As it turned out, you met up with Viktor that Tuesday. Then the one after that. And the one after that.

Each time you tried to pretend that it was simply because you enjoyed the change of scenery, the lack of distractions constantly strewn around your home, the chance to get some fresh air and silence.

It definitely wasn't an excuse to talk to him. Definitely not.

Your meetings became a regular part of your schedule. Though neither of you ever agreed upon a 'next time' each time you departed, you both always showed up again the next week, if only by 'coincidence'.

Time seemed to fly by quicker, waiting for Tuesdays. Days turned to weeks turned to months, and suddenly winter had passed in a blur of short days and snowy nights.

Gradually, over time, the occasion shed its formality. You began to talk more, nourish small, throwaway comments into lengthy conversations. You began to bring flasks of tea, or extra pens, or books to trade.

You hadn't realised before, but it was nice to be able to have a chance to voice all your pent-up, rambling thoughts you had, like an old faucet finally unclogged. It seemed an unspoken deal of some sorts you and Viktor had between you; in exchange for listening, you'd be listened to. Though you often didn't understand his careen of scientific lingo, you enjoyed listening to his rambles. He had the ability to make the shallowest polite conversation interesting, and the complex, intricate subjects simple.

On some days, the pair of you would sit and talk, discussing whatever subjects managed to worm their way into the conversation until it grew too late to continue. Little work would be done, and there would be a mad dash to write and draw as much as possible before the last of the day's light slipped away.

For whatever reason, you never met up at anywhere other than the little viewpoint. Neither of you suggested it, even on days when the rain came down in dense sheets, or the cold dusted everything in a layer of frost. Frankly, it seemed neither of you wanted to. It had become a sanctuary of some sorts; an escape from life and business and reputation and time - if only for a few hours.

For once, all was well.

For once, you weren't alone.