6
It had been a month since Ivan had gotten a date with Yao and the large man couldn't have been more pleased with how things had gone. He and Yao had been on many more nights out together. At first Yao didn't want them to stay in the village so Ivan took him out to bars an assortment of restaurants and movies and once the theatre. But as they grew closer Yao had become less touchy about being seen together so two weeks into their relationship had allowed Ivan to go walking with him around the town and just let whoever wanted to stare, stare.
Of course Yao had been jittery and even two weeks later Ivan knew that Yao was being pestered constantly about him and some people still whispered about him when he waved at them on the street, but as far as Ivan could tell, Yao was happy with them being together. He had to be. Otherwise he would have never told Ivan to stop by everyday at the cafe he worked at so he could take full advantage of his 40 minute lunch break by sitting at a table and sipping tea with him.
Ivan was in bliss with the beautiful, graceful Yao staying with him but he couldn't get one particular problem from his mind.
"Some cat or something keeps on making all these stupid loud noises at night. I can't sleep!" Yao had complained on more than one occasion.
"I'm sure it's nothing." Ivan had brushed it off every time. Even when Yao had told him with sincere worry that the noises sounded so much like a human wailing. He didn't like lying to Yao. He knew exactly what it was.
The source of the noise was right under his feet as he prepared himself for the chore of visiting the two women in the basement. He had been going earlier these days, trying to make sure that they wouldn't get the chance to yell out. But they were getting better at coping with the drug, Ivan knew it was only a matter of time before something bad happened. They had been unpredictable recently, back to the loud crazed state he wanted to keep them from being before Ivan had even started to think about sedating them again. It worried him slightly. He worried about Yao.
He took the syringe and did his routine. He was doing this far earlier than he would have only month ago. It wouldn't have really bothered him if not for the love he held for his new neighbour.
The moment he opened the door he was leapt at. As he had feared the two women were already functioning.
"Ivan...!" The one who grabbed him, the younger with mousy brown hair looked like she had been crying, "Tell me it isn't true!"
Ivan sighed and brought the syringe up to her neck, he no idea what she was babbling about tonight.
The next thing that happened stuck him off guard. The girl yelled out and swatted Ivan's hand away, "No! No!" It was almost as if she was howling. She grabbed Ivan's hand and bit it, her teeth sinking in with ease making Ivan drop the syringe.
"Stop!" For a few moments Ivan was scared that the woman was going to overpower him but he shook her off, having her collapse at his feet.
"It's true!" She sobbed, "It's true! You traitor!" She grabbed his legs, "We were supposed to be together!" Her voice was so shrill and loud that Ivan had to grab her by the arm and clamp his hand over her mouth. She tried to bite him again but couldn't quite get there. She couldn't make too much noise, she'd disturb Yao.
When she had stopped yelling he slowly brought down his hand. Now her voice was low and hopeless, "We were going to be together." Her voice broke as she shook in his strong grip, "I love you... And everything is beautiful... And I am intense, and I am sublime with you... I love you!" Her voice was getting louder, "But you've betrayed us! You could have had us both! But you chose him!"
Ivan's eyes widened. He never realised that this was about Yao. The women always went on like this but this was the first time he heard them speak of Yao.
The other woman stood up, murmuring in a quiet, distant voice, "Tell us you love us, Ivan... You don't love Yao. We're meant to be."
Ivan held tighter on the one he had by the arm and pushed her skinny body against the wall, her head giving a sickening crack against stone wall, "How do you know about Yao?"
"We hear it." The one he held hissed, "You talking to him on the phone. Like you want us to hear. Is that it? A test of our faith... It's okay Ivan. We'll kill him." She slowly started to smile.
He looked between the two women, the other one who still sat as she always did in the same spot. She always sat there. She was smiling too, "Then we can really be together." She whispered.
He glared darkly at them but that never worked, "Don't you dare touch him." He was soft but clear, "Or I'll have no hesitation in killing you both."
Finally the one who never moved stood shakily. Her legs trembled as she walked to Ivan and cupped his face, "You would never do that to us." She stroked his face, "Not when we're like this."
The other, who was still pressed to the stone wall grabbed his face for her turn. She kissed Ivan, her lips warm and wet before pulling away, "Disgusting." She spat on the floor, "Your lips taste tainted."
"But we can fix that." The other said.
"We'll get rid of that man-whore, and we can be together."
Ivan used his strength to throw the one he held up into the other, they fell like dominos with yelps of surprise. He lunged for the syringe and grabbed it. He plunged it into each of their necks before they had a chance to even recover from their fall. He stood making sure they were still before turning around. He left them to their half conscious state and hurried up the stairs. He paced his whole house, his breath short as he was overtaken with worry. Yao. They knew about Yao.
