by Andrew Grey
“I certainly hope so,” Jonathon added before kissing away the rest of Fabian’s thoughts, replacing them with sounds one could only describe as urgently primal. And later, somehow, through some miracle from heaven, they actually managed to get cleaned up and dressed and downstairs just before Hans knocked on the door.
Jonathon opened it, surprised to see not only Hans but a girl with raven hair, huge eyes, and other voluminous assets. Hans had asked earlier in the week if he could bring a friend along, but Jonathon hadn’t expected this friend to be a girl, and certainly not one as stunning as this one. Go, Hans.
“Come in,” Jonathon said welcomingly, and the young pair stepped inside, with Hans holding her hand in his.
“Maria,” Hans began, “this is my friend, Jonathon Pfister, and my brother, Fabian.” Hans beamed. “This is Maria Hofschneider. We went to school together, and she’ll be in my classes at university.” Jonathon thought Hans was going to explode if he smiled any wider.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Maria.” He held out his hand, and the petite girl shook it with the grip of an Amazon.
“Thank you for allowing me to come.” She looked at both Jonathon and Fabian before turning those huge eyes to Hans, who seemed to stand just a little taller than usual.
“You’re very welcome,” Jonathon answered as he motioned toward the door. “I thought we’d start at the Biergarten for lunch before taking in the attractions.” Hans and Maria, still holding hands, led the way to the subway station, with Jonathon and Fabian following behind.
“Did you know about his girlfriend?” Fabian asked quietly, and Jonathon shook his head, suppressing a smile. “It seems my little brother isn’t as shy and bookish as I thought.”
Jonathon stopped walking for a second, letting the younger couple get a little farther ahead. “Your brother is smart, funny, and a real catch. He certainly isn’t bookish, at least he hasn’t acted that way with me. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with being bookish,” Jonathon added indignantly as he began walking again, a little faster now so they could catch up to the young lovebirds.
“I didn’t say there was anything wrong with it,” Fabian retorted defensively, and Jonathon flashed him a wicked smile. “Okay, you got me.”
Reaching the subway station, they descended, and Jonathon paid his fare while the others used their passes. “Today is Hans’s graduation present,” he explained as he took his ticket and passed through the gate to the platform. It wasn’t long before the train they needed picked them up and whisked them off toward the Prater station. Climbing the exit stairs, they emerged to a world of screams, laughter, clanging bells, and the whir of rides mixing with the music from the outdoor Biergarten.
Fabian led the way and got them a table for four. They started with mammoth glasses of beer before ordering their food. “Hans told me you’re a teacher,” Maria commented once they’d ordered.
“I teach eight- and nine-year-olds.” Unsure of the translation to the European education system, Jonathon answered more generically. “Since you’ll be in many of Hans’s classes, are you studying to be an art restorer as well?”
She shook her head. “I don’t have the patience for it like Hans does. I’ll be studying art history and business so I can run an art gallery,” she answered excitedly, and Hans looked at her, trying to hide his beaming smile behind the beer.
“Are you staying in Vienna long?” she asked, actually managing to sip daintily from the huge glass.
“I’m here for another month,” Jonathon replied, glancing at Fabian. “Then I have to return to New York.” He and Fabian hadn’t talked about anything beyond the next few days, and he had no idea what Fabian’s feelings were on the subject of him returning home. He had to go back if he wanted to keep his job. There had been a few times over the past few weeks where Jonathon had considered moving to Vienna. He had enough money to buy a place; that wasn’t the issue. He needed to take the advice he’d given Fabian a few days earlier—he couldn’t run away and hide. The change of scenery had done him a world of good, and he still had over a month, but in the end, he knew he’d have to leave. Jonathon felt Fabian’s hand lightly pat and squeeze his knee, as though he could read his thoughts.
“I’d love to see New York. I’ve heard the art there is amazing.” Maria looked at Hans. “Since studying abroad is part of the art program, maybe we could study in New York.” Hans smiled back, completely smitten and ready to agree to anything she said.
