reaching up with his nearest hand he stroked felix's hair, "forget auntie, i will fatten you up on my own. you will be a fat lamb when i am done with you." as he stroked the ring he was given glinted in the artificial light and he smiled, "felix, i know what sort of ring i would like to get for you"

(it will basically be a masculine ver of the same ring but with a fish on the inside, the fish is a secret though and will be asked for in stilted russian)

The man promised that the order would be ready by the time they left Russia. For the first time in a while the professor wore a set of amused brows as they walked about the rest of the city. His thumb continuously rubbed the ghost of the sizer in anticipation. "Zosa is it possible to eat Russian food? Not space food? I do not think I can stomach another gimmick for dinner."

lightly laughing he shook his head in affirmation, "you eat 'russian' every morning but yes, we can find you a place that serves real food. you have to promise though, not to be disappointed it will not be someplace with a bright sign and flashy colors"

"But who doesn't love personified planets?" He said. They were once again outside in the main street that had been transformed by the falling sun. He could see rows of inviting neon lights "I know we have been eating Russian food but I think your nana could use a break." He said cupping his arm into Zosa's and laying one hand over his.

when the cool fingers meshed with his he gave a smile and a light squeeze, "it sounds like you need a break from her, ok, let's find you an authentic dinner"

He grinned letting Zosa lead the way through the neon lit streets. They found themselves on the outskirts of the tourist district at a small quaint little restaurant that seemed very homey. "Zosa..." He said after the waiter came taking their drink orders. "How are we going to tell your family? Wont they want to get involved?"

carefully he gave a small shrug, "i know zayats will be angry and auntie will be heartbroken... i don't know about uncle but i am going to do my best not to think about them, "you want it to be private and i would do anything to make you happy, i will tell them after and deal with the repercussions then"

He raised his hand again looking at the spot where the metal ring should be. "... I just do not want a lot of pomp and circumstance. Your family has traditional values that would make this complicated, even with your uncles money. " He pulled his hand down and curled it into the other. "I just do not feel well under the eyes of a wooden man hanging from a cross."

"then there will be no cross, no uncle, nothing but us a priest and two rings ok?" pulling the hands up he kissed a dove, "as small as you want it and any way you please"

He smiled. "Zosa even eloping we would need a witness. I would vote Auntie if she could do it with out telling uncle however I would not ask her to betray her love like that."

kissing again he leaned against the other as their drinks were brought to them, "actually you need two witnesses to make a wedding contract legal"

His mouth went into a tight line at the thought of having both auntie and uncle at the wedding. "Even if we elope in the legendary land of Vegas?"

nodding he grinned, "all marriage is the same, i figured you had someone in mind anyway for that though"

"Ah but in Vegas we would have the ancient gods Elvis and Michael Jackson to watch over us and bless us as we had our nuptials." He twisted resting his head on Zosa's hands. "Besides it is your wedding as well. I want at least one of the witnesses to be chosen by you."

"no thanks, i don't like classical music.... you know who i would pick but like i said, this is for you. the part that is for me is sliding that ring on on your finger and hearing 'i do'"

He smiled and brought the hand to his face. If that were true then the rings would be enough but he knew Zosa well enough to to know the boy was making an effort to make him happy. He also knew how badly he wanted this and felt horrible robbing and cheapening him of something he wanted. For a long time he said nothing and let them fall into silence as their food arrived.