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Nikolai searched around the room, soon enough, after pulling out a bag of chocolate's, he sat on his bed with his headphones ready to watch Fyodor's stream which would be starting soon. Well, calling it Fyodor’s stream, while correct, wouldn’t be what others call it. Afterall, no one else knew it was Fyodor, no one outside of their small town even knew who Fyodor Dostoevsky was. Fyodor streamed anonymously, no camera, no photos, and he spoke with a voice modifier. The only reason Nikolai knew was because he recognized the other's speech patterns and schedule. Afterall, how could he not notice? This was his best friend, of course he knew Fyodor’s speech patterns and of course he noticed that gap in time Fyodor was always too busy with something unspecified to even reply to his messages.
So his best friend streamed, and was quite popular, he had already guessed this was a bid for an anonymous hard to track cash flow. Nikolai understood why Fedya would do this, afterall, their town wasn’t a place which could properly allow Fyodor to fully capitalize on his potential. With how insistent Fyodor’s father and by extension the church was for money, Fyodor would never be allowed to build savings for himself. Now, as any friend, Nikolai immediately began supporting Fyodor. The other would never just take his money in person, so Nikolai had created an account unconnected to any of the ones Fyodor knew of and donated money on streams. He’d usually donate whenever Fyodor did something impressive or won in game, he spaced the donations out some as to not draw too much suspicion. Although, he knew Fyodor was starting to catch on.
Once the stream ended Nikolai had donated probably too much money and hadn’t done much for the past few hours. Getting up, he stretched out before texting Fyodor ‘Wanna go out for dinner’ he sent, ‘I have coupons’ ‘Fav place’ he added on once remembering the coupons to their usual fast food place. He began getting ready, pulling on a black crop top and bag camo pants. Fyodor's response soon came through ‘Sure’ Nikolai gave a small smile ‘I’ll come get you soon’ he pulled on a pastel blue jacket with patches of many colors and patterns which he added on. It was cold out tonight as soon winter would be upon them, he slid his phone, wallet, and the coupons into his pocket. Once at the door he slid on his boots, tucking them under his pants. He stepped out into the cold night air with a small sigh, after a swift return inside to take up the lighter and cigarette pack he forgot, he made his way to Fyodor's house.
Next to the church was a semi-extravident building, the wood was painted in pure white with gold trims and beams on the balcony. Pulling out his phone, Nikolai sent Fyodor a message ‘here’ he shoved his phone back into the pocket. Leaning against the wall he waited for Fyodor to come out. After a few moments Fyodor came out bundled up some for the weather, the other was wearing a white overcoat Nikolai had bought him, some black wool pants, black boots with white fur, and a light purple scarf. Nikolai booped the other's nose, “look at you, all bundled up,” he teased. “Shut it…” Fyodor scowled “lets just go” he began walking off, towards the sidewalk. Nikolai swiftly followed along, "don't be so mean Fedya” he chirped, once catching up to Fyodor he took the other's hand. “Noms time” he cheered, dragging Fyodor along, “I swear… I need a cigarette to deal with you at this hour…” he grumbled. Nikolai soon produced the cigarette and lighter for Fyodor. The other took it as he slipped his hand out of Nikolai’s hold. As they continued down the familiar path Nikolai looked up to the stars, occasionally looking over to Fyodor and the smoke coming from the other.
As they neared the restaurant, Nikolai stole the last drag right from Fyodor, he snubbed out the cigarette on an ash tray next to the restaurant and threw the bud away in the trashcan next to it. He gave a small grin to Fyodor as the other rolled his eyes. “Usual?” he opened the door for Fyodor, allowing the other in first. “Of course,” Nikolai trotters past Fyodor to order for them at the counter. For Fyodor he ordered some chicken strips with a honey based sauce, fries, and some soda, he got a chicken sandwich with fries and a vanilla milkshake. With no one else around their order didn’t take long. Soon enough they were relocating themselves to a park. Fyodor sat first, Nikolai sat next to him. “Ya know… tonight's been strangely quiet," Nikolai pointed out as if his silence wasn't the only thing out of place. “You’ve been quite Nikolai, I rarely speak.” Fyodor corrected as he began eating. “Huh, guess I have,” he began eating, the air was… awkward. Usually Nikolai could think of something to talk about, tonight though, not exactly. He hadn’t really done anything today. The most notable event for him today was watching Fyodor's stream. Something he obviously couldn’t bring up.
