Makarovia! Yes, I Know Where That is! Sophomore Year - 2. Chapter 2

I woke with an interesting sensation. I was feeling this warm, light tickle on my neck. I didn’t stop him, but I moved. “Not a bad way to wake up.”

Peter moved so I could see him. “You’re awake!” He said happily.

“You wanted me to be!”

“So, I could do this!” He said diving under the covers. What I’d done to him the morning of his birthday…and later that day and more times than I could count. He began doing to me.

Peter was great! He kissed very well and well…he did this well, too! He took his time, but it didn’t take too long before he got what he was doing it for. I saw the covered lump come up and his head came into view. Sleep tossed hair and a big smile. I tell you, he was just…sexy! I put my arms around him bringing him into a deep kiss that was just as soft, tender and full of so much love.

“I love you,” Peter said.

“Yes, I know. I love you.”

“I know.” Peter smiled. “I don’t need my gift box. I know what I want to do, right now.”

Later we got up and had to get used to where things were in this new house. Getting dressed…and it was daylight now opposed to being still dark out when I was delightfully woken up. I went to the window that had that sheer curtain over the opening and looked out. Normal light morning traffic went by. The home where we were in had a fence that lined the property’s edge. The drive in was curved and had two entrances in and leaving the property. There were gates. I didn’t see them last night. They must have been open knowing we were coming, it was dark. There was a rounded garden at the center between the driveway and fence. There was a pole on which…was a flag! I’d seen the design before and knew it was the emblem of Makarovia. Black and red. A black triangle took up the top left, a red triangle on the took up bottom right. The two dragons faced each other with a shield between them with a lion on the shield, the words Honor Virutis Preamium for “Honor is the reward of virtue.” It was Latin. I spoke English, Ukrainian and now Makarovian…I considered Latin, but I opted not to take it, but was told what that meant. Oh, and I did know some Russian, that was a hard language with letters in their alphabet that don’t have a sound at all! What!? I looked at my ring. There is was the Makarovian shield. Then I noticed people across the street on the sidewalk carrying signs. Those hand-painted ones with “Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.” “Sodomy is Sin.” and “Burn in Hell.” People also were taking pictures of these people. I sighed thinking, not this again as Peter came up behind me buttoning his shirt as he came over to me. He looked out, too.

“Who are they?” Peter frowned and read the signs. “Adam and Eve?”

I turned around and pressed him back away from the window. “What we talked about before…what we’re doing by getting married…” then laughed to take the moment in a lighter direction, “then again what we did a few minutes ago…some people think it’s wrong. This is a group that thinks that it is wrong.”

“Fine, but why are they here?” Peter asked waving to the street unnerved. “I don’t understand. What do they hope to accomplish doing this?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know…to get us to realize the error of our ways? To tell the world we’re wrong? Make us repent?” I smiled. “Well, I’m not convinced at all. I’m marrying you.”

That’s when we heard louder speaking, chanting and a voice on a bullhorn, but faint.

“This is an unlawful assembly. You must leave this area immediately. If you do not, you will be arrested.” A male voice said.

Going back to the window there were three police cars with their lights going and escorting some people away. Now, four of our own security was at the gates speaking with an officer. Another police car arrived and officers were coming for the people protesting. There were a few being taken to a police car or two.

“Peter, we have had a great response from a lot of people since we got together and were accepted, no problem,” I said.

“But we’re known now.” Peter nodded. “The crazies know us, too.” Then he smiled at me. “Yes, I’m marrying you. No one can talk me out of that!” He said kissing me quickly. “I’m hungry!” He grabbed my hand and practically dragged me after him.

“It’s still early!” I said. We were still on European Time. It was much later in the day in Makarovia and London, so we were awake! It hadn’t been even sunrise when Peter had woken me up. Now it was barely after six thirty in the morning!

“I can cook,” Peter said.

I chuckled remembering the two meals he did make. “No, you can’t, Peter.” As we went in the hall. “Do you know where the kitchen even is in this house?”

“No, but its sort of a unique room, we’ll recognize it.” He grinned as we headed to the main stairs. “It has the refrigerator and oven in it. I’ve seen a few before.” He pulled me closer and threw his arm around my waist as we made our way to the foyer. “I figured we’d start where Boris pointed out where it was and go from there.”

