We Were Born Under Burnt Skies (Yakulev)

Chapter 6

Lev had returned to France a few weeks ago. His and Mori's routine with each other fell back into its grooves as if he'd never left in the first place. They went out for coffee or breakfast or whatever. On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays Mori attended classes, stopping for lunch with Lev during his break. On the rest of the days, save for Wednesday, neither had class. Their time was spent orbiting each other in Mori's studio. They did their class work, Mori painted and sculpted, Lev wrote. The only variable that ever seemed to change was how physically close they became while engrossed in their activities. Eventually the inevitable happened.

Their eyes met, gazes locked. Mori sat down on the couch to watch a show on his computer, he was too tired to keep working. He tore his eyes away and all but flung himself down his leg landed on top of Lev's. They've known each other for a generous amount of time now. Spending day in and day out together. Tethered at the hip, however, they've never so much as accidentally brushed hands. These were completely uncharted waters; the idea made their hearts race.

Mori shifted so he wasn't pressed up to Lev, clearing his throat, "Sorry."

"'S alright."

The air tasted of stale tension as Mori's show filled the silence left between them.

~*~

Saturday came, as it always does, starting with a knock to Mori's dorm. His roommate complains and Mori ignores them, opening the door for Lev. He'd woken up to the knocking as well, so his hair was a larger mess than usual. He was still clothed in baggy pajama pants that rested low on his hips and a cropped sweatshirt. Olive traced the exposed expanses of skin as Mori wandered about his dorm, gathering what he needed to get ready in the bathroom.

He re-emerged to an awkward stare down between Lucien, his roommate, and Lev who was standing by the door still. He appeared uncharacteristically stiff.

"Ready?" He asked, setting his pajamas on his bed for later. Lev nodded in response, Mori pulled on his shoes and they started off on their usual route. Opting for side roads and sill, silent areas of the city.

"Did he say something to you?" Mori spoke up a bit, the abnormal vibe from earlier still phasing him.

"No, nothing upsetting or anything you'd have to scold him for. It was just really awkward since we don't know each other."

Mori nodded and let himself calm a bit. Though the strange tension wasn't solely between Lev and his roommate. There was also something between them. A wedge, being overlooked, the pair being too prideful to bring it up first. They'd just assumed it would go away if they ignored it for long enough.

Lev held the door as they entered their typical café. It was still early and out of the way enough that working people weren't crowded in. Mori grabbed a corner booth, adjacent to a window, he and Lev liked to see outside. Lev returned with one chai tea, one light roast black coffee, and a few light scones. He slid into the seat next to Mori, opting out of the one across from him. His whole body tensed akin to one of the statues situated in his studio. He could feel the warmth radiating off of Lev's body; he was extremely close. Coffee slid in front of him wordlessly and Lev took out his phone, his shoulder bumping against Mori as he slouched.

A nervous laugh forced its way out of Mori, "What are you doing?"

"Eating breakfast with you."

"That's not what I was asking about," he chided as all nerves and stiffness dissolved in Lev's serine demeanor. Mori had the impression he'd royally screwed up just the day before. Lev closing the distance between them so casually, as though they were like this constantly, took the edge off. It was a silent consolation.

"Thanks," Mori smiled and Lev stared a little longer than what could be considered normal. Mori didn't mind it.

The rest of breakfast went steadily. They left with spirits higher than when they'd entered. How Lev managed to constantly know exactly what to do to brighten Mori was nothing short of incredible. It amazed him every time it happened. Lev looked to him with respect; a quiet understanding. Treating Mori as though he's a precious gem. Turning him over in his hands with a careful examination of his rough edges. Evaluating just how much he's worth but with no clear signs of ever selling. It feels more like a personal appraisal. To tell him what he needs to do to keep that gem polished and just as brilliant and beautiful. What he didn't know is that the gem he was looking at so fondly, was looking back at him.

"Mori," the name was still fresh and sounded heavenly when falling from Lev's tongue.

"Yeah?"

"What if we didn't go back to the studio today?"

Mori stopped walking and looked at Lev- who once noticed the smaller pair of footsteps were no longer mixing with his- stopped and turned to Mori.

"What else would we do?" He asked as though he was anxious of the answer.

"What if we took a small trip? We don't have classes tomorrow either. So we can stay as late as we'd like. Maybe even stay at a hotel."

"Ok, I'm intrigued," he smiled, "I'll bite. Where to?"

"It's cliche, but I've never been to Paris. I've been in france for a couple of months now. I think it's time."

Mori laughed, took the two strides to catch up to Lev and gently punched his arm. Lev acted offended though he couldn't have ever really considered that much of a "punch".

"Let's go. Sounds like fun," Mori beamed.

"Should we stay the night?"

"Well obviously."

Lev tousled Mori's hair, his fingers catching on the curls, "To Paris then!"