Dated to December 31st/January 1st

[capable_of]

Earlier in the evening, once he'd been sure Anatoly was set at the party, Lex had left the party again to collect the chess set from Jack's hut. He'd taken it to a secluded spot near Anatoly's yurt and set it up on a convenient stump, before returning to the party. A light snow had fallen since then, but Lex wasn't worried. It would add to the atmosphere.

After they'd put on their outerwear, Lex had retaken Anatoly hand and led them through the snow, answering all inquiries to where they were going with just a happy, but sly smile. Everything was going perfectly.

When they arrived in the small clearing of trees, Lex stopped and moved behind Anatoly, gesturing for him to enter first. The sight was ever more perfect then Lex could have planned. The moon shone directly through the trees onto the stump and the light dusting of snow made the pieces sparkle in the moonlight, especially the pearls set into the crowns of the kings and queens. "Merry Christmas." Lex whispered into Anatoly's ear softly, watching the man's reaction.

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[chesspolitik]

The moment he saw the chessboard Anatoly gasped, stopping dead in his tracks. Never in his life had he seen anything so beautifully crafted. "How did you do this? This is - I don't even - Thank you,".

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Since Anatoly seemed rooted to the spot, Lex carefully led him over to the board so he could get a better look. "I had it made by someone on the island for you as a Christmas present...and possibly as an apology." The last was said softer then the rest as he glanced down at his watched to hide a flash of un Luthor like self-consciousness.

[chesspolitik]

He touched a pawn silently, then one of the bishops. This was a marvelous set, there was no doubt about it. At this moment, he couldn't think of a better present he'd ever received if he tried.

Curiously, he glanced over at Lex. "An apology? For what?"

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"For this. Tolya, you are my sun and my moon on this island, a bright light in a lonely existence." He paused to look down at his watch, pushing back his sleeve so Anatoly could see it too if he looked down. With his other hand, he cupped Anatoly cheek. "Three, Two, One...Happy New Year Tolya"

And Lex kissed Anatoly with all the love and caring he'd felt for the Russian in the last month, that he hadn't been able to express without the grand gestures that had been bred into him. And a small part of his heart hoped that he wouldn't be turned away. It would be worse then Helen's betrayal, on so many levels. Because he would have lost one of the fewtrue friends he'd ever had in his life.

[chesspolitik]

Anatoly had time to reflect on what an utter fool he had been and then every conscious thought was swept away as Lex kissed him. With no hesitation at all, he wrapped his arms around his friend's waist, returning the kiss in full measure.

He could be afraid later. This was a new year, and he wanted nothing more than to welcome it with Lex.

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That little part Lex had been holding back, the part that was expecting to be rejected just like always, finally relaxed as he felt the arms wrap around his waist. The hand that had been on Anatoly's cheek moved to his hair and just grip gently, wanting to hold on to this moment as long as he could.

This was a new year. A new year Lex was going to embrace with a full heart and a new outlook that didn't involve Lionel Luthor or Clark Kent. Just Anatoly Sergievsky.

[chesspolitik]

Anatoly sighed softly against Lex's lips and shivered as he felt the hand in his hair. His weakness was having his hair touched, and it was all he could do not to sigh out loud.

"You have nothing to apologize for, Lex. Nothing at all,". With that, he gently kissed Lex again.

[capable-of.livejournal.com]

Lex took his time kissing Anatoly again before he rested their foreheads together, the hat from his uniform pushed back on his head. "You have no idea how thankful I am for that...." The one hand had stayed in Anatoly's hair while the other rested on his hip. "I wanted this to be perfect...and it was." Even in Russian, he couldn't hide the relieved happiness in his voice.

[chesspolitik]

For a few moments Anatoly just leaned his forehead against Lex's, enjoying their closeness. "You must think I'm an idiot," he murmured finally, settled enough to remember his English.

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Chuckling softly, Lex gave him a soft kiss before he spoke. "No, I don't. If I wanted to be as obvious as I have been tonight, I would have. I...I had to be sure first." To anyone else, that would have been an awful thing to say, but after what each had shared about their respective lives, he knew Anatoly would understand. Then he smiled. "Plus, a Luthor can never resist a grand gesture and what better night then New Years."

[chesspolitik]

Anatoly understood exactly why Lex had been so cautious. They both had been hurt so terribly before. Rushing into this would have been the worst possible thing either of them could have done.

He laughed quietly and kissed Lex lightly. "As grand gestures go, this was a lovely one. I don't think I can thank you enough for this."

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Of course, two months could be considered rushing, but Lex had been careful and made sure all the signs were there. In fact, Anatoly had given Lex more signs in two months then Helen had in eight.

