CHAPTER 6: Isopleths in Bloom
ANs:
Chapter title is inspired by the poem "Summer Solstice" by Stacie Cassarino, Zero at the Bone.
Isopleth is defined as a line drawn on a map through all points having the same value of some measurable quantity.
"You need to stop making it a habit to accost me in public."
"I don't accost you in public. We don't even kiss or hold hands."
"Yes, because the countless handjobs in public are much better."
"No one was looking. Plus you almost always end up on your knees for me." He winked saucily.
"There are hundreds of people in Hyde Park!"
"I missed your cock. And I felt how much you missed mine. You have a very talented mouth."
Severus gave an exasperated sigh. They arranged their clothes and made their way out of their hiding spot.
Hours later they were sharing a selection of overpriced food in the Courtyard Café at The National Portrait Gallery. Cheese and pickle sarnies, lemon drizzle slice, carrot cake,, crisps, and fresh orange juice. Isaiah was meticulously picking out the raisins from his half of the carrot cake.
"What are your summer plans?" asked Severus.
"We aren't even done with the Easter holidays yet. He has not yet risen, let the man rise."
"I am quite aware. So?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I was hoping we could spend more time together."
"We spend time together. We email each other once a week and at least once a month we share cake," he raised his fork as proof.
"We've slept in the same bed once. Gone by morning. You're always so busy."
"I have classes and a full time job, Severus."
"I know that. I want to see you more. Galleries, hiding in bushes and cult parties aside don't count."
"How long has this been bothering you?"
"Since Christmas."
"Why didn't you say anything? It's been months. I do read and respond to your emails."
"I thought it prudent to discuss this in person. It is a private matter not to be had around others. We're rarely alone and when we are, conversation isn't on the menu."
"We're surrounded by people now, this is not private."
"I became impatient."
Isaiah looked into his eyes and saw his sincerity. "I'll see what I can do. Maybe I can cut back my weekend hours."
"Really?"
"Of course, Sev. If it means that much to you."
A couple of weeks later found the couple laying in the middle of an overgrown field. They had trekked through a muddy path in Letchmore Heath to get to it. It was out of the way and quiet. Just what they needed for privacy.
"What are you reading?" Severus asked after waking. He had fallen asleep after they finished their picnic.
Isaiah looked up from the book. He lifted the cover to show Severus.
"Hamlet? You like Shakespeare?"
"Some. I like this and a couple of his sonnets."
"Which is your favorite?"
Isaiah turned to lay down on the blanket. He closed his eyes and after a couple of minutes he recited.
"For all that beauty that doth cover thee, Is but the seemly raiment of my heart, Which in thy breast doth live, as thine in me: How can I then be elder than thou art? Presume not on thy heart when mine is slain; Thou gavest me thine, not to give back again."
There was a pregnant pause. "You're making fun of me!" Severus exclaimed and tossed a dirty napkin at Isaiah.
"You're the one obsessed with how old I am."
"I still don't know how old you are."
"I'm 22."
Severus glared at him. "Liar. You quoted parts of Sonnet 22."
"The fact that you know that is very sexy." Isaiah pounced.
It was too early for sane people on a clear mid June day.
"You've brought your passport?"
"Yes. Are you going to tell me where we're going?"
"Come on, this way." Severus grabbed Isaiah's bag and started walking away.
Isaiah followed for a couple of streets and then paused.
"Waterloo Station?"
"Waterloo International Railway Station," corrected Severus.
"Whatever. Don't tell me you're taking me to Paris? I didn't take you to be such a classic romantic."
"Not Paris. Come along."
They made their way through the large building.
"Have you been on the Eurostar before?" asked Isaiah.
"No, this will be my first time. You?"
"No, I figured I let others try it out first and then see. Not sure I trust electric things underwater. I mean, look at what happened last February. A thousand people getting trapped because of snow."
"Snow isn't water."
"It's frozen water, still water."
"Are you afraid? I can book a car instead?"
"No, I'll be fine. What's life without a little risk? So, where to?" Severus handed him a ticket, which he read quickly. "Brussels? I don't know French or Dutch."
"I do, I'll be your guide."
"Alright, Brussels here we come."
The train seats were quite nice but not enough to take Isaiah's mind away from being underwater.
"You know, we could have gone to the beach for the day or a caravan park," Isaiah piped up after they finished their breakfast.
"I am aware. But this is our first long weekend together and I wanted to commemorate it."
"You're such a teddy bear."
"Only for you."
"I'm aware."
They were examining "Golconde" in the Magritte Museum when Isaiah made the comment.
"So I told them you're my uncle."
"Uncle?"
"Uncle."
"I find that disturbing."
"You're not my real uncle so it's not a problem. My co-workers were getting nosy and I had to think of something to explain who you are as they've seen you a few times from afar."
"But Uncle?"
"We don't look related and calling you my friend would raise eyebrows since it's obvious that you are a bit older."
"Don't remind me of how young you are."
"Alright."
Laying naked, with creased white sheets covering their feet, and a cool night summer breeze making their sweaty skin pimple.
"What is it?"
"Nothing."
"You keep glancing at me every couple of seconds. Say whatever it is you're thinking."
"I feel like a girl."
"Alright, do you want me to refer to you as 'she' from now on."
"What? No. I don't actually feel like a girl. I meant…"
"Yes…"
"What are we?" Severus blurted out.
"Oh, you were being sexist by referring to anything emotional as female. Like asking someone you have romantic ties to about the status of your relationship."
"Stop being such a know it all."
"I'm still right."
"Izzy!"
"What do you want to be?"
"You're so young."
"I'm younger than you, yes. That is a fact."
"You should be with someone younger."
"Alright."
"What?!"
"If you don't want this to be a thing because of my age, then that's okay. We can still hang out. I'll stop trying to get you naked."
"Is that what you want?"
"It seems to be what you want."
"I like you."
"I like you."
"I like spending time with you."
"I like spending time with you."
"Stop repeating everything I say."
Isaiah gave him a smirk. "Sorry."
Severus glared at him. "It's been a while since I've had a lover."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"You're not a virgin though."
"Of course not. I've had dalliances."
"Dalliances! What are you 100! Do people still call them that?"
"As I was saying. I've had…"
"They're called one-offs."
"Yes."
"When was the last time you dated?" Severus averted his eyes. "I see."
"Forget it."
"No, it's fine, really. Dating is complicated. Time consuming. Disappointing. I don't date either."
"You're lying."
"Hand on heart."
"You're such a flirt. People all but throw themselves at you wherever we go."
"I don't deny my charm…."
"Such ego."
"But I don't date. I'm busy with school, work, dealing with Mother, the ceremonies and parties. I don't have time to date."
"You've spent time with me. You came here with me."
"You asked."
"And others haven't?"
"You didn't just try to fuck me from the start."
"Oh." Severus looked surprised.
"It's nice having an actual conversation. We talk about the news, books we've read, music we like, idiots we've known. We go to galleries and museums. Dinner out on the town. Picnics in the woods. We feed the ducks. Row in the Serpentine. Chew gum because it's fun."
"I'm still not convinced that gum is fun."
"You still tried it for me."
"You asked."
"You asked. So what are we? You're not seeing anyone else?"
"No."
"And you don't want me to see anyone else?"
"Correct."
"And you want us to have sex?" Severus nodded. "Then we're together."
"Together."
"Boyfriend, partner, significant other."
"If you wouldn't mind."
"It so happens that I don't mind, sweetheart."