Russian Blue
Author's notes: Sweet! Carolina and New England to the Superbowl! Sheah baby!! I'm going for the Panthers. I dunno; there's something about the underdog that always get my soft spot. He he he. Listening to Sheryl Crow. Did you know that I actually had to go to an underground rock music store here in Juarez to get this CD (the one where you have "If it makes you happy") music stores here suck big.
Disclaimer: Fake! Belongs to Sanami Matoh and her people. The song is called "Jealous Guy" by the one, the only, Mr. John Lennon.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------
Ryo looked over the glass window of Gaiev's work. He'd been working there for almost two months now, and with the season almost there (granted, it was still some time away, but you know freak people who start buying their stuff in the middle of July) he'd been working a little extra hard. Not that they complained: with Ryo getting back to regular hours, Gaiev working douring those hours, they had more than enough time to get together and cuddle.
Yet Gaiev seemed a bit distant these days. The fact that fall courses at the art school where going to start soon and he'd still hadn't heard anything from them had him on the edge of insanity, but today Ryo was there on the account of getting a letter from the school, probably telling Gaiev we'd been accepted and they expected him to show up for courses. So, with all these good things in mind he took a step inside the gallery. At the far- end of the store there was a big counter where a middle-aged woman with big red flashy glasses and a colorful curly wig was looking at a magazine that said how to tell if your husband was cheating on you by the ways of the zodiac stars that week. Ryo walked over to that counter, looking around in wonder curiosity at the paintings and picture restaurations that hung from the wall and where being portrayed around the store. The woman took notice of Ryo once he reached the counter.
"Hello?"
"Oh! Hello! Welcome, welcome. Can we help you?" she said wearing a big, wide smile on her face. Ryo smiled back sweetly.
"Yeah. I'm looking for Gaiev? Is he here?"
"Oh! Gaiev! Yes, he's here! I'll call him," she said, then turning to the back door, she screamed to the top of her lungs, "GAIEV! CUSTOMER!" taking Ryo by surprise. No less than a minute pass by before Gaiev poped his head from the other side of the door and smiled at Ryo.
"Hi! I'll 'ave my lunch break in five. Wait for me luv?"
"Sure," Ryo said. Once he was gone, Ryo turned to the woman, who smiled tenderly at him, "He's my - my..."
"You must me Ryo, right?" she said, "Yes, Gaiev has told me wonders about you." And there was a way in her words that just made Ryo turn all shades of red.
"Thank you?" he said.
Five minutes later, Gaiev opened the door and walked towards Ryo, brushing his lips softly with his own, "Ready?" he asked.
"Have fun you two!" the woman waved.
They walked out of the store, "She's Gladys, the owner of the store," Gaiev explained, "She likes to ask people about their life."
"Apparently you told her ours, right?" Ryo teased.
"She seems fascinated by the gay world. Anyway, where to?"
"I saw a nice place about a block away from here. I though maybe we could go there?"
"Oh! Rosetto's! Yeah! I love their salads!" Gaiev clapped at the idea.
After the small talk, the good food and undergoing the cup of coffe, Ryo handed Gaiev the letter. Gaiev blinked a couple of times, looking surprised at the piece of paper, "What's this?"
"It's from the art school," Ryo sounded as desperate as if he was the one going to the school, "It came in this morning, but I wanted to surprise you 'till lunch. Go on, open it!"
"It's weird!" Gaiev said as he started to open the envelope, "I didn't 'eard from Professor Lewis and 'e was supposed to get me the - Ok... let's see..." he read in silence. His face changed from happiness to a questioning look and a frown.
"What?" Ryo asked.
"I don't understand," Gaiev drifted, "Really... I don't... I mean... this..." Ryo took the letter from Gaiev's hands. Basically, the letter said that Gaiev hadn't shown for his interview and portfolio review, so he wasn't admitted. Ryo's frown dissolved once Gaiev started speaking, "I never 'eard from Professor Lewis; 'e was supposed to call me to tell me when the interview was set, but 'e never did... or did you 'eard anything?"
Interview appointment? Phone call? Ryo's mind drifted to that phonecall he'd heard the answering machine get, when Gaiev was sick. That had to be the appointment.
Crap indeed.
"Well... I guess... But 'ow could this be? I mean, I never even 'ad the chance to _convince_ them not to take me, now I 'ear I'm not in anyway?"
