Davenzi Plays in english

Matteo: ~nods vigorously~ Absolutely awesome, the best! ~then laughs when David immediately realizes what it’s about~ Yes, exactly… ~grins when he’s so insecure~ ~shrugs at his question~ Who knows?!? ~reaches for his hand and looks around to see where David’s shoes are~ ~doesn’t see them in here and goes to the hallway with him~ ~lets go of his hand and reaches for his keys~ Put your shoes on, we’re leaving the apartment.

David: ~frowns in amusement at Matteo’s words and repeats~ Who knows?!? ~is really somehow a little nervous, but lets Matteo pull him to the hallway~ ~hears that he has to put on shoes because they are leaving the apartment, and laughs again quietly~ But you haven’t done something really huge for me, have you? Maybe you just want to throw me off… and it would have fit through the doorway… oh now I know - it’s probably quite heavy and you were too lazy to carry it up the stairs by yourself… ~has put on his shoes while he talked and is now standing up again~ ~sees that Matteo is waiting for him in amusement and sighs briefly~ ~then admits~ I’m nervous… I’ve never had a birthday and a boyfriend… well, at the same time…

Matteo: ~laughs quietly when David keeps asking and guessing~ Schreibner, I won’t tell you anything, anyways… you’ll see… ~but then smiles when he says that he’s nervous~ Well, then let’s just hope that I don’t screw it up, shall we? ~opens the door and waits for David to leave the apartment~ ~then closes it and reaches for his hand~ ~goes downstairs into the basement with him and at first pulls out the rolled-up poster~ ~grins slightly~ Happy Birthday! ~is a little nervous now, after all, because he doesn’t know if this is the right order and what he would do if David were to already think the poster was lame and he then show him the clock, or what would happen if David already found the poster really awesome and then thought the clock too much~ ~is a bit jittery~

David: ~gives him a brief secretary’s-office-look when he talks about screwing it up~ Yes, exactly… because you’ve already screwed up so much in our relationship… it’s not about that, Florenzi! ~slightly shakes his head and then leaves the apartment~ ~takes a deep breath when Matteo reaches for his hand and then follows him down the stairs~ ~is a little astonished when they don’t leave the building and instead continue down to the basement, and laughs again insecurely~ Basement? Woohoo… creepy… ~then gets handed a roll and looks at him in skeptical amusement~ ~quietly laughs again~ Should I question why I couldn’t open that upstairs or should I just accept it as fact!? ~then slowly starts unrolling the paper and realizes that he’s really a little nervous~ ~pulls out a poster and a little box and at first doesn’t really know what it is~ ~unrolls the poster and sees a map of Italy~ ~now identifies the little box as a box full of pins and beams up at Matteo~ ~asks quietly~ For future road trips?! ~is really happy - about the present and especially about the meaning behind it, which shows him that Matteo has taken his plan about doing a road trip through Italy every year from now on seriously and that he’d be in~ ~steps toward him with a broad smile and wraps his free arm around him~ ~kisses him tenderly and murmurs against his lips~ Thank you! This is an awesome present!

Matteo: ~laughs quietly and shrugs one shoulder~ Just accept it… ~watches David unwrap the present and smiles slightly when he can see the exact moment he realizes what it is in David’s face~ ~then nods~ Yes, exactly… for future road trips… ~smiles when he hugs him and kisses him back~ You’re welcome… ~then tilts his head slightly~ Well, this is present number 1, I ordered that pretty much right after our holiday… but then I had another idea… ~pulls away from him and immediately gets antsy again~ ~points at the still-hidden clock~ For that, you’d have to pull on the blanket…

David: ~then hears that there’s a second present and lifts his eyebrows in amusement~ Two presents… wow… okay… let me see it! ~lets go of him and looks at him expectantly~ ~frowns when he tells him to pull on the blanket and laughs quietly~ Hmm? A coat stand?! ~doesn’t have the slightest clue as to what could be underneath the blanket and first puts the Italy map and the pins down on a shelf that’s next to him~ ~then briefly looks back at Matteo questioningly and steps closer to the blanket~ ~reaches for a corner, but doesn’t pull on it, and instead only lifts it and grins and leans down a little to have a peek underneath it~ ~but then gets serious when he has a first look and suspects what could be underneath the blanket~ ~murmurs quietly~ You didn’t?! ~then carefully pulls the blanket off the clock and simply stares at it in astonishment for a moment~ ~can feel a slight lump in his throat because he’s so overwhelmed by the fact that Matteo somehow managed to organize getting the clock to Berlin~ ~turns around to Matteo and hugs him tightly~ ~murmurs against his neck with a slightly husky voice~ You damn loon, how did you manage that!?

Matteo: ~immediately complains when David sneaks a peek~ Hey! You have to pull it down with a flourish! ~but then sees him pulling the blanket off and looking at the clock in astonishment~ ~smiles, because his look is simply unique~ ~smiles when he gets hugged like that~ ~runs a hand over his back and then slips it into his hair~ Well, let’s put it this way… I have no idea whether or not Hanna has an aunt in Gera… probably not… ~presses a light kiss on his hair~

David: ~is looking at Matteo at his explanation and shakes his head in amusement~ Awesome… and Jonas drove or what? How did you even find the house again!? ~has to kiss him urgently and does just that, even before Matteo can answer~ ~then beams at him~ Thanks! ~laughs quietly~ Now that we almost have an apartment, we can even think about where to put it… ~lets go of him and turns back to the clock~ ~runs a hand over the wood and then grins at Matteo again~ It’s so shiny… did you clean it for the occasion!?

Matteo: ~grins and nods~ Yes, Jonas drove, with Hanna’s father’s big station wagon. On our drive back I had to sit on the backseat behind Jonas so that the clock could fit. ~slightly turns his head from side to side~ And as for the house… well… I might have glanced at your holiday notebook to steal the coordinates… is that bad? ~then gets kissed and grins into the kiss~ ~is very happy that he’s so happy~ ~then nods~ Yes, sure… hallway or living room, right? ~then watches him as he examines the clock~ ~laughs out loud at his question~ Yeees… I cleaned and even polished it for the occasion!

David: ~smiles broadly when Matteo talks about the drive to the clock and then laughs quietly when he mentions the holiday notebook~ ~quickly shakes his head~ Oh nonsense… somehow it’s yours, as well… well, ours… from /our/ holiday… ~then laughs quietly~ Good thing that I immediately wrote them down at the time - otherwise you probably would have had to search for a while… ~then nods at his suggestion of where to put it and laughs again quietly~ We’ll have to see if the stroke of the clock will get on our nerves eventually… although… maybe you also get used to it… or you can somehow muffle it or something… I’ll do some research online. ~then hears that he cleaned and polished the clock for the occasion and beams~ Sick… thanks! ~pulls him closer to him by his hand and presses another kiss to his cheek~ ~then beams at the clock again and pulls his phone from his pocket~ We have to take a photo… and then we’ll have to put the blanket back over it so that it won’t get damaged until it hopefully moves upstairs… ~takes a step back and takes a photo of the clock~ ~plans in the meantime~ And we could actually put the Italy map in the kitchen… above the table or something… then we’re always able to see it and can plan while we eat…

Matteo: ~smiles when he says that somehow it’s also his book~ That’s good then… ~slightly tilts his head from side to side~ Well, or we just stop it, then it’s really only for decoration… or we put it in the kitchen, that’s the farthest from the bedroom. ~grins when he gets another kiss~ Of course, it was really horribly dusty and was sitting there for quite some time… ~then watches him happily as he takes a photo and as he continues planning~ Hmmm… the map in the kitchen? Not the hallway? So that you can see it straight away? Although… the kitchen also has its advantages… but won’t it get dirty there?

David: ~immediately shakes his head and makes a negating noise~ Not only as decoration! It’s sick that it still works in the first place! But putting it in the kitchen is worth thinking about… or really muffling it or something… ~briefly scratches his neck~ Although there really is this phenomenon… if you live close to a church or a busy road, then at some point you don’t even register the noise anymore… maybe it’s similar with the clock… ~puts his phone back in his pocket again after taking a photo and tilts his head back and forth again~ ~then smiles slightly~ We’ll just decide spontaneously, okay? ~then reaches for the blanket to put it back over the clock~ Give me a hand… ~pushes one end in Matteo’s hand~

Matteo: ~nods~ Yes, I know that phenomenon… but will our neighbors feel the same? Could get difficult… ~nods again~ But yes, we’ll just see… what matters is that we have it now! ~reaches for the blanket when David hands him one end~ ~covers the clock again with him~ ~then pats it and grins~ We’ll get you out of here soon, don’t worry… ~then pulls on David and pulls him closer~ And now I’ll make lasagna for you. And then we’ll retreat to our bed, okay?

David: ~covers the clock again together with Matteo and grins slightly when he pats it~ ~does the same and adds to his words~ And we’ll come visit you at least once a week to see if you’re doing okay… ~then lets Matteo pull him closer and immediately wraps his arms around him~ ~was just about to kiss him when he hears his suggestion~ ~humms in agreement and kisses him now~ ~deepens it a little and tenderly runs a hand over Matteo’s cheek while doing so~ ~leans his forehead against Matteo’s when he slowly pulls away from the kiss and quietly repeats again~ Lasagna and bed… sounds perfect! And more cake! ~smiles and then pulls away a little~ ~but then has to grin slightly~ Birthdays aren’t as bad as I thought… ~briefly kisses him again and adds~ Since you’re here, there are a lot of things that aren’t so bad, anyways…

Matteo: ~also humms and then kisses David back tenderly~ ~tenderly runs a hand through his hair when he pulls away a little~ Not as bad? ~was just about to ask about it when he remembers that on past birthdays, he probably didn’t have all that much to celebrate~ ~therefore wants to kiss him again but David is faster~ ~therefore hummmms slightly at his compliment and then kisses him again~ You’re not so bad, either… ~grins slightly and then pulls away~ Come one, the lasagna is waiting to be made…

David: ~gets hugged and congratulated by Hans and Linn after Laura’s hug and and thanks them~ ~then hears Laura and groans quietly~ ~notices only now how tired he still is and drops back into the pillows~ ~finds it nice that they wanted to give him a nice start to his day, but also finds it a little too stressful~ ~grins slightly when he hears Matteo grumble and then smiles when he hears what he says to the three of them~ ~nods at the words and hears Hans: “You have 5 minutes!” and Laura: “It’s David’s birthday, they have as much time as they want!”~ ~sees her pushing Hans toward the door and sees Linn simply following the two of them~ ~calls after them~ Door? ~hears someone really closing the door and grins at Matteo expectantly~ So? How were you planning on wishing me a happy birthday!?

Matteo: ~looks at Laura gratefully when she says that they have as much time as they want~ ~grins and waits until the door is closed and then turns to David~ ~tilts his head at David’s question~ ~tenderly runs his hand through his hair~ ~then slowly leans down and kisses him tenderly~ ~says quietly~ Tanti auguri a te, tesorino. ~then kisses him again and then leans back again~ ~grins~ I thought something along those lines, what do you think about that?

David: ~is tempted to close his eyes again when Matteo runs a hand through his hair~ ~then does just that when he kisses him, smiles when he hears his words and murmurs quietly and a little sheepishly~ Grazie, tesorino… ~gets kissed again and then looks at Matteo when he leans back again~ ~smiles broadly at his question and says quietly~ Pretty perfect… I’ve never been kissed as a way to wish me a happy birthday… I could get used to it… ~grins slightly~ Will there be more?

Matteo: ~smiles tenderly at his answer~ Then it was about time… me neither, by the way, I’m already looking forward to it. ~then laughs slightly when he asks for more~ Since you asked so nicely… ~then rolls on top of him and kisses him longer and more intensively~ ~runs his hand through his hair and presses a little closer to him~ ~but then hears Hans cheering and Laura laughing from a distance and sighs~ I’m afraid we’ll have to wait until tonight for more…

David: ~nods and grins slightly when Matteo says that it was about time~ It’ll be your turn in 11 days… then you’ll also get a birthday kiss… or two or three… ~smiles when Matteo immediately leans over him again and runs a hand through his hair while he wraps his other arm around him to pull him closer~ ~is annoyed that they don’t have the day off today and won’t be able to spend the entire day in bed when Matteo pulls away from the kiss when he hears the others~ ~hears his promise and grins slightly~ It’s a date! ~briefly kisses him again and then struggles up~ Okay… first breakfast, then getting dressed… I hope the others have already been to the bathroom… so that the five of us won’t have to fight about who can go to the bathroom first… ~reaches for his joggers and pulls them up over his boxer shorts~

Matteo: ~nods and grins~ Or four, or five? ~then grins when David announces the date~ We’ll lock ourselves in, the others can celebrate with you in 10 days… ~kisses him back and rolls off him again when he sits up~ ~listens to him and watches him~ ~then remembers that having breakfast together will mean that he won’t be able to already show David the clock this morning and is annoyed that the flatshare has crossed his plans~ ~really wanted to see David’s reaction~ ~but then also thinks that tonight, they can go to bed immediately afterwards, which might also have its advantages~ ~grins to himself until he realizes that David is looking at him expectantly~ What? Oh yes, getting up… sorry… ~struggles up from the bed and pulls on joggers and a shirt~ ~then goes to the kitchen together with David~

David: ~laughs quietly~ Or six or seven? ~briefly kisses him again and murmurs into the kiss~ As many as you want! ~then gets up and gets dressed~ ~realizes in amusement that Matteo is still in bed and looks at him expectantly~ ~laughs quietly when he remembers that they wanted to get up~ ~they go to the kitchen together, where Hans, Linn and Laura are already sitting at the table~ ~hears Hans: “Sorry, we already started. We didn’t know how long you’d take!”~ ~grins slightly~ It’s okay… ~sees that Laura has taken the cake with her and that she has put it down on the kitchen counter and that it’s surrounded by presents~ ~was just about to sit down when Laura yells: “Stop! First you have to blow out the candles and make a wish!” and Hans: “And unwrap the presents!”~ ~grins and remains standing~ Okay… first the presents and then the candle… ~unwraps the presents from Laura, Linn and Hans and is very happy~ ~hugs everyone and then blows out the candles~ ~hesitates briefly before doing so and then wishes that from now on, he’ll be allowed to spend every birthday with Matteo and other people close to him~ ~then finally sits down and sees that Matteo has already prepared a bread roll for him~ ~leans over to him, kisses him and murmurs quietly~ Thanks! ~but then reaches for his coffee first and takes a big sip~ ~hears Hans: “So? What did you wish for?”~

Matteo: ~grins slightly when Laura insists on blowing out the candle~ Are you sure that David knows that you can make a wish while doing that? ~gets the secretary’s-office-look as a reply and grins even more~ ~then applauds with the others when he blows the candles out~ ~pushes David’s breakfast toward him when he sits down~ ~grins into the kiss~ You’re welcome. ~also takes a sip of coffee when he hears Hans’ question~ ~then hears Laura: “You’re not supposed to say, otherwise it won’t come true!”~ ~nudges David lightly~ Yeeees, tell me, was it about meeee? ~grins at him very broadly~

David: ~was also going to tell Hans that you’re not allowed to say what you wished for when Laura already does so~ ~reaches for his bread roll when Matteo nudges him, and grins just as broadly at his question~ With me, it’s never about you, right? ~takes a bite off his bread roll and hears Laura laughing: “With you, it hasn’t been about hardly anything else for the last 6 months…”~ ~grins, shrugs his shoulders, and continues chewing~ ~then hears Hans: “It was surely about me! He wished that I’ll stay in his life forever, and that I’ll sing him three birthday songs for every birthday from now on!”~ ~laughs quietly~ Only three? I thought there would be one more for each year…

Matteo: ~sticks his tongue out at David as a reply~ ~but then laughs at Laura’s comment~ Oh, I find it so nice that Laura exists and that she reminds us of such important facts. ~grins widely at David and quickly kisses him~ ~then immediately shakes his head at the conversation with Hans~ No, please don’t, I’m in favor of one less for each year… ~sees Hans looking at him angrily: “What’s that supposed to mean?”~ That’s supposed to mean that I’m grouchy in the mornings and being woken up by singing doesn’t help that fact… ~takes a bite off his bread roll and checks the time~ And we’ll have to go to the bathroom soon… in about a minute or so…

David: ~swallows his bite and says~ And I think it’s nice that Laura’s in a better mood again and that she only annoys me on normal levels… ~doesn’t see Laura looking to Linn, because he’s already distracted by Hans again~ ~grins at Matteo’s suggestion and the exchange of words that follows between him and Hans~ ~loosely puts an arm around Matteo’s waist and slightly leans against him~ ~says to Hans~ He’s only grouchy because he wasn't the first one to wish me a happy birthday… so next year, please wait until breakfast with the singing when Matteo and I are a little more awake… ~hears Linn: “Oh, are we allowed to go to your apartment next year to prepare breakfast?”~ ~realizes only then that he has forgotten about that and laughs quietly~ Umm… or we’ll just come downstairs for breakfast? ~sees Linn beaming and nodding and realizes how nice it actually is that his birthday is celebrated this way~ ~hasn’t experienced that in forever~ ~then hears Matteo and also checks the time~ ~nods~ We still have a few more minutes… ~hears Hans again: “And you can use those to tell us what present my favorite butterfly gave you! Come on, I’m curious!”~ ~realizes only now that Matteo hasn’t mentioned anything about presents and looks at him questioningly~

Matteo: ~nods at David’s explanation as to why he was grouchy~ Yes, because of that, too… but also because I don’t like being woken up by singing… ~wanted to get that point across again~ ~then laughs at Linns enthusiastic exclamation because David had apparently forgotten about that~ Yeees, we’ll come downstairs then… ~nods slightly when David says that they still have a few more minutes~ ~doesn’t want to have to hurry~ ~then curses Hans when he starts asking about the present~ ~quickly puts on a grin when David looks at him so questioningly~ Hello, am I not enough of a present? ~sees Hans immediately shake his head: “No, my butterfly, don’t tell me that you forgot to get a present!”~ ~then also hears Linn: “I don’t believe that. Matteo isn’t like that.”~ ~grins slightly~ Exactly, Matteo isn’t like that. Matteo wanted to give it to him this morning, but someone crossed those plans with cake and breakfast, so David will get it tonight. ~takes another sip of coffee and then gets up~ And before you ask even more questions, I’ll rather hurry up and go take a shower.

David: ~grins at Matteo’s answer and nods~ You actually are… but yesterday you teased a present, so… now I want to have it! ~then hears that he’ll get it tonight and nods satisfied~ ~hears Hans sigh: “Oh, I’d love to be there for that, but I’ll be at Michi’s tonight… but maybe you can send me a photo…”~ ~grins again slightly and shrugs~ Depending on what it is, maybe… ~then hears that Matteo is going to take a shower and humms in agreement~ Right, it’s getting late… I’ll also be there in a second… ~looks at the others~ I hope you’ve already been to the bathroom?! ~hears Laura: “Yep, we timed everything perfectly this morning! The bathroom is all yours! And I’ll also have to leave in a minute…”~ ~reaches for his coffee mug and hears Laura again: “Are there any plans tonight? Dinner together or something? Or are you having couple time?”~ ~briefly looks at Matteo and smiles slightly before looking back to Laura~ Hmm, I think couple time…

Matteo: ~has already gotten up but stops again to look at Hans reproachfully~ Even if you were home, you wouldn’t be there… ~sees Hans looking at him deeply hurt~ But I think we can manage a photo… ~then really wants to go to the bathroom and already moves toward the door~ ~but then agrees with David on the way~ Yep, couple time… we’ll all celebrate together in 1.5 weeks… have patience! ~then disappears to the bathroom~

David: ~grins slightly when Hans acts so hurt, and grins even more when he looks satisfied when Matteo promises a photo~ ~then realizes that everyone is getting ready to leave after Matteo has disappeared to the bathroom and was just about to help clear the table after taking another sip of his coffee~ ~sees Linn looking at him in confusion and finally hears her say: “When it’s your birthday, you don’t have to clear the table!”~ ~lifts his eyebrows in amusement~ Oh, really!? What other rules are there? ~hears Linn again: “You only have to do the absolute “necessities”, like going to work and such… everything else you can postpone or let other people do it!” and Hans: “Yes, those are the rules… believe me: Linn and I are experts on flatshare-birthdays! We’ve been celebrating flatshare-birthdays for three years now! And doing work in the kitchen is definitely a no-go when it’s your birthday!”~ ~nods in amusement~ Alright, good to know! Then I’ll also go to the bathroom now… ~gets up and hears Laura: “Even though it isn’t my birthday, I still have to leave and can’t help. But I’ll make up for it tonight! Eat the cake guys!”~ ~nods and looks at everyone again~ Thanks again… for the presents and for breakfast and the cake and so on… ~hears Hans: “And the singing!”~ ~laughs briefly~ Yes, and for the singing! ~then goes to the bathroom to get ready for uni~

Matteo: ~grins~ Linn can tell you about it herself later… she wants us to come by and tell her if we’ll take it or not, then she’ll immediately tell you… ~then smiles in a friendly manner when the door is being opened~ ~nods slightly~ Yes, I’ll quickly show him everything and if we have any more questions…? ~hears him say: “I’ll be in the kitchen… come on in!”~ ~squeezes David’s hand and then goes in the apartment with him~ ~slightly grins at him~ That’s the hallway… and look, the kitchen… ~looks at Mister Scholtis~ Will you take the kitchen with you?

David: ~takes a look around the hallway and feels like it’s a little longer than the one in the flatshare, but it could also only seem that way because Linn’s door is missing~ ~then goes to the kitchen with Matteo and hears Mister Scholtis answer his question: “No, it’s really old!”~ ~frowns skeptically and hears him laugh: “Yes, I know, it doesn’t look like it… but really! My wife took good care of it and three years ago, she restored and repainted it… but now it’s time for a new one… if you want to, then you can have it - otherwise we’ll throw it out! Only the appliances, we’ll take those with us… but it shouldn’t be a problem to install new ones…”~ ~smiles broadly and looks at Matteo askingly~ Would definitely be nice if we could keep it, right? ~also likes the placement of the kitchen table and would probably put one in the exact same spot, but doesn’t want to discuss furnishing with Matteo in front of Mister Scholtis~ ~lets his gaze wander around the kitchen once more and then grins at Matteo~ Let’s continue?

Matteo: ~nods at his words about the kitchen~ Yes, sure, that would be great… and we’ll manage to get appliances from somewhere… ~then nods~ Yes, let’s continue… ~goes back into the hallway with him~ Here’s the bathroom… I think it’s big enough… and with a bathtub… ~grins slightly~ ~waits for David to take a look around~ And here’s the living room… much brighter than our’s, more windows… ~beams at David~ Do you like it?

David: ~follows Matteo back to the hallway and then realizes that the hallway has to be bigger, because the bathroom here is much bigger than the guest toilet downstairs~ ~goes inside, takes a look around and then turns around to Matteo with a grin~ A tub /and/ a window! And it’s definitely big enough! We don’t need more! ~then goes to the living room with Matteo and just like in the kitchen, feels a little like being downstairs at the flatshare - the only difference being that the room is much brighter and seems all the more friendlier for it~ ~sees Matteo beaming at him and can’t help but wrap both arms around him and beam right back at him when he hears his question~ Without having seen the bedroom it’s as if someone has simply taken the flatshare and cut off all the rooms that we don’t need…that’s really awesome! Perfect! Does the bedroom also have a balcony like our room? ~kisses him briefly, takes a deep breath and then gets antsy in his arms~ Oh man, it would be soooo awesome if this worked out. Did Linn tell you what our chances would be like? Are there a lot of other applicants?

Matteo: ~notices himself getting ants because he really wants to have the apartment and because he really hopes that David will like it~ ~beams when he hugs him and hugs him back~ Yeees, right? Carlos would say that the vibes are already good… ~grins slightly at his question and briefly kisses him back~ Let yourself be surprised… ~then goes to the bedroom with him and points to the balcony~ Cool, right? And the bedroom would also be big enough once again to fit both desks… unless you’d want yours in the living room? ~realizes only now that he’s already planning and remembers his question~ Linn said that it hasn’t even been posted yet, so if we want the apartment, then we’d get it, because Linn has recommended us!

David: ~laughs when Matteo says what Carlos would say and nods~ The vibes are definitely good! ~catches himself already thinking about how he would furnish the living room, but then gets pulled along to the bedroom by Matteo~ ~smiles when he sees that there’s a balcony and then listens to Matteo basically already planning where the desks will go~ ~laughs quietly and presses a kiss to his cheek~ ~murmurs quietly~ First I want to get the apartment… and then I want to plan! ~is a little scared of getting their hopes up too much now and that it won’t work out again~ ~but then hears what Linn has said, shakes his head in disbelief and looks at Matteo skeptically~ Hang on! This means that there’s no competition? If we want the apartment and if we can afford it then we’ll definitely get it!? ~can't really believe it~

Matteo: ~laughs when he looks so skeptical~ I know! It almost sounds too good to be true, but Linn has connections. ~grins very broadly~ If we decide by the end of the week then we’ll get it! ~jumps around a little~ So yes? Yes? You like it, right? And it’s not toooo close to Laura or anything? ~remembers only now that David wanted some distance~

David: ~hears Matteo’s laugh and still thinks that it’s one of the nicest sounds in the world~ ~smiles broadly but shakes his head in disbelief when he says that Linn has connections~ ~then also laughs quietly when he tells him about the deadline and thinks that they don’t really need until the end of the week~ ~laughs even more when he jumps around and puts his hands to his cheeks so that he’ll look at him~ ~beams and says~ Yes! Oh man, of course I like it! It’s perfect! And no, it’s not too close to Laura… ~kisses him a little forcefully and then says quietly and happily~ This here… this will be ours! This will be… wow… us! ~can’t really believe how lucky they are and shakes his head in disbelief once again~ ~can feel this feeling of happiness in his gut when he imagines Matteo and himself really living here together~ ~tenderly strokes over his cheek and kisses him again - more tenderly this time~ ~then looks at him lovingly and whispers barely audibly~ I love you!

Matteo: ~hears David’s laugh and feels like he himself can barely stop laughing and grinning because everything’s simply perfect~ ~looks at him when he puts his hands to his cheek~ ~beams broadly when David confirms once again that he also wants the apartment~ ~gets kissed again and kisses him back and wraps his arms around him~ Yeeees, this will be ours! ~can feel his heartbeat picking up and somehow can’t really believe it~ ~runs a hand through David’s hair when he strokes over his cheek and then beams again or continues beaming~ ~kisses him back, then hears his whisper and beams even more~ I love you too! So much! ~kisses him again and then hugs him~ ~stays like that for a moment and breathes in his smell and enjoys the feeling~ ~then slowly pulls away from him~ Okay, then we’ll tell the guy that we’ll take it, right? Or do you want to ask further questions?

David: ~slightly leans against Matteo’s hand when he runs it through his hair and tries to close his eyes~ ~can hear him return his words and smiles happily~ ~then closes his eyes, after all, when he kisses him again and wraps his arms around him when he hugs him~ ~squeezes him close and doesn’t really know where to put all his happy feelings right now~ ~quietly murmurs into the crook of Matteo’s neck~ This is the best pre-birthday present ever! ~then kisses his neck tenderly before they slowly pull away from each other~ ~then grins slightly at his question and nods~ ~then thinks briefly and says~ Well, I do have a few more questions… maybe it’ll also be good to talk to the landlord in person… because of the security deposit, for example… and when we could move in… ~suddenly his thoughts are already busy with planning~ …and we’ll have to think about how we’ll do it with the rent… if we pay it from your account or my account or if we’ll open up a joint account for the running costs or whatever… ~doesn’t really realize right now that a joint account would be another huge step for the two of them~ ~would love to take care of everything right now and is somehow full of drive~ ~goes back towards the kitchen with Matteo, where Mister Scholtis is smiling at them: “So? Did you make a decision?”~ ~looks at Matteo again and then beams at Mister Scholtis~ Yes… well, we’d definitely take it! ~sees Mister Scholtis beam as well: “Excellent! Then we won’t have to set hundreds of appointments with potential applicants and we’d only have short distances if we want to discuss further things. You’re also welcome to come back up shortly before the move. We wanted to throw several things out - maybe you could still use some of it!”~ ~smiles happily~ Yes, that would be great! Umm… and how does this work? Do you have to renovate the apartment before you move out? Or did you renovate it yourself when you moved in?

Matteo: ~laughs slightly when he says that it’s the best birthday present~ Does that mean that you don’t want your actual birthday present anymore? ~then grins slightly and nods when he says that he has more questions~ We can still call the landlord… maybe tomorrow if you’re not needed for once… ~then smiles slightly when he talks about bank accounts~ We can talk about all that later… ~does think that a joint account would make sense but also thinks how crazy it is that then, they’d have a real household together~ ~then goes to the kitchen with David~ ~is happy when Mister Scholtis also offers them stuff~ We’d definitely be happy to have a look at it… ~then hears Mister Scholtis answer: “Well we’re actually supposed to paint all the walls white before we move out, but maybe we can also go through it again together once the apartment is empty. Maybe you’ll also like how some of it is painted…”~ ~nods immediately~ Yes sure, we can do that.

David: ~tilts his head in amusement and pretends to consider if he still wants Matteo’s present~ Hmmm… yes… present are always good! ~grins, but then nods at his suggestion of calling the landlord~ Yes, maybe together with Linn… then she can already put in a good word for us! ~then hears in the kitchen that Mister Scholtis is actually supposed to paint everything and has to think about the fact that Matteo and he had decided once that they wanted all the walls to be white~ ~but still nods at his suggestion and then says his goodbyes~ Thank you again for letting us disturb that late! We’ll talk to Mister Huber about the details and then we’ll get in touch with you again! ~waits for Matteo to also say goodbye and then leaves the apartment with him~ ~but doesn’t go back down immediately and instead leans against the wall in the hallway and pulls Matteo close~ ~wraps an arm around his waist, strokes a strand of hair off his forehead with his free hand and smiles~ Looks like we have an apartment, Mister Florenzi… ~grins slightly and kisses him tenderly~ ~then looks at him again and says in anticipation~ This will be nice!

