Page 6 of The Cat's Mausy

Issac resisted the urge to roll his eyes and stifled a yawn as they walked into the classroom. “It’s fine.”

“Vy nevynosimy,” Dimitri sighed, dropping his backpack onto the table in the front row next to Issac’s and rubbing a hand over his face. “This is how you got sick last year, you know that, right?”

Issac decided to ignore him, keeping his head down as he sat to hide the wince from the soreness of his ass in the hard chair under the pretense of digging out his notebook and a pen.

Ignoring Dimitri never quite worked as his elbow pressed against Issac’s arm. “You still have my number, da,” he said, not waiting for an answer before continuing. “Just call me to pick you up. I’m glad to do it.” He paused for a moment then continued when Issac didn’t look up. “There is no reason to walk in this weather. I’ll take you home tonight, d?? It’s supposed to drop below freezing before sunset according to Adrian.”

“That’s not necessary,” Issac said quickly, frowning when he finally found his book in the wrong spot, “but thanks for the offer.” His eyes darted up. “Young’s here.”

Dimitri shut up but Issac knew that was a short-lived reprieve. The Russian was nothing if not determined to spend time with Issac. No matter how much Issac tried to keep him at arm’s length over the last seven years, Dimitri continued to be friendly. Issac hadn’t been able to figure out exactly what was in it for Dimitri since he was plenty capable of studying on his own and since he was pretty sure that Volkov was part of the Russian mafia, he wasn’t trying to find out. There was one bonus to Dimitri’s overt friendliness: the man believed everything Issac told him about his situation and was seemingly blind to the signs about Issac’s financial and living situations. But not so blind that he overlooked Issac’s exhaustion.

Issac blamed the cold for being tricked so easily. Usually, they would spend the time between the first class and the second in the breezeway but Dimitri somehow convinced him to sit in the student center only to disappear and reappear with two cups of coffee.

Issac had been staring blankly at his own handwriting when the cup was set next to his hand. He frowned at it. “Dimitri.”

“They messed up my order, I swear.” The very clearly lying Dimitri avoided Issac’s stare as he sat on the other side of the table. “I couldn’t let it go to waste.” He sighed when Issac didn’t move. “Just drink it, da? You nearly fell asleep twice during the lecture.”

“At least you ordered two of the same coffees this time,” Issac sighed, taking the lid off and smelling the seasonal flavor of the month as the warmth sank into his fingers.

“I can learn,” Dimitri said, smiling at him as Issac sipped his coffee. It faded as he continued to stare at Issac. “Are you okay, Issac?”

Issac raised an eyebrow at him. “I’m fine? I just didn’t sleep well.”

Dimitri looked unhappy about something but he seemed to let it go. At least, he stopped picking at Issac. It didn’t stop him from hovering. By the time they sat in the library that evening, the large Russian was practically up Issac’s ass, which brought up images of another doing the same to much more desirable effect.

“Can I help you with something,” he growled when Dimitri’s breath brushed against his neck. His ID had gone missing from his wallet and now he was going to have to buy a new one tomorrow before he would be allowed to use the library computers. “I swear, if you don’t spit it out, I’m not letting you look at my notes this semester.”

“Who chewed on your neck,” Dimitri asked, not quite as light-hearted as Issac thought he had meant and tugged on Issac’s collar, “and shoulder…”

Issac flushed and tugged his collar back up. “None of your business,” he snapped, stabbing at Dimitri’s finger with his pen and leaving red ink on the tip.

Dimitri jerked his hand back. “Is that why you didn’t sleep well last night?” His eyes darted to the side and he lowered his head and voice. “If someone… You know you can come to me if you need money, right? No questions asked.”

Issac let out a long breath. Dimitri’s concerns suddenly made more sense. “It wasn’t like that,” he said, rubbing at his neck. “I told you back then, there isn’t enough money in the world to start that again. This was just… A mutual agreement with someone I’m never going to see again. To blow off steam.”

“Right,” Dimitri muttered, not seeming particularly happy but accepting his answer. “Speaking of blowing off steam,” he added, sounding a bit more like himself, “there’s this event-”

“I’m busy,” Issac said, looking back down at his notes.

“Issac, come on,” Dimitri said, elbowing him lightly. “Could you just once let me finish my sentence before turning me down?” He paused then continued when Issac didn’t answer. “Seriously though, you need to network. A degree will only get you so far. You need to get out there and talk to people. Let me introduce you to people.”

Issac sighed but before he could respond two girls came up to their table, laughing behind their hands.

“Hey, Issac,” Samantha giggled. “There’s a man looking for you outside.”

Issac frowned up at her. “Must be a different Issac,” he said, looking away.

“No, it’s you,” Lacy said, smirking. “He’s got your ID. Said he found it at a coffee shop you ran out of this morning.”

Issac felt his face pale even as his ears burned and he shoved his notebook back into his bag as he got to his feet. “I have to go,” he said shortly, already moving towards the door.

“Issac,” Dimitri called, a crash of a chair toppling over behind him.

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