"Gaiev..." Ryo placed the letter down slowly. He needed to come clean. Gaiev looked over at him with this look that was almost sure that something was to come out of Ryo's lips and it was for sure that it wasn't good, "Oh God... The call? The appointment? Remember when you where sick?" Gaiev nodded, "Well... The machine got the phone call... and I erased it... the message..."
"And you didn't tell me?" Gaiev asked obviously upset.
"I thought... It was..."
"It was Proffesor Lewis!" Gaiev squealed out, "It was Professor Issac Lewis, a customer at the shop who liked my work and whom was going to get me an interview for this school! What - who did you think it was??!"
"I don't know! I'm sorry! I got - I got jealous... I- I'm sorry..."
"Jealous of what?!" Gaiev's jaw tensed and he few a strange knot in the bottom of his stomach, "Jesus! He's a 61 year-old man!"
"Yeah, well you've had older..." Ryo muttered. Gaiev leaned back with a blank expression on his face.
"What?" his voice quaked.
"No. I'm sorry... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to - Gaiev..."
"Oh..." Gaiev said softly. He didn't know what else to say. He stood up and walked out of there; stormed more likely. Ryo slammed his fist against the table, cussing loudly at himself; he left a 50 and ran to catch-up with Gaiev, taking him by the arm and pulling him to a stop, "Let go!" he struggled to get lose of Ryo's grip.
"No. Gaiev, please..."
"Just... let... go!" Gaiev managed to get himself free. He took a few steps back, facing Ryo with dark eyes that expressed nothing less than fury, "LOOK! IS BAD ENOUGH THA' I 'AVE TO LIVE WITH THA' EVERY SINGLE FUCKING DAY OF MY FUCKING LIFE!! I DON'T NEED YOU T' TEMIND ME OF IT!!" he shouted out before turning around and walking a couple of steps more; he turned again, "I THOUGHT WE WERE PASS THAT!"
Ryo decided not to go after him after that. It was best to let things cool down for a while before attempting something else he thought. Besides, Gaiev's belonging where still at the house - they had to talk then.
Gaiev found himself walking late in to the evening across a park, like in the old days. He leaned over a tree and wondered if he should go home now. He didn't want to face Ryo somehow; he felt a bit betrayed, but mostly hurt. He understood: if it was the other way around, and Ryo had the rough end of the stick instead of him? He would of done the same thing.
He turned to his left. A man was trying to take a picture of him. Not of _him_ but of the entire scenario, he could tell. He had to be around 50 years old by the way he moved and looked at the picture. Gaiev took a drift out of his cigarette before choosing to speak, "You need another lens if you want t' take tha' picture with this shitty lighting," he said. The man looked at him in wonder.
"Are you a photographer?" he asked. Gaiev smirked bitterly.
"Not really - but I've worked with the best... and I know about these things..."
"Really?" the man looked at his lens, "Look at that. You're right... what's your name?"
"Gaiev. Why the picture?"
"I like humanity I guess," the man said placing another lense in to the camera, "and you looked blue, so I figure I should take a picture of this blue man, educational purposes, don't get me wrong."
"You're a teacher?"
"Yes. I teach Artistic Photography..."
"At the art school? I wanted to get in to tha' school - but my jealous bloody boyfriend screwed that for me... not tha' I blame 'im though..."
"Hum. Did you say your name is Gaiev?"
"Yeah. Gaiev Borisnkaya."
"Yes! I knew it sounded familiar!" he laughed, "Excuse me, but I was waiting to meet the owner of such a peculiar name. My name is Jacob Freitz, I'm the headmaster at the Art School..."
Gaiev's eyes went wide, "Oh my god!" he said, half laughing, half not believing his dumb luck, "Oh my God! I'm so sorry!"
"No, I am. I never got the chance to see your portfolio, Mr. Boriskaya. I feel you might have some potencial, and I'm usually never wrong. Tell you what: come by, tomorrow at five, here. Bring your portfolio - you have a second chance."
"You mean it?!"
"I never kid around, Mr. Borinskaya," the man winked as he shook Gaiev's hand, "I have a feeling I've seen you before and that's the same feeling that's telling me that I shouldn't let you get away. So, tomorrow it is - five o'clock."
"Yes sir... Yes sir!!!" Gaiev's smile was a wide one, looking more nervous than ever. Jacob took a picture of Gaiev's face.
