07-12-2025, 02:50 PM
It was dark. The trees flew past him as he ran through the forest, deeper and deeper into the darkness. There was no wind to be felt, no bird to be heard, no light to be seen, as if the world had held its breath. He was at the end of his strength, but the fear of stopping, of seeing what was pursuing him, drove him on, giving him no rest. Until he came to a cliff. He stopped abruptly, almost falling from his own speed. His lungs burned. Breathing was difficult. Even staying awake, not collapsing from exhaustion, was difficult. Suddenly he heard the footsteps behind him again. He turned around, startled, looking for a way out. A small path led beside him along the cliff, but it was too late. He already saw the shadow. He saw his pursuer approaching. His voice was frozen. Not a word came out of his throat as the man came ever closer.
"You won't escape me, my little Yanét." The man said, smiling coldly. Yanét turned around and prepared to jump. He would rather jump off the cliff than be killed by him. Suddenly, Yanét felt a tearing pain in his chest. He looked down and could only vaguely see what it was, for he was about to lose consciousness. The man's hand had completely penetrated his torso, literally impaling him. Yanét closed his eyes, only distantly aware of himself hitting the ground and the hand being slowly pulled out of his body. He was still breathing, but he no longer felt it. The only thing he was really aware of was singing. A pure, gentle voice. He opened his eyes, but saw nothing but blurry images. Tears clouded his vision. When his vision cleared, he saw more, but he still didn't know where he was. He felt a hand on his chest and the pain in his body. He tried to sit up, but couldn't.
He lay there for a while, trying to push everything out of his body, to remember his surroundings, but still he was unable to. As fragments slowly penetrated to him, he was gradually able to remember again. He knew he was lying in bed in his room and that what he had just experienced was only a dream. A nightmare. But the pain in his chest was real. He tried to sit up again and this time he succeeded. He looked around. Tears still clouded his vision, but they soon dried up.
"Danny? How are you?" someone next to him asked sleepily.
"Feeling a little better already." Danny said quietly, looking away. "Alex? How did I get here?"
"Well. Should I have left you lying on the soccer field in this cold? Next time you try to fight a ball that's coming at you a bit hard, let me know so I can call an ambulance." Alex said angrily, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. When he looked at Danny again, he became suspicious. For a moment, Danny's eyes looked silver, as if they contained many small crystals. Alex shook his head briefly and sat up as well. "Now tell me what was wrong."
"Nothing, I just wasn't paying attention." Danny said quietly, avoiding Alex's gaze. However, Alex wasn't satisfied with that answer and stared at Danny. "Everything suddenly blurred and I felt like I was frozen. I couldn't move anymore." Danny said, realizing that Alex wouldn't let him go without an explanation.
"Dad's given you sick leave for next week. Your mum isn't back from Cologne yet, so you should stay here." Alex said, standing up. "Stay here. I'll be right back." Alex added, and left the room. Danny fell back and placed his hand on his chest. It seemed to be just a bruise. Slowly, he remembered the last few hours and closed his eyes. "Danny? Are you hungry?" Alex asked him after a while. Danny had fallen asleep and hadn't heard Alex come back into the room. Danny nodded slightly and sat down before opening his eyes.
"I'm sorry I snapped at you like that earlier, but I was worried."
"I know. Sorry. I'll be more careful next time." Danny said, looking Alex in the eyes. When he was about to drown in them, he averted his gaze. Alex looked at him questioningly for a moment, but then went to his closet and took out a few things. He gave some to Danny and then got dressed himself. After breakfast, he quickly took Danny home so he could get a few things for the next few days. He had some things at Alex's, as he often stayed there when his mother had to go away, but that wouldn't really be suitable for the weather. His mother was an interior designer and often had to travel to other cities for several days to look at houses and apartments that she was supposed to decorate. Alex sat down on Danny's bed while he packed a few things.
"You avoided my gaze earlier, why?" Alex asked quietly, looking at Danny. Danny avoided his gaze again and zipped up his backpack.
"I don't know." He said quietly and left the room. Alex didn't believe him, Danny knew that, but he couldn't tell him. Alex had known Danny for five years now, and he could always tell just by looking into Danny's eyes whether he was okay or if something was bothering him. But since early morning, Danny had been a stranger to him. For days before, he had sensed Danny withdrawing, but there was nothing he could do about it. Alex got up and followed Danny downstairs. After Danny locked the door, they went back to Alex's. He could have stayed in the house alone, but his mother insisted that Danny not be alone on the days she wasn't there. He collapsed onto Alex's bed and lay across it. The bed was quite large, but a bit cramped for two people to sleep in. But then they were able to get out.
Danny. What's wrong with you? You're not usually this sad." Alex said quietly, flopping down on the bed next to him.
"Alex? I don't want to talk about it. Leave me alone." Danny whispered and fell asleep. Alex looked at him, confused. He couldn't get close to Danny anymore. Nevertheless, he tucked him in and let him sleep. He didn't want to rush Danny. When he went downstairs to see how his father was doing with the dinner, he almost tripped because he was too lost in thought.
"Hey, what's going on? Didn't you see the last step?" his father asked, grinning.
"No. Tell me, did Danny say anything? I mean, did I do something wrong, or why is he so dismissive?"
"I think you should give him some space. The little boy seems to be growing up, and you should just leave him alone. You're two years apart, and you've already experienced what he's going through. Just leave him alone and take care of him. He'll give you a sign when he needs your company again. Okay?"
"Okay," Alex said, still lost in thought, staring dreamily into the pot without registering what his father was cooking.
"Are you picking him up for lunch?"
"Yes." Alex said, torn from his thoughts, and went upstairs. Danny was still asleep and only woke up when Alex said his name. "Are you coming to eat?" Alex asked quietly, looking at him questioningly.
"Yes." Danny said quietly, glancing briefly at Alex. As Danny entered the kitchen, the smell of cooking wafted toward him. It smelled of red wine sauce and fish. But there was also something sweet and heavy in the air.
"There's pudding for dessert," Alex's dad explained. He smiled when he saw the smile on Danny's lips. "Come on, sit down. The food will get cold otherwise," Alex's dad said, sitting down.
"Did my mother say anything else?"
"No, just that I'm supposed to look after you," Alex Dad said thoughtfully. "Oh, and that she'll be back in two days. She said something about the apartment being huge and that she'll probably have to go back a second time to properly decorate it."
"Another one of those somewhat wealthy people?"
"Yes. And the snooty kind."
"Oh dear. Well then I can listen to something when she gets back."
"You'll have to," Alex's father said with a grin. "How's your chest?"
"It's okay. I'm sorry I worried you all." Danny said quietly, looking down at his plate.
"Hey, it's okay. Don't be sorry. We both love you, and it's only natural to worry. You understand? Just be more careful next time."
"Okay," said Danny and continued eating.
That evening, Danny sat alone in Alex's room, as he had gone to shower. Danny sat on the bed, which was now undressed, with his legs tucked up. He was daydreaming and didn't notice Alex coming into the room. Alex looked at him for a moment and then put on a T-shirt, as he had already put on his shorts in the bathroom. Then he sat down next to Danny and watched him for a moment.
"Do you still want to watch TV or sleep?" Alex asked him quietly.
"Sleep." Danny said quietly, but stayed seated. Alex got up and turned off the light. When he sat back down in bed, Danny looked at him briefly and then lay down. Alex lay down next to him on the wall and watched him for a while before closing his eyes and trying to sleep. He heard Danny turn over and opened his eyes. Danny looked at him questioningly.
"What's wrong?" Alex asked quietly.
"I can't sleep." Danny said quietly, still looking into Alex's eyes without avoiding his gaze.
"Do you want to come over?" Danny nodded slightly and crawled under the covers next to Alex. Alex took him by the arm and brushed a strand of hair from his face.
»Alex?«
»Hm?«
"I'm sorry I've been so standoffish these last few days. But I need some space."
"Tell me why?"
"No. I don't think so. Give me some more time. Maybe I'll tell you someday."
"All right," Alex said quietly and closed his eyes. He soon fell asleep, but woke up again in the middle of the night. When he noticed Danny in his arms, he tried not to move too much as he pulled the covers back up over himself and Danny. Danny then pressed closer to Alex and placed a hand on his chest. Alex gently stroked his hair, which seemed to calm Danny, because he moved away from Alex a little and went back to sleep. Alex also fell asleep again.
Danny woke from his dream again early in the morning. He was sitting upright in bed, barely able to see for tears. His abrupt awakening had jolted Alex awake, and he was startled when Alex touched his shoulder, trying to pull him down to him.
"Calm down. It was just a dream. Nothing will happen to you here." Alex said softly, stroking Danny's hair. Danny calmed down a bit and fell asleep again. Alex continued to hold him. As Danny slowly woke up, Alex smiled gently at him.
"Are you okay?" Alex asked him quietly, brushing away a strand of his hair.
"It's okay, thanks." Danny said quietly, almost in a whisper. He sat up and rubbed his eyes dry.
"Come on. It's still pretty early. We can sleep for another hour," Alex said, pulling Danny back into bed as he was about to get up.
"What if I don't want to sleep anymore?" Danny asked with a grin.
"Oh, I didn't know you were an early riser. It's only five o'clock," Alex said, smiling.
"Well. Sometimes I do, but if you really want me to, I'll stay lying down so you're not alone." Danny said, still grinning.
"Just wait. So I'm not alone." Alex said with a wicked grin and started tickling Danny. But this time, he wasn't so easily subdued; he fought back, and it worked quite well, until he ran out of energy and Alex buried him beneath her.
"Help, I surrender." Danny said, gasping with laughter.
"Okay, I won't wear you out so much this early morning." Alex said, laughing, and sank down on the bed next to Danny. Danny sat up halfway and looked Alex in the eyes. "Danny? Did you know your eyes are sometimes silver?" Alex asked quietly, looking Danny in the eyes.
"No," Danny said, confused.
"That's true, or I'm imagining it. But they're silver right now."
"Who knows what your senses are telling you." Danny said with a smile.
"Well, quite a few things. Like, you're cute when you smile like that." Alex said quietly, startled by his own words. He didn't really want to say that out loud, just think it. Danny looked at him, confused, and lay back down next to Alex. His smile was gone, and somehow the spell of closeness too. Something was suddenly different, just by a short sentence. Alex ran both hands over his face and closed his eyes. His thoughts somehow got caught up in the image of Danny he had just had in his mind, and he was so lost in thought that he didn't notice Danny getting up and leaving the room. Only when he put his hands down again and went to look at Danny did he notice his absence. He sat up and looked around the room. Then he got up and got dressed. Once he had done that, he flopped back down on the bed and closed his eyes.
"You can go to the bathroom," Danny said suddenly, tearing Alex out of his thoughts.
"Danny? Did I say something wrong earlier?" Alex asked without looking at him.
"No, not exactly." Danny said quietly, sitting down on the edge of the bed. Alex looked at Danny and tried to read his face. But he didn't quite succeed. "It's all just a little complicated for me, and I don't want to talk about it yet. It's just that what you said earlier was kind of a damper. It's not your fault. It was just an awkward situation." Danny said quietly, about to get up when Alex pulled him back onto the bed.
"Why do you want to get up? You're on sick leave." Alex said, smiling. Danny looked at him, confused, and then lay back down. "This thing that seems so complicated for you, could it be my fault?" Alex asked cautiously. Danny remained silent. No nod, but no negative gesture either. Alex sat down and looked Danny in the eyes, but he couldn't read anything there either.
"Stop thinking about it. I already told you I don't want to talk about it." Danny said quietly, standing up to escape from Alex. Alex left him and went into the bathroom. When he came back, Danny was lying on the bed again with his eyes closed. Alex walked over and watched him for a moment before sitting down next to him. Danny opened his eyes a crack and looked at Alex.
"Danny? You're a mystery to me." Alex said quietly, flopping down next to him. Danny looked at him in surprise and turned to face him.
