"Certainly, if it is only occasional and no real violence, I can understand not wishing to make a large deal. Priests are always generous." He smiled weakly as he finished his tea and folded his hands neatly.

"I.." he sighed and shook his head and looked at his hands. "I have one great shame and one great sin and both haunt my life and shaped me to who I am."

He held up one hand to the other man. "My shame is visible by my burns." He dropped the hand. "I'd show you but we are about to eat. It isn't from the fire that took my parents but that I was awake and was injured trying to save them and I was too weak. I don't think they ever even woke up, but I still remember the moment as clear as if it were only yesterday."

He smiled weakly and his voice cracked. "It's ridiculous my sin is harder to speak of. But... I have never been able to love a woman. I mean emotionally. Never even bothered to try physically. I have found myself thinking fondly of men but I've never even been tempted to risk sin until recently when I truly felt love even if it were only one sided. " He sighed heavily and could barely glance at the other. "If you wish to leave, I'll think nothing wrong. It is despicable. "