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♪ Sometimes all I think about is you, late nights in the middle of June.
Mr. Lorenz is his name. He lives alone and quiet. He's not very fond of having someone else around. He's much older, in his 40's now, and he's looking to just work and settle down. The company he owns is bustling by the day, growing exponentially and he couldn't be happier. The more profit means the quicker he can retire and retirement is the ultimate dream.
Recently he's been stopping by this cafe. He works mainly from the comfort of his home, so he has time to do the things he loves— like going out. Everyone there knows his name, whether from popularity or because he stops by so much. The baristas know his order by heart and always smile. He's a calm customer compared to the rude and impatient teenagers that stop by. Sometimes he can hear them fighting in the back on who should take his order.
Whenever Mr. Lorenz stops by there's this one boy who always seems to cater to him. He normally sees him scanning the line, probably looking for him. He thought it was cute, familiarity breeds for comfort and Lorenz didn't think it was such a bad thing. The boy came up to his table and introduced himself once, looking like a nervous wreck.
“M-Mr. Lorenz! My name's Luca Balsa, what can I get you today?”
Now, Lorenz thought he was shy. This boy reeked of anxieties.
“Call me Alva. I'd like—”
His name is Alva. No more “Mr. Lorenz”. Luca thought that was a handsome name.
“Balsa! Get back here!” Someone from across the cafe yelled, catching his attention. They waved him over and his face lit up as he realized the smugness that was looking back. His coworkers were picking on him.
Wearing a pretty simple apron with a pocket for pen and paper, Luca congregated with his coworkers behind the counter.
“You're totally into that business guy, Luca!”
“Ask him if he has a wife. Would he even be gay?”
Luca shushed them all. Overwhelmed by embarrassment and excitement he collected his thoughts, determined to put one word in front of the other.
“No I'm not! Well, maybe I am. So what?! We've all had older crushes!”
“Remember when •••• was in love with that comedian who came here?!”
Everyone audibly gasped as if they'd been shot. Seems like not everyone was aware of that, but the air soon burst into giggles.
“He was married! You have a chance with this guy, go flirt or something! You're a grown man, 23 and prospering you dummy!”
“What if he isn't into younger guys?”
“Who isn't?!”
A good point. Who isn't into younger guys? Especially someone older. You can't help but be attracted to the spirit and life that someone like Luca has. He works a simple job, but outside of here he has so many bubbling interests! He says he wants to be a mechanic and a computer engineer— a scientist or an inventor!
The next day, and the day after that, and the weeks to come were filled with commotion and clatter. Every afternoon when Alva would show up, the cafe workers went quiet as they pushed Luca out into the open. Alva would look him up and down and smile fondly, telling him “the usual”. This turned into a routine that Luca came to love and love even more. Those weeks turned into months and some of the customers around began to laugh and realize that Luca was putting on a flirt with Mr. Lorenz.
“Luca, the usual.”
“I can be your usual.”
Gasps of shock could be heard from across the cafe. Beady eyes watched with curiosity and secondhand embarrassment. Alva leaned in to whisper to Luca and the boy was eager to follow his lead.
“This isn't the time, nor place.” Alva spoke sternly, but Luca could tell his words were not with rude intent. He felt the rustle of his apron pocket, but his hands were tied neatly behind his back. Lorenz had slipped something into his dressing, a smile on his older face as he leaned back to sip at his coffee. They both blinked at each other innocently. Luca turned to look at the clock as it struck 3:00 PM and his shift was over.
“Did you get his number? •••• saw him slip something to you! C'mon, tell us! He's kinda hot..”
“I think?”
“Check the damn paper!”
Luca rolled his eyes, his coworkers were more excited than he was. He reached inside and pulled out a small card. On the front the words “Luca Balsa” were engraved, and when the boy flipped it over he saw what was a combination of numbers. A phone number. Alva's phone number.
Luca was known for being happy to clock out, but never had he been so excited that he could barely speak a word as he put on his home clothes and raced out the employee door. He had a bag hanging by his side full of miscellaneous collector's items he picked up and his work apron, it jingled loudly as he sped for his car in the parking lot. The coworkers hanging out in the lot watched him with laughter bubbling up, obviously filled in on why he was in such a rush.
Luca, he lived in a well-done apartment. It was help from his parents and the two jobs he managed on his own. He did online work when he got home from the cafe, and it surprisingly made him a lot of money. Today he called out, when he stepped into his office he sent his manager a lengthy email going on about how he was "sick" with a "100.4" and could barely get out of bed. Typically that wouldn't be a problem, but Luca was so dedicated to his work that his manager might've just let it slip without a second thought. When he was done, his attention slipped from his computer to the card he held strongly in his hand. He had his phone in the other hand and made that look of embarrassment he was known for.
Ring, ring.
Ring, ring, ring..
“Hello?”
The familiar voice rang against his ear and Luca practically almost threw his phone across the room. He put it on speaker and under his desk he silently kicked his feet.
“Mr. Lorenz! It's me, Luca. You must've dropped this card into my apron..” His reply was shaky and he hoped Alva wouldn't notice. “You must've dropped,” was a blatant lie. The card had his name delicately crafted into it. It shone like silver, reflecting his green-gray eyes back at him.
“It was no mistake, Mr. Balsa.”
