Archive of Our Own

Coat guy has always been lonely, there isn't much to do about it, he knew it himself that he was unlovable and nothing could change that, the hole in his stomach and coldness that he felt in his bones was a constant and cruel reminder that no one could fully understand him without dying or going crazy (or wanting him dead) so yeah he made peace with the fact he would Forever remain alone.

it was another night like the other, well like the other since the cataclysm started, the sun exploding and the visitor crawling out of the ground, he wonder how true that is considering he is one of those "visitor" but he didn't crawl out of the ground, he had always been on earth living among others but he couldn't really said that, not without getting killed anyway, maybe he is different even from other visitor, his thought got interrupted by the house in front of him, he got kick out from his previous shelf and now he was walking mindlessly around the city not really seaking another place to stay as he was now too far away from the rest of the city but to his surprise there was a house here, apparently someone, probably an hermit, lived here but living so far away from others is a clear sign they didn't like people so what are the chance that he would let him in? Well he could still try, right? Worst case scenario the person inside would kill him and put an end to his suffering, so not too bad.

Coat guy walk on the porch of the house and knock a few times, maybe no one lived here, but then he heard someone's steps coming closer to the door they then stop, should he start talk now?

"H-hello" his voice tremble, a bit from the cold he is feeling, a bit from the uncertainty if someone is there listening or not "Might I find some p-p-peace in your home?"

"Who are you?" the person inside ask, the voice is deep and is clearly a man speaking

"It doesn't m-matter anymore. Are you wondering if I'm a Visitor?" Coat guy ask after that silent, is normal now days to ask certain question, now days no one trust no one. "I'm n-not. But I do have a request." Sergei shiver at the lie, as if that is the curreletion to thr cold. He feels bad about lying but he really can't say he is one. As the thought of reveling his secret pass through his mind his body lose a bit of his coldness but it got fast replaced by the look of disgust and terror it bring people. "I'll ask you later. I'm not sure I can tr-trust you with it yet." He then add. Not sure if he can share his secret with th man behind the door yet.

"The heat doesn't bother you?" the man rightfully ask, during an apocalypse where the sun is exploding and people are dying burning alive it's a normal question to ask

"I'm always c-cold" he admited shivering, it has always been like this, he had always been cold for as long as he remembered. "Others b-b-burn in the sun. I wrap myself in layers and stil feel on the verge of fr-freezing." he said while looking at the ground, he know it's strange, the man on the other side probably think he is a weirdo "I'm scared to t-take any layers off" at this point he was rambeling but no one really listen to him talking about his problem so he take advantage of the situation to just ramble a bit "What if it gets worse? And there's no d-death to ease the suffering?"

"..." the man on the other side stay silent for a bit, he probably scare him off, he would never let him in "Come in" the man then said

Coat guy was surprise for a moment but he quickly recover "Th-Thank you" he quickly reply, pressing his lips into a thin line, the door open and now he can see better the homeowner, he is a man, as expected, with a blue turtle neck sweather and brown hair very short, his eyes are sightly hidden by the shadow that the darkness of the night carry but his eyes look a mix between green and brown, Coat guy walk inside of the house. "Celling is a b-bit low." he mutters, mostly thought at loud, he look over at the homeowner who is basically glaring at him "But it's fine" he quickly added, not wanting to already getting kick out by the only shelter in kilometres, it's already a miracle he let him in, the homeowner doesn't say anything and just led him into a room, when he open the door he notice it's a living room and someone is already inside, it's a man that is sitting on the couch looking at nothing in the specific, his eye darted towards the door when it open, he looks very tall

"Tell him the celling is a bit low" the homeowner mutter to himself as he walk out of the hall closing the door behind him, oh so let him share a room with probably the tallest man he ever meet is just some petty thing because he made a comment about the celling, can't really say anything about it considering the man on the couch is making him feel a bit stupid for complaining about the ceiling, and even a bit short which is unfamiliar considering he is fearly tall.

Coat guy then start to walk towards the coach, keeping his eyes low for avoid the man's eyes following him, he then sit down on the couch like the taller one, putting much space between the two of them in case the other wanted a bit of space, which would be understandable considering that don't know each other

they just stay for in silence for a bit then Coat guy look up and notice the tall man is still looking at him, he quickly look away and he lower his head in his lap and put his hand over his head, not much happend after that and the night is spent in silence and at some point he falls asleep shivering and his teeth chattering.

The next mornings Coat guy wake up with the worst backache of his life, he slowly sit up regretting falling asleep in that position, he look over the man beside him, noticing he is still asleep, his eyes shut and head hung low while he still sitting, he probably would have a stiff neck when he wake up, but is this or Death so I guess he can tollerate it

after a bit the man is awake and back at staring at nothing, it feels kinda awkward in the since.

"If only there was a little w-warmth…" he whisper to himself while keeping his arms cross and in that moment the homeowner come inside… he really can't stop embarrassing himself

"I need to test you" the man said, oh right, the news are realising presumably sign that means you are a visitor

"What do you want to ch-check?" Coat guy responded, if that's what it takes to stay in someone's house I guess he could do that

the homeowner seems to think for a moment about it "Teeth" he then said, so he wants him to show him his teeth, he could do that

"Mm, t-t-teeth?" Coat guy echod "Sure. T-Take a look" he said the raising his hands to use his fingers for gripping the edges of his lips and open wide to show his pearly white teeth and bleeding gums "I bite my lips until they b-bleed sometiems… Just to feel the warmth of my own blood" he admitted, not really proud of it but it's the truth "A reminder that I'm s-still alive" he then added as an explanation

the man stayed silence for a moment, then he take out his gunshot

Coat guy doesn't flinch "P-Perhaps soon I won't remember…" he just mutter, he id quite indifferent to Death, he isn't scared of Death, maybe getting shot wouldn't be a painful death, or at least he could hope so, maybe if he die the endless torture of his coldness and loneliness would finally stop and let him finally find peace

while the homeowner was still debating if let him live or not he tall man on the coach spoke up "Let that man alone" he said looking at the homeowner who has turn his head to look at him as Coat guy did the same "Pearly white teeth? that seems a pretty human traits to me" he added glaring at the man with the gunshot like he is pointing it at him "What if someone just got them white at the dentist? Will you kill them for that? Are you seriously gonna kill someone just because their teeth are white?" he then asks him, that seems to make homeowner stop and think about it for a moment "..." the room fall into silence "You know what, just do what you want, it's your house not mine" he then ended with, the homeowner then put away his shogun

Coat guy then look at the man in the blue sweather "Th-Thank you for trusting me" he said looking down at the floor, not sure at who he is talking to, if at the tall man or at the homeowner. "I hope I can be of s-some use to you" he then added looking at the homeowner this time, and then the conversation end, Coat guy sit back on the couch as the man walk out of the room to do his own things.

He look at the man sit besides him who is still looking at the nothing "..." he remain in silent for a moment, not sure if he should thank him or not, but then he decided "Th-Thank you for… helping me there, he would have pr-probably kill me if you didn't speak up" he said softly, as if not sure if he should tell him or not.

The tall man look down at him, his face still serious and uninterested as always "No worries, my good man, I just hate violence… and those  presumably sign that are supposed to mean you are a visitor" he said, 'my good man' that is a... friendly adress, he try not to think about it too much

"How d-did you even know I had pearly white t-t-teeth?" Coat guy asked, he hadn't even speak to him Yesterday night

"I heard from the walls, his TV is pretty loud plus he ask me to show him my teeth the morning I arrived here" the tall man explain, it makes sense, the homeowner test everyone who enter to make sure no one is a visitor, understandable, he just doesn't want to die

"You seem to hate the sign they are giving"

"It's because they don't make sense, the most recent sig is red eye, what if someone had cried or not sleep because a loved one had die by the hands of the one they getting accused of being?" The tall man said, well that was...poetic. "How many humans have fallen by the hands of other humans just because one of the signs corresponded to the one announced?" he ask, but it was a rhetorical question rather than an actual question

"I even wonder how many visitor didn't get kill just because the sign they checked didn't corresponded to the one announced" Coat guy mutter to himself as he look down, he was talking about himself but when he look up he notice the other man was looking at him with his eyes wide, fuck, did he give it away? Did he know he just defended an assassin? "I- I'm s-sorry I-" he stummer a bit from the cold a bit from fear

"No, no, it's okay, you are right, I guess just I prefer to think about the innocent who got blame for nothing while you apparently prefer to think about the monsters who didn't get punish, it's fair and it's your way of think and no one should make you feel like it's wrong" the tall man almost hurry to say, not wanting to make feel the other like he said something wrong just because he express his opinion

Coat guy felt… strange at that, it's rare not feeling judged by someone else just because you have a different opinion and now days not everyone felt like expressing themselves out loud while the tall man seems to be very loud and clear about his opinion, not feeling judge feels… good

"Th-Thank you"

"Don't thank me for the bare minimum" the man almost immediately responded with. "What's with the coat on anyway?" he then asked, expected question especially by someone who is wearing shorts and a button up shirt that seems very light

"I'm c-cold, I know i-it's strange as the s-sun is exploding but I can't help it" Coat guy admitted, not everyone let him rumble about this "I had always been c-cold, even be-before the cataclysm"

"Medical condition?" the other man asked, Coat guy looked at him as his eyes widen slightly. "Like, I don't know, anemia, diabetes, PAD?" he specify after noticing the look Coat guy was giving him

Coat guy just look down "N-no, not of those, no idea on wh-what is it" he admitted. "D-Doctors didn't find anything no matters how many times t-they ch-check" he added, feeling the shivering and cold getting worse than before

"What the fuck, how is that even possible?" The tall man asked obviously confused

"I d-don't know" coat guy responded, he is just as confused as he the other, he had cry many times when he was younger about this, it was just frustrating because nothing worked and he felt hopeless and just discourage, what are you supposed to do if no one had idea on what is going on with your body? "You seem informed about medical stuff, why?" Coat guy asked, not wanting to think too much about his situation or he will get even more frustrated

"No reason, I just needed to be informed on stuff for various reason" the man responded very vaguely, he decided to adress the elephant in the room

"Is…" he clear his throat, not complitely sure how to adress it or even if he should, is it rude if say something like that to someone you just meet? The tall man didn't seem to worry about that when he asked so maybe he shouldn't either, "I-Is the reason why you are so tall? Is it caused by a medical condition" he asked trying to not sound mean or like he was entitled to give him a response

"Yes, diagnosed when I was a kid after my mother notice I was tall like a middle schooler while I was the first year of elementary" he said looking at the wall in front of him. "Got diagnosed with gigantism, it was caused by a tumor but it isn't malignant, so my mother didn't do much about it, even because we didn't have money." the man admitted, looking at the other now "Not that that would had change something." He the mutter looking away

"Not caring parents?" He asked, feeling strange sense of belonging at that.

"You could say that, I guess you could" he says briefly, still not looking at him, Coat guy at that shift slightly closer to him on the couch

"I g-get that ac-actually, at first my parents d-didn't even take me seriously, o-only after mo-months o-of be-begging they make me see a doctor who confirmed there was s-s-something wrong about me b-b-but had-had no idea on what that was, o-only then they st-started to worry about me, but after a b-bit they got t-ti-tired of listening to me c-complain and start to tell me to just s-s-suck it up or man up" Coat guy admitted, shivering and stuttering violently, god it was actually getting worst.

"They should have suck something else" The tall man mutter, mosty to himself, it probably wasn't even suppose to came out but it did and it made the cold man chuckle a bit. "How are you able to not worry about your own flesh and blood? I always heard that parents care about their children like no one else but I never seen that in real life, so or we both have horrible parents or everyone had just lie." The man said, he sounded a bit mad, probably towards their parents who were just terrible at doing what they were supposed to do.

"P-Probably both, I'm sure so-some parents c-care deeply for their children, o-o-or at least I ho-hope so." Coat guy confess, the other man finally look at him again. "W-What is yo-your name?" he asked, trying to make the conversation a bit lighter

"Yesenin" Yesenin said

Coat guy slightly smiled "It fi-fits you" he whisper, not sure if he would take it as a compliment (it is) or not

"How about you? What is your name?" Yesenin asked

"Se-Sergei" Coat guy responded with, his actual name was Eugene but he change it when he turned 18 years old, he hate it with all his heart, eve for family reason

"Well it doesn't fit you" Yesenin mutter, looking away for a moment.

"Hey" Sergei says offended

"I'm joking, calm down" He say smiling as he look at him again. "I think it's a beautiful name" the tall man admitted, making Sergei feel slightly proud and appreciated, many family members have judge him badly for changing his name

"Th-Thank you" Sergei whispers happily
After that Sergei sink into the couch, there was silence after that and Sergei relaized how much they both shared to the other without even knowing each other name for the majority of time, he doesn't know why he did it, it just felt right to do so, he felt strangely comfortable with Yesenin.

That night Sergei felt colder than usual, he was literally shaking so bad he looks like he was moving on his own and his teeth were chattering so much he felt his own teeth hurting, it was one of those bad nights were the cold was basically unbearable
Sergei shut his eyes close and hug himself in a pathetic attempt to feel less cold, he is so cold he feel physical body pain, he then reopen his eyes and notice Yesenin is sleeping, what if he just like... shuffle closer and lean a bit against him, not for long! Just for a bit until he felt less cold, it wouldn't harm anyone, right?

Honestly Sergei didn't even care if that was wrong, he is too cold to think straight, so he jus shuffle closer to Yesenin, feeling the body heat radiating from him, which was already better than before, and then he just rest his head on the other's shoulder and the moment he did that he felt... warm, like real and actual warm that didn't have any pain underneath, so people just feel this naturally? that isn't possible, it just wouldn't be fair, Sergei nuzzle slightly against Yesenin shoulder as he curled up on his side, trying to get as much as heat as possible, he would miss this when he will go back on his side of the couch but for now he just wanted to enjoy the moment, he close his eyes, doing it just because he wanted to for once and not because the cold was unbearable, he would just stay like this for a bit
but not even a minute after Sergei was asleep.
_________

The loud sound of a gun shooting jolts Sergei awake, his eyes snap open as he look around the room that was still pretty unfamiliar, thankfully the sound didn't seem come from the room he was currently in, probably the homeowner find one of the guess trait matching one of the signs given to him by the television to recognize visitor and, well he can guess what happened, thankfully he wasn't the one getting recognize, but he wondered how much it would take the homeowner to find out, after the initial shock and fear wash away he notice his back didn't hurt, probably from the fact he didn't sleep with his head on his knees but with his back against something, which take him to the next thing he notice, he wasn't that cold anymore, he was still cold but his back seems to have find a source of warmth, Sergei then remember what happen yesterday night, his eyes widen as he realizes that he had fallen asleep on the man he share a room with and will share a room for God knows how long still, he look back to where the other man was sit, praying he was still somehow asleep, even if it's unlikely considering the bang was very loud and not too distant.

As expected, Yesenin is awake and look like someone who had been for a very long time even, he was looking at the door probably becaused he heard the sound too, Sergei immediately separate himself from the other and basically jump to sit on the couch with his back against it, he immediately felt the icy cold settle back in and a part of him regretted moving but then he remembers he was leaning against someone who he barley know.
He look up to see the tall man who had stop to look at the door and is now looking at Sergei with his usual unbothered expression through his eyes were slightly widen before they come back to normal

"You wake up" Yesenin noted "Morning" he spoke with complete calm, he obviously see and probably felt how Sergei was sit and where but still he didn't seem to care

"I-I'm sorry for falling asleep against you." Sergei hurry to apologise. "I d-didn't mean to do it, I don't e-even know I ended up leaning o-on you. I-I guess I just lean towards something w-warm but it wasn't on p-purpose" he stammered, that is a lie, he personally lean on him yesterday because he was too cold but he didn't mean to sleep

"Calm down, my good man" Yesenin retorted and at that Sergei shut up, even if he didn't calm down is the slightest. "It's not a big deal, don't make it bigger than it is." He add, going back to look at the door, at that Sergei's nerve slightly relax as the other didn't seem to care and even said so and for what he gather from yesterday he looks like someone who doesn't trouble himself to speak his mind which is a good thing for someone as anxious as him as he don't need to worry about someone not saying what disturb them because they want to be nice.

Sergei then look at the door too, remembering what wake him up, he wondered who got killed, he wondered if it was someone was human or someone whp actually deserved to be killed, like him; he look at the tall man besides him

"Yesenin" He call out making the other look down at him again "Did you know who got s-shot by any chance?" He ask while shivering, not really expecting him to know but it was worth ask

The tall man look somewhere else, not something specific, more like just letting his eyes over around without actually settling on something, "I have a vague idea" Yesenin start with "The homeowner came in earlier, when you were still sleeping, to talk to me about this one guest that talk about some strange shit like cannibalism and her baby killing others, he ask me if he should just shoot her or if I thought she was just saying that stuff from hysteria" He pause for a moment, Sergei feel his already freezing body going even more cold, he knows who he is talking about, he had meet her and she apparently didn't care to even try to act human, he wonder if she told the homeowner something about him. "he probably just wanted to hear my thoughts, specially considering he probably shoot her anyway." He then add

Sergei look down for a moment, he felt shiver crept down his spine and not only for the cold, did Yesenin told him to keep her alive? He look up again "D-did you told him to not shoot her?" Sergei asked, he doesn't know if he wants to scream at him to start to be more weary of other, if the homeowner had listen to him he would kept another visitor in the house, but a part of him wants to know why, why he keep finding excuses even in the most extreme cases.

