__________

Rome, Italy

2000

__________

 

“Nrrrrrrrrrgh,” Ben said, smacking dry lips and burying his head deeper in the pillow. Just as he was drifting off again, hands returned to shake his body, so he raised his head slightly. While keeping his eyes closed, he added, “Nuh-uhhhhh!”

“You don’t have to get up,” he heard Jace say. “I just want you to know that I’m leaving you. That little old lady who’s always hanging out in the hotel lobby? She just pinched my butt. In the elevator. I’m moving on to grayer pastures.”

Ben compromised by opening one eye. “Did she really? Because I will take her down!”

“That’s more like it,” Jace said, patting him through the sheets before standing. “If you want to fight for me, you better get up. Come on now.”

This ruse didn’t work. Ben let his head land on the pillow again. “I’m too tired.”

“Too tired for vacation? You’re being ridiculous. Get up.”

“Tired from walking,” Ben said. “Nobody told me there would be so much!”

“Actually, I did.”

“We’ve already seen Rome.” Since they had arrived, Jace had dragged him through the city day after day, and while it was spectacular, spring break was supposed to be about partying, not exercising. “Besides, this room is probably expensive. Shouldn’t we get our money’s worth by actually spending time here?”

When he didn’t get a response, he opened both eyes. Jace was standing over the bed with his arms crossed, looking uncharacteristically grumpy, which was kind of hot. Ben smiled and reached out. “Come get your money’s worth.”

Jace snorted. “First of all, that makes you sound like a rent boy. Secondly, I got this room using points, so I’m not losing any money. And finally, you stink.”

Ben wasn’t dissuaded. “Wanna get in the shower with me?”

Even though Jace was fully dressed and had clearly already bathed, he let his arms drop and nodded. “Fine. If that’s what it takes.”

“Yay!” Ben threw off the sheets and hopped naked out of bed. Okay, so maybe he wasn’t that tired, but his leg muscles really were sore and his feet remained tender. His knees could still handle some abuse, which was good, because he already planned to be down on them. Jace led him to the bathroom, adjusted the shower water to the right temperature while Ben peed, and then guided him to the tub, holding open the curtain.

“In you go,” Jace said, still fully dressed.

“But—” Ben tugged at his shirt in protest.

Jace sighed and started unbuttoning it. That was enough to encourage Ben to climb inside. He got beneath the stream of hot water, wanting to freshen up a little before things became really steamy. Except when he turned around again, the shower curtain was closed and he was alone.

“Hey!”

“I’ll be right back,” he heard Jace call from the other room. “With a surprise.”

“It better not be that old lady!” Ben hollered, but he didn’t hear a response. Resigned to his fate, he showered and got dressed. He was sitting on the edge of the bed and beginning to get bored when the door to the room opened again.

Jace entered, empty-handed except for a plastic cup filled with orange juice from the buffet downstairs.

“That’s it?” Ben asked when this was handed to him. “I was hoping for donuts. With sprinkles.”

“You’re in Italy and you want donuts for breakfast?” Jace shook his head. “I have a much better idea. Put on your shoes.”

Ben didn’t move right away. Instead he weighed just how much he could get away with. A tantrum? He and Jace hadn’t been together long. Three months, that was all, and he had already pushed his luck before this trip. Time to prove he was mature enough to date an older man. Ben chugged the juice, grabbed a pair of socks and his shoes, and was out the door in under five minutes. Jace rewarded him with a kiss in the elevator. Wanting to prove he could compete with a certain senior citizen, Ben reciprocated by pinching his butt.

“The juice wasn’t the surprise,” Jace said as they walked through the lobby, “although it is the same color. See if you can spot what I’m talking about.”

“I spy with my little eye…” Ben murmured as they walked outside. He didn’t have to search far. Parked next to the lobby door was an orange and white moped. Ben nearly cried out in relief.

“No more walking?”

“Not as much walking,” Jace corrected. “You aren’t the only one with sore feet. I could use a break too. And maybe a foot rub later.”

“Deal,” Ben said, walking around the vehicle and laughing. “Mopeds are so cute! Do you know how to drive one?”

