AN: Hey I know that I haven't updated on Taking Lessons because I had a writer's block so I wrote this drabble instead. My new years goal was to write an AU and I got some inspiration from TreesandCheese's stories so I thought why not? It was my b-day yesterday so I thought I should gift myself with a new story instead.

Enjoy


"Ivan, are you going to be ready in five minutes?"

"Da," the Russian man said as he was getting ready. A stagehand was carefully setting up his microphone. Ivan was sitting on a red couch, and beside it was a green love seat where a Slavic woman was sitting. She looked like a delicate China doll, but everyone on set knew how deadly she was with her icy demeanour and harsh tone.

The woman gave him an adoring look, which made her Russian co-star cringe. His face lost his colour, but his lips formed a small smile, which calmed her down a bit. She continued to look at him, her eyes never leaving his face. It took all of the man's willpower to not run away or whimper lest he showed any weakness.

"Ready in five, four, three," the director said, and soon the crew became silent while the host of the show began to speak.

"Welcome to the Russian Eye. We are about to talk with another successful Russian who made it big in London, Natalya Arvolski."

Natalya made a smile that charmed the male audience. She began to speak about her past and her rise to fame. Ivan was bored of it, but he feigned keen interest to humour her.

"It has been a good time, learning so much about you," Ivan said a bit to happily since his interview would be over soon. Natalya smiled. "It has been my pleasure," she said as she placed her hand on his lap. Ivan felt extremely uncomfortable at how intimate the gesture was, but his discomfort went unnoticed.

He tried to keep his cool as he continued to speak. "It's too bad there is not enough time for us to continue this chat."

"You're right" Natalya said, releasing her hold.

Ivan sighed in relief, "Finally." A spot boy rushed to remove his mic, and Ivan rose from his seat to leave when he felt a grip on his wrist.

Natalya seductively said, "We can always continue this later."

The Russian man paled and quickly said, "Maybe some other time?"

Natalya was about to persuade him, but she heard her manager call out to her. The Belorussian actress looked displeased at the bad timing but smiled anyway. "I will see you, da?"

Ivan smiled weakly. "Da." He briskly walked away, thanking the heavens for the interruption. He really needed a drink.

Ivan Braginski was a popular TV host for the Russian channel "The Russian Eye." He was successful star in Russia, but his dream was to be well-known in all of Europe. He had lived in London for a few months so far and loved it there. He still missed the Siberian winters in his homeland, but something about this place made him want to stay. He knew for a fact that he was able to get sunflowers from his favourite shop right across from his home.

Time passed and it was late into the night. After another successful broadcast, he had gone to the pub to get a few drinks (and his own personal flask of vodka). He was halfway drunk and he giggled as he walked towards his apartment.

He took the elevator to the top floor and managed to get his keys into the door. He wasn't glad to go back to his empty apartment. He had no one to come back to; it depressed him greatly.

Ivan was indeed a lonely man. Although he might be modestly rich, he had never had a companion. No one wanted to work with him, seeing how difficult and stubborn he was at times. He was puzzled by how his three so-called companions (Toris, Eduard, and Raivis) had somehow been convinced to stay by his side. Ivan laughed. "I only know how to intimidate others, I can't do anything right." In the show business he had to stay on guard and use backhanded tricks and schemes to stay at the top. He couldn't afford to blindly trust others because they could manipulate him.

Ivan knew that people only associated with him because of his fame, wealth or to get a chance to be his co-host. He had trust issues as a child, with a single father who always treated him harshly. His mother died of cancer when he was a small child, leaving him alone with his alcoholic drunk of a father. He tried his hardest to please him, but his father didn't have the time for him. Ivan accepted that.

Before he knew it, he was on the floor with his eyes bloodshot and fists clenched tight, making his knuckles white. He was angry and wanted to scream so badly, but instead he laughed his troubles away like an insane man.

After what seemed like years to Ivan of this never ending sorrow, his attention was caught by a small, but soothing voice.

"Are you okay?" Ivan was not so drunk that he started to hear voices. He raised his head to see a person, a boy, staring at him.

Ivan noticed how the boy, appearing a little younger than him, seemed to glow. His eyes were a beautiful shade of purple that was a much lighter hue than his own. His skin looked flawless and his strawberry-blonde hair framed his face, making him look adorable alongside the glasses placed on his narrow nose.

Ivan was able to speak after realizing there was an intruder in his home. He yelled at him, "I don't know who you are, but you have to leave!"

The younger male's eyes widened. "Wait, you can see me?"

Ivan, baffled at how stupid the male was acting, replied, "Of course! Now leave before I call the police." A wave of dizziness attacked him full force and he could feel the rush of alcohol numb his brain. He was beginning to lose consciousness.

Ivan was still staring at him, his eyes giving a silent threat for the male to leave. The boy only responded just before Ivan blacked out.

"I wish I could, for I am trapped," he whispered as he looked away from the passed-out man on the floor.


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