The roses were a bit too much, Ilya decided, as he critically regarded the glass vase of red-petaled flowers. Long-stemmed and deep crimson, they just seemed out of place atop the white tablecloth that covered the round dining table. The three plates set at equal distances around the table were trimmed in silver, matching the cutlery, ( Read more... )

          We climb into his car after practice, and he does it again. He forgets again.

When I reach over him and grab his seatbelt, buckling him safely in, he doesn’t protest. Instead he casts an amused look my way.

“Feeling a little bit overprotective, Ilya?”

I sit back, watching as the road twists and turns behind us. The ( Read more... )

          It’s early. The room is dark, lit only by red-blue light from the sun inching over the horizon.

Dany is wrapped in my arms, his breath soft against my neck. He stirs a little and presses his nose against my chest with a half-awake inquiry.

“’lya, whassa time?”

I look at the clock staring balefully at us from ( Read more... )