Ghastly woke up groggily. He slowly opened his eyes, laying on his side and facing his digital alarm clock. The numbers were too bright, so Ghastly stared them down for a few seconds, making out that it was 7:45 in the morning. He forced himself out of bed, sitting up and feeling the floor for his white fluffy slippers. Ghastly turned and looked at Dexter, frowning at how he was sprawled on the bed, greedily wrapped up in the sheets.
The bald Irishman made his way into the kitchen, putting on the kettle and getting out the teabags and sugar. Ghastly leaned against the kitchen bench to remain upright, examining his white fluffy bunny rabbit slippers. They were a gift from Dexter, and Ghastly had worn them every day since he first got them. Ghastly didn't really like the protruding ears, but he kept quiet about it. He really did enjoy the soft feel of them on the soles of his feet. He smiled as he walked to the kettle when it chimed.
Ghastly poured himself a cup of tea with no milk, clasping the cup with both hands to absorb its warmth. He sipped it slowly while returning to his position on the bench. He squashed his feet into the ground, playing with his slippers.
Soon, Dexter walked out of the bedroom, his hair a mess and his eyes squinting. He yawned loudly, arching his back and pushing his arms up tightly.
"Morning," Ghastly said thickly, desperately trying to avoid looking at anything but Dexter's eyes. Dexter slept naked, which was a fact known and not liked by Ghastly.
"Mmmm," Dexter managed to moan, heavily dragging his feet over to Ghastly.
"Do you know what day it is?"
"Tuesday?" Dexter replied, clumsily searching Ghastly's fridge for some milk.
"We're going on a picnic, remember?" he said softly, veering his eyes away from the naked man raiding his fridge. "The one you forced me into."
Dexter made a sound of agreement, stubbing his toe on the door, as he emerged victorious with the milk. He flailed as he fell to the floor, making Ghastly cough into his cup of tea.
An hour and a quarter later, Ghastly and Dexter were dressed and walking with their arms linked in Phoenix Park. Ghastly was wearing a dark blue suit with a cupid pink tie covered in red love hearts. Dexter had begged Ghastly to wear it, as it was another one of his gifts.
Dexter on the other hand was wearing a plain white t-shirt and denim shorts. Both appeared to be a few sizes too small.
With his left arm tightly held by Dexter, Ghastly carried the heavy picnic basket in his other hand. They had only packed two egg and lettuce sandwiches, two plates, four bottles of apple juice and a large blanket that had the most weight. If it was up to Ghastly, he would have chosen to take a lighter blanket, but Dexter insisted that they took the largest one he could find.
Finding a rather relaxing tree to sit under, Ghastly and Dexter stopped, unravelling the large furry cream coloured blanket. While Ghastly proceeded to unpack the rest of the basket, Dexter laid on the blanket face down in a star-shape.
Ten minutes passed. Ghastly and Dexter had eaten both sandwiches and drank all four bottles of apple juice. Ghastly had taken off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves, but kept on his tie, much to Dexter's agreement. Now he was sitting back against the tree, with Dexter sprawled out face down on the blanket. They were watching the deer present at the park. They grazed in groups, not minding the small children that raced over to touch them, quickly followed by worried parents.
Catching Ghastly off guard, a deer walked around the large tree, examining the grass closely. Ghastly jumped, making the deer prick its ears up in surprise.
"It's okay," Dexter said softly. At first, Ghastly thought Dexter was addressing him, but the blond was focused completely on the deer, stretching a hand out to pat the beast. He whispered to it reassuringly.
"Are you gonna let me ride you?" Dexter asked the deer, rising to lean on his left elbow and face the deer.
"You know it can't hear you, right?" Ghastly said in disbelief, shocked when the deer bowed in agreement. "What?" he managed to mouth as Dexter stood up. The deer was quite large and reached up to the top of his hip.
"You're not going to...?" Ghastly trailed off, unable to believe what was about to happen.
"Oh yes I am," Dexter smiled to Ghastly, stretching his right leg over the deer's back. It didn't move as Dexter lowered his full weight onto the animal. "C'mon girl," he whispered, making the deer turn and walk calmly away from Ghastly.
"Look! No hands!" Dexter shouted back to Ghastly, turning to show both his palms. His face held a grin so wide it almost burst off Dexter's face.
Ghastly watched blankly for a few moments, quickly packing up the picnic and running after Dexter. He held his jacket with one arm and the half-decently packed basket with the other.
Dexter laughed and swooned as the deer nonchalantly let him lead the way, steering with verbal commands. "This is so cool!" he called out to Ghastly, who was now only a few paces behind them. "I think I'm going to call her Bambi!" Ghastly shook his head. Dexter was such a fool.
By now, the blond haired Irishman and the deer named Bambi had gathered a small crowd of children, all marvelling at them. Even Ghastly began to praise them, clapping slowly and smiling when Dexter looked over to him.
All was jolly and merry until a small little girl started pointing at Ghastly. He smiled at her, and looked back to Dexter and the deer. The little girl still pointed, curiosity all over her face.
She turned to a young woman no doubt in her twenties. "Mummy, why's that bald man got brown stuff on his head?"
The girl's mother quickly pulled her arm away, giving Ghastly a dirty look. "Now Juliet, don't say that," she said. "That's not nice. Remember what mummy said about not being nice?"
Ghastly hadn't thought to hide his scars. That morning Dexter, causing him to forget why he avoided the Mortal population, distracted him. Ghastly soon regretted planning the day out in the first place. Nevertheless, he promised himself he wouldn't ruin Dexter's mood by letting a child's innocence bother him.
"Is it because he doesn't wash, Mummy? Is he one of the smelly people you say to stay away from?" the little girl continued. Her mother pulled her away from Ghastly, giving him horrified looks.
Soon most of the children were looking at Ghastly, all staring at the top of his head. He pretended not to notice and looked straight ahead. He couldn't see Dexter or the deer anymore. He decided to retreat to the tree, spinning around to find Dexter right behind him, holding a beanie.
"Where'd you...?" Ghastly said, pointing at the beanie and eyeing it cautiously.
"Just put it on," Dexter spoke over him, pulling the beanie over his head and grabbing Ghastly by the hand. He took the basket from him and pulled him away from the crowd, which soon disbanded.
The two walked home in silence, arms linked. Ghastly watched every person they passed like a hawk, waiting to bite their heads off should they say anything. He was actually thankful of the beanie, even if he didn't know where Dexter got it.
Once they were safely in Bespoke Tailor's, Ghastly ripped off the beanie, throwing it at Dexter and walking away.
Dexter walked into the kitchen and placed the basket on the bench, putting on the beanie. He followed Ghastly into his quarters and bedroom, sitting down next to him on his bed.
"Wanna talk about it?" Dexter comforted him softly, placing his right arm around Ghastly.
Ghastly opened his mouth to say something, but stopped. Huffing as he exhaled heavily. "No," he answered bitterly.
"You sure?" he persisted, sounding sympathetic.
"Yes. I am sure," Ghastly said sternly, getting up and walking around the room.
Dexter looked down and ahead, staring at the doorframe. "I'm going to die my hair red. Just like you wanted," he said blankly, turning his head and focusing back on Ghastly. "Would you like that?"
Ghastly didn't really mind what colour Dexter's hair was, but he did think red suited him best. The corners of his lips twitched, and then he broke out into a huge smile. "Yes. Yes I would like that."