Matteo: ~also thinks about the fact that they wanted to have white walls~ ~but has also already seen white walls in the apartment~ ~but thinks that it will be a good thing to go through the empty apartment again and have a look~ ~then also says goodbye to Mister Scholtis~ ~grins when David pulls him close in the hallway~ ~wraps his arms around his neck~ Looks like it, Mister Schreibner… ~kisses him back and runs his hand through his hair~ This will be great! ~kisses him again~ And now let’s go tell Linn and Laura and then let’s go to bed, to recharge the yearning-battery, okay?

Matteo: ~simply follows her~ Okay… ~then sees her opening the apartment door~ ~is quite glad that he still has his shoes on and that his phone is in his pocket~ Umm… Linn, how much time do I have to plan for? ~follows her but then sees her going upstairs~ Are we going up to enjoy the view? ~but simply follows her~

Linn: ~hears his question while they are going up and stops at the landing to answer him~ Hmmm, I don’t know. Somewhere between 3 minutes and 30 minutes, I’d say…? ~doesn’t know how long something like that takes and is a little nervous for a moment because she doesn’t know how much time Matteo has~ ~takes a deep breath because she’s a little nervous and then continues up the stairs after Matteo seems to be satisfied with her timeframe~ ~shakes her head~ I don’t think it’s much different than ours… ~arrives at the floor above the flatshare and rings the doorbell there~ ~kneads her hands a little in nervousness, but smiles when a young man opens the door~ ~hears him say: “Oh, Miss Shira, Mister Huber has already announced your visit. Come on in and make yourself at home! I’ll be with you in a second! I just have to finish a phone call…”~ ~nods, glances at Matteo and tells the man~ Thank you for making it work so short notice! ~sees as he waves it off, then he puts his phone back to his ear and disappears somewhere in the apartment~ ~smiles slightly and enters the apartment~

Matteo: ~nods when he hears her timeframe~ ~thinks that by then, David definitely won’t be home yet~ ~then grins slightly when he talks about the view~ ~then stares at her when she simply rings the doorbell upstairs~ Linn, what are you doing? We don’t even know those people… ~is then even more surprised when apparently she’s expected~ Umm…. ~enters the apartment after her and says very quietly~ Man, Linn… what are we doing here??

Linn: ~only shakes her head a little when Matteo asks why she’s ringing the doorbell~ ~doesn't want to explain that just now because she’s a little nervous, anyways~ ~but then pulls herself together when the door opens~ ~closes the door behind Matteo once he has also entered, and slightly shrugs her shoulders~ We’re just having a look… nothing bad or anything… ~goes along the hallway with him and enters the kitchen~ ~smiles slightly, because the layout is similar to the one at the flatshare, but it’s furnished quite differently~ ~looks at Matteo and asks quietly and a hopefully~ So? Do you like it?

Matteo: ~has to laugh again because Linn simply is an unique person~ We’re only having a look? Are we looking for something? ~follows her to the kitchen~ ~looks around askingly at her question~ Do I like what? The kitchen? Do you want to get a new kitchen for the flatshare or…? ~shrugs one shoulder~ I don’t know if Hans would be okay with the style….

Linn: ~looks at Matteo in confusion when she hears his question and shakes her head~ What would we be looking for? Did you lose something? ~then nods at his question about the kitchen and then immediately follows it with a shake of her head~ No, I don’t want a new kitchen. I like our kitchen. ~kneads her hands nervously~ I rather meant if you liked the room… ~looks at him nervously~ There are more rooms! Come! ~reaches for his upper arm and pulls him back into the hallway~ ~stops there and says a little downtrodden~ Okay, my room is missing. But the living room is there. And your room. And here, look… ~opens the door to the bathroom~ The bathroom is bigger than in our apartment. ~beams at him, but then gets nervous again when he still looks so confused~

Matteo: ~feels really stupid right now, because he doesn’t know what Linn wants from him~ But why are we looking at a stranger’s kitchen? ~follows her and nods~ Yes, the rooms are cool, Linn, just like our apartment, only a little smaller… ~then sees the bathroom and stares at Linn~ Linn, people live here… why are we here?

Linn: ~frowns slightly at his question~ Well, because I wanted to know if you like it… ~smiles broadly when he says that the rooms are cool and steps aside so that he can have a good look at the bathroom~ ~already goes ahead to the living room~ ~hears Matteo’s question but sees the windows at that exact moment and is pretty thrilled about it~ Look, Matteo! Instead of the doorway to the second hallway there’s a much bigger window here! This room is much brighter than our living room! ~turns around to him and flinches slightly when the tenant is suddenly standing in front of them again and smiles: “I’m sorry that you had to wait so long. But now I’m all yours, in case you have any questions. Who would the apartment be for? The two of you?!”~ ~shakes her head in horror~ Oh no! I live downstairs. I already have an apartment. Hmmm, okay, so does Matteo, but he lives in one room with David and now they want to move out. So the two of them are looking for an apartment. So it would be Matteo… ~points at Matteo~ …and David, but David wasn’t home. But maybe he can have a look at the apartment later?

Matteo: ~is still looking at Linn~ But why?? ~sees and hears that she doesn’t get distracted by him and that instead she continues her exploration of the apartment~ Yes, very bright, Linn, but… ~but then hears the tenant and shuts up immediately~ ~then gapes when he FINALLY understands what this is about~ ~says quietly~ Oh man, Linn… ~looks at the man~ Sorry, I wasn’t aware that you’re moving out… Linn just took me along… but yes, my boyfriend and I are looking for an apartment, when would you move out?

Linn: ~nods again at Matteo’s words and then hears the tenant laughing: “Just took you along, I see…”~ ~slightly shrugs her shoulders~ ~doesn’t think that she forced Matteo into anything and thinks that it’s a good sign that Matteo is asking questions~ ~hears the tenant answer: “We terminated our lease for the first of December… But we can already move into the new apartment from the first of November, so we’ll surely be out of here a few days early. I mean, basically you already know the place… as far as I know, the flatshare downstairs has a similar layout, but feel free to have a proper look. But don’t be startled when you get to the bedroom… there are already several boxes there!”~ ~has listened to the tenant with a smile and now steps towards Matteo~ ~asks quietly and nervously~ Are you going to move in here?

Matteo: ~listens to him and can’t believe how perfect this is~ ~looks from him to Linn and back in excitement~ Wow, the first of December would be perfect for us… ~actually has some more questions but can also ask them later~ ~beams at Linn and says quietly~ Linn, this would be pretty perfect, but I’ll have to talk to David first and… ask how much it costs… but yes, if it were up to me… ~grins slightly~ Why didn’t you tell me from the get-go?

Linn: ~beams when Matteo says that it would be pretty perfect, but then gets serious again immediately when she hears the buts~ ~can understand his point about David very well, but can comfort him about the money~ Herr Huber told me that it costs xyz Euros per month. If you consider the fact that you already pay zyx Euros for your room, and if David has a similar amount at his disposal then it should definitely be within your budget. That’s already a good thing, right? Of course, the utilities are a bit higher because it would only be the two of you that split it, but I think it wouldn’t be that much. If you want to, then I can quickly calculate it for you… ~pulls her phone out of her pocket to use the calculator while she goes to the bedroom with him, so that he can also have a look at that~ ~frowns at his question~ I didn’t? I thought I mentioned it… but it’s actually pretty obvious, isn’t it? Why else would I take you to our neighbors’ apartment!?

Matteo: ~nods slowly when Linn tells him the numbers~ ~lets her calculate~ ~has to talk about all of this with David first, anyways~ ~finds the bedroom really good and catches himself as he considers where they could put the bed~ ~but then laughs at Linn’s counter-question~ No, Linn, you didn’t, you said “come with me” and then you led me through a stranger’s apartment… no idea why you should do that, that’s why I was confused… ~pulls his phone from his pocket~ I think I’ll call David real quick… maybe he can come home sooner… ~turns around to the tenant~ Until what time could he come have a look? ~hears him answer: “Oh, it shouldn’t be a problem until around 9 pm…~ Okay, I’ll see if I can reach him… ~dials David’s number and holds the phone to his ear~

Linn: ~frowns when Matteo says that she didn’t tell him what it’s about and gapes in shock~ Oh, I’m sorry! Of course, that must have been confusing… ~then nods vigorously when he says that he’ll call David~ And I’ll calculate in the meantime… ~points at her phone~ ~then hears the tenant: “And I’ll get myself something to eat - sorry, I just got home myself and I’m hungry…”~

David: ~is having dinner with the Transformerz and feels like he’s slowly but surely getting more comfortable~ ~finds everyone pretty nice, but was still glad that he already knew one or two people from sight from the cafe so that he wasn’t surrounded only by strangers~ ~is simultaneously astonished and thrilled by how open everyone is with each other and is a little overwhelmed to experience so many transgender people all at once~ ~at some point, feels his phone vibrate and pulls it from his pocket~ ~sees that it’s Matteo and frowns~ ~thinks that Matteo would only call if it’s really important because he knows that he’s at this meeting tonight~ ~excuses himself from the others, gets up from the table, leaves the room and answers the call~ ~asks worriedly~ Hey, everything okay?

Matteo: ~has to chuckle when Linn is so startled~ It’s okay… ~only nods at the tenant’s words and then at Linn to show her that he heard her~ ~then smiles automatically when he hears David’s voice~ ~but then hears his worry and answers quickly~ Hey, everything’s okay, more than okay. But could you maybe interrupt the meeting and come home? You won’t believe what Linn has found for us!

David: ~exhales in relief when Matteo says that everything’s okay and laughs quietly~ More than okay!? ~frowns when he suggests he interrupt his meeting~ ~actually finds it a little impolite - especially since it’s his first time~ ~then hears him continue and mention something about Linn and has to smile because he sounds so excited~ ~says lovingly and slightly amused~ Hey… could you maybe tell me so that I can understand it? I mean… this is the first meeting… and I’d really find it a little stupid and impolite to already leave if it’s not really important. What is it that Linn has found for us? ~when it comes to Linn, he always thinks of something odd~

Matteo: ~has to laugh when he realizes that he did the same thing Linn did with him~ Sorry, sorry… so, buckle up… the apartment above the flatshare will be available! From the first of December on! Money-wise it would be okay, Linn is just calculating the utilities for us, but yes… and the guy says that you could come have a look at the apartment until 9 pm… ~takes a breath and has to laugh again because it’s so perfect~ But if you can’t then I’ll ask him if we could come by tomorrow?

David: ~smiles when he apologizes and listens to him~ ~can feel his heartbeat picking up a little when Matteo mentions the apartment and automatically starts to beam~ ~laughs quietly when Matteo finishes and then beams when he can hear him smile, as well~ ~is suddenly pretty excited~ Wow… and… we’d really have a chance? There aren’t 25 other applicants? Did you already see the apartment? Is it nice? But it’s smaller than the flatshare, right? ~laughs again quietly and takes a deep breath~ ~hears his suggestion and immediately shakes his head~ No! I want to see it today! I finally want to have a sliver of hope with this apartment hunt! ~checks the time and sees that it’s only 7:30~ ~quickly thinks and then says~ Okay, listen. I’ll stay here for another 30 minutes or so - by then we should be finished with dinner at least. It would really be weird somehow to immediately leave again on my first meeting… I only just started talking to some people… but if I leave immediately afterwards, then I’d be at the flatshare at shortly after 8:30… that would be early enough, right? If we can go there until 9 pm?

Matteo: ~beams when he can basically hear David beaming~ We really would have a chance by the sound of it… And I am in the apartment right now, it’s really nice… there are fewer rooms than there are in the flatshare, only two, but we wouldn’t really need more… ~then also laughs when he says that he wants to see it today~ Yes, sure, that’s perfect… and tell the Transformerz “sorry” on my behalf, but hey, that’s the chance we’ve been waiting for, right? ~then hears Linn next to him: “He’ll come over today? Tell him I just did the math and you could surely afford it.”~ Did you hear? We’ll talk about all of it once you get here, okay? ~can hear David agreeing and then hangs up~ ~turns to Linn~ Well, he’ll be here around 8:30… let’s take our leave and tell him about it… and you’re certain that there aren’t 25 other people who also want the apartment?

David: ~beams when Matteo says that it sound as if they’d have a chance and when Matteo starts describing the apartment~ ~slightly shakes his head when he says that they don’t need more than two rooms~ ~then laughs~ Yes, I’ll tell them. I feel like half the people are already aware of the fact that we’re looking for an apartment, anyways. Phoenix just asked me if there is any news… ~then hears Linn in the background and laughs again quietly~ Tell her thank you, that’s very nice of her! ~then nods~ Yes, we’ll talk soon… I’ll hurry up! ~then hangs up and goes back to the group~ ~because he’s beaming so broadly, immediately gets asked about what happened and tells them~

Linn: ~is relieved when her calculations result in a manageable amount and beams when she hears that David will be there later today~ ~really hopes that he’ll also like the apartment~ ~nods at Matteo’s question~ Quite certain. I had a phone call with my parents yesterday and this morning, Hans-Peter… I mean Mister Huber. He said he hasn’t gotten around to posting the apartment yet, and that he’d be grateful if I knew someone, because then he could save himself the trouble of looking for tenants and at least then he’d already know that he would get good tenants if I trust the people. I told him that you guys are very trustworthy. He wanted to mail the exact costs to me, but apparently he doesn’t have time to do it today. We’re supposed to tell him by the end of the week if you want the apartment - then he’d go ahead and get the lease agreement ready. ~has walked toward the hallway with Matteo and now smiles into the kitchen, where the tenant is sitting at the table eating his dinner~

Matteo: ~shakes his head in disbelief why Linn reports~ ~has the urge to hug her, but leaves it be because he knows that when it comes to Linn, physical contact has to be initiated by her~ Man, Linn, you really are awesome! ~then they arrive at the kitchen and he knocks against the doorframe~ We just wanted to say goodbye… my boyfriend will get on his way soon and if it’s okay, then we’ll come by again around 8:30? ~sees him nod immediately: “Yes sure, no problem at all, I’ll be here and my wife probably too… I hope it’ll work out, it’ll save us a lot of viewings.”~ ~grins and nods~ Yes, for us, too… see you later… ~leaves the apartment with Linn and goes back downstairs~ Man, Linn, that would be so awesome… then we could really come visit you guys in our pajamas. ~laughs and waits for Linn to unlock the door~

Linn: ~smiles when Matteo says that she’s awesome and shrugs~ ~then waits silently for Matteo to organize everything and then also says her goodbyes and leaves the apartment with him~ ~goes down the stairs and nods seriously at his words~ ~says slightly dreamily~ It would almost be like Hans said - like a very big flatshare. You’d just have to take a walk up the stairway. ~stops at their apartment door and looks at Matteo~ Hans would surely also be happy if you take the apartment. ~unlocks the door and stops in front of the door to her room~ ~checks the time and reaches for the door handle~ I have to watch my show now. You can tell me from 9:15 onward how David liked the apartment. And if you want it, and if it all works out money-wise, then I’ll immediately tell Hans-Peter tomorrow. ~then hears Laura calling from the kitchen: “There you are, Linn! I’ll be finished with the cake in a minute, and then I’ll come over! Hey, brother-in-law-to-be! Where have you guys been?”~ ~looks at Laura when she appears in the doorway to the kitchen and checks the time again~ ~hears Laura laughing: “Yes, I know, it’s starting… feel free to leave… Matteo can inform me!”~ ~briefly smiles at Laura and Matteo again and then disappears to her room~

Matteo: ~smiles when she’s so dreamy~ Yes, like a big flatshare… with a little more privacy… ~grins slightly~ I think we would all be happy… ~nods when she says that her show is about to start~ Yes, sure, we’ll tell you. And thanks again, Linn, that really saves us! ~grins when he hears Laura~ Hellooooo sister-in-law-to-be, you’re in a good mood. We… ~then sees Linn getting antsy and that Laura tells her to leave~ ~sees Linn disappear and then looks back to Laura~ ~the people in the apartment above us are moving out… Linn arranged for us to have a look at the apartment before it gets posted somewhere, and if we want it, then the landlord won’t even post it. ~beams broadly~ Awesome, right?

Laura: ~smiles after Linn and then looks at Matteo expectantly~ ~gapes at his words and starts to beam~ That would be awesome! How big? How much does it cost? When could you move in? ~laughs quietly, simply hugs him and then hits his arm lovingly~ Sick! And Linn hasn’t told me anything beforehand… pfff… unbelievable! ~looks around~ But David wasn’t with you, was he? He wanted to go to this meeting today… ~had talked about it with him to see if he’s home so that she has privacy for baking the cake~

Matteo: ~laughs when she’s so happy and when he also gets a hug~ Well… it’s smaller than this one, of course, two rooms, but that’s enough… it costs soandso much, so we’d manage… and yes, David is at Lambda, but I called him and he’ll come home a little earlier and we can go upstairs again at 8:30 so that he can also see it… ~grins broadly~ Man, Laura, that would just be awesome! ~inhales and then smells the cake~ And hey, if there’s a slice left over from the cake… ~grins slightly~ By the way, I don’t want to keep you from your show… feel free to leave, we’ll come by again later, anyways, to tell you guys about everything.

Laura: ~listens to him and smiles very broadly~ Hey, I would be sooo happy for you! I’ll keep my fingers crossed! ~laugs quietly~ And for me, of course! That I could move into your room on time! ~then hears that David will be home earlier and grimaces slightly~ Fuck… ~glances into the kitchen~ ~then hears his comment and lightly hits him in the chest~ It’s for David, you idiot! And if he comes home early and I won’t clean up real quick then there’s no more surprise… ~then nods absentmindedly and is already halfway back to the kitchen~ Yes, first the cake, then the kitchen, then the show! And really, do tell us about it! That really would be a nice birthday present for David if it worked out! ~lifts her hand in goodbye again and then leans down to the oven to check on the cake~

Matteo: ~laughs slightly~ Yes, that really would be perfect for everyone… ~looks confused when she swears~ ~then hears that the cake is for David~ ~gapes exaggeratedly~ It’s David’s birthday?!? Fuck! ~then laughs when she looks so shocked~ No, no, I know that… I somehow assumed you’re baking it for yourself and Linn, sorry… ~looks into the kitchen, where it’s really still pretty messy~ Hey, I can also try to catch David outside at 8:30 and we’ll go straight up? ~leans against the kitchen door to wait for her answer, but then also retreats back to his room~

Laura: ~has thanked Matteo but assured him that she’ll manage~ ~then hurried up and really only missed 10 minutes of the show when she enters Linn’s room and gets comfortable together with her~

Matteo: ~might possibly have walked a little faster than usual from the bus stop back home~ ~throws his jacket and keys on the shelf in the hallway and quickly goes toward their room~ ~sees David sitting at the desk, his back toward him~ Hey… ~grins broadly when David turns around and closes the door and turns the key in the lock~ ~sees David getting up and goes to him with two steps~ ~kisses him and runs his right hand through his hair~ ~then asks quietly~ Is really everything alright?

David: ~has really managed to concentrate a little more and therefore flinches slightly when he suddenly hears Matteo’s voice~ ~smiles immediately and turns around to him~ Hey, na? ~suddenly feels his heart beating faster, probably from anticipation, when he sees that Matteo closes and locks the door~ ~drops the pen he had been holding on the desk and gets up~ ~goes toward him when Matteo approaches him and wraps both arms around his waist when Matteo kisses him~ ~actually wanted to deepen the kiss immediately, but then first looks at Matteo lovingly at his question~ ~humms in agreement and says quietly~ Everything’s good… ~gins slightly~ I’m yearning for you… ~runs one hand under Matteo’s sweater and can feels that apart from the anticipation, he’s actually also a little nervous~

Matteo: ~smiles slightly when he says that everything’s good~ ~runs a hand through his hair again and this time, leaves his hand there~ ~says quietly~ I’m also yearning… ~wraps his other arm around him and sighs slightly when he feels his hand on his skin~ ~kisses him again, and this time deepens the kiss a little more~ ~then runs both hands over Davids side and to the seam of David’s sweater~ ~breaks away from the kiss so that he can pull his sweater over his head~ ~looks at David and can see something like nervousness in his look~ ~asks quietly and tenderly~ Everything okay?

David: ~smiles slightly when Matteo says that he’s also yearning and quietly sighs into the kiss when Matteo starts it again~ ~tenderly runs his hand over the naked skin on his back and also lets his other hand slip under the sweater~ ~can hardly believe that this time, they can go all the way, instead of having to break it off frustratedly at some point~ ~eventually feels Matteo’s hands on his sides and on the seam of his sweater and exhales a little shakily when he stops the kiss~ ~is about to lift his arms so that he can take off his sweater, but then sees his look and hears his question~ ~smiles slightly, lowers his arms again and puts his forehead against Matteo’s~ ~briefly kisses him again and nods~ Everything’s okay… ~grins slightly and then admits quietly~ I’m a little nervous… the first time after the surgery… without… ~doesn’t voice it, and instead nudges his chest against Matteo’s~ ~then kisses him again and runs his hands under his sweater again~ ~pushes it a little up and then pulls away from the kiss again so that he can pull the sweater over Matteo’s head~

Matteo: ~lifts his hand and strokes over his cheek when he sees his look~ ~smiles slightly when he says that everything’s okay~ ~but still knows that there’s something~ ~then hears his words and automatically smiles a little more~ ~was about to say something, but then gets kissed again~ ~but has to think about the fact that maybe now everything is more sensitive for David and suddenly also gets a little nervous~ ~automatically lifts his arms so that David can take off his sweater and uses the opportunity to also pull David’s sweater over his head~ ~then kisses him again and pulls him to the bed with him~ ~they take off the rest of their clothes there and Matteo is already very careful with it~ ~kisses David’s chest and carefully runs his hand over his leg~ ~but then can’t help but briefly voice his worries~ ~whispers quietly~ I don’t want to break anything… ~knows that it sounds weird and stupid, but hopes that David knows what he means~

David: ~takes off Matteo’s sweater and then lifts his arms so that he can do the same for him~ ~then they lie down on the bed while still kissing and they get rid of the rest of their clothes, as well~ ~realizes how comfortable he feels lying here like that with Matteo - without thinking that he should have felt somehow uncomfortable because of his chest - and deepens the kiss even more~ ~tenderly runs his hands over Matteo’s body and his hair and sighs quietly when Matteo kisses across his chest~ ~then hears his quiet words and can feel his heart doing a little jump out of love~ ~tenderly pulls Matteo’s head up to him so that he can look at him and whispers quietly and with a voice that’s slightly shaky due to anticipation~ You won’t break anything, I promise… ~leans down to him to kiss him and murmurs against his lips while tenderly running his hands through his hair again~ We’ll… just take it slow… and… I’ll tell you if something’s not right, okay? ~then deepens the kiss again and pulls Matteo closer~

Matteo: ~hears his words and sighs quietly, but then nods~ ~kisses him back and already runs his hand over David’s skin again~ ~hears his murmuring and swallows slightly, but then pushes the thought that something could be wrong to the back of his mind and instead kisses him again~ ~then pulls away from the kiss to lean over to the shelf next to the bed~ ~reaches for the pack of condoms and pulls one out~ ~then leans over David again and presses it into his hand with a smile before he kisses him again~ ~murmurs against his lips~ We’ll go slow…

Jonas: ~notices Matteo getting nervous again because something isn’t planned properly and has to hold back a chuckle, because stuff like that hadn’t bothered him in the past, but David and he must complement each other quite well on these things now~ ~still says comfortingly~ Okay, don’t panic… we have time… either we do it like you suggested or you’ll call Hans and ask him if there’s space in the basement… and if there’s no space then you take it to Hanna and bring David there to give him his present and you’ll invite him to a restaurant afterwards… or get a Döner… or something like that… or do you also do something with water on birthdays? ~then remembers that it’s their first birthday together and has to smile a little~ ~looks over to him~ Although…. you probably don’t have any birthday traditions yet, right? Wooohooo… all totally new… Davenzi are celebrating a birthday for the first time… ~grins broadly and bumps him in the side~ Hey, but it’ll be hard for David to top this thing with the clock!

Matteo: ~shakes his head doubtfully~ Call Hans? You think he can keep his mouth shut? I’ll better try Linn… ~pulls his phone out of his pocket~ ~but then listens to Jonas first~ ~has to grin slightly~ No, we don’t have a birthday tradition yet… so no water stuff… ~laughs slightly~ Yeah, that will be the absolutely best present ever for quite a while… well, at least I hope so… alright, I’ll try calling Linn now… ~dials her number and she answers after the third ring~ Hello Linn… no, no, everything’s okay, don’t worry… yes exactly, everything’s good… no, no, I wanted to ask a favor of you… yes, you. Could you go down to the basement and check if there’s still space left? … Yes, now if it’s possible, I’ll stay on the phone… thanks… ~looks at Jonas and briefly holds his phone away~ Linn doesn’t ask any unnecessary questions, very useful… ~then puts his phone back to his ear~ Yes? … okay, that means? … you can stand comfortably? ~has to chuckle briefly~ Okay, yes… that’s good… thanks, Linn! We’ll see each other tonight, bye! ~hangs up~ Okay, Linn says that there’s enough space for her to stand and spin, so I think it should be enough space…

Jonas: ~nods when he says that he’ll try calling Linn and is quiet so that he can make the call in peace~ ~grins at his comment about Linn and says quietly~ Hans would probably need exact measurements and would want to know what for and why and how long for and then he’d hold a speech about what a sweet idea that is and so on, right? ~but then hears that Linn is apparently back on the phone, whispers a “sorry” and puts his finger to his lip to signal that he’s quiet now~ ~then hears that there’s apparently enough space and holds his fist out to Matteo to bump~ Yes, cool! Then David just mustn’t happen to come back from Alex’ tonight when we’re unloading the thing… but it’ll work… you’ll probably text back and forth with him about 30 more times, anyways - then you can find out about his plans and so on when we’re getting back… ~then indicates and overtakes a bus~ ~then briefly looks at Matteo and says~ Alright - and now talk, Brudi! So the apartment hunt isn’t going too well so far?

Matteo: ~only nodded when he guessed Hans’ reaction so correctly~ ~then gives him the secretary’s-office-look when he says he would text David 30 more times~ ~receives a text at exactly that moment and has to laugh himself~ Yes, okay… guess that’s true… so it really shouldn’t be a problem… ~briefly checks the message and texts back that everything’s well, no traffic jam or something like that~ ~then looks at Jonas at his question~ Man yeah, it really sucks… we have been to a couple of viewings… but either the apartments are really run-down, we went to one that was basically a construction site, there was nothing there… and at one of them the layout was completely different than in the advertisement and we didn’t like that and at the third one, there were so many people again… that one was quite nice but somehow also smaller than we thought… and yeah, it’s really super annoying… I mean I wasn’t expecting to find something straight away, but it’s really nerve-racking…

Jonas: ~only grins when he gets the secretary’s-office-look and then laughs loudly when Matteo gets a text at that exact moment~ It’s not a bad thing, man, it’s just the way you two are! ~then listens to him talking about the viewings and grimaces~ Sounds really annoying… I can imagine that this gets on your nerves - especially if you have to go there after work and uni and then the apartment sucks and you think you shouldn’t have bothered… ~briefly looks at him~ I’m really keeping my fingers crossed that there’s something better next week! ~then looks back at the street again and asks~ And what does David think about it? I mean, he’s been dealing with it for a little longer now… does that mean he’s already more chill and hardened than you are simply because he’s got more experience or is he even more annoyed and frustrated because he just doesn’t want to deal with it anymore?

Matteo: ~grins when Jonas says that it’s okay~ ~is somehow happy about that~ ~then nods when he says that it really sucks~ Thanks, yes, we also hope so… there really has to be at some point… ~then laughs slightly when he asks about David~ He has his phases… at the last one, he really was annoyed because he found it really great on paper… but he’s actually really positive, he says that the right apartment is already waiting for us and so on… ~grins slightly~ But… no idea… it was so cool to decide all of it and to have a look at the apartments online and to come up with ideas and so on… and we really were thrown into the deep end a little somehow… ~shrugs one shoulder~ But it’ll work out… so far, we all found a place to stay eventually, right?

Jonas: ~smiles when Matteo says that David is so positive~ But that sounds good so far… and to have phases where you’re annoyed and frustrated that’s also somehow logical, isn’t it? But the way I know you guys, you’re lifting each other up, right? If one of you is down then the other one is extremely positive, right? ~smiles again at his next words and then nods~ Sure, you’ll find something! And you’re not pressured for time… ~but still can imagine that you want to get it over with as quickly as possible instead of searching for months on end~ ~then grins slightly~ What did you come up with? Your own lake in the backyard for your water games?

Matteo: ~grins and nods~ Yes, we manage quite well with taking turns… ~then nods again slightly~ Yes, it’s really nice to not be pressured for time… but somehow… I mean, now that we decided it I also somehow want it to happen, you know? ~then laughs when he talks about their own lake~ We didn’t have that so far, but good idea! But maybe we’ll wait with that until David is incredibly rich… ~then briefly thinks about what they had been thinking of~ Oh, just normal stuff… a balcony, a bigger kitchen, I think David would really like an old building… stuff like that…

Jonas: ~briefly looks over to him, smiles a little and nods in understanding~ Yes, I can understand that… you somehow want to get there instead of being on the road for so long or something like that… ~then looks back to the road and overtakes a slow car~ ~laughs quietly when he says that he wants to wait with the lake~ Surely that will still take a few more years… ~drives back to the right lane and listens to him further~ ~nods and smiles slightly~ Old buildings are really nice… ~then smiles a little more again and briefly looks over to him again~ And what do you want?

