"Brunch is served!"
Holding aloft a massive platter of cold meats, Frank, one of Stephen's friends, smiles down at their guests as they glance at each other, Stephen squeezing Calum's hand under the table.
"These days you boys are so careful about what you eat! All those egg whites and protein bars!" Frank says, tucking into his plate, glancing up at Stephen and Calum seated opposite.
"I suspect it's less to do with health and more to do with keeping those twenty eight inch waists..." Frank's partner, Derek says, peering over the table at Calum's toned abs.
"Oh come on, you guys are in great shape!" Stephen says, smiling at them both. Frank and Derek are his two oldest friends. Old as in age, as he explained to Calum on the way here this morning. With no living family to speak of, Stephen has kind of adopted them over the years as his surrogate grandparents and he values their opinion, but mostly he wants Calum to meet them and to understand what is possible.
"We try to stay active, if you know what I mean!" Derek explain, winking at Calum who doesn't know where to look as Stephen bursts into laughter. Grandparents they may be in age, but they're certainly not in character.
"These two met in World War Two," Stephen explains to Calum as they all eat.
"We met on a warship..."
"HMAS Warramunga," confirms Frank.
"Talk about a day cruise..." Derek says with another wink to Calum. Calum's beginning to understand why Stephen likes them so much; two old queens who have no regrets and no excuses and who clearly adore each other.
"There was this place behind the ammo bay where you could get a blowjob anytime. Day or night!" Frank tells them, laughing with them when they burst in laughter. Then he gets serious, "This was wartime, you could die at any moment."
"And sex was the only way you knew you were still alive," Adds Derek.
"We just came back from Fiji," Frank informs them after refilling everyone's water glass. "Went there for our fiftieth."
"Fiftieth?" Calum asks, taking a sip of water.
"Anniversary!"
Calum's eyes are wide out on stalks, "Holy shit!" He says, making everyone laugh.
"It amazes me too!" Frank puts an arm around Derek, drawing him into him for a hug. Calum feels Stephen's arm rest against his shoulders and he leans into him a little, looking at the two elderly, but still very much in love, gentlemen sitting opposite them.
"I can't believe they've been together for so long!" Calum whispers later on to Stephen as they watch Frank and Derek tidy up the dining table, having been ordered into the lounge to relax before the coffee is served.
"That's why I wanted you to meet them, to see that it's possible for two men to share a life together. That's what I'd like for us," Stephen looks at Calum to see his reaction.
"Are you two planning on living together?" Derek asks, creeping up on their conversation.
"Calum hasn't decided yet, but I'm hoping."
"What's stopping you?"
Calum shrugs, suddenly nervous when asked to explain, "I get nervous on cruises, I get seasick crossing the harbour."
"Listen Calum, living together aint for sissies!" Frank tells him.
"Neither is growing old," Interjects Derek.
"But no matter what the problems or sacrifices, it's worth having someone beside you to share you life," Frank assures him.
Calum glances to his left, seeing Stephen waiting patiently by his side. His calm presence is the complete opposite to what Calum has grown up with, it's like a balm to his soul. And it would be nice to share everything with someone who actually wants to be with him. And who professes to love him.
YOU ARE READING
Queer as Muke
Fanfiction"The thing you need to know is, it's all about sex. It's true. In fact they say men think about sex every twenty-eight seconds. Of course that's straight men. With gay men it's every nine." Twenty nine year old advertising executive Michael Cliffor...
