#modern nikolai lantsov

[corpsebasil]

Modern!Prince Nikolai

because I know you filthy bastards are obsessed with him

AN: SEE MY MODERN NIK MASTERLIST FOR MOOOORE

Nikolai’s mother is losing her mind.

“I have incompetent sons.” Queen Tatiana, proud single mother and Queen of Ravka, scoffs, pacing around the vast parlor as she grumbles complaints. This has been going on for the past thirty minutes and the three younger royals are exhausted. “Incompetent!”

Nikolai’s eyes are shut as he takes slow, deep breaths, his mind racing. All he can focus on is you. You who won’t answer a single call; you haven’t in almost a month. You who he craves desperately, the news headlines on almost every source of media he has access to constantly screaming at him.

‘Commoner to Royal Lover: A Fraud’ was the first title he saw when he opened his phone that morning and the image of the two of you grinning at a camera, the photo having had been taken at last year’s Christmas party, made him so upset he ended up locking his door so no maid could witness him breaking down.

He feels nauseous every time he thinks of you or hears your name, his heart so broken by your absence that he thinks he might be losing his mind as well.

“Banned from North America.” His mother is saying, exasperated at her youngest son. She wags her finger at the brunet and glares, her cheeks flushed with annoyance. “Banned. And right before the Independence Day Ball, good God, Olly. I raised you better than this.”

The prince in question, Oliver, raises a dark brow at his mother. The boy is slumped dramatically in an arm chair with wide sunglasses on his face, his dark brown hair tousled in the messy, rock-star look he prefers. Nikolai pinches the bridge of his nose when his brother exhales a long plume of smoke, tossing his bright-red vape up into the air almost contemplatively.

^^^ this is Olly’s dumbass idc that’s how I see him fight me in the comments

“To be fair,” Oliver starts, grinning wickedly as he crosses one leg over the other, his Gucci loafers catching the light from the elaborate chandelier on the ceiling. “the President’s daughter was very welcoming.”

“Oh I’m sure she was. Now the White House wants you to give a formal apology for allowing the poor girl to be caught topless in a closet with you.” Tatiana rolls her eyes, running a hand through her blonde hair as she continues her pacing.

All Oliver can do is grin.

“You’re an idiot.” Nikolai’s youngest sibling, Jenna, huffs, sprawled out on the carpet in front of the fireplace, her laptop charging beside her constantly tapping foot. “You and your stupid antics. I for one would never be caught dead making out in a closet, especially not with someone like you.”

“She couldn’t resist me, my dear sister.”

“You’re wearing a leopard-print coat. I don’t know how she didn’t.”

“Maybe if you had better style you’d get girls too.”

“I have a girlfriend you giant dick-licking dumb—”

“Shut up.” Nikolai speaks for the first time and both siblings glance at him in surprise. He doesn’t usually take that tone with them. Not ever.

“Nik.” His mother scolds, eyebrows furrowed as she looks between the three of them. “That’s no way to talk to your siblings.” Even if they’re idiots, her expression adds, but the eldest prince can’t find it in himself to be amused.

“Neither of them have said anything of substance in over an hour.” Nikolai argues, rising from his seat. “Oliver cant go two weeks without causing an international incident, Jen somehow thinks she’s not a princess and can skip every state meeting ever, I’m so stressed out I can’t breathe and the love of my damn life hates me.” He runs a ringed hand over his face, eyes squeezed shut, and misses the sympathetic grimace on his siblings’ faces. “I’m going for a walk.”

“Nikolai, darling—” his mother starts, but he’s already gone.

-

That night he’s alone on the balcony when Jenna approaches him, crossing her arms to lean against the rail. Nikolai lets out a long stream of smoke and glances over, raising a brow at her pinched expression.

“I messaged Y/N.” She says, avoiding his gaze as she stares out at the vast gardens outside the palace. She picks at her nails for a moment—black polish chipped and practically gone—before giving her brother a side-eye. “She won’t answer my calls.”

“Welcome to the club.” He lets out a small, sarcastic laugh before taking another drag off his cigarette. The end burns bright red in the night air as he sighs, popping his neck from side to side. “As far as I’m concerned she’s never going to speak to me again.”

“That would be well deserved.” Jenna comments, then sighs aloud. “Jesus, Nik. A PR stunt? I thought everything was genuine. So did Olly.”

“It was genuine, damn it.” He grunts, putting out the cigarette before tossing her an annoyed look. “No matter what the press wants to say, I love her. I mean that.”

“Then what happened?” The princess’s brow is furrowed as she crosses her arms. “I mean, I thought you two were in love.”

“So did I.”

NEXT OASAART COMING YOPP

meant to say next part but I will not be changing it

#nikolai lantsov #shadow and bone #nikolai lantsov x reader #nikolai x reader #shadow and bone imagine #wattpad #fluff #modern nikolai lantsov #modern nikolai

[goatsandgangsters]

Nikolai Lantsov Fashion: Royalty Edition

Nikolai still hovered in the doorway. He wore full military dress, a pale blue sash across his chest. The light from the parlor glinted off his medals and gilded the edges of his golden hair. He was playing the role of the polished prince tonight. But standing there, he just looked like a lonely boy who didn’t want to return to a party by himself.

#sabedit #shadowandboneedit #shadow and bone #nikolai lantsov #grishaverse #shadowandbonecentral #shadowandbonesource #patrick gibson #nikolailantsovedit #my edits #nikolaifashion #he is a beautiful little dandy! #with all his fancy waistcoats and his cravats and his beautiful coats! #I'm glad they didn't like. ~rugged him up to suit our modern constructions of masculinity #but yes I am still dying about the pale blue number with the olive waistcoat #and how it's the same color palette as sturmhond only more muted/more buttoned up #~~symbolism

[jaysbraindump]

Shadow and Bone but I made it modern and gave them Instagram

Aka the sequel to the crows version I did of this (and thus from the same coffee shop au)

@bohemian-rhapsody-in-blue gave me the idea of Tolya having a poetry account that was popular with all the literature gays and I wholeheartedly agreed with that

#shadow and bone #genya safin #mal oretsev #nikolai lantsov #tolya yul bataar #alina starkov #zoya nazyalensky #tamar kir bataar #modern au #social media edit

[lilisouless]

Nikolai trowing a halloween party where the theme is "Disney villains" and the price for best costume involves kruge

Nikolai went as captain hook. As the judge he wanted to vote for himself but also will make sure he deserves it

Genya and David were the evil queen and the magic mirror. Genya will say "magic mirror on the wall" and David would say "you are" before she could finish the question everytime"

Nina, instead of having a pair costume with Matthias, Hanne or both, teamed up with Inej and went and Ursula and Vanessa. Inej is not sligthly bothered that she was to be with Nina the whole time in order for her costume to work

Hanne was Prince Hans, Nikolai was glad he ruled out that idea for himself

Jesper and Wylan made the day of Gaston x Lefou shippers. Also when Nikolai said Jesper was "too skinny for Gaston" Wylan argued he had the perfect baritone voice and both sang the Gaston theme just to prove their point

Kaz was completely focussed on getting the price for the kruge. So, for his Hades costume,instead of just dying his hair blue or getting a wig like a normal human being, he light on real blue flames on his head (over a liquid that would stop it from burning his skin) because he is THAT extra and dramatic.