"Is it that bad?" Danny asked quietly.
"Worse," Alex said, smiling and looking Danny in the eyes. "Oh man, this is all too much for me. You make everything so complicated. And you usually take everything so easy." Alex said suddenly, running both hands over his face.
"What do you mean?" asked Danny as he sat down
"It's simple. You've never kept secrets from me, and now suddenly you can't tell me what they are?" Alex asked quietly.
"No."
"Then I think I'll have to tell you something. Maybe then you'll tell me your secret." Alex said, looking back at Danny. "You know that sometimes our relationship becomes much closer than friends, right?"
"Yes. And where are you going now?"
"I think you'd better get up early." Alex said with a smile. When Danny still didn't understand, Alex sat up a little and moved closer to Danny. When Danny didn't move away, he closed his eyes and kissed Danny gently on the lips. Danny froze, unable to move, let alone say anything. He just looked at Alex, shocked. "Was that clearer?" When Danny still didn't react, the smile disappeared from Alex's lips. "Danny?" Alex asked quietly, hoping for something, anything, to relieve the pressure in the air. Danny closed his eyes for a moment and fell back. Alex looked at him in surprise and leaned over him.
"Don't ever do that again," Danny said quietly. Alex was about to back away and move away from him when Danny grabbed his shirt and pulled him toward him. "Don't ever scare me like that again," Danny said, smiling.
"You idiot. How can you play such a game with me?" Alex asked with relief.
"Sorry, but your kiss just now made me fall over." Danny said, embarrassed, and pulled Alex closer to him to kiss him on his own initiative. Alex sank down onto Danny's chest and just held him tight.
"I thought I misunderstood your signs," Alex said with relief.
"No. Apparently you still know me as well as you did the first day we met." Danny said quietly, slowly falling asleep. Alex gently covered him and held him in her arms before he fell asleep himself.
"Hey you two sleepyheads, why don't you get up?" Alex asked his dad, confused. "You're late for school, Alex." He then said, stroking his forehead. Alex slowly opened his eyes and looked at his dad. "Hey. Are you not feeling well? Your eyes are glassy." Alex's father said worriedly, placing his hand on Alex's forehead to check. When he noticed his fever, he said quietly, "Stay lying down. I'll get you something for your fever. It would probably be best if I wrote you both sick at the same time. This is the fifth time that when one of you is sick, the other one gets sick too." Then his father left the room and got a glass of water and a small effervescent tablet. "I'll call your school and tell them you're not coming in this week. Now get some more sleep. I'll see if I can get some time off work and then I'll take care of you two." When Alex's dad was gone, Alex turned to Danny, who had turned his back to him and was still fast asleep. Alex lay close to Danny's back and hugged him again. He played with one hand, on Danny's fingers, and after a while held them tight. Danny slowly turned over and snuggled into Alex's arms. Alex remembered a light melody, which he hummed briefly before carefully getting up and picking up his guitar. Danny rolled himself up in the covers and went back to sleep. Alex started playing the melody and closed his eyes. After a while, he felt warmth and security around him. He felt memories he didn't really know, but which were within him. Several images made their way through his mind, and slowly an illusion formed. After a while, Alex opened his eyes and finished the piece. Danny sat in bed and looked at him lovingly.
"That sounded nice. What song was that?"
"I don't know. It just popped into my head." Alex said quietly, sitting back down on the bed after sitting in the armchair. He took Danny in his arms and kissed him gently.
“Am I disturbing you?” Alex’s father suddenly asked, standing in the doorway with a grin.
"Dad. Are you back already?"
"Yes. Apparently earlier than I should."
"You could say that." Alex said, still shocked. Danny had collapsed onto the bed in shock.
"But I can reassure you, I certainly don't mind. I've actually been waiting for a while for you to finally understand. So, now I want to take both of your temperatures," Alex's father said, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
"Why were you waiting for this?" Alex asked quietly.
"Because you two are a great match, because you two were always very close, and a few other things." Danny sat up and looked questioningly at Alex. "Just be a little careful about where and how you act towards each other. You don't necessarily have to make out at school, do you?"
"No," they both said at the same time, looking at Alex's dad in confusion.
"Okay. Then I can rest easy. Okay, you two. I can only check on you every now and then. I still have to go to the hospital. So I'll leave you alone for now, but do me a favor and rest. You're both not quite as healthy as you'd like to be."
"Don't worry, Dad, we'll rest."
"Then it's fine. Oh, Danny. Your mum wants to come back tonight. She'd like you to be home then."
"Okay. I'll be home," Danny said resignedly and fell back into bed. Alex lay down next to him and looked questioningly at his dad.
"Okay, you two, I'll get going again. Someone has to bring in money, after all," Alex's father said with a grin.
"Well then, let's go, or do you want to let us starve?" Alex asked with a grin.
"No," he said with a grin and disappeared. Alex looked gently at Danny and smiled.
"What?"
"You look cute lying there daydreaming."
"Are you singing again?" Danny asked quietly, looking at Alex embarrassed.
"If that's what you want."
"Yes," Danny said quietly and turned to Alex. Alex took his guitar from the armchair and sat at the head of his bed so he could lean against the wall and began to play. The notes crept into his fingers as if by themselves and played on the guitar. Alex suddenly remembered so many lyrics and melodies that he couldn't remember them all. Danny quickly understood his problem and turned on a small stereo connected to the guitar, which now recorded the sounds. Danny lay down next to Alex and listened to him. He sank into a world of illusions, where he didn't even know where they came from. Where the familiar images came from. He simply closed his eyes and let Alex's music guide him, into a world of dreams and memories, of wishes and feelings. Alex heard the same feelings and illusions and closed his eyes as well. When Danny opened his eyes, he found himself in another room. It was elegant, gentle, and simply furnished at the same time. There wasn't much inside him, but enough to make him feel comfortable. He could still hear Alex singing, but it was someone else's voice. He didn't look around for him. He knew who it was and yet he didn't know, but he felt safe and secure and knew that this someone would never do anything to him, would never hurt him, if there was no other way to avoid it. Danny enjoyed the peace within himself and the strange, yet familiar memories. He felt himself getting tired, felt the dreams reaching out for him and followed them without fighting. When he awoke again, Alex stroked his hair and looked gently into his eyes. Danny lay in his arms and had a hand on Alex's chest. He didn't need to say anything. For some unknown reason, Danny realized that Alex had also perceived these illusions.
"How do you feel?"
"Restful, as if I had slept forever."
"You did. A whole six hours." Danny looked at him in surprise and then said quietly, "But I was listening to you singing the whole time."
"I only stopped singing five minutes ago. I didn't want you to wake up," Alex said quietly, kissing Danny on the forehead. "Go ahead and sleep. I'll stay with you. Your mom hasn't called yet, and Dad's still working."
"Well, there's a problem," Danny said with a grin.
"One that has something to do with it?" Alex asked, also grinning, and pointed to the bulge in Danny's shorts. Danny blushed slightly and then shook his head in embarrassment.
"I'm hungry, that's what I meant."
"Okay. Come on then. I'll make us something."
"Alex? Could I go to the bathroom for a minute? I feel like I'm about to burn. I'd like to cool down a bit." Danny said quietly, closing his eyes briefly as Alex placed his hand on Danny's forehead.
"Your fever seems to be rising even further. I hope you haven't caught anything serious. I mean, with the cold and your collapse the day before yesterday, I wouldn't be surprised." Alex said worriedly.
"No, it's okay. I just need to rest."
"Well, go take a shower first. I'll make you something to eat so you can get back on your feet."
"Okay." Danny said quietly and kissed Alex tentatively again before getting up and going into the bathroom. Alex then got dressed and went into the kitchen to make something to eat as promised. He sank briefly into thought as he stood in front of the stove, stirring the pot. He remembered the silver eyes he had noticed on Danny the day before. He had the feeling he had forgotten something important, but nothing came to mind. "Alex? Your food is burning," Danny said quietly and stood next to him. Alex was startled and let go of the spoons completely. Danny turned off the stove and looked at Alex in confusion. "What's wrong?" he asked quietly, but Alex still heard the worry in Danny's voice.
"Nothing. Everything's fine. I was just thinking about your eyes. They looked so silver." Alex said quietly, looking at Danny. "Like now," he said dreamily. Danny turned around and looked out the window, which the lamplight cast like a mirror. He saw the silver in his own eyes and remembered the strange feeling from the evening.
"I don't know why they're like that." Danny said quietly, looking back at Alex.
"Hey you two. What smells so good here?" Alex's father suddenly asked, coming into the kitchen. Danny jumped slightly and turned around abruptly. There was also terror in Alex's eyes, but he quickly calmed down and stood a little in front of Danny so his father couldn't see Danny's eyes. Danny closed his eyes briefly and took a deep breath.
"Nothing special, Dad, just pasta with tomato sauce." Alex said with a smile, noticing his father's suspicious look. "What is it?"
"You're acting strange. Is everything okay?"
"Yeah. We're fine, right?" Alex said quietly, looking at Danny. He turned around just in time to catch Danny, who was just fainting. "Okay. He's not feeling well. Do you have anything for his fever?" Alex asked worriedly, picking up Danny to put him to bed.
"Yes, I have something, but I'll have to search for it. I don't remember where I put it after your last fever outbreak."
"Okay." Alex said simply and put Danny to bed. He covered him up and stroked his forehead. His fever had risen even further, but it probably wasn't rising any further now. Alex's father turned the stove off completely and went into the bathroom to the medicine cabinet, where, of course, he didn't find what he was looking for. He knew he hadn't put some of the medication back in its place. He went into the bedroom and looked in the bedside table. When he didn't find it there either, the only option was the living room, or he didn't have one anymore. He went in and found the small bottle on the windowsill. He took it with him and fetched another glass of water from the kitchen.
"Here. Will you give him a small spoonful of this when he's awake? I'll get dinner ready."
"Yes, I will. But take your time, he won't wake up that quickly."
"Not him, but you should at least eat something, otherwise your fever won't go down, is that clear, son?" his father asked, slightly annoyed.
"Yeah. I get it, Dad." Alex said, surprised. Alex hadn't even noticed how hungry he was until his father had pointed it out. Alex put the glass next to the bed and left the room. In the kitchen, he sat down at the table and waited until his father had finished eating. After he had eaten, he went back to Danny and lay down next to him. Danny slept a little restlessly and woke up after a while. "Hey, how are you?" Alex asked, smiling.
"A little better. At least I'm not as hot anymore."
"Here. You're supposed to take this to go away your fever." Alex said worriedly, holding out the spoon to Danny, where he had poured the medicine. Danny obediently opened his mouth so Alex could put the spoon in his mouth. Then Alex let go of the spoon. Danny swallowed the stuff and took the spoon out of his mouth again.
"That tastes disgusting," said Danny, grimacing.
"But it helps," Alex said, briefly looking at the package. "Come on, you still need to eat something," Alex said, standing up. Danny slowly got up and went with him into the kitchen. He sat down at the table and looked questioningly at Alex.
"Where is your dad?" he then asked.
"Back at the hospital. He won't be back until late today." Alex explained, turning to Danny. He hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and placed the plate in front of Danny. "Eat first."
"Yes," Danny said quietly, beginning. "Can we go out for a bit later?"
"If you promise me you won't fall over," Alex said worriedly.
"I'll try," said Danny, smiling.
"Okay," Alex said quietly and sat down at the table.
»Danny?«
»Hm?«
"What are you thinking about?" Alex asked quietly as Danny looked out the window and forgot to eat anymore.
"I don't know. I've been dreaming so many crazy things lately. Everything feels like I actually experienced it, but it seems so long ago that it's just a blur, or maybe just a bunch of feelings." Danny explained, looking down at his plate. He'd seemed very calm to Alex for the past few days, unlike usual, when he ran around like a little kid and got so absorbed in the soccer game that he didn't consider anything else important.
