Chapter Text
Misha does not know many people that live in his apartment complex. He has hardly ever run into anyone in the hallway or talked to a neighbor. Maybe it is a little his fault too, he could have introduced himself when he moved in, which he did not… he is a little too socially awkward for that. So, yes, he does not know many people from his building at all. But what Misha knows is that the wall he shares with the apartment next to him is very thin. That fact worries him a bit, because his neighbor seems to be in an abusive relationship. Misha has only ever seen one person coming out of the apartment and the doorbell only says I. Malinin, so it does look like only one person lives in the apartment. Who knows though? The other person could just come over everydays, because almost daily Misha hears:
“Mysti, Stop that!”
“Mysti, that hurts! Stop”
“Mysti, No!”
“Ouch!”
“Mysti”
If Misha does not hear that, there is the sound of things being knocked over. So, whoever else is in the apartment, he must be hurting the guy that lives there. That really worries Misha a lot. Even if he does not know the guy, he does not want anyone to be hurt.
Misha tolerates those sounds for about a week, before he decides he needs to do something. One or two “Stop that” or “that hurts” could be accidenty, but something like that on the daily is not normal.
He cannot just witness someone being abused and not do anything! He needs to help that I. Malinin. So one day, when Misha has a day off from training and work, he waits behind his door until his neighbor comes out with a trash bag. Misha tears the door open and calls out a: "Wait!”
His neighbor, a very gorgeous looking guy with longish pale hair and glowing skin, not that this does not matter right now, turns around and raises an eyebrow at him. "Yes?” He asks.
"I … I need to talk to you.” Misha says and straightens his shoulders. He should have prepared for what he would say … damn it. He really did not think that through. He is already socially awkward in normal, everyday interactions…
"Okay?” The stranger just says.
"I … uhm …look, I… I have the flat next to you and I hear … I hear a lot of what's going on in your apartment. And I … you should call the police!” Misha blurs out. Okay, maybe that was not the best way to address the issue, but that really did not matter, did it? All that mattered is that Misha is there to help now. Maybe direct confrontation is not there worst idea.
"The police?” The other says and raises an eyebrow.
"Yes! I know that this might be hard for you and maybe you are embarrassed, I get that. You really do not need to be ashamed though, but I … I could hear a lot of what is going and … and obviously someone is hurting you. You … you should really report it to the police. I will serve as a witness.” Misha promises. He tries to sound gentle and careful. Misha takes a step forward and tries to smile.
The other smirks and nods. "Yes, I appreciate your concern, the world needs more people like you, but I am sure the police would not be interested in that case.” The other says
Misha gasps at him and quickly shakes his head. Of course the other would think that, but Misha needs to make sure the other realizes that is not true! "No! No, don’t say that, domestic abuse can happen to anyone and has n-”"Mysti is cat.” The neighbor interrupts.
Misha frowns as the words sink into his head. Then he swallows. "A … a cat?” Misha studders. A cat?! What?
"Yes, Mysti is one of my cat, who has no idea about personal space and who definitely needs a claw trim.” The neighbour says and gives Misha a gorgeous smile. He has perfect teeth and his mouth looks very tempting. Misha can probably think that now that it is clear that his neighbor is not being abused.
"Oh” Misha mouths.
His neighbour smiles at him. "But I appreciate that you are so concerned. Come, I will show you.” He nods over to his apartment and Misha follows him unsure. "I am Ilia by the way.” The other then says.
"Misha.” Misha answers, still quite embarrased. A cat … how could he not realize the other had a cat?
There were never any other sounds but Ilia’s coming from the place… it never sounded like there were two people in the apartment, now that Misha thinks about it.
Ilia lets them both into his flat and as soon as the door is closed, a black cat comes running and moves between Ilia’s legs. "See” Ilia says and smiles. "Mysti is the only one abusing me.” He says and grins. “But really, it is great how concerned you were.” Ilia adds.
Misha leans down to let Mysti smell his hand. Mysti does smell Misha’s hand and when he or she?, Misha is not sure, doesn't do anything, Misha reaches out to pet the cat. That is something Mysti obviously does not like, because he hits Misha with his paw. "Ouch.” Misha says and pulls his hand away, where there is now a red scratch.
"I am sorry.” Ilia says quickly and picks Mysti up. "What did we say about hitting guests?” He asks and raises a perfect eyebrow at the little black furball. Mysti pours and rubs his head against Ilia’s chin. "I hope you don’t want to report him to the police for attempted manslaughter.” Ilia says and winks. So “he” was correct.
