Makarovia? Where The Hell Is That? Freshman Year - 6. Chapter 6

It was while we were looking at what little information about Makarovia that there was the beeping chime from Peter’s computer. Peter hit a key and saw it was a request from Olek to video call him. Peter smiled and activated the computer for the call. The screen quickly brightened.

Olek’s smile was instant. I smiled at him, he was a king, but now…just a man. Shirt unbuttoned at the collar and open and he ran hands over his face as he smiled. “You’re there!” He said happily. “I was trying to figure out what time it was there so we could talk.”

“We just got back,” Peter told his brother.

“Hi, Olek!” I said to him, to say hello, but also let him know I remembered what he told me to use his name.

“Hi, Eric!” Olek smiled even more. “Did you guys have a good day at the university?”

“No.” Peter groused.

I hugged Peter a little. “It wasn’t terrible. There are just a lot of people that want to see and talk to us.”

Olek shrugged. “Well, you are doing what’s never been done.” He looked at us. “I guess you’ve met Penny.”

Peter nodded. “Just before you signaled for the call.” He grimaced. “You could have told us.”

“I’m busy!” Olek protested gestured helplessly with his hands. “But, you need her.” He said seriously. “She’s very good. She kept me straight over here.”

“Over here? Where are you now?” I asked.

“Paris,” Olek said without a lot enthusiasm. “Still working out the negotiations.”

“But they’re coming, too?” Peter asked. “What more negotiations need to happen?”

“It all has to be recorded, who gets the percentage of uranium in exchange for what help they can give.” Olek nodded. “We’ve got what they want, but we can’t get it out without help.” He said logically.

“The military is arriving in a few days?” I asked.

Olek nodded and smiled. “They’ve been arriving since yesterday.”

“I know you worked out where they’re living,” I said.

Olek nodded. “We began construction a year ago. Housing and things needed are going up. Other things will come with time.”

“This is in Skoal?” Peter asked his brother and he looked at me. “That’s a small…”

I grinned. “I know where Skoal is, baby. I studied that map. It’s a neighboring village northeast of Stryia.”

Olek smiled even bigger and Peter’s eyes got wider.

“Don’t act surprised.” I bumped my head against Peter’s forehead. “I even know…” I smiled, “Forgive me, I’ll probably mispronounce this… Skotarskoye?” I said hesitantly as Peter nodded, saying I got it right. “That’s where you do the processing or the iron ore and smelting.” I waved at the computer. “It’s on the internet.”

Olek was beaming and he did the thing he did moving closer to the camera making his face larger. “You studied our maps?”

I shrugged. “I’m going there in a few months and I will be living there. It will be my home, as it’s our home, so yes, I studied the maps.” I grinned. “Don’t ask me how far Skoal is from Stryia, I’ll have to give you miles, not kilometers.” I ran my hands in Peter’s hair. “You asked me to marry you.” I looked at Olek. “You welcomed me into your wonderful family. Do you mind that I become involved with Makarovia?”

Olek raised his head to the ceiling as Queen Alla did shortly after meeting me. Giving thanks? “No! Your opinion is welcome and encouraged. We’ll love having you a part of our family and Makavorvia.” Then he grinned. “Are there more of you at home?”

I shook my head. “Sorry. This Ivanov…” I said to Peter, “got the only one.”

Peter smiled and turned to his brother. “He’s got some great ideas for the used rods and recycling them…terrace farming…there’s no doubt there will be more great ideas.” He said proudly.

“The terrace farming is an ancient and proven way to raise crops on the side of mountains, I’m sure we can adapt it in Makarovia. What it comes down to spending a little money, but mostly manpower. It can be done.” I said. “What are the financial gains projected for Makarovia?”

Olek smiled. “Billions.” He shook his head. “When we can get it out of the ground.” He pointed out again.

“Funding for the development of refining and processing the raw uranium?” I asked.

Olek nodded. “The United States and England are funding most of that; the rewards for them outweigh the expense. The housing and other developments are going to be on us.”

I nodded. “I saw pictures of your father,” I said with a smile. “You look a lot like him.

Olek looked surprised. “Sure, he’s my father.”

“And was a very handsome man. Just like you are.” I said watching his face become puzzled. “I saw pictures of Peter’s mother. You are beautiful human beings.”

Olek was waiting as his eyes narrowed. “Thank you?”

“How would you feel about a redoing of the webpage for Makarovia? Complete with some nice pictures…not only of you three but more attractive pictures of Makarovia. Your country is going to have a sudden influx of people. It would be nice if there was a webpage to tell them what they’ll find in Makarovia.”