Light flooded the room. There was no sun, not yet. It was still the moon casting its light on the earth. It was quiet, and only the gentle whisper of the wind drew its lines through the hot air. It caught in the curtains in the open window and played with the ribbons. A boy stood in front of the open window. He wore nothing but his trousers. His hair was almost silver and fell into his eyes.
"Yanét? Don't you want to sleep? It's late, and you have to train again tomorrow." Someone suddenly said to him. Yanét slowly turned around and looked the person in the eye.
"I can't," Yanét said quietly, smiling sadly.
"What can't you do?"
"I won't let you go there, Klay." Yanét stared into his eyes so intently that he felt Klay invading his thoughts and creating an illusion for him, but Yanét didn't want an illusion, or sleep, or anything else.
"Stop that," Yanét said quietly, breaking the illusion. "I don't want this now. I want you to stay. You haven't even said anything, or even asked what I want. You just leave me alone without telling me the truth openly and clearly. Instead, you just run away and maybe you won't even come back. Do you think that's fair? Do you think it's okay for you to just give up everything and run away just because you think I don't understand you?" Yanét yelled at him. He looked Klay in the eyes for a moment and turned back when he noticed tears welling up in his eyes. "How long have we known each other? 18 years? Or is it even more? I don't know, I haven't counted them. But I've counted every second you've been gone for the past two years. I didn't know why at the time, but I missed you more with every damn day. I hated those defense troops because they always chose you to go into the next battle, and every time you came back, you just ignored me for a week. I don't even know the reason. But I do know the reason why I hate you." Yanét said, his voice getting quieter until he whispered the last sentence. He was leaning on the windowsill and looking down at his hands.
"If you hate me, why don't you want me to leave?" Klay asked quietly.
"Well, if you don't understand, it's probably better if you leave." Yanét said indifferently and left. He left the building and walked across the courtyard into the small wooded area until he reached the lake. He stopped for a moment and looked at the surface.
"Tamith," Yanét whispered. As water suddenly shot into the air, Yanét smiled slightly. "I thought you wouldn't even notice me," Yanét said gently.
"Sorry. I was falling asleep." A soft voice said from the water. The water slowly receded, and a creature with long blue hair, silver eyes, and clothing made of a material that looked like water appeared. "You look sad," Tamith observed in his deep voice.
"I am too, because apparently he still doesn't get it."
"Try it directly."
"No."
"Why?" Tamith went to Yanét and sat down next to him. Yanét also sat down and stared at the water.
"Because then he'll leave."
"How do you know?"
"I'd probably just scare him away," Yanét said quietly, smiling briefly.
"True. But if he still hasn't noticed, why do you feel it so strongly?"
"I'd like to know that too."
"You have to go back. The sun will rise soon, and he'll leave. At least tell him goodbye."
"I don't know if I want to see him again."
"You hate him as much as you love him, right?"
"Yes. And I don't know what to do. I want him to stay, but I also want him to finally leave me alone. The feelings I sense from him aren't always his own. I can also sense those of his opponents and enemies, and for that, I hate every day he's close to me, if he doesn't suppress them."
"You have two options. First, talk to him and say it. Tell him that he has to shut out other people's feelings around you. Second, let him go and give up."
"That sounds so simple," Yanét said quietly and turned around.
"Do you really want this?" Tamith asked quietly, sensing Yanét's feelings.
"I don't know it."
"You don't have long. One more day and he'll be gone. Not even yet, just a few more hours." Yanét looked at the lake again, but the creature was already gone.
"What would you advise me?" he asked aloud, looking into the water.
"Tell him." Came the quiet reply, and then the Tamith was finally back in the depths of the lake.
"Hmm. Maybe."
"Klay? What is it? You have to get down. The squad is waiting."
"I'm not leaving until I know if Yanét's back." Klay said thoughtfully, leaning on the windowsill. He was still in Yanét's room and had been looking out the window the whole time, hoping Yanét wouldn't be gone too long. Especially now, when so many people were after him. And especially now, when he wanted so badly to say something to him, if only he could.
"What does Yanét have to do with this? You have something to do. You only got Yanét as an additional task, not the main one."
"I see no reason to justify myself to you. It's none of your business what Yanét has to do with anything. Your job is to train the squad, not to tell me what to do." Klay said angrily, turning around. When the young man behind him saw the piercing stare, he swallowed. "Get out of here, I don't think you even have permission to be in this room." Klay said coldly, glaring at him with his turquoise eyes.
"Yes, sir," said the man, saluting before disappearing. Klay looked out the window again, and when he saw Yanét coming out of the woods, he breathed a sigh of relief. Yanét noticed him and looked up at him. Something was different in Yanét's eyes. They weren't as bright anymore. And his gaze seemed cloudy. Klay was a little startled and watched for a moment before turning around and going downstairs. Yanét was still standing in the same spot.
"Where have you been for so long? Right now."
"I don't know why I have to tell you this. You're leaving me alone anyway and can't pay attention to where I'm going or for how long." Yanét simply said, looking down at the floor.
"I still have a certain duty to your mother."
"So? Is this duty done? Is it enough for you to just watch from afar?" Yanét asked, absorbing Klay's feelings. When he didn't respond, Yanét took another step closer, so that he was only a few centimeters away. "When you've made up your mind, look for me. I won't be here when you get back, and whether you leave or not is something you've already decided." Yanét whispered, slowly walking past Klay and into the house. Klay stood uncertainly for a moment before lowering his gaze and walking towards the squad.
"We can go," he said dully.
"Danny? Don't you want to get up soon?" Alex asked him the next morning.
"Why?" It's still dark." He asked sleepily, turning on his side.
"If you just opened your eyes, it wouldn't be dark anymore."
"But I don't want to."
"Yes. You have to go back to school today."
"Even worse."
"Well, that's what you wanted." Alex said with a grin and started tickling Danny.
"No. Please don't," Danny said, frightened, and resisted.
"Are you getting up?"
"No. Only if I get a kiss." Danny said, smiling and grinning at Alex.
"Okay," Alex said quietly and kissed Danny gently. When he pushed his tongue into his mouth, Alex looked at him in surprise.
"Hmm? Is there any jam?" Danny asked, smiling.
"Only if you finally make an effort to get out of bed."
"Okay. Already in the bathroom." Danny said, standing up. Alex watched him go, grinning, and then went into the kitchen. "Done," Danny said suddenly, sitting down at the table.
"Wonderful. Here," Alex said, handing Danny a roll with jam. "Say, you have soccer practice again today, right?"
"Yes why?"
"I'm just asking because I'm going to rehearse with my band today."
"Oh, can I come listen after training?"
"If you want."
"Yes. But now I have a question." Danny said seriously. Alex looked at him questioningly and became suspicious when Danny looked at him so seriously.
"What are we doing here?" Danny asked quietly, pointing first at himself and then at Alex. "Do we want to tell anyone about this?"
"Well, I'd say those who know us will notice it on their own, and if we're asked, I think we can say it, at least to our people; it's none of anyone else's business."
"Okay. Just so I know, because Mike will be the first to ask."
"What makes you think that?"
"He's been trying to cheer me up a lot these last few days, and at some point I hinted at something." Danny said, embarrassed.
"Oh, okay. Then he'll probably be the first," Alex said with a grin.
"He probably will." Danny said quietly, looking out the window.
"What's wrong?" Alex asked. Danny was silent for a moment before looking at Alex again.
"I had a strange dream last night. It all seemed so real, but when I woke up, all I could remember was that it was strange. I don't remember what I dreamed about," Danny said thoughtfully.
"I felt the same way last night. But I still remember a few bits."
"Which?"
"Well, the names, for example."
"Tell me," Danny said, smiling.
"Yanét and Klay." Danny looked at him in surprise. The names meant something to him. Suddenly, the image of his nightmare came to mind. He quickly got up and went into the bathroom. "Hey? Are you okay?" Alex asked worriedly.
"It's okay. I was just thinking about my nightmare, and that image came a little suddenly." Danny said quietly, leaning against the cupboard.
"Hey. What kind of dream is this?" Alex asked cautiously, hugging Danny.
"Can I tell you another time?"
"Sure. We have to go to school anyway."
"Yes," Danny said quietly and stood up again.
Klay was lost in thought as he sat on his horse, trying to somehow get his troops to the next rest stop. His conversation, or rather argument, with Yanét before his departure distracted him. He didn't want to and couldn't think about anything else. Until he suddenly turned around.
"Hey Klay, what's going on?" his friend called after him.
"You take over. I have something more important to do." Klay said, riding back. He knew Yanét wasn't home anymore and didn't even bother to stop, but rode right on. When he noticed Yanét's presence, he slowed down and dismounted. He had reached a small lake, perhaps a two-hour walk from the small castle where he had been looking after Yanét since he was six. Which wasn't always an easy task. Yanét had a knack for taking even the smallest of difficulties with him and was constantly in danger.
Klay walked slowly toward the lake and stopped when he saw Yanét swimming in the water. He watched him for a while and leaned against the nearest tree.
After a while, Yanét noticed him and looked over. The water creature that had spoken to Yanét that morning suddenly appeared before him and stared at Klay. Klay found the gaze uncomfortable. He felt its presence and felt it searching his thoughts. Klay closed his eyes for a moment, shielding himself from the creature.
"What do you want? I thought you couldn't stay?" asked Yanét, who had come out of the water and was partially dressed.
"I want to tell you something. But I feel like this is exactly the wrong thing to do. I should just leave and not come back." Klay said matter-of-factly. Yanét looked at him in confusion. But Klay's feelings remained closed to him, too.
"Yanét? I'm leaving. If you need me, you know where I am." The water creature said quietly and disappeared beneath the water's surface again.
"So?" Yanét asked quietly, sitting down on the grass. "What's suddenly more important than your squad?"
"Yanét, why are you doing this? You're cold." Yanét was silent. "Do you have any idea what it might cost me to be here?" When Yanét still remained silent, Klay continued. "I know I've ignored you, and I also know there's something you tried to tell me this morning, but it's not really any easier in my position. I'm tasked with protecting you, but I also have other responsibilities. I can't change that. But if I could choose, I would only take on one of the two tasks. I don't really care what they do outside. It doesn't achieve much anyway. But what's important to me achieves a lot." Klay paused briefly. He was confused and could barely contain his own emotions.
"Klay. Stop beating around the bush. Just tell me. That's all I want." Yanét said quietly, pulling his legs up to his body. Klay could hear the slight tremor in Yanét's voice, and the only thing he was capable of doing was simply taking Yanét in his arms. He couldn't talk anymore; his feelings were too strong, but he couldn't just leave either. Yanét flinched, but quickly got used to the touch and allowed it. Klay just held him for a moment.
"Give me some more time. I know I'm asking a lot, but I have to sort something out first." Klay said sadly and left. When Yanét thought he was alone, he threw a stone into the lake with all his might.
"Damn," he said quietly. He lay down and closed his eyes for a moment, trying to push all thoughts away until he thought nothing more. Only the wind slid over his body and the sounds of the forest reached him. He let himself drift and fell asleep for a few moments.
Danny was at the sports field, playing a bit of soccer on his own. He felt strange. The dreams and his feelings for Alex were completely confusing him. It was as if he was trying to remember something from a long time ago, but he didn't know what it was. But he also had the feeling that he didn't want to remember. That there was something he wanted to forget. Something that was now slipping further and further into his memory and demanding his attention. He shot at goal a few times before he noticed someone watching him. He turned around, confused, and saw Mike sitting on the sidelines.
"Tell me. I haven't seen you so preoccupied in a long time. What's wrong?" Mike asked, smiling.
"Nothing. I was just thinking."
"How are you? That thing was pretty intense the other day."
"Sorry. I didn't mean to worry anyone."
"It's okay. The main thing is that you're feeling better. How about a game?"