Their food arrived and the conversation tapered off some, shifting to a discussion of the food, which was delectable. At one point Hans got up and excused himself. A few seconds later, Jonathon got up as well and followed him, stopping Hans just before he reached the men’s room. “Hans,” Jonathon called softly.
“Jonathon?” Hans looked uncomfortably confused.
“I’ve wanted to get you alone for a second since we left the house.” Jonathon reached into his pocket. “I figured you and Maria would probably like to spend some time together.” Jonathon handed Hans the bills he’d had in his pocket for him. “Show her a good time and don’t tell anyone.” Jonathon smiled and walked back toward the table.
Hans returned, and they finished their lunch. Leaving the restaurant, they gathered near the midway. “You two have fun.” Jonathon smiled as the two young adults looked at each other with bright smiles before checking his watch. “We’ll meet at the wheel before dinner and ride up together. So, have fun and ride everything you like.” Jonathon watched with a smile as Hans and Maria walked toward the rides, her hand in his.
“They’re adorable, aren’t they?” Fabian breathed in his ear. “But not as adorable as a certain teacher I know.”
Jonathon smiled. “Yes, they are.”
“How much did you give him?” Fabian asked, and Jonathon hid his smile.
“That is none of your affair, but enough that they’ll be occupied for hours.” Jonathon took Fabian’s hand. “Come on. Let’s have some fun ourselves.” Releasing the hand, Jonathon briskly walked away toward the rollercoaster. “You game?” Jonathon quipped as he bought two tickets and got in line, with Fabian right behind him.
They screamed and yelled as they plummeted and flew, bodies and souls taking flight as Fabian held Jonathon’s hand through the entire ride, both of them grinning like kids when the ride came to an end. “What’s next?” Fabian asked, grinning from ear to ear as they stepped back onto the ground, slightly queasy but definitely ready for more.
“The dodge-em cars,” Jonathon cried with delight when he saw the sign. “Let’s go.” They stood in line and each got in their car. As soon as the power started, they all hurried around the track.
A bump from behind sent Jonathon careening into another car as Fabian whirred by. “Got you!” He was even cocky enough to wave—until he, too, was hit broadside and pushed into the wall, and then it was Jonathon’s turn to laugh until he was hit again, and they both chuckled and cried out as they sped around the ring. When their time was up, Jonathon called over the attendant and paid for two more rounds. They bumped, ganged up on the other riders, laughed, and had the time of their lives. Getting off the ride, neither could walk straight, but neither cared as they moved to the next ride.
When neither could stand any longer from the whirling, climbing, and dropping, they both collapsed into one of the quiet gardens, letting their balance settle before helping each other to the Biergarten.
“Have you given any thought to what you’ll do when you return to New York?” Fabian asked after the server plopped the beer onto their table under the trees.
“I don’t know.” Jonathon hadn’t wanted to talk about this yet. “I’m going to miss this city,” he teased.
“Just the city?” Fabian teased back, but Jonathon could see the hope in his eyes.
“No,” Jonathon answered as he touched Fabian’s hand. “Not just the city. But I don’t know what the answer is.” He knew he couldn’t stay, and as much as he’d like it, he couldn’t expect Fabian
to leave his family and his home. It would be easier for Jonathon to stay—at least he didn’t have any family—but he couldn’t do that, at least not now. “We still have almost a month. Let’s make the best of it.”
“And when it’s over, you’ll go back to New York and leave me here, just like that!” Fabian raised his voice, and a few diners at another table looked at him for a second before returning to their own conversations.
“No, not just like that.” Jonathon kept his voice low. “But what other option is there? Your life, your hopes and dreams, are worth no less than mine. I can’t stay here, as much as I may wish it.” Jonathon sat in the chair, staring down at his beer, suddenly completely uninterested in it.
“Fabian.” Jonathon reached across the table. “Would you like to come to New York?” He’d asked, and Jonathon felt his heart thumping in his chest. “You don’t have to give me an answer now, but I didn’t want to assume anything.”
“I….” Fabian stammered lightly. “I don’t….”