Yesenin didn't responded for a second, he just look at nothing then sigh "It isn't like I defend her, but I did not even condemn her" he didn't share too much about his mind which is strange considering this is Yesenin, something is not right

"W-Why?" Sergei ask, trying to make the man talk

Yesenin didn't respond immediately "I guess I just don't see the difference between human and visitor if the latter didn't take someone else's life and I don't see the difference between a human and a visitor who both take someone else's life, maybe my mind is fuck up but I just don't see the difference. Of course I heard about the pale one who seem more powerful than human and a whole group of FEMA's agents, but I'm mot talking about those visitor. Not the one who purposely hurt and kills other as if they aren't taking away human's life like they don't have an entire story behind and loved ones. I'm talking about the one who looks exactly like you and me. Like any other human and don't have unhuman strength, the one you need to test just to see the difference" He explains, seeing how Yesenin mind work, this shouldn't be much of a surprise but it is actually, maybe he just never thought of it in this way.

Sergei thought about it, he look down at the floor "I-I gu-guess... I never s-saw it this way." He said, but still that mean Sergei is the range of Visitors who should be killed, the hole in his stomach isn't very human, but maybe Yesenin would understand, maybe if he show him himself he wouldn't be creep out or terrorize, maybe he would understand, maybe he would understand the coldness that sink in his bones always more, maybe... No, he can't show him, he just can't he-

"Sergei?" Yesenin call out as a warm hand land on his shoulder, even through the may layers of clothes he still feel the warm that Yesenin's hand radiate, Sergei turn his head to look up fast, so fast he heard his bone doing a horrible crack sound, Yesenin retract his hand immediately at that harsh movement. He immediately miss the warmth "I apologize, you just weren't responding so-"

"No w-wait" Sergei exclaims while trying to stop the other to move his hand away by reaching with his own hands before shutting his mouth and almost instantly back away, God why does he keep embarrassing himself? Why does he have to act on impulse instead of thinking about it twice before doing stupid stuff?

Yesenin look at him frowning slightly "You know that if you are this cold you can lean on me." He stated, resting his hand on his shoulder again, he was too nice sometimes, he open his mouth to say something but the tall man cut him off before he could even start. "What the hell happened to your hands?" He asked, Sergei only now realize that he never take out his hands for too long, only when he needed to show his teeth to the homeowner and when he put them on his head, the rest of the time they were hidden in his coat in an attempt to keep them warm
Sergei look at his hand, remembering his nails that were completely removed and now only remain a bloody mess, Yesenin's other hand over under the other's hand, not touching it but it was enough close for Sergei to feel the warm that it radiated.

The taller man then sigh, he retrieve both of his hands and it took a whole of Sergei's will power to not lean towards them

"Just, stay here, I'm going to ask the homeowner if he has some bandages" Yesenin spoke while getting up, Sergei wanted to tell him there was no need but he then spoke again "You need bandages" he insisted seeing Sergei ready to argue with that, he then remembers he was talking with probably the most stubborn man he ever meet and just lean against the couch without saying anything and Yesenin seem satisfied with that

He then walk out of the door while Sergei just realized how tall he is, he almost touch the celling, he ever realized that as Yesenin is always sit down.

A thing Sergei has just notice is that... he doesn't feel that cold, he still feels very cold but less than usual, uh he wonder if there is a reason behind it, he bring his knees to his chest while thinking about the elephant in the room he has tried to ignore: he hadn't kill Yesenin, there had already been more than two of... them in the house but he hadn't done anything to kill him, he didn't even try, and okay he doesn't need to kill to survive but he should kill, that's a visitor point, that's what human are scared of them, but Yesenin's words had stuck with him "there is no difference between a human and a visitor if the latter didn't kill anyone", was that true? if Sergei never kills anyone would that made him a human? Or maybe he is just not able to kill him because he is getting attached to him-

The moment Sergei thought of that Yesenin walk back into the room with bandages and something else he wasn't able to see as the tall man is already showing the cold man his back while closing the door with his elbow, when he turn around the coat man notice he has a blanket in the other hand and when he is closer enough to the couch he literally drop it on Sergei, making the man grumble
the blanket is heavy and warm which should technically help Sergei but, like all the other layers, it didn't, still he wrap it around himself is a bit of hope it would help

"The homeowner give me that" Yesenin specify as he sit down on the couch "Told me to give it to you, I know it wouldn't work but try doesn't harm anyone" He then added, well it is at least kind from the homeowner to care about his guest.

He was going to respond but then Yesenin spoke again "Now, show me your hands again" He was looking directly at Sergei who has almost forgot why the tall man leave the room "Please." The man then begged, is it begging if someone just say 'please'? Well it doesn't matter that much as Sergei immediately show him his hands after he asked, then he remembers why the other had gone out of the room.

Yesenin then brush his palm with the other as one of his hand rest underneath Sergei's hand without actually touching it, his other hand the start to wrap the bandages around his bloody fingers, he is being strangely kind and attentive for someone who seemly very harsh, at least when he spoke he is harsh, but at the moment he is tending his wounds gently, slowly wrapping every bandages around each one of his fingernails, when he finish with one he goes to the next one, Sergei then became a bit too self aware of how much close they are, their hands are brushing each other constantly which almost feel more intimate than just touching, they are facing each other while setting near each other on he couch, he has both knees on ih chest while the tall man has one knee facing the wall and the other on the couch almost touching the cold man, Sergei decided to stop looking at their hands and move his eyes to look at Yesenin's face, he is concentrated in the others hands and completely miss the other's stare, the other's blue eyes are narrow and he realize how much even their faces are close, not too much thankfully, but still pretty close and he can't help but stares at him.

After a bit Yesenin look up after finishing to tending his hands "Done." He just spoke before noticing Sergei was and is still, staring at him "Were you staring at me the whole time I was caring about your hands?" The tall man asked, raising an eyebrow as the other's black eyes widen and move to look elsewhere

"I-I'm s-sorry, I didn't mean to stare" Sergei hurried to respond with, he didn't mean to stare that much, he didn't even know why he was staring, the other man then let out something similar to a laugh

"Don't worry my good man" Yesenin just reassure "Now, talking about more important things, how are your hands?" He asked, when Sergei look down he see his fingernails cover in bandages that were already start to stain from the blood, they were neatly wrap and it actually felt a bit better

"Feels less weird, so I guess that's an improvement" Sergei comment. "Thanks" He then whisper

"Everything is an improvement in your situation my good man, you were bleeding"

Sergei can't deny that, everything is better than how they were before, so he doesn't respond to that also because he is a bit busy noticing how Yesenin hasn't move his hands yet, one of his hand is still underneath his while the other is now resting on top of both of his hands, Yesenin's hands are warm against his, very warm or he is just very cold, probably both, but he warmth doesn't stop on his hands, right now and in general when the tall man is around he feels a sense of warm through all his body, especially now.

When Yesenin notice it too he almost immediately retract his hands and looking away from the other, leaving Sergei ache from the warmth just lost but his mind then go back to this morning when the taller man told him he could relay on him when he is too cold

"Yesenin" Sergei call out quietly making him look at him again. "C-could I... uh, may I lean on you? It's starting to get a bit too cold" he basically mutter, ironically he didn't even feel that much cold, while looking directly into the other's eyes in an attempt to understand their emotion.

Yesenin's eyes show a bit of surprise at first then they seem to relax. "Sure, I don't mind" He just responded, but the answer was more than enough for Sergei to lean over and rest his forehead on the other shoulder

Yesenin slightly freeze for a moment and panic surge into the cold man but it didn't last long as the tall man then slightly shift to face the other man better and bring him a bit closer, making him curl up against him, he rest his temple on his shoulder, his knees to his chest, his shoulder still having the blanket around them and his side were as close as possible to the rest of the other's body.

Sergei could only explain the feelings with saying it is like feeling human for the first time after passing your entire life like a walking corpse, it was just... good, it was like being alive
"Better?" Yesenin just asked

"E-Everything is an improvement in m-my situation my good man" Sergei responded using the other's own words and he immediately notice as the tall man look down at the coat man who look up to meet his eyes with a slight smile on his lips

"Why- Have you just repeat my exact words from before, my good man?" Yesenin asked with his eyebrow furrow and his lips curving slightly

"M-Maybe"
"Why?" Yesenin asked confused, Sergei, instead of telling him he just did it to fuck with him, just nuzzle against his shoulder and close his eyes. "You are not getting out of the conversation so easily, I know you are awake" the tall man point out and Sergei know that very well, he knows Yesenin isn't that stupid

"I'm tired." He lied "I just want to fall asleep while feeling warm, can't I?" Sergei then addres looking up, immediately knowing the other man isn't beliving that

"I know you are lying, but you are lucky I do not really feeling confrontational tonight so I'm just gonna let it go" Yesenin responded.

"lucky me" Sergei joked as Yesenin slightly huff, the smile is so obviously on his face the coat man basically hear it.

"Shut up and go back to fake being tired." Yesenin chuckled as Sergei smiled a bit more and close his eyes.
Sergei could feel the other heartbeat that is going fast as every heart but the sound is comforting, comforting enough Sergei actualy feels sleepy and soon after he is sleeping and probably feeling safer than ever.
_______________

When Sergei wake up is already night and when he looks up he notice Yesenin is still awake, how is he always already awake when he wake up? Does he even sleep at this point

"Good morning- well more like good night," Sergei say as he start to lift his head from the man's shoulder as he look down noticing the other wake up

"Good night." Yesenin echoed "It is still feel strange saying so." The taller man the added, Sergei agreed to that, he still isn't used to that.
There were a few seconds of silence that are much needed to Sergei to wake up completely, Yesenin didn't say anything in those moments almost as if he already knew the coat man need a bit before having a conversation after waking up.

When those moments pass and he feel able to have a conversation he speak his question

"N-Now that I think about it, d-do you ever sleep? E-Every time I wa-wake up you l-look like you have been awake for hours." Sergei asked as he wrap his arms around his chest still feeling a bit the cold.

"I'm just a light sleeper, I wake up easily, so when the homeowner move I wake up as his walls are made of shit probably." Yesenin explain "I'm only not a light sleeper when I'm drunk, though there is probably because I pass out" he then added, drunk Yesenin is something Sergei absolutely wants to see now

"You s-sound like you have experience that a lot" Sergei joked

"I did actually" Yesenin confess and the other's eyes slightly widen

"Y-You did?" Sergei asked, not knowing that Yesenin is actually an alcoholic

"My good man, my previous shelter was a bar. I saw more the barista of that bar than my parents in the last 5 years, maybe even more. Did I seriously never told you this?" Yesenin asked, they had talked about deep stuff but they never share basic stuff like this?

"N-No, we had discussed about various things but never about our previous shelter or our life when the cataclysm started" Sergei explain, which from an outside prospective it sounds... strange. "I gu-guess we both aren't the type of men that made small talks" He joked, thougt it was kinda true for him, Sergei wasn't and still isn't a type to do small talk, mostly because he doesn't talk

"Yeah, I usually don't do small talk" Yesenin answer sincerely, well that make two of them

"So y-your previous sh-shelter was a bar? Why a-are you here then?" Sergei ask, making the conversation going back on track while resting the side of his head on the couch

"They kick me out. Guess not everyone there found my personality particularly... palatable" Yesenin explain and Sergei found that a bit hard to believe considering he feels more comfortable around him than with the majority of people. "But as I think about it, maybe it's a good thing they tossed me out. They could have eaten me alive back there and no one would have fucking noticed" he grumble, almost like he didn't meant to say it out loud.

"..." Sergei don't say anything for a moment and just keep looking at Yesenin. "I found your personality delicious." Sergei blarted out before he could think about what he was saying and when he realize what he just say he look away and sit outright. "I-I mean, you are to-tolerable, b-but I can see why people don't." He immediately says looking elsewhere, faking a casual tone.

Yesenin didn't say anything for a moment making Sergei worry "Thank you, my good man." He then spoke, Sergei look at the other man again, his face slightly soften making coat guy's heart beat a bit faster. "I found your personality pleasing too" He then compliment him, making Sergei smile slightly, they then stare a moment into each other's eyes, but very aware pf how close they are to each other. Yesenin then take a big breath and shift in his place breaking the eyes contact "So, what about you? Why are you here and where were you before?" Yesenin ask, trying to keep things light

Sergei's eyes slightly widen, he doesn't like to speak about himself but he can keep things vague. "I u-used to go ho-house to house, didn't re-really have a p-place where I stop for more than th-three days." Sergei admit, trying to keep the eye contact with Yesenin and failing as he look elsewhere. "P-People didn't really find my lonliniess and coldness... W-Well, human, s-so they ended up kicking me out" he then ended with, not going too much into details.

Yesenin seems... annoyed? Did Sergei said something to upset him? "I don't believe it. I can't believe someone would throw you out just because you are cold" Yesenin sneered, he doesn't seem angry at him, more like angry at the one who throw him out, and Sergei thought about something: why not show him his secret? He has trust this man more than the majority of the people he know and he seem more inclined to accept than anyone else, so why not show him... but what if he start to hate him, what if he start ti think he is disgusting, what if- No, Yesenin would never, he show other people his secret for much less

Sergei take a big breath "W-Well there is another rea-" He started to then got cut off by the sound of the door opening
the homeowner open the door and don't even look at the two guests as he let the new guest in and they both soon understand why, the guest is a tall woman with hair in a bun, a black top and a skirt, okay let's address the elephant in the room: she is clearly a visitor, Sergei knows that not only because he is a visitor himself but because... come on, her libs are too long and skinny for any human and her face is just wrong, and he even know who she is, of course, both the pale visitor and the prophet won't shut up about her; Sergei look at Yesenin who look at the cat lady with wide eyes and then back at Sergei almost to make sure the heat and the apocalypse isn't make him go crazy and Sergei just furrow his eyebrow as he look back at him in shock, not much because the homeowner let a visitor in, gods know he did that many times, but because usually the visitor he let in aren't THAT obvious, is the homeowner really that blind?

Yesenin the lean closer to Sergei putting a hand on his shoulder and his lips inch closer to his ears, cutting of his stream of thoughts or any thoughts he has for a good two seconds, then he started talking making him get a grip on himself

"Do you remember what I said this morning about visitors with unhuman abilities and stuff?" Yesenin asked and Sergei nodded back. "She is one of them." He then added and Sergei can't really blame him.

Later that night Yesenin is sleeping while Sergei is leaning against him not being able to sleep for obvious reason, he will not lie, he is terrorize about what the cat lady might do, usually other visitor are in other room and visitors are more likely to kill human who are alone in a room or the one in their room, and for that Sergei never really care about if visitor get insidie because, with all the respect but, he couldn't give a flying fuck about the other guest here but he does care about Yesenin and if the cat lady is here that means that the man's life is at risk.

Almost as if reading his thoughts, the ballerina start to move and walking toward the sleeping man and Sergei immediately sat straight and glare at the woman who stare back
The silence stretch between the visitors for a bit until Sergei doesn't break it

"No" Sergei simply stated with a flat voice, his eyes wide and for once the cold doesn't make him stutter

"Yes" The ballerina replay with "He human. We visitor" She then added as if that make perfectly sense

"No" Sergei basically hissed, "You can go kill everyone you want, even the goddamn houseowner for how much i care, but not him" He was surprise himself about how much his voice was steady even though his teeth were chattering, while his eyes narrow

"The pale visitor wouldn't like me kill the homeowner" She replay looking away

"I don't care, go kill someone else then, I don't care who or in which room, he is not an option" Sergei snapped, not backing down, he had always back down to not create too much of a conflict but he isn't backing down on this shit

"..." The cat lady remain there for a moment, not talking as he look at Sergei "Why you protect him?" She asked "He should dead by now" She then added making Sergei flinch, this is the question he is asking himself since he got there, the first night another visitor kill so he couldn't, plus he pass out almost immediately and after that morning he got too attached to him to kill him

"That is none of your business, I have my reason that doesn't involve you, now go and kill or whatever" Sergei sneered, it was basically a demand and even if the cat lady isn't one to listen to the others she decided to listen to this one as she didn't want to risk waking up the homeowner or any other guest for that matter, Yesenin wasn't that much worth to her, in her eyes he was just another human so she just let go and walk out of the room to go kill someone else

Sergei then look up at the man that was still thankfully sleeping and he just... stare for a good fifteen minutes, he is a bit creepy, enough creepy that the cat lady after returning to the room started shooting him dirty look but he doesn't care, he wants to make sure Yesenin is sleeping and hasn't heard a word of what he and the cat lady talked

After almost half on a hour of just staring Sergei is sure the man is sleeping and go back to lean against him and look at nothing specifically but then he look at the ballerina who is still looking at him with her eyebrows furrow

"What was the staring much for?" The cat lady asked and Sergei remain unimpressed about it

"Just to make sure he didn't heard what we said" He simply responded with, Yesenin mentioned he is a light sleeper but that doesn't seem the case as he didn't wake up, a part of him knows he actually just wanted to look at him but he would never say that out loud

The cat lady then shrug and keep looking forwards like before, while Sergei remain awake all night just to make sure Yesenin remain unharmed, he saved his life once so he should at least do the same.
__________________

The Next morning Sergei notice that Yesenin didn't lie, he actually wake up when the homeowner did, he hear the armed man shuffling as he turn the TV on and almost as the time Yesenin wake up, he could admit the TV is hearable but is not as loud as he and the cat lady were last night... Okay this out of context sound so bad but you get what I mean.