"Gladly," said Danny, smiling.
"I like you better like this," Mike said quietly, standing up.
They played for a while until Danny collapsed exhausted into the grass and looked up at the sky. Mike plopped down next to him.
"What do you think? Will our opponents be the neighboring school next time, or will they lose again and not advance at all?" Mike asked after a while. When he didn't get a response from Danny, he sat down to look Danny in the eye, but Danny had fallen asleep and wasn't listening to him anymore. It was as if he were dreaming something beautiful. Mike lay down next to him again and just lay still.
Meanwhile.
"Alex? What's wrong? The guitar isn't playing on its own. I thought we were rehearsing." Philu said worriedly. Alex was standing in the rehearsal room and couldn't remember what he wanted to sing. Instead, he had a song in his head that sounded so familiar that it scared him. He put the guitar aside and went to the closet. "Hey, hello? Are you still talking to us?"
"Be quiet, Philu. If you interrupt him now, he'll get pretty angry. We've seen him like that. He's like that sometimes," Max said quietly, placing his hand on Philu's shoulder. "You haven't been with us long enough, but sometimes he suddenly gets ideas. Just wait and see. You'll see what happens." Max said, handing Philu a cup of coffee.
"But we promise you one thing, Philu. It's going to be a long night," Fances said with a grin.
"Um? And what do we do while he thinks about it?" Philu asked uncertainly.
"Sit down. We'll explain a few things to you first," said Max, pulling Philu onto the couch.
"So listen. When Alex is in the mood like he is now, it's usually because he has an idea, but sometimes he just wants to think. Just ignore him during that time. At least we have time to look at his texts, which he's been changing a lot lately."
"And when will he be back with us?" Philu asked with a grin.
"Well. It varies. But a lot seems to have changed with him at the moment. He certainly seems very confused to me, which is rarely the case. Let's give him some time." Max said quietly, glancing briefly at Alex, who had sat down on the small couch and seemed lost in thought.
"Exactly. Let's go outside for a bit. It'll be easier to think, and maybe we'll understand the changes quickly."
"Okay," Philu said thoughtfully and stood up.
"Hey. He'll be fine. Like I said, we know him, and at first it scared us a bit, too, but he's fine. He just wants to think about it." Frances said reassuringly to Philu, noticing his concern. After a glance at Alex, Philu went outside with him.
Alex sat there for a while before picking up a pad and writing down the melody. As he played it softly on his guitar, he felt something inside him slowly begin to remember something from a long time ago. He closed his eyes and simply let the song sink in. He felt the warmth of the sun, even though he was sitting in a room. He heard the sound of water and smelled a sweet scent, like flowers. As he wandered further and further into his thoughts, he felt Danny's presence. He turned around and saw him standing behind him. Danny also had his eyes closed. Alex was standing opposite him, watching him. When Danny opened his eyes, Alex almost lost himself in the silver. He had seen Danny's eyes with that silver many times, but never was it so intense. He didn't know if Danny saw him or if he himself was lost in those thoughts. Alex took a few more steps toward Danny and stopped directly in front of him. He recognized his own questions in Danny's eyes. What is this? Why is it so familiar? But neither of them could answer these questions. The two gazed into each other's eyes for a while before Alex kissed him lightly on the lips.
When he opened his eyes again, he was back in the rehearsal room. He was still sitting on the small couch and had only just finished playing. Frances stood in front of him, looking at him with both concern and questioning.
"What's wrong?" Frances whispered, crouching down in front of him.
"Nothing. I just remembered something I'd forgotten."
»Your game just now, what was that?
"I don't just know a song."
"Just a song? Alex, you played like the song was your life. I've never seen you so engrossed in a song, and I've never heard you put so much passion into one of your songs. This can't just be a song," Frances said, enthusiastically, but also a little startled. Alex looked him in the eyes.
"I have to go. Let's skip rehearsals today." Frances looked at him confused and stood up as Alex handed him the guitar and grabbed his jacket. He walked past Philu and Max without even noticing them. Frances stayed behind in the rehearsal room and slumped into the chair.
"What's wrong with him?" Philu asked quietly, sitting down on the couch. Max plopped down right next to him.
"I don't know. He just played like his life depended on it. You should have heard that. He just said he had to leave and that rehearsals would continue tomorrow."
"He's changed quite a bit in the last few days," Max noted.
"Yes. Something has changed that makes him so different."
"Does it have something to do with Danny? When the little one had that little accident at soccer the other day, Alex was pretty worried."
"I don't think it was the accident. There's something else going on. He's completely confused. I think something more developed. Alex has always cared about Danny, but have you ever looked into his eyes when the two of them were out together? Or into Danny's eyes? Then suddenly, from one day to the next, Danny was dismissive of him, then the accident, and now this song? I think there's a lot more to it than just friendship."
"I think you're right. But I'd say we wait until he tells us. Speculating about it now is pointless."
"I know." Philu kept looking questioningly back and forth between the two. He hadn't been there long enough to understand all of this.
Alex was almost at the sports field when he saw Danny and Mike lying on the grass. He slowed his pace.
Danny had noticed him long ago and sat down when Alex was almost with them.
"What is it?" Mike asked, confused, and sat back down.
"Nothing else. Just Alex." Danny said, smiling and turning in the direction Alex was coming from.
"Can I talk to you?" Alex asked him quietly when he reached Danny and Mike. Danny nodded slightly and stood up. They walked a little away from Mike, who then grabbed his soccer ball and played a little. "What was that just now?" Alex asked. Danny stared into his eyes so intently that he almost lost himself in them.
"I don't know, how far away were you from me?"
"I was in the rehearsal room, so it wasn't far."
"Because I felt like I could feel you right next to me." Danny said quietly, looking down.
"You had silver eyes, just like when we're alone together sometimes." Danny looked at Alex, confused. "I saw you. Danny, could I try something for a minute?" Alex asked quietly, walking a little closer to Danny.
"What?" he asked, still in a whisper, but as he uttered the question he already knew what Alex would say and left it unanswered. Alex placed a hand on Danny's neck and pulled him closer. When he lightly touched Danny's lips, it was like a slight electric shock went through his body. Danny had felt this too and stepped back briefly before kissing Alex and closing his eyes. Alex had also closed his eyes and opened up to Danny. Once again he noticed the sun and the scent of the flowers. Soft noises that he classified as voices reached him. He knew, even without looking at Danny, that Danny was perceiving the same things. In that moment, Alex forgot about the fact that they were on public school grounds, on the sports field, and that Mike was probably watching them in bewilderment. But that didn't interest him much. The only thing he noticed during the kiss was that Danny slumped slightly in his arms, which is why he ended the kiss and looked questioningly at Danny. Danny still had his eyes closed and was clinging to Alex's chest. When he looked at him, his eyes were deep silver again. It took him a moment to come back to the present, and when he came to his senses again, he looked into Alex's eyes.
"I think I know what I wanted to know now," Alex said quietly.
"Then you better not kiss me if we don't have a bed nearby, or some other place to lie down without anyone thinking otherwise." Danny said quietly, sitting down on the grass.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to," Alex said uncertainly.
"I know." Danny smiled gently at him and brushed a few strands of hair out of his face as Alex sat in front of him. "But I think I have some explaining to do now."
"Yeah. I have to go back to the rehearsal room anyway. I left everything behind earlier."
"Okay. I'll come to your place tonight."
"Okay, see you then." Alex said quietly and kissed Danny briefly again before leaving. Danny watched him for a while and then stood up to walk over to Mike, who was standing rooted to the spot, staring after Alex in confusion.
"What was that?" Mike asked quietly.
"That's what I wasn't going to tell you yet, but I guess I won't have any other choice."
"No, you didn't, because now I want to know what's going on between you, in every detail." When Danny looked into his eyes, he could see a small, curious glint. He smiled at Mike and sat down on the grass at the edge of the square, poking his fingers in the sand. "So?" Mike asked, sitting down next to him.
"So!" Danny said quietly. "I don't know what you're thinking, but I'll tell you one thing. This isn't a whim on either of our parts, nor is it a game. What you saw is completely serious."
"Okay, I almost thought so, because the kiss looked pretty intimate to me." Mike said, smiling.
"Well, the reason I didn't say anything was because I was just too confused. I wanted to get things straightened out with Alex first and calm down, and he felt the same way. And this was a little test on Alex's part."
»Test?«
"Yes. There's one thing we both don't quite understand yet. I don't know, maybe you know it. You've kissed someone before, haven't you?"
"Yes," Mike replied curtly.
"Then perhaps you know the feeling of forgetting everything else in the arms of the other person."
"Clear."
"And do you also know the feeling of feeling the other person's feelings as if they were your own?"
"No. It was never this intense," Mike said incredulously.
"You see, that was the reason he kissed me just now."
"Aha, and that was so intense that it knocked you off your feet?" Mike asked quietly when he remembered.
"Yes," said Danny, smiling gently.
"You two really got it bad," Mike said with a grin.
"Please don't tell anyone." Danny said seriously, looking Mike in the eyes.
"I promise. You can count on me. After all, I still owe you something for always being there for me." Mike took Danny in his arms and held him tight for a moment. "But there's one more thing I'd like to know?"
"What?"
"How come it took you two so long to find each other?" Mike asked quietly, looking Danny in the eyes without letting go.
"I don't know, but was it really that obvious?"
"No, but I know you, and I know what's going on in my little one's mind. I've known you for 10 years, after all, so you think I'd miss something like that?"
"Sorry, I should have told you sooner."
"It's okay. I'm not mad at you, but at least tell me how far you two have come," Mike said with a grin. Danny looked at Mike in surprise and pushed him over. He leaned over him and glared at him with a grin.
"So you know. I thought you were into women, so why do you care what two men do in bed?"
"Let me be a little curious."
"Okay. But not to give your imagination too much scope, so far there's been nothing but kissing."
"Okay, I'll dial back my imagination." Mike said with a grin and started tickling Danny.
Danny was on his way home when Mike intercepted him again.
"Wait a minute. Do you have any idea if Alex's rehearsals are finished yet?"
"No why?"
"Because Philu isn't home yet. He wanted to be there long ago because we were leaving tonight."
"Let's go there. Because sometimes rehearsals drag on late into the night. I know that from Alex. Your brother will probably still be there."
"Okay," Mike said quietly and followed Danny. Arriving at the rehearsal room, Danny heard Alex's voice in the hallway.
"See. They're still practicing." Danny said quietly, losing his balance a little as he turned back to the front and started to walk toward the room. Feeling like he was burning up inside, he sat down on the small bench in the hallway.
"Danny?" Mike asked worriedly. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing else, I'll be fine in a minute." But he had barely finished the sentence when he lost consciousness. Mike looked at him in shock and ran into the rehearsal room.
»Alex ?.«
"Yeah, I felt it." He interrupted and ran into the hallway. Danny was still sitting on the bench.
“What are you doing here?” Philu asked, confused.
"I was looking for you, we wanted to leave later."
"Oh crap, I didn't think of that."
"Alex, what's wrong with him?" Max stepped next to Alex and looked at Danny worriedly.
"I don't know. But he needs to go home and lie down. Can you call my dad?
"Yes," Max answered curtly and ran to the phone. "He's on his way," Max said when he came back.
"Thank you." Alex said quietly, taking Danny in his arms and holding him gently, running his fingers through his hair until his father reached him. He picked him up and carried him to the car. There, he carefully placed him in the back seat. Once they got home, Alex brought him into his room and put him to bed. He lay down next to him and watched him until he himself fell asleep. Danny held on to Alex and didn't let go the whole time.
