For Anatoly, Pre-New Years

[capable_of]

As he walked to the yurt that had been his home for a few day in the past month, Lex couldn't help smiling. All his plans and scheming...it all came down to tonight. Tonight he'd know if it was worth it and he was positive it would. Everything was set up and now it was time to put things in motion.

As he approached the yurt, he carefully schooled his features back to a more amused expression. He was just here to collect Anatoly for a party, as usual. Nothing more. Or so the Russian needed to believe. He didn't even bother to knock as he slipped inside. "Anatoly, are you ready?" He said expectantly, rubbing his gloved hands to warm them up.

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[chesspolitik]

"Of course I am," Anatoly said firmly. "I think you remember what happened the last time you went without a hat, and I do not think you want to repeat it again, do you?"

The compliment took him a back, and he shook his head, even as he tried to calm his rapid heartbeat. It didn't necessarily mean what it sounded like it did. There was no need to start jumping to conclusions. "I'm not sure I agree, but thank you."

[capable-of.livejournal.com]

Lex tried to fight a playful grin but failed. "I don't know, I could get used to the service." He teased, as he pulled one boot on, then the other.

Then his smile turned more secretive. "You should agree because it's the truth. And I'd bet I could say the same about this uniform, though I perfectly understand why you don't' want to wear it."

[chesspolitik]

"I'm sure you could." Anatoly was very much amused. "You certainly seemed to enjoy making me run back and forth for your tea, heated just so, and your soup."

He sat back down in his chair, pulling out his shoes from behind it and started to untie the laces. "The regular winter uniform was bad enough. I wore it because it was warm and I was given no other option by that damned box. I draw the line at dressing like a marshal of the Soviet Union."

[capable-of.livejournal.com]

"And you did it so very well." Lex quipped back in the teasing snobbish voice that had become a joke between them.

"And I do understand, though I will still say it's a shame. I always did love a man in uniform." He pointedly didn't look up at Anatoly, fiddling with the boots, as if he hadn't said it at all.

[chesspolitik]

Anatoly stared at him, his shoe all but forgotten in his hand. "Do you?" He asked, a beat too slow for it to sound casual. "You are full of surprises."

He was half-tempted to say that he had changed his mind about the uniform, but if if he did that, it would be all too obvious why, and even if Lex might not mind, as he was beginning to suspect he wouldn't, it was still too far, too fast than he was comfortable with.

[capable-of.livejournal.com]

"Doesn't everyone?" Finally the boots were straight and Lex stood up with a grin, ignoring any reaction Anatoly had made to his words. "Well, I certainly wouldn't want to be boring, where's the fun in that?"

He walked over to the bed and picked up the suit jacket he'd been wearing earlier, preparing to hold it open for Anatoly once he finished with his shoes.

[chesspolitik]

"I don't think you could ever be boring." That said, Anatoly quickly slipped on his shoes and stood, stretching slightly. He made a minute adjustment to his tie then turned to Lex.

"Shall we?"

[capable-of.livejournal.com]

Lex held up the suit jacket so Anatoly could easily slip his arms in. Once the other had it on, Lex made some minute adjustments to how it laid on Anatoly's shoulders then walked around in front of him to smooth down the lapels, straighten the collar of the shirt and made another adjustment to the tie. Then he smiled, a very appreciative smile. "Yes, I think we shall."

[chesspolitik]

Anatoly found himself very conscious of Lex's hands as he stood still and submitted to being fussed over. They were quite lovely hands, and while he had noticed this before, he was reminded all over again tonight.

He was a fool, there was no doubt of that, but he was beginning to realize that this - whatever it was - was very possibly not one-sided.

He smiled at Lex then gestured towards the door. "After you, my friend."