What a gorgeous fic, Mystery Author. You do such a wonderful job letting the natural reticence of the characters bloom, echoing the uncertainty of the larger political situation. There are no narrative revelations, no moments of insight for the characters, no new knowledge gained as the two become more intimate. Small clues reveal themselves but never add up to something larger. Sex is a momentary relief in the face of painful incomprehension on both their parts. So powerful. M.