Eurovision.

Your dream.

Well, the dream of most young singer/songwriters in Europe. Other continents, too, but… you know… mainly Europe.

Anyway, it was your one dream to participate in Eurovision. Even if you didn’t win, you could die happy knowing you at least got to compete. That there would be people out there rooting for you even if you didn’t win by popular vote. Now your dream was coming true — you were representing [country] in the Eurovision Song Contest.

So today is the first tech and music rehearsal. Each contestant will alternate, but right now, it’s the Russian onstage, singing so passionately that you think he has to be a world-renowned artist. He is tall and ridiculously handsome. He is bold and sure of himself as he moves onstage. And his voice… Jesus. For a moment, you aren’t sure if you stand a chance against this man.

After a few days, you are drawn closer to this man, whose name turns out to be Alexander Lemtov. You know he is from Russia and is friends with other contestants from different countries. You know he is some type of LGBTQ (though you are unsure which), and you also know that he is your favorite person in the world.

You’ve been following Alexander around for awhile. He’s a lot different onstage than off — when he’s offstage, he is still confident and sure of himself, but a lot more charismatic and kind. He is also very supportive, and seems to be the only ally you have in this whole thing.

The way you repay Alex’s hospitality and encouragement is by being his shadow. Acts of service, listening to his ranting, accompanying him and making sure he never feels alone when he doesn’t want to. You also have picked up the habit of speaking like him; the thick Russian accent, the skipping words. He is always amused by it, and while he can’t mimic your accent, he enjoys teasing you for slang words and the way you say certain things in English.

Alex smiles as he enters the studio. “Good morning, little bird!” He greets in his usual sunshine way. “How are you this morning?”