Nadia and Tamar went as Yzma and Kronk. They wanted to go bigger so they convinced Leoni and Adrik (who did it very reclutantly) to be Kronk´s shoulder angel and devil (hey, it was better than the original idea when Nadia and he were Cinderella´s stepsisters)

Alina and Mal were almost disqualified for coming as Peter Pan and Tinkerbell instead of "villains" but they put the case that Tinkerbell tried to get a child killed out of jelaousy and Peter Pan kidnapped children himself and if those are not villains then what ist is?, so not only they got back into the competition, they also made a lot of people question their childhood.

Zoya was sure her Maleficent costume was going to make her the winner, isn't she the dragon queen after all?

Most people tought Tolya came as a raven in order to be Zoya´s companion, but he actually didn't got the theme memo and just wanted to be "The raven" from Edgar Allan Poe

Kuwei was actually close to winning, who would be as cruel and hated as Cruella de Vil?

Matthias actually won by coming as the hunter who killed Bambi´s mom, his price was worth all of the children that cried when they saw him. ("Is not a real deer head!" "it´s from a plushie and i will sew it later") Kaz was not happy at all because how the heck didn't ocurred to him?

#grishaverse modern au #netflix shadow and bone #grishaverse shitpost #leigh bardugo #halloween party au #this was going to be a long ass incorrect quotes post #so i made it more to the point #nikolai lantsov #kaz brekker #nina zenik #inej ghafa #jesper fahey #wylan van eck #matthias helvar #zoya nazyalensky #genya safin #david kostyk #alina starkov #malyen oretsev #tamar kir bataar #tolya yul bataar #nadia zhabin #adrik zhabin #leoni hilli #hanne brum #kuwei yul bo #Ninej #Tamadia #wesper #adreoni

[misticstarrysky]

Paddy is perfect chaotic modern! Nikolai

#nikolai lantsov #shadow and bone #patrick gibson #modern! Nikolai

[badgirl411]

A Work Of Art: (Modern!Nikolai Lantsov x Reader FANFIC)

Pairings: Nikolai Lantsov x Reader, Sturmhond x Reader

Summary: Pyotr Lantsov is the CEO of the world famous Lantsov Art and Antiquities and founder of the Esthetica Gallery in New York, after he dies (Y/N) finds herself the new owner of the gallery she has helped be a success. Meanwhile world renowned and ellusive art thief Sturnhond and his crew hit the biggest galleries across the globe stealing back precious art. At a charity gala announcing (Y/N)'s success what happens when Sturmhond threatens to make an appearance and a familiar face haunts (Y/N).

Warnings: strong language, alcohol, mentions of death, sexual harassment, crime, Vasily (because that mf needs a warning all to himself)

Authors Note: Hello you wonderful lot please note this piece is a Modern AU of our favourite Puppy Prince and is therefore not canonically accurate.  I decided to write this as I am currently bed bound with an infection in my jaw and cheekbone so need some Nikolai loving to distract me. IF YOU WISH TO BE ADDED TO MY TAGLIST FOR THIS PLEASE DONT HESITATE TO DROP ME A MESSAGE.



A single solitary tear escapes your eye as your thumb hits the screen ending the call, your apartment is quiet, almost eerily so, as you sit motionless trying to digest the news that has been delivered to you over the phone. Your boss Pyotr Lantsov; CEO of Lantsov Art and Antiquities and founder of the Esthetica Gallery in New York; was dead the cause of which yet unknown.

It goes without saying that Pyotr was not the greatest of men, from several sordid affairs splashed across every tabloid to a penchant for gambling. He was bad, but you couldn’t suppress the bubbling grief in your chest, for all his wrong doings he was still your boss. The only person who gave you a shot in this black hole of a city when no one else would and for that you would be forever indebted to him.

Art had always been your one solace, even in the devastation of several historical paintings and artefacts there was still beauty. Ever lasting and pure there was something to say for the way a picture could tell you a thousand stories or a vintage watch could tell you the deepest secrets of its past. Esthetica had become your life from the moment you stepped foot within its walls, each brush stroke telling the story of a thousand memories the artists voice imbedded in every stroke. This gallery was your life’s ambition and work, it was in all respects your baby having a hand from the day you began in building its prestigious reputation.

In the weeks following his death the control of the company, gallery and its assets passed to his son Vasily. Vasily made your skin crawl he truly was a weasel of a human being and that was you being kind. Every day you were at the gallery from sun up to sun down working yourself to the bone to keep every morsel of it running as smoothly as possible. Pyotr’s wife Tatiana had no interest in the business and Vasily was, well, much the same to be honest. He was more interested in snorting away his inherited fortune and screwing his way through every New York model than actually having a hand in the business that afforded him these luxuries.

It was one of your rare days off when your phone rang, a heavy sigh fell from your mouth when you seen the name on your screen.

Tatiana calling…



“Hello?” You kept your voice friendly but monotone.

“(Y/N) darling wonderful to hear your voice, listen darling I’ve sent a car over to your apartment Vasily and I have a matter we wish to discuss with you in person. The driver will bring you over to the estate.” As much as you didn’t want to speak to her you continued to listen to her rabbit on about god knows what.

“Tatiana can this wait until tomorrow I am exhausted from sorting things in the gallery.” You pleaded trying to avoid having to see either of them, especially Vasily who would no doubt spend the entire time trying to get in your knickers.

“(Y/N) darling I’m afraid this can’t wait.”  Her tone is insistent, you hope she can’t hear you roll your eyes on the other end of the phone.

“Ok I will be there shortly.” Hanging up the phone you groan falling face first into the cushion on your sofa.

You gather your belongings after quickly changing into something that wasn't an oversized shirt and underwear heading down to the street where the car is waiting.

The greenery of your surroundings trickled by as you got further from the city heading upstate and before you could comprehend you had arrived at the Lantsov estate with its impressive white exterior and lavish acres of green land.

