Work Text:
Purity was ever hard to come by in the modern world, just as mirrors were always destined to distort our perceptions, glass could never remain untainted.
Fyodor loved to be surrounded by serenity, he had an acquired appreciation for the peace that cleanliness and pureness could bring. He arranged his home in ways that would enhance his focus, so that he may never stray from the path that lay before him.
Recently working at his desk had been bothering him, his eyes began to trace along every scratch and impurity no matter the papers or books scattered to obscure such.
He finally had enough of the fickle mortal distractions that plagued his work ethic, and bought a beautiful glass desk. Clean, shiny, and unblemished, it was as close to purity he could afford. Nothing would distract him now, he was absolutely sure of it.
Placing the papers down, and pulling out his favorite pen, he was at ease. It was as if his work was floating before him, and nothing could come between him and his selfless duties. He was completely focused, until hearing an all too familiar giggle.
He hardly glanced around the room before deciding it was none of his concern, if it was anything important he would be informed as usual. He went back to working as the papers cluttered his desk even more.
A giggle cursed his ears again, and it was so close he could swear it was right behind him. He sighed before looking behind him, feeling annoyance creep up within himself. Yet to his own disbelief, he was the only one in the room.
He furrowed his brows in confusion before setting aside some papers into a stack, clearing a section from the clutter and revealing the source of the sound.
Nikolai was sitting under his desk staring up at him, a happy smile plastered on his face. Fyodor showed no surprise, he was used to these antics despite them wearing on him. He must have used his ability to teleport there when Fyodor was deeply focused.
"Nikolai."
"Yes?"
"Explain."
"Oh I love pop quizzes! You see I simply love to watch you in action! How could I not be inspired and enamored by such incredible work ethics!"
"Have you considered my perspective?"
"Not yet! Do you enjoy seeing me? Does my face encourage you and give you energy?"
"You're distracting."
"Really? I've been as still as possible!"
"Yet you cannot contain your delight."
"I will be completely silent! You won't even hear me breathe!"
Fyodor sighed, he had a hard time denying Nikolai from things that would bring him joy, and this was simply another little test from God. He would not fail his God, nor would he fail himself in his duties, he would just have to focus as much as possible for now.
He carried on with his work, scattering papers and avoiding eye contact as Nikolai peeked through. The desk had almost been perfect, his eyes no longer traced over blemishes but instead over the man beneath him.
A knock at the door broke him from his determined trance, he offered the visitor to come in, seemingly offering himself a break as well.
Sigma walked in with more papers, approaching from behind all he could see was Fyodor's posture and the assortment on his new desk. Sigma had helped him pick it out, and he was hopeful that it would ease whatever worried Fyodor about not liking the last one.
"I have some reports from the casino, how do you like your new desk? I think it suits you well."
"I regret buying the glass desk."
"Why?"
Fyodor notioned for him to come closer, taking the reports from his hand and parting the sea of papers flooding his desk.
Sigma peered over to meet a familiar face through the glass, slightly startling him at the sight.
"Huh?"
"Do you understand why now?"
"I see.."
Sigma had no words of advice nor was he at all prepared for this situation, he would simply leave Fyodor to deal with it since he was more than capable. He could only wonder at how unforseen this predicament was, and how Fyodor would continue to deal with it.
Without another word, Sigma bowed to Fyodor and promptly left, knowing that they both had immense amounts of work to return to.
Fyodor sighed as he heard the door shut, true to his word he couldn't even hear Nikolai breathe. He couldn't deny that he liked the desk, but of course the things he liked would always inevitably be tainted.