He didn't know how they would get to him but Ivan knew they were getting stronger. It was only a matter of time before they would get out. He didn't know if he could protect Yao from this.
Yao was in grave danger.
.oO0Oo.
Yao couldn't say he was indifferent to the looks he got when he was with Ivan... It had been a month and it was still seen as unorthodox that Ivan would have so much as a friend. That's all that he and Ivan were as far was the other villagers were aware. He and Ivan both in agreement that it was in their best interests to keep the full extent of their relationship a secret. They had no idea how people would react to that kind of thing.
But Yao was happy with Ivan. He had really mistaken the kind of person his month old boyfriend was. It was really Ivan's fault that first impressions were so terrible but Yao didn't really mind that any more. He had stopped seeing so many stalker-like behaviours in Ivan and had realised that the large man was actually kind, and sweet, and charming.
He checked his watch, soon he would be taking his lunch break and Ivan would come to see him. He had learned the best times for Ivan to come visit him. It couldn't be when he was needed in the kitchen, or when the children and Charlotte and the children were there to treat Ivan like a freak show. It was when the cafe was at its quietest Ivan came to see him and it was almost that time as Yao looked at his watch. He started to make tea for them both and pick out the worst looking piece of cake for them to share. Olga never minded Yao taking full advantage of his break, as long as he realised that if someone needed served that came first.
He set out what was to be his and Ivan's light lunch and sat down. He was usually here by now. It was odd, Yao thought, that guy was always so consistent.
He was starting to worry and wishing Ivan carried a cell phone when the bell of the door tinkled and he looked up to see a very flustered Ivan rush in.
It was such a sight that Yao went as far to stand up, "Ivan!" He exclaimed, "What is it?" he slowly sat again.
Ivan pulled out his chair and sat, "I can't be with you anymore Yao!" He exclaimed.
Yao looked at him, confused and hurt. His lips parted and brow knitted together as Ivan said this "...Y-You what?"
There was another tinkle as a customer entered. Yao bit his lip and shot an inquisitive look at Ivan before going to serve the man.
A million questions flittered through his mind and it was like he was listening to someone talk underwater as he took the order. Was Ivan leaving him? Really?
... But it was going so well.
Or at least he thought so.
Suddenly Yao felt stupid. He was probably acting so loved up all this time when Ivan didn't even really want him. He was blushing bright red when he poured milk into the drink. Ivan probably just got bored of and Yao was silly enough to feel so deeply for Ivan and get hurt.
He glanced over to Ivan who was sitting staring at his half of the cake. Yao sighed as he handed the customer his drink and spent a few moment more than he needed to fiddle with the cash he had been given. He was almost afraid to go back to their table.
He swallowed, knowing that he couldn't postpone whatever Ivan was going to tell him any longer. Slowly Yao sat back down opposite Ivan, putting his hands around the cup of tea.
He looked at Ivan's round face, waiting for him to speak first.
Ivan looked down into his own cup, he was clearly upset, "Yao… You shouldn't see me anymore." He directed his eyes back to the oriental man's face, "I'm sorry."
"Why not?" Yao asked a little too quickly. He saw no reason why he and Ivan should end it now,
There was a long silence in which Ivan looked over Yao's face and body pensively, "I can't say." He finally said.
Yao pressed his lips together for a moment. This didn't make any sense! "You can't just say you're gonna stop seeing me and not even say why! I thought this is what you wanted… I thought we were happy!" It was true, Yao had been happy and so had Ivan. This just seemed unreasonable.
Ivan looked up awkwardly; he probably had laid his hopes in that Yao would accept that he couldn't be with him anymore, "I'm a bad man… I'm dangerous." He leaned forward, "You know what they say."
"But that's all rumours… I know they are. You just wouldn't be that kind of person." Yao could never be certain. Ivan was an enigma… Come to think of it, he had never even ventured into his house… But Yao felt like he was a good man. Really.
Ivan shook his head quickly, "They're all true! I'm a bad dangerous man. So you must leave me Yao. Don't talk to me anymore, it's too dangerous."
Yao was getting frustrated now. Frustrated and upset. This wasn't fair! "I thought you really liked me!" he demanded, "It was going so well!"
Ivan looked suddenly worried; maybe he hadn't expected Yao to react this way, "I do! I love you!"
"Ugh!" Yao buried his head in his hands, "Then why are you saying all this crap? Dammit… Quit being so cryptic, if you just don't want me anymore you can just tell me."
"That isn't it." Ivan murmured.
Yao just huffed, now they were going around in circles.
