AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Happy Holidays, to one and all. It's been too long since last I posted.
This chapter coincides with events depicted Enticements & Obstructionsby my brilliant twinbrain sister OhJasperMyJasper chapter 22.
The FF witch hunt appears to have subsided for the time being. I will continue to post here and on AO3 for as long as I can. When/if I am forced to complete the relocation you can find me at - archiveofourown ~dot~ org. Then just do a search for Jtrue.
Special thanks to Miss Pauline for giving this a read through and making sure my Brits sound like Brits. And thank you, Sis, for the dusting. Huge smooches to you both.
This book runs more or less concurrently with Enticements & Obstructions by OhJasperMyJasper, and picks up after chapter 13. Events depicted herein are tied into the lives of the central characters from my other book Culture Shock, that take place after chapter 24. If you have not read those, some of what you read here might leave you a bit lost.
As ever, giant hugs to my girls Maureen and Rebecca and Kate.
Anyone who has not read the incredible Equal & Opposite, or is not now reading the brilliance that is Errors & Omissions, or Enticements & Obstructions, all by OhJasperMyJasper, should go do so right now. Here is how you find them since the FF witch hunt removed Liz from this site - ohjaspermyjasper ~dot~ blogspot ~dot~ com.
WARNING:
This story is intended for an adult audience! There is crude speech, hate speech and adult sexual subject matter of a homosexual nature. If you are under 18 stop reading now!
AU/AH/OC/Non Magical
All characters from Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling. I just take them out and play with them.
There are actual Arsenal football club players as characters in this book. Real People. Much as I would like to, I do not know them. I do not know anything about them. Their personalities and sexual orientations, as depicted herein, are entirely fictional. I only know their names, what they do and where they come from. Their families, spouses, or children, if any, are entirely fictional and made up by me.
All characters from Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer. I just play with them too.
Chapter 12: Rappongi
Little bodies woke them. As Viktor was closer to the door, they climbed over him first.
"Umm," Viktor stirred as a small person clambered over him.
"Wake up, Tatee," Helena patted her Bulgarian father's exposed chest.
"Wake up, Cheecho," Radka echoed her cousin's sentiments as she climbed across him as well.
"Oh, is princess," Viktor snuggled his daughter and kissed her. "And look! Is other princess," he spared an arm to snuggle Radka as well. Both girls ate it up.
"What have we here?" Greg opened his eyes and stretched.
"Morning, Daddy," Helena rolled closer to Greg to kiss her other father.
"Morning, Cheecho," Radka copied her cousin again and leaned over Helena to get a kiss from her British uncle.
"My, two lovely young ladies for the price of one," Greg snuggled them both and Viktor did the same from the other side.
"Daddy, what's that?" Helena pointed.
"What, what?" Viktor asked. Helena climbed up on him again to reach the nightstand. She plucked up the two pair of boxers that waited for their owners to need or want them.
"Did you forget to put on your underpants again?!" Helena could hardly imagine how her forgetful fathers could get through the day.
"Daddies get in so late, we so tired, just fall into bed," Viktor explained.
"My tatee do that sometime too," Radka informed her cousin with a shrug.
"Does he indeed?" Greg smiled.
"It a daddy thing," Viktor gave a nod.
"Momichentsa," Iskra called a moment before she stuck her head into the room. "There are you," she wore a flowered dress and her ever present apron.
"We woke up my daddies, Baba," Helena called from where she still lay atop Viktor.
"Da, I see," Iskra smiled. "Good. I put coffee. Come, let them get up. We get juice," she held out her hands to the children.
"Go ahead, girls. We'll be right down," Greg bid. Viktor took their boxers from their daughter as she and her cousin climbed down off of them.
"Take time," Iskra smiled and shut the bedroom door on them.
"Time get up, Slunchitze," Viktor handed one of the boxers to his partner and kicked the sheet and blanket away. He made ready to put the underwear on as Greg sat up beside him.
"Hold on a moment. Don't put them on yet," Greg moved to lay on his stomach between Viktor's legs.
"What you doing?" Viktor asked as Greg's arms went under his thighs.
"Taking my time. Must do as mum says," Greg laid his head down on his lover's hip. He took a deep breath where his face was pressed against Viktor's ample soft cock and heavy, smooth balls. "Oh my God, you smell so good. Do you think your mum will mind terribly if I hold your bollocks in my mouth all day?"
"I no think what maika say, but I no mind at all," Viktor spoke as his cock gave a twitch against Greg's cheek.
"Oh. I know what I want for breakfast, big, juicy Bulgarian sausage," Greg turned his head slightly to plant a kiss on the neck of the yet cowled, but waking serpent.
"British like sausage," Viktor teased.
"Oh yes, yes we do," Greg confirmed with another kiss.
"This Bulgarian sausage very happy in you mouth," Viktor ran his fingers through his trimmed pubes. Greg moved his lover's now more than half hard cock aside with his nose and placed a wet kiss on each of Viktor's testicles.
"If we don't get up right now, I shall go down to my mother-in-law with her son's cum on my breath," Greg pulled his arms from under his partner's strong legs and rose from the bed.
"I no think she mind," Viktor held up his almost fully hard cock and moved his skin down with his fist to expose his head.
"Viktor Krum, you could tempt a saint," Greg leaned down on the bed over Viktor and planted a final wet kiss on the snake's eye. He stood up and bent to step into his boxers.
"I want shove my cock down you throat all day now," Viktor complained.
"Anytime, anywhere, my sexy Gunner," Greg smiled as he pulled a tee shirt from their suitcase, "but let's get downstairs right now and have some coffee."
"Da," Viktor sighed. He continued to lay on his back and lifted his legs to slip on his boxers.
"I can't even look at you," Greg turned his back. "Keep lifting your legs like that and we shall never get out of this room."
Viktor said nothing as he rose from the bed with a smirk on his face. He stepped up beside Greg and moved his hips to rub the obscene tenting of his boxers against Greg's thigh. Greg grabbed himself. Viktor's erection had a decided effect on his own.
"I shall go down first so we can both calm down. I'll get your coffee ready," Greg gave Viktor a quick kiss and slipped out the door. He paused at the top of the stairs for a long moment for the excitement his lover stirred in him to die down. The last thing Greg Goyle wanted to do was meet his mother-in-law in her kitchen with his dick pointing the way. Once satisfied that he had calmed enough not to be too obvious, Greg made his way down the stairs and around into the kitchen.
"Morning," Greg smiled.
"Dobar utro," Iskra said the same in Bulgarian as she patted his shoulder and kissed him on the cheek. There were mugs ready on the counter before the coffee pot. Greg poured two cups and set about preparing them as he and his partner liked it. Helena and Radka sat side by side at the big old kitchen table in their night dresses to freshly baked cheese pastry with yogurt and orange juice.
"Is that what smells so good? Mum, have you been up baking already this morning?" Greg asked as he poured cream into the mugs.
"Da," Iskra acknowledged.
"I love this pastry, Daddy. Try it!" Helena enthused.
"I shall, Lene. You may be sure of that," Greg spooned sugar.
"Dobar utro," Viktor appeared around the corner. He had not bothered with a shirt and wore only his boxers.
"Daddy," Helena held up her big, still warm from the oven pastry.
"Oh, banitza!" Viktor stepped over to her and bent to take a bite of it. "Mmm," he chewed. "Maika, my favorite."
"Da, I know," Iskra sat down at the table with her granddaughters.
They heard the front door open and close at that moment. All of Iskra's children had a key to the home where they grew up. They did not know who it was until Kliment appeared in the archway from the living room. Lipstick that he had not quite been able to rinse off his face yet stained his lips and the collar of his tee shirt was torn open to the shoulder. A dark hickey stood out on the side of his neck. Kliment leaned his shoulder against the wall and gave a most satisfied sigh.
"Look this," Viktor shook his head as he walked over to where Greg had his coffee ready for him.
"I'd say that cougar worked you over, mate," Greg smiled. Kliment said nothing as he turned and pulled what was left of his shirt off over his head, to show them the scratches on his back.
"Oh!" Iskra disapproved.
"Yes, I would say she did," Greg handed Viktor his mug.
