Chapter two :)

Mariah, being a mutual, had still not been in contact with Ray for well over two years and it was weird to just throw a thing and invite him, especially given his history with Lee. So while she asked for time to figure something out, Tala took things into his own hands.

He strolled into the dog shelter hoping Ray was on duty that Monday. His profile gave no information about his working hours, but he hadn't checked in any events or places on a Monday for the past three months so this was Tala's best bet.

He was directed first to the office, where an elegant looking blonde woman called Judy inquired about his financial status and ability to support a rescue pup. He answered all her questions, told her he didn't have a specific breed in mind but that he wanted a pup because he already had a baby husky home. She led him outside to the yard which was neatly divided into several portions, all currently unoccupied except for a litter of cats in one corner and told him to wait as she headed off to the sheds. Hoping and praying that she would bring Ray (knowing it was a far cry and she could get literally any of the workers out there) to help him instead of struggling with the puppies herself in her skirt and blouse, he waited for her to show up.

His prayers were answered because soon enough the woman emerged with the Chinese following in tow, his long hair bunched up into a man bun on top of his head and his brow glistening with a sheen of sweat.

"Oh, hey!", he called out as soon as he saw Tala and the redhead smiled.

"Hi again." He was surprised to find he didn't have to force himself to seem happy in the face of the Chinese's bright grin.

"Oh, you seem to know each other. That's good. I will leave you to it, then?" She directed the question at Tala himself, to which he easily assented. After she left, he turned to Kon again, who gestured for him to follow.

"Ray."

"What?"

"That's my name. Can't believe we danced and never asked for each other's names."

That's because he already knew both of them. "Oh yeah, I am Tala, Tala Ivanov."

"Russian?" The amber eyes found his and Tala saw that under the sun, they weren't amber but quite a clear shade of pure gold. Ray held the door open for Tala and he walked in, nodding, taken a bit by surprise at the unbidden thoughts of appreciation that rose through him for those unique, wondrous orbs.

"My boyfriend's Russian too. Oh man, you must feel like he's all I ever talk about but you just remind me of him somehow." He said sheepishly as he closed the door behind himself and smiled up at Tala again. Looking around, the redhead found himself surrounded by sizeable playpens, about thirteen, all containing puppies till about two years. "This is where we keep the puppies, separate you know because the older ones can get a little rough at times." Ray explained as a Doberman pup ran out of his pen and towards him. It was missing an eye. Absently, the Chinese stroked it.

"Um… can you suggest which one of them I should consider, because I already have a husky puppy at home."

"Ugh."

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Tell me!"

"My boyfriend has a husky pup too."

"Similar enough you could confuse me for him some nights."

"Tala!"

"Kidding. So?"

"I think you should pick one of similar size and energy. Huskies aren't temperamental though, they usually work well with all breeds but I recommend Kash here for one,", he gestured at the dob. Tala bent down to scratch him behind the ear a little. "Or Fenrir. I think Fenrir is your best bet."

"Fenrir?"

"A German shepherd who joined us a month ago. His previous owners were dog abusers."

"That's awful." Tala's eyes followed Ray's directions and found a lonely looking German shepherd pup sitting isolated in the pen placed farthest away from the rest. There were two golden retrievers playing close by it, except it paid them no mind.

"He has been traumatised. He is such a gentle soul, he doesn't hurt anyone but he no longer bonds with humans. It took me two weeks to get him to respond to me. He is not hostile, just wary so you will have to deal with moodiness, except I think another puppy and loving home is exactly what he needs right now."

Experimentally, Tala moved towards the puppy, stroking any of the joyful fur balls who came up to him on the way. He called out to the pup in a soft voice and while it turned its head made no further moves to come closer.

Tala knelt next to him and reached out to stroke his fur. The dog didn't resist at all but didn't seem any happier to have attention like any of the other puppers.

Ray was right, Fenrir desperately needed a loving family. Carefully picking the dog up, making sure not to startle it, Tala carried it over to his black-haired 'friend' who was watching him with a soft smile and compassionate eyes, like seeing Fenrir cuddled in the arms of someone was all he wanted from life.

"I will take him."

The smile widened. "That's amazing. Do you want me to carry him while you get the paperwork done?"

