When Armand happens to look down into his new neighbour’s yard one night and discovers him lying on his back, staring up at the night sky, he doesn’t know what to think. It doesn’t happen every night, but it happens often enough for Armand’s curiosity to be piqued.<br><br>When they finally meet, Armand falls instantly in lust with Ben, a dentist with an interest Armand can only describe as out-of-the-ordinary. As they get to know each other, Armand’s feelings towards Ben blossom into love. Yet Ben reveals he has recently come out of a six-year relationship and isn’t quite ready for anyone special in his life. Armand is disappointed but learns to live with the fact he and Ben might only ever be friends.<br><br>But the future is a strange and wonderful thing. When Armand starts to show a fondness for Ben’s unusual interest, it leads to more than one surprise event.

The Sky at Night

Before Ben, he thought his life was as full as it could be. He had his own computer business, and friends he went out with Fridays after work, and on the occasional Saturday night. He had things to do in and around his home. He chatted to distant friends online via Skype, and attended the weddings and birthday parties of those friends nearer by. He was an avid gardener and reader. He enjoyed bushwalking.


Only at that moment, standing in the foyer of his home, did he wonder if many of those things weren’t merely distractions. They filled a void that only another person could fill. He wasn’t unhappy. He knew that much. He was content and satisfied with his life, but meeting Ben had shown him he could be happier. It was looking more and more likely there was a piece to his life missing.


Chapter 5