John understands that this is more perhaps than Jim really cares to know about his past love life, but there is a point to his story, and he hopes that Jim will understand that too.

"Indeed, it was," he agrees, glancing aside at the other man, grateful that he is at least giving him the benefit of the doubt, here.

"A great many things about the situation were complicated. But I valued our friendship above all else, and as such I tried my best not to do anything to compromise what tenuous grounds we found ourselves on."

John offers Jim a wistful smile, before letting out a heavy sigh. "Such things are never meant to be, however. Not for very long, of course. I -- made a mistake. A very small one, but it was enough. In the space of one breath, he discovered the truth of me. My sexuality, my desire for him. My perversion, as far as he saw it, devout Catholic that he was. Whatever relationship we had between the pair of us, complicated though it might have been, was in ruins."