It was a bright day, a good break from the rainy days with cloudy early hours that had plagued the place for the past week. Kenneth and James were sitting beside each other on a park bench. The two had left James' apartment on a whim just a few minutes ago. Kenneth had joked about playing their saxophones in the park and James had just run with it.

Since James walked out on their discussion Kenneth never brought up anything about their relationship again. He went through periods when he would seethe with anger at the fact that James' was beating about the bush regarding their relationship, and he also went through phases when he was angry at himself for not being patient and making everything awkward. Graduation was now a week away. James was done with packing and would be ready to leave the day after. Kenneth tried to enjoy the limited time they had left, but it was hard to do when the memories he was trying to make with James were in constant conflict with the paranoia in his head.

"This place is empty," Kenneth commented, trying to get out of his head.

"Well, that doesn't mean we can't play," James said, making Kenneth look over at him. The read head was in shorts, sandals, and a plain teal-colored top. His hair was a mess, and it was one of the few times he pulled it back in a pitiful ponytail just to deal with the chaos. Kenneth looked away when James raised a brow at him. They really had left in a hurry. He didn't look any better.

"I guess you're right," Kenneth replied, watching as James placed his saxophone case on the ground before taking out his instrument and cradling it on his lap. Kenneth did the same, and soon after they got up and started strolling around the park. Kenneth played the start of Essence of Love as a joke but was James joined in and they continued. The looked ridiculous, but the two were happy and wouldn't have it any other way. They were having fun, and that's what mattered. Ignoring the glaring issue that was their complex relationship was also easier to do when they just hung out and laughed together like two close friends.

When they were both tired, they sat on a wooden park bench, staying close as they looked up at the clear blue sky. As noon drew near more people filled the park, and soon the place was buzzing with noise and activity. Kenneth got up to get the two ice creams, and when he came back, they talked about nothing and everything and let time go by. Kenneth had a lot to say, but he kept the things that mattered most to him hidden away, opting to talk about mundane things instead, in other not to make James uncomfortable.

Keep it to yourself. He kept telling himself as he looked at James talk with his rose-colored lips stretched out in a smile. James with his deep green eyes and freckled face. The James that shot him down with cold words and a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders if he told him how he felt. It hurt, but it was better to enjoy being together for the next week because Kenneth wasn't sure if James would even look back at him when he left the country. James had told him they would keep in touch, but Kenneth had reasons to doubt that.

"Kenneth." Ken looked over at James when the man called his name. He blinked, resting his back on the bench as he came back to reality. He had zoned out and had probably left James to talk to himself for the past few minutes.

"Sorry," Ken said with a sigh before running his hand through his hair and using his thumb and index finger to massage the space between his thick brows. "I was... thinking," he added the last word with a little hesitance. He didn't want to say things that would make James panic.

"Oh," the redhead said, looking away from Kenneth. "I was thinking about something too." The silence that followed was tense and uncomfortable. Kenneth didn't know what to say, so he didn't say anything. He just watched as James bit his bottom lip; the man's brows drew close and a conflicted look took form on his face. James then pursed his lips before adjusting his posotion on the bench.

"I wanted to ask you something," he started, turning so that he was looking Kenneth in the eyes. His green eyes locking with the dark-haired man's deep brown ones. He waited a bit before taking Kenneth's silence as permission to keep talking.

"Are you gay?" The question came out in a small quiet voice, and Kenneth wouldn't have heard James if he wasn't paying close attention and straining his ears to hear despite the sound of children in the playground. Kenneth blinked, turning his eyes away from James' as thought about it. It hadn't really occurred to him to ask himself that question. He just liked James, and he had acted on that feeling.

Am I gay? He wondered, frowning a bit. He didn't really have much of an experience to go by because he had spent most of his short life being the center of his own attention. No other person had really interested him.

"I'm not sure," Kenneth said, deciding to be honest. He looked over at James, and worry clouded his feature when he saw the expression on James' face. The ginger-haired man looked away, muttering a small 'oh' and nothing else.

Did I say something wrong? Kenneth wondered, licking his chapped lip before leaning forward. His face was on the same level as James' now. Kenneth just stared at the redhead, not saying anything.

"I'm gay," James muttered, and Kenneth just nodded. "I always have this problem for falling for confused people," James said, and Kenneth opened his mouth to protest the implication that he was confused but he kept his mouth shut, deciding not to. James had a right to voice his fears, and he would listen. This was what he had wanted—a clear explanation.

"They tell you they love you, that they love you, but they end up framing things as a mistake sooner or later," James continued, covering his face.

"Am I a mistake?" he asked no one in particular before letting go of his face and looking over at Kenneth. "Will this also be a mistake?" The question cut into Kenneth. He could hear the anxiousness and confusion in James' words. He wanted to hold him—comfort him, but they'd probably look out of pace hugging on a bench at the center of the park's playground.

"No," Kenneth's words were firm. He reached out to hold on to James's hand before giving it a squeeze. James looked down at their joined hands before looking up at Kenneth who was giving him a reassuring smile. "I love you. I won't let you go, so please don't let me go," Kenneth said in a whisper as he leaned closer. James' eyes went wide, and he turned, focusing his gaze on the sand. He didn't say anything in reply, and Kenneth didn't bother him.

The two left the park together shortly after. The bus ride back to James' place was quiet, and so was the rest of their interactions until Kenneth had to leave. It didn't bother Ken that James was skeptical. He had at least opened up to him and was honest with his anxiety. Ken just had to show him that there was nothing to be afraid of.

Kenneth needed time, and time was running out, but he was optimistic.