“It’s 8:15… I can’t believe I used to wake up at six like some psycho.” Lying next to Nikolay’s feet, he wonders how he’s gotten this far in just under six months. This floatiness he’s feeling as he remains exposed to the smells of foot cheese… Everything still feels surreal. He has yet to get used to having someone he loves around let alone someone that reciprocates these feelings. Even if their six-week plan had gone up in flames, they had a great time together cherishing every moment.

Shen gets out of bed sweating. Underneath these thick winter blankets he’d rather wear just his underwear if even. Yet, he’s delving underneath these blankets once again so he can embrace Nikolay. “Kolay,” he says as he dozes off. Sweet dreams shower the two of them for another hour.

Now that they’re up, they’re hurrying down to barely catch the breakfast menu. Both him and Nikolay don’t want to start their days off with random food they picked up at a street vendor or junk food. Shen isn’t a fan of the sandwiches and salads grocery stores offer either so the breakfast menu is likely his last chance when it comes to a decent breakfast. They manage to snag a table left unattended as they aren’t the only people to rush down just in time for breakfast. Some are shooed away as the two of them finish their bowls of cereal and buttered bread. A family of five is angrily berating some poor woman just doing her job while another woman behind the counter is cussing them out.

“Those kinds of freakshows are everywhere, huh?” Shen says. He has far too much experience dealing with these kinds of dimwits. “Why even bother paying for breakfast when you can’t be arsed to get up in time?”

“Dealt with them often, right? You were pretty worked up that day.”

“Don’t remind me. I’m still so embarassed about that!” Shen slightly squirms as he recalls an unpleasant memory. “But yeah these kinds of… pleasant people often caused me such grief. The worst part was dealing with them as coworkers. Such annoying dimwits as a superior still fills me with so much anger. I sometimes just feel angry randomly thinking about whatever happened at work.”

“That bad? Maybe I shouldn’t have brought it up?” Nikolay once again is concerned. Digging up unpleasant memories wasn’t his intention.

Shen swings his arm around Nikolay. “Nothing’s bad when you’re around. I haven’t heard too much of your own issues lately. I can’t be the only one with fears and worries, right?”

Nikolay still isn’t quite as comfortable with any affection Shen is offerring him. Though he’d like to move Shen’s arm and push him off, he’s also keeping him close by leaning into him. His warmth is comforting and feels safe.

“I guess there’s a few things I wouldn’t mind getting off my chest…”

Heading back up, they’re on their way to spend this day as just a couple relaxing in their hotel room. After airing it out, there’s plenty of cold to share between the two of them. This chill makes it rather hard to keep warm in just a hoodie. They’re sitting atop their bed with a chessboard untouched ever since their last game. Nikolay however has read up on the rules just last night before they went to bed.

“Over a game of chess?” Nikolay asks.

“Sure. Do you think you can handle a game while talking about yourself?”

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

“Takes the pressure off things…” Nikolay moves his pawn to e4. “I’ve been thinking about demons and Dream Catchers and a lot of things have been bothering me.”

Shen develops his knight onto the f6 square. “Me too. A lot of things just don’t feel right, don’t they?”

“Yeah,” Nikolay says as he moves another pawn. Atop the f3 square it looks like he intends to protect that lone pawn in the center. “I thought finding out about the origin of demons would be some sort of huge thing that would take years to discover. Like a huge adventure…”

“But instead we just find out everyone else already knows and we’re ten thousand steps behind, huh?” A black pawn now occupies the d5 square.

“Exactly! Then we meet these Magi that are already trying to figure out what could stop or reverse that, right? And I’m just back to being stupid!” Nikolay mobilizes another pawn. This time it lands on the d3 square. His lack of expertise is showing.

“You’re not stupid. The way you kept notes on every encounter with a demon was quite smart. Lots of people don’t think and just do,” Shen claims as he develops his remaining knight. “You’re really smart for someone who doesn’t seem to have a formal education.”

“Formal education? That much of a difference?” he asks. Another pawn makes its move landing atop the h3 square. “Does it really make that much of a difference? Maybe I shouldn’t have talked you into doing whatever and quitting uni?”

“You didn’t talk me into anything. You helped in my decision-making! That’s different.” Shen gently smiles as he finally utilizes another pawn. Atop the e5 square he holds solid control over the board with a small amount of developed pieces.

“You’re absolutely going to lose,” he thinks as he waits for Nikolay’s next move.

“How come? I thought I was just being annoying and dramatic forcing a decision onto you.”

“No. If you hadn’t given me that ultimatum we’d probably just be unhappy or maybe even broken up already. You’re kind of my life battery. I actually cut down on hours after meeting you so I could make more time for you. Around that time I also started reading books I wanted to read. If not for you, I would have just died on the inside. I already felt lifeless and hollow by the time I met you resigned to my fate. You’re the reason why I can make decisions.”

“Is that so?” He blushes as he develops another pawn. It’s sitting on g4. “Don’t paise me that much. My head’s already ballooning from arrogance. Or do you want me to float off?”

“Well I do feel floaty around you. So maybe you should be too,” Shen counters. His darl-squared bishop now lies next to one of his pawns. “You’re not arrogant either. I’ve never heard you say anything good about yourself.”

“Really? Do I sound that negative?” He’s somewhat distracted moving a knight of his in front of his king.

Shen makes his first mistake castling a king that currently didn’t need protection caught up in the conversation they’re having. “I’m just as negative. I don’t think I should be calling anyone out for that.”

“Maybe we should just compliment each other.” Nikolay turns even redder as Nbc3 unfolds atop the board. “Or maybe I’m just getting ahead of myself?”

“I love your face. It’s kinda round and cute.” Shen is boiling over with joy as his eyes aren’t even on the board any more. His hands just default to moving his light-squared bishop to e6.

“Yours is kind of nice too. I could feel a little bit of stubble while we were heading up.” Nikolay claims his first piece. Though it is an inacuracy, exd5 secures him a pawn by use of his own.

“You think so?” Shen claims that pawn with a bishop. “A beard or a mustache? Which do you prefer?”

For some reason he moves a pawn onto b3. “A stache maybe? Still want to feel your stubble and there’s not much of that with a beard.”

“Really? You can touch my face right now. I’m not going to complain if you do.” Shen captures that pawn with a bishop.

Suddenly, Nikolay knocks over all the chess pieces as his lips connect with Shen’s. With one hand caressing stubble and the other on Shen’s shoulder, they have their first kiss. Though there still lies a bit of distance between these lovebirds, they’re bridging the gap at their own pace.