Blog Novel

 

 Chapter 11

 

 

 

The phone was next to him. By now it was almost five o'clock. The rain had stopped and the sun was shining obliquely through the gaps in the clouds.

Its ringing abruptly snapped Greg out of concentration.

"Burton."

"It's Alexei."

Greg's deep voice became silky and smooth. "Hello officer, where are you?"

"I'm at home."

"How's your dad?"

"Not so bad, so far. He's on pain meds. They're operating on the fracture tomorrow. Then they'll have to see further. And what are you doing right now?"

"I was working this afternoon. The next few weeks will be stressful. I hope it won’t snow anytime soon."

"Do you have to work late or do you have time to go for a little run with me?"

Greg thought for a moment. "I've got something to do for another thirty minutes, but then some fresh air would be nice. Do you want me to come pick you up?"

"Why is that?"

"Then you can take the uniform with you for tomorrow morning."

Alexei loved it when Gregory seduced him with images in his head. Still, he objected, "But I have an early shift and need to be on duty by five-thirty. That means the alarm clock rings at half past four."

Gregory already knew that he would not spend this night alone and also that none of them would go to work well-rested. "Then you won't have time to get your uniform from home anyway."

"Grishka ..."

He didn't speak out what he was thinking, but he got an answer anyway. "I like my bed better with you in it. You know?!"

Alex took a deep breath. It was quite new and quite exciting for him to flirt this way. "Well, the bed is very nice. I think so."

Greg loved this banter over the phone. Had they been face to face, however, he probably would have chosen different words. "YOU are beautiful Alyosha, very beautiful in fact, and you are most beautiful when you laugh."

He could almost feel Alexei's smile through the phone. "Alright, if you're going to go to such great lengths, I won’t be the one to object. I'll let you pick me up and I'll pack a few things."

Greg laughed at the stilted tone and purred, "All that you want!"

 

 

Alexei's hands shook as he put the phone away. What am I doing here, anyway? Where is this going? Shit! It's so nice with him, so exciting, so hot and so familiar, so fucking familiar! If anyone finds out about this, I'm screwed. Hopefully Sascha will keep his mouth shut! Well, normally one can rely on him. Except when he had too much to drink.

While the thoughts were running through Alexei’s head, he packed a bag with some laundry, his washing and shaving stuff and his dark blue uniform. This morning he had washed himself with Greg's shower bath and the pleasant, foreign scent had been with him all day, constantly reminding him of the incredible feelings of last night. Greg had been so understanding when he had refused him 'entry'. Now, in retrospect, Alexei almost regretted not having simply allowed what Greg was up to. His stomach tingled violently at the memory of Gregory's pulsating body.

The flat was aired out and reasonably tidy, but it still looked chaotic compared to Greg's straightforwardly furnished apartment. His father would have to stay in the hospital for some time. A good opportunity to do a little renovation and get rid of a lot of old stuff. Even if not in his father's room. Ivan would certainly not allow that. But the eat-in kitchen and his own tiny room could also desperately use a makeover.

When he had aired out his father's bedroom, Alexei had noticed how dirty it was. In any case, he would clean it up and give everything a thorough cleaning before Ivan returned. Although he was aware that his father would hate even that.

Alexei didn't care much about that. He had an early shift the next week, which meant he would be home in the afternoon. A better opportunity for cleaning and painting wouldn't come up anytime soon.

Then there was a knock at the door. Alexei opened and looked into Greg's beaming face. "Hey, baby! Are you okay?"

Barely beyond the apartment door, Gregory pulled Alex into his arms and kissed him as fiercely as if they hadn't seen each other in weeks, not just a few hours.

Alexei gasped for air. "Did you miss me already?!"

Gregory let go of him and smiled broadly. "Mhm, a very little bit."

"Well then, I'd like to know how I'll be greeted when we can't see each other for a really long time?"

Greg's smile disappeared and the meaning of his own words came abruptly to Alexei's attention. Of course, he knew that Greg's visa to Russia would end next June. However, he had pushed any thought of it far away. Now his subconscious had played a nasty trick on him.

Gregory was also a master of repression and he would certainly not let unpleasant thoughts spoil this evening.

