Out

It was freedom.

In the early hours of the morning, before the sun was shining with her entirety, Nicodemus began to pack for the final road trip. Today they would reach California, today began the rest of what was hopefully a glimpse of forever. He watched Dmitri's frail body rise up and down with his gentle sleeping breaths. If he thought too hard about the things Dmitri had gone through, and the things he had done to himself, Nicodemus could feel a soft pain tug at his chest. He just wanted so badly to make everything right for Dmitri. He couldn't lose another Ryker, he had to save this one- for Dmitri, and selfishly- for himself as well. He had begun to place Dmitri in his future, and there was no going back now- he was too attached, too infatuated. This love would eat him alive, and he would smile and let it. Dmitri wore a pair of striped blue and white pyjamas that Nicodemus had bought for him in Port essence, they came complete with a breast pocket- that really had no use as far as Nicodemus could see- other than looking nice, but he wouldn't trade in Dmitri's British old man fashion for anything.

Nicodemus sat on the bed beside Dmitri and very gently nudged him until he flickered his eyes and rolled over.
"Five more minutes."

"Five more minutes." Nicodemus nodded reluctantly.
"I hope you know I've been awake for a little while though, and I'm quite in the mood to chat. You know, I finally figured out who you remind me of-"

"Quite." Dmitri mimicked groggily.

"What's wrong with "quite"?"

"Stupid. Fancy." Dmitri slurred, pulling the covers over his head.

"Well, anyway, I was thinking about you, and the way you dress-"

"Mhm." Dmitri moaned acknowledgingly.

"And you don't really dress Russian, do you?"

Dmitri rubbed the sand out of his eyes roughly and sat up yawning.
"My parents were Russian. I wasn't even born there. What do you know about Russia? Do you dress Australian?"

"I think so, and to answer your question, I've been reading about it." Nicodemus boasted like a proud child.

"What?" Dmitri smirked,
"Why would you do that?"

"Well, maybe I want to learn Russian. You're fluent aren't you?"

"Yes..." Dmitri nodded slowly,
"But my parents taught me English too in case you haven't noticed, we only spoke Russian at home. I don't speak it that much anymore."

"Well, then it'll be good for you to refresh your memory, huh?"

Dmitri squinted curiously "Are you asking me to teach you?"

"Why, yes. Yes I believe I am." Nicodemus shrugged nonchalantly.

"Ok. Ok, I'll teach you."

"Good, I'm glad. You ready to go then? Last drive."

Dmitri sighed as he began to unbutton his pyjama shirt "I'm almost sad it's over."

"Only the first part of our journey." Nicodemus reassured, trying not to look too hard at Dmitri's arms. It was very rare that Dmitri wouldn't try to hide them, and Nicodemus did his very best not to draw any attention to them in case that made Dmitri retreat.

"You don't have to look away, you know. I mean, I appreciate it a lot, but I did this to myself. Besides, you've seen them before."

"Are you sure? I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

Dmitri half smiled as he walked over to where Nicodemus stood,
"I'm sure. Look." He urged holding out his arms.

"Do you still...?"