Prologue:
This story starts out very cruelly and may not be something for everyone. Yes, I have strong memories of it – at least in part. But here I gave the main character the chance to lead a better life. Something that unfortunately was partly denied to me.
Of course I don't deviate from my writing style, the homoeroticism, in this story either. However, there will be no detailed act? scenes here. This time I only hint at such scenes.
One of my favorite characters is of course part of the party and as expected, he is not doing very well for the time being. However, this phase doesn't last too long, because I can't stand, read, let alone write such scenes for too long. Why? Well, unfortunately I know such scenes from my own experience... it hasn't been so much different for me...
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The characters Sephiroth, Genesis, Zack, Cloud and Angeal are and remain the property of Square Enix (Final Fantasy VII).
Of course, I have changed these four characters a lot here, in terms of their nature, all that will remain of them are their names.
And another thing: this story has nothing, absolutely nothing to do with Final Fantasy VII or other Final Fantasy games.
And please don't rip my head off when you read this, I still need my head.
And now, I hope you enjoy reading it.
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Chapter 1:
A peaceful little village just outside of London. It was the dead of winter and, consequently, bitterly cold. The snow lay several centimeters thick on the streets and fields, while darkness covered the village like a veil.
The windows of the small village radiated comfort, warmth and wonderful lights. The small accessories hanging in the windows added to the atmosphere. Everyone in this village was happy and content and busy preparing for Christmas Eve, which was to take place in two days.
Unfortunately, not everyone was doing so well and not everyone was so happy.
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“Damn it, where did that boy go again?”, a drunken woman called out questioningly to her equally drunk husband.
“How should I know where you sent him this time?!”
? Then you better go find him. He should bring me my beer, and on the double!?, the woman called back from the living room.?
Yes, yes, I'm on my way!?, the man replied irritably, went into the hallway and climbed a few steps.
The man quickly entered a small room, which looked more like a closet than a child's room, on the upper floor of the house, and slammed the door shut. He immediately grabbed the little four-year-old boy, who was sitting in a corner, completely frightened, by the hair and pulled him out of the corner. The little boy lay on the floor and looked up at his father, who then shouted at him:
“Didn't you hear, you rotten, depraved little brat?! Your mother wants her beer! Bring it to her, but hurry up! and slapped the little boy in the face with the flat of his hand, then kicked him and pulled him out of the room by his hair?down the stairs and into the kitchen?right in front of the fridge, he dropped the little boy.
But the little boy didn't cry. He hadn't had any tears for a long time. Because it was the same nasty game every day – he was no longer used to it.
Humbly, he got up from the floor, took the beer out of the fridge, brought it to his mother in the living room, and received no praise for it, but a strong slap in the face and a kick, just as always.
The same cruel abuse every day? Since he was two years old, the little boy was beaten, abused and deeply humiliated by his parents almost every day. He rarely had any peace and quiet from his parents.
Quietly and as inconspicuously as possible, the little boy left the living room again. Now he had his peace for the time being, he knew. So he took his little jacket from the coat hook in the hallway, pulled it over his battered little body and left the house. His parents wouldn't notice that he was gone now anyway.
Hungry, because he had not had anything to eat for three days, only a sip of water now and then, and freezing, because his thin little jacket could not protect him sufficiently from the biting cold, he walked through the streets of the village and looked at the beautiful colorful windows here and there, which were so wonderfully illuminated. How he longed for something he didn't really know: warmth, just a little warmth.
Bitterly weeping and sobbing, he ran on until he simply could not run anymore, because his little legs could no longer carry him. He sat down on a cold stone wall, in the wet, cold but soft snow, huddled up and tried to defy the cold. His tears, which ran silently down his little face, immediately froze into small glittering ice beads. And yet not a single sound came over his lips. Finally, darkness enveloped the small, delicate, emaciated body, as if in a cloak, and he tipped over to one side.
With his purchases finished and stowed in the car, the eighteen-year-old young man was just about to get into his car and drive back home to his parents when he noticed something dark by his car. Something or someone was leaning against the bumper. He bent down and saw that a small child was leaning against his car. He touched it gently and spoke softly:
“Hey, sweetheart, are you okay?“ Oh dear, you're as cold as ice,” he said more to himself than to the little girl.
Quickly, he opened the car, took out a warm, soft blanket, wrapped the child in it, lifted the little one up and carefully placed it on the back seat of his car. Then he gently strapped it in so that nothing could happen to him while driving.
He then got into the car, started the engine and drove as fast as he could and was allowed to, to the nearest hospital in London.
When he arrived, the little child was immediately examined in the emergency room. The pediatrician who was called knew the child already and asked the young man where he had found the little boy.
The young man, with long silver hair, told exactly and truthfully what had happened.
The doctor nodded and said:
“Young man, you have saved the life of this little boy. He would not have lasted much longer and would have frozen to death. The little boy is now four years old and has been regularly and horribly abused by his parents since he was two years old. He was therefore often brought here. The poor child? poor little Randir?, the doctor finished his explanation.
Please tell me: Why hasn't anyone done anything against these parents, if you can call them monsters, and reported them to the police?, the young man wanted to know further.
Allow me to ask you a counter-question. Who are you actually?, the doctor wanted to know.
My name is Sephiroth Crescent. But now please answer my question.,” the young man replied impatiently and rather irritably, as he didn't understand how ‘parents’ could do something like this to a small child.
We reported the parents many times, but every time the youth welfare office visited the parents, everything was fine. They could never be proven guilty. Another problem is that the youth welfare office has to announce itself before every home visit,” the doctor explained.
Then I'll report the parents one more time. And another thing: I'll take care of Randir in the future, if possible. And then he'll surely be happier, I can promise you that. Sephiroth spoke with determination and with a little rage in his voice that couldn't be overheard.
Yes, Sephiroth was angry, very angry about how someone could be so cruel to such a small child. He just couldn't understand it.
“Very well, then I'll make the necessary arrangements immediately. Thanks to you, the little one is doing quite well and if you like, you can take him with you right away. I'll just quickly get the medical certificate and a note, which I'll give to you right away. The youth welfare office would then also have to be informed, but I'm sure you know that.”
Sephiroth nodded and waited for the doctor in the treatment room.
While he waited for the doctor, he looked at little Randir and gently stroked his little head with the black hair. He gently touched the little one's hands as well, but the little one didn't seem to notice?
“You'll be fine with us, I promise you, my little one,” Sephiroth spoke gently and very softly.
The doctor entered the room again and handed Sephiroth the certificate and authorization for little Randir, and Sephiroth put the documents in his coat pocket.
“Doctor, tell me: is the little one really all right? Because he's not moving at all. I'm very worried about him,” Sephiroth asked the doctor anxiously.
“Don't worry, Randir is fine. He's just sleeping. Go home with him, keep him warm and take good care of him, and he'll be fine. However, I fear that his little soul has been damaged quite a bit. You should be very careful with him. He has been through a lot in his life so far.,” the doctor replied kindly, because he could already tell that this young man really cared about the little one and he knew that Randir would be fine from now on.
Sephiroth took the little boy in his arms and left the hospital with him.
The doctor and Sephiroth actually pressed charges against Randir's parents again.
When he reached his car, Sephiroth unlocked it, put Randir back in the back seat and fastened him gently with a belt so that little Randir would be safe.
Sephiroth then took Randir home as quickly as possible.
Of course, his parents had been very worried about Sephiroth. But how surprised they were when their son entered the house with a small child in his arms, who was also a beautiful little boy with black hair.
“Oh, isn't he cute?” Dilara enthused immediately and had already taken him into her heart. Reid was also very taken with the little boy.
But both were shocked by the terrible injuries on the little face.
Sephiroth told them both, after they had unloaded the car and entered the house, what had happened to the little one, but that he had already been to the hospital with him and had been examined there.
“I have taken responsibility for Randir, as the little one is called,” and stood, proud and full of determination, before his parents.
His parents understood Sephiroth all too well and offered him their help if there were any difficulties. Of course, the adoption that Sephiroth wanted for the little one had yet to be initiated, but that shouldn't be a problem, given the status that he and his parents enjoyed.
Carefully, Sephiroth laid little Randir on the sofa in the living room and covered him gently and very carefully with a soft blanket. Now the little one could recover and get some sleep.
Dilara and Reid also remained quiet. Now all three sat in the room and watched the little one sleeping so peacefully.
However, the calm was soon over because the doorbell rang. Dilara immediately jumped up, went to the door and opened it. Angeal, Zack and Genesis were standing in front of the door.
“Hello Dilara!” the three greeted her loudly and almost in unison.
But Dilara put her index finger to her mouth after she had greeted the three quietly and gestured to them that they should be quiet. Then she led the three friends quietly into the living room.
When the three saw Randir lying on the sofa with the devoted Sephiroth next to him, they could hardly believe it and first had to sit down in one of the other chairs in the room to take it all in.
“Seph, how long have you had a kid here?” Zack wanted to know.
The little one's name is Randir and I will take care of him from now on.', Sephiroth explained proudly and also told his friends what he had experienced and how he had found the little one.
The three looked first at Sephiroth, then at Randir, and shook their heads.
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Chapter 2:
Slowly, Randir awoke at some point and looked around, still a bit drowsy. At first, he saw the face of a young man with long silver hair and thought he was dreaming. But then he saw other people in the room and looked around in fright.
Panic rose up inside of him, his little heart hammering fearfully and just as frantically against his small chest, as if every beat could be his last, while his body trembled like aspen leaves with fear. Then he suddenly jumped up from the sofa and ran somewhere, scared, but he didn't know where. He didn't even know where he was. Finally, he found a small corner in which he cowered, completely distraught, and didn't leave for the time being.
Sephiroth had also jumped up and followed the little one slowly and cautiously, then he found Randir sitting in the corner, completely frightened and huddled up.
Sephiroth squatted down in front of Randir at a great distance and spoke soothingly to him:
“Don't be afraid, little one. You're safe here, no one will hurt you. I'll protect you, I promise. And I'll wait here for you until you come out of your corner. I promise you. Yes, I know that there was no one else there for you, but I will always be there for you. Do you hear me? I will always be there for you, no matter when or where. By the way, my name is Sephiroth. But you can call me Sephi, little Randir. Sephiroth fell silent and just looked into Randir's eyes. But did he not want to stare him dead now, so that he looked away from him now and then and looked somewhere else? But always kept Randir in his field of vision.
After Randir had looked around fearfully and also looked his counterpart in the eye, he slowly came out of “his” corner after about an hour. But for the time being he kept his distance.
It took a while before Randir slowly approached Sephiroth, but he kept stopping after almost every step and kept looking back to “his” corner. When he finally reached Sephiroth, who hadn't moved from the spot and had thus kept his promise,
Very slowly, Randir raised his hand and held it out to Sephiroth. Sephiroth also slowly raised his hand and gently touched the little one's hand before taking it into his own and smiling at him.
“Will you come with me, my little one?” Sephiroth asked Randir.
The little one nodded and let Sephiroth take him back to the living room after Sephiroth had stood up and taken the little one in his arms.
Once there, Sephiroth asked him calmly, 'Would you like to sit with me?
' Again, the little one just nodded his head in agreement and looked hopefully at him, wide-eyed.
Then Sephiroth sat Randir down on the sofa next to him. Randir, however, slowly and carefully crawled onto Sephiroth's lap, where he remained sitting quietly and calmly. Sephiroth smiled at Randir and then gently hugged him.
Randir now looked at Sephiroth with a questioning look. He didn't understand what was going on here, why the human was being so affectionate towards him. He didn't know anything like that. He had only ever been beaten and insulted.
“Are you hungry, Randy?” Sephiroth wanted to know, looking lovingly into Randir's eyes.
He then timidly replied,
Yes?“ He was silent, but then spoke again, for fear of saying something wrong and of the expected beating, which did not come, though.
“Randy?” No one had ever called him that before.
“Hey, kid, you can talk?” Sephiroth tried to joke with Randir and gently stroked his little head.
Of course Randir flinched briefly, because he had never experienced affectionate caresses either; he had only ever been beaten and kicked.
“Mum, could you please cook a grieß pudding for Randy? I think he'll like that,” Sephiroth asked his mother, pressing Randir gently and protectively to him.
You like Grie?brei, don't you? Would you like something else to eat, then please say so, little one,” Sephiroth added in a gentle voice.
But Randir just nodded and now looked at Sephiroth, fascinated.
Dilara nodded and went to the kitchen to prepare something for the little boy.
Meanwhile, the three friends and Reid sat silently in the living room. But each of them had their own thoughts. There was only one thing they all agreed on, without knowing it. The little boy should definitely stay here. He didn't deserve to have monsters as parents.
Sephiroth spoke calmly to Randir:
“You see those people sitting here? That's my Dad Reid over there, and he's the best Dad in the world. Genesis is sitting here next to us, Zack is next to him, and Angeal is over there at the table. We are all best friends,? and pointed to each person, who then nodded at the little one with a friendly smile, as Reid did, or, as in the case of Zack, made faces or grinned, like Genesis. The only one who remained a bit more serious was Angeal, but he too gave the little one a brief friendly smile.
Finally, Dilara had the meal ready and beautifully garnished, then she brought it to the living room to her son and perhaps future grandson? little Randir.
The little boy's eyes widened visibly when he saw the plate in front of him. Everything on it was so beautifully colorful, he had never seen anything like it either, so he didn't dare touch the plate for fear of breaking something. And he knew what would happen if he broke something. Still, he looked at everything curiously.
Only when Sephiroth spoke to him:
“Randy, you can eat that. Look, there are strawberries and Smarties on it. Taste it, it tastes great.” and took the spoon in his hand to feed Randir if necessary.
But Randir just held out his small hand and touched everything suspiciously, yet curiously, with his fingers. It felt so good. Finally, he opened his mouth and let Sephiroth feed him.
As if Randir would savor every bite, he chewed slowly on almost everything and then swallowed it down. Only very gradually did Randir gain confidence in Sephiroth. After about half an hour, the plate was empty and Sephiroth caressed Randir very lovingly.
“And did you like it, little one?” Dilara asked softly, looking at the little one with gentle eyes.
Randir looked at Dilara, slightly startled when she spoke to him, came to him and also caressed him gently. Randir clung to Sephiroth with one hand, but still looked at Dilara and answered barely audibly,
“Yes?”
After that, he turned his little head back to Sephiroth, clung to him and didn't look at anyone else?
It was quite late when Genesis, Angeal and Zack said goodbye and left the house. They didn't want to disturb the family any further and would come back another time.
Sephiroth accompanied his friends to the door, with Randir in his arms, and said a friendly goodbye to them.
Then he asked his mother to show him how to bathe, dress and put to bed such a small child. Of course Dilara was happy to show him everything her son wanted.
Sephiroth went into the bathroom with Randir and the boy immediately began to cry and tremble, for he had had a very bad experience in the bathroom, too.
“Shhh... take it easy, my little one. I'll bathe you, dress you and take you to your room to bed, okay. Do you trust me, Randy?”
Randir nodded shyly and looked at Sephiroth, who smiled lovingly at him.
Meanwhile, Dilara had let pleasantly warm water into the bathtub and added fragrant relaxation and healing oil.
Sephiroth dipped his hand into the water and then carefully wetted Randir's face with it.
“You see, nothing happened. It's pleasant, isn't it?” Sephiroth spoke soothingly to Randir.
Again, Randir looked at Sephiroth with wide eyes. He wasn't used to anyone speaking to him so lovingly either, and nothing really did happen to him.
Gradually, and with a lot of coaxing, Sephiroth undressed Randir and saw the many bruises on the little body. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he swallowed and pulled himself together. What must poor little Randir have been through. It must have been hell for the little one, right?
Gently, Sephiroth took the little boy in his arms and carefully placed him in the bathtub. He then very carefully wet Randir's skin with pleasantly warm and fragrant water. And slowly, Randir's trust in Sephiroth grew a little more.
Meanwhile Dilara fetched a small pair of pajamas, which she still had from her son, and a soft bath towel. She brought both to the bathroom and put them on the dresser.
She stayed with her son and watched him carefully, while also giving him a few useful tips.
Sephiroth followed her instructions exactly.
He carefully took the little boy out of the tub, wrapped him gently in the bath towel and dried him softly.
Then he dabbed the hematomas with a light healing cream, dressed Randir and then brought him to one of the many rooms that was now to become his.
Sephiroth gently put Randir into the big, soft bed and covered him. Then he wished him good night and was about to leave the room when he heard quiet words:
“Please can you stay here, yes please?” Randir asked, stuttering, and looked hopefully at Sephiroth, still a little afraid.
“Of course, I'll stay with you if you want me to,” Sephiroth promised and added, ‘Please wait for me a moment, yes, I'll just quickly go and wash and change.’ Then he winked at the little boy and left the room for a short time.
Randir remained exactly where Sephiroth had put him. He didn't dare to move even a millimeter.
A little later, Sephiroth entered the room again and lay down in bed with Randir. He gently took him in his arms, caressed him and told him a bedtime story. Randir soon fell asleep in Sephiroth's arms, but Sephiroth also fell asleep peacefully very soon.
Dilara and Reid had also gone to bed and also fell asleep very soon, after they had talked a little about little Randir and made plans.
Sephiroth woke up the next morning because he felt a gentle touch. He slowly opened his eyes and saw little Randir sitting in front of him, gently stroking Sephiroth's face.
Quietly, Sephiroth said,
“Good morning, my little one. Well, did you sleep well?”
Randir only flinched slightly when Sephiroth opened his eyes and spoke to him. But there were no bad 'words' in it, Randir wondered quietly.
'It's all right, little one, you can trust me,' Sephiroth immediately reassured Randir, for he had seen how Randir had flinched.
Randir slowly crawled back to Sephiroth and gave him a small smile, although he was still afraid. Sephiroth just smiled back and caressed Randir, who then snuggled up to Sephiroth and just enjoyed this moment.
And it was really just a moment, because there was already a knock on the door and Dilara, Reid, Angeal, Zack and Genesis came in.
They all had a few small packages, bags and other things with them.
They put all of this on the bed and everywhere else they could find space. Well, the room was big enough.
Dilara had decided early that morning to go shopping with her husband Reid and get everything they could for little Randir. Dilara and Reid had already taken the little boy into their hearts, because for them he was already their grandson. They had really grown fond of him.
On the way, they met their son's friends and immediately involved them.
Dilara then spoke only briefly and smiling:
“Little Randy, this is all for you. Have fun, my little one.” With these words, Dilara giggled again, then the five people left the room again, leaving Sephiroth and Randir alone again.
Of course they had meant well, but the little boy couldn't handle it, because he didn't know anything like that either.
Randir really couldn't believe what he was seeing. All of this was supposed to belong to him? Of all people? That couldn't be right, could it?
Weeping because he really wasn't used to something like this, he lay down on the bed face-down and couldn't calm himself. Randir was simply overwhelmed. Other children would have been happy to have him, but him? Well?
Sephiroth quickly put everything away in a closet. He only took a small fluffy light brown teddy bear and went back to the bed, to Randir.
Sephiroth gently stroked Randir's back and took him very carefully, so that nothing happened, in his arms.
He hugged the little boy lightly and stroked his little head.
“It's okay, my little one, it was probably all a bit much for you, um? I understand,” Sephiroth spoke soothingly to Randir.
Then he showed him the little teddy bear and said:
“Look, Randy, this here is a teddy bear. I give it to you and you can play with it, tell it all your secrets and it will always be with you, as long as you want. Whenever you feel lonely, talk to it and it will always listen to you. He will never betray a secret. Just like I will always be there for you and you can also trust me with everything. I will never betray a secret either. Would you like to give the little one here a name? Hm? and he looked at Randir with a gentle smile.
Randir took the teddy bear and gently hugged it. Then he looked at it, nodded slightly, thought for a moment and then spoke very quietly:
“Moonchild... the teddy bear shall be called Moonchild. Is that good or is it wrong?” Randir was worried and looked at Sephiroth questioningly and a little anxiously at the same time.
Sephiroth listened quietly, nodded, and replied:
“That's a very nice name, Randy. And you certainly didn't do anything wrong, little one. Trust me, Randy.”
Meanwhile, Randir looked first at Sephiroth, then at the little teddy bear, wide-eyed.
Finally, Randir took his teddy bear Mondenkind in his arms, snuggled up to Sephiroth and closed his eyes. Now he felt safe and secure. He was beginning to feel truly loved here.
Sephiroth continued to gently caress him.
“Yes, that's right, my little one, relax and don't be afraid. I'm here and I'll take care of you,” Sephiroth whispered to the little one.
At some point, the two of them got up and went into the bathroom. First, Sephiroth gave the little one a shower and then dressed him. Randir grabbed Mondenkind. Then Sephiroth brought Randir down to the kitchen to the others and sat him on the chair by the window. Gently Sephiroth stroked the little one's head and spoke calmly:
“Randy, I'm going to take a shower and get dressed, okay, and I'll leave you with these people. You don't need to be afraid of anyone here. Because you know these people now, too, don't you. These people here are all very nice, believe me. I'll be back for you in a moment, my little one, and then he left the kitchen, while Randir looked after him, frightened and scared.