The holler of a nearby bird startles you as you make your way towards the large entrance to the house, your nerves already fraught at the thought of being in proximity of Vasily. Making your way further into the house you are directed by a member of the house staff to the living area where Tatiana and Vasily are enjoying an afternoon drink whilst chatting idly.

“(Y/N) darling thank you for getting here so quickly, here let me grab you a drink. Sit, sit darling!” She gestures wildly for you to sit placing a glass of what you can only assume is single malt scotch in your hand. Bit early for you but its down your throat in one fellow swoop before you even consider discussing what was so urgent that they tore you away from your family sized bag of Doritos and Gilmore Girls box set.

“Tatiana what is this all about, why am I here?” Crossing your legs as Vasily’s gaze lingers on your exposed calf.

It’s Vasily who answers the question that lingers in the air “(Y/N) sweetheart” your skin is crawling already, you want to claw it off and flee this place, “Mother and I have been talking, we want you to take over Esthetica, we want to sign the gallery and all of its associated assets over to you or should we say Dad wanted us to. You practically run the place anyway we thought it was about time it was official.”

Your mouth hung open every possible emotion flooded your body, this was what you dreamed of ever since you could talk and now its happening you can’t quite believe it. You stand from your position on the sofa as Tatiana pulls you into a tight embrace.

“I don’t know what to say.” You stand dumbfounded.

“Say yes sweetheart.” Vasily lounges on the sofa his arm draped over the back of it.

“Yes, yes of course. I can’t thank you enough.” Tears are now falling as the news starts to settle in.

“Nonsense its what Pyotr wanted, we had the idea of throwing a charity gala and announcing the news to the partners there. We of course want you to help plan the gala after all it is going to be your gallery.”  

The afternoon passes quickly after ideas are exchanged and plans are put into action, looking at your watch you rub your brow before standing and stretching your tired limbs.

“I really must get going but thank you again for this opportunity.” You turn to leave but a portrait hanging above a chest of drawers catches your attention.

It’s of Tatiana and a young boy, he’s blond and has striking blue eyes it could be Vasily but something in you tells you its not. You walk towards it and examine it, tilting your head to take in every aspect of it.

“Beautiful isn’t he?” Turning Tatiana has a sad smile on her face, you open your mouth but she speaks before you have the chance to “That’s Nikolai, my youngest.”

“Nikolai? Tatiana I didn’t know you had another son.” You are confused, Pyotr never mentioned having another son.

“Nikolai left home for the army a long time ago, I don't know where he is now.” She holds her hands close to her chest staring off into the space in the room. Vasily scoffs from his position on the sofa mumbling under his breath.

“What was that Vasily?” You ask hoping to get a rise out of him, you can see the mention of his little brother has him worked up.

“I said he’s an arrogant little sod!” He shouts face red with anger, you try to hide your smile getting your desired reaction.

After Vasily’s outburst you leave the estate rather quickly climbing into the car to head back to the city the sound of the radio softly swirling round the air. The sun has just about set by the time you begin to see the skyline of New York coming into view, the news broadcast on the radio catches your attention.

“Excuse me, would you mind turning the radio up a bit please?” You politely ask the driver.

“Of course madam no problem.” He replies reaching for the dial on the stereo turning it to the right increasing the volume.

This is breaking news, the world renowned art thief known as Sturmhond has struck once again. Reports suggest the thief hit the Tate Modern Gallery in London earlier this morning before the gallery opened making off with several paintings including the famous Sun Summoner piece. Police are baffled as to how the thief entered the museum undetected, more on this as it develops.



The next day rolls around and you head to the gallery hoping to contact your talent to see about pieces to present at the gala, heading from your office you decide you need to clear your head and head to the floor to bask in the art knowing you will find your relief once there.

There are several people milling about the gallery but one figure in particular peaks your interest, he’s tall and broad shouldered with a head of striking blond hair. He stares at the piece on the wall (which happens to be your favourite) you approach standing by his side admiring the painting also a small smile threatening the corner of your mouth.

“Beautiful isn’t it.” You say still looking at the piece hanging on the wall.

“Exquisite” he faces you, your breath catches in your throat at his startling blue eyes.

There is something so familiar about him but you cannot place it no matter how hard you try, your head tilts slightly taking in the man in front of you. He extends a hand out in front of you palm facing yours.

“Cole” he shakes your hand offering up his name.

“(Y/N)” you can’t hide the smile that is on your face, he feels like trouble but you push down the feeling instead choosing to revel in this moment.

#nikolai lantsov #nikolai lantsov x reader #nikolai lantsov x you #nikolai lantsov x reader fanfic #sturmhond #sturmhond x reader #sturmhond x reader fanfic #modern!nikolai lantsov x reader #modern!sturmhond x reader #modern!nikolai lantsov x reader smut #nikolai smut #nikolai lantsov fanfic #shadow and bone

[happyhauntt]

gold rush modern au hcs

series masterlist | writing masterlist | askbox

─── summary: the anya / nikolai brainrot is real and i want to start writing for their modern au so until i do, here are some fun headcanons bc i literally cannot stop thinking about them.

─── pairing: nikolai lantsov & anya kamenev (original character.)

anya lets her guard down when she's drunk and early on in their situationship it's the only time nikolai gets to take care of her.

like she calls him to come and get her from a frat party genya took her to and she's so cuddly he's honestly concerned she's been drugged and/or cloned

like 'who are you and what have you done with the girl who bullies me like her life depends on it???'

he's so soft for it when he realises she's just drunk and he tucks her up in her bed with painkillers and a trash can within reach and he sits on the couch until dawn to make sure she's okay and then slips out before she wakes up.

everyone: 'for someone who hates nikolai you sure are obsessed with him'. anya: 'no i'm not???' everyone: 'sure you aren't babe'.

they are the definition of 'fell first, fell harder' !!!

nikolai was out here pining for anya for years, and she just wakes up one day and gets slammed like a fucking freight train with the realisation. oh fuck. i'm in love with nikolai. somehow. how the fuck did that happen. WHY the fuck did that happen. my life is over.

this is right after nikolai is injured at winter fête during an assassination attempt against his father and her whole world just screeches to a halt.

genya and david are just in the corner and david's handing genya a wad of cash and they're laughing while anya has her little meltdown it's adorable.

entering into a friends-with-benefits situation when anya is engaged to vasily (it's an uno-reverse plot of their original story where nikolai is engaged to alina bc PARALLELS and also i can't let them be happy in any universe without first making them suffer) is a Bad Idea but these two are nothing if not self-destructive.

anya may be in love with him but she doesn't have the emotional capacity to Deal with that yet so she's just gonna fuck him.

being friends-with-benefits is all well and good until nikolai gets so fucking jealous of anyone who even looks at anya. she finds this hilarious (until someone's looking at nikolai and then she's throwing hands.)

