Told

Date/Timing: 8 November 2008
Setting: Hermann's room; Oxford, England, United Kingdom
.
Hermann throws a nervous glance over his shoulder.
Water /shushes in the the washroom, carrying with it an undertone of song: "Pretty Boys", if he's not mistaken.
He takes a deep breath and prods his mobile to make the connection.
„„Gottlieb,““ yawns Sabine.
Hermann startles, regroups. „Good morning. It's Hermann.“
„„'morning, Hermann. He's getting dressed and'll be just another moment.““
„Thanks, Sabine.“ Rubs his neck. „It, uh, sounds like you might not have slept well?“
She laughs. „„The opposite actually. Dee-two-point-oh has decided me sleeping is a /good thing. So good, it's tough to wake up.““
Hermann chuckles, „I suppose that's an improvement.“
„„Believe me, it /definitely is.““
A squawk—
„„Hey, Manny““, greets Dee.
Distantly, Sabine calls, „„'bye, Hermann!““
„'bye, Sabine.“ Swallows. „Good morning. Um, I— His throat closes on the words.“
„„Manny, are you alright? What's going on?““
„Dee ... I told him.“
A too-long pause.
„„You did.““
„I did.“
„„May I ... may I ask why?““
Hermann pulls trembling wings closer to himself. „We've been getting—“ Voice drops to a whisper, „—um, 'intimate' and he was going to find out sooner or later so I wanted to tell him on my own terms and—“ Swallows again. „—and I trust him.“
„„His reaction?““
„Like it was nothing. As if I'd only dyed my hair.“
„„Where is he now?““
Hermann's heart sinks. „He's in the shower. Dee, what—“
„„I'm sorry. I only want to make sure he's—““
Hermann ruffles. „He's what, Dee?“
A deep breath. „„Safe. You remember Father's warnings—““
„I do. I trust him not to tell a soul, with my life.“
„„Well““, says Dee and there's a smile in his voice, „„I did always say you'd find someone with whom to share everything.““
Hermann wipes a tearing eye. „I never believed you.“
„„No, you never did. So, what have we learned from this experience, hmm?““
„I've learned my big brother is always right.“
„That's right. I am.“
Category:Ficlet
Category:Oxford (setting)
Category:Hermann
Category:Hermann's POV
Category:Hermann (ficlet)
Category:Hermann has wings
Category:Edan (mention)
Category:Sabine
Category:Sabine (ficlet)
Category:Dietrich
Category:Dietrich (ficlet)
Category:Emma (mention)
Category:Lars (mention)
Category:Ficlets with images
Category:Au Pairs (reference)