After what felt like hours in that hot shower, when my fingers had wrinkles on it like an old woman and I couldn't breathe anymore from all the steam. I finally managed to get those eyes out of my system. I had spent the rest of my night in my art room. Yes I have an art room.

My art room was more of a hidden compartment because art, like everything else amazing in the world, was banned. Pathetic. Why would anyone want to take something like art away from us? Because it was 'imperfect' and 'messy'. 

I think that's just a load of bullshit. Miss Jane and I have come up with a theory that the government had banned these things as to take away creativity and thinking. If people were thinking, they'd finally realise how terrible this place really is. And that would lead to riots, protests. And no government ever wants to go out of power.

I slip the little key card I've made to the lock of the secret compartment. A little hatch opens from across the room, the smell of paint wafting in the air and encircling my mind with new ideas. I get my art supplies from the same guy that gives books to Miss Jane. 

I slowly step into the little room, which had no window. Just the small little entrance and a few tiny air vents so I don't suffocate from the fumes. There were paints, brushes and canvases everywhere. Paint was covering almost every surface in the room. I really have to ask for more canvases.

I close the door behind me, locking it just in case, picking up a little paint brush and standing by the only white canvas I had left. I paint over some of my pieces, the ones that I'm bored of or don't like anymore. I stare at the blank sheet, chewing my lip in thought until it became all chapped and bruised.

Those eyes slipped into my mind once more. they had a tinge of light crimson swirled with walnut. Or was it more burgundy? I had to get those eyes down on the canvas before I forget. 

--

Hours pass of me just staring at the canvas or fixing little mistakes that I've made until every fleck inside those eyes were perfect. I let my imagination go wild on the rest of the figure's body, having not seen what they looked like. The result was a silloette of strongly built man, muscles lining his whole body. But not so many muscles that he looked like a boxer on sterroids.

The only features that were apparent are his eyes, everything else was just black. And yet the sight of this painting made my stomach twist and my core heat up once more. What was it with this man whom I didn't even know of? Is it wrong to fall in love with a painting? I knew the figure was a man, I could just feel it. But I didn't know his face, his name, how he spoke, how his personality is. I just felt... him

Being gay. That was another thing that was banned from here. Just another sword over my head. It was seen as 'impure' to love someone other than the opposite sex. If gay people were found, they weren't just banished, no. They were taken out to the dead lands and burned to a crisp. Miss Jane is gay too, she even had a lover... had.

After about ten minutes of just staring at the painting, drooling a bit, I decided to leave. I slip out my secret compartment and lock it once more. I was full of paint, meaning I needed to have another shower.

--

After my second shower today, I slung a silk robe over my naked body and walked out to the balcony again. I admit the only reason I was even looking out into the darkness again was to hopefully see those eyes again. And maybe a little more.

My efforts were rewarded as I saw that same pair of eyes. Closer now than the last time. I was right, it was burgundy in his eyes. The man studied me again, his eyes showing a little disappointment that I had clothing on this time. My face bloomed into a rosy pink colour as I wrapped the robe tighter around my body, feeling like he was staring right through it.

I gave a shy smile with a small wave, biting my lip softly. I could make out a hand waving back, which made me smile more. I wish I could communicate with him properly. I wanted to know every detail about him and his life. What did he smell like? What did he sound like? My mind drifted off to some more censory questions. What did it feel like to lay beneath him? How would his hands feel caressing my body?

My sinful thoughts were interrupted by a blinding light shooting into my eyes. I winced and looked towards the source. The first rays of sunlight were coming out. Had I really painted that long? I looked back towards the man, in hopes of seeing more of him. I could make out a strong jawline that was lined with a stuble not much different to my own. Strong cheekbones and thin, but perfect lips. And what looked like to be red in his hair. So he was an outcast after all.

He looked out to the sun, then back to me, with an almost primal look that made my knees wobble. I could make out him mouthing something, looking closer I saw he said, "i'll be back." and just like that, he disappeared into the remaining darkness.

I pouted softly and slowly trudged back to my bedroom. I fell down onto the velvet sheets, my tired eyes growing heavier by the second. I finally closed them and drifted off to sleep, dreaming about the myserious outcast I had met.

--

"Good morning, city of Perfectus. It is 8:00 AM on a beautiful Thursday morning. Today's weather forecast: cloudy for the whole day and slight chance of heavy rain. Make sure to bring your umbrellas. And have a lovely, Perfect day." 

I did not get enough sleep. Three hours to be exact. But I had work to do today so I couldn't sleep in. I lugged myself out of the bed, which seemed to be even more soft and comfy now than ever before. After some effort, I got my eyes to adjust and trudged to the bathroom, I splashed some water on my face. That should wake me up a little.

Only coffee is the solution for this. I drank about three cups before I was able to open my eyes properly. On to work.

--

I arrive at a small diner, one that wasn't very popular but served the best food in town. There were only a few customers in right now. A couple of mates that sat by the bar, wolfing down on cherry pie while talking obcenly loud to one another. A mother and her daughter, sitting in one of the booths. The mother looked just as tired as me, a cup of coffee lazily held in her hand while the child munched happily on pancakes with chocolate syrup.

