"Where are you taking me?" Jem asked, his hands out in front of him as he moved blindly forwards. Will had his hands on Jem's shoulders, guiding the blindfolded boy through the park.
"Shh, it's a secret!" Will said, leaning forwards slightly to take in the scent of Jem's hair. The faint smell of coconuts and vanilla put a slight smile on his face.
"…Will?" Jem asked suspiciously. "Did you just smell my hair?"
"… No," he replied, slowing as they approached the large pond in the middle of Hyde park. "Are you ready?" He lightly tugged the blindfold off Jem's eyes and watched as his parabati took in his surroundings.
"Hyde park?" Jem said, turning to look into Will's bright blue eyes. One side of Will's mouth pulled upwards in a smile, and he pointed to a small, woven basket sitting on a blanket at the edge of the sparking pond. Jem beamed at him, looking healthier than Will had seen him in a long time, and touched Will's arm softly, sending shivers up his spine. Will grabbed Jem's hand and ran with him down to the basket.
"Oh, look Will!" Jem exclaimed, pointing towards the glistening water. He grinned at four small white creatures floating peacefully in a line. "Ducks! I love ducks!" Will laughed as Jem grabbed a piece of bread and started throwing pieces into the water. The ducks swam enthusiastically towards Jem's gifts.
Will had been leaning back on his elbows, and leant forwards now to sit cross-legged, angling himself towards the other boy. "You should feed them one of these poultry pies." He said, "Perhaps we can breed a race of cannibal ducks."
Laughing, Jem did as Will had suggested, throwing small pieces of poultry pie into the pond. Both boys watched as the largest duck, the one Jem had nicknamed William, examined the pie before snatching it quickly out of the water and eating it. Will grimaced as Jem broke out into fits of laughter, coughing gently in between. Will laughed along, but watched the sick boy with sad eyes.
"This has been just…" Jem looked over at Will, who was already staring at him. "Perfect." Will smiled, reaching out to softly touch Jem's face, stroking his cheekbone lightly with his thumb. Jem sighed, closing his eyes. Will leaned forwards slowly and touched his lips to Jem's. He'd wanted to do that for a long time. He pulled away to see Jem smiling slightly, his eyes still closed.
"Thank you," Jem said, opening his silver eyes. "I love you."
Will's mouth curved upwards in a small smile. "I love you, too."