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Diplomatic Relations	By : jai Category: Individual Celebrities > Athlete/Sports Misc Views: 3147 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. I do not know the people written about in this fanfiction. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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March 13, 2009 in Transit to Eindhoven

Grant looked out the window but didn’t really take in the view; he was too anxious about seeing Pieter again. Somehow, over the last four months, he’d gone from being fond of Pieter in a purely friendly way to having *feelings*.

It was almost ridiculous really. He’d known Pieter for over eight years and now he was getting feelings? Yes, Grant had always thought Pieter was attractive and there had been moments where he’d thought about having sex with Pieter but while he'd had thoughts about having sex with a lot of people, he’d always managed to avoid having sex with his friends. Acquaintances and other competitors had been fair game but Pieter had firmly settled into the friend side of the equation early on and Grant really couldn’t say he’d regretted that.

Especially as Pieter’s divorce seemed to be an ongoing thing. Right now, Pieter needed a friend and not a lover, former or future. Grant suspected that was one reason why Pieter hadn’t wanted Ian to know. Ian and Pieter had crossed that line a few years ago and although neither of them talked about it and they’d managed to remain friends, there was a definite level of tension between them on the subject of Minouche. Grant had never found out what that was about and now, he really didn’t care.

This brought him back to his own feelings for Pieter. He had meant it when he said Pieter could call anytime and Grant really hadn’t minded staying up late or waking up early when the calls came. Then he’d started feeling the need to call Pieter on occasion. Just to talk at first but by the middle of February, he’d started to look forward to every call.

He didn’t know if he was in love with Pieter but he thought he could be. He was also wise enough to realize that Pieter was probably not ready for any kind of relationship at this stage in his life. Grant wasn’t in a hurry though. If he and Pieter were meant to be together, he was willing to wait. He really didn’t have a choice after all since Pieter had said he wasn’t going to get involved with anyone until after his divorce was final.

Grant was honest enough with himself to know that the whole Suzanne thing was a little disturbing. He wasn’t going to obsess over it but he wondered how he could make his intentions known without putting any pressure on Pieter.

Shaking his head, Grant pushed the whole thing firmly out of his mind. He was coming to help his *friend* move to a new flat, he was going to take his *friend* out for a birthday dinner. He needed to shelve all the deeper feelings for the time being and just be Pieter’s friend. He also really needed to stop talking to himself; he was starting to feel weird. He pulled out a book he’d picked up in New Hampshire and spent the rest of the journey reading and determinedly *not* thinking about Pieter.

The train pulled into Eindhoven right on time and Grant waited for the complete stop before he got up and pulled his briefcase/messenger bag over his shoulder and patiently queued to the baggage storage area to retrieve his other two bags.

He walked out to the lobby type area and looked around but didn’t spot Pieter. Hm. He knew Pieter was usually prompt and he hoped there wasn’t some kind of emergency. There were a few benches scattered about and he was just considering finding one to use when Pieter came rushing up to him.

“Grant!” Pieter said, not coming to a stop but sort of running into Grant and embracing him. “You’re here!”

“Yes I am. Um. Pieter, I will need my ribcage later.” Grant said, feeling a little awkward as he patted Pieter’s back.

Pieter pulled back with an impish grin, “Are you sure?”

“Pretty much. How are you?”

“Fine and I’m sorry I’m late. I was dropping things off at my parent’s house and it took longer than I expected.”

“No worries. Shall we get going?” Grant replied, trying not to stare too much at the happy smile on Pieter’s face. He hadn’t seen Pieter look this excited in a long time.

“Of course! You only have these bags?” Pieter asked gesturing at the two medium sized pieces of luggage at Grant’s feet.

“Yes.” Grant answered as he reached down for them.

“Oh, let me help. I may be getting older but I’m not ancient.”

They got the bags sorted out and Pieter led the way to the car, chatting as they walked.

“I hope you don’t mind but I arranged to get the keys tomorrow and the place needs a good cleaning before we move anything in. You can stay back at the apartment if you’d like.”

“Pieter, if you want to clean on your birthday the least I could do is to be there to watch.”