He abruptly changed the subject. "Is it typical here to live in such large apartment blocks?"

Alexei was grateful for this turn. "Yes, actually it is. Few people can afford their own houses."

"Will you show me how you live?"

Just a few days ago, Alex would have done anything to avoid Gregory seeing his living conditions. By now, he was confident enough in his friend. "All right. Come on."

This apartment was divided the same way as Irina and Natalya's apartment across the hallway. However, the furnishings were quite different. Greg looked around the kitchen. "So where do you sleep?"

Alexei had been right. Greg's bed was almost as big as Alexei's whole bedroom. In it, besides the narrow bed, there was a small closet and an overflowing bookshelf.

"I was thinking earlier that the kitchen and my room could use some fresh paint."

Gregory deliberately looked not at the walls but at Alexei's face. "I'd love to help you, but I'm afraid I won't have time. However ..."

"Yes?"

"If you want, you can stay with me while you have a construction site here."

"Yes?" Alexei had to think about it. "Now we have to get going. Otherwise it'll get too dark to run."

 

They trotted easily side by side through the large Tsentralnyy Park Kultury i Otdykha. Not a park in the classic sense, but still a vast green space on a wide hill, high above the city. Alexei's usual running route was almost ten kilometres long. Today they shortened it to seven and took a short break in between at the topmost point, next to the small white church. The wide view over the city was especially beautiful in the last light of the day. The air already tasted distinctly of autumn, and Greg unconsciously searched the horizon for the first snow on distant peaks. The prominent cliffs of his hometown showed him the snowline on clear days. Here, the mountains were too far away for that.

"Do you know Lake Baikal well?"

Alexei pulled his hood off his head. "A little. Why?"

They leaned against a small wall and looked into the distance together.

"Oh, just because. I quite fancied doing a tour of the Baikal Trail at some point. We won't be able to do much in the next few weeks because we're under pressure at work, but when the mosquito season is over for good, maybe I can take a few days off."

"When mosquito season is over, it's going to be cold," Alexei said.

"I'm from Alaska. It's Mosquitoes or snow. Personally, I prefer snow."

Alexei thought for a moment. "There are a few villages where old fishing huts or converted boat sheds are now rented out to hikers or fishermen. Pretty primitive though, but in nature. If you like that sort of thing?"

Greg had thought of hiking with a tent, but fishing shack sounded even better.

"Are you allowed to fish in the lake just like that?"

"Just like that, no. Not officially, anyway. But the licenses aren't expensive."

The thought of a small escape to Lake Baikal with its magnificent, impressive landscape and undisturbed places appealed to Alexei exceptionally well.

Gregory was also thinking about something else. "The fish last night was very good. I'm sure it tastes good freshly caught, too."

Alexei grinned. "You're hungry, aren't you?"

"Now that you mention it, I realize it too!"

They laughed and kept walking.

 

The pizzeria *Da Pietro* advertised on a large sign that it served real Neapolitan pizza. Pietro's real name was Piotr and he was not quite a real Italian. However, he had been in Naples for a few years and had brought the art of making a real pizza from there. As well as some Italian expressions and ideas for decorating his cosy little place. It was busy, but they still found a seat by the window. Gregory was a little uncomfortable going to dinner in his gym shorts, but Alexei just laughed and said, "I do it almost every Sunday like this. Except when the weather is too bad to run. Pietro makes the best pizza in town and there's no dress code. People as refined as you don't usually socialize here."

Greg grinned. "So, the best pizza in town?"

That was true, and the chef personally brought the ‘Capriciosa’ and ‘Quattro Stagioni’ to their table.

"Ciao Alexei! Who are you bringing today? Do you have a new colleague?"

"Good evening! Mr. Burton is coming from America and is a friend of mine."

"Oh, Buona Sera, Signore Burton! What brings you to Irkutsk?"

Greg politely replied, "Good evening. Work. Oh, that looks good!"

The host placed the pizza on the table and melodiously wished, "Prego Signori! Buon Appetito!"

"Grazie mille."

Alexei raised his eyebrows. "You speak Italian?"

Gregory smiled mischievously. "I know many languages."

"Oh, really?"

"No, not really, but I can order food in several languages. Menu Italian, so to speak, and French and Spanish."

