my new neighbor is really fucking attractive but i’m terrible at social interaction so i’ve been avoiding them until one day we’re forced to talk when we get stuck in the elevator together and dammit i just want to jump your bones
Actor/Florist AU. First time writing Patater, hope y’all enjoy!
In the weeks since Kent Parson had come out as gay and also admitted he had been seeking help for mental health issues, things had been rough but good. The initial response to his announcements had been mostly positive with a lot of Kent’s fellow actors and actresses, as well as his fans, wishing him well, and he’d even managed to hire a new agent who was helping him find the right parts. Before that, he’d been offered plenty of roles, and even though they were all essentially the same character, Kent had been bored and miserable, but comfortable.
Checking his phone one last time for any messages from his agent, Kent plodded toward the elevators. It had been a long day of auditions and while he had one call back for later in the week, he was also exhausted. Usually, in an effort to stay fit, he would take the stairs, but tonight he just wanted to get home and crash. Thankfully, he didn’t have to wait long for the elevator and it was only as he was stepping inside that he realised he was not alone.
Swallowing hard because he was going to have to share the elevator with his neighbor and crush, Kent tried to smile. “Hey, Alexei.”
Alexei smiled. “How long before you call me Tater, like everyone else?”
The smile that Kent got after those words left his mouth was incandescent and Kent felt his heart start to beat harder in his chest.
“Okay, but only you, Kenny.”
Kent could feel his cheeks flush as he tried to find something to say. He’d been crushing on Alexei pretty much since he’d moved in and other than a somewhat disastrous first meeting where Kent had been hiding in one of his asshole jock roles, just about every chance he had to actually talk to the man, he’d ended up a stuttering, tongue-tied mess.
Alexei “Tater” Mashkov had moved into the building a year ago and had quickly gone about making friends with almost everyone on their floor and in the building. He’d done it by bringing everyone flowers from his shop and by being genuinely nice. When he’d showed up at Kent’s door with a bouquet of pansies and yellow carnations, Kent had been stunned by the handsome man at his door with flowers and had stupidly given his thanks in a snide, haughty tone. Seeing the large Russian man’s face harden as he turned on his heel to leave had been the beginning of Kent’s wake up call.
He’d shown up at Alexei’s door the next day with his attempt at making muffins and an apology. He blustered a bit, making excuses about how he was preparing for his next role and started walking back to his apartment when Alexei had just stood there silently staring.
Kent had not been prepared for the Russian man to call after him with a broad smile and a hand out to shake. Kent had taken it and mumbled a quiet thanks before escaping into his apartment and sinking to the floor, back against the door. Kit, his cat, had trotted up and rubbed his head into Kent’s hand.
After that, Kent had done his best to avoid his good look neighbor. He’d been able to get away with quick greetings and rushed small talk for the most part, but now with Alexei smiling at him, Kent knew he’d have to make actual conversation.
“Alexei, I’ve always wanted to ask.”
Alexei shifted a little closer to Kent, and leaned back against the wall. “Yes?”
“Um..” Before he could finish his question, the elevator shuddered and groaned and then jerked to halt, making them both stumble. “What just happened?”
Alexei reached for Kent, hand landing on his elbow. “Kenny? You are okay, yes?”
Feeling very aware of the hand wrapped around his arm, Kent could only nod at first. “I’m okay. What about, what about you? Are you okay?”
Alexei smiled at Kent again, eyes sparkling. “I am very okay. Glad to be stuck here with you and not with mean old lady who lives down hall.”
Laughing, Kent noticed that Alexei still had a grip on Kent’s arm, thumb moving in circles over Kent’s skin “She is mean. Yelled at me for my cat getting out when I first moved in.” Alexei kept smiling and Kent could feel his cheeks heating. “Should we, umm, should we try the emergency button?”
When he let go of Kent, Alexei’s fingers dragged over the bare skin of his arm making him shiver. “You stay here, I will push. I’m sure it’s fine.”
Kent bobbed his head and let Alexei go over and talk to emergency services while he slid down the wall and checked his phone. Thankfully he did have service so they could call out if they needed to.
“Kenny? Are you okay? Are you, what is word? Closed spaces? Scared?”
“Hmm? No, just not sure how long we’ll be here so thought I’d sit. Get comfortable, you know?”
“Sure.” Kent shifted a bit, trying to leave more space for the larger man. “Did they say how long it will take to get us going?”
Alexei took a seat next to Kent, shoulders brushing. “Not long, Kenny. We talk? Yes?”