Pieter came to a stop and caught Grant’s grin, answering it with a laugh. “Very funny. I know you know how to clean, it’s the only reason your mother still lets you live with them.”

“True although she does worship the ground I walk on.”

“Only if that ground doesn’t lead to a stove or a microwave.” Pieter quipped as he opened the back door of the car.

“That’s so cruel!”

“But still accurate. Come on; let’s get your bags in.”

On the drive to Maastricht, Grant was happy to find that the rapport they’d had over the phone was still there and even better in person.

“Wait until you see the new apartment! The other tenant moved out this week and I took a peek at it this morning. It’s even larger than I thought it was.”

“Not that I mind but does it need a lot of cleaning?”

“Not too much. The floors need a good sweeping, the windows washed and the bathrooms scrubbed down but Robert and Aimee will be there and I hope it won’t take too long. I can work on the courtyard later. It looks like the previous tenants never raked the leaves or pruned anything so it will take some work. I plan on buying a table and a few chairs for that area and then we’ll have a lovely private spot.”

“You seem to have it all worked out. The apartment is in the back of the building?”

“Yes. It’s almost a secret apartment because there is no entry to or from the rest of the building and we’re the only ones who enter through the courtyard although it is overlooked by two other flats on the third floor.”

“So no nude sunbathing?”

“I don’t think so. What did you do in Brussels?”

“I had lunch, wandered through the streets and then had dinner. I brought some chocolates at Neuhaus. What’s that face about?”

“Eh. I don’t really like chocolate.”

“You don’t?”

“No and don’t look at me as if I was some sort of alien creature. When I was a greedy little boy I ate three pounds of chocolate; I haven’t been able to touch it since.”

“Oh, well that doesn’t make you an alien and it’s a good thing I didn’t buy you any. I did buy a box for your mother though.”

“That was sweet of you! Mother loves chocolate.”

“Good.” Grant said then asked the question he’d been dying to ask all along. “So how was your dinner last night?”

“Considering it was a gathering of medical professional, it was rather boring. I also wonder why the food is always so bad at those things.”

“Bad to the point of food poisoning?”

“No just bad from the standpoint of being edible. So have you heard from Michael and Ian lately?”

“Yes I have actually. I told you that Christina had a boy?”

“You did.”

“Well Ian and Michael are back in the States and they’re moving into their house next month. You should be getting an invitation to their wedding in a month or two. They wanted to get them out early so people could make travel arrangements.”

“So who won?”

“Michael did and Ian wouldn’t go into details about how that happened. He’s been a total mess since I so helpfully pointed that they still had to do cabin assignments.” Grant said with a wicked grin. “He winds up so easily these days.”

“Grant! That wasn’t nice although I do admire it. You know he’ll just retaliate when you get married.”

“I know but he might be an old mellow daddy by then.”

“I suppose that means you still aren’t seeing anyone?”

“Pieter, seriously, are you talking to Mum?”

“No.” Pieter said with a laugh. “I’ll leave the pearl wearing to Ian. So how long are you staying?”

“Um. I have no idea. I don’t really have any plans but I don’t want to be a pest.”

“Grant you are anything but a pest! Really, I’m just so happy you’re here and you can stay as long as you want.”

“Thank you, Pieter.”

The apartment in Maastricht was the same as it had been when Grant left months ago aside from a few half-filled boxes near the entryway. Grant put his bags near the couch, freshened up a bit and went back to the living area where Pieter was cooking breakfast.

“Pieter, you don’t have to cook!”

“But I like cooking and I’m hungry too. I hope you’re in the mood for an onion, mushroom and cheese omelet.”

“Sounds fantastic.” Grant said. “Do you want me to set the table?”

“Great! Let me hand you everything though because there’s no room in here. It’s going to be so nice to have a proper kitchen. Robert isn’t a bad cook either and the new flat has room for two cooks to mess about.” Pieter said as he reached around and got the glasses and cutlery, handing them off to Grant. “Do you want coffee?”

“Yes please.”

“With cream, no sugar if I remember correctly.”

“You do indeed.”

