It was easy to forget the schedule of the orphanage after all those years, but Luca did not forget mass. When they were young children, mass was scheduled before the meals, but there were some problems with the children being more antsy and hungry, often distractedly waiting for mass to end, so Ms. Lowell changed the scheduling after speaking with the other staff. Now, it seemed that they kept that schedule. Thinking that, Luca asked Felix with a curious tone, “So the schedule is still the same, huh?” He trailed off, thinking of what they used to do during mass. After so many years, it was difficult to remember the many Catholic ceremonies. 

“Not much has changed since you left.” Felix said, looking off towards the centre of the food hall, where the children were gathered, talking and playing as they finished cleaning up the dining hall with their usual obnoxious energy. The biblical verses shone with the overhead lights on the walls, and the tables were cleared, resting in the style as they had years ago. With another look, it really did feel like nothing had changed.

The only things that had changed were the people inside the orphanage, it seemed. 

Feeling a hand on his wrist, Luca looked down and met Felix’s gaze, “Why don’t we set up for mass together. I’ve done it by myself for so long, it gets a little lonely.” Felix laughed, his hand lightly tugging on Luca’s wrist like a child.

Luca looked up, “What about Father Micheal? Doesn’t he help with morning mass?” Father Micheal would always be very involved with the children, especially during the ceremonies. Even if it was something as small as daily mass, he would be a part of it. Thinking this, Luca became concerned.

Hearing the worry in Luca’s voice, Felix loosened his grip as he said, “Father Micheal has been having some health problems, so I’ve taken over most of the small services to allow him time to rest. He should be here Sunday to lead mass.” Father Micheal had been training Felix and mentoring him to lead services. Maybe he had progressed so far already?

With that thought, Luca was led out of the dining hall by Felix. As they passed through the hallway towards the dormitories, Felix realised he was still holding Luca’s wrist. He looked down at their connected hands and said with a laugh, “Sorry, Luca. Old habits, it seems.” With a gentle lift of his hand, he released his grip and turned back towards the doorway to the dormitories with a steady expression, looking a little embarrassed by his childhood habits.

When Felix first arrived at the orphanage, he and Luca would often hold hands and walk together, Luca leading the nervous Felix around the orphanage like a small tour guide. It was not until they got older did the two stop, but sometimes Felix would take Luca’s hand in his, enjoying the companionship. Luca, having been raised by affectionate caretakers, would often enable Felix to do so. 

It was natural, after all. Felix was like a brother to him. 

Once the two entered Felix’s room, they grabbed their winter boots and jackets and walked to the doorway to the outside. They stepped into the small stone floor and donned their winter boots and jackets, leaving their indoor shoes to the side. The secretary at the desk greeted Luca, and Felix introduced her to him. The short, sweet woman was named Heidi, and she looked to be not much older than Felix or Luca. The pair waved to her as they stepped out, opening the door to a batch of cold air. 

“Ah, it’s cold out today, huh?” Luca said, wrapping his scarf higher around his face as Felix closed the door behind them. The sky was light, full of fluffy white clouds, dulling the sky into a light grey shade. Wind picked up loose snow on the ground and lifted it up into the air, blowing around with a chilly bite at the end. 

Felix nodded, puffs of warm air circling around his head like stars. He pulled up the collar of his turtleneck just below his chin and began to walk quickly with Luca towards the chapel. The sound of their feet crunching against the frozen snow rang out in the still and quiet winter morning. There were no sounds of birds, no animals, not even the sound of traffic. Having lived in the middle of the city for so long, Luca forgot how much he missed the quiet sounds of nature. Even though it was quite cold, he could not help but enjoy the feeling of the wind on his face and the smell of the fresh air. 

Walking together, the walk felt short, and Felix and Luca soon arrived at the large wood doors of the church. Luca stood to the side, stomping the snow off of his boots as Felix used his key to unlock the doors, pushing it open with a light push of his right hand. Luca was led inside by Felix, who walked to the side of the sizable old church to turn on the lights. Luca could only squint his eyes before the overhead lights clicked on, and he blinked to get a better look at the never-changing inside of the church. 

Looking down the red carpet aisle, Luca’s eyes fixed onto the small wooden table at the top of the small platform, and the crucifix affixed to the pale white wall, showing the bronze figure of the Lord’s son. The wooden pews were simple, decorated only with shelves on the backs of the benches, filled with lovingly handled bibles and song books. The lectern was faded but still in good condition, placed to the side of the platform, where Felix would be speaking from no doubt. 

The windows had not changed in the past years either, Luca found. There had never been any stained glass designs, as they were too expensive for a small, simple orphanage to afford, but Luca promised Felix when he was wealthy enough, he would renovate the chapel and replace the windows with only the most colourful glass. Seeing the tall glass windows as they were, Luca felt a little sad, sighing softly as he redirected his attention to Felix, who was adjusting the curtain on the confessional with a small smile on his face, looking happy to be back. 

“There should be some papers on the lectern, Luca. Do you mind grabbing them and organising them for me? I’ll be reading those for today’s mass.” Felix looked up to Luca, who had stopped wandering in the middle of the aisle. 

“Of course.” Luca smiled and nodded, walking down the aisle, his footsteps clicking quietly through the empty hall as he walked to the lectern, leaving Felix to fix the confessional booth. With his back turned, Luca did not see the heavy stare Felix gazed at him with. The young priest’s eyes were affixed onto Luca’s figure with a chasing eye, and the smile across his lips could only be disputed by those who were to see it. 

There was a joy and a dominative spark in his eyes, seeing Luca returning to such a holy sanctuary. Felix clasped his fingers tightly in his palm, attempting to hide his emotions as he watched carefully as Luca looked through the papers at the pew with a serious look, mumbling to himself decisively. In such an environment, Luca felt safe, but Felix knew he would have to play with the young man’s feelings of refuge to truly earn him. 

There was no worry, no thought of failure. There was only the gaze of Felix as he walked up the aisle, the gentle air returned to him as he walked up to assist Luca. He gently placed his hand on the other man’s shoulder and gazed over to the pew, feeling the warmth of his childhood friend return to him.

…

Some notes: Remember football here is soccer for my American readers (lol). I'll be doing once a week updates with YMtK until my stockpile runs out for this. Let me know your thoughts, and see you next week >y<