Zack was the first to dare approach the little one.
Hey, little one, do you remember me? I'm Zack. Are you as hungry as I am? Come on, let's eat, okay? Zack tried to cheer the little one up, but he already had tears in his eyes.
Sephi will be right back, Randy. Don't be afraid, Zack added, wanting to caress the little one.
But Randir started to cry loudly.
“Let him be?” Genesis said bored, but Angeal also thought that Zack should leave the little one alone.
Only Dilara didn't let it take away, took the little one in her arms and tried to calm him down.
Shhh? Take it easy, my little one. You're not alone, and no one will hurt you. Your Sephi will be right back, okay. Well, tell me, what a cute teddy bear you have there. Does he have a name? Hmm? Dilara spoke lovingly to the little one, whom she was very fond of, and tried to distract him a little.
Randir stopped crying and looked at Dilara in amazement. Then he nodded and told her quietly and with a choked voice:
“The teddy bear's name is Moonchild.”
“But that's a very beautiful name, Randy. Did you think up the name yourself?”
“Yes,” replied Randir, while Dilara gently hugged him and stroked his hair.
Slowly, Randir's tears dried up and he now observed everything and everyone.
Meanwhile Reid was preparing dinner while the three friends sat down on the soft chairs in the kitchen – except for Zack, of course, who couldn't resist trying to get in touch with Randir again. Randir looked at Zack calmly but a little anxiously, while he held on to Dilara and leaned his head on her shoulder.
The food was finally on the table and Sephiroth was finally ready, too. He entered the kitchen and saw that Randir was with Dilara. He wanted to leave it at that. Nevertheless, he made himself noticeable. He went to his mother, stroked the little boy's back and said, smiling,
“Well, Randy, everything okay?”
Immediately, Randir lifted his head and his eyes lit up when he saw “his Sephi”.
He promptly let go of Dilara and stretched out his little arms towards Sephiroth.
Sephiroth took him in his arms and gently hugged him.
“Did you miss me so much, my little one?” Sephiroth asked Randir and sat down at the table with him.
The meal went without major incident, except that Randir didn't know bread rolls either, but after a lot of coaxing from Dilara and Sephiroth, he ate them.
Randir remained a little suspicious, even though he experienced so much good in this family. Of course, everything had to be explained to him before the little one would agree to anything.
After dinner, Sephiroth asked his friends:
“How about it, do you guys feel like going outside a bit? We can take Randy with us if he wants to come.” Turning to his mother, Sephiroth asked, ‘Say, Mom, do we still have the sled?
“Yes, we still have it, it should be up in the attic, Seph,’ Dilara replied.
Okay, then we'll get the sled down,“ Sephiroth decided, looked at Randir and asked him:
“Well, little one, do you want to come with us? But you can also stay with Dilara if you want.”
Randir looked first at Sephiroth, then at Dilara and decided:
“Can I stay with Lara?” Randir replied questioningly.
Of course, my little one. I'll be home soon, too, okay?“ Sephiroth replied, gently hugging his little darling once more and already having an idea of what he wanted to do?
“Mom, is it okay with you if the little one stays with you?” Sephiroth asked, looking at his mother beseechingly.
“Of course, the little one can stay here. We'll keep ourselves busy, won't we, my darling?” Dilara spoke to Randir, and immediately took him gently from Sephiroth's arms and went with him into the living room.
Sephiroth put on his long coat and left the house with his friends. Together they got into Sephiroth's car, and he drove off. He knew where he was going.
Soon he had reached the village where Randir came from and turned into the street where Randir's parents lived. He had gotten the exact address from other sources.
“Umm? Sephiroth? Can you please tell us what you're up to!” Genesis demanded, questioningly.
Sephiroth stopped right in front of the house where Randir's parents lived and spoke resolutely:
“The parents of Randir, those monsters, live here, and I'm going to explain to them how to treat a small child.”
“Sephiroth, please don't make a mistake, okay?” Angeal worriedly.
Don't worry, I won't get my hands dirty with those beasts. You can wait here if you want, or you can come with me,” Sephiroth explained and got out.
The friends had decided to accompany him because they also felt very sorry for the little guy. And the little guy was really lucky that Sephiroth had found him. They still had to get used to the fact that from now on their friend only came in a double pack, but the little guy was really cute and they would all quickly get used to the new situation.
*-*-*
Chapter 3:
Sephiroth stood right in front of the door and rang the bell. His friends were all standing behind him.
A little later, they heard a shuffling sound, then a man who looked rather worn opened the door.
“What is it?” the man asked gruffly.
“Hello, Mr. I'd like to have a little talk with you about your son. May we come in?“ Sephiroth replied as politely as he could, considering the monster standing before him.
“Yes, okay, come in. Where is the boy, anyway?” the man asked casually.
The four friends entered the house and followed the man into the living room, which looked more like a garbage dump, just like the whole house.
In an armchair, near the television, sat a drunk woman who at first didn't even realize that anyone was there and therefore didn't greet them.
The man offered the strange men a seat, but they firmly refused.
“Listen, we're not here to have a coffee klatch with you. And to get back to your question: the 'rascal' is called Randir and he won't be coming back to you anymore! You will never trample on him again! Is that clear?”
The man and the woman seemed to be stone-cold sober immediately, because the woman also got up from her chair and looked questioningly at the “figures” in front of her.
“What does that mean?!” the woman asked indignantly.
What that means, I'll tell you. It means that Randir will live with me from now on and I'll adopt him. The little one doesn't deserve monsters like you! Sephiroth got worked up and Genesis added his two cents as well:
The little one is so afraid of everything, it's not normal anymore, what have they done to the little one? Man, if you have parents like that, you really don't need enemies anymore.
Zack and Angeal kept out of it and thought their part.
They'll regret this, we won't let them take our son away just like that. You can count on that,“ the man said loudly and aggressively.
“Is that so? We'll see about that. If necessary, we'll go to court and then a judge will decide where the little one stays.” “Mr.,” is a promise. And what do you think the judge will do when he finds out what you've done to the little one? By the way, a report has been filed against you anyway.”
“You can't be serious! Besides, you can't prove a thing!“ the woman now shouted.
“Yes, miss, I am dead serious and I can very well prove it. You'll both be hearing from the police very soon. Good day, ‘gentlemen,’” Sephiroth now spoke calmly again and then left this 'dump' with his friends.
In the fresh air, everyone took a deep breath. The smell in there had been truly nauseating and unbearable, and the friends felt even sorrier for the little boy.
Genesis then suggested:
“Friends, what do you think about buying a few more presents for the little one? I mean, tomorrow is Christmas Eve anyway, so it's kind of fitting.”
That's a good idea, Genesis. We'll do it like that., Sephiroth, Zack and Angeal agreed.
Immediately the four got back into the car and drove away. Back in London, Sephiroth drove to the best department store he knew, stopped and all four got out of the car.
Then it was time for a big shopping spree for 'Randir'?
Meanwhile, Dilara took a little time to spend with the little one and she had already called the youth welfare office and described the case to them.
The case worker agreed to the adoption request and asked the family, along with little Randir and Sephiroth, to come to the office after Christmas. The adoption would then be carried out immediately. The case worker knew Dilara's family very well, but also little Randir's family, and therefore had no objections. They had often taken in foster children and always given them a lot of love.
Meanwhile, Randir was sitting in his room playing with his toys. But Dilara also sat with him after the phone call and played with the little boy so that he would not be so alone.
Slowly, Randir began to trust Dilara a little, and his fear diminished as well. This happened slowly but surely.
He began to move and behave normally, without fear. He could even laugh a little. And he had a sweet laugh, as Dilara thought. When Randir laughed, his eyes laughed with him. Yes, they really sparkled.
It was still early in the evening when Sephiroth came home and asked his father to keep the present for the little one safe. Reid agreed and had to grin.
“Um, Dad, is it okay if my friends are here tomorrow too, because they also want to give Randy a little something?” Sephiroth asked his father.
“Of course, that's no problem. But you know you shouldn't buy Randir with gifts, don't you?” Reid agreed, with a slight admonishment.
“Thanks, Dad. And, yes, I know that,” Sephiroth replied.
Then he left the living room and went up to Randir's room. He leaned casually against the doorframe and watched Dilara and Randir playing and laughing for a while. Then he cleared his throat and said with a smile,
“Well, where is my little angel?”
Randir immediately turned around, dropped all of his toys and ran towards Sephiroth.
“SEPHI!!!!” Randir was happy and with one leap, he almost jumped into Sephiroth's arms.
Sephiroth caught the little one, lifted him up and twirled him around. Randir began to laugh and to beam.
“Yes, hello, my little one, you can laugh so sweetly. I love you so much, Randy,” Sephiroth spoke gently.
Dilara watched them both, impressed, and was glad that Randir was finally doing well.
After the big welcome, Sephiroth sat down with his little treasure in the armchair by the window. Dilara sat down on the bed and then spoke:
“Sephiroth, I called the youth welfare office today. They're arranging the adoption and we're supposed to come to the office after Christmas to sign the papers.”
“Really! Hey, Mom, you're the best. Thanks.,” Sephiroth said happily and embraced his mother joyfully.
Then he looked at his little darling and said,
“Did you hear that, Randy!? You never have to go anywhere again and can stay with us forever. But tell me, is that what you want?“ Sephiroth wanted to know, teasing a little, from Randir.
But Randir just nodded his head violently and then said,
“Do you want to stay here with my Sephi?” and just beamed at Sephiroth.
“I thought so,“ Sephiroth said happily, gently hugging Randir.
“All right, my little one, now it's time for a bath and then you'll go to bed. Tomorrow is Christmas and you want to be well rested, right?” Sephiroth said to Randir, who just looked at him questioningly.
Don't tell me you don't know Christmas either? Oh dear, what have they done to you? Come on, I'll explain it to you. And Sephiroth explained to Randir, in a few words, what Christmas is. Randir understood that, and went voluntarily with him to the bathroom and let himself be made ready for bed by “his Sephi”.
Since Dilara and Reid had already eaten with the little one, the little one could go to bed right away.
Randir was put to bed by Sephiroth, Dilara and Reid. All caressed him lovingly, only Sephiroth then read him a little bedtime story. Finally, he asked his little darling:
'Are you sleeping alone tonight, my darling?' and put his little teddy bear 'Moonchild' into his bed as well.
Randir nodded, smiling, and replied,
'Yes, I'll try. Love you, Sephi.' At these words, tears welled up in Sephiroth's eyes and he had to swallow hard to keep from crying.
He gently hugged the little boy once more.
“I love you too, little one,” Sephiroth replied quietly.
Then he stood up, went to the door and said,
“Little one, if anything should happen, if you have a bad dream or feel lonely, then come to me, okay? I'll be right in the next room. Good night, my darling. Sleep well.' With these words, Sephiroth extinguished the light, but left the door open a crack, and then went downstairs to his parents in the living room, where they were still watching a movie on TV together and talking.
Randir, meanwhile, lay in his bed, looked up at the ceiling for quite a while and smiled. For the first time in his life, he was happy. He felt very welcome and loved here. He hugged Mondenkind close, snuggled into the pillow and the blanket, and then fell blissfully asleep.
Very late that evening, Reid, Dilara and Sephiroth also went to their sleeping chambers. But before they did so, they checked on the little one to make sure he was all right.
Quietly, they opened the door and entered the room.
“Look how he's sleeping, all sweet and good. Isn't he adorable??, Dilara enthused, who would have liked to take Randir in her arms and hug him immediately.
But of course she held back. Reid whispered to his son:
?You did well to bring the little one here. And I agree with your mother?the little one is really adorable.?
Sephiroth just nodded and looked at his little treasure for a long time, then he caressed him again and went to bed as well.
The next day, Randir got up very early, ran to the bathroom, showered as best he could, didn't forget to brush his teeth, got dressed and ran down the stairs when Reid came towards him:
“Hey, hey, hey? Not so rough, little man,“ Reid laughed and stroked the little one's head. Then he spoke lovingly.
“My little one, today you can't go into the living room yet, okay? Not until we call you,” Reid explained to Randir, who then looked at him with wide eyes and nodded.
Finally, he walked on and went into the kitchen, where he sat obediently at the window and looked out. Reid had just smiled as he watched the little one and was pleased that the little one had already settled in to some extent.
Sephiroth was still asleep, for he had been very tired and enjoyed this time out.
Meanwhile, Dilara had already gotten up, had a shower and got dressed. Then she also went to the kitchen, where she met Randir, who was sitting obediently at the window.
“Good morning, my darling,” Dilara greeted Randir joyfully, took him lovingly in her arms and pressed him gently to her. Randir was also happy to see Dilara and wrapped his little arms around her.
“Yes, my little one. I love you. Do you know what, you and I are going to have breakfast now, okay. Would you like to help me?“ Dilara asked Randir, gently stroking Randir.
Randir looked at Dilara and nodded, beaming with joy.
“Well then, come on, my darling. Here are the plates, you put them on the table,” Dilara explained to Randir.
He beamed and did as Dilara said. Dilara handed him the plates and he placed them on the table, one at each place. This went on until the table was completely set. Then, however, the doorbell rang.
Sephiroth woke up when the doorbell rang. He got up, looked out of the window and thought his part. He quickly put on some clothes, then ran down the stairs, but he was too late, because his mother had already opened the door and his father was standing next to Dilara.
Sephiroth stood behind his parents and asked them to take care of Randir, he would sort this out alone.
Dilara and Reid nodded and left Sephiroth alone with the two people.
“Should you need help?”, Reid still spoke to Sephiroth, in his departure, but was then interrupted by his son:
I know, I'll let you know. But father, please don't worry. I know what I'm doing., then Dilara and Reid disappeared through the door and went to the kitchen to Randir.
“Well, to them. As I already told them, Randir stays with us and I'll adopt him, do you understand me!? I won't give them the little one!, Sephiroth declared consistently, sensing what the two wanted.
“Then you'll force us to call the police!, Randir's father now threatened.
“Please, shall I bring you the phone?! I'm curious to see what the police will say about the hematomas that result from their abuse, which Randir has all over his body!“ Sephiroth also threatened, and there was anger in his voice, but he pulled himself together.
“All right, all right. Let's talk to each other sensibly,” Randir's mother replied soothingly.
Yes, sure, I should give them Randir. Never! I love the little one and my parents have taken him into their hearts as well, and he is welcome here. Be honest for once, you don't love your son at all. You just need your doormat back anyway. No, but not with me. Why don't you just drink another crate of beer?!!!!, Sephiroth mocked them, looking at them scornfully.
The man and the woman didn't stand a chance against Sephiroth and had to leave without having gotten anything. Sephiroth let the door fall shut and went to the kitchen to his parents and Randir.
First, Sephiroth greeted Randir.
“Hello, my little one. Good morning. Did you sleep well and dream of something nice?” Sephiroth asked Randir, then looked at him more closely and asked him further:
“Well, look at you, you're already dressed. Did Dilara get you ready?”
Randir shook his head and replied, “I washed and dressed myself and I even brushed my teeth.” and bowed his head.
“Hey, little one, that's no reason to hang your head. You did very well, my darling. I'm very proud of you,” Sephiroth cheered the little one up and lovingly took him in his arms.
Dilara now intervened and said,
“Our little one has even set the table for breakfast already.” With these words, Dilara winked at Randir and smiled.
Randir also gave Dilara a loving smile. Sephiroth didn't let go of the little one at all and, after he had looked at the table, praised him:
“You've done a really nice job, Randy. I love you...”
Randir looked at Sephiroth and slightly blushed. He wasn't used to praise and had to get used to it first. But it felt so good for him, so very different from his parents, although he was happy and everyone here loved him. Tears welled up in his eyes and he began to cry. Sephiroth saw that Randir had begun to weep and Dilara and Reid also saw their little darling crying.
“You've been through a lot, little one. Um, it's all good. You don't know this, do you? But we love you, Randy, and that will never change. You'll never have to go back to those monsters either. I won't, we'll all protect you and stand up for you. No one will ever hurt you like that again., Sephiroth tried to comfort Randir.
Dilara and Reid also comforted Randir very lovingly.
This went on for quite a while, then Randir had calmed down a little, his tears had dried up and everyone was having breakfast together.
After breakfast, Sephiroth grabbed his little treasure, put a warm jacket on him, took him by the hand and went for a walk with him.
Meanwhile, Dilara prepared lunch and Reid decorated the Christmas tree. Reid also put all the presents under the Christmas tree, except for Sephiroth's, which Sephiroth wanted to give to Randir himself.
Randir had great fun, because Sephiroth had taken him to a large park with lots of snow.
First, they went sledding down a somewhat larger hill, then they built a snowman together, and after that, they had a really big snowball fight. Randir had never had more fun or enjoyed himself more.
The two were watched by Randir's parents, who of course didn't dare to approach the two. They had followed Randir and Sephiroth the whole way. They had waited until someone would leave the house, but they couldn't know that it was Sephiroth and Randir, of all people.
They would have liked to take Randir with them right away, but they didn't want to mess with a guy like Sephiroth. They knew very well that Sephiroth would protect the little one with all his might, at least that's how it seemed to the two, the way the young man had stood up for their son.
Well, they would get the little one back, they were sure of that.
Sometime later, Sephiroth and Randir made their way back home. After both had entered the house, they went to the bathroom to wash their hands. After that, dinner was on the table and everyone enjoyed the meal together. Little Randir was surprised over and over again.
After that, Dilara took Randir to his room for a short time.
“Randy, you stay here nicely until we call you, okay?” With these words, Dilara stroked Randir's head and left the door ajar so that the little one would not feel locked in.
The doorbell rang and Dilara went to open the door to let the three guests in.
Everyone gathered in the living room, then Dilara fetched the little one from his room and brought him slowly into the living room.
Once there, Randir could hardly close his mouth. His eyes widened visibly and began to shine brighter than the sun itself.
Never before in his life had Randir seen such a Christmas tree, or any Christmas tree at all. He stood rooted to the spot in front of the tree and was almost beside himself with joy. Speechless, he looked at the tree a little closer and touched it gently. Then he turned around and saw Sephiroth, Dilara, Reid and Sephiroth's friends standing in the room.
Reid and Dilara were the first to approach Randir and wish him a Merry Christmas. Then he was allowed to take three packages that were under the tree. Of course, he opened these gifts right away and was very happy about everything.
But he also opened the presents from Sephiroth, Genesis, Zack and Angeal immediately and continued to be overjoyed. He didn't know what to say to all of it, except,
“Thank you,” and now seemed to be very overwhelmed again.
Amidst all the presents and all the nice people, Randir suddenly stood there and didn't say a word. Finally, he looked around questioningly, while the first small tears ran down his face, and then he ran away, crying.
He quickly left the house and ran as far as his little legs would carry him. That is, he would have run if it hadn't been for Genesis, who ran after the little boy and soon caught up with him. But Sephiroth was quick too, and soon caught up with him as well?
Genesis gently held Randir:
Hey, little one, what's wrong?
But Randir just looked at him, with tears streaming down his face.
Sephiroth knelt down in front of Randir, took him gently in his arms and comforted him. Meanwhile, he gestured to Genesis that he should go back into the house. Genesis did so.
After that, Sephiroth spoke to Randir, very calmly:
“Please listen to me, my little one. I know you don't know any of this, and I'm very sorry that we've once again overwhelmed you a little, but please don't run away when something becomes too much for you. I'm just afraid that something might happen to you. Do you understand? I love you very much and all I want is for you to be happy and for you to be fine. It was probably a bit much for you again, um... I understand that well. Will you come back inside anyway, or... do you want to stay out here a little longer?, Sephiroth consoled his little angel.
Randir looked at Sephiroth and answered quietly:
“Inside. It's so cold out here.” ‘Sorry, I ran away. I didn't mean to.’ With these words, Randir snuggled up to Sephiroth, hoping he would forgive him.
Hey, it's all right, my little one. You don't have to apologize for anything. Come on, let's go inside. It really is very cold out here. And another thing: If something gets to be too much for you, then talk to me, okay? And with all the gifts, you can do whatever you want, but please do everything very slowly and only as far as you're comfortable with, okay?”
Randir nodded while looking at Sephiroth. After that, Sephiroth took the little boy in his arms and went back into the house with him. Once in the living room, he sat the little one on the sofa and the others left him alone for the time being, chatting a little among themselves and drinking their tea, though keeping an eye on Randir and watching him a little. After all, it had been clear to them all that Randir would have to get used to everything first, right?
At first, Randir remained sitting quietly on the sofa, but then he looked around carefully once more and then slowly left the sofa. Once more, he went to the Christmas tree, stood in front of it and looked at it thoroughly from all sides.
Very slowly, he went to the table with the presents and looked at one present after the other very carefully. He did everything with a lot of feeling and very carefully.
Among the many gifts were two small game consoles, along with the corresponding games. He sat down on the floor with the consoles and looked at them for a while. Finally, he turned one of the consoles on, looked carefully at the screen, and slowly realized what he had to do. He was busy with this for quite a while. He was now only visible, not audible? He still held Mondenkind in his arms?
Naturally, he was observed a little by those present. They were glad and very happy that Randir had calmed down and now seemed to be enjoying himself after all.
However, nothing bothered him anymore – these consoles had sparked his full interest.
Zack, who was also interested in video games, stood up, went to Randir, sat down next to him and watched him with interest.
“Hey kid, you're doing great. Have you been playing for long and have you ever played a game like this before?” Zack addressed the little guy.
Randir didn't look at Zack, but he quietly replied,
“No, I've never played anything like this before. Is this the first time?”
Zack's eyes grew wide and he looked at the little guy next to him in amazement.
“Wow, for being new at this, you're really good, Randy,” Zack praised the little guy and grinned.
Randir looked at Zack and gave him a quiet smile.
After a while, both were having a great time and getting along well.
*-*-*

