Page 80 of The Titan and the Trainer

“Yup, I approve. Good, strong handshake and honest eyes you daren’t argue with,” his dad added.

“He is a big guy, Cal. Is that your training?” His mom asked.

“Oh no, I can’t take credit for all that,” Callum replied. “That’s years of keeping fit and time he spent in the S.A.S. back in the UK. We do two classes a week at the moment. Julian has got a photo shoot for the cover of a magazine in a few weeks, so he’s got to be in peak physical condition for that.”

“Wow,” was all his mom could muster. He saw her and his dad make eyes at each other.

Callum could see they were impressed by Julian and how he and Callum were happy together. Several times during the day, they had kissed, and no one reacted adversely, or as if it were anything other than any couple showing affection. Callum was proud of his parents, but it hadn’t always been so easy.

When he first came out, they had taken it badly, especially his dad. But once they saw that he was ok, and that this was just who he was, they were supportive, and then always had been. It hadn’t changed their relationship; if anything, it had brought them closer together. So, days like this, getting to see them and his brother, sharing family normality, meant the world to Callum. These were precious times, and it was all thanks to Julian.

Time came to say goodbye around 3 pm. Julian had calculated that the flight back from Springfield would take about an hour, but the drive back for Andrew and the boys would be 2 hrs 40 mins, so to get them back for baths before bed and ready for school the next morning, they would need to leave at 3 p.m.

They said their goodbyes. Virginia decided to stay with Callum’s parents, whilst Andrew and the boys would join them in the helicopter. They loved the G-Wagon when it turned up. They loved the helicopter when they saw it at the airfield. They loved taking off and being flown. They loved being able to talk to each other on the headsets. A very good time was had by all.

Callum and Julian sat on one side, watching Andrew, Rufus and Max on the other. Callum took delight in seeing how much the boys loved the whole experience. He held Julian’s hand tight and lifted it to kiss it, mouthing thank you.

The boys were fascinated by landing on the building roof, and Julian even got Markus to lower the helipad, so they could experience that and the closing roof before they departed. Callum hugged his brother tightly and then gave big uncle kisses to the boys, before they headed out in the G-Wagon for the longer trip home.

They walked back through the penthouse, and Callum took Julian’s hand into his own. “That was a really special day, Julian. It meant a lot to me that you organised all that. What made you do it?”

“We had a free day, and I knew you’d not seen your folks for a while, so I thought it would be a nice surprise. I’m glad it all worked out well. You know, anything for you, my handsome BF.” Callum wrapped his arms around him and kissed him in thanks.

They spent their evening relaxing, Julian observing things about Callum and his relationship with his family, laughing at the old photos of him he now had stored on his phone and generally reflecting on their day.

They fell asleep later, tightly wrapped together.

Chapter 31 - Park Run, Fun?

Sat. 15th - Mon. 17th Mar. 25

Saturday 15th March 25

They had their usual two-training-session week, both at the penthouse; now they were incorporating the Vacunaut suit each time. Callum had stayed over several nights. He was out on Friday, meeting up with Matteo and some old friends. He brought them up to date on the story of him and Julian, something he was now getting used to talking about.

Saturday, with a slight hangover, he had a full day at The Iron Works with a school event and was so exhausted at the end of it that he messaged Julian to let him know and just crashed into bed at his apartment.

***

Sunday 16th March 25

Callum arrived at the penthouse at 5 a.m. on Sunday as part of a covert plan he’d made with Ben via WhatsApp. He crept in on Julian, who was still fast asleep, waking him with a gentle kiss, which he quite liked to do.

Julian opened an eye, saw who it was, and smiled.

“Babe,” he whispered, bleary-eyed, looking at the clock, “what are you doing here so early? I thought you needed rest”

“I’m rested, and we are doing a half-marathon today in Central Park. Surprise!”

“Oh man, you know how much I hate to run,” Julian said, turning over to face away from him, Taking the sheets with him, wrapping them around his body and exposing his muscular back and ass.

“Come on, you big lump,” said Callum, slapping one of his hairy cheeks.

“Ow, that hurt,” Julian complained, but did start to move.

They got ready. Callum insisted that Julian wear cycling shorts under his normal shorts for extra support, but mainly because he loved to see Julian in them.

Distracting yes. Sexy as fuck, also yes.