Prompt: Joe is walking to work and it's absolutely pouring, and on his way he sees a man without an umbrella and offers to share his until they reach their respective destinations
Age 5
Yusuf couldn’t help but stare. They had been walking back from the market when his mother abruptly stopped. She had wanted to talk to the woman from the house down the street for a few days now. Yusuf had overheard his parents talking about a new family that had moved in from Italy. His father had mentioned they had a son about his age. The woman standing in front of him looked kind. She had a warm smile and the big floppy hat she was wearing was riddled with flowers. Yusuf studied the woman, from her chocolate brown hair to the bright orange apron she was wearing. That’s when he saw him.
A small fist clutched on to that apron as if its life depended on it. He followed the line up that hand to a little round face smooshed into the side of the woman’s hip. A boy stood there. A boy with wild hair as if he has just woken up from a nap. A boy with eyes as blue as his favorite marble back home. Yusuf couldn’t help but stare into those eyes. He thought if he looked away, even for a moment, they would be gone forever. He worried if he stopped looking he would never again know the joy he felt when looking into those eyes. However, as if in an instant, his mother was pulling him along to head back to their home. Not wanting to loose contact with those eyes, he could barely walk straight as his feet moved forward but his gaze stayed with the boy.
Luckily for him the school year started a few days later. He was giddy when his mother told him that the boy down the street would be attending his preschool. Yusuf smiled to himself knowing he would be able to look into those eyes once again. On the first day he learned the boys name was Nicolo. He also learned that Nicolo was shy; very, very, shy. Try as he might, day after day, week after week, he could not find a way to become friends with Nicolo. The boy was perfectly fine on his own. Eating lunch by himself while simultaneously coloring, sitting under the trees by himself while playing with ladybugs, even napping by himself in the farthest corner while pretending to not read a picture book under his blanket. Yes, Yusuf knew his every move.
Then one day it happened. The forecast had warned of possible rain in the afternoon; around the time that he walked home from preschool. They lived right around the corner from the school and Yusuf’s parents had given him permission to walk himself. Nicolo’s parents as well. Yusuf often waited for Nicolo to leave so he could walk behind the boy. School had let out and he made his way to his cubby to grab his bag and bright red umbrella. His mother had made sure he came back for it as he tried to run out the door in the morning. As Yusuf walked out of the building and stood under the awning to open his umbrella he noticed a small figure sitting on the steps. It was Nicolo. He gasped as his mind raced back to that morning. Nicolo hadn’t had an umbrella with him when he walked to school. The skies had been clear at that time and maybe Nicolo just didn’t know it was going to rain.
This was it. This was his chance to finally become friends with Nicolo. He inhaled deeply, steadied his hand on his umbrella, and stepped forward. Without even a word he walked over to Nicolo and tilted the umbrella over the small boys’ head. Nicolo looked up as he wondered why the raindrops had stopped peppering his cheeks. A boy, he remembered his name was Yusuf, was standing next to him and using his umbrella to shield him from the rain. He watched as Yusuf slowly extend his unoccupied hand down towards him. It was Nicolo’s turn to stare. Then, with the smallest gesture, Yusuf turned his palm up and wiggled his fingers. Nicolo wasn’t certain but he thought that Yusuf wanted him to take his hand. Not wanting to sit in the rain much longer and also wanting to get home, he did.
Yusuf thought he would melt right there. He intertwined his fingers with Nicolo’s and held on for life as if even the smallest movement would scare the boy away. He pulled Nicolo up with the all the strength he had and made way to scurry down the stairs. Not wanting to fall, Nicolo hurried himself to keep up with Yusuf. The two continued to hold hands as they walked towards their homes. Not speaking a word to each other but walking shoulder to shoulder under the umbrella. If he was honest with himself Yusuf couldn’t even think of what to say. A quick glance over to Nicolo showed that the smaller boy looked as he always did, content. Nicolo’s grip on Yusuf’s hand only gave way when they reached the gate to his house. He was thankful to the boy for sharing his umbrella but, he had a hard time with words. So he did what they did in his family when they were thankful or appreciative of something. He gave Yusuf a soft kiss on the cheek and hurried inside. Yusuf turning bright red in the process and refusing to explain to his mother later on why he didn’t want to take a bath that evening.