Grant set the table and took the coffee cup from Pieter, retreating to the small table and sitting down to watch Pieter moving around in the tiny kitchen. He’d never seen Pieter in such a sparkling mood before and took a moment just to drink in the sight. Oh, yes he was in serious trouble.

&&

The rest of their Friday was spent puttering around the apartment and napping (in Grant’s case) aside from a walk down to a restaurant for a late lunch/early dinner and watching a DVD in the evening. They went to bed early and Grant spent a sleepless half hour on the pull out couch giving himself a stern talking to before finally falling asleep.

Pieter’s thirty first birthday dawned bright and clear and to Grant, it seemed like his friend almost bounced out of bed.

“Grant, are you awake?”

“Yes I am. Do you always sing in the shower?”

“Oh. I’m sorry!”

“It’s okay; I needed to get up anyway.” Grant said as he sat up and immediately regretted it since Pieter was only wearing a tiny towel.

“Well good thing I showered first as I didn’t put the towels back in there yesterday.” Pieter said as he went into his bedroom and returned with larger towel that he set on the back of the couch. “It’s a bit chilly in here today!” Pieter went back to his bedroom with a cheery ‘Get up, get up!’”

After telling himself a few times that he’d seen Pieter naked before and to not be an ass, Grant got up and got the towel, some clothes and his toiletries and went into the steamy bathroom. A blast of cold water took care of the steam and the other problem that popped up and Grant was soon dressed and ready for the day. They stopped down the street for a typical Limburg breakfast, pie and coffee, and got on the road.

“So now that is officially my birthday, what did you get me?”

“Why don’t we stop at your parents’ house and you can find out for yourself? And have you figured out what the ring tones are? You haven’t asked a question in the last few days.”

“I think I’m stuck, I don’t know opera that well and the clerk at the music store has been helpful but I don’t think I’m asking the right questions anymore.”

“Hand me your phone.”

“The super secret phone? Are you allowed to see that?” Pieter asked with a grin as he handed it over.

“I have full clearance. Now concentrate on your driving but listen.” Grant pulled out his phone and then dialed the number from Pieter’s. His phone rang with a series of notes several times before Grant ended the call from Pieter’s phone. “Well?”

“Hm. It sounds familiar. You know, you’re turning me into quite a classical music fan. I had to go out and get a new radio so I could pick up Klara from Brussels.”

“So no more rock and roll? My you are getting old.”

“Grant Hackett, you should be very relieved that I am driving or I would give you a nudgie.”

“Noogie?”

“Whatever.”

&&

Pieter unlocked the gate to the courtyard and stood aside so Grant could enter. While Pieter went past him to open the door to the flat, Grant looked around. It was quite overgrown with vines and it was obvious that the dead plant matter hadn’t been removed for quite some time but the walls were high, the paving was in good shape and it was larger than Grant expected.

“Grant, come on! The flat won’t clean itself.”

Grant shifted the box of cleaning supplies and muttered about slave labor just loud enough for Pieter to hear him but Pieter only laughed at him.

“You did volunteer and it’s too late now.”

His first impression of the flat was a sense of light and space due to the plentiful windows and twelve foot ceilings. The lounge was large and finished in a surprisingly modern manner without losing any of the period charm of living in a very old building. There were a series of windows that overlooked the courtyard, a large fireplace and refinished wood floors. The room was longer than it was wide and led into a large kitchen and beyond that a small but charming breakfast room with an almost greenhouse feel to it due to the wall of windows and semi-glassed ceiling.

“What do you think?” Pieter asked from the kitchen.

“It’s wonderful. Really, Pieter you really lucked out here.”

“It wasn’t so much luck. The owner, Christiaan DeWees, is a friend of my parents. Now go up and see the bedrooms.”

The stairs near the front door led up to a wide landing with a bath off to the right and a hall straight ahead. The first bedroom was nicely sized and had decent natural light, the middle bedroom was a bit smaller but still had a nice window and the last and largest bedroom featured an ensuite toilet and sink and a nice niche near the window.

He went back down the stairs to find Robert and the woman who must be Aimee talking to Pieter in the lounge.

