(Untitled)

[capable_of]

There were afternoons on the island where Lex liked nothing better then to sit and play with piano in the rec room. It was relaxing in a way nothing else was and best of all, it reminded him of times with his mother, sitting beside her on the bench as she practiced with him.

Today his fingers were picking out An American in Paris. It was a bright

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[whoneedsadream]

"That is an... interesting song," Anatoly remarked as he cautiously peered into the rec room, bearing two cups of tea. He'd heard the song halfway down the hall, and while he didn't think Lex would willingly sing something like that, well - stranger things had happened, after all. "I see the jukebox is in fine form today."

He headed over to the piano to give Lex his cup, after first bending to press a soft kiss to his cheek. "Your tea, Sascha."

[capable_of]

Lex almost sighed with relief when he heard Anatoly's voice over the jukebox and lifted his head with a soft, if tried, smile. "Oh yes. It's in a fine vindictive mood." He turned his head for a full kiss as he took the cup. "Thank you, Tolya."

[whoneedsadream]

"If only it could be set on fire," Anatoly muttered as he joined Lex on the bench. "That would certainly brighten my mood. But no, I should not say that and give it more ideas."

He shook his head then took a sip of tea, savoring the taste. He'd cut back on the sugar when filling Lex's cup, but his own had all the sugar he could stand and then some.

"Jukebox aside, how have you been?"

[capable_of]

"That would be too merciful." Lex muttered in reply, with a smile for Anatoly as he joined him. "And I've been..."

Before he could finish, the jukebox changed it's tune. To someone who sounded like Anatoly singing about panda's having sex. "Oh for fuck's sake!" Lex growled as he dropped his head to the keys of the piano again.

[whoneedsadream]

For a moment, Anatoly could do nothing but stare at the jukebox. It was only with the greatest of difficulty that he stayed where he was. He knew the jukebox couldn't be destroyed, no matter hard he tried.

"I have changed my mind," he said after giving in to a long string of Russian curses. "I would rather hear the Soviet Union anthem than this and I never thought I could say that."

[capable_of]

"I really hate that thing." Lex said into the piano keys before raising his head again.

As much as he hated to run from it, Lex finally just stood up and took Anatoly's hand. "Come on. I've had enough vulgarity for one day."

[whoneedsadream]

Abandoning the tea was tragic, but it was a sacrifice Anatoly was willing to make if it meant getting away from the thrice-damned machine. Enjoying a quiet moment with Lex shouldn't have to be so difficult.

"Gladly," he said as he rose with Lex, holding his hand tightly. "Where shall we go?"

[capable_of]

"I have an idea." Lex said as he stole a quick kiss before leading Anatoly out of the room and the compound.

After living with Helen for as long as he had, he knew her schedule pretty well and thus knew that she'd be at the club getting ready for that night. One quick conversation and he and Anatoly were settled in front of the piano in the Willows Room. "There. Much better."

[whoneedsadream]

"Much," Anatoly agreed as he pressed a fond kiss to Lex's cheek. He hadn't been around the Catscratch much since the breakup with Roger to avoid the awkwardness that would surely ensue, so it was nice to be back.

"So now that we are here and uninterrupted by demon machines, what will you play for me?"

[capable_of]

Lex hadn't really played at the piano the Club, since he was usually behind the bar or upstairs so he started with a few scales.

Then with a smile for Anatoly, he began playing Fur Elise. Nothing was ever wrong with a little Beethoven.

[whoneedsadream]

Anatoly watched Lex play for a few moments, content just to watch him go about his works. Perhaps it came from chess and a lifetime of watching for other people's moves, but he'd acquired an appreciation for hands and Lex's were very fine.

[capable_of]

As he played, Lex caught the intense look directed at his hands. He cocked his head and didn't miss a note as he asked softly, "What are you thinking Tolya?"

[whoneedsadream]

"I was just thinking of you," Anatoly murmured softly, pressing his knee against Lex's. There was more he could have said, but they were in public, more or less. He had relaxed over the time he'd been here, and while his relationship with Lex might be more or less an open secret, he still wasn't comfortable enough with the idea.

[capable_of]

Lex ducked his head and smiled as his knee pressed back. He got that impression Anatoly wanted to say more and he leaned over to give him a soft kiss on the corner of his mouth. "And...?" He nodded around them to the empty club and to his fingers still playing. They may have been in public but there was no one around and the music would hide their conversation anyway.

[whoneedsadream]

"Just that," Anatoly murmured after the kiss, taking a moment to lightly brush his fingers against Lex's cheek. The other man's hands were still busy at the piano or he would have captured one for a kiss.

"I was just thinking of you and how glad I - that we have this."

[capable_of]

Half closing his eyes, Lex leaned into the touch on his cheek with a soft smile. "As am I. I couldn't have imagined anything like this...anything so simple." Because that was the beauty of it really. It's simplicity. No complications...just simple love.