Ivan was coming for a visit, but it was not Toris who had invited him. No. It was Feliks. And it was Feliks who told Toris of the invitation.

"What do you mean Ivan is coming to visit?"

"I mean Ivan is coming to visit. What do you think it means, Toris?"

"What do you have planned? I don't trust you for a moment."

"Oh, I have nothing planned, darling. I just thought since I was making so much love you should be able to do the same." A disgusting and twisted grin.

The Lithuanian's brows dented in a sort of upset, lips scrunched, uncertainly about his lost eyes.

"What? Don't give me that look, as though you're so shocked. I can civil."

"No, you can't. You haven't been civil for months. You're always playing stupid little games and everything you do has another motive to it. Always. So how do you expect me to trust you? Nothing inside of you is fit for trust."

"Oh, stop. You're just being ridiculous now, hypocrite. I can't trust you worth anything either, sweet heart! But when I'm unpredictable it's suddenly the worst of criminal offenses. Well, your Ivan is coming on Friday. I suggest we start preparing."

The Lithuanian glared, having nothing to say.

"Well, Good-bye now. Have a lovely day, my whore."

"I hate you Feliks!"

"Don't worry, dear!" The blond turned around, beaming. "I hate you too!"

And Friday came, with it a tall Russian, carrying his own bags within those powerful arms.

Ivan was greeted with eccentric noise.

"Oh, Welcome." Feliks looked so small in comparison to that Slavic prince. They took one another's hands and the Polish man's sunk inside his counterpart's. And they chattered, as Feliks was a master of chatter. The man could talk without even attempting to stop.

Then Toris was acknowledged.

"Hello, Toris. How have you been?"

"I've been well, Ivan. It's nice to see you again. How about you?"

"Well, I've missed having company, so I'm quite excited to be here." The Russian turned to see that blond monster. "Your home is simply extravagant. I'm looking forward to staying; it's beautiful."

"Oh, thank you. I'm glad you think so. You're too kind, Ivan. And so handsome." Feliks brushed the larger one's arm with a playful hand. "Come along. I'll show you around, and then you can do whatever you please, Mr. Braginski."

"Thank you, Feliks. I think I'd simply like to relax. But you can decide what we do. I would feel terrible demanding anything at all."

"Now you're simply being silly." Feliks took Ivan's gigantic palm and pulled up those winding stairs.

Oh, he was planning something.

The three traveled around that mansion until Ivan selected his room-likely one of the most comfortable within the entire estate. The Polish man had suggested it, of course. Only a gem for our most favored guest. That's what he said.

Toris was certain he would smack him in the mouth by the end of the day. He certainly wished to damage him immediately. To make him bleed. To tear away every last strand of blond and strangle the stupid creature. That little attention whore who loved to be beneath everyone's hackneyed gaze.

Then, as they usually did, all the men sat around a pleasant table within a pleasant room, exchanging pleasantries while sipping the most pleasant of teas. How pleasant it all was; how asinine.

Also, as was incredibly normal, Toris received very little of the guest's speech. No conversation what so ever. Simply, the blond would gabber on and on and on and Toris would watch, partially dumbfounded and the other part so bored those brown locks could be set on fire and he'd find himself happier.

It went on like this quite a long time.

At least Ivan was making attempts to speak to Toris. The creature could tell, but Feliks' voice was indeed a difficult voice to speak over. One may have to yell. And if one is unwilling to yell, any form of dominance would never be achieved.

Never.

Toris yawned, sipped his tea, and glanced to the chandelier above them, yawned again, picked at his nails, scratched his ankle, leaned back in his chair, leaned forward in his chair, yawned, sipped his tea, said a few words and returned to those inner thoughts.

Cycle, rinse, repeat.

Finally, the brunette made a peaceful protest.

"Excuse me." He stood. "I've forgotten I have a very important paper to sign."

"Toris, don't be rude."

"I could say the very same to you, Feliks, but it would be even worse to start an argument with Mr. Braginski here. You two seem to be having a lovely time without my input; I can see that I'm not needed here. Good-bye."

Those emeralds settled against the visage of that guest, who wore a sharp apology within his regard, lips welded into a slight frown. "Good-bye Toris."

"God-bye, Ivan."

And with that, the rebel went, not to his room, but to Ivan's. Well, if Feliks wanted him to make love, then by all means, he would make love. Besides, this bed was even more comfortable than his own.

Almost immediately, just after lying down, the intruder fell asleep. His dreams seduced him, those sheets and pillowed holding to him as the selfish hands of a siren. The boredom from earlier also seemed to be quite the sleeping aide.

And that faux mess of occurrences was chocked with a Russian.

Was it such a surprise who the thief woke up to?

The bed shifted with a heavy weight and Toris was taken from his dreams for a sugared slice of reality.

"Hello, Toris. I'm sorry about today. I really did try to speak to you, but that Feliks just wouldn't shut up." A smile. "We were looking for you earlier, but no one thought to check in my room. You're very good at hiding."

"Well, you have to be, when living with that lunatic."

Ivan laughed. "You know, I'm actually quite glad to find you here. I've missed you, and honestly, I was beginning to think I would never see you again with Feliks yapping on all the time." Ivan's body sunk beneath the sheets, his hand touching to the guest's in a kind warmth. "It's nice to find you here. I thought I might have to suffer through another lonesome night."

"No; of course not."Toris drew a little nearer. "I always make sure to treat my guests well."

Another instance of laughter. "No wonder why I had missed you so strongly. It's due to these sorts of moments." That palm was gripped a little tighter.

And Toris lidded his vision, content. "I'm glad we're pen pals, Mr. Braginski. I'm sorry to be unhappy. I don't trust that Polish man."

"Well, I don't blame you."

"Why? Did he tell you something about me?"

"No. Not at all. But he's never wanted to speak to me for long. Perhaps it's one of those things that one would think nothing of, but I can understand being somewhat wary."

"I'm sorry, Ivan."

"Why is that?"

"Now you're involved in this mess we've made. You don't belong in the center of it. Not at all. But Feliks wanted you here."

"Did you not want me to come?"

"Well, it's not that I didn't want to see you. I love your company. But it's just as I said. You shouldn't be here. We've too many problems to hold guests and act civil, but Feliks insists upon inviting anyone with a first name. It's terrible."

"I see, Toris. I'm sorry you're in such a sour situation." That cheek was kissed by strong lips. "Perhaps you and I can run away tomorrow, before Feliks wakes. That is, if he plans to talk to me until my ears bleed once more."

"Perhaps…" A smile. "Poor Ivan."

"Yes, poor Ivan."

Either was going to sleep, Ivan holding that found man and Toris accepting his affection without any qualms. Yes. Even with that stupid Feliks making problems, either could take a form of comfort. It was alright.

For now, they had one another.

And with one another, they slept.

Yes. After months of lonesomeness and separation, the odd former pair could finally be together. How strange. How mangled an event.

But they were comfortable. So it was fine.