“Hi Robert.”

“Grant, how are you? This is my friend Louisa Bleeker, Louisa this is Grant Hackett late of Australia.”

Grant shook Louisa’s hand and ventured a look at Pieter who only rolled his eyes and made a motion that he’d explain later.

“Since we’re all here, shall we get to work?”

The apartment wasn’t that bad, just as Pieter said, but it did need a spiffing up and after deciding to split up the tasks, they each grabbed the right implements and got busy. Grant, by virtue his slight height advantage took the windows while Pieter opted for the bathrooms, Robert got floor duty and Louisa volunteered to scrub the kitchen.

The windows were not original and Grant quickly found out that many of them popped out for easier cleaning, which was especially helpful upstairs. Robert finished first and went into the kitchen to help Louisa and within two hours, the flat was spic and span.

“Pieter, do you have a rake or something? I could get to work on the courtyard.” Grant asked when he caught up to Pieter.

Pieter checked his watch and looked dubious. “Are you sure you want to do that? My parents are coming around with lunch for us in an hour and you’ll get all sweaty.”

“I’m not afraid of getting sweaty.”

Handing over the keys to his car, Pieter still looked unsure. “Just keep in mind that I didn’t ask and I will listen to no complaining.”

“Noted.”

Ten minutes later, Grant was in the courtyard with a rake in hand and large refuse bag. He wasn’t about to enlighten Pieter that he actually liked doing yard work. It was outside, good exercise and there were almost immediate results so what was not to like?

Aside from the years of leaves and some trash that seemed to have blown in, the courtyard wasn’t all that bad. The vines were still out of control but pruning shears and a hand clipper would take care of them and a power washer would get the sludge off the pavers. He was pleased to discover that after filling three bags, there were several neglected planting beds and even evidence that a small shed had stood in one corner.

“Grant! How are you?”

Grant whirled around and saw Mrs. van den Hoogenband on the other side of the gate with several bags in her arms and rushed over to open it for her.

“I’m fine. How are you?”

“I’m fine too. It looks like you’ve been busy but what an improvement.”

“Thank you. Can I help you with those bags?”

“You are such a gentleman. Yes thank you. Cees is getting some things from the car and I’ll go back to help him.”

She took his rake and propped open the gate before leaving Grant trying to figure out how to open the flat door with his hands full. Pieter solved that by coming along and opening the door for him.

“You’ve grown bags!”

“Ha ha. Your parents are here. Can you take these and I’ll go help them?”

“Sure.”

They accomplished a bag transfer and Grant went out to the street to see Dr. van den Hoogenband removing the still wrapped painting from the back of their van.

“Hello Dr. van den Hoogenband.”

Pieter’s father merely glanced at him before handing him the painting and after a few sharp words in Dutch from Pieter’s mother, finally said something.

“Hello Mr. Hackett. It was very nice of you to come all this way to help Pieter move.”

Grant ignored the tone and simply greeted the older man and brought the painting inside, having figured out from the items in the car and bags that they were having a little birthday party for Pieter.

Veronique’s arrival with her boyfriend only confirmed that as they brought in a dining table and many chairs. A small cake and plates of sandwiches were placed on the table with a couple of bottles of wine and soda, paper plates and plastic forks and several wrapped presents.

Astrid lit the one candle on the cake and Pieter blew it out quickly, making a grinning comment that he wanted to get to the presents quickly. Astrid cut and served and they sat around the table as Pieter pulled the booty over.

His parents gave him a new briefcase, Robert and Louisa’s present was a gift card to the local bookstore and Veronique and Jacob gave him a small tool box and first aid kit.

Pieter was very thankful for his gifts but rubbed his hands afterwards and got up to where the package had been propped. “Now I can finally see what Grant got me; it has been driving me crazy for days!”

He carefully pulled off three layers of wrapping and discovered he’d been working from the back. Shooting a look at Grant for keeping silent he turned the frame over carefully and just stared at the painted surface.

Grant chewed his lip for a second and then asked, “Do you not like it? I can return it.”

“No! I love it; it’s so peaceful but alive.”

