“Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?” Mika asked, his voice tinged with insecurity, as he lay on the bed on his stomach, his eyes half open.

Aleksandr, who sat beside him on the other part of the bed, nodded, reassuring him that he was not planning to go anywhere. “Don’t worry, I’m here. You look exhausted. Get some sleep now.”

After that, he began to stroke Mika’s hair softly, his fingers moving with a tender, loving care that made Mika feel safe and cherished, helping him fall asleep within a few minutes.

Silence filled the dimly lit room as Aleksandr observed Mika. The soft glow from the bedside lamp cast gentle shadows, creating a serene and intimate ambiance. There was no need to rush, as today marked a new chapter and the beginning of their relationship.

A look of happiness spread across Aleksandr’s face as he looked at Mika, sprawled out on the bed with his arms and legs spread out, taking up more than half of the king-size bed.

How can he look both cute and defenseless at the same time? Aleksandr mumbled. He sincerely hoped he would have a chance to prove himself and help Mika regain his smile, making his life better. After all, there was still a chance that Mika could change his mind or say it was all a mistake.

Continuing to run fingers through Mika’s hair, he tilted his head back and leaned it against the headboard. He closed his eyes, trying to replay the entire conversation they had today.

He was indeed the one who reached out a helping hand to Mika and declared his support, but he was surprised by his boldness. Where did it come from? His heart, which had been calming down, suddenly started to race again.

Aleksandr hadn’t experienced such intense feelings in a long time as he did today. While it was a lot to handle for Mika, he was also impacted by all the events. He felt a whirlwind of emotions - joy, anxiety, and a deep sense of connection with another man.

Will he manage to deal with them all?

What was more surprising was how easy it was for him to form the sentences and talk with Mika. This was far beyond his comfort zone, yet the entire conversation went surprisingly smoothly. And fast. Maybe even too fast, taking into consideration that thanks to Aleksandr’s confession, they went from ‘colleagues’ to ‘lovers’ in just a few minutes.

Maybe it’s because of Mika and his personality that I was able to have a proper conversation for the first time in a long while, he thought. Or maybe there’s also another reason… the promise I made to myself 18 years ago.

Whatever the reason, Aleksandr knew this time he had had no intention of backing down and breaking his promise. He couldn’t afford to make the same mistake twice. Not this time. Not with Mika.

Finishing stroking Mika’s hair, he slowly stood up from the bed, cautious not to wake him. Slowly approaching the door, Aleksandr glanced one more time at the peacefully sleeping Mika before carefully closing the bedroom door, making sure not to make any noise.

I guess starting today, I can call him my boyfriend. Or maybe a ‘partner’ would be better?

Smiling, he entered the kitchen where Mika had left the garbage bags and finished collecting all the bottles. He then did the dishes and, after cleaning up the remaining mess, moved to tidy the living room.

Once he was done, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction. He knew that words are important, but actions carry even more weight. This is why he wanted to show Mika how serious he was about helping him and being a part of his life, right from the start.

Sighing, he wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked around the room. He finally had a chance to get a closer look at all the photos that Mika had. It was a surprising amount to see.

It kind of feels like I’m in a museum or at some sort of exhibition, Aleksandr noted as he came closer to look at those hanging on the wall. He took his time, studying each one before moving to the photos standing on the cupboard.

Some of them seemed to have been taken during picnics, others likely at home, while a few appeared to be random snapshots capturing spontaneous moments.

Aleksandr could only guess that the people in the photos were Mika’s friends or parents, but all the photos carried the same vibe: happiness, excitement, and a palpable warmth.

And in all of them, he could see a brightly smiling Mika who looked like a Cupid or an Eros: a handsome young man with expressive blue eyes, fair skin, and slightly wavy hair.

“Almost like an angel. The only thing missing are wings,” Aleksandr murmured, warmth filling his chest.

As he picked up one of the photos from the cupboard, his fingers brushed gently over Mika’s face. “He truly has a beautiful smile,” he said softly, unable to take his eyes off the photo and the man portrayed in it. It was at this very moment that he realized how different Mika’s life was from his own.

Growing up in a family where any emotions were a sign of weakness, where the only things that truly mattered were achievements, prizes, wealth, and other people’s opinions about his family, Aleksandr had never experienced such warmth and joy. The contrast was stark and poignant.

As a kid and teenager, he had limited possibilities due to constant control and a lack of his own funds. But as soon as Aleksandr started working and was able to collect enough money, he immediately took life into his own hands.

When his current company reached out to him, he decided to accept their offer, cut ties with most of his family, and move outside of Russia. It was a decisive step, leaving his past behind.

He didn’t want his future life to be affected by the demons from the past. Those memories were now just remnants of a life he had chosen to leave behind.

Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, he started thinking about all the beautiful moments and memories he hoped to create together with Mika.