"Now, that's what I call - happiness..."
After eleven and Gaiev opened the door. Ryo was waiting inside, arms crossed in front of him, sitting on the sofa. Slowly, almost not making noise, Gaiev closed the door and leaned on it, sighing at the clouds of rain that he perceived in the air. Ryo was silently looking at his lover, hoping for words to come out of his mouth; he didn't have the courage to speak, not after this afternoon. He stood up and walked away towards the bedroom.
"What? You're just going to walk away?" Gaiev asked tensely. Ryo turned around and he stood there in the middle of the room.
"I'm sorry - for what I've said and what I did, Gaiev I- I'm really sorry..." his expression was of a man who is hoping for mercy but deep down inside knowing he's not going to get it. Gaiev walked slowly towards him, taking Ryo's hands between his own and kissing it softly, looking deeply in to Ryo's eyes, "Sorry..."
"Well, next time you start acting like a jealous prick I am going to kick your bloddy arss so 'ard you won't be able to sit down for a month, got it luv?" Gaiev smiled, kissing Ryo's hand again. Ryo chuckled and felt embarrassed by the words.
"Got it," he said, and as soon as he said it Gaiev pulled him close for a hug, taking Ryo by surprise upon the suddenty of the actions.
"I don't want to fight, ever. I'm yours, luv; don't ever forget that..."
"I'm sorry... I - " but Gaiev's lips silenced him long enough to feel his cheeks burn and his entire body floating. Yeah he was definately the only one who could make him feel like this.
"Want to 'elp me pick-up my best shit?" Gaiev said against Ryo's lips. He nodded - of course - and they both walked in to the bedroom, Gaiev telling him excitedly about his encounter with Mr. Freitz and his invitation to the park the next day. Soon enough, the bed was covered in photos, negatives and other stuff that Gaiev had taken out of the trunk. Open a bottle of wine and there you have them, Gaiev telling Ryo about each and every one of the pictures, and Ryo just delighted to have the one who made him feel completely happy close to him, kissing him from time to time, and hearing his voice: Ryo's favorite song.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
Note: Yippitie yappitie.
DanielBlair_5@hotmail.com
Author's notes: Sweet! Carolina and New England to the Superbowl! Sheah baby!! I'm going for the Panthers. I dunno; there's something about the underdog that always get my soft spot. He he he. Listening to Sheryl Crow. Did you know that I actually had to go to an underground rock music store here in Juarez to get this CD (the one where you have "If it makes you happy") music stores here suck big.
Disclaimer: Fake! Belongs to Sanami Matoh and her people. The song is called "Jealous Guy" by the one, the only, Mr. John Lennon.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------
Ryo looked over the glass window of Gaiev's work. He'd been working there for almost two months now, and with the season almost there (granted, it was still some time away, but you know freak people who start buying their stuff in the middle of July) he'd been working a little extra hard. Not that they complained: with Ryo getting back to regular hours, Gaiev working douring those hours, they had more than enough time to get together and cuddle.
Yet Gaiev seemed a bit distant these days. The fact that fall courses at the art school where going to start soon and he'd still hadn't heard anything from them had him on the edge of insanity, but today Ryo was there on the account of getting a letter from the school, probably telling Gaiev we'd been accepted and they expected him to show up for courses. So, with all these good things in mind he took a step inside the gallery. At the far- end of the store there was a big counter where a middle-aged woman with big red flashy glasses and a colorful curly wig was looking at a magazine that said how to tell if your husband was cheating on you by the ways of the zodiac stars that week. Ryo walked over to that counter, looking around in wonder curiosity at the paintings and picture restaurations that hung from the wall and where being portrayed around the store. The woman took notice of Ryo once he reached the counter.
"Hello?"
"Oh! Hello! Welcome, welcome. Can we help you?" she said wearing a big, wide smile on her face. Ryo smiled back sweetly.
"Yeah. I'm looking for Gaiev? Is he here?"
"Oh! Gaiev! Yes, he's here! I'll call him," she said, then turning to the back door, she screamed to the top of her lungs, "GAIEV! CUSTOMER!" taking Ryo by surprise. No less than a minute pass by before Gaiev poped his head from the other side of the door and smiled at Ryo.
"Hi! I'll 'ave my lunch break in five. Wait for me luv?"