Matteo: ~nods~ Yes, I don’t really like the uncertainty that much… I don’t care when we get an apartment, but I’d really like to have one… ~grins and shrugs one shoulder~ We’ll see… maybe he’ll also be a shooting star and get famous with his first film already. ~then nods~ Yes, old buildings are very nice… ~then grins when he asks what he wants~ A red rug… but no, I also want a kitchen where you can sit in… and I want… that we don’t have to accept too much money from David’s parents and I want that it’s not too far away from the flatshare and Abdi and Carlos and so on…

Jonas: ~laughs at Matteo’s imaginations about David’s career~ Surely! ~then listens to his wishes and has to smile again, because he finds it really cool that Matteo can formulate it so well by now, even if it’s “only” about a red rug and stuff like that~ ~grins and nods and says~ That all sounds nice… whatever a red rug for, but I’m pretty sure that you’ll have a red rug. ~then is quiet for a moment and says hesitantly~ By the way, I find it really good… I mean, that you say what you want. Not only about the apartment, but also when it comes to David… that you told him that you want to live together with him. ~sighs quietly~ I know, sometimes I’m maybe a little too old-fashioned and for me and Hanna, it would also definitely be too soon to move in together… but that’s exactly why I find it so good that you say clearly that you already want that, you know? No matter what the others think and say… that you’re making a statement! ~briefly looks over to him because he isn’t sure if Matteo would understand what he means~

Matteo: ~laughs slightly~ No idea how I came up with it, but somehow I found it funny… ~then listens to him and looks at him from the side~ ~can feel that he’s somehow happy that he says that~ ~also thinks that it’s something that’s changed within him~ Thanks… and yes, somehow… well, I also could have said something sooner… but… ~briefly thinks how best to formulate it~ But somehow it was also cool…. well, to tell him what I want and to get it… ~then laughs slightly~ And I do know that it’s soon, I haven’t even been living at the flatshare for a whole year… and David and I have only been together for 5 months, but somehow… ~shrugs one shoulder~ …it just feels right.

Jonas: ~grins when Matteo says that he found the idea of the red rug funny and realizes that for the first time, he’s wondering and imagining how Matteo and David will furnish their apartment~ ~then smiles when Matteo seems to understand what he tried to say, and then laughs quietly because he sounds almost astonished when he says that it was cool to get what he wanted~ It’s actually usually like that… that one says what one wants and then one gets it… or a compromise at the least… maybe you simply had to experience it for yourself to find it out… in the past, you really almost never said what it is you wanted… ~then smiles slightly when Matteo says that it’s soon and slightly shakes his head~ ~doesn’t want him to feel as if he has to justify himself somehow~ Well that somehow is what really matters… that it feels right, isn’t it? It’ll work out between the two of you. ~glances at the GPS and sees that he has to exit the Autobahn and sets the indicator~

Matteo: ~shrugs one shoulder when Jonas says that he rarely said what he wanted~ Maybe there just wasn’t much that I wanted… ~shakes his head~ Nah, no idea… I’m just also content with a lot of things… but yes, this way, it’s somehow better than to just wait and see… in the past I just let everything happen or I screwed up… ~briefly remembers how he tried to break up Jonas and Hanna just because he was jealous and realizes that this Matteo is really pretty far from how he feels today~ ~then smiles when Jonas says that this is what matters~ Yeah, I think so, too… ~gets nervous again when he notices that now it’s really only 20 more minutes until they reach their destination~

Jonas: ~smiles slightly when Matteo says that there wasn’t much that he wanted and is somehow happy that thanks to David, this seems to have changed a little~ ~then nods when he says that he is content with a lot and briefly wonders when Matteo ever screwed up instead of letting things happen~ ~but doesn’t ask about it and instead says~ To just let everything happen isn’t always that great, either… I only have to think about politics and such… if everyone were to always let everything happen, then nothing would ever change. Or if everyone always just waited to see what happens… it’s better to be active. To say what you want. Make clear statements and so on. Both privately and on the outside as a whole… ~then stops himself a little, because they were actually talking about Matteo and not about politics, and gets back to their original topic~ ~smiles slightly when Matteo agrees with him and also thinks that it will turn out good~ ~then briefly looks around once he exits the Autobahn and then turns left~ ~laughs quietly~ Dude, here’s a whole lot of nothing! But you guys, you just had to spontaneously leave the Autobahn on your road trip… ~looks at the GPS again~ 20 more minutes… so we’ll just go into the house, grab this clock and go back, right? Is it easy to get in? I mean, is there an open backdoor or something?

Matteo: ~watches him in amusement when he steers off topic and gets so enthusiastic~ Yees, sure… being active is better… ~sometimes also finds it okay to be passive, and in some parts of life, he still is, but doesn’t say so right now~ ~then laughs quietly~ Yes, we simply wanted to see something… and only driving on the Autobahn is boring… ~nods at Jonas’ question~ That’s the plan… and yeah, we went in through the window, it worked quite well… I don’t know about a backdoor, but I’m sure that’ll also work.

Jonas: ~nods skeptically when he says they just wanted to see something and then grins slightly, because you can’t really see much besides a foggy landscape~ ~but then thinks that maybe in summer it’s nicer here and not quite so gloomy~ ~then laughs quietly~ Through the window? Didn’t you say it was a grandfather clock!? Will we even get it back out through the window!? ~shakes his head in amusement and says teasingly~ Why do I get the feeling that David would have planned this whole thing a little better?! ~briefly glances in the back and then says~ But Hanna’s father always has a few tools in the trunk… if we have to, then we’ll just break open a door or something… ~then drives for a little while longer with him through different villages and then slows down when the GPS tells them that they’re almost there~ ~looks around searchingly~

Matteo: ~looks at him in confusion when he laughs~ ~then hummus slightly~ Oh… ~briefly wonders if you could get the grandfather clock through the window~ ~was just about to get annoyed when he hears Jonas’ words~ ~then has to grin~ He definitely would… he would have brought a board or a ramp or one of those roll things where you could put the clock on and tools to break the door open… ~laughs~ Good thing that we’re talking about it /now/… ~then shrugs one shoulder~ Yes, we’ll get a door open… somehow… ~then thinks that he can recognize the road and suddenly gets nostalgic, even though it hasn’t been that long ago~ ~remembers how nervous he was before that holiday and how cool it turned out to be and also remembers what a cool start to their trip it had been to explore that house~ ~then also sees it and points at it~ There it is… just drive as close to it as possible…

Jonas: ~nods when Matteo says that they’ll somehow get the door open~ Definitely! ~laughs quietly~ I’ll surely not drive for 2.5 hours to let myself be stopped by a closed door… ~then sees Matteo pointing to the left and can now also see the abandoned house~ ~laughs quietly when he drives toward it~ Dude - that’s what David is into?! I would be really scared that the whole thing would topple in on me with one wrong move… ~then drives around the house a little and turns off the car~ I’ll better park here… not everyone who passes by has to see that we’re stealing a clock that probably no one will miss, anyways… ~gets out, stretches and then turns around to Matteo~ Okay… in through your window and then let’s look for a door to break open once we’re inside? Or should we better break open a door from the outside - how would you like it, Mister Florenzi?

Matteo: ~laughs slightly at Jonas’ worries~ Yeah, David’s into such things… I was also a little worried, but he said if it were in danger of toppling down then it already would have happened or something like that… can’t argue against it… ~laughs~ ~hen nods when he drives around the house~ Very smart… ~unbuckles his seatbelt and gets out~ ~also stretches and then turns to Jonas~ No, sounds good… better break it open from the inside… I’ll also show you the clock first… I don’t even remember all that well how big it is… ~grins slightly~ ~then they go toward the house and window through which they had entered the house~ Get up there… ~looks at Jonas askingly~

Jonas: ~nods when Matteo says that they’ll better break it open from the inside and goes to the trunk to get the toolbox~ ~looks at him a little skeptical when he says that he doesn’t remember how big the clock is~ But it’ll fit in the car, right? ~then goes around the house with him and groans when he points at a window~ Seriously!? ~puts the toolbox down on the floor and eyes the window~ And /you/ got up there!? With a running start or what? ~takes a deep breath and rubs his hands together~ Alright… let’s try this! ~takes a running start and tries to lift himself up on the windowsill~ ~doesn’t manage~ Dude, you really owe me one… ~tries again and this time manages to somehow climb through the window very inelegantly~ ~looks out and says to Matteo~ Hand me the toolbox…

Matteo: ~somehow really didn’t remember the window being so high up~ Yes, somehow I also got up there… probably with a running start… ~then grins when he says that he owes him one~ Of course… I owe you three favors… ~then claps when he manages to get up~ ~heaves the toolbox up and hands it to Jonas~ ~then takes a few steps back~ Okay… let’s go… ~starts running and jumps~ ~really manages on the first try to get a hold and to heave himself up~ ~kind of rolls into the room~ Made it! ~grins proudly and then points at the door~ The clock’s in the hallway.

Jonas: ~takes the tool box from him and puts it down in the room~ ~then takes a step back so that Matteo can climb up and nods impressed when he immediately manages at the first try~ ~then laughs quietly~ I should really work out more… it’s somehow worrisome that you’re fitter than I am! ~follows his gaze to the door and nods~ ~grabs the tool box again and goes into the hallway~ ~sees a weird red stain on the floor and frowns~ ~murmurs~ I don’t even want to know what that is… ~then takes a look around and sees a big grandfather clock~ ~points his head toward it and then looks at Matteo~ Is that it? ~exhales and nods~ Alright… I’d say you’ll spend the ride home on the backseat… we’ll definitely have to fold down the car seats to get it into the car… ~goes to the clock and moves it a little~ ~realizes in relief that it’s not very heavy~ ~looks back at Matteo~ And that thing really still works?! Awesome!

Matteo: ~laughs slightly~ I had some practice… besides, I have a sports enthusiast as a boyfriend, I have to impress. ~grins, because that’s not true, of course~ ~then goes into the hallway with Jonas and grins when he comments on the stain~ ~then sees the clock and is a little shocked~ Yep, I really remembered it to be smaller… I’m sure it’ll work… ~then nods~ Yes, sitting in the back seat won’t be a problem… ~then helps him and also moves it a bit~ ~thinks that it’s probably not the best type of wood if it’s so light, but isn’t bothered by that~ Yes, it still works… David set it to the correct time when we were here… ~looks at Jonas~ Do we maybe first want to see which door we can get open and then come back for it?

Jonas: ~laughs quietly~ As if David would put any value on how sporty you are… ~grins at him~ Admit it - you were seized by the ambition to somehow keep up… ~then looks impressed when Matteo says that the clock really still works and eyes it more thoroughly~ ~comments~ I’d definitely clean it up some more tomorrow or so… there’s this stuff to polish wood with… wipe over it before you gift it to David. I think it’ll look really nice if you spruce it up a little… ~then grins slightly and looks at him~ But you won’t furnish your entire apartment in that style, right? ~nods when he suggests finding a door that leads outside~ Yes, I guess that would be the best course of action… ~they open several doors and look into several rooms~ ~they also find the main entrance, but consider it unwise to break that open, because everyone could see from the road what they are doing~ ~they eventually find a back door that is nailed shut with a few boards and he nods in satisfaction~ That one it is! ~opens the toolbox and rummages around a little~ ~eventually pulls something out that looks like a crowbar and hands it to Matteo~ ~grins slightly and takes a step back~ You may go first!

Matteo: ~laughs~ No, neither… I’m neither ambitious nor do I want to impress him… at least not with sports… ~then nods~ Yes, I’ll get wood polish, I already thought of that, too… I’ll have to make sure that I’ll manage to get some tomorrow in secret…. ~immediately shakes his head~ Nooo, no way… only the clock, that’s enough. ~then follows Jonas until they have found the correct door~ ~grins and accepts the crowbar from Jonas~ Please step back! ~hooks it under some wood and puts his weight into it~ ~is surprised how easy and fast it splinters and laughs~ Okay, that was easy… ~hands the crowbar back~ You do it, but not with full force, you won’t need it…

Jonas: ~steps back and watches Matteo as he removes the first board from the door~ ~then laughs when he hands him the crowbar again~ You do realize that we’re doing this for /your/ boyfriend, right? But sure… let /me/ do all the work… ~but still accepts it and steps to the door~ ~also hooks it under a board and realizes that it really can be removed very easily~ ~also removes the other three boards and then rattles the door~ ~grimaces~ Locked… but it’s pretty brittle… hang on… ~hooks the crowbar into the area where the door’s lock is located and rattles it a few times~ ~eventually manages to get the door open and upon taking a look outside, realizes that the car isn’t too far away~ ~turns to Matteo~ Let’s move the car a little closer and already fold down the seats and so on… and we’ll definitely have to put a blanket underneath! Hanna’s father would kill me if we dent the car somewhere…

Matteo: ~grins a little cheekily~ Yeees, sure… but it’s really easy and you can handle tools much better than I can… ~then watches him as he really does all the work~ ~actually expected him to eventually hand the tools back to him again~ ~but then nods at all his suggestions~ We brought several blankets, that’s one thing I thought of for a change… ~then goes to the car with him and folds down part of the backseat~ ~they already put down two blankets and prepare another big one to put over it later~ ~then they go back to the house and the clock~ Okay, 1… 2… 3… go… ~tilts the clock so that Jonas can grab the top end and then they carry it out~ ~thinks that it works quite well~ Yeah, stealing a clock is easier than I thought. ~laughs slightly~

Jonas: ~laughs quietly~ Yes, for a change… ~slightly elbows him in the side and then goes to the car with him~ ~they prepare everything and then he drives the car all the way to the back door~ ~they go back inside to the clock and he’s once again grateful that the clock isn’t that heavy~ ~they manage carrying it to the car quite well~ ~laughs quietly at Matteo’s words~ Definitely… at least from abandoned houses… hey, maybe we should have blacked out the car’s license plate beforehand or something… ~then they somehow load the clock into the car and he’s very careful that the car won’t get any dents~ ~looks back to the house when they’re finished~ Umm… should we somehow close the door back up or something?

Matteo: ~laughs~ Right, and you surely wouldn’t have gotten into trouble with Hanna’s dad if you had done that… ~they manage not to dent the car~ ~then also looks back to the car and shrugs one shoulder~ Do you think anyone cares? Do you want to nail it shut again? ~shakes his head~ No, I don’t think it’s worth it… there’s obviously no one here, ever, anyways.

Jonas: ~also shrugs one shoulder~ Well, maybe not nail it shut… ~hears that Matteo doesn’t think that it’s worth it and hesitates~ ~eventually shakes his head a little~ I’ll at least pull it shut again… ~runs to the door and pulls it back shut again~ ~then goes back to Matteo and grins slightly~ Alright - now I’m hungry! Feel free to list everything you’ve packed again… ~takes a seat in the car again and starts the car~ ~briefly looks at Matteo and smiles~ That was a cool adventure, Luigi… David will love the clock!

Matteo: ~laughs when he says that he’s hungry~ You can also go to a drive through if you want… It’s on me, of course… ~but still reaches for the food bag and takes it to the back seat with him~ ~pulls his phone out and takes a photo of the loaded up clock and of Jonas in the driver’s seat~ ~buckles up and grins~ I hope so… and thanks again. Without you I really couldn’t have done it. And I’m serious about it, I really owe you one… if you ever need help for Hanna’s present or something… ~then looks in the bag~ Well, we have half a sandwich… waffles… half an apple… and cookies…

Jonas: ~waves it off when Matteo thanks him~ Oh, it’s alright! You would have done the same for me, so don’t worry… and a Brudi-roadtrip like that is also nice! ~steers the car off the property and back to the road while Matteo lists all the food he has~ ~grins~ I’ll take all of it… in exactly that order… ~spends a pleasant and fun car ride back together with Matteo and they mostly talk about the upcoming birthdays and parties~ ~then they really manage to get the clock in the flatshare’s basement without anyone noticing, and he says his goodbyes to Matteo after he made him promise to tell him about David’s reaction~

David: ~thinks once again that it really feels like home when he’s back with Matteo when Matteo squeezes close~ ~can feel himself relax and feels content immediately~ ~grumbles quietly at Matteo’s question and murmurs into the crook of his neck~ Nice… ~but then thinks that Matteo wants a little more detail, presses a tender kiss to the skin on his neck and then emerges again~ ~puts his head down comfortably on his shoulder and tells him~ We were in this pub in Charlottenburg… it was quite cozy… and somehow… no idea… it was almost like it used to be. When I think about it then it really is a little scary how quickly we got back to that point considering how long we didn’t have any contact… but somehow it’s also really nice… so familiar somehow… ~slightly shrugs one shoulder and searches for Matteo’s hand to entwine their fingers~

Matteo: ~grumbles contentedly when he kisses him again~ ~but then slowly turns his head a little so that he can look at him~ ~nods slightly when he talks and then smiles~ But that’s nice… that only shows that the connection is still there… that’s great. I’m happy for you. ~squeezes his hand and then presses another kiss to his cheek~ And Patrick really is pretty cool, very easygoing, I can see very well why he was your best friend…

David: ~moves a tiny bit away from him when he realizes that Matteo wants to look at him, and returns his look~ ~also smiles slightly at Matteo’s words and nods~ Yes, that’s really great… ~laughs quietly~ But somehow also weird and creepy… ~shrugs one shoulder again~ Well, but I shouldn’t complain and instead be happy, that’s true… ~then smiles again at Matteo’s next word and nods~ I think to some extent, it’ll stay that way… well, also if now there’s Alex and the rest of the guys… but I’ve just known Patrick for forever… that’s somehow different… ~slightly squeezes Matteo’s hand and adds~ By the way, he told me to say hi… and to ask you if you wanted to test some game that’s supposed to be released next year… I forgot what it’s called… maybe you could just text him over the next few days…

Matteo: ~also laughs slightly~ Yes, that’s true… you weren’t really expecting it anymore… ~smiles slightly~ But therefore it’s even better that you dared to do it and that it was worth it so much. ~then looks surprised when he says that to some extent, Patrick will stay his best friend~ ~somehow wasn’t expecting it~ ~has a weird mix of feelings that he can’t really sort properly~ Oh really? I wouldn’t have thought so… but yes, of course, you’ve known each other the longest… ~then tries to define again why it feels so weird for him~ ~but then gets interrupted when he hears David’s next words~ Really? How cool! Which one? Man, Schreibner, why can’t you remember? ~briefly has the urge to reach for his phone, but would have to let go of David to do so, and doesn’t want that, either~ I’ll text him later…

David: ~briefly frowns when he realizes that Matteo is really surprised at his words, and tries to explain~ Well, it’s somehow… not better or worse than Alex but just different… you can have several best friends, can’t you!? I mean… you’re my best friend, as well… in addition to being my boyfriend… although you count very differently… and with Patrick it’s just a feeling from the past where I don’t yet know if it’ll stay like that in the future… but right now it feels like it… and Alex… well, I think that it’ll stay the way it is between us… but it doesn’t really matter anyway how you define it, right? ~then has to laugh when he sees Matteo’s reaction to the computer game~ Yeah sorry! Next time I’ll immediately text you about such fundamental life-changing things to inform you properly… although, you don’t really have time at the moment to play anyways… for the next few nights and weekends we’ll be busy with searching for an apartment… ~looks at him curiously~ Speaking of: How’s your grandmother? Did you tell her?

Matteo: ~laughs slightly when David explains and justifies himself~ Yes of course you can have several best friends. It wasn’t meant as an attack or anything… I was just surprised. And by the way, you’re also my best /friend/ and my best /boyfriend/. ~grins slightly~ ~was just about to kiss him when he hears him make fun~ Pfff, /when/ I test it, then YOU are not allowed to play if you only make fun of me. ~but then nods when he says that they don’t have time~ Yes, true, by the way, during lunch I called this one apartment that you sent me, but they didn’t answer the phone whenever I tried… ~but then grins when he asks about his grandmother~ She’s doing great, I’m supposed to say hi to you and yes, I told her. She laughed very hard and asked if I’m doing it to prove something to her. I also laughed and said that I actually make some decisions without thinking about her… she was briefly affronted, but then she was too curious, after all. She was a little disappointed that I couldn’t tell her much more… but then I’ll hopefully be able to tell her more next week or the week after that.

David: ~smiles when Matteo admits that he’s also his best friend and squeezes his hand slightly~ ~can’t really define thins thing with Patrick and Alex himself, but then thinks that maybe he doesn’t even have to~ ~then has to laugh when Matteo says that he isn’t allowed to play~ Hopefully I’ll live… ~tenderly brushes the hair off his forehead and gets a little more serious again~ No… I’m happy if you have fun with such stuff… ~hears his words about the apartment and sighs quietly~ Okay, thanks… then I’ll try there again tomorrow… ~listens when he talks about his grandmother and smiles at first~ ~but then has to laugh quietly, after all~ That would be something… if we only did it to prove something to her… definitely tell her hi back from me next Tuesday. I really hope that you can tell her more by then… ~lets go of his hand and instead wraps his arm around him again and scoots closer~ ~murmurs a little sluggishly~ Maybe I’ll also be there next Tuesday and can listen along a little… since I understand more, it's a lot more exciting to listen to you guys… ~grins slightly~

Matteo: ~pffs slightly when he says that he’ll live~ You don’t even appreciate it… ~but then laughs slightly, after all~ ~nods when he tells him to say hi back~ I’ll tell her… ~then also wraps an arm around him again and scoots down a little~ Oh yes, she also asked about that and I proudly told her that you’re very busy with learning Italian and that you already learned quite a lot. She was really happy about that… ~grins~ Maybe next year you can already have a conversation with her.

David: ~grins broadly~ Of course I appreciate it! But I also know that you would let me play if I wouldn’t survive it… ~kisses him and shuts him up this way to finally put a stop to that topic~ ~then smiles when Matteo tells him that his grandmother asked about him and smiles even more when Matteo tells him what he told her so proudly~ ~then laughs quietly~ Well… /a lot/… I somehow get ahead… probably I’d really have to speak it more instead of only reading and studying it… but I don’t know if your grandmother would be the right conversational partner… ~grins~ I mean… considering how fast and much she talks… I surely wouldn’t be able to keep up…

Matteo: ~grins when he gets a kiss and when that obviously ends the topic~ Yeees, you have learnt a lot! ~then laughs~ No, I wouldn’t pick my grandmother as a practice subject, either… maybe better Mama or me… and sometimes you already text me in Italian… ~shrugs one shoulder~ But if you want to, then we can only talk in Italian from now on. ~grins a little, because he does consider this a little awkward, after all~

David: ~laughs~ You have to say that because you’re my boyfriend and so that I’ll stay motivated… ~presses a kiss to his throat because he can’t reach any other spot right now and because he’s too lazy to stretch~ ~murmurs~ Still thanks… ~hummms~ Yes, but texting isn’t the same… I have enough time to think about it… and to look stuff up if I don’t know something… ~then smiles at his suggestion~ ~thinks that this would probably really be a good exercise - at least sometimes every once in a while~ ~but then stretches a little and says~ Meglio domani. Sono troppo stanco oggi… ~cuddles back into Matteo after his stretch~ I think that this would really be of benefit… you’d probably learn everyday words more easily… or idioms… stuff that Duolingo doesn’t teach you…

Matteo: ~laughs~ I don’t /have/ to do anything… ~also humms~ Yes, okay, that’s true… ~then grins when he really speaks Italian~ Ma per essere stanchi, è stato molto bello. ~also wraps his other arm around David when he cuddles close again~ Yes, we could really do that sometime… so just start and then I’ll join in… ~then looks down to him~ Did you eat anything with Patrick?

David: ~smiles when Matteo praises him and murmurs quietly and a little embarrassed~ Grazie… ~then also humms in agreement~ I will… tomorrow or sometime… ~then humms again~ Yes… fries and Currywurst… was quite good… ~tenderly strokes over Matteo’s stomach and then looks up at him~ And you?

Matteo: ~grins slightly~ Prego. ~humms when he mentions fries and Currywurst~ Yeah, I made myself a sandwich… didn’t feel like cooking… ~puts his head down on David’s~ And now? We could put on Friends to chill out? Or do you still have to do work for uni?

David: ~nods when Matteo mentions a sandwich and murmurs sluggishly~ Tomorrow, we’ll cook again properly… ~humms at his words about Friends and then groans quietly and a little agonized~ I still have to read a text… but I can also do that while Friends is on… ~but still doesn’t move for quite a while and instead enjoys being close to Matteo~ ~eventually they start kissing, but then he pulls himself together, after all, when they are finished to get his laptop to put on Friends and his backpack for the uni stuff~ ~luckily, is finished with the text quickly and can then enjoy the rest of the evening together with Matteo~

Carlos: I don’t get it….

Abdi: Are you moving in with Alex? Noo, then he could just move into the loft… huh?

Matteo: :-) :-) :-)

David: Ey, it’s really unbelievable that it’s the two of you who don’t get it, even though only a few days ago you were so in favor of it…

Carlos: In favor of what?! We’re constantly in favor of something…

Jonas: I’m just thinking about whether or not it would be funny to let them guess…

David: lol @ Jonas. Probably - but it’s also a little mean, isn’t it?

Abdi: Hey, come on Brudis, clear it up!

Jonas: Guess!

Carlos: Dude, no, for real now!? You two? Davenzi!? Together!? New apartment?! &lt;3<3<3

Matteo: Otherwise I really would have doubted you, Carlos :-)

Abdi: AWESOME! Yes, great, congratulations! I’ll definitely keep my ears open together with you!

Carlos: Me too!!!! Awesome!!!!

Jonas: Have you asked Linn yet? Doesn’t her dad have connections?

Alex: No time to read up on everything, what did I miss?

David: Oh, right - we’ll go and ask Linn. This morning, we were too busy confessing…

Abdi: @ Alex: Davenzi are moving in together!

Carlos: &lt;3<3<3

Alex: Okay.

Jonas: Okay?

Alex: Doesn’t really surprise me. Congratulations!

Abdi: Ey, you player…. you can’t foresee everything, either!

Alex: Guys, seriously? You’ve said it yourselves, the two of them will stay living together after the three months. You don’t need a crystal ball for that.

Carlos: But it was close. David was already looking for flatshares.

Matteo: He even already had one, actually. Well, he got the okay after we decided it.

Jonas: Decided? The way I knew you two that surely was highly dramatic once again.

Alex: Have to leave again. See you.

Matteo: Byeee Alex

Abdi: Bye, Brudi

Carlos: See you, Brudi

Jonas: Say Hi to Mia

Carlos: So? Spill! How did it happen?

David: Have a good flight, Alex!

Jonas: Oh, right… he’s already coming back today… so good flight from me, as well!

Carlos: Hello?! Details!?

Abdi: I also want details!

David: There aren’t many big details… Matteo and I were supposed to meet and I was late because I was at a flatshare viewing before our meeting, which was a really good viewing. And Matteo was somehow weird… the days before as well and I asked him what was wrong and then he told me that he doesn’t want me to move out…

Carlos: So he simply said: “I don’t want you to move out”!?

David: Why is it that such things are only ever talked about with our relationship!? For example, it would also be nice to learn how Kiki and Carlos greeted each other on Friday evening after being separated for a week, wouldn’t it?

Matteo: Nice try :-*

Carlos: I’ll gladly tell you about it in a lot of detail in a minute, but first we’ll talk about you two.

Matteo: Man, okay, I said that I find it shit that David wants to stick to the stupid plan and that I’m opposed to the plan and that I want us to stay living together and that I don’t care where and how and yeah.

Carlos: Awwww

Matteo: Well

Jonas: Nice Brudi, I’m proud of you!

Matteo: Haha

Jonas: No, really.

Matteo: So how is Kiki doing, Carlos? How was the weekend?

David: @ Jonas: Me too!

Carlos: So far, the weekend was quite nice and if she weren’t in the shower right now, I wouldn’t hang around WhatsApp right now, either… Friday night was a little strange. I think she imagined it to be easier… arriving here, I mean… and at first she didn’t want to admit that all of this overwhelms her quite a bit, I think. New people, new city, new surroundings etc… she acted so weirdly fake as if everything were okay…

David: But a fresh start like that is also hard… if it weren’t for Laura back then… and Kiki really doesn’t have anyone in Halle… did you talk about it?

Abdi: Oh man, poor Kiki…

Jonas: Jep. I think you can plan for everything as much as you want… every fresh start is damn hard. I mean it’s the same for all of us… but at least we still have each other.

Matteo: Oh man, yes, I can really understand that. And Kiki always acts really tough. Could you talk to her?

Carlos: Yes, we talked, I told her that I’m always there or rather only a phone call away and that she’ll surely meet people in uni and so on. She just also misses her girls, but I think Sam will visit her next weekend, unfortunately I don’t have time that weekend. So I hope everything will be okay eventually.

Matteo: Hey, if it helps then we’ll all show up. When’s the next time she’ll be here? Then we could also get the entire crew together or something?

David: Good that you could talk!

Abdi: It probably really takes a bit of time for her to get used to it.

Carlos: Well she’ll only come for a longer period of time over Christmas… that's a really incredibly long time away. Otherwise she’ll really try to make sure to come to Berlin every second or third weekend… she’ll definitely be there for Davenzi’s birthday party! Everyone will be there, then, anyways…

David: Yeah! Happy to hear that!

Jonas: Yes, awesome! That’s not so far away anymore, either… this means we can gift you things for your new apartment… Blender, coffee maker and stuff like that… you should make a list of what you need!

Matteo: First we need an apartment… But Carlos, then let’s make a Christmas party or something like that. We did that in the past… that was nice…

Abdi: Davenzi will simply get kitchen appliances from us… it’s already come this far…

Carlos: Christmas party sounds nice… Kiki also likes Christmas markets.

Matteo: First Christmas market, then party!

Jonas: Luigi, bro, I’m sure you must know what stuff you guys already have and what you don’t have, right? David, you tell us, I’m sure you’re better organized.

David: My first Christmas in Berlin! I’m also in favor of Christmas market AND Christmas party!

Abdi: Maybe you’ll find an apartment by the first of December - then the Christmas party will definitely be held at your place!

Carlos: Or at ours! I’d also love to have a party if the bed is right around the corner!

