"Ivan?" Callistus said softly.
Ivan replied with a groan.
"How about we go upstairs?"
Ivan opened his eyes slowly, staring at the man looking down on him. Callistus smiled as he pulled Ivan up. Ivan didn't react much, cooperating just enough to sit and stand up, but when he tried to walk, he kept tripping. Callistus wrapped one of Ivan's arms over his shoulder, trying his best to stabilise the big man.
They took their time as Callistus carried Ivan up the stairs, only to be greeted by another big floor with dozens of doors.
"You're joking," Callistus thought when he saw it.
He dragged the big man to every door before finally opening one with a bed. Callistus sighed in relief as he entered, but this time, when he tried to drag Ivan, his weight felt lighter. Callistus looked at him, wondering what was wrong. Ivan was walking little by little; he was awake.
He dropped Ivan onto the bed before stretching himself from carrying the heavy weight. Ivan lay on one side, leaving the other for Callistus to rest for a second. Callistus plopped down next to him, not really thinking of anything. He stared at the ceiling before turning to his left, his face front to front with Ivan's, their lips almost touching.
Callistus looked at the CEO he had accidentally bumped into on the day of his interview at the company, now sleeping soundly next to him. The longer he stared, the more he wanted to get closer to him. Whenever they were close, Callistus felt like they had known each other for eternity.
"How do you know everything?" Callistus muttered.
He continued to stare. "Ivan, what are you doing to me?" he thought. "You make me feel things I've never felt before. I wish I could tell you how much you mean to me."
"Why does my heart race every time I see you? It's more than friendship... it's something more, something I'm too scared to admit."
"Seeing you like this makes me wonder what it would be like to wake up next to you every morning. Is it too much to hope for?"
Although he was drunk, he knew all these thoughts weren't because of it. He looked down at his hand, holding out a pocket pistol before keeping it again.
Not now, maybe not ever.
Finally, Callistus got up from the bed, knowing he might disturb Ivan somehow. As he walked further away from Ivan, something grabbed his hand.
He immediately turned. Ivan sat straight on the bed, holding Callistus' hand. He stood up, walking toward Callistus, towering over him.
"Ivan?" Callistus looked up at him.
Ivan didn't answer as he continued to look at Callistus.
"Are you okay?" Callistus asked worriedly, trying to pull him back to bed.
But Ivan didn't budge; he continued to stare silently. Callistus sighed, giving up. He looked back up, putting a hand on Ivan's cheek.
"Let's go to bed, alright?" Callistus said, worriedly.
Ivan stared blankly at Callistus, the room silent except for the distant sounds of the city night. Finally, Ivan extended a hand toward Callistus. Confused but trusting, Callistus placed his hand in Ivan's.
He would soon regret that decision.
Ivan gently released his hand and, without warning, scooped Callistus up.
"Hey!" Callistus shouted as he was lifted off the ground. "What are you doing?"
Ivan didn't answer. Determined to break free, Callistus pushed against Ivan, trying to escape his firm grip. As Ivan walked purposefully across the room, Callistus struggled, causing him to lose his balance. He fell onto a table, his head nearly hitting the wall, but he managed to grab Ivan's tie just in time to steady himself.
Their eyes met under the moonlight streaming through the large window. The moon cast a soft glow on their faces. Callistus, breathing heavily, looked up into Ivan's intense gaze. Ivan's expression softened slightly, but his eyes remained fixed on Callistus, filled with unspoken emotion.
Time seemed to freeze between them, their heartbeats quickening in unison. Callistus could feel the warmth of Ivan's breath on his face, their lips mere inches apart. The intensity of the moment made Callistus's mind race.
"Ivan," Callistus called, breaking the silence.
Ivan couldn't hold himself anymore before pushing his lips onto Callistus'. It surprised Callistus but instead of him pushing Ivan away, he felt he'd been waiting for this.
The kiss was tentative at first, as if both were testing the waters, but it quickly deepened. Ivan's hands moved to cup Callistus' face, his thumb gently brushing his cheek. Callistus responded by tangling his fingers in Ivan's hair, pulling him closer.
Their bodies pressed together, the heat between them building. Ivan's hand trailed down Callistus' back, pulling him even closer, while Callistus' hands roamed over Ivan's broad shoulders, feeling the muscles tense under his touch.
Callistus felt his breath hitch as Ivan's lips left his, trailing a line of kisses down his jaw to his neck. A soft moan escaped Callistus' lips as Ivan found a sensitive spot, his kisses turning into gentle nibbles.
"Ivan…" Callistus breathed out, his voice barely a whisper.
With that, Ivan captured Callistus' lips again in a passionate kiss, his hands roaming over Callistus' body, memorising every curve and contour.
As they finally pulled apart, breathing heavily, Ivan rested his forehead against Callistus', their noses touching gently.
"This is just the beginning," Ivan whispered.