Swallowing hard, Kent tried to rein in his nerves. “Sure, sounds good.”
“Perfect.” Alexei nudged Kent with his shoulder. “You had question, ask it.”
“Oh, right. It was about the flowers when you first moved in. I’ve always wanted to know why the yellow carnation and the pansies.”
“Do you know flower language?”
Kent shook his head and settled a little closer to Alexei, enjoying the heat the other man put off.
Alexei chuckled. “Well, pansies are like a hug, and friendly.” He lowered his voice then and leaned closer to Kent. “I also like how bright they are.”
“They have many meanings, but yellow is friendship. I wanted to extend friendship to the building.”
“That’s really nice, Alexei. I know I’ve said it before, but I’m still sorry for what an ass I was when you brought the flowers.”
“Is okay, Kenny. I liked the muffins you made. Very good.”
“Really? I thought for sure they were awful. They barely rose at all. I don’t know how Eric Bittle does it,” Kent shrugged, “but I’ve always wanted to try one of his recipes.”
“I am glad you tried. They were very tasty.”
“Thanks.” Kent felt his cheeks heat again and wondered if he would ever stop blushing. “I’ve watched him since he was on Youtube, and now that he has an actual show, I’m really excited. He’s actually the reason, I, I, actually, you don’t need to hear this. Forget I said anything.”
Before he could say more, Alexei took his hand and laced their fingers together. “No, I want to know.”
Closing his eyes, Kent took a deep breath in and let it out slowly like he’d learned in therapy. “He’s the reason I finally came out. Him and his husband, Jack, Jack Zimmermann, the hockey player?”
Alexei nodded and smiled at Kent again. “I know Zimboni. I did the flowers for their wedding.”
Opening his eyes, Kent studied Alexei. “You did?”
Bringing their joined hands into his lap, Alexei nodded again. “B wanted lots of flowers. Flowers everywhere. And so much food. I was completely stuffed.”
Kent laughed. “What kinds of flowers?”
“Daisies, for the happiness of laugh. Sunflowers for adoration, and gladiolus for strength.”
“I was proud of my work that day. B and Zimboni love each other so much. I want that.”
Kent could hear the earnestness in Alexei’s voice and he could understand. “I do too. Seeing those two come through the fire of coming out stronger, together, was the push I needed.”
“It was. Most were good and kind about it, but there were some,” Kent shivered and let Alexei pull him closer. “I was just so tired of pretending. It was making me anxious and mean and all anyone wanted me for was to play snobby assholes. I thought maybe if that’s what everyone saw, maybe it’s how I should be. It’s part of why I was such a jerk to you. I got used to hiding in that role.”
“Oh, Kenny. Is okay. You are brave. Is hard to be yourself. I had to leave home because I could not be me.”
Looking up through his lashes at Alexei, Kent could see the pain there. “That had to be hard, Alexei.”
“I miss my family, but is better here. I like being me.”
Alexei chuckled and bumped Kent with his shoulder. “I like you too. You work hard and try to you and it’s good.”
“Thank you. It’s hard work, but I am determined to be better. My therapist helps a lot.”
They both laughed and continued to talk for a little longer until the elevator finally started up again. When it made it to their floor, they both stood and walked out, hand in hand.
At Kent’s door, they stopped and Alexei bent down to kiss his cheek. “ спокойная ночь, Kenny.”
Kent went into his apartment and dropped his keys in the bowl near the door. Kit came running up, meowing about his missed dinner. On autopilot, Kent fed him and then walked down the hall to his bedroom. He changed and crawled under the covers and finally let himself think about the fact that he’d been kissed, by Alexei. Even though it was just on the cheek, Kent would swear he still felt the press of Alexei’s lips on his cheek. As he fell asleep, he hoped for dreams of his neighbor with more than just kisses on the cheek.
The next day, since he had nothing pressing, Kent slept in and after feeding Kit, he steeled himself and swore he’d go next door and ask Alexei on a date.
When he stepped out the door, however, there was a small pot with a single orchid growing inside with a note attached.
Kenny, orchids mean romantic interest. I would like to take you to dinner. Tonight?
There was a number included and Kent picked up the orchid and brought it inside. Setting it on the counter, he grabbed his phone and called Alexei.
“I would love to go to dinner.”
“ молодец . I am glad. I will pick you up at 7?”
спокойная ночь: Goodnight
Edited with help from @shrewreadings giving me better translations