"Thank you, Slunchitze," Viktor put a hand to the back of Greg's neck to pull him down for a soft kiss on his lips.
Greg never tired of that. He smiled at his partner and then turned his attention to the younger Krum man. "Coffee?"
"Da, coffee," Kliment spoke at last with an affirmative nod. Greg poured him a cup.
"Is good Austrian coffee?" Kliment asked as he moved forward to accept his offered mug.
"It is indeed," Greg confirmed.
"I need so bad, I kiss you too," Kliment grabbed Greg by the back of his head with one hand and gave him a quick kiss on the side of his mouth.
"No kiss him with that mouth. I know where it been," Viktor criticized.
"I can tell by the look, and smell of you, that you had a grand time," Greg stated.
"Da," Kliment nodded with a broad grin. "Very grand."
Viktor leaned in to smell his brother. "Go take shower. You smell like all kind of arse."
"Like you never have Grigor stink on you," Kliment countered as he took a sip of his coffee.
"That different. Grigor stink smell good," Viktor countered.
"There are children present," Greg reminded.
"The front door opened again. "Dobar utro," came Vladimira's call from the living room.
"Maika!" Radka hopped out of her chair and ran for her mother.
"We in kitchen, Vladimira. There is banitza," Viktor called and picked one up from the platter on the table. Vladimira appeared from the living room in a moment with her daughter's hand in hers. She wore a nice red blouse and snug jeans with a high heel open toed shoe. She kissed her niece and mother and then moved to the men.
"Hi, boys," Vladimira kissed Greg first and then her brothers in age order.
"You make baby?" Viktor asked quietly and patted his sister's butt as she kissed him.
"We try very hard," Vladimira gave her brother a wink. She put her hand on Kliment's bare shoulder as she kissed his cheek. "You need shower, Kliment."
"Govno!" Kliment dropped his head back and swore at the ceiling. He took his mug and shirt, and headed for the stairs.
"What I say?" Vladimira asked.
"We just tell him that," Viktor chuckled.
"Petar off to work, then?" Greg asked as his sister-in-law seated herself at the table beside her daughter.
"Da. He just drop me off," Vladimira answered. "We go beach today? I bring bag," she reached for her own pastry, but unlike her older brother, who just munched and dropped filo flakes about himself, she took a plate.
"That sounds marvelous," Greg endorsed. "I should love a day at the beach. What do you think, girls?"
"I would love it!" Helena agreed.
"Me too!" Radka chimed in.
"Where we go? You like Rappongi?" Vladimira asked.
"I no like that beach," Viktor commented as he and Greg took seats at the table with the women.
"You like now. Is completely redone. Is nicest beach in Varna. They have row after row of palm tree, big comfortable lounges under them, or chairs further out if you want. They have restaurant and lounge. It really nice. You like," Vladimira assured.
"What it like for gay people there?" Viktor asked the single most pertinent question.
"They have dance party on beach every night there. Thursday is gay night. Gay people no have problem," Vladimira assured.
"I'd love to go," Greg concluded and reached for a banitza.
"Okay, we go," Viktor sat close to his partner and put his arm around Greg's shoulders. Greg recognized the little smile on his lover's face and the look in his deep brown eyes.
"You're up to something. I can see the wheels turning in your head," Greg accused.
"I get you special Bulgarian swimsuit. Look very nice," Viktor smiled.
"Oh no you don't. The one I have is just fine," Greg protested.
"No," Viktor shook his head. "Is too big."
"It's not big at all. It's just right," Greg argued.
"We could drive up Albena," Vladimira suggested. "No need swimsuit there."
"Rappongi sounds lovely," Greg smiled.
"Bulgarian not shy, Grigor," Viktor pulled his lover closer.
"I know one that certainly isn't," Greg looked his partner in the eye.
They heard Kliment bounding down the stairs and he reappeared wet haired and fresh from the shower. He wore only a pair of boxers like his brother. Kliment snatched up a banitza from the table and held it in his mouth while he poured himself another cup of coffee.
"Looks like someone worked up rather an appetite," Greg teased. Kliment chuckled and could only nod with his mouth full. He finally took a bite and carried his mug and pastry to the table.
"I smell okay now?" Kliment gave his siblings a frown.
"Like daisy," Viktor exaggerated.
"I love this, Maika," Kliment held up his banitza. "She make all special thing when you come."
"These are really delicious, Maika," Greg agreed.
"Glad you like," Iskra smiled. "You want boza?"
"Da," Kliment nodded.
"Da, molya," Viktor was more polite. Their mother went to the fridge and pulled out a big glass bottle of what looked like milk.
"That's not milk?" Greg pointed. He had seen the bottle in the refrigerator, but knew boza was not the word for milk. It was visibly thick when Iskra poured two juice sized glasses for her sons and served them. Just as soon as Viktor received his, he handed the glass to his partner.
"Oh, is this that fermented millet breakfast drink?" Greg remembered as soon as he smelled it.
"Da, good for you," Viktor endorsed.
"Must be an acquired taste," Greg placed the glass before Viktor. Viktor and Kliment both chuckled. Viktor raised his glass to his brother, Kliment returned the salute and they both downed half their glass.
"I no like either, Grigor," Vladimira commiserated. "And I make Petar brush his teeth before his kiss me."
"Come here, sestra," Kliment leaned toward her.
"Ne! Go away," Vladimira smacked his bare shoulder.
Kliment laughed to himself. It was great fun to tease his sister. "Viktor, I hope you tell that coochka Miroslav suck it."
"Kliment!" Iskra scolded and gestured to her granddaughters.
"I no tell him that. That what he want," Viktor corrected.
"Indeed," Greg raised his eyebrows.
Kliment laughed at that as well. "That no what I mean. Hey, what happen to Svilen after I leave?"
"What do you mean?" Greg asked as he and Viktor exchanged a glance. Kliment watched them do this and his brow furrowed as he grew more concerned than he already was.
"I call him on way home to see he home yet, who he hook up," Kliment explained. "He say he no hook up. He say he no want, just go home. He sound sad, but he no say why. Svilen no talk to me. Is not like him. So I want know what happen to him after I leave."
"Daddy, did something happen to that nice man from last night?" Helena remembered the spikey haired man all in black who had spoken to her and smiled so kindly.
"No, Lene. Eat your pastry. Svilen and I chatted while Viktor and Miroslav did the same. We had a few more beers and then we walked him home. That's all," Greg relayed.
"What you talk about?" Kliment zeroed in the exact thing Greg did not want to tell him.
"Nothing in particular," Greg did not look Kliment in the eye when he said this and Kliment noticed it.
"I see way how you two look each other. You know something you no tell me," Kliment pointed at Greg and Viktor.
"Kliment, you talk to Svilen. He tell you," Viktor deflected.
"But he no talk to me. Something bother him very much. I worried for him," Kliment shook his head. It clearly distressed him that his close friend would not confide in him. "You help me," he pleaded with his brother. "Viktor!"
"It something he not comfortable to tell you," Viktor began, "but he comfortable to tell us."
"Vik," Greg cautioned.
"He probably gay," Vladimira surmised.
"Svilen not gay," Kliment dismissed. He noticed the way Greg and Viktor looked to each other with alarm. He noticed that both of them held their breath. "Svilen gay."
"Kliment," Viktor began.
"Svilen gay," Kliment repeated to himself.
"It not hard to imagine," Vladimira was casual.
"Why you say that?" Kliment asked.
"He very sweet. Valery always flirt with me when he know I happy married woman. Svilen no ever do that," Vladimira gave her reasoning.
"Why he no tell me this?!" Kliment was not distressed over the fact that his close friend was gay, but by the fact that Svilen would not confide in him.
"He not want you to know," Viktor answered.
"But why?! He my friend!" Kliment face betrayed his anguish.
"Kliment, Svilen was afraid you and Valery would look at him differently, treat him differently," Greg tried to explain.
"Poor momchentse," Iskra shook her head.
Kliment rose from the table and began to pace. "What I do make him think that?" he asked himself aloud.
