Trafficlights

Reed stood at the corner of the street, his nose tucked into his scarf and his eyes closed. Ever so often a white cloud ascended from his mouth. He had been waiting twenty minutes already, the store already closed behind him. There was a certain melancholy that cloaked the street, pressing down heavy as he wished Ardy would stop being so irresponsible and actually took the time to get him herself.

He could only hope that Calister wasn't mad at him, he hadn't sounded amused when he had called him. Reed wished he could see his expression as he told him that he still remembered him.

Had he been disgusted? Angry? He had to be tired already, it was past midnight after all and the night was as dark as it could become in this town filled with artificial lights.

As the car pulled up next to him he regretted missing his bus more than he had before. Calisters aura was spiking up and down, so he was clearly upset. Still, his heart jumped as Calister guided him to the passenger side and closed the door for him.

His car smelled of hand sanitizer and what had to be his colon, a warm and masculine smell. Reed tried to ignore the small spirit kitten that crawled onto his legs amidst the light.

"Thank you for picking me up this late...." He was sure that his cheeks were red already. Really, it didn't matter. Calister probably had his eyes on the road anyways.

"Yeah, sure, no big deal. Just tell me your address." He did sound annoyed! Reed cringed and began spelling his address out slowly, waiting for the small sounds of Calisters fingers on the notepad before he continued.

Then Reed leaned his head against the cold window, his mind rushing as though he was in a extremely volatile situation. Calister didn't know he was magic.... Reed wasn't magic either so what did it matter? He ran his fingers through the kittens soft fur and froze.

That... Wasn't possible, was it? He wasn't supposed to be able to touch it, it didn't really exist. The kitten purred and curled closer into his coat, he could feel its small paws testing against his hand.

Calister hadn't said anything in a while so it was unlikely that he had noticed, right? Reed turned his head to concentrate on the center of the aura. Nothing. No reaction at all. As if he was air.

"Would you mind it if I turn on the radio?" Reed was startled by the sudden sound and jumped slightly in his seat.

He wasn't able to speak so he just nodded. Calister reached for the cars radio and searched for a fitting station for a bit before truing to Reed.

"Hand me the CD next to you, would you?" The blind mans hands traveled over the plastic of the door down to where the CD was stuck in the pocket of his seat. He hadn't held one in some while, they had gone out of fashion in is childhood. How strange to still own some, when everything was available on flash drives anyways.

Calister took the small packet and Reed could hear him press a few buttons on his cars console. Then a rhythmic song came on, a bit too loud for reeds taste but he didn't dare to complain. He didn't want to give Calister any more reason to be mad at him.

Calsiter on the other hand really didn't want to talk to Reed. He was sure that of the thousand ways he could think of to embarrass himself at least one would surly happen. His guest also seemed lost in his own musings which he didn't want to interrupt. Ardy was absolutely not getting away with this.

He was lucky that the car ride didn't take long, he should reach Reeds house in a few minutes so would it hurt to ask him a few questions? It wasn't like they were ever going to see each other ever again so it couldn't be too awkward. If anything went wrong Calister would just avoid the coffee shop from now on.

He took a deep breath.

"So you're blind, huh. How come?" Very smooth Calister, no wonder he was so unlucky with his relationships. He was a potato when it came to flirting. Not that he was, by any means, trying to flirt with the weird blind dude currently stumbling over his words.

"It's a birth defect, uh.... yeah, there isn't much I can do about it." Reed was blushing, holy shit, he had to be so uncomfortable.

His fingers were aimlessly moving through the air and he turned his head towards the window.

"Sorry mate. I'm just curious, never met anyone blind before." It was a defect that had been mostly eradicated through their sophisticated medical centers. Sure, not everyone could afford to get their eyes fixed but Reed didn't look poor by any means.

Calister stopped himself from asking why he hadn't had the surgery yet and was relieved as he was already pulling up to Reeds apartment complex.

He parked the car and got out, cold air hitting him in the face like a fist. Shivering he pulled the passenger sides car door open and smiled down at Reed.

"Need any help getting to your flat?" The man held out his hand, well aware that Reed couldn't see it.

"Help? Not at all. But I was wondering if I can't offer you a cup of coffee?" Reed felt the the other man hesitate and quickly added:" As a thank you?"

Calister straightend up and waited for Reed to leave his car.

"It's late already. I still have work to do." There was a hint of regret in his voice but he forced it down for his next few words.

"Night then, call me when you need anything." It was a recited phrase he often used on fellow students or professors.

"I will." Reed climbed the stairs to his entrance and waved, more at the kitten that sat on the card roof than to its owner. He decided for himself that Calister was waving and smiling at him.