Memories

An ambulance drove along the streets to the hospital with its blue light flashing and siren wailing. The ambulance reached the hospital within minutes.
Of course, the ambulance was already expected by a few doctors and nurses. The paramedics opened the back door of the ambulance and pulled a young woman, who was lying on a gurney, out of the ambulance.
After that, a man with a worried face also got out. The woman was in terrible pain, groaning repeatedly with each new contraction.
The woman was taken by the hospital staff and immediately wheeled into the operating room, while the husband was asked for his personal details.
“Um, yes, my wife's name is, um, can't we do that later? I have to see my wife, please?” the man pleaded, looking agitated and somewhat desperate, his head glistening with sweat.
“Please, there is nothing you can do for your wife right now and we need to have your personal information. Please be reasonable,” the receptionist spoke calmly to this man.
The man nodded and then said, ‘My wife's name is Fabienne Lymand and my name is Randir Lymand,’ he then gave more or less willingly.
After that, the nurse asked him to take a seat in the waiting room. Bathed in sweat and very nervous, he waited and waited and waited?
Seconds became minutes, minutes became hours, and these almost became an eternity.
Meanwhile, in the operating room, doctors and nurses were trying to save the lives of Fabienne and the unborn child.
Unfortunately, only Fabienne's life could be saved. The child was stillborn.
The child died during the cesarean section to deliver it.
Since Fabienne had been put under general anesthesia, she was naturally unaware of what had happened. She only found out about the death of her child later and collapsed from it. The death of her child, whom she had been looking forward to so much and had waited for so long, had been very difficult for her. She had a hard time coping with the funeral of her child and had to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital for a while.
*-*-*
All this happened about a year ago. Everyday life had been largely restored, but Fabienne, understandably, never quite got over the death of her child – her little son Toby, whom she had nevertheless given a name to.
To make matters worse, Fabienne was unable to have any more children, which intensified her grief even more. She constantly visited Toby's little grave and spoke to him. Day after day she was here with him and Randir, who had thrown himself into his work, only went with her at the weekend.
All of this had hit him very hard, too, but he tried everything to suppress the death of his son, which of course was very difficult for him.
Once again, Fabienne was in the cemetery, talking to Toby. The day was beautiful, the sun was shining down from the sky and it was as if Toby himself had painted the sun in the sky. Nevertheless, it was bitterly cold because it was winter and there was snow on the ground.
As Fabienne spoke, as always, about Toby's grave, she suddenly heard a soft whimper. Was she just imagining things? Was she already having hallucinations? But as she continued speaking, she heard the whimper again. Now it was getting too eerie for her and she went to find out where the whimper was coming from.
She knew that the whimpering could not have come from the grave.
Just a few meters from her son's grave, she found a small carrier bag. She bent down and looked inside. What she saw shocked her deeply. Inside was a small baby, who was surely only a few days old, crying and whimpering heart-wrenchingly. It was almost frozen blue.
What kind of monster, what kind of woman, or whatever, could have the heart to abandon such a small baby here in the cemetery in this freezing cold???, Fabienne wondered and shook her head.
Fabienne took the baby in her arms. She opened her coat, held the child against her body and carefully closed the coat again. The child immediately snuggled up against Fabienne and was instantly quiet. She also took the carrier bag with her and went to her car by the quickest route.
She sat down on the back seat and looked at the little bundle of warmth. It's so cute, she thought. She was very taken with the baby from the first moment. While she was warming the baby, she looked again into the carrycot and found a note inside.
*-*-*
Hello, the one who found the baby, please take good care of him.
It's a little boy and I named him Sephiroth.
He's only three days old, but I can't keep him, I'm sorry.
My parents beat me. They beat me because I gave birth. They didn't understand.
I beg you, take care of Sephiroth and please give him a good and loving home.
Thank you and I wish you all the best and good luck with the little one.
Best regards,
the unknown mother.
*-*-*
Fabienne didn't let go of the little one and put the note in her coat pocket. With the little one under her coat, she sat down at the wheel and drove home as quickly as possible?
*-*-*
From a safe distance, the unknown mother had seen everything. And she was happy for her little boy, because she knew that he would have a good home and a happy childhood with this woman, who came to this cemetery and visited this child's grave every day?
*-*-*
Soon Fabienne arrived home, parked the car and ran into the house after removing the carrier bag from the car.
Once inside, she ran into the living room and found, to her surprise, her husband Randir there.
“Randy, my darling,” she greeted him and beamed, ‘Look what I found.’ She began, unbuttoning her coat and showing her husband the baby she was holding under her coat, beaming with joy.
She told him the story of how she had found the little one, then, completely euphoric, she asked Randir:
“Dearest, could you please go buy baby food and everything else we need?”
She wrote him a list of everything she needed for Sephiroth.
“Stop! Stop! No, that's not how it's done. Dear, you can't just keep the little one like that. We have to notify the youth welfare office and the child has to be examined by a doctor,” Randir explained to his wife, in his very matter-of-fact manner.
Startled, Fabienne looked at her husband and with tears in her eyes she shook her head.
“NO, I won't give Sephiroth away. You can forget that. I'll keep this little bundle of joy and give him a wonderful home. And if you won't go buy the needed things, I will,” she replied, holding the baby protectively in front of her.
“All right, all right, you can keep him for all I care,” Randir finally agreed.
He took a closer look at the little one. He nodded and smiled, saying,
“I can see why you're upset. He really is cute. We'll keep him and raise him as we would our own son.”
He couldn't do his wife any harm by taking the child away from her. She suddenly seemed so completely different, full of joie de vivre, and he was sure that she would be a wonderful mother to the little one.
Beaming with joy, Fabienne kissed her sweetheart, then he took the note from his wife, left the house and went shopping.
Meanwhile, Fabienne took care of the little one. She climbed the stairs with the baby – “her baby” – and went first to the nursery, which had not been changed since then, and undressed the baby.
After wrapping him in a soft bath towel, she took him in her arms again and entered the bathroom with him. She ran pleasantly warm water into a small children's bathtub and then bathed the little one.
Afterwards, she took the little one to the children's room, where she dressed him and spoke lovingly to him.
“Well, my little one? You're so cute. Who could have brought you here? But I promise you, my little one, that I will always protect you from now on, no matter from whom, and you will have a good home here. I love you so much, my little prince?” and almost adored him.
Eventually, Randir came home as well and brought everything they had asked for.
With Sephiroth in her arms, she went to meet her lover.
“Look, darling, isn't he adorable?” Fabienne beamed, delightedly, and placed Sephiroth in Randir's arms.
It almost looked as if the baby was smiling slightly at his 'father' Randir, which of course wasn't the case, but it looked that way. Of course Randir was also very fond of the little one.
*-*-*
Both kept little Sephiroth and officially adopted him only a short time later. From the first moment, the little boy was treated like a prince by the two. There was nothing they denied him. No wish remained unfulfilled. It didn't matter if it was just a bedtime story, walks, trips, or material things?but the loving care that Fabienne and Randir gave Sephiroth was at the top of the list. In short, Sephiroth lacked for nothing?
Of course, Fabienne and Randir never forgot their first child? Toby. But now they only went to Toby's grave once a week, and soon even less often than that.
Of course, Fabienne always took Sephiroth with her. Fabienne never left her young son alone. Every time, Fabienne placed a few fresh flowers on Toby's grave and said a few words to the grave...
*-*-*
The years passed much too quickly and soon Sephiroth had reached the age of sixteen.
Sephiroth had been very much spoiled by his parents and he liked to show it a little to those around him. He was something better. However, he never let his parents feel this. He adored and loved his parents very much, although he knew that he was “only” adopted. Both had told him at some point that they had adopted him and also told him the story of how Fabienne had found him in the cemetery.
Fabienne and Randir were the only parents he ever had and would ever have, Sephiroth was sure of that.
His biological mother never got to know Sephiroth, because she had taken her own life at some point.
She saw Fabienne again and again when she went to the cemetery with Sephiroth. She was pleased to see that her little son was doing well. The unknown mother also saw Sephiroth learning to walk. And she saw how cute and pretty her little son was. However, she could no longer bear it. It hurt her too much that she could not take care of the little one herself, and so she ended her own life at some point.
*-*-*
Sephiroth had the most modern, expensive and best things ever. At school, only selected students were among his friends. Of course, he was the leader of the clique that HE had founded.
His academic performance was excellent, so he occasionally gave tutoring – but only when it suited HIM.
It was just another normal day at school – crowds in the hallways and chaos in the classrooms. Sephiroth was still chatting with his clique when a twelfth-grade student suddenly bumped into him.
“Excuse me,” the student said hastily, and continued on his way – or rather, he wanted to continue on his way?
“WAIT A MINUTE!” Sephiroth shouted after the student.
He grabbed the bastard, as he called him, in a flash and held him by the arm.
“Listen up, you little creep. You can't just bump into me and say ‘excuse me’. Who do you think you are and who do you think you're dealing with? Sephiroth hissed at the guy in front of him.
The guy just grinned and didn't let himself be intimidated by the other guy.
Oh, I'm sorry, little guy. Did I hurt you? You're the little spoiled brat. I've heard a lot about you at school. You're Sephiroth, aren't you? You're easily recognized with your long silver hair. Go home to your mommy and get a decent haircut, little Sephiroth, who isn't even a man yet. The other guy laughed at him, freed himself from the silver-haired boy's grip, and continued on his way.
Sephiroth was furious and swore revenge, and his boys agreed with him, of course. They all stuck by him and during the next breaks they planned their next move.
In one of the longer breaks, the four of them were sitting in their usual spot, against a tree in the schoolyard.
“Hey Seph, how about we waylay Damien, that's the guy's name who bumped into you, after school and give him a good punch in the face,” suggested Zack.
But Sephiroth was somewhere else with his thoughts. He wanted to pay back this guy alone. He wanted to get rid of him, destroy him, eliminate him. Although it was only an accident, Sephiroth felt that his honor had been violated, that the guy had offended him.
There was no way Sephiroth could let that go.
Seph??, Zack asked, nudging his buddy lightly.
Uh? Yeah? What is it then?, Sephiroth asked, pulled out of his thoughts.
Were you listening to me?, Zack asked, grinning slightly.
No, sorry, please, what were you saying?, Sephiroth replied.
Zack told him everything again, but Sephiroth just waved it away.
“No, I'll take on Damien alone and I'll destroy him, you can count on it. And don't any of you dare interfere?” Sephiroth threatened, looking at his friends with threatening glances and a slightly raised fist.
His friends looked at him and nodded: “It's okay,” Genesis said.
“Do you already have a plan how you want to accomplish that?“ Angeal wanted to know.
“Yes, of course, but that's and remains my secret,” Sephiroth replied, quietly? threateningly?
*-*-*
School was over and the friends went home, each on his own. Sephiroth walked along the street, lost in thought. He was still preoccupied with the matter of Damien and was already hatching a plan.
“Well, if it isn't little nerd Sephiroth,” it said, after Sephiroth had bumped into something because he hadn't looked and paid attention.
He looked up and saw someone standing in front of him – exactly the one he hated with a passion, whom he wanted to destroy – Damien!
Clear the way, Damien, or you'll curse the day you were born, I swear to you!“ Sephiroth warned Damien, looking menacing as the wind played with his long silver hair.
“Oh, really? Is that supposed to be a threat, little guy?” Damien grinned, taking a closer look at Sephiroth.
Grinning, he looked at the other, but thought his part.
“I don't associate with scum,” Sephiroth turned away.
Sephiroth went in the opposite direction, because he could also get to his parents' estate in the other direction. He would and wanted to deal with Damien later, when the time was right.
But if Sephiroth now thought that he had lost Damien, he was far from it. Damien followed him. Damien was above Sephiroth's threats, he was used to that. Gently, Damien took Sephiroth by the arm and turned him around.
“What's the matter, Sephiroth? A moment ago, you swore revenge on me, and just now you even threatened me. You haven't changed your mind, have you, my little nerd?”, Damien said provocatively to Sephiroth.
“First of all, don't call me 'my' little nerd, because I'm not, and secondly, let go of me immediately?” Sephiroth replied, with the friendliness of a full-grown king cobra and? there was coldness in his voice – icy coldness.
His eyes also radiated a coldness that would freeze even hell.
“No, I won't let you go, Sephiroth. What's the matter? Are you uncomfortable when I touch you?” Damien wanted to know provocatively.
Yes, Sephiroth was very uncomfortable when he was touched. Even his friends kept more or less distance to him, they knew that Sephiroth didn't like it. So they left it alone if they could. The only ones allowed to touch him were his parents. Sephiroth himself did not know why that was.
Seemingly calm, Sephiroth stood there and looked at Damien with his cold eyes narrowed to small slits.
“So, you won't let go of me, then I'll have to teach you a lesson,” Sephiroth whispered with a threateningly calm voice, looking like a cobra about to attack.
Then, as if he had missed something, Sephiroth brought Damien back down to earth. With a quick and very skillful move, he had thrown him to the ground, where Damien remained for the time being, very bewildered and somewhat shocked. This was not what Damien had expected. Then maybe Sephiroth wasn't the mama's boy and a nerd after all, as Damien had thought.
Finally, Sephiroth kicked Damien with his right foot, standing on Damien's chest. Then he spoke triumphantly:
“Let me tell you one thing: I don't like it when I'm touched – only my parents are allowed to do that. And another thing, I'm neither a coward nor a nerd – I'm a perfectionist. What I do will never be half measures. I'll finish you off one day, be aware of that. And Damien? Don't you dare come too close to me again, got it!? Then Sephiroth took his foot off Damien, smiled maliciously and deviously, then went home?
Damien quickly stood up and watched Sephiroth go. He really wasn't who Damien had thought he was. Sephiroth had much more to offer than what he was usually willing to show. He was much stronger than he appeared. But you couldn't tell by looking at him.
Slowly, Damien began to admire Sephiroth. From now on, he would leave him alone. Well, at least that's what he decided. Besides, this little lesson from Sephiroth was a lesson to Damien. He would certainly not mess with him again. And yet, there was something about this boy that... Wait a minute, what was he thinking?!
After Sephiroth had arrived home, he was greeted warmly by his mother Fabienne, as always.
“Sephi, my angel. There you are again. Well, how was your day? Dinner will be ready soon, dear,” she said, giving him a loving embrace and a kiss on the cheek.
He didn't particularly like it, but he let his mother have her way. However, he rolled his eyes and looked up. Of course Fabienne knew that her son didn't like it when she kissed him on the cheek. But she couldn't help it? she loved her son too much.
“My day was okay, thanks,” Sephiroth replied with a grin, and then continued, ‘Mom, I'd like to be alone for a bit, okay. I can eat later, right?”
“That's okay, sweetheart. I'll leave you alone,’ Fabienne respected her son's wish.
Sephiroth went up to his room, closed the door and sat down at his desk, which was right in front of his window. Thoughtfully, he looked out. Then he saw Damien! What was he doing here? He hadn't followed him, had he? Didn't he live in a completely different part of town? But maybe one of his friends lived nearby.
But why hadn't he seen him around then? Questions upon questions went through Sephiroth's mind, but for every answer he found, another question arose.
Was that a doorbell ringing? Not that it mattered, but it was too late to think about it now.
“Sephiroth?” His mother called up from downstairs. ‘Could you come down, please?’ she asked him.
Sephiroth went to his door, opened it a crack and called down.
“What's the matter, Mom?”
“There's someone here who wants to see you, shall I send him up?“ Fabienne asked.
“No, Mom, I already told you I want to be left alone,” Sephiroth refused the question, consistently.
“It's all right, Sephi,“ his mother agreed, and then there was silence.
“I'm sorry, Damien, but if Sephiroth wants to be left alone, then I accept that. Please come back another time,” Fabienne asked, and she was about to accompany Damien to the door when he said,
“You know what, I think your son is a little spoiled and pampered mama's boy, someone should really tell him that and wean him off it.” With those words, he walked past Fabienne and up the stairs without saying another word.
Then he opened the door to Sephiroth's room without knocking first. After all, he had been able to see where Sephiroth's room was when the latter had opened the door a little.
Damien found Sephiroth on a soft sofa, where he seemed to be resting.
So, so, the little one rests and lets himself be pampered. Get up, Sephiroth!” Damien spoke loudly and stood next to the sofa.
Sephiroth turned away: “Leave me alone. And get out of here, once and for all.” What the? Sephiroth stood up and stood right in front of Damien.
Then he asked, “What the hell do you want from me?”, and glared at Damien.
“You're not really asking me that, are you? I want you to get off your sofa, get moving and stop letting people take care of you all the time. Who do you think you are, anyway? You're no 'prince', just a spoiled little brat! You need 
a good spanking!” Damien said, getting a bit louder, and he again stole a glance at Sephiroth, unnoticed.
But then it was suddenly over, because Fabienne entered the room and raged like a fury:
“You will leave my son's room immediately, or I will call the police and have you thrown out! How dare you talk to my son like that! Get out of here, or I'll forget myself!
Grinning, Damien retreated.
“All right, I'm going, but Sephiroth, we'll meet again, you can count on that,” he winked at Sephiroth and disappeared through the door, followed by Fabienne.
Fabienne still raged and now paid close attention to make sure that Damien didn't try any tricks. She only gave up when Damien had left the house through the door and she had locked it from the inside.
Finally, Fabienne went back to her son's room, knocked, and then entered. She slowly approached Sephiroth, who was still standing next to the sofa, staring at the wall in front of him.
“Hey, my little one, what's wrong?” Fabienne asked, gently taking her son in her arms.
Sephiroth snuggled up to his mother and asked her in a whisper:
“Mum, am I really that bad? And why have you never spoken to me like that, or Dad? What did I do wrong?”
Fabienne caressed Sephiroth tenderly.
“My little one, I never had any reason to talk to you like that, and your father never had any reason to address such words to you either. And you haven't done anything wrong, my son. You're the best thing that could have happened to us and you'll always be that. You've never been bad, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. We love you.
Thanks, Mom. I love you too., Sephiroth whispered and was really happy to have such parents.
On the way home, Damien was sorry again for what he had said to Sephiroth. Because he really liked the little one? that charisma? those long silver hair? that slender figure? to seduce him? a dream?
In his thoughts, it seemed to really revolve only around Sephiroth.
However, Damien also knew that it wouldn't be easy to confess his feelings for Sephiroth. He wouldn't understand, would probably run away, or curse at him. It would certainly be hard work, but he had to try to win Sephiroth over.
To win him over? Almost a life's work?
*-*-*
Sephiroth had meanwhile lain down again on the soft sofa and looked thoughtfully at the ceiling. Somehow he had the feeling that he had to change something. Or were changes already on the horizon? He sensed that something was going to happen to him soon. But what?
Well, that would become clear very soon?
The rest of the day was mostly boring, except for a long phone call that Sephiroth had with Genesis.
“Say, what about Damien? Wouldn't we be better off taking him on together? I think there's something strange about that guy. He ran into me earlier and spoke to me. You know, he actually wanted to know if you had a girlfriend or a boyfriend. Man, he wanted to grill me about you. Of course I didn't give him any information. Why should I? Hey, he was walking in your direction, did he come to see you?
“It doesn't matter, I don't want to talk about it,“ Sephiroth replied quietly, sounding rather sad.
“What's the matter, Seph? Can I help you in some way, should I come over?” Genesis asked worriedly.
No, don't bother, I, I already said that I don't want to talk about it, I don't want to see anyone right now,?
Sephiroth replied annoyed. Seph, now I'm really worried about you. What's wrong with you? Did Damien do something to you??
No, he didn't. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye!, Sephiroth just replied, then he switched off the phone.
Finally, he got up from the sofa, changed his clothes and left his room.
Mum, I'm going out again. I'll be back soon. Oh yes, and I wanted to say: I've already done my homework. Sephiroth spoke to Fabienne and then left the house.
“It's okay, my darling. Take care!” Fabienne called after Sephiroth, but he was already gone.
*-*-*
It was already dawning and the streetlamps slowly began to light up.
Sephiroth walked, slowly, along the streets. Still completely absorbed in his thoughts, he paid no attention to what was happening around him. He walked towards a very busy street and crossed it without paying attention. Some cars screeched to a halt, which almost failed a few times.
Then, however, a big truck approached and almost ran over Sephiroth if Damien hadn't saved him in time. Damien quickly grabbed Sephiroth and took him to safety on the sidewalk. He stood Sephiroth in front of him, grabbed him firmly by the shoulders and shook him gently. He didn't care whether the boy liked to be touched or not.
Sephiroth! Do you want to kill yourself or what? What's wrong with you?, Damien asked Sephiroth very angrily, who then just looked at him questioningly.
Sephiroth? Hey, kid, what's wrong with you? Something bothering you? Can I help you? Damien wanted to know and slowly calmed down again.
Slowly Sephiroth also returned from his thoughts to reality, looked at Damien and also saw that Damien had grabbed him by the shoulders. With icy eyes he looked at Damien and whispered threateningly:
“Let go of me immediately, or you will regret it bitterly, I swear it to you!”
Quickly, and because Damien knew full well that it was better not to mess with Sephiroth, he let him go.
“All right, all right, calm down. I saved your life, don't you think you could at least say thank you for that?”
No, that's not what I mean! Bye!“ With these words, Sephiroth turned his back on Damien and was about to leave without saying a word or even thanking him.
“Wait a minute... where do you think you're going, kid? You can't just walk off when I'm talking to you!” Damien called after Sephiroth and stood in his way.
“Let me pass immediately,“ Sephiroth spoke with a normal voice, but it sounded completely expressionless.
“No, Sephiroth, I'm not going to let you pass now. Please, I want to talk to you and, well, I have to tell you something important,” Damien replied, looking Sephiroth directly in the eye.
But he couldn't withstand his cold gaze for long and looked away slightly.
Sephiroth continued to look at Damien with his cold, unblinking gaze, looking down on him.
'I don't want to talk to you. Now let me pass or I'll do you in?'
Sephiroth, please, just let me finish,? Damien pleaded, and there was longing in his eyes,?longing for?.
I don't want to hear your words, and I don't care what you have to say to me. Besides, you don't have anything to say to me,? Sephiroth said again, with the friendliness of a fully grown cobra.
Oh yes, you will have to listen to my words now. Because? I've fallen in love with you, Sephiroth., Damien confessed quietly.
What? I don't believe my ears! You've got a crush on me?! You can't be serious! And now pay attention: I don't love you, got it!? I'll never love you? I hate you and now leave me alone!, Sephiroth raged and was now a bit shocked.
Then he ran as fast as he could, past Damien, along the streets, home?
*-*-*
Damien stood there, watched Sephiroth for a while and couldn't help but smile broadly, because he had already expected this reaction. From now on, his hunt for Sephiroth began, and for their shared love, which Sephiroth unfortunately still rejected. No wonder, he was only sixteen years old.
He probably didn't even know what love was? the only love he probably knew was the love he received from his parents and felt for them. Well, Damien would show him?what it meant to love someone or to be in love. At least Sephiroth knew now, that should be enough for now.
Sephiroth arrived at his parents' estate in a state of utter exhaustion, entered the house and ran up to his room. The door slammed shut and Sephiroth collapsed on his bed.
“Damn it!” Sephiroth swore, fighting back tears.
What does Damien think? He can't love me when I hate him so much. Besides, isn't it impossible for a man to love another man? Sephiroth spoke loudly towards the ceiling.
His father Randir overheard his little soliloquy and entered the room. He slowly walked to his son's bed and sat down next to him. Gently, he placed his hand on his son's hand.
“My son, please listen to me now. I heard your little 'talk' just now and I want to tell you something: it's perfectly okay for a man to love another man or to fall in love with another man,” Randir explained to his son very matter-of-factly.
But that can't be. What? Because I don't love him, I even hate him, Sephiroth replied.
Then you should tell him so that he doesn't have any false hopes, do you understand?
Yes, but I told him and he just smiled. I don't think he takes me seriously.
Then I'll stand by you if you want me to.”
“Oh, Dad...,” Sephiroth began to cry, stood up and embraced his father.
He snuggled up against his shoulder and cried his heart out while Randir stroked his son's back.
Shhh? It's all right, Sephi. I'm here. Is it really that bad? Or is there more to it than you want to admit? Hm?”, Randir tried to calm his son down a little, but couldn't resist provoking him a little.
Sephiroth let go of his father and moved away from him a little, then replied indignantly:
“Dad, what do you think of me?” ‘I'm sorry, Sephiroth. I shouldn't have asked you such a question.’ ”It's nothing, and it's not a big deal. I don't have to admit anything because there's just nothing there.”
I understand, but should you need help or advice, you know you can always count on us., with these words Randir stood up, stroked his son's head once more and then left the room.
Sephiroth got up immediately and locked the door. Then he lay down on his bed again and cried. He didn't even know why he was crying, it just happened. But still, he had his thoughts:
Tze? Me loving someone and then also Damien? Of all people? My arch-enemy. Never! The moon will fall before I would throw myself at the feet of this? this wannabe hero. Maybe I should? But no?
He quickly pushed these thoughts away again. He would simply behave as he always did, that was that. And he didn't have to think about Damien, even if he would inevitably meet him at school, which he couldn't prevent. He could just ignore him then. But what should he do if? yes, if Damien didn't leave him alone and continued to get on his nerves? Why did he actually call him by name? He was just a brainless idiot, after all.
*-*-*
The next morning, when Genesis, Angeal and Zack wanted to pick up their friend Sephiroth from home, Sephiroth had really overslept for the first time in his life.
Randir and Fabienne were at work and so far everything had always worked out very well, but today he had either not heard the alarm clock or he hadn't wanted to hear it.
Zack rang the doorbell – once, twice, three times – and finally Sephiroth went downstairs, to the front door, and opened it. Half-naked, wearing only a pair of boxer shorts, he stood before his friends, who looked at him a bit strangely, because his friends had never seen him half-naked like this.
“What's so important that you had to ring my bell?“ Sephiroth asked still very sleepy.
“Yes, we wish you a good morning, sleepyhead. Hello?! It's school day, Seph!” Genesis replied.
Um... Yeah, come on in. I'll be ready in a minute. Then he went to the kitchen, made himself a coffee, sat down at the table and enjoyed the sumptuous breakfast that his mother had prepared for him, as she always did.
After Sephiroth had finished his coffee and finally finished breakfast, he finally got moving, went to the bathroom and showered thoroughly. Then he dressed, styled his hair and went back downstairs to go to school with his friends.
Man, I really don't feel like doing all that stuff today. Especially when I think about that??, Sephiroth didn't continue, but swallowed the rest of the sentence.
Genesis, however, wanted to hear the rest and asked his friend: 'When you think about 'that something'?
'Oh, nothing, just forget it, okay,' Sephiroth replied annoyed and kept quiet.
The four boys had almost arrived at school when Zack asked him, “It doesn't have anything to do with Damien, does it?
WHAT?!! NO! Leave me alone with this shit, man! Sephiroth got upset, ran away and just left his friends standing there.
The three friends just grinned and nodded at each other. Then Angeal spoke:
I think we should follow him. This definitely has something to do with Damien. If there's nothing more going on there than hate, then I don't know what else could be going on with him. Because, to be honest, I don't quite buy his version about him hating Damien. Have you ever seen how he holds his head? He used to hold his head proudly, but now? He looks troubled and if you ask me, our friend is lovesick.
Right, I noticed that too., Zack replied. Why else wouldn't he want us to go after Damien together?
Yes, now I understand why he didn't want to talk to me about Damien on the phone and instead hung up,' Genesis replied.
Come on, we should follow Seph. He might do something stupid,' Zack suggested, and the others just nodded, skipping school for once.
Sephiroth was now more important to his friends.
But Damien also had his concerns about where the clique, led by Sephiroth, was today. Had something happened to them? Damien couldn't help it, he left the school grounds and made his way to the Lymands' estate.
Sephiroth had run home, entered the house at lightning speed, dashed up to his room and locked himself in.
No one – and he meant no one – was to disturb him now.
He sat down on the sofa and let his upper body fall forward. Leaning on his thighs with his forearms, he hung his head and sighed.
Why couldn't they leave him alone? Damn it, he didn't love anyone but his parents and himself. Why didn't anyone understand that?
While Sephiroth was lost in thought, the doorbell began to ring. Again and again?there was no end to it. Sephiroth got up because the constant ringing was getting on his nerves. He looked out the window secretly and without anyone noticing and saw Zack, Angeal, Genesis and? Damien!
What? Had his friends joined forces with Damien against him? If not, why were they all standing in front of his house?
Sephiroth was very annoyed. But he didn't even think about moving out of his room, let alone out of the house.
Unfortunately, this state of affairs would not last very long, because his parents would be home soon. Then he really should come up with an idea. But luckily he had locked his room and he had parents who would certainly not hand him over to the others?
Damien had met up with Zack, Genesis and Angeal after he had left the school grounds. At first, the three friends had only teased Damien. But when Damien confronted them and revealed to them that he loved Sephiroth, they listened to him, albeit somewhat skeptically.
Because the three of them had also been very worried about their best friend. Together they had all gone to the Lymands' estate.
When no one showed up after repeated ringing, everyone's concern grew even more. So they all sat down together on the cool stones and waited. If Sephiroth wasn't at home, he would have to pass here sometime. And if he was at home, then his parents would surely show up here soon. If they explained it to them, they would surely be allowed to see Sephiroth.
*-*-*
However, the four were in for a very different experience than they had anticipated. Because the first person to arrive was Fabienne, coming home from work. When she saw the four teenagers sitting in front of the house, she first asked what they were all doing there. Of course she knew her son's friends, but she wasn't in the mood for a chat right now.
Genesis replied, “We apologize, but we believe that something is wrong with Sephiroth. We are really worried about him.”
“I believe that my son is all right, and I also think that you should leave now. Especially you, young man. With these words she turned to Damien.
She unlocked the front door and was about to go inside when Zack stood up and politely asked her.
“Mrs. Lymand, may I at least talk to Sephiroth? Please, I'm really very worried about him and he wasn't at school today either. We weren't at school because of him either, because he ran away. Please, let me talk to him.”
Fabienne nodded and let Zack in with an inviting hand gesture.
Zack immediately ran up the stairs to Sephiroth's room and knocked.
“Leave me alone!“ Sephiroth shouted from inside his room.
“Seph, please, I want to talk to you. Please, let me into your room,” Zack begged.
NO! I said, get lost! You're all traitors? Have you joined forces with this idiot?, Sephiroth got worked up.
Zack was about to say something when Fabienne interfered:
Zack, if my son doesn't want to talk to you, then he doesn't have to do it.
Yes, but I... Zack wanted to say something when Fabienne, with a little persuasion, removed him from her son's room.
Sephiroth rubbed his hands together and laughed softly and meanly when he heard his mother drag Zack away from his door and how Zack tried to defend himself.
But not for long, and Sephiroth opened the door and said to his mother:
“Mum, please let him go, I'd like to talk to him after all – one last time.”
Fabienne let go of Zack, who then immediately ran into Sephiroth's room. Sephiroth closed the door, stood in front of Zack and then said:
“What do you want, Zack?”
Seph, please, I'd like to talk to you, actually, the others wanted to talk to you, too, but you don't let anyone get close to you. We met Damien on the way and he told us that he's in love with you. And his words were honest, please, believe me. ' replied Zack calmly and collectedly.
Yeah, great, that's exactly what I don't want. That fag rat can find someone else, but not me. Man, I'm not gay. What do you take me for? Sephiroth continued to get worked up.
“Can I tell you my honest opinion?”, Zack asked.
'Just one wrong word and you're out,' Sephiroth threatened.
'To be honest, you feel a lot more for Damien than you're willing to admit. You can't or won't admit it. You're the leader of the clique and the biggest one and you don't want to show any feelings, do you? But even if you had fallen in love with Damien and were going out with him, do you really think that we would abandon you because of that? Man Seph, none of us would abandon you. Each of us would continue to stand by you.,” Zack explained calmly and asked his friend, ”What are you actually afraid of, Seph?”
Sephiroth took a few steps backward and then sat down on his bed. Thoughtfully and sadly at the same time, he let his upper body fall forward...
No, damn it! I don't want that. And I'm not afraid either...
Sephiroth got up again and paced around his room, like a caged tiger. Finally, he leaned against a wall and hung his head with a sigh. He no longer knew what to think.
While Zack and Sephiroth were talking, Randir had also come home and saw the 'gang' sitting in front of the house. He was also told the situation and, against his wife's will, let the boys into the house.
He wanted them all to get along, after all. He then led the boys to his son's room, knocked, and let them all into the room. He locked the door from the outside and left.
Sephiroth saw them all standing in his room and initially remained standing against the wall. Like a shy deer, he first looked at his friends, then at “Damien”.
Without Sephiroth noticing, Zack, Angeal and Genesis gave a sign, then the three disappeared from the room.
Zack quietly closed the door and the three friends ran down the stairs. Randir caught up with them and asked,
“How about something to drink?”
“Very much so,” the friends replied, as one.
Randir offered them all a seat and served them.
Meanwhile, very different things were happening in Sephiroth's room?
Damien stood in the middle of the room while Sephiroth did not move a millimeter.
Finally, Sephiroth broke his silence and spoke, almost threateningly:
“Get out of my room, Damien?”
No, I'm not going to budge from this spot. You already know why. I've fallen in love with you, Sephiroth. Why can't you just let it be?, Damien replied.
Damn it, haven't you ever considered that I might not be like you! That I might not be gay! The mere thought of getting into bed with a guy disgusts me!“ Sephiroth now shouted at Damien.
“All right, all right, I'm going. That was clear.” “Take care, Sephiroth. Maybe I'll see you at school.” Then Damien went to the door, opened it and stepped out into the hallway.
He was just about to close the door when he heard something completely different from inside?
Sephiroth had only looked after Damien for the time being, then he lay down on his bed and began to shed bitter tears. He couldn't have known, let alone suspected, that Damien was still aware of what was happening.
Carefully, Damien opened the door again (thankfully, the doors here didn't squeak or possibly creak) and looked into the room again. Then he saw Sephiroth lying on his bed, crying. Very slowly, Damien approached Sephiroth's bed, sat down on the bed next to Sephiroth and stroked his back?
When Sephiroth realized that someone was stroking his back, he turned around a little startled. Then he sat up quickly and looked at Damien.
“What are you doing?“, Sephiroth asked with tears in his eyes.
“Sephiroth, why are you crying now?” Damien asked lovingly.
I'm not crying. Leave me alone and go away,' Sephiroth whispered.
'No, I'm not going anywhere, no matter what you do. We're going to talk this through sensibly,' Damien insisted.
'Well then, you talk, but you won't get a word out of me,' Sephiroth said, becoming very stubborn.
“Fine, then I'll talk, or even better, we'll both keep quiet. What do you think of that?” Damien replied and then continued speaking, since Sephiroth was saying absolutely nothing.
“So you weren't crying. Good, I didn't expect you to. Hmm? The only question is, where did the tears in your eyes come from then? Don't you think that's a little strange, too? I mean it couldn't have been a dust particle, since there's no breeze at all. Sephiroth, talk to me now, or should I tell you even more nonsense? Hm? Damien spoke and looked at Sephiroth grinning.
Sephiroth, however, turned away from Damien; he saw no reason to talk to him.
Okay, Sephiroth, so you don't want to talk to me. Fine, then we'll just sit here until you do, even if it takes all night. I have plenty of time and even more patience. Do you mind if I make myself comfortable in the meantime? Damien provoked Sephiroth, and made himself comfortable on Sephiroth's bed.
Of course, Sephiroth was annoyed by so much audacity. But he didn't want to talk to Damien, so he didn't respond to the provocation. Even though he would have liked to have given Damien a good smack in the mouth?
*-*-*

