His Lisichka [MXM]

45 - The Entire Truth.

Oliver rolled his eyes, though his body still trembled from their earlier activities.

"You're insufferable," he muttered, his voice laced with exhaustion as Ivan carried him toward the bathroom like he weighed nothing.

Ivan's chuckle rumbled low in his chest, a sound that sent shivers down Oliver's spine despite how drained he felt.
"Da, yet, you still provoke me,
Lisichka," Ivan mused, his deep voice rich with amusement.

"And now, you pay the price."

Oliver's cheeks flushed at the reminder of how recklessly he had taunted Ivan earlier, his bold teasing leading to exactly what Ivan had warned him about.

"I should've known better," Oliver sighed, leaning his head against Ivan's broad chest.

This was weird, Oliver thought again, how easily he fit in Ivan's arms, how natural it felt to let go.

The old him—the one who would've resisted, who was too proud and too afraid to be vulnerable—was long gone.

Not that the old him was ever really him anyway.

He'd been conditioned, brainwashed into believing that loving a man, letting himself be loved, was somehow wrong.

"You should've," Ivan agreed, his voice dark with that familiar teasing edge.

"But I like you best when you're naughty."

Oliver's face flushed with heat at the words. He buried it in the curve of Ivan's neck, grumbling something incoherent under his breath, too embarrassed to form a real response.

Ivan's deep laughter filled the space around them, the sound warm and indulgent, as though he relished every flustered reaction Oliver gave him.

Without breaking stride, Ivan carried him into the massive bathroom, setting him down with a gentleness that always surprised Oliver, given Ivan's intimidating size and strength.

The Russian man turned to start the bath, the soft sound of running water filling the air, while Oliver stood there, still feeling the warmth of Ivan's arms around him.

He watched as Ivan adjusted the water temperature, his movements sure and deliberate.

Ivan always seemed to know what Oliver needed, even before he did.

It wasn't just about the physical connection between them; it was deeper than that—something Oliver was only beginning to understand.