Know That I Love You

Every night at midnight, the purple clouds come out to dance with the blushing sky. This was Thom's favourite time of day. Yes, he was tired, desperate for sleep, but this was his one time to feel connected to William.

Long distance was hard, but watching this beautiful spectacle helped him remember how much they really did love each other. It also took him back to the day they met.

...

It was two years ago, Thom had been inline at his local cafe. This was the only place that didn't have a pyrokinetic burning the coffee beans. His one issue, trying to order with a barista who didn't understand sign language.

"Mate, is there anyway you could tell me what you want," the smug teen asked.

Thom could feel the people in the line staring at him, frustrated looks boring into the back of his head. He pointed frantically at the menu, feeling dejected as the barista sighed.

Then he felt someone at his side. The barista grimaced and typed on the till, "thats eight quid".

Thom went to pay when a hand shot in front of him, paying for him. He looked up to see the most handsome man smiling at him.

"Hi" the man signed.

With the helping hand and the fact he could sign, Thom couldn't help but blush, his cheeks warm, "hi", Thom signed.

A hand waved aggressively in between them, it was the barista, looking frustrated, "theres a queue, move it".

Thom couldn't catch what his saviour had said, but he moved aside nonetheless.

"Well he was rude" the man signed, "are you ok?"

"Yes," Thom replied. He was distracted when his coffee arrived. He took his cup, looking back at the helpful man, not knowing what to do next. "Thank you" he finally signed.

Before he could see a response he went to find a seat. In his flustered state he hadn't specified wanting a takeaway cup, now forced to find an available seat in the very busy cafe.

There was one space he thought was available, until a very smug looking woman made her visible.

He turned around when he felt someone tap him on the shoulder. It was the same man, "do you fancy sharing..." he paused, his free hand trying to form the phrase. The man's face glowed red, then he spoke, "share a table? sorry, my sign language still needs work".

Thom showed how to sign, "fancy sharing a table", then followed him to a small table in the corner, wedged between a large man, his tea being stirred by a floating teaspoon; and an elegant looking old woman knitting a piece of string into a rope of gold.

Thom settled in the booth side, sipping his coffee nervously. The man sat opposite him was very handsome; a kind smile, brilliant brown eyes, and hair styled with pleasing waves.

"My name is William," the man signed, starting the conversation enthusiastically, "what's yours?"

"Thom"

William smiled, mimicking the sign for Thom's name. He looked over at the rude barista, then back at Thom, "does that happen at lot?"

Thom nodded, it was unfortunate that he'd lost count of how many times he'd come across ignorant people. He found himself watching the old woman weaving the gold rope, fascinated by the string turning to gold so seamlessly.

He looked back at William who was watching him with an interested look in his eye, "what can you do?"

It was the question Thom always dreaded. His whole life people had mocked him for his ability to control technology. On top of being deaf, he was completely useless with technology, so his powers were mostly pointless.

"You don't have to show me" William signed, giving him a reassuring look.

Thom signed, that look giving him some sense of comfort, "one moment". He lifted his bag up and rummaged around inside, pulling out a small radio. He put it on the table, then took a deep breath. With one hand placed on the device, he concentrated, hoping it would work.

The device came to life, the amber face showing the dials flickering back and forth excitedly. It dashed quickly through a few stations, voices jittering quickly before the station changed again. Then the voices came together in one succinct sentence, "I control radio". The glowing screen faded to black, the device void of power.

Thom glanced up at William, then caught the large man next to them glaring in his direction, as was the old woman. A couple sat nearby had also turned to look at him. He could feel his cheeks warm up again, he pulled on the collar of his top, wanting nothing more than the ground to swallow him up.

A hand landed gently on his own. It was William, a large smile on his face, "that was so cool," he said out loud. He paused, then awkwardly signed, "so cool".

Thom smiled back, "I'm not very good," trying desperately to ignore the people who still glanced in their direction.

"It is better than mine," William suggested.

"Not likely" Thom replied, "can I see?"

William leant back in his chair, breathing deeply, then nodded his head. He shook his hands and then brought them close to his chest.

Thom watched eagerly. He smiled as a small ball of light appeared in William's cupped hands. The light grew to the size of a light bulb, floating in William's hands.

It was one of the most incredible things Thom had ever seen, then it got better. The white light shifted to a deep red, the orb pulsing with energy.

"Whats your favourite colour?" William asked.

"Purple" Thom replied. He marvelled as the red started to darken, slowly turning a beautiful purple.

The brilliant display was interrupted by the large man standing up in frustration. He pushed past William, leaving the cafe with his tea floating after him.

With William's concentration broken the light faded away, "think we annoyed him" he joked.

Thom chuckled.

"Want to get out of here?" William asked.

There was no time waisted for Thom to accept.

...

That first date turned into many more. All of them floating around Thom's head as he watched the purple clouds oscillating in the sky.

It was how William could show his love from so far away. They of course FaceTimed, but it wasn't the same. It was hard for Thom to read lips through the screen, and then lag made signing hard to understand.

Thom continued to watch the clouds for a moment longer, basking in the purple glow. As the marshmallow clouds floated in waves up above, a thought came to Thom.

He rushed to a nearby drawer and pulled out the small radio from when they first met. He smirked at the memory, before placing it carefully on the windowsill, the metal sparkling as it reflected purple onto the ceiling.

He focused on the device, feeling the tether of his power, then pushed it to it's limit.

William stood at his window in Scotland, hoping Thom was enjoying tonight's display. It had taken a lot of practice to make light that dyed the clouds, but it was all worth it to make Thom smile.

The sound of white noise occurred behind him. The purple light faded, his room falling into darkness, save for the small orange light that emitted from the small alarm clock on his bedside table.

The dials on the clock quivered slightly, as if wondering how to move. Then as if it had a mind of its own, the stations started to change, quickly moving back and forth.

William smiled as he listened to Thom talking through the device, "I love you".