He felt as if he were standing right next to a fire. He was hot and suddenly afraid. Something was following him, trying to get him going. He didn't turn around and just ran as fast as he could, ignoring the path. It was dark and he could hardly see anything. But he knew the way; he had run this way so many times before that he could have found his way blindfolded. It was quiet all around him. Too quiet. No wind touched him, no animal could be heard, no one was to be seen. His lungs burned, but he didn't stop. Fear drove him on and on, refusing to let him rest, until he collapsed from exhaustion just before a cliff. He lay there for a moment before slowly pulling himself up and trying to go on, but it was too late. He felt the stabbing pain in his chest, heard the nasty laughter of his pursuer, and finally lost consciousness.
"You won't escape me, my little Yanét." The man said, smiling coldly. Yanét turned around and prepared to jump. He would rather jump off the cliff than be killed by him. Suddenly, Yanét felt a tearing pain in his chest. He looked down and could only vaguely see what it was, for he was about to lose consciousness. The man's hand had completely penetrated his torso, literally impaling him. Yanét closed his eyes, only distantly aware of himself hitting the ground and the hand being slowly pulled out of his body. He was still breathing, but he no longer felt it. The only thing he was really aware of was singing. A pure, gentle voice. He opened his eyes, but saw nothing but blurry images. Tears clouded his vision. When his vision cleared, he saw more, but he still didn't know where he was. He felt a hand on his chest and the pain in his body. He tried to sit up, but couldn't.
He lay there for a while, trying to push everything out of his body, to remember his surroundings, but still he was unable to. As fragments slowly penetrated to him, he was gradually able to remember again. He knew he was lying in bed in his room and that what he had just experienced was only a dream. A nightmare. But the pain in his chest was real. He tried to sit up again and this time he succeeded. He looked around. Tears still clouded his vision, but they soon dried up.
"Danny? How are you?" someone next to him asked sleepily.
"Feeling a little better already." Danny said quietly, looking away. "Alex? How did I get here?"
"Well. Should I have left you lying on the soccer field in this cold? Next time you try to fight a ball that's coming at you a bit hard, let me know so I can call an ambulance." Alex said angrily, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. When he looked at Danny again, he became suspicious. For a moment, Danny's eyes looked silver, as if they contained many small crystals. Alex shook his head briefly and sat up as well. "Now tell me what was wrong."
"Nothing, I just wasn't paying attention." Danny said quietly, avoiding Alex's gaze. However, Alex wasn't satisfied with that answer and stared at Danny. "Everything suddenly blurred and I felt like I was frozen. I couldn't move anymore." Danny said, realizing that Alex wouldn't let him go without an explanation.
"Dad's given you sick leave for next week. Your mum isn't back from Cologne yet, so you should stay here." Alex said, standing up. "Stay here. I'll be right back." Alex added, and left the room. Danny fell back and placed his hand on his chest. It seemed to be just a bruise. Slowly, he remembered the last few hours and closed his eyes. "Danny? Are you hungry?" Alex asked him after a while. Danny had fallen asleep and hadn't heard Alex come back into the room. Danny nodded slightly and sat down before opening his eyes.
"I'm sorry I snapped at you like that earlier, but I was worried."
"I know. Sorry. I'll be more careful next time." Danny said, looking Alex in the eyes. When he was about to drown in them, he averted his gaze. Alex looked at him questioningly for a moment, but then went to his closet and took out a few things. He gave some to Danny and then got dressed himself. After breakfast, he quickly took Danny home so he could get a few things for the next few days. He had some things at Alex's, as he often stayed there when his mother had to go away, but that wouldn't really be suitable for the weather. His mother was an interior designer and often had to travel to other cities for several days to look at houses and apartments that she was supposed to decorate. Alex sat down on Danny's bed while he packed a few things.
"You avoided my gaze earlier, why?" Alex asked quietly, looking at Danny. Danny avoided his gaze again and zipped up his backpack.
"I don't know." He said quietly and left the room. Alex didn't believe him, Danny knew that, but he couldn't tell him. Alex had known Danny for five years now, and he could always tell just by looking into Danny's eyes whether he was okay or if something was bothering him. But since early morning, Danny had been a stranger to him. For days before, he had sensed Danny withdrawing, but there was nothing he could do about it. Alex got up and followed Danny downstairs. After Danny locked the door, they went back to Alex's. He could have stayed in the house alone, but his mother insisted that Danny not be alone on the days she wasn't there. He collapsed onto Alex's bed and lay across it. The bed was quite large, but a bit cramped for two people to sleep in. But then they were able to get out.
Danny. What's wrong with you? You're not usually this sad." Alex said quietly, flopping down on the bed next to him.
"Alex? I don't want to talk about it. Leave me alone." Danny whispered and fell asleep. Alex looked at him, confused. He couldn't get close to Danny anymore. Nevertheless, he tucked him in and let him sleep. He didn't want to rush Danny. When he went downstairs to see how his father was doing with the dinner, he almost tripped because he was too lost in thought.
"Hey, what's going on? Didn't you see the last step?" his father asked, grinning.
"No. Tell me, did Danny say anything? I mean, did I do something wrong, or why is he so dismissive?"
"I think you should give him some space. The little boy seems to be growing up, and you should just leave him alone. You're two years apart, and you've already experienced what he's going through. Just leave him alone and take care of him. He'll give you a sign when he needs your company again. Okay?"
"Okay," Alex said, still lost in thought, staring dreamily into the pot without registering what his father was cooking.
"Are you picking him up for lunch?"
"Yes." Alex said, torn from his thoughts, and went upstairs. Danny was still asleep and only woke up when Alex said his name. "Are you coming to eat?" Alex asked quietly, looking at him questioningly.
"Yes." Danny said quietly, glancing briefly at Alex. As Danny entered the kitchen, the smell of cooking wafted toward him. It smelled of red wine sauce and fish. But there was also something sweet and heavy in the air.
"There's pudding for dessert," Alex's dad explained. He smiled when he saw the smile on Danny's lips. "Come on, sit down. The food will get cold otherwise," Alex's dad said, sitting down.
"Did my mother say anything else?"
"No, just that I'm supposed to look after you," Alex Dad said thoughtfully. "Oh, and that she'll be back in two days. She said something about the apartment being huge and that she'll probably have to go back a second time to properly decorate it."
"Another one of those somewhat wealthy people?"
"Yes. And the snooty kind."
"Oh dear. Well then I can listen to something when she gets back."
"You'll have to," Alex's father said with a grin. "How's your chest?"
"It's okay. I'm sorry I worried you all." Danny said quietly, looking down at his plate.
"Hey, it's okay. Don't be sorry. We both love you, and it's only natural to worry. You understand? Just be more careful next time."
"Okay," said Danny and continued eating.
That evening, Danny sat alone in Alex's room, as he had gone to shower. Danny sat on the bed, which was now undressed, with his legs tucked up. He was daydreaming and didn't notice Alex coming into the room. Alex looked at him for a moment and then put on a T-shirt, as he had already put on his shorts in the bathroom. Then he sat down next to Danny and watched him for a moment.
"Do you still want to watch TV or sleep?" Alex asked him quietly.
"Sleep." Danny said quietly, but stayed seated. Alex got up and turned off the light. When he sat back down in bed, Danny looked at him briefly and then lay down. Alex lay down next to him on the wall and watched him for a while before closing his eyes and trying to sleep. He heard Danny turn over and opened his eyes. Danny looked at him questioningly.
"What's wrong?" Alex asked quietly.
"I can't sleep." Danny said quietly, still looking into Alex's eyes without avoiding his gaze.
"Do you want to come over?" Danny nodded slightly and crawled under the covers next to Alex. Alex took him by the arm and brushed a strand of hair from his face.
»Alex?«
»Hm?«
"I'm sorry I've been so standoffish these last few days. But I need some space."
"Tell me why?"
"No. I don't think so. Give me some more time. Maybe I'll tell you someday."
"All right," Alex said quietly and closed his eyes. He soon fell asleep, but woke up again in the middle of the night. When he noticed Danny in his arms, he tried not to move too much as he pulled the covers back up over himself and Danny. Danny then pressed closer to Alex and placed a hand on his chest. Alex gently stroked his hair, which seemed to calm Danny, because he moved away from Alex a little and went back to sleep. Alex also fell asleep again.
Danny woke from his dream again early in the morning. He was sitting upright in bed, barely able to see for tears. His abrupt awakening had jolted Alex awake, and he was startled when Alex touched his shoulder, trying to pull him down to him.
"Calm down. It was just a dream. Nothing will happen to you here." Alex said softly, stroking Danny's hair. Danny calmed down a bit and fell asleep again. Alex continued to hold him. As Danny slowly woke up, Alex smiled gently at him.
"Are you okay?" Alex asked him quietly, brushing away a strand of his hair.
"It's okay, thanks." Danny said quietly, almost in a whisper. He sat up and rubbed his eyes dry.
"Come on. It's still pretty early. We can sleep for another hour," Alex said, pulling Danny back into bed as he was about to get up.
"What if I don't want to sleep anymore?" Danny asked with a grin.
"Oh, I didn't know you were an early riser. It's only five o'clock," Alex said, smiling.
"Well. Sometimes I do, but if you really want me to, I'll stay lying down so you're not alone." Danny said, still grinning.
"Just wait. So I'm not alone." Alex said with a wicked grin and started tickling Danny. But this time, he wasn't so easily subdued; he fought back, and it worked quite well, until he ran out of energy and Alex buried him beneath her.
"Help, I surrender." Danny said, gasping with laughter.
"Okay, I won't wear you out so much this early morning." Alex said, laughing, and sank down on the bed next to Danny. Danny sat up halfway and looked Alex in the eyes. "Danny? Did you know your eyes are sometimes silver?" Alex asked quietly, looking Danny in the eyes.
"No," Danny said, confused.
"That's true, or I'm imagining it. But they're silver right now."
"Who knows what your senses are telling you." Danny said with a smile.
"Well, quite a few things. Like, you're cute when you smile like that." Alex said quietly, startled by his own words. He didn't really want to say that out loud, just think it. Danny looked at him, confused, and lay back down next to Alex. His smile was gone, and somehow the spell of closeness too. Something was suddenly different, just by a short sentence. Alex ran both hands over his face and closed his eyes. His thoughts somehow got caught up in the image of Danny he had just had in his mind, and he was so lost in thought that he didn't notice Danny getting up and leaving the room. Only when he put his hands down again and went to look at Danny did he notice his absence. He sat up and looked around the room. Then he got up and got dressed. Once he had done that, he flopped back down on the bed and closed his eyes.
"You can go to the bathroom," Danny said suddenly, tearing Alex out of his thoughts.
"Danny? Did I say something wrong earlier?" Alex asked without looking at him.
"No, not exactly." Danny said quietly, sitting down on the edge of the bed. Alex looked at Danny and tried to read his face. But he didn't quite succeed. "It's all just a little complicated for me, and I don't want to talk about it yet. It's just that what you said earlier was kind of a damper. It's not your fault. It was just an awkward situation." Danny said quietly, about to get up when Alex pulled him back onto the bed.
"Why do you want to get up? You're on sick leave." Alex said, smiling. Danny looked at him, confused, and then lay back down. "This thing that seems so complicated for you, could it be my fault?" Alex asked cautiously. Danny remained silent. No nod, but no negative gesture either. Alex sat down and looked Danny in the eyes, but he couldn't read anything there either.
"Stop thinking about it. I already told you I don't want to talk about it." Danny said quietly, standing up to escape from Alex. Alex left him and went into the bathroom. When he came back, Danny was lying on the bed again with his eyes closed. Alex walked over and watched him for a moment before sitting down next to him. Danny opened his eyes a crack and looked at Alex.
"Danny? You're a mystery to me." Alex said quietly, flopping down next to him. Danny looked at him in surprise and turned to face him.
"Is it that bad?" Danny asked quietly.
"Worse," Alex said, smiling and looking Danny in the eyes. "Oh man, this is all too much for me. You make everything so complicated. And you usually take everything so easy." Alex said suddenly, running both hands over his face.
"What do you mean?" asked Danny as he sat down
"It's simple. You've never kept secrets from me, and now suddenly you can't tell me what they are?" Alex asked quietly.