anya is very insecure about her disability, especially because of her status and expectations, and nikolai makes it his duty to show her how much he adores every inch of her, every day.

anya is engaged to vasily and she and nikolai fully get caught by zoya sneaking out of the engagement party to go makeout in the bathroom. these two are gonna give her premature grey hairs honestly-

anya admits to nikolai that she misses being able to dance. nikolai helps her dance around her apartment by supporting her weight and they're giggling and suddenly they're slow dancing and it's so fuckin adorable.

it's hard to believe anya was so mean to him for literal years.

nsfw beneath the cut!

anya learning she's actually a sub is so fucking funny

like she is so submissive during sex but absolutely not at first. she has a dire need for control in her life and definitely runs their sex life/tops for the first few months.

it's really significant the first time she realises she trusts nikolai and surrenders that control to him, because what she really wants is someone to take care of her, someone to trust completely.

she's so bossy at first and then sex becomes this thing where she just melts and nikolai literally thinks he'll die the first time she allows him that control because it's like seeing anya for the first time, and he's so in love with her already even if it's just sex but in that moment he swears he fell in love with her again. knowing he had her trust like that was,,, everything.

teasing eachother like it's an olympic sport?? more likely than you think.

like she used to hate him (lol not really) and now it's her personal fucking mission to rile him up at any given opportunity. public events?? in the library?? at her own fucking engagement party?? you got it.

nikolai fucking anya in her wedding dress??? yes.

because she is a masochist and doesn't know when to stop hurting herself (or nikolai honestly) she's like 'hey it arrived from it's final fitting, can i show it to you?' and he wants to say no so badly.

she's marrying his asshole brother, there is no world where he wants to see this dress, see her in it, picture her wearing it for someone other than him.

but her eyes are so wide, so vulnerable, and he realises she needs this. needs him to be the first person to see her wearing it. needs him to understand.

so she comes out, and he's honestly,,, floored. and angry. and so, so turned on. his eyes grow dark and hungry and before they know it he's hiking the dress up to her waist and fucking her against the doorframe.

and it's so possessive and full of remember you're my good girl, not his and when you're saying your vows, you gonna think of this? think of me fucking you in this dress? you're so beautiful, my darling, he doesn't deserve you. look at me. you're gonna walk down the aisle and all i'll be able to picture is your face as you come for me.

it's so hot and the room smells like sex and nikolai takes a picture of her in the dress afterwards, draped on the bed, face flushed and eyes shining and happy. and he'll pretend it's their wedding night.

#they're so feral in their modern au i can't cope #nikolai lantsov #nikolai lantsov oc #nikolai lantsov fanfic #nikolai lantsov x reader #shadow and bone fanfic #* chapter update. #* fic: gold rush.

[krugecrow]

Zoyalai tattoo artist au for @grishaversebigbang 2023!! Drunk bonding in the shop adding to Nik’s patch collection

You can find @dregstrash fic ‘some things are supposed to be permanent’ here! (AO3 link)

Check out @hagnoart art and @cla-oh art !!

#gvbb23 #gvbb23creations #gang 10 #grishaversebigbang #grishaverse #king of scars #zoya nazyalensky #nikolai lantsov #tattoo au #modern au #zoyalai #art #artzoya #artnikolai #cawcaw #cawart

[dregstrash]

something is forever (either way, it ends)

a/n: tiff and i decided to keep hurting each other with this fic. the actual title of the google doc was: zoyalai but make it hurt. enjoy.

Materialki: @iri-lynx (x) @tessorange-art (x) @paperplanenomad (x)

Ethrealki: @wafflesandkruge @dregstrash

Summary:

Zoya ends things with Nikolai on a Tuesday. She walks out of their shared home with nothing except the clothes on her back and a secret that's eating her alive. But before there was an end, there was a beginning.

Or, the story of Zoya and Nikolai in two parts.

Ao3 Link

Excerpt of Chapter 1 below the cut

Zoya was going to throw up.

She could feel her mouth watering in preparation for it, but she grit her teeth trying to tame it back.

“What–I don’t–” Nikolai was pale now. The palest she had ever seen him. And it did not look good.

In another setting, in another time, she would have teased him–told him that his good looks did have their limits. He would roll his eyes, of course. Then he would laugh and quirk up his mouth to an approximation of a smolder. Then he’d approach her with that same stupid look plastered on his face. And even if she turned away or clasped her hands over his face, he would make her look at him. He would stick his face so close to hers until she could see that ridiculous, beautiful, silly face until she broke. Until she was also laughing and smiling and wrapping her arms around him–

She gripped the handle of a suitcase tighter, a vague attempt of grounding her to this moment.

To this dreadful, heartbreaking moment.

“Nik–I’m–I’m sorry. I just think we’re–going in separate directions.” Her voice was crystal clear. Like ice.

Which was odd, because everything in her seemed to be crashing and burning.

“What did I do?” He burst out suddenly. The paralysis that had overtaken him was ripped away to be replaced with something a bit more panicked. “Please. I just–I don’t know what you’re saying to me right now. What did I do?”

She could feel the pressure in her head start to build. Her vision going in and out.

No. Not now.

She coughed and looked away from him.

“I don’t know how to be any clearer, Nikolai. I think it’s been clear that you and I just–don’t work.”

“Is it because I didn’t take you with me on that last business trip?” He asked. “Is it that I didn’t take your advice on that last legal issue I had with some of the product we were moving? Zo, please look at me. I just need to know what I did, so I can make some sense of–”

“It’s nothing that you did!” She snapped. Her eyes went back to him, and her resolve almost crumbled right then and there.

His face had changed from a deathly white to an angry red. His hands buried in his hair in a manic gesture. He was the perfect picture of a man who looked like he was surprised to find himself at the edge of a cliff, and wasn’t sure if he had a way to get down safely.

And Zoya had to be the one to push him over.

“Look,” She sighed, “We’ve both been busy with work. You have that new merger coming up, and I have a new case that is going to take my time. And it’s been like that for some time. I just think we’re drifting apart. And I’d rather end things now than wait for us to just realize we stopped loving each other.”

She turned to leave, but Nikolai’s hand grabbed her arm, making her face him again.

Another roll of nausea washed over her, and this time she had to swallow down the bile that was dangerously close to rising up.

“That’s it?” He demanded. “That’s all you’re going to say? That we’re both too fucking busy?”

“I–”

“Zoya, you and I have been busy our entire fucking relationship! We have gone weeks without seeing each other. We have been countries apart. Why are you doing this now?!” His hand gripped the fabric of her coat tighter. “Is it someone else?”

“No!” Zoya cried out.

“Is Aleksander back?”

