Chapter 10: "Only two things are necessary to keep one's wife happy. One is to let her think she is having her own way, and the other is to let her have it." Lyndon B. Johnson

The next day Berwald decided it would be a good idea to go to class.

He sat through them patiently, but he was very distracted by thoughts of the next evening.

He had a date. Not only did he have a date, it was a date with Tino.

School had never been less appealing.

Berwald honestly did not know much about dating. It was an integral part of the courtship ritual (as in, a lot of the steps required one to be dating the recipient before initiating said action.) Therefore, this dating was serious business.

He resolved to do more research after his classes had ended for the day. For now, it would be prudent to pay attention. He needed to graduate to get a job, and he needed a job to provide for Tino and his future children.

As soon as his classes ended, Berwald was making excellent use of Google.

He searched for "How to Get a Wife" as he walked from his building back to his dormitory.

It was very disappointing because it seemed there was no step-by-step process for him to follow.

It asked him to consider what he wanted, first. Did he really want a wife? Or did he want a casual relationship?

He did want a wife. Desperately. Why else would he have Googled that particular phrase? This particular article was very annoying. How could he not want Tino as his wife? Tino was perfect.

The site was very curious, almost invasive: was he willing to actually commit to someone for the rest of his life? Yes, of course he was. For Tino, he'd do anything.

Did he want a sex partner? He was eighteen! Of course he did! Tino, specifically.

Did he simply want an occasional sex friend? No. He and Tino would have sex every night. More than once, maybe. "Occasional," really?

It asked him to define "marriage." What did marriage mean to him?

Berwald blinked and lowered his phone. He supposed he could see the use in a definition. If two people had different definitions of the same word, it could definitely cause problems.

Marriage to Berwald… an image of his parents immediately came to mind. Their relationship was very pleasant. They lived and laughed together, and most importantly enjoyed spending time together. They were life partners—they didn't do everything together, but they were an integral part of each other's lives. They were in love—had been in love for years.

Berwald remembered his mamma telling him about the difference between "passionate" love and "companionship" love.

At the beginning of a relationship, one was swept away by their beloved. Berwald felt he was in this phase. Tino was the most amazing person in the world—he could do no wrong. (However, the Tino's reluctance was very annoying, even if it was sometimes cute.) This phase Berwald's mamma would call the "passionate" love phase.

Eventually, the passion would fade. It wouldn't—shouldn't—disappear, but companionship love gradually took its place. Companionship love was different than passionate love because it simply wasn't as life-consuming. People assumed they had "fallen out" of love, but the passion had just faded. It was a stronger bond than passionate love, because the two people involved almost needed one another. Love became routine and normal—it was very healthy, but could become stagnant.

And so Berwald's mamma gave him a very interesting talk about sexual activities to reestablish and replenish and revitalize a relationship's passion.

Berwald had very many ideas he wished to try with Tino.

Marriage to Berwald was a permanent thing; he wanted a life companion whom he loved with all his heart. In other words, he wanted Tino.

Berwald rolled his eyes at the next question: who do you want as a wife? Tino. Obviously.

Tino was perfect. Almost unreal. He was honest, kind, educated. He was open-minded. He was a great listener.

He was timid, but Berwald found it cute. He also found Tino's nervous chattering quite adorably endearing.

But were Tino's lifelong goals compatible with Berwald's own? Berwald blinked. He honestly had no idea what Tino wanted to do with his life. What was Tino's major, again?

Did Tino want children? Berwald really liked children. If Tino didn't want children…

Berwald sighed. Perhaps there was more to being married than he realized.

He had faith—Tino was his perfect partner so far, and Berwald prayed to whatever God that might exist that he'd continue to be. Berwald didn't know what he'd do if he and Tino weren't right for one another because Berwald had never loved someone so much in his entire life.

He stared at his phone, an unpleasant feeling building up in his stomach. He decided to get it over with.

[Sent: Thurs 20 Aug 6:20 PM]

Do you want kids.

[Received: Thurs 20 Aug 6:27 PM]

Berwald, really?

[Sent: Thus 20 Aug 6:30 PM]

This is important.

[Received: Thurs 20 Aug 6:34 PM]

I'm eighteen, Berwald. We're eighteen. We've got time.

[Sent: Thurs 20 Aug 6:36 PM]

So you aren't opposed to the idea.

[Received: Thurs 20 Aug 6:38 PM]

I'm not opposed, but I don't want kids right now! How can you even ask? I don't even know what I want to do with my life! Don't expect me to know what to do with some poor child's. If, Berwald, IF we ever are in that situation, we'll decide when we're older.

[Sent: Thurs 20 Aug 6:40 PM]

What if you change your mind.

[Received: Thurs 20 Aug 6:43 PM]

Shouldn't you be more worried about something else? Like, winning me over at dinner? You have to actually make me want to date you before we ever have kids together.

