Russ decided to be brave. He was exhausted and needed sleep, but he didn't want to leave Henrik. "Henny, you know this chill day? Could we possibly go for a nap?"

"A nap?" Henrik queried. "We? As in a nap together?" His heart skipped a beat. He had not thought of himself and Russ sharing a bed. Up until yesterday he had not really thought about intimacy with Russ.

"Yeah as in a little sleep. I don't know about you but I am knackard." Henrik tipped his head in agreement. "No funny business though." Russ placed his hand on Henrik's chest.

Henrik smiled. "If you want to go up, I'll just pop this stuff back in the fridge."

Russ smiled. "Where am I going?"

"Top of the stairs, second left." Henrik gave a curt nod as he started to wrap things and place them in the fridge.

Russ got up and went upstairs. "Don't be long Henny."

Henrik was feeling pensive as he peered into the fridge. He was trying to work out his feelings. Was he apprehensive, he was certain that he was not sure. One thing he was uncertain about was Russ seeing him with less clothes on; that is to say, he was definitely conscious about several of his scars. He and Russ had never discussed his self harming.

Henrik eventually followed Russ upstairs, first checking the house was locked up. He entered the bedroom to find Russ sitting in the middle of the bed crossed legged in his pants and t shirt. He did not get into bed as he didn't want to be too presumptuous and also he didn't know which side Henrik took. So middle of the bed it was.

"What on earth are you doing sitting there?" Henrik said as he entered the room.

"Waiting for you Henny. Didn't know if you had a designated side."

"I am always by the window." Henrik smiled as Russ scooched his way towards Henrik to get into the near side.

"Right come on keks off, not getting into bed with you fully clothed." He clapped his hands, "Chop, chop." Henrik suddenly looked all coy. "Henrik, what is the matter?"

"I um, well just a little conscious. I've got a few scars and no-one has really seen them." Henrik said sadly.

Russ patted the spot on the bed next to him and Henrik sat. "We all have scars Henny, internal and external. Do you really think I would be bothered by that. I mean you have see the doozie on my leg right."

"Ah yes, but mine;" Henrik admitted slowly, "Well, they are self inflicted."

Russ looked at him with concern. He didn't even know. He was saddened that Henrik had not been able to tell him until now.

Henrik, stood and undid his trousers, dropped them to the floor and sat back on the bed. Russ could see these scars were of varying ages on the insides of his thighs. Henrik was looking down in shame.

Russ could see the hurt this was causing Henrik, to come clean. He ran his finger over the area where some of the scars still showed. "Your way of coping in the past? Keeping control?"

Henrik nodded. "Nothing to be ashamed of, not at all."

Henrik took off his trousers and socks and folded them carefully. He then removed his jumper and his polo shirt leaving him in his vest and boxers. As he folded these he would not look at Russ who was next to him on the bed. Russ could see that some of the cuts on Henrik's arms were more recent. "Henny, is this still a crutch for you? I would prefer you to be honest with me.

Henrik looked Russ straight in the eyes. "I have not done any harm for a while now. Well it was before you crashed back into my life." He paused. "I'm in a good place now, but whether any self harm issues stay away for ever, well I think that will be a demon I will always have to keep at bay."

"Well I am here now. The past the past, you can't undo it. You are not alone now."

Henrik got up from the bed. He walked around to his side of the bed and got in. He pulled the covers open on Russ' side to invite him in. Russ took this as a good sign. Especially as Henrik remained facing the same way as Russ and he put his arm around his waist and pulled him in. "So you want to be big spoon then."

"I beg your pardon?" Henrik said confusingly into Russ' ear.

"Ah I gather spooning will be a new concept you?" Russ laughed.

"Well now you are just talking in riddles Russell."

Russ put his arm on top of Henrik's. "If you are comfortable, time to sleep. I think you will like spooning Henny. It's the future."