"Cheecho Kliment, it's okay that Svilen is gay!" Helena was alarmed at her uncle's obvious distress. She did not know the full meaning of her words, but had been taught since she had understanding that there was neither right nor wrong attached to gay or straight, one was simply a little different from the other and otherwise meaningless.
"Oh, I know, little one," Kliment knelt down beside Helena's chair. He put an arm gently around her and held her head to him with his other hand. "It very okay. I love Svilen. It break heart that he think cannot tell me."
"His maika not know or she tell me," Iskra spoke up. "When he ready tell her, I talk her. She should hear from him, then I talk her."
"Blagodarya, Maika," Kliment continued to hold Helena and reached a hand to his mother. Radka had no understanding of what was going on, but it seemed like her uncle needed a hug and was only too ready to give him one. She stood up on her chair, stepped over onto Helena's chair and leaned over her cousin to hug them both with her head on top of Kliment's.
"Where my phone?" Kliment thought out loud. He paused to give both of his nieces a kiss before he rose to his feet.
"Kliment," Viktor cautioned. His brother ignored him as he headed out of the kitchen and for the stairs. "Kliment," Viktor called again and rose to give pursuit. He caught up with his brother in Kliment's bedroom. Kliment picked up his jeans from where they had been left in a heap on the floor and fished for his cell.
"What are you going to do?" Viktor asked his brother in their native tongue.
"I am going to call him and make him come over here. I have to talk to him, tell him that I know and it's okay. Viktor, you of all people must know that I don't care about that!" Kliment spoke in rapid fire Bulgarian. "Anyone who has anything to say about Svilen will meet my fist," he held one up, "the same as when they talk about you!" Kliment knew he had said too much in the heat of the moment when his brother's face transformed.
"You get in fights over me?" Viktor asked as he took a step further into the room.
"No," Kliment cast his eyes down to the floor. "Sometimes." When it became clear that Viktor was waiting for him, Kliment continued, "Once in awhile, when some asshole knows who you are and who I am, and thinks a remark about the Bulgarian Gunner fag is funny, I knock his teeth out. Nobody talks about my brother like that in front of me."
"Kliment, I don't want you to get in fights because of me," Viktor put a hand on his brother's bare shoulder.
"Nobody talks about my brother," Kliment repeated. "And nobody will talk about Svilen either."
"Grigor and I both told Svilen that he should talk to you, that he should not be afraid. We are going to the beach today. Both of you come with us," Viktor bid.
"Good idea, we will," Kliment looked down at the cell in his hand. Viktor squeezed his brother's shoulder, then pulled him in for a one armed hug. He patted his little brother on the back and walked out of his room.
The rest of the family was waiting at the breakfast table when Viktor returned.
"Everything okay?" Greg asked.
"Da. Is okay," Viktor took his seat beside his partner.
"Well, I think I should like to brush my teeth and put on my perfectly small enough bathing suit," Greg smiled when this elicited a chuckle from his lover. "You, little miss, must decide which bathing suit you should like to wear."
Helena clapped her hands and jumped down out of her chair. She took all of one step before she turned around and climbed right back up into the chair. "May I be excused?"
"You certainly may," Greg rose and held out his hand to her. She jumped down and ran to him.
"I bring your red bathing suit," Vladimira read the look on her daughter's face.
"Yay!" Radka clapped her hands as well.
"Come change with maika," Vladimira held out her hand to her daughter and they followed after Greg and Helena.
"You know Svilen's mom?" Viktor asked his mother. They spoke in Bulgarian as they were alone.
"I do. She will be fine. She has never expressed any concern or disapproval whenever we talk about you. I'm sure she has no idea and it might take her a little by surprise. It's his father that worries me," Iskra confided.
"Maybe, if he tells his parents, he should tell only one," Viktor mused.
"That is probably the best idea," Iskra agreed.
Kliment came bounding down the stairs again and popped back into the kitchen. "Svilen is on his way," he spoke in Bulgarian also. "Where is everybody?"
"Getting ready to go," Viktor answered. "Does he know that you know?"
"No," Kliment shook his head. "He does not suspect. I am nervous now. I need for him to know that I know and that I love him just the same, but I don't want to upset him."
"You will know what to say when you see him," Iskra patted her younger son's hand. "You tell him that this is not something to stress over. It does not matter at all. We all love him just the same and we are all here for him."
"I don't know what Valery will say," Kliment expressed his other fear. "I don't think it will matter to him. He's never said anything derogatory about gays, not in front of me anyway. He's always had my back when someone said anything about you," he gave his older brother a sheepish smile. Viktor took his brother's other hand.
"If Valery loves you and Svilen like you love them, then he will react the same way you are," Viktor assured.
"I hope so," Kliment nodded. "He didn't have the benefit of growing up with you though."
"Almost," Viktor smiled. "I remember all three of you little punks pestering me," he nudged his brother's shoulder with his own.
"Yeah, that's sweet, Viktor. Thanks," Kliment was sarcastic. Viktor chuckled and reached up to ruffle Kliment's hair.
Upstairs Vladimira took charge of getting the young ladies changed into their swimsuits and changed with them. Greg took the opportunity to brush his teeth and then headed into the bedroom. He made the bed and fished in the suitcase for his and Viktor's swimsuits. He laid Viktor's on the bed to wait for him and smiled as he thought about how truly mouthwatering his Gunner looked in it. There was talk of an Arsenal calendar this year and if Greg had anything to say about what Viktor wore for that shoot, it would be this. There were far more Gunners than months of the year, but the Arsenal Eleven would surely be their first choices. This thought filled him with lust and pride equally. There could be no question this calendar would be going up in his office at the BBC. It would probably get stolen. Greg decided to leave on his tee shirt and slipped off his boxers. These he just threw on the bed. They could certainly be worn again this evening, or more likely, tomorrow morning. Greg picked up his bathing suit and just held it up.
"You are plenty small enough," Greg spoke to his suit. The bedroom door opened at that moment and Helena appeared in her colorful bathing suit with the tutu like ruffle around her waist.
"Daddy, hurry up! Let's go to the beach!" Helena bounced into the room.
"Young lady, do you think you could knock?" Greg hastily bent to pull on his swimsuit.
"You see me change all the time," Helena gave an innocent face with her answer.
"Sometimes adults need their privacy," Greg tried to reason.
"For what? You're just changing. I just changed with auntie Vladimira," Helena reasoned right back at him.
"We've had this conversation before, Lene," Greg tried again. The little beep of a scooter horn sounded as it zoomed to a stop right beneath their window.
"Who is that? Is daddy changed?" Helena fired her questions. She saw her other father's swimsuit on the bed and knew the answer to that one. "He's not! Daddy!" she shrieked.
Downstairs a knock came at the Krum front door before Svilen opened it. "Dobar utro," he called. Kliment, a vision in just boxers, flew out of the kitchen toward him. His older brother, dressed the same, was right behind him. Kliment saw the beaming smile on Svilen's face. His thinner friend wore a tight white ribbed tank top and loose cargo shorts with a messenger bag worn across his chest and hanging in back. Kliment said nothing as he grabbed Svilen in a tight hug. Svilen immediately knew something was amiss. Kliment never hugged him like this. Kliment held him tightly in his arms and the man's mostly bare entire body was pressed against him. It was heaven, but it was wrong. From behind Kliment, Viktor watched the smile fade from Svilen's face. Happiness that had become momentarily sheer joy, was replaced by horror.
"You told him!" Svilen spoke with incredulity in Bulgarian, in an accusing tone aimed at Viktor. "Viktor, why?! You promised!"
"Svilen," Kliment pulled back and put a hand to his friend's horrified face. "It's okay!"
"No!" in his terror, Svilen fled. He tore himself out of Kliment's hands and in a flash was out the door. Kliment and Viktor, without a care as to how they were dressed, flew out the door in hot pursuit. Kliment needed to stop his friend from leaving and Viktor followed his brother without a thought. Svilen reached his scooter and the tiny delay of having to stop and mount it, gave Kliment the time he needed to catch up. A sob broke from Svilen's chest just as Kliment's arms closed around him from behind.
"Svilen, don't go!" Kliment pleaded. Svilen covered his face with both hands as he began to cry. Kliment turned Svilen around in his arms and held his friend to his chest as he sobbed.
