Written for studentnumber24601 for The Refuge's Back to School Secret Slash ('08)

"Hey, Blink?"

"Yeah, Mush?"

"What makes the leaves change colors?"

The two newsboys were lying in a secluded area of Central Park with the tops of their heads pressed together. All they could see above was a mass of leaves in hues of red, orange, yellow, gold, and brown. They formed a beautiful and autumnal mosaic, the kind that could only be appreciated by certain types of people. It was early September and the weather had been fair and cool all week. Between that and the recent string of robberies that dominated the headlines the newsboys were in high spirits.

Blink tilted his head to the side as he considered the question. "I don't know, Mush. Maybe it's got something to do with the weather?" he guessed.

"Oh," his friend said disappointedly. "Do you think Davy'd know?"

Blink's expression soured, a slight twinge of jealousy flickering inside. "Maybe, but he'll be in school until this afternoon." He reached down into his pocket and plucked out a cigarette. "What's with you and him anyway? He your new best friend?" He grabbed a match and struck it against the sole of his boot.

"Nah, it ain't like that." Mush told him. "It's just nice to have someone who's smart and who don't look down on you as a friend. You know he's teaching me arithmetic."

"Yeah, so you told me," Blink muttered as he lit his cigarette. "And what do you mean by 'someone who's smart'? Are you saying the rest of us are dumb?"

Mush twisted his head to look back at him. "No, Blink, I didn't mean it like that!" he insisted, his eyes wide with regret. 'I wasn't trying to insult you or nothing. I just meant that Davy's book smart. The rest of us – you, me, and the other guys – we're street smart. Well, you guys are, I guess. I don't think I'm very smart one way or another," he joked half-heartedly. When Blink didn't look at him or reply, Mush became distinctly nervous. "Blink?" he asked softly. "You ain't mad at me, are you?"

Blink exhaled a long stream of smoke. "Nah, Mush, I ain't mad. I guess I just was feeling a bit jealous. With the way you talk about David…I just feel like I'm being replaced is all."

Mush could feel himself blushing. "Blink, you don't have to worry 'bout me and Davy…I mean, I don't think he's even…well…like that." He rolled on to his stomach so that he was facing Blink. Well, he was facing the top of his head at least. Mush smiled, admiring the head of blonde, wispy hair. He lowered his chin, resting it atop his hands, his nose only inches away from Blink's hair. "Even if he was, I could never see myself feeling 'bout him the way I do about you."

Blink smiled smugly, a smile that was practically a smirk. He reached his free hand up above his head to where Mush was, grabbing the other boy's hand and softly stroking the thumb. His grin grew wider as he felt warm breath brush against his skin and tender lips press against his fingers.

Mush pressed Blink's hand against his cheek. "I really love being here with you, Blink. I mean, I love being anywhere with you, but I really love just you and me sharing this together. I think it may be favorite time of year."

"Why?"

Mush shrugged. "I dunno. It's not so hot like summer, but it's not freezing like winter neither. There's a good smell in the air and just a good feeling everywhere. And, of course, I love the leaves and the way they change colors."

"And then they fall off and get stepped on," Blink cut in. "And then they wither and die. Sometimes I feel like a damn leaf," Blink said as he put out his cigarette on a nearby tree root and flicked it away. "It's like we come out all hopeful in this world only to wither away and be stepped on like we were nothing. The only difference is no one takes the time admire us the way they do the leaves."

"You ain't nothing, Blink," Mush insisted, rubbing the boy's hand against his cheek. "And I spend most of my time admiring you," he added shyly.

Blink tilted his head back, catching Mush's eyes above him. They looked at each other for a moment before Mush tilted his head down, brushing his lips against Blink's in a strange, though satisfying, upside down kiss. Blink opened his mouth slightly, allowing Mush's bottom lip to fall in. He gently nipped at the lip and Mush emitted a soft squeal in response before slowly pulling away.

There was a small, yet sweet, bout of silence, as both boys continued to look at each other. "I guess the leaves can be pretty at times," Blink conceded, trying in vain to hide the blush that was creeping into his cheeks. And with that he sat up, running his hand through his hair, to remove any bits of grass or leaves that may have gotten stuck in there.

Behind him Mush was following suit. "I guess we should get some lunch before the afternoon edition comes out."

Blink glanced at Mush, smiling in bemusement as he spotted a single, yellow leaf sticking to boy's curls. He gently plucked it out and dropped it to the ground as the two walked off together.

"Hey, Blink?"

"Yeah, Mush?"

"…I think you're the smartest guy I know."