My German lover : Part 2

Will got troubled by what Paul had just said to him. It had not occured to him that Paul could be frighten... Obviously Paul was scared to death! Will was now looking at Paul and deep in his heart he felt that he would do anything to help him. Never would he betray Paul. Never. He was feeling for Paul something he could not identify yet, but there was something there. Will could perceive that very well. Paul was so handsome and so young... Yet Paul's physical appearances were that of a man. Paul was no longer a child, that's for sure. He was tall... had broad shoulders and Will could see at a glance that Paul's body was well toned. Quite a specimen! How could he think such things about another guy? Will didn't know. He had never look at another guy that way before. But Will didn't have time now to reflect on that... He would later. For now, Paul was sitting next to him, and he was frighten. Will would have like to take Paul into his strong arms and press him to his body, so he could hold him and make him more secure... to protect him against the whole world, if need be. In fact Will had to refrain himself from jumping onto Paul, and start kissing him passionately. Will got shocked by his own reaction... Was he going mad? Was he totally insane? Will had never been into such a situation before. This was all new territory for him. Up until now, he had never questionned his sexuality. He had never been "in love" with a woman, and surely not with a man for that matter. That had never occured to him before. But again, Will decided it was not the time to reflect on that and not the time to ponder those questions. He would have time latter. For now, Will had a very desirable but terrorized guy sitting next to him, and now he could imagine as well as understand the reasons why Paul was so terrorized. Will decided not to jump on Paul and start kissing him, as he would have liked to do, but instead let his heart speak so Paul could be secured... Will slowly took Paul's hands into his own, and started saying:

"... Now that I come to think of it, I understand, Paul, you're not sure about trusting me. You've been through a lot lately... and I realize my asking about your father and your family must have scared you a bit... It's just that I really want to help you. Sorry for asking though. But Paul, please, just look into my eyes: Do you see something bad into me? Do you think for a minute that I could be so wicked as to trick you into something as dreadful as sell to me your father and your family, so I can send them I don't know where... to a prison maybe... Do you see that in my eyes, Paul? Do you?"

"... NO. No I don't", Paul answered. "But..."

"...Let me finish, Paul, please?"

"... Yeah, go on..."

"... Paul, I'm really who I told you I am. A simple guy from Berlin... like you... A simple guy... I've been draged into this bloody war against my will... Most of us in Germany didn't want that godam war, you know... I've told you, we're not all Nazis... It's not my fault if we have a crazy guy as Chancellor! Yes Paul, in my view, the Fuhrer is totally insane! Have you ever listen to him on the radio? Have you ever listen to one of his speechs, where he screams and shouts like a mad man? Many times I was forced to listen to him while with the Hitler Youth, and I can tell you, it's no fun... Yes, Paul, that's what I think: Hitler is mad as hell and so are all the others... you know... Goering, Himler and Hess and Dr. Goebbels... Oh, that one... a lunatic! I tell you. A very dangerous guy... and an impostor... Very deceitful with that. That's what I think Paul. It doesn't mean I'm not proud of being German. I am. But that's quite another story... and it has nothing to do with the Nazis... You know, Paul, I could be shot by a firing squad should the wrong person in the army learned about what I just said to you. Now you may choose not to believe me. That's your choice. But I'm telling you the truth. I swear to you..."

"... I believe you, Will... I don't know why... But I do", Paul answered.

"... And there are two other reasons wh you should believe me" Will added. "The first one in that not only I'm not a member of the Gestapio but in fact, the Gestapo has not yet arrived in Paris. Oh, It won't take long before they get here, believe me... And when they do, you will notice... The party will be over! I tell you! Most of us guys in the Wehrmacht are correct... but those guys from the Gestapo, it's quite an other ball game. Even us Germans fear the Gestapo, and you wouldn't want to have any buisness with hem..."

"... You scare me, you know, Will..."

"Well, you should be scared of them, trust me Paul. When they get into Paris, stay away from those guys..."

"... Count on me, Will, that's what I'm gonna do... and I sure hope you will teach me how I can identify those guys... but Will, you said there were two reasons why I should believe you: What's about the second reason?"

"... Well, Paul, until this morning, I didn't know you at all. Until the moment the moment you entered our office, you were totally unknown to us, and to me... I don't even know who your father is... So why would I try to locate him unless it was to help you get in touch with your family? Hum? You know we've got into Paris only yesterday... and according to what I've heard, almost two million people fled Paris before we got here... So it's no surprise that your family fled... Do you think we're searching those two million people? Get serious! Furthermore, do you remember when you entered our office this morning?"

"... What do you think, you silly... It's not every day I get arrested by German soldiers, you know... How could I forget..."

"... I guess so, Paul... but anayway, from the moment you entered our office, I never left you, did I?"

"...No..."