Sergei look up as the taller man slightly shift as he wake up "Morning" He whisper as the taller one look down noticing the other is already awake

"Morning" Yesenin whisper back. "Fancy seeing you already awake. Just yesterday you were saying that I always wake up before you" The tall man point out

The other smile at that "W-Well at least now I know you were sa-saying the truth, you do really wake up the moment the homeowner turn the TV on" Sergei joked "But you a-are wrong, I didn't wake up be-before you, I didn't sleep last night" He then explain

Yesenin slightly frown at that "Why is that?" He asked. Sergei didn't say anything but his head motion toward the cat lady who was ignoring them, Yesenin follow the motion with his eyes and he looks to understand immediately, it wasn't a lie, he really didn't sleep because of the cat lady, just not in the way Yesenin think. "I understand, but you shouldn't have worried so much my good man, if one of the visitor wanted to kill us he would, no matter if we are awake or asleep. If you are sleeping at least you would die peacefully." He explain, which made sense if you think that Sergei is a human, god he feel so bad for lying to him, he wants to tell him but... he is sacred what if-

He is not able to think too much as the homeowner open the door and get in, Sergei then sit straight up and so did Yesenin as the a with the shotgun walk directly to the ballerina

"Kitty is here. What more than you need?" The cat lady asked as she notice the homeowner walking closer to her, she said it almost like she know he let her in only for the cat. Actually she probably knows that as she admitted to know the prophet man.

"I need to test you" The homeowner says almost cutting her off

"You test me? Ha, yes. Be sure of... something" The ballerina smile wider

"Hands" The homeowner just commended, and the ballerina does so, her hands slide into the view of the man, he hands are full of red scratches, her fingers are long and her skin is rough but her fingernails don't look too much dirty

"Kitty..." She sight. "He insist kitty is alive. ...Lucky Kitty." She explain, probably referring to the prophet man. "It makes large pain in hand... and ass." She then concluded with. The homeowner then pull out the gun "You want the red blood?" She asked smiling wider. "Me too." She responded to herself, "Non for poor me. ...Yet" she said and then her next words get cut off by the homeowner shooting her without letting her get another word out.

Sergei watch it calmly, it surprise himself how much he didn't react to it while Yesenin seems to slightly flinch when the homeowner shoot.

"Why let her in if you were already so sure she was a visitor?" Yesenin question the homeowner that turn his head around to look at the tall man in the face foe the first time since yesterday night

"Ehm... it's hard to explain" The blue sweater man say looking away and in that moment the meowing of a cat came from the hallway, cat that wasn't surly there yesterday

Yesenin look at the homeowner with wide eyes. "My good man... You let a visitor in. Risking the life of the other guest for... a cat?" He asked, slowly letting every word out as if trying to understand that himself

The homeowner look a bit uncomfortable. "In my defense: a prophet told me to let the cat in and to do what I wanted with the owner" He explain but the explanation seems to only anger Yesenin more.

"Oh, you mean the 'he' she keeps mentioning?" He question him

"...Yes"

"So you trust the word of a man who clearly knows her just because he is a prophet? What if he just told you that to make you let her in and hope you wouldn't kill her?" Yesenin rightful ask, there are many people who are trusting the homeowner by staying in his house and hope he wouldn't let visitor in so his annoyance is understandable.

"Yes, that is a possibility but at least now i got a cat" The homeowner seems to not care much about it, the cat then get inside and the man picks it up. "Look at it" He said as if the body of it's previous owner is not literally besides him.

Yesenin look at the cat then at the homeowner "... That is an ugly ass cat" He bluntly mumble, that make Sergei slightly smile.

"I think it's cute" Sergei spoke

"My good man, you even think it's cold. I'm starting to think you only lie." Yesenin responded

"I had to agree it is a bit ugly but that doesn't mean I'm gonna let it die" The homeowner agree, that doesn't explain why he blindly trusted a man who know a visitor. "And just because someone say something you disagree with that doesn't mean they are forcefully lie." He then added looking at Yesenin who raise an eyebrow

"You are telling me this?" He asked, which is fair, Yesenin is probably the last person who you would need to tell this. "Also, just because you see something on TV that doesn't mean it is the truth" Yesenin then bite back clearly referring to the visitor signs the homeowner trust.

"We aren't talking about me" The homeowner responded leading to a back and forth between Yesenin and the homeowner.
Sergei watch the entire thing with his arm crossed and slightly smiling, he almost doesn't believe they didn't know each other before the apocalypse by how they are acting but he isn't gonna say anything mostly because this is very entertaining to watch.

When they stop bickering and the homeowner get out of the room Sergei spoke up "Well that was fun to watch" He joke smiling as Yesenin huff at that

"Do you spend your time enjoining men bickering like children?" Yesenin jokes while smiling and Sergei shift closer

"Of course, how do you think I spend my time doing? Alse, you sure you two didn't knew each other before the cataclysm? You seems pretty comfortable by calling out on what he does and not expecting consequences" He added tilting his head slightly

"It isn't like I don't expect consequences. I got kick out of my previous shelter because I complain. I know that if he wants he could. I just don't care enough to shut up, I would prefer die by speaking up than living by staying in silence." Yesenin admitted, Sergei could admit it is pretty admirable that way of thinking but that doesn't stop him from wanting to rip off Yesenin's tongue at the thought that would get him killed. "Also, I think he know he what he was getting into the moment he told me to come in. He know I'm not scared to speak up and I think he just accept that." He the address.

Well he doesn't know the homeowner but he look much affected by Yesenin's critics so or he doesn't care or he just is used to Yesenin call him out, both are pretty reassuring for Sergei.

"Or maybe he is already tired of arguing with you." Sergei proposed, not completely serios.

"Possible." Yesenin agree. "But now that I think about it. You can't really talk about me and the homeowner considering you are even more comfortable with me than me and him." Yesenin noted making Sergei's eyebrow furrow slightly.

"That's not true. I'm not that comfortable with you" Sergei responded looking up at the taller man, he can admit he is pretty comfortable with Yesenin but not that comfortable.

"Sergei." Yesenin started. The name coming out of his lips make Sergei's heartbeat quicken. A bit form fear as it usual. A bit from how good his name sound when Yesenin pronounce it. "You are litteraly resting your head on my arm" He point out and in that moment Sergei notice he shift closer without even thinking about it. In fact at the moment Sergei's side face is resting on Yesenin's upper arm
The moment the realization make Sergei notice how close they are, he can feel his face becoming less cold and he started to move but Yesenin put a arm around his shoulder and pull him closer.

Sergei is now resting his head on Yesenin's side, the man can feel his heartbeat in his ear as he look up

"I don't mind it my good man. I would have told you if I did mind it, I have no problem on calling out on your bullshit too." Yesenin reassure? Well it is a weird way to reassure someone for sure but it's Yesenin we are talking about, so not that weird. "And outside the sun is exploding, you may not feel the warm but I do and having something cold against my skin feels good."

Sergei just look up, his pupils getting slightly bigger as he relax a bit. Yes he is very comfortable with the other man and a part of him is very happy that is even more comfortable with him than with the homeowner.
_________________

For the rest on the day and night nothing strange happened. Expect the homeowner asking the pair to help him clean up and Yesenin helping while Sergei remain seated.

The morning that come after Sergei wake up by a hand slightly moving his hair, when he open his eyes he notice his head was basically on Yesenin's stomach and the rest of his body curl up in a ball. He look up noticing the other man is looking elsewhere with a hand playing with Sergei's hair, his cheeks are slightly more colorful than usual almost like he just got caught red handed in something, Sergei's pupils dilated as he just look at the taller man for a moment

"You know it's rude to stare at people without saying a word" Yesenin commented as he look down at Sergei who didn't do anything to move

"Morning." Sergei whisper as he keep looking at the other man, Yesenin's eyes slightly narrow as he look elsewhere

"Morning." Yesenin responded "Still, just because you spoke that doesn't make it normal" He then added, his tone is unusual but Sergei's just awake mind doesn't really catch up on that. But his mind somehow catch he shouldn't stare at anyone for no reason.

Sergei then sit up straight up as he look down at his hands that still have his fingernails wrap in bandages, his mind go back on that day where Yesenin take care of his injury and Sergei's cheeks are warm for once in his entire life

"S-Sorry." Sergei started but he got immediately got cut short by Yesenin

"You should really stop apologize so much. It's not like you are committing second-degreed murder" Yesenin in now looking at the other man and Sergei just stare back for a moment before the homeowner open the door.

Both men stare at him as he let two young girl inside. One of them has red and puffy eyes almost like she has cry all night, she has a yellow dress and long brown hair, she looks very young while the other girl look like a teenager with wavy hair, a red shirt with brown pants and a blue hat that she wear backwards, they both look confused and as they just wake up.

The homeowner walk toward them and glance back at the two young girls and then while  Yesenin look at the man a bit confused

"Could you two look at the girls for a moment? I kinda need to take care of something in the kitchen and I don't want to traumatizes them more than they already are" The homeowner whisper trying to not get hear by the girls.

"So you basically want us to be babysitter?" Yesenin asked and the homeowner just furrow his eyebrow and the other man just sigh. "Of course, it's not like they are gonna cause too much problem. They look too tired to even standing" He then added looking at them for a moment.

The homeowner then turn to Sergei and he just nod, he isn't good with children. Or people in general. But is not like he can refuse, he just need to hope nothing bad happens.
The homeowner at that sigh in relief and walk towards the door but before he can get out of the room the younger girl grip at the man's sleeve and tug at it

"Where are you going?" She asked looking up, her tone almost seems worried as she grip at the man's sleeves as hard as her tiny hands are able too

The homeowner seems to slightly soften. Which is rare for a man like him. He turn around to look at the little girl as he then slightly lower himself. "I just need to take care of something, I will be back in a moment." He reassure her with the worst attempt of a smile. His eyes then settle on the teenager who look very tense as she glance at the two men on the couch. "I know both of them, they aren't bad people. The tall one is just a bit annoying when he talks while the other is more scare than you are" The homeowner tell the teenager as he stand up again.

Sergei glance at Yesenin noticing he is holding back his tongue for once, probably because he know the homeowner is just trying to reassure the two girls

The teenager doesn't seem to believe it much but she doesn't say anything, the homeowner the get out of the room and the hall fall into an awkward silence.

The young girl after a moment then look at the two men on the couch, smiling at them she then start to walk towards them, the teenager try to grab her hand to stop her but she isn't fast enough and the little girl walks toward the couch and stop in front of Yesenin that is now looking at the smiling girl.

"His Mr" The little girl say smiling, Yesenin look at her with his usual indifference face. "I was noticing you are very tall, are you like a giant? Like the one in fairytale?" She then asked smiling toothy, seemingly very unaware of the type of question she asked could be taken very badly. Especially knowing that the cause is a medical condition that Yesenin seems to have intended to be very...

Discomforting. Or at least for what Sergei got told by the man in question.

Sergei glace at the other person in the room and the teenager girl herself seems to have got the question was inappropriate, she seems to not care too much about it, maybe she doesn't care about the little girl or she doesn't care about the older man getting a uncomfortable question.

Either way, she didn't care about it enough to say something out loud

Yesenin look at the young girl for a moment then he just sigh. "Yes actually, I am." He then try the smile but it just came out very awkward, he seems to be thankfully no very sensible on the argument, maybe just because he know the little girl meant no harm. The young girl seems to not notice the awkwardly smile and light up at it.

It was kinda endearing and Sergei let himself snort at it, he held back before as not knowing if Yesenin had take it badly or not. Now that he know he didn't he can even let himself laught at that, though that earn him a glare from Yesenin who was more a fond one than an hostile one even if it was the one intended.

"Oh my lord! That's so cool!" The young girl exclaim seemingly happy with that response even if very short.
The teenager girl herself seems pretty surprise that the man just play along with the little girl's question, her eyes then landed on the man beside him.

"You seem pretty cold, are you the snegurochka?" The teenager ask, seemingly playing along with the little girl, maybe it's just an excuse for her to make fun of older man.

Sergei kind did a deadpan look while now it was Yesenin's turn to snorted and he even had to hold back his laugh, failing miserably. Sergei glance at the tall man and his lips slightly curve and his pupils dilated, the sign make Sergei momentary forget the reason pf his annoyance, there are many figure in fairytale that are cold but in ALL of them did she really have to pick the (probably) only one with a lady?

"N-Not quite..." Sergei mumble looking away as the teen's eyes widen and the little girl look at him, good, now the entire room is looking at him.

"You aren't a lady?" the little girl ask with a tilt in her eyes, God this is embarrassing... why those kinda od stuff happens to him?

"No, I'm not. Do I look like one?" Sergei ask

"I mean, not completely but your hair is pretty long plus your face is a bit round" She said, it's not even with malice she actually seem pretty innocent in her comments, still this look more like an attempt at making Sergei feel insicure than else, the teenager seems having fun though while Yesenin just put an hand on his shoulder

"Don't take it too seriously my good man, they meant no harm" Yesenin's voice is quite, trying to mostly comfort him and not let him think about it, and he did make Sergei think about something else, mostly about how much he would like to lean into him but it's not very safe doing it with people around, even if the action is innocent god knows what people could think about it.

The homeowner then open the door and look at both Sergei and Yesenin, he doesn't let himself be fully seen

"Can one of you come in the kitchen, I need help" Sergei and Yesenin know what he meant

"I'll help" Sergei responded, he wanted to help but also he wanted to get out of this situation as soon as possible. He take the blanket off his shoulder and get up from the couch, the homeowner was already walking toward the kitchen when he arrived at the door. He closed the door and inside the kitchen, as expected, there is a dead body that Sergei recognize is of a visitor, a part of him is disgusted by it bur a part of him couldn't stop think that he could have end like this, or maybe he should have ended up like this. in those days he had try not to kill but he doesn't know hoe long he could keep going, how long he could restrain himself from killing.

"You don't mind cleaning, right?" The homeowner ask making Sergei snap out of his though. He look at homeowner who has put his shotgun on the table while he put gloves on. "I just prefer dismember the body instead of cleaning" he then added, Sergei prefer clean for sure, he is pretty sure he could dismember a body as... well he has done it before, but he really prefer not do it again.

"N-No, I don't m-mind cleaning" Sergei responded.
____________

When both the homeowner ad Sergei finish cleaning they both go back into the Living room.

The homeowner open the door of the hall to call the two young girl inside with Sergei behind him, he see the little girl is on the couch talking while smiling while the teen is sitting on the ground with her back against the couch, she is on the side of the another girl probably because she still doesn't trust Yesenin, speaking of, the tall man is still sit on his usual spot but he is looking at the little girl listening to whatever she is saying.

When they notice the homeowner the small girl smile at him happily and the teen take her bag and get up before he could say anything. "You two can go back in the kitchen." The homeowner informed them as the little girl get off the couch.

Sergei slip inside the room and notice Yesenin slightly relax when he saw him, Sergei waited for the two girl to walk towards the door before sitting down on the couch, he is tired after cleaning.

He didn't put the blanket back because he is sweating but every instinct told him to, he is shivering because the cold is still there, though since he came into the living room he started to feel a bit less cold for some reason, he isn't complaining.

The litte girl before going out of the room turn to the homeowner "Next time can the two Mr go to the kitchen to visit us?" she asked smiling, the homeowner look at the teenager who was behind the young girl, he know she rarely trust others, it take a lot for her to trust the homeowner but eventually she started to trust him a bit, she just nod and the homeowner then look at the two men on the couch.

Sergei didn't know much about the teen and the little girl as he spend the majority of his time in the kitchen so he just glance at Yesenin who nod too, not minding the idea of talking to them again.
The homeowner then finally look back at the young girl and slightly smile "Yes, they can" he just answered. "Next time." he then added letting the girls out of room and closing the door behind him.

The moment the door close Sergei's head fall on Yesenin's shoulder, the man stiffen for a moment but then relax immediately after. The cold man take that as a sign to shift closer to him and the other didn't complain

"Had fun cleaning?" Yesenin asked even if he wasn't serious, still Sergei huff and bring his knees to his chest.

"No." Sergei responded, his teeth strangely collaborate and didn't make him stutter, but his tone was harsher than intended to. "It-It was tiring, who even ha-have fun cleaning?" he then added making sure his voice come out much more lighter. Yesenin didn't seem to mind both tone.

"Someone surely does" He just answered turning slightly more toward Sergei.

"We-Well I don't." He responded, not wanting to insult anyone who like cleaning because with all his luck Yesenin would be one of them. "D-Did you had f-f-fun being a spending time with the-the two young girl?" Sergei the asked while looking up toward the other

Yesenin shrug. "It was fine, the little girl was very talkative, the teenager looked ready to run at any moment, she sticked close to the younger one as if ready to grab her or pull her out of a bad situation." He explain "She probably didn't trust me. I don't blame her, but at least she was ready to help the younger one" He added, he sounded relieved that someone other than the homeowner is looking after the young girl.

Yesenin doesn't seem the type to like kid but he doesn't seem to mind them apparently.

"D-Didn't take you for someone you get along with kids." Sergei comment.

"Why? Because I'm an alcoholic?" Yesenin asked, though his voice is light and he is obviously joking.

"Yes." Sergei responded without thinking and the second after he process the question and the answer he just give. "N-No- I-I didn't mean-" Sergei rush to explain straightening a bit but Yesenin just wave a hand dismissively, his mouth slightly curving upwards.

"You don't have to answer seriously every time." Yesenin cut him off before he could say anything else. He slightly get more comfortable on the couch and Sergei slowly rest his head against Yesenin again.

"D-Do you plan on going in the kitchen to them?" Sergei asked.

"Are you planning on coming with me?" Yesenin retorted, Sergei's eyes widen. "She asked for both of us to go to them, not only me." he them added.

"I-I-I mean, if you go sure" Sergei responded

"Then yes, I guess we are going" Yesenin responded.

Maybe not tomorrow but Sergei wouldn't mind knowing who are the other guest, he would probably never talk to them but at least he has an idea on who else is there, technically there shouldn't be other visitor inside... other than him at least. This is comforting to know, at least no one would try to kill Yesenin.

