"Through the school yard, one block, take the path through the trees in the dog park, one more block..." I was reciting my directions and watching for the sign that told me I was where I was supposed to be.

There it was. This was the street. I stared down at the quiet neighbourhood. No cars were moving. I walked down the street with the contentment of thinking that this was probably the same street he had walked before.

I was tired, I was sore, but I was almost there. I smiled. Once I checked the numbers on the houses, I knew it was just a matter of steps. There, just ahead on the left. That was his house.

I was pretty proud of myself as I stood out front with a grin and a bag of food in my hands. It was quiet, without a single soul stirring inside that I could see. I knew it was still pretty early in the morning.

I walked up to the door and considered whether or not I should ring the bell. It was still pretty cold and I had the food, so I excused my rudeness. I pressed my finger to the door bell ringer.

It was nerve wracking to stand there in the cold. An old man finally answered the door, looking at me suspiciously. I cleared my throat and nodded politely to him. I held up the bag from the restaurant.

"Is Sasha... Is this the Petrykin residence?" I fumbled. The old man just glared at me for a second.

"Sasha! DOOR!" The old man bellowed. I flinched. The man gestured to come in and shut the door behind me. I heard steps on the stairs next to the entry and looked up. It was him. It was him.

"Sasha! I brought food." I held up the bag triumphantly as he came down the stairs with wide eyes.

"'Tchyo za ga'lima?" I didn't understand what he was saying, but I was ecstatic to see him in the flesh. "Lukas, what the fuck are you doing here?"

"I didn't get to say goodbye... and you didn't give me your phone number... so I came to find you." I said crestfallen. Wasn't he happy to see me? I felt tears start in my eyes. Then I was wrapped in his warm embrace and everything else was gone.

I took a deep breath of his scent, that musky manly smell that made me want to lick him. I burrowed into his arms, completely forgetting about the food or the ordeal it took to get there.

"Eto piiiiz'dets, stupid kid. Are you trying to get me into more trouble?" He grabbed my hair and pulled me back to look at me, but I just stared him down defiantly.

"No... I just wanted to see you." I whined pitifully. He grunted and smooshed me back into his chest. I didn't care that he was throwing me around, I was just happy to be back in his arms.

"I am calling your parents, and I am taking you back." He said with a grim voice. I pulled back and protested, but he pointed his finger at me sternly. "No. You are not legal age to be leaving like this. Twenty push-ups for running away from home."

"But Sasha!" I complained, he shook his head and snapped his fingers. I passed his food to him and pouted. He pulled me into the family room with him and pointed to the floor.

While he was opening the container on the coffee table and looking at the breakfast I brought him from the restaurant, I was getting in position for push-ups. This was so unfair.

The old man was watching from a big overstuffed chair as I counted out five. I was having a hard time. My arms were shaking and I was flinching when my ankles bent and rubbed. I laid on the hardwood floor panting and not moving.

"Why did he stop?" The old man asked, pointing at me.

"I don't know, Nana. Why did you stop?" Sasha asked me with his cheek stuffed with eggs. I rolled my head to look at him.

"I can't do it." I said exhausted. He looked at me, head to toe.

"Why not?" He asked between bites. I huffed with laughter, but felt my eyes prick with tears again. I turned my head away.

"Because. I'm too tired." I replied. My eyes were doing the long blink thing again. Now that I was here, and safe, my body was just done. Sasha wouldn't mind if I slept on his living room floor, would he? Naw.

"Why are you so tired?" He was staring at me as I was obviously fighting off sleep.

"I left before bed Friday. I haven't slept yet." I told him, and then yawned against the floor.

"What the hell? What took you so long to get here? It's not even one day to get here." He was frowning. I laughed softly.

"I was robbed at the bus station. I had to walk. My boots are bad for walking." I admitted, looking up at him pitifully from the floor. He dropped his fork and stared at me.

"You walked here. From the bus terminal in town." He stated with wide eyes. The old man chucked at that.

"You must be cold. I will give some vodka." The old man slapped the arm.

