Out of the Past
Stepan Gorchakov lives in America, having moved from Russia because of his homosexuality. After one of the matches he meets his fan, Samuel Clayton, who wants to get to know his idol better.
"And our winner is Stepan Gorchakov!"
The mighty polar bear stood over his defeated opponent, and the referee raised his paw upwards. Stepan smiled a dazzling, slightly embarrassed smile. It was another victory in the underground ring, and the Russian giant was not eager to give up. He dreamed of conquering the world of fighting, showing his opponents the power of the Russian spirit and his pod fists, which some claimed could break through a wall.
After taking his winnings - almost ninety thousand dollars - Stepan proudly left the ring under the admiring glances of the crowd surrounding the ring. Yes, many disliked him, but recognized his talent in fights and the fact that he nobly treats his opponents. Many fighters went to dastardly deeds to win, sometimes even beat their opponents to death. Stepan was disgusted by this. He believed that anyone who enters the ring should respect his opponent and fight fairly. That was his philosophy.
"Mr. Gorchakov, one minute!"
Stepan stopped and turned to the polar bear in a green T-shirt who had called out to him.
"Did you want something, sir?" he asked in English, almost without an accent. The bear nodded and smiled broadly.
"My name is Samuel Clayton, to my friends Sam. I saw your fight today, and it was... Incredible! You are a true asset to your homeland."
Stepan frowned.
"I don't think anyone would agree with you, Mr. Clayton. I'm just an ordinary wrestler. That's all you need to know."
Sam shook his head.
"Mr. Gorchakov, I'm watching you for the third fight in a row. And I have not met such a strong and noble fighter as you. Please allow me, as a beastman who wants to see more matches like this, to get to know you better, outside the ring. But if you don't want to, I won't insist."
Stepan gave Sam a glance. The polar bear standing in front of him was shorter than he was, but there was great strength in him. Of course, the guy couldn't be called a muscleman or a bodybuilder, but the fact that he had obviously been to the gym and was muscular was obvious to the naked eye.
"Well, if you ask, I'd love to talk to you," Stepan smiled. Samuel winked at him.
"How about we hit the local bars? Or if you want, we can go to my place."
Stepan hesitated. He couldn't answer that offer decisively. But Sam had such a way with him that the taller bear couldn't refuse.
"Let's go to your place. I don't really like going to bars."
"To be honest, I'm not in favor of drinking twenty bottles of whiskey a night either."
Sam, who was opening the door at that moment, smiled.
"You seem to always say that a man should give up alcohol. Do I remember right?"
"Yes," Stepan smiled, stepping out into the fresh air. "By the way, how old are you?"
"I'm twenty, and you?"
"Twenty-eight."
"And you're already such a famous fighter?"
Stepan laughed.
"In my homeland, the Arkhangelsk region, I was one of the strongest fighters in my childhood."
"But why did you leave Russia? It's beautiful there! Your country is so interesting and mysterious."
Gorchakov hesitated. Why did he leave his native country? He didn't want Sam to know, for it might hurt him. And yet he said:
"Because I'm gay, Sam. Openly gay. But in Russia."
"I'm sorry, Steph, I didn't know."
Samuel felt ashamed. He must have hurt his favorite wrestler. But Stepan put his paw on his shoulder.
"Sam, I'm not mad, really. You're not offending me with that question."
"But it's probably hurtful for you to bring it up, bro. And I..."
Suddenly Stepan just kissed Samuel. The shorter polar bear was surprised, but returned the kiss, a little embarrassed.
"You're gay too, Sam, aren't you?" Stepan asked embarrassed, breaking the kiss. Samuel nodded.
"You know, I've been very upset in the past myself. There was a very unpleasant story."
"Did you have a quarrel with your parents?"
"Not only that. A girl who had been friends with me in the past, upon learning of my homosexuality, broke off all relations with me, saying I was a beastman to be avoided."
"But that's wrong! To stop being friends with someone you were always happy to see, just because you found out about his orientation... How mean it have to be..."
"But haven't you ever had one?"
Stepan suddenly lowered his gaze.
"I did... With my coach..."
Sam thought he'd misheard.
"Steph, I know this is a painful thing to remember, and if you?"
"No! Sam, I want to tell you this! Right here, right now."
Samuel looked at his new acquaintance in surprise. Yes, there was eight years difference between them, but why was he so eager to become a close beastman to him? To live with him together, to train together, to discuss sports news...
"Hello, Earth to Sam. Come in, come in, can you hear me?"
The smaller bear shook his head as if chasing away a vision.
"I'm sorry. I was just thinking. So what did you want to tell me, my friend?"
Stepan smiled his Hollywood smile.
"Sam, you know that sometimes in underground tournaments there are fights where you have to lose, right?"
Samuel nodded. Stepan continued.
"So, my former trainer, yes, yes, that's right, my former trainer, wanted me to lose a fight to a fighter his friend had picked. They even agreed on it. And I flatly refused. I'm not the kind of guy who's going to play give-and-take in the ring. Remember that."
Sam laughed.
"Steph, I'm not gonna judge you. You acted like a true athlete, and I would have done the same in your place."
Stepan proudly flexed his huge pecs.
"I know, Sam. But that bastard decided that his friendship was more important than a fair fight and told me to go to hell, that people like me would never get into wrestling clubs, and that I was a fool for turning down the money he could give me."
"Really?" Sam was outraged. "So the fact that you're trying to be yourself in the ring offended and enraged him? That guy is just awful!"
"Come on, it doesn't hurt me anymore," Stepan grinned. "The main thing is that I never saw him again after that day. He called me yesterday, though. Turns out that guy was doping to give the girls a fight."
Sam's eyes widened.
"You mean the F word?"
"Yeah... And it also turns out he's a guy who I can call with the P word. Because he's?"
"Don't give me any more details!"
Samuel felt a surge of anger. And because of a freak like his idol's former coach...
"Sammy, calm down, I don't feel the pain that I felt then," Stepan hurried to calm down his new acquaintance. "I sent him away, told him to suck a lemon and look for a new partner, because I'm not going to be under someone who does that kind of shit."
Samuel exhaled.
"I'm glad. You didn't have to be soft on him after all. Also..."
He faded his gaze a little.
"Can we kissing again?"
Stepan nodded.
"Sam, I liked you, and I can see that you like me, so why do you have to ask permission for a kiss?"
"Well... We just met today..."
"And what? I already kissed you today, and I'm sorry if I rushed into it."
Sam blushed.
"No, I don't mind, Steph. And... Thanks for chatting with me."
"You're welcome."
After that, they both kissed again, as if forgetting that they were outside in front of an underground ring. Sam could feel Stepan's powerful and huge chest pressing against his chest as the big bear let out a light moan. Finally, they finished kissing.
"Where are you going now?" Sam asked. Stepan sighed.
"To a rented apartment in the dormitory..."
"That won't do," Samuel frowned. "You're coming to my place!"
"But what about..."
"Stepan, I don't want you to live in a rented apartment. You're coming to my house, and I don't want to hear you say no."
"And your parents?"
"I don't care what they think. I don't live with them. It's with my grandfather. And he doesn't mind my homosexuality."
Stepan smiled.
"Okay, I accept your offer."
"Then let's go!"
And they headed toward Samuel's car, chatting and laughing.