Pride of the Veld

his lips just enough to encourage Geo to slide his tongue into his mouth. The sweetness of jam still lingered.
    Geo drew back, and Danie shifted down slightly so he could settle his head over Geo’s heart. He listened to it beating as Geo gently stroked fingers through his hair. He was almost asleep when a knock sounded at the door.
    Geo kept a firm hand on Danie’s back, keeping him from moving away, before calling out, “Enter!”
    Danie had never allowed himself to visit Geo in his room in the lodge. In the early morning hours he figured it was safe enough― he’d missed Geo desperately, and so much had happened between them that needed to be discussed. But with every opportunity that presented itself to call or see Geo, circumstances, or more likely George Christiansen, had kept them apart.
    So as he had passed Geo’s door on the way to his own room, he couldn’t resist. He’d sat there staring at the man, watching the moonlight throw light across his face. After Geo finally rolled over on his side after five in the morning, Danie had slipped away again. Now, here he was on the man’s bed, wrapped in his arms, and the idiot was inviting to world to witness his rebellion first hand.
    It was Baruti. “Excuse me, sirs. After this morning, I thought it best to bring this man straight to you. Your grandfather is in his study.” He smiled briefly before waving in their guest and shutting the door behind him as he left.
    Andrea stood, looking better than ever to Danie’s eyes.
    ****
    Geo felt his breath leave his lungs. Hope struggled with a fear so feral it ravaged the edges of his sanity. He tore his eyes away from the man standing silent and so very close again. Danie looked up at him, the question was in his eyes, too, but no anger, no disappointment or jealousy― just love.
    Could this be possible, Geo wondered. Was this connection between the three of them real? They’d only really had hours together, under the most extreme circumstances. Psychologists had names for things like this, none of them particularly flattering.
    He knew he loved Danie, had loved him for years. Each parting under the gaze of Oupa had been heartbreaking in its silence; just Danie carrying his bags to the plane, a brief squeeze of fingers as Danie handed them over.
    He would live, holding his breath, until the next summer, when he’d feel the overwhelming need burn bright again. Stepping into baggage claim, hoping to see Danie there, but inevitably finding Oupa; the man who would scoop him up into the air no matter how tall he’d gotten.
    He’d lived entire lifetimes in seconds. His whole relationship with Danie stretched and retracted like one of Einstein’s rubber bands. So, was the attraction to Andrea any different?
    Certainly not for him, but, honestly, he knew almost nothing beyond the man’s heart. A heart that represented a new wilderness for Geo to explore. And, as with every other adventure over the last few years, Danie was by his side. Geo had already burned the bridges keeping him securely anchored in his old life. All he knew was that Danie was there, getting ready to fall off the edge of the world with him.
    He lifted his arms at the same moment as Danie, welcoming Andrea home.
    …to be continued.