"Sure," Ryo said. Once he was gone, Ryo turned to the woman, who smiled tenderly at him, "He's my - my..."
"You must me Ryo, right?" she said, "Yes, Gaiev has told me wonders about you." And there was a way in her words that just made Ryo turn all shades of red.
"Thank you?" he said.
Five minutes later, Gaiev opened the door and walked towards Ryo, brushing his lips softly with his own, "Ready?" he asked.
"Have fun you two!" the woman waved.
They walked out of the store, "She's Gladys, the owner of the store," Gaiev explained, "She likes to ask people about their life."
"Apparently you told her ours, right?" Ryo teased.
"She seems fascinated by the gay world. Anyway, where to?"
"I saw a nice place about a block away from here. I though maybe we could go there?"
"Oh! Rosetto's! Yeah! I love their salads!" Gaiev clapped at the idea.
After the small talk, the good food and undergoing the cup of coffe, Ryo handed Gaiev the letter. Gaiev blinked a couple of times, looking surprised at the piece of paper, "What's this?"
"It's from the art school," Ryo sounded as desperate as if he was the one going to the school, "It came in this morning, but I wanted to surprise you 'till lunch. Go on, open it!"
"It's weird!" Gaiev said as he started to open the envelope, "I didn't 'eard from Professor Lewis and 'e was supposed to get me the - Ok... let's see..." he read in silence. His face changed from happiness to a questioning look and a frown.
"What?" Ryo asked.
"I don't understand," Gaiev drifted, "Really... I don't... I mean... this..." Ryo took the letter from Gaiev's hands. Basically, the letter said that Gaiev hadn't shown for his interview and portfolio review, so he wasn't admitted. Ryo's frown dissolved once Gaiev started speaking, "I never 'eard from Professor Lewis; 'e was supposed to call me to tell me when the interview was set, but 'e never did... or did you 'eard anything?"
Interview appointment? Phone call? Ryo's mind drifted to that phonecall he'd heard the answering machine get, when Gaiev was sick. That had to be the appointment.
Crap indeed.
"Well... I guess... But 'ow could this be? I mean, I never even 'ad the chance to _convince_ them not to take me, now I 'ear I'm not in anyway?"
"Gaiev..." Ryo placed the letter down slowly. He needed to come clean. Gaiev looked over at him with this look that was almost sure that something was to come out of Ryo's lips and it was for sure that it wasn't good, "Oh God... The call? The appointment? Remember when you where sick?" Gaiev nodded, "Well... The machine got the phone call... and I erased it... the message..."
"And you didn't tell me?" Gaiev asked obviously upset.
"I thought... It was..."
"It was Proffesor Lewis!" Gaiev squealed out, "It was Professor Issac Lewis, a customer at the shop who liked my work and whom was going to get me an interview for this school! What - who did you think it was??!"
"I don't know! I'm sorry! I got - I got jealous... I- I'm sorry..."
"Jealous of what?!" Gaiev's jaw tensed and he few a strange knot in the bottom of his stomach, "Jesus! He's a 61 year-old man!"
"Yeah, well you've had older..." Ryo muttered. Gaiev leaned back with a blank expression on his face.
"What?" his voice quaked.
"No. I'm sorry... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to - Gaiev..."
"Oh..." Gaiev said softly. He didn't know what else to say. He stood up and walked out of there; stormed more likely. Ryo slammed his fist against the table, cussing loudly at himself; he left a 50 and ran to catch-up with Gaiev, taking him by the arm and pulling him to a stop, "Let go!" he struggled to get lose of Ryo's grip.
"No. Gaiev, please..."
"Just... let... go!" Gaiev managed to get himself free. He took a few steps back, facing Ryo with dark eyes that expressed nothing less than fury, "LOOK! IS BAD ENOUGH THA' I 'AVE TO LIVE WITH THA' EVERY SINGLE FUCKING DAY OF MY FUCKING LIFE!! I DON'T NEED YOU T' TEMIND ME OF IT!!" he shouted out before turning around and walking a couple of steps more; he turned again, "I THOUGHT WE WERE PASS THAT!"
Ryo decided not to go after him after that. It was best to let things cool down for a while before attempting something else he thought. Besides, Gaiev's belonging where still at the house - they had to talk then.