"How can you do that?"

"I went to college in Seattle. You can eat anything cuisine of the world there."

For a few minutes they hungrily devoted themselves to their dinner. Then Alex asked, "Will you tell me more? What was it like in Seattle?"

"For a while, it was cool and exciting."

He lowered his voice. "The clubs, the scene, the anonymity in the city has interesting aspects. But I wouldn't want to live in a big city permanently. Eventually homesickness set in and when I finally finished my exams, nothing could keep me in Seattle. Not even the clubs and the scene."

Alexei looked at Greg with a look that revealed much of his own longings. "You wanted to go back north?"

"Yes. I needed the open space and the clear air. And a partner is ultimately much harder to find in the big city."

He lowered his gaze and suddenly felt as if he had exposed himself.

Alexei sensed his friend's insecurity and great longing. He did not lower his gaze and when Gregory looked up again, their eyes met and Greg felt that he had now finally missed the moment when there might have been a way back for him after all!

Alexei smiled so beautifully, so full of happiness and full of love and this look and this smile belonged only to him! How Greg had always longed to be once, just once, special to a man. More than just the buddy, playmate, fuck buddy or the one to spend an occasional hot night with. The American was falling heart over head in love and the Russian knew it.

Gregory was flooded with endorphins and his eyes shone blue, like the sky over Lake Baikal at the summer solstice, revealing what his mouth dared not. Alexei's cheeks were burning.

Nevertheless, their eyes did not let go. The clear, reasonable thoughts of the no-nonsense engineer and the correct policeman had long since ceased to be heard in the waves of emotion and desire.

After several endless minutes, Greg whispered, "I'm all yours and you still know it."

Alexei answered him with an intense look and an almost soundless, "Ya tebya lyublyu."

Gregory closed his eyes and tried to comprehend. Alexei took a few deep breaths and then said in a raspy voice, "Let's go, please."

 

 

Gregory woke up when he heard the shower rushing at four-thirty.

He was still so comfortable in bed, but Alexei had to work early.

Alex hadn't told him what he usually had for breakfast before going on duty. Greg always had cereal with fruit and black coffee on weekdays. He peeled himself out of bed, too, and knocked on the bathroom door. "Good morning!"

Alex turned off the cold water. "Good morning! I'll be ready in a minute."

"Take your time. I'm in no hurry. What would you like for breakfast?"

"Nothing."

"Tea or coffee with it?"

Alex knew resistance was futile. "I'd rather have tea."

Greg glanced briefly through the door. Alexei was rubbing his short hair dry. He was freshly shaved, smelled appetizing, and looked seductively handsome. It was very tempting to just drag him to bed again, but Greg left it at a smile and a comment about the unloved Monday. Then he went to the kitchen to make coffee and tea and cut up some fruit.

He made cereal twice today, and it created a tingling feeling of happiness inside him, even it was almost in the middle of the night.

Alex, meanwhile, had completely transformed himself into Sergeant Urbanokow. With every button he closed on his dark blue uniform, he hid his feelings a little more. Greg thought he sensed a distance when Alexei joined him at the kitchen table, but Alex smiled and said softly, "You spoil me! Grishka."

"Gladly."

Greg knew that the uniform was just the outside image and that his Alex was in that uniform. Alexei, who could kiss so tenderly, who pushed his own body to the limit in sports, and who was so excitingly inexperienced and at the same time so insatiably greedy for sex. Greg knew all this, but it was still disconcerting to see him in uniform. Alex could tell something was bothering him. "Is everything all right? Wasn't it nice last night?"

“Why do you ask?"

"You look so funny."

"Ah, don't think anything of it. I'm not a morning person."

"And secondly?"

"Oh, it's just ... you look so different."

Alexei nodded, because he had a mouthful of cereal, and Greg changed the subject. "I won't be home until late tonight. We'll talk on the phone in the evening, okay?"

"Yeah, I'll check in with you. I'm still going to the clinic after work. Depending on how my father is after surgery, I'll stay there for a bit."

Alexei looked at his watch and took the last sip of tea standing up.

"I got to go."

A quick hug and he was gone.