“Pieter, are you not going to share it with us?” Astrid asked, chiding him.

Pieter grinned mischievously, “But it’s my present and I don’t have to share.” He relented a moment later and turned it around to reveal a lake viewed through tree branches and yellow flowers. It was verged on the impressionistic but the clear watercolor tones and hazy quality pushed into a more modern direction.

Pieter’s family all seemed to like the painting and spent several minutes looking it over.

“Grant, who painted this?” Veronique asked.

“Gary Baker, he’s Australian and his father and uncle were also painters. The title is ‘The Lake Orangeville’. I went to a gallery showing with Ian and Michael in Sydney and spotted it there. It just seemed like something Pieter would like.”

“Like? I love it! Robert, do you mind if I hang it over the fireplace?”

“Not at all. Luckily our sister has supplied us with a tool kit and I’ll bet we can find the right things in there.”

“Supplied ‘us’? That’s Pieter’s present!” Veronique protested.

Grant sat back and watched the van den Hoogenband children squabble, unaware that both of Pieter’s parents were watching him. After reviewing the tool box, they decided that the painting would work by resting on the mantle and having a safety nail for the wire to prevent it from falling forward.

After a few hours of conversation and food, Pieter’s parents and sister took their leave and the original foursome was left to take the trash out and put away the leftovers in the now clean kitchen.

“Pieter, what time should we meet at the parents’ tomorrow?”

“I was thinking around ten. Is that good for you, Grant?”

“Sure.”

The flat was locked up tight after Pieter took one last long look at his painting and after saying goodbye to Robert and Louisa, Grant and Pieter got in the car.

“Grant, thank you so much for the painting.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I am tempted to move it into my bedroom but I fear that I would stay up all night staring at it. You just saw it at a gallery?”

“I kept staring at it from across the room. It’s one of those pieces that catches your eye and is equally fascinating from a distance as it is up close.”

“So why didn’t you keep it for yourself? You obviously like it also.”

“Because I thought you would enjoy it and you have a place to put it. Besides, what else would I get you for a birthday and a housewarming?”

&&

They returned to Maastricht and after showers and dressing, set off for Düsseldorf. They arrived almost two hours before their reservations but Pieter knew the city well so they parked and walked around for a while before heading back towards the area around the Victorian Restaurant.

Pieter was right, it was expensive but Grant didn’t even blink. This was Pieter’s birthday after all and Pieter was worth it. Oh, he needed to get those kinds of thoughts under control.

The service was prompt but allowed for conversation and eating and the food was very good. During dessert, Grant finally decided to bring up a subject he’d been pondering.

“So your father, still a grumpy lump on a log?”

Pieter sighed and nodded. “Oh yes. You saw how he barely spoke? Well that’s basically what he’s been doing. Mother says that he’s been in a funk but grumpy lump works too.”

“Is he always that moody?”

“Just the last few years. Veronique says he’s going through male menopause.”

“So he’s not just grumpy with you?”

“He’s the worst with me but he doesn’t really talk to anyone but Mother.”

“What does your mother say about that?”

“She just smiles mysteriously and says he’ll get over it soon. Then again, she told me that about puberty.”

“Yours or his?”

Pieter’s fork paused on the way to his mouth and he started laughing. “Good question.”

Grant took the wheel on the way back, glad that Pieter’s car had a GPS system since the birthday boy had a couple of glasses of wine and two cognacs and was a bit giddy. Grant didn’t mind, in fact he found a tipsy Pieter to be rather cute – oh, don’t start that now.

The second half of the trip was silent as Pieter snoozed and Grant struggled not to reach over and put his hand on Pieter’s. He’d never understood the whole hand thing that Michael and Ian had going but as he drove he wanted nothing more than to just hold Pieter’s hand.

He reminded himself again that Pieter didn’t need any further complications right now and he just had to put a lock on how he was feeling for the time being but oh, was he in trouble.

&&

The weather continued to cooperate and Pieter didn’t show any sign of a hangover as they packed the final bits of his belongings into the boxes and suitcases, Grant repacked his own luggage and they did some cleaning. By eight thirty, the keys were in the hands of the landlord and Grant was behind the wheel.

