#to blush

[changingthelights]

His smile was polite, but honest. "Giuseppina," he returned. "And Felicia. My father wouldn't have allowed either, I'm sure."

“Beautiful,” Adrik mused quietly, and he looked down at Maximus with a tilt of his head. 

“This, you do not have to answer if you do not wish to speak of this any longer, but- why would he not allow?” Adrik understood enough to realize he viewed the loss of his sister a little differently than Maximus, and did not want to keep pressing the subject.

[changingthelights]

"I don't wish for anyone's life, but I wonder what life that. All of them. the laborers, the widows. Those with rosy cheeks and ambition. I wonder where they go when the sun sets, and what they dream about for tomorrow." Maximus dropped his gaze to their feet. It sounded romantic and childish to say out loud. He was embarrassed.

Adrik smiled fondly down at Maximus from behind his beard.

"A beautiful mind, this- this is what you have," he hummed in approval as he let their shoulders brush. There was no need for Maximus to feel embarrassed about something like that, especially when the bear was a romantic at heart himself.

"To hear these tales, I would enjoy. You will share when we arrive, yes?" Adrik asked, hoping to coax the embarrassment out of Maximus so he could relax. Adrik wanted to hear all of the romantic ideas the other man had to offer.

[changingthelights]

Maximus nipped at the corner of his bottom lip. Debate hot in his eyes as he cast a glance over his shoulder. "I should see to the guest room." An excuse, one even he felt. "A quick drink. I shan't linger."

Adorable. Absolutely adorable. 

Adrik could think of many things to do to those lips as his eyes were drawn to the corner, and it took him a moment to draw himself from such inappropriate thoughts. 

At first Adrik’s heart sank as Maximus seemed to reject his offer, and then it perked up just as quickly as it sank when Maximus continued. He probably looked a little too pleased that Maximus agreed. 

“Excellent,” and he nodded down the path, and in the direction of his home. 

[changingthelights]

"She was no nonsense, but kept her ideals close to chest. She characterized the value of others based on their treatment of children. She didn't belong with my father. He was a good man, but they were not a good match. They just... were a match."

“Mmmm...” Adrik rumbled in understanding. “You mother was smart woman. And your parents, even as bad match they raised you, and you are one to be admired. They did their jobs well. Your parents, they are no longer here?” Adrik asked with a hint of caution, as he didn’t want to bring up something sad between them, but Maximus was no teenager, and Adrik knew human’s did not last nearly as long as his kind. 

[changingthelights]

Had he misheard? Now he concerned himself with the idea of implanting lewd thoughts into Adrik's misshapen English. Too much of his time spent sunken in his own thoughts must have been catching up to punish. "Forgive... my reaction, Mr. Ivanov." Unsure if his response was appropriate or adequate, eyes remained between their feet.

Adrik stared at the other man for a moment, at a loss for what to do next. What is it this man desired? If it was what Adrik suspected, would it ever be something taken if offered? Perhaps he was wrong altogether, but Adrik was not usually wrong about such things. 

“Come, we embrace!” he declared, his accent still as prominent as before, and he tugged Maximus against him for a dramatic hug. 

“My words are not incorrect,” he rumbled softly into Maximus’ ear, as he gave the other’s back a pat for show, “but I did not mean to forget your fear. Forgive me.” And as quickly as the hug was thrust upon him, Adrik placed both hands on Maximus’ shoulders and held him at arms length.

“Friends, they do this to.... apology- yes?” again, the thickened accent and further broken English, despite the fact that even with the exaggerated hug there seemed to be no onlookers. “There is a path through this park, yes? You show me?” he gestured for Maximus to lead the way. 

At the very least, he could make it seem as if Maximus were put upon by this massive Russian man. He was simply showing this beast the park out of the kindness of his heart. Adrik did not mind the attention, and better to draw it from Maximus and onto himself for any that might be looking. 

[changingthelights]

"If you insist," said Maximus, careful in choosing his words. Days of acquaintanceship, and he had yet to discern ruse from honesty. Adrik was a calm man, willing to throw his weight in Maximus' honor; listened (eventually) when given boundaries. Yet despite his merits, his placid acceptance of Maximus' whims gave him pause. He was too beautiful. Too strong. Too willing. Too perfectly odd. No man had ever taken such interest. Eventually, Maximus gestured across the road. "We're here."

Adrik knew himself to be odd by most accounts, even by some in his family, but he couldn’t help himself. 

He found it much easier (and rewarding) to accept the ‘oddities’ of life than to force himself to adhere to the arbitrary rules placed around him. He enjoyed the simplicity of being himself, and knew most were never encouraged to do so. He enjoyed being a safe place for others to do so. 

Of course, it was a dangerous game to play. Being too much of an oddity meant he might not be able to maintain the few comforts he had in life, so he did his best to follow his own whims while lightly pushing the boundaries of expectations. There were some who couldn’t stand it, and some (like Maximus, it seemed) that were drawn to it.

He stopped when Maximus gestured across the road and looked over to the park with a curious tilt of his head. 

“Is this where you watch? Or shall we walk? The chill may creep if were are too idle,” Adrik would have no issue with the cold, but he had a feeling Maximus would not fare as well as he.

[changingthelights]

Adrik didn't have to say. They both knew. Maximus only hoped whatever this was remained unspoken. Somehow the spell would be broken otherwise. He followed in step and straightened his coat. "Where are we going?"

“Hmmm....” Adrik hummed curiously at Maximus’ question. He adjusted his massive fur coat and turned his gaze to their path ahead. “Perhaps you show me favorite place in town you like?”