David: @ Jonas: To be honest, I’m not really too organized yet. The decision is still really new and I didn’t have time to make lists yet ;-) But I’ll have to talk to Laura, anyways… Matteo and I will surely be able to use a lot of stuff from our old apartment…

Jonas: Doesn’t Laura need that herself? Or are you splitting it up?

Matteo: Yeees, at your place, I’m in favor of that!

Abdi: Me too!

Matteo: @ Jonas: Laura will stay at the flatshare and is going to take over my room if we can find a place fast enough… or rather, that’s probably already a made decision, but if not, then we’ll have to shift things around a bit… maybe we’ll have to ask Alex, who’s not aware of anything yet…

Jonas: Haha, I see. But if you shift over Mia to his place, then he surely won’t mind.

Matteo: But Mia might :P

Carlos: Oh, you’ll figure it out. If not, then we have a sofa available…

Jonas: Hanna also has more than one bedroom…

Matteo: Yes, thanks. Everything will work out somehow.

David: You guys really are the best! Thanks, Brudis! But first you all have to keep an eye out for a suitable apartment!

Carlos: Aye, aye, Sir!

Abdi: We’ll do that!

David: <3

Matteo: ~humphs when David moves and he lands between their pillows a little roughly~ ~pulls David’s pillow close again and closes his eyes again for a moment~ ~then hears David and grumbles again~ Okay… ~opens his eyes and sits up a little~ ~pushes the pillow up and leans against the wall and takes the coffee~ Thanks… ~blows a kiss toward him and blows onto his coffee before taking a sip~ Ahhh… so good… thanks… ~takes another sip and then sighs slightly~ Can we stay in bed today?

David: ~smiles when Matteo blows him a kiss and briefly kisses his head when he lies back down next to him again~ ~blows, also takes a sip from his coffee and grins slightly when Matteo enjoys it so much~ ~then hears his question and laughs quietly~ Hmmm… I’d say 90 % of the day should be possible… we need 5 % for the talk with Linn and 5 % for Hans and Laura… we’ll do the rest via WhatsApp from bed… ~looks over to him and lifts his eyebrows in skepticism~ ~jokes around a little~ Umm, hang on… yesterday was real, right? Moving in together and so on? Talking to Linn today? ~looks at him wide-eyed, but can’t quite hold back the happy smirk~

Matteo: ~nods when he says that they can only do 90 %~ ~but can’t really react properly because he’s just taken his first proper sip~ ~then laughs a little when he acts so surprised~ ~immediately plays along and gapes~ What? Hang on! Moving in together? The two of us? ~but then has to grin, after all, and kisses him properly~ Yesterday was super mega real. We’re moving in together… ~then takes another sip and looks around~ Although I have to be honest, I’ll also miss the room a little…

David: ~kicks him when he pretends to not know about it, but then hears him laugh and joins in~ ~tenderly strokes over his cheek when he kisses him and has some problems to not spill any of his coffee while doing so~ ~then beams again pretty happily when he hears his words and simply has to repeat them~ We’re moving in together… ~sighs and takes another sip from his coffee~ ~humms at his words~ If Laura really takes over the room then you can surely visit it as often as you want to! And of course we’ll say goodbye to it just as fittingly as we did with the bed… with the nicest stories and so on… ~smiles~ Although I’m also really looking forward to new stories in the new apartment! ~takes another sip of coffee and then puts the mug down on the nightstand~ ~cuddles close to Matteo and wraps his arm around his stomach~

Matteo: ~nods slightly~ Yes, visit… but then our stuff will no longer be in it… ~then listens to him and switches his coffee to his other hand when he cuddles close~ ~wraps his free arm around him~ Hey, don’t get me wrong… I’m really looking forward to our apartment… but still… this was my first own room… a lot has happened in here… ~presses a kiss to his head~ Did you hear if Linn is already awake?

David: ~humms when Matteo says that then their stuff will no longer be in it and has to grin slightly at the thought of his stuff only being in here for the past 1.5 months, anyways, but that to Matteo, it already seems to be so natural~ ~but because he wants to take Matteo serious he still says~ Okay, that’s true… ~looks up at him when he says that it was his first own room and nods slightly~ ~tenderly runs his finger over his chest and thinks~ ~can think of a lot of things immediately~ ~says quietly~ Quite a lot of great first times… I know… ~wonders if there’s still anything that could make it easier for Matteo, but can’t really think of anything off the top of his head~ ~plans on thinking about it later~ ~then hears him ask about Linn and nods~ I think so… at least there was music coming from her room…

Matteo: ~hummms slightly when David is so tender with him and feels so nicely understood once again~ ~then nods slightly~ Yes… a lot of great first times… ~nods when he says that Linn is already awake and takes another sip from his coffee~ Do we want to get it over with then? We’ll bring her a cup of coffee and explain that she’s the first one that we’re telling?

David: ~immediately sits up at his question and nods~ Yes, please! Because I really don’t know how she’ll react and if it gets bad then I really want to get it over with quickly… ~reaches for his mug again and also takes another sip~ ~nods~ Yes… and that we promised her that she’ll be the first one to know if something changes… and maybe we should also tell her about the prospect that Laura might be able to stay living here? As a consolation or something… ~takes a deep breath and realizes that he’s really a little nervous~

Matteo: ~nods immediately~ Yes, definitely, we’ll score some points with the prospect of Laura staying… and that we’ll try to not move too far away… ~then also sits up and puts his mug down on the floor~ ~gets up and quickly puts on sweatpants and a shirt~ ~then reaches for his mug again and looks at David to see if he’s ready~ Let’s get it over with… ~takes the coffee pot from him because he already has to carry two mugs and then goes to Linn’s room with him~ ~knocks and waits until he hears a surprised “yes?”~ ~opens the door and sees Linn sitting on her bed cross legged~ Hey… can we come in? We brought coffee…

David: ~had already put on sweatpants earlier when he went to make coffee and is therefore ready when Matteo is~ ~takes another deep breath and then goes to Linn’s room with him~ ~peeks inside behind him and smiles~ ~sees her looking at them in astonishment and then hears her say: “You’ve never brought coffee to my room before! But okay, you can come in… coffee is good. I haven’t had any today, yet.”~ ~enters the room with Matteo and immediately hands one of the mugs to Linn~ ~sees her beam and smiles slightly~ ~then simply asks~ And are you doing good? ~takes a look around in the meantime and thinks about if and where they could sit down~ ~eventually simply sits down on the edge of the bed when he remembers how often Linn has already sat on their bed~ ~then hears Linn again: “Until a minute ago I was doing really good. I had a pretty great dream… but now I’m a little confused and feel like you want to tell me something important. Was the TV too loud last night?”~ ~immediately shakes his head and looks at Matteo~ ~thinks that they maybe should have talked about who of them is going to tell her and waits for a sign from him~

Matteo: ~goes into the room with David and simply sits down on her desk chair~ ~hands the pot to David so that he can pour coffee for Linn~ ~briefly feels bad when she says that they’ve never brought her coffee, because Hans and Linn constantly bring stuff to their room that they have left over~ ~then sighs slightly when she says that she’s confused and looks at David, who’s also looking at him~ ~simply begins to speak~ Well, it is true that we want to tell you something… we once promised you that you’ll be the first to know if something changes… and… ~sees Linn staring at him and shake her head: “No.”~ Umm… what? ~sees Linn shake her head again: “No, I’m against it.”~ ~looks at David really overwhelmed~

David: ~smiles gratefully at Matteo when he starts, but then immediately looks back to Linn to see her reaction~ ~frowns slightly when she immediately says “no”, even though she doesn’t even know yet what it’s about~ ~briefly looks at Matteo, who looks a little helpless and overwhelmed, and then looks back to Linn~ ~says in a calm voice~ You don’t even know yet what it’s about Linn… ~sees her shake her head: “That doesn’t matter. It’s about change and I’m against change. There are only very few good changes.”~ ~shakes his head~ That’s not true at all… there are a lot of good changes. That Nepomuk moved in with you, for example, that’s a good change! Or that Alex has finally switched out the light bulb in the bathroom…”~ ~sees her looking at him hesitantly and finally hears her ask: “So you want to tell me about a good change?”~ ~briefly closes his eyes and grimaces~ Umm, well, depending on your point of view… well the positive thing is definitely that Matteo’s and my relationship got even more solid over the last few weeks… and that we now… well, we’re ready so to speak… to take the next step…? ~grimaces slightly, because he thinks that he somehow doesn’t sound like himself~

Matteo: ~looks at David a little skeptical when he talks about good changes~ ~is pretty sure that Linn won’t call this change a good one~ ~sees Linn looking from him to David and hears her say: “The next step?”~ ~nods slightly~ Yes, well… we know that at first, this might be a change that’s a little difficult… but… well… yesterday, David and I decided that we want to move in together… well properly… to look for our own apartment. ~sees Linn gape and shake her head again: “No. I know that it won’t be a good one. No, I repeat, I’m against it.”~ ~sighs slightly~ But Linn… ~sees her getting up and hears her say: “I’ll go get Hans. He’ll talk you out of it again.”~

David: ~is a little grateful that Matteo is the one who finally spills the beans and nods at his words with a confident smile, as if to signal her that it’s actually really a good thing~ ~but then sees her reaction and feels the smile drop from his face~ ~also slghs slightly and immediately says~ We’ll also try to find something in the neighborhood… then we’ll come visit you guys very often! And you can also come visit us anytime… ~but then sees her getting up to get Hans and was just about to call after her that they wanted to do her a favor and talk to her first, when she’s already disappeared from the room~ ~exhales and looks at Matteo~ Phew… that won’t be easy…

Matteo: ~nods in agreement to David’s words~ ~calls after Linn~ Stay for a little longer, Linn… let’s talk first… ~then also sighs and looks at David~ I think we blindsided her… ~runs a hand through his hair~ Now we’ll get the full truck load… ~then sees Linn appear again with Hans in his bathrobe and Laura in her loose shirt and shorts in tow~ ~hears Laura ask a little worried: “Whats wrong?” and then Hans: “Linn told us you have to tell us something very horrible? Did you break up? You’re not that stupid, right?”~ ~immediately shakes his head~ What? No! Definitely not! ~sees Laura looking at David: “Okay, what’s going on?”~

David: ~slightly shakes his head, because he also doesn’t have the slightest clue what they could have done better so that Linn doesn’t feel blindsided~ ~then says~ I really can’t gauge Hans… couldn’t it also be possible that he’s just happy for us? ~then hears steps in the hallway and is a little relieved that Linn didn’t only bring Hans but also Laura, because he feels like Laura will definitely have their backs~ ~looks at Hans in horror when he suspects a break up and nods at Matteo’s words~ Never! ~then sighs quietly at Laura’s question and looks up to the three of them~ Don’t you want to sit down first!? ~sees all three of them crawling onto Linn’s bed, briefly looks at Matteo and then at the three of them, especially to Laura, takes a deep breath, smiles slightly and then says~ Yesterday, Matteo and I decided that we’re going to move in together! ~sees Laura smile immediately and has to remember their conversation from a few days ago~ ~is relieved to see in the look on her face that she has their backs, but can’t really enjoy the feeling because then he hears Hans: “Well those are really great news! I don’t know what’s supposed to be so horrible about it… David will stay living here and all’s well.”~ ~immediately shakes his head and now looks at Hans~ Umm, Hans… no… well yes, for now… sure… but we are planning on finding our own place… our own apartment… only Matteo and I… ~quickly adds~ That really doesn’t have anything to do with you guys! You are the best roommates ever… but two people in one room and so on… that’s not a solution for forever…

Matteo: ~looks from one person to the other~ ~is glad this time that David is taking care of the announcement~ ~sees Laura smile and is relived~ ~but then sighs when Hans misunderstands them and when David has to correct him~ ~sees him looking from one of them to the other: “What? But why that? Do you no longer like it here with us? Butterflies, you can’t do that, you can’t just decide that!”~ ~hummms slightly and then says quietly~ Yes, we can. ~looks at Hans~ Sorry, Hans, it’ll be also difficult for me to move out of here, but it’s about David and me here. About our decision. We want something to ourselves, we want that everything belongs to us and that we can leave the door to our bedroom open if we want to… we want, sorry, privacy. ~sees Linn pressing her lips together tightly and hears Hans immediately say: “But you can also have that here. I’m sorry if I don’t always wait for the “come in”, but I can change that, really! We’ll set up stricter rules, you’ll get one evening each week just to yourselves, ok?”~ ~sighs and only shakes his head slightly~

David: ~smiles slightly when Matteo says that they want everything to be theirs and nods at his words~ ~then hears Hans’ suggestion and looks at him partly lovingly and partly slightly desperately~ That’s really super nice, Hans. But we don’t want to shoo you away. And we don’t want you to change your habits just because of us. ~hears Hans again: “But that wouldn’t be a problem for me! And it wouldn’t be a problem for any of us to leave the flatshare to you guys for one night a week, right!?”~ ~sees Linn immediately shake her head and add: “And you can also make yourselves at home here however you want to. The kitchen and the living room… we can change it if you don’t like it the way it is!”~ ~shakes his head again and carefully tells Linn~ That’s not what it’s about, Linn… well, yes that, too, but not only that… you can’t just submit and bend yourselves only so that Matteo and I keep living here… and also the thing with us having the flatshare to ourselves one night per week… that’s really a super nice offer… but we want… just not privacy according to a schedule, you know? ~sees Hans and Linn shake their heads at the same time and looks at Laura pleadingly~ ~sees her smiling at him slightly, but then turn to Hans more seriously: “I can understand the two of them. Look Hans, if you want to be left alone for a while then you go to Michi’s… and you, Linn, you go to your parents… the two of them don’t have any other place to go to right now… and…”~ ~sees her looking between Matteo and him and then sees her grin slightly before adding: “Maybe their relationship is also simply ready for the next step. That’s quite normal… and eventually, for many couples there’s a point where they go find their own place. They would have moved out eventually, anyways… just imagine they really get married one day… or they’ll adopt children or something… do you really want them to still be living at the flatshare?!”~ ~looks at Laura gratefully and then looks at Linn and Hans expectantly~ ~has imagined all of this to be easier~

Matteo: ~can understand Hans and Linn and also finds it somehow flattering and cute that they want them to stay so much~ ~but nods emphatically in response to David’s words~ And we really want to find something close-by, so we’ll come visit you guys really often… ~then also hears Laura and is very grateful that at least one person is taking their side~ ~finds the argument about marriage and children a little soon, but accepts it if it changes Hans and Linn’s mids~ ~hears Hans: “Of course! I’m a top-notch babysitter!”~ ~has to laugh a little~ I really believe you… but, well… actually, the decision’s not really up for discussion… we wanted to talk to Linn in advance to make it easier for her, but we didn’t really want a group discussion. ~looks at Linn~ Sorry… ~sees Linn looking a little downtrodden~ And hey, when we move out, then Laura can stay living here and take over our room… well, if she wants to? ~looks at Laura questioningly, who immediately nods enthusiastically: “That would be great!”~

David: ~nods at Matteo’s words and adds~ …and of course you’re always welcome at our place anytime! ~then hears Hans’ words about being a babysitter and groans half in desperation, half in amusement~ ~hears Laura: “Don’t be silly, Hans! You would be the first one to complain about the noise if you couldn’t sleep in after a party!” and Hans again: “Then I’ll just sleep at Michi’s place after parties…” and Laura again: “…and you’d have your privacy there…”~ ~then nods vigorously when Matteo says that the decision isn’t actually up for discussion and can also see that Linn looks really downtrodden, but that she’s also looking at Laura questioningly when she hears Matteo’s suggestion and that she smiles slightly when she agrees~ ~hears Hans: “I think that would really be in my little Chameleon’s favor - only one change instead of two or three…”~ ~smiles relieved and briefly thinks that they should have mentioned the thing with Laura from the beginning to somehow ease Linn into it~ We’ll really do everything in our power to find a place by December 1st… if not, then we’ll need a short-term solution… that Laura will move to a friend’s place for a month or to Alex’ place… or that Mia will stay at Alex’ for a while or something like that…. ~sees Hans wave it off: “Oh we’ll manage it somehow. If I have to, I’ll move to Michi’s for a month and Laura can move into my room in the meantime…” and hears him sigh theatrically: “Oh, my little butterflies… they grow up so fast… of course, I knew that the day would come eventually, but that quickly… I didn’t expect that…”~ ~grins slightly, but then gets more serious again and looks at Linn a little worried~ Everything okay, Linn? You’ll get Laura in exchange for us…? And we’ll still see each other very often?

Matteo: ~smiles at Laura and is really grateful to her that she’s coming to their rescue like that~ ~also likes all the various short-term solutions and is happy that Hans seems to warm up to the idea a little~ ~smiles when he says that they’re growing up~ Yes, we weren’t expecting that, either… but David somehow managed to get accepted into some really awesome flatshare and then I got jealous… ~grins slightly~ ~looks at Linn when they’re talking about her verdict about Laura staying~ ~sees Linn looking from David to him and then to Laura~ ~sees Laura smile and then sees Linn smiling carefully, as well~ ~hears Linn: “Okay. But you’ll come visit us?”~ ~sighs in relief~ Of course, very often.

David: ~grins at Matteo’s words and looks at him in mock punishment~ Yes - and just in time as well! Two hours later and I would have gotten myself into the awkward position of having to cancel on them after already agreeing… ~then looks at Linn in anticipation and sees her looking from one person to the other and finally hears her give her okay~ ~sighs in relief and nods at Matteo’s words~ ~then hears Hans: “Well, then everything’s resolved… Come here my butterfly! Group cuddling!”~ ~grins slightly when he sees Hans holding out one arm to Matteo while he already has the other one halfway wrapped around Linn and Laura~ ~feels Laura’s arm around his neck and also reaches an arm out for Matteo while hugging Laura with the other one~ ~laughs quietly when Matteo also throws himself onto the bed and briefly thinks that he’ll really miss stuff like that a little bit~ ~then hears Hans: “Alright - today we’ll have breakfast in Linn’s bed! We really should keep this tradition once you move out: Having breakfast in bed once a month!”~ ~laughs~ Sure! And Matteo and I’ll just walk through Moabit in our pajamas real quick…

Matteo: ~grins at David~ Timing has always been my strong suit~ ~slightly sticks his tongue out at him~ ~laughs when Hans demands a group cuddle and goes over to them~ ~squeezes everyone and presses a kiss to David’s cheek~ ~then smiles at Hans’ demand and smiles even more at David’s comment~ If there’s one place in Berlin where you can walk around in your pajamas, then it’s in Moabit. ~hears Laura laughing and hears Hans say: “Oh nonsense, you’ll just store pajamas here and then you’ll just get changed. It’ll work.”~ ~laughs and nods~ We’ll do just that! ~then hears Laura: “Okay, then let’s have breakfast now, who’s going to help me?”~

David: ~leaves his arm loosely around Matteo’s waist after they have pulled away from the group cuddling~ ~laughs quietly and shakes his head~ I definitely won’t walk through Moabit in pajamas! ~nods at Hans’ suggestion~ I like that more! And you guys do the same at our place - if we do that, then we’ll take turns with your place and our place! ~grins and is happy that everyone agrees~ ~then hears Laura’s question and nods~ I’ll help you… we should also make more coffee - there’s not much left in the pot… ~hears Hans: “And tea!”~ ~nods~ And tea! Of course! ~gets up, but leans back down again to quickly but tenderly kiss Matteo~ ~murmus quietly~ See you in a minute… ~feels relieved that they have the conversation with the flatshare over with, but is mostly really looking forward to what’s to come in the near future~

Matteo: ~then also nods at the final suggestion~ Yes, we’ll take turns, I like that… ~was just about to offer his help to Laura when David already does~ ~smiles when he kisses him again and quickly runs a hand through his hair~ See you in a minute… ~smiles and looks after him but then gets pinched in the side by Hans: “Well, my butterfly, so this means that you’ll fly off again? Then we won’t even have lived together for a year…”~ ~looks at him in surprise~ True… but it seems longer to me… ~hears Linn: “To me, as well. I liked it like that.”~ ~smiles at her~ So did we… but we’ll still see each other and we’ll really try to find something as close as possible, I promise.

David: ~goes to the kitchen with Laura and first brews more coffee while Laura puts a tray on the counter, but then doesn’t put anything on it and instead leans against the fringe and grins at him~ ~grins at her slightly but also looks at her a little confusedly~ What?! ~sees her grin even broader: “One day, huh?!”~ ~shrugs and can’t really suppress beaming happily~ One day is a very vague term… ~has put the coffee machine on and is now boiling water for Hans’ tee~ ~hears Laura while putting plates on the tray: “But it really was in your favor that two weeks ago I said that I’d immediately take over Matteo’s room, wasn’t it?”~ ~grins slightly~ Yes, somehow it was… at least that calms Linn down a little… and now help me - I thought /we/ were making breakfast… ~hears Laura sigh and sees her opening the fridge, taking out a few things and putting them on the tray while he puts a tea bag in Hans’ santa mug~ ~eventually hears her ask: “So? Are you looking forward to it?!”~ ~briefly throws her a secretary’s-office-look, because it’s bound to be pretty obvious, but then laughs happily and nods~ Obviously, right? ~sees her nodding mock seriously but still amusedly: “Totally obviously! Come here!”~ ~just gets hugged by her and also squeezes her close~ ~hears her murmur: “I’m happy for you… for both of you! I’m sure it’ll be great!”~ ~is a little emotional and murmurs a quiet ‘thanks’~ ~she lets go of him again and he sees her grin now: “And most of all, I’m happy that I’ll also gain from it: A cool room and finally no longer the stress of looking for an apartment!”~

Matteo: ~is talking to Linn and Hans a little while longer until David and Laura return with breakfast~ ~they eat and laugh together and he hopes that they’ll really manage to see each other regularly even once they move out~ ~then he and Hans take care of the washing-up and then he and David retreat to their room, where they are looking for apartments some more~

WhatsApp, David/Matteo: David: Sorry, sorry, sorry! I only just left the viewing! It was awesome! I’ll tell you later! If I hurry, I’ll be there in 15 to 20 minutes! Don’t leave! I’m on my way! I’m looking forward to seeing you!

~then hits the pedals and hurries to get to the pool quickly~ ~is pretty out of breath when he arrives there and realizes that he’s really completely out of practise~ ~looks at the gate in worry and hopes that his arms will even be strong enough to pull himself up on it~ ~tries it, but immediately feels a tugging in his chest and quickly lets go again out of fear of tearing something again~ ~murmurs quietly~ Fuck… ~walks along the fence and eventually finds a spot where he doesn’t have to use his arms too much to climb over it~ ~is glad that he manages it, but is annoyed that he lost so much time because of it~ ~quickly goes toward the basement window, climbs inside a little awkwardly and with a slight tugging and gets a little nostalgic on his way through the basement rooms~ ~thinks that he’ll also have time for that later once he’s with Matteo~ ~then tries to jog a bit, but is already pretty sweaty and breathless after only a short distance, therefore continues with a brisk walk and finally reaches the pool room~ ~smiles when he sees Matteo sitting on the edge and can also see that he’s set “the table” for them at the deep end of the pool~ ~quickly walks toward him and sits down next to him~ ~presses a - still breathless - kiss on his cheek and also wraps both arms around him~ ~murmurs into his shoulder~ Sorry sorry sorry…

Matteo: ~gets David’s message and tries to ignore the stab when he reads that the flatshare room was awesome~ ~thinks that this means that he should be here at 4pm~ ~tries to not be too bitter when he thinks about the fact that this means that he’ll sit around here by himself for half an hour~ ~tries to pass the time with playing games on ihs phone, but has to think about David and this flatshare room again and what it will be like if David really moves in there~ ~then sees that his battery is at 30 % and stops playing again because he can’t really concentrate on it anyways~ ~sees that it’s a little after 4 and briefly considers just packing everything up again~ ~but finds this too bitchy, after all, and just remains sitting there~ ~eventually hears footsteps and takes a deep breath~ ~turns around a little when the footsteps get closer and David appears~ ~sees that he looks sweaty and out of breath and feels bad for a moment~ ~but then also remembers that he’s been here by himself for over half an hour now~ ~grumbles slightly when David wraps his arms around him~ You’re not supposed to strain yourself…

David: ~leans his head against Matteo’s shoulder and can feel himself relax a little and his pulse calm down as well~ ~then hears his words, grins slightly, kisses his shoulder and looks at him~ ~says quietly~ That was an exception… I wanted to be with you quickly… ~feels bad that Matteo had to wait for so long, but doesn’t really know how to make up for it~ ~says carefully - also because he doesn’t know how worried Matteo really is about his physical condition right now~ I will try for better time management again in the future… or rather planning in general. ~sits up a little straighter again and lets go of him~ I somehow didn’t consider the gate and that I can’t get over it at the moment… I probably should have planned twice the amount of time for getting from the gate to the pool… ~grins slightly~ Although: The next time we’re here I’ll probably be fitter again… ~looks at him~ But I’ll definitely make it up to you somehow for having to wait here for so long… you get a free wish! Whatever you want! I’ll serve on you today or I’ll make a fool of myself or whatever else you can come up with…

Matteo: ~sighs slightly when David says that it was an exception~ ~looks at him a little skeptically when he says that he’ll try to plan better in the future~ Well, it’s difficult with viewings, isn’t it? It’s not up to you. ~then listens to him when he says the thing about the gate and thinks that they could have thought of this sooner~ ~only nods slightly when he says that he’ll surely be fitter again the next time~ ~looks at him when he wants to make it up again~ ~also thinks that usually he would have succeeded, but today this stupid feeling in his gut just doesn’t go away~ ~therefore waves it off~ Oh, it’s okay… these things happen… ~then thinks about the flatshare room again and wants to ask how it was~ ~then thinks that he doesn’t really want to know since it was so awesome and the roommates were so cool~ ~but then still asks~ And how awesome was the awesome room?

David: ~smiles slightly when Matteo says that it’s difficult to plan with viewings and briefly feels bad, because to some extent it’s his fault for giving in to the second coffee and a second round of chatting~ ~shrugs slightly and murmurs~ Well, I could have texted you sooner that I’ll be late… ~then looks skeptical for a second when Matteo denies him making up for it and says that it’s okay, but still smiles slightly, leans over again and kisses his cheek~ ~murmurs~ I’ll still try my best so that it won’t happen again… ~thinks that he’ll still somehow make up for it by serving on Matteo or by bringing him hot chocolate in bed later or something~ ~then hears his question about the flatshare room and beams immediately~ Super awesome! Well first of all, it’s also in Moabit - not right around the corner, but not too far away either! And the room is really nice: An old building and only a little smaller than yours is… but it has bigger windows, really bright! And the apartment is also totally nice! They don’t have a living room but a really big and comfortable kitchen/living room combination as a common room. There are two girls and one guy living there. Martin is already around 30 and doing his traineeship. Miri is in her early 20s and is doing an apprenticeship to become a makeup artist and the third one is Dana and has also only started uni now… she’s from some village in Hesse and has also only been living there for a short while. But they’re all really super nice! And tolerant… well, I told them pretty early on that I’m trans after Miri asked me if I’m taken. So I told them about you and then Dana said that she’s bi and so I figured I’ll just tell them - either they’ll immediately tell me that they can’t imagine me living there or they’ll tell me that it’s okay. ~grins~ It was okay. I got another coffee!

Matteo: ~shrugs one shoulder when he says he could have texted~ That’s also impolite… ~can’t help but to smile briefly when he kisses his cheek~ ~but then sees him beam when he asks about the flatshare room and immediately regrets having asked the question~ ~listens to him talking about it and sees him beam and that he sounds really thrilled~ ~presses his lips together when he realizes that David really doesn’t have any doubts at all and that he really hopes that he’ll get the room~ ~once again plans on pushing this stupid gut feeling away and forces himself to smile~ Well that sounds great! Hopefully they’ll quickly reach out to you so that you’ll know their decision. ~somehow doesn’t trust his voice but just hopes that it sounded at least honest~

David: ~looks at Matteo expectantly and can see that he’s smiling slightly, but still somehow feels like something is wrong - maybe because he doesn’t ask any follow-up questions and because somehow Matteo doesn’t look as if he really focuses on the topic~ ~then hears his words and smiles slightly~ Yes, they said that they’d probably decide today already. Apparently I was the last applicant… ~grins again slightly, but this time more insecurely, and then says mostly to somehow lift the mood again~ Probably they’re sitting there with pro and con lists right now or they have secretly installed some point-based system… for every answer they liked they gave a point or something… ~sighs quietly and shrugs~ But it definitely was the best flatshare that I have looked at so far… ~briefly thinks that the best flatshare actually is the one he’s living in right now, but quickly pushes that thought aside again~

Matteo: ~can feel something constrict inside him when David says that they’ll already decide today~ ~then hears David making up theories of them sitting together and making a decision~ ~takes a deep breath and thinks that he has to support him right now~ They’ll surely take you. If they already invited you to a second coffee… ~then swallows at his next words~ Well, then you’ll surely also be the best applicant for them, that feeling was probably mutual. They’ll surely call you very soon. ~feels like suddenly there are foreign words coming out of his mouth and swallows hard~ You can surely start packing up again soon…

David: ~smiles slightly when Matteo say that they’ll surely take him~ ~looks over to him and when he sees him, he somehow doesn’t feel like he really means what he just said~ ~lowers his gaze again and still murmurs a quiet~ Thanks… ~then presses his lips together when he says that he can surely start packing again soon and realizes how much he doesn’t really want to do that - not yet and not at all, really~ ~still humms in agreement and murmurs insecurely~ Well, it still would be 1.5 more months… ~briefly wonders if that’s too long for Matteo’s taste and if he maybe wants him to move out faster and realizes that everything constricts within him at that thought~ ~looks back at Matteo again and frowns slightly~ ~somehow feels like something isn’t really right, that he isn’t being honest to him about something~ ~lightly nudges his foot against his and asks~ Is everything okay with you?