“Pieter, why am I driving?”

“Because you’re more comfortable over there. Just drive up five blocks and pull over in front of the bakery. We haven’t eaten breakfast or had coffee yet.”

“Because you were out of coffee and the fridge was bare.”

“Then I planned accordingly and didn’t have to transport cold food for an hour nor did I need to throw any of it out. I’ll buy you coffee as soon as we get there.”

Coffee was procured and Grant felt more human but he had to draw the line when Pieter pulled apart one of the pastries he’d purchased and attempted to feed it to Grant.

“Whoa! What are you doing?”

“You must be hungry.”

“Well yes I am but you uh don’t need to do that. Just hand it to me.”

“Oh.”

After three minutes of silence, Grant sighed. He wasn’t mad at Pieter but he knew he’d overreacted because Pieter’s happy sparkle had faded. The whole feeding thing would have been funny before but now it was just too intimate.

“Pieter, I’m sorry. I didn’t sleep well last night and seeing something coming at me like that was a bit disconcerting.”

Pieter nodded slowly, “I suppose it didn’t help that I woke you up at five am either.”

“I didn’t mind rising early but the lack of toilet paper was just horrifying.”

“I guess I should have waited to pack that. I never heard anyone yell like that – just what were you doing in there?” Pieter asked with a grin.

&&

The moving crew was already working when they pulled up at Pieter’s parents’ house if the activity around a large moving van was any indication. It looked like all the guys from Robert’s team showed up along with several women friends.

“How much stuff do you have?” Grant asked curiously.

“It’s a large apartment and some of Robert’s stuff is here too.” Pieter said defensively.

“Hey I’m not pointing any fingers here. Let’s get out and get going.”

Grant was quickly spotted by Robert and introduced around to all the friends who all seemed to know Pieter too. Despite Pieter’s earlier words, he lifted and toted with the best of them and the van was soon loaded to the brim and the smaller boxes were packed into the various cars.

Pieter’s father spent the whole time they were there in his den but Astrid kept them well supplied with drinks and snacks and even handed Pieter a large bag of sandwiches as they were leaving.

“Thank you, Mama.” Pieter said after giving her a kiss.

“You’re welcome; now that you’re just down the road don’t be a stranger.”

&&

The moving in process was more exciting to Grant as he finally got to see all the stuff Pieter bought. On the whole everything looked stylish comfortable and able to stand up to being lived on by two men.

Robert and his friends worked very efficiently and the van and cars were unloaded in another two hours. Granted, things were not put in place and the beds weren’t set up but everything was in the house. Robert broke out the beer and Pieter pulled out the sandwiches and the group sat around in the lounge on whatever handy surface.

At first, Grant felt a little awkward although all the ‘kids’ were speaking English but quickly fell into a conversation with a couple of them when Pieter mentioned Grant’s road rally class.

After the break, the majority of them took off for their own pursuits but Dirk, Hugo, Jakob, Gisela and Louisa stayed to help put the beds together, unpack the kitchen and in Jakob’s case, set up the entertainment system. By seven thirty, the house was more or less habitable and Pieter was ready to call it a day much to everyone’s relief. Again, the lounge became a crash site although the number of bodies littering the room was less.

“Grant, do you want to stay here or go with me?”

Grant lifted his head and saw Pieter standing by the door with his jacket on and keys in his hand. “Where are you going?”

“I was going to the grocery store then make a stop for pizza or Chinese depending on what everyone wants.”

“Pizza!”

“Well that’s decided.”

Hauling himself out of the very comfy chair he’d taken over, Grant got his jacket and took the keys from Pieter. “I’ll drive, you give directions.”

&&

The next five days were spent putting the house truly to order, driving back down to Maastricht so Pieter could meet with Mark and Dr. de Zeeuw (while Grant walked around and did a little shopping), and going to the pool.

Thankfully Grant’s little talks to himself were finally taking effect and he just carefully tucked away all the moments that made him want to either gather Pieter up and give him a hug or drag the man off to bed for a good rooting.