"Please don't be sad, Svilen," Kliment tried to soothe. Viktor stood silently near at hand. He was not a part of this, but was ready to assist in any way that might be needed.
"Come back inside," Kliment urged.
"I just, want, to go," Svilen spoke brokenly against Kliment's chest.
"No, no. Come back inside with me," Kliment pulled Svilen along and he came willingly, until he looked up and saw Viktor's concerned face.
"You promised, Viktor! I didn't want him to know!" tears continued to stream down Svilen's face.
"Svilen," Viktor raised his hands.
"Svilen, it's okay," Kliment took his friend's wet face in his hands. "It doesn't matter."
"It does matter, Kliment," Svilen looked at the object of his affection with such sorrow in his dark eyes that it broke Kliment's heart even further.
"Not to me. The only thing that matters to me is that you didn't want to tell me. Why wouldn't you share this part of yourself with me, Svilen? C'mon, let's sit down," Kliment pulled Svilen along with an arm around him up onto the small front porch. He pulled Svilen down, under his arm, onto the settee with him and Viktor sat in the closer chair.
"I know you're okay with gay people, Kliment," Svilen began.
"Of course I am. Only narrow minded idiots are narrow minded idiots," Kliment gave a smile.
"We're so close, the three of us," Svilen shook his head. "It won't be the same now."
"It will be exactly the same. This doesn't change anything," Kliment dismissed.
"It does," Svilen closed his eyes.
"Svilen," Kliment put a hand to friend's chin to turn his face to look at him, "I love you. You are my brother. This is the brother I was given," he gestured to Viktor. "You," he put his hand on Svilen's chest, "are the brother I choose."
"That's beautiful, Kliment. I feel the same way. I love you too. You'll never know how much," fresh tears streamed down Svilen's face.
"Why are you sad? This is okay. It is more than okay. It is nothing," Kliment assured.
"No. It will be different now. You will treat me differently. You won't want to, or maybe even know, but you will. You will say things differently," Svilen slowly shook his head as he spoke.
"It will be better!" Kliment enthused. "It will be fun!"
"You and Valery will make fun of me," Svilen thought he knew what Kliment meant.
"No, no," Kliment shook his head. "Any man who makes fun of you will eat this," he held up a fist. "You remember what happened to that last dumbass who made a remark about Viktor?"
"Yeah," Svilen admitted. "I thought you were gonna kill him."
"Any man who has anything to say to or about you will get the same," Kliment stated firmly. "I am bigger and stronger than you and I will always have your back, Svilen, always, no matter what," he pulled his friend tighter to his side under his arm.
The screen door opened then and Greg emerged with a glass of water and a cup of coffee for Svilen that he set on the small table. "I am so very sorry, Svilen," he had no idea how it was going as the few Bulgarian words he had been able to hear he did not understand.
"It no matter now," Svilen spoke in English as he wiped his face with his hands.
"It okay, Grigor," Kliment smiled. "No be mad, Svilen. They no really tell me. Vladimira figure out."
"She do? How?" Svilen could not imagine what he had done.
"She say you very sweet. More sweet than straight. She say you no flirt her," Kliment informed.
"She married woman," Svilen did not get it.
"That no stop Valery," Kliment smiled.
"Oh," Svilen slowly nodded. "I should be dog."
"Da," Kliment confirmed and patted Svilen's chest. "You be dog, no one know."
"My mistake," Svilen gave a shrug and the first hint of a smile since he first arrived.
"Let's give them a few minutes, Vik," Greg reached out his hand to his partner.
"You be okay?" Viktor asked as he stood.
"We okay," Svilen assured.
"We go inside too," Kliment rose and pulled Svilen up with him. "We go to beach. You have swimsuit?"
"Da. I wear underneath," Svilen patted himself on the hip.
Iskra was waiting in the living room of her home while her daughter occupied her granddaughters in the kitchen. "Come here, sweet boy," she took Svilen in her arms and pulled his head down to her bosom. "You always safe here. You my boy. When you ready tell you maika, I help. I talk her when you ready," she rocked the young man from side to side as she soothed him. The amount of love in the Krum house, directly from the fount that nurtured it all, overwhelmed Svilen. Fresh tears sprang to his eyes.
"Blagodarya. You such good maika," Svilen held her tightly.
"Maika, you make him cry again. Come, Svilen," Kliment tugged on his arm.
"Kade?" Svilen looked up.
"My room. I get ready," Kliment was loathe to let his friend out of his sight. Iskra let Svilen go and he followed Kliment up the stairs and into his bedroom. He sat down on Kliment's bed. Kliment did not bother to shut his bedroom door as he dropped his boxers and stood naked before Svilen. He was determined to prove to his friend that nothing had changed.
"What I cannot figure out," Kliment switched back to their native tongue while he fished in a drawer for the bathing suit he wanted, "is how I did not know already."
Greg walked with Viktor to their room and saw more of his brother-in-law than he ever had before as they passed by Kliment's bedroom. He could only imagine what torture that must be for Svilen. Greg closed their door behind them and Viktor turned to him.
"Svilen be okay. My brother good man," Viktor stated with a nod. He pointed at Greg. "No tell him I say that."
"You know how badly that good man desires your approval?" Greg put his arms around his lover's neck.
"Da?" Viktor slipped his arms around Greg's waist.
"Da," Greg confirmed.
"You cute when you speak Bulgarian," Viktor smiled.
"Oh, just when I speak Bulgarian?" Greg teased.
"More cute," Viktor clarified.
"Well, I have pretty cute inspiration," Greg kissed Viktor on the tip of his nose. "In all seriousness, Vik, if you are proud of your brother, and I think you should be, you should tell him so. Imagine what it must be like for him to have such a wonderful man as you to measure himself against."
"He not like me," Viktor shook his head.
"In many ways he is not. He is his own man, but one thing about you is exactly the same," Greg began.
"Nice arse?" Viktor could not keep the smirk from his face.
Greg considered a moment. "Two things then," he concluded. "I was going to say, you both have the same big, generous heart. In addition to your delectable arses," Greg teased.
"This big heart and delectable arse belong to you," Viktor gave his partner a loving kiss on his lips.
"And speaking of, I am going to leave you to get changed. If you get naked in front of me right now, I am going to stick my tongue up that delectable arse and suck your cock until your head caves in. We shall never get to the beach," Greg stated.
"We no want that," Viktor stepped back and hooked his thumbs into the waistband of his boxers. He slowly pulled them down until his trimmed, dark pubes were exposed.
"I'll be downstairs," Greg quickly let himself out of their bedroom and shut the door again behind him. If he didn't get some home alone time with Viktor soon he was sure he would lose his mind. Greg headed for the stairs and made a point not to look at Kliment as the naked younger Krum bent to slip on his swimsuit in full view of his open bedroom door.
"If you're gay, you must want to have sex with guys," Kliment thought out loud in Bulgarian. He sat down on his bed beside Svilen and put his arm around his friend's shoulders.
"That's how it works," Svilen admitted the obvious.
"Do you?" Kliment asked.
"Do I what?" Svilen asked.
"Have sex with guys?" Kliment clarified.
"Yeah, sometimes," Svilen admitted.
"Who? When? Where? How do I not know about it? You know every single person I have ever hooked up with. How is it that I never knew when you hooked up with a guy?" Kliment asked.
"The difference is, you weren't trying to hide it from me. There were only a few times. The library bathroom at school mostly," Svilen admitted.
"Oh, shit," Kliment immediately felt guilty. "That's shitty and it's all my fault."
"It's not," Svilen protested.
"It is. If I were a better friend, you wouldn't have to sneak around like that, make it in bathrooms. Fuck, Valery and I even made you share those two girls with us that time! That must have been uncomfortable for you. I'm sorry," Kliment was sincere.
"It was easier looking at you two," Svilen omitted the small detail that it was one more than the other. Kliment found that very funny and laughed loudly.
