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-”You called, sir?”
-”Right on time, as expected” Makarov smirked, watching his second in command stand in front of the small, round table. His back was straight, and his heels were touching, but his feet were angled slightly. Andrei's arms were behind his back, and his chest was raised. Despite the informal setting, he showed perfect discipline. Makarov had trained him well.
-”Please, sit down”, he spoke, taking a sip of his wine glass. The food and drinks had already been ordered, of course. Just because they weren't at ‘work”, if it could be called that, didn't mean they were allowed to indulge in too many pleasantries or could neglect their diet.
Andrei wordlessly obeyed, taking a seat in front of his commander. He had no trouble keeping eye contact with Makarov, unlike many men he had met over the years. They'd look away, fiddle with their sleeves or bite their lips a bit too much, clearly showing their nervousness. Not Andrei though. He showed nothing but the perfect mix of fear, and respect towards Makarov, without letting the former shine through one bit. It made him stand out amongst the crowd. If it didn't, they wouldn't be here right now.
-”You should've dressed up a bit more”, Makarov said absentmindedly. “It is a more.. public setting after all”
-”I do apologise, sir”, Andrei said immediately, not even questioning what Makarov meant exactly. All he heard was that he made a mistake, and that was enough. “It won't happen again”
-”I hope so” Makarov smirked. “Try the food, Andrei. It’s just you and me here, no need for any formalities..” He paused for a moment. “Although, I do still like them on you”
Andrei only nodded, obeying without much hesitation. He remembered being told to never trust anyone. The more paranoid, careful part of him tried to convince him the food was poisoned, but the part of him that refused to ever question Makarov told him that, if his destiny was to die by Makarov's hand, then so be it. The latter won, of course. It always does.
-”Thank you for inviting me to this.. meeting, sir”
-"Please, Andrei.. I promised there’d be rewards for your loyalty”
Andrei looked up from the food on his plate. “Rewards?”, he asked stupidly. Of course he remembered Makarov mentioning it, but he assumed being graced by his presence alone was the reward in question. At the very least, it felt like it.
-”Indeed. Especially for soldiers like you” Makarov took another sip of his wine. “Never have I seen someone as loyal and dedicated as you, Andrei. Which is why I've invited you to talk”
Andrei didn't let any emotion shine through his cold demeanour, but blood still rushed to his face. “Having dinner with you is the best reward a man could ask for, sir”, he said. “Thank you, a lot”
Makarov almost laughed at his attitude. It was kind of cute, but he wouldn't be caught dead describing it as such. “Oh no”, he chuckled. “This is not the reward. Not yet”
-”No?”
-”No” Makarov leaned into his seat, watching the man's eyes dilate. He appeared excited, but hid it well behind his facade. “See, the thing is.. most people are easily satisfied. With money, for example. But not you.. No, I have a strong feeling that no matter what I'd reward you with, it wouldn't match your unwavering loyalty one bit”
-”I‘m not sure I understand”, Andrei admitted in a confused tone after a short pause. He was polite, made sure to eat in small bites and chew thoroughly, so that he could respond with no food in his mouth, and without leaving the commander waiting for too long. His time was precious after all, and Andrei wouldn't want to waste it.
-"By the end of this dinner”, Makarov explained, “I want you to come up with something. Anything that I can do to reward your good behaviour.
Andrei blinked a few times. “Anything?”, he asked carefully.
-”Whatever you'd like” Crowsfeet formed in Makarov's eyes from all the smiling. “Of course, it should stay in the range of my possibilities, but I won't limit you too much” He wasn't entirely sure why he added the last part. After all, nothing would be impossible if it was for his dear Andrei.
-”I don't think I’ll need very long to decide..”, he said carefully, but quickly got shushed by Makarov.
-”I said after dinner. I want you to take your time and think it through. Understood?’
-”Yes, sir”
-”Good”
Makarov watched attentively as his second in command ate. He was in no hurry to finish, savouring the taste of his dinner, but ate just fast enough to catch up with Makarov who had started before he arrived, so that they'd finish around the same time. It was small gestures like these that made Makarov not regret his decisions that led up to Andrei being promoted to such a high rank. Rarely did he feel any kind of affection, but the man before him challenged his feelings.
