Daniel became aware of his hospital surroundings even before opening his eyes. The scent of medicines mingled with the aroma of expensive lavender perfume, and the rhythmic ticking of a nearby device filled the air. He took stock of his body's sensations, feeling a dull ache in several places. Without fully awakening, he drifted back into sleep. The dreams were tranquil, devoid of visions or nightmares, occasionally allowing him to catch snippets of conversations about his condition before pulling him back into its comforting embrace.

While part of him sensed he could awaken if he chose to, a faint glimmer at the periphery of his consciousness, he chose to remain in the dream's peaceful depths. Moments of euphoria occasionally surged through him, making him feel invincible - perhaps due to medication or possibly his own mind playing tricks on him. As he dozed, he even entertained the thought that he might be losing his mind, but he felt no fear, only tranquility, likening it to a restful vacation after strenuous labor. Suddenly, a voice filled with desperation and concern broke through his serenity.

"He's been asleep for four days! Are you certain he won't slip into a coma?"

"Medicine doesn't offer guarantees, this is not business, Alexander Matveyevich," the unfamiliar voice responded with composure. "However, I'm confident the patient won't lapse into a coma. His vital signs are stable, and he's showing swift physical recovery. The concern lies more with his mental state. Sometimes, the mind requires an extended period of rest. I've seen cases where patients slept for a month straight-"

"Spare me the anecdotes; I'm not interested in others," Alexander cut him off. "Wake him up, inject him with something!"

"That wouldn't be advisable, Alexander Matveyevich, unless you're aiming to trigger another incident. The patient experienced a significant nervous breakdown and is grappling with moderate exogenous depression, which could escalate to severe. Please allow him the time he needs to recuperate and heal - it's currently the best course of action for him. We're providing all necessary medications intravenously to foster neural recovery even while he sleeps and to reduce his stress levels. Trust me, the treatment is comprehensive, even if you're not seeing immediate results."

"I hear you, Dmitry Vasilyevich," Alexander paused, contemplating. "However, I insist that he be roused artificially tomorrow if he doesn't awaken by tonight."

"As you wish," the doctor responded after a moment, his voice noticeably icy.

From the sound of receding footsteps, it seemed the doctor had departed. Carefully settling on the bed's edge, Alexander grasped Daniel's hand, pressed a kiss to it, and whispered with a pained tone.

"Danny..."

Subsequently, Daniel slipped once more into the comforting darkness, away from the threats, the coercion, and Alexander himself.

Emerging from this darkness, he found himself enveloped in an intense sensation of pure, unadulterated joy. With a contented sigh of anticipation, he fluttered his eyes open, only to lock onto Alexander's worn and drawn face. He let out a sharp breath, slumping his broad shoulders, nibbled on his mending lip to rein in his emotions, and spoke softly.

"Finally awake! Danny, how do you feel?"

"Magical," Daniel replied softly, raising his sluggish, unsteady hand. He lightly grazed his fingers over Alexander's bruised, blue-colored cheekbone, tracing them to his quivering lips marked with stitches, feeling a twinge of surprise.

"Did I do this?"

"You did, but I bear no grudge," Alexander responded promptly, his fingers caressing the injured cheek gently. "Do you remember what happened?"

"Somewhat," Daniel admitted, but he had no desire to revisit the unpleasant memories. A surge of inexplicable joy compelled him to focus on the positive, to connect with the one who genuinely cared for him, to momentarily set aside the unpleasantness. Yielding to this emotion, he reached out.

"Sasha, I feel so much better now," he whispered, pausing to relish the comforting sensations before adding, "Please, hold me."

Alexander nestled closer, ensuring he didn't put too much weight on Daniel. He slid his uninjured arm beneath Daniel's back, pulling him into a snug embrace, his breath hitching with emotion. Daniel idly played with Alexander's soft, wavy hair, inhaling its familiar scent as he smiled contentedly. Nothing could tarnish his happiness, not even the warm dampness against his chest or the ragged breathing of the other person. Alexander, in his naivety, failed to grasp the true essence of the moment – he should be rejoicing, not distressed.

A day later, Alexander collected him from the clinic, with Daniel appearing in his typical composed manner. Daniel gazed pensively at his reflection, noting the healing patch on his eyebrow and the fading bruise beneath his right eye. He shifted his attention to the similarly battered man standing attentively behind him, gauging his emotions. After a few moments, he responded to a question Alexander had posed earlier, his voice subdued.

