“Well, thank you.”
He nodded, then left again, only to return with my sketchpad and pencils, some toast, and a blanket. “Okay, this is too much. You can stop now. I’m not a total invalid.”
“The sooner you get better, the sooner I can get you out of here and stop holding you prisoner.”
“I’ve never once thought you were keeping me prisoner here, Sergei. You were,and still are, protecting me, and I will forever be grateful for that.”
“I have a way you can pay me back.”
“Oh? And what’s that?”
“Stay off that foot, so I can get you out some tomorrow.”
“Okay. I can do that.”
“Great.” As he started out of the room, he announced, “I’m going to take a quick shower and get some things done in the office, but I’ll be around if you need anything.”
“Does that mean you aren’t avoiding me anymore?”
“Avoiding you?” I didn’t respond. I just glanced over my shoulder and gave him a look. He scoffed and shook his head before continuing to his room. “Yeah, I’m done avoiding you.”
“Okay, good. I’m glad we cleared that up.”
“Um-hmm.”
With that, he disappeared into his room. I heard him moving about, but for the most part, he left me to my own devices. I watched a little TV, listened to some music, and did a sketch or two. This time, I wasn’t completely focused on Sergei. I did one of Moya and even one of Viktor, but inevitably, I found myself drawing Sergei.
As I sat there staring at those gorgeous, intense eyes, it wasn’t long before the words started to flow:
I know the darkness buried beneath his cold exterior.
Deep. Vast. Terrifying.
I know I can’t save him from himself.
But I can’t help but find the warm glimmer in his eyes when they meet mine.
I should be afraid.
I should run for the hills,
but I’m a moth drawn to an endless void of flame that lights his dark tunnels.
I have a longing,
an undeniable need,
that keeps me ever peeking behind his mask.
I was lostin a world of thoughts when I heard Sergei asked, “You ready for some dinner?”
“Sure.” I quickly closed my pad and asked, “What do you have in mind?”
“That’s up to you. What are you in the mood for?”
“I don’t know. How about some of that Italian takeout that you had Malcolm pick up for us before? We could eat and watch a movie.”
“Yeah, we could do that.”
