Bernard Crossing Fates

Gay Love in Freedom Beyond Loss and Grief
1. Auflage 2025
ISBN: 978-3-7693-4290-1
Verlag: BoD - Books on Demand
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: 6 - ePub Watermark

E-Book, Englisch, Band 2, 216 Seiten

Reihe: Crossing Lines, Fates and Shores

In Nazi-occupied France, Paul and Will have found something rare and fragile - love in the midst of war. What began as an unlikely romance between a wealthy Frenchman and a German officer in Crossing Fates has now grown into an unbreakable bond. But in a world where their love is forbidden, every day is a battle. As war tightens its grip, new threats arise - not only from the outside but also from within their own families. Tragic losses and painful betrayals shake them to the core, yet through suffering, their devotion only deepens. Even in the darkest times, glimmers of hope emerge. Unexpected allies offer them a way out, a chance for a future beyond war and oppression. But escape will not be easy. Every step is fraught with danger, every decision could mean life or death. Can they trust those who promise them freedom? And will their love survive the ultimate test? With everything at stake, Paul and Will must make the most daring choice of all: to leave behind the only world they have ever known. But they are not alone. As they embark on a perilous journey, they discover that love and friendship can be stronger than war itself. A gripping tale of passion, resilience, and the pursuit of happiness - set against the burning backdrop of World War II. Im von den Nazis besetzten Frankreich haben Paul und Will etwas Seltenes gefunden - Liebe inmitten des Krieges. Was in Crossing Fates als unerwartete Romanze zwischen einem wohlhabenden Franzosen und einem deutschen Offizier begann, ist zu einer tiefen Verbindung geworden. Doch in einer Welt, in der ihre Liebe verboten ist, wird jeder Tag zum Kampf. Tragische Verluste und schmerzhafte Erfahrungen erschüttern sie, doch ihre Liebe wird dadurch nur stärker. Selbst in den dunkelsten Zeiten eröffnen sich neue Wege. Unerwartet bietet sich die Chance auf eine Zukunft jenseits von Krieg und Unterdrückung. Wird ihre Liebe diese Prüfung überstehen? Paul und Will treffen die mutigste Entscheidung ihres Lebens: Sie verlassen Europa und beginnen ein neues Leben. Doch sie sind nicht allein. Auf ihrem unberechenbaren Weg erkennen sie, dass Freundschaft und Liebe stärker sein können als der Krieg selbst. Eine fesselnde Geschichte über Leidenschaft, Widerstandskraft und den Mut, für das eigene Glück zu kämpfen - vor der brennenden Kulisse des Zweiten Weltkriegs.

Olivier Bernard, a Canadian author, crafted this evocative erotic novel as a heartfelt tribute to the life and experiences of a close friend. With a keen eye for emotional nuance and passion, Bernard has captured the intense highs and lows of an extraordinary relationship, weaving them into a compelling narrative. This novel is not only a story of love and desire but also a celebration of the courage and tenderness that sustained his friend through challenging times. For Bernard, this work is a labor of love, telling an intimate yet universal tale marked by empathy and authenticity, offering a profound glimpse into the intertwined paths of friendship, loyalty, and passion. Olivier Bernard, ein kanadischer Autor, schuf diesen tiefgründigen Erotikroman als eine bewegende Hommage an das Leben und die Erlebnisse eines engen Freundes. Mit feinem Gespür für zwischenmenschliche Nuancen und Leidenschaft hat Bernard die intensiven Höhen und Tiefen einer außergewöhnlichen Beziehung eingefangen und literarisch verarbeitet. Der Roman ist nicht nur eine Erzählung über Liebe und Verlangen, sondern auch eine Feier des Mutes und der Zärtlichkeit, die seinen Freund durch eine oft herausfordernde Zeit getragen haben. So ist dieses Werk für Bernard eine Herzensangelegenheit, die eine intime und zugleich universelle Geschichte erzählt, geprägt von Empathie und Authentizität, und die einen tiefen Einblick in die verwobenen Pfade von Freundschaft, Loyalität und Leidenschaft gewährt.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Bernard, Olivier