 

 

Greg had another coffee and watched the news on CNN online, as every morning. Then made the bed, cleaned up the kitchen, showered, shaved, and applied cream to the parts of his body that where sore from Alexei's stubble.

It was fascinating to Gregory how quickly Alex learned. He was delicate, even sensitive on the one hand and totally unbridled on the other. What's more, they got along well. Greg hadn't talked this much in years. Even about himself, his dreams and goals. And Alexei was the first to share his wishes and dreams with Greg.

The confession of their feelings for each other last night had startled them both a little, but after the silent drive home and the completely non-contact, somehow distant walk to his apartment, Alex had kissed him so forcefully, as soon as the door had closed behind them, that Greg had been left breathless. Alex had whispered, "I'm afraid people can read it on my forehead."

"Read what?"

"How much I'm in love with you."

It had been a night of emotional highs and instead of being totally hungover from the rush, Greg was floating on a cloud, still feeling intoxicated and happy to the point of euphoria.

He wanted so much to broadcast it to the whole world, to share his happiness, to show it to everyone, but his mind clearly showed him the limits that existed in this country. In order not to suffocate on all the new and insanely beautiful feelings, he spontaneously decided for the one person he trusted the most and who would surely understand him.

The email to his mother was short but meaningful. Greg knew very well that she would be pleased, of course, not without worrying about the consequences of a gay love affair in Russia, but Emily Burton was a practical and strong woman. Calamities such as the whims of governments or the opinions of broad segments of the population, had never bothered her. Her attention was first and foremost on the welfare of her family. Gregory was looking forward to her answer.

Then it was time to go to work and the new week took its course.

Sergei was a little tense throughout the day. Igor was obviously very much looking forward to Elena Ramirez's visit and even had the hall thoroughly cleaned and swept in the afternoon. Greg had his hands full with preparations for the reconnaissance trip so that Sergei and Elena, along with Roman and Andrei would be able to leave on Wednesday as scheduled.

Sergei spoke English very well. Roman quite passably and Andrei a little. Elena knew Spanish but no Russian at all. The plan was for Sergei and Elena to contact Greg as often as possible to quickly plan the first repairs. And, of course, everything depended on the weather.

The two huge motorhomes were capable of off-roading and the equipment was top notch. Gregory knew that Elena would bring her own camera to take photos for analysis of the weak spots. This was the usual procedure. Photos, satellite determination of pipeline or carrier vulnerabilities, and an immediate definition of the urgency and extent of repair needed. Most of the pumping stations were indoors. The plan was to inspect them in winter.

Sergey feared that it would become quite a long list even as it was.

Igor had been on the phone all morning with the relevant authorities to get permission to fly a helicopter along the pipeline. This proved to be extremely difficult even for the shrewd Igor Tomaczinsky. The oil pipeline between Omsk and Irkutsk was still strategically important, which meant the overflight had to be approved by a higher-level agency, and that meant it took longer. Only time was something they didn't have in abundance. Over lunch, they agreed not to rely on aerial results. It was very doubtful that there would even be approval for that. However, if company management in Omsk requested a flight, the process might be faster. Greg suggested going that route. Igor took up the idea.

They also planned a dinner with everyone involved in the 'Elena' mission, as Igor jokingly called it, for the next day and Sergei wanted to suggest a restaurant.

Igor rudely cut him off. "No, Sergei! I'm afraid we can't rely on you in this matter. Last time you got into a raid with Gregory, if I remember correctly. We wouldn't want to put a lady through that after all. Better I choose a place."

Sergei gave a pained laugh. "You're right. I don't like to remember that evening either."

And turning to Gregory he said, "I'm still sorry now that that jerk of a policeman held you for two hours."

Gregory had to control himself very much not to grin broadly or say something wrong. He replied placatingly, "You couldn't help it. But maybe Igor has a good idea where we could take Elena for dinner tomorrow night. Even if she's not a lady in the literal sense."

Igor was full of anticipation, even though he would be staying in Irkutsk with Greg. "Let us surprise you."

 

 

***

 

When Alexei stared at his private cell phone for the tenth time that afternoon, his superior became displeased. Lieutenant Dmitry Varkody ruled him, "Urbanokov! What's so important that you let it keep you from working!"