On the third day, he’d finally convinced Pieter to reclaim the master bedroom and although the guest bed was much smaller, he slept better on it. Being surrounded by Pieter’s things was just too hard.

Pieter seemed happy to have him around and Robert was gone more than he was there so he also didn’t feel like he was over staying his welcome. He’s also spent an hour or so each day out in the courtyard battling the vines.

On Saturday, Grant admitted defeat and he and Pieter went to the local gardening center and tool rental place to get a chain saw, a power washer, rakes, shovels and heavy duty clippers.

“Okay Pieter I need you to stand over there. I don’t want any of these branches coming down on you.”

“Grant are you sure you know how to use that thing?”

“Yes. It’s the only way since you have two old dead vine trunks in there along with this other vine. I won’t cut it all out but it needs a good haircut.”

The chainsaw made quick work of the mass of vegetation and before long, there were more leaves and branches on the ground then there was on the walls.

Grant shut off the chainsaw, took off the safety glasses and looked at all the leaves and branches littering the courtyard. “And this is why we waited to power wash.”

“I hope we have enough bags.” Pieter said, looking around in dismay.

“I picked up extra.”

“Oh goody.” Pieter commented only half sarcastically.

Ten bags later and four trips to the dumpster, Grant was ready to power wash and Pieter went inside to make lunch and avoid getting wet. Pieter didn’t see the courtyard until after they ate and he had to admit that Grant’s efforts had really made a difference as he hadn’t just washed the pavers but also the walls.

“So what do you want to plant?” Grant asked as they were loading the washer and saw into the car to return them.

“I suppose it’s too late for tulips but maybe a little herb garden and some flowers?”

“Let’s stop at the gardening center again and see what’s available.”

“You like all the garden stuff don’t you?”

“Yes. To tell you the truth, I used to love going out and mowing the lawn. Not only is it good exercise it also evens out my tan.”

“Then I’m sorry I don’t have a big lawn for you to mow.”

“It’s okay; I’ve forgiven you for that.”

“Oh ho. That means there are things you haven’t forgiven me for. What would those be?”

“There was that time in Sydney . . .”

“Never mind.”

“What you don’t want to hear about it?”

“No thanks. I was a very bad boy in Sydney; it was all Ian’s fault of course.”

“That goes without saying.”

&&

During Grant’s second week in the Netherlands, as he sat in the courtyard reading the New York Times and sipping coffee, he began to consider that maybe he should be moving on. Pieter still no sign of booting him to the curb but every day he stayed here and couldn’t speak of his feelings - it felt like he was lying to Pieter by omission.

Spending this time with Pieter was – well, nice but it was like sitting next to his favorite meal and only being allowed to look at it. Then again, he wasn’t sure if telling Pieter was the right thing to do because then it put a burden on his friend.

He’d never loved anyone like this. He woke up each morning eager to see Pieter and went to bed each night regretting that Pieter was a room away. It wasn’t just a sex thing either. He wanted to be there to hear Pieter’s murmurs in the night, feel the bed move when Pieter shifted around and most especially, experience sleeping while holding Pieter in his arms. Or while Pieter held him. Grant wasn’t going to be picky at this point.

He turned to the travel section but there was nothing he was really interested in. He wondered if it would be worth making up some kind of excuse to return to Australia or if he could live like this for a little while longer.

&&

“Grant, where are you?”

“I’m in the lounge watching television.”

Pieter padded down the stairs in an obviously well worn pair of pajamas. “It’s after midnight, is everything okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Do you want me to turn the volume down?” Grant asked quietly.

“No, I couldn’t even hear it up there. What’s wrong? This is the fifth night in a row that you’ve come downstairs in the middle of the night.”

“I’m just having a little problem sleeping.”

“I knew it! Why don’t you take my bed again? That bed you’re on is much too small.”

“It’s not that. I’m just having a little insomnia; I’ll come up in an hour or so.”

“Or at three am like last night.” Pieter said stepping in front of Grant and sitting down on the coffee table so Grant had no choice but to look at him. “I thought we were friends.”

“We are friends.”

