Twenty Words
First Meeting:
Curious, Tino entered the pharmacy and bought a bottle of cola. Alexianos rang up the transaction and continued counting pills.
Second Encounter:
"Do you have Zyrtec?"
"Yes; follow me, please?"
Tino tripped and fell elbow-first; Alex drove him to the hospital.
Third Time's the Charm:
Alexianos asked about Tino's elbow. It wasn't broken. Tino bought two Cokes- one to thank Alex with for the ride.
Progression:
"Armenian radio?" Tino didn't remember listening to this frequency before. Still, "Hayots Erkir," and "Hayer Jan" were suddenly very catchy.
Contemplation:
Alexianos glanced at his watch. Had he watched the door for the past hour? Then Tino walked in, thank God.
Shot:
Alexianos disinfected Tino's arm.
"Please hold still…"
The Finn loathed needles with a passion… but Alexianos' touch was incredibly soothing.
Distress:
Alexianos couldn't stand it anymore. For four months, Tino had plagued his mind, with his innocent expression and warm smile.
Bold:
Alexianos took action. He risked appearing lecherous to write "Date?" hesitantly on Tino's prescription fill.
Tino beamed brilliantly.
"Of course."
Date:
A bike ride in the woods. Alexianos could hardly wait; he bet that Tino would look fantastic in Spandex shorts.
Date (Part II):
The date passed well- Tino managed not to break any bones, and they chatted for hours. Both loved mountain climbing.
Relationship:
February usually was a somber month of sober thoughts for Alexianos.
A red-velvet cupcake changed that.
"Be mine, jan?"
Dinner:
Tino loved pasta. Really loved pasta.
Alexianos loved that Tino loved pasta. He happily served his boyfriend seconds…and thirds.
Glances:
It was a wholly new experience for them. In the March rain they hesitantly interlocked fingers, disregarding those that stared.
Compatibility:
Pharmacologist and pharmacist. Pale and tan. Worrier and soother. Audience and raconteur. They had never known a relationship so mutual.
Muse:
There are some things that one does for his beloved.
Alex remembered this as he politely ate burnt, ashy piirakka.
Love:
"I really do-"
"I wanted to tell you-"
Both chuckled nervously.
"You go first."
"Aleksi…I love you so much."
Massage:
Tino's fingers diffused the nervous tension stored in Alex's neck, kneading into the sore knots until they eventually untangled themselves.
Chess:
Tino and Alexianos' score was an even and impressive 41 to 41.
"Best forty-two out of eighty-three, kulta?"
Handsome:
Tino saw it every time Alexianos read in earnest concentration or cuddled their fluffy Persian cat. The man was undeniably handsome.
Dispute:
Tino shook his head, proclaiming that he needed time to cool off. Alexianos frowned and headed in the other direction.
Flu:
Alexianos checked Tino's temperature again.
"Still 102. Poor jan- I'll get you more soup."
Sometimes, Tino didn't mind being sick.
Juhanuus:
There are some things that should never, ever be mentioned. Dancing on a table during Midsummer? That's one such thing.
Intimacy:
With legs tangled in covers and contented smiles, the couple felt like they were going to pass out from exhaustion.
Proposal:
There is a Ferris wheel in Ventura on which a ring was exchanged and Tino nearly fell off from excitement.
Wedding (Part I):
Nobody ever told Alexianos how sweaty his palms would be, or how incredibly happy his husband-to-be would look.
Wedding (Part II):
In Finland, all men at the celebration dance with the bride. Though Tino was a groom, he danced with everyone.
Wedding (Part III):
"Your Love Is My Drug" may not be a classy song for a wedding dance, but it seemed to fit.
Honeymoon:
Going to Kenya is awesome. Going ATV-riding is doubly awesome. Standing ten feet from a tiger is insanely awesome.
Domesticity:
Alex cooks. Tino cleans. Alex is the mechanic. Tino is the handyman. Both enjoy concocting explosive experiments in the kitchen.
Adoption:
Two friendly, intelligent daughters to raise and treasure for the years to come. The Väinämöinen-Kirzigian parents could not wait.
The Cycle Continues:
Tino and Alexianos didn't think they were overprotective. They just believed 99% of guys weren't good enough for their daughters.
Graduation:
Doctorate's degrees from UC Berkeley would make any parent proud. Tino and Alexianos cheered at the top of their lungs.
Rocking chair:
Alexianos held the infant and smiled while peering down through his round glasses.
His grandson would be the world's catalyst.
Everest:
The view from the top of Mount Everest couldn't be beat. Tino and Alex left only their names and inhibitions.
Age:
After eighty years of living, the couple still heeded the sparrow's song and laughed at the crow's warning. Not yet.
Fever:
Tino heard the quiet cessation of the heart monitor. It seemed, for a moment, his heart had stopped as well.
Inevitability:
Tino visited that slab of stone daily. He always presented it with gardenias; nothing could keep him from his love.
Legacy:
The old pharmacy still stood, and every time Tino walked by, a cola can waited for him on the curb.
Light:
One morning, Tino woke, and his bones didn't ache. A brilliant light filled him, and again he heard Alexianos' laughter.
The end.