"Oh, don’t worry. I could never press charges against such a sweet man.” Misha does not realise what he has said, until Ilia winks at him. Oh damn, who the hell calls a cat ,a man’. That totally sounded wrong. Well, not that Misha would mind going anywhere with Ilia but … uhm … fuck. "I … no. I meant… I mean you are sweet, but I was talking about your cat.” Misha stammers. God, can the floor please open up and swallow him down? He is being such an idiot.
Ilia laughs and asks: "I am your thing, huh?” God, he is confident in a way Misha could never be.
Misha immediately feels how he blushes and his throat goes dry. "No! I mean you look good, but I am not into you or anyting weird!”
"What a shame.” Ilia answers and shrugs his shoulders like he is actually dissappointed.
Misha clears his throat. "I … I just meant I don’t have a … I did not see you before today so I … I mean, you look good! I … God, this is getting awkward.” Misha exclaimes and shakes his head. Okay, he is 21 and he might not have a whole lot of experience with dating and flirting but he certainly has more experience then whatever he is doing right now. He has kissed on a first date before, for heaven’s sake!
"A bit” Ilia agress and grins. "But you are lucky. I like awkward dark haired guys.” He then says.
Misha physically hears himself cringe. Okay, he certainly messed up with Ilia. "Oh. You try to tell me you have a boyfriend, right? Sorry. I will just … I should leave.” Misha says and hurries to the door. Okay, that went completely wrong. Damn it. Okay, he wanted to save Ilia from abuse, that was good, but then he tried to flirt and that totally went wrong and now he most certainly messed up his only chance he probably will ever have with Ilia. Not there ever was an actual chance given that Ilia has a boyfriend and- "You don’t flirt often, do you?” Ilia asks and giggles.
"I … well, define often.” Misha studders. Unless the definition is like “once a year” the answer is probably “no”.
Ilia laughs and shakes his head. "Like ever?” He asks and raises his eyebrows again.
"I … uhm … once or twice.” Misha says awkwardly. He bites his bottom lip and shrugs his shoulders.
"I see. Well, you should not underestimate yourself, because I was trying to flirt with you.” Ilia explains and winks.
"You … you were?” Misha asks in surprise. There is no way Ilia actually likes Misha after that awkward conversation. What exactly in Misha’s weird behaviour or his braces-smile made the others like him?!
Ilia shrugs his shoulders and nods. "Sure.” He says and smiles.
"Oh” Misha makes and blushes even more and deeper. "I … I need to go!” He then says, even though he does not and runs out of Ilia’s apartment back to his own. Oh God, he is being so embarrassing. That certainly is not the way to get Ilia. He should have said something else! But what?
Sure, lets go out?
Can you kiss me?
Do you want to come over later and watch a movie?
Ilia would have probably laughed at him.
When Misha is back in his own flat, he shakes his head. Damn, what did he do?
Ilia is super handsome and attractive and flirting with him and Misha just ran away?
Oh my God. He just messed up his chance with his absolutely gorgeous neighbor. He is such an idiot! After he just ran out of Ilia’s place Misha will certainly never get another chance with him. Misha loudly groans and sinks onto his sofa. Damn it …
///
Well, at least Misha thought he had messed up his chance with Ilia, but maybe he did not. The next morning while Misha is having breakfast someone is scratching at his balcony door. Misha opens it to find Mysti sitting in front of it. He glances over to Ilia’s balcony, which is right beside his; There is no space between the two balconies. Did Mysti climb over the railing?
Misha is about to go over to Ilia’s place and tell him his cat broke out, when he notices a note on Mysti’s collar. Misha bends down and to his surprise, Mysti does not try to scratch him when he takes the note:
Interested in getting to know both neighbours better? I promise one of us will not scratch when you try to touch ;)
Misha blushes and glances over to Ilia’s balcony again. Is … is Ilia serious?
Did he send Mysti over to deliver that message?
Misha decides that he needs to bring Mysti back home anyways no matter if Ilia just tried to ask him out or not. So, he carefully picks him up, climbs over the railing and knocks at Ilia’s balconydoor. Ilia gets up from the sofa he was sitting on and opens the door with a big smile.
"I found your cat.” Misha says awkwardly and nods at Mystin on his arm, as if this is not obvious at all.
"It appears you did.” Ilia says and looks at Misha, like he is waiting for something.
"I am interested.” Misha then blurs out and Ilia grins. Obviously Ilia sent Mystin over on purpose, so there … so Ilia is interested in him, right? And obviously Misha is interested too. Who would not be?
Ilia looks perfect.
Besides, even if Misha misunderstood the situation it could not get more weird and awkward than it already is at least!
"Dinner at my place tonight?” Ilia then asks and smiles.
"Okay” Misha can just say and he smiles back like an idiot.
Ilia smiles at him and leans over to take Mysti and while he does, he places a small kiss on Misha’s cheek. "See you then. Oh and feel welcome to use the front door.” He says.