There was silence after that but they both didn't want to talk for the moment.
__________

Night arrived faster than expected and both of them are strangely awake, Sergei is at the edge of the couch on Yesenin's side curled up in a ball as he pat the cat's head while Yesenin is looking at the ceiling, he isn't laying down as usual but has both legs on the couch strangely, the upper part of his body is sit but his feet still almost touch the other end of the couch. Sergei realized that is probably why Yesenin never lay down.

Sergei wonder what Yesenin think about but ultimately doesn't ask, his expression thought is clearly displeased, it is a mix between anger and frustration or something similar. Maybe he should ask but Sergei isn't good at comforting, never was and still isn't.

Sergei look back at the cat on the floor that is looking up at him, he then slightly lean backwards, touching Yesenin's side. He then feel his arm slightly leaning on his back, Sergei lit his back up a bit letting Yesenin's arm get around him. his arms is just above the hole on his stomach that made Sergei's freeze for a moment but then he try to relax and when he felt another arm around him he does relax.

Sergei try not to think about Yesenin's arm around him, because they are right above the hole but also because he has Yesenin's arm around him. It's not like he never did but usual they are resting on the back of his shoulder not around him.

Sergei then feel Yesenin turning around and resting his head on the couch and not the arm rest, his head is behind his own, he can feel his breath on his hair and Sergei can be sure he never felt so warm. Yesenin's legs curl up a bit for not let them hang out of the couch.

At the moment Yesenin's chest is against Sergei's back and is hugging him from behind. Sergei has now stopped playing with the cat and his arms are just overing out of the couch, his eyes are open wide open as he feel the other man's breath even as he try to fall asleep while the other know damn well he wouldn't be able to close eyes tonight.

Sergei doesn't know if he should do something to reciprocate, Yesenin did all of it very slowly making sure that if he didn't feel comfortable he could move away but at the moment Sergei isn't even breathing to make sure Yesenin doesn't even think of moving, this is probably the most comfortable Sergei ever felt, he hoped even Yesenin is comfortable too but probably is as he is falling asleep.
Sergei had always had this want of someone hugging him so tight that they would break his bones in little piece, not enough to kill him but enough to take away his ability to move, letting him be embrace by the other's warm skin. This is kinda what he always wanted, expected for the bone crushing part for... obvious reason, even because it's more of a want that you wish to not come true after a moment of actually rational thinking.

He knows it's risky to fall asleep like this, if a new guest decided to wanting to stay in the living room he would saw them and if the homeowner open the door he would immediately notice them and in this case nothing that could get possibly said would save them but Sergei doesn't care, for once he doesn't want to care, he close his eyes and let for once the warm surround him and he let himself fall asleep.
__________

The next day when Sergei wakes up he found himself cold and very groggy, his mind is foggy but that's probably the result of sleeping well. Then he remembers last night and the coldness he felt only gets intensify as he realized he is on the opposite side of the couch compared to yesterday night.

Sergei support himself on his elbow and he hears Yesenin hum, probably noticing he is awake.

"You wake up, good morning." Yesenin is now sit again on the couch, one of his arm on his armrest and his head is towards Sergei now who is looking back at him.

"M-Morning." Sergei mumble, feeling slightly bitter that he was moved from his position from last night but he tried to not let it notice

Yesenin look away from a moment before his eyes settled on the door. "Sorry for moving you. The homeowner this morning came inside and I just move you." Yesenin mumble surprising Sergei, both because he didn't think the tall would notice his bitterness and because he bring out last night position of sleeping, usually they don't talk about how they fall asleep or anything of that matter.

Sergei found himself to be glad that Yesenin bring it out. He sits up on the couch "D-Don't worry." He started then shift slightly closer. "So-So does that mean if the homeowner didn't came here you would have not move?" Sergei then added, his eyes slightly narrow, not expecting an actual response.

"No" Yesenin responded right away. "I wouldn't have move." He then added looking at him in the eyes.

Sergei fall silent at that and they just stare at each other for a few moments as the shivering man try to formulate a thought that made sense and to make his heart stop beating so fast. How does Yesenin look so calm after admitting something like this? Maybe for him it doesn't mean anything-
Sergei look away and clear his throat, finally his mind being useful and make out a thought that could make sense in the current conversation.

"Ta-Talking about yesterday." Sergei started, looking for a moment at Yesenin again and looking away almost immediately after when he notice the other was still looking at him. Is he seriously getting so flustered just for a stare? "I ha-had notice you were lo-looking at the celling with a strange expression" He then added, finally looking back at Yesenin. "What w-were you thinking about?" He then concluded with a question that made Yesenin's face curl up in displeasure.

Yesenin look away and Sergei slightly felt bad. "Yo-You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, I was ju-just asking out of curiosity." Sergei immediately rush to make sure the other man didn't feel pressure in saying anything.

Yesenin look back at him, he sight and look down "I will tell you, just not today." Yesenin spoke. It make Sergei slightly curios but he don't want to push him, he himself is hiding something from the other.

"Ok-Okay" Sergei whisper. "I-I'll wait" He then added. After a few moments he speak up again "N-Now that I'm thinking about it, what di-did you say to the homeowner when I was leaning on your shoulder?" Sergei asked as he move closer to Yesenin.

"Just told him it was an incident" Yesenin explain looking at Sergei. "We share a couch. It can happen that your head fall on my shoulder" He then added, Sergei smiled a bit, knowing it wasn't an incident on his part. "Can't really use that excuse with this morning" He the say sarcastically

Sergei moved closer and rest his head on his lap "Why not? It would be very believable" Sergei joked as he get comfortable while Yesenin's hand start to go through his hair

The rest of the day was spent talking and so is the night but the next day when Sergei wake up Yesenin sounded... annoyed?
"Good morning" Sergei mumble waking up

"...Morning" Yesenin grumble, not even looking up from where he was looking at, Sergei is slightly surprised at that.

"E-Everything okay?" Sergei ask sitting up, his head is on Yesenin's shoulder but he removed it as soon as he notice the bad mood of the other.

"Yes." Yesenin responded quickly. "I just don't want to talk today" Yesenin responded, making Sergei slightly worry, did he do something wrong?

"Di-Did I do something-?" Sergei question got cut off by Yesenin

"No, you didn't do anything. I just don't want to talk." Yesenin basically snapped. His voice coming out harsh... Harsher then he ever heard him. His eyes are closed in frustration and his face contorted, his expression then looses a bit after talking. "Sorry, I shouldn't have snap at you." He then added, clearly feeling guilty. "I just have days where I don't want to speak. It's not your fault. You didn't do anything." Yesenin reassure looking at him with the side of his eyes

Sergei look away for a moment. "It's okay" He mumble.

"It's not okay." Yesenin responded

"I-It is!" Sergei protested

"Well you don't sound like you are okay with it." Yesenin commented making Sergei shut up. "Listen, It's comprehensive that you aren't okay with it. I snapped at you for no reason first thing in the morning. You don't have to be okay with everything." Yesenin then added, Sergei feels slightly better when Yesenin reassure him it's okay to not be okay with something. He is used to be okay with what everyone say, mostly because he doesn't want to create problems. He feels better after the reminder that he doesn't have to be okay with everything

"D-Do you w-want to be alone?" Sergei asked.

Yesenin look at him "I don't care, if you wanna stay here it's fine, if you wanna leave it's fine. Do you wanna be alone?" He then asked

Sergei thought about it for a bit. "Y-Yes, I think." He just admitted. "I think I'll j-just go out of the room, I don't l-like being alone" He just added as he get up and Yesenin just nodded as he go back at staring at nothing.
Sergei leave the room, closing the door behind him and the fist thing he see is the homeowner leaving the studio, he look at Sergei and shut the door of the room he just left

"Hey." He greeted Sergei. "I was about to go to you, why are you leaving?" The man asked, Sergei looked away

"Yesenin do-doesn't really want to talk today" Sergei explain.

"Ah yes. He told me first thing when he show up at my doorstep" The homeowner say "I enjoy a good talk when I'm in the mood', that's his what he told me" He then added. "He is already annoying when he is 'in mood' for a good talk, don't know how much he is when he isn't in the mood" The homeowner pounder

"He-He is the s-same, just snap mo-more easily and responded with less words" Sergei explain, always surprise when the homeowner refers to Yesenin as annoying.

"I'll just go to find it out for myself, you can go in the kitchen or whatever in the meantime." The homeowner added, probably wanting to make feel Sergei comfortable to move around the house, he appreciate the attempt.

The homeowner get into the living room as Sergei walk toward the closet.

The person inside the closet is a foreign with his mouth bleeding, he doesn't understand what he said so he mostly communicate with him through little drawing on paper found in the storage room. Apparently the man is from Georgia and that he come here for a friends of his, other than that he didn't understand much but it was interesting. Through the '''conversation''' at first he heard someone yelling from the living room, though he didn't get what was being said or who that was, but he think he know who it was.

After he finish talk with the foreign he get out of the closet and wave bye to him. He didn't notice the homeowner anywhere so he probably is still in the living room, he walk closer to it and when he opened the door, he notice the homeowner is sitting beside Yesenin, talking about something while Yesenin look annoyed. But the thing he notice first is that the homeowner is holding Yesenin's hand, it's a casual gesture that they probably haven't even realized and probably (hoped) even very platonic but a part of him still feels annoyance at the sight of it. Him and Yesenin had to jump apart every time someone walks in the room but if the homeowner is willing holding his hands is okay? Sergei can't help the bitter feeling he feels at that.

His expression quickly faded when the homeowner notice him, actually the first to notice him opening the door and barley getting a foot inside is Yesenin who shoulders visibly relax when notice then even the homeowner notice him making stepping fully into the living room.

Another bitter feeling raises on his throat at the realization that Yesenin was listening to the homeowner talking even if he told him he didn't want to talk.

"Oh, hey you came back" The homeowner noted as he let go of Yesenin's hand and get up from the couch. "I'll go see the two girl if you don't mind." He then added.

"You made it look like I need constant supervision" Yesenin then call out the homeowner, clearly annoyed.

"It's because you need it, now bye" He just say before walking out of the room. Leaving Sergei and Yesenin alone.

Sergei would like to go back to speak to Yesenin normally but the bitter feelings is still there and for that from his mouth came out a petty "We-Weren't you not in the mood of talking?" And he regret it immediately.

Yesenin thought don't look disturbed by his pettiness. "It's not like I wanted to speak to him, I even yell at him to get out but he didn't move and just sit down and talk. Plus it's not the smartest thing to do to tell a man with a shotgun to shut up" Yesenin commented.

"You still did" Sergei point out.

"That probably means I'm not very smart" Yesenin responded with, there was a bit of silence. "Even because if I wanted to talk with someone it would have been you" He then added, mumbling his words as if not wanting to let them be heard.

Sergei's eyes slightly widen at that, he walk closer to the couch and sit down on it, a bit distant from Yesenin. "D-Do you feel i-in a b-better mood to talk?" Sergei asked looking at Yesenin.

"No." He responded truthfully. "But I didn't snap now just because of that." Yesenin then added and he finally meet his eyes again. "Sorry again for that." He apologize again. Sergei isn't bitter about that but even if he was he couldn't have been for long when Yesenin look at him like that.

"It's okay." Sergei reassure. "Y-You should really stop apologize so much" He then added smiling

Yesenin move his head to look better at Sergei with his eyebrows furrow. "Did you just use my own words against me?" He asked as if he were offended even if he wasn't.

"I don't know what you are talking a-about" Sergei joked facing him.

"This is why I don't wanna talk with you." Yesenin was obviously lying as he look at the wall again and Sergei take that occasion of shift closer and rest his head on his arm

"You just t-told me you you would prefer speak to me than with a-anyone else." Sergei smirked as he look up at the taller man

"I never said that" Yesenin responded as he look back at Sergei, not minding the physical contact "I say if I had to talk with someone it would be you." Yesenin specify.

Sergei hummed slightly. "P-Pretty sure you use the verb 'want'." He noted.

Yesenin didn't comment on that and he just go back to staring at the wall with a huff, Sergei just keep taring at the taller man for no actual reason. He is sure Yesenin notice and just decided to not say anything.

A bit later the cold man was laying on his back glancing at the celling, a thing he had notice is that he is always moving around the couch while Yesenin mostly stay put in his position, speaking of, the taller man is now looking at him and after a moment of hesitation put their hand on their neck, almost resting it there.

Sergei slightly sit up as Yesenin stop touching him as the other sit up straight and look at him

"What was that for?" Sergei asked even if he didn't do anything.

"Just checking your neck temperature" Yesenin responded calmly

"Why?" Sergei asked tilting his head to the side

"Your neck is usually warmer than the rest of you body." Yesenin responded "Or maybe that just a me thing, I used to put my hands around my neck when I was cold" He then added and Sergei put his had around the side of his neck, it was slightly warmer but not that much, it didn't change almost anything

"It is a you thing" Sergei responded looking at Yesenin. "I mean it's a bit warmer than the rest but not that much." He the specefy but keeping his hands there.

"Probably another of my medical problem as if I didn't had enough of them" Yesenin mutter, the mood of the man that seems had improved a bit was now ruined again as Yesenin looked very annoyed.
Sergei didn't really liked seeing the other annoyed so the answer was annoy him eve more, Sergei take his hand off of his neck, look at them and then one of them moved closer to the other's neck, putting the back of his hand against the very warm neck of Yesenin. He wasn't lying, it was warner than the rest of his body.

Yesenin slightly jump back. Surprise and probably not expecting the sudden coldness, he look at Sergei with a slight scowl "Don't do that." He said with a smile and Sergei, as the good friend he is, put his back on his neck.

"It's warm" Sergei use as if it was a reasonable explanation when Yesenin moved back again.

"Yeah I know, I told you that" Yesenin responded as Sergei try to put his hands around the other's neck again and the taller man at that take both of his hands in his making Sergei momentary froze. "You have hundreds ways to warm your hands. I know you basically use me as your personal heater but that doesn't mean you can touch me wherever you want." He then added.

Sergei knew that, even because if he didn't he would have touch something else that isn't his neck- Wohhh who thought of that?.

"In my defense you use me as your personal cold down or whatever is called so I say we are even." Sergei point out, it was obvious thet they also just like make contact with the other but having the exact opposite temperature of the other make it much more enjoyable.

"That's why I said you can warm you hands in other way, just not on my neck" Yesenin responded.

Sergei scoffed slightly. "You are no fun" He mutter before looking away as Yesenin give him a confused expression.
_____________________________________________

That night Yesenin was strangely laying down, his head against the armrest sleeping while Sergei sleep on his side, close as much as possible to the other when he suddenly wake up. Almost jolting awake,  almost sitting up as his teeth keep chattering painfully on one another.

God no, not now. Was the only thought of Sergei, his eyes then notice Yesenin laying, sleeping.

Neck it's is his warmest part of the body.

Almost instinctively he put his hands on his neck, his eyes open wide, his pupils blow wide and his thumbs caress his neck, it would be so easy to strangle him, Sergei isn't the most physically strong person but that didn't mean he couldn't strangle someone to death.

No one would notice, no one would suspect him. The homeowner would just thought it was someone else. Why would he kill the only person who trust him, it would be dumb.

His thumbs, almost softly, pass to the trachea to the carotid arteries of the opposite side from where the other hand where, he could almost feel Yesenin's blood running trough him. Could hear his calm beating heart under his finger. He start to press lightly on there.

Maybe if Yesenin wake up he could embrace him while trying to push him off. Then Yesenin's eyes flutter open and he slightly moved to sit and in that moment Sergei snap put pf his trance, he jerk his hands off Yesenin and slightly stumble back, he didn't even notice he was sitting on him, Sergei didn't even look at Yesenin's face as he immediately look at the ground realizing what he had just done.

He almost killed him.

If Yesenin had waited just a minute more Sergei would have killed him, he was so close to kill him, how did he let himself get so close to hurt the person he probably care more about? He felt disgusted with himself.

Yesenin in the meantime was looking at him with his eyebrows furrow.

"Sergei." Yesenin just say sitting up while the other just let his head hang ever lower, he was horrible, he didn't deserve to survive this long. "Sergei." Yesenin repeat a bit louder, not wanting to wake up the other guest. Sergei glance up, meeting Yesenin's annoyed eyes.

Sergei didn't know what to do or say, what are you suppose to say after someone just catch you almost strangling them 

"Care to tell me what the fuck were you doing?" Yesenin asked and his tone had a trace of... hurt? Or something close to it

Sergei didn't dare to meet the others eyes again. "I-I'm sorry" He then say. "I-I di-didn't meant to I swear" his teeth start to torture him by beating against one another violently

"You still haven't answer me" Yesenin make him notice.

Sergei couldn't say the truth, Yesenin would hate him if he finds out, the tall man hate violence and murder and Sergei is the embodiment of it. He start to bite his lower lips and tearing apart his own flesh. "I wa-was just c-c-cold" Sergei lied. "I remember what you t-told me t-today and I-I did-didn't think twice. I-I'm so-sorry." Sergei then added, not believing his own lie for even a second. He is a terrible liar

Sergei glance up and peak at Yesenin through his hair and his expression show clearly he didn't believe that pathetic excuse of a lie for even a second.
But for some reason, bless his heart, Yesenin didn't comment on it and just sight.

"If you are too cold just wake me, I'll find a way to warm you up, even if that mean put you outside and make you burn alive." Yesenin just say laying down, he should do that, Sergei deserves it.
Sergei didn't immediately lay down, he is more shaken than Yesenin

"Are you gonna lay down?" Yesenin then asked.

"Aren't you scared?" Sergei ask, looking at the man who dis now on his elbow while looking at him.

"No" Yesenin responded flatly. "You didn't change the man you were hours ago or even yesterday, you are still the same. So no, I'm not scared, my good man." Yesenin explain looking into Sergei black eyes.

The shivering man look down and then get closer to Yesenin and lean against him as the taller one lay down, his head was resting against his chest.

