Strangers

"I have something to tell you"

The doorbell rang. Kristian opened the door hesitantly, with Pluto walking behind him. The sunlight lit up the person from the back, making them look like an angel.

"Kostya?! What are you doing here!?"

Kostya just smiled.

"I came to see you, of course."

"But - but... aren't you on a busy schedule?"

"Well, yeah, but I have tonight."

Kristian leapt up to his boyfriend and kissed him.

"I've missed you so much, Kostya, you have no idea."

"Me too."

Once they were inside, Kristian made some peppermint tea and biscuits. 

"How has it been in Kiev?" Kostya asked, his mouth filled with pastries.

"Oh, it has been wonderful. I think Citrus and Pluto missed you though." Kristian glanced over at the grey cat, purring euphorically in Kostya's lap. "I even showed them some videos of you. I think they recognized you," Kristian laughed. Kostya smiled and stroked the cat.

"And how about you, Kristian?" Kostya asked.

"Well. The first week was the worst. And after that, things went better and better. I still miss you... but it gets easier. You get used to it."

"Yeah, I felt the same. It was horrible at first, but one can adapt to everything."

It was silent for a while.

"Actually, Kristian, I have something to tell you."

Kristian looked up at his boyfriend's unreadable face. His stomach hurt. It... it couldn't be...

"Is it someone else?" Kristian blurted out. No reason to beat around the bush.

Kostya looked shocked, before bowing his head down and closing his eyes tightly.

"I... I'm so sorry."

"How could you?"

"I... I just missed you so much."

"Seriously, Kostya? When normal people miss each other, they, I dunno, talk to each other, visit each other, they don't fucking cheat on their partner! What is wrong with you!" Kristian felt hot tears burning in his eyes, and he felt annoyed at them. Kostya didn't deserve to see him cry.

"Just tell me right away, Kostya. Who was it?"

"I..." Kostya's face was streaked with tears. "I'll just be honest. It was Benjamin. Ingrosso."

"The... that Swedish guy?"

Kostya stood up from his chair. "Of course it's that Swedish guy, Kristian!"

Now Kristian was the one who was speechless. Had he been swapped out for a guy from Eurovision? Did Kostya only date guys from Eurovision?

"But... Why? I get that he is hot and all, but like... Wasn't I good enough for you?"

"It was never about that, Kris-"

"Well, what was it then!?" Kristian stood up as well, facing Kostya.

"You want me to be honest?"

"Well, you haven't been very honest so far, so yes I'd like that!"

"I was going to break up with you, but Artem talked me out of it. Then I met him, and I realized Benjamin loved me more than you ever did."

"What the HELL is that supposed to mean?"

"Of course you don't know. All you ever think about are your own issues. News flash, Kristian, the world isn't centered around your selfish ass! I struggle too, but you are too stuck up in yourself that you can't even understand that!!"

"Then why didn't you ever tell me? You may call it selfish, but talking about your problems is actually better than keeping it to yourself!" 

They looked at each other. The silence was crushing.

"You were so distant, Kostya. I talked to you, I was with you, but you were never with me, not mentally." Kristian's voice cracked.

"Kristian, I am so sorry. I really am. But this is not going to work. I'm leaving tonight, and when I come home, I want you to have moved out. Okay?"

Kristian closed his eyes, tears streaming down.

"You're going to throw me out so you can fuck your new lover? Fine then. Just leave right now. I don't want to see you anyways."

Kostya went out the door, gave Kristian a final, longing look, before shutting it and fetching a taxi.