He wasn't entirely sure why he put so much effort into it. Makarov could've easily made up some kind of position, which wouldn't change anything about Andrei's responsibilities and tasks, promote him to it and the man would jump with joy, thanking him like a stray dog saved from the dark, cold streets. But he didn't. Why, Makarov wasn't entirely sure yet. It was difficult to admit that the affection he felt for the man was unlike anything he'd ever experienced before. Somehow there was a need to even it out, even though realistically, he could never fully give back everything Andrei had given him.
Dinner was pleasant, but mostly silent. Of course they couldn’t speak about anything too incriminating, even though not many people were around, so instead they awkwardly small-talked through the night. By the time they were done and Makarov paid, much to Andrei's surprise, it was already dark outside.
-"Let's go”, Makarov said, not needing to watch to know that Andrei would follow. They left the restaurant, where they were embraced by the cold, dark night.
Andrei was next to Makarov for the entire short walk to a nearby park. “I need a smoke”, Makarov ordered, and Andrei only knew to comply. He fetched a box of cigarettes from his pocket as Makarov stopped in his tracks, far enough from any lamp posts that Andrei had some trouble retrieving the box, but just close enough where he still saw his commander's face. He put a cigarette between the Russian's lips, carefully lighting it so that the wind wouldn't extinguish the small flame of the lighter and waste his precious time. Makarov only nodded, feeling proud to have picked someone like Andrei to be on his side. He didn't even need to ask, and he already knew what was expected of him.
For a few moments, it was silent between them as Makarov mindlessly blew smoke into the night. Andrei's feet were further apart, but his hands were still behind his back. He just couldn't help himself.
-”Have you decided on something already?’
-"Hm?’ Andrei raised an eyebrow. “The reward?’
Makarov nodded, but as soon as he did, Andrei's disciplined stance seemed to crumble. It was subtle, but he no longer held eye contact with the commander, meaning there was something on his mind. “What is it?’, he asked, hoping to make things quick.
-”I.. I don't want any rewards, sir”, he said finally. “Being around you, being lucky to be invited to dinner with you.. that's enough for a reward for me”
Makarov tried hard not to roll his eyes. “Please..”, he sighed, grabbing the man by the jaw, much to his surprise. Andrei's face felt warm in his hand. “I know you're lying”
-”I-”
-"There's no need for shame, alright? I want you to be honest with me”
He could feel Andrei gulp slightly. He was hesitant, but before Makarov could say anything, Andrei spoke. “A kiss, sir” His face got warmer. “That's all I could ask for”
The grip on his jaw loosened. Makarov froze for a brief moment. “A kiss, you say?”
-"I have no other wishes. If you could give that to me, I promise I'll never ask for anything ever again” Andrei's eyes got softer as he spoke. “Of course, if that is on the table”
-”I..” Makarov laughed a little. “You're so easy to please, my dear Andrei”
Before he could take his words back, Andrei felt Makarov grab his face harder again, pulling him close unprompted. Their lips connected for a few seconds, but it felt like a lifetime as Andrei's heart pounded with mixed emotions. He closed his eyes, leaning in hesitantly, but it was over as quickly as it had started.
-”Satisfied?”, Makarov asked, feeling the man melt under his touch. Andrei was breathing heavily as he nodded. “Liar”, he added with a smirk. “I can see you yearning for more. It wasn't enough for you, was it? You can be honest with me”
-”I am satisfied with everything you give me, sir”, Andrei replied, feeling Makarov let go of his face. “But I wouldn't complain had it been more”
-”Yeah?" He let a thumb brush over Ansrei's bottom lip. “How much is more? How far are you willing to go?’
-"However far you are” Andrei struggled keeping his eyes open in embarrassment.
-"That's a good boy” Makarov leaned closer again, but only kissed his forehead this time. “Continue being so obedient, and you might earn another reward. How’s that sound?"
He felt Andrei melt even more, if that was possible at all. ”I wouldn't have it any other way”