“I know.” Jonathon sighed when he saw the utter confusion on Fabian’s face. “Your family is here, your life is here, and it’s not fair of me to ask you to come back with me. Hell, I’m not even sure you could stay in the US if you wanted to. I have access to excellent lawyers, but….” Jonathon let his voice trial off. This conversation was definitely causing Fabian pain.
“That is not an issue. My mother’s first husband, my father, was an Italian-American, and I have dual citizenship. Or at least I think I do. No one has ever pursued it. But I’ve only known my life here.”
“I understand.” Jonathon took a huge swig of his beer. Not that he’d been expecting a different answer, although Fabian’s citizenship was an unexpected surprise. “Like I said, the offer’s open, and you don’t have to make a decision soon.”
“Why can’t you stay here?” Fabian inquired earnestly.
Jonathon found he didn’t have a good answer, other than the fact that he knew he needed to go home. Even though he didn’t relish the thought of going back to the home he’d shared with Greg, Jonathon knew he had to return, and he had to live there and move on. “It’s hard to explain.” He tried to put his feelings into words but found he just couldn’t and have it make sense, so he took the simple route. “I love my job and love teaching, and I can’t work here. My friends are there, my life is there—it’s the same as it is for you here.”
Fabian set his beer on the table. “You’re right, but it does not make it hurt less.”
“I know.” Jonathon patted Fabian’s hand. “And I’ll understand if you don’t want to continue seeing me.” Jonathon could feel his chest clench as the words escaped his lips.
The bottom of Fabian’s mug hit the table, sending beer sloshing onto the wood. “If you don’t want me, then just say so.” Fabian glared across the table and began to get up, eyes blazing with angry fire.
“I didn’t mean that.” Fabian stopped moving but didn’t sit back down right away. “I only meant I would understand if you didn’t. I know it’s going to be hard to say good-bye when the time comes, and I meant that if you wanted to spare yourself the hurt, I would understand.” God, he sincerely hoped Fabian didn’t want that, and from his obvious hurt reaction, he didn’t, but Jonathon had to give the younger man the out.
“No.” Fabian lowered himself back into his chair. “I’m not a coward or a baby.” Fabian’s eyes still held some of their heat. “I would rather spend the next month with you and have you leave than run away from how I feel.” Jonathon couldn’t help noticing how Fabian threw his own advice back at him.
“Me too,” Jonathon replied, letting a ghost of a smile cross his lips. During their conversation, he hadn’t noticed the sounds around them—they’d faded as his entire attention had focused on Fabian—but as the tension between them waned, he once again heard the voices, laughter, and even the screams of the people all around them. Turning his chair slightly, Jonathon moved closer to Fabian as they finished their beer, watching people as they strolled under the trees.
Hans and Maria walked by but didn’t see them, both completely oblivious to anything but each other. “I want some of that,” Fabian said as he pointed to Hans and Maria. “I used to love candy floss.”
Jonathon could almost feel his teeth ache. “If you’d like, when we’re done here, we’ll get you some cotton candy.” Jonathon’s eyes followed Hans and Maria until they walked out of sight. “Are you about done?” Jonathon asked as he drained the last of his beer. Fabian finished his as well, and they left the shaded Biergarten, joining the others as they strolled the walks.
“You up for the log flume?”
Fabian smiled wickedly as he nodded, making Jonathon wonder what he was up to. Getting in line, they bought tickets and waited their turn. At the front of the line, Jonathon climbed into the log, straddling the seat, and Fabian slid in behind him. A few seconds later, their log moved forward, and Jonathon felt Fabian press right behind him, arms curling around his waist. “This is what I call fun.” He wriggled a little behind him, and then the boat began to climb, pitching him back against Fabian’s warmth.
The bright sun greeted them as they climbed above the trees, floating on the channel of water as they moved over the park. The ride ended in a rush and a splash that left Jonathon wet and Fabian grinning. “So that’s why you took the back.” Fabian did his best to look innocent, but Jonathon knew better as he stepped off the ride, wringing the water from the tail of his wet shirt. At least his pants were mostly dry.
