(Untitled)

[alittleofboth]

Anthony was relieved when Valentine's Day was over. When the day had begun, he had not even noticed the date, but by noon he was being chased around by a particularly angry looking cherub who finally cornered him in the rec room and recited a note that he was sure had been written by Guy. He had spent the rest of the day lying low in hopes that any

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[whoneedsadream]

How he'd managed to get himself up and dressed and over to the compound, Anatoly wasn't quite sure. But there he was, in the kitchen and hovering over the tea and wondering what had just happened. Lex was gone, gone for good and he had to reconcile himself to that fact. But how? Where was he to start? It didn't seem real.

He heard someone enter and he turned to greet them, shoving aside his emotions and falling back on conventional niceties. He met Anthony's eyes and froze, shocked as if he'd been struck by thunder. As he stared into those beautiful blue eyes, all of his earlier troubles slipped away. How could he have been so blind to not see what was before him?

"Anthony," he murmured, taking his cup of tea and moving to sit across from him. "It's very good to see you."

[alittleofboth]

Anthony had already opened up the first of the exams in front of him, and he only slowly raised his eyes to meet Anatoly's gaze. A few conversations, a chess game or two, that hardly made the two of them friends. So why in God's name was the man looking at him like that. "Mr. Sergievsky, hello," he said mildly enough, and then returned to his papers.

[whoneedsadream]

Anatoly knew he had to tread carefully with Anthony. There was no sense in rushing into this too quickly. Anthony was reserved, circumspect - so very English. An outward show of love and passion would only drive him away. He had to be sensitive, discreet.

"You are well, I hope." It was all he could do not to add a diminutive to the end of that sentence. Slow steps, he reminded himself. Save that kind of affection for the endgame.

[alittleofboth]

Anthony shrugged. Anatoly's behavior left him curious, but not yet suspicious. Was there some reason the man had decided to make friends today? "As well as can be expected, I suppose. And yourself?" With any luck, the question would be taken as the polite formality it was, and not an invitation for further conversation.