"... So, when do you think it would have been possible for me to receive instructions concerning your father and your family? I know about our efficiency in the German army, but, come on man, there are limits you know..."

"... When the War is over, what do you plan to do, Will?"

"I don't know yet. Why?"

"Well you should become a lawer: You've presented your case very well to me. And you know what? I do believe you. Something inside me tells me I should trust you. What you just said just makes good sense... But why Will, why for Godsake would you want to help me? As you said, up until this morning, you didn't even know that I existed..."

"I don't know for sure Paul... I guess no one can escape his destiny. And I guess it was destiny that placed you on my path... I think destiny wanted us to meet... Beside, I'm as lost as you are... We are about the same, as I've said, As you, I'm all alone here, in Paris, except for my friend Lutz... but he has his girlfriend in Berlin, to write to... I have no one except my family... And most of all, I like you. You're a good guy, that I can tell... I feel it inside me. That's all I can say, Paul..."

Now, Paul was just staring at Will, still holding his hands. He could feel Will's warmth through his hands. That German guy was something! Suddenly, Paul felt very secure with Will. That's the way it was... simple as that!

"You're doing it again: You're staring at me again... Why", Will asked.

"Sorry again, Will I didn't mean to stare at you like that. Don't be offended..."

"I'm not..."

"It's just that I find you... Well... I don't know... You're quite a specimen, you know, even in your German uniform... I like you, and no, I don't think all Germans are barbarians... and I certainly don't believe you are a "barbarian", Will..."

"Thanks, Paul, what you just said means a lot to me... I'm touched, you know. And you already know I'm not too good with words, so..."

"Yeah..."

"Hey! I have to leave before the curfew if I don't want to be arrested by the Feldgendarmen... What time is it?" Will asked.

"It's a quater past midnight..."

"WHAT? SHIT! With all our talkings I lost track of time... I can't drive through Paris at this time of night, because of the curfew. And I didn't even report to Oberstleutnant Koch... Shit. Shit. Shit. I'm dead meat now!"

"Wait. Wait. Wait for a second, Will: Aren't you on liave for a week?"

"Yeah. But I had to report to Herr Koch... Otherwise they will be searching for me..."

"Well, couldn't you just give him a call from here, and let him know you're okay?"

"I guess so... but where will I go at this time of night? It doesn't solve my problem..."

"You just could stay here for the night, you know. I have no problem with that. And as you can see, it's quite a large place I have here, and I'm all alone... No one will bother you here... and it's the least thing in the world I can do for you, after all you did for me..."

"You owe me nothing, Paul. I don't want to impose myself..."

"You're not, Will. Believe me..."

"Okay then. Do you have a phone?"

"Sure. But I'm not sure if it works... Yesterday it didn't work..."

"Paul, give us some credit: Even if we got in here yesterday, I'm sure our services have already solved such a minor problem... Where's your phone?"

"Right there, to your left..."

"Thanks"

Will took the phone and Paul asked: "Is it working?"

"Yes, Will answered. Just as I said. Let me get to the operator... Hello? Yes. Would you please connect me with the Hotel Meurice, please?"

"... You stay at hotel Meurice" Paul exclaimed...

"Well, just for now... I'm sure I won't be staying there for long you know... it's too chic for soldiers like me... I suspect we will soon be moved to a barrak somewhere... As soon as they find one... Hello? Hotel Meurice? Yes. Would you please connect me with Oberstleutnant Koch. Tell him Wilhelm Von Rundstedt is on the line for him... What? No, "that" Von Rundstedt is not my father... So, please, will you connect me to Oberstleutnant Koch, please, he knows me, and I need to speak to him..."

Click. Click. Click.

"Hello? Oberstleutnant Heinz Koch speaking. Is that you, Wilhelm? Where the hell are you? Do you know it's past midnight?"

"Sorry Oberstleutnant Koch... I'm okay... don't worry..."

"Well I was worried about you, you know. Have you forgotten we're at war? Have you forgotten where we are?"

"Sorry about that Oberstleutnant Koch... It's just that I got lost in Paris, and I couldn't find a phone..."

"Well... Where the hell are you?"

"... I'm with a friend I met... nothing to worry about, Sir"

"I hope she's good-looking..." Koch asked, chuckling.

"What, Sir?"

"I said I hope your friend is good-looking..."

"Oh. Yes Sir. Very much..."

"Well, are you having fun, Will?"

"Yes Sir..."

"Well Wilhelm, I will cover for you, don't worry. You're on leave for a few days, aren't you?"

"Yes Sir. Up until Thuesday the 18th..."

"Good. You've earned it Wilhelm... Now listen to me kid: Keep the jeep... I will file the proper papers to cover for you... don't worry about that... you're young.. you're not married... so have fun kid... but never forget you're not in Berlin here... Be very careful... if you see what I mean... never forget you're a German soldier in a foreign land... Many people don't like us being here..."

