After Darkness

*12. The gift*

Friday dawned cloudy, which was a big turn-off for Krist to get out of bed and head to college. He and New still weren't on speaking terms, and although New wasn't throwing dirty looks at him every minute, Krist had doubts that the time for them to be okay again was approaching.

Without his best friend available, the only person who really excited Krist to get out of bed and go to college was Gawin. The two didn't see each other every day, and since they would see each other on Saturday because of drama club, it was hard to believe they would see each other that day. One thing he had to learn quickly about Gawin is that some days he was in mourning, some days he was fighting. On days when Gawin was in mourning, it was hard to get him excited about anything.

Not that this feeling was foreign to Krist. At that moment, for example, he was struggling to get out of bed and go to college. In the end, a sense of duty got the better of his discouragement and he went to the shower before he changed his mind.

The day was not very good for the couples. Off and Gun had gotten into a fight the night before, as Krist found out as soon as he arrived at the uni. Gun was in one of the worst moods he had ever seen in his life and Off was not with him, which was strange.

"Where's Off?"

"He could be dead as far as I'm concerned," Gun's response was dry. Krist looked at his friend in astonishment. Even when the couple fought, they usually made up the next morning before they even got to college.

"What happened?"

"He happened to ask me what I think about opening up our relationship."

One of Off's worst moves in that relationship, Krist thought, not really knowing how to respond. If there was one thing anyone who knew a little about Gun would know, it was that he would never be in an open relationship. But Krist also thought he could just deny the request and move on with his life. But to say that, at that moment, would be a death sentence.

Faced with Krist's silence, Gun decided to continue:

"I would never agree to share Off with anyone. Not even if that third person was the hottest guy in the world. He knows that. Where is this need to meet other people coming from? Am I not enough for him anymore?"

"Maybe he just wants to try new things," Krist ventured, feeling it would be safe to say something. Prolonged silence in the face of Gun's outburst could also be a death sentence.

"So, his love for me is no longer enough?"

"Maybe it's not that simple. You already denied it, why keep fighting?"

"Because he said I only think about my needs." Gun wrung that confession from deep within his core.

After all, there was more to it than just a request to open up a relationship. Krist thought Off was right to communicate that he wanted to open up the relationship, but he had no right to want to force Gun into something like that if Gun was going to be uncomfortable. Relationships are always so stressful.

"And what did you answer?"

"I didn't answer. I freaked out, started screaming, it was a mess. I don't know if I overreacted."

"Just remember that you shouldn't do anything you're not comfortable with, okay? Not even for Off."

The two continued talking for a while before heading to class. Krist, Mike, Off, Gun and New took the same class that day, which only made the situation more uncomfortable. Gun and Krist sat together, while Off and New paired up and Mike decided to sit with other friends, perhaps not wanting to take sides.