The next day at school Yusuf almost spit out his apple juice when Nicolo came and sat with him at lunch time. Nicolo did not speak, just sat there with him and offered a few orange slices when he could not finish them himself. Nicolo just did not speak much at all Yusuf realized. So he looked for other ways to see what they boy was feeling. For the next year he would grow to appreciate the presence of his new friend and understand that words were not always necessary.
Age 20
It was just his luck that he hadn’t brought an umbrella with him when boarding the plane this morning. He had flown home for the winter holidays and had not anticipated the change in weather. As usual. As he walked through the terminal he glanced at the shops seeing if he could purchase an umbrella. His mother was busy preparing for the holiday and his father was still at work so he had offered to arrive home on his own. The walk to the train was out in the open as well as the walk to his childhood home. Taking a taxi would be murderous to the small amount of cash he had on him. The prices of the umbrellas in the terminal were extravagant and he figured he’d rather be soaking wet than purchase one.
As he made his way to baggage claim he could see how wet it was outside through the large windows in the airport. He audibly sighed, thinking that maybe the overpriced umbrella would have been worth it. Waiting by the conveyor belts he thought to himself if Yusuf would also be home. They had both gone on to different colleges. Yusuf being farther than he was and possibly not having enough time to come home, even for the holiday. He hoped this was not the case.
The two had a unique friendship. Throughout their younger years they had gone to school together up until college. Yusuf, being the outspoken, ever-so-friendly, person that he was, was quite popular in their years growing up. He had many friends, joined a variety of clubs, played sports and was outgoing as all. Nicolo on the other hand really just had Yusuf. That was all he needed. Nicolo stuck to his books, helped his mother around the house, letting her teach him how to cook. If he did do anything after school it was watch Yusuf. They would often walk home together and Yusuf frequently had sports or club activities to partake in. Nicolo would hang around and take the time to finish schoolwork or read for himself. Sometimes he would just sit and observe his surroundings.
As he collected his bags Nicolo prepared himself for the weather outside. He tried to think up a plan that would keep him from getting completely soaked. If he hurried along fast enough he could make it to the station in record time. Wishing this was one of those days where Yusuf was there to offer him an umbrella he made his way towards the station. As if on queue, a man rushed into baggage claim looking slightly disheveled. Carrying two umbrellas. The man looked up and looked in every direction for the person he was meant to meet. Nicolo stood there dumbfounded. It was Yusuf. He knew he should call out but he was so taken aback that he was at a loss fo words. He couldn’t possibly be the person Yusuf was looking for.
Yusuf hoped he hadn’t missed him. He knew he should have left earlier as the storm would mean more traffic. He had overheard their mother’s conversation about Nicolo flying in from school and eagerly offered to go pick him up from the airport. As he rushed inside he surveyed the area hoping Nicolo hand’t made his way toward the train. Yusuf then locked eyes with Nicolo. A large smile formed across his face. With large strides he made his was over towards Nicolo, clearly seeing the look of shock on his friend’s face. Without words spoken between them he closed the space and gathered Nicolo into a tight hug. He had missed his friend.
Yusuf then shoved the extra umbrella into Nicolo’s hand and grabbed one of his bags. Nicolo just stood there for a minute still taking in the situation. He thought he wouldn’t even see Yusuf during this time and here he was picking him up from the airport. Yusuf however, wanted to beat the traffic back home and he was hungry. He knew that the families had planned to have dinner together and wanted to get home quickly so Nicolo could rest before the evening. As he started to walk away he noticed that his friend was not yet following him. Turning around to look Nicolo in the eyes, those beautifully blue eyes, he gestured for Nicolo to follow suit. Nicolo stood there as if frozen in time. Yusuf stood there and chuckled to himself. With one hand holding the umbrella, ready to open it as he went outside, he stretched out the other hand towards Nicolo for him to hold. That made Nicolo smile. Walking towards Yusuf he playfully slapped his hand as he walked on by. They weren’t children anymore and though he had nothing against holding hands with Yusuf he could manage on his own.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
Nicky/Joe + Sharing an Umbrella, AU
Date: 2020-10-12 06:23 am (UTC)Age 5
Yusuf couldn’t help but stare. They had been walking back from the market when his mother abruptly stopped. She had wanted to talk to the woman from the house down the street for a few days now. Yusuf had overheard his parents talking about a new family that had moved in from Italy. His father had mentioned they had a son about his age. The woman standing in front of him looked kind. She had a warm smile and the big floppy hat she was wearing was riddled with flowers. Yusuf studied the woman, from her chocolate brown hair to the bright orange apron she was wearing. That’s when he saw him.
