Chapter 4

A Chapter by Caspar Askew

On Thursday Michael didn’t walk with James, instead they walked to James’ house. As they came in, James said hello to his mum and went straight to his room. They satisfyingly opened the box and tipped out and divided the contents between them.

They sat their building away for a couple of minutes, interrupted only by the rustle of bags and the smooth sound of a hand being run through bricks. It was a fun set, but after a while more of building, Michael set his things down and looked over at James. James’ hair hadn’t been cut in a while and every time it got in his eyes, he had to flick it back up, but only for it to fall back down ten seconds later. Michael saw how James’ dark brown eyes would scan the piles and would light up with a spark and glisten whenever he spotted a piece he wanted. And he just sat their watching James for ten minutes.

James looked up and Michael saw James smiling in his eyes as well as in his mouth. “How long have you been staring at me.”

“Not long enough.” Joked a blushing Michael, but in all honesty, he could stare at James for longer and not get bored. He kept building. James often looked up and often when he did, he would see Michael’s eyes sparkling back at his.

Once they had both finished, they joined everything up and placed it on a shelf. Michael looked at James and asked him, “Do you ever feel tempted to live like Indiana Jones. Like out in the wild. Or am I just weird?”

“No. I do too.” Replied James in a more wistful tone than his normal tone. “It seems fun. I know it would be dangerous, but I reckon we could survive together.” Michael laughed at that and exhaled a breath which sounded like ‘Keep dreaming.’

They went and laid on James’ bed. James placed his head on Michael’s strong chest and felt his gentle heartbeat, whilst Michael slowly ran his hand through James’ soft, black, wavy hair, which felt better than the richest and softest fur any money could buy, as he wished every day could be like this. Nothing else, just the two of them, being one.

The blissful silence was broken by James’ reminder, “you know you’re coming around here on Sunday.”

“Yeah,” said Michael in a delicate voice.

“Won’t be as nice as this though.” Smiled James. “We’ll have to eat some bland food and have to listen to our parents waffle on about how they hate trans people.”

“It won’t be that bad if you’re their?” Michael reminded James in a joking tone. “It might even be fun.”

“Keep dreaming.” Said James, in his low voice this time.

They lay their and the room began to get darker as the sun sank down towards its slumber. “I’d best get going.” Michael ended the silence.

“Bye then. Do you want me to walk you home?” Asked James.

“No. You probably have to have dinner soon, and your mum will be annoyed if you’re late.” Said Michael as he put his bag back on his back.

“Ok.” James yawned. Michael had made him sleepy again.

“Thank you, James. Not just for this but everything. You helped me break an act I’ve been trapped in all my life.” Michael spoke these words to James with signs of tears.

“Thank yourself not me. I was only a minor catalyst.” James said, but Michael looked at him a bit confused, he hadn’t listened much in any of the sciences, so he had no idea what James was talking about. “A catalyst speeds up chemical reactions. Honestly.” Michael laughed.

“Bye James.” He smiled.

“Bye Michael.” James reciprocated, waving, and shutting the door. He had enjoyed today. He had his dinner, watched some episodes of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventures, and went to bed.

As he lay in bed he smiled. Not out of one memory, but the fact he finally had somebody who would make him happy. He used to dream about this at night but now it was only a dream then, now it was every day. He wondered if Michael was doing the same right now. And indeed, about a ten-minute walk from where James was lying, Michael was in bed thinking the same thing. They had saved each other from sadness. This relationship was their lifeline. And it was a strong one.

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