Happy New Year!
Disclaimer: Does anyone here really think I own La Esperanca? Because…I don't…
Word count: 1,476
Warnings: The introduction of the fake Esperantos pound, and a couple of very light kisses…I'm not sure they require a warning, but…there you go…
Special thanks to: AnimeAngelRin, yaoi kitsune, Bee Bop, Mister Cat and yaoiLOVER6 Eiri yuki for reviewing chapter one.
Request by: yaoi kitsune. I'm afraid this is kind of a part one to how the boys meet up again…so it's not exactly what you asked for, sorry…
I've been having troubles with this chapter, hence the lack of updates. Chapter three is basically complete, and I've already started on a future chappy. Anyway, please enjoy!
Chapter Two: Past
"They smell wonderful!" Georges laughed, inhaling the scent with a smile, his fingers brushing against a petal as soft as velour. "How much are they?"
"Three pounds a bunch, lad." The man smiled, holding a bunch of freesias, "And I'll throw in some lavender for free."
"Oh, thank-you so much. I hope she'll like them." The blonde followed the shop keeper to the till, counting out his change aloud. "Two, two fifty, three…"
"A present for your girlfriend?" The man chuckled, tying a blue ribbon around the bunch of flowers.
"No." Georges blushed. "They're for my piano teacher. I graduate from her this afternoon…I know she likes flowers." He handed over the money. "I didn't think a box of chocolates, a bottle of wine and a card was enough for someone who's tutored me for a year…"
"Thank-you." The man gave him a toothy grin. "I'm sure she'll appreciate the gifts. Remember, it's the thought that counts. Good day!"
"Thanks, bye." The door clicked shut, and Georges stepped out into the cold air. A strong breeze played with the toggles on his coat, and brought a pink tinge to his cheeks. But the blonde was too pre-occupied thinking about what would happen in the afternoon. His mother was coming over to see his teacher, and his final performance under Blanche's guidance would commence after lunch.
He tightened his grip on the bouquet as the wind grew stronger. The lavender danced between the freesias, creating blobs of purple, white and green swirling in his hand. Robert had told him once, in the church at school, that lavender had been Grace's favourite flower.
Robert…
Georges wondered what the older boy was doing right now. He knew Robert was studying further English Literature, a subject he had excelled in at school. They did text each other, but not often. The blonde frequently checked his inbox, but preferred ringing the dark-haired teen, so he could hear Robert's voice. Still, it wasn't the same.
'Is it selfish of me to feel lonely, Robert?' Georges sighed. Today was meant to be special…He didn't want to ruin everything for his mother and teacher just because he couldn't stop thinking about Robert. It didn't help that Robert hadn't replied to the text Georges had sent a week ago, revealing all the plans for this very day.
As the blonde began to fasten his coat's toggles, the phone in his pocket started to vibrate. Georges whipped out his cell to find he had received a text. It was his mother, asking him if he was still going to meet her at the train station in two hours.
Georges sat down on the nearest bench and texted back. After sending his reply he ran his finger over the scratch on the side of the phone. It was the same model he had bought after Robert had told him to get one, just before he'd left Idealo in March the previous year…
"So…when will you be leaving?" Robert asked, running one hand through tousled blonde locks.
"Probably around March." Georges replied, as the rosary resting in his palm swayed gently in the breeze.
"I see."
"So before then, we've got a few more graves to visit." Georges smiled. "My father's, Maria's…and…your mother's…"
Robert's eyes widened. How had Georges known about his mother…?
"I heard from Alain…" The blonde continued, as if he had read Robert's thoughts. "How she passed away when you were still young."
Robert's arms tightened around the younger figure and a short bout of silence came between the two boys. It was comforting and warm, and Georges used the opportunity to take in the sweet scent of Robert's cologne.
"We'd better go soon, since we don't have much time." Georges whispered, resting his head on Robert's shoulder.
"…Yeah. But first, before all that, buy yourself a mobile phone…"
The blonde burst out laughing. "Okay…"
At the memory, Georges sighed again, glancing once more at his sms inbox, before returning the phone to his pocket.
The blonde headed back to 'Granny' Blanche's house, hiding the flowers behind his back as he entered the through the painted-white front door.
"Georges? That you?" Blanche called from the dining room.
"Yes. I'll be with you in a minute." Georges said, poking his head around the door to the flash the older woman a smile.
"Alright, alright… I'll be in the garden."