“I really didn’t know you’d get so wet.” Fabian grabbed his hand. “Come on, let’s get you a dry shirt.”
A few minutes later, they were standing inside a small shop, surrounded by souvenir shirts in every color and description. He found a simple blue one with “Vienna” embroidered on it and took it to the register with Fabian grinning behind him. “There’s no way I’m wearing that.” Jonathon pointed to the lime-green shirt with huge lettering in German and an arrow pointing up. He didn’t know what it said, but he was sure it wasn’t flattering. Fabian put the shirt back on the rack, and Jonathon paid for his purchase. Stepping around the side of the building, he pulled off the tags before taking off his shirt. “That’s much better,” Jonathon said with a smile as he shoved his wet shirt in the bag. Hands slid over his damp belly, leaving trails of warmth over his skin. “I need to put my shirt on.”
The hands stopped on his belly. “I like you like this,” Fabian cooed before stepping back, watching as Jonathon pulled the new shirt over his head. And they continued toward the Prater wheel, they saw Maria and Hans waiting near the entrance to the historic Ferris wheel.
Jonathon paid the nearly extortionist entrance fee, and they were ushered into one of the large, enclosed cabins, with Hans and Maria in the cabin behind. “Thank goodness,” Fabian said as soon as the door closed and they’d moved forward. “I thought they were going to put them in here with us.” Fabian took the seat right next to him and immediately kissed him hard, tongue demanding entrance. Hell, for a second, Jonathon thought Fabian was trying to climb him.
The wheel began to move again, loading more passengers, and Jonathon gasped as Fabian unhooked his pants, a hand winding its way inside. “I may only have you for the next month,” Fabian hissed as Jonathon’s head lolled against the seat, the sensation of Fabian’s hand on him short-circuiting his brain, “but I intend to make it memorable.” Jonathon felt his breath whoosh from his chest as he was surrounded in wet heat. The carriage rocked slightly as it moved and stopped again, while Fabian took him deep, throat clamping around him.
“Fuck, Fabian,” he cried softly, forgetting for a moment where they were as Fabian’s head bobbed on him, fingers tugging lightly on his sac. “Fabian, I can’t… wait.” All he heard was a mumble and then added pressure as Fabian sucked him hard and long, tongue twirling around the head just right. Gasping for breath, Jonathon tried to control himself as the wheel picked up speed. Fabian increased the suction as they bottom
ed out, speeding back toward the top. The pressure inside Jonathon’s head matched the pressure building from the ride, and as they crested the top, weightless for a second, the pressure burst from deep inside, and Jonathon erupted as his head swam with ecstasy.
The wheel began to slow, and Fabian let him slip from his mouth, kissing him hard, and Jonathon somehow managed to get himself back together as the wheel pulled to a stop and their door opened. Without missing a beat, Fabian stood up and walked from the cabin, with Jonathon following behind on very wobbly legs. The attendant looked at them sideways as the next riders boarded the ride, and Jonathon thought he might have said something, but whatever it was, he couldn’t understand. And then the kids got off a few seconds later, both of them with rather swollen lips.
“Are you two ready to head home?” Fabian asked.
“Yes,” Hans answered with a smile as they fell in next to them, walking toward the exit. “Thank you, Jonathon,” Hans said softly before falling back to Maria, taking her hand as they walked to the subway.
As they were exiting the subway near the house, Jonathon’s phone rang, and he excused himself before fishing it out of his pocket, recognizing the number. “Greta?” he answered, mouthing to Fabian, “the nurse from the hospital.”
“I hope I’m not disturbing you, but I wanted to call and let you know that the police have determined that Johan’s real name is Reiner Kiesel, and he’s from Berlin. I thought you would want to know.”
“Danke schön. I appreciate the call.” He heard her disconnect after saying good-bye, and Jonathon closed his phone. At least Johan had a name, and maybe someone could locate a family.
“Are you okay?” Fabian asked softly, and Jonathon nodded slowly, smiling at his lover as they continued the walk home.
“They found out who Johan, or more accurately, Reiner, really was. Kid grew up in Berlin.”