"Yo-You are the most stupid man I ever meet" Sergei mutter. "I'm surprised you haven't already died" Sergei then added. Sergei is truthful when he said those things, he was killing the other and in exchange he offer him to lay next to him. Survival instinct of a dead plant. He is surprise Yesenin even lived that long

"Yeah. Wonder how." Yesenin sound like he knows something, Sergei glance up. Did Yesenin... No, he couldn't possibly know right?

After that there was just silence as Sergei didn't want to get deeper into the conversation, he fall asleep pretty quickly.
__________________________

The morning after Yesenin seems to pretty much ignore the events that happened yesterday night, that didn't surprise Sergei as the man acted the same the night before. He didn't bring it out. Maybe it was fear. Maybe it was the fact that it advantages him. Maybe he was just too much of a coward to even mention it.

His thought are cut short as Yesenin start to talk.

"Do you wanna go to visit the two young girls?" Yesenin ask as he move his head to glance at the other man, locking eyes with him.
It takes a moment for Sergei to remember who he was referring to.

"Y-Yeah, why not." It could be fun to spend some time with someone other than the same two person (mostly one) he always talk to. Plus he could use to move a bit. It's been days since he last get up from the couch.

"Then let's go." Yesenin then stand up from the couch, relying on the armrest with his hand to get up from not using his legs too much. Sergei just nod slightly and get up from the couch too.

When he stands up and look at the other he notice how fucking tall is the other, Sergei barley reach the other's shoulder. He feel slightly awkward at that but Yesenin didn't seem frame by it, probably used to have a big height gap from others.

So without much said the two men walk outside the living room, Sergei mostly following Yesenin, hoping the other know the house more than he did. He probably does as he had been here much more than him.

Yesenin then open a door, probably the one of the kitchen if Sergei had to guess. When the door open completely and they both get in he notice the two young girls talking, both sitting down on the ground with their back against the counter. The younger one's eyes light up when she see the two men there, now that he looks better he notice one of the little's girl eye seems to permanently look at the side. The teenager also notice them too, she doesn't seems to bother by them.

Sergei the notice another man in the room, he is seated at the head of the table, he has long black hair and he is looking down but he glance up when he heard the door open. He seems to have really dark eyes, but when Sergei squint his eyes slightly he notice the man doesn't have dark eyes, he doesn't have eyeballs. His eyes socket hung a bit from his skin-
Sergei quickly look away to notice Yesenin notice the blind man too but has glance at the young girls quickly too. Waving slightly at them.

"You two come visit!" The young girl say as she stands up. The teenager seems still a bit hesitant to approach the two men still. Sergei doesn't blame her, she seems to be wary of the homeowner too.

"We told you we would come" Yesenin responded with. The teenage girl decided to stand behind the younger one, almost like to be ready to protect her.

"Didn't really expect you to show up." The teenager murmured and before Sergei could respond he notice the blind man had get up from his seat and is trying to walk toward the door. The teenager notice it too. She slightly narrow her eyes. "You don't have to go forcefully." She told the man who glance where he probably the voice come from.
The girl is probably wary of him too but that doesn't mean she is going to be mean to a man who doesn't even has eyes anymore.

"It's fine. I just want to go talk to a someone I talk to a few days ago." The blind man said briefly as he start to try to walk towards the door. Sergei move out of the way while Yesenin open the door for him and when the man left the little girl immediately start to talk after saying bye to the other man.

After a bit they settle down with the little girl sitting at the head of the table, The teenager sitting at the chair in the middle while Yesenin is seated on the last chair. Mostly because otherwise he would have to be in an uncomfortable position just to talk with them. Sergei had stay on his feet by his own choice. He stayed way too much time seated.

At first the younger girl was talking about various stuff, mostly before the cataclysm, like her old friend, when she, her father and the homeowner used to go out (probably the latter was force to), her drawings and the games she used to play with her dad. Then the teenager show stuff she had in her bag, especially her nails polish as she painted her own nails of varius color and explain that she painted, a few days ago, the little girl's too who had pink and yellow nails now.
both of them then start to want to paint Sergei's nails too but he used the excuse of the bandages on his finger and so both start to talk Yesenin into the idea and Sergei, being a really good friend, start to pester Yesenin in letting them do it.

The chatter though was stopped when a fat man open the door very loudly, almost like he was the owner of the house. Talking about the owner, he was in the hallway saying something to the man about not going to the kitchen.

Yesenin slightly tensed up when the door get slam against the wall as the man burst in, but he collect himself pretty quickly only to tense up even more when he look who it is that burs trough the door.
the man has a plain white shirt with stains on it and jeans, brown hair and generally nothing special. Sergei wouldn't even glance at him if he didn't enter the room so loudly. And he wouldn't look at him for more than one second if it didn't make Yesenin look so... uncomfortable? He can't very well decipher Yesenin expression and feeling at the moment. The tall man never wore that expression no matter the occasion-

Sergei's confusion only grow when the man turn his head, where previously he had his head turn to respond to the homeowner, and now he turn to look at the kitchen and as he notice Yesenin the man seems to tense up too.

The expression of the man before look very irritated and not-caring about what the owner of the house was telling him while now he seems to be have done a 180° in expression, almost freezing in the doorway when he notice Yesenin.

Sergei glance at the two kids. The teenager looks ready to protect the young girl and to flew or fight, she seems pretty distress in the presence of other adults, especially men. The younger girl just seems confused.

The teen than lock eyes with Sergei, her look is full of confusion and concern as she seems to almost ask him if he knows what's the deal with Yesenin and that other man. Considering he stayed the most with Yesenin he should know who is he, but sadly he has no idea on who that man is, Yesenin never mention someone specific. Sergei most probably made it clear by his, just as confused, look that he has no idea on who exactly that guy is as she just narrow her eyes. More on edges than before.

He feels a bit bad for not being able to help her out.

Sergei the go back to look at the Yesenin who now has a clearly annoyed expression. His face is all scrunch in displeasure.

"Y-" The man started but cut himself off immediately, Yesenin only looked more annoyed at the prospective of talking to him. "Why are you here?" The man then asked.

Yesenin is almost more annoyed somehow. "What? You would have prefer me still outside and dead from the sun?" Yesenin sounds very bitter. "I already know you didn't give a shit about me dying considering you didn't think twice before making me throw out of the bar but I thought you had at least the decency of not saying it directly." After Yesenin finish talking Sergei glare at the man. So he is the reason why Yesenin got throw out of the bar? He doesn't know if being (selfishly) glad that it happen. If he had remain at the bar he would have never meet Yesenin. Or if being mad at the prospective that just for that pathetic excuses of a man didn't like him Yesenin could have died.

The man seems displeased by the tall man's words as his lips curve downward in a childish pout. The worst thing is that he looks completely serious. "ME?" The man basically yell, like a fucking child throwing a tantrum. "I didn't say anything to anyone, don't blame me for your shitty personality." This man isn't going to make it to tomorrow morning. Sergei will make sure of that.

"Didn't even mention saying something to anyone." Yesenin retorted. "Glad you find out that throwing people out of bar doesn't make you immune of getti throw out too." Yesenin then added  and he seems to wanting to keep talking but his eyes catch Sergei for a moment. He look back at the two young girls and seems to decide to hold his tongue. "Sorry about that." He just whispers to the two girls before getting up from his chair. "I'll see you another day. Don't wanna risk to make him storm off..." Yesenin grumble the last part, not wanting to make the two girls hear that.
It half work as the younger one seems to not have heard that while the teen seems to have heard it.

The both of them seems to not say anything about it but they look displeased of the prospective of Yesenin leaving. The teen is clearly trying to hide it while the younger one doesn't trouble herself in hiding it.

She doesn't say anything anyway as when Yesenin say that he leave immediately the room. Sergei is for a moment hesitant is leaving, he doesn't want to leave the two young girl alone with... him. But when he remembered the homeowners is literally outside the door put his nerve at ease.

He murmur an apology to the two girls and the leave the room, following Yesenin who simply go back in the living room.

As he leave he notice the look the homeowner is giving the man. Maybe Sergei doesn't need to personally make sure the man doesn't make to tomorrow.

"Yesenin" Sergei call out as the tall man close the door of the living room. It doesn't take much for him to open it again and get inside the room. "Yesenin" Sergei call out again as he close the door behind him.

The man in question is already seated in his usual spot with one of his hand covering his eyes. "No need to fucking call out of me. It's not like I can go much far away without dying." Yesenin responded as he let his hand fall on the armrest and look at Sergei with annoyance.

"W-Who was that man?" Sergei ask, deciding to not beat around the bush and to ignore the response he got.

"The one who didn't like me at the bar and decided to throw me out. I mention it to you if I'm not wrong." Yesenin explain, taking his hand off his eyes but still not meeting Sergei's eyes. He had kinda mention it. Yesenin told him that not everyone found him a very likable person but he didn't know someone made sure he got kick out. "At fist I wanted to ignore him. Fake that I didn't know him. I mostly didn't wanna make a scene in front of the two kids. Guess it was my mistake to stare at him for so goddamn long" Yesenin then ended with his tone taking a biter note.
Sergei didn't really blame Yesenin for that. He would be pissed to if he just saw the person who made him throw out of his previous shelter for no reason. He walk closer to the couch and sit next to him.

"W-Why did he want you out? He just d-didn't like you?" Sergei asked. There has to be another cause. He doesn't want to believe someone is willing to let another die just because they didn't like them.

"Mostly. He used to talk with other people at the bar about some kind of cult where they praying the holy sun. Lunatic stuff is you ask me." Yesenin explain leaving Sergei stunned for a moment.

"S-Sorry. They pray w-what?" Sergei asked after remaining silent for a second.

"Don't ask me. I have no idea." Yesenin didn't add anything more after that.
After that there was moments on silence where neither of them spoke. Yesenin had that same expression of a few nights ago, it full of displeasure, anger, frustration and... desperation?
Yesenin told him he would tell him when he felt ready so he probably shouldn't ask about it but... he is getting worried. Yesenin is clearly trying to keep secrets away from him

But before Sergei could speak Yesenin start to talk. He look at the other man "Did you remember what I told you a few days ago when you asked me about my expression of the night before?" Yesenin asked. Anticipating Sergei's question.

Sergei fora moment didn't speak before he nodded. "Y-Yeah, I remember. Why?" Sergei ask. Knowing but stil deciding to ask. Looking at the tall man, locking eyes with him.

"..." Yesenin stay silent for a moment, leaning back into the couch, stopping looking at him and instead deciding to look up at the celling. He seems hesitant in speaking which is unusual for him. "Did you ever wanted to kill yourself?" Yesenin finally ask looking at Sergei with the side oh his eyes. Sergei's remain speechless for a moment. mostly because it sounded... Unreal. It doesn't matter how many people had the desire of ending their own life. No one ever ask that question out loud. Maybe he should have expected that from Yesenin but he really didn't see that coming. After a bit of silence where Sergei couldn't bring himself to speak, to say something... anything. Yesenin decided to continue. "Because I had. I still do actually." He look up at the celling with displeasure. "At least the bar had high celling." ... "You could hang yourself from it, no problem." ... "But here... Here it's too cramped for me. This whole planet is too cramped for me." Yesenin the lean oh his knees. resting his elbow on them as he cover his entire face with his hand in desperation. "My good man we’re all going to die someday. I know that and it scares me shitless but I still can't help myself but wanting all of this to end. I just can't take this anymore." Yesenin voice start to get faster, Sergei thought he had experience pain before but seeing Yesenin in this state fill him with so much ache he didn't even thought it was possible. "Not only the apocalypse. I can't take any of this anymore. I want all of this to end. Everything feels too cramped for me, no matter how much others try not to make it. I just feel my body too big and at the same time not big enough. I thought at the bar I would feel better but it didn't. Why did I even come here? I know it wouldn't change anything. no matter where I am I always feel out of place. I feel like a sore thumb steaking out." He then ended with a deep sight. His hands were slightly trembling.
Sergei never saw him like this. This is probably the lowest of Yesenin he ever saw.

There was silence after that. Sergei had open a few times his mouth but he could not let his words out. He never felt so in pain. Never felt so many emotion. and never felt so... understood, he never thought someone would ever feel like he does, like you don't belong anywhere you go. And now that he finally has someone who feels the same way he does and he can't even let his words out.

Sergei shallow hard and finally speak. "I never feel like I belong anywhere" Sergei murmured. Yesenin slightly lower his hands to look at him but now it was him who avoid his eyes. Looking at the floor. "I... no matter where I am or with who am I. I just feel different. Like everywhere I go... I just feel like an alien who is pretending to be like anyone else. It all a fuck-up mess that doesn't seems to get better. Everyone says you get better at some point that it will arrived the moment where everything fit into place and you feel finally fine but it just doesn't. I had waited- I'm waiting for that moment. I had waited for 25 years and I still feel as shit as I did years ago." Sergei put his hands in his head. "So at this point I'm wondering how much I had to still wait for that moment to come, to finally feel okay. Because I feel like nothing had change. I'm still cold, I still feel like everyone would be glad if I disappear in the crowd, still feel like everything is shit, still feel like nothing would get better, still feel at my lowest, still feel like I'm rotten from the inside, still feel like nor society or space needs me and I still want to kill myself- I still wish someone would put an end to everything. To my suffering. When I came here I almost hope the person inside would just kill me." Yesenin by now has stopped leaning on his knees and now is just looking at Sergei and with some strength Sergei didn't thought he had he look up to meet Yesenin's gaze. "I just want... I need someone to tell me what to do to feel better. To make me feel like I'm not the most horrible and infimus creature nature ever created. The worst and cruelest joke space made. I can't feel the warmth of the sun and everything else burn without eliminating the coldness so what is the point in a life full of suffering without getting any relief." Sergei feel on the verge of tears and by the state of the man in front of him Yesenin is too.
After a moment of silence Sergei feels his teeth start to chatter again and the cold to go back into his bones- wait when did he stop feeling cold-?
Sergei's thought got abruptly stop by a pairs of warm arms wrapping around him, the feeling of someone's hand beside his temples. you know what: he doesn't care why he doesn't feel cold anymore. He only care about feeling so understood fo the first time in his entire, cold life.
He wrap his arms around Yesenin and let himself tear up a bit.

Sergei has no idea how much time passed. It could have been seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months or even years but still he feel like he needed that embrace to last longer. He has his arms wrap around the man with his head hung low against his shoulder while Yesenin has his cheek against his temples. Sergei can't remember the last time someone had hug him, did someone even did? He can't remember, not like it could compare to the one he is receiving now.

He doesn't want to let go. He feels much calmer and happier than he had felt in months. He doesn't even feel cold, it's like everything got much warmer.
But after a bit, of course, Yesenin back away slightly. Just enough to look at him in the eyes.

Sergei look up with as much as desperation he could in hope Yesenin wouldn't let go. But that wasn't enough as the tall man let go of Sergei, looking away as he was ashamed of what he just did.

"I apologize." Yesenin sounded remorseful. "I shouldn't had hugged you out of nowhere. It was disrespectful." He then added, refusing to meet his eyes. Sergei's eyes slightly widen. This man has to be joking right now, he was basically holding into him for dear life basically. How could he even thought he should apologize for that.

"No. No, it was fine. I was fine- I..." Sergei fell the cold creep in again. "I didn't mind-" Sergei then look down and despite the cold creeping into his blood and muscle he feel like his face was becoming warmer at his next words stumble out of his throat. "I like it..." He quietly admitted. Not wanting to see Yesenin's reaction.

He then felt something warm slightly brushing one of his hands that he didn't had retracted yet in his coat. He look down and notice Yesenin holding his hand and Sergei hold it back almost squeezing it so tight he was scared to broke some bones but Yesenin didn't draw back he just squeeze back. Sergei look up to meet Yesenin's eyes.

God he wish he could drown in those blue eyes, he feel like he could lost himself in them. He shouldn't like them. He hates cold color and everything that can be related to coldness, having been cold for his entire he had grown a deep hate fo everything relevant to cold but if Yesenin is the coldness then he wouldn't mind freezing alive, letting the harsh shiver rip through him as he feel his blood freeze inside his body while his skin turn blue.

Sergei come back on earth as Yesenin slightly shifted towards him, making their shoulder touch and Sergei almost immediately rest his head on his shoulder and, almost as fast as him, Yesenin rest his head on top of his.

Sergei know they had been in other, much closer, position before. He had literally slept on him. But for some reason this feels much more intimate than all other. He never felt so warm, so understood in his entire life. Never felt so comfortable. is this what is liked to be cared for?

Is this what is like to be loved?

He never care for love and he always thought he could never feel the warmth of an embrace.

But Yesenin prove him wrong.

And he genuinely couldn't be happier.
____________________

Sergei wake up in a daze. His mind fuzzy and light. He the remember who he had fall asleep next to and realize he doesn't feel any weight on his head, he look up and his eyes got blessed with the sight of Yesenin. He seems awake too, his eyelid slightly down as if had just wake up. Yesenin look down and notice Sergei awake too.

Sergei raise his head from Yesenin's shoulder, feeling his neck slightly stiff, it's an unpleasant feeling but he doesn't regret falling asleep where he did.

Before any of them could say something the door open, Sergei almost instinctively try to move his hand away from Yesenin's but the other just tug at his hand, not letting him move it away. Sergei look at Yesenin who keeps his eyes on the door, that seems to take forever to open, Sergei decide that he shouldn't worry either. Not tonight.

Looking at the door, he notice that the homeowner is opening it, he is doing it very slowly, almost like he is forcing himself. He looks... tired, no offense of course but God he looks awful, what the hell happened to him?

"Are you alright, my good man?" Yesenin ask once the door was fully open, the homeowner look at the two men. It is strange for him to go inside rooms at night. he usually just wait the morning.