A little blonde head, that belonged to the sneaky child who dashed quietly up the stairs when the adults were not looking, peered around the doorjamb at them. She did not understand the Bulgarian words, but from their demeanor and her uncle's mirthful laugh, it seemed all was well, or certainly better than it had been. When they saw her she charged into the room at them. Helena jumped onto the bed and wedged herself between the men.
"Uncle Cheecho," Helena mixed up her words, "is Svilen going to be okay?"
"Da, little one, Svilen better than okay," Kliment smiled at his friend and reached over Helena to rub his back.
"You'll take care of him?" Helena pressed.
"Da, I always do," Kliment confirmed.
"Svilen," Helena looked up at the man on her other side, "I'm glad you're gay."
"You are? Why you say that?" Svilen gave a small smile.
"My daddies are gay and they're the most wonderful people anywhere," she gave her simple reasoning.
"Da, they pretty good guys," Svilen agreed.
"Uncle Kliment, can you be gay too?" Helena asked.
"It no work like that. I born to like girl, but if ever there be day I wish that otherwise, it today," Kliment tried to explain through the language and age barriers, and gave an affirmative nod. It clenched Svilen's heart to hear him say that.
"Svilen, do you have a partner?" Helena asked.
"Ne," Svilen shook his head.
"Come to the beach with us. We can look for one there!" Helena shared her brilliant idea.
"I am come beach with you," Svilen confirmed.
"Let's go!" Helena jumped off the bed.
"Da, we go," Kliment stood. He grabbed a ribbed tank top like the one Svilen wore, but in black, from a drawer and pulled it over his head. Svilen rose to follow and Kliment put his arm around his shoulders to lead him out of the room.
"There you are. What were you doing upstairs?" Greg asked as his daughter came jumping down the stairs into the living room. Viktor stood beside him in only his snug, low rise square cut with their beach bag over his shoulder. Vladimira wore a small and revealing bikini top and, over the matching bottoms, a long wrap tied about her hips.
"Making sure uncle Cheecho and Svilen were okay," Helena answered with an innocent face.
"You know," Greg could not keep the smile from his face and neither could Viktor, "uncle and cheecho are the same word."
"I mean uncle, I mean, cheecho Kliment!" Helena got it out right at last with clenched little fists.
"I know what you meant. Sometimes you are just too cute for words, little miss," Greg ran his hand down the back of his daughter's head with a smile. Kliment and Svilen came down the stairs together.
"You come to Rappongi with us, Svilen?" Vladimira asked.
"Da," Svilen gave a small smile.
"You come, Maika?" Vladimira asked.
"Ne, ne. I cooking," Iskra said from her chair. "You go. Have good time."
"We no be back for lunch," Viktor informed.
"I no think so. Be home supper," Iskra directed.
"Da," Viktor bent to give his mother a kiss. Everyone, including Svilen, lined up to do the same, and then they were out the door.
"Oh, are we all going to fit?" Greg wondered aloud.
"I ride with Svilen," Kliment announced. "Give me bag," he took the strap of Svilen's messenger bag and pulled it off over his friend's head. Kliment placed his wallet and cell into the bag and then he put it on himself just as Svilen had worn it. It thrilled Svilen no end when Kliment did that. It was so very much like they were together. Kliment made no comment as he mounted Svilen's scooter behind him. He sat flush up against the thinner man between his legs and held onto his hips. Kliment was absolutely determined to demonstrate to Svilen that nothing had changed between them and nothing would. Svilen closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he started the scooter. He dearly loved when Kliment rode with him like this. But for the material of Kliment's thin swimsuit and his own cursed clothing, the younger Krum was right where Svilen wanted him.
Viktor took the wheel of the Opel Antara. Greg sat beside Viktor while Vladimira sat in the back with the girls.
"Perhaps we should follow them," Greg suggested as his partner started the car. It was his hope that Svilen would not tear through the streets of Varna and thereby force them to go slower.
"No," Viktor shook his head as he put the car in gear and pulled away. "They count on us to make path."
"Oh, of course. We'll just blast our way through and they'll follow through the carnage in our wake," Greg was flip.
"Da," Viktor confirmed with a smirk. Greg held on and urged the others to do the same, but it was an uneventful and surprisingly not harrowing drive to the beach. The narrow one way streets in the old city made less opportunity for terror. Viktor found a parking space and left room for Svilen to slip in his scooter in front of the Antara. Children and adults piled into the street. Kliment made no move to take off Svilen's bag. Svilen reached for it and tugged on the strap.
"I got," Kliment dismissed.
"Oh, look at that," Greg observed as they walked through the gates onto Rappongi. "When you said there there palm trees, I wondered how they could grow in this climate and I see that they don't."
A great large tropical beach feel had been created by a long section of row after row of tall, fake, palm trees. The white sand beach was hundreds of feet deep to the waters of the Black Sea. A wide teak boardwalk separated the beach and army of palm trees from the restaurant and lounge. The long open air lounge had possibly the longest bar Greg had ever seen and was finished with a white quartz top. All the furniture was teak with white cloth upholstery. There were more barstools lined up at the incredibly long bar than could be counted. Greg noted the very fit Bulgarian bartenders wore the same uniform shorts and cap, but there was not a single shirt among them. In front of the bar, right on the boardwalk, were dozens of vignettes of teak and white upholstered seating. On the other side of the boardwalk, within the forest of the fake palms, were great teak beds with enormous custom yellow and white striped pads that could comfortably sit ten or more people. Ahead of that was a beach long row of teak chaise lounges with matching yellow and white striped cushions. Beyond the palms was a wide swath of tables with chairs and chaises under simple yellow and white striped umbrellas. Nearly a hundred feet of pristine sand lay between this area and the water. Viktor rented them one of the big teak beds for the day and the beach attendant escorted them to it.
"Isn't this lovely," Greg looked around. "We don't have anything like this in Scarborough," he commented.
"Girls, come," Vladimira pulled sunscreen out of her bag.
"Thank you, Vladimira," Greg smiled. She had beaten him to it. Kliment lifted Svilen's bag over his head and tossed it into the center of their big beach bed. He peeled his tank top off and was just left in his small, well packed red bikini with the cute little pocket on one butt cheek. Svilen stripped down to his even smaller pale blue bikini that clipped on the sides.
"See, Grigor," Viktor put his finger into Greg's waistband while Greg pulled his shirt off, "overdressed."
"Yes, I see. That's fine for fine Bulgarian boys," Greg admitted.
"You buy me new swimsuit," Viktor ran his hand over the prominent bulge in his own small square cut. "I buy you new swimsuit."
"If you must, though, I don't guarantee that I'll wear it," Greg partly gave in.
"You look good. You will see," Viktor was sure of himself. The adults climbed onto their big beach bed while Helena and Radka played in the sand. The color of the palm fronds was a bit off, but otherwise the fake trees were pretty realistic. The fronds that gave scant shade even swayed believably in the sea breeze. It was quite hot in the sun, but the breeze from the sea was cooling.
Greg took a deep breath and let it go as he relaxed. "This really is lovely. Marvelous idea, Vladimira."
"I like here," Vladimira commented as several couples with model good looks and tans strolled by on the teak path. They all wore only tiny swimsuits and were very pleasing to the eye.
"I love Bulgaria," Greg sighed. Viktor chuckled. Vladimira untied the wrap from round her waist and dropped it on her bag before she sat down on the big bed and swung her legs up.
"Untie me," Vladimira lifted her hair as she turned her back to Greg as he was the closest.
"Oh. All right," Greg pulled at the ties that held her bikini top in place at her back and behind her neck. Vladimira let her top drop away and tossed it onto her wrap.
"That better," Vladimira reclined on the big bed.
"Bulgarian girls not shy," Viktor read the look on his partner's face.
"Beside, Petar no like tan line," Vladimira added as she shook her hair back.
"What are you going to do about those," Greg pointed to her little bikini bottom.
"Petar no get everything he want. He rather me keep cover up there. He say that only for him," Vladimira informed.
"I'd say that's sound reasoning," Greg agreed. Neither Krum brother paid their topless sister any attention. The other two gay men with her didn't give her a second glance either. A nearby waiter however, swooped right down on them. He greeted them and asked for their order in Bulgarian. Kliment did not hesitate, in spite of the fact that it was still morning, to order a round of beers for the adults. Viktor added an order of apple juice for the children. The waiter, like the other staff out on the beach, in a white sleeveless muscle shirt to match his cap and shorts, only reluctantly and with a big smile, departed to fill their order.
