Set in Germany during the 1930s - 40s. A Steel Chain Across The Door features the lives and loves of men struggling to recover from trauma while also struggling to deal with the rise of Nazism and the way it threatens their safety.
Many stories here focus on the relationship between Arik Zigman and Father Benedikt Veidt, two men who want to keep their relationship secret. Unfortunately, their safety is threatened by Bruno Kaemmer, a Gestapo officer with a twisted obsession with Father Veidt.
I'm currently exploring these characters and seeing what kind of longer plots I can have with them, so these stories are subject to change at any time.
Character page coming eventually.
MOST RECENT STORY: ON THE BANK OF THE SPREE (published 2 October 2023) (Archive Of Our Own link)
Published 2 October 2023
It's a beautiful day in May and Arik hopes he'll be able to capture the attention of Father Benedikt Veidt during their walk together.(Archive Of Our Own mirror)
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Rejection letters from literary magazines
- - -
Published 10 October 2022
Arik and Benedikt try to beat the heat one summer day.(Archive Of Our Own mirror)
TRIGGER WARNINGS: None
- - -
Published 9 April 2023
Every few weeks, Arik Zigman and his sister Anni get a drink at their favorite bar, then see a film together at the cinema they've been going to since they were children. They may not always see eye-to-eye, but they are able to bond over their love of movies and relationship drama. Arik shows up early but discovers that Anni arrived even earlier with a "friend." That's alright. Arik enjoys surprises...(Archive Of Our Own mirror)
TRIGGER WARNINGS: None
- - -
Published 10 March 2023
Father Benedikt Veidt receives a visitor: Father Isidore Frischer, head of the orphanage in Eichstätt where Benedikt lived as a teen. They've been friends for years but there are still some things they struggle to name out loud. Especially their memories of their time together. Would it be any better if they could be fully open with one another?(Archive Of Our Own mirror)
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Child abuse mention, suicide mention
- - -
Published 15 August 2022
Bruno has come to the cathedral to remind the priests that the Gestapo are constantly watching them.
When he runs into Father Benedikt Veidt, Bruno decides to stick around a bit longer. He has something he wants to confess to Father Veidt in particular...(Archive Of Our Own mirror)
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Nonconsensual dirty talk, uniforms, Catholicism.
- - -
Published 1 July 2022
Father Benedikt Veidt is surprised to see Officer Bruno Kaemmer resting against the door of the rectory. The officer is here to see him yet again, hoping to get more information. The first time he came, Veidt shared information he heard during Confession. He thought it'd be enough to send Kaemmer away, but it looks like Kaemmer is hoping for something more intimate this time... (Archive Of Our Own mirror)
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Noncon, violence, homophobic slurs, child abuse mention.
- - -