capable_of | Dated to December 31st/January 1st

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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"I slept well too," Anatoly said after the kiss, tenderly stroking Lex's cheek. Whatever this was, he was not going to rush too quickly or over-think things. He was going to take each moment as it came, enjoy what was given and what he was able to give. Anything else, and he risked losing this wonderful thing.

"I don't think I remember the last time I slept so well." He held Lex's hand to his chest, tracing his knuckles with his fingers.

Lex couldn't agree with that sentiment more. He had no riches for people to be after and no father to chase away the people Lex tried to get close too. The fact this was happening was enough for him. It had been a long time since he allowed himself to feel this content.

He leaned into Anatoly's touch, turning his head to kiss his palm. "I don't think I could think of a better way to wake up either." He searched Anatoly's eyes, looking for any regret from last night. When he didn't find any, his smile grew that most more real. He could lay here forever with one hand on Anatoly's chest and the other stroking his stubbled cheek.

As loathe he was to move, nature's call could hardly be avoided. With a reluctant sigh, he untangled himself from Lex's arms.

"I'll be back," he promised as he hurried slipped on enough clothes to manage the necessary trip outside. The sooner he left, the sooner he could be back under the covers with Lex and they could enjoy this lazy morning.

He opened the door and stared at the immense wall of snow blocking the way out. The snow was still falling heavily and didn't appear to be stopping anytime soon. Ruefully, he shut the door and turned to face Lex.

"So much for that."

When Anatoly had gotten up, Lex had just buried himself under the covers and watched him get dressed with a lazy smile on his face. He could really get used to waking up like this.

But when Anatoly opened the door to a wall of snow, Lex turned into the pillow under his head and just laughed. Hard. He couldn't even think of the words to describe this situation. Except he felt good...so very good.

After a few moments, Anatoly joined in the laughter. As inconvenient as it was, he could see the humor behind the situation. Still, there were worse things than to be snowed inside during a storm and far worse people to be trapped with.

It took a bit of creativity but he managed to work out a temporary solution of sorts to this delicate issue. If they were stuck for longer than a day, he'd have to think of something else, but for now, they were set.

Business concluded, he rejoined Lex, shivering. He wrapped his arms around the other man, hoping to absorb a little of his warmth. "It is a good thing I hadn't planned on doing anything else but this - being with you."

When he could breath again, Lex lifted his head from the pillow to see how Anatoly was going to manage then laid back again to give him some privacy until he was done. He fished around the side of the bed for the uniform shirt and used it to clean up some of the lingering mess from last night, then balled it up and threw it into a corner.

When Anatoly returned, Lex latched onto him with his whole body, ready to warm him up again. Laying practically on top of him, he braced his head in his hand and used the other to run over Anatoly's scruff again. "Mmm...good. Because if you had other plans, I'd now have to thank the island for disrupting them and I'd rather not owe this place more then I already do."

"Oh?" Anatoly wrapped his arms around Lex, his hands skimming gently down his back. "What else do you owe this place?"

He couldn't help but grin happily as he asked the question. At this moment, he didn't think he could feel any more content. Oh, eventually this spell would be broken and reality would quietly seep back in, but until that moment he reserved the right to act as giddy as he pleased.

Lex tangled his fingers in Anatoly's hair as he spoke. "A second chance. And you." Then he leaned down and kissed him.

No doubt people from home would be shocked, but Lex has always been a romantic at heart. He got it from his mother and was one of the few bits of her Lionel would never be able to get rid of.

Reality might set in, but Lex was taking advantage of this second chance. And a reality on this screwed up island with a Russian grandmaster was much better then anything Lex had had at home and he was going to take every advantage offered.

"I could say the same thing," Anatoly murmured. "Or, well, I suppose this is my third chance." He kissed Lex firmly, his hands lightly stroking his back. "I will not let this one pass me by."

Merano, Bangkok - all of those memories belonged to a distant past that could no longer hurt him. Whatever madness this place held, it was far better than anything he had to look forward to in Moscow.

"I think - I feel that I have come home at last."

Dated to December 31st/January 1st

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