“So why won’t you talk to me? There’s obviously something bothering you and it’s been bothering you since you got here. I didn’t want to get pushy but Grant, please let me help you.”

Grant thought about it and threw caution into the wind as he sat up and moved closer to Pieter. “Do you really want to know?”

“Yes. What ever it is, I’ll be here for you.” Pieter said, sincerity shining in his eyes.

Grant leaned in further and gently placed his lips on Pieter’s. He didn’t move his hands or touch Pieter in anyway, he just kissed him and tried to convey that this kiss was making up for all the other times he’d wanted to kiss Pieter but couldn’t.

Pieter didn’t struggle but he also didn’t respond, in fact he seemed frozen in shock. Grant reluctantly pulled away and Pieter just sat there.

“That’s what has been wrong. Not that I think loving you is wrong because I do love you but I didn’t want to ruin our friendship. You’ve trusted me with so many things and I didn’t want to betray your trust either. I’m sorry – well, no I’m not sorry that I feel this way but I’m sorry I didn’t do a better job of hiding it from you and of controlling myself.” Pieter still didn’t respond and Grant eased around him and stood up. “I’ll just get my things and get out of here.”

In the guest room, Grant threw the few items that had scattered around into one of his suitcases, packed his books and computer into his briefcase and grabbed his toiletries out of the bathroom. He was trying very hard not to feel anything and just wanted be gone. He didn’t regret what had happened but now he just needed a place to crawl into and start trying to heal.

As he came down the stairs and saw Pieter still just sitting there on the coffee table, he realized that the healing wasn’t really going to be possible but he’d put on a brave face and just do his best to survive.

“Pieter, again I’m sorry that I told you like this and I hope one day you’ll forgive me and we can be friends again.”

He closed the door behind him and went out through the courtyard, hitching up his bags as he turned and headed for the train station. All the willpower that had served him through thousands of hours of swim training served him now as he walked away instead of falling to the ground and wailing about the injustice of it all.

Why hadn’t he just kept his mouth shut and made up an excuse about an old injury keeping him up at night? Why hadn’t he left last week? Why did he have to kiss Pieter? Now he knew what it felt like and now he knew he’d never feel that again.

Of all the scenarios he’d run through in his mind about the moment he confessed his love, he’d never imagined that Pieter would have no response at all. And maybe that hurt the most of anything. Sure he could understand if Pieter didn’t return the feelings but to just say nothing?

Grant plodded along and tried to get angry over the fact that he apparently wasn’t worth a response but couldn’t. This was his fault. He knew Pieter wasn’t ready for any kind of romantic relationship and look, this just proved it.

He was one block away from the train station and approaching a street corner when a car suddenly pulled in front of him blocking his path. Before Grant could yell about almost being hit, he realized that it was Pieter’s car and that Pieter was getting out of it still clad in his pajamas.

“Grant! Where are you going?”

“That should be obvious. I’m going to the train station. What are you doing here? You’re still wearing your sleep clothes.”

Pieter came around the car and took one of the bags off Grant’s shoulder. “So are you. Put your bags in the car Grant.”

“Why?” Grant asked, clutching his remaining bags.

“Because you can’t just say something like that to me and walk out. Give me the briefcase.” Pieter said, tugging at the strap.

“No. Pieter, I’m sorry but I just can’t stay there. Not with feeling like I do and you feeling like you do.”

“Grant, you never even gave me a chance to tell you how I’m feeling. Please, get in the car and we’ll talk about this.”

“There’s nothing to talk about. It’s obvious that you don’t feel the way I do and it hurts too much right now to be arou-.”

Pieter stopped trying to take the bag and resorted to stepping closer and put his hands on Grant’s cheeks and kissed Grant back in a way Grant had only dreamed about.

“Pieter?”

“Grant. Please. I don’t want to talk about this on a public street at one in the morning. Please come back with me.”

**
Yes I know - very different version of what they told Ian & Michael but that will be covered later. And yes, I'm stuck again on TSL.

Thanks to everyone who has read and all those who have reviewed. You guys make my day!
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Diplomatic Relations