YuZhou's Universe (One Shot Stories: MxM)

That Love's Still There

Two elderly men sat on rocking chairs, moving back and forth. The two had melancholic smiles showing on their face as they gazes at the sunset. Both men were basking in the silence. It was a quiet evening for them - an opposite to their youthful days.

One of the men coughed unexpectedly, interrupting their moment. He bent over as he covered his mouth and suppressed the noise. The other man's instinct went to go over and help him.

"Are you okay, Zhouzhou?" asked Johnny. His wrinkled hand gently tapped on Timmy's back.

Timmy nodded. His coughing stopped but Johnny didn't leave his side. Sitting on the arm of the rocking chair, he kept his arm around the other man.

Patting Johnny's hands, Timmy said, "Don't sit there. I don't want us to topple over and possibly getting hurt afterwards. If we were younger, I'd say we'd take the risk. But we aren't."

Sighing, the concerned man understood his long time friend. "Alright. Do you still want to stay here for a while, then?"

"En..."

Johnny went back to take his seat again. This time before he took his seat, he pushed the wooden chair closer to Timmy. He then took Timmy's hand, twining it with his as he placed his butt on the cushioned seat. This gesture made Timmy's smile become wider and his eyes shine brighter. The couple resumed their sunset watching.

When their surrounding area started getting darker, they both headed inside the foyer of their house. With the light switch turned on in the room, the light chased away the darkness. Still, the two kept quiet, glancing at each other from time to time.

But time wasn't on their side and Johnny knew this. He had to be more aggressive with the situation they were in.

"Timmy, what exactly is going on?" asked Johnny, eyes filled worry at Timmy's well being.

Instead, a reassuring expression and smile appeared on Timmy's face.

"Johnny..." was whispered in a hush tone by Timmy. His pale face lacked any kind of warmth. "I have to take this surgery in order to function further, but the doctor says that it's fifty fifty."

Suddenly, the expression on Johnny's face morphed into a grim manner with anger mixed in.

"How could that be? I thought the treatment was working? If-if you take this surgery then it could paralyze you. I-," said Johnny, his voice cracking. His eyes began to water from the ill news Timmy brought up.

"I decided to take it," Timmy expounded in a low volume. "There's a chance I could get cured, too. Johnny, I just need your support."

With his eyes closed, a tear escaped from Johnny. It rolled down on his sallow skin, from the cheeks to his sharp chin. He didn't dare to wipe them for fear that more would gush down. After a minute of silence, he complied with Timmy's wishes.

"I understand," pausing, Johnny thought of words to reassure his long time friend from any fears he was experiencing. He gently caressed Timmy's face, a habit formed from years ago.

"Timmy, I won't leave your side. I'll accompany you till we've passed through this. And even after we defeated this illness, I will not stop looking after you. Our bond and love are much stronger than this problem between us. Use these two to put away the fears that are in your thoughts."

Just as he finished talking, Timmy placed his right hand on top of Johnny's while he wiped the tears clean. "Thank you."

Removing the loving hand that held his face, Timmy pulled it to his lips and whispered sweet things between them. They held each other in a solace embrace.

It wasn't long when the two were interrupted. A soft knock on the door brought back Johnny and Timmy to the present.

"Grandpa, it's time to eat." The teenage girl wore white tank top and black shorts as she stood behind door. Her head peaking out to better relay her message. With her mellow voice, she said, "Grandpa Johnny, you can stay too if you want. We could prepare an extra plate for you."

Nodding yes, Johnny asked for assistance. "Kat, would you help me get your grandpa's walking stick?"

Kat answered meekly. "Okay. Give me a minute to fetch it."

Few minutes passed and Kat came back holding a metal stick. Once Johnny saw Kat, he immediately helped Timmy up from his seat.

With a little struggle to get on his feet, Timmy used his strength with the help of the man next to him. "Thank you."

The smile across Timmy's face still sent warm feelings in Johnny's heart. Even with all the years had gone by, the love between them was still strong. Unchanging like the flow of the river. The only thing that had changed was their appearance, much like how water eroded landscapes.

"It's no trouble. Come, let's go eat."

The older man took the cane from Kat and gave it to Timmy. One simple gesture was enough for anyone who witness this moment, that the two have a perfect harmony together.

Letting the two old men pass her, Kat could clearly see that these men treasured each other.  After all the hardships they've gone through and still being able to push through was a remarkable sight for her.

When the two finally got inside, Kat followed after. Once inside, she turned of the porch lights, and made her way to the kitchen. She went to her original seat and stared at the old men sharing affections with each other once more.

As she watched, Kat knew something in her heart. Like her grandfather, she will find someone that will see her as the light of their life or give great care to her when she's ill. Someday, that will come true. But for now her grandpa Timmy and grandpa Johnny needed her help and support, she thought to herself.

"Grandpa," said Kat, her voice a bit clearer than before. Not knowing who she was talking to, Timmy and Johnny looked towards her. "If you need more help, I'll help."

Her sweet words had everyone in the room perked up with interest for the oldest Xu in the room.

A mix of different tones and voices were tossed back and forth. Johnny was starting to get annoyed by their questions, but Timmy's hand soothed him when he entwined their hands together.

"Okay, everyone. Your questions will be answered after dinner. Let's enjoy the food."

With no word said, Johnny shook his head up and down. Remembering Kay's words, he called out to her. "Thank you, Kat. Your grandpa and I appreciate it. When you're having trouble, come to us, too."

The not so matured girl beamed at the two grandfathers. The rest were silent, wondering what had transpired before they came to dinner.

--~~~---

A/N: Yay! Another songfic. One of my favourite Filipino songs (I have a lot of fav songs tho.)  The song is called BuKo (Coconut in English) By Jireh Lim. It's a shortened title for Buhay Ko or in English, My Life. Bu from Buhay and Ko from, well Ko, hence the BuKo.

Something to think about, Coconut has a water inside filled with nutrients. So the song is kinda play on words too. Water is essential in our life, just like the people we love are important. Water is water, forever unchanging. The song is talking about how his love for the person isn't going to change even when their hair is gray or when the person is sick or when the person can't even get up.

Credit: edited by withaslightsmile