Slowly, Sephiroth moved, got up from the bed and walked to the door. He opened it and left the room with the words,
“Have fun on my bed. Enjoy yourself while you still can and while you still have the chance.” Then he slammed the door behind him and ran down the stairs in a hurry.
“MOM!” Sephiroth called to his mother.
Fabienne had rushed to her son at once and asked him, ‘What's the matter?”
“Nothing's the matter. I just wanted to tell you that I'm going out for a bit; I just want to get a little fresh air,’ Sephiroth replied, trying to remain calm.
Fabienne nodded and agreed with the words, “But be careful, darling.”
“I will, Mom,” Sephiroth replied, leaving the house and soon the estate as quickly as he could.
He turned around once more, entered the mansion again, unlocked the garage, grabbed the key (he knew exactly where it was), got into his father's car, started it and drove off?
Randir heard someone start his car. He looked out the window and saw Sephiroth driving away in his car. He immediately grabbed his wife's keys, rushed to the garage, got into his wife's car and followed his son.
Hours later, the tank of the car Sephiroth was driving was empty. And it broke down.
“Damn it!” Sephiroth cursed, putting his hands on the steering wheel and staying put for the time being.
Randir had followed his son and got out of the other car after stopping behind his own. He walked towards his car, opened the passenger door and got into the car. For the time being, he stared at the windshield without really looking out and remained silent. Sephiroth was silent as well, but he looked at the floor of the car.
After a little while, Randir broke his silence and asked calmly:
“Why, Sephiroth, why? What was that for? What's wrong with you?” Randir looked at his son reproachfully, but also with concern, and then continued:
“You know, Sephi, you were and are our pride and joy. Ever since we saw you for the first time. Why are you causing us such grief now? We took you in, adopted you and raised you as our own son when we lost our biological son. You really lacked for nothing. You know, Sephi, I really thought you trusted us and that we could trust you. Back then, when you were only three days old and I held you in my arms, I felt like you smiled at me. That smile warmed my heart so much that I agreed with your mother and we kept you. And now you're stealing my car out of gratitude, or what were you thinking!? You could have been seriously hurt, you know that, don't you? And do you know how much your mother loves you? She loves you even more than she ever loved me, but I let her and I still let her because I love her very much too. And I love you too. Do you know how much pain your mother would have been in if something had happened to you? I think she would have followed you. She loves you more than anything. Hey, kid, please talk to me. It's the only way I can help you. Now I ask you: Do you love this young man? Do you love Damien? If not, then tell me to my face and I will stand by your side and help you. But if you don't talk to me and run away on top of that, I can't help you.? Randir had finished his speech and looked at his son, who had a serious face.
Dad?, Sephiroth cried, throwing his arms around his father's neck and crying his heart out. “I'm sorry. Please forgive me?, Sephiroth sobbed, while Randir gently stroked his son's back. ”Shhh? It's okay, I don't mean any harm.”
The two remained seated in the car for a while, then Randir asked his son:
“How about we go for a walk? Then we can have a real talk. What do you think?”
Sephiroth nodded in agreement: “Okay, I agree. Thanks, Dad.”
They both left the car, locked both cars, and went for a little walk. They talked for a very long time.
Dad, I don't know what I should feel. And it wasn't right of me to say that I hated Damien. But I don't love him yet either, as much as he probably loves me.
Yes, my son, the operative word is yet. What do you feel when he is near you?
Nothing. That's why I said I don't know what I should feel.
My son, you are still very young, so it's no wonder that you don't really know what you should feel yet. I can understand that very well. Then you should tell Damien that and not play the stubborn card. And running away is not a solution either. I'll have your back, kid, if you want me to. But you have to talk to Damien, okay?
Okay, Dad. Thanks. You're the best dad in the world., Sephiroth replied and hugged his father.
It's all right, Sephi, you know I'll always stand by you, and so will your mother. Now come on, we'll go get some gas first, I'll have the car towed, and then we'll go home and you'll clear things up with Damien, okay?”
“That's what we'll do,” Sephiroth agreed.
Randir had the car towed and had it filled up at the next gas station. After that, he allowed Sephiroth to drive the car home for a change; he himself drove his wife's car home.
*-*-*
After both had arrived at the estates, they parked the cars in the garage. Randir locked the garage, then they both went into the house. Once more Randir caressed Sephiroth's back.
“You can do it, I'm with you.,” Randir whispered, then they entered the kitchen.
Randir sent everyone else out, except for Damien. Then he nodded at his son and sat down beside him. Sephiroth began to reason with him. He knew he had his father's support:
“Damien, I have something to tell you and I ask you to listen to me for a moment,” Sephiroth began his speech, while Damien looked at him and nodded. Sephiroth continued calmly,
First of all, I want to tell you that I don't hate you, but I don't love you either. I don't really feel anything for you. Not yet, I mean, well, I mean, Sephiroth didn't get to finish his sentence before Randir lovingly interrupted him.
“It's okay, Sephi, I'll help you,” Randir spoke calmly and turned to Damien as well:
Damien, as you surely know, my son is only sixteen and has already been sixteen, but he can't show his feelings like that and can't deal with them as well as you might. I therefore suggest that you meet more often and maybe a friendship will develop between you. Because great love has very often developed from friendships,? explained Randir and winked at them both.
?I understand that well, Mr. Lymand,? Damien replied with a small smile.
Nodding, Sephiroth agreed as well and said, “I agree, too.” “So, peace?” With these words, Sephiroth stood up and held out his hand to Damien.
“Peace,” Damien replied in a friendly manner and held out his hand to Sephiroth as well.
At that very moment, Zack entered the kitchen and asked in astonishment, ”Do we have a new member in the clique now?”
Sephiroth, Randir and Damien looked at Zack at the same time, then Randir replied, looking at his son: “Hey, Seph, that's a very good idea, why not?”
Sephiroth looked first at his father, then at Damien and finally at Zack.
Almost imperceptibly, Sephiroth shook his head. He didn't want Damien to become a member of his clique and therefore remained silent.
Sephi? What's going on??, Randir now wanted to know.
Nothing? I don't really want it,? that? well, that Damien becomes a member of my clique already.,? Sephiroth resisted resolutely while Zack stood in the doorway but soon sat down as well.
May I ask why not??, Randir asked patiently.
I don't know. It doesn't matter. I just don't want to. Sephiroth now started to be a bitch again.
That's no answer, Sephi. I want to know from you why you don't want Damien to join your clique? I mean, just now you reached out to Damien and made peace with him. So what's going on now?
Man, shit, just leave me alone! Sephiroth grumbled and stormed off.
Upstairs in his room, he was about to lock the door from the inside when someone pushed against it from the outside.
“No, Sephiroth. You're not going to run away again,” Damien said, closing the door behind him and stopping right there so he wouldn't lose the little boy again.
Stubborn and petulant, like a small child, Sephiroth stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed.
“What is this? What do you want from me?! Isn't it enough that I offered you 'peace'?! Do you now also have to want to be in my clique?! Now let me out of here, or better yet, get out of my room immediately!,” Sephiroth spoke angrily, but still in a calm voice.
“Sephiroth, now please listen to me for a moment. You know I love you, but I would consider friendship if you would allow it. Besides, it wasn't me who suggested the new member for your clique, was it!? I would be happy with your friendship and I don't necessarily want to be in your clique. What are you so afraid of, Sephiroth??
Tze, I'm not afraid of anything. What should I be afraid of? Sephiroth replied arrogantly and proudly.
Well, for example, that someone could take your clique away from you and steal your friends, and then you would eventually be all alone and lonely. Maybe you're also afraid that I could kick you out of your 'leader's post'. Or are you just afraid of falling in love and of all the feelings that could come your way? Maybe there are even more fears, umm?
Damn, Damien came dangerously close to Sephiroth's fears and he expressed them far too openly. He had to try to escape from it at all costs. Damien had already penetrated him much too deeply, this could not go on like this. Looking for an excuse, Sephiroth looked down and his face turned a bright, very unhealthy red.
Damien slowly approached Sephiroth and stopped at a short distance in front of him.
“What's the matter, kid? I spoke too openly about your fears, didn't I? Hey, I don't want to hurt you. And I'm sorry if I hurt you somehow. I didn't mean to, please believe me. With these words, Damien gently embraced Sephiroth and just held him in his arms.
Feelings arose in Sephiroth and he felt increasingly uncomfortable. After a relatively short time, Sephiroth pushed Damien away very roughly.
“No, don't 'I', Sephiroth spoke, but he didn't finish the sentence and he didn't look at Damien either.
He turned away from Damien and looked out the window, seemingly.
It's all right, little one, I understand you. And I'll leave you alone now, okay. Bye, take care., Damien replied briefly and then he left the room.
After Damien had gone downstairs, he thanked Randir, said goodbye to him and made his way home.
Sephiroth, meanwhile, had locked himself in his room and was not willing to leave again. He lay down in bed, turned on the TV, relaxed, and fell asleep very soon without wasting a single thought on the conversations.
*-*-*
Sephiroth woke up from a rather nice dream, but he was frightened by what he had dreamt – well, luckily it was just a dream, even if it seemed more than real to him. This dream was once again about Damien!
Slowly, Sephiroth sat up in his bed and looked around. Then he looked at the clock? well, it was only a quarter to three and a glance at the TV told him that a rather lousy erotic movie was playing? and yet he watched with interest, then he switched back and forth a few times? nothing else? over and over? wait a minute? wasn't that a?gay movie?
At first bored, then a little more interested, Sephiroth looked at the TV and watched the movie. The men who made love looked really great and were a good match. Contrary to his expectations, he was not disgusted by what he saw – on the contrary, something stirred in him and he?
No, what is this?! He quickly turned off the TV and let his upper body sink forward. Then he realized that this movie had fueled him quite a bit? but?
What should he do now? Should he, as his 'instinct' told him, put his hand on himself? He had never done anything like that before and he also found it somehow inappropriate. But if he didn't do anything about it now, what would happen? Moreover, his excitement was now visible.
He lay down in his bed and tried to think of something else and to push the images from the movie out of his head. But he didn't succeed. As if by itself – as if he couldn't help himself – he reached out and began to caress himself.
After only a very short time, a pleasant feeling overcame him as he came in his hand. His whole body trembled slightly, his eyes were closed and an excited groan escaped his throat. Now Sephiroth felt much better. After he had recovered and was able to breathe normally again, he got up, went to the bathroom and showered for about “two hours”.
Only after he had removed all traces of his presence did he dry himself off and go back to his room. Here he changed into something comfortable, then fetched a bottle of mineral water from the kitchen, ran back to his room, lay down on the sofa and turned the television back on. He continued watching that “gay movie.”
Now Sephiroth tried to keep himself under control, which was very difficult for him. But he managed it in the end. Whereupon he finally fell asleep. Fortunately it was Saturday and he didn't have to go to school today, so he could finally sleep in again.
*-*-*
Saturday morning: Sephiroth slept for a long time and woke up only when his mother woke him up gently – which was not entirely without danger. It would have been just as easy to go straight into an alligator enclosure, which was truly more comfortable than waking Sephiroth up.
“Sephi? Sephi, my darling, wake up.,“ Fabienne woke her son very gently.
“Mum, what is it?” Sephiroth asked, still half asleep, without opening his eyes.
“Sephi, you have a visitor. Would you like to freshen up first, or would you like to receive your visitor like this?” Fabienne wanted to know.
So, who is it then?“ Sephiroth asked again.
But Fabienne didn't get to answer him, because the visitor spoke for himself:
“It's me, Sephiroth, and I wanted to ask you...” Then Damien stepped next to Fabienne and stood in front of the sofa on which Sephiroth was lying.
“Just go away. I don't feel like talking,“ with these words Sephiroth turned around, closed his eyes and was silent again.
“Sephi, that's very rude. Please talk to Damien properly,” Fabienne demanded lovingly, but then left her son's room.
Sephiroth turned around again, stood up slowly and looked at Damien with boredom.
“So, I'm awake now, what's so important?“ Sephiroth asked and looked deep into Damien's eyes, which almost made him melt.
“Seph, I wanted to ask you if you maybe wanted to go to the movies with me,” Damien replied kindly.
I don't feel like it. Now get out of my room. I want to continue sleeping.
Okay, as you wish. We can also continue our little talk from yesterday. Well, what do you think of that?
I already said that I intend to get some more sleep. Now get out of here?
Damien locked the door from the inside and said, “No, I won't leave the room now.”
“Oh, not this again!” Sephiroth muttered, crossed his arms, rolled his eyes and went to the window.
Suddenly, he thought, unintentionally, of the movie he had watched at three o'clock in the morning, which had aroused him so much that he had had to put his hand on himself. For the time being, he managed to suppress this arousal. However, despite all his efforts, his arousal soon became very visible, so that he really could no longer turn to Damien.
Damn, damn, damn, Sephiroth thought, what should he do now? If Damien noticed that he was so aroused, what would he do then? And above all, what could he do about his arousal now? Here, in front of Damien, he could hardly lay a hand on himself, that would only fuel his arousal.
Sephiroth tried desperately to think of something else, even if it was very difficult for him right now and he was under a lot of pressure.
Now was Sephiroth, literally, trapped?
Sephiroth remained silent, because he really had to struggle with his excitement now. However, Damien asked him:
“What's the matter, Seph? Can I help you? What's wrong? Please talk to me, kid.” and walked towards Sephiroth with slow steps.
He gently touched his shoulders and turned him slowly around. At first, Damien looked into Sephiroth's face, which had turned bright red. His eyes wandered a little over the body of the other. Then he had to smile. So that was it? The kid was under a lot of pressure.
Damien carefully put his arms around Sephiroth's waist and whispered in his ear:
“I can help you to get rid of your pressure, kid. If you let me?” and grinned cheekily.
Sephiroth was now under so much pressure that he was forced to accept and nodded without words.
Damien's heart almost leaped for joy. He lifted Sephiroth up and carried him, on his strong arms, to the wide, soft bed. Slowly, Damien began to undress Sephiroth, but he realized very quickly that the little one was under a lot of pressure. So he went to work on Sephiroth's pants, pulled the little one's pants off and began to gently caress the manhood of his beloved.
But he didn't want to end it too quickly and expose Sephiroth to a little more sweet torture. So he kissed the silver-haired boy gently at first, then passionately on the mouth. The next moment he was kissing his way down the younger boy's neck and down to the delicate, very slender body of the younger boy.
And only after he had devoted himself to the inner thighs and the rest of the body extensively, he kissed and licked the manhood of his beloved very gently. Carefully, he let “the little Sephiroth” slide into his mouth and began to suck with relish. First very gently, then growing ever greedier, he worked on Sephiroth's manhood.
Sephiroth had long since lost control of his senses and was just moaning loudly. These feelings seemed to know no end. They were so beautiful, much more beautiful than when he did it to himself. His heart was pounding so fast, as if every beat could be his last.
Finally, he couldn't hold himself back anymore and he erupted with loud moans that sounded more like highly aroused screams. His whole body trembled, shook and arched up. His hands sought and clawed into the soft bed sheets.
“Ahhh... Damien?”, Sephiroth moaned loudly.
Meanwhile, Damien spread the younger man's legs and, after moistening his fingers a little, gently inserted one and then two fingers into the younger man's entrance. He carefully began to widen him and prepare him for what he was about to do to him.
Closing his eyes, Sephiroth couldn't stop moaning and his manhood had already risen to a painful swelling again.
Of course, this hadn't escaped Damien's notice. He moistened his manhood with a little saliva (lubricant wasn't available) and tried to penetrate Sephiroth carefully.
When Sephiroth realized this, he tensed up a little and a tiny tear ran out of his eyes, so that Damien was initially unable to continue his “plan”.
“Shh, just relax, little one, don't tense up, then it won't hurt, I promise,” Damien whispered lovingly to Sephiroth and kissed him gently.
Finally Damien managed to enter Sephiroth and didn't move at first, so that the smaller one could get used to him. Then he moved only very gently inside him.
Sephiroth groaned first in pain, then loudly with excitement, as Damien entered him.
The tightness excited Damien so much that he could hardly control himself anymore. He bent his upper body slightly backwards with relish and moaned. Now Damien thrust very hard, even though he feared hurting the younger man, but he could no longer control himself. He brought himself and Sephiroth to the well-deserved climax.
Both their bodies tensed with relish. Both let out a loud moan, then relaxed again and Damien fell onto the soft bed next to Sephiroth.
Damien looked at Sephiroth lovingly and breathed, ”
“I love you,” and caressed his ‘darling’ tenderly.
But Sephiroth didn't say anything in return. He just sighed and closed his eyes.
Sephiroth stayed in bed with Damien for a while, but then he got out of bed and went to the bathroom. Now he really needed to take a thorough shower. He had to wash everything off carefully, and he did just that.
Damien had been surprised that Sephiroth hadn't replied and had gotten up and left for the bathroom so soon. But he blissfully stayed in bed, closed his eyes, turned on his side and enjoyed the scent of Sephiroth that clung to the pillow. He really did love Sephiroth with all his heart?
Two hours passed before Sephiroth left the bathroom and entered his room. He then went to his walk-in closet, took out his black clothes and dressed. Now he felt much better. Only one thing bothered him. Damien!
*-*-*
With a freezing cold look in his eyes, Sephiroth woke Damien, who had fallen asleep peacefully, very rudely:
“Get up, Damien, and get lost. You have no business here!” But he didn't touch him.
Damien stretched a little sleepily and looked at Sephiroth with a smile. However, when he noticed Sephiroth's icy look, he felt rather queasy. He immediately got up and put on his boxer shorts. Then he asked him:
“Can I at least take a shower?”
“Do whatever you want, but get out of my sight and take your clothes with you!” Sephiroth replied coldly and looked at Damien arrogantly and haughtily as he threw his clothes carelessly in front of the door.
Damien left the room and picked up his clothes from the floor to go to the bathroom.
Meanwhile, Sephiroth locked the room again and took a deep breath.
Done? He had shown him, though. Sephiroth laughed diabolically when he thought of the frightened look on Damien's face.
Since he was awake anyway, he was bored now and left his room again, whereupon he met Damien, who had just come out of the bathroom. Sephiroth skillfully ignored Damien and walked past him. He dashed down the stairs, ran into the kitchen to his mother and asked her:
“Mom, can I drive the Ferrari? Please, Mom?” and looked at Fabienne lovingly and with a childlike expression.
Fabienne smiled at her son and nodded, then spoke lovingly:
“All right, honey, but drive carefully, okay? And please, don't drive too fast?”
I won't, I promise, Mom. I love you and thank you,' Sephiroth thanked her, hugged his mother lovingly, and took the keys from his mother.
Then he went to the garage, got into the car, started the engine and drove away in front of Damien's astonished face?
Shaking his head, Sephiroth watched him go. Had Damien really been so easily deceived by his feelings and by Sephiroth? On second thought, though, if he thought about it correctly, Sephiroth had only needed him for one thing – to satisfy himself. Could it be that he had been so very wrong? Well, apparently it was true that Sephiroth didn't want anything from him – he really didn't love him.
Damien sadly went home and swore to himself that from now on he would avoid Sephiroth if at all possible.
It would be very difficult, because he loved this boy, whom he had just seduced and who had given himself to him completely. Could it be that it had all been an illusion and a lie? No, it couldn't be over yet?
Damien kept walking down the street, lost in thought, when suddenly a car screeched to a halt next to him.
Sephiroth had driven around for a while and had had plenty of time to think. Had he really behaved correctly lately? He had disappointed his friends, his parents and? Damien?
Should he perhaps drive back and apologize to Damien? No. Sephiroth shook his head. He would never apologize to anyone, except for his parents.
But he had another plan, one that would allow him to proceed without having to apologize.
So he turned the car around and went back. He had been driving for a while when he saw Damien walking on the sidewalk. He seemed sad, or was he just thinking? Anyway, Sephiroth drove to the edge of the sidewalk and stopped the car.
“Damien, please stop. I want to talk to you,” Sephiroth began, leaping nimbly out of the Ferrari convertible and standing directly in front of Damien.
Damien, for his part, just looked at Sephiroth and asked calmly and sadly,
“What more do you want, Sephiroth? Haven't you hurt me enough? Isn't it enough for you yet? Congratulations, you have achieved your goal and destroyed me. That was what you wanted, wasn't it?
Please get in the car. I want to talk to you. And no, I don't want to hurt you again and I don't want to 'destroy' you anymore. Come on, I'll drive you home., Sephiroth offered Damien pleadingly.
Okay, all right. I'll listen to what you have to say,' Damien agreed and got into the car, because somehow he couldn't get away from Sephiroth and still loved him despite everything.
Sephiroth started the engine, stepped on the gas and drove to a beautiful little park.
Sephiroth parked the car, got out and asked Damien to get out as well.
Without saying a word, Damien complied with Sephiroth's request.
Sephiroth sat down on a beautiful patch of grass and offered Damien a seat as well. Damien sat down and just looked at Sephiroth. Damn, if only he wasn't so fascinated by the sight of his beloved?
Sephiroth looked at Damien, too, but this time there was something warm and friendly in his look. Then Sephiroth spoke calmly:
“Damien, I'm not the type to apologize and I won't do it either. But I want to tell you something. From now on, I will no longer see you as my enemy, I will try to build a friendly relationship with you. It will take some time and I ask you to give me some time. Well, maybe, at some point, love will develop between us. Just, please, don't pressure me, okay. I also offer you to become a member of my clique if you want. Yes, that's actually all I wanted to tell you. Except, well, that you're a fantastic lover, too. Then Sephiroth guessed and bowed his head.
Damien smiled and replied, “Seph, please look at me. I would never expect, let alone demand, that you apologize. But I am very happy about your words. And I thank you. Furthermore, I would be very happy to become a member of your clique. And as for the time? I will give you as much time as you need.,? Damien replied, but he did not comment on Sephiroth's remark about the “lover” at this point.
The little one was already uncomfortable enough, Damien sensed that clearly. Slowly and gently, Damien pushed a finger under Sephiroth's chin and lifted his head a little. Then Damien paid Sephiroth a compliment:
“Do you know what beautiful eyes and what a pretty face you have?” and smiled, then he asked him carefully:
“Seph, can I hold you?”
Sephiroth nodded, smiling a little, then Damien lovingly took him in his arms, kissed him and gently hugged him.
Only very slowly did Sephiroth dare to lean on Damien and trust him?
Epilogue
As promised, Sephiroth accepted Damien into his clique, which also made the other three friends very happy. Between all of them, except for one, a close friendship developed, according to the motto: one for all and all for one!
As expected, the friendship between Damien and Sephiroth eventually developed into a very strong love. They began to love each other wholeheartedly and?they never parted from each other again.
Of course, Sephiroth had been attracted to Damien all along, not to say in love with him. But he couldn't admit it to himself and didn't want to admit it to himself. In front of his friends, Sephiroth had always wanted to play the big guy, the invincible one who supposedly knew no feelings, let alone felt them. But he was just afraid of what awaited him...
Sephiroth's parents, or at least his father, Randir, had noticed it all along, of course. He knew his son far too well not to recognize it.
Since Sephiroth's parents owned a large mansion, Damien eventually moved in with Sephiroth.
Neither of their parents objected to the relationship, even though Damien's father was very shocked by his son's sexual orientation. Nevertheless, he stood by his son.
What no one knew was that Zack and Angeal had been a couple for a long time. Everyone was more than astonished when the two of them came out to their friends, the clique, at some point. Sephiroth was also very surprised, although he actually knew everything about and from his friends. However, he was happy for Zack and Angeal.
But Genesis couldn't really understand all of this and eventually left the 'gay clique', as he called them. At first he stayed alone, but eventually he looked for and found a girlfriend and new friends. From then on, he avoided his former clique?
END

