His fingers leisurely traced the contours of his abdomen, the lower part of which felt heavy and warm. Soft kisses from Alexander's lips grazed his neck, still tinged with the remnants of sleep, eliciting delightful shivers throughout his body. Daniel cracked open one eye, peered at the dimly lit window, and shut it again, pressing his fingers as a gentle warning. A soft sigh brushed against his neck, his fingers retreated obediently, and Daniel drifted back into slumber, entangled in unfulfilled yearning. He was roused a second time by Alexander's tender nudging.

"Rise and shine, sleepyhead. We need to head to work soon, but I have something else in mind before that."

"Already?" Daniel bolted upright, nearly bumping foreheads with Alexander, who narrowly evaded the collision.

"We still have some time," Alexander chuckled, catching Daniel's arm as he attempted to rise. "It's too early; stay with me."

Daniel glanced at the digital clock on the bedside table, exhaling with a hint of irritation – it was six a.m., damn.

"You could've let me sleep," he teased, settling back down. "Why wake me up so early?"

"Don't you see?" Alexander planted a kiss on his collarbone, teasingly tugging a nipple and brushing against the still-sensitive from the previous night entrance with his fingers.

"I get it," Daniel adjusted his position, spreading his knees to allow Alexander to nestle between them. "You can't overuse that part of my body too much."

"Why's that?" Alexander paused, sliding two fingers inside. "Does it hurt?"

"It's not painful, but there's a sensation... when I use the restroom. It's not pleasant."

"I'll be careful," Alexander's eyes deepened, drawing color from the fading dawn, turning intense. "It's hard to resist you lying here naked beside me – the temptation is irresistible. Thinking of you, untouched since last night, ready for me, drives me wild."

"You can use your hands," Daniel murmured, his voice shaky, trying to stifle a groan as Alexander's fingers stimulated his prostate. The morning's slight arousal had escalated into a strong erection, desire pulsing through him in waves, erasing any lingering frustration. What he craved now was penetration – a momentary discomfort followed by an intensifying sensation, igniting every nerve ending.

With a single, firm thrust, Alexander entered him, both men gasping in pleasure. Daniel observed the mounting delight in Alexander's intense eyes, allowing him time to adjust to the girth, then began to move slowly and rhythmically, relishing the deep connection. Their kisses were soft and exploratory, with gentle moans exchanged between them. Alexander's right hand cradled Daniel's face, capturing every fleeting expression of pleasure, while his left hand roamed, exploring and caressing. Daniel's moans grew louder, his body opening further to receive every thrust, aiming for a heightened sensation and quicker release. As the tension built and the warmth in his lower abdomen intensified, he came with a deep, satisfying groan, a rush of pleasure engulfing his entire body. The world seemed to spin, his body feeling languid and heavy, drawing him towards sleep. He didn't mind the dulled reflection; it was just physiology, just a natural response to a skillful sex partner.

"Now, it's time to rise and shine," Alexander chuckled, playfully pinching Daniel's nose. "Don't you have to go to work?"

"I do," Daniel replied, shaking off his drowsiness and lifting his head from the pillow with a slight groan. "I'd find it easier to get up if I had gotten more sleep. You keep me up all night and then tell me I need to rest."

"I admit my guilt, I'll make it up to you," Alexander said, stretching and cracking his joints. Daniel sat up slowly, briefly admiring Alexander's physique before dismissing the thought. As he stood, a sudden impulse made him lean in and place a tender kiss on Alexander's damp shoulder.

Seizing the opportunity, Alexander embraced him, planting a noisy kiss on Daniel's ear instead of his lips – Daniel had turned away, anticipating another round of morning sex. Alexander, still affectionate, pressed him against the window. Feeling the chill of the glass against his bare skin, Daniel protested, "They'll see! Let go."

"What could they possibly see up here? Relax, Danny, take a look," Alexander gently turned Daniel, resting his chin on Daniel's shoulder and pulling him close to prevent any escape. "What do you see?"

"Just the mundane view of a gray city," Daniel responded, his tone somber. "Let go. I need to shower."

"Why see it as gray? Look at the dawn breaking, everything bathed in that soft pink hue. It's rare for Moscow to have such a delicate, pink dawn," Alexander's tone had taken on a sentimental edge after their morning sex. It was important to let him express these feelings, but Daniel was eager to move on to his shower. "Moments like this remind us it's never too late to make a fresh start. Don't you feel it, Danny?"

"I do," Daniel replied flatly, his gaze distant and unimpressed by the city below. No amount of pink dawn could make him fall for this city.

"What else do you see?"

"It's snowing, as it should in winter. People are hurrying to work, just like we should be. What else am I supposed to see?"

"Ah, you're blind to the beauty around you. New Year's Eve is approaching, Danny - a time for celebration, happiness, a chance to turn a new leaf," Alexander reluctantly let him go. "We'll go skiing soon."

