"so you play the piano" my hands halted where i was washing off the dishes and stacking them into the dishwasher, Mercer was sitting on the bar stool behind the island listening to me work while his finger trailed over the braille on the page of the book he'd pulled off the shelf once we had finished dinner and i had begun to wash up, the doors were closed and locked and the lights were on in the room, it was so quiet inside one could hear the crickets chirping outside and an owl hooting in the distance.
i tapped my knuckles against the bench top twice "do play a certain type" one tap "so a range of music" two taps, Mercer smiled brightly "i only know a few songs, i'm not very good at composing my own music, trust me I've tried, it always turns out to be quite terrible" a smile slipped onto my face at his amused tone, humored by his own failed attempts, any man who laughed at himself was a good man indeed, some people grew sour when jokes were made about them to them and i had meet many people like that, Mercer was certainly unique in that aspect, to me that is, there were probably many people like that, i just had yet to meet those people.
now that i think about it, this is the first time i had smiled in a long time, it was such a rarity and a challenge for anyone who tried to make me smile, how did Mercer make me smile so easily, maybe it was simply the fact he could not see my smile, yes, that had to be it.
"you'll have to teach me some new tunes, and maybe you could play the violin for me" i looked down at the dish in my hands, he wanted me to play for him, i had never played my violin for anyone, besides my father that is, if it were not for my father i would never have learned the joys of music, two taps against the bench, it wouldn't hurt to play for one person.
"Macy said you were also an artist, my parents used to take me to the art museum when i was little, before i lost my sight, i always enjoyed a good piece of art, did your parents take you to art museums" two taps, Mercer continued to smile brightly as returned the stacking the dishwasher before closing up the door and them emptying the sink of the remaining dirty water.848Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG2eOhP0kH
Mercer suddenly closed up his book and slipped off his set onto the cool wooden floor, the house had a built in heating system so the air temperature was easy to adjust with the thermostat but the floor was pleasantly cool on bare feet, even i lacked shoes in the house.
"i think i'll retire for the night, thank you for making dinner Argo, it was delicious" he spoke softly and gave that continuously kind smile before he proceeded towards the stairs and then vanished up them, i stood there for a moment in utter silence as i looked over the room, my eyes settling on the piano where it sat untouched in the corner, i could play for a bit, just a little while, it had been some time since i had had the pleasure of playing a piano, but then Mercer would be trying to sleep and i didn't want to disturb him.
with the release of a small, slightly audible sigh, i stepped out of the room and turned off the lights, moving to the stairs and ascending them to the second floor, my steps were almost silent, would have been was i not trying to teach myself to be a little louder for Mercer's sake, he needed to hear me, to know where i was so i wouldn't accidentally scare him, i was attempting to do just that.
Mercer's room was mostly dark were it not for the moonlight shining through his window, as i came to the top of the stairs i could see into his room as he rummaged into his drawer, he lacked a shirt now and in the dim light i could make out the smooth tone of his body, he didn't have much for muscles but he looked strong, a tones stomach and chest, things i hadn't seen when he'd been wearing a shirt earlier.
"good night Argo" i flinched at his voice, realizing i had stopped at the top of the stairs and had remained staring at him, i felt my cheeks grow hot from my own embarrassment and became thankful that he was blind so could not see my face, with that i turned on my heel and hurried down the hall to my own room, i envied doors in that moment, how i'd loved to have closed it and simply hide away from the world, just for a moment.848Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTezHmBGEv4
pulling off my jacket i tossed it onto the floor and slipped into the bed, i couldn't be bothered turning on a light to rummage through my things simply to change into some clothes to sleep in, i was too tired and too embarrassed, hiding under my blankets was far better then getting changed, tomorrow would be a better day, i'd try harder to be a good friend to this man i now lived with, tomorrow i'd properly start this new life away from the city, away from the judgement of normal society.
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