[FROLO]
Katya smiled at the sight before him. The first time he’d seen it, he considered disappearing because of how ridiculous it was. But consistency was apparently the one thing his boyfriend had stayed dedicated to.
Which was why, as he looked at Sergei standing at the elevator of the research floor, a huge flower bouquet of lilies in his hands, Katya wasn’t surprised.
He’d given up trying to talk his alpha out of it, really.
Because apparently Sergei only wanted to be one thing.
Katya’s boyfriend.
His company was being handled by someone else.
His murders and sins were always on a timer.
Dinners and picking Katya up were the parts of the day that he loved the most.
Even now, as he stood with the ridiculous bouquet, Sergei didn’t say a word. He just stood in silence, waiting for Katya to get off work.
It was what he always did.
Anytime he arrived before Katya was done, he became wallpaper and waited till his omega was done.
He didn’t try to rush him, not once.
Not even when some days Katya stayed longer at work.
Sergei was okay with waiting.
Because as long as Katya was happy, as long as Katya was happy with his work, as long as Katya got to live his life, Sergei was fine.
Sure, there were some days when Katya told him not to come pick him up because he’d be working late, and Sergei respected that.
But it didn’t change the fact that Sergei would still be waiting with another bouquet of lilies at the penthouse door.
For Katya, he would do anything.
Anything.
"Vladimirrrr!" Katya waved at him. Calling him over, Sergei froze.
Katya never called him over.
Not when he was working.
And right now Sergei could see the group he was working with looking at him.
Thing is, even with Sergei’s super-hearing, the alpha had long made the decision not to listen to Katya’s conversations. He’d mute them out, only focusing on the possibility of Katya’s voice aimed at him, in case Katya needed him.
Right now, he was not so sure.
Was his Solnyshka mad?
Did Sergei have blood on him still?
He’d cleaned up after coming from Aleksandr.
Was he dirty? Did he miss a spot? Was it what he was wearing? The grey sweatpants and white tank top? Or his hair?
Oh, Sergei.
"Me?" He managed carefully, hoping to the gods he didn’t do something that would have Katya looking at him differently. His Solnyshka was happy now. Smiled often.
Sergei was determined to preserve that happiness no matter what happened to him.
"Of course, you’re my boyfriend, aren’t you?" Katya teased.
A wave of oohs went off in the room.
Sergei couldn’t help the instant smile on his face at that.
His Solnyshka.
His little wolf was claiming him in public.
Nothing could be better than Katya looking at him. And fuck if Sergei didn’t nearly trip from hurrying to where Katya was. He didn’t care about embarrassment right now. His Solnyshka had called for him.
His beautiful little wolf.
"Solnyshka," Sergei breathed, his eyes staying on Katya like everyone else could go to hell, and Sergei wouldn’t even be bothered.
"Sit with us," Katya said and Sergei stared.
At Katya.
At the group.
Then back at Katya as if to ask him if he was sure about it.
"Trust me, alpha," Katya said softly, and Sergei almost melted.
Fuck.
So he nodded sheepishly before handing Katya the flowers.
"For you," Sergei said, and Katya took the flowers, then pulled Sergei in for a chaste kiss, then took the flowers to his desk.
Sergei watched him go and come back.
He didn’t even focus on Greg, who was seated right beside him.
He only cared about Katya.
Gods, was he a whipped man.
When Katya returned, he sat on Sergei’s lap, and all the jealousy Sergei could have had in this room went out the window. Because all his mind could think of was his Katya.
"Hey guys, this is my boyfriend, Sergei, my Vladimir," Katya introduced, and Sergei stared at him softly.
"Go on, say hello... He doesn’t bite," Katya said, like he didn’t know who his boyfriend was. Like all these people didn’t know what this man was.
"Hi, I’m Katya’s boyfriend... The one he loves," Sergei introduced himself before he leaned in to breathe Katya’s scent right from his scent gland.
Katya didn’t stop him.
"I’m Greg," the alpha said as others joined in the introductions.
Sergei knew them all.
He’d done background checks. On the entire Romanov research department. Not that he would admit that right now.
Besides, he only cared a little bit about Greg the coworker, and that was enough.
"Alright, with the introductions done, since it’s Friday and Katya’s second week since he came back to work. We decided to throw a party.
"Some people are still setting up in the break room, but until then we’ll be playing some games," Greg said, explaining shit to Sergei.
And Sergei listened.
They cared about his Solnyshka.
His Solnyshka’s return.
Katya needed this, and Sergei would not ruin it for him.
"Nice, I’m in," Sergei said, holding Katya’s waist firmly, as if to ground himself. It was a habit so normal for them that Katya wasn’t even bothered.
"One more thing before we begin. Here and now, he’s just my boyfriend, nothing more. Don’t let his groans intimidate you; he’s a nice and warm person," Katya said as the other employees looked at him skeptically.
Then Sergei smiled.
Not creepy.
Not targeted.
Just a normal person kind of smile, and the entire team wasn’t expecting it. Especially given they were still walking on eggshells around Sergei.
"Alright, we’ll start with Jenga... Then, of course, truth or dare. After that we’ll go to the party at the break room. Any questions?" one of the women with a Saida on her name tag said.
No one said a thing, just nodded excitedly before the games began.
Jenga was pretty easy, with the blocks being stacked and restacked after every dice throw. It wasn’t so bad.
Then came the truth and dare bit.
Given everyone was mostly curious about Sergei and Katya, it wasn’t surprising that most of the questions went to Sergei.
He answered them a little too truthfully and everyone couldn’t help but laugh at the alpha who was clearly madly in love with Katya Romanov.
There were some dares as time went by, with the classic curiosity about Sergei thankfully gone and the game balanced.
Some were dared to dance on top of the desks, others to sing their favorite songs. It was a wholesome moment that lasted just long enough before they were summoned for the party. Through it all, Sergei had stayed normal.
Asked normal questions.
Interacted like this was just another group he was hanging around with Katya.
It wasn’t hard for him because Katya had long taught him how to be normal. How to enjoy the moment instead of worrying about every other thing.
It was oddly satisfying for him too, really.
Seeing Katya laugh.
Watching Katya dance the night away among his colleagues.
At some point Sergei even had to join in, and he was glad for the dance lessons Svet, Rahim, Elara and Irina had forced him to take. They had been nasty teachers, but at least today Sergei wasn’t stepping on people’s feet.
And when the night ended, it ended with Vladimir and Katya.
Not the Devil of Frolo and the man he was currently burning the realm for.
And well...
A very wasted Katya Romanov.
"Vladimiiirrr... I don’t wanna go home yett... Let’s gatecrash a few parties," Katya suggested as they stumbled their way out of Romanov Steel at one in the morning.
Of course, Sergei, not being one to say no...
Agreed.