"Where?" Daniel asked cautiously, his heart pounding in his chest. If they were leaving the country, it meant the charges against him had to be dropped. Even powerful connections wouldn't be able to help him leave the country while there's an active travel ban against him. Once abroad, he could potentially seek refuge at a consulate.

"To Sochi," Alexander shattered his fragile hopes with that simple statement. "Why the frown? We have great skiing spots too."

"I don't know how to ski," Daniel said, heading towards the bathroom, concealing his disappointment.

"I'll teach you," Alexander assured him. "I enjoy teaching you."

Daniel quickly showered, trying to ignore the wandering hands on his body. He felt embarrassed by the fleeting moments of tenderness, especially that impulsive kiss on Alexander's shoulder. These odd desires to hold and be close to Alexander were unsettling. They couldn't be dismissed as mere physical urges; they stemmed from something deeper – something called the soul.

Alexander seemed to be embedding himself more and more into Daniel's life, growing and taking root against Daniel's will. The rapid pace at which he was losing himself was alarming. He had only been with Alexander for three and a half months, but it felt like an eternity. If he was already this entangled in a relationship that felt so unnatural, built on blackmail and pain, what would the future hold?

Alexander perceived Daniel's unease in his unique manner. During breakfast, he gently caressed the fingers gripping the fork and said with a sigh, "Danny, I know this job isn't your favorite, but try to see the silver lining in it. Please."

"I'll do my best," Daniel responded succinctly, breaking apart the eggs Benedict and salmon into an unappealing reddish-pink mixture. He pushed his plate aside and reached for the pancakes. Alexander then presented the dessert plate and moved the rosette with jam closer.

"I mean it; try to see the positives. Like honing your marketing skills, crucial for any entrepreneur. It's also an opportunity to showcase your strengths and improve your public image. Engage socially, let go of emotional barriers, and stop being apprehensive around people."

"You don't need to sell this job to me; I'm already on board," Daniel said, savoring a bite of pancake with cherry confiture. "I recognize the benefits; they're evident."

"Then why the long face?" Alexander sighed, looking disheartened.

"Because it's been over a year since I've done an intellectually stimulating job in an office setting. Not physical labor where I had to break ice or sew tarpaulin mittens, but something mentally engaging!" Daniel quickly finished his cooled coffee and stood up, nearly spilling the cup. Frustration was seeping through, causing his voice to rise with nervous energy. "Don't you get it? Have you ever experienced monotonous physical labor, Sasha? Repeating pointless tasks day in and day out?"

Daniel, trembling with frustration, began to raise his voice.

"Hush, hush, Danny," Alexander said, slowly rising and approaching him. "I misspoke, I'm sorry. Don't get worked up; it's okay."

"Don't touch me! Not now!" Daniel held out his hand as a warning. "I know I usually don't refuse you, doing whatever you ask. I'm compliant, like a sex doll, fulfilling your desires! But not now! Don't touch me! Don't touch me!"

"I'm not touching you. Please calm down," Alexander retreated, looking bewildered.

"I'm calm!" Daniel shouted one final time before turning away, hugging himself tightly. The intense emotional heat began to fade, replaced by a chilling bitterness.

"Danny, you seem unwell. Perhaps you should stay home. You can start work tomorrow, okay?" Alexander, hesitant to touch him, appeared crumpled behind him.

"I'm okay now," Daniel said, shaking himself free and relaxing his tightly clenched fingers. "Sasha, sometimes please don't probe into my emotions, don't question my somber mood. I have valid reasons."

"I understand," Alexander admitted, sounding defeated. "I'm sorry. Danny, let's head to the office after lunch, and during our break, we can watch a movie..."

"I'd rather leave now. I'm ok," Daniel replied, turning to reveal his outwardly calm face. "Let's go, please."

Alexander observed him closely, searching for lingering signs of distress, then reluctantly agreed, "Let's go."

The car ride was silent. Daniel gazed out the window, still feeling downcast and frustrated with himself for his perceived weakness. If his struggles were solely physical, enduring this emotionally taxing situation would be simpler. Daniel had come to terms with his physical responses to Alexander, pushing those thoughts aside. However, grappling with his complex feelings towards Alexander, the person who had ruined his life, was more challenging. It weighed on him, fraying his nerves and constantly reminding him of his current predicament.

When the car pulled into the underground parking lot and the driver opened the door for Alexander, he gently grasped Daniel's clenched hand.

"Danny, if things worsen, just go home. Agreed?"

"They won't worsen," Daniel stubbornly insisted, turning towards him as he usually did when exiting according to security protocol. "Shall we go?"

"Just a moment," Alexander shut the door, encapsulating them in the confined space. He leaned down, briefly kissed Daniel's unresponsive lips, and reiterated, "If it gets worse, you're going home."

"Fine," Daniel responded, recognizing it as less of a suggestion and more of an order. Arguing seemed pointless.

Alexander gave him another kiss, opened the door, and exited the car, extending his hand, which Daniel deliberately ignored - after all, he was still a man.