Place: Klausdorf (a small village near Zurich, Switzerland)

Martin, 16y

From afar, I saw the facade of the building all too familiar to me, where I had spent so much time and was happy to be there again at last. For 5 weeks I had not been there now, and unlike many others, I really missed it. Although... it didn't look very inviting: an ugly yellow plaster that was slowly crumbling away and wasn't exactly in top condition either... but still: I was always glad when the vacations were finally over. I usually just spent them watching TV or reading to kill time until school started, or maybe going for a long walk at night... It was always so nice and quiet and you didn't meet anyone. Anyway, that was the case since Simon, my best friend, had moved away. As a result, I didn't have any friends with whom I could do anything. And what was there to do in this backwater anyway? About 170 inhabitants, an inn and a small village shop (which, by the way, belongs to my dad), that's all there was anyway.
Well, I don't have to worry about that anymore, because the holidays are finally over and at least I have something to do. You probably already guessed it: at school I was quite a nerd, which didn't exactly make me popular... at least they mostly left me alone, unlike before. Still, it wasn't nice to be alone because of that, but I just didn't want to stay stuck in this backwater forever and take over the village store, as my father wished.
By the way, I live alone with my father at the moment. My mother is in America for a year, but she should be back in about a month. I'm glad she'll be back soon because she's the exact opposite of my father. He wouldn't let himself be lured out of his village for the world. “He just leaves me here to do the work and travels around the world. One of these days she'll realize how much nicer and quieter it is here,” he said when she left. He was right about the calm, but what is supposed to be nice about calm? Every now and then it's nice, but I would much prefer a life in the big city where something is going on every night. I'm going to die of boredom here!
Just as I arrived at school, the bell rang and I had to hurry to get to class. And once again, I was the only one sitting at the front. Mr. Roth, our class teacher, sent the laziest, and that meant the back row, to the front as a punishment at the beginning of the lesson.
Just as he was about to start the lesson, there was a knock at the door and, without waiting for an answer, the head teacher of our school burst in. “Excuse me,” he said, looking first at us and then at Roth. “Mr. Roth, we have a new student. I'm sorry that I'm only telling you this now, but I only just returned from vacation today.” And then he turned back to us: ‘Well children...’ he began and took a step aside and let a blond, rather small boy in. ”This is Ron, his family just moved here and he will be going to your class from now on... Well, I've still got work to do.” and luckily he had disappeared again with a brief nod to Roth, I had never liked him, especially since I had a lesson with him once. His son was in the same class back then... I think you can imagine who was always the best in the class even though he never really participated and was never to blame when something happened...
“What's your name again?” Mr. Roth asked the boy. ‘Ron.’ ‘And where do you come from?’ ”A week ago, I still lived in Zurich with my parents.” “Aha, please sit down on the free seat next to Martin.” Did that have to be? Did Roth absolutely have to point to the empty seat next to me? I had always been glad that I had the seat to myself, then I could spread my stuff across the whole surface of the desk. But what could I do about it? Exactly! Nothing!

Ron
It was exactly as I had imagined it: a quiet, remote village where everything always stays the same and isn't constantly changing like in Zurich. And exactly as I had imagined it: I liked it just as little as I liked the stupid village idiots who grinned at me from all sides. At least one of them wasn't grinning, but he didn't even look at me. Only when he was hit from behind with a paper airplane did he raise his head and I could see his face. “Cute...” crossed my mind at the first glance... Then I saw the teacher approaching me out of the corner of my eye and quickly composed myself, you never knew what they could read from your eyes.
“I have selected the textbooks you will need today. The math book is an older edition, but I think it will suffice for today.“ ‘Thank you, Mr... Roth.’ I replied a bit absentmindedly. My thoughts were elsewhere. ‘You’re hardly here before you're hanging around with the boys again.” I said quietly to myself. “What did you say?” asked the boy next to me. “Er... Nothing, nothing at all. By the way, hi, I'm Ron.” I hoped he wouldn't notice how red I had become. ‘Martin.’ He replied a bit grumpily. He didn't seem to be in the best of moods...
“If you're done chatting, can we get started?” the teacher asked annoyed and everyone suddenly fell silent, which he took as yes. Apparently it was better not to mess with him, as it seemed. ”All right, we'll start a new topic today: percentage calculations.”
Luckily, I didn't have to pay much attention during the lesson; I had already covered the topic at the old school. I watched the class curiously and, unfortunately, my first impression was confirmed. Sorry if I offend anyone, but they were real village idiots. Only Martin seemed to make a different impression on me...
But now I want to introduce myself: I'm Ron, 17 years old and as you've probably already noticed: I'm gay! I haven't really come out yet (except to my parents), and I'm not planning to until I have a boyfriend, but how am I supposed to find someone in such a small town when I couldn't find anyone in Zurich? Probably not at all.
As soon as possible I will leave here again, my father might like it here, but I don't. And my mother didn't seem too happy about me moving away from Zurich either.
At that moment the bell rang and everyone ran out. I also wanted to leave, but at the door I saw that Martin was staying behind. “Aren't you going on a break?” I asked. “No,” I got as an answer, and from the undertone, his mood hadn't improved. “Have I done something to offend you? You could be a little more friendly,” I tried it in a direct way. He remained silent and I really didn't feel like it anymore and wanted to leave. “Sorry, you're right,” he held me back. It sounded pretty hard for him.
“Finally you're talking to me and I've already given up. You were the only one here who doesn't seem to be one of those village idiots.” He looked at me, scrutinizing. ‘Has it struck your tongue?’ I grinned at him. He still didn't say anything, so I had to come up with something to talk about. “You don't seem to be very popular around here, do you?” “No, I don't really have any friends here,” he replied curtly. “That's good, because I don't either. Will you come to my place today?” I said, smiling and holding out my hand.

Martin
“Okay, why not?“ I replied after a while and squeezed his hand.
“So? What's it like in Zurich? Certainly not as sleepy as here, is it?” I asked when we were outside. “No, definitely not.” And it certainly wasn't. “You really do waste away here... Anyway, as soon as school's over, I'm going to get out of here.” He suddenly stopped. “Is something wrong?” Had I done something wrong? “Just a thought,” he said, and since he didn't want to tell me, we just walked on until he stopped again after a while. “Hey Martin, would you maybe like to come with me to Zurich for the weekend? My mom and dad still have a few things to do there, and I'll go too. We'll stay until Monday.” - “Well... I don't know... My dad would say no anyway.” I replied uncertainly, the whole thing was a bit sudden... but somehow it was tempting. Maybe then I would see Simon again, who used to be my best friend but moved to Zurich. ‘Oh come on... Monday and Tuesday are school holidays, aren't they? Isn't that when the teachers are on a training course?’ ”Yes, they are. Still: maybe next time, my dad will probably say no anyway.” Not just probably, but definitely... I added mentally. “It's a shame... we're going again next week, so you can come with us then.” He seemed strangely disappointed. “Maybe...” I answered, muttering to myself. “Are you coming back to my place a little?” That sounded better. “Okay, but I have to be there by 9:00.” “That's fine, what do we have in the next hour, anyway? German, right?” I think we'll skip the rest of the lesson now; I doubt you're interested in how Mr. Roth ranted about the new spelling rules.
So, we'll resume history with the last ringing of the bell. I quickly packed up my stuff and went outside with Ron. One of our classmates shouted, “Have fun, nerds!” behind us, and Ron had already made himself unpopular... I never would have thought that someone would break my speed record in it.
“Where do you live?” I asked him after a while. ‘We moved into the village square, just above the village shop.’ Ron replied. ‘That's a coincidence! My dad owns the shop and we live there too. So you moved in right above our apartment, we live on the first floor.’ - ‘Well then you can come over anytime.’ - ”I will do that.” Ron was the first boy since Simon who seemed really nice to me, quite unlike the others here in the village.
“Oh, it's you.” I heard a voice as we arrived at the staircase; the voice seemed to come from the second floor. ‘Well, come on in, we haven't seen each other in forever.’ ‘Dad! Wait for us!’ Ron called up to the second floor. When we arrived at the top, Ron's father greeted us. “Hello Ron, how was the first day of school?” “Boring.” Ron replied curtly. “Well, I can understand that, it's just different here...” his father grinned at him. “Who did you bring with you? Have you already made friends with someone?” - “I have. Dad, this is Martin. Martin, this is my Dad, but you can also call him Tom.” He turned back to his Dad and was about to say something, but was immediately interrupted by a voice that was all too familiar to me. ‘Martin? Is that you?’ and with that, my Dad came out from behind the door frame. Tom and my Dad seemed to be old friends, which could only turn out well for me. ”Hi Dad, you must be...” “Well, what a coincidence! That my son and yours are becoming friends...” Tom interrupted me. ”It's a strange coincidence, because you both should know that we were best friends when we were your age. Well, at least until I had to move to Zurich, I'm really happy to be back here at last... Come in.” Thereupon my dad and Tom went in. ‘Come on, I'll show you my room,’ said Ron, pulling me into the apartment as well.

Ron
I pulled Martin's arm and led him to my room. ‘So this is my new realm.’ After a while Martin said, almost a little disappointed: ‘I would have expected it to be different.’ ”Hmm... probably all a bit more modern, right? Sorry, it was already furnished like the rest of the apartment. Mom and Dad will leave everything as it is, but not my room. At the weekend, we'll get my furniture from the old apartment and then the rest will be on the bulky waste list.” - ”Aha, I'm curious to see what it will look like. I'll quickly go and ask my dad if I can come with you at the weekend after all. Since he knows your dad, he'll allow it,”

Martin.
And I was right, he agreed. He was probably quite happy to get rid of me for a weekend, at least that's how it seemed. But I didn't care why he let me go, I didn't really like my dad much anyway. My mom had already messed up with him for the second time... Man... I'd be glad when she was back.
“He allowed me to. I should just come back on Monday evening at the latest,” I said when I came back to Ron's room. ‘Great! I can show you around the city a bit if you want and our apartment there is really great! I don't understand why my dad wanted to leave, and I think my mom feels the same way.’ ”Of course I'd like to see the city, and if I'm ever going to get out of this backwater, I can't miss out on something like this.”

Ron
I liked Martin more and more every minute, and slowly I started to feel a tingling sensation. I think I've got a little crush on him... Forget it! I thought at the same moment. There's a maximum 1:10 chance that he's gay too, and even if he was, how would I know that he felt the same way? But I couldn't do anything about it... Feelings were never really controllable. “What's up? What are you thinking?” Martin pulled me out of my thoughts. “Nothing.” I said evasively, which luckily satisfied Martin. “Hey, you've got a PC, do you have games on it too?” “Do you want to try?” “Sure.” I turned on the PC and soon we were both absorbed in the game.
A short time later, or so it seemed to me, my dad and Martin's dad came into my room. “Well, two hours on that thing is enough now. And Martin should go home anyway.” “Okay, just let him finish the level quickly,” I replied.
A short time later, this time it really was the case, Martin and his dad left and I went straight to bed. The whole time until I fell asleep, only one thought was buzzing around in my head...