"Would you mind if I stay here tonight?" The homeowner ask, one hand on the doorframe and the other holding his gun.

Hard to say no to that, Sergei just nod at that. "It's your house, not ours." Yesenin responded. Really Yesenin? thanks, we all forget about that. Sergei wanted to respond, but he hold his tongue. At best the homeowner would tell him.

But he didn't say anything in response. He just walk inside the room, close the door behind him and sit down on the armchair. His gun was now on the floor and one of his arm on the armrest as he hold his head with his palm.

"A-Are you okay?" Sergei asked quietly. Stupid question, of course he isn't okay, it is more a prompt for him to talk.

"..." The homeowner didn't respond, he just sight. "My neighbour show up." He then said, Sergei doesn't know why that is a bad thing, He notice another house behind this one. Yesenin stiff slightly, so probably it is a bad thing.

"I-Is that a bad thing?" Sergei asked looking between Yesenin and the homeowner.

"I didn't tell you?" The homeowner ask looking at him.

"You tell me, he wasn't in the room at the moment." Yesenin responded.

The homeowner sigh, clearly not wanting to talk about it again, but before Sergei could tell him it was okay not to say it. "The kid with the yellow dress, the little girl in the kitchen is- was my neighbor's daughter, He ask me to promise him I would take care of her if he didn't survive the apocalypse. Then she show up at my door. The house was on fire and his brother kill him." The homeowner explain, it's a very brief explanation but enough to understand.

The person that show up was a visitor.

"Did you let him in?" Yesenin ask and the homeowner just shake his head. Sergei doesn't know if he should feel relied or no, yeah that was surly a visitor but was that the right choice? Well the homeowner seems to asking himself the same thing.

"I don't think I want to answer the door again, not tonight at least... but I don't want to sleep alone." Probably no one really expected that, He seems someone who is very close in himself but both of them are not gonna question him.

"It's fine by me" Sergei answer, if he wasn't okay with it the homeowner would probably go but honestly he seems to need company tonight.

"Do whatever you want" Yesenin answer, maybe a bit harshly but that is just his way to care, all of them know at this point.

hours later everyone is sleeping, Yesenin is on his part of the couch. Sleeping calmly without Sergei against him, they both silently agree that they prefer not to show affection when someone else is in the room. The homeowner is sleeping too on the armchair, the shadow darken a bit the part of his face where his eyes are but it clear that he is sleeping. Sergei, he is actually the only one who is awake, making sure the other two are sleeping, he has something to do that he was almost forgetting.

When he is sure both men are asleep Sergei stand up from the couch, boh arms cross trying to keep them warm as he get outside the room as quietly as possible. He had this on his mind the entire day, he almost thought of not doing so but in the end no one can reject their own nature, can they?

That is why now he is in from of the door of the bathroom, a part of him is still unsure if going inside. 'there is no difference between a human and a visitor who never kill anyone' that is something that had kept popping up in his mind as he walk from the couch to here. He really tried to be human, he wanted to be like one, that's why he tried not to kill anyone.
But he did already kill someone, in the past, willing or not he did. He can't change the past.

And he is pretty sure no one will miss him.

Sergei open the door of the bathroom, the only person inside is the man with short hair and a white shirt, useless describing him more, in a few nothing about his looks will matter. The man look startled to see him.

"The fuck-" He murmured looking up at Sergei who keeps his eyes steady on him. "What are you doing here human?" He asked, Sergei doesn't respond, he takes a step forward. "If you need to piss you can just say so." The man say as he get off the washing machine. Sergei keep remaining silent as he close the door behind him, he knows everyone  sleeping but he wouldn't dare risking. "What- Wait, aren't you the guy who was with that lanky man?" The man asked. If he had any doubt or romorse that disappeared immediately. Sergei doesn't need to hear anything more.
___________________________________

Sergei is awaken by a strong slam on the door, he was curle on himself when he was sleeping, he had clean himself the blood off the best he could and pretty much no trace remain, but he didn't want to take risk, that's why he was curle on himself. He look briefly at his clothes, no trace of blood.

Only then he uncurl himself and put his legs off the couch, putting them on the floor.
He look at Yesenin who is already awake, the homeowner isn't in the room so he is the one who probably slam the door.

"Wh-What was that?" Sergei asked at Yesenin, reffering to the door slamming, Yesenin look at him, noticing now that he is awake now.

"I wish I know, he wake around the same time as me, he just stay here enough to hear the TV and then he left the room slamming the door." Yesenin explain as he look at Sergei, who just shift closer to him.

"Pr-Probably to check on someone, thou-though he could had said at least good morning." Sergei explain, he wonder if the homeowner know he kill someone- well hopefully he doesn't know he kill him, just that someone is dead. That would explain why he leave so abruptly and would make his statement true.

Yesenin slightly raise his eyebrow. "You can't really talk." Yesenin comment, it takes a minute for him that he is refering that he didn't say good morning either.

"Go-Good morning."

"Good morning, but you stil can't talk." Yesenin respond making Sergei frown, but before he could ask what he meant the door get almost slam open, startling both of them, the homeowner glance at the door like he didn't expect it to be so loud either.
He then look at the two men on the couch and walk over to them, he is looking specifically at Yesenin. "I need to test you."

What? "What?" Yesenin spit, eyes narrowing as he look at the homeowner like he had just punch him and Sergei is probably looking at him the same way, because what the fuck do you mean with 'I need to test you'? "Are you serious right now? After almost two weeks of me being there you start to suspect me now?" Yesenin ask incredulous but the homeowner remain unfazed by it. "You Fucking sleep here last night, I could have kill you, I would really like to know what the fuck in your brain is making you think the reason of not killing you when I had the occasion." Yesenin spat, Sergei never hear him so angry, is this how he is normally? Because if the answer is yes then Sergei may think actually cut his tongue out because the homeowner know by now Yesenin but someone may kill him just for that.

After the homeowner didn't say anything else Yesenin just sigh. "What do you want to check?"

"Eyes" The homeowner ask, Yesenin frown but nonetheless he open his eyes a bit more as the homeowner slightly lean closer and check his eyes, Sergei ignore whatever feeling he is having right now.

The homeowner the lean back as Yesenin look at him very baldly. "I'm going to become a visitor tonight." Yesenin spat angerly making Sergei's eyes slightly widen. "I'll make myself cry by remembering peaceful times." He then added. Sergei would really prefer if Yesenin didn't, he is shit at comforting people, especially if they are crying.

The homeowner's lips slightly twich. "I don't think you are a visitor. But someone died last night" The homeowner inform him, Sergei slightly stiff beside him, so he did know.

"What is that have to do with me? Shouldn't you check everyone?" Yesenin ask, not knowing who just died, the homeowner seems to be relieved by the question, probably because it mean that Yesenin had no idea on who died last night.

"It's because the person who died is the man who came into the kitchen yesterday" The homeowner's word make Yesenin stiff. Now clearly understanding as Sergei look at the ground. "And from what he said, you seems to know him. He talked about a 'scrawny guy' with a sullen face who looked at him and his friends dissapointedly." He then added, that made Sergei look up at them because that sounded a lot like Yesenin.

"Maybe because they deserve it. If you heard a single thing that came out of their mouth you'll understand me. But with that said, I admit I didn't like the guy but I surly didn't want to kill him." Yesenin admitted, maybe Sergei exaggerate, killing someone is never right, but in his defence that man did try to indirectly kill Yesenin first. Getting someone throw away from their shelter just because you don't like them is also very exaggerated but no one seems to complaining about that. Also he doesn't like how that man referred to Yesenin's personality.

"I know, it is just in case someone start to think you are a visitor. At least like that I can just tell them I already test you. It is very unlikely to happen but I prefer do something and be useless than be sorry of not doing something." The homeowner explain. Sergei can't really think of anyone expect the two young girls that sees the scene, maybe someone hear the yelling but that to the point of accusing someone to be a visitor is really a strech.

"I understand, but this can turn into paranoia easily and when you start to get paranoid about the minors things you risk to commit more mistake than normal." Yesenin replay, that seems to make the homeowner tense up, that probably means he did that.
The homeowner doesn't seems very incline to keep talking after that, he seems to have his head elsewhere. He looks away before turn around. "I'll go now. If you need me for anything deal with that yourself." The homeowner just spoke before leaving the room.

There is a strange silent after that, Sergei swear he never felt this kind of quiet. He turn to look at Yesenin who is already staring at him weirdly and Sergei has to force himself to not flinch away from his look. What did he did now?

"You know." Yesenin start as his eyes remain on Sergei. "It is strange that he died after I found out I used to know he was here." He continue, Sergei look away. He doesn't know right? He can't know... But is Yesenin start to suspect him?

"I-I can understand why the homeowner test you." Sergei decides to respond, it's enough middle ground to not come across as rude.

"I was also thining..." Yesenin then continue leaning against the couch with his arms crossed, eyes now on the ceiling. "...Yesterday the homeowner didn't let anyone in." Those words make Sergei's already cold blood turn even colder. Fuck. "So, that means that there are already one or more visitor in this house since two nights ago." Yesenin ended with as he turn his head to look at Sergei who right now is staring at Yesenin with wide eyes, stiff, probably a bit curved and with the most terrified look in his eyes.

He can't know, right? He can't. He just can't. The thought of Yesenin starting to look at him differently now that he suspect- know that he is a visitor and kill someone made him want to shiver to death and feel physical pain.

Yesnin doesn't know. He would have said something more clear. Maybe he hadn't said anything yet because he can't believe he defend a murderer. Someone who kill someone Yesenin know, and yes he didn't like him but he didn't want him dead. He said that himself.

"Don't feel like talking today?" Yesenin ask after probably three minutes of complete silence and Sergei not moving expect for the shiver. Sergei is only able to nod his head as he start to stare at the floor. "Me either." Yesenin just add. Not helping Sergei state. Was this his faut?

But before he could start to ask himself more question he feels one of Yesenin's hand around his shoulder, bringing Sergei to rest his head on his shoulder. Sergei lean against it.
He only think you are scared that is what Sergei is keep repeating to himself, he desperately wants to believe that is the answer. Please, think I'm only scared.
______________________

Sergei that night can't sleep, his mind keep rethink of that conversation, does Yesenin know he is a visitor? What he said was ver vague but clearly aim.

No. No.

He just thought Sergei was scared. Is normal being scared at the thought of having visitor in the house without knowing who, especially if they had been there more than a day, Yesenin thought he was scared.

Sergei though feels himself becoming colder thinking that Yesenin doesn't know he is a visitor. Which is complete nonsense! He should hope he doesn't know anything.

I don't want you to change your opinion on me. Is what Sergei keep thinking. I don't want you to hate me. I'm still the same as before, I am still the same you talk to yesterday and the day before that.

And that thought is probably what make Sergei understand. He want Yesenin to suspect- to know he is a visitor and still decide to be on his side, to know and still trust him. Sergei look up and see

Yesenin sleeping even if he has his head against his forearm. He isn't scared and that is what Sergei wants.

He wants someone to know what he is, to know what he is capable of and still decide to not be scared of him. To not hate him for something he didn't and couldn't choose. It is selfish because he can't expect people to not be scared of a possible killer. But if wishing to not be feared by who he loved is selfish then he is the most selfish man alive.

Please, don't change your opinion on me. Don't hate me. Sergei keep think to himself. Even if you now what I am.

Sergei is able to fall asleep after that.
___________________

The morning after Sergei is awaken by Yesenin slightly shifting and the soft but hurrying closing of a door. He look up to notice Yesenin look very confused and just awake too, his eyes then shift to where the tall man's eyes are looking at. And he notice the two young girls are there.

But it seems... different. The teen looks the only one actually awake while the younger seems like she was dragged here still half asleep. The teen then look briefly at the two men with a strange expression before making the little girl lay down on the armchair, the little girl seems to be fast asleep while the other just stay standing there.

"If you want to know what happened just go in the kitchen." The teen respond to them before they could say anything. That was what he was going to ask and from Yesenin expression that is what he wanted to ask too.

Both men then get up from the couch. Yesenin seems to be almost in a hurry as he walked towards the door and open it while Sergei was following right behind him. While leaving the room Sergei catch a glimpse of teen's face that was looking at them a bit worry. What the hell happened? For what Sergei see the homeowner isn't even awake yet, What time is it?

But when Sergei turn around to look at Yesenin all that questions disappear. The man is looking inside the kitchen with an expression he never seen before, he gets worry about the situation fast and as he walk towards him all the previous worry vanish in an instant.

When Sergei arrived at the entrance of the kitchen door and look inside, his eyes widen in bewildered as he look up at the celling to find the blind man hanging from the kitchen's chandelier, his feet dangling on a few decine cm from the ground, shadow darkening everything over his torso.
Sergei force his eyes to look away, he briefly look at Yesenin and now he can see a hint in his eyes. A hint of envy. Sergei look away from him too and start to walk towards the homeowner's room, he gently knock at the door a few times, that seems to wake him up pretty fast as Sergei hear him groaning slightly and get up from the bed. A few seconds after the homeowner open his bedroom door with the shotgun in his hands, clearly annoyed with him.

The homeowner seems ready to talk and probably also yell at him but Sergei open his mouth faster. "S-Sorry to-to wake you up. B-But something happened in the kitchen." And as soon those words left his mouth the homeowner's face that was previously annoyed change in something worried.

The hermit almost shove pass him and Sergei realized he probably made the other man think the something happened to the two girls, which is a bit right. The teen didn't look very happy to had witness the suicide of a man.

When Sergei look back towards the hallway he notice that thankfully Yesenin stop looking inside the kitchen and instead is walking towards the hall while the homeowner look inside the kitchen. A flash of sick relief wash his eyes as he realized nothing happened to the young girls but is pass fast as he realized what he is looking at, he stare at the hanging body of the blind man but his eyes seems to be far away from there.

"The two girls are in the hall." Yesenin voice seems to break the spell that was making the homeowner just to look at the man, turning his head to look at him the hermit just nod his head and stare at the floor.

"I'll tell you when they can go back into the kitchen." The homeowner just say as he walk inside the kitchen, Yesenin just go back into the hall and Sergei follow him.
The teen is on the floor in front of the little girl who is still sleeping with a blanket on her. It wis the blanket Yesenin give to Sergei a few days after he arrived, he had not use it after a while as it didn't help.

The teen look up at the two men as they enter the room. "I hope you don't mind that I take your blanket." She just say as Sergei close the door behind him while Yesenin walk to sit down on the couch.

When Sergei close the door he start to walk towards the couch too. "D-Don't worry, I didn't use it anyway. D-D-Didn't help anyway." Sergei tell her as he sit down, she just nod and go back to stare at the floor.
Sergei doesn't know why she thought is was a good idea to go and bring the other girl here. Him and Yesenin aren't exactly the most comforting people you may find in this house.
Sergei notice Yesenin is looking at the teen. He seems a bit worry for her. "Are you okay?" He ask to the girl who just look up at him from where she is sitting.

"I just saw a man swinging by the chandelier. How do you think I feel?" The teen responded bitterly while going back to look at the ground. It's horrible that a teenager has to go trough all this mess.

"Like shit." She then whisper. Still not looking at both of them. "At least she didn't see anything, I made sure of that." She continued, talking about the little girl.

Sergei didn't know for how long they had knew each other but in any case she did something very respectable. "Wh-Why did you come here?" Sergei then finally ask.

The girl just scoff and let out a huff as she smile bitterly. "What was I supposed to do? I couldn't bring myself to tell him there is someone is the kitchen who just-... I needed to bring her in a place where she could rest. I didn't... I don't want her to know any of this, she- She has been through enough already. Doesn't need to see more death." She responded as she bring her knees to her chest  and hug them, her eyes glued to the floor. "I just move on command, I don't know why I thought of coming here." She then whisper.

"What about you?" Sergei ask with a surprising steady voice. "D-Didn't you see enough death?" Sergei clarify as the teen finally look at him.

Her gaze stay on him for a few seconds and then she looks away. "I never saw anyone die. I can handle it" She then dismiss him.

"It doesn't mean that didn't effect you." Then respond to her, though that seems to make her irritated.

"Shut up!" She bite back at him, looking at both of them with hostility, Yesenin stay with the same expression as he look back at her.

"Suit yourself." He just respond as he look at nothing specific, Sergei doesn't say anything at that. The moment the girl go back to look at the ground Sergei look at Yesenin, he then stare at his hand, a bit hesitant in doing anything. Then in a rush of bravery he slowly bring his hand closer to hold Yesenin's hand, the moment he hold his hand he immediately intertwine their finger and hold Sergei's hand tightly. Sergei stiff for a moment as he then relax and hold just as tightly Yesenin's hand.

They stay like there for a long time while the homeowner is the kitchen probably getting rid of the dead body of that poor man.

After a bit the little girl wakes up and the teenager look up at her. The girl rub her eyes as she looks a bit disoriented. "Where are we?" She ask softly at the teen, the other girl look at her and barely smile.

"We are staying here for a bit, is that okay?" She ask softly, the little girl then notice the two men and wave at them. They just wave at back with the other hand they have. The little girl sit on the armchair. The teen briefly glance at their interview hand but then almost shrug and go back to look at the other girl.

The little girl then start to talk to the teen about something. But before Sergei could really understand what they are saying the homeowner open the door and enter the room. his eyes search the room for a moment before he notice the two girls by the armchair.

The young one wave at him with a smile. "Good morning!" She said happily to the hermit as he wave back at her and attempt a smile.

"Good morning." He just say before looking at the teen who is looking at him too. "You two can go back to the kitchen now." He said and the teen gets up from the floor as the girl get off the armchair, grabbing the teen's hand as the walk out the hall.

