2400 AD

This was the longest journey Gideon had ever undertaken.

He accepted being the weakest kid on the block, and a target for bullies, both at school, on the playground and during his adolescent years. Bullies were a dime a dozen. He took self-defense lessons in Kung Fu and boxing. It wasn’t forced upon him. He’d done so willingly.

He fell in love and it was no big surprise to anyone that it was another man. Sexual discrimination was not part of society since the 23rd century. Love was love and religions had changed their doctrines over time to embrace love across all sexual preferences.

He had made bad choices, like being conscripted into the security team of Xenocon for a time. He learnt that hate was a huge part of the Xenocon mission, hate disguised as love for all citizens. But that was a front, and when he opened his eyes, he realized it wasn’t too late to change sides.

But this walk to Callum’s apartment eight floors below ground was by far the longest journey of all.

He stood at the panel outside and Connie answered. “Good evening, Gideon. Callum is not expecting you. Shall I make him aware that you are here?”

Gideon wanted to turn back. He could wait for another time, but this was important. He needed to get his feelings off his chest.

“If you will, thank you.”

A few seconds later the panel slid open.

Gideon welcomed him with a handshake. “Welcome to my humble abode, come in and make yourself comfortable,” he said, leading him into the lounge. “Cleo and I are enjoying a homemade meal, care to join us?”

Gideon’s heart skipped a beat. His intention had been to get this over with and not revisit the journey again.

The lounge and dining room were open plan, and he saw Cleo smiling at him. She called out. “Hi there, sir. How are you?”

Gideon forced a smile. “I’m fine thank you, Cleo,” then, turning to Callum he said, “Maybe I should come by another time.”

“Please, please join us. You’re more than welcome.”

“No. It’s not important. I’ll come by again, I promise.”

“We’d like you to join us, but it’s your choice. If it’s important I can leave,” Cleo said, dabbing her mouth with a napkin.

“No, No. I insist. See you in the morning, Callum.”

The walk back to his apartment was even more unbearable. He seethed and clenched his fists, cursing himself for not contacting Callum first to ask if he could visit. The feeling of overwhelming jealousy was too much to bear and the moment he reached his apartment, he went straight for a bottle of Gin.

***

“What was that all about?” Cleo asked, gulping down the last swig of wine in her glass.

“I have no idea. He’s never visited me. This is a first. I’m wondering why he didn’t call.”

“I think I may have ruined something.”

“Not at all. I had no idea he was coming. He’ll tell me in the morning I’m sure.”

“I can tell he has you frazzled.”

“I am not frazzled.”

“Of-course you are. By your own admission you have the hots for him. I’ll bet he has the hots for you.”

“He’s not gay.”

“On the contrary. He is.”

“And you know this how?”

“Let’s just say I have insider information.”

“I thought he was as straight as a nail. He held my hand once, but that was a friendly, reassuring hand. Nothing sexual.”

“He came here to bond with you on a different level. I think you should go to him and find out what it is that made him come.”

“You think I should?”

“Yes,” she said. “Come, I’ll walk with you a distance. Go chat with him. It might be just what you need.”

***

Callum stood at Gideon’s door. The voice that answered was deep, husky and friendly. “Good evening, Callum. My name is Bale. Gideon is expecting you.” The door panel slid open and Callum stepped in.

Gideon didn’t meet him immediately. He sat staring out his window at nothing in particular.

Callum approached quietly.

“Can I get you a glass of wine, maybe something stronger?” Gideon asked.

“I’m good, thank you. This place, it’s like heaven...roses, carpets, different colored walls window...”

“Cut it, Callum. Why did you come?”

“Cleo got me thinking. She said whatever it is you have to say must be important else you wouldn’t have come to my place. She suggested I come to you. Above all, I’m worried.”

“This could have waited until the morning,” Gideon said gallantly.

“Do you want me to leave?”

Gideon turned to face him. “I don’t get many visitors.”

“Maybe it’s because you’re so high up.” He walked to the window and looked down.

Gideon stood beside him, playing with the glass in his hand. “It’s the best view.”

“Is it something I’ve done?” Callum asked.

“It’s something I need to know.”

Callum silently stared at him.

Gideon battled with the right words. “It’s been such a long time since I last had this kind of conversation. I don’t know how to begin.”

“Just say it.”

“I was in love once.”

Callum gazed at him with a question in his eyes.

“We lived in a comfortable apartment in Tshwane. Had a comfortable life. Dogs. Androids as servants. And two children, Adrian and Mary. His children. I remember the first time Mary called me Daddy. At a picnic, Hartebeespoort Dam. I bought her a packet of lollipops and told her to share it with all of us. She took the packet, glee written all over her face, gave one to her Daddy, one to Adrian, and then she came to me.

‘And one for you, Daddy.’

“That was one of the finest moments of my life. One day he came home and announced that we would all be going on the holiday of a lifetime. The kids were so excited. They hugged him and kissed him and we all wanted to know when and where. He didn’t talk to me about it before the announcement, so I was surprised too.

’Where daddy? Where are we going? Where daddy?’

“He lifted Mary into his arms and smiled. She loved the way he smiled. Often asked him to walk around with a permanent smile.

‘We’re going on a tour of Indonesia. You, me, Adrian and Gideon. Sound good?’

“We couldn’t really afford it. I took him to one side and whispered so the children couldn’t hear. ‘Paul, you know we can’t afford this.’

‘Relax, everything’s taken care of. The flight, bookings, accommodation. We’re only paying for food and beverages.’

‘Who is paying, Paul?’

‘I’ve been saving for this holiday all my life. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, Sumatra and Toba, the Samosir Islands, Sipisopiso. We’ll have a great time. We leave in two weeks.’

“He kissed me so gently. A week later I was promoted to Director of Technical Intelligence. I couldn’t go with them. It tore me apart because I so wanted to be with them. Adrian, Mary, Paul. At the airport I cried when they said goodbye. I guess I’ve always been a crybaby at airports. That was the last time I saw them. Toba erupted a week later.”

A long silence followed. Callum shifted in his seat. “I’m so sorry.”

Gideon never wept. His tears fell inward. The only sign of sorrow was the shaking. He trembled from head to toe. Callum put his arms around him and stroked his head until the trembling stopped.

Gideon looked into his eyes. “It’s been a long time since anyone held me. I’ve missed that so much.”

“I’m not just anyone,” Callum whispered.

“You’re not.”

Their lips met in a soft embrace and Gideon felt stronger, much stronger than ever. Callum’s sweet mouth was his safety net, his healing. It was like his life had been saved.

“You okay?” Callum asked his forehead against Gideon.

Gideon closed his eyes and nodded. “I’ve had these feelings from the moment I saw you. I looked at you in your office and just knew this is the guy I have to save at all costs.”

Their second kiss was much deeper; tongues found their way. Twisting, turning, burning inside.

Nothing escaped the burn.

But it was short lived.

The alarm panel lit up and a siren wailed incessantly in the apartment.