Feeling a weird possessive streak coming over him, he stepped back from Ray, almost as if the Chinese would try to steal Fenrir away from him too. "No, I am okay. Accompany us, though?" He said to soften the blow. Ray continued looking happy, as if Tala being protective of Fenrir was the joy of his life. Shamefully, the redhead admitted it to himself, that it probably was.

"Sure."

They headed to Judy's office in silence after Ray patted his posse of four-legged fans on their heads each and deposited the hobbling Labrador with a bandaged leg into its pen. The entire time, Fenrir's eyes were stuck on Ray and despite being in Tala's arms, it didn't look at the redhead once.

Worriedly, he registered that Ray was probably the first human the dog must have bonded with after being rescued and was suddenly unsure if it should be taken away from him so soon. He hesitated outside Judy's office, thinking maybe he should go back and get the Doberman after all.

"What's wrong?", Ray questioned. "Second thoughts?" He looked almost scared.

"I was just wondering if it would be okay to take him away from you so soon. It seems like it'd be scary for him to adjust to a new life all over."

Ray sighed. "I wish I could keep all of the animals in here with me forever, the dogs, the cats, all of them but I really can't. It's not ideal. They need families and proper homes. He will adjust, Tala. I am sure you will be good to him and a husky and a German shepherd would be really compatible together. He needs that. Look, if you feel it's necessary, just call me, okay? I will come over on an off day and play with him for a while. Sounds good?"

Later he'd register how this was a hoard of opportunities, right now he could only focus on how much Fenrir would probably need that.

Feeling better, Tala went ahead with the adoption, exchanged numbers with Ray and settling the dog into Frost's dog seat, drove off to buy him millions of calcium bones and chew toys.

…

He had never really acknowledged what a spirited, friendly blessing of a canine his husky was because in three hours it had coaxed the shy newcomer into running around, exploring the house. He liked to think his own constant patting, treats and soft coos were helping and he was super delighted with that.

So when Bryan returned to the sight of not one, but two dogs playing tug with the sofa covers, his surprised amusement was to be expected.

"Looking after someone's dog today, are we?" The purple-haired man reached out to stroke the shepherd, who stood stock-still and wary of the human.

"No, meet the newest addition to the family, Fenrir Ivanov."

Bryan rolled his eyes at that. "I will never understand why you give dogs your surname. Fenrir Ivanov, Frost Ivanov! Impulse buy?"

"They are my sons, that's why. Kind of, I just felt like visiting Good Will shelter and I found him there." The name just slipped out but he was glad to see the tightening of Bryan's lips.

"Oh."

"He was abused though, so don't take it to heart if he is a little wary. It took us three hours and undivided attention to get him moving at all."

That's when a mammoth of a brainwave hit him. This was his chance of making sure Ray won't mention him to Bryan, ever.

"Know who else I found?"

Bryan, looking positively uninterested (read: nervous), looked up at that. Staring into his bright eyes, Tala was surprised to see for the first time in the past two and a half years, he felt nothing but a need to make them cower and hesitate to meet his own.

"Who?"

"A dream of a man." Tala almost scoffed at Bryan, hoping he would recognize the phrase as one Ray frequently used if he did. Even if he didn't the knowledge that those were the exact same words, Bryan's other boyfriend used to describe Bryan gave him serious kicks. "A Chinese lad. Didn't get the chance to ask for his name but I'd be lying if I said I would mind having him all hot and sweaty, writhing beneath me."

Bryan's face was a confusion of expressions, relief, lust, fear and a million things in between he couldn't hide from Tala's seasoned eyes.

"Won't dare mention it to him though, the sort of person he seemed to be, he'd hate sleeping with a committed man, you know."

The expressions settled and guilt pre-dominated. This time it didn't hurt Tala to see Bryan won't bat an eye about cheating on him, but when it came to his precious baby, he wore beaten down looks like those.

"Well, I'd still definitely try to tap that if I ever have reason to go back in. For the sake of our relationship, I'd only try to invite him to our bed when both of us are in it. Would hate cheating on you, babe." He paused to let Bryan collect his thoughts and settle his emotions. He looked close to bursting. "You should come with me next time, Bry. If our joint charm doesn't crack him, I don't know what will."

"He might not be gay. Considered that?"

"Oh, but he is. Was checking out my ass the entire time I was there."

Nobody said a word for over a minute. Frost played on with its bird toy in the corner, but Fenrir was staring right at where the two men stood chest-to-chest, probably used to sensing tensions between owners.

