It was shocking to hear that Ilya was much, much older than he was. But his story did not appear to impact Dolemeck in the way he had feared. Instead, he continued to hold him as he clung to him. His green eyes closed, as his chin came to rest on Ilya's shoulder.

"I am sorry." His voice was a whisper. "I am sorry people treated you like some science experiment. I am sorry you lost your family, and can only imagine all the pain you are in. But I am not sorry that I still love you, Ilya. Your age does not matter to me, nor does what your government had done to you. What matters is... you. That gentle soul who smiled when I gave him a chocolate cake for the first time. Who gave me my first kiss. The young man I find myself just drawn to and never want to let go... despite our short time together."