"No, you won't. He is too young. That is why he has to go home." Sasha argued with the old man. Then he got up and stood over my prone body with a sigh.

"It's okay, I am warmer now." I said self-consciously from the floor. I rolled on my back to look up at him, twiddling my thumbs. He rolled his eyes at me and picked me up in a princess hold.

"Why am I always carrying you?" He mumbled, probably not expecting me to answer.

"Because you are awesome." I replied. I had my arms around his shoulders as he carried me upstairs to lay me on a bed. He took off my boots and put a warm comforter over me.

"Get some sleep, then you go home." He shut off the light and I heard him shut the door. The bed smelled like him. I curled into the pillow and passed out.

*

Once I was awake again, I was back to arguing with Sasha. He was insistent that I go home, and I was adamant that I was staying. We were at an impasse, and I was about ready to threaten him with running away if he called those asshats known as my parents.

"Compromise." The old man said suddenly. We both looked at him. I snuck a look at Sasha.

"Why do you want me to go back?" I asked reasonably. He sighed and looked at me like I was stupid. Okay maybe I was a little, but it wasn't my fault.

"I don't want to go to jail for kidnapping. Also you must finish school." He crossed his arms over his chest. I nodded understanding, not liking it, but understanding it.

"So I have to be legal and done school? Or just legal?" I was bargaining here, and crossed my arms over my chest to match him. He glared at me from the couch. I glared back at him from my spot on the floor.

"Changing schools for a few months is stupid. Finish school." He said firmly. I pursed my lips and narrowed my eyes.

"Fine, but you are picking me up to take me away. Personally. Also, you have to keep in touch." I tried to add. He shook his head.

"Cannot stay in touch until you are legal. I can send messages to Pete until then. He will tell you updates. I can pick you up after graduation." He stuck out his hand for a shake, and I took it and shook firmly.

"Who is this?" We both looked up to see an old woman standing in the door in fluffy slippers and hair curlers.

"Mama, this is Lukas." He gestured at me. She looked me over once and then nodded.

"Okay. Why not." She mumbled and then left the room. I looked at Sasha in alarm. He just waved at me with an uncharacteristic blush.

"I told her about you already. She'll be fine." He said unconvincingly.

"Told her what?" I asked with a sinking feeling.

"Told her I was your bodyguard. Things were misunderstood. It's fine though. She's old fashioned but she will try to get along." His voice seemed to take on a bit of accent when he fumbled talking about his mother. I thought it was sexy.

I might have jumped on him and kissed him if that creepy old man he called 'Nana' wasn't staring at me. That must be his dad though? He looked like a more pitiful version of him, all skinny with a potbelly.

"Does that mean you're still my..." I stopped, not sure if I should say it in front of the old man. I glanced over at the guy again, but he hadn't batted an eyelash.

"We can pick it up after you are done school." He said firmly. I looked away, nodded and looked up at him longingly.

"I'll miss you." I said with a pout. He rolled his eyes at me.

"You had better behave, or I'll send you chores through Pete." He pointed at me sternly. I just grinned mischievously.

"You are going to miss me too." I stated, batting my eyelashes. He snorted as though I was crazy.

"Get up. Go to the car. We are leaving." He ordered firmly. I held out my hand and waited. He got up and helped me to my feet, but I took advantage and stood too close to him.

"He needs spanking." The old man said as we left the room. I turned my head and stuck my tongue out at him. I almost laughed when he stuck his back out at me. Sasha just grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the house.

He had his jacket on now. I let him buckle me into an old Plymouth and smiled as he got in to drive. I didn't even care that he was taking me home, because he promised to come and get me later.

"You can spank me later." I said to him as he was backing out of the driveway. He slammed on the brakes, making us both jerk in our seatbelts.

"You... Keep your mouth shut." He glared at me. I looked back innocently.

"Only if you tell me you'll miss me." I replied cheekily. He let out a sigh, so drawn out I thought he might have sprung a leak. Joking.

"Fine. I will miss you." He grumbled out. I turned to face the front and smiled in triumph.

"I knew it."

1824