Chapter 3

The morning was quiet as Andrei stood by the open window, leisurely smoking a cigar as he looked out at the slowly awakening city. Behind him was Eric, still fast asleep and partially covered by the duvet. Smoke billowed up from his lips before disappearing, filling the room with its scent.

The past night had been passionate and satisfying- like fulfilling a craving he hadn't known he had until he'd finally gotten a taste. Eric was cute, he would admit, oh so naive and also well connected in the states. For that alone he was willing to let him stick around to see where things went, and what exactly he could get out of it.

By the time he was almost through with his cigar Eric began to stir. The first thing he felt as he woke was an indescribable soreness and a piercing headache. With a groan of discomfort, he slowly opened one eye to see Andrei standing by the window.

The Russian man had already washed up and… partially dressed. He was shirtless, the ambiguous scratch marks on his back exposed and causing Eric's face to go red as he recalled what had happened last night. If not for the fact that he was still here and in a world of pain, he would have thought that it was all a very long and wishful dream.

Andrei looked over his shoulder with a half smirk. "Good morning, котенок." He said, snuffing out his cigar in the ash tray and walking over. Eric had very slowly and carefully sat up, a hand reaching up to rest on his head.

"I'm never drinking again…" He said softly under his breath as Andrei approached.

"Drink this, you'll feel better." Accepting the glass of water and painkiller he greedily chugged it down. The water helped by a fraction as the pill took some time to go into effect.

"...Thank you." He said with a slightly hoarse voice, setting the empty glass down on the nightstand. When he looked up again Andrei was getting dressed, and he was quiet for a few moments as he thought about what to say next. They had slept together�� but Eric wasn't so clueless as to think that meant anything significant.

"Where are you going?" He asked. Despite himself, he couldn't keep the disappointment from his voice.

"I have something to take care of. Stay here for as long as you'd like, the bathroom is through that door." Andrei replied as he put a black tie around his neck.

Eric simply nodded and didn't say more. He had some tact at least… and from what he knew, being too clingy could sometimes have adverse effects. However to his surprise, Andrei walked back over to the bed, leaning down and kissing him deeply. For a second he was unmoving, and then his arms wrapped around the man's neck like it was natural. When Andrei pulled away Eric had forgotten everything that had just been on his mind.

"I'll see you another time." The man promised softly with an intense look in his eyes and a faint smile. Eric could only nod, watching as Andrei took his wallet from the nightstand and left. Now the only traces of him were in the faintly smoking cigar stub by the window. As Eric sat with a red face and racing heart, he came to the slow realization that he was in big trouble.

*

Sure enough, Eric clung to him even more than he had before they had slept together. Andrei had planned to string him along for some time to see how many benefits he could squeeze out of it, but it seemed Eric was much more invested than he initially thought.

In Eric's eyes, Andrei was the pinnacle of perfection. If Andrei told him to go left he wouldn't go right. Things were almost dreamlike at the moment. Andrei was very charming and considerate every time they met… however there was a growing sense of anxiety. They'd shared a few more passionate nights but Andrei had never admitted to anything such as being lovers or the like. In public, his actions were just distant enough that no one could decisively call them "involved".

And it was… frightening. The closer Eric got to realizing that he was in love the more insecure he felt. Why were they at such a standstill? Why did Andrei seem to avoid the topic every time they met? It was a treacherous sea to navigate. Wait too long and someone else might catch his attention. Push to hard and he might be rejected. An entire month passed in this manner, and it wasn't until one evening that Eric finally broke his silence.

At the evening gala his hand trembled as he watched Andrei and a beautiful young woman talking on the other side of the room. The brunette was dangerously close, practically glued against him as they laughed and chatted. To anyone in the room it was clear that they were hitting off rather well, but to Eric it was the most terrible thing he'd ever seen. He couldn't wait any longer, and when Andrei walked off to the quiet balcony for a smoke he followed. Quietly walking over, he stopped a few feet away before regaining his courage and approaching.

"Ah, Eric. You look very nice tonight." Andrei commented as he looked over with that smile that had made Eric's legs feel weak so many times. Uttering a soft thanks his eyes were shifty, moving from the cigar in Andrei's hand to the bright city lights beneath them.

"There's something I need to ask." He then said, looking up with sudden confidence and determination in his eyes. "What do you think of me?"

His question didn't seem to phase Andrei, who lifted the cigar to his lips and took a long drag before exhaling. Each second felt like a century until Andrei replied.

"I think you're very witty and clever. Your company is very enjoyable, of course." He said diplomatically, but that wasn't the answer Eric was looking for at all.

"That's not what I mean, you know it's not." He said with sudden ferocity, causing Andrei to look over with a raised brow.

"And what do you mean, котенок?" 'Kitten'. He both loved and hated that nickname, which never failed to make his face turn red. Glancing down at his feet for a second, he lifted his head again and tried not to waver.

"I like you, I want to be with you, you know that." He said, voice steady but eyes uncertain. "I want to know… who am I do you. I want to know if I have a chance."

His last sentence was said in a slight mumble. In the end he felt so flustered and uncertain around Andrei, beginning to regret this sudden confrontation. "I want to know if you like me too. I want you to only look at me… to stand next to you and be the only one who goes home with you. I-" His words were suddenly cut off, finding that he couldn't speak any longer, eyes red. The thought that perhaps Andrei didn't feel the same was killing him. What would he do in that case? It felt like he'd already ripped his heart out and offered it up with his own two hands.

Eyes down, he only looked up again when Andrei's hand rested on his cheek. "You worry far too much, котенок. Of all the people here of course I like you the best."

Eric still wasn't happy at all. "But you don't want to be with me." He said in a slightly accusing tone, looking wronged. Eyes slightly wet and face flushed, he looked especially lovely beneath the soft lighting.

"It's not so simple, my dear. Your relationship with your father is important, I am afraid he will refuse." Andrei said softly, like he was coaxing a small animal. In response Eric reached up to firmly grab Andrei's wrist with both hands, refusing to let go.

"He won't! I've spoken to him so many times about you and clearly he respects you a lot." Eric replied, though in all honesty even his father's disapproval might not deter him from being with Eric.

Andrei let out what sounded like a helpless sigh. "You shouldn't be too hasty, котенок. I am distant because I treasure you." His words were so sweet and sincere, Eric ate them up like a starving man at a banquet. Finally his nerves were starting to settle.

"I don't care what happens, I just want to be with you." He said with such desperation Andrei finally acquiesced with soft words of endearment. Burying his face in Andrei's chest as strong arms embraced him, Eric felt like he was on cloud nine.

On Andrei's lips was a satisfied smile and a keen look in his eyes. His little котенок was both cute and useful… he wouldn't mind keeping him around.