Alex was startled. He knew, of course, that it was forbidden to communicate privately outside the break, but he had hoped for a call or a message from the hospital. This had not reached him so far. He was worried about his father. "Can I talk to you for a minute Lieutenant?"

"Go ahead."

"My father had a bad fall over the weekend and is in the trauma centre with a femoral neck fracture. They were going to operate on him today, but he's in generally bad shape. I haven't heard from the hospital yet."

His superior's posture and expression changed abruptly. "Well, why don't you say so! Call the hospital. And if it's necessary, go there immediately."

"Thank you, Lieutenant."

"It's all right. Family is the most important thing in life."

 

Ivan Urbanokov was no longer in surgery when Alexei came to the clinic immediately after duty. He was in intensive care and had not yet regained consciousness.

Alexei waited for an hour for a doctor to give him information, only to hear that the surgery had gone according to plan and that Ivan would be monitored intensively for a few more days because his blood results were very poor. The doctor could not or would not say more, and Alexei finally went home.

 

As the water for his tea was boiling, Irina knocked on his door. "Good evening Alexei. I didn't want to disturb you. How is your father?"

Alexei let her into his kitchen.

"You are not disturbing. Would you like to have a cup of tea with me?"

Irina gladly accepted the invitation. Alexei poured her a cup of tea and pushed the sugar over to her. "I was at the hospital all afternoon. They operated on him today and apparently everything went well, but he's still in intensive care. The doctor said his blood results are bad."

Irina listened. A steep crease formed between her eyes. "That doesn't sound good. What are you going to do if he can't come home after all?"

Alexei looked at her face. "What do you mean, not go home anymore?"

"Well, if he needs care. You have to work, don't you?"

Alexei had not yet considered the possibility that his father might become a nursing case. "I don't know. He was in the workers' association. They have a nursing home. Do you think I should ask there, just in case it becomes necessary?"

Irina nodded.

"I know the home. It's not far from police headquarters. Anna's mother was in there."

Alexei stirred in his cup. "Well. Now he's still in the hospital. We’ll wait and see. "

Irina's daughter Natalya slipped through the ajar door. "Mom! When are you coming?"

"In a minute my darling."

Alex turned to the little girl and asked, "Would you like something to drink, too? A milkshake, maybe?"

Natalya nodded. "Hello Alexei! Yes, your milkshakes are the best."

Alex grinned. "I know, what do you think how I got so big and strong. What flavour would you like: Vanilla, Chocolate or Strawberry?"

Natalya knew immediately what she wanted. "Strawberry! Please."

 

Alexei mixed a big shaker of cold milk with three spoonful’s of his sports food and shook the mixture until it was a creamy, delicious shake.

"Irina, I think once Natalya drinks this, she won't need anything else for supper."

"What good is that?"

"Protein, for athletes. But little kids get big from it, too."

Natalya drank elegantly through the straw Alexei had put into the cup and she protested, "But I'm not little anymore!"

"No my darling, some are much smaller than you!"

Irina knew that her daughter loved the policeman. And she herself also liked Alexei very much, but she had also been impressed by the blond American.

"Alexei, how do you know Gregory Burton?"

Alex heard the undertone in her voice and he guessed that Greg had made a powerful impression.

"We know each other from sports."

"You don't go to Popov's anymore?"

"Yes, I do, why?"

"I always thought he had something against the Yanks. Because of Afghanistan and stuff."

Alexei answered vaguely, "Times are changing. Back then we were fighting in Afghanistan, now the Americans feel the same way we did back then. Popov volunteered. If you're a soldier, you know that killing is part of the business, and so is dying."

Irina didn't particularly want to discuss this topic in front of her daughter. "I just thought that Popov doesn't accept foreigners, but it doesn't matter. Gregory is very nice."

Alexei grinned. "Oh, look at that! Irina's on the prowl for men!"

"You're a weirdo."

She felt caught and didn't dare ask further about Greg. Natalya had fewer qualms. "And when is your friend coming over again?"

Alex almost choked on his tea. "What do you mean my little mouse?"

"Gregory, when is he coming back here?"

"I don't know. Why is that important to you?"

Irina explained to Alexei that Gregory had promised Natalya a Barbie doll.

