It was a normal Thursday. Or at least, that's what Lev kept telling himself. Matev had a day off preschool, Lev was off work. It was supposed to be peaceful.
But peace wasn't a thing anymore. Not with Dimitri Romanov creeping back into their lives like a storm cloud waiting to pour.
Lev had kept things quiet after the mall. No more risky outings. No more crowded places. But he couldn't no to Matev asking to go to the bookstore... ''Please, Papa. I want the big dinosaur book with the sounds!''
So, they went. Early morning. Less people. Just in and out. Or so Lev thought.
-------Matev ran off toward the sound books. Lev stayed a few behind, keeping a sharp eye on him --- hands in the pockets of his coat, trying not to shake. ''Breath. It's fine. Just grab the book and go.''
Then----
A deep voice behind him. Calm. Smooth. To familiar. ''Funny seeing you again.'
Lev turned slowly. Dimitri. Derk coat. Casual smirk. Eyes too sharp.
Lev stomach dropped. No. Not here. He forced a polite smile. ''You are following me?''
''Maybe,'' Dimitri said, stepping closer. Lev turned to grab Matev, but the boy had already wandered over-- holding up a giant dinosaur book with buttons. ''Papa! Look! It roars!''
Before Lev could respond, Matev's eyes caught Dimitri's ----and he lift up. Why does he look so happy see him?!
''You are again!'' Matev said brightly. ''You're tall.'' Dimitri laughed, crouching slightly. ''You are still small.''
Lev froze.
He should've pulled Matev away. Should've said something. But the smile on his son's face---he hadn't seen him this bright in days.
And Dimitri..... wasn't acting cold. He was gentle.
To gentle. Dimitri raised an eyebrow. ''So. Book shopping, huh?''
''Yeah,'' Matev grinned. Dinosaurs. Big teeth.''
''I used to like them too, Dimitri said. ''T-Rex?'
Matev nodded hard. '' They bite'' They shared a quiet laugh. Lev stood stiffly. This is dangerous. He can't get attached. Neither of them can. Dimitri smirk and ruffle Matev hair.
''Alright, we should go,'' Lev said quickly placing a hand on Matev's shoulder. But Dimitri's voice stopped him.
''Wait.''
Lev didn't turn around. ''Let me buy it for him.
Lev tensed. ''That's not necessary.''
''I want to,'' Dimitri said, already pulling out his wallet. ''Consider it... a favor.''
Lev turned. His eyes narrowed. Matev looked between them, confused but curious. ''I like him,'' he whispered to Lev. ''He's nice.'' Lev heart cracked a little. You don't know what he really is, baby.
Lev didn't sleep. He spent most of the night sitting on the edge of his bed, knees pulled to his chest, starting at the little dinosaur book in the nightstand. Matev had fallen asleep hugging it, still smiling. He like Dimitri.
And Dmitri? was getting too close, too fast.
Lev got up, pacing slowly, trying to breathe through the weight in his chest. He knows. Maybe not everything, but he knows something. ---------------
After a few days----
Lev picked the smallest table in the corner. Far from windows. Matev at school, and lev had skipped his morning shift to catch a break.
He wasn't even halfway through his coffee when the chair across from him pulled out. He didn't have to look.
Dimitri. Leather jacket. Calm face. But eyes--sharp as hell. ''Morning,'' he said like they were old friends.
Lev signed, not looking up. ''Do you ever not appear out of nowhere?''
''No'' Dimitri smirked. ''I make a habit of it.''
Lev stirred his coffee, silent.
Dimitri leaned in. ''You know. I keep wondering.''
Lev glanced at him. ''What?''
''That night,'' Dimitri sad, voice low. Lev stayed quiet.
Dimitri chuckled. ''Now you show up years later--with a four-year-old. And I'm just supposed to ignore that?''
Lev's throat tightened. ''You said it was just a once - night thing,'' he murmured.
''It was,'' Dimitri said. ''But my instincts? They're screaming.''
Lev finally looked at him. ''What do you want from me?''
Dimitri shrugged ''I want the truth,''
Lev clenched his jaw. ''You think am hiding something?''
''I know you are.''
Lev looked away.
Dimitri leaned closer. Voice lowered. ''Tell me, Lev.... does your partner know you had a one- night stand with an alpha like me?''
Lev flinched.
''Ia there even a partner?'' Dimitri continued, tone dark and teasing. ''Or is that another story?''
Lev stood up. ''Stop it.''
Dimitri didn't move. Just looked up at him, head tilted. ''Tell me am wrong.''
Lev shook his head. ''You don't know anything.''
''I know your son's name is Matev,'' Dimitri said. ''I know he's four. I know he has my f*****g eyes.''
People were starting to glance over. lev sat back down fast.
''You're crazy,'' he hissed.
''Maybe,'' Dimitri said. ''Or maybe I remember that night better than you think.''
Silence.
Then Dimitri added, calm but sharp. ''Tell me, Lev...if he's not mine, why are you so scared?''
Lev couldn't speak.
He grabbed his coat and left.
Fast. Shaking.
And Dimitri? He didn't stop him. Just sat back, smiling faintly -- because now he knew.
Lev was hiding something bid.
And Dimitri was done waiting.
Later that evening---at home -----------------------------------------------
Lev unlocked the door slowly.
Matev ran up to him. ''Papa! Guess what! I made a picture of me and you and the dinosaur man!''
Lev heart dropped.
''Baby,'' he said softly. ''Can I see?''
Matev held up the drawing --- stick figures. Him Lev. And a tall man with dark hair, smiling.
Lev hugged him tight.
Too tight.
What if I lose him?''
He buried his face in his son's neck.
''I'm sorry,'' he whispered. ''I'm trying.''
But he didn't know how much longer he could keep everything from falling apart.