"Why are you looking so angry, Bryan? Shouldn't you be proud that even after two years of a committed relationship, I haven't let myself go at all, and that people still find me hot?"

"Well, stay away from him Tala. You are mine, okay?"

"Why? Jealous? You never were before, when we invited a third person to our bed."

"I am not, it's just, it's been a long day today. I am kind of tired. I will be in the room. Don't worry about cooking something for me." A piss-poor excuse, a shitty delivery but to keep his cover intact Tala let Bryan believe he had convinced him and kissed him goodnight a lot more joyfully than he thought he ever would be able to, after finding out about his affair.

…

He gave it three days, enough time for Bryan to have tried to tighten his hold on Ray out of insecurity and entered subsequent fights about it, before texting the Chinese one afternoon.

'Hi. Tala here. Just checking in to tell you the pupper is having the time of his life and absolutely adores me. Don't wanna sound too full of myself but I am lowkey proud haha.' He attached a picture of both Frost and Fenrir tussling in a corner, before hastily deleting it, fearing Ray might recognize Frost, and uploading one of just Fenrir.

His phones pinged five minutes later. 'That's so nice to see! I have never seen him look so lively before. I am lowkey proud of you too.'

Tala was still debating his reply when Ray sent him a picture of a visibly malnourished Maine coon. For all of the breed's regal image, the feline in the picture looked frightened and ready to flee from whoever's lap it was currently perched on.

Tala bit his lip in anger at the text that came next. 'Another case of animal abuse. Smh. Just finished feeding and putting her to sleep.'

'I hope she finds a good home and that her previous owners be pooped on by pigeons every day for the rest of their lives.'

'You never fail to make me laugh. God knows, it's welcome right now.'

'Stressed?'

'Like you won't believe.'

'I have an idea.'

'How so?'

'Ten bucks says its the mister.'

'How'd you know?'

'You haven't mentioned him once and it's already been five minutes into the conversation. Very un-Ray like.'

He ignored the jibe. 'He is driving me right up the fucking wall. I shouldn't be telling you this Tala but honestly, I don't know who else to talk to. My friends literally worship him and my mother doesn't even know I am gay!'

'Vent away, kitten. What, he not taking well to you having found his emotional doppelgänger?'

'I haven't mentioned you to him.' A satisfied smile made its way onto Tala's lips.

'Why? Guilty conscience? Decided the doppelgänger is better after all?'

':/'

'Jk. Tell me, why.'

'It's too much to text.'

'Are you deflecting or asking me out on a date?'

'Neither, both, I don't know. I want to see you again. Not in the date sense obviously, just to hang out.' Another text quickly followed. 'If you're not too busy that is?'

'I am free as a bird, all the time. And stop harping on, I know its not a date. Two friends can hang out sometimes.'

'We have met twice and we're friends?' Tala's brows furrowed at the text and irritation bobbed up in his throat.

'Aren't we?' He quickly replied.

'I hope we are.', Ray messaged. A pause and then another message flew in. 'What do you do for a living that lets you be free as a bird, all the time?'

'I am a free-lancing fashion designer. I sell my designs to other brands and labels. Work from home, basically.'

'Well, I suppose you are pretty stylish.'

'Well, thank you. So, about that hanging out, free tonight?'

…

As a fashion designer, Tala knew how popular red was, and how few people could actually pull it off, so he was surprised to see how good Ray looked in his red half-sleeved button down. It was definitely his color.

"Hi." The Chinese sighed before plopping down in the booth, across the table in front of Tala. He looked Tala's own ensemble over and even ducked under the table to get a good look at his shoes and rose with a grin. "Well, can't say I can't see the fashion designer."

"Cheers." Tala smiled. "Do you want to order first?"

They flagged down the waiter, and quickly placed their orders, Ray asking for manchurian and fried rice while Tala got himself an entire Chinese combo meal. He had strategically picked out this place on a wild hunch, Ray might feel more at ease in an environment he could relate with and as he watched the Asian interestedly read the decorative Chinese scrolls hanging on the walls, he applauded himself.

"So, trouble in paradise." Tala rose a brow and quite comically, Ray groaned and put his head to the table.

"It's so weird. He's gotten so possessive. Asked me to quit my job, you know? Or look for one in a different locality. Apparently, this one isn't safe enough. Lord knows what convinced him of that."

Taking a sip of his water, Tala pretended to think. "Have there been any incidents around the shelter lately?"

