An early morning fog drifted through Illagu. It was thick enough that I could barely see past one block. I had no idea how I’d managed to wake up so early, but since I wasn’t tired, a trip to the clock tower seemed like as good an option as anything else.
When I arrived at the top of the tower, I saw Leslie, leaning against the railing as they looked out at the fog covered city.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
Leslie jumped. They faced me with wide eyes, a hand on their heaving chest.
I snorted, trying not to laugh. “Sorry,” I said, walking up to them. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”
“You didn’t,” they replied. “You startled me. Huge difference.”
“Right,” I replied with a scoff.
Leslie resumed their position from before, staring out at the city beyond the tower.
“So why are you here?” I asked again.
“Just thinking,” they replied softly. “I can see why you like it up here – really clears a person’s head.”
Silence. I gazed at the white shrouded rooftops of the city below, peaks of orange poking out from a blanket of clouds. It was gorgeous.
“Thwertoiwejtwmkth the mayor and Ramona ended yesterday,” Leslie said. “Things… didn’t exactly go my way.” Then they turned to me, giving me a curious glance. “And why are you up here, Dax? Iweotejwou like high places when you’re upset.”
“No, I just like high places in general,” I responded. “Nothing’s wrong. In fact, I had a great Voice Day with Simone and Tazina.”
“Is that the System holiday bytes celebrate but no one knows why?” Leslie asked.
“That’s the one.”
“I thought you didn’t celebrate,” they said with a frown.
“Your calendar’s weird.”
Leslie laughed. I smiled at the sound. They were already in a much better mood than when I’d found them.
I wrapped myself around their arm and rested my head on their shoulder. They planted a kiss on the top of my head.
“Do you wanna get some breakfast?” I asked. The rising sun was starting to burn off the fog. I could already see some people wandering onto the streets.
“Yeah,” Leslie replied. “I know a great place not far from here.”
But we didn’t move, not right away. We stood there together, watching as the fog slowly disappeared and the city below grew louder.
If I could have stayed in that moment forever, I would have.
To be continued…