Lyova/Aleksei works [TBC]

Spring, 1936 - Fall, 1936

Spring, 1936:

"It's bullshit. That's what it is."

"Please, calm down, Leva."

"How can I be calm? They keep taking more and more to the labor camps!"

"Please lower your voice, Lyova. If your father hears-"

"Fuck him!" the leopard snarled, slashing a hand through the air.

The tundra wolf seated across from him could only sigh and uncross his legs. "I dare you to say that to his face." he said, a small smile playing at his lips.

Lyova, the amur leopard making a fuss, curled his lips at the thought. "Yes. And then we will be brought to the naval yard and drowned."

"We? I would have had nothing to do with it." Aleksei finally smiled and stood up to approach the now semi-pouting feline. "Look. You're feeling better already."

"Only from seeing your stupid face." Lyova rolled his eyes. He had indeed calmed down a bit from Aleksei talking with him and...smiling at him. But it would soon vanish as he gave his head a shake and made a fist. "That piece of shit Gorky. It's people like him, writing their shit lying papers, that are being accomplices in this!"

Aleksei gave a nod - it was all he could do. Agree with Lyova in (any) hopes of calming him down again. "I know. But what can we do?" Lyova had opened his mouth to speak but the wolf was quicker, raising a paw in the air to stop him. "Nothing. This isn't a country where we can have riches anymore. The only way you could have any influence is having connections with the government. Something we do not have."

Lyova curled his lips in a half sneer. "My father has all of that. Did you know he still has some of the family money stashed away? That, and, he seems to keep boot licking it through the ranks. I don't know of any higher ranking official, government or military, that he hasn't kissed up to yet."

"But would he help us, Leva?"

"No."

"Then there. I understand being upset. We can be upset. We can even mourn. But there's nothing more we could possibly do. So, please," Aleksei grabbed the leopard's hands and gently squeezed them. "Please calm down so we can have a relaxing rest of the evening. I would much rather be holding you with unbristled fur." he said smoothly. The wolf's eyes held a small twinkle to them as he gave a small playful grin down to the leopard. It was all that was needed to make Lyova's cheeks heat up slightly. With a small huff, and the eventual bristled fur settling down, he walked with the wolf downstairs. They made their way to the couch where they sat together, the leopard leaning on the canine.

"...What if it was you or I?"

The thought had already crossed Aleksei's mind. Even before everything currently happening.
"It won't. We're careful. No one suspects anything and our father's, being the military furs they are, would never be troubled with house searches. We'll be okay. Okay?"

Lyova sat up some, if only to meet the tundra wolf's eyes. They were bright, honest eyes. But he could tell there was something more in them. Deep down, he knew Aleksei knew they weren't as protected as he made them out to be.

"Okay." he said, finally.

Despite the quick smile he flashed the wolf, as soon as he leaned back on him, he felt himself grow cold. There was the gut wrenching feeling of dread; the unimaginable thoughts of either of them being victims to the labor camps. All it would take was the slightest mistake on either of their parts and they would both be done for. It was a dark cloud that hung over both their heads everyday and only further intensified by recent events. After all, no one was ever truly untouchable.

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Fall, 1936: 

Lyova pulled his jacket tighter around him and did his best at muttering a slew of curse words through gritted teeth. His companion took note of this and couldn't help but offer a chuckle as his best form of condolences to the feline.

"Shut up. Don't say it."

"Say what?"

The leopard shot a sharp glare up at the wolf. "That I should have brought a thicker coat."

"I don't need to. You just said it yourself."

Lyova uttered something between a groan and a hiss, his paw coming up to the side of his face only to dramatically drag down it. "How was I supposed to know it would be this cold?" he shifted closer to the canine, seeking out his heat.

Aleksei chuckled and checked their surroundings quickly before wrapping an arm around Lyova. "Did you think your own coat would be good enough?"

Another sharp glare from Lyova was all he needed as an answer.
"Would you like my jacket?"

[TBC]