The little girl turn back one last time to smile and wave at them before walking outside and walk towards the kitchen while the homeowner watch them.

When the sound of a door closing came through he look at them again. "Thank you, for watching them" The homeowner seems to be a bit distracted. Probably from what he saw earlier which is a bit strange is Sergei's opinion. That man had kill tons of person before, he shot them. Sergei heard it. Everyone is the house heard him. But now he seems shaken by a person hanging themself.

"We watch them for something like ten minutes, it's not a big deal." Yesenin responded to him. Waving his hand. Yeah they didn't watch them for long, They actually never stay with them very long which is kind upsetting as those seems very nice.

"For you. But I- Nevermind." The homeowner cut himself off as he look away, slightly scoffing. Seeming much more close on himself than he previously was. Which Yesenin seems to notice too. 

"What?" Yesenin ask. "Why for you it was a big deal?" He pushed making the homeowner not look at him.

Sergei decided to try a different question. "Yo-You seems a bit... D-Distracted when you see that man hanged." Sergei started, the homeowner seems to tense up a that. "I-If I'm not being intrusive... Is there a reason of why?" He then asked. The hermit stayed silence for a moment. "You clearly aren't much effected by death or killing as you had shot to many before, so why with him was so different?"

He pressed further, he didn't necessarily crack open the homeowner. If he didn't want to open himself Sergei isn't gonna force him. 

The homeowner stay silent for a bit. "A person I know- Well more like used to know hang herself. Someone push her to the edge and no one help her." He just explain, not elaborating further. The word someone was said with so much hatred that is almost impossible to ignore. 

After that all of them were silent. Sergei wonder if he should say something, to not make the hermit feels like shit for opening up about himself but his mind came out empty. "I envy that man for a moment." Yesenin then butler out, making both men look at him a bit surprised. Sergei didn't expect him to be so upfront about it while he doesn't know if the homeowner is surprise because he didn't know Yesenin is suicidal or for other reasons Sergei didn't know. "I had thought for so long about ending my own life in that way but I never had enough courage to do so." 

The homeowner put down his gun and look at Yesenin. "What are you scare of?" He aske. "If it take courage it means that there is something that scare you" Sergei at that wonder how much had they talk about it. He is pretty sure that if there is a conversation about Yesenin thought on ending it he would bring up his fear of what is there after death. 

"What do you think there is after we die?" Yesenin question back. 

"Death." The homeowner replay simply. "I never thought much of it. After death there is just death." He explain. Sergei kind of understand but at the same doesn't. It probably would need a better wording but he isn't exactly a talkative man. 

"What is that suppose to mean?" Yesenin ask, clear confused. Almost irritated. 

"I-I think I get it, sort of. But it will surly need a better wording... Which the homeowner isn't exactly doing" Sergei explain to Yesenin who looks at him. He can see a glimpse of the homeowner's eye go wide for a moment. 

"What?" He asked. Making both of them turn around to look a him. "How did you just call me?" He ask leaning slightly towards Sergei. 

Sergei look around slightly, did he say something wrong? "H-Homeowner?" Sergei words almost seems to come out as a question. 

"Why- Oh right I never told you my name." The homeowner cut himself off as he realizes he never said his name to him. 

"Y-Yeah" Sergei just say. He realizes he never told him his name either, he told his to Yesenin but never to the homeowner. "S-So. May I know it?" Sergei ask. 

The hermit seems to think about it. "I'll tell you later." The homeowner said. "I'm not sure I can trust you with it yet." He then continued making Sergei realized it a throw back to when they first talk. That is the first thing Sergei say to him. He couldn't help but slightly smile at that. It was kind of... Sweet? That he remember what he said despite how many people he talk to. 

The homeowner then look at Yesenin again. "You didn't responded to my question thought." The hermit noted, turning the conversation back on track. 

Yesenin seems surprise when the hermit keeps the conversation on what is was. He thought for a moment he didn't need to continue this conversation. "What scares me is what is after death. The thought of an after life like heaven just seems draining to me. The thought of rebirth just means it is a cycle of misery and becoming a ghost seems just as bad. By my logic the better option seems to be nothing but even that sound so.... sorrowful. After all of this just to be nothing in the end." Yesenin explain bitterly. 

"I-I think it's kind of peaceful. You don't have a body to carry. You don't feel tiredness." Sergei explain, hoping to bring some hope in Yesenin eve tough he kind of expect to do nothing. It wouldn't surprise him. 

"I know. I thought of it but there is still something I feel that lonely. It make me feel better." Yesenin explain look at him. As expected it didn't do much. 

"So basically you are impossible to satisfy." The homeowner noted. "As alive you are miserable because of all the shit happening to the world. Not only the apocalypse but everything. Your only option left is death which also doesn't bring you any relief as any kind of afterlife make you feel miserable, one is worst than the other in your opinion." The homeowner explain. That made Sergei realize that they talked a bit. He mentioned stuff like life being shitty for him even before the apocalypse. 

Said it like that it almost sound childish. "You simplify a lot. but basically, yes." Yesenin agree with him. "You made it sounds very childish but yes." He noted, Sergei isn't the only one who thought that. With Yesenin it feels like he is never alone to think something. 

"It wasn't an offence. I'm like you. If I were to die I would be very unsatisfied with everything. I'll consider it a wasted life." The hermit offer, they weren't much different, the motives are but the feelings is something share. 

"A- And is also the only one you get." Sergei mutter, mostly to himself but when both men turn to look at him he felt the need to explain. "I-I mean. Not to be disrespectful or rudee to who belve in rebirth but I personally really hope we only get one life. I don't think I would be able to handle another miserable life." Sergei specify. He really doesn't care what other belive in and in general he is very respectful of other religion. He just really wish he doesn't want to live another life. No matter how many people put it in different way, for him it always sounds so dreadful. 

"No, I get it. I think all of us can agree that would be the worst case scenario. I would probably kill myself if I have to live twice or more" The hermit assure him. All of them agree that if there is something after death, rebirth would be the one they dislike the most. "Not like we would know anyway." He then added. 

"Ma-Maybe that is why we don't know what there is after death. God k-know that we would kill ourselves if we knew our past life." Sergei noted, giving a new prospective. The 'we' used as humanity almost seems wrong on his tongue. He isn't human but he claim to belong there anyway. 

But then the homeowner let out a small laugh. That was probably the most they ever see him show emotion. And with they he means both Yesenin and Sergei. Both of them surprised at the sudden emotion he give away. 

"I- I honestly can see it happen. I believe most human don't want to live twice. It is already tiring live once." He then admitted between chuckles. A smile on his lips as he look at them. 

"I don't think your God would share this idea." Yesenin debate as he motion to something behind them. Sergei turn around and now notice the crucifix on the wall. Oh fuck he didn't notice it before. 

Sergei turn around to look at the hermit. "Oh shit- you're a Christian?" Sergei ask. looking at him with his eyes slightly wide. If he has to be honest the homeowner is the last person he thought would be religious. 

"You notice it only now?" Yesenin ask looking at him with a frown. 

"You had live here for almost two weeks and you realize it now?" The homeowner ask too. "I'm not anyway, my father was." He then added. The word father was said like it was acid. 

Yesenin seems to notice it immediately. "Not a good relationship with your father." He asked, that seems to only make it worst. 

"I really don't wat to talk about it." He seems very bitter on that. It seems to be something much more personal than anything else they talked about. 

Like said, Sergei isn't going to force him to open up, if he doesn't want to. And Yesenin seems to share the idea. "Suit yourself." Yesenin only responded with. 

The homeowner then realizes that the two girls are still in the kitchen. "I'll go now. If you need anything then resolved it by yourself." He said before walking out of the room. 

After a moment Sergei shift closer to Yesenin and rest himself on him. He had waited the entire day to do this, that is why he didn't let go of his hand. 

Maybe. Sergei think. Maybe here it would be different. He thought to himself. Letting himself be hopeful for once. 
_____________________ 

Sergei talked to fast. He had spent an entire week not killing anyone and being completely fine but apparently killing that man was a mistake because now the urge to kill had came back. 

Sergei's whole body shook with a shiver as he feels his mind getting foggy. His teeth chatter while he tries to not make it too notable. The other person in the room at the moment isn't seeping for some reason and he can't decide if he prefer it that way or not. 

He can feel Yesenin's heartbeat, blood and his everything with every moves he make. If he was asleep it wouldn't change but at least he would be able to look at hm without being too suspicious. And he wouldn't have to hide how much cold he was feeling. It is almost unbearable. 

Sergei's eyes fly toward Yesenin figure who is looking at nothing specific. He could kill him. Yesenin isn't strong enough to defend himself if Sergei try anything. But even if he was he doubt he would try to. He know that if try to kill him he wouldn't try to fight it. he would just accept it. 

Who would even suspect him? But who care if someone do? Let people know he kill him. Let people know that Sergei's last meal was someone as divine as Yesenin. He wouldn't mind dying cover in his blood and with the taste of him lingering in his mouth. That would probably be the most beautiful way to die. 

His thought got cut off by Yesenin's eyes looking at him. He immediately look away. No- No he won't kill him. 

He can't kill him. Yesenin save him but at this point who even care if he save him? He wants Yesenin to live, he never let himself fully accept it but it's true. 

He wants Yesenin to be alive. He want to be by side forever. He know he shouldn't feel this way for so and too many reasons. He can't do this him, Sergei would basically ruin his life. He can't do this to someone he care so deeply about, he would stay by side as a friend so that no one could ever connect them together is anything bad happens. It would hurt him but it would be better for both of them. 

But a selfish part of him doesn't care about that and just want Yesenin with him. No matter how bad stuff could go. But he can't listen to that part of him. 

"Sergei?" He hear someone call him. He look back at Yesenin who seems slightly worry and Sergei felt only worst because he had to physically stop himself from trying to launch at Yesenin in a probably attempt kill him. "Are you alright, my good man?" Yesenin ask once Sergei fully acknowledge him. 

Sergei look at him with wide eyes for a moment before nodding. "Y-Y-Yes, yes I'm fine." Sergei lie. He was the opposite of fine. "Why you ask?" He tried to busy himself either talk. Mostly because he know if he doesn't distract himself with something he might actually go mad. 

"It's just that you are..." Yesenin says as he point at him. "Shivering." He then say as he look at him from head to toe. 

"I'm always shivering." Sergei retorted knowing what he meant. 

"I know but you have shiver had lessen in the last few days." Yesenin call out. Not caring if Sergei was faking to not know what he meant. 

"you just got used to it." Sergei lie. He had notice too that his coldness and constant state of shivering had increasingly decreased as he spend more time with Yesenin. But now is back and he can't let Yesenin why. He can't let him know that he need to kill, that he wants to kill him specially. Mostly because he know Yesenin would not be disgusted by him. Because he know Yesenin would not run away from him. 

He can't lose the only good thing he has find in his life. 

"You know I didn't" Yesenin frown. His face contorting in an expression he know almost too well for someone who only know him for so little time. Yesenin's head then rest on his shoulder. "Listen I-" Yesenin got cut off by Sergei almost flinching away from him the moment he felt his hand on his shoulder. 

Yesenin stare at hm with wide eyes as he put more distance between them. Sergei know he would regret doing this later on but right now Yesenin touching him felt too damn tempting. He can almost feel himself almost giving out the moment Yesenin put his hand on his shoulder. They had been more close to that but tonight that alone felt way too much. 

After a moment Sergei realized what he just did and what could go trough Yesenin's head. "I-I have to go to the bathroom." He just say before getting up from the couch. He couldn't stand to stay in that room one more moment. 

When he walk to the door Yesenin just said one thing. "If you aren't back in five minutes I'm going to search for you." Sergei's blood get cold. He know. Sergei has this terrible sensation Yesenin know.

But he leave the room nonetheless. 

Even if there is a tiny possibility that Yesenin doesn't know Sergei is going to hold into it tightly. 

The moment Sergei arrived at the bathroom he open the door. Thankfully no one was inside. He breath a sigh of relief before closing the door behind and let himself break down. His teeth are chattering so hard it starting to hurt. he hug himself as hard as he can while his breath came out ragged. His mind is foggy and the hunger he is feeling is almost making him not thinking clearly. His mind is only thinking about Yesenin, only his feature and every particular of him are on his mind which is making everything worst. Which is making his hunger worst. 

God he can't think straight. He won't do it. He won't do it. He won't do it. He won't do it. He won't do it. He won't do it. He won't do it. He wont dp it. H won't do it he won't do it h wont't so iy he won't od it hw wot't do it he won't do it hew wont' do it heg wont dp it h erny go tit hnrk he wofnrt fo it do yro ny ofnit fit doentt fo ist he to et do tot- 

The door open suddenly. Sergei haven't realized he is gripping at the sink like his life depend on it. He doesn't have to turn around to know who it is but he still do and the moment his eyes find Yesenin's figure in the dark he turn completely towards him but his body is against the sink as much as he can. It is like the two part of his body is telling two completely different thing. A part of him want to launch himself at Yesenin and eat him as a whole until not eve his bone remain while the other part of him wants to go as far as he can away from Yesenin. 

But Yesenin doesn't seems to get that as he close the door behinds him and walk towards him. The close door would mumble his scream, no own would know it was him. Sergei tries to back into the sink even more. Had five minutes already pass? it felt like mere seconds. 

Yesenin looks so concern that it almost hurt him. His mind thought seems to numb everything, almost like he can't control his own body. 

"Listen I don't know what you have but..." Yesenin voice is filled with worry. He walk closer to him and raise an hand towards Sergei's face. His movement are slow to make sure Sergei could give a sign if he doesn't want to get touch but Sergei remain still. He want, almost crave Yesenin's touch but he know if he does actually touch him Sergei would kill him. 

His pupils are blow wide and he trie to search for something to stop all of this. His hand gripping the sink is the first thing he feels clearly in a while. The rest is still numb. So the moment Sergei feels it he doesn't hesitate. 

Sergei brought his hand close to his mouth and bite it with all the strength and hunger he has. 

The bite is hard. Harder then he thought. Blood start to came out of his wound and he stop biting immediately as he flinch back and let out a wince of pain. 

The pain is enough to clear Sergei's mind and make him come back to himself while his mind is now clouded by the pain. He only feels someone grab his hand and something similar to a "What the fuck." Or something really close to it. 

He can't think really clearly as he feels light headed by the pain. God that hurt a little more than it should have. He didn't expect himself to bite that hard. 

The moment the world became clear again he look at his hand better. He bit between his thumb and between his index's knuckle. He can almost see his bone. He really had bitten too hard. He look up to see a worry Yesenin who is looking around the bathroom to try to found something. Probably to try to find something to help him. 

The moment he notice Sergei is back in himself he grab his hand as much as gently and harshly as possible and bring it under the sink and turn the on the water. Sergei want to flinch back but Yesenin doesn't let him. 

Sergei watch as the water turn red from his blood. "Sorry" Sergei apologize. His voice low, right now he feels terribly. He had try to kill Yesenin, try to stop it and he right now is worry about him. Gpd he is the worse. 

Yesenin look a him like he is offended or very confused or both. "The fuck you mean sorry?" Yesenin ask. Sergei look at him with eyes slightly open and even very guilty. 

"I-I thought you were angry at me." 

"I am. But there is still no reason for you to apologize." Yesenin responded. Sergei didn't say anything at that, his eyes move to his hand. After a bit Yesenin turn off the water and give him a towel for

Sergei to dry his hand. "Keep it on your hand. Tomorrow I'll ask the homeowner if he has anything for it." He explain as Sergei dry his hand, it still loosing blood but not as much now. He press the towel against his hand. 

There is silence for a moment in the room Sergei doesn't exactly know what to say. How is he supposed to explain what he just did? But at the same time he can't stand the silence. "Thanks." Sergei whisper. The only thing he can think is that Yesenin just help him after he wanted to kill him. He doesn't even know why he has done it which somehow makes even worst. 

"It's fine." Yesenin respond. Sergei is the worst, Yesenin is genuinely worry for him while Sergei is basically tricking him. Making worry for a visitor, for someone horrible who had kill so many people, for

someone who Yesenin had defend him for being not. All of this. The entire situation is not fair for him. "But are you gonna tell me why you did that? Why did you bite your hand?" Yesenin ask making Sergei thought run wild. What should he respond? He can't tell him. He can't tell him he is a visitor and just try to kill him. 

But what if he does? He finally tell him he is a visitor and let himself be free by all those negative thought that tell him how cruel he is. Yes, he had wanted to kill him but maybe, maybe Yesenin would forgive him, it's clear that Yesenin wouldn't care if he kill him, for how bad how that is, it is true. Why not just told him? Let himself be completely open and sincere to Yesenin. Right now it feels the only person who would accept him for who he is, even if visitor. 

But apparently he had been silent for too long. "Listen. I don't care if you don't want to tell me just... just go back in the hall, if you are okay now." Yesenin sigh as he walk out of the bathroom. Sergei stay there for a moment. He should tell him but maybe not tonight. God tonight happened way too much. 

After a bit he gets out of the bathroom, Yesenin isn't in the hallway so he probably is already in the hall. Sergei walk through the hallway and then get inside the living room. As expected Yesenin was sit there, seemingly in deep thought. Sergei walk towards him. 

Yesenin look at him with a confused expression. "I-I think I need to tell you something." Sergei started. Should he just told him he isn't visitor or should he show him his hole? Both sound bad. 

"You think?" Yesenin rais an eyebrow. He isn't helping the nervousness Sergei is feeling. 

"Yes." Sergei nod. "But I think you would be mad." He is dancing around he subject now. 