"No."
"Then I think I'll have to tell you something. Maybe then you'll tell me your secret." Alex said, looking back at Danny. "You know that sometimes our relationship becomes much closer than friends, right?"
"Yes. And where are you going now?"
"I think you'd better get up early." Alex said with a smile. When Danny still didn't understand, Alex sat up a little and moved closer to Danny. When Danny didn't move away, he closed his eyes and kissed Danny gently on the lips. Danny froze, unable to move, let alone say anything. He just looked at Alex, shocked. "Was that clearer?" When Danny still didn't react, the smile disappeared from Alex's lips. "Danny?" Alex asked quietly, hoping for something, anything, to relieve the pressure in the air. Danny closed his eyes for a moment and fell back. Alex looked at him in surprise and leaned over him.
"Don't ever do that again," Danny said quietly. Alex was about to back away and move away from him when Danny grabbed his shirt and pulled him toward him. "Don't ever scare me like that again," Danny said, smiling.
"You idiot. How can you play such a game with me?" Alex asked with relief.
"Sorry, but your kiss just now made me fall over." Danny said, embarrassed, and pulled Alex closer to him to kiss him on his own initiative. Alex sank down onto Danny's chest and just held him tight.
"I thought I misunderstood your signs," Alex said with relief.
"No. Apparently you still know me as well as you did the first day we met." Danny said quietly, slowly falling asleep. Alex gently covered him and held him in her arms before he fell asleep himself.
"Hey you two sleepyheads, why don't you get up?" Alex asked his dad, confused. "You're late for school, Alex." He then said, stroking his forehead. Alex slowly opened his eyes and looked at his dad. "Hey. Are you not feeling well? Your eyes are glassy." Alex's father said worriedly, placing his hand on Alex's forehead to check. When he noticed his fever, he said quietly, "Stay lying down. I'll get you something for your fever. It would probably be best if I wrote you both sick at the same time. This is the fifth time that when one of you is sick, the other one gets sick too." Then his father left the room and got a glass of water and a small effervescent tablet. "I'll call your school and tell them you're not coming in this week. Now get some more sleep. I'll see if I can get some time off work and then I'll take care of you two." When Alex's dad was gone, Alex turned to Danny, who had turned his back to him and was still fast asleep. Alex lay close to Danny's back and hugged him again. He played with one hand, on Danny's fingers, and after a while held them tight. Danny slowly turned over and snuggled into Alex's arms. Alex remembered a light melody, which he hummed briefly before carefully getting up and picking up his guitar. Danny rolled himself up in the covers and went back to sleep. Alex started playing the melody and closed his eyes. After a while, he felt warmth and security around him. He felt memories he didn't really know, but which were within him. Several images made their way through his mind, and slowly an illusion formed. After a while, Alex opened his eyes and finished the piece. Danny sat in bed and looked at him lovingly.
"That sounded nice. What song was that?"
"I don't know. It just popped into my head." Alex said quietly, sitting back down on the bed after sitting in the armchair. He took Danny in his arms and kissed him gently.
“Am I disturbing you?” Alex’s father suddenly asked, standing in the doorway with a grin.
"Dad. Are you back already?"
"Yes. Apparently earlier than I should."
"You could say that." Alex said, still shocked. Danny had collapsed onto the bed in shock.
"But I can reassure you, I certainly don't mind. I've actually been waiting for a while for you to finally understand. So, now I want to take both of your temperatures," Alex's father said, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
"Why were you waiting for this?" Alex asked quietly.
"Because you two are a great match, because you two were always very close, and a few other things." Danny sat up and looked questioningly at Alex. "Just be a little careful about where and how you act towards each other. You don't necessarily have to make out at school, do you?"
"No," they both said at the same time, looking at Alex's dad in confusion.
"Okay. Then I can rest easy. Okay, you two. I can only check on you every now and then. I still have to go to the hospital. So I'll leave you alone for now, but do me a favor and rest. You're both not quite as healthy as you'd like to be."
"Don't worry, Dad, we'll rest."
"Then it's fine. Oh, Danny. Your mum wants to come back tonight. She'd like you to be home then."
"Okay. I'll be home," Danny said resignedly and fell back into bed. Alex lay down next to him and looked questioningly at his dad.
"Okay, you two, I'll get going again. Someone has to bring in money, after all," Alex's father said with a grin.
"Well then, let's go, or do you want to let us starve?" Alex asked with a grin.
"No," he said with a grin and disappeared. Alex looked gently at Danny and smiled.
"What?"
"You look cute lying there daydreaming."
"Are you singing again?" Danny asked quietly, looking at Alex embarrassed.
"If that's what you want."
"Yes," Danny said quietly and turned to Alex. Alex took his guitar from the armchair and sat at the head of his bed so he could lean against the wall and began to play. The notes crept into his fingers as if by themselves and played on the guitar. Alex suddenly remembered so many lyrics and melodies that he couldn't remember them all. Danny quickly understood his problem and turned on a small stereo connected to the guitar, which now recorded the sounds. Danny lay down next to Alex and listened to him. He sank into a world of illusions, where he didn't even know where they came from. Where the familiar images came from. He simply closed his eyes and let Alex's music guide him, into a world of dreams and memories, of wishes and feelings. Alex heard the same feelings and illusions and closed his eyes as well. When Danny opened his eyes, he found himself in another room. It was elegant, gentle, and simply furnished at the same time. There wasn't much inside him, but enough to make him feel comfortable. He could still hear Alex singing, but it was someone else's voice. He didn't look around for him. He knew who it was and yet he didn't know, but he felt safe and secure and knew that this someone would never do anything to him, would never hurt him, if there was no other way to avoid it. Danny enjoyed the peace within himself and the strange, yet familiar memories. He felt himself getting tired, felt the dreams reaching out for him and followed them without fighting. When he awoke again, Alex stroked his hair and looked gently into his eyes. Danny lay in his arms and had a hand on Alex's chest. He didn't need to say anything. For some unknown reason, Danny realized that Alex had also perceived these illusions.
"How do you feel?"
"Restful, as if I had slept forever."
"You did. A whole six hours." Danny looked at him in surprise and then said quietly, "But I was listening to you singing the whole time."
"I only stopped singing five minutes ago. I didn't want you to wake up," Alex said quietly, kissing Danny on the forehead. "Go ahead and sleep. I'll stay with you. Your mom hasn't called yet, and Dad's still working."
"Well, there's a problem," Danny said with a grin.
"One that has something to do with it?" Alex asked, also grinning, and pointed to the bulge in Danny's shorts. Danny blushed slightly and then shook his head in embarrassment.
"I'm hungry, that's what I meant."
"Okay. Come on then. I'll make us something."
"Alex? Could I go to the bathroom for a minute? I feel like I'm about to burn. I'd like to cool down a bit." Danny said quietly, closing his eyes briefly as Alex placed his hand on Danny's forehead.
"Your fever seems to be rising even further. I hope you haven't caught anything serious. I mean, with the cold and your collapse the day before yesterday, I wouldn't be surprised." Alex said worriedly.
"No, it's okay. I just need to rest."
"Well, go take a shower first. I'll make you something to eat so you can get back on your feet."
"Okay." Danny said quietly and kissed Alex tentatively again before getting up and going into the bathroom. Alex then got dressed and went into the kitchen to make something to eat as promised. He sank briefly into thought as he stood in front of the stove, stirring the pot. He remembered the silver eyes he had noticed on Danny the day before. He had the feeling he had forgotten something important, but nothing came to mind. "Alex? Your food is burning," Danny said quietly and stood next to him. Alex was startled and let go of the spoons completely. Danny turned off the stove and looked at Alex in confusion. "What's wrong?" he asked quietly, but Alex still heard the worry in Danny's voice.
"Nothing. Everything's fine. I was just thinking about your eyes. They looked so silver." Alex said quietly, looking at Danny. "Like now," he said dreamily. Danny turned around and looked out the window, which the lamplight cast like a mirror. He saw the silver in his own eyes and remembered the strange feeling from the evening.
"I don't know why they're like that." Danny said quietly, looking back at Alex.
"Hey you two. What smells so good here?" Alex's father suddenly asked, coming into the kitchen. Danny jumped slightly and turned around abruptly. There was also terror in Alex's eyes, but he quickly calmed down and stood a little in front of Danny so his father couldn't see Danny's eyes. Danny closed his eyes briefly and took a deep breath.
"Nothing special, Dad, just pasta with tomato sauce." Alex said with a smile, noticing his father's suspicious look. "What is it?"
"You're acting strange. Is everything okay?"
"Yeah. We're fine, right?" Alex said quietly, looking at Danny. He turned around just in time to catch Danny, who was just fainting. "Okay. He's not feeling well. Do you have anything for his fever?" Alex asked worriedly, picking up Danny to put him to bed.
"Yes, I have something, but I'll have to search for it. I don't remember where I put it after your last fever outbreak."
"Okay." Alex said simply and put Danny to bed. He covered him up and stroked his forehead. His fever had risen even further, but it probably wasn't rising any further now. Alex's father turned the stove off completely and went into the bathroom to the medicine cabinet, where, of course, he didn't find what he was looking for. He knew he hadn't put some of the medication back in its place. He went into the bedroom and looked in the bedside table. When he didn't find it there either, the only option was the living room, or he didn't have one anymore. He went in and found the small bottle on the windowsill. He took it with him and fetched another glass of water from the kitchen.
"Here. Will you give him a small spoonful of this when he's awake? I'll get dinner ready."
"Yes, I will. But take your time, he won't wake up that quickly."
"Not him, but you should at least eat something, otherwise your fever won't go down, is that clear, son?" his father asked, slightly annoyed.
"Yeah. I get it, Dad." Alex said, surprised. Alex hadn't even noticed how hungry he was until his father had pointed it out. Alex put the glass next to the bed and left the room. In the kitchen, he sat down at the table and waited until his father had finished eating. After he had eaten, he went back to Danny and lay down next to him. Danny slept a little restlessly and woke up after a while. "Hey, how are you?" Alex asked, smiling.
"A little better. At least I'm not as hot anymore."
"Here. You're supposed to take this to go away your fever." Alex said worriedly, holding out the spoon to Danny, where he had poured the medicine. Danny obediently opened his mouth so Alex could put the spoon in his mouth. Then Alex let go of the spoon. Danny swallowed the stuff and took the spoon out of his mouth again.
"That tastes disgusting," said Danny, grimacing.
"But it helps," Alex said, briefly looking at the package. "Come on, you still need to eat something," Alex said, standing up. Danny slowly got up and went with him into the kitchen. He sat down at the table and looked questioningly at Alex.
"Where is your dad?" he then asked.
"Back at the hospital. He won't be back until late today." Alex explained, turning to Danny. He hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and placed the plate in front of Danny. "Eat first."
"Yes," Danny said quietly, beginning. "Can we go out for a bit later?"
"If you promise me you won't fall over," Alex said worriedly.
"I'll try," said Danny, smiling.
"Okay," Alex said quietly and sat down at the table.
»Danny?«
»Hm?«
"What are you thinking about?" Alex asked quietly as Danny looked out the window and forgot to eat anymore.
"I don't know. I've been dreaming so many crazy things lately. Everything feels like I actually experienced it, but it seems so long ago that it's just a blur, or maybe just a bunch of feelings." Danny explained, looking down at his plate. He'd seemed very calm to Alex for the past few days, unlike usual, when he ran around like a little kid and got so absorbed in the soccer game that he didn't consider anything else important.
Light flooded the room. There was no sun, not yet. It was still the moon casting its light on the earth. It was quiet, and only the gentle whisper of the wind drew its lines through the hot air. It caught in the curtains in the open window and played with the ribbons. A boy stood in front of the open window. He wore nothing but his trousers. His hair was almost silver and fell into his eyes.
