about me- us. I suppose a bit of interrogation will do. Tim will have to accept resignation, or he will face... repercussions."

Burns seemed to understand he shouldn't have to worry about others' views of him so often. But Waylon didn't expect him to completely overcome his fear of damaging his reputation, or of how he was perceived. It would take time to mend further. But time they seemed to have.

Waylon slipped his hand into Burns', whose hand fit into Waylon's, fingers around and between his, and they were whole.

"Waylon, stop."
Waylon lifted his head from Burns' chest. First kissing the side of Burns' face, he had moved down onto his neck and shoulders and then below his collarbone some. "Is something wrong?"