Going down the hall below the stairs. We passed a smaller room that looked like a nice dining room. Rich, glossy, dark wood all polished. The upper portion was nicely wallpapered again with a light beige or brown. Dark on light was the pattern…I’m not that kind gay who knows, so don’t ask. The lower portion under an elegant chair rail (I knew what that was!) was dark wood paneled. A dining room table that had seating for ten, four on each side and two on the ends. A china cabinet with a nice collection of plates, glasses…china. A nice light fixture overhead not on. The room wasn’t being used. At the end of this hall was…ta da…the kitchen! Walking in we both stopped and stared. Instead of saying damn, we both let out a slow whistle. I’ll say it often. It was huge! Everything you could think you’d need was in here! Not one, but two of those big stoves, silvery metal, and gas. Four ovens, two below each stove. Two dishwashers. A couple of those fancy Kitchenaid-like mixers. Toasters that had two looong slots down on two sides. I imagined many slices of bread was done at one time. A refrigerator? Sure, one that had glass doors and huge, but everything inside was organized and neat. That was Boris. Another that had to be a freezer, equally huge. A huge metal door that told me was a walk-in freezer.

Now, it was Peter’s turn. “Damn.” He waved at the kitchen. “This could be in a restaurant!”

“Peter, Eric…I thought you might be up early.” Boris said…and looking very, un-Boris-like. He had on a robe! It was a nice robe, but…it was hard to imagine him not in those dark pants, white shirt and a dark vest over it. He always wore that. “I’ll make you something really quick.”

“I can cook, Boris,” I said smiling.

Boris smiled with a nod. “I know you can, but you don’t know where I keep things.” He said simply walking further in. “It’s what I was hired for.” He waved at the dining portion of the kitchen. A simpler table for six, round in a sunny area. “Sit.”

“Boris...do you…” We heard and saw Yuri come in, also in a robe that was loose around his chest, showing chest hair over some toned muscles. His hair on his head was so short, it wasn’t messed up. He froze. “Peter, Eric…”

I chuckled. “And you’re Yuri. We all know our names.”

“I’m getting your coffee,” Boris said patiently smiling at his husband.

“Sorry, Boris said you might be up.” Yuri pulled his robe around tighter around his chest. “I came about the shirt I needed.”

Boris nodded and pointed. “It’s over there…near the laundry room hanging ready for you.”

“Thank you. I need to go out with our security.” Yuri explained to us.

“Because of that group out there?” Peter asked.

“You saw them,” Yuri said nodding. “They are being arrested. I need to go talk to the officers.” He said going to get his shirt.

“Who were they, Boris?” I asked.

“Some odd church group,” Boris said shaking his head as he prepared something…coffee.

“Can I help with the coffee?” I asked.

Boris pointed to this…well…it was big and brass! It had several places to put pots, cups and different things for the coffees. It could probably chemically do…anything. I was scared to get near it. Boris nodded with a chuckle. “That’s what I thought. I’m making the coffee. Whatever you want. I’ll show you how to use it and you can make some tomorrow. Now, sit.” He looked at us. “I know what you two drank before…that hasn’t changed, has it?”

“No.” Peter and I said at the same time as we went to the table and sat.

“Why was the group out there? What do they want?” Peter asked.

“For us to stop being gay.” Boris shrugged. “They’ve bothered us since we moved in.”

“They have the right to protest,” I said, not really wanting to give them that freedom. Not really.

Boris began to put the coffee in and began the machine which whirred to life to make Peter his Espresso and me, my Vanilla Latte! Peter’s was hot and mine was iced. He had to add the ice, but it was at the same time! “Yes, they have the right as Americans, with a permit.” He moved to the cabinets to get something. “They don’t have the permit. Certainly not for this neighborhood.”

I nodded. “What is the neighborhood? I don’t know where we are.”

“We’re near Brookline Hill.”

“Oh, near Brookline Hill…in Brookline?” I asked to confirm.

“That’s right.” Boris nodded. “It will be a direct drive on Boylston Street to Washington Street and to Huntington Avenue to get the University. It’s not but a few miles east of here. They began protesting, the mayor and the governor told them no.” He shrugged. “They were warned many times.” He smiled at us. “I think since you are now here. They won’t be coming back or they may face more stringent charges. The President of the United States won’t allow it.”

Peter nodded. “Because of the uranium.”

