Page 49 of The Titan and the Trainer

“Later,” growled Julian, winking at him.

Callum sat on the sofa, ensuring his position was good for viewing.

The screen resolved to a menu where Julian started flicking through a list of options, “Hey, do you fancy Captain America: Brave New World? That new Marvel film?” he asked, a glint in his eyes.

“You’ll be lucky; it’s not even out at the cinema yet,” Callum quipped, but then saw Julian was selecting it on the screen from a list of films. “How come you’ve got that; it’s not even premiered yet?”

“The benefits of knowing Kev Feige, and more so, financing a large chunk of the production costs.”

“Oh yes please. I want to see this.” Callum settled down, and Julian joined him.

He pressed another button on the box and the section of the sofa they were sitting on slowly reclined into luxurious cinema-type bucket seats.

“Oh nice,” Callum said, making himself more comfortable. Julian reached into a hidden compartment, from which he produced a gorgeous soft throw that he tucked up around them, as they cuddled in together.

This is the life, Callum thought to himself as the opening titles started. He held Julian’s hand tight, excited for the film.

When the sound system kicked in, he almost jumped out of his skin. It was amazing, rich with depth and bass, and crystal clear. A big smile crossed his face. He knew this was going to be an experience to remember.

“This is insane, man,” said Callum, “your life is just fucking insane.”

“Our life, babe, our life,” Julian corrected, kissing him.

He really does just see us together forever, considered Callum. It was a very welcome proposition.

For Julian, moments like this felt like this was the start of a new life, one he’d been secretly longing for. He was sure Callum was his soulmate. He was running, he knew. Walk first, he told himself, but it was hard to when Callum was there, thighs touching, shoulders firm, smiling and gorgeous. It was hard not to think of heavenly futures together.

Callum greatly enjoyed the film, and he found it exhilarating on the impressive system, but he found that in the quieter bits, his thoughts returned to his day and the tension between himself and Jack. The friendship he had with Jack was important to him, and it upset him that he was being so negative about finding a solution to their issues. It almost felt like he wanted them to fail.

When the film finished, Julian pronounced that it wasn’t one of his favourite Marvel films ever. At the touch of a button, the sofa returned to normal, and within a minute the speakers and screen disappeared as if they had never even existed.

The two of them headed off to bed together. Of course, they got distracted as soon as they reached the bedroom, falling onto the vast bed in a pile of muscly manliness. They found new ticklish and tender points, caressing, mouths showing, eager hands finishing.

After they were both spent and getting ready for bed in Julian’s vast bathroom, he saw Callum trying to find his toothbrush amongst his toiletries. He seemed distracted, like his thoughts were elsewhere.

“You know, you could just leave a toothbrush here. It would save you the luggage fees on the elevator,” Julian said, cracking a joke.

Callum smiled wryly but didn’t react in the normal way to Julian’s humour. Throughout the movie, Julian had also felt it. The way Callum’s leg bounced nervously, how he seemed to drift off into the middle distance in quieter moments.

“Callum, are you OK? Are you happy here? You’ve seemed a bit distant tonight, not your normal self. Have I upset you, because you need to tell me if I have?” He was getting worried. This was too important to screw up. A huge knot instantly developed in his gut.

Callum seemed reluctant to speak at first and sat down on the side of the bathtub. “I’m sorry, Julian, it’s not you. You’re wonderful, and I’m very happy here.” He gave a smile to reassure him, seeing his concern. “It’s the gym, Julian, it’s my partner Jack, it’s all unravelling.”

He laid it all out: the leaky roof, the landlord who smelled blood in the water, the kids who relied on the after-school program, and the pipe dream of a wellness centre that felt like it was crumbling under a layer of brick dust and debt. “I so desperately want to help and make a difference to my community and my people, but I’m terrified that I’m going to lose the one thing I’ve built from the ground up,” Callum whispered. He explained everything, words spilling from him in a cathartic release.

Julian listened intently, kneeling on the floor in front of him, holding his hands. It hurt to see Callum upset. He’d never seen him down, and he didn’t like seeing him this way.

“A landlord like that probably isn't looking for rent, Callum. He’s looking for a way to get you out, so he can sell the property. It’s very likely a predatory play.”

“I know,” Callum said. “It just feels like I'm failing everyone.”

“You aren't failing, not at all. You’re fighting a battle with some underhanded fuckwit who hasn’t even got the decency to tell you what he’s planning. Why can’t he just be honest with you?” Julian was getting angry now. He seemed about to say something else but stopped himself. “Cal, we’ll talk more about this. But for tonight, let’s just be here. You’re my boyfriend, and I can’t have anything but a smile on that handsome face.” He leaned in and kissed him. Callum threw his arms around his huge shoulders, and the worries were put aside.

They went to bed, and despite having come about thirty minutes earlier, they got wrapped up in the proximity and heat of each other once again. The bliss of the moment overtook rational thoughts, and for the first time, it wasn't about the explosion of release; it was slow and comfortable, grounded, normal. Two lovers being there for each other, supporting each other, loving each other.

They fell asleep curled up tight together that night, even closer than before. Julian was the big spoon behind Callum as always, snuggled up, arms entwined, in the centre of the massive bed. Outside, city lights shimmered on them through the glass windows they hadn’t adjusted, like a thousand silent eyes looking in, jealous of the happiness they had found in one another.

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