Matteo: ~finds the fact that he said that he can already pack stupid himself~ ~doesn’t want him to pack, not now and not at all~ ~hummmms slightly when he says that it’s still 1.5 months until then~ ~looks down into the pool to the blanket and briefly wonders why they’re even still sitting here~ ~thinks that it would surely be better if they stopped talking about this stupid room search and finally start to eat~ ~was just about to suggest that when David nudges him~ ~hesitates slightly at his question and briefly considers just telling him~ ~but then remembers how David beamed when he told him about the room and quickly nods~ Yes, sure, everything’s okay… don’t we want to eat now?

David: ~sees Matteo hesitate at his question and that somehow only makes him more skeptical~ ~then hears his answer and his question and slightly shakes his head~ ~would normally accept and believe him that everything is okay, but has actually already thought for days that this isn’t the case and - if he thinks back on it now it was always when they were talking about viewings~ ~wonders if Matteo might want him to move out sooner or if he’s somehow pissed that he has less time for him because of the viewings~ ~therefore ignores his question about the food and instead says~ Something is wrong, Matteo… you’ve been weird for days… ~looks at him pleadingly~ Am I doing something wrong? Or does something else annoy you? I… no idea… why don’t you just talk to me? Maybe that’ll help…

Matteo: ~presses his lips together when David says that something is wrong~ ~should have known that he can’t pretend with him~ ~when hearing his addition, he can hardly believe that David really thinks that he’d do something wrong~ ~shakes his head~ You’re not doing anything wrong, you… you are great… you have everything under control… everything goes according to plan, right? ~looks at him and can see that he looks at him uncomprehendingly~ Man, no idea, David, maybe I just don’t feel like doing the plan? Maybe I don’t want everything to go according to plan and that you’ll move out in 1.5 months? ~can’t sit still any longer right now, because it finally burst out of him and he hops into the pool~ ~immediately turns around and looks at David~ ~just talks without thinking~ You’re super into it and super organized and it also looks as if everything would work out great… I mean, sure, our flatshare is also loud and annoying and Hans constantly comes in… but no idea, maybe I thought… when you no longer wanted to move in with Laura, that you maybe wanted to keep living with me? ~shrugs one shoulder~ ~suddenly gets braver~ Because /I/ want that! I don’t want you to move out. I don’t want to have to talk about if we’ll go to your place or mine again, I want us to always go to our place. And I want you to be home when I come back from work or that I’m home when you come back from uni and I want that your and my stuff no longer gets separated and I don’t want you to move into this awesome flatshare. And maybe that’s all selfish and stupid and too soon, but that’s what I want. And if the flatshare is too tight for you, then we’ll move out, ok? Or we don’t, I don’t care, I only know that I want to live where you live. ~takes a deep breath and suddenly doesn’t have words any more~ ~only stares at David and is suddenly really scared~

David: ~hears that he’s great and has everything under control and slightly shakes his head~ ~is slightly confused and can’t tell what this has to do with Matteo’s problem~ ~nods slightly when he says that everything goes according to plan, but still looks confused and waits to see if there’s another explanation~ ~then feels it somehow breaking out of him when he starts talking and feels his heartbeat speeding up when he says that he doesn’t like the plan~ ~at first thinks that he wants him to move out sooner, after all, but then hears the exact opposite and doesn’t understand anything anymore~ ~presses out a quiet “huh?” while Matteo jumps into the pool~ ~briefly feels the hope within him that he wants them to keep living together, but then hears something else coming from him at first and still doesn’t understand what he’s getting at~ ~then feels like his heart is going to jump out of his chest any second now when Matteo really and truly says that he thought he’d wanted to stay living with him~ ~wants to tell him immediately that he also wants that, but doesn’t even get a word in because the words are just tumbling out of him~ ~listens to him and suddenly has a lump in his throat when he realizes what Matteo’s speech is leading to, and can feel tears welling up in his eyes after only a short while~ ~thinks that he also wants all of that, that he’s always wanted it and laughs quietly and in disbelief~ ~slightly shakes his head when he says that this might be selfish and too soon or stupid and simply wants to be close to him right now~ ~wants to tell him that he also wants all of this, that it’s not stupid or too soon~ ~kicks off the edge and then jumps into the pool just when Matteo says that they can also move out and that he doesn’t care as long as he can live where he lives~ ~can feel that his legs are somehow wobbly from all the excitement and stares at Matteo in slight disbelief when he finishes his speech~ ~then sees that Matteo is looking at him almost a little scared and weirdly enough has to laugh in disbelief at first, because it’s so surreal to him that Matteo’s apparently scared of how he might react to that statement~ ~then beams at him with tears in his eyes and pretty happily and takes three quick steps toward him~ ~puts his hands on his cheeks and kisses him longer at first and then kisses him again twice in quick succession~ ~then looks at him, his hands still on his cheeks, still beaming and disbelieving, and croaks quietly~ I also want that… everything… I want you and I want to live with you and I want us to be able to come home and that the other is there… everything… ~slightly shakes his head and laughs again quietly and disbelievingly, because he somehow can’t believe his luck~ ~asks quietly~ How can you think that I don’t want that, as well?!? What am I supposed to do with an awesome flatshare if I can have you instead!?

Matteo: ~is still staring at him and can see that he has tears in his eyes~ ~is pretty overwhelmed at first, because he’s somehow so upset right now that he can’t really interpret it correctly~ ~then sees him beaming and can only think that this is one of the most beautiful sights before he already gets kissed~ ~can feel everything inside him unwind because that can only mean one thing~ ~then hears David’s croaking and hears him confirm it and simply beams at him~ Yes? ~then has to laugh involuntarily when David asks how he could ever think otherwise~ ~shrugs one shoulder~ Sometimes I’m just a pretty big idiot… ~wraps both arms around him tightly and kisses him again~ ~then leans his forehead against David’s and leaves his eyes closed~ ~needs this right now to calm down a little again~ ~then pulls away a little and beams at him~ Can we finally eat now and talk about how we want to do this?

David: ~laughs quietly and nods vigorously when Matteo asks again~ Yes! Yes, yes! ~beams when he says that he’s a pretty big idiot and nods vigorously again~ My pretty lovable unique idiot! ~kisses him again and wraps both arms around him~ ~squeezes him close and realizes that he’s still beaming~ ~wonders if he’ll ever be able to stop today~ ~takes a deep breath when Matteo puts his forehead against his and also closes his eyes for a moment~ ~tries to calm down but doesn’t really manage and realizes how his lips go into an automatic smile again and again~ ~is excited and antsy and can barely believe that Matteo really already wants that~ ~then laughs quietly when he hears his question and shakes his head~ I’m way too excited to eat… but you can… or have to… so that your stomach won’t be mad at me… ~wraps his arms around Matteo’s waist and walks to the deeper end of the pool with him like that rather awkwardly~ ~lets go of him there, but only to sit down, lean his back against the edge of the pool and to immediately hold his arms out for him again~ ~realizes that he’s still beaming and quietly laughs and shakes his head~ I can’t really believe it properly… I always thought it was too soon, but I actually also wanted it… had I known that this was the reason for your bad mood… we should have talked properly… we really still have to work on perfecting that… ~simply keeps beaming~ …but we have all the time in the world to perfect it… Awesome!

Matteo: ~laughs slightly when David says that he’s too excited to eat~ Too excited to eat? Weird… ~goes to the end of the pool with him~ ~immediately sits down next to him and cuddles close~ ~pulls the tupperware box with the sandwiches close and puts it down on his lap~ ~but hasn’t taken one out yet when David talks~ ~grins slightly when he says that they could still perfect the thing with the talking~ Well… I think we can still leave some space for improvements… ~but then gets a little more serious~ I somehow couldn’t tell you about it, it also wasn’t really a clear thought for a long time somehow… the apartment search just kept annoying me more and more and it took some time for me to understand what that meant… ~looks at him and then grins, after all~ …better late than never… ~then takes a sandwich, after all, and takes a bite~ ~says with his mouth half full~ Alright… staying in the flatshare or moving out?

David: ~wraps his arm around Matteo and immediately pulls him closer when he cuddles into him~ ~kisses his forehead because he simply has to be close to him right now, but loosens his grip a little a moment later so that Matteo can reach the food~ ~nods at his words and says~ Definitely space for improvements… what’s important is that we’re capable of learning… ~grins slightly into his beaming and thinks that the only thing that’s important to him is that together they somehow manage and do and work for all of this~ ~then listens to him and also gets a little more serious~ ~almost feels a little sorry that he didn’t understand sooner that Matteo’s bad mood was due to the apartment search, but is pretty glad that Matteo realized for himself what this means~ ~but also grins when Matteo looks at him and nods~ ~repeats~ Better late than never… ~smiles when Matteo finally reaches for a sandwich and quickly glances at the box to consider if he’s hungry, after all, but is really still too nervous and excited and postpones eating~ ~then hears Matteo’s question and listens inside himself, ponders the advantages and disadvantages and his own feeling and also wonders what Matteo might prefer~ ~eventually asks hesitantly~ Umm… our own apartment? ~quickly adds~ Really, I love the flatshare and I love our room… but in the long haul, there isn’t really any privacy or if there is then it’s only an empty apartment when we get lucky… I liked it back when we could choose. That we could go to Laura’s apartment when it got too much at the flatshare and that we could go to the flatshare when Laura was getting on our nerves… but we don’t have an alternative like that at the moment… then it’s rather up to chance if we have the flatshare to ourselves or not… and I… no idea… I think I want something for ourselves… something that’s only ours… a… a real home… only our stuff… only our habits… only us… ~slightly presses his lips together and shrugs one shoulder~ Is that okay? ~would also be willing to stay living in the flatshare for longer if that means that he can keep living with Matteo, but actually really prefers finding something for only the two of them~

Matteo: ~while he asked the question, he thought that he’d actually prefer their own place~ ~but also loves living at the flatshare, of course, and would also continue living there if David wants that~ ~but then grins when he hears David and nods immediately~ That’s totally okay… and I completely agree with you… I mean, I’d really miss the flatshare… but I’d also think it would be nicer if we had our own place… something that’s ours. ~grins again slightly and then considers~ But it could also be difficult to find a 2 or 3 room apartment within 1.5 months… and to tell the flatshare that they have to find a new tenant… Linn won’t like that one bit…

David: ~briefly looks at Matteo scrutinizingly when he agrees immediately to find their own place, but this time he can see that he’s absolutely serious about it and beams again immediately~ ~murmurs quietly~ Exactly… ~can feel his heart beat faster at the thought that this is really real, that they are really going to do that - their own apartment with pictures and photos and plants and a red rug~ ~hears Matteo’s ponderings and grimaces slightly~ God, right… Linn… she really won’t like that one bit… we’ll somehow really have to think of how we’re going to tell her… prepare a few words in advance or something… ~then shakes his head a little~ But we’re basically not really pressured for time at all… it doesn’t really matter if we move out in one month or only in four months… right? I mean, it works well with the two of us in one room and with the roommates, as well… then we can take our time with looking for a place… ~then grins~ Although… if we really find something for the 1st of December, then the advantage would be that we wouldn’t have to find a new tenant. The other day, Laura mentioned again how much she likes your room and that she’ll snag it for herself immediately if you ever moved out.

Matteo: ~nods immediately when he talks about Linn~ And we promised her that she’ll be the first to know if something changes… ~then listens to him and is confused for a moment about why it doesn’t matter when they move out~ ~but then understands it and has to laugh~ Right, we don’t really have to care that much about when Mia comes back… ~then grins when he tells him about Laura~ I can understand that… but that would be really nice, then Laura wouldn’t have to find something new, either, and this way, we could also put Hans and Linn in a more favourable mood… they both really like Laura… ~pushes another bit of sandwich into his mouth~

David: ~humms in agreement when he remembers their promise to Linn, but then groans quietly and laughs~ I can’t tell at all how she’ll react… ~simply hopes that it’s some kind of reaction that won’t leave him completely helpless~ ~grins and nods when Matteo understands why they aren’t pressured for time and nods again when he says that Laura would be perfect as a new tenant~ ~wraps his arms a little more around Matteo again and squeezes him close~ ~kisses his back and murmurs~ We’ll manage all of it somehow… worst case, Laura will have to stay with someone for one or two months… or Mia will move to Alex’ for one or two months or something… ~grins slightly and can feel this feeling of happiness rising inside him when he thinks about the fact that they are really doing this~ ~says quietly and a little out of context~ And then we’ll buy the red rug…

Matteo: ~hummms slightly~ She doesn’t like change… we have to promise to visit her often… ~then nods when he says that Mia can also stay at Alex’~ Yes, we’ll manage it somehow… ~then laughs slightly when he mentions the red rug and looks at him~ That’s not a must… I was just joking around… everything should fit, right? ~stretches his head a little so that he can kiss him~

David: ~humms in agreement to his words about Linn~ We’ll do that anyways, right? I’d also somehow miss the chaotic bunch otherwise… ~frowns slightly when he says that he was only joking about the red rug and grins slightly~ ~returns his kiss and then says~ If you want a red rug, then you’ll get a red rug! And all the other things. The pictures on the walls. And you’ll get fresh herbs in the kitchen… and we’ll distribute my plants in the apartment… ~elbows him lightly and laughs quietly~ Now those aren’t dreams, Florenzi… now it gets serious… okay… we might have to save some money for big things like a big couch… but still…

Matteo: ~nods immediately~ Yes, we’ll do that anyways… ~then smiles when he says that now it gets serious and all the things they’ll get~ Yeees, now it gets serious… and we have my armchair and the bean bag and maybe for now we can take the couch you guys had? Laura won’t need it anymore if she stays at the flatshare… ~reaches for a bottle of water and drinks a sip and then hands it to David~ Okay… you already looked up information about apartments… how much does a 2 room apartment not too far from Moabit cost?

David: ~nods when he talks about the armchair and bean bag and that for now they can take a couch from the old apartment~ Yes, for starters it’s definitely enough… worst case, our visitors will just have to sit on the floor… and for now we can also take the table and chairs from the old apartment for our kitchen - although I’d also like new ones one day… something wooden would be nice… ~takes the bottle of water, drinks a sip and then realizes that he’s a little hungry now, after all~ ~reaches for a sandwich and considers when he hears Matteo’s question~ Hmmm… well I’d say that we’d somehow make due with the money. I don’t think that the basic rent itself would be much more than two separate flatshare rooms. But the utilities will probably be more because it’s only two people who pay for power, internet and such stuff… but I already talked to Mama if she could give me a little more money in the beginning… until I find a side job… but maybe we’ll also be lucky for once and we’ll find something that’s perfect and cheap… ~was just about to bite into his sandwich when he feels his phone vibrate~ ~puts the sandwich aside, pulls it from his pocket and frowns briefly because he doesn’t know the number~ ~answers~ Schreibner, hello? ~listens, smiles slightly, then shakes his head and puts his hand on the back of his neck~ ~opens his mouth twice trying to get a word in, but only manages on the third try~ Oh man, Martin, that’s really super nice that you decided on me… but… ~then listens to him again and shakes his head~ No, I don’t have another place… not yet… but my boyfriend and I just decided to move in together… ~beams broadly while he tells him about it and keeps listening to Martin~ Yes, thanks! I hope you have a lot of luck with the next candidate. Say hi to Miri and Dana, ok? … Yes, you too… bye… ~ends the call and reaches for his sandwich again~ ~grins at Matteo~ Well… too late I’d say…

Matteo: ~nods at his words about the seating~ Yes, we’ll manage it all… first we need an apartment… ~hummms slightly when he says that they’ll manage the rent~ Yes, so, well I could also tell Mama to tell Papa to give me more money… all the money doesn’t have to come from your parents… ~then sees David pulling out his phone and sits up a little straighter so that David can talk~ ~grins slightly when he hears that he would have gotten the room~ ~beams even more when David declines Martin’s offer~ ~grins at him broadly when he ends the call~ But I was right, they would have picked you…

David: ~actually wanted to say that they really only have to talk about money once they really found an apartment that they can get when his phone rings~ ~sees Matteo grin after he ends the call and laughs quietly~ ~teases him a little~ But earlier you said it in a compleeetely different tone of voice… ~bites into his sandwich and leans a little more against the pool wall again~ ~gets a little more serious again, is quiet for a moment and then says quietly~ I’m glad that you spilled the beans… just in time… just imagine they would have beaten you to it… ~but thinks that no matter when and how, he would have declined any offer, regardless of how nice the room is, for the possibility of moving in with Matteo~

Matteo: ~grins a little when he teases him~ There was an altogether different mood earlier… ~leans against him again and wraps an arm around his middle~ ~nods slightly when he says that he’s glad that he spilled the beans~ Me too… and otherwise I probably would have told you after you would have gotten the room… eventually it would have spilled out of me… ~presses a kiss to his neck and grumbles slightly~ Or I would have thrown myself in front of the moving truck eventually…

David: ~nods in amusement when Matteo says that it was a different mood~ Of course! ~wraps an arm around Matteo when he leans against him again and presses a kiss to his hair~ ~listens to him and humms quietly and in agreement~ ~smiles when he gets a kiss on his neck and then laughs quietly at the image of Matteo throwing himself in front of the moving truck~ Highly dramatic, Florenzi… noooo, it was better this way… and less complicated… ~takes another bite off his sandwich and then has to think about the fact that while it was more uncomplicated like the image of the moving truck, that they still somehow could have made it easier for themselves~ ~says quietly~ Still, the next time we’ll talk sooner if something bothers one of us, okay? ~smiles slightly~ I mean, I did find your speech great and I’d actually also like it again in writing to remember it… but you still didn’t feel too good over the last few days… so… ~says even quieter~ You can always tell me anything that bothers you, okay?

Matteo: ~laughs slightly~ Yes, that would have been highly dramatic… movie-worthy. ~looks at him when he gets quieter~ ~understands what he means, but isn’t so sure that he can promise him that~ ~says quietly~ I’ll try… ~then hears that he found his speech great and has to grin~ I don’t know if I can manage to say the same thing again so that you could write it down… ~slightly shakes his head~ No, not really, but… we had agreed on it and I thought you like the arrangement the way it is and therefore… well, I know you told me to think of myself as well, but somehow that was different…

David: ~humms in agreement when Matteo says that he’ll try~ ~knows himself that it isn’t always that easy, but still adds with a small smile~ Me too… ~then also has to grin slightly~ Noo, /you/ have to write it down for me… ~gets more serious again~ I listened to you and all the while I only thought that I want that as well… that I also want you to be there when I come home from uni and that our stuff will no longer be separated and all of that… ~then nods slightly when he says that they had agreed on it~ Yes, true… but I felt similar to you. We had agreed on it and I thought that you like it that way and therefore… ~sighs quietly~ I already realized some time ago that I want to move in with you… properly. And the prospect of “one day in the not too distant future” was enough for me… ~grins slightly~ Although sooner rather than later is quite in my favor… ~then shakes his head a little when he says that thinking about himself was different in that case~ Why that!? You didn’t even know what I wanted… and even if I didn’t want it… then maybe we would have been able to find a compromise or something…

Matteo: ~grins and shakes his head~ I don’t remember everything I said, sorry… ~but then smiles slightly when he says that he also wants all of that~ ~hummms slightly when David says that he’s realized it some time ago~ ~does wonder why he never said anything in seriousness in that case~ ~tilts his head at his last question~ Hello! YOU also could have said that it’s not about the distant future for you, but also about the now… ~looks at him~ If it had been the other way round… say, one day we said that in 2022 we’ll go on holiday to… no idea Denmark… and then in the beginning of 2022 I’ll start planning the holiday… and that’s also okay for you, but you’d actually rather go to… um… Norway… then you’d also say: “No, sorry, Matteo, could you please drop all the planning, I’d rather do that”?~

David: ~pffs when he says that he doesn’t remember what he said~ ~also tilts his head slightly when Matteo says that he could have said something and briefly thinks that he actually assumed that Matteo knew that, but that he’s also somehow right~ ~then hears his comparison, frowns briefly and then shrugs his shoulders~ Well, maybe not thaaat directly… It also depends on how much you’re looking forward to Denmark… and how much more I’d actually want to go to Norway. No idea… maybe I’d mention something like the fact that Norway is also really great or something… or I’d go to Denmark with you and suggest that we’ll go to Norway the year after… ~sighs quietly and shakes his head a little~ ~pulls Matteo to him again and presses another kiss to his head~ I’m sorry… maybe I really could have said something as well… I somehow assumed that it would be obvious… I mentioned it so often… that it hopefully won’t be in the too distant future… or that I want to buy a plant with you once it’s time… or that I don’t want to wait ten years or so… we joked around about what the apartment is supposed to look like… I thought that this might make it obvious that I definitely want that… no matter when…

Matteo: ~tilts his head when David says what he would have done~ Yes, that sounds very reasonable… ~then smiles when David pulls him close again and wraps an arm around his middle again~ ~then listens to him and frowns slightly~ Well, yes, in the not too distant future… that’s really very vague… and we really did rather joke around… that showed that you want that theoretically, one day… but when it got serious then we always had this plan and you also always said that you liked it the way it was and so on… ~looks up at him~ But it doesn’t really matter now, right? Now we managed it. ~smiles broadly~

David: ~smiles slightly and nods~ True… that does sound rather vague… in the not too distant future entails a pretty wide spectrum… ~but then shakes his head a little and laughs quietly~ Well, joked around… I was actually pretty serious about a lot of it… and for me it wasn’t actually really in theory… ~looks down to him when he looks up and can’t help but to also smile pretty broadly when he hears his words and sees his smile~ True… that’s the main thing… ~thinks that the rest really doesn’t matter and that this weird fate found its completely own way again to lead them to what they both want~ ~leans down to him and kisses him tenderly~ ~murmurs a little disbelievingly but incredibly happy against his lips~ We’ll move in together… ~thinks that voicing it out loud like that makes it sound a lot more real and he feels a strong tingling of anticipation in his gut~

Matteo: ~hears that he was actually serious about almost all of it and is briefly surprised about it~ ~briefly wonders what else he might have been serious about or not and how he’s supposed to know that, but doesn’t really think about it any further because then David is looking at him like that~ ~only smiles and was just about to pull him close when he already leans over and kisses him~ ~rolls a little more onto his stomach and nods~ We’ll move in together… ~wraps an arm around his neck and kisses him again and again~

David: ~smiles into the kiss after Matteo repeats his words and tenderly runs his hand through his hair~ ~then realizes that they are really sitting around a little uncomfortable and quietly murmurs into the kiss~ Lap… ~then tuggs slightly on him so that he sits down in his lap and grumbles happily when Matteo really does so~ ~wraps an arm around him tighter and lets his other hand wander over his cheek and hair while he deepens the kiss~ ~realizes pretty quickly and pretty frustrated that he wants more and pulls away from the kiss a little breathless~ ~leans his forehead against Matteo’s and murmurs half frustrated half amused~ And we can’t even properly celebrate this incisive decision with sex…

Matteo: ~hears his grumbling and feels his tugging and gives in without thinking about it~ ~sits down in his lap and kisses him again~ ~grumbles when David pulls away from the kiss and then sighs at his words~ We’ll add it to the list… so far, we already have to make good for “you’re back from the hospital sex” and “yeah the flatshare is empty sex” and “we’ll move in together sex”… ~kisses him again briefly~ As soon as you get the okay from the doctor, we won’t leave our room for three days… ~laughs slightly~

David: ~grumbles in frustration when Matteo says that they’ll add it to the list and grins slightly when he lists everything~ ~adds in amusement~ And don’t forget about the approximately 5 to 6 times “we’re yearning so much for each other sex”… ~gets kissed again and smiles at him~ ~then nods at his suggestion~ Or one week… ~then grins again slightly and says quietly~ And once we have our own apartment then we’ll never have to lock up again during sex… and we’ll never have to be incredibly quiet again because Laura is next door or Hans is sitting on the couch folding laundry… and we could even leave the bedroom door open if we wanted to…

Matteo: ~grins slightly~ Well, those go without saying… I only listed the “we’re celebrating something” ones… ~then laughs slightly when David describes what it could be like when they have their own apartment~ Oh my god! Sex with an open door? I think we’ve never done that! Sick! ~runs a hand through his hair lovingly and briefly kisses him again~ ~but then pulls away from him again and sits down next to him again~ ~pulls his phone out and waves it around~ Wanna look up apartments? ~grins slightly~

David: ~grins at Matteo’s words and then also laughs quietly when he does~ ~then gets another kiss and holds onto him for a moment afterwards when he realizes that he wants to get off his lap~ ~struggles a little with him, kisses him again and then lets go of him~ ~then sees him pull his phone out of his pocket and wiggles his eyebrows at his question~ Definitely… the plan is still to move out by December 1st… ~scoots closer to him so that he can also look at the phone~ ~realizes that he’s getting excited again and beams~ Oh, so far we only talked about the furnishing, but not about the layout… So, would you prefer a tub or a shower? And do we need a window in the bathroom? Would really be nice, right? ~laughs quietly~ I mean, if only to air it out… but not just for that… a bright apartment would really be awesome… so a lot of windows… or big windows… and do you want a balcony? If we get one with a balcony, then we’ll definitely need our own kiddy pool in the summer for foot baths! And if it’s an old building again then I’d really love that! Or would you rather have a modern building?

Matteo: ~nods when David says that the goal is to move out by December~ ~opens the page of an apartment-search website~ ~then looks at him when the questions are tumbling out of him and immediately falls in love with him again~ ~smiles and kisses him~ You’re cute… well, I don’t have tooo much of an opinion on any of it… can’t we just see what there is on offer in Moabit and then we’ll see? ~looks at him questioningly~ Well for now only to see what we could even afford? Of course an old building with a balcony would be nice, but if we can’t afford it then I’ll also take something else… or is there anything that you definitely want to have?

David: ~smiles when Matteo kisses him, but then grimaces somehow in a mix of skepticism, embarrassment and amusement when he says that he’s cute~ ~but doesn’t comment on it and instead listens to him~ ~nods at his suggestion and at the rest of his words~ ~then tilts his head at his question and thinks~ ~finally shakes it and grins slightly~ Only you… I don’t care about the rest… ~looks at the phone and waits for Matteo to type~ ~says in the meantime~ So in Moabit and affordable is good… if the apartment also happens to be bright and in an old building then that’s even better and if it has a tub and a balcony, then it’s perfect… ~puts his chin down on Matteo’s shoulder so that he can see better~

Matteo: ~gives him the secretary’s-office-look when he says that he only needs him~ You’ll get me in any apartment, you loon… ~then opens his phone again~ Okay, then we’ll first enter everything we want… and if there aren’t any good results, then we’ll dial back… ~enters the stuff into the search filters~ ~tilts his head and opens the first result~ Man no, that’s super inconvenient… huge living room and all other rooms are super tiny…

David: ~grins when he gets the secretary’s-office-look and shrugs one shoulder~ Tadaa and I’m already happy! ~presses a kiss to his cheek and then also looks at the phone~ ~leans a little closer to the phone after Matteo has entered the details and clicked on the first result and looks at the layout of the apartment with him~ ~nods at his words~ That’s really the case with a lot of apartments… especially with new buildings… or generally in buildings that were built after the 70s… with old buildings it often looks different… ~looks at him~ Although that doesn’t really matter for us, right? I mean, theoretically, only the wardrobe and the bed have to fit in the bedroom… we can also put the desks into the living room… ~looks back at the picture~ Let’s have a look at the rest of the photos… ~waits for Matteo to swipe through the gallery and hmms~ Yes, okay, the bedroom really is very very very tiny… I wonder who comes up with that layout… well, but on the other hand, it’s very bright… ~then looks away from the phone and at Matteo again~ You know what else would be nice? A kitchen that fits a dining table… so not one of those tiny kitchens…

Matteo: ~nods when he says that this is the case with a lot of apartments~ Yes, this loft layout… but I also think that such huge living rooms are somehow not really cozy… although, it’s actually okay at Alex’… but no, I find it somehow stupid if everything’s so open and so on… ~then swipes to the rest of the photos~ The bedroom is really tiny… ~then looks at him~ Yes, that would be really nice… not always having to eat in the living room… ~then clicks back and scrolls further down the list of results~ That looks like an old building… ~clicks on it~ …and it isn’t tooo far away from the flatshare… looks quite nice…

David: ~smiles when Matteo agrees to the big kitchen and really hopes that they somehow get lucky~ ~knows that it’s really not too easy, but then remembers that they really aren’t pressured for time and that it doesn’t really matter when they move~ ~then hears that Matteo already has his eyes on the next apartment and concentrates on the display again~ ~smiles and nods~ ~murmurs~ Open the photos… ~smiles even more and presses a kiss to Matteo’s shoulder~ We can definitely call that one… umm… hang on… I can log in - then we can put it on the list of favorites… or do you also have an account?

Matteo: ~clicks on the photos~ I like that one better than the previous one… ~laughs slightly and shakes his head~ No, I don’t have an account… I’ll send you the link, hang on… ~sends David the link via WhatsApp~ I’ll already keep looking… ~goes back to the list~

David: ~pulls his phone from his pocket and opens the link Matteo has sent him~ ~logs in and puts the apartment on his list of favorites~ ~smiles briefly when he sees the other apartments and rooms on his list of favorites and simply deletes them~ ~then leans over to Matteo again and keeps looking with him~ ~they keep looking for apartments together for a little while longer and put some of them on the list of favorites~ ~eventually, he pulls the gummy bears closer and opens them~ ~holds the bag out to Matteo so that he can also have some~ ~eventually grins slightly~ So we already have a bit to do on Monday… maybe we’ll already manage to call some of them before work and uni… if not then I have a free period at 12 - I can keep trying then. And maybe you could in your lunch break?

Matteo: ~has made an account for himself, after all, so that they have the same list of favorites~ ~never thought that it would be so much fun to look for apartments and to think what could fit and what couldn’t~ ~immediately also grabs a wine gum when David holds them out to him~ ~nods immediately~ Yes, we should definitely manage to call them… ~then looks at David~ When do we want to talk to Linn? Today already? Or tomorrow?