Gaiev found himself walking late in to the evening across a park, like in the old days. He leaned over a tree and wondered if he should go home now. He didn't want to face Ryo somehow; he felt a bit betrayed, but mostly hurt. He understood: if it was the other way around, and Ryo had the rough end of the stick instead of him? He would of done the same thing.
He turned to his left. A man was trying to take a picture of him. Not of _him_ but of the entire scenario, he could tell. He had to be around 50 years old by the way he moved and looked at the picture. Gaiev took a drift out of his cigarette before choosing to speak, "You need another lens if you want t' take tha' picture with this shitty lighting," he said. The man looked at him in wonder.
"Are you a photographer?" he asked. Gaiev smirked bitterly.
"Not really - but I've worked with the best... and I know about these things..."
"Really?" the man looked at his lens, "Look at that. You're right... what's your name?"
"Gaiev. Why the picture?"
"I like humanity I guess," the man said placing another lense in to the camera, "and you looked blue, so I figure I should take a picture of this blue man, educational purposes, don't get me wrong."
"You're a teacher?"
"Yes. I teach Artistic Photography..."
"At the art school? I wanted to get in to tha' school - but my jealous bloody boyfriend screwed that for me... not tha' I blame 'im though..."
"Hum. Did you say your name is Gaiev?"
"Yeah. Gaiev Borisnkaya."
"Yes! I knew it sounded familiar!" he laughed, "Excuse me, but I was waiting to meet the owner of such a peculiar name. My name is Jacob Freitz, I'm the headmaster at the Art School..."
Gaiev's eyes went wide, "Oh my god!" he said, half laughing, half not believing his dumb luck, "Oh my God! I'm so sorry!"
"No, I am. I never got the chance to see your portfolio, Mr. Boriskaya. I feel you might have some potencial, and I'm usually never wrong. Tell you what: come by, tomorrow at five, here. Bring your portfolio - you have a second chance."
"You mean it?!"
"I never kid around, Mr. Borinskaya," the man winked as he shook Gaiev's hand, "I have a feeling I've seen you before and that's the same feeling that's telling me that I shouldn't let you get away. So, tomorrow it is - five o'clock."
"Yes sir... Yes sir!!!" Gaiev's smile was a wide one, looking more nervous than ever. Jacob took a picture of Gaiev's face.
"Now, that's what I call - happiness..."
After eleven and Gaiev opened the door. Ryo was waiting inside, arms crossed in front of him, sitting on the sofa. Slowly, almost not making noise, Gaiev closed the door and leaned on it, sighing at the clouds of rain that he perceived in the air. Ryo was silently looking at his lover, hoping for words to come out of his mouth; he didn't have the courage to speak, not after this afternoon. He stood up and walked away towards the bedroom.
"What? You're just going to walk away?" Gaiev asked tensely. Ryo turned around and he stood there in the middle of the room.
"I'm sorry - for what I've said and what I did, Gaiev I- I'm really sorry..." his expression was of a man who is hoping for mercy but deep down inside knowing he's not going to get it. Gaiev walked slowly towards him, taking Ryo's hands between his own and kissing it softly, looking deeply in to Ryo's eyes, "Sorry..."
"Well, next time you start acting like a jealous prick I am going to kick your bloddy arss so 'ard you won't be able to sit down for a month, got it luv?" Gaiev smiled, kissing Ryo's hand again. Ryo chuckled and felt embarrassed by the words.
"Got it," he said, and as soon as he said it Gaiev pulled him close for a hug, taking Ryo by surprise upon the suddenty of the actions.
"I don't want to fight, ever. I'm yours, luv; don't ever forget that..."
"I'm sorry... I - " but Gaiev's lips silenced him long enough to feel his cheeks burn and his entire body floating. Yeah he was definately the only one who could make him feel like this.
"Want to 'elp me pick-up my best shit?" Gaiev said against Ryo's lips. He nodded - of course - and they both walked in to the bedroom, Gaiev telling him excitedly about his encounter with Mr. Freitz and his invitation to the park the next day. Soon enough, the bed was covered in photos, negatives and other stuff that Gaiev had taken out of the trunk. Open a bottle of wine and there you have them, Gaiev telling Ryo about each and every one of the pictures, and Ryo just delighted to have the one who made him feel completely happy close to him, kissing him from time to time, and hearing his voice: Ryo's favorite song.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
Note: Yippitie yappitie.
DanielBlair_5@hotmail.com