"It really isn't!" Ivan tried as if Yao didn't believe him, "I want to be with you forever."
"Right." Yao spat.
Ivan grabbed both of Yao's hands, "Yao…"
Yao stood up and moved away from the table he took his half of the cake and his tea that was rapidly turning cold and left in icy silence and headed straight for the kitchen
Olga looked at Yao as he entered, "You were only on a break for 15 minutes!" She put down her piping bag, "Could he not come today?"
Yao nodded not willing to explain the situation, "He's busy."
She smiled slightly, "Gosh… What kind of things does that man do instead of coming to see you?" She smiled kindly.
"Mmm." Yao poured his tea down the drain, it wasn't as appealing as it had been, "Can I help with anything?"
It was just then when Ivan burst in, "Yao! Wait!"
Olga jumped back, startled, "You!" She quickly recovered, "You are not allowed in the kitchen!" She put her hands on her hips and Yao had to hand it to her, she was awfully confident with a man most of the villagers were so afraid of.
"What do you want?" Yao muttered.
Olga moved right over to Ivan and started to push him lightly, "Out! This is staff only!" Ivan backed away as Olga scolded him.
Yao watched him go, Ivan kept shooting pained looks over to him and suddenly Yao felt very sad. He couldn't leave it like this… His whole argument had been to keep them together.
He waited for Olga to come back, dusting his hands on her apron.
"Can I take a minute?" Yao asked, eyeing the door out of the kitchen.
Olga looked slightly surprised, "Sure… You're technically on lunch break. Is something going on with you two?"
"It's fine!" Yao headed out again, "I'll be back soon!"
He assumed Olga could be left confused for a while longer as he walked at full speed out of the cafe and spotted Ivan stood still in the middle of the pavement, around 50 meters away.
Yao ran up to the figure, careful not to slip on the sleet that soaked the tarmac and reached up to grab Ivan's shoulder.
"What are you doing just standing here?" Yao asked panting from his short run.
Ivan looked at Yao, his face was contorted with worry, "I'm sorry! I can't move forward unless you know I love you! Really!"
Yao shook his head, "I didn't mean to jump to conclusions like that. But I really don't want to stop seeing you!"
Ivan shook his head, "It's danger-"
"I can look after myself!" Yao interrupted, "So stop that!" He swallowed before telling Ivan something that had been on his mind the past few days, it was something like an offer he couldn't refuse, "I think I love you."
Ivan's eyes widened and Yao knew that he wasn't going to send Yao away now, "You love me?"
Yao looked away, embarrassed, "I think so." He pursed his lips, "But... Whatever."
"Yao!" Ivan was almost overwhelmed with happiness and pulled the smaller man into his big arms to press him against his broad, warm chest.
Yao tried to wriggle free, "Hey! Someone might see us!"
Ivan only sighed, "I'm so happy... I was a fool to ever try and say goodbye, da?" He nuzzled his face into Yao's neck and kissed the skin.
Yao continued to try and slip from the grasp, "Ai yah... You're making me feel uncomfortable..."
"But now we can really be together forever. I won't let anything come between us, okay?" He took a deep breath, "Not anything."
"Let go!" Yao finally managed to push Ivan off him and stepped back, his heel sliding and his body falling back on the sleet as he tried to get some semblance of distance between him and Ivan, "Ah!" He yelled out as he grazed his hands on the rough street.
Ivan gasped, "Are you alright!?" He knelt down and was quick to aid Yao as Yao inspected his hands.
"That hurt..." Yao slowly was helped to his feet, "You can't just do that me in public! I Said to stop!"
Ivan looked sorry, "I was just so happy that you love me too... Don't you understand!? Now we can really, really live and die together."
Yao felt the seat of his pants which he found were soaked and were going to be very uncomfortable, "Yeah yeah..." What was that even all about. Ivan had seemed to go into total creeper mode... He was talking so softly and felt so distant.
And this was the guy he had gone through so much to try and stay with.
Jeeze.
But even after Ivan doing that when Yao looked at Ivan it made his heart warm and he knew that he did love the strange man.
"Let's stay together after all?" Ivan was smiling to himself, "I don't think I could go on without you."
Yao sighed and nodded, "That was what I was aiming for this whole time... I do love you. Even if you are so strange." He studied Ivan and asked himself again who it was he was committing his heart so hastily to.
Yao looked around and decided to contradict his objections to Ivan's hug earlier. Because whatever it was that worried him. He was in love. There was no one around. Yao stood on tip toe and pecked Ivan's lips.
"I have to go back to the cafe." Yao told Ivan, his cheeks dusted pink and he turned away and headed back.
He couldn't choose who he fell in love with.