"See, that what Valery do," Vladimira pointed out. Svilen only gave a nod while Kliment gave him a nudge with his arm.
"We find you boyfriend, Svilen," Kliment gestured out toward the beach. "See how many boys here. Some must be gay. Can you tell?"
"Most time," Svilen admitted.
"Takes one to know one and all that," Greg added.
"Da, that what I think," Kliment nodded. "You see boy you like?"
"Maybe," Svilen gave a shrug.
"We find you good boyfriend, Svilen. Find you nice British guy like Grigor," Kliment suggested with a pat on his brother-in-law's leg.
"Come to London, mate. They'll line right up," Greg assured.
Viktor chuckled. "They will," he affirmed.
"In all sincerity, if you two would like to come and spend the whole of your summer break in London next year, we would be delighted to have you," Greg offered.
"Da," Viktor confirmed with a nod.
"Though the flat is only so big. We have only the one guest room. You two might have to sleep together," Greg cautioned. He knew one of them would like that, though it might be detrimental.
"That okay, Svilen?" Kliment nudged his friend again. "I sleep you. That okay?"
"That fine," Svilen looked down again. The waiter returned with their beers and juices at that moment. Greg took his partner's wallet from their bag and handed it to Viktor to pay for their order.
"Nazdrave," Kliment held out his beer.
"Nazdrave," Viktor echoed. Kliment reached to touch his bottle to Greg and his siblings and finally turned to do the same with Svilen.
"We find nice British guy for you," Kliment took a swig. "What kind guy you like?" he asked, genuinely curious.
Svilen looked with clear longing into the open, inquisitive face of the object of his affection. "You," he confessed in a small voice. Greg took hold of Viktor's forearm. The other shoe had just dropped.
"Oh, you like me?" Kliment asked. The realization what what Svilen had just told him became clear. "You like me."
"Sorry," Svilen looked down.
"Ne," Kliment shook his head. "No be sorry how you feel," Kliment put his arm around Svilen and pulled him close. They sat in silence together for a long moment just watching the people on the beach.
"I can no be gay for you, Svilen," Kliment finally said with warmth and understanding.
"I know this," Svilen took a deep breath to steady himself. He did not want to cry again.
"This why you no want tell me," Kliment understood at last.
"That part of it," Svilen admitted.
"We find you nice boy so you forget about me. Oh!" Kliment was just struck with what he thought was a brilliant idea. "Think how much fun ID Club now! We find guy with girl that we both like. We have both them!"
"We hunt together in ID Club?" Svilen gave a small smile.
"Da! We hunt together! I like. It be fun," Kliment enthused. Then another thought struck him. "Or you rather have boyfriend? You rather have boyfriend, that okay. But he treat you good or answer to me."
"I no think I ready for boyfriend. Hunt with you," Svilen nudged Kliment with his shoulder.
"Da, that be fun," Kliment nodded and took a swig of his beer.
"Kliment, what we do about Valery?" Svilen asked.
"Valery," Kliment considered. "Valery love you too, Svilen. I no think he have problem. I no think so."
"You no sure," Svilen observed.
"I no sure. No really. Is your decision if tell him," Kliment put his arm around Svilen's shoulders. "I behind whatever you do."
"Blagodarya, Kliment. That mean more than you know," Svilen stated. He remained pensively quiet for a few moments under Kliment's arm. "I know him since we kid like you. I love him too. I ready tell him. As long you behind me, I face anyone. Even him."
Kliment said nothing, but nodded and pulled Svilen closer to him.
"Daddy! Daddy!" Helena suddenly appeared by the side of the bed nearest Viktor. "Can we go in the water?"
"Da, Princess. We can go in water," Viktor sat up and swung his legs over the side.
"I wonder if it's warm?" Greg said as he moved to follow.
"Radka, you stay by cheecho Viktor and cheecho Grigor, and do as they say," Vladimira was not getting up.
"Da, Maika," Radka obeyed.
"Come on!" Helena took her cousin's hand and the two dashed off in the direction of the shore.
"Here, you two," Greg raised his voice to call after them.
"Helena, stop!" Viktor shouted. Helena froze in her tracks and in so doing, yanked her cousin to a stop as well. Helena's Bulgarian father never raised his voice and when he did, she knew it was time to pay very close attention. Helena looked to Radka with wide eyes and they both looked back.
"You wait for daddies," Viktor instructed in a calm, even voice as he followed after them. He wanted to let her know that he was not angry, because she had stopped when told to do so, but he also wanted her to know the situation was serious. "No go off by yourself, especially toward water."
Greg started out to follow and got only two steps before he heard his cell ring. "Now who could that be?" Greg returned to fish his phone from his bag. "Oh," he answered the call and put the cell to his ear. "Hello, Rick, mate," Greg greeted his best friend as he followed after his partner, daughter and niece toward the shore.
"Greg, I'm so sorry to bother you on your holiday with Viktor. I mean, bother you further," Rick began.
"You are no bother at all, mate," Greg assured. "I was a bit concerned about you the other night, though I did learn that you managed to make it in to work the next day."
"Only just. My head was right done in too. Don't think I got a thing done. I should have stayed home in bed," Rick confessed.
"I think Ashok would have liked that," Greg smiled as he followed Viktor and the kids down toward the water.
"That's rather what I wanted to talk to you about," Rick spoke with trepidation clear in his voice.
"What happened, Rick?" Greg was concerned.
"When I came home Friday, Ashok had a lovely dinner just about ready. He gave me a hair of the dog and made me put my feet up. He even sat on the floor, took my shoes off and rubbed my feet while he was waiting for a timer to go off in the kitchen," Rick relayed.
"He's a very sweet boy," Greg commented.
"He is that. He made roasted chicken, and quite splendidly. Anyway, that's not the point," Rick self corrected.
"What is the point, mate?" Greg asked.
"The point is, you know what happened with H. I'm pretty sure I told you everything. I was so well gone, I don't quite remember what I told who," Rick revealed.
"You told me," Greg confirmed.
"Right. Thought so. I might not have mentioned what I had in my pocket," Rick continued, "but let me back up a bit. After dinner my plan was to take Ashok out to Barcode or Ku Bar. You know those are popular twink dance bars, but I was just exhausted. I thought he should meet other boys and told him so."
"Why would you want him to do that?" Greg pressed.
"If he finds another boy and takes up with that boy, then he will inevitably be less of a temptation for me," Rick stressed.
"I hope Ashok is not there," Greg voiced his thought.
"He went to the market. He wants to make something special for dinner again and wants to show me that he can run off to do the shopping and get back all by himself, so he told me to stay here and relax," Rick explained.
"And are you?"
"No!" Rick exclaimed. "That's why I'm calling you, you ninny."
"Sorry, go on," Greg bid.
"He told me that he didn't want to meet any boys, that he doesn't like boys, he likes men and anyway he doesn't know how to dance. He put on some music and asked me to teach him," Rick relayed.
"And did you?" Greg prodded.
"I tried to, yes," Rick answered. "He's not that bad, but he thinks he is. We both got quite warm and he took off his shirt. Then he pulled mine off as well."
"I think I know where this is going," Greg surmised.
"I always knew you were a bloody genius. Nothing gets past you. But seriously, Greg, he was sweaty and breathing heavy and rubbing his face on my chest. He is so bloody sexy! Of course we ended up in the bedroom," Rick lamented.
"I am, as your dear friend, trying very hard to be upset about that, Rick, but I have to tell you that I'm not," Greg smiled as he watched Viktor stand up to his ankles in the Black Sea, at least he was when the gentle waves washed in. Helena and Radka shrieked as they ran out to him and dashed back as the water came in at them. At this rate his daughter and her cousin were not going to get wet at all.
"So back to my pocket, or what I had in my pocket, which was the condoms that I grabbed at H's place," Rick revealed.
"How very convenient for you," Greg commented.