"I know, Sir. I won't forget..."

"Now, Wilhelm, while you're on leave, keep in touch with me, so I know where to find you, should I need to..."

"Sure, Sir. I will call you every day..."

"Oh, Wilhelm, what about the kid we arrested and you offered to accompany to check his ID? Any problems with him?"

"No, Sir. Everything he had said was true. I've check his papers, and everything was regular... so I freed him. Did I do the right thing, Sir?"

"Yes Wilhelm, you did. That poor kid was scared to death..."

"I know, Sir."

"So have fun Wilhelm... My only regret is that I'm too old to join you... and beside, my wife would not like that, would she?"

"I don't think she would, Sir..."

"Ah! Youth" Don't do anything I wouldn't do kid, if you see what I mean..."

"Yes, Sir. And thanks for taking my call, and thanks for covering for me: I really do appreciate it... Don't worry for me... I'll take good care... May I say something to you, Sir?"

"Yes, Wilhelm. Feel free to speak"

"Well Sir, since we left Germany, you've been like a father to me. I just wanted to tell you that I appreciate it..."

"Yes Wilhelm. Please, don't make me regret it... will you?"

"I won't, Sir..."

"Night, Wilhelm, and have fun now..."

"Night, Sir. I will..."

Click.

"So, Will, what did he say", Paul asked.

"Well he thinks I'm spending the night with a girl I just met... He thinks I'm having fun with her... you know..."

"Yeah! I see! Bet you would prefer being with such a girl right now, instead of being with me..."

"You're wrong, Paul. I'm very happy to be here with you tonight... Well... I mean..."

"I know what you mean... don't worry... I'm not offended... if that's you were afraid of. But nevertheless, I'm not a pretty girl you just met... And I'm not that easy, you know..." Paul said with a grin on his face.

They just burst out laughing at that... But then, Will had a more urgent problem to solve...

"Paul, I've got to go back to the jeep to get my bag... and I must park the jeep away from your place..."

"Why?"

"How naive you are, Paul! I just can't believe that..."

"What the hell do you mean?"

"Well Paul, lets just say you don't want to be seen with a guy wearing a German uniform and have a German jeep parked near your home..."

"I don't understand, Will"

"I can see that. I don't have time now to explain, but what do you think your neighbours would think, seeing you with a German soldier?"

"I don't know. I just never thought about it..."

"Well, they would think that you're a traitor... That's what they would think..."

"But anayway, Will, there're all gone... They have all fled Paris..."

"Poor Paul. That's what you think... But you don't know that for sure. Anyway, I'm taking no risk... I will move the jeep somewhere else... and get my bag. I will be back in 10 minutes..."

"Sure... as you like..."

So Will went back to the jeep, made as much noises as possible so all the neighbours would hear him leaving... and drove the jeep to a nearby street. He took his bag and quickly but quietly changed into civilian clothes inside the jeep, and ran back to Paul's home. When Paul opened the door to him, he said:

"Eh, Will: What the hell appened to your uniform?"

"I just changed into civilian clothes, and left my uniform with the jeep..."

"I must say I'm flabbergasted: You look even more handsome with civilian clothes... I mean... you know..."

"Yeah, yeah. I know... I mean I know it's better... isn't it?"

"Well yeah. But where did you buy those clothes?"

"In Berlin, why?"

"I can see the "good" German taste... No offence intended... But really... Tomorrow we'll have to take care of it... you know... You may have the most powerfull army in the world... but concerning fashion, well, I'd say you're not too good at it... trust me"

"I told you, Paul. I trust you completely... totally..."

"As much as I do?"

"Yes, have no doubt about it. Do you still have doubt about me, Paul?"

"No"

"So, where do I sleep?"

"I'm affraid that when my mother left, the only room that was left "organized", if I can use that word... is my own room... So for tonight, I guess we will have to share my bed.. Do you mind?"

"No problem with me, Paul"

"Fine. Come upstairs, so I can show you where my room is..."

"Sure..."

So they went upstairs, and Paul showed Will his room... It was quite breath-taking. Not only was it very large, but it was just beatiful! A bedroom with it's own fireplace... and what about the rest of the furniture... everything was so nice and very expensive. Will had not seen very much of the rest of the house, but what he saw now in Paul's bedroom was just stunning... He asked Paul:

"Eh, body... Can I take a shower before I go to bed... you know... it was a very long day, and I feel like I need to take a shower..."

"Oh, sure Will. I'm sorry. Where are my good manners... I have a shower-bath next to my beedroom"

"I don't want to take a bath... just a quick shower... you know..."

"Yeah. No problem. I'll take one right after you. The door to the shower is right there, to your left..."

"Thanks"