“No.” Zoya replied.

“Then—” The fight seemed to leave him. The grip on her coat was weaker. “Then–do– do you not love me anymore?”

She needed to agree. She needed to confirm his worst fear, so that he could hate her. So that he could let her go. But the words weren’t coming out.

The lie was too bitter on her tongue for them to come out in any disguise of truth.

Instead she just released herself from his grip and took a step back. She needed distance. She needed space.

Because if she spent one more second being close enough to touch him, she would stay.

And she can’t stay.

“Nikolai…I just…think we should just be happy for what we had.” Now her throat felt like it was closing in on itself. “I don’t think we were meant to last forever.”

She was seeing spots in her vision again, but it wasn’t enough to block the devastated look that crossed his face.

It wasn’t enough for her to ignore the way she had completely shattered him.

She turned again, and this time he didn’t grab her. She walked towards their–his– door, but stopped when she heard a faint, “Please.”

Zoya glanced behind her shoulder one last time.

Nikolai was framed in the kitchen doorway. The only light coming from the lamp of the dining room.

“Please, Zoya…please… stay.”

She had joked with him once that he would be the type to beg for anything if it gave him attention. He had responded with his usual smirk and challenged her to it–like he always did.

Looks like she won.

The victory felt like the first of many knives into her heart.

“Goodbye, Nikolai.”

The door shut behind her as she left, and she made it all the way to her car before she collapsed on the sidewalk, her legs finally giving out.

With shaking hands she took her phone out. Zoya’s heavy breathing was all that she could hear until Genya’s “Hello?” was in her ear.

“I need you to come pick me up, and take me to the hospital. I think I’m getting worse.”

-

“I am sorry, Miss Nazyalensky,” The doctor said. She had a perfectly sympathetic look that Zoya wanted to slap right out of her. “Your results have come in, and it looks like your symptoms are progressing faster than we had expected.”

The beeping of the machines next to her was making her right eye twitch.

“What the hell does that mean?”

The hospital gown was rubbing at her skin all wrong.

“It means…it means we might have to adjust your…life expectancy.”

It was too bright in this room. She wished they would turn the lights down just a little.

“Miss Nazyalensky…we are expecting six months.”

There was a beat of silence. Then Zoya burst into a fit of laughter.

The doctor looked at her with a blank expression that made Zoya even laugh harder.

It wasn’t funny. Hearing that anyone’s life has less than a year to live was anything but hilarious. But Zoya couldn’t help it.

All her life, she has tried everything she could to make all the right decisions. She studied late nights. She got into a good school. She ate a salad every now and again. She worked out. She didn’t smoke. She stopped binge drinking. She made enough money to go to the doctor.

And what does she still get after all the right decisions?

A hereditary disease. A last gift from a mother who had abandoned her for yet another man who was going to leave her anyway.

There was some cosmic irony at play in her life. That as soon as she thought she had everything she had ever dreamed about– money, a career, someone who loves her— that was when life decided to remind her that the very family that she has tried so hard to ignore was the one that would kill her.

And that was why she was laughing.

The doctor coughed, “We need you to stay overnight to run some tests. Is there anyone you want with you? Our hospital does allow overnight stays.”

Her chest gave such a strong lurch Zoya was a little surprised that the heart monitor hadn’t gone berserk.

Yes. The admission was so close to the surface that she almost thought she had spoken it out loud. But the doctor just kept looking at her.

“No.” Zoya croaked. “No, I’m fine on my own.”

It was later that night that Zoya found that statement to be wildly untrue.

She almost hated Nikolai. She wanted to hate him.

It was his fault that there was this pain inside her that was twisting around and making her life more of a living hell. It wasn’t bad enough that she had to wait until her body decided to waste away completely.

Now, she felt like the cracks of her heart were starting to undo her, and all she wanted to do was to lay in his arms and feel his chest move up and down against her cheek. She wanted so, so badly to hear him murmur the office gossip while his voice slurred with exhaustion. She wanted to smell his cologne that lingered on their sheets when he was gone for a business trip. She wanted to tease and watch him cook in their kitchen. In the life that they had built.

She wanted, she wanted, she wanted.

Angry tears slipped down her cheeks as she turned her face into the unfamiliar pillow.

Without thinking, she pulled her phone up and hovered over the lockscreen picture of Nikolai pulling a stupid face while at the wheel of his boat when he took her sailing for the first time.

A stronger ache pushed through her, and she was close to throwing the phone across the room. Instead, she moved to her contacts, and hesitated for a brief moment before calling the one person she had no right calling.

“Hello?” The voice on the other hand was rough with sleep and confusion. “Zo?”

“Mal.” Zoya choked.

“What’s wrong?” He was more alert, and she could just picture him sitting abruptly up in bed, jostling Alina in the process.

“No–”

“Don’t lie.” He sighed. “You only ever call me if something is wrong.”

Zoya chewed on her lip.

What the hell was she doing? Maybe she shouldn’t have sent Genya away. Maybe she should have asked her to stay. Maybe that would have stopped her from calling the one-night stand that had been a result of boredom.

“Zo?” He asked in lieu of her silence. “Are you in a ditch? Is that why you can’t talk? Do you need me to come over–”

“No.” She said abruptly. “Don’t come over.”

“Why? Is it Nikolai? I thought we had straightened–”

“I just–”

“Miss Nazyalensky, I need to take your vitals.” The voice of her night nurse interrupted and Zoya was just a hair too late in muffling the receiver.

The nurse came over before Zoya could hang up the phone, and she had no choice but to be under her ministrations for a few minutes before she was alone again.

“What the fuck was that?!” Mal exclaimed. “Are you in a hospital? Zo, what happened? Why isn’t Nik–”

“Just shut up for a second, Oretsev.” Zoya’s headache was coming back. The sharp pain made it hard to piece together how to explain why she was called. Or even to come up with a reasonable excuse to call him.

“How bad is it?” He whispered into the receiver.

She could have lied, she guessed. She could have passed off this late night phone call as an accident. But she had already said her share of lies tonight, and she didn’t think she had anymore in her.

“Six months.” She muttered.

“Fuck.”

She barked out a laugh, “Always good with words, weren’t you?”

“Zoya…Nikolai…He–he doesn’t know, does he?”

She could feel Mal read into the silence. Even from a distance, Mal had a way to read just under the surface of her. It had never been enough for her to let him in–not completely (she wasn’t a fan of being the second thought after the actual woman he loved).

But it was enough that he said, “You didn’t tell him, because of what happened with Alina, right?”

“Nikolai is an idiot, Mal.” Zoya bit out.

His derisive laugh crackled through, “You don’t have to tell me twice. But that didn’t really answer my question.”