“Why not? We need one.” Olek now smiled a little more. “You can do that.”

“Me!?”

“I’m busy!” Olek said, but not mad at all. “You know what you’re looking for.” He looked knowingly. “Are you able to do it?”

“I’m marrying into the family, I haven’t done it yet,” I argued.

“But you’re going to.” Olek pointed out. “You are marrying Peter, right?”

I nodded. “You know I’m marrying Peter.”

Olek sat back. “As your first royal duty…you are in charge of that.” He grinned again. “With the understanding…you will be in the pictures.” He shrugged. “The marriage will happen, so we’re just…planning ahead. Can you do it?”

My mind was working. “I can.” I grinned. “And I know who to ask.”

“Great! Prince Eric.” Olek shook his head. “I’m not worried a bit.” He again got serious. “Things are getting better. Ten years ago, we did some work in areas like that.” He frowned. “There is money from iron, but…we just didn’t spend it for that.” He nodded. “You’re right, though. There will be people coming to Makarovia and we will need to be prepared.”

“I can guarantee there will be people who will want to move there,” I added.

Olek nodded. “You mean immigrate?”

Peter shook his head. “What people, why? They didn’t before much.”

“People like you and me,” I said to Peter smiling. I sighed. “You’re a very smart man, baby. You were blessed to be raised in a country like Makarovia. You don’t really understand why what we’re doing is so shocking.” I smiled. “I think that lack of understanding is wonderful, but I will tell you, many gay men and women will want to move to Makarovia. A place where they’re not just allowed to be gay, but no one cares if they are. They want to be seen as just people.” I looked at Olek who was nodding. “You know this.”

“I do,” Olek said.

Then I smiled. “I will also guarantee when they do, you’ll have all the trendy things needed to make Makarovia grow even more!”

Peter shook his head. “Like what?”

“Bistros, coffee bars…trendy clothing stores.” I grinned. “Makarovia will become the Gay Mecca!” I saw the humor in Peter’s eyes. “People are beginning to see that when gay men move into their neighborhood, property values go up! And gay men can’t do without those necessary niceties.”

“So, who are you asking to do this new webpage?” Peter asked.

“They’re right on campus!” I said. “We have that great school for Arts, Media, and Design!” I looked at Olek. “There have to be students that will love to be on the cutting edge of a project like this!”

Olek chuckled shaking his head. “I knew you’d know. You can get started when you’re ready, but they will get an endowment as payment. I think it’s wonderful that you are so invested in Makarovia’s affairs.”

I gave a shrug and a nod. “I’m getting there. Thanks for including me. There will be others that will want to come to Makarovia. There are people who will want the same acceptance as we have.” I smiled at Olek. “A year ago, I never would have guessed this would happen…but I’m happy it did.”

Olek nodded. “Me, too.”

I picked up the folder of interview requests. “We’ll pick one of these and do the interview.” I looked again at Olek. “This will be about us, nothing about the uranium.”

“Having you and Peter do this…” Olek smiled, “will take the focus from the uranium. Welcome to our family and Makarovia.”

Peter and I had a good dinner, but as we were getting ready for bed. He came out of the bathroom in his t-shirt and flannel pajama bottoms. This was Boston. It was warm in the house, but it was winter. I noticed Peter wasn’t…unhappy, but he was thinking about something that was on his mind.

“What are you thinking?” I asked in the bed moving toward him.

Peter looked up from his thoughts, he smiled. “You’ll do well in Makarvovia.” He turned came to the bed pushing me back gently and laid over me pulling the covers over us. “The same rule applies to you. Tell me what you think about all this. What do you really feel?”

I nodded reaching up touching his face gently. “Alright, that was our agreement.” I smiled kissing him and thought. “My first feeling about this was surprise. I was surprised when I met you. Before I even knew what you are. It didn’t take long before I saw a portion of you…I was attracted to you. I liked you.”

Peter smiled. “Just liked?”

I nodded a little defensive. “Well, yes…at first. With a little lust mixed in there.” I admitted.

His head went up a little. “When!?”

“That first trip to Walmart.”

“Walmart!?” Peter looked as if that couldn’t be true. “I was still…” he waved at his face, “covered with those…things.”

“So?” I shrugged. “You didn’t see what I did.” I laughed. “I hate to say it, but you were like this…flower that began opening up.” I brought him down to kiss again. “You’re still opening up, but for now, I see something very beautiful.” I grinned at him. “And you have this great ass.”

His head bobbed a little as he began to turn pink as he chuckled. “I’m glad you like it. I really like yours, too.”

