A Very Communist Love Story

Chapter Four

Josef presses send on the heart eyes emoji. His last text - to Khrushchev.. Who'd have thought? The artificial glow cast over his face fades as he switches his phone off for the night. He clutches it over his chest and drifts into the clouds.. a million thoughts fluttering through his mind as he hovers on the edge of the world of dreams.

The next morning

Sunlight trickles through the gap in the gauzy curtains, coating the body of the sleeping man in an ethereal glow. Suddenly, a loud rap tap tap startles the body into consciousness and he looks about him in panic. Ten 'o clock already?! Josef shoves on a pair of shorts (obviously not bothering with a shirt this is the fittest communist since Karl Marx people). Again, to be expected he need not bother checking his reflection either he already knows he resembles a god.

The door flies open and his current boy toy, Nikita, stands there - a wide smile showing off what could only be regarded as a dentists dream (the only straight thing about him thoo). Josef takes him by the hand and the two head to a nearby vehicle - the latest tunes beating out from the sound system and a chequered cloth covering a promising looking wicker basket.

...my milkshake bring all the boys to the yard and they're like it's better than yours.. damn right it's better than yours...

The indigo blue automobile speeds through the beaten down streets of the city until finally they're out.. accelerating toward the deep green canopy of the forest. Josef stretches out his arms, allowing the wind to rush through his hair, blowing away his worries and carrying them far, far away above the trees.

The two boys park the car on the outskirts of the wood and walk into its depths together, their hands clasped together and eyes wide with wonder at the natural beauty which surrounds them.

"Ain't this better than the grey skies and drab snow of Moscow?" breathes Khrushchev and Stalin agrees although his eyes are not entirely focused on the scene around them but rather the handsome features of the communist next to him.

The two lie down and while away the hours together wrapped in a blanket of tranquility, discussing everything and nothing at the same time. They munch on cheese puffs, licking each other to remove the residue. As the afternoon extends into evening and then dusk Josef's cheeks ache from laughing, his heart engulfed in a bubble of elation and he puts an arm around Nikita - an instant warmth that he cherishes and holds close to him.

The night sky now extends overhead and they both stare upward wondering is this fate? Had destiny planned this all along? Written it in the stars ever since the beginning of time?

Then, a sudden ping and these musings were no more, Stalin's new found serenity and joy shattered before his very eyes - into a million pieces, jagged sharp edges that were irreparable - unrecognisable.. an incoming text to Khrushchev's phone.. that brought Stalin's world crashing down.