Justin & Youri

2.
“I’m surprised everything is the same.” Holding Elliott’s leash –Youri gladly gave it to him when he asked, Justin looked around. “It seems like a life-time, sometimes, but now I’m home again, I suddenly know it only has been five years.”

“I know what you mean.” Youri managed to tear his gaze away from his neighbor’s broad torso for a moment, and looked at the area. “It seems like forever for me too, you know. It’s like I’m seeing you for the first time all over again.”

Justin laughed softly, glancing at him. “And do you like it?”

“What… seeing you? Of course I do. You were always very friendly to me, I recall.”

“So it doesn’t feel like you never saw me before, then?”

“Uhm…” Youri blinked, feeling a little confused. “Anyway,” he shook it away, “are you sure you want to have coffee with me?”

“Of course I’m sure. You’ve grown to become an adult now, haven’t you? You’re no longer a pimply kid. I’m sure we can talk on an equal level now. I remember a little café… I wonder if it still exists…”

Blushing slightly as he remembered the pimples, Youri self-consciously combed his hair with his fingers. He still looked young, he had to admit, but at least he had nothing to be ashamed of anymore.
It appeared the little café still existed. Youri joined Justin at a table outside. Unable to resist for the umpteenth time, he looked at the muscles and tattoos. Justin was wearing a tank top, leaving little to the imagination.

“I have no scars, if that’s what you’re looking for. Two coffees please,” Justin said to a waiter, “and a bowl of water for the dog, perhaps?”

“I wasn’t… I… I’m glad to hear that.” Youri looked at his hands, blushing deeply as he felt caught.

“So! Youri… my tiny friend I haven’t seen for so long. How are you doing these days, hm? Did you graduate, and do you work? You still live at home, I saw.”

“I graduated, yes, but I don’t work. I’m unemployed, much to my annoyance. That’s why I live at home. I can’t afford more than a room somewhere, and mum won’t let me leave for anything else than a house.”

“Mh. I can imagine, really. Your mother is alone, and would miss you terribly. Not surprising she will only let you go for a good house. How about girlfriends? Do you date anyone?”

“No girlfriends. And no, and don’t date anyone either.” Youri still avoided looking at Justin, even though he could feel the eyes pricking on his skin. “I’ve dated a few times, but n…” No-one compares to you, he almost said, and he bit his tongue. “…not anymore.”

“Good. Then I can claim you as much as I want,” said Justin pleased. He paid for the coffee, nodding to the waiter. Elliott happily attacked the water bowl, wetting everything in his surrounding. Justin pulled his feet aside, touching Youri’s. This time, the young man didn’t jerk away. “Would you mind keeping me company a bit, until I’m more at home?”

“No…” His heart started beating faster again, and Youri still couldn’t look up. “But I thought you wanted to go out and party with your friends?”

“Indeed.” Justin smiled, and reached out to pat Youri’s hand. “I’d love a good meal in a nice restaurant with a friend, and you’re the closest friend I have in this world, tiny…”

Very nearly, Youri groaned. This was hopeless. Justin spoke so naively… and the man had no idea what it did to him. They’d always be friendly to each other. Pimply or not, Justin had never objected to his company. They were older now, adults, so it was no more than logical to go out to restaurants and cinemas rather than sitting at home, making homework while Justin listened to music.
They had changed. If only his feelings had changed as well. It would make his life a lot easier.

As they drank their coffee, Youri learned Justin didn’t want to talk about the army. Instead, the man talked about how they spent long evenings together in the past. With the way Justin spoke, Youri got the crazy idea their friendship meant a lot more to Justin than it did to him. In his mind, he shook his head. That was nonsense. Justin had just said it himself; he was looking for a wife and to have kids with her. But still, since the man had chosen him to be his friend for the time being… Youri was the last to object.

“You know,” said the older man after the second cup of coffee, “I already feel far more at ease now. Thank you, Youri…”

Youri smiled up at him as the man touched his hand, and even answered the pressure. He decided he didn’t mind to be touched. Even if he was just a substitute for a wife, until Justin found someone better, he was happy to be in his company again. “I’m glad you’re back, big guy. I’ve missed you terribly.”

Justin squeezed Youri’s hand, smiling broadly, and nodded. “I missed you too,” he said softly. “But we can make up for it, can’t we? Starting today. Shall we continue our little adventure…?” He gestured with his free hand. “I mean our walk.”

“Sure.” Glad Justin let go of his hand, but at the same time feeling sorry for it, Youri stood up. The other took Elliott’s leash again. The dog happily jumped up against the man’s legs, making him laugh. He obviously loved little dogs.

They strolled through the streets again, refreshing Justin’s memory. The man seemed to relax even more, smiling all the time, moving leisurely as he looked around. Some things had changed, but not enough to make him feel uneasy, apparently. He even spotted his favorite restaurant from the past. Grabbing Youri’s hand, he tugged him with him to look at the menu in the display.

“This is where we’ll have dinner,” Justin stated with a firm nod.

“Is it? Okay… When?” By now, Youri knew he would give this man anything he wanted, including all of his time.

Justin hummed thoughtfully, turning to face him. “Tonight? Or do you have other plans?”

He wanted to lie, and say yes. He wanted to give the idea he had other, more important matters to attend to, or other friends who wanted to go out with him. One look at the marvelous man made him blurt out the truth, though. “Tonight would be wonderful,” he said, almost in a dream-state.

“Great. Shall we go home now? You can do what you wanted to do today, and I’ll…” Justin shrugged, “unpack, or something.”

“Sure.” Youri nodded quickly, before he blurted he didn’t have to do anything at all but keeping him company. “I’ll uh… I’ll see if I can find some photos.”

“Photos! Yes, that would be nice.” Playfully, Justin pinched Youri’s nose. “Refresh my memory of you, hm?”

“Only the nice ones,” murmured Youri with a blush and an awkward smile. “With the least pimples.”

Laughing, Justin put an arm around his neighbor’s shoulders, moving away from the restaurant. “I liked you anyway, tiny,” he said warmly.

Feeling as if he would never stop blushing, Youri let Justin lead him to the car, trying to ignore the muscular arm around his shoulders. A wife, he said sternly to himself. Justin wants a wife!

Elliott jumped on the backseat as if he never did anything else, and curled up to take a nap. “You’ll get hair all over your seat,” said Youri. “I can take him on my lap.”

“I’ll buy a blanket for him,” shrugged Justin. “It’s fine… I’ll clean it when I feel up to it, don’t worry about it.” He was quiet as he drove off, focusing on traffic.

“There are very nice houses here,” said Youri to break the silence. He mentally slapped himself for bringing up the subject. He didn’t want Justin to leave his parent’s house!

“Very nice…” Justin agreed. “With gardens for little doggies to dig holes, and for barbecues and all. At the rate you make me feel at ease, I might go looking for one of those soon enough.”

“You just arrived! I mean I’m sure your mum wouldn’t like to see you leaving so soon,” Youri added quickly.

Justin laughed softly. “Yeah. I’m sure she would hate to see me leaving again, unless it’s to a nice house nearby. Don’t worry Youri… I’ll give you the key.”

“What…” Youri shut up again, lost for words for a minute. Eventually, he simply shook his head, and shrugged. He wouldn’t object to the key, as long as Justin was single. As long as the man didn’t have anyone, Youri would keep him company. That was a promise he made to himself, and by god, he was going to keep it.