Leseproben

ONE
„Have you read the newspaper?“, Paul asked Will... „No, not yet... Why?“ „... Here... Read the „Petit Parisien“...“, Paul said, giving the newspaper to Will... On the front page, in large prints, it said: „TOTAL VICTORY OF JAPAN OVER PEARL HARBOUR“ Under that title, the „Petit Parisien“ had reproduced the French translation of a text from the White House, detailing the attack on the Hawaiian islands... A list of the sunk ships had also been reproduced, and Will began to read it. He read that the battleships USS Arizona and USS Oklahoma had been sunk, that the battleships USS West Virginia, USS California and USS Nevada had been sunk or very seriously damaged. The USS Pennsylvania was safe... Other ships had also been sunk, such as the destroyer Cassin and the destroyer Downes... The „Petit Parisien“ also said two hundred planes had been destroyed, and more than one hundred fifty had been badly damaged... Will read the article to the end, then looked at Paul and said: „But my poor, Paul: It's not a victory.... it's a total defeat for the Japanese... They are probably crying their last tears in Tokyo by now...“ „Huh? ... Are you crazy, or what?“, Paul answered, looking at Will... „...Look at the list of the sunk ships over here... look...“ „Yeah?“ „...All you see on that list are battleships, destroyers... and so on, right?“ „...Yes...“ „Do you see the name of one single aircraft carrier on that list?“ „...No. So what?“ „Well, aircraft carriers are certainly what the Japanese were looking for at Pearl Harbor, not battleships...“ – „But battleships are so big and so powerful...“, Paul answered... „Yeah... and so were the dinosaurs... Battleships are a thing of the past! They have been replaced by aircraft carriers...“ „... What the hell are you talking about?“, Paul asked... „Look Paul, you remember last May, when the Bismark sank?“ „Yes...“ „...As you know, the Bismark was our finest battleship... She was the world's most feared warship... and she was known as the „terror of the sea“..., huh?“ „I do remember...“ „Well, last May, she sank the Hood, Britain's finest Battleship, then crippled the battleship „Prince of Wales“... but later, she was attacked by a very small plane, a single plane, from the British aircraft carrier „Ark Royal“... A torpedo from that small plane hit its rudder and disabled the steering... As the Bismark was no longer able to maneuver, she was attacked by other British ships, and she bravely fought until her guns fell silent, her last munition spent. Then, our guys sunk her, as she was in danger of falling into enemy's hands...“ „Yeah?“ „...So, you see: A very small airplane from an aircraft carrier was capable of disabling the world's most feared warship... Now, if I were the Japanese, I would very much like to know where the American aircraft carriers are.... Right now, they could be sailing to Tokyo, and Tokyo could soon be bombed from hundreds of planes from those carriers...“ „...I wonder if the Japanese thought about that?“ „Oh sure! That's why I say it must have been a big, big disappointment to them when they didn't see aircraft carriers at Pearl Harbor when they bombed that naval base...“ „What do you think is going to happen now?“ „...In my view, the Japanese have made a big mistake: It's a giant they have awaken... Thank God, the Americans haven't declared war to Germany...“ But that was going to change... since on December 11, 1941, Hitler declared war to the United-States... „...He's CRAZY!!! Totally insane...“, Will shouted out, when he heard the news... „...Calm down Will... Please! Calm down...“, Paul said to him... „Sure! Those clowns in Berlin are mad as hell, and you ask me to calm down? Hitler must be crazy! To declare war on the United-States, I mean...“ „... What can you do? Please, Will: Sit down!“ „(...) I can't believe it! No, I can't! Not only are we at war with England and Russia... but now, we'll have the Americans on our back...“ „(...) And I have another bad news...“, Paul said, looking down at the carpet... „What else?“, Will answered. „(...) Well... Two weeks ago, I sent a long letter to my parents in New York... telling them everything about the two of us... you know... I was expecting a reply from them... But since Hitler declared war to the United-States, my direct phone line to New York has been cut... and I've been told it was no longer possible to send or receive letters from the United-States...