“I was presented with a challenge,” I said simply. “I liked you and I was determined to get you to relax and trust me. Then I find out about Makarovia and what you are there, I was again surprised. We became more than just friends.” I put my arms around him. “I love what happened next. Again, surprised, but I love it.” I looked at Peter seriously. “Above all else. I love you. That’s the first thing. Remember that.”

Peter nodded. “Okay, I believe you.”

“I meet your brother and mother…they had no problem with us.” I said smiling again. “Another surprise. Now, I’ve been given a responsibility by King Olek himself!”

“Which you’ll do.”

“I love a challenge,” I said again. “An exciting one!” I rolled us over. “I was not only invited to Makarovia, but work to start making improvements! Soon, no one will say again: Makarovia? Where the hell is that!? This all good! I see this life ahead as a challenge.” I grinned kissing him more. “This is exciting! I have never been bored since we met!” I smiled again. “But you are the important part of this for me.”

“You don’t think your life has been interrupted?”

“My life hasn’t been interrupted. It just took some unexpected, surprising turns,” I smiled. “And it’s not my life. You asked me to marry you and make it our lives. Nothing is interrupted.” I stretched out beside him. “Now, it’s your turn.”

He sighed and thought to find words. “When you and Olek spoke…you both understand the world more than I do. Like when everyone is shocked we’re getting married…I understood a little, but I wasn’t ready for everyone’s reactions to it.”

I smiled. “That’s what I told you before. The fact that you didn’t know is great! Being raised in Stryia…in a whole country where what we are is normal, is so sought after.” I ran a hand over his chest. “I readily admit…you’re kind of…innocent.” His eyebrows rose and he was getting an offended look. “That’s not a bad thing!” I said quickly. “It’s sexy…to meet anyone with any amount of innocence is hard to find…and you saw something in me you liked and you said you love me…!”

“I’m ignorant! That’s stupid.” Peter groused. “I hid from the world instead of living in it!”

This was going to be another challenge for me. “I am going to marry you,” I told him. “Do you trust me?”

Peter nodded. “Of course.”

“I’ve learned a lot about you. I still will learn more.” I said. “Ignorance is again, not a bad thing. You simply don’t know. You are NOT stupid. You don’t know because you’ve not been exposed. That’s different.” I needed him to understand. “Why am I with you?”

“We fell in love,” Peter said logically.

“I don’t want to be just your husband,” I said watching his eyes grow. “I want to be your life…partner. Meaning, you and I are partners as we go through life from now on. You help me with problems that come up. I help you. Good or bad, for better or worse.” I said the known vows. “That’s how I view marriage.”

“But you’re always helping me.” Peter said in almost a moan. “When do I become your help as that partner?”

“In three months,” I said smiling. “You know Makarovia, I know what I learned by the internet about Makarovia, but you already know the culture and how to act. I don’t! I will be dependent on you to help me keep names and faces…when to do what or not to do something. I will be out of my world. You won’t be.”

“You’ll fit in fine in Makarovia.” Peter said.

I nodded. “With your help, yes!” Kissing lightly again. “I wasn’t kidding when I told you my love for you would grow. I am more in love with you than when I first said I loved you.”

Peter smiled kissing me. “Make love to me?”

I nodded. “Oh, yes.”

The next day was more of the same, but everyone seemed to find a way to make it work. Campus and city or other police were in place now watching cars enter the campus area. The media were kept off campus now. The students were also adjusting to our presence. We were shadowed with the five, Yuri being the fifth one. Between classes, Peter and I met and discussed things. It was in the dining area I took out the papers that Penelope handed us.

“There are a number names here…most are obvious. There are news programs that have harder news based reporters.” I said looking the names. “People with LOGO, Advocate, and Out.”

“And they are…?” He asked munching and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

I chuckled. “They are networks…media sources that are geared for gays and lesbians.” I reached over taking his hand which I squeezed lightly. “Remember our discussion last night.”

Peter nodded. “I haven’t forgotten.”

“I realize what we’re doing is news, but I’d like the interview to be about the marriage, but not necessarily because we’re gay.” I took a photo out. “I’ve seen him. He’s good, he’s a reporter first. He came out as gay over a decade ago. Anderson Cooper. He’s gay, but he was a reporter for years before he came out. He’s got a good reputation.”

“Okay.” Peter smiled. “We’ll have Penelope contact him.” He shrugged.

I nodded sitting back. “Now, we need to speak with Dean Sutton.”

Peter looked confused. “Why? Whose Dean Sutton?”

“Dean Thomas Sutton is the Dean of Northeastern’s College of Arts, Media, and Design.”

“Now?” Peter asked as I rose. “Now.” He nodded and got up, too.