The Milk Farm

Memento Mori

    They broke apart, gasping for air, their faces flushed and lips swollen from their heated kisses. Ville looked around frantically for Peter, squeezing Till's large hand. He could feel his heart thumping in his throat as he looked around the blooming rose bush, and spotted a flustered Peter pinching the bridge of his nose. "Damn it!" Peter threw a bag of fertilizer he'd been holding to the leaf covered pathway and sighed heavily, cautiously petting the stem that once held a black petunia. "What kind of monstah would do this to you?" Peter kneeled down and frowned at the lonely stem still petting it. "We're sorry Peter." Ville nervously appeared from behind the rose bush, standing up and brushing leaves off his pants. "We were just..." He trailed off, not wanting to get into trouble for what he had been doing with Till. "I was..just.." Peter turned and gave him a quizzical look. "Us? Whose with you buddy?"

    Ville's heart sank as he realized his mistake. He glanced at the ground then looked back at Till who was only partially visible behind the rose bush. Their hands were still clasped tightly while Ville stuttered, and tripped over his words "I-I mean... I... I'm sorry..." Ville stammered, trying to think of a way out of this mess. Peter's eyes narrowed suspiciously as he glanced back and forth between Ville and the mystery person he was holding hands with. When Till squeezed Ville's hand for reassurance and slowly revealed himself. Peter raked his long thick fingers through his raven hair, taking notice of Ville's slightly darker lips and flushed cheeks. He looked over at Till who also seemed to have a certain glow he'd never seen on him before. Then it dawned on the ground's keeper. "You two were makin' out in my garden?!" he asked, his tone laced with amusement and disbelief. Ville looked away guiltily, still holding on to Till's hand, but the orderly met Peter's gaze head-on, a deadpan expression on his face. "Yes," he said simply. "Ve vere. It's a peaceful place. Romantic. Perfect for night strolls." Peter grinned, then his grin transformed into a deep hearty laugh.

    As Peter's laughter died down, an awkward silence filled the air, when he realized Till wasn't Joking. They in fact, had been making out behind one of the rose bushes. Ville shifted uncomfortably, unable to meet Peter's gaze. "Look," Peter finally said, his voice softer now, taking a more serious tone. "I'm not one to judge, and I'm not gonna rat you out, but you should know that this sort of thing can get you in trouble with Xanders." The two lovers exchanged worried glances, knowing that their secret romance might soon be over. The tension between them eased slightly as Peter seemed to come to terms with what he'd seen. "I guess...just be careful," he said thoughtfully, still surprised. "Don't get caught by anyone else, they'll run to Xanders for sure"

    Till nodded solemnly, still holding on to Ville's hand. "Ve understand" he said, his voice steady as he amorously rubbed the top of Ville's knuckles with his thumb. Ville nuzzled his thick muscular neck for comfort, causing Peter to arch one brow. "Ve'll be more careful." Peter looked at them both, studying them for a moment before snatching a large trowel from his gardening caddy. Ville looked thinner and vulnerable next to Till's thick and muscular physique. The orderly enveloped him in a gentle embrace and kissed the Finn's forehead then whispered something "Well, you two actually look cute together." Peter smiled with his hands on his waist, witnessing the couple's sweet simple display of affection. Ville felt a blush creep up his neck as Peter's gaze lingered on them. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, not sure how to respond. "Thanks... I mean, we're sorry, about your petunias." he mumbled, still holding Till's hand for emotional support. Peter nodded sheepishly, and tore the bag of soil open with the tip of the trowel. "It's alright, nothing that a little plant food can't fix." He continued to give the lovers his back to give them a bit of privacy, something he knew most people didn't have in the facility.

     Till remained quiet, but Ville spoke a little more out of guilt. "I'm sorry If we grossed you out Pete. I didn't think you were out here yet." Peter turned and looked at them both, his expression softening. "Yeah, It's alright. No need to apologize. I get it. I mean, it's not like I haven't seen my fair share of... interesting things going on around here." He chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. The grounds keeper added a scoop of soil to the earth where the petunias resided in, gently padding it down with both hands. Ville squinted trying to imagine what kind of things the groundskeeper had witnessed. He disrobed from the orderly's embrace and began making his way to Peter when he was suddenly halted by Till's firm grip around his upper arm. The orderly pulled him close again and captured his lips lovingly before cupping his cheek and looking into his eyes. The German giant smiled playfully, and whispered "I vill see you later. I have to start my rounds." Ville sighed and nodded, smiling, forgetting how to speak when his lover looked at him with such intensity. With a final nod, Till released his grip and walked away, leaving the two men alone. Ville exhaled shakily, his heart still racing from the kiss. "He... he really is something special, isn't he?" he asked, watching as Till disappeared around the a large willow tree and continued to make his way back into the building. Peter glanced back at Till as well, a fond smile on his lips. "Yeah, he is. You two are lucky to have found each other in this place. I don't think I've ever seen Till smile before." The gardener took another handful of earth and added it to the soil around the flowers. "Weren't you terrified of him, though?" He said over his shoulder, his tone serious.