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Primo blinked as he stepped out of the plane.

Photographers were shouting in his direction as cameras flashed. He squinted against the harsh light and noise as he was ushered into a waiting car.

Peyton was already sitting inside. Primo had expected the Retriever to be furious, but instead his muzzle broke into a crafty smile and his tail wagged. "There's talk of putting you on the cover of Time magazine" he explained. "Why?" Primo asked. "They tried to cover up what happened, but the news still spread, everyone's going crazy over it. Governments all over the world are saying it's an outrage and they're calling you a hero!" Peyton continued. Primo didn't know what to think. He certainly didn't feel like a hero.

After the concert, Primo had been escorted to a nearby police station where he had been detained overnight. He had undergone an hour of aggressive questioning; what was the purpose of his speech and had he been paid to make it?

Eventually, Primo had managed to convince the police he had not been paid by a foreign government or the CIA to make the speech and was able to telephone his lawyer.

After a series of phone calls and negotiations, Primo was told that he would be released on the condition that he renounced the content of his speech.

Reluctantly, Primo agreed and was whisked back to the same television station where he had given his pre-concert press call. In front of the television cameras, he had announced that his speech had been wrong and that he took back the message he was trying to put across.

With that, he had been driven to the airport with the rest of his entourage and flown out of the Eastern sector.

Once the car had dropped him outside his block, Primo made his way into his apartment alone.

He had half-expected a cluster of photographers to be waiting outside, but the street was blissfully quiet.

Once he had locked the door, Primo shed his clothes and stood under the warm water in the shower. He sat down, curled his tail around himself and drew his knees up to his chest as he thought about all that had happened.

The memory of seeing Abel in the audience flashed into his mind and he was afraid that he had put the Doberman's life in danger.

Feeling worried, he stepped out the shower, smoothed his fur and swaddled himself in a bath robe.

He switched on the television and immediately saw a news report about his arrest in East Berlin.

Footage showed him walking from the plane, bleary eyed, and climbing into the back of the car. "Singer Primo Lorenz was released this morning after his arrest by East German police. The singer was accused by the East German government of inciting the audience to riot". Primo turned the television off and sat in silence.

He spent the following week in seclusion, passing the time by watching television or playing tunes on the piano and strumming his guitar when he could be bothered.

His luscious white fur had become dulled as he no longer bothered about maintain his appearance.

He received the occasional call from Peyton, asking him to do an interview about his arrest and if he was ready to begin the European tour. Primo turned each offer down, claiming he was too tired.

He had been planning to make the speech since he had negotiated permission for the concert, but he felt strangely hollow now that it was all over.

The news reports on the television provided a source of interest. It seemed furs in the East sector were starting to protest more heavily and demanding to be let into West Berlin.

Primo had never really taken much of an interest in the situation as a whole, his anger had been channelled into the fact that Abel had been taken away from him.

Meanwhile, Abel's week had been brutal.

He had been kept alone in the dark cell with no mention of release. The guard who observed him was a short but aggressive Dachshund who snarled and raked his paw across the cell door whenever he walked by. He sported a sharp black suit and wore a pungent smelling cologne.

Abel would shiver whenever he caught the scent at his cell door.

He had been provided with one meagre portion of food a day and felt sapped of energy. He had been dragged out once for questioning, but other than confessing to handing out leaflets, there was very little he could say.

There was no mention of Andreas from any of the officers who interrogated him. Abel didn't want to mention his name and endanger him, despite the awful, nagging feeling in his mind. The Dachshund questioned Abel about who had given him the leaflets, his sour breath hit Abel's nose and caused him to recoil. However, Abel refused to give them Andreas' name.

He was thrown back in the cell. It was freezing cold and light was kept off. After a few days, Abel could no longer tell whether it was day or night. None of the guards spoke to him and he was left to sit in the darkness.

Just as Abel had given up all hope of seeing the light of day again, the cell door swung open.

Abel blinked as the harsh light from the corridor spilled in. He felt a sense of dread creep through his mind as he expected another interrogation. "You're to be released" the Dachshund said. "Wait, what?" Abel groaned, shielding his eyes with his paw. The guard's usually pristine suit was crumpled. His muzzle was turned to the ground and his eyes looked ashamed. "I'm sorry for all that we put you through" the guard sighed, before turning and walking down the corridor.