"Oh, that's how it is. If he promised you a doll, then he will keep that promise. However, I know he has a lot of work to do this week. So you'll have to be patient."

And I guess I will too, he thought.

 

After Irina and her daughter said goodbye, Alexei cleaned out the refrigerator and made a shopping list. Then he tried to decide where to start renovating the apartment. In favour of the kitchen was the fact that it was really urgent that fresh paint was put on the walls. For his room spoke that he could sleep as long as his father was in the hospital in its bed, until his own room would be again in order.

He paced back and forth restlessly like a tiger in a cage, thinking hard. The biggest task would be to dispose of all the junk that had accumulated. His bookshelf was overflowing and no longer stable anyway. The best thing would be to replace it, but he had to clear it out in any case. Just the thought of it gave Alexei a headache.

His eyes fell on his sports bag. It was too late to start anything today anyway. He took the sports clothes and his jacket and fled from the unloved task to the gym.

He worked out silently and concentrated as always. Some of the men nodded at him and Alexei greeted back, but he didn't speak to anyone. It wasn't until he was in the locker room, on his way to the shower, that Anatol, Sasha's brother addressed him, "Hey, Alexei! Are you okay?"

"Yeah, and yourself?"

"Super good! Got a new flame. She is hot! Tamara!"

His eyes flashed exuberantly as he said this. Alexei did Anatol the favour and asked a little more closely. He knew there was no way Sasha's little brother would keep the news about his new girlfriend to himself. "Ah, the beautiful Tamara! Sascha mentioned something like that. Well then tell me. What's she like? A lovely pussycat?"

Anatole's face barely had enough room for the wide grin full of pride of ownership. "She's great! Sharp and hot and sweet and sexy and she can cook too!"

Alexei patted him on the shoulder. "Congratulations! Kid! A jackpot for you! Just hold her tight!"

Anatole snorted. "You bet!"

Then he got serious and changed the subject. "Alexei, are you in a hurry or can I ask you something?"

"Ask away."

Anatole sat down on one of the wooden benches. "You know Popov is having a boxing tournament on November 4, like he does every year?"

Alexei nodded. "People's Unity Day, always a nice holiday!"

Anatol continued speaking, "I was quite keen to sign up, but I still need sparring partners to prepare. Sascha is also joining and my friend Boris, but they don't have so much time to train. I thought you might like to do some boxing. You guys do martial arts combat training in the service, don't you?"

Alexei thought for a moment. "There's plenty of time until November. I'd be up for it. When do you have to sign up by?"

Anatol was visibly pleased. "Great! I'm glad, man! Ludmilla is doing the registration. I don't know how many are already participating, but the more the merrier!"

"What's the prize?"

Anatol guessed, "I don't know exactly, but I think a belt for the champion in each weight class and a whole ham or half a pig or something. That's how it's been in the last few years. And of course the entry fee pays for the party afterwards. It's more about the fun!"

Alexei grinned. "Well! But everyone took a pretty big hit for that last year! Some people take such things very seriously!"

"That's true! But I'm all about the fun and of course I want to give my sweetie something, if you know what I mean?!"

"I see. Do you think that makes you more attractive in her eyes when you compete there?"

Anatol was quite sure. "Anyway! They're all into fighters! The smell of testosterone gets them hot! Even if they'd never admit it out loud. If I lose, she'll comfort me! If I win, celebrate with me. So either way, I'm on the lucky side."

Ludmilla was delighted to hear that Alexei was also going to sign up for the tournament. She smiled seductively at him and asked saccharine sweetly, "Alyosha my darling, how about it, will the blond American you brought here, also join?"

"I think rather not. He's not a boxer."

"Oh, what a pity! It would be so nice! Look, will you talk him into it? There's plenty of time before November, and he's athletic after all. He'll learn by then! Besides, it's all about the fun, isn't it?"

Alexei knew Ludmilla Popova well enough to know that she was certainly not insisting like this without reason. "Now tell me Ludmilla: what do you want exactly?"

"Oh, Alyosha, don't always be so straight forward! I'd just like to do a little advertising for the boxing tournament so that more spectators will come, and it would look good if I could have 'International Boxing Tournament' printed on the posters, wouldn't it? I would hang 'Stars and Stripes' next to our flag and then the whole thing would have a lot more glamour than the usual provincial holiday tournament."

