Callistus looked at him, noticing a tattoo on his back. A huge Chinese dragon twisted down only half of his back, from Ivan's neck down to his lower back. Although the dragon was black-coloured, its background was set with red strings, one being a Chinese knot and the other a typical red string.
"You have a tattoo?" Callistus asked.
"Yeah," Ivan answered. "Do you like it?"
Callistus stood up, slowly walking closer to Ivan from the back. "Why did you get it?" he asked.
Ivan smiled faintly. "It's for an old friend. They liked reptiles, and dragons count as one of them, I hope."
"What about the red strings?" Callistus asked.
Ivan gave a faint smile. "The Chinese knot represents reunion, and the red string is the red string of fate, if you know."
"I now really wonder who this friend is," Callistus said, feeling a bit of jealousy. "You still love them after all these years?"
Ivan didn't reply but turned slightly, revealing more of his back. Callistus noticed the other half was empty except for red lines.
"What are those?" Callistus asked, pointing at the red marks.
Ivan chuckled. "Those were handmade by you last night."
Callistus blushed deeply, remembering the intensity of their night together. "Oh shit," he stammered, feeling embarrassed.
Ivan turned around fully and faced Callistus, his expression softening. "I like it," he said, placing a gentle hand on Callistus's cheek. "I wish it would stay."
Callistus's heart raced at Ivan's touch, cold yet when it reached his skin, warmth of Ivan's hand soothing. He looked into Ivan's eyes, seeing sincerity and something deeper, something he couldn't quite name.
It was a mix of comfort, longing, and a deep connection. It was as if he had found a part of himself he didn't know was missing, a sense of belonging and love that went beyond words.
Callistus felt a sense of peace he hadn't felt in a long time. Despite the sudden interruption last night, being with Ivan felt right.
Ivan slid his hand behind Callistus' neck before a sharp sting hit him. Ivan immediately let go when he saw Callistus' reaction.
"What's wrong?" Ivan asked, worried.
"It hurts," Callistus replied, touching the back of his neck gently.
The sting was still there, and Callistus couldn't see any of it. He turned his back towards Ivan, asking him to check.
Ivan chuckled and pulled Callistus towards one of the downstairs bathrooms. He positioned Callistus in front of the mirror so he could see for himself.
"What. The. Fuck?!" Callistus shouted.
There were bite marks all over him, and countless hickeys. Ivan laughed as he watched Callistus' reaction unfold.
"You did this?!" Callistus turned towards Ivan, eyes wide with disbelief.
Ivan smiled, proud of his handiwork. "Can't I?" he replied. "You scratched my back until my skin has lines."
Callistus covered his face, thoroughly embarrassed. He stood there, face covered, trying to process everything. Ivan stepped closer, gently pulling Callistus's hands away from his face.
"Hey," Ivan said softly, his voice soothing. "No need to be embarrassed."
They stood in silence for a moment, the air between them charged with unspoken feelings.
Ivan reached out, his fingers brushing against Callistus's cheek. "You okay?" he asked, his tone genuine.
Callistus nodded slowly, still feeling the sting on his neck but also something else—a sense of closeness with Ivan. "Yeah, I think I am."
Ivan smiled, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to Callistus's forehead. "Good," he murmured. "Let's get you some breakfast and talk about... everything."
They made their way back to the dining room. As they sat down, Callistus couldn't help but smile at Ivan.
"By the way," Ivan said, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "You owe me a back massage for those scratches."
Callistus laughed, the sound breaking the last of the tension between them. "No way," he said, feeling a sense of peace he hadn't felt in a long time.
Callistus enjoyed the breakfast Ivan had prepared, they shared stories and laughter, their connection growing stronger with every moment.
"So, are you still thinking about moving in here?" Ivan asked, breaking the comfortable silence.
Callistus paused, considering his options. He was supposed to leave his current place in a week, but he hadn't found anywhere else that felt right. "Wouldn't I just be in your way?" he asked hesitantly.
Ivan raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on his lips. "You could never be in my way," he replied. "You're mine, after all. How could you ever trouble me?"
Callistus blinked, surprised. "Yours?" he echoed, trying to grasp what Ivan meant.
Ivan's smile widened as he gently touched the back of Callistus's neck where a faint bite mark remained. "I marked it," he said softly. "You belong to me."
—
Callistus sighed before knocking on the landlady's door. She opened it quickly, noticing his turtleneck covering hickeys and the beige loose shirt he wore over it.
"Good evening," Callistus greeted her. "I'm here to apologise for not being able to repay the six months of rent, but I've found another place."
"Well, I wish you good luck," Amalia replied warmly. "You can return the keys after you've finished packing. I'm happy for you."
"Thank you," Callistus said with a smile, turning to leave.
"By the way," Amalia added, stopping him.
Callistus turned back, curious. She patted the back of her head, just above the height of his turtleneck.
"It's quite visible," she noted with a knowing smile. "Come back later with this person—I want to see what he looks like."
Callistus chuckled, relieved. He then headed back to his apartment, where Ivan was busy packing.
"So?" Ivan asked, taping up a box.
"I'm good to go," Callistus replied, sealing another box. They spent the rest of the day packing, and before leaving, Callistus took one last look at his apartment before closing the door.
"Are you sure about this?" Ivan asked, offering him one last chance to reconsider.
Callistus smiled at him. "Yes," he said confidently.
As they walked toward the car, Callistus suddenly grabbed Ivan's arm and led him back into the building. Ivan asked repeatedly for an explanation, but Callistus remained silent.
They finally stopped in front of a door. Callistus knocked, and Amalia opened it again, looking surprised to see him standing with a taller, broad-shouldered man wearing square glasses.
"Him?" Amalia asked, surprised.
Callistus nodded, a hint of pride in his smile.