Chapter Text
I wake up at 9:00 am, my alarm clock’s ringing irradiating my formerly silent bedroom. I shut it off, the room once again going quiet. I gently step out of my bed, and I begin walking to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I take my toothbrush and put on some toothpaste. I begin to brush my teeth, the brushing sounds in a nice rythm. After I finish, I walk downstairs to check if Steve is awake. As I peek into the room where he is sleeping, I see him still asleep, his arm draped over the open end of the couch. I smile and I finish walking down the stairs, where I am greeted by a strong energy of fatigue washing over me as I get closer to Steve’s limp, sleeping body.
I walk closer to Steve, gently shaking him awake. His eyes gently open and they peer at me with a soft gaze.
“Good morning, Steve.”
“Back at you, Seryozha. How did you rest?”
“Good. Lot.”
“Same here. I passed out midway through the movie, correct?”
“Oh no, you fall asleep.”
“Well, that’s another term for it, haha. Fall asleep quickly, pass out… same thing.”
“Good to know. Thank you.”
“No problem. I am a good teacher.”
“That’s why you are captain of us.”
“Maybe, but that’s more being a leader…”
“Being leader means being teacher. I think you have good teach things.”
“Thank you, you’re surely hitting me with many compliments this morning!”
“I like that. Are you happy?”
“Yes. It made me happy.”
We smile and glance at eachother like we did last night, a soft, welcoming gaze coming from both our eyes and our contortions.
I break our silence. “Do you want breakfast made?”
“Yes, please.”
“What would you like?”
“Hm, how about some eggs and avocado toast?”
“Good. I like avocado. But why on toast?”
“It’s just better, trust me. Do you want me to help you make it?”
“Yes. Any good?”
“Oh, it’s a lot of things. Delicious, nutritious, and good for a hockey player who stayed up late with his new buddy and watched Terminator.”
“Oh, good. Can I make it?”
“My pleasure. I’ll read you the recipe for it if you would like.”
“Russians not good cook. Only Russian food. Not America.”
“I see… well then, I’ll offer you some extra help any time if you need it.”
“Thank you.”
As we start cooking, he reads off the recipe to me, and I follow it well until I don’t understand some words.
Steve helps me out with it midway through. “Oh, here.” He comes in front of me and, for just a split second, his soft, delicate touch brushes my fingers. I blush at that, but I am sure to hide it. I can feel the blood and warmth rushing to my face as time passes by. Afterwards, I zone out.
“Seryozha? Hey, are you ok?”
I come back. “Oh, yes. I just daydream.”
“Oh, hm? That’s ok, I do that a lot too…”
“Good I can do the same thing as you. It makes me feel happy.”
“We are very similar, aren’t we?”
“Yeah.” After that, a gaping wave of silence fills the room, almost ominous. I am extremely embarrassed right now. Seriously? He brushed your hand, and you had to blush and daydream? Ugh, really? He’s not even that cute…
But is he?
NO! Jesus, Sergei!
“Hey, Seryozha. There you go again… maybe I should just.. uh… make it for you?”
“Good idea. Break is good for me.”
“Okay. May I ask what you were daydreaming about? A girl?”
“Yes. No! Maybe?”
“Do you have the feels for someone, hm?”
“No. Not that.”
“Oh, ok. That was a bit rude of me. Sorry…”
“It is ok. I forgive you. Not a deal…”
I sit down on the couch, out of Steve’s vision. I smack my head over and over, feeling the most sense of embarrassment I’ve had in forever.
I eventually calm myself down, lying down once again. That was a bit dramatic… but still, this was EXTREMELY embarrassing. I don’t want to exist anymore after this. It’s grabbing my already immensely heavy heart and dropping it down even lower in my chest. I feel like crying, but I never do, so I just sit there, a scowl noticeably on my flushed face. I massage my scalp until I hear Steve say, “Food’s ready!” I walk to the kitchen.
“Thank you. I am a mess.”
“No, you’re just under a lot right now, and I can tell. I can read you very well.”
“You can?”
“Yes.”
“Please don’t. Russia doesn’t like that.”
“Oh, ok. I’m sorry. Are you still hungry?”
“Yeah.” That was a lie, I just didn’t want to be rude.
“Good. I hope you enjoy your first avocado toast taste, even though it isn’t exactly ideal right now.”
“Thank you. I will try.”
I take a bite of the toast, and my expression beams up. “Oooh, вкусный!”
“Does that mean it’s good?”
“Hell yes.”
We both laugh. Although my mood was still wonky, this seemed to slightly cure it. I have one piece of toast, then an egg.
“That was good eating,” I say, smiling.
“I’m happy you like it, Seryozha. Are you feeling better? Do you need any help?”
“Maybe, thank you, and no, thank you.”
“Alright, im glad to hear you’re content now.” He lets off a genuine smile on his face, with a slightly chipped tooth in the front that adds even more friendly character to his grin.
We once again stay silent, the quiet sounds of eating filling the kitchen.
“Well, I think it may be time for me to go, Seryozha. I’m busy today, I have a lot to do at home. It’s a mess over there…”
”That is ok. I get it. You can go if you want.”
”Alright, man. It was a pleasure getting to know you and befriend you. You’re a great guy, you know that?”
”Thank you. Appreciated. You too.”
”Why, thank you. I feel honored for that, especially when its coming from such a good guy. Goodbye now. Thanks for everything today and last night.”
I give him a tight hug before he leaves. “You’re welcome. It was lot of fun.”
We smile at eachother as he walks out the door, his hand softly waving goodbye. After I’m sure hes gone, I laugh excitedly. I had finally made a real American friend.