Abel peered around the door and saw that all the cells had been opened.

He made his way down the corridor towards the entrance hall where he could hear the sound of shouting.

Furs of all species were standing in the lobby. Some had just been released from their cells and were wondering around looking bemused. Others were running around the police headquarters, asking those released if they had seen a friend or relative, or rifling through discarded papers on the floor for clues.

Feeling disorientated, Abel wondered out into the street. He turned and saw Andreas also walking out of the entrance, blinking in the sunlight.

He felt a rush of relief to see his mate.

They hugged, not wanting to let go. However, as they pulled apart, Abel noticed how emaciated Andreas seemed

The Doberman was thin and shaky. Abel glanced at his reflection in the windows of the police headquarters and saw that he didn't look much better.

Suddenly, word began to spread through the crowd. "The wall is open! The wall is open!" Abel and Andreas glanced at each other and followed the rush in the direction of the wall.

Meanwhile, Primo had climbed out of bed and ambled into the living room. It seemed like it was going to be another isolated day of doing nothing.

He yawned and switched on the television to watch the morning news. His eyes widened. The wall checkpoints had been opened and furs from both sides were crossing over. Primo sat dumbfounded for a moment. Then, the memory of seeing Abel in the concert hall flashed back into his mind.

For the first time in a week, Primo felt a sudden burst of energy. He grabbed his car keys and a coat, before bolting out of the front door.

Driving his Maserati through the streets, he saw hordes of furs making their way towards the wall. The crowd soon became too dense to drive through and Primo parked the car.

Following the scrum, he walked to the place where he had last seen Abel when the wall had gone up.

The previously lonely street was now full of life.

Primo rounded the corner and saw to his surprise that furs standing on top of the wall while others were dancing and singing in the street.

Primo knew there was a checkpoint not too far away and as he ran towards it, his feeling of excitement and anticipation grew.

There was a queue at the barrier as everyone pushed excitedly through. Primo elbowed his way through the crowd and looked frantically around. He sniffed at the air, trying to catch a scent of belonging to Abel that he could recognise.

The crowd parted, and if by some miracle, he saw Abel standing and gazing with the same amazed expression at the open checkpoint. The previously muscular Doberman looked gaunt and vacant, but it was definitely Abel.

Abel turned to face Primo and the ghost of a smile spread across his face.

Primo ran forwards and threw his arms around Abel. The Doberman felt weak but he returned the hug. Their muzzles touched and in the middle of the excitement they kissed. Their eyes closed as they forgot all that was happening around them.

In spite of the situation, a couple of furs turned and saw to their surprise that a famous rock star was standing in the midst of the excitement and kissing a Doberman on the muzzle.

The pair broke apart and gazed into each other's eyes for moment without saying anything. Primo wanted to savour the moment he had been waiting for.

A shadow fell across them and Primo turned to see another Doberman gazing at him in surprise. "This is Andreas, my mate" Abel explained. Andreas looked rather perplexed. "You know Primo Lorenz?" He asked. "Yes, we used to be mated" Abel replied. Andreas gazed at both of them with an expression of incredulity.

Primo was also lost for words. He had not anticipated the possibility that Abel could have become mated during their time apart. He had naturally assumed that Abel would have been waiting for them to be together again. A burst of emotions were coursing through his mind; excitement, confusion and shock. He felt as if he was about to faint. His hind-paws buckled and he crumpled to the ground.

Primo woke up on a damp patch of grass. Both Abel and Andreas were glancing at him, their expressions were worried.

Primo felt like he couldn't get up. He could feel the uncomfortable texture of the wet and muddy grass against his fur, but he had no motivation to move. He could see Abel was trying to talk to him but he couldn't make out the words.

Despite the jubilation around above him, Primo felt no happiness. The moment he had been waiting for all those years had been ruined.

Abel reached down and stroked the side of Primo's face with his paw. Slowly, Primo stood. "Are you all right?" Andreas asked. "Yes, I think so" Primo replied. He could tell by Abel's expression that the Doberman sensed his sadness and disappointment.

Primo looked and the ground, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He then took Abel's paw and gently placed it into Andreas'. "Look after him" Primo said. "Primo, I'll still love you no matter what" Abel replied, his eyes gazed earnestly at Primo. Andreas walked over and placed a paw on Primo's shoulder. "Primo, I'm so sorry". "Don't be, it's all right" Primo replied, trying to smile. "We'll come and visit you" Abel assured him.