David: ~beams when Matteo says that it’ll definitely work with calling in the lunch break, because he realizes that now they are really starting to plan~ And appointments are always possible after you get off work… or on the weekends… and if one of us has made an appointment, then he immediately texts the other so that we don’t double book, okay? ~then smiles when he looks at him, but then gets more serious at his question~ ~checks the time and sees that it’s almost 7 o’clock by now~ I’m afraid she’ll be gone soon… she has this meeting with her colleagues today, so it’ll have to be tomorrow. We’d best do it first thing tomorrow morning… ~smiles again~ And then tell the rest of the flatshare and then the guys and the girls. They can all immediately start keeping an eye open! ~laughs quietly~ Abdi and Carlos will be thrilled that we’ll stay living together now, after all!

Matteo: ~nods immediately~ Yes, we’ll do it like that… ~humphs when he says that Linn will be gone soon~ Okay, tomorrow then… we’ll bring coffee to her room… ~then grins when he talks about the others and about the boys~ Carlos will be very relieved… he somehow immediately has some break-up fantasies if something doesn’t go according to plan… ~then looks at him~ And? What will Alex say?

David: ~nods at his words about coffee for Linn and then laughs quietly~ I just wanted to say “and breakfast” but then she’ll know straight away that something is wrong… ~thinks that it’s actually the exact opposite and that /everything/ is okay and looks at Matteo lovingly~ ~then sighs quietly when he’s talking about Carlos~ But weirdly enough it’s only when it’s about us… if Jonas and Hanna don’t see each other for a week then it’s no big deal… ~then exhales when Matteo asks about Alex and shrugs~ Congratulations? No idea… I think he’ll think it’s good if it’s what I want… I mean, it’s not thaaaat much of an irresponsible decision so that anyone could say anything against it, is it? And even if, it’s about us. Okay, it’s somehow early after 5 months… but we’ve basically been living together from day one… if it’s what we both want I don’t really care what the others are going to say… ~looks at him and smiles before he finally asks~ What will Jonas say?

Matteo: ~grins and shakes his head~ No, coffee is enough… ~shrugs his shoulders~ I think Carlos is just more attached to us as a couple than to Hanna and Jonas as a couple… he and his vibes, the first thing he texted after you met the boys for the first time was how much the vibes fit… ~smiles slightly~ ~then grins when he talks about Alex~ Alex is also really different in that regard, but… who knows if he and Mia will ever move in together… ~shrugs one shoulder~ But I don’t actually care how the others are doing it… we’re us and that’s it… ~shrugs one shoulder again when he asks about Jonas~ I think he’ll be happy for us… and besides, our own apartment means that there’s another place to meet up… ~laughs slightly~ We only have to be careful that there won’t constantly be Brudis sitting on our couch…

David: ~looks at Matteo in surprise and a little amused when he tells him about Carlos and the vibes~ Seriously!? I also think that the vibes fit… ~leans over to him and presses a kiss to his shoulder~ ~reaches for his hand and entwines their fingers~ ~tilts his head a little when he talks about Mia and Alex~ I think Alex would like it if Mia moved in with him one day… but will Mia just give up her freedom and independence so easily…!? ~slightly shrugs one shoulder and then nods at his next words~ ~says quietly~ Yes, same for me. To each their own and however it fits… ~then smiles pretty broadly and can feel this tingling of happiness in his gut again~ And for us it fits pretty well once again… well, that we both want it at the same time and neither of us says “Oh no, only in ten years or so”… ~then nods at his words about Jonas and laughs quietly at his words about Brudis on the couch~ Or we’ll just have to find a good way to kick them out again smoothly if we want to have our peace again… ~leans his head against the pool wall and is quiet for a few seconds before he says~ I actually like the thought… that our friends like to visit us and want to spend time with us… ~can feel that he’s especially fond of the image of “us” - the thought that for the first time he’ll have an apartment that’s only his - and Matteo’s, of course - not his parents’, not Laura’s, one that’s not part of a flatshare - and the thought that there’s the possibility that he might also properly arrive at a place and not “only” arrive with a person and that he can feel at home~

Matteo: ~grins slightly~ Yep, I think so, too… ~squeezes his hand when he takes it~ ~then laughs slightly when it’s about Mia and Alex again~ I think Mia would also like to, but she doesn’t really dare to just yet… ~then grins at him when he says that it fits them~ Yes sure, with us it luckily fits really well… ~kisses him quickly~ ~then laughs slightly when he talks about kicking them out~ Oh that also works un-smoothly… I think they can handle it… ~then looks at him lovingly when he says that he likes that thought~ Yes, so do I actually… ~thinks that then it’s /theirs/, their apartment, their furniture, exactly the way they want it~ ~then looks at David again and suddenly thinks how breathtaking it is that, since David entered his life, he dares to do more and more, to really say what he wants and that he even gets it~ ~first David himself and now the moving in together~ ~there was not one bit of doubt for him, not one second of hesitation, he just also wanted exactly what he wanted~ ~leans to him and kisses him again, simply because he can and wants to~ ~smiles slightly and says quietly~ This will be nice.

David: ~grins when Matteo says that they could also kick out the boys unsmoothly~ Okay, that’ll be your job, then… I’ll observe how you do that and maybe then in a few years’ time I’ll also be able to do it unsmoothly. ~smiles when Matteo says that he also likes the thought of visitors at their place~ ~then somehow feels that he’s looking at him and looks back~ ~smiles slightly and briefly wonders what he might think right now~ ~but leans toward him when he realizes that Matteo wants to kiss him and tenderly returns his kiss~ ~smiles again when he hears his words and can feel this tingling in his gut again~ ~humms in agreement and then sighs quietly when this weird feeling, that he knows from their holiday, overcomes him~ ~says quietly~ Somehow pretty surreal again… if someone had told me about that half a year ago… ~laughs quietly and shakes his head~ ~then looks at Matteo again and says with a loving grin~ You upended my life quite a bit, Florenzi!

Matteo: ~smiles slightly when David says that it’s pretty surreal~ Yes, it is… but then it also isn’t… surreal is somehow so odd, don’t you think? And I actually find us pretty normal and real and so on… ~shrugs one shoulder~ I mean… no idea… surreal somehow sounds as if it would be gone again any second… I don’t like that… ~grimaces slightly and scrunches up his nose because he doesn’t know if he expressed it right~ ~but then smiles at David’s following words~ Upended sounds better… I’ll take that, too… because you also upended my life, Schreibner.

David: ~looks at Matteo questioningly at his words and grins slightly when he says that surreal sounds odd~ ~but then smiles more when he talks about them being normal and real and nods~ ~then quickly shakes his head~ True - I don’t like that, either… ~thinks how best to explain it~ It’s more like… double-edged somehow. In the here and now and with you I think we’re totally real and normal and perfect and I’m simply super happy… and then I think about my life before you and… then it suddenly feels almost too good to be true, you know? Back then I just never would have thought that I’d ever get something like that… you, love, sex, holidays, everyday life with you and now even our own apartment… ~grins slightly when Matteo says that he likes “upended” better~ Okay, then we’ll take that… ~bites back on the comment that he hasn’t done much and instead leans over again to kiss him~

Matteo: ~hmmms slightly when David explains again what he means~ ~still doesn’t like something about it but can’t explain it~ ~something just doesn’t fit for him~ ~but then simply nods because he can’t explain it~ ~would find it pretty sick if he had said that and shown him that he still doesn’t know about all the things he did for him and all the things he showed him~ ~therefore simply kisses him again and again immediately afterwards~ ~then grins again slightly~ ~takes a look around the pool and suddenly has to laugh~ That’s the third big event now that’s taken place in this pool…

David: ~can see Matteo looking around the pool after the kiss and does the same~ ~but then hears him laugh, has to smile automatically at the sound and looks at him again~ ~beams pretty broadly at his words~ Well, the pool simply loves us… he sends out positive vibes… we should ask Carlos if he can also feel them… although… ~shakes his head and laughs quietly~ No, I still really like the thought that no one else knows about the pool… it belongs to only us… ~leans his head against the pool wall again and smiles to himself~ ~eventually says~ I think the pool is really made for big events… I think from now on we should always come here when we have something to celebrate… when we found the perfect apartment, when we have our uni certificate in our pocket… or when we signed our first employment contract… anniversaries… we could actually also get married here once it’s time…

Matteo: ~already shakes his head when David says he should ask Carlos~ ~was just about to tell him no when David already does himself and smiles immediately~ Exactly… I also like it that it’s only ours… ~then looks at him when he’s thinking aloud about what else they could do here~ Yes, I’m also in favor of that… I think that we should come here more often… and it’s perfect for celebrating events… ~then grins when he talks about getting married~ No, if we get married here then we’d have to invite the people here, Schreibner, you didn’t think ahead… ~grins and nudges him slightly~

David: ~smiles when Matteo says that he also likes the fact that the pool is only theirs~ ~then nods~ Yes definitely more often! Surely today’s big event was a sign of the pool to us: “Oh, finally, here they are again! I somehow have to make them see that I bring them good luck and that they therefore have to come here more often - I best deliver them a new big event!”~ ~briefly pats the floor of the pool~ Don’t worry, we’ll be back more often again in the future… ~then looks a little downcast when Matteo points out his error in reasoning~ Crap, right! ~says toward the pool floor~ Sorry, but you won’t get the wedding… ~then looks back to Matteo and smiles~ Then we’ll have to find a similarly cool place for our wedding - that won’t be easy!

Matteo: ~has to laugh when David talks for the pool~ Yep, that’s exactly how it must have been. ~then also pats the pool floor~ We didn’t forget you, don’t worry… ~then grins when David realizes his error in reasoning~ ~swallows briefly when David continues talking about a wedding~ ~wonders if that’s just musing around or like with the living-together thing something that David is really serious about and that he’d marry him tomorrow~ ~that thought makes him a little nervous~ ~especially if all of that is actually still so surreal to him~ ~takes a sip of water from the bottle so that he doesn’t immediately have to say anything~ ~but then grins, after all~ Oh, we’ll find something cool…

David: ~grins when Matteo also talks to the pool floor and realizes once again how much it means to him that he goes along with his craziness~ ~takes the water bottle from him after he finished drinking and also takes a sip while Matteo is talking~ ~lowers the bottle and nods with a slight grin~ Sure… we’re creative… definitely something with water… ~takes the bottle cap off him and screws it back on~ ~then sits down cross-legged and looks around on the picnic blanket~ Okay… wine gums are all finished… chocolate’s all finished… one more sandwich… and two more beers… ~looks at Matteo~ What does your stomach say? Is he still craving dinner or will he make due with sandwich and beer?

Matteo: ~nods when he says something with water~ Yes, or just something without water… empty bathtub or something… we’ll all gather in the bathroom and then get into the tub… ~grins and shrugs one shoulder~ ~then looks at him expectantly when he looks at everything so closely~ ~then grins~ I’d say we’ll share the sandwich, finish the beer and then we’ll go home, right? We could get a pizza on the way or something?

David: ~laughs at Matteo’s suggestion~ Okay… new aspect for the apartment search: A big bathroom! Or we can only invite 6 people to the wedding and I don’t want to be the one to choose who’ll attend… ~then leans over to get the beer from the backpack~ ~says in the meantime~ You can have the sandwich… my stomach is still busy with the chocolate and the wine gum. A sandwich would be too much now… ~opens the two bottles of beer and hands one of them to Matteo~ ~looks at him and smiles~ ~takes a deep breath and says~ Okay… we’ll have a toast… to us, of course! And to finding the perfect apartment! To the pool and big events… ~smiles slightly~ …and to you being so brave again to shout out what you want… ~holds the bottle out to him for a toast, but waits to see if he wants to add anything~

Matteo: ~laughs slightly~ 6 people is simple… your mother, my mother, Jonas and Alex, Laura and Hanna, done. ~grins slightly~ All the others will get a live feed to the living room. ~shakes his head a little~ Your stomach is still busy? Then we’ll have to train him a little… ~but grins and reaches for the sandwich~ So no pizza later? ~accepts the beer~ ~smiles when he hears his toast~ That’s the pool… it causes me to scream… ~toasts with him~ To us! ~takes a sip and then kisses him again~

David: ~smiles at his plan~ Yes, okay… that sounds good… well and we still have to somehow fit in Bea… she’ll definitely have to marry us… ~then grins slightly when he talks about his stomach and says~ Yes, pizza will surely still be possible later… I first have to manage to get over the fence again and then cycle to the flatshare… I’m really out of training and then I’ll probably be totally out of energy once we get back… then a pizza to strengthen up is just the thing! ~grins when Matteo says that the pool causes him to scream~ Not that I’m really a fan of screaming, but so far, yours has always served the purpose… ~clinks his bottle against Matteo’s~ To us! ~also takes a sip and smiles when he gets a kiss~ ~but then grumbles because it’s only one kiss and scoots closer to him again to kiss him again~ ~then they finish their beers and keep imagining how they would furnish their apartment if they won the lottery~ ~they eventually pack up and start to make their way back~ ~he really has some difficulties to get out of the pool and the building and back over the fence and curses the lack of his arms’ moving abilities and that his muscles are so weak~ ~is already looking forward to the doctors’ okay to work out a little again~ ~they cycle back to the flatshare, get a pizza on their way back and then they have a cozy evening and are dreaming and planning of their apartment together~

David: +smiles when he hears the apartment door and hurries with finishing setting the table+ +calls towards the hallway+ Na? +was just about to go toward him when he’s already standing in the kitchen+ +beams at him and reaches him in two strides, wraps his arms around his waist and kisses him in greeting+ +quickly glances at the oven at Matteo’s words and grins slightly+ I hope it also tastes good… my first soup… I thought something liquid for our 5-month-anniversary somehow fits… +notices only now that Matteo looks tired and spent and looks at him worriedly+ +tenderly strokes over his cheek and asks+ Everything okay? Stressful day?

Matteo: +also wraps his arms around him and thinks that he just wants to have this always, that David is there when he gets home+ +simply has to smile when David says that he made soup+ Because soup is close to water? Smart… +then sees David looking at him worriedly and quickly shakes his head+ Everything okay… was just… a long day… +lets go of him and goes to the table to already pour some water+ +takes a sip and then looks at David+ Can I help with anything?

David: +laughs quietly at Matteo’s conclusion about the soup+ Exactly! +the hears him say that everything’s okay and keeps looking skeptical for a moment+ +but then nods hesitantly and quickly kisses him again+ +says quietly+ Okay… then sit down and let me serve you, and after we eat, we’ll get cozy and you can rest… +lets go of him and goes to the stove to stir the soup again+ +shakes his head at Matteo’s question+ No, thanks, I have everything under control, sit down… +carries the pot to the table and puts it down on the cutting board he has already set down+ +gets a ladle from the drawer, then takes Matteo’s bowl and spoons some soup in+ +tells him in the meantime+ Laura and Hans gave me valuable tips… but I still cooked it by myself… +grins slightly+ And they left us the kitchen to celebrate as long as we’re eating… +puts his bowl down and then reaches for his own+ +then laughs quietly+ I actually could have made it even more romantic… with candles and such… +looks at him with a grin+ Should I look for some?

Matteo: +nods when he says that he has everything under control and sits down+ +takes another sip of water+ +looks at the pot when David brings it to the table+ Looks good… +smiles slightly when he says that Hans and Laura gave him tips+ Soup isn’t a casserole, after all… +reaches for the spoon when David puts down the bowl and comments on them getting the kitchen to themselves+ That’s nice of them… +then also laughs slightly and shakes his head when David asks about the candles+ Oh nonsense, it’s okay like that… +leans over and kisses him quickly+ Thanks for cooking… enjoy… +eats the first spoonful and was just about to eat the second one when he thinks that David surely wants feedback+ +looks at him+ It’s really good… +reaches for some bread and starts dunking it in+ So? How was your day?

David: +smiles when Matteo thanks him for cooking, also takes a seat and says+ Enjoy! +reaches for his spoon, but mostly watches Matteo, who also starts eating+ +beams when he says that he likes it and also pops his spoon into his mouth+ Thanks! +hmms at first when he asks about his day+ Pretty good actually… I finally managed to assemble my schedule and this time I even understood how this thing with the individual modules works. I really wonder how Alex will understand all of that without the introduction week… but maybe he has some connections or something… +pops another spoonful into his mouth and then continues+ And tomorrow I only have until 2… and we want to have breakfast together so that we all get to know each other better and so on… +grins slightly+ They actually could have already done that on Monday…

Matteo: +nods in agreement+ Alex surely knows people who study already… maybe law students are also different in that respect… +shrugs one shoulder+ +listens to him further+ But that still sounds nice… is there already someone you get along with? Or is everyone still keeping to themselves? +reaches for the spoon again after finishing the bread and continues eating+ +has to remember yet again that maybe soon David won’t come to his place anymore after uni and that he’ll instead go to his own apartment first+ +swallows slightly+ +doesn’t even know why this seems to bother him more and more because they managed quite well before+ +thinks that it’s maybe because the everyday-life that has now taken hold+

David: +nods at his words about Alex+ Yes, maybe… he already said two weeks ago that his schedule is as good as set up… +then nods briefly and tilts his head at his question+ No idea… well somehow everyone’s nice… but tentative, you know? As if everyone had to see how things work first… a few people already knew each other from the past… they all hang out together, of course… but apart from that, most people stay mostly to themselves… or in some superfluous small groups with smalltalk… +shrugs one shoulder+ …but it’s somehow also natural after only four days… +reaches for the bottle of water and pours some+ +smiles slightly at Matteo and then says+ And in the lunch break, I looked at this room at the student housing… and the advantage of that would be that you really would have your own place… but it’s really pretty small… and it would be in Prenzlauer Berg… that’s actually too far away from your place for my taste… but the advantage is that the chances of getting a room are higher than with normal flatshare-rooms…

Matteo: +nods+ Yes, that somehow sounds like Alex… otherwise he surely wouldn’t have gone to Madrid… +listens to him when he talks about the other people+ Yes, it’s only the beginning… I’m sure that’ll all work itself out… +then slightly presses his lips together when he talks about the room+ +quickly eats another spoonful of soup+ +thinks that Prenzlauer Berg is really far away+ +but says+ But Prenzlauer Berg is really nice… well a really nice neighborhood and so on… +quickly eats another spoonful, because he doesn’t know what else to say+

David: +nods in agreement to his words about Alex+ True. He’s pretty organized when it comes to that, I think… +then also nods at his words about the fellow students and that it will all work itself out and then takes a sip+ +grimaces slightly and shrugs one shoulder when Matteo says that Prenzlauer Berg would be nice+ +actually really wants to find something close to Matteo and therefore doesn’t really care all that much about the neighborhood+ +has planned on only taking something farther away if it can’t be helped+ +says hesitantly+ Yes… okay… true… +then sighs quietly and adds+ But still… I’ll keep looking… maybe I’ll find something better, something that’s closer to here… I still have viewings tomorrow and the day after… there were also a few postings at uni, I also called those places…

Matteo: +nods slowly when David agrees with him+ Mhm… +then looks at him when he says that he’ll continue looking and that he has more viewings+ +nods again slightly+ +really wishes that he could support him more or that he would have a better feeling about all of that+ +but doesn’t manage to do so+ Well, but that’s good… you’ll surely find the right thing… +eats another spoonful and then remembers what that means+ That means that you’ll be out on Saturday? +thinks that’s also stupid+ +wanted to spend time with him since they don’t have any other plans for a change+

David: +smiles slightly when Matteo comments that he’ll find something and nods+ +then stares at his bowl for a while, because he feels like the mood is somehow a little weird right now+ +but also thinks that there’s nothing else for Matteo to say about his apartment hunt and can feel only in hindsight that he misses something like him also whining along if a place is too far away or that he’d offer him that he doesn’t have to stress himself and that they can also keep living in his room together for another month if they have to+ +briefly wonders if Matteo is already annoyed by living with him, but doesn’t really want to allow that thought, because there are not really any other signs for that case+ +gets pulled from his thoughts a little when Matteo talks to him again and looks up at him a little confused+ +takes some time to understand what he means+ Umm… true… yes… Well I have a viewing at noon and at two pm… +smiles slightly and asks+ But if you want to, then we can do something afterwards? Something nice? Somehow make up for our celebration or something? Today’s more of an improvisation… +smiles a little more and says a little proudly+ I mean, it’s been five months, after all… next month, it’ll already be half a year…

Matteo: +smiles slightly at his question and thinks that it’s a nice idea+ Yes, let’s do something on Saturday… +thinks about what they could do+ +something that might also calm him down a little again+ +then asks carefully+ Do you feel like going to the pool again? We could already meet up there? Maybe at 3 or 3:30?

David: +smiles back at him and is happy that Matteo likes the idea and says quietly+ Nice… I’m looking forward to it… +then also starts thinking about what they could do, but then already hears Matteo’s suggestion and beams+ I always feel like going to the pool! +laughs quietly+ We really haven’t been there in a long time… this will be cool! +then nods+ Yes, I’ll definitely manage 3:30! And then we’ll get comfortable there… with a picnic or something… well, we could bring a sleeping pad or a blanket and some food and beverages… and in the evening we could get ourselves Dürüm again… just like back on our first night… +beams in anticipation and leans over to quickly kiss Matteo+

Matteo: +is really happy that David is so happy+ +thinks that maybe it’ll work, after all, that maybe they can also live apart if they can manage to do things like that+ +smiles slightly+ Okay, I’ll bring all the stuff… you don’t need to haul a blanket around if you’re out in town… +smiles when he kisses him+ +then looks at him and is about to tell him that he shouldn’t go to the viewings+ +but then swallows it down and kisses him again+ +says softly+ 3:30 it is… it’s a date…

Matteo: +is happy when David is so pleased and smiles+ You’re welcome! +kisses him back and grins when he calls him a loon+ +shakes his head at his question+ I can’t tell you that! You have to find out while you unpack it! +laughs slightly+ But you don’t have to do that now… +checks the time+ …you can also do that tonight… or you take it with you and unpack it in your first seminar. +laughs slightly+

David: +laughs quietly+ You can’t?! +then nods in amusement+ Ah, okay… +also briefly checks the time and sighs quietly+ I think tonight’s good… or once I’m back home… it’s scheduled to go until 4 today… +kisses him a little longer again and then brushes a strand of hair off his forehead+ +grins slightly+ And tonight we can tell each other about our mutual proper work and uni day… +pulls away from him and says+ I’ll just quickly take this to our room and pack the sandwiches… and then I already have to leave…

Matteo: +grins slightly and nods+ Tonight is good… +gets another kiss and wraps an arm around him+ +kisses him again when he brushes the strand of hair off his forehead+ I’m already looking forward to that… but I still want updates in between… +pulls away reluctantly and quickly kisses him again+ +then nods+ Okay, I’ll already get the handkerchief to wave after you… +grins and watches David disappear from the kitchen+ +already puts a few things in the sink and in the fridge+ +then sees David standing in the kitchen doorway all ready to go+ +reaches him with two steps and presses another big kiss onto him+ Have fun and success and meet nice people and so on…

David: +smiles at Matteo’s demand about updates and nods+ Me too… as always… otherwise I won’t survive the day without you! +laughs quietly when he mentions the handkerchief+ Yes, you do that… +grabs the tupperware box, then quickly takes the Schultüte to their room, puts the sandwiches in his backpack and then goes back to the hallway+ +reaches for his jacket, puts it on and smiles when Matteo appears in the doorway+ +returns his kiss and squeezes him closer again with a grumble+ +takes a deep breath to take some of the Matteo-smell with him and murmurs a quiet “thanks, you too” at his words+ +then pulls away from him and shoulders his backpack+ +smiles again+ See you later, tesorino… +is already at the apartment door when he gapes, turns around again and asks with his eyebrows raised+ Where’s the handkerchief to wave after me!?

Matteo: +also squeezes him close again when he hugs him+ +quickly runs a hand through his hair when he pulls away+ +smiles at his goodbye+ See you tonight, tesorino. +looks at him in surprise when he turns around again+ Oh! Damn! Hang on! +quickly goes back to the kitchen and tears off some kitchen roll+ +then goes back to the door again+ That has to suffice… +grins slightly and waves after him with it+

Matteo: ~grins slightly at the exchange of words~ Yes, I’m known for my haughtiness… ~elbows David lightly and says lovingly~ Loon… ~shakes his head when David says that it looks good~ It’s just pasta and sauce, if I had known that we’re expecting an important visitor then I would have put more effort into it… ~grins slightly~ ~but then sees Patrick wave it off immediately: “Oh nonsense! Pasta with sauce is great! Can I help with anything?”~ ~shakes his head~ No, you can take a seat… ~waits for both of them to sit down and then drains the pasta~ ~puts both pots on the table~ What do you guys want to drink? Water? Juice? Beer?

David: ~grins and nods vigorously at Matteo’s words~ Exactly! ~then elbows him back and lovingly runs a hand through his hair~ ~then grins slightly~ You /always/ put in effort with your sauces… I never ate a sauce of you that I didn’t like… ~pushes Patrick ahead of him toward the table and takes a seat~ ~puts the plates a little aside when Matteo arrives with the pots so that everything will fit~ ~then hears Patrick answer Matteo’s question: “Oh, I won’t say no to a beer, I’d love one!”~ ~would actually also like one, but has overdone it a little the day before yesterday and therefore says~ I’ll just have water… ~gets up again to help Matteo with the beverages~ ~points toward the cabinet with the glasses and asks quietly~ Could you? ~still can’t really stretch without feeling pain and the glasses are pretty far away~ ~gets beer and water from the fridge and takes everything to the table~ ~smiles at Patrick and points toward the pots with his head~ Self service. You can just start…

Matteo: ~grins slightly when David praises his sauces~ Thanks… ~nods when Patrick takes a beer~ Water and beer, will do… ~looks at David when he gets up~ You don’t have to… ~but then sees that it’s already too late~ ~nods immediately at his question~ Sure, I wanted to do that anyways… why don’t you get the stuff from the fridge? ~grabs three glasses from the cabinet, in case Patrick and he decide to also have some water later, and brings them over to the table~ ~then grins when Patrick already starts to plate up food for everyone and not only for himself~ ~sits down at the table with David~ ~opens two bottles of beer and puts Patrick’s beer in front of him~ Well then… to old, new friends! ~grins slightly and clinks bottles with Patrick: “I like drinking to that.”~

David: ~grins slightly when Patrick plates up food not only for himself but also for Matteo and him, and waits until he’s finished~ Thanks… ~pours himself some water and also lifts his glass~ ~smiles and repeats~ To old new friends! ~then clinks bottles with the two of them and takes a sip~ ~then reaches for his fork and says~ Well then enjoy! ~hears the two return it and hears everyone start to eat~ ~but then immediately hears Patrick ask: “Do you no longer drink alcohol? I thought with the testo you’re allowed to have some…”~ ~swallows his bite and nods~ Yes, that’s true… but we had a party the day before yesterday and I drank quite a lot there… so I won't drink today…

Matteo: ~grins slightly~ David overdid it a teeny tiny bit… but it was funny… ~grins over at him~ ~then wants to say that he’s still supposed to take it easy anyways~ ~but then quickly swallows it down, because he doesn’t know if Patrick even knows about the surgery~ ~then hears Patrick: “By the way, David was right… the sauce is awesome!”~ ~smiles slightly~ Thanks… I’m happy to hear that… ~then looks at Patrick~ And what about you? What do you do?

David: ~grins when Matteo says that he overdid it a little and shrugs one shoulder~ ~then laughs quietly~ Oh yes, it really was! ~then smiles when Patrick praises the sauce and nods happily~ ~adds quietly~ As always… ~keeps eating while Patrick answers Matteo’s question: “I’m about to start studying game design. That’s why I came to Berlin in the first place. And because I had the prospect of a pretty cool side job at a development company which I ultimately also managed to get!”~ ~explains to Matteo~ Patrick has always been very interested in such stuff even in the past… programmed his own games and so on… pretty cool! I would have been surprised if you hadn’t been accepted into the study program… ~sees that Patrick blushes slightly and sees him wave it off: “Oh, I’m not that good…”~

Matteo: ~gapes when Patrick talks~ Really cool! ~then hears David’s addition and looks at Patrick again~ What kinds of games do you develop? ~hears Patrick: “Well the company I work at is working on this logic game right now, but with a story so you have to solve quests to get ahead.”~ ~tilts his head~ But not this “I have to plant wheat to build a hut” or something like that, right? ~sees Patrick laugh and shake his head: “No it’s really kind of different logic games… umm… something like “how do I get the sheep, the wolf and the cabbage to the other side”, you know?”~ ~nods immediately~ Oh yes, very cool… and what are you allowed to do there? ~hears Patrick reply: “At the moment not that much yet, last week I was allowed to watch them fix a bug and then I was allowed to test the game.”~ ~beams at him~ Really nice… ~then looks at David~ Maybe I also should have tried game design, that sounds awesome!

