Before this chapter I'd like to say that none of the quotes are mine, they are borrowed from Milan Kundera, best known for writing "The Unbearable lightness of Being."

Metaphor (183 words)

"Tomas did not realize at the time that metaphors are dangerous. Metaphors are not to be trifled with. A single metaphor can give birth to love."

David looked up from his crossword, squinting his eyes to read the cover of the book Griffin had just quoted. When he failed to from across the room, he abandoned his seat at what passed for a kitchen table in the lair and moved to the couch Griffin had sprawled over, hovering next to the arm his friend had laid his head on.

"Milan Kundera?"

"Czech novelist and poet in the mid 1900's."

"Ah. Any reason for that particular line to catch your eye?"

"The first time I ever saw you, before I even knew you, I thought your smile was pure daylight in a dark place." Griffin hadn't even looked up from his book during his bold declaration, and David was frozen and speechless, slowly putting two and two together for the resounding four. Before he had a chance to reply, Griffin was quoting again. "When the heart speaks, the mind finds it indecent to object."

Novel (169 words)

When Griffin returned to the lair after grabbing some takeout, David had stolen his spot on the couch and was busy making headway into the novel Griffin had quoted from not half and hour earlier. The other man hadn't looked up at Griffin's arrival, and after leaving the food on the table and lurking over his friend for a solid ten minutes in silence, Griffin could stand being ignored no longer. A quick shrug had his favorite leather jacket on the floor; a tug had his shirt joining it. It wasn't until he'd started on his belt that David looked up at him, eyes full of meaning.

"Eroticism is like a dance: one always leads the other."

Griffin smiled, the boy could be taught after all. Reaching a hand out, Griffin pulled David to his feet, the novel forgotten on the couch. Face to face, chest to chest, Griffin put his hands on David's hips and leaned to whisper in his ear. "Then by all means, let me lead."

Ourselves (89 words)

Their coupling was rough and unrestrained, but surprisingly tender. David had allowed Griffin to lead the dance, and couldn't deny it had been the right choice. When it was over, their immediate passions cooled but not dimmed, they lay together in a heady embrace taking over every inch of Griffin's generous bed in a long-limbed tangle. It was only then in that muzzy half-awareness that Griffin spoke again.

"Love is a desire for that lost half of ourselves." David only tightened his grip on his new lover and smiled.