“Perhaps it’s because you watched my streams and feel guilty for lying to me. You always go quiet when you're guilty.” Fyodor casually mentioned, Nikolai nearly choked on his milkshake. “Damnit Fedya…” he grumbled “I thought I was hiding it well…” he composed himself some as he turned to address Fyodor properly. “How’d you figure it out this time?” he sighed as Fyodor gave him a slightly smug look. “It was easy enough to figure out Nikolai.” Fyodor set his drink down. “Your guilt was evident as was the decrease in your spending habits. Both of which evidently began around the time I received an extremely frugal viewer donating far more than any normal viewer would." He seemed quite satisfied with himself for figuring this out so swiftly as he turned to face Nikolai fully. “Out of everyone in the world, you're the only one who cares for me enough to give me so much.” Nikolai stared at the other for a bit before giving a soft sigh. “Clever…” he mumbled, patting Fyodor on the head gently. “Exactly, now, why exactly are you so insistent on funding me? I refuse to acknowledge any debt over this.” He sternly asserted, refusing to be indebted to Nikolai.
“No no no, I won't hold you to any kind of debt.” Nikolai swiftly tried to mend before attempting to reason “if I wanted you to be in debt to me I wouldn't have given you the money anonymously.” Fyodor gave a small hum, “yet you know me, and you know how I would eventually figure out you were giving me the money. Then you would have me indebted and you with a perfect alibi to sound like a nice person.” Fyodor rebuttaled as he watched Nikolai internally panic.
“Except you're too stupid to come up with that kind of plan,” he flicked Nikolai on the forehead. ‘And Kolya knew he would just ignore the idea of being in debt,’ Fyodor mentally added. Nikolai visibly relaxed for a second before catching up to what Fyodor had said, “wai- hey! I am not dumb!” He insisted before pouting as he rubbed his forehead. “So, since you've figured it out, what now?” He inquired with a small tilt of his head. “Well,” Fyodor began, “since there's no way anyone else is figuring out that you've been giving me money, I'm keeping it.” Nikolai gave a small nod as he relaxed enough to return to his meal. That was what he wanted anyways.
After they finished all of what they planned on eating for dinner Fyodor turned to address Nikolai again. “I must question though, why provide me so much money, and where did you get it from?” He knew Nikolai was likely just working for the local gang kinda group. Although he wanted to hear it directly from Nikolai. “You know by now… but whatever they call themselves group, I'm working for them. Currently just delivering random packages though, I think they deal in a lot of drugs or something. I have decided to give you this money as we both know you have far more potential then I do. If anyone were to break free of this town it would be you with your academics and a bit more funding. The only way I'm making it anywhere is through crime.” He stated, as if it was already a forgone conclusion. Although Fyodor could only reply in a nod, he couldn't exactly disagree with Nikolai.
Checking the time he cursed softly under his breath, “my father will kill me for staying out this late.” It was nearly midnight, “huh, well then… if he's already going to be pissed might as well stay out longer.” Nikolai chirped as he packed up and collected their leftovers. He soon noticed that Fyodor's drink was still mostly full. “Waiting for it to go flat?” he teased “Don't judge me Nikolai,” Fyodor swiftly snapped. Nikolai just snickered as he allowed Fyodor to lead the way this time.
They found themselves in Nikolai's house after a walk which felt much shorter than before. Nikolai placed their leftovers in the fridge as Fyodor shed his layers onto the coat hanger. “Bedroom or living room?” He called out, “bedroom,” Fyodor answered as he ascended the stairs. Nikolai soon followed, flopping down on the bed next to where Fyodor had cozied up under the covers. Pulling up his old laptop Nikolai went straight to a pirating website, everything else he deemed a waste of money. “Wanna watch something?” Fyodor gave a small nod as he nuzzled closer.
As they continued watching Fyodor snuggling closer and closer. “Fedya?” Nikolai wrapped an arm around the other, pulling Fyodor closer. “You're warm…” he excused as he allowed his eyes to drift closed. Nikolai gave an amused snort as he ran his hand through the others' hair. “Suuuurrrrree” he drawled as he turned his attention back to the show. Eventually Nikolai yawned in exhaustion himself. Closing his laptop he set it aside, allowing the darkness and silence of the night wash over him. By now Fyodor had drifted off. Nikolai carefully extracted himself from the other's hold to change and brush his teeth. He contemplated waking Fyodor before settling to just change the other himself.
As he settled back into bed he pulled Fyodor into his arms again. He soon relaxed, drifting off himself as he pulled Fyodor closer. “Night Fedya…” he mumbled before succumbing to his exhaustion.