Manfred hadn't seen August so completely unsettled in a long time. He tried hard to look away, to pretend it didn't bother him—but now, because of one woman, everything was falling apart. The way that woman moved around August made him feel like every cell in his body was being tainted.
August grew even more restless, his voice rougher. "Go away!"
"Alright, we won't touch them. There are no women here—only me. August, open your eyes and see, I'm the only one by your side. I'm Manfred." Manfred's large, warm palm gently patted his flushed cheek as he patiently helped him out of his clothes. He'd always taken care of August like this. Maybe others wouldn't understand the intimacy shared between these two men—intimate but not lovers—but only they knew deep down that even if the whole world abandoned August, they never would.
Manfred lay down beside August. Their tall, strong bodies pressed close together, their burning breaths mingling as they held each other tightly.