[Received: Thurs 20 Aug 6:43 PM]

And by have kids I mean adopt.

[Received: Thurs 20 Aug 6:44 PM]

This is all HYPOTHETICAL btw. IF, Berwald. IFFFF.

[Sent: Thurs 20 Aug 6:45 PM]

Will you marry me.

[Received: Thurs 20 Aug 6:47 PM]

Not if you ask by text message! Come on!

[Sent: Thurs 20 Aug 6:48 PM]

I wondered if you were just too shy to say yes in person.

[Received: Thurs 20 Aug 6:50 PM]

NO. If I were to accept a proposal, it would have to be made IN PERSON.

[Sent: Thurs 20 Aug 6:51 PM]

That's good to know.

[Received: Thurs 20 Aug 6:53 PM]

IF. IFFFFF. HYPOTHETICAL IF.

[Sent: Thurs 20 Aug 6:54 PM]

You're cute when you capslock.

[Received: Thurs 20 Aug 6:55 PM]

You drive me crazy.

[Sent: Thurs 20 Aug 6:58 PM]

I'll pick you up at 6:45 tomorrow.

[Sent: Thurs 20 Aug 7:00 PM]

Okay.

[Received: Thurs 20 Aug 7:02 PM]

Okay! I remember, trust me.

[Sent: Thurs 20 Aug 7:03 PM]

Heart.

[Received: Thurs 20 Aug 7:05 PM]

Really?

[Sent: Thurs 20 Aug 7:08 PM]

Heart. Heart. Heart.

[Received: Thurs 20 Aug 7:09 PM]

I draw the line at the fucking hearts.

Toris sighed, rolling on his couch to peer at his roommate. Berwald was pacing around the room in khaki pants and a white button-down shirt. The sleeves were rolled up—Toris wasn't really sure why he'd chosen pants; it was Italy after all, in August—and a few of the top buttons were undone.

Toris figured he had already gotten ready to go on his date with Tino. Why Tino had agreed to a date, Toris had no idea. Didn't Tino know… that… Berwald was just…

"Toris," Berwald interrupted, "I have a question."

"Uh, okay. I'll try to help?"

"Mm. Do you brush your teeth before your date, or during your date, or after your date?" Berwald asked, eyeing his toothbrush curiously.

"Uh, before?"

"Mm." Berwald picked up his toothbrush and toothpaste and nodded as if he had made a crucial decision.

Toris watched Berwald exit with a relieved sigh.

Berwald was just so… odd.

Ready for a date… two hours before he needed to walk to his date's room… only Berwald…

Toris sighed again, eyeing his phone.

It was a bit odd, too. Just his entire week. Ever since that party, it just hadn't, you know… it'd been quiet. Too quiet.

And Toris wasn't upset that it was quiet or anything. He liked the quiet! It was all just fine.

Just odd. Berwald wasn't the only being odd. Well, Berwald's oddness was a normal thing. But Feliks…

Feliks hadn't called him since the party.

Toris reached over and picked up his phone. He flipped it open and eyed his "recent calls" list.

Nothing. Not a single missed call.

Toris frowned. He'd been completely wasted at the party. Stupid Russian and that stupid drinking contest… had he inadvertently pissed Feliks off?

Feliks called him every night, just to say goodnight. And if he couldn't do that, he'd text.

Toris was really accustomed to those calls. They were part of his evening routine.

It was really hard to go to sleep without hearing Feliks say "good night." He wasn't sure why, it just was.

Feliks had been calling him for such a long time. When they were little, Feliks would call using his ma's phone. And now? Well, Feliks was really chatty.

Toris was quite the multitasker—talking to Feliks and doing homework or goofing online was normal. Completely normal. He'd been doing it for as long as he could remember.

They went to different schools in different countries, but were best friends. Feliks called him every day. Even when Feliks was sick he'd call.

But he hadn't talked to Feliks in days. In days.

Toris wasn't sure how he felt about it. On one hand, he actually got all his homework done without weird conversations about irrelevant topics distracting him. On the other hand, it was just plain weird.

Was it weird he kind of missed talking about the latest Victoria Secret apparel with his gay, cross-dressing best friend? Feliks could talk to him about anything.

Was it university? Were they drifting apart? Did Feliks like Tino more?

Had… had Feliks found someone?

Toris bit his lip and stared at the ceiling.

He didn't like to admit it, but that was his biggest fear.

Feliks could be so outgoing. He was just flamboyant and shining and whatnot. At least now.

But Toris could remember a younger Feliks that would cower behind his back with teary eyes when introduced to anyone new. He remembered Feliks following him around everywhere. He remembered being a bit annoyed, but not having the heart to tell Feliks to stop.

Feliks was his best friend.