“He’s an idiot, who doesn’t know how to quit. If he knew, he’d never leave my side. He’d destroy his life trying to save an incurable disease. He’d hate himself more than he already does, and I’d still be dead in six months.”

These were the words she has been repeating to herself for months after she found out about the diagnosis. She wanted to believe that if she repeated them enough then maybe it would make her feel better about every single time she had to hide from him when she had spent half an hour throwing up, or making up some excuse to go to the doctor’s, or hiding the clumps of her hair that were starting to fall off from her head.

But telling them to Mal with the sounds of monitors and the smells of chemical cleanliness overwhelming her, the statements fell flat.

“He’d want to know, Zo.” He said simply.

She gave another bitter laugh, “Well I’d want to not be dying. But we don’t always get what we want. Not everyone can have miracles like your dear Saint Alina.”

There was silence between them for a while. Zoya knew he wouldn’t hang up on her. Not even after that comment. Because Mal Oretsev may be petty sometimes or pigheaded even more times than that, but at his heart he was kind and he knew what pain sounded like.

“You want me to come over there and try to threaten some nurses to give you the good pillows?”

Zoya smiled for the first time in what felt like a lifetime, “Oh, you’re still the softie, aren’t you? No wonder Alina loves you.”

He laughed and then sighed.

“Zo…it’s okay….it’s okay to be scared of what comes next. When Alina was sick…Alina spent a long time trying to put on a brave face for me, but I just wished she would have let me see her scared. I just didn’t know how much time I would have with her, and I didn’t want to waste one second pretending like everything was okay.”

I’m not Alina. She wanted to say. I’m not going to get better. I’m not scared of what is going to happen to me. I’m scared of what would happen to him if he had stayed with me to the end.

“Haven’t you learned by now, Oretsev?” She said instead. “I’m never scared.”

Mal gave another laugh. There was a noise in the background, and Zoya could faintly hear him talking to someone in the room.

“Alina begging you to come back to bed?” She teased.

“Something like that.” He sighed. “Call again, Zoya. Better yet, call him. You don’t have to do this alone.”

“Yeah, yeah,” She waved him off, “Just go have fun with your saint, Mal.”

“I’ll talk to you later.”

He hung up, and the silence felt more deafening than before.

She didn’t know why she called Mal. She wished she could have even said that at least Mal had gone through something like this situation before–that he would have just the right words to make her feel better about all of this.

But it wasn’t that. Maybe she called Mal because she couldn’t call the one person who would have actually come running to her side.

Zoya flipped open her phone again, and just stared at her lockscreen.

She looked and looked until her eyes felt heavy, and the humming of the hospital faded and she was dreaming. Dreaming of warmer days. Dreaming of him

#zoyalai #zoya nazyalensky #nikolai lantsov #kos #zoya x nikolai #gvbb23 #gvbb23fic #modern au

[nocontextgrishaverse]

nikolai: zoya likes to say you can be part of the problem or part of the solution but I happen to believe that you can be both.

#nikolai lantsov #zoya nazyalensky #nikolai x zoya #zoyalai #king of scars #rule of wolves #grishaverse #incorrect quotes #source: modern family

[corpsebasil]

When are you continuing the modern prince nikolai girl I need to know what happens next 😫

I will not be continuing this series. The fact that you would even ask me to continue is honestly sort of insulting because as a creator I have to pull out my blood sweat and tears just to make stupid fanfictions for you desperate little raccoon looking leeches and—

SIKE

Modern Prince Nikolai PART TWOOOO ISHHHHHHH

Social media was going wild.

You spent your days holed up in your apartment binge-watching Netflix and avoiding your phone. You had dozens of missed calls from your family, your friends, Nikolai’s manager, as well as the prince himself.

His calls were what hurt you the most. You’d stopped listening to the voice messages—they were nothing but constant pleading for you to speak to him, for you to just let him explain, to let him console you.

No.

Regardless of the fact that he was a royal the security guard at your complex a seventy-five year old veteran named Ben proved his loyalty by refusing to even let Nikolai inside the building, let alone ring your doorbell.

That hurt the prince. It was Ben with whom he’d snuck flower deliveries to when Nikolai had started to pursue you. Ben who always winked at him when he left in a rush at an odd hour of the morning, cheeks flushed and dress-shirt wrinkled. Ben who always said, ‘in my day royals didn’t run around with their shoelaces undone’, earning a loud laugh from the prince.

It seemed the old man had chosen sides.

“Y/N, please.” Nikolai’s voice rings out from your phone, your finger hovering over the pause button of his latest desperate voicemail. “Please let me talk to you. I can explain everything okay? You have to—”

You delete the message.

Weeks pass in this way.

You’ve stopped checking Instagram all together; the posts of the two of you have gone completely viral, even more so than they did when you first began sharing the details of your budding relationship. Even your wallpaper, a photo of you the prince with his arms around your waist, chin propped on your shoulder from behind, had been changed.

You recall how you met with a twinge of overwhelming sadness.

You’d been working as a barista at a local, hipster-style coffee shop when you’d had your first interaction with the prince. The Beegies were playing at full volume as you danced around, bumping cabinets shut with your hip and humming to yourself. When a man had approached the counter you’d told him, in your most cheerful voice, ‘just a sec’, before popping a chocolate-dotted finger into your mouth.

“Croissants are messy.” You giggled, wiping your freshly cleaned hands on a towel before looking up. “How can I—oh.”

Nikolai had a small, amused grin on his face as he watched you, fascinated by the gorgeous barista that had been mumbling ‘Staying Alive’ to herself. You smiled back, bashfully, and when his order was complete you found his personal phone number written on a napkin.

The two of you had gone on your first date a week later.

QUICK UPDAAATE

#modern nikolai lantsov #modern nikolai #nikolai lantsov #shadow and bone #nikolai lantsov x reader #nikolai x reader #shadow and bone imagine #knight nikolai lantsov

[heliads]

just a short time masterlist

Y/N L/N and Nikolai Lantsov have already fallen in love. They have yet to meet. Their stories are over and done. There is far more to the world than just one series. Oneshots. Unrelated. Snapshots of history as of yet untold. Let’s return to the world.

Sequel series to 'All By Design,' my Nikolai Lantsov modern AU based on the 'Midnights' album by Taylor Swift. This series is based on the songs in the 3ams.

Chapter One: didn't see the news

this time: Zoya knows better than to believe that whatever is going on between Y/N and Nikolai will last. It is the believing, though, that might do her in.

Chapter Two: all over now

this time: Fate has a way of getting its strings crossed. Three times Nikolai and Y/N almost meet again, and then one time they did.

