The apartment was quiet. Lights off just the soft hum of the fridge and the streetlights glowing in thoughts the curtains. Lev kicked off his shoes at the door, breath still heavy from the club -- from him.
Demitri's voice was still echoing in his ears.
''Next time, bring your kid along. I love children.''
He ran a shaky hand through his hair.
''I'm never going to that club again.''
He didn't belong in place like that anymore. Not after what he'd been through. Not after becoming a parent. He walked into the small bedroom and stopped.
Matev was curled up in bed, his tiny chest rising and falling, one hand clutching his favorite stuffed animal --a floppy- eared wolf they called Milo. Lev chest cracked open. So small. So peaceful. He moved slowly quietly and sat on the edge of the bed. Matev shifted in his sleep, eyebrows furrowing for a second. ''Papa?'' he mumbled.
Lev smile softly and smoothed back his hair. ''It's okay, baby I'm here.'' Matev turned toward him instinctively, arms reaching.
Lev pulled in a hug. Tight warm. Like he needed to remind himself his was real. This was what mattered. The little boy's head rested against his chest, half-asleep. ''You're the only thing I did right.'' He shut his eyes, But Dimitri face flashed in his mind again--that smirk, those sharp words.
''Have you told your partner...that you were mine for one night? ' Lev held Matev tighter. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The morning started like most of lev's morning --with a soft thump on his face. ''Wake uuuuuuup,'' Matev mumbled sleepily, dropping his stuffed wolf on Lev's chest. Lev groaned into the pillow. ''Five more minutes...''
''Noooooo,'' the little boy protested, climbing onto him. ''You said pancakes.''
Lev cracked one eye open. ''I say a lot of things when I'm tired.'' Matev giggled and flopped next to him. Lev stared at the ceiling for a second. Matev poked his cheeks. ''Papa, why your face looks sad?'' Lev blinked. ''Does it?''
''You look like the toaster broke.'' Lev smiled weakly. ''Pancakes.'' Matev nodded. ''Yes pancakes.''
An hours later-----------
Lev tied on his apron, adjusted his name tag, and walked behind the cafe counter. It wasn't a fancy place --- small, cozy, always smelled like Vanilla and burnt espresso. He liked that. Safe. Quiet.
Today, thought? ''Hey,'' said Margo, his coworker. ''You, okay? You look like you fought a raccoon.'' Margo raised an eyebrow Don't burn anything.'' Lev nodded, grabbed a towel, and stared cleaning that counter----anything to distract himself from the anxious buzz in his chest.
The bell above the door rang. Lev didn't even look up first-- just muttered, ''Welcome in,'' without thinking. But then everything in his body froze.
He knew that scent.
Leather. Expensive cologne. Control. He looked up, slowly.
Dimitri.
Dark coat. Sunglasses. Hands in his pockets like he owned the entire block. He walked in casually, eyes scanning the cafe---and landing right on lev. Lev's throat tightened. ''What the hell''
Dimitri smiled like he'd just run into an old friend at the grocery store. ''Well, Well.'' Lev gripped the counter edge. ''Where are you here?''
''Needed coffee,'' Dimitri said casually, pulling off his glasses. ''Didn't expect to find such.. personal service.
Lev swallowed. ''There's five other cafes in his area.'' Dimitri leaned against the counter. ''But none with you in them.'' Lev kept his face straight, but his heart was racing. Dimitri looked around. ''Cute place. Feels like you.'' Lev didn't respond. Dimitri titled his head. ''What? Not happy to see me?'' I need coffee.
Lev stayed quiet, grabbing a cup and starting the drink. His hands were steady, but barely. Dimitri watched him, amusement flickering in his eyes.
''So... innocent?'' he asked, too casually. ''Or did your partner finally forgive you for being mine for a night?''
Lev flinched. Just a little. Just enough for Dimitri to catch it. ''You're enjoying this,'' Lev muttered.
''I'm curious,'' Dimitri said smoothly. ''You disappeared. Never called. Never said goodbye.'' Dimitri picked it up slowly. ''You assumed a lot of things.''
Lev finally looked at him, eyes sharp. ''You made it clear. You said that it was just one night.''
Dimitri took a sip, then smiled over the rim of the cup. ''Didn't know one night could give such long consequences.''
Lev froze. His blood turned cold.
Dimitri leaned in, just a little, voice dropping. ''That little boy...he really cute'' Lev's heart stopped, forcing a weak smile. ''Enjoy your coffee.
Dimitri nodded, backing away with the cup in hand. But just before walking out, he turned and tossed something on the counter. A black business card.
Lev stared at the card.
His fingers were trembling.
He couldn't breathe properly. Behind him, Margo called, ''Everything okay?''
Lev forced smile. ''Yeah,'' he lied.
But deep down, he knew-----
Nothing was okay anymore.