Alexei thought for a moment, "All right. I'll ask Gregory Burton if he has the time and inclination, but don't be mad if it doesn't work out. I think there's hard work going on at Petrol Siberik right now."

 

Greg had been talking to his mother on Skype for half an hour, when his cell phone rang.

"Sorry mom. It's Alexei. I'll get it for a second, okay?"

His mother laughed at him over the screen.

"Go ahead and answer it. But next time, introduce him to me, will you?"

Greg answered the call. "Hi, baby! Where are you?"

"On my way home. How are you?"

Greg was longing to see Alexei. "Can't you come here? At least for dinner?"

Alex didn't resist. "Okay, the bus is just coming. I'll see you in a bit then."

Emily Burton saw her son beam and it made her happy. "Darling, I'm so happy for you! Your Alex seems to make you very happy?!"

"Yes, he does."

They said their goodbyes and Greg set the table and began preparing vegetables and meat for dinner.

Gregory loved the quick Asian version of frying meat and vegetables briefly in a large skillet and serving them spicy along with rice. He didn't know Alexei's eating habits that well yet and just hoped he would like it.

The aroma of the wok dish came to Alex already in the stairway and reminded him how hungry he was. Fortunately, the stimulating smell came from Greg's kitchen and not the one of the apartment next door!

He was greeted affectionately and even though they had only seen each other that morning, they both felt the void without the other.

"Hey, good to see you!"

Greg pulled Alex to his chest and kissed him tenderly but firmly on the mouth. Alex returned the kiss, tasting Greg's desire and also a hint of the food he had just tasted. "Mmm, you taste good!"

"Hungry?"

"Honestly, yes."

 

Alexei had learned as a young boy to eat what was put on the table, to say thank you even if it wasn't quite to his taste, and to offer to help with the dishes when he was visiting somewhere. Tonight, he didn't need to fake his excitement about dinner. It tasted great to him and although he didn't say very much, Greg was very pleased with how gleefully his friend ate his half of the meal. They had both had a busy day after a far too short night and were hungry as wolves and it tasted so much better together than alone!

"How's your dad?"

Alex swallowed the last bite. "I can't tell you. He wasn't awake yet when I was at the clinic this afternoon, but the doctor said the surgery went well."

Greg nodded encouragingly and Alex continued to speak, "I was having tea with Irina and she got me all nervous with the thought that he might become a nursing case."

Greg stood up and put the plates in the sink. "Take it easy. Maybe he'll recover better than expected. Old warriors are tough, you know!"

Alexei knew Gregory was trying to comfort him, but he also saw the frail figure of his old father in the hospital bed in the monitoring ward before him. He changed the subject and talked about Anatol and the boxing tournament and Ludmilla's lofty plans.

Gregory Burton, like all Americans, was very proud of his country and always ready to defend America's honour. Alex was amazed when he asked, "And Ludmilla wants to call it 'International Boxing Tournament' and hang stars and stripes just for my sake? Will they play our anthem too?"

Alexei was about to laugh, but Greg had been quite serious.

"Are you going to join in?"

Greg grinned confidently. "I could get something out of the idea of boxing with you."

The soundtrack from 'Rocky' played in his head and he saw himself running through the city with Alexei at dawn. Alexei nodded seriously and said, "Well then. Sign up and I'll get you in shape!"

That sounded more like boot camp than Hollywood, though.

"When's the big night?"

"November 4. That's when the national holiday is."

"Kind of like our Fourth of July. Do they have parades and fireworks and stuff?"

"Yeah, something like that. Popov always does a boxing tournament and then a big award ceremony and a party until morning."

"Sounds good."

Along the way, they had cleaned up the kitchen and Alex squinted at the clock. It was getting late and the night would end early again. Greg had seen the look and audacious thoughts were forming in his head. First, though, he wanted Alex to stay a little longer. "Would you like a good night kiss, maybe, so you can get a good night's sleep?"

Greg undid Alexei's belt and pulled him into the bedroom with him. Alex didn't want to leave, of course, but today he didn't have his uniform for tomorrow, so he would have no choice but to spend the night at home, later.

