Soulmates

It has been a few hours and it still hasn't hit Julian that he is a Super Bowl champion! Julian still thinks that he dreamed scoring the game winning touchdown. Danny playfully pinches him to let him know that the euphoria they're both feeling is complete and utterly real. They're standing together in their hotel room on the balcony. After celebrating a lot with their teammates, family, and friends, it's actually nice to have a little bit of peace.

"I feel so amazing right now. I hope the adrenaline never wears off," Julian remarks.

Danny smiles. "Yeah, I know exactly what you mean."

It's dark outside, but the weather is still pretty warm. The stars in the sky are shining brilliantly and both men are taken aback by their simple beauty. Danny looks over at Julian and his heart swells with absolute joy. He has just had the best day of his life and Danny can't put into words how grateful he is that his very best friend is there to experience it with him. Danny places his slightly bigger hand on top of Julian's and interlocks their fingers.

"I feel like I'm on top of the world right now, Jules. And the fact that you're here with me just makes it even sweeter," Danny says earnestly.

"I know. There's no one that I would rather share this moment with," Julian confesses.

When Julian's eyes meet Danny's, the atmosphere changes. It's no longer just two friends celebrating the highest achievement of their careers. It's two men bearing their souls to each other. The friendship between Danny and Julian has always been unique and more significant than normal friendships. There's genuine respect, happiness, and affection between them. Their bond is something deep and indescribable. Danny walks behind Jules and he wraps his his free hand around Julian's waist. Their bodies are almost melded together because they're so close.

"I love you, Julian. I truly do in every sense of the word," Danny whispers right into Julian's ear.

A shiver runs through Julian's body and it has nothing to do with the weather. Danny's breath on his ear and his neck combined with his sincere words that he just spoke has Julian a little weak in the knees. His heart is beating so fast that he's surprised that Danny can't actually feel it. Julian never knew how much he craved and needed Danny until this very moment. Julian turns around so that he's facing Danny. Now Danny has both of his arms resting on Julian's shoulders. He pulls him close and he runs his fingers through the short hairs in the back of Julian's head. Julian moves his hands to the sides of Danny's face and he brings their foreheads together.

"I love you too, Dola. I love you so damn much," Julian lets him know.

Neither man knows who cries first as tears roll down both of their faces. Danny licks his lips before he touches them against Julian's. He moves slowly and gently because Danny is now the one who thinks that he's dreaming. Tasting Julian's mouth is the most perfect thing that he's ever experienced and he doesn't ever want it to end. Their tongues move together with perfect harmony and both men are in absolute bliss. The passionate kiss finally ends when breathing becomes necessary.

Danny places a chaste, tender kiss onto Julian's forehead. "You're fucking beautiful. You know that, right?"

"Even with my homeless man beard?" Julian jokes.

"Yes, but you know that's not what I mean. You're the most incredible person that I've ever met," Danny tells him.

"I feel the exact same way about you. You have the biggest heart that I've ever seen," Julian lets him know.

The wipe their tears away at the same time and they laugh lightly. They have never had problems showing emotion to each other and being vulnerable in front of one another. Their tears aren't sad ones, but ones of bliss. They're joyful because they know that what they have together isn't just a relationship. It's far beyond a friendship and that of lovers. They're soulmates and they know that nothing will ever come between them.