A small fist clutched on to that apron as if its life depended on it. He followed the line up that hand to a little round face smooshed into the side of the woman’s hip. A boy stood there. A boy with wild hair as if he has just woken up from a nap. A boy with eyes as blue as his favorite marble back home. Yusuf couldn’t help but stare into those eyes. He thought if he looked away, even for a moment, they would be gone forever. He worried if he stopped looking he would never again know the joy he felt when looking into those eyes. However, as if in an instant, his mother was pulling him along to head back to their home. Not wanting to loose contact with those eyes, he could barely walk straight as his feet moved forward but his gaze stayed with the boy.
Luckily for him the school year started a few days later. He was giddy when his mother told him that the boy down the street would be attending his preschool. Yusuf smiled to himself knowing he would be able to look into those eyes once again. On the first day he learned the boys name was Nicolo. He also learned that Nicolo was shy; very, very, shy. Try as he might, day after day, week after week, he could not find a way to become friends with Nicolo. The boy was perfectly fine on his own. Eating lunch by himself while simultaneously coloring, sitting under the trees by himself while playing with ladybugs, even napping by himself in the farthest corner while pretending to not read a picture book under his blanket. Yes, Yusuf knew his every move.
Then one day it happened. The forecast had warned of possible rain in the afternoon; around the time that he walked home from preschool. They lived right around the corner from the school and Yusuf’s parents had given him permission to walk himself. Nicolo’s parents as well. Yusuf often waited for Nicolo to leave so he could walk behind the boy. School had let out and he made his way to his cubby to grab his bag and bright red umbrella. His mother had made sure he came back for it as he tried to run out the door in the morning. As Yusuf walked out of the building and stood under the awning to open his umbrella he noticed a small figure sitting on the steps. It was Nicolo. He gasped as his mind raced back to that morning. Nicolo hadn’t had an umbrella with him when he walked to school. The skies had been clear at that time and maybe Nicolo just didn’t know it was going to rain.
This was it. This was his chance to finally become friends with Nicolo. He inhaled deeply, steadied his hand on his umbrella, and stepped forward. Without even a word he walked over to Nicolo and tilted the umbrella over the small boys’ head. Nicolo looked up as he wondered why the raindrops had stopped peppering his cheeks. A boy, he remembered his name was Yusuf, was standing next to him and using his umbrella to shield him from the rain. He watched as Yusuf slowly extend his unoccupied hand down towards him. It was Nicolo’s turn to stare. Then, with the smallest gesture, Yusuf turned his palm up and wiggled his fingers. Nicolo wasn’t certain but he thought that Yusuf wanted him to take his hand. Not wanting to sit in the rain much longer and also wanting to get home, he did.
Yusuf thought he would melt right there. He intertwined his fingers with Nicolo’s and held on for life as if even the smallest movement would scare the boy away. He pulled Nicolo up with the all the strength he had and made way to scurry down the stairs. Not wanting to fall, Nicolo hurried himself to keep up with Yusuf. The two continued to hold hands as they walked towards their homes. Not speaking a word to each other but walking shoulder to shoulder under the umbrella. If he was honest with himself Yusuf couldn’t even think of what to say. A quick glance over to Nicolo showed that the smaller boy looked as he always did, content. Nicolo’s grip on Yusuf’s hand only gave way when they reached the gate to his house. He was thankful to the boy for sharing his umbrella but, he had a hard time with words. So he did what they did in his family when they were thankful or appreciative of something. He gave Yusuf a soft kiss on the cheek and hurried inside. Yusuf turning bright red in the process and refusing to explain to his mother later on why he didn’t want to take a bath that evening.
