Justin & Youri

Justin & Youri

Elliott ran out of the door, as soon as Youri unlocked it. He stopped abruptly when he reached the maximum of his leash, and turned impatiently to see what took so long. He wanted to run. He wanted to play. He wanted that ball!

“You will get the ball,” promised Youri, locking the door behind him. He knew his pup. The leash stayed strained when he walked down the path to the street, with Elliott impatiently tugging like that. Youri had no other choice than to follow. He left the garden, passed the neighbor, and walked swiftly.

“Good morning!”

“Good morning,” answered Youri, barely able to smile up to the neighbor. His brain registered what he saw, as he walked further. Big guy. Shaven head. Pale, blond, remarkable eyes.
Wait. What?

“Elliott! Slow down!” A yank on the leash made the pup stop. Slowly, Youri turned around to take another look at who greeted him. “Justin!” he said surprised.

“Hello, Youri…” The man walked towards him, idly leafing through the mail. “Long time no see, hm?”

“Yes!” Youri blinked, looking the man up and down. “Five years, I believe? Man! How are you!”

“I’m fine, Youri.” Justin lowered the mail, smiling down on his smaller neighbor. “I’m home again, and I’m alive. I couldn’t wish for anything else, hm?”

Youri knew it was true. Justin had been in the army for five years. He had heard the worried stories when the man’s mother came to visit. He had been at war, in different countries, and should be happy he was alive indeed. “Good to see you again,” he nodded. He didn’t really know what else to say. His heart pounded as he looked at the man he’d been so madly in love with, so many years ago. He had been eighteen at the time. Justin was twenty-two, then. The man had gained quite some muscle-mass, looked older, and was still heart-stopping gorgeous. He had only admired him from a distance, of course. He’d been far too shy to tell him what he felt… and then Justin had left to go to a war. “Very good to see you again,” he mumbled, feeling a little awkward.

Justin’s smile broadened. “Good to see you too, tiny. Who’s that impatient puppy?”

“Huh?” Justin called him tiny. It was so good to hear he hadn’t forgotten his pet-name, even after all that time. He tore his gaze away, and looked at the French bull pup. “Oh, him… His name his Elliott. He’s addicted to balls.” As he said it, he heard the pun, and tried not to blush. “I’m on my way to the park.”

“Fancy some company? I could do with a walk. I promise you don’t have to throw balls for me.”

Despite himself, Youri laughed. “Sure. We can chat a bit more, too.”

“I’ll be right back.”

As he waited, Youri thought back at his desperate daydreams five years ago. Justin was the first man he ever fell for. He came out when the man left. He had a few boyfriends, the past years, but no-one had ever been able to give him that incredible helpless feeling. He had never felt the butterflies in his stomach again, never were his knees made of rubber when he looked at someone. And now Justin was back…
He smiled as the man returned, and started walking.

“Your pup is looking forward to it,” smirked Justin. “Which park are we going to?”

“The old park nearby. Do you remember it?” Youri avoided looking at his neighbor, apparently too busy with the tugging dog.

“Of course I do,” laughed Justin. “It was only five years… I remember everything.”

“It seems much longer,” shrugged Youri. “I was only eighteen.”

“I know,” said Justin with a smile. “You were less muscular, too. But you’re still tiny, hm?”

“Well, yes. I didn’t grow much, I’m afraid.” Not in height, he hadn’t. The rest had grown quite a bit. “Alright, Elliott can run now. Shall we sit over there?” As the pup raced away, Youri sat down on a bench. Justin groaned pleased as he joined him, and to his terror, Youri felt a familiar spark at the sound. Alright, so his feelings hadn’t changed at all, apparently.

The blond man stretched his legs, and leaned back. “Glad to be here again,” he mumbled to no-one in particular.

“Are you on leave?” Best to know it straight away, before he lost himself again.

“Oh, no. I’m here to stay, actually. I quit the army.”

“You did?” Quickly, Youri stifled his smile. He’d almost cried it out, he realized to his embarrassment. “Your parents will be happy, I bet.”

“Yes, they are.” Justin glanced at Youri, but his face didn’t betray he’d heard the almost happy yell. “So am I, really. I’m lucky to be alive. I suddenly realized I shouldn’t push my luck. I quit when I had the chance.”

“Are you looking for another place to live, now?”

“In time, in time…” Justin groaned again, and sat a bit more comfortable. “I only arrived yesterday. First, I want to relax, and forget the awful memories.”

“Oh… It was bad, wasn’t it?”

“Very bad, yes.” Justin looked up at the soft, compassionate tone of voice, and smiled again. “War always is. But now I’m no longer a soldier, and I can settle. I’m looking forward to that.”

“Settle?” Youri looked at Elliott, who was happily digging holes for imaginary bones. “Like how?”

“Like buying a lovely house with a garden, to start. And like going out, or have parties with my friends… Finding someone to love.” The man’s voice faded off when he murmured the final words, but Youri heard him perfectly.

“You would like a wife?”

“Something like that,” Justin said with a shrug.

“And kids?”

“Something like that,” said the blonde again. “I’m longing for someone sweet, who will be with me all the time, who will look after me and love me… Someone I can take care of, and care for… Oh well, you know, don’t you?”

“Perhaps,” mumbled Youri, who felt his heart break. Elliott had found a ball in the bushes, and ran to his daddy as if it was a trophy. Absently, Youri took it, and threw it away. “Sitting in the park won’t find you someone like that,” he said, almost nastily.

“Are you sure?” Justin looked at his neighbor, but Youri didn’t look back. He didn’t hear the quite obvious double meaning either. Quietly, he threw the ball again, his burning eyes fixed on the running dog.
He felt like crying. Justin was back, waking the butterflies immediately, and now he was looking for a wife. To have kids with, for Christ sake. He wanted to take the ball again. So did Justin. Their hands touched, and Youri pulled away as if he was stung. Justin was warm. He was sitting terribly close too, and smelled delicious. Briefly closing his eyes, Youri tried to keep his heart rate under control. “Maybe we should go back,” he said, restraining himself.

“Already? No… It’s such a nice day today. How about a cup of coffee in town? We can take my car, and see if the city is just as I remember.”

Slowly, still breathing steadily, Youri looked at his neighbor. The remarkable eyes looked straight at him. He swallowed hard, as struck with the red –yes, more red than brown– irises as he’d been more than five years ago. He realized he was losing the fight with his heart, as it started pounding faster. He licked his lips, swallowed again, and nodded slightly.

“I take that as a yes, then. I bet Elliott likes another walk, too. He doesn’t look tired to me.”

“Elliott is never tired.” Their gazes were still locked, as if time stood still. Youri felt airless, and suddenly realized he was holding his breath all the time. “Let’s go,” he said with a deep sigh.
As he bent to put the leash on Elliott’s collar, he failed to see the pleased smile.