Martin,
man, that was great! I finally seemed to have found a friend here again, and he wasn't one of those other blockheads from school. I wished it was Friday after school already, then I would finally get out of here. A weekend in Zurich was something very special for me, I don't think anyone who hasn't lived in some backwater for 17 years can imagine that. “Finally you've found a friend, then you won't be hanging around here at home and getting on my nerves as often. So, now march off to bed.” My father said, but he didn't have to tell me that anymore, because I was dog-tired. I undressed and lay down naked in bed. Since my sister no longer lived here, she hadn't done so for 5 years, I always slept like that. Even if that occasionally led to quite a few embarrassments...
-
Saturday morning:
“Hey! Wake up, lazybones!” my Dad was standing at the bed and pulled the blanket away from me. ‘Let me!’ I grumbled and grabbed the blanket again. ‘All right...’ he said, turned and headed for the door. ‘But Tom and Ron will be disappointed if you don't come.’ he added before he left the door open... As a result, I saw Ron and Tom standing in front of the door. Ron looked at me with a slight grin on his face (I was naked, after all...), Tom didn't even look into the room...
Shit, I thought and immediately retreated to the closet where Ron couldn't see me anymore. I had also completely forgotten that it was already Friday. I quickly looked at the alarm clock... Shit! I thought, it was already a quarter to twelve, and I had arranged to meet them at half past eleven...
I quickly jumped out of bed, rushed to the bathroom and got into the shower. A moment later, however, I was out again with a jump and a yell. “Sorry...” my father, who was standing outside the door, called to me with an ironic undertone: “Forgot to tell you that the hot water is used up, I'm sorry.”
Well, I just took an ice-cold shower, so at least I woke up. “He should be done in a minute. So you're staying until Monday?” I heard as I got out of the shower and dried myself, shivering from the cold. “Yes, we still have to show the apartment to two prospective tenants on Monday.” I heard Tom's voice while I was getting dressed, and shortly afterwards I was ready. “We're ready to go, bye Dad,” I said to him as I passed, and I was out the door already. He closed the door without saying anything.
Tom went ahead to drive the car up, “Your dad doesn't seem to like you very much, does he?” Tom asked. “Yes, but it's mutual. You see... he wanted – actually he still wants – me to take over the shop, but I just don't want to, I want to get out of this backwater when I'm old enough.” “I understand that, and it's the same with your dad. But he's a really nice guy if you let him.” Our driver was already pulling up... Tom had hired him because he couldn't drive himself at the moment because his arm was recovering from a sprain and was still in a splint. But how could they afford something like a chauffeur and at the same time live in such a shitty... normal middle-class apartment?
“Ron, what's up?” I asked him... he was still standing outside while I had already gotten in. ‘Jump in, Ron, your mom's probably done work and is waiting.’ Tom interrupted him as he was about to answer and so he got in silently.

Ron
In the meantime, I was showing Martin Zurich. The slogan “A Little Big City”, used to promote tourism, was really a good fit for Zurich. Compared to other cities outside of Switzerland, Zurich was not that big, but you could still find everything you would expect in a much larger city. And for gay people, there was plenty going on.
Speaking of which, Martin still didn't know, I think you know what I mean. I would have liked to have told him right away, but I thought it was better to wait. But somehow it was a stupid feeling to have such a secret from him, because in the short time I knew him, he had become my best friend I had, who would have forgotten me soon anyway here in Zurich (they weren't really friends either... when I was feeling down, they were gone)
Well, but now back to our city tour, I had just shown him the Grosmünster (or was it the Kleinmünster?) and now we were sitting together in, no, in front of the “Grand Café” directly on the Limmat where a ship (actually more of a larger boat) of the Limmat Shipping Company was passing through. A group of Japanese waved at us and suddenly one of them fell into the water. With the hectic Japanese that we then heard, Martin and I couldn't help but laugh, and many others felt the same way.
You could already see a crowd of onlookers forming, the tourist kept trying to get on board and even pulled someone else into the water in one attempt. “Come on, let's go, there are nicer things than this crowd,” I say to Martin, he nods and after we had paid we went towards Bellevue and thus also towards the lake. Suddenly I heard a voice that sounded familiar, “Hey Ron! Wait a minute!” OOOH NO! Does it really have to be like this? I thought and turned around. Unfortunately it was exactly as I had suspected, one of my best (fake) friends from Zurich was standing in front of the ‘Cranberry’ and now walking towards me.
“I thought you moved away the week before last? ... Must have been homesick? And who is that there next to you? Your new one?“ ‘Can't you pay attention?!’ I would have liked to have shouted in his face, but I tried to save what could still be saved.
“Yes, he's a new friend of mine.” I emphasized that, maybe the blockhead would then realize... “I'm really happy for you that you've finally found one.” Oh man... didn't he realize anything? “Sorry, we don't have time, but give me a call, you have my number,” I quickly said to get rid of him and wanted to quickly move on. ‘Why don't you come to Cranberry with him, I'll buy you a drink.’ he called after us. ‘No, I don't have time now,’ I shouted back and ran away, glad to get rid of him. ”Okay, I'll call you tomorrow,” I heard him call from afar and when I looked back I luckily didn't see him anymore.
Explanation: The Cranberry is a gay bar and now you probably understand why I had to get rid of him.
Fortunately, after walking for a while, the tension had gone. After a while of silence, Ron suddenly said: “So you're embarrassed to be seen with me by your old friends? Well then go to them, I'll find my way to your apartment alone!” whereupon he also ran off and I was a bit taken aback for the time being. Fortunately, I soon recovered. Unfortunately too late: Martin is no longer to be seen. ‘Shit!’ He would certainly not find his way, a country boy can't find his way around in a big city.
But where should I look for him? He was down the lake, so he must still be by the lake. Soon after, I found him sitting on the lakeshore and sat down next to him. “Hey Martin...” “Get lost!” he interrupted me brusquely. “You don't like me at all, you're even ashamed of me.” - “No, I don't, Martin.” “Then what is the reason?” With this sentence he finally looked at me and even had tears in his face. It hurt me, but I just couldn't tell him, I was afraid that he wouldn't like me anymore. ”Martin, I can't tell you, as much as I would like to.” - “Oh, so you just can't think of the right excuse.” I didn't know what to say anymore, I wrestled with myself inside to tell him after all, I wanted to do it, but I was afraid that... “Oh, forget it!” he said, stood up and wanted to walk away. I grabbed him by the arm. “Wait!” I took all my courage together and...

Martin
WHAT!? What had he just said? That Cranberry was a gay bar? That means yes he... it occurred to me and I looked into his eyes in horror. I saw that he was really serious, but I couldn't quite believe it and asked again for the second time, although the answer was already clear. “Yes, believe it already.” - “No, that's not true! You can't... not...» I faltered. «be gay? Yes, I am.» He finished my sentence. This couldn't be true... I turned around, I just couldn't look Ron in the face anymore.
«Martin...» he said and put his hand on my shoulder. I pulled away «Leave me alone.» I shouted at him and ran away. I just couldn't think straight anymore and just ran, further and further down the lake... past women with strollers, a picnic meadow and grandpas feeding swans, I was met with astonished looks from all around. I kept running, and by now I was even on the other side of the lake. But suddenly I was rudely stopped when I ran into a man. “Hey! Watch where you're going!” he said angrily.
-
Just as I was about to get up again, someone grabbed me and helped me up. ‘Hi Martin, what are you doing here in Zurich?’ I looked at the person in puzzlement. He was about 35 and tall. I couldn't see much more because he had his back to the sun. “Do you know him?” asked the person I had run into and who was now standing next to us. ‘Yes, he's Julia's son.’ The other man thought for a moment. ‘Of Julia?’ Meanwhile, I saw who he was... ”Yes, Julia. She was there when we met, so maybe you know her now?”
That was Daniel, who had been the best friend of Julia, my mother, for a long time. At that time he still lived with us in the village. “Oh yes, now I know who you mean. And so that's... er Martin, am I right?” the man turned to me. “Sorry that I ran into you.” I apologized. “It's all right... and call me Marco.” he replied. “What are you doing here? Is your mom here too?” Daniel asked. ‘No, my mom's not here, I'm here with the parents of a friend.’ I must have pronounced ‘friend’ rather contemptuously, because Daniel immediately asked if we had had a fight.
“Hey you two, I'm going out, I still have to go get something. I'll see you later,” Marco said and disappeared pretty quickly. ‘Come on, let's sit on that bench over there and you can tell me everything,’ Daniel said.
-
After I had told him everything, Daniel looked at me with a look I couldn't interpret. “Martin, I know that you've probably heard something different everywhere. But since when do you believe in what they're saying up there in your village? They're people too, I'm sure your mother would have thought the same way.” ‘Do you really believe that?’ I wasn't so convinced. ‘Yes.’ There was a short pause, and then he said, ‘Martin... Marco is my boyfriend.’ ‘What do you mean?’ I asked incredulously. “You mean you're...?” I said after a short pause. ‘Yes, we're gay.’ ‘Did... did my mom know that?’ - ‘Yes, she did, she even introduced me to Marco.’ - ‘And that's really true?’ Like a naive child, I asked the same question again. ”Yes, that's just the way it is. Does that make me a different person to you?” No... he was still Daniel, but I suddenly felt a little uncomfortable, the whole thing was a little hard to digest. But if my mother didn't mind... “No... no.” I replied, swallowing. “You see? And it's just as unlikely...” “Is that him over there?” I turned and looked in the direction he was pointing.

Ron
I continued walking along the lake but I couldn't find Martin anywhere. There would be a big fuss at home if they knew I had lost him... but even worse was that the only new friend I had found might never talk to me again. And if that would come out up there in the village... I didn't even want to think about it.
“Ron! Over here.” someone said, bringing me back from my thoughts. I had completely overlooked him while I was lost in my thoughts... He was sitting on the meadow by the lake. ‘Man, I'm glad I found you again.’ – ‘Ron, I didn't mean to...’ – ”It's okay.” Only now did I notice the man standing next to Ron. “Who are you?” “This is Daniel, he's a good friend of my mother's...” Martin explained. “And he ran over my friend.” Daniel continued. “Friend? In what way?” Somehow I sensed it... from the way he said it... “In the same way you would have one.” Daniel replied. “Okay, so have you calmed down Martin? You really don't have to be afraid of me, I won't attack you.” ‘You won't? I will.’ Martin grinned, pounced on me and tickled me. I was paralyzed, I was completely surprised by how quickly Martin's mood had changed... ‘What's the matter? Did I do something wrong?’ Martin looked at me questioningly as I pushed him away. “No, I'm just a little surprised at how quickly you...” I turned to Daniel, still lying on the ground, ‘What did you tell him?’ ‘I just had to tell him about his mother, he always pricks up his ears when he hears that. You know, he admires his mother very much, and if she approves of something, he'll do it anyway.’ Martin blushed, but he nodded. He must be very impressed by his mother if she can make him change his mind so quickly. “Where is your mother? I'd like to meet her,” I asked him, since I only knew his father. “Unfortunately, you won't be able to meet her for another three weeks, because that's when she'll finally be back from America.” – “How long has she been gone?” Daniel asked in between. “A year... Um, Daniel... I have a favor to ask you.“ Martin seemed to have just had a thought. ‘What is it?’ ‘Could you pick up my mom at the airport on Friday at noon three weeks from now? My dad ’can't'.” - “Of course! I wouldn't miss this chance, I haven't seen her in so long and I'll pick you up quickly beforehand.” - “But at my place, okay Martin?” I interrupted. “So I can come to your place in Zurich again?” – ‘Yes, we won't be vacating the apartment for at least a month.’ – ‘That's great.’ Martin was as happy as a child, which I found kind of cute. ‘Thanks, Daniel, thanks, Ron.’ He bowed to us for fun. ‘You're welcome.’ – ‘You're not normal after all, you're way too nice for that.’ Martin grinned at us. “Those who think that people like you don't belong are just stupid.” I could have told him that until recently he was one of them, but I didn't.
Well, now he knew. And after initial difficulties, he had taken it well. Unfortunately, he was straight. I always seemed to fall in love with the wrong guys, always with straights.
But there were worse things, so we leave the subject now. A good friend is ultimately worth something, and I believe that Martin was definitely that.

Martin
It's funny, right after I found out from Ron that he was gay, I just hated him. Why exactly I can't explain to myself either... or rather why I listened to the crap that I was constantly being fed in the village.
“Hey you two, do you want to come now?” I heard Daniel say. What did he mean? ‘What?’ asked Ron, who apparently hadn't been there either. ‘Sorry, I wasn't listening to you. What did you ask?’ – ‘Well, if you want to come quickly, our apartment isn't far away,’ he invited us. ‘Okay with me,’ I replied, and Ron didn't mind either.
We walked about 100 meters and then went into a not exactly new-looking house. But when we arrived at the apartment, we were very surprised. “Me and Marco renovated it before we moved in here, before that it looked pretty shabby.” “Hi, Danny darling,” Marco said as he met us and gave Daniel a passionate kiss. Contrary to my expectations, it didn't look ‘gross’ (Swiss German for ‘disgusting’) at all, just a little strange.
“Hey you two, are you thirsty? We only have coke, iced tea or mineral water.” Daniel asked, but before we could say anything, Marco started talking and we didn't get a chance to say anything for a long time. I think he could talk for hours on end.
-
“So you're Martin and you... hmm... I don't think I know you yet.” He pointed at Ron and seemed to finally calm down. “That's clear, he only joined us after you left, his name is Ron and he's a friend of Martin.” And - I must have been mistaken - Marco was already blabbering away. The guy was starting to get on my nerves and I found him more and more unappealing; he seemed so fake, like someone without talent was playing a role in a theater. We're going to watch a little TV, okay?” I tried to get us away from him. ‘Yeah, go ahead, we'll go to the kitchen and cook something, the remote is in the right drawer of the cabinet.’ Daniel said, pointing to a passageway hung with pearl curtains... rather strange such a curtain where everything else was rather modern...
I turned on the TV and Ron pulled on the drawer, but it didn't open. He pulled a little harder and... then I realized why it didn't open, it was the wrong one. “Hey! He said the right one, that's the left one!” tried to stop him, but unfortunately too late, because the lock flew out and the drawer clattered to the floor. Luckily, no one had heard it.

Ron
I picked up the things that were scattered everywhere and froze when I saw the photos lying there. “Quickly, I threw everything down. I grabbed Martin by the arm and whispered, ”Be quiet, just be quiet! We have to get out of here.” He didn't seem to understand what was going on, but he followed me as we crept silently along the wall to the front door. I pushed down the handle and slowly began to open the door, unfortunately it squeaked quite loudly. ‘Did you hear something?’ I heard Daniel's voice from the kitchen. “No, it was probably just the TV in the living room,” Marco replied. Martin snuck out, and I followed as quickly as I could through the narrow gap. The last thing I heard was Daniel: ”I'll still go see how the two of them are doing.”
“Shit!” I swore softly. ‘Let's get out of here!’ We ran down the stairs and out into the street. A few meters further on, we were lucky that a policeman was in the process of writing down parking offenders. ‘Please, could you notify your colleagues?’ I said hastily to him. ‘Why?’
-
I told him the whole story to the end. “So you've seen photos that prove that the two are child molesters?” the policeman asked incredulously. “Only one of them was on it, we don't know about the other one, and only I saw them.” During the whole thing, the memory of what was on the perverse pictures came back to me and it shook me at the thought of what the two could have done to us... “And now come on! Before the two of them run away or destroy any evidence.”
After some hesitation, the man called for backup. ‘They'll be at the address you gave me in a moment. Please come with me, you have to identify them.’ Just then, Daniel came running around the corner and almost crashed into us. ”I finally found you...” He didn't get to finish the sentence because the policeman thought Daniel was going to attack us. He threw him to the ground with a skillful move, twisted his arms behind his back and handcuffed him.
“I didn't do anything,” said Daniel, lying on the ground. ”Maybe not, but what do you know about the photos they say you have in your apartment?” “I didn't know about them until today. My roommate always kept that drawer locked.” ‘What exactly happened?’ ”I thought I heard something and wanted to check on Martin and his friend, who we had invited over. When I looked into the living room, they weren't there anymore. Only the drawer and these photos were on the floor. I was shocked when I saw them, immediately took my key, went out and locked the apartment, so Marco should still be there.” - ‘Well, you'll be able to tell the story again at the station, that's where the actual interrogation will take place. Then we'll check whether you're telling the truth.’ He held Daniel's arm and led him back to the house where he put him in a police car that was already waiting there. Two policemen were just going up to the apartment.” We asked if we could come with them, but we were told that it was too dangerous.
But everything went as smoothly as it looked, and the police officers soon came down with Marco, ‘Asshole! You'll regret this,’ he shouted in my face and spat at me. I wiped my face with my handkerchief.
“I'll drive you home, okay? I've parked my private car just around the corner,” said the policeman who had overpowered Daniel. We gratefully accepted, because today we only wanted one thing: to go home.
-
“I'll quickly go to the bathroom to shower, brush my teeth and so on, Ron.” Martin said and disappeared into the bathroom. ‘You should also go to bed, Ron, we can talk about it tomorrow,’ my father said and wished me a good night. I went to bed right away, the day had also taken its toll on me.
-
Man oh man! Today you've really got yourself into a mess. I said quietly to myself. I'd really had enough, first with Martin, and then with Daniel and Marco, although both had ended well for me, but I really had enough for today. Why was life sometimes so difficult?
Exhausted, I lay down in bed but couldn't sleep. Something inside me tightened, I kept thinking about Martin and even cried a little. Why did I always fall in love with the wrong ones? At that moment, Martin came in and I pretended to be asleep so he wouldn't hear from the sound of my voice how I was doing. I lay awake for a long time and heard Martin breathing rhythmically after a short time... so he was already asleep. After tossing and turning for a long time, I also fell asleep...
until I suddenly woke up. “NO!!! Leave me alone, I don't want that,” Martin screamed over and over again as I looked at him. I got up and went to him. “Hey! Wake up!” I called to him. “NO! Get lost Ron! I don't want that!” There was no other way, I slapped Martin a few times, which probably hurt me more than him.
Finally he woke up and looked at me with fear and hatred. “You just had a nightmare, it's all over,” I said and ran my hand through his hair comfortingly, whereupon he shrank back even more fearfully. “What were you dreaming about? If you want, you can tell me, or if you need anything else.” “No, it's okay...” he replied, but I still sensed that something was wrong. ‘I'm going to go back to bed now, but you can wake me up anytime if you need me, I don't need much sleep anyway,’ I said, and then went back to my bed. ”Okay, thanks. I'll try to get some sleep again too.”

Martin
But I couldn't sleep for a long time, because I still knew exactly what I had dreamt and the images kept going through my mind. I felt the hatred growing again inside me towards Ron because he was gay. I kept telling myself that it was nonsense to hold Ron responsible for what Marco and Daniel had done, but I couldn't quite get rid of the image of the dream... Ron's hateful face still haunted me, but I kept telling myself that he would never do such a thing. I lay awake for a long time, turning over and over in my mind, but only going around in circles... Fortunately, I eventually fell asleep again.
-
The rest of the weekend was pretty uneventful, Zurich had lost its appeal for me if people like Marco and Daniel lived here... who unfortunately somehow managed to escape... then I'd rather stay in our backwater and take over my dad's shop.
Meanwhile, we were on the way back and just arrived in the village. By the way, Tom's wife wasn't with us, she had gone home earlier to meet an old girlfriend... soon I would know who she was.
During the whole trip, the mood was at rock bottom. I would have been surprised if anyone was in a good mood after such a weekend.
“See you tomorrow,” Ron said as I unlocked the door to our apartment on the first floor. I didn't answer, I couldn't somehow. When I came in, I took my backpack up to my room and went into the living room to watch a little TV. But when I entered, I was shocked: my mother was sitting on the armchair reading some women's magazine. That couldn't be right, she wasn't supposed to come back for another three weeks. Dad was sitting at the other end of the sofa and looked just as angry as my mother, who was almost tearing the pages out when turning them.
“So the police have already reported the incident to you?” ‘Wwwhat? What incident do you mean?’ my mother stuttered. ‘You see, I always told you that your son would amount to nothing, and now the police have caught him. What have you done?’ He stood up and seemed to want to grab me by the ears. “Nothing, I was just there for a witness interview.“ He let go of it again, but looked at me suspiciously. ‘What happened?’ my mother asked. ‘Later, Mom.’ I'd better tell them that later, now they both didn't seem to be in the mood.
“I...” my mother began hesitantly. “I'll take you to Zurich today, everything's already been arranged with school,” my mother said. ‘What?’ ‘You're coming with me to Zurich tonight.’ My mother looked at me as if it were the most normal thing in the world. ‘You're welcome to him, he's a good-for-nothing anyway,’ I heard my dad say, but I didn't give a damn about him now. ”Why do we have to go to Zurich?”

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#2
2025-07-10, 10:57 AM 
My mother looked at me with tear-stained eyes, “Okay, explain it to me later. Now we'd better leave here first.” I realized that it was no use questioning my mother now; in front of my father she wouldn't say anything anyway, it seemed... She just wanted to leave. So I followed my mother into the bedroom. “Please carry the two suitcases on the bed to the car,” she said in a shaky voice. You could tell that she had to pull herself together to not cry.

Ron
Man, why did this have to be? Martin had come to terms with it so quickly that I was gay, even if it was only because of Daniel and his mother who trusted Daniel... and now? Daniel had disappointed him, and with that, his mother had disappointed him too, and he was transferring the whole thing to me... that just wasn't fair.
I had to do something about it. Martin wasn't stupid. If I talked to him, then everything would be fine. “I'm going back down to Martin's mom!” I called to my mother, who had just arrived. “She's going back to our old apartment!” I heard my father say before I closed the door.
I went downstairs and rang the doorbell of Martin's parents. Only when I was about to give up again, Ron's father opened the door after I had rung the bell a few times, and I could almost feel sick from the alcohol on his breath. “What is it?” he asked unfriendly. “Can I talk to Martin?” “No, he's not here. That damned son of a bitch is gone with his mother! Fucking woman! Let her die there if she wants!“ he shouted and slammed the door in my face before I could ask where they had disappeared to.

Martin
“So, here we are!” my mother triumphantly announced after getting lost several times, even though she had said she still knew exactly where it was. I now knew exactly what was going on, but I had already suspected it: my mother had broken up with my father and wanted to file for divorce soon, but she didn't want to tell me the reason even after I asked several times. I suspect that he had used the 'storm-free' place over the weekend and my mother had surprised him doing something...
“So honey, we'll be living here for a few weeks, it belongs to a friend of mine,” she began. ‘You always wanted to live in the big city, didn't you?’ she added. ‘Mom...’ I replied evasively, I was too surprised to say more. ‘What's the matter, honey? Is something wrong?’ ”I think I know who owns the apartment, Mom.” “How do you know...” she didn't get to finish her sentence, she was interrupted by Ron's mother from one of the upper floors: the door is open, we are supposed to come up. So I wasn't mistaken, I had been here this weekend. ”Hello Martin, hello Julia, I expected you a little later, but it doesn't matter. I'll just make coffee and get the cake.”

