An American Homo in Paris

under the eiffel tower

Zili stood behind the cashier at the cafe, secretly eyeing the American man who was wiping his eyes and punching the Enter key on his laptop.He's kind of mean to Americans—especially American tourists.They generally stare wide-eyed, look awed, and then document his city by taking selfies along the way.And this American, with a rainbow logo on his backpack and skinny jeans, has a great figure.Oh yo.

There's always something a little more exciting about an affair near the end of its shelf life -- if you know you only have a few days or weeks left with that person, you're sure to make the most of it.The sweetness of a short-term relationship is that it does not require long-term care for the other half, nor does it require any effort to maintain the relationship.This kind of relationship is more intimate than a date in a nightclub, but it will not be involved in a more complicated relationship than the former.However, the American he was eyeing conveyed a fragile aura in his gestures, Zili told himself to be more careful.The American's jaw trembled slightly, and the stubble around his mouth hadn't been shaved off in time.He stared at the computer screen while trying not to cry.He looked too vulnerable, and perhaps Ziri couldn't get the American involved in his brief, wishful-looking affair.

But maybe not impossible.

"Thank you, Zi." Elaine hurried from the back of the cafe to the front, kissed Zili on the cheek, "Busy?"

"It's okay. Your American is still crying into the computer. A few Germans came over and finished off the leftover snacks. I scored three points and earned a little tip."

"Okay, okay. What's 'my' American? You haven't taken your eyes off him since he came in. Go ahead and say hello to him!"

Ziri tugged at a lock of golden curls on Laelian's head, "You shouldn't have encouraged me to go."

"Why not? He looks like he needs a friend. And now you look like a hungry wolf with a big meal in front of you."

Zili threw the paper he was grading back into his briefcase, and threw it over his shoulder.He walked straight up to the American, sat down opposite him, and asked, "Ava?"

①French: Are you okay?

The American was visibly startled and raised his head.He was really handsome, but his blue eyes were red.He really cried, "?a, um. Oui, ?ava②." He wiped away his tears again and sniffed.

②French: Yes, um, I'm fine.

"Canadienou Américain?" Zili was sure he was American, but starting with such a small topic might be the best way to relax a man who might cry at any moment.

③French: Are you Canadian or American?

He choked up, "American." He said it very simply.His lower lip stopped trembling and he half smiled.My goodness, how charming would this man be if he actually smiled?Ziri suddenly wondered.He was going to switch to English—he always thought that "?ava" and "Américain" might be the few French words this guy in front of him knew.

"What's your name?"

"My name is Benji." He held out his hand, and Ziri took it.American hands are smooth and strong, larger than our own.Ziri prolongs the handshake a little, until the American lets go first.

"Uh..." Benjie suddenly opened his eyes wide and looked around, obviously flustered, not knowing what to say.Finally, in English, he said, "Did I stay too long? I can order another coffee."

"No, no, you don't have to worry about that." Ziri smiled, "I don't work here, I just come to help my cousin," he pointed to Elaine, "she's like my own sister. Well, I It's Ziri."

"Your English is really good." Benjie blurted out, then blushed.

"Thank you. I teach English. So, Benji, why are you in Paris?"

Hearing this, his pretense of bravery collapsed, and the American—no, Benjie—Benjie's face darkened. "Oh, God." He buried his face in his palm, "He left me."

That's why he was crying.Shit, Zili wondered what kind of a jerk he was to try to figure out how to hook up with Benjy.You big bastard.Well, then it seems that this is not the way to sleep with him.But he couldn't just walk away and leave Benjie alone, how could he?It would make him look even more of an asshole.It's his duty to cheer the guy up.He got up and took a few tissues from behind the counter, put them on the table, and handed one to Benjie to wipe his face.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Zili has been listening to Benjie talk.I heard from him that he met Alan for the first time in college, the two fell in love within a week, and they were together for eight years, until they came to Paris and they broke up.His heart ached for Benji.

"Are you afraid?" he heard himself ask, and he wanted to slap himself.

But Benjie nodded with a smile and said, "I'm afraid."

He reached out and touched Benjie's shoulder.

"Do you want to go out, how about going for a walk?"

Benjie looked at him, his eyes were bright and moist, with tears in his eyes, "Why?"

Zili laughed and said, "Because there must be better ways to get over a broken relationship than sitting in my cousin's coffee shop and crying. You are in the city of love now, let's find something we like to do together!"

"No, I must go home and pack. I leave Paris tomorrow."

"Is there no reason for you to take a final trip to bid farewell to Paris?"

"I'm still carrying the bag - I don't want to be walking around with it on my back."

"You leave it to Elaine to take care of it, she will take care of your bag. And going out to play now will make you forget the guy who made you cry."

Benjie opened his mouth to make another excuse, but then he straightened up and laughed, wiping away his tears again, "You're right. I can sleep on the plane, let's go!"