A Balcony Conversation-part 2 (outdated Short Story)

!WARNING!

This story has mentions of self unaliving

     Cole and Jareth sat out on the balcony, both silent. At the end of a very long day, Cole found himself panicked trying to find Jareth, relieved to be alongside him once more. The wave of chaos that swept through the estate that morning had dimmed and gone quiet. Cole’s shoes were not tapping against the floor pacing from room to room, the flow of news from Nigel had become less enthusiastic, and the questions from the musicians about their jobs had silenced.

     Jareth had wandered the garden like a lost soul, tears going down his face. He thought then, and even now, that his career was tainted. Despite the response Cole was going to put out and despite the lack of evidence Ruby had, Jareth would be known for this.

     Interviews even ten years from now would ask questions about this. His music would be analyzed and picked apart regarding Ruby, of whom he had never written music for. He would never get away from this, not truly.

     The public opinion had finally turned on him despite Cole’s reassurance that his little letter would clear things up. No, it would not. The shifted public eye would leave them skeptical, and he would never be as safe as he was again. He had his run, this was it.

     He could kill himself. The thought of tipping his chair over the ledge and allowing himself to fall brought a slight relief to his mind. The instant stop of it all. Not just this scandal, but all of everything.

     Journalists would drool for his cracked head on the back patio. Jareth Gublenn killed himself after the affair allegations. A broken heart? Or guilt ridden?

     Sometimes, Jareth would drive around in the morning. Before the sun rose and while the world was dead, his car rolled through the wet bricked streets. As he passed empty black windows he liked to imagine that he was the only person alive. Sometimes it made him happy, and sometimes he cried.

     The pencil in Cole’s hand beside Jareth scratched away at the parchment.

     He glanced over, though he did not care what Cole had written. An hour ago, Cole joined him asking if he would like to sue for defamation. After Jareth declined, Cole informed him that it may clear his name, to which Jareth shook his head no.

     So now Cole sat beside his brother writing away, scratching uselessly at that piece of paper. But Jareth would not tell him to stop, perhaps it was soothing to Cole. Maybe it made him feel that he could control the situation.

     “Alright.” Cole muttered, “okay- right, I’d say this will do just nicely.”

     The darker haired brother scanned the paper, letting out a slow sigh as he did. He attempted to pass it to Jareth, who only stared down at it blankly.

     “You don't want to read it?” He asked.

     Jareth shook his head no.

     “Ah,... Would you like me to read it aloud?”

     Jareth shook his head no. Cole stared at him.

     “I’m not upset with you.”

     “Oh.”

     “Did you think I was upset with you?”

     “At first, uhm… Maybe I thought. Not anymore.”

     “Well- hah, we both know Ruby has her tendencies of… hysteria. Nothing to do with you.” Cole said, muttering the last bit.

     “Oh.”

     “Right- well I think this is rather good. Of course- we won't manage convincing everyone but this will do us good to convince most. We could still sue.”

     “Have you talked to her?”

    “What?”

    “Have- ehm.. you talked to Ruby?”

     “No,” Cole scoffed. “I’d sooner say she’s trying to keep the children from me- for God sakes…”

     Jareth played with a loose strand on his trousers, his heart feeling heavy with fatigue. Jareth had not had the chance to understand Ruby well, but that may have been a fault of his own. Even his own musicians he struggled to communicate with. He often didn't understand other people's motives, but he knew that it was unlike Ruby to do something so catastrophic. She had never attempted such a thing before, even despite all of her fights with Cole. How odd people were.

     “Why did she do this?” Jareth asked.

     “I know, simply terrible.” Cole responded.

     “Yes but why?”

     “Because she's bloody mad.”

     “I don't think she is.”

     Cole fell silent, and Jareth could feel his eyes on him.

     “Whatever are you insinuating?” Cole asked in a lowered voice.

     What did he mean? Jareth looked back at him, sensing the shift in tone. What was the shift though? Why? What was he feeling?

     Jareth stared, trying to study Cole’s expression. He recognized that he perhaps said something wrong, but he didn't understand what exactly. He didn't think she was mad, she was just a woman. Was saying that insinuating something? What would that insinuate?

     At times, even Cole was confusing.

     A short whistle saved Jareth, and Cole turned back to see Nigel at the window.

     “Oi, thought I had lost the two of you.”

     “Ah- Nigel. Are you heading off then?” Cole replied, then cleared his throat.

     “Thought I might, but who's to say I don't stay here to avoid the mob.”

     “Hah,” Cole began to stand. “I’ll be heading off too then, you alright Jareth?”

     Cole’s hand placed warmly on Jareth’s shoulder despite the previous tension. Jareth leaned his head to the side and rested his cheek against Cole’s knuckles, saying goodnight.

     “Now hang on-” Nigel started with a grin, “Now who said I’d be taking you with me, right? You’ve got a car.”

     “Oh stop that.”

     “Who’s payin for that car?”

     “Jareth.”

     “Oh, Jareth’s payin for it is he? Bet he’s paying for that studio as well.”

     “Oh for god sakes.”