"nothing i can't handle too." noah continues up the staircase. each step seems to dismiss the notion that such unruliness is uncontrollable. "anyway, whatever you get into, i'll be roped into in some way, y'know? even if that means buying groceries while you go off into ultra space."

it's a joke, of course. noah laughs as he says this, but he recalls quietly, the concern that had panged throughout his palms.

"we're almost at the top." noah says. "you feeling tired yet, man? we can sneak in a little midday nap."

sure enough, around the tower's structure, on the fenced wooden pathway that borders the central pillar, are resting people. backpacks and plastic bags rest in between lazy couples and families. up here, the wind is cooler. the autumn colours of ecruteak sway like swathes of paint being brushed upon canvas.

kyle lopez / vacation mission nov

they find themselves in a quieter place. ten storeys high, their tired shapes are hidden under the heavy shade of curved roofs. noah brings kyle to a side devoid of people. with fingers interlocked, he slides his back against the wall, letting gravity do the rest as he falls to his seat. he pulls kyle down with him and refuses to let go.

here, the wooden flooring stretches to the wooden railing that solemnly looks over the autumnal city. save for the slight hum of wind, this tired tier of the tower seems to rest in the calmest hue.

"alright, man. no weird pictures." noah says, half yawning. as his bones grow heavy, he leans deeply into kyle's side before hoisting himself into the other's lap. "but i'd rather just-" he finds kyle's lips, seeking to imprint this memory with a sear.

kyle lopez / vacation mission nov