The next day at school Yusuf almost spit out his apple juice when Nicolo came and sat with him at lunch time. Nicolo did not speak, just sat there with him and offered a few orange slices when he could not finish them himself. Nicolo just did not speak much at all Yusuf realized. So he looked for other ways to see what they boy was feeling. For the next year he would grow to appreciate the presence of his new friend and understand that words were not always necessary.
Age 20
It was just his luck that he hadn’t brought an umbrella with him when boarding the plane this morning. He had flown home for the winter holidays and had not anticipated the change in weather. As usual. As he walked through the terminal he glanced at the shops seeing if he could purchase an umbrella. His mother was busy preparing for the holiday and his father was still at work so he had offered to arrive home on his own. The walk to the train was out in the open as well as the walk to his childhood home. Taking a taxi would be murderous to the small amount of cash he had on him. The prices of the umbrellas in the terminal were extravagant and he figured he’d rather be soaking wet than purchase one.
As he made his way to baggage claim he could see how wet it was outside through the large windows in the airport. He audibly sighed, thinking that maybe the overpriced umbrella would have been worth it. Waiting by the conveyor belts he thought to himself if Yusuf would also be home. They had both gone on to different colleges. Yusuf being farther than he was and possibly not having enough time to come home, even for the holiday. He hoped this was not the case.
The two had a unique friendship. Throughout their younger years they had gone to school together up until college. Yusuf, being the outspoken, ever-so-friendly, person that he was, was quite popular in their years growing up. He had many friends, joined a variety of clubs, played sports and was outgoing as all. Nicolo on the other hand really just had Yusuf. That was all he needed. Nicolo stuck to his books, helped his mother around the house, letting her teach him how to cook. If he did do anything after school it was watch Yusuf. They would often walk home together and Yusuf frequently had sports or club activities to partake in. Nicolo would hang around and take the time to finish schoolwork or read for himself. Sometimes he would just sit and observe his surroundings.
As he collected his bags Nicolo prepared himself for the weather outside. He tried to think up a plan that would keep him from getting completely soaked. If he hurried along fast enough he could make it to the station in record time. Wishing this was one of those days where Yusuf was there to offer him an umbrella he made his way towards the station. As if on queue, a man rushed into baggage claim looking slightly disheveled. Carrying two umbrellas. The man looked up and looked in every direction for the person he was meant to meet. Nicolo stood there dumbfounded. It was Yusuf. He knew he should call out but he was so taken aback that he was at a loss fo words. He couldn’t possibly be the person Yusuf was looking for.
Yusuf hoped he hadn’t missed him. He knew he should have left earlier as the storm would mean more traffic. He had overheard their mother’s conversation about Nicolo flying in from school and eagerly offered to go pick him up from the airport. As he rushed inside he surveyed the area hoping Nicolo hand’t made his way toward the train. Yusuf then locked eyes with Nicolo. A large smile formed across his face. With large strides he made his was over towards Nicolo, clearly seeing the look of shock on his friend’s face. Without words spoken between them he closed the space and gathered Nicolo into a tight hug. He had missed his friend.
Yusuf then shoved the extra umbrella into Nicolo’s hand and grabbed one of his bags. Nicolo just stood there for a minute still taking in the situation. He thought he wouldn’t even see Yusuf during this time and here he was picking him up from the airport. Yusuf however, wanted to beat the traffic back home and he was hungry. He knew that the families had planned to have dinner together and wanted to get home quickly so Nicolo could rest before the evening. As he started to walk away he noticed that his friend was not yet following him. Turning around to look Nicolo in the eyes, those beautifully blue eyes, he gestured for Nicolo to follow suit. Nicolo stood there as if frozen in time. Yusuf stood there and chuckled to himself. With one hand holding the umbrella, ready to open it as he went outside, he stretched out the other hand towards Nicolo for him to hold. That made Nicolo smile. Walking towards Yusuf he playfully slapped his hand as he walked on by. They weren’t children anymore and though he had nothing against holding hands with Yusuf he could manage on his own.