The sound of forks scraping plates and the quiet familiar chatter of the two men was actually somewhat comforting. Xiomara donned someone's shirt though she wasn't sure, between the two whose.
They spoke with a tenderness to one another.
"And?" Lev asked, spearing a carrot. "What did they say at the docks?"
Mikhail's eyes darted to Xiomara. "Must we talk about work at the dinner table? In front of guests no less." Mikhail sighed, spooning potatoes into his mouth.
Lev waved his agreement, sipping his water. "The head maid wants a raise. Something about inflation, and a sick grandchild or something of the sort."
"Should be in budget," Mikhail remarked.
Lev frowned. "Even if it is. Is it our duty to cure her sick grandchild? We sponsored her here from Russia, give her hefty salary–"
Mikhail's eyes darted one again to Xiomara. Lev's eyes narrowed following his gaze.
"What do you think," Lev asked, intertwining his hands, resting his chin on top of them.
"Elbows," Mikhail admonished softly. Lev ignored him.
"She's asking for 2k more than we're giving her a month. Should we?" He asked.
Xiomara looked up from her mashed potatoes clearing her throat. "Do you have the money?"
"We do," Lev responded.
"Is she good at her job?"
Lev nodded.
Xiomara shrugged. "Then why not? Please get raises every year for good performance."
Lev smiled softly and picked his is fork. "Fine. It's done."
Xiomara picked up her cup, hiding her frown. They had two thousand dollars a month to just...use? Just on her whim? Then again, they seemed rich. She didn't know what they did. Mikhail was always so vague.
There was silence for a moment before Mikhail cleared his throat.
"We should fix up a proper guest from, for our guest," Mikhail smiled at Xiomara softly. "New comforters, towels and such."
Lev glanced between the two of them. "But of course. I let a rat scurry away from me last night."
Mikhail's gaze snapped to him, a warning flashing in his dark eyes. Lev just smiled, ignoring the warning.
"Rats? In a house like this?" Xiomara asked.
"Hm...rats in a house are pesky thing aren't they? You never know what they've tampered with. Dirty little paws getting into everything. I caught it and I...well I just couldn't decided whether he should live or die."
Mikhail slammed his hands on table, standing suddenly. "Lev. Shut the fuck up."
Lev chuckled, wiping his mouth. "You know she would've just thought it was animal, if you hadn't reacted like that. I told you about that temper."
Xiomara looked between the two of them. "So you two are...criminals of some sort?"
"No," Mikhail whispered.
"Precisely," Lev said over top Mikhail. "Is that okay with you?"
Xiomara swallowed. "Depends. What kind of criminals?"
Mikhail closed his eyes. "Xiomara, I'm sorry I don't know what's gotten into Lev—"
"Not the heinous kind," Lev said. "No human trafficking, no dealing in harming children or women. Nothing too disgusting. But it isn't clean either."
Xiomara nodded.
"Oh and uh...Mikhail here likes men and women. Is that fine with you?"
"Lev!" Mikhail shouted.
Xiomara glanced up at her boyfriend. He was kind. A truly soft man, always ready to give, to assure. She'd never been with anyone like him.
"That's fine with me." Xiomara shrugged. "Like what you like no harm in that. But I don't tolerate cheating." She said pointedly at Lev.
Lev smiled softly. "Alright then." He stood. "You treat him well. He likes you."
Xiomara smiled. "I should hope so. And you? Do you like me?"
Leg put his hands behind his back as he walked away, his smile hidden. "You're certainly beginning to grow on me."
Mikhail swallowed roughly, keeping his eyes on the table. "I'm sorry he's brash and he likes to see me squirm. I was gonna tell you. Later—"
Her hand came into his vision, closing over his. He glanced up at her, his breathing shuddering as he caught sight of her smile. Her eyes hooded a soft, gentle, accepting expression on her face.
"It's okay, Mikhail. It's only been a month."
The dark haired man nodded gently, sitting back down. "Can't believe that bastard outed me," he grumbled.
"You fucked him, huh?" Xiomara asked nonchalantly.
Mikhail swallowed. "I...we've always been very close. I..."
Xiomara blinked. "You wanted me to meet him. Why did you want me to meet him? No more secretes. Let's just clear the air."
Mikhail looked down. "I don't know. I thought I could convince him to accept you. And then I wouldn't have to choose." He rasped.
"Because you...love him? And you like me. So you thought if he liked me—"
"He'd let me be with you." Mikhail finished. "I know it sounds childish. But Lev is..."
Xiomara glanced up, finding Lex leaning against the door.
"What your boyfriend is tryna to tell you is that I'm his husband. And if you want to keep seeing him, you'll need to see me too." Lev finished confidently, striding towards the two. "Is that okay with you?"
Xiomara frowned. Two boyfriends? It was enough dealing with one. But watching the two she understood. They were a pair. There was only so much Mikhail she could get without Lev, and apparently she'd reached her limit. Now his keeper was here.
Lev stood behind Mikhail, putting his hands on his shoulders.
"I'm a demanding husband after all. I gave him my name, and even the freedom to mess around, but of course he wants more. He wants you."
Lev's hands tightened on Mikhail's shoulder. "I like to straightforward. No need for all that fucking around."
Xiomara shifted in her spot, noting Mikhail's downcast gaze.
"What exactly is being asked of me?" She asked softly.
"I'll want to see you at least once a month. I don't require anything physical with you if you don't prefer, but Mikhail will be with me." Lev smiled softly, almost glowing above Mikhail's head like a halo.
Xiomara looked between the two attractive men.
"Will you use protection," she asked.
"Yes," Lev replied.
Mikhail's cheeks heated. "I feel like a piece of meat."
"We just care about you," Lev mumbled. "Now hush. Mommy and daddy need to decide who gets custody of you on the weekends."
Xiomara hide a smile. He really had a terrible sense of humor, his jokes always ill placed and inappropriate.
"I know it's a lot to ask," Mikhail said softly. "I understand if it's too much. I–"
"I'll do it," she said easily. "I'm adventurous. This sounds...interesting. But if it gets too much, if you two start fucking me over, or being weird, I will drop you."
"Those pesky commitment issues," Lev chimed in with a smile.
Xiomara narrowed her eyes. "You've got a smart mouth."
Lev shrugged.
Mikhail stood, throwing his arms around her, hugging her tightly. "I'm so happy, Mara. I'll keep Lev in check."
Lev stood behind him his eyes on her and she knew Lev was not an easy mean to check at all. Still, her stomach buzzed with anticipation.
Two boyfriends. Two attractive boyfriends. She shifted and smiled. What the hell did she do now?