"Then maybe don't." Yesenin just responded with but he seems to regret it immediately after Sergei frown at him. Not the best response to someone who want to confide something to you. "If you are scared I might get mad at you then just tell me tomorrow, I will be less mad than now." Yesenin just respond. Sergei seems conflicted for a moment then he just nods and sit down on the couch, still pressing down on his hand. 

Sergei look down at his hand, wondering how he would be able to sleep while pressing down on his hand. His eyes the raise to meet Yesenin's eyes who were looking at him. He quickly look away, which is an uncharacteristically act from the tall man. Sergei then shift closer to him. "Do you mind?" Sergei ask, still making sure to look at him. 

Yesenin still refuse to look at him, he prefer to stare at nothing specific. "I never mind it with you." Yesenin respond, making Sergei's lips curve into a small smile. Sergei slightly nuzzle against him and then close his eyes. Hopefully nothing bad happens while he is asleep. 
_________________________ 

Strangely when Sergei wake up nothing bad had happened, which is a surprise but a very welcome one. Something is not very welcome thought, is the fact that Yesenin is not there. He is alone. 

For a moment he is worry but then he notice that the door is open. Sergei notice the homeowner is walking to his room but then he notice Sergei awake and get inside the room. "good morning." The hermit put his shotgun aside as he walk closer. 

"Good morning" Sergei look at him, still confused as fuck but trying not to give it away, he then remembered what he is holding and look down at his own hand and towel. He move it away, happy to noticing it is not bleeding anymore. 

"Oh right, that's what I was forgetting." The homeowner spoke after he notice Sergei's hand, he sit down besides him and take out something that looks like a disinfectant for injury. "Yesenin told me you got an injury, I almost forgot." He explain. He look at him as if he was asking if he wanted him to do it or if he wanted to  do it himself. Sergei just extend his hand, the hermit take it and start to do his own things while Sergei think. 

"Wh-Where is Yesenin?" He ended up asking. It was the first question that come in his mind as he wake up alone. 

The homeowner glance at him for a moment before looking at his hand again. "He is talking with another guest, apparently they know each other." He explain. How many person does Yesenin know?

That is already two of them which isn't a lot but it is strange that two of them are there. 

"A-Another?" Sergei asked. 

"I know, but I wasn't surprise this time, the guy did mention someone as 'tall-ass guy' and he was in a bar." The homeowner explain. Funny how every time someone mention a tall guy at bar the hermit immediately thought of Yesenin. 

"Yesenin i-isn't the only tall man that visit bar, you know?" Sergei ask smiling. The hermit look at him unimpressed which make him smile more. 

"I know, but the majority of time is him." If the homeowner says so, Sergei just has to trust him on this one. "And he mention a few thing that made it clear that it was him." He then add. 

"S-Sure." Sergei tone is clearly sarcastic but the homeowner doesn't comment on that expect for a scoff. Sergei then look at his hand as the homeowner bendare it. "Also aren't you concerned on how I get that injury. I mean it is not very usual for people to have bite on their hand." Sergei ask before he can think about the question twice. Then he realize what he just said and want to punch himself. Is he stupid? It's better if no one question him. 

"I mean I would but." The homeowner started looking up at him. "But I don't really care what you two do here." He vaguely said as he then keep looking down. Sergei blink twice while looking at the hermit. 

"So-Sorry, what?" Sergei asked confused. "What the fuck do you think we do here?" Sergei ask almost offended. No seriously what the fuck does he think they do there? Especially that involved biting one hand to the point of bleeding. 

"I don't know and I don't care. Now thinking about it I should considering this is my house." The homeowner self reflect. 

"Really?" Sergei mock and the hermit give him a unimpressed look. 

"Fuck off" The homeowner just respond to him and Sergei chuckles at that as the hermit stop tending his hand, Sergei look at it. It's definitely better now. 

"Thanks" Sergei thank him as he get up from the couch. 

"No problem." He responded as he was ready to say it, after that the for in front at the hall's door open and Yesenin came out. The homeowner notice him. "Oh look he came back." The homeowner just point out. 

"Sadly." Sergei add sarcastically. That made the hermit chuckle but it also made Yesenin, who was walking back there, glare at Sergei. "I was joking, don't look at me like that." He protested looking at Yesenin. 

The man just sit down beside Sergei. "How was the conversation?" The homeowner ask, not seems to really care. 

"I barley know the guy." Yesenin admitted, the hermit didn't seem surprise me. "But I think I know who that is." He the added. Sergei wishes that he at least recognize who that was, he was talking to him so that kind feel like the bare minimum but maybe Sergei just isn't that social. 

The homeowner shrug. "I figured, from what he told me you two didn't exactly talk." The hermit said. He then started to walk away. "I'll go now. Don't bother me." He just say before closing the door behind him. 

Sergei then look at Yesenin confused as he got closer to him. "Did you really talk with someone who you barley recognize?" He asked, it seems strange for Sergei to talk with someone like that. Not that you can't talk with someone who don't know, that is just how you know someone, is that they started talking with someone because you barley know them. 

Yesenin look at him. "Yes, you don't?" He asked, now Sergei always assumed Yesenin wasn't someone very socially, for no particular reason he just seems not the kind of guy who talked easily but maybe he was wrong. For what it seems Yesenin seems to know a lot of person. 

"No? I was hesitant to talk to you when you first started to talk to me." Sergei explain, maybe he is too socially awkward for this kind of stuff. It wouldn't surprise him, he had always know he wasn't a very social guy. That is also the reason why he didn't have many friends. 

"You seems very reclusive." Yesenin notice moving his head to fully face Sergei, well he is, he thought that Yesenin is too but apparently he is wrong. 

In a moment of boldness Sergei himself has no idea where it came from he move his hand to rest on Yesenin's shoulder and rest his head on that hand, staying more close than he has ever been with Yesenin who for a moment look as much as surprise as Sergei is feeling but trying not to show. "I-I am. I thought you w-were too." Sergei admitted while trying to keep his tone, eyes and face as neutral as possible and it is unsurprising difficult. 

Yesenin then seems to relax, he relax enough that his face get closer to Sergei's face. "I am. But at the bar I talk pretty often." Yesenin explain, but the moment his face get a bit too much Sergei finally let himself get back to his previous position and Yesenin seems to smile slightly at that. After a moment Yesenin seems to had an idea. "You know. When we get out of here I'll bring you to a bar." Yesenin the said. 

Sergei's eyes widen at that. From what he remember he never been to a bar? he think. He doesn't remember much of his life before the apocalypse. He remembers some stuff and general stuff but specific thing doesn't really come into mind. "You being so optimistic to the point thinking we would came out of here alive? That is something new." Sergei tease with a small smile and Yesenin scoff at that. 

"I'm trying to be the one optimistic here or I think we would both kill ourselves." Yesenin joke, that could easily happened but maybe another day. 

"Well isn't that very romantic?" Sergei ask, with so much bravery he didn't know it was possible but it was rewarded with a small chuckle. Thinking again about Yesenin offer make him realized it was actually a pretty sweet thing to say. 

"Very romantic." Yesenin joked looking at Sergei with a huge smile with no teeth. 

Sergei want to live in this moment forever. He wants to live in that smile forever. 

He hate name feeling. But with Yesenin it seems stupidly easy. 

God he loves this man. 
_________________________________ 

Sergei that night wake up like he was out of his body, he feels like he can't move a single part of his body. He can open his eyes but can't do much else. He is probably having a sleep paralysis. 
But the next second he moves he shift slightly away from Yesenin. Wait- how is he moving? Sergei is shivering, teeth chattering and pupils blow wide, Yesenin looks over at him. It is strange for Sergei to move away from him, especially when he seems to shivering so much. 

"Sergei?" Yesenin ask and Sergei head move. He is still is having his head hung low as if he is looking the ground but now he is just looking at Yesenin with his pupils wide and eyes completely black but more soulless than usual. "Are you- What do you have?" Yesenin ask. Deciding to word his phrase differently, knowing Sergei would not answer sincerely. He is right. 

"Nothing." Sergei answer with a strange calm. He then deciding to stop sitting with his back arch, sitting up right. "But can I as you something?" Sergei ask with his eyes smiling. The sight seems to make

Yesenin both worry and feel unease at the same time. 

"Sure. Ask me" Yesenin tell him. Sergei hug himself a bit tighter. 

"Would you blame a monster for acting like one?" Sergei ask and the room seems to drop by sever degree. But maybe that is just Sergei's body that is getting ready for something even he doesn't know is coming. 

"What?" Yesenin ask as he narrow his eyes. "What do you mean?" He ask again which seems to make Sergei even more amused for some reason. 

"Would you blame a monster who kills everything it sees for not gouging its eyes out?" Sergei explain better his question with his head tilt. Wanting to know Yesenin answer. 

But Yesenin doesn't seems to wanting to respond. He seems very worry though. Typical Yesenin, always worry about others when danger is in front of him. "Are you okay?" He ask back. Seeming to done with wording phrase differently. Sergei isn't gonna give him a truthful response anyway. 

"You didn't answer the question." Sergei point out as he tilt his head on the opposite side of where it was before. 

"Neither did you." Yesenin point back. He has courage. Sergei always notice that. 'I prefer die speaking' He once told him. He stuck to his world. 

There was a moment of silence. Both of them didn't speak. Sergei isn't gonna crack under pressure as usual and Yesenin seems to have get that already but he still isn't responding. But Sergei can see something behind those blue eyes of Yesenin. It is almost if he is asking himself what is up with Sergei. 

"No" Yesenin then answer. Sergei only seems to be smiling more but his mouth seems to be constantly hidden by something both of them didn't know. 

"Why not?" Sergei ask again. Wanting to hear Yesenin voice a bit more and his motive. He wonder if Yesenin would get mad because he didn't answer his question. 

But he isn't. "Maybe it doesn't see with his eyes." Yesenin response with. Sergei notice that Yesenin said 'his eyes'. He doesn't commit those type of mistake. It was on purpose. he know he absolutely know and it make Sergei start to laugh. He put one of his hand on the couch under him as he laugh. "Why are you laughing?" Yesenin ask. He seems to be pretty uncomfortable now. It is a strange look on him now. It used to be like this at first. Now this is such an unfamiliar sight. 

Sergei go back to make an unbreakable eye contact with Yesenin. "No reason..." Sergei lie and he know immediately know Yesenin didn't buy it. So he immediately decided to explain himself better. He doesn't want to see him mad. "Just thought it was a really you answer." Sergei admitted. It is true. That was a answer he fully expected from Yesenin. 

Yesenin didn't say anything after that. The room feel into complete silence. He own his dearest companion an answer, don't he? Just to calm some nerve. 

"Yes, of course I'm fine." Sergei just answer and the look on Yesenin is priceless because he realized he is not lying. He is fine. But Yesenin know there is something wrong. He now him well enough to know but not enough to be able to point out exactly what. 

"You don't look fine." Yesenin answer. Oh he and his big mouth. He wonder how he was able to survive this long. 

"Well I am fine." Sergei just answer back which make Yesenin silence for a second. 

Both fell into silence actually but Sergei mostly because he notice Yesenin seems to be debating if say something. So Sergei wait because he want to hear what he has to say. 

"Sergei?" 

"Yes?" 

"Are you gonna kill me?" 

... 

Sergei eyes is showing more and more enjoyment. Eyes smiling with his pupils as wide as humanly possible. Sergei then get on his knees on the couch and bring his face up until he is face to face to Yesenin. Face close as Sergei look deeply into those blue eyes with pupils blow wide as humanly possible. Matching his perfectly. 

Sergei stay for a moment is silence as Yesenin look at him trying to not show any emotion. Eyes are truly a window. "You know, your pupils dilated when you like someone and when you are scared."

Sergei explain. Tilting his head as Yesenin just look at him. Force to look into his eyes too by the closeness. "I was wondering which one of you are right now?" Sergei then ask and Yesenin seems to narrow his eyes a bit. 

"You didn't answer the question." Yesenin point out. 

"Neither did you." Sergei point back. Mimicking Yesenin from before. 

After that there is a moment of silence. This time Yesenin didn't seem willing to answer the question for some reason. "Are you gonna answer me?" Yesenin ask after several moment of complete silence. 

"Why should I?" Sergei ask back. This seems to turning into a fight on who ask more question but thankfully Yesenin doesn't want to. 

"Because I ask you first. Before I answer first. Now you answer." Yesenin respond making Sergei want to cut his tongue for so many reason. He always know he was like this but never got to experience it before. Oh, Yesenin has such the most delicious personality. 

"Yes, I am gonna answer." Sergei answer. Deciding to answer Yesenin's latest question. 

"Both." Yesenin seems to be doing the same. 

"Yes." 

After that Sergei only see Yesenin's eyes widening before everything goes to black. Loosing consciousness. Or self control. He doesn't know. 

... 

God, please. 

If you exist and love us all. 

Make it not had happened. 

Please... 
___________________ 

When Sergei go back into control of his own body the first thing he notice are his hands. 

Cover in blood. But not his own blood. 

No... 

Sergei head shot up from where he was looking back. His eyes doesn't meet any figure. Only darkness and when he look down on the floor the only thing he see in a mass of blood, bones and- Gpd no he can't keep watching. Sergei look away fast. What did he do? 

Sergei shutter hard. Cold creeping into his bone like never before, or maybe he was so used in not feeling cold that now it feels ten time worst. Sergei feels his body freezing alive as his eyes start to get blurry. He can't believe it. He didn't did it. 

Sergei watch on the floor again as he look at Yesenin's dead body on the ground. At Yesenin's body he kill... 

Sergei then get up and basically run to the bathroom. The sun isn't even fully up yet but he doesn't care. 

When he arrived inside the bathroom he look at his reflection. 

His mouth is bloody, his hand too. He... 

Sergei feels himself growing sick. Which is strange. Yesenin left such a sweet and divine taste on his mouth but his mind seems to make that also more sickening. Sergei feels like he is going to pass out. He just kill Yesenin. 

The man who he try to protect, not realizing that the real danger was himself. Yesenin trust him, he trust him so deeply and Sergei use it. He is the most horrible being ever existed. 

Sergei's mind start to move his body on his own as he start to wash his mouth and hand while Sergei try not to cry and throw himself into the sun. 

At some point Sergei has come back in the hall with Yesenin's dead body on the floor where the day before there was Yesenin. His mind foggy as he almost can't understand what happened. It always end like this. Why the fuck did he let himself think this time it would be different. He shouldn't have knock on the homeowner's door. he should have just let himself die burning in the sun. that would have safe his life maybe. who cares if he died?! He is a killer. A horrible being who never find himself to fit in anywhere. 

He isn't cut out to be a human and he isn't cut out to be a visitor. Space, society, human, visitor, no one need him. He isn't necessarily anywhere. The only time he found himself to be able to fit in is with someone who he kill. Sergei hug his knees closer to himself. 

Sergei the hear the homeowner wake up. He hear the sheets moving and the mattress squeaking. Then it stopped, as if he immediately understood what happened. He then hear the homeowner get up from the bed abruptly. He hear him grabbing his gun and almost run to the hallway to open the door of the living room. 

The moment the figure of the homeowner appear in front of the door Sergei's tears that he had hold in start to fall. He bury his face into his knees. A mix of shame, sadness, betrays and so much more wash over Sergei. 

He had selfishly think only about himself and not about the other person who knew Yesenin even before him, Sergei can't help but cry silently expect for the small sob that left him once in a while. 

He is so pathetic. Crying for something of his own doing. Sergei is the one who kill Yesenin, the one who sink his teeth into his skin and tear him apart with no hesitation and now he has no right to grieve him. Not after he did that to him. 

After everything Yesenin was he just decided to kill him. The man who save another one's life just because innocent people's life is worth more than a killer. the man who open up about himself to other to try to make them feel less lonely. The man who did all of that died by the hand of someone who he put all his trust in. 

He is expecting everything by the homeowner. Shouts, yell, questions and most of it death. 

He know he deserves it. Now more than ever. 

So when he hear the hermit footstep walking closer to him he brace for anything. Especially death. He shut his eyes close but after a few moment he just feels a hand on his head. Slightly patting in an attempt of comforting. 

Sergei look up with his eyes still wet and is meet with a shock and very guilty homeowner. He look at Sergei briefly before starting to put the remain of Yesenin's body into a trash bag and until he doesn't leave the room Sergei doesn't realize what just happened but when the door shut close Sergei realized. 

The homeowner thought he deserved comfort because he is grieving Yesenin. 

What a fucking joke he is. 

He always does this, doesn't he? He fake to be all innocent when he is the one who deserves the least to be comfort. He is a killer. He deserves to be killed like he kill so many includes Yesenin. He truly is a joke of nature. The cruelest joke nature could ever made. 

Yesenin was scared of death and he still kill him. Making his biggest fear become reality. What a horrible monster he is. 

The hermit then came back into the hall. He should tell him. 

He should tell him everything. Every sin he committed and let him hit him and kill him. Make him suffer until he doesn't let out his last breath. Or even let him live with the knowledge he ruin the only good thing he ever had. Let his body ache and mind suffer until the end of time. that is what he deserve. 

"I know you were close to Yesenin." ... "I'm sorry for what happened." ........ "I guess you want to be alone." 

The hermit leaves. Sergei wasn't able to tell him anything. Fucking coward. he is a fucking coward and always been. He wasn't able to tell Yesenin what he was and he isn't able to tell the hermit what he has done. 

He is just a coward who deserve only the worst and somehow got the best only to ruin it. 

And now he has to live like this. 

Body arching in the cold and yearning for that warmth Yesenin bring in his life. Living in this immense loneliness that he used to have since he had been born but that now he isn't used to it anymore. 

Sergei sincerely apologize to Yesenin. 

For being such a coward. 

For being like this. 

And for everything he has done. 

This is the most loneliest day of his life and he has no one to blame. 

No one to blame but Sergei. 

No one to blame but himself.