Ron said,
“Damn! Martin wasn't there at all and it didn't seem like the right moment to call him either, as it seemed like a family crisis was unfolding and it was better to leave him alone for now.
“Hey Ron! Come up here, please!” my dad called to me, leaning on the railing on the first floor. ‘Later, Dad, I'm just going out for a bit.’ I said and ran out of the house. ‘No, Ron, now please!’ he called after me from the window of the stairwell. So I turned around and went back up the stairs. My father was quite acceptable but with his constant conversations he was slowly getting on my nerves. His reaction to my coming out hadn't been that good either... but my sister had patched things up with him later and since then we had been getting along quite well.
“So, what is it, Dad?” I asked him when I got upstairs. ”Sit down first.” he started and continued after I had sat down with “It's about you and Martin... ‘ ’I think we both know what's between you, or rather what you would like.” Ugh, you couldn't hide anything from him, apparently. “So you noticed, and then?” I replied, annoyed. I really didn't need a conversation like that right now.
“I just wanted to tell you that you'd better not tell him you're gay for the time being, we're in the middle of nowhere. If you say something, you'll lose your friend faster than you think, he's already withdrawn enough since this incident...” His voice trailed off and we both fell silent.
“Too late, Dad.” I said after a while with an ironic laugh. ‘So you said it?’ I nodded. ‘Oh Ron! Please be a little more reserved about it, not everyone can handle it easily. You know how I...’ I hated it when he brought it up... it just got on my nerves. “And because the others can't handle it, I should build a web of lies? Hide? Forget it!” I replied angrily, as I always did when he brought up the subject. Tom stood up and became angry; since the ‘incident’ he had been easily irritable. ‘I just wanted to tell you not to yell about it!’ he shouted at me. “After all, nobody runs out and tells everyone that they're straight...” ‘And nobody thinks that you're not straight either!’ I shouted back.
It probably could have gone on like this for a long time, but I didn't feel like it and slammed the apartment door with full force as I walked out.

A week later:
Martin
“I'm off then.” I said to the two of them and walked out of the apartment onto the street. The two of them had been chatting for hours already, and it was slowly getting too much for me, unfortunately there were no more doors that could be closed. So I decided to take a little stroll around town, by now I was already finding my way around quite well.
So I took the tram to the Central stop and just walked around the old town for a bit. I often did that when I wanted to distract myself...

Thomas
How could I have fallen in love with such an ass? Why had I been so blind? So the damned shit had been lying to me for more than a month, telling me he loved me, but it wasn't true. 'Not anymore,' as he had said, but I was beginning to doubt that he had ever loved me at all.
And today, after all this time, he told me to my face that he no longer loves me... are there any men who don't want to screw with you all the time?
I had to let out my anger somehow, I picked up a stone from the ground and threw it as far as possible out onto the lake. It felt really good to let off steam like that. I was ready to throw a second stone, I took a swing and... it slipped out of my hand. A nearby splash and a scream indicated that someone had been splashed. I also saw who it was, a boy my age who had been sitting on the shore. I went to him and wanted to give him my hand in apology: “I'm sorry...” “It doesn't matter.” He spitefully interrupted me.
Oh dear... someone was in a bad mood... Good, at least I wasn't the only one and a problem shared is a problem halved, so: “Hey, it's not nothing, the stone I threw splashed you and that needs to be apologized for. I'll buy you a Coke.” No answer, he just looked back out at the lake with a sad look on his face. “You don't just turn down my invitations,” I tried with a joking tone, but he didn't answer, just looked at me briefly and then turned away again.
“All right then... you want it your way!” I said, grabbed his arm and pulled him up. ‘You're coming with me and that's that!’ I said seriously, but soon I had to laugh, his sheepish face just looked too funny and the corners of his mouth twitched too. ”Did I just see a smile on your face? Isn't that much better than your long face?” I winked at him and again a sweet smile flitted across the boy's face, unfortunately it soon disappeared again.
So I went with him to the Grand Café on the Limmat and ordered two colas.
“So, now tell me what's going on with you.” My counterpart was silent again, it didn't seem easy to get something out of him. But he had something on his mind, I could see it clearly.
“What's your name, anyway?” he suddenly asked. I was strangely surprised that he had said something and didn't answer immediately. When I finally wanted to answer, I was unfortunately interrupted by the waiter. ”2 Cokes please.” I said, and he was gone.
“So, I'm Thomas, and you are...“ ‘Martin.’
“And what's the matter with you that you're so sad?” Again he was silent, and I was slowly getting desperate with him. “Hey! I want to help you, so talk to me!”
“If you think...“ he finally said.
“It's about a friend of mine. I didn't know him long, but...” he broke off. “We had become good friends.” “Had?” he nodded. “And what happened that you're no longer friends?” I looked at Martin questioningly, who once again fell silent.

Martin said
“He's gay.“ There, now it was out. ‘And?’ Thomas asked me, looking at me blankly. ‘And?’ I said snidely, it was obvious what it was. ‘Well, what's so bad about it?’ How could Thomas ask me that so calmly?
“They're all the same!” I shouted at him.
Thomas's
“They're all the same!” shouted Martin and all the guests near us looked over at us.
The waiter came over as well. ‘You wanted to pay?’ he asked me. I was still confused; I hadn't expected Martin to react like that, but I absently answered the waiter, ”No.”
The waiter cleared his throat: “You wanted to pay!” he said in an unmistakable tone. “Okay Martin, let's go,” I said, and I gave the money to the waiter, even with a tip that he didn't deserve.
I went out with Martin onto the street and down the street towards the lake. It was already very cold and also already dark, so I probably didn't notice that someone was following us.
-
We had now arrived at the lake and sat down on the benches along the shore. “So Martin, now tell me exactly what's going on, because I think there's more to it.” “And what would that be?” he replied, annoyed. ‘Well, I don't know. But there's something you don't want to tell me.’ He was hiding something from me because he didn't want to be reminded of it, I just sensed it somehow. ”I don't think it's just prejudice the way you react to the word gay... Have you had bad experiences with gays?”
“No.“ Martin said and turned away from me. I stood up and walked around him, I wanted to see his face. Martin was slowly making me very sad, you could clearly see that something was bothering him and he didn't want to talk about it. How could you help someone like that?
“Hey Martin, what's going on? You're so pensive” again he avoided my gaze...
“Come on, let me help you.” My voice sounded increasingly desperate; people like that could sometimes drive you completely crazy.
“Oh man! Why don't you want to get help?” I asked him and took his hand, which was probably a mistake. In any case, Martin flinched, got up and ran away. I just stood there stupidly for a few seconds and watched him until I started to move. But I was too late, Martin had gotten on a tram that was just pulling out as I arrived at the stop. I just stood there, looking after him, feeling a bit foolish.
“Hey Thomas!” I jumped and turned around, startled. A boy who looked strangely familiar was standing in front of me... ”Please don't be disappointed, but it was worth a try.”
I just looked at the person questioningly, I knew him, but I didn't really know how. “Don't you remember me?” I really had a memory like a sieve... but wait a minute, now I remember. That was Ron, I knew him for a long time, but hadn't seen him for a while. “But you've changed quite a bit...”

Ron
Yes, that could be right... a lot has changed in the meantime too... By the way, you probably still want to know how I know Thomas? I had actually known him for a long time because he lived in the same house as we did, but he moved out shortly before we did. When I overheard him today, I was quite surprised to see how he reacted to what Martin said to him... he had always found fags etc. repulsive... was he now one himself...?
“No, of course I still know you, Ron, I just remembered you with black hair and a little different.” He began. ‘But what are you actually doing here? You don't live in Zurich anymore.’ - ‘I was looking for Martin. He's the boy who just...’ - ‘I know who he is.’ Thomas interrupted me. “Oh yes, he has already told you that, and he has also already told you about me.” At first I somewhat amazed him by saying that I of all people... but he soon became angry and asked how long I had been eavesdropping. ‘Since the Grand Café, more or less.’ I grinned at him.

Martin
In the meantime, I was strolling thoughtfully through the streets of the old town... Actually, the whole thing was just stupid, if Ron really was like Daniel and his friend, if he really was such a pig... then I would have noticed sooner. But every time I thought of Ron, I felt sick. The whole thing just wasn't right. Ron was misguided, just like my father had always said about such people. “Hey, you listen to your father? That's a new one!” I was startled, had I thought that thought out loud? “No, you didn't. But I saw everything and I also know you... and I put it all together myself.” the voice sounded again, explaining... I turned around and behind me stood someone, a boy of about 20, smiling at me. “How do you know me?” I asked... and somehow he seemed familiar to me, too. “Unfortunately, I can't tell you that... but I've known you roughly since you've known Simon, he's something of a friend of mine.” - “Friend...? - “Yes, but he wouldn't recognize me anymore...” the voice said sadly. “But let's leave that, I'm here to talk to you. To prevent worse things.” He took me by the arm and pulled me into an empty side street... somehow it was strange, but I knew that I could trust this person... however strange he seemed to me.

Thomas
“And you've been following us the whole time?” Ron just nodded. ‘Hmm... and what do we want to do about Martin now?’ ‘I don't know either, do you still have time?’ I still had some and Ron invited me to come with him to his old apartment, since no one should be there. Let your imagination run wild about what we wanted to do there. (I can already guess what you're thinking again *g*)
But we actually just sat at the kitchen table and talked, I'm almost tempted to say “unfortunately” null
By the way, Ron's mother must have been there recently... In any case, there was still washing up to be done in the kitchen.
We talked for a long time while Ron cooked dinner and discussed Martin. Ron also told me the whole story, and sometime after dinner I even learned that back when I lived just a few floors up, all I would have had to do was say a word to him... then maybe it wouldn't have been so damn hard if me and him had gotten together.
Tired, we went to bed at midnight, Ron to his bed and me on a mattress next to it. Sometime late at night, I suddenly thought I heard someone coming home, but dismissed it as my imagination and went back to sleep.

Ron
I hadn't slept most of the night and now the first sunrays woke me up... quite grumpy I got up and closed the curtains and went sleepily towards the bathroom. Once I was awake in the morning, I wouldn't fall asleep again anyway and a cold shower would do me good.
As I entered, I suddenly remembered that I had to watch out for the step... but it was too late! I stumbled, fell against someone and was lying in a rather explicit position over him... and then this someone was also naked and I wasn't wearing much either...
“Sorry Thomas, I didn't mean to...“ I suddenly stopped when I saw that it wasn't Thomas at all, IT WAS MARTIN!
I got up and left the bathroom, shocked.
“Thomas.” I hissed when I was in my room and tried to wake Thomas. When he didn't wake up, I just took him and shook him.
“What?” he said sleepily. ‘Martin is here and it's...’ I stopped, it was just embarrassing. After Thomas had asked, I told him after all and he couldn't help but laugh. But I didn't find it funny anymore, what would Martin think of me now?

Martin
I knew it, gays couldn't be trusted. I just wanted to get out of there and packed my things. But when I came to the front door, something stopped me and then I heard that voice again: “You don't believe that there are angels, do you? You won't let yourself be convinced either, because you believe that you have never seen one. Then why do you think that gays are bad? You believed that even when you didn't believe you'd ever seen one, and yet he was so close to you, as close as angels might be to you.” The words of ‘something like a friend’ of Simon echoed in my head. The comparison was very strange, but somehow it was true... Maybe I should talk to Ron first after all...
I went in the direction of his room, but then I heard that he was not alone; some boy was with him and I turned back. Probably my father was right, gays were sex addicts and this boy could only be one of those... No, inside me everything bristled at the thought of agreeing with my father and I remembered again the words I had heard yesterday. So I knocked on the door and after a while Ron opened it. “I need to talk to you, Ron.” It was the beginning of a long conversation in which I reconciled with him, whereby Thomas - whom I had looked at in surprise when he came out of the room - had certainly been heavily involved.

Ron
At last Martin was out of the way. He had finally realized that not all gays are the same as Marco. Everything was perfect. I had found a very good friend in Martin, and in Thomas... more than a friend perhaps?

The End
Actually, the story could have ended there. After all, Thomas and Ron were already half-way together, right? There wasn't much missing, but no... it's not over yet, so it continues here:

2 weeks later: Martin
So, everything was fine again, I finally came to terms with the fact that Ron is gay, which is not a bad thing, right? And it looked like he had fallen in love with Thomas. But why did I have the feeling that something was wrong here? Some kind of feeling that this was not right, should not be the way it is?
“Hey you two, I'll run back first,” I said to the two of them after they had said goodbye to me.
Thomas
What was wrong with Martin? He looked kind of sad... Was it maybe still the whole thing with Marco and Daniel? Or did he still have problems with me and Ron being gay?
“I'm worried about Martin Thomas, do we want to go after him?“ Ron thought the same... ‘Maybe it would be better, Ron. So come on, let's get up.’
-
Together we tried to sneak inconspicuously behind Martin, who strangely wasn't going in the direction of our apartment.
“Do you have any idea where he's going?” Ron shook his head. We followed him for a long time, and only much further up at the lake did he stop and sit down on a bench on the shore. We couldn't see him anymore because the bench was hidden by a hedge, like the other benches along the shore. We couldn't see him, but we could hear him sobbing quietly, and I began to suspect what was going on.
“Ron, go to him and comfort him a little. Unfortunately, I have to go home.” I said quietly to Ron. ‘Okay, Thomas, I'll see you later sometime,’ Ron whispered back, and I left.

Ron
I watched Thomas for a while, saw a boy smiling at him... - for whatever reason he did that -
Then I went over to Martin and sat down next to him. “Hello Martin.” “Hello Ron.” After this brief greeting, we were silent for a very long time, said nothing, and the silence became more and more oppressive... until I couldn't take it anymore: “Martin?” He turned around and looked me in the eye. “What's wrong with you?” He looked away again.
Somehow I had a “deja vu” feeling, as I had observed something similar when Martin first met Thomas. Only this time Martin seemed even more thoughtful.
“Ron... I...” he broke off again, looked at the ground... He tried to speak again, but his voice seemed to fail him. He started to cry and suddenly pressed himself close to me. I put my arm around him comfortingly and stroked his back tenderly.

Thomas,
I know, eavesdropping isn't exactly nice, but I just couldn't help it and I was curious if I was right. At the moment they were both in each other's arms and I heard Martin sobbing quietly. “Aren't they sweet?” I almost screamed when suddenly someone sat next to me and spoke to me. ‘Do you have to scare me like that?’ I hissed back... hopefully they hadn't heard that. ‘Sorry, I didn't mean to.’ It was the boy I had seen a moment ago.
I went a little closer again, luckily there was the scrub behind the bench. “Do I know you?” I whispered to the boy. ‘No... not yet,’ he replied quietly and smiled at me mysteriously, as if he knew more than... At that moment I heard Martin again and I quickly looked through the bushes to see him sitting up straight and detaching himself from Ron.
And then came what I had expected: ‘Ron...’

Ron
With wet eyes Martin looked at me and opened his mouth, but then closed it again... but then he finally managed to say, “…I think I love you Ron!”
I looked at him in disbelief. What had he said? He lll... I couldn't get any further, Martin pulled me towards him and kissed me. An incredible feeling of happiness rose up in me; that had been the most beautiful moment of my life so far.