“Technically it’s a scooter. Mopeds have pedals. And no, I can’t drive one. I was hoping you knew how.”

Ben looked at him sharply. “Me? No way! You saw me on ice skates. Balance has never been one of my strengths.”

“Then I’ll try my best,” Jace said. “Ready?”

Ben wasn’t. “Are you sure about this?”

Jace didn’t seem to hear. Instead he sat on the scooter, passed him a helmet, and worked on buckling his own. He could be infuriatingly patient at times. Ben eyed the moped with uncertainty, cautious as he got on. The long, shared seat was comfortable, but he couldn’t relax. As soon as the engine started and the scooter moved forward, Ben clung to Jace for dear life. Then he stopped clenching his eyes shut because, so far, the ride was smooth. He looked around when they reached the first stop sign, feeling more at ease. Then again, their hotel was outside the city, and the streets wouldn’t stay this calm for long.

“Won’t it be dangerous in Rome?” he shouted over the wind.

“That’s not where we’re going,” Jace shouted back. “Another surprise.”

That sounded great! No more cramming into a shuttle bus with other tourists or riding a packed subway. Having their own mode of transportation would be liberating, and so much easier on his legs. Ben took in the scenery until they reached the main road. Then he rested his cheek against Jace’s back, hugging him until he felt the vehicle slow again. The road was ascending, providing them with a view of charming farms and distant green hills—a welcome sight after so many days spent in a hectic city.

They turned on a curve, passing through a small town. As the scooter breezed past boutique stores, Ben decided he could handle more walking if it meant an opportunity to shop, but this didn’t seem to be their destination. Soon they entered what resembled a narrow alley, but as it continued and branched off into other directions, he realized it was the standard system for roads here. Old stone homes walled them in from each side, a cobbled path providing just enough room for pedestrians. He was glad they weren’t in a full-sized car. The street was barely wide enough for any sort of vehicle, resulting in one-way traffic only, but he liked how it didn’t remind him of anywhere back home.

They entered a market square—a large courtyard surrounded by massive buildings. Flowers blossomed from hanging baskets and planters, a sun-baked man sold produce from a cart, and three scraggly musicians played their instruments on a corner, steadily earning coins. In the center of it all were tables, each with its own umbrella to shield café customers from the hot sun. Jace stopped near this, parking the scooter with expert skill. No way was this his first time driving one!

“Where are we?” Ben asked as they disembarked.

“Tivoli,” Jace said. “You’re going to love it here. We’ll see the Renaissance gardens of the Villa d'Este, stroll across the Ponte Gregoriano to check out the waterfall, and then I’ll take you to Villa Adriana. That belonged to Emperor Hadrian, who was gay. If you don’t know his story, then I’ll tell it to you over a picnic. It’s very romantic. And tragic. He lost the love of his life much sooner than he should have.”

Ben chuckled and shook his head. “This is your angle, huh? You whisk boys away to Italy to show off with your fancy foreign words, history lessons, and scooter driving skills, just so they’ll fall in love with you.”

Jace smiled. “Is it working?”

Yes. Most definitely, but Ben didn’t rush into relationships as fast as he once had. He still sped along, but when it came to his heart, he was more cautious about who he gave it to. Although if this kept up, he wouldn’t have a choice. Instead of answering the question with words, he kissed Jace. Then he looked around once more. “So… What’s next?”

“Gelato,” Jace said, pronouncing the word with a perfect Italian accent, but for once, Ben didn’t need a translation.

“Ice cream,” he said.

Jace nodded. “Yup. Beats donuts.”

“For breakfast?”

Jace grinned. “Yeah!”

“Ice cream for breakfast,” Ben repeated, shaking his head. “Is that even a thing?”

Jace wrapped an arm around his shoulders and guided him forward. After placing a kiss on his cheek, he whispered in Ben’s ear, “A few months ago, we weren’t a thing either. But now we are. Right?”

Ben tried to pull away, the breath in his ear tickling, but there was no getting away from that grip. Oh yes, they were most definitely a thing! Ben’s legs protested, but he ignored them. The way he was feeling now, he would gladly walk around the entire globe, as long as he could do so with Jace at his side.

__________