“ „Huh? (...) But France is not at war with America...“, Will answered... „...I know that... But who do you think has control over the phone lines and the postal services around here, huh?“ „(...)“ „Yeah! ... That means I can't talk to my Dad and my family anymore... And I don't see how I could receive a reply from them, thanks to the Führer...“, Paul answered, with a very sad face... „... I'm so sorry Paul... Really...“ „I know Will... I know you are. All of this happens at the worst of times...“ A few days later, they made a big Christmas tree at Paul's mansion, just like the year before... and although they tried, they didn't have much fun decorating it... „... Are we going to Berlin for Christmas? My Mum and Dad are expecting us...“, Will asked Paul... „...Sure! Let's go... And I'm sure Ludwig is expecting us, too...“, Paul answered, laughing... Then, looking at Lutz and Franz, Paul asked them: „Are you coming, guys?“ „... I can't“, Franz answered... I'm working...“ „...And I won't leave him...“ Lutz added... „Oh yes, you are... you're going to Berlin, I'm telling you!“, Franz said to Lutz... Lutz took Franz's hands into his, and, looking straight into his lover's deep blue eyes, he said: „...Look Franz: I'm staying here with you... I won't leave you all alone... and there's nothing you can say to change my mind! I love you Franz, and that's it!“ „But... I want you to go... to see your family...“, Franz answered, with tears in his eyes... „...I know... But I'm not going. Period.“, Lutz answered. Franz turned to Paul, and told him: „Say something... I want him to go to Berlin...“ „... I think I understand how he feels... and if I were in his shoes, I would make the same decision... I would never leave Will alone...“, Paul answered... „...And neither would I...“, Will added... „See... and don't worry Franz... I'll see my family later...“, Lutz answered, giving Franz a light kiss on his lips... Two days before Will and Paul were about to leave for Berlin, Franz came to see Paul... „(...) We received a long message at the embassy from New York... Since it was coded, I had to decipher it... (...) It's from your mother... Please Paul, sit down...“ Franz said to his friend, as he was giving the message to him... Paul sat, then took the long message, and started to read it... Franz kept silent and sat beside his friend... As Paul read the message, he turned white, and tears came to his eyes... When he had finish reading the message, he slowly put it down on the coffee table in front of him and stared at the oil painting of his parents over the large fireplace... Franz looked at Paul and took his hands into his... „(...) I'm so sorry, Paul...“ Paul turned to look at Franz. His eyes were full of tears. But he was silent... „(...) What can I say, Paul... what can I say?“, Franz said... „Nothing“, Paul answered... „I just can't believe she wrote that...“ „...(...) I know...“ After a long moment of silence, Paul looked at Franz and said: „...Now... not a word to Will about that message... Promise me! It's almost Christmas, and I don't want this message to ruin his fun!“ „But...“ „Not a word! Promise me...“ „I swear...“, Franz answered. „Thanks. I'll tell him later... after Christmas...“, Paul answered. After Franz had left, Paul went to his bedroom, and cried all the tears he had... Thank God he was alone, and thank God Will was at work... He cried for a long time, then fell asleep... When Will got back from work that night, he found Paul on his bed, still sleeping... He sat on the bed, gave his lover a kiss... When Paul woke up, he looked at will, and smiled... „How come you're sleeping at this time of day...“, Will asked, smiling at his lover... „Oh... I wonder if I haven't caught a cold... It's nothing, really... I already feel better...“, Paul answered, smiling... „We won't go to Berlin if you're not feeling well...“, Will said... „That's out of the question! A good night's rest, and everything will be alright, I tell you!“, Paul answered, with a grin on his face... „...We'll see about that...“, Will said... „Come on: Let's go downstairs, and have supper... I'm feeling better, I swear to you...“ Paul put a big smile on his face, and nothing was said about the message he had received from New York... Two days later, Will and Paul flew to Berlin, where Will's father as well as Ludwig were waiting for them at Tempelhof Airport... „I'm so glad to see you, both...“, Ludwig said, as he hugged them......