"Yanét? Don't you want to sleep? It's late, and you have to train again tomorrow." Someone suddenly said to him. Yanét slowly turned around and looked the person in the eye.
"I can't," Yanét said quietly, smiling sadly.
"What can't you do?"
"I won't let you go there, Klay." Yanét stared into his eyes so intently that he felt Klay invading his thoughts and creating an illusion for him, but Yanét didn't want an illusion, or sleep, or anything else.
"Stop that," Yanét said quietly, breaking the illusion. "I don't want this now. I want you to stay. You haven't even said anything, or even asked what I want. You just leave me alone without telling me the truth openly and clearly. Instead, you just run away and maybe you won't even come back. Do you think that's fair? Do you think it's okay for you to just give up everything and run away just because you think I don't understand you?" Yanét yelled at him. He looked Klay in the eyes for a moment and turned back when he noticed tears welling up in his eyes. "How long have we known each other? 18 years? Or is it even more? I don't know, I haven't counted them. But I've counted every second you've been gone for the past two years. I didn't know why at the time, but I missed you more with every damn day. I hated those defense troops because they always chose you to go into the next battle, and every time you came back, you just ignored me for a week. I don't even know the reason. But I do know the reason why I hate you." Yanét said, his voice getting quieter until he whispered the last sentence. He was leaning on the windowsill and looking down at his hands.
"If you hate me, why don't you want me to leave?" Klay asked quietly.
"Well, if you don't understand, it's probably better if you leave." Yanét said indifferently and left. He left the building and walked across the courtyard into the small wooded area until he reached the lake. He stopped for a moment and looked at the surface.
"Tamith," Yanét whispered. As water suddenly shot into the air, Yanét smiled slightly. "I thought you wouldn't even notice me," Yanét said gently.
"Sorry. I was falling asleep." A soft voice said from the water. The water slowly receded, and a creature with long blue hair, silver eyes, and clothing made of a material that looked like water appeared. "You look sad," Tamith observed in his deep voice.
"I am too, because apparently he still doesn't get it."
"Try it directly."
"No."
"Why?" Tamith went to Yanét and sat down next to him. Yanét also sat down and stared at the water.
"Because then he'll leave."
"How do you know?"
"I'd probably just scare him away," Yanét said quietly, smiling briefly.
"True. But if he still hasn't noticed, why do you feel it so strongly?"
"I'd like to know that too."
"You have to go back. The sun will rise soon, and he'll leave. At least tell him goodbye."
"I don't know if I want to see him again."
"You hate him as much as you love him, right?"
"Yes. And I don't know what to do. I want him to stay, but I also want him to finally leave me alone. The feelings I sense from him aren't always his own. I can also sense those of his opponents and enemies, and for that, I hate every day he's close to me, if he doesn't suppress them."
"You have two options. First, talk to him and say it. Tell him that he has to shut out other people's feelings around you. Second, let him go and give up."
"That sounds so simple," Yanét said quietly and turned around.
"Do you really want this?" Tamith asked quietly, sensing Yanét's feelings.
"I don't know it."
"You don't have long. One more day and he'll be gone. Not even yet, just a few more hours." Yanét looked at the lake again, but the creature was already gone.
"What would you advise me?" he asked aloud, looking into the water.
"Tell him." Came the quiet reply, and then the Tamith was finally back in the depths of the lake.
"Hmm. Maybe."
"Klay? What is it? You have to get down. The squad is waiting."
"I'm not leaving until I know if Yanét's back." Klay said thoughtfully, leaning on the windowsill. He was still in Yanét's room and had been looking out the window the whole time, hoping Yanét wouldn't be gone too long. Especially now, when so many people were after him. And especially now, when he wanted so badly to say something to him, if only he could.
"What does Yanét have to do with this? You have something to do. You only got Yanét as an additional task, not the main one."
"I see no reason to justify myself to you. It's none of your business what Yanét has to do with anything. Your job is to train the squad, not to tell me what to do." Klay said angrily, turning around. When the young man behind him saw the piercing stare, he swallowed. "Get out of here, I don't think you even have permission to be in this room." Klay said coldly, glaring at him with his turquoise eyes.
"Yes, sir," said the man, saluting before disappearing. Klay looked out the window again, and when he saw Yanét coming out of the woods, he breathed a sigh of relief. Yanét noticed him and looked up at him. Something was different in Yanét's eyes. They weren't as bright anymore. And his gaze seemed cloudy. Klay was a little startled and watched for a moment before turning around and going downstairs. Yanét was still standing in the same spot.
"Where have you been for so long? Right now."
"I don't know why I have to tell you this. You're leaving me alone anyway and can't pay attention to where I'm going or for how long." Yanét simply said, looking down at the floor.
"I still have a certain duty to your mother."
"So? Is this duty done? Is it enough for you to just watch from afar?" Yanét asked, absorbing Klay's feelings. When he didn't respond, Yanét took another step closer, so that he was only a few centimeters away. "When you've made up your mind, look for me. I won't be here when you get back, and whether you leave or not is something you've already decided." Yanét whispered, slowly walking past Klay and into the house. Klay stood uncertainly for a moment before lowering his gaze and walking towards the squad.
"We can go," he said dully.
"Danny? Don't you want to get up soon?" Alex asked him the next morning.
"Why?" It's still dark." He asked sleepily, turning on his side.
"If you just opened your eyes, it wouldn't be dark anymore."
"But I don't want to."
"Yes. You have to go back to school today."
"Even worse."
"Well, that's what you wanted." Alex said with a grin and started tickling Danny.
"No. Please don't," Danny said, frightened, and resisted.
"Are you getting up?"
"No. Only if I get a kiss." Danny said, smiling and grinning at Alex.
"Okay," Alex said quietly and kissed Danny gently. When he pushed his tongue into his mouth, Alex looked at him in surprise.
"Hmm? Is there any jam?" Danny asked, smiling.
"Only if you finally make an effort to get out of bed."
"Okay. Already in the bathroom." Danny said, standing up. Alex watched him go, grinning, and then went into the kitchen. "Done," Danny said suddenly, sitting down at the table.
"Wonderful. Here," Alex said, handing Danny a roll with jam. "Say, you have soccer practice again today, right?"
"Yes why?"
"I'm just asking because I'm going to rehearse with my band today."
"Oh, can I come listen after training?"
"If you want."
"Yes. But now I have a question." Danny said seriously. Alex looked at him questioningly and became suspicious when Danny looked at him so seriously.
"What are we doing here?" Danny asked quietly, pointing first at himself and then at Alex. "Do we want to tell anyone about this?"
"Well, I'd say those who know us will notice it on their own, and if we're asked, I think we can say it, at least to our people; it's none of anyone else's business."
"Okay. Just so I know, because Mike will be the first to ask."
"What makes you think that?"
"He's been trying to cheer me up a lot these last few days, and at some point I hinted at something." Danny said, embarrassed.
"Oh, okay. Then he'll probably be the first," Alex said with a grin.
"He probably will." Danny said quietly, looking out the window.
"What's wrong?" Alex asked. Danny was silent for a moment before looking at Alex again.
"I had a strange dream last night. It all seemed so real, but when I woke up, all I could remember was that it was strange. I don't remember what I dreamed about," Danny said thoughtfully.
"I felt the same way last night. But I still remember a few bits."
"Which?"
"Well, the names, for example."
"Tell me," Danny said, smiling.
"Yanét and Klay." Danny looked at him in surprise. The names meant something to him. Suddenly, the image of his nightmare came to mind. He quickly got up and went into the bathroom. "Hey? Are you okay?" Alex asked worriedly.
"It's okay. I was just thinking about my nightmare, and that image came a little suddenly." Danny said quietly, leaning against the cupboard.
"Hey. What kind of dream is this?" Alex asked cautiously, hugging Danny.
"Can I tell you another time?"
"Sure. We have to go to school anyway."
"Yes," Danny said quietly and stood up again.
Klay was lost in thought as he sat on his horse, trying to somehow get his troops to the next rest stop. His conversation, or rather argument, with Yanét before his departure distracted him. He didn't want to and couldn't think about anything else. Until he suddenly turned around.
"Hey Klay, what's going on?" his friend called after him.
"You take over. I have something more important to do." Klay said, riding back. He knew Yanét wasn't home anymore and didn't even bother to stop, but rode right on. When he noticed Yanét's presence, he slowed down and dismounted. He had reached a small lake, perhaps a two-hour walk from the small castle where he had been looking after Yanét since he was six. Which wasn't always an easy task. Yanét had a knack for taking even the smallest of difficulties with him and was constantly in danger.
Klay walked slowly toward the lake and stopped when he saw Yanét swimming in the water. He watched him for a while and leaned against the nearest tree.
After a while, Yanét noticed him and looked over. The water creature that had spoken to Yanét that morning suddenly appeared before him and stared at Klay. Klay found the gaze uncomfortable. He felt its presence and felt it searching his thoughts. Klay closed his eyes for a moment, shielding himself from the creature.
"What do you want? I thought you couldn't stay?" asked Yanét, who had come out of the water and was partially dressed.
"I want to tell you something. But I feel like this is exactly the wrong thing to do. I should just leave and not come back." Klay said matter-of-factly. Yanét looked at him in confusion. But Klay's feelings remained closed to him, too.
"Yanét? I'm leaving. If you need me, you know where I am." The water creature said quietly and disappeared beneath the water's surface again.
"So?" Yanét asked quietly, sitting down on the grass. "What's suddenly more important than your squad?"
"Yanét, why are you doing this? You're cold." Yanét was silent. "Do you have any idea what it might cost me to be here?" When Yanét still remained silent, Klay continued. "I know I've ignored you, and I also know there's something you tried to tell me this morning, but it's not really any easier in my position. I'm tasked with protecting you, but I also have other responsibilities. I can't change that. But if I could choose, I would only take on one of the two tasks. I don't really care what they do outside. It doesn't achieve much anyway. But what's important to me achieves a lot." Klay paused briefly. He was confused and could barely contain his own emotions.
"Klay. Stop beating around the bush. Just tell me. That's all I want." Yanét said quietly, pulling his legs up to his body. Klay could hear the slight tremor in Yanét's voice, and the only thing he was capable of doing was simply taking Yanét in his arms. He couldn't talk anymore; his feelings were too strong, but he couldn't just leave either. Yanét flinched, but quickly got used to the touch and allowed it. Klay just held him for a moment.
"Give me some more time. I know I'm asking a lot, but I have to sort something out first." Klay said sadly and left. When Yanét thought he was alone, he threw a stone into the lake with all his might.
"Damn," he said quietly. He lay down and closed his eyes for a moment, trying to push all thoughts away until he thought nothing more. Only the wind slid over his body and the sounds of the forest reached him. He let himself drift and fell asleep for a few moments.
Danny was at the sports field, playing a bit of soccer on his own. He felt strange. The dreams and his feelings for Alex were completely confusing him. It was as if he was trying to remember something from a long time ago, but he didn't know what it was. But he also had the feeling that he didn't want to remember. That there was something he wanted to forget. Something that was now slipping further and further into his memory and demanding his attention. He shot at goal a few times before he noticed someone watching him. He turned around, confused, and saw Mike sitting on the sidelines.
"Tell me. I haven't seen you so preoccupied in a long time. What's wrong?" Mike asked, smiling.
"Nothing. I was just thinking."
"How are you? That thing was pretty intense the other day."
"Sorry. I didn't mean to worry anyone."
"It's okay. The main thing is that you're feeling better. How about a game?"
"Gladly," said Danny, smiling.
"I like you better like this," Mike said quietly, standing up.
They played for a while until Danny collapsed exhausted into the grass and looked up at the sky. Mike plopped down next to him.
"What do you think? Will our opponents be the neighboring school next time, or will they lose again and not advance at all?" Mike asked after a while. When he didn't get a response from Danny, he sat down to look Danny in the eye, but Danny had fallen asleep and wasn't listening to him anymore. It was as if he were dreaming something beautiful. Mike lay down next to him again and just lay still.
