After Darkness

*16. The date*

The two woke up still in a romance mood. For a very short time, Krist didn't suggest that they forget about the date and stay home all day, watching TV and doing nothing but kissing. Krist was addicted to Gawin. That was the best thing that had happened in his life, and he wanted to enjoy every second with him, because he knew that good things didn't last forever.

But it was important to Gawin that they get out, talk. He liked that sort of thing and Krist was cool with it. He knew he would be remembering every second with the boy later. The feeling of liking someone was so good and enveloping that Krist was afraid he would explode.

Gawin didn't live too far away and had gone home to shower and change. Krist would have offered an outfit of his own, but he wasn't sure he had any shorts or pants that would fit Gawin's huge size. Just remembering the boy's arms around him, Krist already felt his body tremble. He felt so protected in the embraces of the tallest.

An hour later, Gawin showed up at Krist's house, now all dressed up and smelling good. The two exchanged a quick kiss, calmer this time. It sounded so natural, Krist wondered how he hadn't realized his feelings for the other before. It was so funny how some things seem obvious only after you realize them. His feelings for Gawin were one of those things.

The two were talking about banal things, like college, friendships and the theater group. It was so easy to talk to Gawin, Krist thought.

"Do you think we're really going to perform in a public place?" Gawin asked.

"Now that we're recognized as a real college club, we're entitled to play in the college theater. But as the spot is in demand, we need to book far in advance and Neo is afraid to book and we won't be ready for our debut by the time."

"Anyway, we have to start performing at some point, don't we? I imagine it must be frustrating to rehearse so much for anyone."

"Speak for yourself! I get nervous just thinking about performing on a real stage," Krist admitted.

"Why are you so nervous if you're so good at acting?" Gawin asked, genuinely curious. He wasn't kidding or just saying that because he had feelings for Krist. Anyone who understood anything about acting could tell that Krist was one of the best actors in that group.

"No need to praise me..."

"It's not a matter of needing it... You're an excellent actor. I'm telling the truth."

Krist didn't know how to respond. It's always very strange to receive compliments, even more in that gratuitous way. People are always used to talking about mistakes or about things they don't like about you, but compliments are rare. And Krist dealt with that at home too. His mother always pointed out his mistakes or the things she wanted him to change, but she never praised any characteristic or behavior that she liked about him.

"Tell me more about this restaurant where we're going to eat," Krist decided to change the subject. He was afraid that Gawin would insist on the compliments and that it would get awkward, but the boy seems to have taken the hint.

Gawin said that the restaurant had always been his place, something he discovered on his own after the latest events. One of the main reasons the place was special was that the food had a homey taste, and Gawin missed his parents' cooking, especially his father who is a cooker. Another reason was that he was always frequented by peculiar people, which made him keep creating stories for those people. The information made Krist smile.

"I'm serious. I've never seen a place with such peculiar customers. So I make up stories for them, heartbreaks or disappointments at work, if these people seem sad or distressed, or the arrival of a baby or some achievement in college, if they they look happy and excited. It's fun!"