Alter Ego [Karlnap]

The Telling of Stories

2-6 Catharsis

Sapnap finished his book, starting a new one. After a while of reading and being here in this nameless place, he noticed he was growing close to the end of the shelves. He started on a new book, a novel called 'First Love' by Ivan Turgenev. 

He was more interested in Karl today, though. Sapnap found him in the room with the beds again, sitting at the end and motioning for Sapnap to lie down. Of course he was just as shy to do so as always, but did so nevertheless.

"You know, I think we should change things up a bit. I did all the talking last time, remember? Now it's your turn," Karl placed a hand on Sapnap's thigh to comfort him, but it just made him more nervous.

"Tell me all the fears you usually can't disclose. Talking to someone quite helped me, I'm sure it's important for you to put feelings into words, too."

"The more details you tell me, the better I can interpret them. Don't worry, your secrets are safe here with me," he giggled, "what's said here, stays here. I won't tell."

"So tell me... what's bothering you?"

Sapnap looked up at Karl, starting to play with his hoodie strings. He never once broke eye contact.

"I don't know."

Karl placed a hand on the one that was fidgeting with his clothes, bringing it closer to him and placing a barely noticeable kiss on Sapnap's fingers.

"Ahh... I feel as though I have learned a lot about you. I'll tell you what I've gathered," Karl smiled, Sapnap's heart fluttered.

"Your obvious conflict is, 'who am I?' At a waypoint, I get the impression that you are still on your way. Little by little, throughout your ongoing journey, you will come to learn who you really are. If you simply don't trust me yet, then set your mind at ease. I vow that I will never breathe a word of what you say to me to anyone else."

"I really do hope you will find it in you to tell me exactly what it is you think or feel. Set your words free," Karl squeezed his thigh.

"How does it feel to get it all off your chest? Better?"

Sapnap sat up, now sitting leg against leg next to Karl, nodding.

"Baring your thoughts to another can help to get them in order. That's how it was for me, anyway. I think... I'm close to an answer," Karl showed signs of excitement, though minimal.

"If I can just come up with my own answer... I'll... be all right. We're done for the day."

Karl went to stand, but Sapnap gently tugged him back down to the bed.

"Karl... I..." he trailed off, looking into the gray eyes of the other.

Karl encouraged him to go on with a hand on his. Instead of finishing whatever he was going to say, he leaned in and placed his lips on Karl's. It startled Karl at first, after all, he gave the impression of being either unfamiliar with anything to do with romance or just repulsed by it.

But he leaned into the kiss, and didn't pull away even for a second, even going out of his way to chase Sapnap for another one. They pulled apart, both awestruck by their actions. Karl smiled and stood, leaving the room without a word spoken.

Sapnap was a bit worried that Karl may have disliked it, but based on his initial reaction, he assumed he didn't mind at least. Sapnap was over the moon.