“Of course.” Boris nodded. “As I understand it, King Olek is giving the uranium to them in exchange for helping us get it out. They are using some military to protect Makarovia, but no money out of pocket for the United States.”

“Except wages, getting their people there and equipment needed.” Peter pointed out.

“What we have is what they want. They will work to get it out, but they come out better in the long run. Money in the billions is being saved.” Boris said logically. “That’s more important than what this group feels or their right to say anything against what you’re doing.”

“But how does this get these people anywhere?” Peter still wasn’t understanding.

I touched Peter’s hand. “It’s okay. You were raised…Eastern Orthodox. Do you think those that follow Allah, Buddha, some other god or nothing at all is wrong?”

“That’s not up to me what they believe or don’t,” Peter said simply.

“There are people that think if we do this we need to be stopped.” I waved at the street. “They are part of a group that thinks it is up to them to stop us. There are…” I didn’t know the word in Ukrainian or Makarovian, so I said it in English. “zealots?” Peter shook his head. So, I went back to Makarovian. “…they believe in what they think is so right they willing to die for that. Like the suicide bombers or like these people. Hopefully, they aren’t that convinced about it.”

Yuri came in looking like Yuri again. “I’ll come back for the coffee.” He said and was about to walk out, but looked at me and Peter and smiled, turned and kissing Boris. He remembered what I said! It wasn’t a bad kiss as he did put some feeling in it, but he had to go to work.

Boris smiled as he handed us our various coffees. “Should I start breakfast? Or can I change into some clothes first?”

I grinned at Peter, then Boris. “I don’t know. I like seeing this side of you two, but if it makes you feel better. Peter, can you wait?”

Peter nodded. “Sure.” He sipped on his Espresso. “Ooh.” He said touching his lips.

“That’s why I like my latte iced.” I smiled but realized more. “This year will be different. It will be more dangerous here.”

Peter nodded and his face was just a flash of what he went through almost a year ago. “But you’re not leaving.” It was said with…almost confidently.

“You know I won’t leave you, Peter,” I said softly. “I love you. Say it.” I encouraged quietly.

Peter chuckled. “You love me.” He nodded. “For just a second…”

“I know.” I jumped up. “Let’s see the rest of the house!” Doing what he did to me upstairs, dragging him by the hand.

“My Espresso!”

“Which needs to cool.” I nodded. “Mine’s cold, so I’m good. Just the grand dining room and living room. Come on.”

The room across off the kitchen on the opposite side of the center hallway was much, much bigger. It came out again. “Daaamnn.” I swore slowly. Twice as big as the other dining room, but this was papered from floor to ceiling. A nice whitish brown paper, pictures that were paintings…oil paintings. A beautiful mantle of marble around a fireplace and dining room table that could fit twenty or more! The ceiling had that molding in two circular patterns where two smaller versions of the chandelier in the foyer hung over the table. Off to the side was a china closet! A room to keep the dishes in! The door was open now. I could see them. There was enough room between the table and walls so no one would be crowded. “I’m telling you now. Unless Olek or Mom has a dinner here,” I pointed with my thumb back toward the kitchen. “I’m eating in there with Yuri and Boris.” Peter just nodded as he looked around the room.

The living area was just as big! Wood paneling here, no chandelier, but a molded ceiling with nice lights. A fireplace with two long couches to make a conversation area. Coffee or cocktail tables and side tables and lamps. Other areas where they could sit in groups or just stand…there was room.

“Who could have owned this?” Peter asked.

The front door opened and Yuri walked in with Penny.

“…arrested.” Yuri was saying to her. “They were warned.”

“You called the police,” Penny said to confirm with Yuri as she would have to tell whoever called about it.

“No.” He smiled. “The American Security Force called them.” He pointed with his thumb outside. He saw us in the living area. “Here they are!”

Penny looked up and smiled at us. “Welcome back!” She greeted.

“Thank you,” Peter said. “Forgive me, but the American Security Force?”

Yuri nodded. “They patrol outside the house. The Makarovian Security is inside the house. It was the Americans that called the police.” He shrugged. “They have their orders. Not from me, but from the President Herself!” He said appreciatively. “The police will be on call.”

“Really?” I smiled.

Penny nodded. “The United States and Great Brittan is putting too much effort into this to get what you have. No little disgruntled group would dare to offend you.” She smiled. “When you’re ready, we can go over some things you might be interested in.”

