ETON
Avery shuts his eyes, hoping against everything that it will stop. It will be over soon. Frank will take him home. Until then, though, his eyes are squeezed shut over an all-too-familiar moistness. He doesn't want to see. When he opens his eyes again, the tears make it impossible to.
Avery's eyes closed at some point, but he didn't know he was asleep until he opened his eyes again to a weak light. He couldn't see past pillow, and he didn't want to move. He was so comfortable, more than he'd ever been, and he thought it was because he was alone. At least, until he sat up and opened his eyes again. Jake.
WALES
Jack blinked, but time stood still in this place, and he was left for several minutes with closed eyes. He could still see, though, see what life had been like when he was little. He opens his eyes and there she is, walking up the weedy path with no concern for time or responsibility. Jack hugs himself, puts out his cigarette, and goes inside to Annabelle. Mrs. Dickon passes the butt of it, blinks too quickly, and walks past.
LONDON
Jake closes his eyes and doesn't look. His mother's eyes are closed too, but it's too closed. She's still, and solemn like she got after Nick and John would fight, brushing Jake's hair so they can both ignore Nick's truth, John's reality. John's in the corner now, not looking at anyone. Jake opens his eyes in time to see Nick touch Sophie's hand, but Nick's face is closed too, and when he leaves the room Jake knows he's alone.
Jack's hands were over his eyes, and he pressed his palms down to keep from seeing. "Ready or not," he said finally, taking his hands away, "here I come." There was a giggle from behind a couch, and Jake's laughing shh. And, when he opened his eyes, there was Avery, easily visible in the corner. "You're missing the point," Jack said, and kissed him. "Tag." "No I'm not," Avery said, and kissed him again. Jake and Annabelle waited for Avery's eyes to close before they ran to touch safe.
SOUTH AFRICA
Jake's eyes were firmly shut so he couldn't see, and hurt, but when Sophie asked, he opened his eyes. Claire was there, and Avery, Jack, and there was Sophie too, just as real, and looking at him with eyes opened for the first time in years.