Silence. It sounded like Alva was moving around a lot, as the other end picked up some moments of crushed static and erratic breaths.
“We're both busy men. How about we set up a date? Does tomorrow work for you, let's say around..”
A date.
A date!
A date?
He was asking him on a date! Luca's heart was racing a mile a minute, pounding out of his chest. He listened quietly as Alva described where and when, telling him “you better show up” and “dress nice, if you want”. Luca couldn't believe a single bit of it. He was so blown away that the older man would put up the offer first.
Luca had thought long and hard about what he wanted to wear. How would he act? How should he act? Alva was twice his age and yet he was.. particularly handsome.
The time and day came and the anxiety of meeting him alone echoed through Luca's body. It was hard to pinpoint one specific reason why. What if he said something wrong? What if he did something wrong? Anything and everything could go wrong!
A light tap on the shoulder brought him back to reality. He turned and saw Alva staring back at him. They were on a couch together, a remote just off to the side as a movie played quietly. It was easy to tell that the movie had originally been a source of entertainment, but now they were focused on one another. Alva's slight smile looking back at Luca was something to die for.
“Are you alright, Luca?”
“I don't mean to make you anxious, should you go home?”
Luca shook his head, “Far from that, I'm just..”
He thought of a word, the perfect word.
“I'm just admiring you, Mr. Lorenz.”
That was certainly the right thing to say, as you could see Alva's face turn visibly red. A slight shade of pink that was pretty on him and soft on the eyes. Luca found it funny how an older man could still get flustered like a wild teenager. That and more were some of the to-die for qualities about Alva.
“No need to be so formal.” Alva replied, finding it natural to look longingly back at the younger man. There was this pattern of staring they kept, unable to stop gawking at one another— out of embrace or embarrassment they are unsure.
Sitting together, eyes on each other, soon got uncomfortable. Not that it was a bad thing, but they both seemed to be itching for something. Luca, the most in particular. He made it obvious with the way his lips quivered and the sense of love in his green-gray eyes. The way his cheeks had puffed slightly and their rosy tint, making him look soft and young. Alva was not so easy to tell, but every so often his face would twitch. His features were more mature and stable, keeping to one very stern look. Maybe it was that love and longing didn't look natural on him. He was mid 40's and had barely even looked at someone as more than a nuisance, and all of a sudden he couldn't keep himself away from this man.. this boy who had him wrapped up in a cocoon.
They think that was when the sparks couldn't contain themselves and exploded into something more. Luca closed his eyes and leaned towards Alva across him. He placed his hand under the other's chin and they both jolted at the feeling of a new sensation. Alva's eyes widened a little as he felt his lips touch another's.
A mix of soft on worn, it was sort of destined to be.
The kiss they shared was beautiful and yet probably seen as taboo by some. They didn't seem to mind. They embraced each other without another word. Luca was excitable and jumpy, supporting himself as their kiss turned into a sloppy makeout. He was the one that pushed, settling himself in Alva's lap. He wrapped his legs around Alva as his tongue slipped into his mouth. Caught off guard, but not turned off whatsoever, Alva let Luca explore his mouth. Alva had to hold onto Luca's back with one hand and his face the other, breathing heavily into him.
It was cute.
Alva had been so lonely he could barely handle a kiss. Not as much as this, to where Luca was getting handsy— feeling up the older man's chest and clinging onto him in any way possible. Luca had been dreaming about this the moment he set eyes on Alva, hoping they'd share something romantic one day. Their lips left each other and there was only a string of saliva connecting them.
This would happen again.
And again.
Luca got so used to visiting Alva that after awhile, they discussed the topic of him moving in. Luca's parents were starting to wonder where he was getting all these shiny and expensive things, being spoiled by what could be explained as a "sugar daddy". Alva was more than just a sugar source, Luca considered him his boyfriend.
Were they boyfriends? Do you still say "boyfriend" or "girlfriend" when you get older? It was confusing and yet Luca didn't want that question to be answered. He agreed to himself they'd keep moving along without a label. Did a label matter to older men?
Why was Luca so caught up in this?
“Luca. You're thinking again. What is it?”
Another one of his moments where Alva brought him back. Tapping into his mind and reminding him to be present. He felt the gentle touch of a kiss against his cheek and the feeling of rough, yet delicate hands running through his hair. In Alva's lap once again, Luca was being treated like a princess. Overtime they had moved from being affectionate in the living room to the bedroom. Luca had seen it as a big achievement. It was also.. delightful.
It was blissful and euphoric, soothing and ethereal. The feeling of being wrapped up in this older man made Luca feel loved beyond comprehension.
“What are we, Alva?”
A thought must've buzzed by Alva, as his face lit up and then it slipped away from him. Silly Alva.
“Boyfriends. What else, dear? You'll be living with me soon.”
That gave him confidence.
That gave Luca confidence. It was a reminder that what he was experiencing wasn't just a fleeting dream. This was the true reality of love, a universe where two souls are bound together.
“Boyfriends. I like that.”
“Of course you do, Balsa.”
Luca gasped. Was that meant to be offensive?!
“How dare you!” Luca replied offendedly, that tone of cheekiness reminding Alva he was only playing around.
♪ Heat waves 'been faking me out, can't make you happier now.