"Yes, let's go... home."

During the car ride, Alexander outlined several arrangements in a conciliatory and caring manner. He mentioned that Daniel would receive psychotherapy from two experts: Ksenia and her father, a distinguished psychiatrist named Dmitry Vasilievich, who had previously treated Alexander at the clinic. Daniel would work remotely until the end of the year to avoid additional stress from being in the office. While he would have the freedom to go out, he would always carry a phone so Alexander could monitor his whereabouts and help if Daniel became overly agitated. All these measures, Alexander emphasized, were for Daniel's well-being. Additionally, Daniel would be able to drive himself.

Alexander handed the electronic key of a Mercedes AMG to Daniel's slack hand, casting a worried look into his seemingly indifferent eyes - had he conveyed the information about the psychotherapy correctly? Daniel offered a faint smile.

"Thank you. I've missed driving."

"I'm glad you like it," Alexander edged closer, hesitating over whether to kiss him. Daniel took the initiative, pressing his lips briefly to Alexander's. Though the kiss wasn't deep, it conveyed a clear message: things were okay, he was willing to move forward.

From Alexander's contented sigh, it seemed the message had gotten through. He responded with a firmer hug, resting his head against Daniel's shoulder and letting out a soft purr.

'It's a shame you won't be able to attend the company party. My HR guy is hosting a big event. I'd skip it too, given my current appearance, but I can't afford to miss out. Haha, this year, I'll have a bruised face instead of a glowing one, but oh well. I've told everyone I had a rough sparring session; whether they bought it, I'm not sure. But we're planning a skiing trip in a few days to get some fresh air. My leg's healing well, so it shouldn't be a problem. You'll enjoy it, Danny, I'm sure. It may not be Aspen, but it has its own charm. And the food there? Absolutely delicious."

Alexander spoke with enthusiasm, planting kisses on the top of Daniel's head. Daniel remained silent, seemingly indifferent to the conversation. The topic of Stockholm syndrome was temporarily shelved.

***

"What do you think?"

Alexander spread his arms and did a little twirl, presenting himself to Daniel.

"You're missing skis," Daniel chuckled, finding humor in Alexander's appearance: the bulky winter jacket draped over his bare, tanned legs seemed quite amusing.

"Why would I need skis right now?" Alexander retorted with a flash of lightning wit, unbuttoning his jacket and looking at Daniel with raised eyebrows.

"Ah, you're joking, I see. Notice how well the sleeve was adjusted? Now my arm, in its thermal underwear and splint, fits in perfectly."

"Listen, Sasha," Daniel sighed, rubbing his temples wearily. "I thought you were just kidding, but it seems you're serious. Who's the crazy one here? I am not the one skiing with a fractured arm."

"It's not fractured," Alexander corrected with a finger pointed in a lecturing manner, "I have a minor hairline crack. It won't hinder me from skiing."

"You should've broken it entirely if that meant you wouldn't ski," Daniel replied earnestly. "It would've been safer than you speeding down the slope with a cracked arm and a banged-up head."

"Banged-up head?" Alexander looked offended as he set his laptop aside, climbing onto the bed.

"Someone without a head injury wouldn't risk participating in a risky sport with a fractured arm."

"Cancel the trip or choose an alternative. We could visit Baikal instead; I've always wanted to see the world's deepest lake in winter. They say the views are breathtaking. I've seen pictures, but experiencing it firsthand must be incredible," Daniel said, tapping his fingers on his laptop.

"I'm not finished yet, hold on."

"It's nice to know you care," Alexander said, kissing Daniel's cheek and resting his head on his shoulder. "If you'd like, we can also visit Baikal. I won't cancel the trip; it's a tradition to ski with my friends every year. This year, I convinced them to ski in Russia. I can't let them down."

"You will let them down if you kill yourself in front of them . Alright, I get it. Let's go, kamikaze," Daniel said. Alexander closed his laptop, placing it on the nightstand, he then turned over and spread Daniel's legs with his knee slightly.

"You're concerned about me getting hurt," the cheerful green eyes grew misty, gazing down at him.