Meanwhile.
"Alex? What's wrong? The guitar isn't playing on its own. I thought we were rehearsing." Philu said worriedly. Alex was standing in the rehearsal room and couldn't remember what he wanted to sing. Instead, he had a song in his head that sounded so familiar that it scared him. He put the guitar aside and went to the closet. "Hey, hello? Are you still talking to us?"
"Be quiet, Philu. If you interrupt him now, he'll get pretty angry. We've seen him like that. He's like that sometimes," Max said quietly, placing his hand on Philu's shoulder. "You haven't been with us long enough, but sometimes he suddenly gets ideas. Just wait and see. You'll see what happens." Max said, handing Philu a cup of coffee.
"But we promise you one thing, Philu. It's going to be a long night," Fances said with a grin.
"Um? And what do we do while he thinks about it?" Philu asked uncertainly.
"Sit down. We'll explain a few things to you first," said Max, pulling Philu onto the couch.
"So listen. When Alex is in the mood like he is now, it's usually because he has an idea, but sometimes he just wants to think. Just ignore him during that time. At least we have time to look at his texts, which he's been changing a lot lately."
"And when will he be back with us?" Philu asked with a grin.
"Well. It varies. But a lot seems to have changed with him at the moment. He certainly seems very confused to me, which is rarely the case. Let's give him some time." Max said quietly, glancing briefly at Alex, who had sat down on the small couch and seemed lost in thought.
"Exactly. Let's go outside for a bit. It'll be easier to think, and maybe we'll understand the changes quickly."
"Okay," Philu said thoughtfully and stood up.
"Hey. He'll be fine. Like I said, we know him, and at first it scared us a bit, too, but he's fine. He just wants to think about it." Frances said reassuringly to Philu, noticing his concern. After a glance at Alex, Philu went outside with him.
Alex sat there for a while before picking up a pad and writing down the melody. As he played it softly on his guitar, he felt something inside him slowly begin to remember something from a long time ago. He closed his eyes and simply let the song sink in. He felt the warmth of the sun, even though he was sitting in a room. He heard the sound of water and smelled a sweet scent, like flowers. As he wandered further and further into his thoughts, he felt Danny's presence. He turned around and saw him standing behind him. Danny also had his eyes closed. Alex was standing opposite him, watching him. When Danny opened his eyes, Alex almost lost himself in the silver. He had seen Danny's eyes with that silver many times, but never was it so intense. He didn't know if Danny saw him or if he himself was lost in those thoughts. Alex took a few more steps toward Danny and stopped directly in front of him. He recognized his own questions in Danny's eyes. What is this? Why is it so familiar? But neither of them could answer these questions. The two gazed into each other's eyes for a while before Alex kissed him lightly on the lips.
When he opened his eyes again, he was back in the rehearsal room. He was still sitting on the small couch and had only just finished playing. Frances stood in front of him, looking at him with both concern and questioning.
"What's wrong?" Frances whispered, crouching down in front of him.
"Nothing. I just remembered something I'd forgotten."
»Your game just now, what was that?
"I don't just know a song."
"Just a song? Alex, you played like the song was your life. I've never seen you so engrossed in a song, and I've never heard you put so much passion into one of your songs. This can't just be a song," Frances said, enthusiastically, but also a little startled. Alex looked him in the eyes.
"I have to go. Let's skip rehearsals today." Frances looked at him confused and stood up as Alex handed him the guitar and grabbed his jacket. He walked past Philu and Max without even noticing them. Frances stayed behind in the rehearsal room and slumped into the chair.
"What's wrong with him?" Philu asked quietly, sitting down on the couch. Max plopped down right next to him.
"I don't know. He just played like his life depended on it. You should have heard that. He just said he had to leave and that rehearsals would continue tomorrow."
"He's changed quite a bit in the last few days," Max noted.
"Yes. Something has changed that makes him so different."
"Does it have something to do with Danny? When the little one had that little accident at soccer the other day, Alex was pretty worried."
"I don't think it was the accident. There's something else going on. He's completely confused. I think something more developed. Alex has always cared about Danny, but have you ever looked into his eyes when the two of them were out together? Or into Danny's eyes? Then suddenly, from one day to the next, Danny was dismissive of him, then the accident, and now this song? I think there's a lot more to it than just friendship."
"I think you're right. But I'd say we wait until he tells us. Speculating about it now is pointless."
"I know." Philu kept looking questioningly back and forth between the two. He hadn't been there long enough to understand all of this.
Alex was almost at the sports field when he saw Danny and Mike lying on the grass. He slowed his pace.
Danny had noticed him long ago and sat down when Alex was almost with them.
"What is it?" Mike asked, confused, and sat back down.
"Nothing else. Just Alex." Danny said, smiling and turning in the direction Alex was coming from.
"Can I talk to you?" Alex asked him quietly when he reached Danny and Mike. Danny nodded slightly and stood up. They walked a little away from Mike, who then grabbed his soccer ball and played a little. "What was that just now?" Alex asked. Danny stared into his eyes so intently that he almost lost himself in them.
"I don't know, how far away were you from me?"
"I was in the rehearsal room, so it wasn't far."
"Because I felt like I could feel you right next to me." Danny said quietly, looking down.
"You had silver eyes, just like when we're alone together sometimes." Danny looked at Alex, confused. "I saw you. Danny, could I try something for a minute?" Alex asked quietly, walking a little closer to Danny.
"What?" he asked, still in a whisper, but as he uttered the question he already knew what Alex would say and left it unanswered. Alex placed a hand on Danny's neck and pulled him closer. When he lightly touched Danny's lips, it was like a slight electric shock went through his body. Danny had felt this too and stepped back briefly before kissing Alex and closing his eyes. Alex had also closed his eyes and opened up to Danny. Once again he noticed the sun and the scent of the flowers. Soft noises that he classified as voices reached him. He knew, even without looking at Danny, that Danny was perceiving the same things. In that moment, Alex forgot about the fact that they were on public school grounds, on the sports field, and that Mike was probably watching them in bewilderment. But that didn't interest him much. The only thing he noticed during the kiss was that Danny slumped slightly in his arms, which is why he ended the kiss and looked questioningly at Danny. Danny still had his eyes closed and was clinging to Alex's chest. When he looked at him, his eyes were deep silver again. It took him a moment to come back to the present, and when he came to his senses again, he looked into Alex's eyes.
"I think I know what I wanted to know now," Alex said quietly.
"Then you better not kiss me if we don't have a bed nearby, or some other place to lie down without anyone thinking otherwise." Danny said quietly, sitting down on the grass.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to," Alex said uncertainly.
"I know." Danny smiled gently at him and brushed a few strands of hair out of his face as Alex sat in front of him. "But I think I have some explaining to do now."
"Yeah. I have to go back to the rehearsal room anyway. I left everything behind earlier."
"Okay. I'll come to your place tonight."
"Okay, see you then." Alex said quietly and kissed Danny briefly again before leaving. Danny watched him for a while and then stood up to walk over to Mike, who was standing rooted to the spot, staring after Alex in confusion.
"What was that?" Mike asked quietly.
"That's what I wasn't going to tell you yet, but I guess I won't have any other choice."
"No, you didn't, because now I want to know what's going on between you, in every detail." When Danny looked into his eyes, he could see a small, curious glint. He smiled at Mike and sat down on the grass at the edge of the square, poking his fingers in the sand. "So?" Mike asked, sitting down next to him.
"So!" Danny said quietly. "I don't know what you're thinking, but I'll tell you one thing. This isn't a whim on either of our parts, nor is it a game. What you saw is completely serious."
"Okay, I almost thought so, because the kiss looked pretty intimate to me." Mike said, smiling.
"Well, the reason I didn't say anything was because I was just too confused. I wanted to get things straightened out with Alex first and calm down, and he felt the same way. And this was a little test on Alex's part."
»Test?«
"Yes. There's one thing we both don't quite understand yet. I don't know, maybe you know it. You've kissed someone before, haven't you?"
"Yes," Mike replied curtly.
"Then perhaps you know the feeling of forgetting everything else in the arms of the other person."
"Clear."
"And do you also know the feeling of feeling the other person's feelings as if they were your own?"
"No. It was never this intense," Mike said incredulously.
"You see, that was the reason he kissed me just now."
"Aha, and that was so intense that it knocked you off your feet?" Mike asked quietly when he remembered.
"Yes," said Danny, smiling gently.
"You two really got it bad," Mike said with a grin.
"Please don't tell anyone." Danny said seriously, looking Mike in the eyes.
"I promise. You can count on me. After all, I still owe you something for always being there for me." Mike took Danny in his arms and held him tight for a moment. "But there's one more thing I'd like to know?"
"What?"
"How come it took you two so long to find each other?" Mike asked quietly, looking Danny in the eyes without letting go.
"I don't know, but was it really that obvious?"
"No, but I know you, and I know what's going on in my little one's mind. I've known you for 10 years, after all, so you think I'd miss something like that?"
"Sorry, I should have told you sooner."
"It's okay. I'm not mad at you, but at least tell me how far you two have come," Mike said with a grin. Danny looked at Mike in surprise and pushed him over. He leaned over him and glared at him with a grin.
"So you know. I thought you were into women, so why do you care what two men do in bed?"
"Let me be a little curious."
"Okay. But not to give your imagination too much scope, so far there's been nothing but kissing."
"Okay, I'll dial back my imagination." Mike said with a grin and started tickling Danny.
Danny was on his way home when Mike intercepted him again.
"Wait a minute. Do you have any idea if Alex's rehearsals are finished yet?"
"No why?"
"Because Philu isn't home yet. He wanted to be there long ago because we were leaving tonight."
"Let's go there. Because sometimes rehearsals drag on late into the night. I know that from Alex. Your brother will probably still be there."
"Okay," Mike said quietly and followed Danny. Arriving at the rehearsal room, Danny heard Alex's voice in the hallway.
"See. They're still practicing." Danny said quietly, losing his balance a little as he turned back to the front and started to walk toward the room. Feeling like he was burning up inside, he sat down on the small bench in the hallway.
"Danny?" Mike asked worriedly. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing else, I'll be fine in a minute." But he had barely finished the sentence when he lost consciousness. Mike looked at him in shock and ran into the rehearsal room.
»Alex ?.«
"Yeah, I felt it." He interrupted and ran into the hallway. Danny was still sitting on the bench.
“What are you doing here?” Philu asked, confused.
"I was looking for you, we wanted to leave later."
"Oh crap, I didn't think of that."
"Alex, what's wrong with him?" Max stepped next to Alex and looked at Danny worriedly.
"I don't know. But he needs to go home and lie down. Can you call my dad?
"Yes," Max answered curtly and ran to the phone. "He's on his way," Max said when he came back.
"Thank you." Alex said quietly, taking Danny in his arms and holding him gently, running his fingers through his hair until his father reached him. He picked him up and carried him to the car. There, he carefully placed him in the back seat. Once they got home, Alex brought him into his room and put him to bed. He lay down next to him and watched him until he himself fell asleep. Danny held on to Alex and didn't let go the whole time.
He felt as if he were standing right next to a fire. He was hot and suddenly afraid. Something was following him, trying to get him going. He didn't turn around and just ran as fast as he could, ignoring the path. It was dark and he could hardly see anything. But he knew the way; he had run this way so many times before that he could have found his way blindfolded. It was quiet all around him. Too quiet. No wind touched him, no animal could be heard, no one was to be seen. His lungs burned, but he didn't stop. Fear drove him on and on, refusing to let him rest, until he collapsed from exhaustion just before a cliff. He lay there for a moment before slowly pulling himself up and trying to go on, but it was too late. He felt the stabbing pain in his chest, heard the nasty laughter of his pursuer, and finally lost consciousness.