Faolan could feel his entire body tensing up as Lucien and Aurel conversed. It was one thing for someone to know something private about him, it was another thing entirely for him to have to listen to the ensuing conversation. Despite his unease, he trusted Lucien to explain everything in a way that would be easy for the boy to understand. Lucien had a way with all people, and especially with Aurel, and Faolan knew he would pick the right words and the right tone.

He was surprised, however, with how difficult this seemed to be for Lucien. He was clearly struggling a bit with his words, choosing them carefully, but still unsure. Although the Irishman was relieved that the child had not caught them himself doing anything...private, it was still unfortunate that he had to find out this way.

However, the more the boy talked, the more Faolan felt himself relaxing. It was clear by his reaction, his lack of outrage or confusion, that he knew very little about human relationships and so his perceptions of love had not been steered or tainted in any way by popular opinion. This was the best case scenario that any of them could ask for, but Faolan was still not fully convinced. Lucien had chosen the word "partners" correctly, for as long as Aurel said that and not anything else by accident in front of strangers, they may not think twice about it. Disregarding their sexual relationship, the word "partner" described the two men's relationship quite well.

He did feel a little squeeze in his chest when Aurel asked if they could procreate, It was not something he had ever really wanted or thought about...at least, not until they had found Aurel.

Faolan felt a surge of anger when Lucien explained that not everyone was understanding about them. Remembering that boy from town and what had happened to him...and Faolan's own struggles with his feelings as a youth...he knew all too well how cruel others could be when it came to people's private affairs.

Aurel's question was a simple one, but not easily answered. Normally, Faolan would have kept quiet and allowed Lucien to continue his explanation, but he knew that this was not something Lucien had really experienced. The Frenchman had not awakened to his sexuality until he'd discovered his feelings for Faolan, and his secret was more easily kept as an intelligent and well-traveled adult. Faolan had fought with himself for years, trying to hide the truth even from his own heart, until he couldn't take it any more...

"Because they're afraid," he said, noticing Lucien's glance in his direction. His voice was stern but not angry.

Aurel's mouth and eyebrows twisted in confusion at this. [color=a7d3d4]"Why would they be afraid?"[/color]

Faolan sighed, then leaned forward slightly and removed his glasses before speaking. [color=a36209]"Because freedom isn't as easy for some people as it is for others. Some people look at things they don't understand and they hate that thing because it makes them feel weak or stupid...it takes someone special to look at that same thing and see something beautiful,"[/color] he looked at Lucien as he said this, then reached across the space to grasp the man's hand in his own. [color=a36209]"That's why we have to hide,"[/color] he turned his eyes back to Aurel but did not let go of his lover's hand, [color=a36209]"Because our freedom and our beauty scares them, makes them hate us. That's why we have to protect each other, no matter what, because each other is all we have."[/color]