"None whatsoever! He just called me that day you came to get Fen and ranted half an hour about how we didn't need the money I was making. Like that's even the issue here!"

Tala frowned. "Don't need the money you are making?"

"I am an artist. I have been selling my paintings under a pseudonym for years now, and they fetch me a decent amount. I also work as a part-time illustrator for the kids' segment of this publishing house. A lot of work from home like you. I only work at the shelter on Mondays and Fridays, and just 10-5 at that."

"Oh, I see. Then you really do not need the money from the shelter job."

Ray's cool hand smacked his own and he felt the need to reach out and grasp it. "That's not the point! He keeps giving me weird stink eyes these days whenever he visits! For the past three days, we haven't had one civil conversation, other than him ranting and raving about me spending no time with him when it's he who comes and goes as he pleases." His distressed face fell. "He even went so far as to insinuate I don't see him on purpose because I am busy scoping other people when I am out."

Tala scowled. That was exactly what he wanted, but he wished he didn't have to look at Ray's face while listening to all that. He wanted to punch Bryan, even though he had made him do exactly all of this.

Except, he had a mission to focus on. "Wait, did you say visits? You don't live together?"

Ray's features hardened into a scowl mirroring his own. "Live together? I haven't even visited his home once! Haven't met his parents yet or any of his friends! It's been eight months and from the beginning, I knew he had secrets, so do I and I was cool with that. But lately, all we seem to do is fight, like I am the one keeping my entire life hidden from him! It's so weird. He screams at me for hanging out with my friends, then comes apologizing in the morning and treats me to breakfast. Come Monday, he is bitching at me to quit my job but takes me out to an art gallery the next Tuesday, and proceeds to say it to my face that I only work at the shelter to satisfy my urges to ogle other men. How does this make any sense?" The golden eyes were starting to glaze over and riding high on something quite unfamiliar churning in his gut, he put his hand on the tan one, covering it fully.

"It's all so stressful. He doesn't even know I am here right now. He was busy buying some new machines to set up his gym with. He's looking to open one."

Tala knew.

Unmindful of his movements, Ray twisted his hand and laced his fingers through Tala's.

"I don't know what to think. I have never given him a reason to doubt me so it fucking hurts when he suggests I am a slut in a room full of people I don't even know. All of them were looking at me like I am dirt. Almost makes me wish I had taken you up on your offer. I would have a reason to be feeling so bad, then."

Surprisingly, the admission brought Tala no joy.

"Ray…" he couldn't continue because the server arrived with their food, taking them both by surprise. The man caught sight of their entwined hands and gave a slightly embarrassed smile. Ray quickly pulled his hand back, and Tala was infinitely glad the Chinese man didn't look up just then because he wasn't proud of the expression he had worn for a second there.

In his haste to leave, the waiter put the rice and manchurian in front of him and the combo meal in front of Ray before bustling away. Absently, the guy picked up a dimsum and bit right into it without waiting for it to cool, burning his tongue in the process. As he cringed and started sucking in air with wide eyes, Tala couldn't help but chuckle. Even that didn't alert Ray to the fact that he had started gobbling Tala's meal.

Too amused to stop him, Tala dug into Ray's. Swallowing a spoonful of rice, he said, "Well hey, the offer hasn't expired." He smirked a little before dramatically laying a hand on his heart. "For you, I might be willing to break my heart too. I will be your little fling and leave it at that, forever yearning for your love from the shadows of the friend zone."

Ray chuckled, his eyes glancing back up at Tala, and he shook his head. "You're incorrigible."

"You're just beautiful." He argued back, teasingly and had the pleasure of watching Ray's eyes brighten a little. Containing his grin with difficulty, he forced himself to sound more solemn. "On a serious note, I hope he gets his shit together. Only a buffoon of a man won't realize what a great catch you are." He meant it, and he himself was no buffoon.

With a sweet smile, Ray went back to his food. They were silent for a good fifteen minutes and Tala was happy to find it wasn't awkward at all and he didn't have to be fishing for subjects to talk about. All of a sudden, Ray burst out again, though Tala was relieved to see his voice no longer shook and he was more annoyed than sad. "I just think it's funny, you know, how he comes and goes, is never a constant in my life, does whatever he wants but when it comes to me, he has to regulate every part of my life. Does he think he bloody owns me? Doesn't he know a relationship takes two?"

