Chapter D4: Falling But Not Failing

Falling But Not Failing

Today, Damien was treating himself to breakfast out.  Or, more accurately, he had accepted Yuri's invitation to spend the day together, starting with breakfast at the Björn Café.

It was a typical bright day in AS, but this early in the morning there was still a chill in the air, so rather than using the popular roof-top dining area, they stayed inside.

With a clear view across to the sea, the genial and unobtrusive service, this was a great place to enjoy delicious simple home-cooked food.

"So, what shall we do with the day?" Yuri pondered.
"We could head up to the park, see what's happening and make plans from there ..." Damien suggested
Yuri readily agreed, "Sounds good to me, maybe I'll beat you in another water fight" she laughed.

Not wishing to get soaked again, nor beaten by Yuri once more, Damien suggested a little kick-about to warm up.  Smiling in agreement, Yuri offered a challenge "If you're sure, and whoever scores the most goals can choose the next activity."

Having had some success in school matches, Damien accepted the challenge and they tossed a coin for first stint in goal.

To be honest, Damien should have realised that her agility avoiding water balloons was a transferable skill. as Yuri proved to be equally quick as a goalie.  He soon discovered that wherever he tried to place the ball, more often than not his opponent was there to catch it.

"Well, four out of ten isn't that bad I suppose."  Yuri said comfortingly as she placed the ball on the spot to take her turn as striker.

One, two, three quick and easy goals later Damien realised he was destined to lose this particular competition.

Thinking that if his own skill was not going to be sufficient perhaps some distraction techniques might work in his favour.

"Oi, referee! Foul play!"  Yuri called out.

"Ohh, the crowd calls out, the stakes are high ... can the star striker take the pressure?"  

Punching the ball into the left corner as Damien leapt inelegantly to the right, "Yes she can!" Yuri laughed in triumph.

Despite his best efforts, and attempts to put her off, Damien finished their little contest 7 - 4 down. "OK, what further humiliations have you in mind for me?"

"Ohh, don't worry, I don't want to be cruel, perhaps something non-competitive might be safer ... " Yuri paused, "For your ego!", punching him playfully on the arm.  "Tell you what, I haven't spent much time on the rink this year, let's get some skates and see what funky moves we can lay down."

It had also been a while since Damien last put on roller skates so he was a little nervous as he led Yuri on to the platform but as he got up to speed he was pleased to realise that his sense of balance hadn't deserted him.

Like riding a bike, he thought, once learned the muscles seem to remember how to do it themselves ... just don't over-think it - that inevitably leads to bruises!

Looking back at Yuri, it was clear that she wasn't quite as familiar with the roller-skates as she had made out.  He tried not to gloat, but Damien was a little pleased that here was something Yuri wasn't effortlessly better at!

"Here, take my hand, we can skate together while you find your balance."

Once Yuri was feeling more stable Damien moved slowly round to face her and, now holding both her hands, they spun slowly across the rink surface.


"Ready to try something?" Damien asked

"Sure, show me what you got."

With that Damien let go of one hand, slowed right down and started to spin Yuri around himself before letting her go.

Yuri's orbit was almost complete but as Damien reached out to catch her she shifted her balance slightly and ...

She crashed unceremoniously to the floor, just clipping Damien and bringing him tumbling down with her.

Gathering themselves back up, Yuri, rubbing her bruised behind in a vain attempt to sooth the dull ache, smiled sheepishly at Damien.

But he was mortified that his attempt at such a simple move could have hurt his friend. "Are you alright?  I'm so sorry.  Are you hurt?"

"No, no, I'm fine, really. Gonna have a sore arse for a while but I'm OK.  To be honest I've never been good on wheels, but I didn't want you to know that.  And now, well, pride and dignity are not a good mix!"

The pair made their way, gingerly, off the rink and removed their skates.

"As it happens I'm not a great fan of dignity anyway, never had any myself!  You will have to remind me, if I ever try to do anything 'clever' again, it'll probably end in disaster!"

"Oh, don't be silly! You had it under control 'til I messed up ..."

They both fell silent, and the buzz of activity in the park seemed to fall away as well, looking into each others eyes.  Damien was entranced by the soft curve of Yuri's smile, her lips held parted, as if to continue the conversation, but then frozen in the moment.

He couldn't say exactly what it was, but his body felt somehow different.  It was like a switch had been flipped and he had this incredible sensation of calm, that, now, everything was 'right', but there was also an excitement, of realisation.

The more he looked at Yuri, the greater was the intensity of that feeling.  There was only one thing he could do ...

Taken by surprise, Yuri initially recoiled slightly as his lips touched hers.  But the warmth of his body being so close to hers, and the comforting sensation of his arms around her didn't feel wrong.  In fact it felt wonderful!

As Damien stepped back,he looked a little shocked at what he had just done, "I'm so sorry, I don't know ..." Yuri put a finger across his lips, "I'm not ..."

With that she pushed Damien's arms down to his side and leant in ...

The world around them could have disappeared entirely and they wouldn't have noticed. For Damien and Yuri there was only their embrace, nothing else was important.

For Damien Slade, Yuri was, in one sense, the final piece in the jigsaw of his life so far and, in another sense, the first piece in another, altogether puzzle that would be even more fulfilling and satisfying.



Chapter D5: Peril In The Park