Niko kept getting more and more impatient waiting at the locked door. Bernie told him to meet him at his apartment in Middle Park West. Knowing him, Niko thought it was nothing more than him wanting to spend some more time together. But why at his apartment specifically?
The door finally opens, revealing Bernie in his regular attire, black pea coat over a striped shirt and black jeans. He greeted Niko warmly.
"Niko! Please, come in."
Niko followed him into the living room. "What's going on?"
"Ah, nothing in particular..."
"Really?"
"Yes, but I need to talk to you." Bernie then waved his hand at the couch. "Take a seat."
Niko did as he was told. Together with the throw pillows, the couch ended up being way more comfortable than it looked. He stretched himself a little on it.
"Niko, ever since that night you burst into my apartment and tried to kill me, I just kept thinking about you..."
"I really don't like where this is going." Niko chuckled lightly.
"No, no, no! It's nothing like that!"
"I'm listening..."
"Back in the war, we were all angry young boys that wanted to make a change." Niko nodded approvingly. "And then... there was you! Everyone was like 'How did this girl get in here? Her place is not in the army!' You were always different."
"Yeah, alright. What are you trying to say by this?"
"I totally get you, I came here to be myself. And, you see, ever since I came here, I interacted with all sorts of people, many of which were just like me... And others were just like you!"
"Oh!" Niko knew for a fact he wasn't alone within his identity, especially in a country like the United States.
"And before I say anything else..." Bernie reached at the coffee table and grabbed the gift bag laying on it. "...a gift from me." he said as he handed it to Niko.
"Wow, so the Infernus wasn't enough? Thanks."
"Don't get me wrong, this is just out of pure friendship. I'm sure you're gonna love it." He then signaled to Niko that it is okay to see what is inside.
He reluctantly opened the bag. Inside he saw some neatly-folded fabric, one half blue, the other pink. "What even is this?" he asked himself. The texture was too unusual to be clothing.
"Come on, take it out!"
Niko took the fabric out of the bag. It was very smooth to the touch. He quickly eyed his friend in slight embarrassment and began to unfold it. "Is this..." The realization hit him like a train going at full speed.
"Oh my God, it is!" Five horizontal stripes - two blue, two pink and one white - the transgender pride flag. A rather big one, just the right size to hang on a pole on your house just like everyone does with the American flag it seemed.
He started laughing coarsely and flapping his hands. "I-I am so sorry you ha-have to see me like this. J-jebati..." He got flustered quickly.