Chapter Three: my hand was the one you reached for

this time: Alina Starkov is somewhat of an enigma. No one quite knows where she came from nor how she was found by Aleksander. Mal would know, but she cannot reach him no matter how hard she tries.

Chapter Four: if you don't recognize yourself, that means you did it right

this time: There is a girl named Y/N L/N, and she has just come to a bright, new city that isn’t quite her own. She hasn’t entered the free fall yet, but she will soon enough.

Chapter Five: the system's breaking down

this time: Nikolai doesn’t like thinking about the time he ran away to be a nobody in a ghost town by the sea. That doesn’t stop it from being real, though, nor does it keep him from wanting to become Sturmhond again more than ever.

Chapter Six: i miss who i used to be

this time: Genya Safin’s life is a web of intersecting connections. She meets David Kostyk through Aleksander, but she also meets someone much, much worse.

Chapter Seven: the slowest way is never loving them enough

this time: Nikolai Lantsov grew up in a facsimile of a normal life, knowing a falsehood of a love from parents who faked everything but their anger. It should ruin him, but instead, it makes him something better. Something strong.

#nikolai lantsov #nikolai lantsov imagines #nikolai lantsov x reader #nikolai lantsov oneshot #nikolai lantsov series #grishaverse #grishaverse imagines #grishaverse x reader #grishaverse oneshot #grishaverse series #shadow and bone #shadow and bone imagines #shadow and bone x reader #shadow and bone oneshot #shadow and bone series #modern au #grishaverse modern au #nikolai lantsov modern au #grishaverse nikolai #grishaverse nikolai imagines #grishaverse nikolai x reader #grishaverse nikolai oneshot #grishaverse nikolai series

[moonshine999]

Birthday

Day : 3

Ship : Zoyalai (Zoya Nazyalensky x Nikolai Lantsov)

AU : rival professors (pre-relationship)

Dividers by @cafekitsune

He was supposed to be here to finally finish correcting last week’s assignments..when exactly his eyes decided he was going to fall asleep was a mystery.

He fought the sluggishness and pushed his coat off him. With the greatest difficulty was he able to lift himself up and get a clearance of his surroundings. The librarian had long left, the shelves looked organised as always and a small light hung above- lighting a handful of empty tables. One of those lucky tables was his own and the one directly across.

He wasn’t alone in the library.

The fact was he was in the quiet room with no other but a devil in the form of the college’s business professor.

Her face balanced in the palm of her hand while her eyes remained glued to her laptop screen. Scrolling mindlessly. Or perhaps getting work done, unlike him. Thin rimmed glasses barely sat on the bridge of her nose and sleep coated her eyes. The same eyes that shone in the full moon’s light and the same eyes that gave him but a glance in the hallways. The same eyes that smiled for her lips and the same eyes that left a mark on every soul that had the pleasure to witness them. The same eyes he could go crazy over if he allowed it.

He cleared his throat. “Professor Nazyalensky.” She looked up at her name. A blank expression. As was standard. If only he could figure out what every blank expression meant. Which meant scorn, anger and frustration and which meant amusement, intrigue and pleasure. She lifted herself from her table and looked back with a raised eyebrow. “Professor Lantsov.”

“I don’t mean to intrude in your merry time but I heard everyone wishing you today so I’m assuming it’s your birthday..right?” If he could cringe further into his seat, he would. She sighed and diverted her eyes. How many times had she heard the same thing today. “Your assumption is correct, yes.” “Ah well , you know, happy birthday.” A smile played around on her lips but she didn’t let it. All he got was a nod and her going back to the blue screen in front of her.

“It must be a bit tough no..having to work so late on your birthday..” he awkwardly continued. Where this incessant need to talk to her came from, may the Gods know but it prodded at him. Talk to her. Know her.

She smiled this time. Softly. But she did. “Well, yeah it is a bit pathetic.” He scoffed “Well..if it is pathetic, then we both are pathetic. Working way past suggested timings.”

Her smile grew. Just a smidge. Her eyes looked back at him and his sick mind wished he could drown in them.

He blinked and snapped himself out of his trance. With a look at his watch, he said “You know..working on your birthday is a bit, like, not cool. You have half an hour till today becomes tomorrow, would you, perhaps, like to spend it in some company?”

She cleared her throat and chuckled. He said something stupid didn’t he? The want to talk to her more just grew. Why did she laugh? Was it funny? Was it embarrassing? Was it a nice gesture? Or was it just..him? She sighed again. “Why not?”

His eyes could have popped out of his sockets right then and there. She agreed..? Was it just the intoxication the night brought upon them or was it genuine? He was probably the first person in this entire campus that got her to be genuine if the latter was true. “Lantsov, you just going to spend the last twenty minutes of today staring or actually keep true to your offer?”

He cleared his throat and put his mind to the mess of the table, quickly shoving it into his bag and jogging over the to the table across and sitting next to her.

He sighed, contemplating what he just did in the past two seconds. Nikolai then looked up at her, for the first time being as close as he was. She was looking right back at him. For who knows how long? Her hair fell perfectly into place and imbalanced glasses looked just right. The moon in the window behind painted a halo around her head as her eyes spoke the same blank expression. But this wasn’t just the standard expression. No.

Could it possibly be … some sort of… affection?

#nikolai lantsov #zoya nazyalensky #zoya x nikolai #zoyalai #30 days of fluff #king of scars #rival professors #modern au

[darkbluepoisonivy]

— Say something spiteful. — Why? — she asked faintly. —Because I’m fairly certain I'm hallucinating and in my dreams you're much nicer. — You're an idiot, Nikolai.

#shadow and bone #тень и кость #au #modern au #nikolai lantsov #nikolai #zoya nazyalensky #sankta zoya #zoyalai #netflix #николай ланцов #зоя назеленская #тінь і кістка #nikolai duology #king of scars #rule of wolves #король шрамов #правление волков #зоялай

[the-lonewriter]

HEAVY IS THE HEAD

that feeling when your boyfriend is a crown prince with a father that hates him for being gay and then he ends up bleeding out in the arms of his brother and you didn't even get to properly say goodbye

A moodboard inspired by our angsty modern gv au @sophierequests

Black & White version below

#grishaverse #➳ —— ❝ heavy is the head 》 modern ravka au #➳ —— ❝ the heart is an arrow. it demands aim to land true 》 grishaverse #vasily lantsov #vasily x sergei #➳ —— ❝ in the next life 》 vasily x sergei #sergei beznikov #nikolai lantsov #heavy is the head a modern ravka au #serily

[badgirl411]

A Work Of Art PART 2: (Modern!Nikolai Lantsov x Reader AU) FANFIC

Pairings: Nikolai Lantsov x Reader, Sturmhond x Reader

Summary: (Y/N) is busy finalising things for the gala, life is busy and she is exhausted. Readying herself for another busy day at the gallery she hears news the infamous Sturmhond has struck again. The mysterious Cole shows up at Esthetica again and tensions rise between the two.