And one tall, cloaked figure at the corner of the room, wearing clothes that looked designer and full of jewels. I roll my eyes and head towards his table. "Y'know, wearing clothes that make you look like a diamond kind of takes away the point of hiding your identity. Don't you think?" I climb into the seat across from the man, grinning.

"now now, is that any way to talk to an old friend, and the king?" Felix chuckled and held his hand out. "Friend comes first. Its good to see you again," I reply, taking his hand and shaking it. I know what youre thinking, 'Jack, what are you doing being friends with the king? You could get caught!' I know I know. I get enough of that lecturing from Miss June. Felix is a good friend, although cocky at times. And he appointed me as his assistant, so I cant really leave.

"Isn't there a rule that says we are all equal?" I joke, looking down at his fancy clothing once more. "Of course. We are all equal, but some of us are more equal than others." Felix said with a snooty grin. I clenched my fists under the table at his word, but chuckle to play it off, "fair enough."

"Sorry for not seeing you so often, y'know, king business," Felix chuckles and so do I. Being the king's assistant has its perks though. I know things that most of the city doesn't. And the king would never suspect his loyal assistant to be an outcast. "Its fine, what did you need to talk about?"

"Well, I have some new laws I want to put in place and need to prepare a speech on it to say in the next town meeting. And I was wondering... since youre such a good writer... you could maybe..." Felix gave me an innocent look and I rolled my eyes. "You want me to write the speech for you." "Pleeeaaase! I'll give you all the info that needs to be added." I sigh and nod, "youre assistant is on it."

"Yes! thank you Jackaboy! I owe you one!" "You owe me a lot," I add with a chuckle. Felix nooded and gave me a crumpled up piece of paper that had a bunch of new rules on them. I stuck it in my pocket with a smile.

"Alright well i'd love to stay and chat, but I have some more business to attend to. Don't show those rules to anyone, not even your mirror. Ciao." Felix got up, putting the hood over his head before swiftly leaving. Asshole.

don't get me wrong, he's a nice guy. But he definetaly isn't fit to be king. He makes all these rules but barely follows any of them. He's lavished in riches and doesn't know the first thing about governing a city properly. I know better than he does and I'm just the assistant for christs sake! 

I take a deep breath to calm myself, ordering two coffees and two muffins to go.

--

"Hey Miss Jane, I brought you some breakfast," I say softly as I enter the book store. Miss Jane puts down her book, using a scrap piece of paper to mark the place she left off. "Thank you Sean, that's very kind of you." "Well, I know you always forget to eat breakfast so I'm here to the rescue." I jog towards her desk, my arms held out like super man. She chuckles softly, "oh Sean, if only everyone had a kindered spirit like yours."

I giggle and set her breakfast on the table. She gladly took a bite of her muffin, followed by a small sip of coffee. "I have so much to tell you Miss Jane. Firstly, look at this," I subtly show her all the new rules Felix gave to me. She set her cup down and adjusted her big, round glasses to read.

"Curfew is now at 6 pm? Bright colors of any kind are forbidden? Hair must be neat and trimmed at all times? And all of these are punished either by being locked up for a week... or banished? That seems a bit harsh for such small things," Miss Jane looked up at me and I shrugged. "I don't make the rules, I just makes speeches about it," I sigh.

"Well I think it's a bunch of boohickey. Excuse my potty mouth." We both chuckle softly and continue eating our breakfast. "What else did you want to tell me?" She inquired, glancing at me with curiosity.

"Oh yes!" I clap my hands and get comfy in my seat. I leaned closer to her and so did she, noticing my excited behavior and smiling.

"I saw someone... in the dead lands," I whisper to her. "You what?!" She looks at me with shock. "No no not from close up!" I begin explaining to her this red haired man I saw in the dead lands. I describe every detail of his eyes and face with a love struck look. I told her how I felt his eyes roam my body and how it made my heart flutter. I mentioned how I painted him for hours and how infatuated I was with him.

"Well," she hummed with a grin. "It seems you've got it bad for this, red headed silloette of a man." I nod eagerly and let out a dreamy sigh, "you should've seen the way he looked at me Miss Jane. It was like I was in some sort of trance. It's just like how you described it when you first met Sandy."

Miss Jane smiles a bit sorrowfully at the reminder of her lost lover. She was snatched up by the guards and taken out to the dead lands to be burned. Someone had tipped them off that she was gay. I feel sad that Miss Jane couldn't live a longer, happier life with her love.

"It's good that you've found someone like that Sean. But... he's an outcast, he's past the walls. The only way you'll be able to be with him is if you were banished as well." I chew my lip and look down. Is this man really worth getting banished for? Yes I hate this place with all my heart, but what about Miss Jane? And what if he doesn't even like me like that? I might not even find him if I were banished.

"I guess you're right... thank you for listening Miss Jane." I reach over the counter to give her a tight hug. She hugs back with a smile, "anytime, my boy. Anytime."

~~~