The city outside was alive. Neon light reflected in puddles, laughter of sex workers as they chatted amongst themselves while looking out for potential customers, drunks and junkies falling over each other too buzzed to notice anything and the homeless littering the streets in the drizzle trying to get even a silver of warmth.
Mikhail needed air and to clear his mind. He had not fully accepted reality or maybe he just wanted to believe that he was human again.
He walked forward aimlessly his long black coat brushing again the wet pavement. He'd pulled up the collor to protect his neck from the biting Russian cold rain.
He stopped at the street corner near the University district, a strange place for a man like him. He'd dropped out in highschool to join the gang. That was also similar to his current body. The entire street was lit with bright street lights and filled with the chatter of students and vendors.
He turned away ready to go back into the darkness,where he belonged, then a voice broke through the hum of vehicles.
" Excuse me sir. You dropped this."
The voice was deep and seductive.
Mikhail turned.
A young man stood Infront of him, holding out a silver lighter . Clearly belonging to him.He was a head taller than him which was a surprise. Mikhail could be regarded as a tall man but this was just taller. Good genetics.
He had pale skin, nearly translucent under the Street light, blond curly hair ,damp from the drizzle. Droplets of water manged to escape and follow down his face, it was a beautiful sight to see.
His eyes were the strangest thing he has ever seen. One was red while the other was green looking at him ,Bright and with politeness floating inside.
For a heartbeat, Mikhail forgot to breath. He was mesmerized. The young man was probably a land siren, he mused.
There was no way some one would be that perfect.
" Thanks," he said, taking the lighter. Their fingers brushed, smooth again calloused . He shivered a little. Maybe it was the cold.
The young man smiled small and genuinely," you shouldn't smoke so much. It's bad for the lungs."
He said pointing at his almost finished cigarette.
Mikhail mouth curved,half amused," ooh really. Bad for the lungs ,good for the nerves."
" That doesn't sound very convincing."
Mikhail studied him. While doing that he didn't notice the young man studying him in return. The smile still on his face.
There was no arrogance in him, despite his near celestial look. If Mikhail had that face and body he would be practically prancing around like hades putting it to good use. He smiled at his stupid thought.
The young man had that certain calmness that drew people in unconsciously. Anyone who met him would view him as gentle. He looked like those who still believed the world was good. They were few in-between.
His backpack was slung low, way too low, one strap moving in the wind. He looked like a student through and through.
Yet Mikhail couldn't put a finger on what his mind was whispering. It seemed to be vanishing the moment he tried to catch it . A warning perhaps.He stopped. No need to break his mind for something so trivial.
Maybe the mismatched eyes or the confidence he excluded made Mikhail interested in him. But Mikhail knew that if he was a character in the book he would have remembered with how unique he looked. Probably just an extra. He assured himself.
" You study here?" Mikhail asked, gesturing at the barely visible university building.
The young man nodded," Economics. I'm Adrian."
He could have passed for a model or actor.
" Mikhail," he said before he could stop himself. Beauty is really the fall of all men.
Adrian smile widened for a fraction," nice to meet you Mikhail."
The sound of his name in that deep Russian accent sent a strange ripple down Mikhail's spine.
Before he could respond, a bus roared by splashing dirty water onto the sidewalk. Adrian stepped back quickly,no one wants to be splashed with freezing water, almost bumping into him. Mikhail caught his wrist to steady him. He could feel his pulse thumping under his skin. His heart rate elevated a little then went back to normal.
"Careful," Mikhail murmured.
Adrian looked at him started, and for a moment those mismatched eyes reflected the city lights. They looked like that of the grim reaper.Then he laughed softly clearly embarrassed.
" Guess I'm not built for the streets." He said shaking his head.
" Stay that way," Mikhail said. With his looks, the streets would eat him alive, flesh and bones. He released him," the streets bite."
Adrian tilted his head a small smile on his face," And you don't?"
Mikhail smirked slowly and said as though it was a confession," I do worse."
Adrian blocked innocently, not sure if he was seriously or joking," then I'll keep my distance."
" You won't," Mikhail said before thinking. Adrians cheek flushed at the audacity in his words and tone.
silence fell over them briefly.It was only broken by the sound of tires on asphalt. As a car sped by, probably a reckless student.
Then Adrian cleared his throat and then adjusting his bag,"well... Good night Mr Mikhail. Try not to choke on the smoke."
Mikhail laughed.
Adrian turned and walked away, rain glitter on his hair like dew in the morning.
Mikhail watched him disappear into the crowd. He only left a faint smell of citrus and rain lingering where he stood. Clean and delicate.
His phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number.
Welcome back to the game boss
Mikhail slipped the lighter and phone into his pocket, eyes still on the direction Adrian had gone.
A harmless college boy, he mused to himself.
He lit a cigarette, the flames trembling in the wind,"we'll see about that," he whispered, smoke curling around his smile.