We went back to the kitchen where Boris was back dressed like he always did. We were gone long enough for Peter’s Espresso to get cool, which he drank down, ready for another. Boris was…friendlier! He smiled more. Then I saw more people come in. Workers! Boris wasn’t doing it all himself, he was in charge!

“I think Boris likes it here,” I said to Peter as we ate our breakfast. Even Yuri was more relaxed and sat at the table with us and talked. He was in charge of internal security. It wasn’t really about being in charge, but they were being relied on.

He began warning us. “…and no more runs to Walmart or to Jocks without an escort.” Yuri warned, but chuckled. “It was told to me about that. I hear you have a mean punch, Eric.”

I shrugged. “I can take care of myself…and Peter.”

“I understand, but things…are different now.” He cautioning us what we should think about.

“We know, Yuri,” I said sadly. “We really do. What we saw outside sort of drove that home. Going to class? Has that changed?”

Yuri nodded. “There will be more security for both of you.” He saw Peter’s and my face. He sighed. “This is difficult, I can only imagine what you’re feeling. This house was leased for what it contained, security and amenities. There’s everything here. There’s even a pool!”

“That we can use for a month?” I asked.

“Year-round. It’s indoors.” Yuri said. “You have a gym…even a billiard room. You’ll be here a year, possibly three more years.”

“Who was this guy!?” I asked.

Yuri shrugged. “All I know is…it was built by a wealthy man about forty years ago. It was bought by a man named Jensen. I suspect foreign money was used. Jensen added the security measures and electronics…he lost the money. He had to sell. There were several offers to buy it recently and so the government stepped in and took it while in foreclosure. They offered it to King Olek to use until someone can acquire it.”

“That’s awfully convenient,” I said slowly as my suspicions rose.

Yuri nodded shaking his finger at me. “I thought the same thing you are, it’s too convenient!” He looked at me. “I’m not suspecting any party…yet. I’ve had the place checked over and over. No surveillance I can detect. I opted not to use the computer system installed in this house, we have our own. It’s secure. Any conversations by computer with King Olek and Queen Alla that is secure using no connection with anything in this house. The two you have upstairs, the one I use and even Penny’s is safe.”

“Why it’s foreign money?” Peter asked.

“I’ve inquired many times,” Yuri said. “I don’t have anyone to suspect, but Jensen didn’t have that much until he invested in some foreign deals.”

“But you don’t trust anyone.” I smiled.

“No,” Yuri said he threw his hands up. “I could be totally wrong about it.”

“But...” Peter asked.

“This Jensen got here five years ago,” Yuri said. “Now, the uranium was found ten years ago, the house went into foreclosure a year ago!”

“I was planning to go here for school a year and a half ago,” Peter whispered. “You think someone is doing this? On purpose.”

“I don’t know what to think,” Yuri stressed. “But the perfect house becomes available…just after you came to school here because he lost money!? Or just stopped paying? I can detect no bugs or surveillance, but I’m not convinced there aren’t any.” He smiled. “The United States Government is so focused on protecting you…but someone had to suggest this house. I’m going through all the American Securities personnel files. They checked the house for bugs and surveillance, but I want to make sure they are who they say they are. There is a private firm I’m having this place gone over. They have good results and a good track record. I checked them out myself. If there is something here, they will find it.” He smiled. “They are a mixture of American and Canadian, but not politically connected to either country.” He smiled now. “In the meantime, enjoy this. There’s nothing to get from you two. King Olek in potential jeopardy. You will be watched. If they threaten you, that could force King Olek’s hand. You don’t talk to King Olek about the uranium and there are no Makarovian secrets…but we’re talking billions of dollars. Something will happen. I feel it.”

“But you’re not worried about bugs now?” I asked.

“I can’t find them.” He looked up. “If there is…” he said louder, “we’ll find it.”

“Why won’t they tell you who it was, the investor? It should be on the record.” Peter said.

“Records can be lies. Who set it up may be lying. We will find them.” Yuri promised.

“Is the American Forces controlled? Military wise?” I asked.

“Yes.” Yuri nodded. “I don’t think it’s them, but there is something…not right.” He patted both me and Peter on the arm. “I won’t let anything happen to you two, King Olek or Queen Alla.”

Peter smiled nodding. “Thanks, Yuri.”