"Too right," Rick agreed. "Ashok, as I have mentioned to you before, has been asking me to make love to him."
"Ah," Greg got it. "And now you have supplies right at hand and no excuses left. Good for you, mate."
"Not good for me. Not good at all, Greg," Rick countered. "Ashok is the most sublime lover. I now know what it must be like for you and Viktor."
"What I wish it was like. I'm about ready to gnaw the ruddy headboard I can tell you. If we don't get a bit of time for ourselves soon I am going to lose my bloody mind!" Greg stressed.
"I'm sorry, Greg," Rick was sincere.
"No, I'm sorry. Please go on. I know you're upset, Rick. Please go on," Greg urged.
"Greg, my heart and body belong to H," Rick stated.
"Well, there's a noble sentiment. If only his heart and body belonged to you," Greg pointed out dryly.
"I know what you and everyone say, but that's how I feel. I love him and I feel like shit for being unfaithful to him," Rick stressed.
"I certainly don't think you should beat yourself up over this, Rick," Greg stopped well short of the water's edge with his cell in his hand. The two little girls held Viktor's hands as they made it into the Black Sea and ventured into water as deep as Viktor's knees. The girls screamed and giggled each time waves, that were in fact tiny, came by.
"It sounds windy there. Where are you?" Rick asked.
"At the beach. You know perfectly well that H does not beat himself up over it every time he makes love to his wife," Greg continued undaunted.
"Greg, you know perfectly well that H has never even one time made loveto his wife," Rick made the point.
"You know what I mean. He bloody well has sex with her. They have children," Greg stated the obvious.
"Having sex and making love are not the same thing," Rick made the distinction.
"That is a very fine hair to split, mate. Let me ask you this, then. What did you do with Ashok? Was it making love or having sex?" Greg posed. And listened to silence. "Don't over analyze it. Just answer me. What does your heart tell you?"
"We made love," Rick admitted.
"You think there might be a reason for that?" Greg asked the pertinent question.
"I know the reason for it! I bloody cheated!" Rick became heated.
"Alright, let's look at this another way. Maybe this will make you feel better. The condoms you nicked from H's place," Greg began.
"I didn't so much nick them as I bought them myself," Rick corrected. "He certainly mustn't be seen purchasing such things as he does not use them at home you see."
"I do see. I stand corrected, then. The condoms of your very own that you retrieved from H's place, how were they to be used precisely? The condom was meant to go onto his stalk, right?" Greg asked the question to which he knew the answer.
"You know very well H is a top," Rick stated.
"Right," Greg agreed. "And when you were with Ashok, who made love to whom?"
"Greg, I have to say we made love to each other, but I was inside him," Rick answered.
"So not what you would have done at all, had you been with H," Greg concluded.
"Who is splitting hairs now, mate?" Rick queried.
"Am I?" Greg countered.
"If Viktor went and shagged some bloke right now, would that then be okay? After all, when you two are together, you shag him. Would that be fine? That's the same thing," Rick turned the tables.
"For it to really be the same thing, Vik would have to go shag a woman, and it would very much notbe fine," Greg stated.
"You take my point, then," Rick finished.
"Which I think actually reinforces my original point, that it is not okay for him, when it is not for you. H doesn't get to have special exemptions from the rules, Rick," Greg spoke kindly.
"I'm not saying he has special exemptions," Rick protested weakly.
"But you are," Greg argued. "By excusing him from being with his wife, that is exactly what you are doing. If H can find fulfillment with someone else, and I know you will tell me that H finds no fulfillment with his wife, but that doesn't matter. It doesn't matter what his motivation is, the fact remains that he is with someone else, then you can find fulfillment with someone else too. And you shouldn't bloody well feel bad about it! If H were any kind of a man, he would be sleeping beside you every night. You would be living in that big house in Belgravia. But he's not, is he? Any kind of a man, I mean. He has chosen to live this life, and in all fairness really, that's his decision to make. He says that he loves you, all evidence to the contrary, and you choose to accept this arrangement. In equal fairness, that's your decision to make. I don't agree with it. I never have and I never will, but I am your friend, no matter what. I will support you. And in so doing, I must tell you that part of this arrangement must be equality. If you find fulfillment elsewhere, Rick, embrace it for what it is. You are a beautiful and brilliant man. You deserve so much more than H has ever, or will ever, give you. I'm sorry to go on lecturing you about it like this."
"It's okay, Greg," Rick spoke in a resigned voice. "I know that you're right."
"Let me ask you this, and then I'll leave it alone. If it feels as right as it does with Ashok, if making love to him is sublime, to use your very word, don't you think there is a reason for that? This boy clearly adores you and treats you the way you deserve to be treated. The man who professes to love you, treats you like shite. Worse and worse all the time, it seems to me. Does that say anything to you at all?" Greg posed.
"It does. I know, Greg," Rick admitted.
"I have to tell you, Rick, your anxiety aside, I am elated that Ashok has come into our lives, and most particularly into yours," Greg confessed. "I know you get agitated and beat yourself up over what is quite naturally developing between you, but I must tell you, in all candor, I could not be more pleased about it. Do you know how cute you two are together?"
"He said the same thing. He put a picture that you took of the two of us up on our bedroom mirror. I left it there because it makes him so happy," Rick informed.
"You know that you just said 'our bedroom', right?" Greg pointed out.
"I guess I did," Rick had not noticed it.
"How did that feel?" Greg asked.
"Should I feel guilty that it makes me feel good? Because it does. Make me feel good and guilty about it at the same time, I mean," Rick clarified.
"Baby steps, mate."
"Yeah, baby steps right to hell. I was more than halfway there already, and all this just puts me that much closer," Rick's voice was filled with self loathing.
"Fuck, Rick, there's more to this than you're telling me. Now come on, what other dark thoughts are you harboring in that pretty head of yours?" Greg asked.
Rick gave a sigh. "It's not just about H, Greg," he confessed.
"Very well, then. I'm finding myself a nice warm seat here on the sand. It's sunny and there's a nice breeze off the sea, and I have nothing but time, so start talking and don't leave anything out this time," Greg bid. He sat down on the sand settled in as Rick began to explain everything else that was weighing on him. Greg listened to his friend while he watched his family. At one point he caught his partner's eye and responded to the beckoning wave by pointing to the phone. Viktor understood that the call must have been important to distract Greg this way, and flashed him the okay sign. He continued to entertain his daughter and niece. Greg and Rick talked on until the subject was exhausted. They agreed on little, except that it was imperative for Rick to have honest conversations with both of his lovers. Talking to Ashok would, of course, be easy. H posed a bigger problem.
"When are you seeing H again?" Greg switched gears.
"Thursday, I suppose. Right on schedule. If he can be bothered to show up," Rick scoffed.
"You still owe him a chat, and it would be best done out of the bedroom," Greg stated.
"I know that, Greg. Now more than ever," Rick heaved a sigh. "Really, nothing is any different, but I always feel better talking to you, mate."
"Even though I'm a nagging ball ache?" Greg smiled.
"But you do it with such love," Rick countered.
"There you are, then. Have this conversation with Dré and you'll really see the difference," Greg suggested.
"Made your bed, Diggory," Rick gave his best impression.
"Dré, is that you?" Greg laughed and Rick, much to Greg's relief, laughed with him.
"Daddy! Daddy!" Helena splashed her way out of the water and ran up the sand to kneel by Greg. She grabbed hold of the side of her father's bathing suit. "Come in the water with us!"
"Yes, I shall," Greg agreed. He saw Viktor beckon again from where he stood in the water with Radka.
"Give Helena a big hug from me, and Viktor too," Rick bid.
"I'm talking to uncle Rick and he says to give you a big hug," Greg leaned over to do so.
"Oh!" Helena squealed. "Big kiss, uncle Rick," she yelled at the phone. "And Ashok too!"
"There you are," Greg rose from his seat on the warm sand. "Do deliver that kiss to Ashok for my daughter, won't you?"
"I'm quite sure I can manage," Rick agreed.
"My child and my husband need me now, so I am going to let you go. I love you very much, Cedric Diggory, and I am always here if you need me," Greg expressed.