Primo gave the Dobermans his address before making his way back to the wall crossing.

Primo returned to the apartment alone. He crumpled into a chair and sat in silence, mulling over what had just happened.

He picked up the phone and called Peyton's number. He stated that he was now ready to continue his European tour. With his knew found infamy, Peyton had assured him it would be his most profitable series of concerts to date.

Primo tried to muster an enthusiastic tone, but inside, he felt no happiness.

Over the next few weeks, Abel slowly regained his strength until he resembled his former self.

He began to make visits to the Western sector of the city was amazed at the contrast with his side. Everything seemed so colourful and vibrant.

He traced the locations he had visited with Primo as a teenager, explored the streets they had walked down, took the train out to the country and trekked the same paths were they had taken their picnics.

He wondered through the trees of the Grunewald Forest and sat by the lake. Sitting alone, he watched the orange sunset over the water and recalled the evenings he spent with Primo.

He felt torn. He loved Andreas, but he couldn't rid his mind of the memories of the Shepherd, and inside, he felt heartbroken at how upset Primo had seemed at their reunion. He also wanted to move to an apartment in the West, whereas Andreas wanted to stay in the East to be near his family.

At night, he lay awake next to Andreas as thoughts of Primo churned through his mind.

Once they felt ready, the Doberman pair made love for the first time in months. Abel panted and moaned as Andreas held him and thrusted into his rump. He enjoyed the sensation of his mate wrapping his arms around his chest and kissing him on the back of the neck.

However, once they had finished and the afterglow had subsided, the memories of Primo came flooding back. Abel tried to shake them away, but it was no use.

Andreas began to suggest that they should tell their respective families about their relationships. "This is a new era we're living in" Andreas claimed "we can do whatever we want". However, Abel refused, knowing that his mother would disown him. It was sad that even though there was new found freedom in society, old ideas still clung to his family.

Whenever they spent time together, the Doberman couple began to talk less and sat in an awkward silence at dinner. At night, they stopped holding each other and slept with their backs to each other.

There was a silent acceptance that their romance had run dry.

One day, as they were walking through the park, Abel took a deep breath and finally admitted what was on his mind. "Andreas, I love you" Abel said "we've been through thick and thin. You looked out for me and I will always be grateful for that, but I don't think we're working out anymore". Andreas looked down but nodded. "You want to go back to Primo?" He asked. "Yes" Abel replied quietly. Andreas nodded. "It's hard to hear, but it makes sense" he sighed.

Andreas looked down and stood in silence for a minute before glancing back up. "I'll always love you too". He reached over and hugged Abel. "I still want to be friends, and I genuinely mean that" Abel said into Andreas' ear. "Of course I will and I'll come to see you. After all, there's nothing stopping us crossing the wall now" Andreas said, hugging Abel tightly. Abel could tell by the expression in Andreas' eyes that his promise was genuine and they would remain friends.

The next morning, Abel walked through the barrier into the Western sector. He noticed furs chipping away at the wall with hammers and the guards were doing nothing to stop them. Some were even joining in.

Abel wondered the streets in the direction of Primo's address. The roads here were wider and the houses larger. He reached the address that Primo had given him and stood outside the apartment block, gazing apprehensively at the front door. Perhaps this wasn't such a good idea.

Inside, Primo was finishing a phone call to Peyton. He was flying to London in two days' time to resume his tour.

There was buzz on the apartment's intercom. Primo frowned, thinking it might be a journalist who had found his address and would pester him for an interview.

To his surprise, he heard Abel's voice at the other end.

Primo buzzed him in and the Doberman looked uncomfortable as he walked through the front door. He could automatically tell by the look in Abel's eyes that he had separated from Andreas. He wrapped his arms around Abel and kissed him on the muzzle. Abel hugged him back and they stood in silence for a minute, enjoying the feeling of each other's intimate company. "I'm leaving for London, but come with me. We always said we'd visit these places and now we can" Primo whispered into Abel's ear. "That would be perfect" Abel replied with a smile. The pair broke the hug and gazed into each other's eyes. "What shall we do now?" Primo eventually asked. "A trip to the lake would be nice" Abel replied with a smile.