David: ~smiles slightly when the two of them have found a topic that connects them and is a little surprised at himself that he didn’t remember it sooner that both of them are a little nerdy when it comes to programming and computer games~ ~thinks that Matteo surely also knows most of the games that Patrick is supposed to help develop there if it’s such a big company~ ~sees Matteo beam and has to smile automatically~ ~then sees him also looking at him and immediately nods at his words~ ~says with his mouth half full~ Sounds pretty fitting… ~then swallows~ I could really imagine that if you realize that Lambda isn’t your thing, after all… ~smiles optimistically~ You still have time to think about it… ~points at Patrick and grins slightly~ …and someone you can bombard with questions. ~sees Patrick grin as well: “Yes, I’m available… what are you doing now? What’s Lambda?”~

Matteo: ~humms slightly at David’s answer~ ~imagines going into a completely different direction after Lambda and doesn’t quite know if he likes that idea~ Yeah… we’ll see… ~then looks back at Patrick~ The Lambda is a queer youth center… for LGBT youth and all the other letters… I’ve been doing my voluntary year of social service for a month now… ~sees Patrick nod: “Wow, that sounds good… is that some kind of advice center?”~ ~tilts his head~ That too… but it’s mostly really just a youth center… they come and hang out there, are amongst people like them, you know? There are different groups, different activities and just space and time to just hang out… but they also really help, like if someone got kicked out at home or if someone has problems at school… stuff like that…

David: ~can feel this pride again when Matteo talks about Lambda and his work there, but especially because he thinks that Matteo keeps talking about it more and more as if it were really his thing, as if he’s right in the middle - which he is~ ~considers this a good sign that by now he really has arrived there~ ~smiles slightly when Matteo finishes and turns to Patrick with a slight smile~ We would have needed something like that in Fürstenberg… ~then explains more seriously and with pride in his voice~ Matteo participates in this project there, where he and a colleague of his go to schools in Berlin and educate and advise. Really nice! I think you can really make a difference with that. Just the fact that the teenagers know that there’s a place they can go to is great. I really wished for something like that back then… ~shrugs one shoulder and grins a little bitterly~ Well, but Fürstenberg just isn’t Berlin…

Matteo: ~immediately nods at David’s words~ Yes, something like that would actually be even more important in small towns… but hey, at least something… ~sees Patrick nod immediately: “Definitely, there are also asshole-parents in Berlin and idiots at schools…”~ ~nods immediately~ Yes, definitely… and if it helps even one person then it was already worth it… ~sees Patrick nod and smile~ But tell me… do you also play Zelda? Because I’m at level 43 and I can’t get ahead…

David: ~nods at Patrick and Matteo’s words about LGBT+ and continues eating his pasta~ ~then grins slightly when Matteo comes back to video games and hears Patrick ask with a grin: “Dude, who doesn’t play Zelda!? Everyone plays Zelda!”~ ~laughs quietly and murmurs~ Yes, you definitely have to assume that at first… ~sees Patrick looking at him in confusion for a second but then only shakes his head a little, grins slightly and reaches for his glass~ ~hears Patrick say to Matteo: “43… 43… hmmm… what happens there again? I also really had problems at two or three spots… but now I’m at level 72 or something… so I definitely managed 43… if you want to we can have a look at it together some time…”~

Matteo: ~grins slightly at David’s comment to Zelda~ ~but then looks back to Patrick again~ Dude, you’re at 72?? Awesome! ~pops another spoonful of pasta in his mouth, chews quickly and swallows~ At level 43 there’s this troll that’s in front of this mountain… and I can overpower the troll, but I can’t get into the mountain, there’s no door, no gate, no key, blowing it up is no use… I really don’t know what else I could try… ~checks the time and then looks back at Patrick again~ I mean… do you still have plans today? Otherwise we maybe could have a look after dinner? ~quickly looks at David~ Well, if that’s okay?

David: ~grins slightly when Matteo starts babbling and when he’s so enthusiastic and quickly throws him a loving glance~ ~then hears Patrick talking similarly enthusiastically: “Ahhh, right! I vaguely remember… there was some trick… something with the surroundings… argh, when I see it I’ll surely remember it again…”~ ~then hears Matteo’s suggestion and briefly lifts his eyebrows in amusement~ ~thinks that it went quite fast that the two of them found some common ground~ ~then notices Matteo’s look, hears his question and can also see Patrick looking at him questioningly~ ~laughs~ What am I supposed to say now?! Nooo, it absolutely isn’t okay that you have anything in common!? ~shakes his head in amusement and shrugs~ Just go ahead… ~hears Patrick: “Yeah, cool - then we’ll just have a look right now… umm, but I can’t stay for too long. Uni starts tomorrow for me… well the introduction week. For you as well, Schreibi, doesn’t it? Therefore I don’t want to keep you guys up for too long…”~ ~pops the last bite of pasta in his mouth and nods~ ~chews a little first and then says~ Yes, but only at 10… Matteo also starts work at 10… so it’s okay.

Matteo: ~is enthusiastic when Patrick seems to remember~ ~then also looks at David~ ~grins at his response~ ~leans over to him and kisses him quickly~ You were also annoyed that we didn’t manage to get ahead… ~then hears Patrick and nods~ Yes, sure, only an hour or so… ~gapes and looks at David~ Schreibi? Really? ~smiles very, very amused~ ~then hears Patrick: “What? Don’t you guys call him Schreibi?”~ ~laughs and shakes his head~ Noo… we call him David, sometimes also only Schreibner, but Schreibi is new…

David: ~smiles when he gets a kiss and then grins slightly at Matteo’s words~ Maybe I was just annoyed that you were annoyed that we didn’t manage to get ahead!? ~then laughs quietly and shakes his head~ No, you are right… the situation really sucks! ~rolls his eyes when Matteo is so amused by “Schreibi” and murmurs with a sigh~ Of course… ~sees Matteo’s amused look after Patrick confirms “Schreibi” as a given, and shakes his head with a grin~ Don’t you dare! ~laughs quietly~ You guys don’t just call me David or Schreibner, but also Brudi and part of Davenzi and besides… that’s enough! Let Patrick have the Schreibi - it’s his! ~hears Patrick ask: “Part of Davenzi?! Where does that come from?!”~

Matteo: ~laughs slightly when David refuses Schreibi~ Okay, okay… Patrick can have Schreibi… but I just want to add that I never call you Brudi… ~looks at Patrick~ That would be a little weird… ~sees Patrick grin and nod~ ~then hears his question~ Oh, my best friend came up with that… he thought we needed a name for the two of us and because he thought that our first names didn’t mix very well he used my last name… it’s Florenzi… So the Dav is from David and the enzi from Florenzi… ~shrugs one shoulder~ Don’t ask me… for some reason it stuck with everyone… ~sees Patrick smile: “Davenzi… well I think it’s cute, suits you guys somehow.”~

David: ~nods seriously when Matteo says that he doesn’t call him Brudi and confirms~ Pretty weird! ~quickly adds~ And I don’t call him that, either, by the way… but all the others… us… well amongst us… to each other… well the boys… you know… ~grins and sees Patrick grin as well: “I understand!”~ ~then nods at Matteo’s explanation about Davenzi and takes another sip~ ~smiles slightly when Patrick says that it suits them~ ~looks at Matteo and shrugs one shoulder~ We never really opposed it, either, did we? ~then looks at Patrick again~ What’s Thea’s last name again? Tutz, right? So you guys would be either Thetrick… or Tutzmann… the rest would sound stupid… ~grins and then remembers something else~ ~looks back to Matteo and grins very broadly and amusedly~ Speaking of Tutzmann! Guess who also has their 5-month-anniversary on Thursday!?

Matteo: ~laughs slightly when David explains so awkwardly who calls whom Brudi~ ~but uses the time to pop the last forkful of pasta into his mouth~ ~then grins at David’s name experiments~ Tutzmann sounds cool… ~then looks pretty surprised at David’s question~ No, seriously? ~looks back at Patrick~ You too? ~sees Patrick grin: “Pretty perfect date, that, May 10th…”~ ~grins very broadly~ I think so too… that’s funny… what a coincidence. ~sees Patrick laugh: “Yes, we thought so, too… seems both of our lucky day.”~ ~tilts his head slightly~ All of our’s… I don’t know Thea, but I’m sure she would agree with me. ~then sees that Patrick has also finished eating~ Okay, do we want to go over to our room? ~but then realizes that he has to go to the bathroom again~ I just have to go somewhere quickly… but feel free to go ahead… ~gets up and then grins at David again~ And don’t run away… ~then quickly goes to the bathroom~

David: ~still finds it really funny and cool that they have the same anniversary and is happy that Matteo also seems to find it funny~ ~grins and nods when Patrick says that it’s both their lucky day and then looks at Matteo lovingly when he says that it’s all of theirs~ ~reaches for his hand under the table and quickly squeezes it~ ~but then lets go of it again when he hears his question and gets up~ ~hears Patrick: “Oh yes, you’re sharing a room at the moment, right?”~ ~nods~ Yes, until the end of November… ~then hears that Matteo has to go to the bathroom again and nods when he says that they can already go ahead~ ~then hears his addition and throws him an intense secretary’s-office-look~ You ass! ~looks around for something that he can throw at him, but can only find a pack of tissues and throws it~ ~misses him by a bit and laughs quietly when he quickly runs off~ ~hears Patrick say in amusement: “I don’t get it, but okay…~~ ~sighs and hands him his beer while he takes Matteo’s beer and his glass of water and already goes to the room~ ~explains in the meantime~ That was a reference to the meeting where I just disappeared back then… at that time, I asked him about Zelda and he wanted to show me and also went to the bathroom before… while he was gone I started to panic and left… since then he finds it funny to make some comment when it’s about Zelda… ~kicks open the door to their room and puts Matteo’s beer and his water down on the nightstand~ then grabs Matteo’s laptop from his desk and sits down on the bed with it~ ~smiles at Patrick~ You can just sit down… ~but sees him standing in the middle of the room, sees his gaze wander and sees him shake his head slightly: “I don’t recognize any of your things… only the desk… yes, okay… and Mister Rabbit… may I…?”~ ~sees him point at the walls and the pictures on them and nods and smiles slightly~ ~somehow finds it really nice that Patrick shows interest~ ~already starts up Matteo’s laptop~

Matteo: ~returns from the bathroom and broadly grins at David~ You’re still here… thank god… ~then immediately holds up his hands~ Please don’t throw anything! ~surprisingly hears Patrick: “Well I think it’s a good sign that you can joke about it now!”~ ~nods immediately~ So do I! And I take it that you heard the story? ~drops down on the bed next to David and presses a conciliatory kiss to his cheek~ ~sees Patrick only nod while he keeps looking at the walls~ ~hears him ask: “And that’s your crew, I take it?”~ ~sees him point at the Heidesee-photo in the collage and nods~ Yep, that’s the whole crew…

David: ~throws Matteo another secretary’s-office-look when he returns from the bathroom and immediately makes another comment, but already grins a second later and holds his arms out for him~ ~entwines their fingers when Matteo drops down on the bed next to him and smiles when he cuddles close~ ~looks at Patrick, who is now standing in front of the collage on the wall and nods at his question and Matteo’s answer~ ~grins slightly when Patrick says: “That’s really a lot… wow…” and can feel him hesitate, then turn around to them and ask a little embarrassed: “Umm… the boys are all wearing a binder… umm, does that mean that they are also…”~ ~quickly shakes his head and smiles~ No! That was on holiday in Heidesee… before the holiday I mentioned to one of them that it will be difficult for me to go swimming with them because I stick out so much in a swim binder and then they all surprised me on the holiday by also wearing one… out of solidarity and so on… ~sees Patrick staring at him in positive astonishment: “What!? That’s awesome! Really!” and then hears him add: “So you swim again now?”~ ~tilts his head and smiles a little embarrassed~ Well, yes… still not really completely unconstrained… and if there are a lot of strangers then it’s still difficult… but if one of the boys is there and also wears a binder then it’s at least a little easier. ~then gapes briefly and laughs quietly, because he just realized that he forgot again that now he doesn’t have that problem anymore~ ~corrects himself~ Umm… was easier… ~takes a deep breath, hesitates briefly, then smiles at Patrick and tells him~ I expect that next summer, I won’t have thaaat much of a problem with swimming anymore…

Matteo: ~squeezes David’s hand when he entwines their fingers~ ~then listens to the two of them and is surprised at how open David is talking to him~ ~has to remind himself that they have known each other for a really long time~ ~smiles slightly when David even tells him about the surgery~ ~is curious to see Patrick’s reaction~ ~sees him turning toward them completely now and sees him staring at David: “Wow, really? That’s great! So all of that somehow still went really fast, didn’t it?”~ ~laughs slightly~ If you ask David, it could also have happened a year ago, but yes… it went relatively quickly from the application to the surgery… ~sees Patrick looking at him worried: “But are you even allowed to move around so much yet? Don’t you have to rest?”~ ~grins slightly and says to David~ I like this guy…

David: ~smiles and nods at Patrick’s question and Matteo’s reply~ ~then slightly shakes his head at Patrick’s question and laughs quietly at Matteo’s comment~ Of course you’d say that… ~then turns to Patrick~ I am taking it easy… really… and at first I didn’t have a choice because of the pain… but now it’s only my arms that are restrained, the belly doesn’t really hurt at all anymore and I’m still not allowed to lift heavy, no working out and so on… ~then grins and looks at Matteo~ Please tell him that I was an absolute poster patient! ~sees Patrick grin: “I believe you without proof…”, but then sees him getting a little more serious again: “Oh man, and I didn’t know about any of it… I still remember when you were talking about wanting to apply for it as soon as you’re 18…”~ ~smiles slightly and a little sadly because he can imagine what’s going on in Patrick’s head~ ~at first he talked a lot about his transition and trans topics with him, but toward the end he barely did that, only really when he asked, because by then, somehow everything had gotten too weird~ ~nods~ And that’s exactly what I did… ~then smiles a little more and points to the spot next to Matteo with his head~ And now come and sit down… someone wants to know the solution to the Zelda-riddle… and I’m sure that this hopefully won’t be the last time that you’re here and you can look at the rest another time…

Matteo: ~looks between the two of them when they are talking about the surgery~ ~wonders for the first time what might have happened if Patrick had been on David’s side back then, if Patrick would have had his back if David would have stayed in Lychen, if Patrick would have been the one to accompany him on his journey~ ~doesn’t really know if he likes that thought~ ~is therefore quite glad when David changes the subject~ ~reaches for the laptop and scoots a little closer to David~ Yes, come on, have a seat… ~opens the game while Patrick sits down next to him~ ~opens his saved game and first fights the troll again~ ~manages to do so this time as well~ And now what?

David: ~smiles when Matteo sits down closer to him and loosely wraps his arm around his waist~ ~watches him defeat the troll and then also stares onto the screen a little helpless~ ~hears Patrick: “There was something in the surrounding area… go over to that grove over there… I’m not sure anymore if that was the spot, but somewhere you have to fell a tree which then falls on top of something and that sets off some mechanism that opens a hidden gate in the rock… no, farther to the left I think… do you have an axe?”~ ~lightly leans his head against Matteo’s shoulder and smiles to himself while he watches Matteo do his thing in the game~ ~thinks that on the one hand, it feels just surreal that Patrick and Matteo are sitting together on their bed in Berlin playing Zelda, but that it also feels pretty cool and right~ ~presses a brief kiss to Matteo’s shoulder and then leans back a little again so that he can play without interruption~

Matteo: ~smiles slightly when David leans against him, but is otherwise very focused on the game~ Yes, I have an axe… ~fells a tree which he thinks might fall in the right angle~ ~waits excitedly to see if anything happens~ ~then sees that Patrick was right and that something in the rock really opens~ YESSS!!!! Thanks! ~bumps his shoulder against Patrick’s and beams at him~ You have to give me your number so that from now on I can always ask you if I don’t get ahead… ~sees Patrick looking a little emotional for a moment, but then quickly has himself under control again and sees him nod: “Sure, David has my number, he can give it to you, then just text me so that I have yours as well…”~ ~only nods quickly because now he also wants to know how the game advances~

David: ~watches Matteo fell the tree and grins when the rock really opens~ ~grins even more when Matteo is so happy and sighs theatrically~ Finally we get ahead… Thanks, Patti! ~smiles at first when Matteo says that he wants to get Patrick’s number and then laughs quietly while the two make plans~ I can already see it coming… I’ll come home from uni one day and the two of you are sitting here testing the latest games and I’ll be invisible and written off… ~but then still looks onto the screen a little curiously when Matteo enters the cave behind the rock~ ~hears Patrick say: “Umm, better light up a torch - I think there was an abyss”, when Matteo already falls down the abyss and dies~ ~laughs again quietly and says~ The warning was about 3 seconds too late…

Matteo: ~grins slightly when David calls Patrick Patti and thinks that this is another sign that the two of them have known each other for a long time~ ~then looks at him lovingly for a moment~ Nonsense, you’re never written off… ~but then immediately looks back to the screen~ ~but then already falls~ Noooooo! ~but laughs~ Doesn’t matter, now I know how to get there… ~doesn’t restart the game and looks to Patrick instead~ Thank you… ~then points at his empty beer~ Do you want another one?

David: ~briefly leans over and presses a quick kiss onto Matteo when he looks at him so lovingly and murmurs quietly~ I know that… ~then realizes that Matteo doesn’t start the game anew, but can imagine that he’ll definitely do so again in bed tonight~ ~sees Patrick shake his head at Matteo’s question and glance at the clock: “No, thanks, better not… I think I better go now… I still have to look up a few things for tomorrow… so that I even know where I have to go to.”~ ~sees him grin slightly: “I wasn’t expecting to be out for thaaat long. But it was really cool!”~ ~smiles broadly and nods~ I think so too… ~then also gets up when Patrick does and then says a little sheepishly~ So we’ll text? And we’ll see each other again soon?

Matteo: ~puts the laptop aside when Patrick says that he wants to leave~ Then good luck tomorrow… ~then also gets up when everyone does~ ~looks between the two of them when David gets a little sheepish~ ~smiles when Patrick says “Yes, definitely! Very soon.”~ ~holds his hand out to Patrick and shakes it~ Then see you soon… it really was a pleasure… ~hears Patrick: “Yes, likewise… see you soon…”~ ~looks at David and tells him with a look that he’ll stay here so that Patrick can say his goodbyes alone~ ~sees him nod and sees the two of them go to the door~

David: ~is happy that Patrick agrees to meet up again soon and smiles and nods~ ~then waits for Matteo and Patrick to say their goodbyes and nods slightly when Matteo signals him that he’ll stay in their room while he brings Patrick to the door~ ~therefore tells Patrick…~ I’ll take you to the door… ~…and leaves the room with him~ ~leans against the wall in the hallway while Patrick puts on his shoes and jacket and then sees him looking at him after he is finished, sees him apparently collect himself and then hears him say with a smile: “Thanks, David… well for being so cool about the fact that I screwed up and for the afternoon and so on…”~ ~smiles at his words but slightly shakes his head~ ~murmurs~ Stop it… I’m glad that we could clear this up. And I also thought that it was really nice… ~grins~ And it’s really super nice that you’re also in Berlin now… ~sees him grin as well: “Yes, that’s really good… the freakteam back together”!~ ~laughs quietly~ Oh, we weren’t even that freaky… ~takes a step toward him and holds his arms out hesitantly~ ~sees Patrick smile, cross the distance and then gets hugged a moment later~ ~hears him say: “See you around, Schreibi…”~ ~lets go of him~ Yes, see you around. Have a safe trip home and have a good start tomorrow and so on… ~opens the front door and hears him say “you too! before he leaves the apartment~

(Author’s note: As some computer game freaks might have noticed, we don’t have the slightest experience with computer games, let alone with Zelda. Please forgive us for simply making up the content of the game ;-))

Patrick: ~has been pretty nervous and excited all day long~ ~has prepared several things that he would like to tell David~ ~but has also firmly planned on letting him take the lead and to only talk about the things he wants to talk about~ ~has talked to his girlfriend, who also told him to see what David feels comfortable with~ ~but definitely wants to apologize and thinks that, if everything else should go downhill, he wants to at least manage to do that~ ~leaves way too early and therefore takes a little stroll before walking toward the café~ ~takes a deep breath when David also notices and turns around to him and when he sees how much he has changed~ ~not only his looks, that too, but his entire posture is more upright, much more confident~ ~smiles immediately when he sees him smile as well~ Hey… nice that it worked out… ~stops in front of him a little insecurely and then simply points toward the door~ Shall we go inside?

David: ~sees Patrick smile and when he gets closer, he notices that he really hardly changed at all~ ~nods at his words and grins slightly~ I think so, too… ~also looks at him a little insecurely and nods immediately when he asks if they should go inside~ Sure… ~opens the door and then simply leads the way, because Patrick hasn’t been here before, but looks around to him to see if he follows~ ~can see that the cozy table in the corner, where he has sat with Matteo several times, is available and steers toward it~ ~looks at Patrick before sitting down~ Is that one okay? ~sees him nod, smiles slightly and takes off his jacket~ ~hangs it over the back of his chair and sits down~ ~already knows that he’ll get a cappuccino and pushes the menu toward Patrick so that he can have a look~ ~doesn’t want an awkward silence to arise straight away and therefore asks~ Did you get here alright? Was it far for you? ~smiles slightly and leans back~ I didn’t even ask the other day in which part of town you live…

Patrick: ~simply follows David and then sits down across from him~ ~takes a look around~ Yes, it’s comfortable here… ~then takes the menu, even though he already knows that he wants a cappuccino, but still has another look~ ~then closes the menu again when David asks something~ I found it easily… and it’s alright, I live in Charlottenburg… it’s less than 30 minutes by train, in Berlin, that’s basically around the corner… ~smiles slightly~ You really do live just around the corner from here, don’t you?

David: ~sees that Patrick immediately closes the menu again and briefly wonders if he might still drink cappuccinos~ ~then smiles when he hears that he lives in Charlottenburg, then laughs briefly and nods~ That’s really not far… cool! ~thinks that you can also go the distance to Charlottenburg by bike quite easily~ ~then nods at his question and roughly points in the direction of the flatshare~ Yes, only a few meters in that direction… ~then they get interrupted by the waitress: “Hello, boys, what can I get for you?”~ ~looks up at her~ For me a cappuccino, please! ~smiles and looks at Patrick questioningly~

Patrick: ~is immediately happy that David is happy that he doesn’t live far away and considers this a good sign~ ~then nods when he roughly points toward his apartment~ Yes, cool… ~was just about to ask what the new apartment is like when they get interrupted~ ~grins when David orders a cappuccino~ For me as well, please… ~sees the waitress smile: “Two cappuccini, coming right up” and sees her disappear again~ ~slightly clears his throat~ Listen… I… well to be honest… I know that sounds weird now, especially coming from me… but I actually don’t want us to pretend that nothing is going on… well, smalltalk and so on… I wanted… ~clears his throat again and looks at David directly~ I wanted to apologize for everything. For not saying or doing anything and also for then pretending like nothing was going on. I was… a coward… and… comfortable. I thought I could stay out of it and still be friends with you… When I realized that this wasn’t possible it was already too late… I… well there actually isn’t any justification for it, I just want you to know that I’m really sorry. ~takes a deep breath and is a little scared of his reaction~

David: ~grins slightly when Patrick also orders a cappuccino and briefly looks after the waitress, then leans forward and looks back at Patrick again~ ~considers what he could say and if he should immediately start with the serious topics when Patrick already starts talking~ ~frowns slightly when he starts to talk and then feels his heartbeat speeding up again when he realizes that Patrick immediately wants to talk about the serious things~ ~swallows slightly and presses his lips together, but nods as a sign that he should continue and that they can somehow get this here over with~ ~then hears him immediately apologize and briefly lowes his gaze because he’s overwhelmed~ ~really didn’t expect that after only 3 minutes, but can feel how good it is to hear those words~ ~can feel a small lump in his throat but forces himself to look at Patrick again and to listen to him further~ ~nods slightly when Patrick says that at one point it was too late~ ~sees it similar - that they eventually got to a point where there somehow wasn’t a way to go back~ ~lowers his gaze again and at first doesn’t even know what he could say~ ~swallows slightly, clears his throat and tries to collect himself~ ~then looks up again and says quietly and with a small smile~ Thanks… ~rubs both hands over his face and is glad that he has already talked about the situations from back then with Matteo earlier and that he wasn’t thrown into the deep end without any preparation~ ~takes a deep breath and then nods~ At first I also thought that it would somehow work… that it’s okay. At first, I didn’t really want you to also get affected by any of it… ~slightly shakes his head and can feel that his hands are shaking slightly due to the excitement and the memories of back then~ But the worse it got the weirder it got in the afternoons to pretend as if nothing had happened… and somehow… I couldn’t do it anymore at some point… and I know, I probably should have said something, but I also didn’t want you to have my back only because I told you to, you know? I didn’t want to ask that of you. I somehow wanted you to realize it yourself… maybe that was stupid or naive… I… I definitely also could have said something…

Patrick: ~watches him closely and thinks that he seems to be a little overwhelmed~ ~regrets a little having talked about it so early but simply had to get it off his chest~ ~looks a little surprised when he thanks him~ ~can feel that he’s still pretty nervous and fumbles a little with his hem~ ~holds his breath when David starts talking~ ~thinks how sick it is that all that happened to David without having anyone by his side and that he’s still talking about not wanting to hurt him~ ~shakes his head at the end~ No, David… sorry, but no. There’s nothing you could have said… or should have… As you already said, then I would have stood there because you said so? ~shakes his head~ That isn’t how a friendship works. I shouldn’t have had to think about it at all. I should have screwed all the stress that I had I or that I was afraid of and I should have said something. That’s a fact. ~looks at him~ I can see that you’re doing really well now and I’m really happy about that… and maybe you see some things differently or whatever… are more generous, but I can’t and won’t be as generous with myself, ok? I really screwed up and I know that. ~takes a deep breath~ And I think it’s really great that you give me that chance, but I want you to know that I don’t ask for anything or whatever, okay? You don’t have to forgive me or something. It’s enough that you listen to me.

David: ~looks at him a little surprised when he disagrees, but then realizes what he’s getting at and shrugs a little helpless at his question~ ~then listens to him further and can feel the lump in his throat getting bigger when he’s so passionate about it~ ~wonders how he would have felt if Patrick had already seen it this way back then and now in hindsight, he isn’t even sure if their friendship would have withheld such a strain or if it would have fallen apart because of it as well~ ~swallows and runs a hand over his face again because he’s afraid that the lump might somehow get to his eyes~ ~but then smiles slightly when Patrick says that he can see that he’s doing really good now and realizes that he doesn’t want Patrick to be so incredibly hard with himself~ ~waits until he’s finished and quietly says the first thing that comes to mind~ But I want to forgive you, Patrick. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here… ~slightly shakes his head and smiles a little~ ~says a little disbelievingly~ I never would have thought that you… well that you’d apologize right away… that by now you understood why I retreated… I thought I’d have to explain it first and… ~laughs quietly and shakes his head again~ No idea… I never would have thought that we could be on a level so quickly and so easily… ~takes a deep breath and gets more serious again~ ~hesitates and then asks~ Can you maybe still somehow explain it to me? Was it the fear that they might also attack you? Or what they might think of you if you’re friends with me? Did you… ~briefly lowers his gaze, because the question is actually really stupid, but it’s been bothering him for years~ Were you ashamed of me?

Patrick: ~smiles relieved when David says that he wants to forgive him~ ~listens to him further and then thinks that David, just like he himself, has thought about how he, Patrick, might be now and what he thinks and says and wants to hear and so on~ ~thinks that it’s probably all the better when they are absolutely honest now~ ~laughs slightly when he says the thing about the same level~ Yes, sorry, but I just had to get it off my chest… ~then swallows when David asks his questions~ Well… ~but then gets interrupted by the waitress: “Here you go, guys… enjoy… if you want anything else then just wave.”~ ~returns her smile and then waits until she’s disappeared again~ ~pulls the mug closer and then looks at David~ I was never ashamed of you. Never. I was… a coward, as I said. I was scared. I… ~swallows and reaches for his spoon, but then just holds it in his hand~ And to be honest I just didn’t want to be affected by any of it… that’s no justification at all, but I… there was some stuff going on at home, my father was angry because my math grade went down so much… I was… in love… and I… ~sighs very loudly~ Shit, that sounds really stupid and absolutely ridiculous, but I… I didn’t also want to get into it with the bullies at school. I was just super selfish.

David: ~briefly nods at the waitress and murmurs a “thanks”, but then concentrates on Patrick again, even though he isn’t really sure if he really wants to hear the answer~ ~but knows that it’s important to him so that he can work through all of the crap and to one day put it behind him~ ~plays a little with his fingers nervously and looks at him scrutinizingly at his answer~ ~thinks that he can see that he’s honest and smiles slightly, because all the things Patrick has said don’t really have anything to do with him~ ~realizes only now that the whole thing has also been on his mind as well and that it isn’t so easy for him to talk about it~ ~slightly shakes his head when he says that it sounds stupid and ridiculous~ ~then says quietly and a little out of context when he finishes~ Matteo said that… ~realizes only then that Patrick probably won’t understand it, smiles slightly, shrugs one shoulder and then explains~ He said that maybe you had your own problems… that we all were going through puberty and that apparently everyone has some problems during puberty… ~takes a deep breath~ Well, but when he said that I realized that I never asked about that… that it was always only about me… and I know you want us to talk about the mistakes you made first, and that’s okay… but this is one mistake that /I/ made… I never really asked you how you were doing… ~slightly shakes his head~ I could have figured the thing with your father… but that you were in love… I didn’t even know about that… so once we’re finished with the serious topics I want to know everything… ~grins slightly and a little insecurely, then reaches for his spoon, dips it in the foam and pops it in his mouth~ ~then sighs quietly and then comes back to the actual topic~ I don’t want to say that I can somehow understand that you didn’t also want to get in trouble with them… but I… no idea… we’re all only humans and humans make mistakes, but I think that as long as you can talk about it and understand that it was a mistake and you plan on not letting it get so far again… in that case everyone deserves a second chance, right? ~slightly shrugs one shoulder and looks at him carefully~ ~then adds~ You know, I just want to understand all of this… so that I don’t have to ask myself anymore why all of this happened the way it did back then… so that I can put it behind me one day… or talk about it normally without something surfacing. When it comes to the idiots I’ll probably never get a real answer… but I’m really grateful that you’re willing to give me answers.