It was hard sometimes. To know your best friend was gay. Because Toris realized that he'd eventually lose Feliks to another man.

Oh, he had no doubt that they'd remain friends for the rest of their lives. But it wouldn't be an everyday thing. Feliks wouldn't want to talk to him every night. He'd have someone else to chatter at. Someone else to discuss Victoria Secret apparel with. Someone who'd want to see his body in said apparel and would help him choose sexy outfits and Toris cut that line of thinking off as soon as he could.

He knew Feliks had had several boyfriends. He wasn't necessarily jealous, but at the same time he was.

Feliks was his best friend. It was only normal to want his attention.

Toris stared at his phone.

Feliks was the one who called him. Always. Always. Toris never had to call, because Feliks would initiate a conversation.

Even when Feliks was mad at him, he'd call him up to complain and bitch and rant and eventually he'd badger Toris into apologizing for something Toris hadn't known he needed to be sorry for.

But this was different.

Something had happened at that party. Something bad had happened. Berwald said that no one had slept in his bed that night—he and Feliks were supposed to have switched rooms, but it didn't happen.

Feliks hadn't wanted to share his room.

Toris wanted to say that Feliks had found someone, but Feliks usually told Toris when he was seeing someone. He never shared details, but he at least would let Toris know.

This wasn't a relationship. This was Feliks avoiding him, which had never happened before. Toris wasn't sure what to make of it.

No. He knew exactly what to make of it, he just didn't want to admit it to himself.

He'd hurt Feliks. He'd hurt Feliks badly. So badly that Feliks hadn't even called crying and demanding an apology.

This was a hurt Feliks wanted to keep secret. He was embarrassed that he was hurt, but he was so upset he could not bring himself to pretend to act normally.

Toris could only think of one thing that would cause Feliks to be so upset.

He closed his eyes and breathed through his nose.

How could he forget that kiss?

He'd always love Feliks. Feliks was his best friend. But Toris just wasn't gay. Feliks was beautiful. Feliks was everything he wanted… in a female. And maybe that was just sexist or something but Toris could not bring himself to want a man. He just couldn't. He wouldn't experiment with Feliks.

Sometimes he was scared that his rejection had spawned Feliks' cross-dressing. That perhaps it was a plea for his affection. An attempt to appeal to Toris by flaunting his feminine side. That thought tugged at Toris' heartstrings horribly.

He did not want Feliks to wait his whole life for a single chance. Toris wasn't worth that, and Feliks could do so much better.

He refused to be unsure about it—if he was going to date his best friend, he'd know he was gay beforehand. Toris didn't. He was unsure. Undecided. He just didn't know if he could take penis. It's not like he had that much experience with vagina, but he just didn't know if he was attracted to penis.

He wouldn't break Feliks' heart.

He opened his eyes and glanced at his phone. He was afraid he'd already broken Feliks' heart, though, and he didn't even remember how.

Berwald entered the bathroom a tube of toothpaste in one hand and his toothbrush in the other. He claimed a sink and sat the toothpaste on the counter.

He blinked and picked up the toothpaste again, opening the tube and squeezing a dollop onto his toothbrush.

Then he wet his toothbrush and began to brush.

As he was scrubbing, one of the showers in the bathroom turned off. He heard a clatter and a curse, and then he saw Tino come out of the stall with a towel around his waist.

His toothbrushing slowed as he gazed at Tino's body through the mirror.

Tino walked towards the sink, focused and slightly angry looking. He dropped his shower caddy on the sink with a heavy thud and sighed.

"Timo?" Berwald mumbled through his toothpasty mouth. "'re 'ou alr'ght?"

Tino was jolted out of his thought process and stared up at Berwald. He gaped.

"B-Berwald?"

"Y'u l'k g'd 'n a t'wel." He mumbled, toothpaste running down the side of his mouth.

Tino stared at him, eyes transfixed on Berwald's toothpaste-drool. "Uh, what?"

Berwald leaned over the sink and spit.

"I said, 'you look good in a towel.'" Berwald clarified, wiping his mouth with his hand.

"Oh. Um…" Tino fidgeted with the hem of his towel, looking anywhere but at Berwald. "Why are you already ready? We have two hours."

Berwald shrugged.

Tino sighed. "I really shouldn't be surprised."

"If you're ready sooner, we can get gelato on the way to the restaurant."

Tino's eyes narrowed curiously. "Your treat?"

"Yes."

"…Can we go to that place with the banana and chocolate kind?"

"Yes."

"I'll be ready in fifteen minutes."

A/N: Hey guys! Thanks for all the reviews/favs/alerts! I really appreciate them! You guys are awesome! If you review, I can personally tell you you're awesome.

And finally, my sister wants you to have a quote: "Teeth are awesome," she says, "for chomping. Chomp chomp chomp."