Justin & Youri

3.
“Justin is…” Youri quickly swallowed ‘looking for a wife’. “…home,” he finished. His mother was in the kitchen, and he joined her.

“I know! Isn’t it wonderful? His mother is so happy. I didn’t see her smiling like this morning for five, long years. Were you in town with him?”

“Yes. He’ll take me out for dinner tonight, so you won’t have to make something for me.” Taking a biscuit for Elliott and a chocolate cookie himself, he sat at the table.

“You two will go out tonight? Oh dear. I don’t think Mary will like to hear that. He’s only home since yesterday, Youri… You should wait a little longer before claiming him.”

“I didn’t claim him, he claims me!” His mother joined him, and he poured the tea. “He wants to chill and forget the army as soon as possible. I guess I bring back fond memories.” As he said it, he realized he quite liked that. They had fond memories together… That’s why he fell for the man in the first place. And because he was just super-hot, of course.

“Well yes, I can imagine he wants to relax and all, but…” Mum shook her head above the steaming cup.

“He’ll be looking for a house soon too, you know. He’s twenty-seven. Mary can’t expect him to stay at their house forever, can she?” Youri wanted him to, really. It would be awesome to have him next-door again.

“Never say that to Mary, okay?” warned mum. “I don’t want her breaking out in tears at coffee again.”

“I promise,” nodded Youri. “Mum, where do we keep the photos? I want to show some to Justin, to refresh his memory.”

“In my cabinet upstairs. I’ll get them for you.” Before Youri could stop her, she stood up to climb the stairs. She spoiled Youri, ever since his father died ten years ago.
She brought the albums and vanished again, probably to do the laundry. Normally, Youri would offer to help her, but this time he didn’t. He opened the first album, and began to collect photos.

A soft knock on the kitchen door disturbed him in his sweet memories.

“It’s open!” Youri didn’t look up. Their neighbors came by all the time, and he was used to it.

“Hey tiny… Nice photos.”

“Jus! Hey…” Trying to bring his wide grin back to a smile, Youri turned to his neighbor. “Take a seat. Tea?”

“Lovely.” Justin sat down, and took the album as Youri went to get another cup. He flipped the pages, looking at the photos, and closed it as Youri returned. “We can’t go out tonight,” he said, a bit sadly. “I told my mother and she began to cry. I’m afraid it will take a bit longer before she’ll be able to let me go.”

“Oh dear…” Youri sighed, shaking his head. “My mum warned me about that too. It’s too soon, I think. You should take a bit more time, Jus. What’s the rush?”

“Am I rushing? Mm.” Quiet for a moment, Justin drank his tea. “Maybe you’re right. I’ll slow down. Nevertheless, I still want to go out with you, so I hope I’ll get a rain check…?”

“Of course,” Youri smiled up to him. “And I’m sure your mother won’t mind if you spend some time with me during the day. As long as I bring you home in the evenings, hm?”

“Like a gentleman,” laughed Justin. “Yes, Youri; bring me home safely in the evenings. Since we can’t spend this evening together, how about looking at the photos now? Or do you have something to do?”

“The laundry. I’m sure mum won’t mind to do it by herself though.” Shifting closer to Justin, he opened another album and poured another tea. It was surprising to see so many photos with him and his neighbor together. They’d spend more time in each other’s company than he remembered, and his mother snapped more photos than he knew. Lucky they’d never been in awkward situations.
They were slowly browsing through the photos, making comments and laughing, when a flash made them jerk up.
“Mum!” Youri complained. “Jeesh, you startled me…”

“Sorry. I’ve missed this,” chuckled mum. “It’s so good to see you two together again… Aw, look at that one,” she pointed at a photo. “You were always doing your homework in Justin’s room, remember? And here… reading in the shadows in the garden… You were inseparable. I’m glad to see you’re still friends.”

“And we still have no privacy,” muttered Youri. He didn’t sound unfriendly, even though he clearly meant it. It was quite uncanny to see so many shots in which he was together with his neighbor. He didn’t remember being photographed so often. He hoped his mother wouldn’t lurk around every corner again, as he wanted to spend a lot of time with his neighbor from now on.

“I’ll leave you two alone now,” said mum with a wink. “Are you still going out?”

“No,” answered Justin. “I’m afraid not. My mother wants me to be with them tonight, so… I’ll have dinner with Youri another time.”

He sounded truly disappointed. Even Youri, with his ignorance, could hear it. “We can go to the city for breakfast tomorrow instead,” he suggested.

“Oh, yes… Like we used to do, right? Great idea.”

Youri wanted to say they went out for breakfast only once, after a long night out with some other youngsters, but he didn’t. “Do you have your old room back?”

“Yes. It’s still the same, only tidier.”

With a chuckle, Yourdi browsed through the photos to find one of Justin’s room. “Tidier than this?” he ask with mischievously gleaming eyes, pointing at the enormous mess of clothes, magazines, books and CD’s. “You were so messy… How many times have I cleared your room for you, Justin?”

“Countless times,” said Justin, smiling a little ashamed. “And I love you for it, Youri.”

The younger man liked to hear those words. He hummed softly, shifting a bit closer, and opened another album. He could feel Justin’s warmth. The man put an arm behind Youri’s back, to lean on the chair and to look over his shoulder. He leaned lightly against him. Yourdi felt small compared to the big man. It was a safe feeling… Justin was a masculine, muscular and heavy man with a soft nature. The fact he knew him for so long increased the feeling.

Youri turned his head, and found Justin’s lips close to his. Before he realized what he did, he leaned in, and kissed him quickly.

Justin didn’t draw back, didn’t blush, and didn’t scold him. He smiled when Youri looked away again, and gently ran his hand along the young man’s back. “See you tomorrow morning,” he said with a soft tone. “Wake me up, tiny…”

“Okay.” Youri nodded slightly, still looking down. He didn’t move when his neighbor stood up, and didn’t say anything else. His hands were prickling as his heart beat fast, and he had to restrain himself. He really wanted to tell the man he loved him. He did love him, he knew. It wasn’t just lust. With feelings this strong after five years, it had to be love.

He sat at the table for a while longer, looking at a photo without seeing it. Finally, he sighed deeply, and closed his eyes. He had kissed Justin… Granted, it had been soft and gentle, but still. It was a kiss. And Justin hadn’t objected to it. It was so good, and yet so confusing…