Kapitel 181: 'But' or Not 'But'

Gustav until his lips parted.

"Are you sure?" he asked, driving his eyes into David's profile. Their steps were even, in tune with one rhythm. Slower than Meiden's heartbeat.

"I am," David nodded. He did not look at Gustav but in front of him. "I don't know what the future will bring, but today, now, I'm glad I met you. You know, I like you and the time spent with you. You know, ANY form of time spent with you."

Gustav's heart hit harder. Hope and fear rose in him at the same time. Hope that David really could be his boyfriend, his other half, and fear that this introduction is just the part that comes before the 'but'. David is comfortable with him, happy to have met him, but unable to continue because the threat of exclusion from his community is too great, too frightening.

Now it was Meiden who took a deep breath. He was increasingly convinced that the dreaded 'but' was about to happen.