Chapter Text
The Pier
The smell of saltpeter from the calm sea filtered through my nostrils. The gentle sea breeze of dusk caressed my cheeks with kindness, while the beautiful setting sun hypnotized me, making me watch as it hid behind the vast ocean.
I took the camera hanging from my neck between my fingers, raising it and looking through it, aiming at the dying sun on the horizon, which seemed to melt with the deep blue of the sea.
*Click*
The camera sounded, indicating the photo had been taken.
Phainon looked at the roll of film, flipping through some of the photos he had taken.
The young man's eyes stared emptily at the photo. To any normal person, that photo would have been seen as good, but not to Phainon, who, despite having the vision, felt he could no longer do what he was so passionate about, no matter how hard he tried.
He said nothing, merely lifted his gaze again, letting the camera fall back onto his neck and resting his eyes on the horizon once more.
He leaned his arms on a nearby wooden railing. It was a quiet area, for despite being extremely beautiful, not many people passed through the old pier.
The peace of the moment was interrupted by a splashing sound in the water.
This surprised and startled Phainon, as he hadn't seen anyone else arrive. Perhaps that person had come from behind the old boats.
The curious young man went to look, as it wasn't common to see anyone swimming in that area, much less in the cold autumn.
Upon approaching the area where the sound had come from, he could see someone lying face down and motionless, which led him to conclude that whoever was there had fallen into the water or fainted, as they showed no signs of moving or trying to turn over to seek air.
He quickly jumped into the water, ignoring everything he was wearing.
When he finally reached the waist-deep water, he grabbed the person by the arms and tried to turn them over, falling into the water several times in the attempt. But after a couple of tries, he managed to flip them over and bring them to shore, where he knelt beside them and began to take their pulse, trying to determine at the same time if they were conscious or not.
The stranger did have a pulse and, after a few slaps, they opened their eyes, looking around lazily and confused.
This was a red-haired young man, who seemed to be of a similar age to Phainon. The young man's golden eyes settled on his. Through them, one could observe an immense weariness, also visible in the dark circles beneath his eyes.
His features weren't entirely visible, as his hair and the hood he wore covered much of his face.
Phainon would swear he had seen that face somewhere before, but he pushed that thought aside, as the well-being of that person was more important.
"Are you okay? It's cold, you'd better get somewhere warm. My car is nearby, let me get you some dry clothes and a warm environment before you get hypothermia."
The young man looked at him with some confusion.
"Did you pull me out of the water?" he asked slowly, with a thin thread of a voice.
"Yes, yes, but this isn't the time for that. Follow me before you freeze to death."
And with a tug, Phainon lifted the stranger, who seemed surprised by this, as his eyes widened and stared fixedly at him.
However, Phainon didn't notice, as grabbing the redhead's hand, he began walking towards his car. He seemed genuinely concerned about that person's state.
The golden-eyed young man offered no resistance, following somewhat clumsily to where they were headed.
Once there, Phainon took out a towel and some dry clothes.
"Sometimes I come to the beach with my dog and I end up soaked, I hope it fits you. I've turned on the heater, so I guess it'll warm up soon."
The stranger looked at Phainon and then took the clothes.
"Thank you," he said gratefully. Their eyes met momentarily, then the redhead quickly avoided them again, seeming to not like eye contact much.
Phainon waited outside, watching the moon after having changed into some simple clothes he carried. They were dirty but served their purpose. He also used a towel as a blanket.
He looked at his camera, which was now completely soaked.
A sigh escaped his lips.
He knew fixing it would be expensive, but he questioned if it was the right thing to do, as he hardly used it anymore. Well, he did use it, it was just that nothing was like it once was.
A hand rested on his shoulder, startling Phainon.
Those two golden eyes looked at him again for a second before darting away.
"Thank you very much for the clothes."
"My pleasure, but be more careful when walking near the water, not many people come through here. Lucky I stayed to watch the sunset."
"I'll keep that in mind." His answer was simple, but there was something more there.
After the sky had completely fused with the ocean, the moon was finally born, illuminating the sea with delicacy.
It was at that very moment that some small lanterns near the area turned on, lighting up the path of the pier.
It was then that Phainon was finally able to see the young man's face clearly. Something lit up in his eyes.
"Ah! I remember where I saw you now," he commented, approaching enthusiastically.
"Huh?" the young man reacted, surprised.
"You're Mydei, right? I've seen you on TV several times in boxing competitions. I was saddened to hear about your retirement due to that injury."
At the mention of this, the young man seemed to tense up.
"Yes, a pity..."
That topic didn't seem to be to the redhead's liking, as he quickly changed the subject.
"I'm sorry about your camera. I'll pay for its repair or a new one," he said, pointing to the damaged camera.
Phainon looked at the camera, then at Mydei, then at the camera, then at Mydei. Finally, he had an idea.
"You don't need to pay for anything, but you could do me a favor?"
"A favor?"
"You see, I have a photography gallery. I was wondering if you'd accept an invitation to it and... if you'd let me take some photos of you."
The redhead looked perplexed, not expecting that proposal.
"Just that? The camera looks quite expensive."
"Yes, you don't need to worry. And although it may not seem like it, I'm a big admirer of yours, and it would fill me with happiness if you could give me your opinion on my photographs."
Mydei pondered his answer for a few seconds before nodding.
After exchanging phone numbers and the location, the date was set for two days later.
When the time came to say goodbye, Phainon stood mesmerized, looking at the young man, upon whom the moonlight reflecting on the water's surface gave a divine touch, highlighting his golden eyes, bright as the summer sun, though they now showed a visible weariness.
After a few seconds, Phainon was left alone, accompanied by the gentle sound of the sea waves and the beautiful moon, who had witnessed everything that happened on that autumn night where it all began.