A Deeper Connection

Part Three

Zinc burst through the door and explained how she overheard something that concerned her. When she realised her son's better state, she and Brenden helped him slowly return to his ordinary life. They managed to restore his usual self, the sweet and timid boy who would salute everyone, ask how they were doing, and express his love for them through his wide eyes.

A few weeks later, Copper had been administered in the high school right before his day of birth. He made an agreement with his mother that he would go the following Monday after his special day. Meanwhile, during all those weeks, he had painted on his walls white clouds. They littered the sky blue walls, making it seem like a wallpaper theme rather than simple coloured walls.

On the day of his birthday, Brenden had arranged a dinner date at a café near the widest stream, which was currently frozen.

"You look absolutely handsome, honey." Zinc gushed once she finished straightening out the collar of Copper's plaid shirt.

"Thank you." He smiled briefly before heading towards the door where his brother waited impatiently.

"Took you long enough, your majesty. But look at you, all grown up..." Nickle wiped at his eye and sniffed exaggeratedly. "Oh hush, it's his first date, what did you expect!" Zinc smacked Nickle's shoulder and handed them each a coat. "He's handling his first date better than you ever did!" Nickle scoffed at his snarling mother.

"Be careful to not fall too hard, it can be quite tricky to ice skate. You, look after your brother, alright?"

"Yeah, yeah. I know he can't take care of himself." Nickle gripped and patted Copper's shoulder in a teasingly way.

"I was talking about you, you ungrateful child! But seriously, take care and no later than ten for you, young mister." She pointed at Copper and kicked them out, closing the door before they could have the opportunity to reply.

"Well okay then. Do you mind sitting in the back? My girlfriend Cobalt is coming." Copper silently shook his head and buckled up while his older brother started the engine of his new car. "We'll pick her up first, then your boyfriend Brenden." Copper's face flared as he turned to study the woods beyond, dismissing his brother's smirk.

The ride was full of music, eventually laughter once Cobalt joined. She was a pretty young woman, who had nineteen years of age and sported the colour blue. Turquoise dyed hair, no makeup, a black and blue formal flannel, black jeans, royal blue converse, and cyan coloured beads for all of her jewelry. She was wacky but kind.

After getting Brenden, the party of four searched for a free table in the crowded café. They ultimately got one and ordered light meals. Whilst the waitress was placing their drinks on the table, she insisted on getting Brenden's contact information. Her reasoning was that the only couple there was Nickle and Cobalt, Brenden and Copper simply being friends that decided to tag along. When Cobalt was about to yell bloody murder, Brenden proudly stood up and gave the waitress a toothy grin, declaring that Copper was his one and only date. Much to her humiliation, he also added the special touch of an intimate kiss on his speechless date's cheek, making his brother warn him to not cross the line. Not wanting to make this a double date or stick around for a further while, Brenden and Copper both finished their meals beforehand and went outside to ice skate.

They rented their skates and wobbled their way to the less crowded frozen surface of the stream. A few other couples were also present, but families were what populated the rink. No discrimination or judgment wafted, everyone was enjoying themselves. That was a warm invitation for Brenden and Copper to not be afraid of being together.

Copper latched himself to Brenden's arm, not getting used to using the ice skates, or balancing himself. His feet constantly slipped, occasionally tugging Brenden off to the side. They laughed and smiled at each other, thoroughly loving each minute of skating side by side.