Georges grabbed a vase from under the kitchen sink – Blanche kept all her vases in the cupboard there when they weren't in use - and filled it with water. He put the bunch of flowers in it, carried it upstairs - with a little difficulty and spillage - and placed it on his bedroom windowsill. It would only be a temporary home for the flowers, since they were better suited outside.
Finally, he joined 'Granny' Blanche in her garden, where she was sat on the ground, tending to the flowerbeds.
"I'm looking forward to seeing your mother again." She said, moving whips of hair out of her face. "…And your grand finale..."
"Thanks…" Georges grinned. "I'm a little nervous, but excited at the same time. And tonight is my last night here…"
Blanche stood up and brushed her skirt, leaving her trowel in the soil. "We'll make sure it's a night to remember. Don't you worry, Georges. Now, where's that smile I'm used to seeing? Hmm? Smile for me, okay?" She pinched one cheek lightly.
"Okay." Smiling again, the young blonde rubbed his now pink cheek and turned to head back inside. "Thank-you…"
"Look after your mother, young lad." She called after him. "She's very proud of you." Blanche watched her student close the backdoor, before turning back to her beloved flowers. 'And so am I…'
---
/The next train to arrive will be the three thirty-one service from Idealo/
Georges rubbed his hands together. It was rather cold in the station, since there was only half a roof covering the platforms.
Green eyes scanned the track for the train. He had been there for fifteen minutes already, wanting to arrive early. It had been months since Mrs. Saphir had visited her son, sometime in the fall before it became too cold, and the trains too unpredictable.
A low rumble and distant screech sounded before the train came into view. A pigeon walked past the blonde, pecking at the leftovers of a sandwich, before taking flight across the track, only inches between its feathered body and the steel front on the train.
Georges cringed, praying the bird had survived. The train drew to a stop, its breaks squealing as it slowed.
Excited, Georges waited for the doors to beep and open, his eyes darting from door to door as he kept a look out for his mother.
People piled out in droves; couples met and embraced on the platform, children ran around to stretch their legs, and elderly women tottered along with sticks and small suitcases. Georges moved further down, spotting a head of dark blonde hair exiting the train.
"Mother?" He shouted with a little uncertainty. "Mother!"
Mrs. Saphir turned around to be embraced by her son. "Georges!" She hugged the boy back with equal enthusiasm, releasing the small, purple suitcase from her grasp. "Oh, Georges!"
"I'm so glad you're here…" Georges smiled. He was still only an inch shorter than his mother. He quickly bent down to take her small suitcase, when a finger tapped at his shoulder.
"And me?"
The blonde jumped at the voice. "…I…"
"Aren't you glad to see me?"
"R…Robert!" Georges stood up and span around to face the dark-haired boy. Without a second thought, Georges threw his arms around the figure. "You…you're really here…!"
"I got your text…" Robert mumbled. "Your mother told me it wouldn't be gentlemanly of me to leave her unaccompanied on the train…" At this, Georges' mother couldn't help but smile. She'd always appreciated good manners.
"Huh?!" Georges looked at Robert, then at his mother, and back at Robert.
"And…I suppose I couldn't miss out on your final performance here…so…" That coy smile was back in place.
"Oh…Thank-you." Standing on tiptoes, Georges quickly looked left and right, before pressing a light kiss on Robert's left cheek. "And…you too, mother." He kissed his mother's right cheek.
The older boy frowned at the PDA, but, since there were very few people actually on the platform that could have witnessed the gesture, decided to accept it without complaint.
Georges reached out for the handle on his mother's suitcase, but Robert shook his head and took hold of it instead – all his gear was in his rucksack for convenience. The blonde, smiling his thanks, grasped his mother's left hand, and Robert's right one, and started walking them to the exit.
"Let's go." Georges beamed. "I've got so much to show you both…"
Behind them, a pigeon took flight, soaring over the old steeple church and crowded alleyways, cooing its song into the blue mid-March sky…
Tbc…
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Yes, the flashback happened in volume seven. So I don't own that!
I know this chappy was very bad, but this is the best I could come up with. I tried other possibilities, and still I'm not happy with the final outcome. However, if I didn't post it today, I don't think I'd EVER post chapter two…
Expect a quicker update for chapter three…that is, if you guys think it's worth continuing. I'm so disappointed with this chapter, that it's made me worry about future instalments…
Thanks for reading,
Minako Angel xxx
