He knew Catholics were as against homosexuality as Orthodox people. Ilya would have pined without ever making a move for that reason alone, for the fear of crossing the line of whatever it was Dolemeck believed about it. He wasn't as nervous as he seemed, but he'd always been reserved, at a distance from almost everyone.

So the kiss is surprising for all the above reasons, but it's not unwelcome, and Ilya shuts his eyes and presses against him. He's never kissed anyone before so it's a far cry from the most passionate or sexy kiss. What is it, what Ilya is, is completely sincere. He doesn't want the moment to end so the kiss lingers before he slowly pulls back, shyly looking at Dolemeck.

"...if that was bad, I'm sorry. I've never done that before," he admitted softly, adding, "That doesn't mean I didn't like it."