"Danny, you hold a special place in my heart. Despite your occasional..." Alexander hesitated before adding, "...outbursts of anger towards me, there's still a bond between us. I can't comprehend how I lived without you before."

"So, no one's ever hit you before?"

Daniel laughed softly, poking the dimple on Alexander's cheek.

"No one has," Alexander admitted with a smile, "and no one has ever kissed me like you do, or shown such devotion. Just being with you, even without sex, makes me happy. Simply seeing you, admiring you, holding you - I cherish every moment. I adore everything about you: the way you move, the way you speak, the way you eat, the way you sleep. Nature seldom crafts such flawless examples of humanity."

"That's just the exterior," Daniel responded with a hint of darkness. "The true essence lies within."

"I appreciate your personality, Danny," Alexander whispered soothingly. "You don't always have to be so fiery; I meant no harm."

"So, you enjoy my fiery moments?" Daniel replied, reciprocating the kiss.

"Every single thing about you captivates me," Alexander whispered softly, planting a kiss on his neck. "And your scent... I'm starting to believe that pseudoscientific theory about humans choosing mates based on smell, like animals do. Do you enjoy my scent?"

Daniel lifted his arms to assist Alexander in removing his shirt, letting out a soft sigh as Alexander tenderly kissed his nipple. A gentle warmth spread within him, mingling with desire.

"I do," Daniel murmured, cradling Alexander's face in his hands. "Your eyes, too. They're an uncommon shade of deep green, unlike any I've ever seen."

Alexander paused, eyes widening in delightful surprise, as if afraid to break the spell.

"I also cherish those moments when you're calm and laughing," Daniel added. "With you, I feel serene and... happy, Sasha."

"I'll try to be more like that," Alexander pledged. "I made many mistakes early on, and I deeply regret it. If I had been less forceful, things might've been different. I exacerbated your depression and pushed you to a breaking point. I'm sorry, Danny."

"I am sorry too. I didn't mean to hit you; it just happened," Daniel traced the pink stitching on Alexander's upper lip with his finger. He felt a pang of shame for losing control, for reacting like a savage beast, possibly capable of killing in the heat of the moment. He had believed that the horrors of prison were firmly in the past, that nothing could revert him to such a primitive state. Yet he understood that the scars of his incarceration remained, altering him irreversibly.

"I have no hard feelings. I provoked the situation by confronting you and reminding you that I'm keeping an eye on your actions. It wouldn't have been easy for anyone to handle," Alexander said, shifting his weight from his injured arm to his uninjured one as he lay beside him. "Danny, you don't need to look for someone else to blame. Truly, I don't hold it against you for that incident, and besides, it's futile: we've thoroughly investigated everyone."

"Yes, we have," Daniel clenched his jaw. The internal warmth he felt subsided instantly. "I was accused based on a single photo, just one damn photo!"

"Shh, Danny, calm down," Alexander propped himself up on one elbow, looking concerned. "Let's just drop it, alright? I wanted to tell you not to waste your energy and emotions on trivial matters."

"To you they are trivial," Daniel gently removed Alexander's hand from his, stood, and moved towards the window. "Could you stay at your place tonight? Dmitri Vasilyevich suggested I should get a proper rest."

"Danny, please don't be upset," Alexander's voice held a note of sincerity. He paused, waiting for a response, eyes fixed intently on Daniel's back. Eventually, with a resigned sigh, he began to dress. Daniel stood still, catching his breath when Alexander, still hopeful for a shared night, kissed on his neck. It was only with the sound of the front door closing that Daniel felt a sense of relief wash over him: he had successfully declined sex for the first time.

Since his return from the hospital, they hadn't had sex.

In the evenings, Alexander would come home from work, they'd enjoy a quiet dinner together, chat, watch movies, and then head to bed. While they'd exchange warm kisses, the passion seemed to have faded. Tonight, sensing Alexander's amorous intentions, it was evident he wanted to reignite their intimate moments.

It wasn't that Daniel wasn't interested; his anger had dwindled during his time in the hospital, and his body still responded eagerly to Alexander's advances. However, today might not have been the ideal day for such intimacy. He felt drained after his initial session with Dmitri Vasilyevich. Unlike his daughter, Dmitri seemed to drain his energy, making him confront and relive painful memories. More importantly, he wasn't inclined to be manipulated and that made it difficult to subtly manipulating Alexander.