Dinastiya Tested // 3rd Book of the Takaryev Trilogy

Chapter 63

Props to StanMonteque for giving me the character concepts for Ivan and Dimitri.

"Dammit, Ivan!" A booming voice crackled through the phone, startling Ivan. "The coffee machine is out again!"

Ivan resisted the urge to sigh and instead attempted to smile and sound friendly. "Alright. I'm on my way." 

Ivan Bocharov was a base engineer working for the FSB at Lubyanka. His only asset was his brain, and he was pretty sure the only reason he hadn't been fired yet was because he was the solitary employee at Lubyanka that had the ability to fix the coffee machine in the break room, and the patience to do so over and over again. He left the phone and made his way to the break room.

He met his husband Dimitri on his way down the hall. Dimitri was fortunate enough to possess both brains and brawn, and was a sergeant. They were happily married, but didn't much show it at work, since the vast majority of Lubyanka employees were opposed to homosexual relationships. 

"Fixing the coffee machine again?" Dimitri asked with a grin as he stopped to greet Ivan.

"Da," Ivan answered. "And where are you going?"

"Alexandrov's got me on an assignment off-base," Dimitri replied. 

"And I bet he won't let you say much about it?" Ivan queried. 

"Right," Dimitri said. 

"Well, good luck!" Ivan smiled, blissfully unaware. 

"Thanks," Dimitri replied. "Love you," he said more quietly.

"Love you too," Ivan's voice was equally quiet, and they parted.