Getting to Know You (Ilya)

[dolemeck]

Dolemeck had just met Ilya, and they bonded quite quickly. The two just seemed to work well with one and other. Each complimenting the other, and making up for the other's faults when it came to their powers and control. It was strangely natural, and appeared to make Dolemeck less anxious, and Ilya more calm.

Today, Dolemeck asked Ilya to join him on a picnic. He wanted to talk more with him, hold hands, and just spend some time with him. A picnic was a good way to do that, and the two cold share more about their lives privately.

Using his powers, he set up a checked print cloth on the grass of the mansion grounds. He had picked a spot in which they could see the lake, and yet have some privacy. He managed to get out of his chair and sit on the cloth. the picnic basket by this side. This was going to be a wonderful day.

Comments

[kid_from_chukotka]

"Now we might actually eat the food you brought. But I really like laying here like this with you, too," he confessed, not sure how to phrase that correctly. It's a strange feeling and he could get used to it, easily. "I think I'm okay with anything, so long as I'm with you."

[dolemeck]

"I feel the same way." He placed the tablet back into the picnic basket he brought, being most careful with it. "It is quite amazing, is it not? How well we adapt to one and other. How we come from such strict religious backgrounds, and yet we are okay with just kissing, holding hands, and hugging. It confuses me sometimes, but it makes me happy more often than anything else."

His cheeks then blushed, a thought crossing his mind for a moment.

"Ilya? Can I ask you something?"

[kid_from_chukotka]

"It's more of a mixed religious background for me. My grandparents tried so hard to make me Orthodox, but my mother undid most of it with her teaching me her traditions and beliefs. But religion isn't the reason I'm normally bad at touching people - I'm just not used to it. It's all really new to me." So far he seemed to be doing okay with it, all things considered. Maybe it was because they were both new to everything and had no basis for comparison.

"Of course. What is it?"

[dolemeck]

"Well... what are your views about..." He was trying to find the wording without being overly embarrassed. He had NEVER talked about this subject with anyone, never even thought of it until now. "What are your views on... you know... one day going past kissing? Do you believe in waiting for marriage or wot?"

[kid_from_chukotka]

Ilya hummed slightly and tilted his head, thinking. After a long moment's pause, he said softly, "I know that most people wanted to wait for marriage where I was from, and I'm okay with that. But I don't feel like people have to if they don't want to. I've never really thought about what I'd do, um, if that came up. It never has before. I guess... I'd like to do what comes naturally and not force anything or try to rush something, and it's really important you're okay with things. Because if you're not okay with something, then I'm not. It's as simple as that."

[dolemeck]

"I was always taught by the church to wait until marriage, to wait for that someone special to come along. I mean, when I was twelve and thirteen, girls still were still icky and I did not understand my attraction to other men. I never really gave much thought about it even after my accident, either." He shrugged his shoulders.

"It changed everything in me life and I thought I would ever find anyone to love, or that I might never be able to... show that kind of love to. I do believe, however, that it is not something that should be rushed or forced, as you said. Whatever happens, will happen at the right time."

[kid_from_chukotka]

"It's alright. We'll figure it out as we go along. I mean, this is really not about what other people or the church think. We have to be okay with things ourselves or it'll just end up being bad for both of us. So... I don't know how or when, but we'll get to that point when we're ready." He smiled, running a hand through Dolemeck's hair. "You're worth waiting for."

[dolemeck]

"So are you." He relaxed more at the feeling of Ilya's hand in his hair. "I just... I never been in a relationship before, and I wished to see how our views on important matters match up. So far, I think they match up very well!"

He gave Ilya that large smile of his, again.

"There can be instances where we are not in the same classes. If that is the case, would you like to always eat lunch together, perhaps dinner as well? Then maybe we can work on our assignments and homework in the library? And Maybbbeee you can teach me a little Russian, and more about the Chukchi culture?"

[kid_from_chukotka]

"I like the idea of eating together. You can warn me off the bad food and introduce me to the good ones. Homework might be a little rough - between how much time has passed and being kicked out, I have a lot of catching up to do, you know. Things have come a long way while I was sleeping." And that's probably more the reality of his struggle rather than him being stupid, even if he can't see that most of the time.

He pauses, slightly. "I'll try. It's hard, after spending so long hiding even a mention of it, to talk about my culture. I'm not sure where to start, either. Russian might be the easier part of that deal."

[dolemeck]

"Start where you feel comfortable." He leaned in to kiss Ilya's cheek, again. "As for how behind you are, I may be able to help. I need to study American history in order to gain citizenship to this country. I literally must start from the beginning, from how America was formed by people from my Country escaping religious persecution. However, they were still considered an English Colony."

"Eventually, America grew to thirteen colonies. They decided to rebel against England, due to unfair taxing practices on tea and other goods. It started what was known as the Revolutionary War. The Americans managed to drive away my country, and formed their own Government and rules."

[kid_from_chukotka]

"I don't know what I'm comfortable explaining. In today's age with science having become so advanced and people having left religion more than even the most bitter old Siberian could have predicted, it feels almost like having beliefs that aren't even part of the 'big' religions left is something to hide. Because some part of me just thinks that people won't understand."

He leans his forehead against Dolemeck's, drinking in his words, the way the knowledge sounds old and well-rehearsed despite it being new. Little things like this give him hope. "I'm definitely going to have you tutor me in American History. You're smarter than you give yourself credit for."

[dolemeck]

"So? It is something to believe in and a part of you, Ilya." He enjoyed the feeling of his forehead against his own. Once more, the two were holding hands and just enjoying being close. "How can I understand if I do not learn?"

At the mention of his knowledge of American history, a chuckle escaped him.

"I am not that smart. I just find it all just fascinating. After-all, America was founded because people did not agree with my own country. However, it sounds like the land was stolen from the Native Americans who lived here. From what I read, they believed the world was created on the back of a turtle, and that all parts of an animal must be used when you kill it, otherwise you do not honor it. All resources were used wisely, and they believed in animal spirits, and the spirits of ancestors."

[kid_from_chukotka]

"Native Americans are as different in their tribes as the native peoples of Siberia are - Chukchi, Koryaks, Yupik, Alyutors, Evens, Nenets, Orok are all different and from what little was explained to me at SHIELD, it's that way here. And you'd probably find many of those people I listed who would agree that white Russians have stolen their land. It puts me in a strange position, being in the middle."

He squeezes Dolemeck's hands, pausing for a long moment to try to find a starting point. Where does one begin to explain a religion that was so ingrained into his daily existence at one point and so hard to practice in an urban setting? What was the most important thing, the most odd, the most normal?

"How about you ask me what you want to know, and we'll go from there? I can't figure out how to start this conversation. But I'll try my best to give answers."