"I love you too, Gregory Goyle. Go be with your family while I try to figure out mine," Rick bid.
"You do that. Bye, Rick," Greg lowered his phone and ended the call.
"Come in the water with us!" Helena jumped up and down and pulled on his arm.
"Lene, I shall. Let me just go put the phone away with auntie Vladimira. I can't get it wet," Greg turned, only to find two Bulgarian visions in only their tiny, packed bikinis walking toward him. Kliment scooped Helena up and she gave a squeal, as he and Svilen walked past enroute to the water.
"I'll be right there," Greg turned and hurried up the sand to where Vladimira laid alone on the giant beach bed. As he approached through the sand Greg noticed the waiter return to see if the beautiful woman required anything of him at all. Greg was not quite within earshot, but would not have understood the Bulgarian words if he was. The waiter's body language made it more than clear that he was very ready to perform services for her that were well outside his job description. Vladimira declined his offer yet again and held up her hand to finger her wedding ring while she did so.
"Vladimira," Greg called. This had the desired effect as the waiter walked away. "The waiters are certainly a friendly lot," Greg climbed onto the big bed and put his cell into their bag. "If you are a voluptuous young woman with your top off that is."
"I used to it," Vladimira dismissed.
"I'll bet Petar does not appreciate it," Greg surmised.
"That no happen he with me," Vladimira stated.
"Ah. Of course. I'm actually quite glad I got a moment alone with you. I need your help," Greg scooted closer to her.
"How I help?" Vladimira raised a hand to shield her eyes from the sun so she could look at him.
"There is an icon store just on King Boris. They're closed today and they were yesterday as well," Greg began.
"Da," Vladimira agreed.
"Right. I want to get Viktor a present. Something really special that speaks to him. Those icons are just beautiful and he very much expressed interest. I want it to be a secret. I want to surprise him," Greg explained.
"Those icon made and paint by special artist who are monk. They very expensive," Vladimira cautioned.
"I saw the prices and I don't care. It's totally worth it," Greg stated.
"I take you. I find excuse," Vladimira assured.
"I knew I could count on my darling, nearly naked sister-in-law," Greg smiled.
Vladimira giggled. "Oh, that remind. I have everyone over my house tomorrow."
"Oh? I'd love to see your new place," Greg smiled.
"I drop off Petar work, then pick up family to take. You and Viktor need day for shop. I take maika and Kliment and Helena and Radka. I tell Petar you pick up him and take home. We all have supper my house," Vladimira explained her plan. Greg's eyebrows slowly raised as he got it.
"Aren't you the clever girl? I could just kiss you. And I think I will!" Greg leaned over, grabbed his sister-in-law's head and planted a quick peck on her lips. Vladimira laughed mirthfully.
"Mind you, there won't be a lot of shopping done," Greg stated.
"Have whole day. Find few minutes shop," Vladimira instructed.
"We'll pick up a wedge of cheese or some such thing. Oh, perhaps we could fetch another case of wine? That would only require a phone call. You were quite fond of the cabernet and the traminer, if I remember rightly," Greg thought out loud.
"Da," Vladimira confirmed. "Cabernet best. Get six cabernet, four traminer and two rosé for tease Kliment."
"I shall fill your order precisely, m'lady, and be most grateful to do it. Really, Vladimira, I can't thank you enough," he put a hand on her shoulder. "It's been a bloody month. You can't imagine."
"Da, I can. Last year Petar have go train other power plant. He gone month. I jump on him when he get home," Vladimira relayed.
"Well, then, you
can just imagine. I shall leave you now. Our daughters want me to come in swimming with them. Will you be all right?" Greg asked.
"I be fine. Waiter very attentive," she snickered.
"Right. I don't think we'll be too long," Greg slid off the bed and onto his feet in the sand. He made his way between the chaise lounges and tables and chairs, back down to the water. Greg did not at first see his family. He looked around and only spotted them finally out in the water due to Viktor, and Helena in his arms, both waving at him. They were out in water chest deep to the adults. Helena was in her father's arms and Radka was in Kliment's.
"There you are," Greg spoke to himself and headed into the water. At nearly thirty degrees Celsius the sea water was surprisingly warm.
"Daddy, come in!" Helena reached out to her other father.
"It really is lovely, isn't it," Greg walked out to the others. "I don't remember the sea being so warm."
"It warmer every year it seem," Kliment agreed.
"Are you having a good time, Lene?" Greg came close to his partner and daughter.
"Oh, yes! Very much," she affirmed enthusiastically with a hand on her British father's shoulder.
"It not get like this in Scarborough," Viktor pointed out. It always brought a smile to Greg's face when Viktor attempted to pronounce the name of his hometown.
"I should say not! The North Sea is bloody damn cold, even at it's warmest," Greg laid back in the water and swam on his back with his head up so that he could still converse.
"It no that cold, Grigor," Kliment doubted.
"Just you two come to London next summer. I'll take you up to my hometown and throw you in the ruddy freezing bay. And when I do I shall remind you of your words," Greg threatened.
"I like go London next year," Svilen stated.
"Da," Kliment agreed. "I like too."
"When you throw in bay, remember I no say nothing," Svilen protected himself.
"You leave me all alone in bay? Freeze to death?" Kliment made a pouty face to his best friend.
"You know the best treatment for hypothermia is for us all to strip naked and lay in a pile," Greg informed.
"Let him freeze," Viktor commented.
"Oh, no," Greg shook his head.
"I save you, Kliment," Svilen gripped the younger Krum's shoulder with a very serious face. They both burst out laughing. Kliment gave Svilen a face full of sea water and Svilen splashed him right back. Radka shrieked with glee.
"Oh, you want play? Grigor, take Radka," Kliment handed their niece over to the Brit. "Now, you mine!" Kliment lunged at Svilen and they both went under. Helena and Radka both laughed themselves silly. Kliment came up at last and Svilen jumped up on his back, taking them both under again.
"Kids will play," Greg observed as the younger men horsed around.
"Remember pool at Quellenhotel?" Viktor reminded with a smile.
"Oh, do not think I have forgotten that, Sir," Greg gave a mock angry face that only made Viktor chuckle. "Are we getting hungry, ladies? Would we like some lunch?"
"Da," Radka answered.
"I'm famished!" Helena agreed.
"Daddies too," Viktor gave a nod. He and Greg, with children in their arms, turned toward the shore. "Kliment! Svilen!" Viktor yelled back at them. The younger men saw the others heading for shore and launched themselves into a breaststroke to catch up. Once they reached knee deep water Viktor and Greg lowered their delighted charges down onto their own feet. Helena and Radka splashed their way out of the sea with the adults close behind.
Vladimira was on her stomach by the time her family returned to her. As a result, their waiter no longer hovered. The men and young ladies paused at a nearby shower head to rinse off the sand and sea water before they joined her. Radka bounced up next to her mother to share her joy at going in the sea and witnessing Kliment and Svilen dunk each other.
"Fancy a bit of lunch, Vladimira?" Greg pulled towels out of his bag and handed one to Viktor.
"I am get hungry," Vladimira agreed. She sat up and reached for her bikini top. "Someone tie me."
"I help," Svilen knelt behind her and tied the strings behind her back and neck once she adjusted herself.
"I do wish I had thought to pack a change. I don't relish sitting to lunch wet," Greg expressed.
"Now perfect time for shop," Viktor stated as he tucked the towels into their bag and slung it over his shoulder. "Vladimira, take girls, we meet you there."
"Da," Vladimira agreed as she tied her wrap about her hips again. "Come, girls," she bid.
"Where are you going, Daddy?" Helena looked up at Viktor.
"I take daddy for quick shop. We be ten minute," Viktor assured her with a hand on the back of her head.
"Okay. Don't be late," Helena cautioned with a raised finger before she moved to join her aunt and cousin. Greg pulled his tee shirt on as Kliment and Svilen pulled on their tank tops. They all took their bags and the younger men followed Vladimira, while Greg followed Viktor.
"Where are we going?" Greg asked.
"Find something dry. I know just place," Viktor smiled. With a quick word to the beach attendant to let him know that they were not finished with their beach bed for the day, they set off down the boardwalk.