A slight huff of laughter escaped Tala and golden eyes were immediately narrowed on him in silent demand. He had to admit, they were pretty forceful like that. Somewhat distractedly, he wondered how they'd look hazed with overpowering lust, tearing at the corners, dark and sinful. Well, there was another solid reason to bed this guy.

"Nothing."

"Tell me, Tala."

"Just how every time, whatever follows 'I just think it's funny' is rarely ever funny."

"Yeah, that's not it."

"Really!"

Ray was unconvinced but dropped it and quickly reverted to his earlier thread of conversation. "You know there was actually a time he remained TMI for a whole week over the summer? He just never showed up. Didn't take my calls, just texted he was fine and I shouldn't worry. He was out of state helping his oldest client set up his personal gym. I trusted him, I still do. My only problem is that he can't afford me the same courtesy." Tala knew very well what Ray was talking about. He and Bryan had been vacationing in the Bahamas then, and it was a whole three weeks, which meant Ray was knowingly downplaying the situation.

"Why stay with him, then?"

Ray paused and looked up at him. His face was a stony mask, and Tala could read nothing from it. "I love him, he loves me."

"Oh, it's pretty clear you love him." Tala waved a hand in the air. "But if he acts so flaky all the time how can you be sure he loves you too?"

Something flashed across those exotic golden eyes, so quick Tala's mouth dropped open, and though the look disappeared quicker than it took to appear it left Tala's heart beating desperately in pain. Very hesitantly, almost as if he was fighting himself to say it, Ray whispered, "He waits for me."

"What? I mean, in what sense? Does that mean you haven't…" He paused. "Are you a virgin, Ray?"

Ray could no longer look him in the eyes. "Oh I am not a virgin, there was a time promiscuous was a respectful word in relation to me."

"I don't understand."

Ray scoffed, there was no humour to it and Tala immediately decided he hated it. "I haven't even allowed him to take the shirt off of my back."

So that's why Bryan hadn't broken up with him yet. He kept Tala around for sex.

"Why?"

"Why? Oh, I don't really know. Except I do, but I don't know how to word it. I am fond of sex, Tala and I am very comfortable in my body, to the extent that it becomes kinda shameful…-"

"Yeah, that's what society wants you to think. It's not shameful to have a high sex drive."

Ray bit his plump lower lip, his full, soft-looking, pinkish lips. He didn't say a word but looked way more upset than what he had minutes ago when he was so bloody close to tears. With a sigh, Tala slid out from his side of the booth and moved over to sit beside the Chinese. Somewhat unsurely, he put his arm around the broad, but sagging shoulders. Somewhat unsure himself, Ray cuddled closer to the redhead, laying his head on his taller shoulder. They fit so easily, something that never happened with Bryan because he and Tala were both the same height.

"I lost my virginity when I was fourteen really, to someone in school I was crazy behind. It was fairy-tale perfect Tala. We had that soft, innocent puppy dog love and I know it in my bones we could have made it work. You might be thinking I was a kid, and I won't have known but I do know. I know we were perfect for each other, except a month after we first slept together, his family was in an accident. Five people in a car and two in another, not a single one survived."

For Ray's sake, Tala kept his expression regulated.

"It was awful and I was devastated. I was just fourteen, I didn't even know how to deal with it, couldn't even tell anyone cause I hadn't come out. Four, four years after that and it had just been a string of random affairs. Just sex, a lot of sex but I felt nothing and that numbness has its own bite only someone who has felt it can explain. Till I met Lee Wong."

Mariah's brother.

"Lee was everything I was looking for in a man, and he was so much like him. Liked the same food and games and colors and music and me! Lee liked me, touched me just like how he used to. That was all on the surface though. It didn't even drag for too long, but it sure made a right mess out of me. I was in love with Lee, met him through some mutuals and fell so quick it was pathetic.

"I told him, I told him I loved him as soon as I realised and he told me he wasn't ready for a relationship, that he was confused and that he liked me but he wanted to build a future for himself before he got together with anyone. I told him I'd wait. In the meantime, he treated me so well. We hung out all the time and we discussed what our future would look like together. He was almost a boyfriend, and I kept myself unattached the same way. There was the cute jealousy and the late-night conversations. I was happy.