Patrick: ~looks at him a little confused when he talks about Matteo~ ~knows that this is his boyfriend, but doesn’t know why he would know anything about him~ ~but then listens to him further and has to smile involuntarily~ Sounds as if you got yourself a pretty empathetic guy… ~slightly shakes his head when he says that he should have asked~ ~says quietly~ You had enough of your own to worry about… ~smiles slightly when he says that he wants to know everything and is really happy about that~ ~sighs slightly when he says that he can’t understand it, but has complete understanding for it~ ~is pretty surprised when he says that everyone makes mistakes~ You too? ~despite everything he always thought that David was pretty good in knowing what was right and to then act upon it~ ~nods relieved and has to grin slightly~ I’m a big fan of second chances… ~but then sighs when David says that he only wants to understand it~ Yes, I get it… when it comes to the idiots… unfortunately, I can’t really tell you much about the others… but whatever you want to know from me: Just hit me with it.

David: ~has to beam a little involuntarily when Patrick talks about Matteo and nods proudly~ Yes, the best! ~but then quickly gets more serious again and only shrugs slightly when he says that he had enough of his own to worry about~ True… but apparently so did you… ~then has to laugh quietly when Patrick ask about his mistake so surprised and groans quietly~ God, sure… a whole lot even… ~also grins at the words about a second chance and nods~ ~says quietly Me too… ~then finally picks up his mug and takes a sip while he keeps listening to Patrick~ ~then briefly thinks when Patrick wants him to ask questions and then asks the first one~ When did you realize it? Well, that our friendship is somehow falling apart? Was there some occurrence or did it sneak up on us? And did you already know back then why it happened? Or did you realize that only later?

Patrick: ~has to smile when David beams so much when he talks about Matteo~ Looks like it… ~also shrugs one shoulder when he says that he had his own stuff to worry about~ ~thinks that comparing it wouldn’t be of any use now~ ~grins slightly when he says that he’s also a fan of second chances~ That’s good… ~then also finally takes a sip of his cappuccino~ ~realizes that he forgot the sugar and adds some now~ ~then hears his question and takes a deep breath~ Phew… well I had an idea for longer, but I only really realized it once you started giving me taciturn answers… you had some excuses why we couldn’t see each other… well, and when you started catching an earlier bus it was pretty obvious… ~then thinks for a moment and finally continues~ And yes, I knew it… I’m no heartless asshole, David… I was aware that my behavior at school was wrong, I just couldn’t help myself… ~looks at him~ But it was never because I somehow shared their opinion or anything, it really wasn’t. Never. On the contrary. I was simply… a coward… ~sighs slightly because that’s the third time he said that and because that somehow still doesn’t feel big enough to make up for his mistakes~ ~but has to admit to himself that this was the reason: his cowardice~

David: ~has to smile a little when Patrick adds sugar to his cappuccino and somehow finds it pretty comforting right now that certain things haven’t changed~ ~then listens to him and nods slightly~ ~grins slightly and shakes his head a little when he says that he’s not a heartless asshole~ ~murmurs quietly~ I know… ~then smiles when he emphasizes again that he doesn’t share the idiots’ opinions and that instead he was only being a coward~ ~but then gets serious again when he realizes that this really seems to weigh on Patrick~ ~says quietly~ That’s important to me… that you… that it wasn’t because of me, you know? That you didn’t act like that because you suddenly couldn’t deal with me anymore. That you… ~slightly shakes his head~ …still don’t care that I’m trans… that you can deal with that fact, that’s what’s important to me… ~then also sighs quietly~ And yes… you were a coward… and yes, it was really super shitty for me back then. Yes, I was alone and yes, I was doing really badly. ~looks at him emphatically~ But we can’t change that now, anyways. And believe me, I already was a coward, as well… a pretty huge coward even. And I hurt people because of it… but what’s really important is that now we know better, isn’t it? And that we’d probably act differently now? ~can only speak for himself when it comes to the latter part, but simply hopes that Patrick might act differently now, as well~

Patrick: ~presses his lips together when he listens to David~ ~hates it that he made him doubt it~ ~hates it that David felt like no one had his back~ ~therefore emphasizes again~ It wasn’t because of you! I never had a problem with you being trans… not at all… you always were my buddy, no matter what… ~looks at him again when he mentions again that you can’t change it anymore and that people make mistakes~ ~doesn’t know if he’s telling him that he was also a coward so that he feels better or because it really happened~ ~somehow can’t imagine that~ You were a coward? Well, I always found you to be really super courageous… ~but then nods immediately at his last question~ Absolutely! I would do it completely differently, definitely! ~sighs a little in relief and takes another sip of his coffee~ ~then looks at David~ ~wonders if it’s already time to move on with the topic and to get more personal and current~ ~says carefully~ By the way, I’m supposed to tell you hi… from Thea… she was in PE with you and she and I were in history together… she was the reason for my being lovesick and for almost 5 months now she’s the reason that I no longer am lovesick. ~smiles slightly~

David: ~smiles when Patrick emphasizes again that it wasn’t because of him and that he’s always been his buddy, because it feels really good to hear that - even though he actually already knew or suspected it, but over time the doubts must have gotten to him~ ~then shrugs slightly at his question about cowardice and says~ A pretty big coward even… ~grins slightly~ If you want to, I’ll tell you the story once we're finished here… ~then hears that Patrick would act differently today to how he did back then and dares to grin a little and make a joke~ I do hope so… who knows if I’d run after you again otherwise… ~then hears him say that he’s supposed to tell him hi and is surprised at first, because he doesn’t know who from~ ~but then immediately knows who Thea is, because he always liked her well and nods, but wonders what she has to do with Patrick~ ~then smiles broadly when he learns that they are together~ Wow! How cool! Oh man, but then she kept you on the tenterhooks for a long time, huh? Definitely tell her hi back. I’m really happy for you two! Great… ~then tilts his head and grins slightly~ Almost 5 months!? When exactly? ~reaches for his mug again and takes a sip~

Patrick: ~looks skeptical again when David emphasizes again that he was a pretty big coward~ ~slightly shakes his head~ ~then also grins~ I’d love to hear that story… ~is surprised at first, but then has to laugh, after all, when he realizes that David made a joke~ No no, that won’t be necessary, believe me… ~then beams broadly when he’s so happy for him~ Yes… true… at first she wasn't so interested… but then she somehow was… ~grins slightly and shrugs one shoulder~ Maybe that’s also a story for later or for another time… ~wonders why he grins like that when he asks for the exact date~ On May 10th… so on Thursday it’ll be exactly 5 months…

David: ~grins happily when Patrick says that it won’t be necessary to run after him again~ That’s good then! ~then looks at him curiously when he starts talking about Thea, but when he then stops, after all~ ~but smiles slightly and nods immediately when he says that he’ll tell him the story later~ ~is glad that he hasn’t taken a sip yet when Patrick tells him his and Thea’s date, puts the mug back down again and laughs quietly~ No way?! ~sees his confused look and only grins again~ Guess who else will have been together for 5 months on Thursday!?

Patrick: ~looks at him confused when he laughs like that~ Why not? ~then hears his question and he needs a second~ ~then has to laugh as well~ No, really? What a coincidence, how cool! ~laughs again and shakes his head~ But you didn’t get together at an Abi-party where he told you that he realized that of all the people, he’ll miss you the most, did he? ~grins slightly~

David: ~nods and has to laugh again together with Patrick when the penny drops~ Sick coincidence, really! ~then listens to him a little amused and immediately shakes his head~ No… we got together as the culmination of my cowardice… ~sighs quietly, gets more serious again and looks at Patrick~ ~is a little nervous again when he finally asks~ We’re done with the serious topics, right? ~smiles slightly and shrugs one shoulder~ So are getting-together-stories and a mutual update of the last 1.5 years okay now?

Patrick: ~slightly tilts his head when he mentions his cowardice again~ Well that sounds mysterious. ~takes a deep breath at his question~ ~then nods slightly and says hesitantly~ Yes, I’d love that… if it’s also okay for you? ~sees David nod and is pretty relieved~ Okay, then I’ll go first and then you… I think in my case, it’s faster… ~grins slightly and then starts~ Well, somehow it started with you. When you went to Berlin, I was pretty upset, because I realized that that was it now… and well, Thea was there and she was a great friend and of course I fell for her even harder. Well and then one day I just kissed her… but she said that she likes me a lot, but only as a friend… naturally, I immediately told her that it’s really okay and let’s be friends and all that…but well, it wasn’t really easy… we still hung out but it was really hard for me… and then there was this Abi party and eventually, Thea came to me and told me that she had to talk to me right now. ~smiles slightly at the memory and plays with his mug~ She started a torrent of words, said that she really didn’t know and that she’s really sorry that she realized it only now, but that she played this stupid game with her friends and that apparently there was this question: Who or what will you miss the most once school is over? And then she realized that it’s me and that she thinks that she’s been in love with me all this time, but that she was scared and that she doesn’t want to be scared anymore and so on… ~beams and shrugs one shoulder~ And then she kissed me and that was it… boom, cloud nine.

David: ~slightly shrugs one shoulder and grins slightly when Patrick says that this sounds mysterious~ ~realizes just then that he’ll probably really have to tell the /entire/ story about his cowardice, but weirdly enough he realizes that he doesn’t mind - that he even wants Patrick to know about all of it~ ~smiles broadly when Patrick agrees that they are finished with the serious topic and realizes that there really is no stupid feeling left and that it helped him that Patrick has immediately apologized and explained that it wasn’t because of him~ ~then laughs quietly when Patrick says that he’ll start and nods~ Okay… ~pulls his mug toward him and takes another sip of cappuccino while he listens to him~ ~when he starts he realizes that he still has questions such as how Patrick has learned that he is in Berlin, but thinks that they can also talk about that at a later point and concentrates on the story again~ ~smiles when he says that Thea was there for him when he wasn’t doing good, grimaces slightly at the respective parts and nods in agreement to other parts~ ~eventually interrupts~ But that’s super difficult, isn’t it? To be friends with someone that you’re actually in love with? ~then hears the end of the story and beams almost as broadly as Patrick, but more because he does, and because he’s happy for him~ Boom - that’s how fast it happens… although… no, that dragged on for several months for you, didn't it? Or years? For how long have you been in love with Thea?

Patrick: ~nods when he asks if it was difficult~ Yes, very… but somehow, well it was also better than not seeing her at all… ~smiles when David beams like that~ Yes, it did drag on… well I’d say since the beginning of the school year? I already found her pretty and so on, but I only really fell in love with her after the summer… ~looks at him~ And you? You haven’t known him for that long, right? Was it love at first sight?

David: ~nods hesitantly at Patrick’s explanation~ Yes, okay, that’s also true… ~counts back in his head to where their friendship stood at the beginning of the school year when Patrick fell in love, and nods hesitantly~ ~murmurs~ It was long… phew… but luckily it still worked out between the two of you… ~empties his cappuccino and can see that Patrick is also almost finished~ ~looks around for the waitress and also looks at Patrick questioningly~ Another one for you as well? ~then hears his questions about Matteo and laughs quietly~ ~slightly shakes his head, but then nods after all~ Somehow it was… I’d rather say: Interested at first sight… But it didn’t fit in with my plan at all… ~sighs quietly, leans his elbows on the table and absentmindedly runs his hands over the back of his neck while he thinks about where he should start~ ~decides to also tell him the serious part of the story and finally says hesitantly~ When I came to Berlin, I actually only wanted to get through Abi quickly… I didn’t want anyone at school learning that I was trans and at that point in time that was already possible. You couldn’t really tell anymore… I just thought that if anyone knows about it then it will go around and then everything will start all over again, and I was really scared of that. So I didn’t want to be close friends with anyone and most of all, I didn’t want to fall in love… ~laughs quietly~ At least that was the plan… and then came Matteo… and he was pretty persistent.

Patrick: ~smiles slightly~ Yes, thank God… my plan actually was: Go to Berlin and to then hopefully get over her… ~nods immediately when he asks if he wants another one and is happy that David obviously still wants to stay~ Yes, I’d love that… ~smiles slightly when he says interested at first sight and finds it a good way of expressing it~ ~then listens to him and immediately gets serious~ ~can understand it so much that he just wanted to get through school~ ~but also feels incredibly sorry~ ~says quietly~ I can understand that… ~but then smiles when he nods~ Sounds as if him staying persistent was necessary. ~then sees the waitress and waves her over~ Two more of these, please…

David: ~looks at Patrick a little contrite~ Oh yes, right… that sucks. Are you two in a long-distance relationship now? What is she doing now after Abi? Studying or an apprenticeship? ~is happy that Patrick also wants another cappuccino and keeps an eye out for the waitress~ ~but can’t really see her and therefore tells his story first~ ~nos at Patrick’s suspicion~ Yes, I think so… I don’t know if we would have made it without his persistence… ~smiles slightly when Patrick orders for them, collects himself for a moment and then continues~ Anyways, he kept chatting me up and we started talking and hung out together for the first time… and it was really nice, but in between my fear and cowardice reared its head again. For example, I just left at one of the meetings. I just panicked because I could feel that I was about to fall in love with him… or I just didn’t reply to his messages to not let him get close… that was really cowardly and mean of me… ~sighs quietly, then smiles slightly and shrugs one shoulder~ Well, but eventually we did kiss for the first time… but at that point I still wasn’t out to anyone.

Patrick: ~tilts his head slightly when he hears his question~ Kind of… she lives in Potsdam, she does an apprenticeship to become an occupational therapist. But luckily you’re in Potsdam relatively quickly. ~then listens to him further and is really surprised how David has obviously kept Matteo at a distance~ ~finds it really remarkable that he still kept at it~ Wow, well… that means… Matteo wasn’t put off by you showing him the cold shoulder? ~grins slightly when he sighs when he tells him about the first kiss~ Well, a first kiss is anything but keeping someone at a distance… and then? Was that when you told him?

David: ~smiles relieved when Patrick mentions Potsdam~ The distance to there is okay… better than Lychen… or somewhere else… ~then nods slightly~ Occupational therapy… that somehow suits her… ~then concentrates on Matteo and their story again~ ~laughs quietly at his question and shakes his head~ No, luckily that wasn’t the case… ~shrugs one shoulder when he asks about their first kiss~ Eventually I figured: Screw it! Let’s just see where it leads to… you know, at that point in time he still had a girlfriend and… I don’t know… I just wanted to experience at least once what it feels like to kiss someone… for once, I just didn’t want to think about the fact that it could get complicated… ~then groans quietly at his question and shakes his head~ I told you, I was a really big coward… ~sighs briefly~ No, we then spent the weekend more or less in his bed. With making out, cuddling and a lot of talking… Sunday night I went back home again, because I really had to get rid of the stupid binder and because somehow I also had to calm back down. I thought of a thousand scenarios when and how to tell him… but somehow I just couldn’t do it. I was so scared that this would be it, you know? That he wouldn’t want anything to do with me anymore once he knows it… and also that word gets around in school and that everything will start anew… we met once again after the weekend. That’s when he told me that he broke up with his girlfriend and more or less in a roundabout way that he fell in love with me… and that’s when it was somehow really game over for me because I knew that I /had/ to tell him. But I panicked even more knowing that I /had/ to do it and… ~exhales and feels a small lump in his throat again when he remembers how stupid he was and how much he has hurt Matteo~ I distanced myself again. First I told him that it’s going too fast for me and that I need time… and then he stood in front of my door and wanted to talk and then I told him to leave me alone and… that I wasn’t interested in him… ~carefully looks up at Patrick, because he isn’t sure what Patrick will think of him after hearing the story~

Patrick: ~only nods and smiles slightly when David says that this suits Thea~ ~thinks so too, but wants to concentrate on his story now~ ~realizes while listening how hard it must have been and how much the time in Lychen must have left its mark~ ~says quietly~ Oh man, David… ~then sees David looking at him carefully and swallows slightly~ Well, to me it sounds as if you were still in the middle of dealing with the trauma of the idiots at our old school… I can totally understand that it was super hard for you to get close to someone, and then also this intimately… ~sighs slightly~ That really must have been a rollercoaster of feelings for you… ~doesn’t think of Matteo at that moment and about how shitty it must have been for him, because he’s only with David~ But if you told him that you’re not into him, then how did you get together in the end? I mean you obviously changed your mind, but why? And how?

David: ~nods hesitantly when Patrick talks about dealing with the trauma and thinks a little bitterly that to some extent that’s still the case today… that you probably won’t get rid of a diagnosed posttraumatic stress disorder just like that, which can be seen by the fact how hard it still is for him to talk about what happened in Fürstenberg and Lychen~ ~smiles slightly but relieved and grateful when Patrick says that he understands him~ ~therefore it’s easier for him to continue talking because he can feel that he doesn’t judge him~ Well… so I somehow never had the perfect plan of how I’d tell him… I somehow heard that he was feeling really awful after my message and I wanted to somehow tell him that it wasn’t because of him but because of me… and I started to send him sketches… ~slightly shakes his head and laughs a little bitterly~ Also completely without a plan somehow… I was just really desperate. ~sighs~ Eventually I got a message from him telling me to stop sending him messages if I don’t want to be with him. And then I didn’t think about it for long and just went to see him. Once I was there I somehow lost my courage again, but Matteo was so… ~slightly shakes his head and shrugs one shoulder~ …no idea, loving, but also desperate and a little angry. And that’s when I somehow knew that if I don’t tell him now, then that would truly be it. ~they get their cappuccinos and he’s a little grateful for the brief break~ ~pulls his mug closer and continues talking after the waitress has disappeared again~ Matteo was… overwhelmed? I don’t know… he barely said anything… so nothing negative, either, or anything… really almost nothing… I left and thought that was it. And a few days later he called me and wanted to pick me up from school after the math exam… ~laughs slightly~ I’ve never been as nervous during a math exam as I was that day…

Patrick: ~keeps listening to him~ ~grimaces a little compassionately when he says that Matteo was feeling awful~ ~thinks about Matteo for the first time and how it must feel if you don’t have any idea why the guy you made out with and talked to suddenly gives you the cold shoulder~ ~says quietly~ Must be hard to be rejected by you… ~then smiles slightly when he says that he sent him sketches~ Not bad… romantic… ~but then nods when he says that Matteo eventually gave him an ultimatum~ I can also understand that somehow… ~curses the waitress when she arrives at exactly the moment where it gets exciting and when David must have come out to Matteo~ ~quickly pulls the mug toward him and then looks at him curiously again~ ~hears that Matteo somehow didn’t react at all~ ~grimaces at first~ ~hopes that hit wasn’t too difficult for him~ ~then hears that he reached out and smiles~ Oh, please, tell me that it worked then… no, hang on, the exams were already finished on the 10th of May, right? ~slightly tilts his head~ What happened?

David: ~nods slightly when Patrick says that he can understand the thing with the ultimatum and murmurs~ Me too… and basically it was just what I needed… otherwise I probably never would have come out and would have continued to hide… ~slightly shakes his head when Patrick asks if it worked out after that and leans back in resignation~ Nooo… that’s when the real catastrophe hit… ~lowers his gaze and quickly tells him~ A few days earlier, I had an argument with our PE teacher… he wanted to grade me like a girl, because at that time, that’s what it said in my ID… anyways… ~looks at him again~ Someone filmed that argument and on the aforementioned day, he posted it to our years’ WhatsApp group… and that basically outed me in front of the entire school. ~slightly shakes his head~ I only saw red… I only wanted to get aways… I left Matteo standing there, I didn’t react to anyone… and I went to Bea’s… ~slightly presses his lips together and adds quietly~ David Schreibner, the biggest coward, part 3084…

Patrick: ~looks at him in shock when he tells him that then the real catastrophe came~ ~holds his breath when he listens to him~ Oh, fuck! ~can understand how bad that must have been for David~ ~shakes his head when he refers to himself as a coward~ Why a coward? You protected yourself. You thought that it would start all over again. I don’t think that’s being a coward… ~looks at him compassionately~ Was Bea able to help you?

David: ~slightly presses his lips together again when Patrick says that he wasn’t a coward and shakes his head~ ~says quietly~ When it came to Matteo, I was a coward again. I didn’t talk to him yet again, and instead I retreated. Yes, because I panicked that everything would start all over again… but… I still should have talked to him. He tried to reach me… ~shrugs one shoulder when he asks about Bea and grins slightly~ You know her… it was a mix between: “I’ll let the boy calm down” and “I’m outraged together with him” and a weird voice of reason… she gets that one out really rarely, but when it was about me having to go back to Berlin to do my PE exam so that I wouldn’t have to repeat the school year, she was really good at getting that voice out and for a brief moment, I really believed it myself that i could still do it - to go to that exam. To just grit my teeth and do it, I thought… ~sighs heavily~ …at least until I was back in Berlin again. Then I panicked again and thought that I couldn’t do it… I hid again… Laura told Matteo that I didn’t come home and Matteo tried to reach me again… ~takes a sip of cappuccino before he finishes~ On Friday evening… after the PE exam happened without me… I recorded a voice message for Matteo with a little hint of where I was… and half an hour later he stood in front of me… ~smiles slightly~ That was on the 10th of May. He told me that there are so many people who have my back and that I have all the time in the world. That he’s here now and that therefore it won’t be the same as at the old school. That I’m not alone… ~smiles a little more~ …and that he loves me… ~then grins slightly and shrugs one shoulder~ The End!

Patrick: ~grimaces a little again when he tells him how Matteo tried to reach him~ ~somehow he feels sorry for both of them~ ~then smiles slightly when he talks about Bea~ Yes, that sounds like her… ~also sighs when he tells him that he didn’t make it to the exam~ I wouldn’t have been able to, either… especially with that asshole teacher… ~also takes a sip when David does~ ~then smiles slightly when he says that he gave Matteo a hint about where he was~ You wanted him to find you, didn’t you? ~then smiles wider when he says that then Matteo was there and all the great things that he said~ ~then exhales audibly when David announces the end~ Man, man, what a story, Schreibi. You could really make a movie out of it. ~smiles slightly~ But now for real: Your Matteo seems to be a really great guy, he never really gave up… and he kept showing that you can count on him… and I think it’s super brave of you that you got past your fear. ~nods again~ Really nice. You guys basically found each other so to speak.

David: ~laughs quietly at Patrick’s question and slightly shrugs one shoulder~ Somehow I did, yes. I didn’t really have a plan of how I wanted to continue, but… I just wanted him to finally be with me… ~grins when Patrick exhales when the story reached its end and can feel his heart do a little jump when he calls him “Schreibi” again like he used to do in the past~ ~shakes his head a little when he says that you could turn the story into a movie and grins~ Too much drama… then the people would eventually get annoyed at why the protagonists make it so difficult for themselves… ~then beams when he talks about Matteo and nods proudly~ Like I said, he’s the best… ~laughs quietly~ You just must not tell him all too often - otherwise it’ll get to his head… ~takes another sip of cappuccino and then adds~ Well, and he really is right: Most people from our year really had my back… first of all his friends. With some of them I’m really good friends now… ~puts the mug back down~ …I somehow also had to get used to it first… well, that people really want to be friends with me even though they know that I’m trans… ~grins slightly~ And that people ask questions about the topic because they are really interested in it… and not just because they somehow want to provoke or attack me…

Patrick: ~laughs slightly~ I can understand that… if you’re in love then you don’t always have a plan… ~then laughs when he says that this would be too much drama~ Yes, that’s also true… but the people would really dig the happy end… ~laughs when he says that Matteo is the best~ Sounds just like it… I’m already looking forward to meeting him one day… ~then realizes that he assumes there’s another meeting and quickly backpedals a little~ Well, if you want to… one day… ~then hears him talking about his new year and his new friends and can feel this stab~ ~wishes that he would also have been able to give him that experience~ You deserve this, David. Really. I’m so happy for you, that you have such a great life here. Really.

David: ~grins satisfied~ Yes, the happy end wasn’t bad! But for you two, it wasn’t either… ~then remembers something and has to laugh a little~ Our roommate’s boyfriend has this thing for getting-together-stories… and his favorite ones are hate-to-love ones and friendship-to-love stories… so if you’ll ever meet Michi, then you can definitely gain some points with him if you tell him Thea and your story! ~looks at Patrick when he’s so serious when he says that he deserves this great life here and smiles slightly~ ~can imagine that he feels partly responsible for not having this life in Fürstenberg and Lychen~ ~says quietly~ Hey… even if this thing with us had worked out over the last two years… the idiots still wouldn’t have stopped… that was just… a difficult fucked up time… ~then smiles broadly when Patrick says that he’s already looking forward to meeting Matteo, but then gets a little more serious and insecure when he backpedals~ ~is quiet for a moment and then says quietly~ I think it would be nice if you got to meet Matteo… and I’d be happy to see Thea again one day… ~takes a deep breath~ But most of all… most of all, I want the two of us… no idea… that we’ll somehow manage it again…? That we’ll be in more contact again and that we’ll see each other more often… ~laughs quietly but also insecurely~ I mean, since we both ended up in Berlin… we somehow have to make use of that, don’t we? And it’s… okay, the start was hard and weird, but this just now… that was a little bit like it used to be in the past, wasn’t it?

Patrick: ~grins when he talks about the roommate~ That sounds exciting… ~then looks at him gratefully when he wants to reassure him~ Thanks… but… still, I at least could have given you the feeling of not being alone. ~then looks at him in anticipation when he’s quiet and is scared that he said something wrong~ ~but then smiles broadly when he speaks~ Thea would also be happy… ~then presses his lips together and nods immediately~ I want that, too… very much. ~then also laughs quietly when he does~ I think the opportunity is very convenient. And even if the start was hard and weird, I think that we managed it quite well, didn’t we? So it was a good fresh start… ~then smiles~ Yes, somehow it really was a little like it used to be… I’m really happy that we somehow haven’t lost that…

David: ~lowers his gaze a little and shrugs, because Patrick is right, of course, that he wouldn’t have felt quite as alone if he had been there~ ~then sighs quietly and shakes his head~ Let’s just put it behind us, okay? We can’t change it anymore, anyways… and what's important is that I’m doing better now… ~smiles slightly when Patrick says that Thea would also be happy and smiles even more when Patrick admits that he also wants them to have more contact again~ ~laughs quietly and nods in agreement~ We managed it really well! ~leans back, takes a deep breath and then smiles pretty broadly~ I was so excited and nervous before our meeting… and now it feels a little as if hardly any time has passed since the last time we talked… that’s really pretty cool! ~leans over again and grins a little~ And now I want to know everything about your new side job and if you’re really allowed to test the latest games all the time!

Patrick: ~tells David about his side job and how cool it is and how much they already let him do~ ~hopes that he can be even more involved in the development and is really enthusiastic about it~ ~then they start talking about the latest Jim Jarmusch movie and they talk about whether or not it’s good or bad~ ~they have ordered some more beverages in between~ ~they are now talking about different actors~ ~he’s just rambling about the fact that Brad Pitt is way too overrated when David’s phone beeps~ ~laughs slightly because it somehow fit the situation and managed to underline his argument~ Feel free to check your phone… ~reaches for his glass and takes a sip~

David: ~is pretty happy for Patrick that he found such a cool side job in which he flourishes so much~ ~isn’t surprised that they let him do a lot, because he doesn’t know anyone who’s so fit when it comes to programming as he is~ ~doesn’t really notice the time flying by and they go from one topic to the next~ ~feels pretty comfortable and feels like Patrick hasn’t changed a bit~ ~then eventually hears his phone beep and also has to laugh slightly because the beeping seems like a conclusion~ ~reaches for his phone and smiles immediately when he sees that Matteo has texted him~ ~when he opens the messages he sees that Matteo has already texted him twice and feels a little bad for not hearing it the first time~ ~reads the two messages and frowns slightly at the second one, while he checks the time at the same time~ ~looks at Patrick and laughs quietly~ Woah! It’s already past 6! Sick! ~then considers briefly and looks between his phone and Patrick~ ~eventually says~ Hmmm… Matteo is starting dinner now. Do you maybe want to join us? Then you’ll also get to meet him…

Patrick: ~laughs when David is so surprised when he announces the time~ Yes, sick… the last two hours somehow went by really quickly… ~looks at him questioningly when he hesitates like that~ ~then looks surprised when he invites him~ Oh, wow… yes, sure, I’d love to… well, if that’s really okay for you?

David: ~gives Patrick the secretary’s-office-look at his question and laughs quietly~ If it weren’t okay, then I wouldn’t have asked… ~points his head to the phone and says~ I’ll just quickly text Matteo that you’ll come along and that he should cook more… and that we’ll leave here in a minute… but I think we can still take our time with finishing our beverages… ~smiles slightly and then quickly replies~ ~apologizes for having seen the first text only now and mentions briefly that it’s going really well and that they completely have lost track of time while talking, but that he’s also looking forward to seeing him again now~ ~sends the message, looks back at Patrick, and grins~ ~then admits~ Okay, now I’m a little bit nervous again, after all… old world meets new world… Lychen meets Berlin… woah!

Patrick: ~laughs when he gets the look~ Yes, okay… sorry… ~then nods when he says that he’ll text Matteo~ But he shouldn’t go overboard, I’ll also eat the leftovers or whatever… ~grins when David also grins~ ~then tilts his head when he says that he’s nervous~ Are you scared that he won’t like me or me him?

David: ~slightly shakes his head at Patrick’s worry and murmurs while typing~ Matteo loves to cook… and he’s pretty good at it… I think that won’t be too much trouble whether or not he makes more food or less… ~then finishes typing and puts the phone back on the table~ ~tilts his head at his question, laughs quietly and shakes his head~ Neither one… no idea. It’s probably really more the mix of both worlds. The first time Matteo came along to Fürstenberg and Lychen, I was also nervous… but in an unpleasant way.

Patrick: ~nods slowly when David explains why he’s nervous~ I can understand that… ~takes a sip from his glass~ You probably don’t like going back there, anyways, do you? And then with the new boyfriend… I can understand that this was an uncomfortable feeling… ~takes the last sip of his cappuccino~ I’d ask how it went, but I think we have to go, don’t we?

David: ~empties his glass when Patrick asks and slightly shakes his head~ Not so much… with my father it’s still not so easy… to put it nicely… ~shrugs one shoulder~ ~then sees that Patrick is also finished and waves to a waitress so that they can pay~ ~smiles slightly at his question and nods~ I’ll just tell you on the way… ~they pay quite quickly and then they leave to walk the short distance to the flatshare~