Love again will
A melody, gentle, pure, attractive. A ceaseless stream through his blood. A wave of feelings that are too big to grasp. An endless series of sounds combined into an endless melody. United with his heartbeat. Merged with his senses. Connected to his deep voice. Nothing else exists except for this melody, this song, this voice.
Nothing. Far and wide, no people, no animals, no plants. Only this moment into all eternity. No reality. No pain, no awakening from sweet dreams that will never be fulfilled. Just this one moment. Just for him. A dark room, without windows and if it had any he wouldn't see them and didn't want to. He didn't want to go back to reality that had hurt him so much.
No wounds, no blood, no pain. Nothing should exist anymore, only this voice. This pure, deep voice. A voice that screamed deep inside of him, calling him and wanting to wake him up, sometimes just to make him aware that someone was with him. But today it called for him, wanted to bring him back from his dream world and hold him in its arms again.
But if he opened his eyes, everything would be back. Pain, suffering, injuries. Everything, including his hated love that he could never accept. She was not real. She would destroy him, drag him down into the depths.
“Wake up again, please. Come on, you can't do that. You promised to listen to my songs until my voice could no longer sing, until I no longer wanted to sing.
And now you just tear yourself away, leave me alone and don't want to come back. Is that what you wanted to tell me when you walked between us smiling? Have you had enough of me? Do you want me to never sing again?
No. I want to keep listening to your songs, but I never want to feel this love again. I can't escape it when I see you, it hurts as if a thousand knives were stabbing me. Do you understand?
Yes. He said softly and looked down. Why didn't you wake up for so long?
Because I didn't want to. I just wanted to hear your songs, your voice, without seeing you. Because it wouldn't have hurt me. You have branded yourself into me without asking me. My chest is still burning from your touch. My hands still feel your hair and I still feel your kisses on my lips. He said softly and opened his eyes. His eyes were so shiny from the medication that you might think they were made of glass. But that didn't change their beauty. As green as an emerald. A radiance like a ring of precious stones.
“Why did you throw yourself in between?”
“If I hadn't, you might never have been able to sing again. Don't you know what he was aiming for?
No. My beloved said softly and looked his lover so rigidly in the eyes that he thought he would drown in them. The latter sat up slowly and held his finger to a spot about halfway up the other's chest, just below his throat. He stroked his finger slowly over it and approached him. When he touched the spot with his lips, he felt the fire burning him again.
Which pulled him close and tied them together. Tied them into a world that couldn't be accepted, not by him, not by his friends, not by the rest of the world. Not even the fans would let their star give him away.
Koi. Please stay with me. Just near me. You can't go so far away without me. Don't you even think about my feelings. Don't you think I'm burning in your fire. Do you think I'm without consequences with you. You have burned yourself into my heart as well. Don't you understand, or can't you? We are no longer able to be without each other. I need you to be able to sing and you need my songs to be able to exist. The other said and pulled Koi close. The other tensed up slightly and closed his eyes before he slowly put his hands on the other's back and clung on.
“Are you singing tonight?”
“Yes. At a popular club.”
“Then you should go slowly.” Koi said in a whisper and kissed him lightly on the shoulder. ‘Or do you want to disappoint your fans?’ At that moment, there was a tentative knock at the door. Koi lay down again and looked at the door.
“I don't want to disturb you, but we have to go. The concert is about to start, Y?ru.”
“I'll be right there,” Y?ru said and gave his manager a brief glance. When he had left, he looked back at Koi and stroked a finger over his lips. ‘I'm going to sing a new song today, just for you. Can you hear me?’ ”Maybe then you'll understand my feelings. I don't want to hold you in my arms, torn apart, but as a whole, and I also want your heart for me and your body and everything else about you.
I won't force you, but I'll break down if you don't finally come closer to me. I don't know where to put my feelings anymore, my songs are full of them. I am full of my passion, my longing, my love. I don't want to be with you anymore. It's enough for me if you're just around, you don't have to start a relationship. But don't let me freeze any longer.
Bat Y?ru asked quietly and leaned over him. He kissed him gently on the lips and felt the fire and passion even with this small touch. When he broke away from Koi, this kiss burned on his lips and Koi also felt this heat and put two fingers on his lips before he closed his eyes and slowly fell asleep. The doctors gave him so many sedatives and painkillers that Koi could no longer fight it.
For the first few weeks, he slept a deep sleep that resembled a coma, but he kept hearing Y?ru's singing. His voice pulled him back into the painful reality. The suffering that their love brought with it. His body was hot in the places that Y?ru had touched; they burned inwards and ate into his heart, his bones.
“There you are, Y?ru. How is he?”
“He's exhausted. They're giving him so much sedative and pain medication that he can hardly move.”
Sedatives?
He screams in the night when he wakes up. He won't let the doctors touch him either. If someone touches him, he tries to run away all the time. That's why we give him this stuff. Otherwise we can't treat him. He once said under anesthesia that he was on fire. I don't know what's wrong with him. But if it continues, he needs a psychiatrist. We don't know what to do anymore. Said a doctor behind them.
He is healthy. This has nothing to do with his injury. He just needs time. Said Y?ru quietly and left.
Is he like that too?
No. Just don't touch the little one all the time. There are other reasons why he reacts like that. They have nothing to do with a shrink, but are of natural origin. Treat his injury and we'll take care of the rest. And don't let the press in here. Just the two of us and his parents. Understood?
Yes. The doctor said, perplexed, and watched the manager leave.
Then he went into Koi's room and was about to examine him when the boy opened his eyes and avoided his gaze. “I just want to look at your injury. I'll only touch you there. I promise,” the doctor said cautiously. Koi looked at him suspiciously but allowed the doctor to see the injury and didn't resist further. He was also too tired to fight.
Could I get a TV tonight?
Do you want to watch a movie?
No. A concert. Koi said quietly and watched the doctor's fingers as he treated his injury. A clean shot through his left shoulder.
“I'll have a TV made. You should sleep some more. I'll check on you later,” the doctor said and left. Koi looked out the window for a while and then lay down again. He fell asleep after a few moments and woke up when he heard someone open the door.
“Where would you prefer it?“ the nurse asked. ‘Should I put the TV by the window or here in front?”
“By the window.’ Koi said quietly and sat up.
“Do you need anything else?”
“No. Thank you.” Koi said quietly and took the remote control. He sat up halfway and leaned against the pillow behind him. When he turned on the TV, he wasn't surprised at all to see which channel was set. As always, most people in the hospital only saw one channel, the news. He searched for one of the music channels and got the right one right away, namely the one that would broadcast Y?ru's concert. Y?ru wasn't on stage yet, but there was already screaming.
Koi was always able to sit backstage and listen, because he was always editing the recordings for some time. Koi closed his eyes when the concert started and tried not to see Y?ru, but just to hear the songs. But he didn't quite succeed. Imperceptibly, his face crept into Koi's thoughts and when Koi noticed it, he left it at that. He loved Y?ru's eyes, the way she looked at him, the way they shone when he sang. He loved singing, but there was one thing he loved even more.
Koi felt the passion with which Y?ru sang today. He felt the closeness, the longing. His pleas for him. Suddenly Koi opened his eyes and stared at the TV. Y?ru was wearing the outfit again that Koi loved about him. A simple black shirt, black pants and his hair was down. It fell on his face and formed a silky veil of silver strands that fell on his shoulders.
Y?ru wore a silver cross around his neck with a small heart-shaped stone. “You can't do that.” Koi said quietly and ran both hands through his hair. He felt the burning heat on his body, his lips. Felt Y?ru's hair touching his. Smelled the sweet scent of the soft perfume that permeated Y?ru. Felt the delicate hands on his chest.
Koi closed his eyes and he knew that Y?ru had meant this song. This song, which was for him alone. Which only he could understand. Which conveyed Y?ru's feelings and sensations to him. After a while, Koi gently fell asleep to Y?ru's singing. He still felt the fire of passion that Y?ru had sent him. When he felt a touch on his shoulder, he woke up and pushed the hand aside.
“Stay calm. I just want to take a look at your injury,“ the doctor said soothingly.
“You're different from the other doctors.”
“Why?” “Because I care for you?”
“No. The others always examine me completely and hold me if I don't want to let them.”
You don't like being touched?
No.
Why?
Because it takes something else away from me.
What is this something else? The touch of a certain person?
Yes. Koi said quietly and looked at the TV.
I turned it off. The concert was long over and I thought the other music would just wake you up again.
Thank you.
He's worried about you. He asked about you twice today. He couldn't come here yet, but he said I should tell you that he's trying to come as soon as possible.
Silly. He knows he can't do that. They'll hold him and bombard him with questions until he's too tired to come here.
Why? Isn't it good for his image?
No. Only his manager lets him out every now and then.
He seems to care about you a lot.
Yes. I also edited his videos for a while.
And you listen to his songs. Not like those so-called fans who just scream and can't even hear what he's singing. The doctor said with a smile.
He has a beautiful voice. I love to listen to him.
Is he that certain person? the doctor asked cautiously. When Koi looked at him in confusion, he continued. You said yesterday that he can't do this to you.
How do you know that?
I was in the room. I sat on the chair, because I thought you were asleep. I didn't want to wake you up, so I just listened to the concert. You trembled when he sang that one song.
He made me understand something, or tried to.
It's his touch that you don't want to lose. Am I right?
Yes. My body is hot in the places he touched. It burns deeply.
Why are you so sad then?
Because it won't work. I can't give in to him. The only thing that would happen then would be to endure suffering and pain. What I want wouldn't come and what he wants I can't give him.
What does he want that you can't give him?
Everything. He wants everything from me. Koi said quietly and pulled himself together. His whole body felt hot. His lips burned from the kiss, which, as gentle as it was, had transmitted so much passion that he couldn't forget it.
“You should sleep. I'll check on you later.”
“You have to keep this to yourself,“ Koi said urgently, looking at him intently.
“I know. I won't say anything. Besides, I'd lose two patients otherwise.” The doctor said with a smile.
“Two?”
You and Y?ru. He asked me to take care of you. He told me to just take care of your wound and not to touch you unless it was necessary. I told you he was worried. Said the doctor and left. Koi lay down and closed his eyes. His body burned like fire. His lips felt the passion that blazed within him. His hands wanted to touch him. He slowly fell asleep and only woke up when he felt Y?ru's gentle hand in his hair and opened his eyes.
“How are you feeling?” The doctor said he wouldn't give you any more sedatives.
No. He doesn't. I'll be good and let him examine me, as long as he only touches me there. Koi said quietly and looked at the TV.
You saw the concert?
Yes. I also understood your message, but I can't give in to you. I feel like I'm on fire when I'm with you. All I want to do is touch you.
Then do it. I won't stop you.” Y?ru said desperately. ”I can't anymore. I want you to stay with me. It doesn't have to be forever, but at least for now.”
You're asking too much of me. I can't give you everything. I can't even give you enough without withdrawing.” Koi said quietly and sat down. When he approached Y?ru, the latter embraced him tenderly and kissed him passionately on the lips. Koi wanted to escape from him but his strength was not enough emotionally.
He wanted to stay with him, but he was also afraid of the longing that had grown so immeasurably within him that it hurt him. He clung to Y?ru and didn't want to let go of him anymore. He only wanted to be with him, to feel the passion, to feel Y?ru's lips, to absorb his kisses inside. He wanted to dig his hands into Y?ru's back and never let him go again. But when he felt his inner fear, he pulled himself away and looked at Y?ru, breathing heavily.
Don't withdraw again and again. I can't do that. I want to hold you tight once you're close and I want to pull you to me.? Y?ru said quietly. Koi felt the flames on his back, his hip. Everywhere Y?ru had touched him again. He felt Y?ru's lips on his and tasted the sweet flavor of his tongue. He still felt Y?ru touching his hair and on his own hands he still felt Y?ru's heartbeat, although he didn't touch it anymore.
“It burns.” Koi said quietly. He lay down slowly and looked Y?ru in the eyes. The latter looked at him worriedly. ‘It hurts when you touch me, but I still don't want it to stop. I don't want to be touched by anyone else. Only by you, but I can't accept it.’ Koi said quietly and looked at the window.
The moonlight played in his eyes, refracting several times and making Koi's eyes shine. Y?ru laid his head on Koi's stomach and a hand on his chest. Koi gently stroked his hair and touched Y?ru's lips with a finger. “I'm sorry. I know I'm hurting you, but I can't help it.
I know, but then why can't you at least be close to me. I only want you to stay with me. That's all I ask of you.” Y?ru said softly and closed his eyes.
“Give me time.” Koi whispered and fell asleep. Y?ru looked at him gently and kissed him again on the lips. Koi returned the kiss without waking up and turned to the side. Y?ru left the room quietly and ran both hands through his hair.
“How are you?” the doctor asked cautiously and looked at him with concern.
“I don't know either. I want it, but I can't hold it.”
“That's normal. Love is a game. Give it the time it needs. He's confused and your closeness makes it worse. You're crowding him without wanting to or realizing it. He's not sure yet and that's why he avoids you. But overall, he feels attracted to you.” The doctor said calmly and put a hand on Y?ru's forehead.
“How would you know?”
“He told me. Now you'd better go home. You'll catch a cold if you don't get enough sleep.”
“How am I supposed to sleep when he's on my mind?”
Try. I'll take care of him,? the doctor said with a smile, and went into Koi's room. Meanwhile, Y?ru walked slowly home. When the doctor sat down on the edge of the bed, Koi started and unconsciously grasped the sleeve of his robe. He put a hand on Koi's head and tried to calm him down.
Where's Y?ru??
I sent him home, otherwise he'll get a fever. He doesn't get enough sleep because of you,' the doctor said with a smile. 'He's worried about you, but he wants your heart even more. Can I take a look at your injury?
Yes.” Koi said quietly and allowed the doctor to touch him. ‘I have to examine you completely today because I need to know how you react to the medication. Is that okay?” 
“I don't really have a choice. I just don't like it when so many people talk at me or hold me.’ Koi said and smiled gently.
I know. That's why I ask you first if you have any objections. You're more open today. I didn't know you had such a beautiful smile,? the doctor said, smiling too. Koi looked at him, embarrassed, and allowed himself to be examined. I think I can imagine why he loves you,?
?So?? Koi asked, surprised.
First of all, you are his type and secondly, there is something about you that fascinates people.”
“His type?”
“Yes. He likes it when someone has bright eyes. No matter who they belong to. But just because he likes you, it doesn't necessarily mean he'll fall in love.”
“And what is it that's so fascinating?”
Your nature. When you've been known for a while, you have an effect on others as if you were burning with a fire that feeds on curiosity and radiates passion that attracts everyone. You don't need a bandage anymore.
They're watching closely, am I right?
Y?ru is sometimes like a little brother to me and I'm interested in who he loves. But I noticed you before, at one of his concerts. Everyone was screaming, only you were standing in a corner at the front, listening. This is probably another reason for his affection.?
Probably.?
Are you tired?
Yes.
Then sleep. I'll check on you again later.?
Okay.? Koi said quietly and lay down slowly. The doctor covered him carefully and gently stroked his forehead. Koi gently took his hand and held on to it as he fell asleep. The doctor sat down next to him and watched him for a while. When Koi whispered Y?ru's name, the doctor smiled gently and leaned in. He stayed with him and when Koi woke up, he smiled at him.
“How are you?”
“Better.” Koi said softly and noticed that he was holding the doctor's hand. He looked at the doctor, embarrassed, and let go.
It's okay. I don't mind. You whispered his name as you fell asleep. At first I thought you assumed he was here and stayed seated. But you also said my name. What did you dream?
I don't remember. I just felt comfortable. It's different in your presence than in his. I feel lighter and calmer. With Y?ru I feel stifled and don't know where I should go to escape the confinement.
He just wants you with him and you resist it. So it seems to you that his closeness is oppressive. When you have decided, you have to show him this. He doesn't know how to approach you.
I can't decide. My heart says I want him. But my mind doesn't want any problems. If I give myself to him, the press will immediately be after him and make life difficult for him, and I don't want any of that fuss either. I just want him. Not his fans, not the press, nothing. Just him. But that's not possible. If it is, then I have to take everything else too, and that crushes me.
I can imagine that, but there is a way you can have him without getting all the rest.
What way?
It depends on your decision, but I know an area where nobody would suspect you in any way. You could live your life and he could live his and secretly be in love. This way, both of you are helped. You don't have the hustle and bustle and he has you. He needs you to be able to live at all. The only one who can kill him is you. And it seems to me that he is the only one who can kill you, am I right? You are already so close, why do you do this to yourselves?
I don't know.
I can help you, but you have to control your feelings on your own.
Yes.
A yes? To my help, or to your feelings?
Both. I'll talk to him, but only when I'm out of here. He has to give me time. I just want to be alone for a while and think a little.
And you don't want him to visit you?
Yes. Besides, it's risky for him to come here.
He knows that. I'll tell him. Now you should get some rest.
Yes.
Sleep well.
Koi woke up gently the next morning. It was warm in the room and he hadn't suffered his usual nightmares, but had simply dreamt a normal dream, with all the strange things and unreal moments. He kept his eyes closed, even though he had long been awake. He sensed the presence of a person, but it wasn't Y?ru. He let himself drift for a while longer, enjoying the after-effects of the dream. As he slowly opened his eyes, the sun shone in his face. He closed his eyes again briefly and then opened them again carefully. He then turned to one side.
'Well, how do you feel?'
'Better,' Koi said with a smile.
'So you've made up your mind?'
Yes. And I think it's the right decision. But I won't know that for sure until I've made the decision.”
“All right. But I still have to examine you completely now, and I'd like to be able to release you slowly. You need to be around people again. You haven't had many visitors, have you?”
“How could I? I only know Y?ru and his band.”
“No parents?”
I grew up in an orphanage and ran away from there. Y?ru's manager took me in, sent me to school and let Technik take over a bit. Koi said quietly and slowly remembered. The doctor was suddenly very quiet and Koi noticed this. What's wrong? Why are you so quiet?
I have been wrestling with myself over whether to tell you something specific. But I know that I can also lose by telling you.
What do you want to tell me?” Koi asked, confused, and allowed himself to be examined. There was a moment of silence, and then the doctor made up his mind and began to speak.
“I know that I'm probably turning your life upside down with this and I don't want to rip you out of your world, so I'll leave it up to you to decide whether you believe me or not and whether you fulfill my request or not.” He fell silent for a moment, as if searching for words. Koi remained still. He didn't know what the doctor wanted to tell him. What could he say that would turn his world upside down? He wasn't much older than Koi himself. Maybe three or four years. “What I want to say is that it's time for you to come home.” Koi froze, even forgetting to breathe. Had he heard right? What did he want to say to him?
What does that mean?' Koi asked, confused, and tried to breathe again slowly.
'It means that I want my brother back home. I was still too young to be able to do anything back then, and when I was thirteen years old, I tried to find you somehow. But I couldn't find you. I also looked in the computer from time to time to see if you were in a home, but there was no mention of you, and now I know why. But I kept looking for you anyway.
When I heard from Y?ru's manager, after I asked him, that you are alone and that he always comes here to check on you, I was a bit surprised. He also said that I should examine you so that you would not be bothered by the other doctors because you had some problems at the beginning. Well. And so I couldn't avoid examining your blood. However, I noticed a few things.
You have the same blood type as me, which of course doesn't mean much, but there is something that is only in our family, namely we all have a certain characteristic in our blood. A kind of small transmitter. Father was in research and had developed this transmitter to lead lost children to their parents when they felt the need to do so. He gave it to you the night he found out that your mom wanted to give you up. He was against it, but he knew that the night she went away she wouldn't bring you back home. I knew about the transmitter and searched for it after a few things seemed similar, and besides, you look a lot like her. Now I can also find out a lot through the database.”
“What about Mom and Dad?”
“Mom died in a car accident last year. She was on her way home when she was hit by a drunk driver. She died at the scene. Dad broke down after that and has been in the hospital here ever since. He couldn't cope, after losing you too and not knowing where you were. That's why I've been looking for you more intensively since last year, but you couldn't be found.
Can I see him then?
Of course. He said, smiling a little. When Koi sat down, he looked him in the eye for a moment.
“Shall I tell you something?” Koi asked with a smile.
“What?”
“I was wondering when I would finally meet you.”
“You knew about me?”
Y?ru's manager told me about you. I didn't know what you looked like, or your name, or where you worked, but he said that when I felt alone, I should think of the person I missed the most and who was never there even when I wished he was. And to be honest, I always missed the same person, I just didn't know who it was. But now I also know why I don't feel as oppressed with you as I do with Y?ru.? Thereupon he hugged him and held on to him briefly.
By the way, my name is Dan.? he said grinning.
Okay. But you still have to tell me a lot, otherwise I won't know anything about you and you already know half of my life.?
No problem.
But now I want to see Dad.
Well, come on. He'll be happy to see you, but don't expect too much. As I said, he's not quite as fit.
Yes. Koi put on some clothes and followed Dan down the hallway. Almost at the end of the hallway were some stairs leading up. There were only a few rooms up there. When they arrived at the third room, Dan knocked briefly and opened the door. Warm rays of sunshine came from the room and the room itself seemed friendly.
“Hello Dad. How are you?“ Dan asked quietly and sat down by the bed. Koi closed the door and stood in front of it.
“Fine.” The man said weakly and smiled briefly. He seemed very weak. His face was haggard and his eyes were dull. He was very gaunt and seemed to Koi as if a part was missing. Something that has robbed this old-looking man of his youth.
“I'm glad. I brought someone with me,” Dan said smiling.
“You know I don't want any visitors.”
I don't think you're going to send this visitor away either,' Dan said, still smiling, and looked at Koi. 'Come here,' he said quietly. Koi hesitated for a moment and then went to the bed. He looked at Dan for a moment, seeking help, and then went to the edge of the bed. The old man looked away and made Koi a little uneasy, but Dan nudged him in the side.
“Hello, Dad?” Koi said quietly and waited for a reaction. When none came, he was about to leave, but Dan held him back just as his dad looked up. Koi was a little startled when he looked into the man's eyes, which suddenly reflected fear.
Dad. It's all right, he's really here. You're not dreaming.' Dan said soothingly. There was only silence for a while, then the old man smiled and a twinkle came into his eyes.
“You're the spitting image of her,” he said, smiling. Koi smiled gently too and took a deep breath. The tension had gone and he felt the familiar feelings again that he had felt with Dan before. ‘Come here, little one. Where have you been for the last 17 years?’ he asked quietly, taking Koi in his arms.
Actually, very close to us, Dad. Where you can least find him. He was with Y?ru.?
?The singer you told me about??
?Yes.?
?And I'd like to stay with him too.? Koi said quietly. His voice trembled slightly and his father looked him in the eye.
So you're the angel in his life, huh? When Koi nodded slightly, a few tears ran down his cheeks. 'Then stay with him, but come to me from time to time.'
'Of course. Now you won't get rid of me anymore,' Koi said grinning.
'I hope so, too, little brother,' Dan said quietly and ruffled his hair.
“Well. I don't want to kick you out, but I have to have breakfast first and Koi should rest a little, the way he looks.”
“Okay. I'll come back tonight.” Dan said quietly.
“You can bring Koi if you still let him out of his room.”
“I'm responsible for him and I say he can.”
That's good. So I'll see you tonight?
Yes. See you then, Dad? Dan said and was already standing up.
Koi? Don't let them get you down, okay? Let the others talk. As long as you're happy, who cares about the world? His dad said with a smile and gave Koi a hug.
“Yes?” Koi said quietly. ‘Thank you.’ Then he went downstairs with Dan.
“Should I tell Y?ru?”
“No. I want to call him myself, but first tell me when you're releasing me from here?”
“Tonight, that's why you're allowed to go to Dad's. And after that, I wanted to drive you to Y?ru.”
Okay. But I'll call him myself now. Koi said smiling.
All right and I'll get you breakfast.
Thanks. Koi said quietly and lay down in bed. He picked up the phone and dialed Y?ru's number. It didn't ring twice before the other end picked up.
“Yes?” Y?ru asked.
“Hi, it's me.” Koi said quietly and heard Y?ru sigh with relief.
“How are you?”
“I'm allowed out tonight.”
“Do you want me to pick you up?”
“No. Dan will drive me to you.”
“Dan?”
? The doctor? Koi said and couldn't help but grin. He was more than relieved and happy at the moment.
?Since when do you call him that? Y?ru asked gently when he heard that Koi had a specific reason.
?Since I know that he is my brother.?
?Your brother? Y?ru asked gently.
Yes. And I just saw my dad, too.
I'm happy for you. At least now I hear you with a happy voice and without an undertone of sadness for once in a long time.
I'm sorry that I worried you.
It's okay.
No. It's not okay. I know you feel bad too and I hurt you, and I'm sorry about that. But I've also made up my mind. And I'll stick with that decision. Koi said smiling.
What's your decision?
I'm staying with you.
Really?
Yes.
Who made you make that decision?
Dad. He said I shouldn't care about the world as long as I'm happy myself, and I'm happy with you, but don't crush me this time.
No. Certainly not. Y?ru said apologetically. Then I'll see you tonight?
Yes. But first I'm going to see Dad.
It's okay, I can stand the time now that I know you're mine.
I love you, Koi said and hung up. So, here's your breakfast.
THE END

I was still gently slumbering when the phone rang. I woke up with a start and looked tired and annoyed at the ringing nerve box.
Actually, I didn't want to answer the phone, but somehow it didn't stop and I finally answered with a short “Hello”.
It was my boyfriend calling from his skiing holiday with his three friends. He didn't want to take me with him.
I replied, aghast: “It's 8 o'clock in the morning! It's Sunday! What does that tell you???
What are you so irritable about? We just came from the party and I thought of you and wanted to hear your voice.?
And you remembered that at 8 o'clock in the morning? You haven't gotten in touch with me for three days and this morning you had to call?
Well, maybe I'm still a little tipsy.
He laughed.
Yes, but that's not my problem. I had a hard week at school. And on Friday I messed up with the grades again!
You're so sweet, my little one!
I knew he wasn't interested. He never listened to me. I was glad when he finally hung up and I could go back to sleep.
Hello? Why aren't you answering? I'd like you with me right now!
Tell me, do you actually care how I am? I've messed up again and you don't care at all?
I was really annoyed now. And no longer tired of sheer anger: “Why did you call?”
“I love you!”
“Bad conscience, huh?”
I knew he was cheating on me. I just sense these things.
No, really, you're so sweet!
You're repeating yourself.
In the background, at the other end of the line, I suddenly realized something that amazed me.
“Say, aren't you alone?”
“Yes, why do you ask?”
“You can't be kidding me, I can hear a voice in the background and you're a little out of breath, too.”
I realized that I wasn't getting more angry, but rather calmer, and that amazed me.
“Timo came up to the room for a moment and we wanted to have a quick nightcap, and I just ran up the stairs because I wanted to hear your voice.”
Maybe my voice and my pulse slowed down because maybe I was finally getting out of the relationship. I just wanted a reason. Maybe that was the reason. The end. I just didn't dare to complain.
Actually, he could do whatever he wanted. I felt like I was in a “fake open relationship”.
“Nice ass,” said a strange voice.
I swallowed briefly and asked, ”What? Who was that?”
It went quiet on the other end of the line and I only heard Kevin, my friend, say quietly, “Shh, not so loud!”
“What shouldn't be said so loudly?” I asked in a very calm voice. I realized that I had really closed myself off from Kevin. I didn't want any more and was determined to end it now.
“Kevin, what's wrong?” I asked.
I felt so strong. It was weird. Did I really wait a whole year just to end this relationship for a reason? I must be crazy. Anyway.
Kevin: ”He's drunk. He's groping all over the place. The old pig. Now he's quiet!?
“Why just now??
He's got something to do now!?
I could imagine what kind of employment it was and I heard how Kevin's voice became more and more agitated. Smugly, I just asked: “Oh? What kind of employment is that?”
Kevin didn't react immediately and I could tell that he was preoccupied.
“Hmm, it tastes so good.”
Now I was shocked again. My suspicion was apparently true. I couldn't believe it, even though I was prepared for it. Is my boyfriend cheating on me while he's on the phone with me?
That would be the crowning glory of his insolence, which he had already displayed on many occasions.
“You see, he's busy!”
How, though? I replied.
How?
What has he got in his mouth that tastes so good?
My friend was quiet for a moment, then answered with a question: How, in his mouth?
What does he like the taste of? I repeated slowly, so that any idiot would understand.
He drinks schnapps! You remember? Nightcap? I gave it to him.
I rolled my eyes. 
He could lie so beautifully without blushing. That was my biggest mistake. I could never stay mad at him for very long. At the latest, when he stood in front of me with his dachshund eyes, I was usually done for.
Was that why I was hell-bent on breaking up with him by phone now? Since he couldn't look at me with his eyes? After all, he was still skiing until Thursday.
Yes, yes, whoever believes it will be blessed. Kevin, I know that you are very good at lying.
I was curious about his reaction.
I'm not lying. Why do you always have to be so suspicious? You know I love you. Do you still hold it against me that I didn't take you with me? There was a reason for that!?
Yes, I know the reason. It's called cheating, I said bitterly.
Now stop it and shut up. I'm sick of listening to this crap! I can't take it anymore. I was really looking forward to Thursday. But slowly I'm starting to doubt you. I don't have the strength.
You don't have the strength? What don't you have the strength for? I almost screamed hysterically into the phone.
You've already cheated on me here and there you were on vacation with your friends just right. That you're cheating is bad enough, but that you call me on it, too, is the last straw.
I wanted to end the conversation, but something inside me wouldn't let me press the button that would have released me. Did I really want to deal with everything on the phone RIGHT NOW?
“But you're forgetting one thing!”
“Oh yeah? What?”
“None of my friends here, neither Timo, nor Frank, nor Ludger are gay!”
“Bi!”
? H?r times they are scared to lie next to me. They panic I sink my morning latte accidentally in them! And you're jealous of them??
And please WHY didn't you want to take me with you?
Schatzi, I know what you think of straights and their drinking bouts. I wanted to spare you that. I'm just the type who can join in and even have fun with it. But not you. You know that. Smile, little one. Besides, I have a surprise for you!
I realized that I was getting soft again, even though I didn't want to.
“A surprise? What kind of surprise?”
I couldn't answer him, I was way too excited about the surprise he had announced. What could it be? Was it something positive? Or did he just want to tell me that it's over between us?
Actually, I hate it when you're so jealous and bitchy for no reason. I'm running out of ways to show you how much I love you. I feel like you're just waiting for a day to get rid of me. So I'll try my last surprise: I won't be coming on Thursday. I'll be staying until Sunday!?
?What? That's your surprise???
Yes!
How?
Schatzi, you took Thursday and Friday off because I was coming back, right?
Yes! So?
I hired Sandra to bring you here to me in the snow.
I was totally flabbergasted and didn't know what to say. I just stammered,
“Me?..to you?..in the snow?..on Thursday?..with Sandra?”
Yes, my darling, now you are perplexed. I miss you so much and I'm looking forward to spending a nice long weekend with you. Timo is asleep now. I love you, my darling. Try to get some sleep now and sorry for the early disturbance.
I was still speechless.
“Darling?” Kevin asked.
I stuttered.
“Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!
Are you coming?
“Yes, of course I'll be there on Thursday,” I called enthusiastically.
“I LOVE you!”
Either he was a great liar or he was the best friend anyone could wish for. I said goodbye to him, in love, and hung up the phone. Until my next little attack of jealousy.
Love? That's how it is!