Lex smiled and let a bit of his inner romantic out. "You did. Your still here."

[chesspolitik]

"I'm not going anywhere," Anatoly promised. He grinned and winked. "Not until you and I have christened this board properly, at least. I will even be generous and allow you to pick which side you'd like."

[capable-of.livejournal.com]

Lex laughed and gave him one more kiss before reluctantly pulling away and bending down to pick up a box that had been hidden by the shadow of the moon. He opened it to show padded slots for the pieces. "Let's take it someplace a bit warmer. Of course, if I get sick, I could come live with you again." He teased lightly as he began putting the pieces away.

[chesspolitik]

Anatoly had just been about to suggest the very same thing. "I think that would be a good idea," he agreed as he helped Lex with the pieces. "You don't have to get sick just to stay with me," he added lightly. "I could even be convinced to fetch you a cup of tea and soup a time or two."

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"If you let me stay...perhaps I could even be convinced to do the fetching every once in a while." Lex couldn't help himself. The safest he'd ever felt in his life had been in Anatoly's yurt. He'd do anything for the feeling again.

[chesspolitik]

"You're welcome to stay, whether you do the fetching or not." Anatoly reached out to touch Lex's cheek lightly. "For as long or short as you want."

For all that he liked his solitude, he had truly enjoyed sharing his space with Lex. He hadn't realized how much he missed having someone else around, and he'd been lonely once Lex had finally felt well enough to leave.

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Lex gave him a long look, his hand fiddling with a pawn he'd picked up. "You might never be rid of me." He said honestly, with a small smile to cover as a tease. "But at least no one will be able to call you a hermit anymore."

Once he put the last piece away and carefully shut the lid, he turned and cupped Anatoly's cheeks again and kissed him. "I don't think I can get enough of that...now that I finally can."

[chesspolitik]

"I think I could live with that," Anatoly teased. "To sacrifice my solitude in return for not being known as a hermit. There are worse things I can think of."

Kissing Lex was a new-found pleasure, and he delighted in it as much as Lex seemed to. "I almost think I could forget about chess if you keep kissing me."

Grinning, he kissed Lex again, then slung an arm around his waist. "Let's get inside before both of us get sick."

[capable-of.livejournal.com]

Lex grinned an almost shark like smile as he picked up the box with the pieces in both hands, motioning for Anatoly to take the board in his free hand. "You should know better then to issue a challenge like that to me." Of course he kissed him to prove his point.

Then he leaned over and whispered softly in Anatoly's ear. "And just think of all the fun we could have getting me out of this uniform..."

[chesspolitik]

Anatoly laughed ruefully after the kiss. He should know better indeed, but at least they were bound to get a certain enjoyment out of that challenge.

He picked up the chess board and tucked it carefully underneath his arm. As Lex whispered to him, he couldn't help but flush, and only managed to keep the board from falling through sheer luck.

"Is that a challenge for me?" He smiled with just a hint of suggestiveness. "Are you sure you want to challenge me?"

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"Of course." Lex said with his same shark like smile. "A Luthor is always up for a challenge, and I always liked a man who could keep up." He kissed him once before heading off into the falling snow, not bothering to look behind him. He knew Anatoly would catch up.

[chesspolitik]

Anatoly followed right behind him, laughing quietly. If Lex wanted a challenge, he'd give him one. He felt more alive and happy then he had in months, if not years.

"I'll do more than keep up," he promised, as he opened the door to his yurt then stepped aside to let him enter first.

Once inside, he shut the door before any more of the rapidly falling snow could get in then set the board on the table.

He took a deep breath then turned to face Lex, suddenly feeling a little shy. So much had changed between them since the clock had struck twelve, it was almost too much to take in.

[capable-of.livejournal.com]

Lex stepped inside, laughing at Anatoly words, as he placed the box down safely on top of the board, briefly wondering if they'd even come out of the box till tomorrow. Not if he could help it of course.

Sensing Anatoly's sudden shyness, Lex removed the uniform hat and threw it aside as he walked over to the Russian, putting his hands on Anatoly's chest. He leaned forward and gave him a soft kiss before looking him in the eyes. "You still alright with this Tolya?" He asked in quiet Russian.

He wasn't worried about being turned away, but they were going rather quickly. If Anatoly needed them to slow down, Lex would. He could last one more night in the Compound.

[chesspolitik]

Anatoly met Lex's eyes and cupped his cheek with his hands. "Yes, I am," he answered firmly. It was true that he was anxious, but at this moment, being with Lex outweighed any trepidation he felt. "I'm here with you, and I trust you. That is all that matters."

He kissed Lex gently, wrapping his arms around his neck. There was no hurry, no rush, so he took his time with the kiss, savoring every moment.