Greg sank to his knees and released Alex from his pants. But Alex pulled him back up and whispered hoarsely, "Better get properly undressed and into bed, come on."

Of course, that was much better than a quick blow job standing up! Greg kissed Alexei as promised! Licking his way down his neck and chest, tenderly biting excited nipples, and finally marking Alexei's penis root with a little throbbing hickey. Alex lusted to push his hard penis into Greg's mouth, but he acquiesced and enjoyed the caresses. Small, deep noises came from his throat that revealed much of his arousal and how much he was holding back from making too much noise. Greg loved his noises and this state of restrained pleasure and increasingly open, growing arousal. When he first let his tongue flutter over Alexei's perineum Alexei moaned, "Ahh, that's awesome! Can you do that again?"

Greg knew what he wanted. He wanted Alex long to feel him inside. Today he would give him the tip of his tongue, volatile and wet, soft and firm at the same time. A feeling that would please him. Alex moaned.

Greg made him wet, tonguing and thrusting, and it wasn't long before Alex was begging hoarsely, "Give me more, please!"

Greg licked the full length of his testicles and cock, sinking it into his mouth while sliding a fingertip into Alexei's anus. It was tight, but he let in. The muscle relaxed and Greg gently played there a little while sucking Alexei's cock deep into his mouth over and over again.

"Oh, please! I can't take it anymore!"

Alex reared back and Greg felt the orgasm coming. He took in the waves and pushed his finger deep into Alexei's twitching opening a couple of times while swallowing down what his friend was squirting into his mouth. Before it was completely over, however, he pulled back and left it at tender tongue nudges for the sensitive frenulum until the last drop was tickled out.

Alex was breathing fast and his face was flushed as Greg lay down beside him and pulled him into his arms.

Gregory asked him gently, "Did I hurt you?"

"No! I didn't know how good it felt."

The 'but' hovered between them and it took Alex a while to complete the sentence, "But I don't know if I want to, bottom, I mean."

Gregory played with the soft hair on Alexei's belly. "If you want it, you'll get it, if not, you won't. Okay?"

 

A little later they were both full, satisfied and tired. Alex hated that he couldn't just stay in Greg's arms.

"I have to go."

"I know. I'll drive you home, but I wanted to ask you something."

"Ask."

"Don't you want to stay here until your dad gets back?"

"How do you imagine that?"

Alex propped his head on his fist and Greg smiled at him, "Well. We'll get some of your stuff and you'll take my second house key and be done with it. Weren't you going to redecorate the place anyway?"

Alex had to think for a moment. The thought of sharing this apartment with Greg, even if it was only for a few weeks, eating with him, sleeping with him every night, it was more than he could grasp at the moment. His heart was racing, his mind overwhelmed with weighing the pros and cons. Greg waited patiently for an answer. He saw the conflict but also the longing in Alexei's face. They both didn't have much free time and he wanted so much to have him around at least then, to share the nights with him, but he didn't push him. "Think it over, will you? I'll give you the house key in any case, then you won't be at the door when I'm not there yet."

And to take the seriousness out of the situation, he added with a grin, "Then you can start the cooking already, you know!"

They both laughed, but the seriousness remained.

"Greg."

"Mmm?"

"Thanks."

"For what?"

"Trust."

Gregory kissed him and pushed him out of bed. "No more fun now. The night will be short officer! I'm taking you home!"

 

Greg stopped on the parking strip in front of  the Kommunalka. Alexei held the apartment key in his right fist like a treasure and asked, "Will I see you tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow Elena Ramirez is coming. I'll pick her up from the airport at 8:30. We have dinner planned that evening and on Wednesday she's leaving with my colleagues to inspect the pipeline. I won't be home until late."

Alexei thought for a moment. "You can check in for a minute. If you want."

"I do. Uhh, well, I'll check in. Good night. I love you! You know that, right?"

Alexei's face burned. "I love you too."

He didn't dare kiss Greg goodbye even though it was dark night and no one on the street.

Later in his bed, he tossed thoughts back and forth and found no sleep.

 

 

tbc 

"Thank you for following the story of Greg and Alex! Make sure to not miss any update and follow the blog or the author on twitter!" 

Yours! Reg Dixon