"Till he kissed me and normally I'd be okay with it but that day I just flipped. He wanted no tags, but he wanted to make out? He won't date me, but I couldn't date anyone else either. Talked to me about marrying me and won't even acknowledge me in front of certain groups of people. It felt like he was ashamed of me through and through.

"I cried a lot and then he said sorry and asked me out. Told me I was the best thing in his world but still won't tell anyone else about me. Then we had sex and it just became clear to me. He did nothing wrong but we were sitting there and he was offering me fruits and I just knew, I could see it in his eyes that he didn't love me. He didn't give a shit about me.

"It just went downhill from there. A week later I found out the shit he had been saying about me, that he could never date a 'loose one' like me, that he had standards, that I was a slut who tried to seduce him with nudes and all that good stuff. For nights after finding out, my skin itched in every spot he ever touched me and I wanted to tear it all off.

"When I confronted him, he called me a liar to my face, said nothing ever happened between us, that we were never together and that he won't dirty himself by touching my whore skin. It sucked. That was around when I joined the shelter. Those dogs helped me more than anyone else did.

"Bryan is my first relationship after that and I just want it to be perfect but the first time we tried to do it, it got so bad. He was kissing down my chest and all of it just flashed in front of my eyes, all the names Lee had called me and how everyone at school believed him… just how bad they made me feel and I panicked and started crying. Bryan was shocked for a few seconds till he just wrapped himself around me and rocked me to sleep. In the morning, we talked about this and he got on his knees and swore he didn't think that way of me. He made me promise I won't either. He also told me he'd wait for whenever I was ready.

"This was a whole six months ago and I am still not. I am not ready and he's never tried to pressure me or even make out for any longer than I am generally comfortable with. You tell me if it isn't for love, then what?"

Tala, who had been dead quiet through it all, still had nothing to say. Those pitiful golden eyes beseeched his, were probably looking for reassurances but the redhead was lost. He didn't understand anything and despite his clear sight of Bryan's motives and the fact that though that bastard really liked Ray, he probably didn't love him, Tala couldn't bring himself to open his mouth and breathe a word to Ray. He found himself wishing Bryan would just end things with him and commit to the man tucked under his chin, just put him out of more hurt's way.

He tightened his hold around the shorter man's shoulders and placed his own head on top of his, more to escape his eyes than for contact. Breathing in through his mouth, he drawled, "I don't know what to say to that, kitten."

A sniffle, which was pretty funny when it was made in that deep, manly tone, "Why do you call me that?"

"I don't know what else to call you."

"A saber-tooth tiger."

"Quite a mouthful."

"Like you're quite a handful."

"That's a very dumb comeback."

"I know I am sorry."

Smiling, Tala almost pressed his lips into the raven hair before stopping himself and reaching over to the rapidly cooling dimsums. He held one up to Ray's mouth.

The Chinese man pulled away from him and stared at the offering, before muttering, "That was yours, I am so sorry." And swooping to gulp it down anyway.

"That's alright. I wasn't hungry anyway." Tala smiled down at him and that was all the encouragement Ray needed to wolf down his combo, and then the rice and manchurian as the two sat in silence for the rest of the meal.

When he was done, Tala spoke again. "So…" or trailed off, so to speak.

Ray turned towards him and raised a brow. They were still sitting pretty close together, their knees touching and Tala wondered if Ray just hadn't noticed or didn't care anymore. He hoped it was the latter.

"Fenrir's been amazing, but you know what I think would help him?"

A grin unfurled across Ray's features and instantly it became clear that indeed, he did know. "No, I have no idea whatsoever. Tell me?"

"He needs to see familiar faces around. Sometimes he seems dazed you know. I think he is missing the first man he bonded with after escaping that nightmare."

"Oh?"

"Come on, I am not even fixing a date. Whenever you next have a spat with Bryan, or life in general fucks with you, come meet me and Fen. I will make you laugh, and even buy you ice cream."

"Well, you had me at 'meet Fen' and solidified the blow with 'ice cream'."

"Alright then."

When they parted, they parted with a prolonged hug, in which Ray just sort of completely folded himself into Tala's arms. He had never felt so pleasantly crowded in his entire life. It was quite a paradoxical reaction, and the Russian filed it away to analyze on a lonely night when his arms won't be full of a shorter, darker, minty-smelling man who seemed very reluctant to let him go.

…

Another huge thanks to Katya92 for helping me out whenever I struck a rut and keeping me going with her genuine appreciation for this.