In Rabbit Skin

David was pleasantly surprised by how freely he talked to Greg. The city boy did not hit on him at all. Just occasionally he said some compliment about David's beauty, but it was nothing to embarrass him. While talking about TV series and movies, their time passed quite quickly and David didn't even notice when, holding the third can of beer in his hand, he found himself outside the barn breathing in the pleasantly crisp night air.

He raised his head and looked up at the sky, where a bright streak dotted with stars stretched the Milky Way. He could see it so clearly that the thought flashed through his head that it would not rain again for quite some time.

After a series of fast disco tunes, a recently fashionable ballad flowed from the speaker. Yes for a change of mood, tempo and to give an opportunity for a more intimate dance. David, who had just had his third beer and liked the song, quietly dipped its refrain.

"You know, I'm not surprised that you attract guys," Greg said softly and touched David's bangs. "Your hair is cut shorter than the average girl's, but it's so silky and thick it's almost erotic."

"Erotic?" laughed David, whose third beer was already starting to go to his head. Perhaps that's why he found Greg's comment particularly amusing. "It's just hair!"

"Yes, but it's really beautiful. You are exceptionally beautiful in general. As far as I'm concerned, you could be the envy of all the girls at this disco."

David furrowed his eyebrows. He blinked.

"I don't like it when someone compares me to girls. Or when they take me for a girl. I'm a guy, you know?"

"Are you seriously a guy?" Greg tilted his head in doubt. "You don't have boobs, but not all girls have big ones, and your face is really gorgeous."

"I am, dammit! Can't you see the Adam's apple?"

David suddenly felt an overwhelming desire to prove to Greg that he was a guy. Let all these people stop changing his gender already! It was... humiliating. He was born a guy, he had all the attributes of a man, so why is it so hard for some people to accept that he also has a penis?

"That's not proof enough," teased Greg. "I've seen girls who have similar necks to yours. There is only one way you can convince me."

"Yes? Like what?" he chuckled with challenge but also hope.

Greg moved his hand down David's thigh straight between his legs. David twitched.

" Come on, don't joke!" he pushed Greg's hand away. He did so decisively, although because of the alcohol his body was not as strong as usual.

"Why? Don't tell me you're ashamed in front of the guys? I'm sure you have nothing to be ashamed of..."

David bit his lower lip. He didn't realize how charming and sexy he looked at that moment. Even under the night sky, even under his dark tan, his cheeks visibly lit up.

"Of course I'm not ashamed. But showing someone your dick just to prove your manhood is stupid. I'm not a kid in first grade."

"And when you were in first grade did you show it to anyone?"

"No! Are you crazy?"

Greg laughed and it sounded very natural and sincere. But he laughed briefly. His eyes lit up and he squatted a little closer to David.

"You're so cute the way you look embarrassed," he announced softly. "You know, David, ever since I saw you I can't get you out of my mind. And I saw you a week ago."

David swallowed his saliva with difficulty. Greg was quite handsome and nice. He felt good in his company. Philip said that David should try to get closer with some boy and Greg was a good candidate and apparently a willing one at that. Plus, the alcohol in David's blood was also doing its job, but....

"...It's nice, really, but I..."

"I can see you're eager. Why are you fighting with yourself?" Greg touched his shoulder. "Is this your first time?"

David's throat became dry. His breathing and heartbeat quickened. He didn't dare deny it.

"Not the first time!" Greg's eyes lit up with delight. "My colleague said you were straight, but you nevertheless have a bit of bad boy in you."

Greg, still touching David's shoulder, brought his face closer to David's face as if wanting to kiss him. David evaded.

"Don't kiss..." he instructed without looking at the city boy. His heart was pounding so hard that he felt dizzy. His mind said that he should try and see if he was really gay, but his whole body and especially his heart screamed for him to run away. However, if he runs away, he will not dispel his doubts. David must know! He must!

"Don't mouth..." Hot air wrapped around David's neck just behind his ear. "So how about the ear?"

David pressed his lips together. That breath was as hot as Gustav's, but his body did not react with excitement. The urge to run away overwhelmed him and he pushed Greg away - not very hard, but effectively.

"Sorry, but I'm not in a position to do that. I wanted to try it with a man, I admit, but I can't. I can't. I'm sorry." He turned away without even daring to look Greg in the eye. He wanted to go back to the disco, mingle with the people, or better yet, find Philip and ask him to drive him home. He really didn't want to be here for even a moment anymore....

"Hey, hey, where to?!" Greg held his arm. He did it hard enough to make David feel the pain. "You can't do that!"

Forced by the pressure, David turned around.

"What I can't do?" he asked suddenly sobering.

"You don't pick up a guy, light him on fire and abandon him just when he's about to get to the best part!" Greg explained through clenched teeth.

"Wait a minute! I didn't hit on anyone! You're the one who approached me!"

"And why do you think I did that?"

"I don't know! I'm not in your head."

"I did it because you encouraged me!"

What?

"Me? What made you think that way?"

"You're going to deny yourself, right? Didn't you act today like you were waiting for someone to pick you up? Didn't you keep your eyes on me letting me know that you were eager? Besides, didn't you admit just now that you felt like playing with a guy?"

"I didn't say that!" he denied the last part, all red. For the rest, however, Greg was right and David felt terrible about it. "After all, I apologized..."

"Do you think that's enough?" Greg squeezed his shoulder even tighter. He pulled down his eyebrows.

"Listen," he tried a gentle argument, "I really didn't have bad intentions. My cousin persuaded me to try, but I can't. What do you want me to do? Force myself? I don't think that's what this is all about..."

Greg, however, did not give the impression that the argument was getting to him. His eyes were shining more and more, but now there was a determination in them that made David tremble.

He is probably not one of those who do not understand that 'no' means 'no'?

Fear suddenly crept into David's heart. Greg had given the impression of being so friendly, so nice, and now he was a completely different person! He probably wouldn't want to go a step further and....

David trembled.

"Let go," he asked quietly but firmly. "It hurts."

Greg did not comply with his request. His eyes became dangerously dark like the eyes of a wild dog that had just hunted a rabbit. That rabbit was none other than David.