Warnings: strong language, alcohol, sexual harassment, crime, Vasily (again mf needs his own warning), raised voices, sexual tension 

Authors Note: OMG you lot are amazing honestly thank you so much for the response to this its been unbelievable. I am having so much fun writing this and I genuinely hope you guys are liking it. I am aiming to get the next chapter up sometime on Sunday but possibly Monday as I am going to the local farmers market tomorrow, I havent left the house since my surgery at the start of the week so I am looking forward to getting some spring air in my lungs. I was listening to Nineteen by DYLAN while writing this so check it out its very good. IF YOU WISH TO BE ADDED TO MY TAGLIST PLEASE DONT HESITATE TO DROP ME A MESSAGE. 

ENJOY MY LOVES <3

Since that day at the gallery you had been working non stop you were truly exhausted so sat here on your sofa in your apartment you nursed a glass of white wine hoping, no praying, it would allow you to have a restful sleep. Tomorrow would be spent schmoozing silent partners and delegating funds to vendors and catering, you must remember to get in contact with the security company to confirm the plans for the gala. Since hearing about Sturmhond’s most recent heist at the Tate Modern for your own sanity and peace of mind you thought it best to hire a hefty security team.

A deep sigh fills the air of your silent still apartment, your hand rests in the crook of your elbow that is thrown in the top of the sofa the glass of wine carefully still in your hand. Your eyes seem to focus on nothing as your mind drifts back to that day at the gallery in front of the painting, you try to remember his name as it seems to have slipped your mind. You could not forget those eyes or his boyishly charming smile or the feel of his much larger hand in yours.

As the tiredness seeps its way into every vessel in your body you decide it’s best to fall into bed and start again tomorrow.

The blaring of your alarm interrupts your blissful rest, eyes still closed and body still motionless you clamour blindly in an attempt to shut off the noise. Climbing out of bed you stretch your arms above your head and shake your body, arms and legs flailing trying to dissipate the sleep still in your bones. The clock reads 06:05am when you turn the shower on and ask Alexa to play the radio as you go about your routine in the shower, the radio alerts you to the upcoming news broadcast as you glide the razor over your calf from ankle to knee.



This is Drew Drummond with the latest news this morning.

Breaking news flooding in this morning listeners it seems Sturmhond has struck again, reports suggest that the art thief struck the Acropolis Museum in Athens yesterday morning making off with several terracotta warriors and another Ravkan painting. Police say that there is no evidence of tampering with the security footage and no alarms were triggered leaving the authorities and locals baffled. This marks the third incident from the elusive thief who last week hit the Tate Modern gallery in London, authorities globally have yet to identify them and reports suggest there are no viable suspects. More on this as it develops I’ve been Drew Drummond hoping you have a great start to your day.



You laugh shaking your head, Tatiana and Vasily don’t think the security team are necessary. You seem to be the only one who possesses any brain cells out of the three of you, because why would a world famous art thief possibly want to hit one of the most publicised charity galas this year where several family pieces and multiple collections are being displayed.

Reaching into your closet you pull out a simple cream dress, it’s length reaches just below the knee with a small slit on the side. Dressing yourself, styling your hair and applying a light layer of makeup you are ready for the day ahead. Gathering your handbag, keys and ID card you make your way down to the foyer of your apartment complex to hail a cab.

The gala is drawing closer, much to your own surprise everything seems to be in hand with little left to confirm a knock on your office door startles you from your thoughts. Looking to find the source of the noise you recoil internally seeing Vasily standing in the doorway, a smarmy smirk painting his face.

“Vasily hello, how can I help you.” A false smile makes its way across your face, my god you really should win an Oscar because your performance every time you are in the presence of this man is award winning.

“Oh nothing sweetheart I just wanted to come and see you. How goes the planning for the gala?”  He draws closer to you leaning both palms on the edge of your desk, instinctively you lean back distancing yourself from the man in front of you.

“Vasily whatever it is you have planned I don’t have time for this, I don’t know if you’ve noticed but I am much to busy running your gallery. Well my gallery now.” You bite back not looking up from the paperwork in front of you.

“ (Y/N) have I ever told you how sexy you are when you are pissed off?” An animal like growl is added to the mention of your name as he prowls at the foot of your desk like a predator hunting it’s prey.

You slam your own down in front of you but before you can even dare to look up he speaks once again causing you to roll your eyes.

“Alright sweetheart I will leave you alone this one time only because I have an appointment of sorts to attend.” He raises a brow at the mention of appointment and you know he means he’s got another model to screw or dealer to meet.

Your shoulders relax as he retreats from your office, you need to stop the crawling of your skin. You know just the thing. The painting.

Heading to the gallery floor you greet the people admiring the beautiful pieces hanging in the walls rounding the corner to your favourite spot. You should install a bench you think for the amount of times you visit this small space.

Standing in front of the piece titled The Fold you find yourself lost in the mar of dark brush strokes, eyes settling on the flecks of gold that adorn the piece. The piece is by an artist called Aleksander, his work is dark and moody but devastatingly beautiful.

“ Beautiful isn’t she?” The voice behind you knocks you from your daze.

“Jesus Christ you scared the shit out of me.” You laugh nervously as you turn to find the source of the voice, oh my god it’s him. From last week, shit what’s his name. Kevin? Cameron? No Cole yes Cole that’s it.

“Cole hello sorry I was in a world of my own, what did you say?” You laugh nervously stepping closer to him arms folded across themselves still.

He steps closer pushing a stray hair that’s fallen over your eyes back into place.

“Beautiful isn’t she?” Your brow creases with confusion as you study his face, his prominent cheekbones and striking eyes. He’s slightly more tanned than the last time you seen him accentuating the blue of his eyes and the blond of his hair. “The painting, beautiful isn’t she.” He gestures to the piece you so often spend time in front of.

Shaking yourself from your thoughts you turn back to the piece.

“Yes, she’s remarkable.” You laugh nervously.

“Tell me (Y/N) what is it about this piece you love so much?” He is exceedingly close to you now but somehow you don’t mind.

“ The darkness of it I suppose.” He looks at you puzzled a brow raised in questioning.

“You see those beautiful gold flecks that adorn the canvas…” you gesture and he nods listening intently “ without the contrast of the dark brush strokes in the piece you wouldn’t be able to fully appreciate the striking beauty of the gold. I suppose for me I think that without the darkness the bad the bits you hate about yourself and everyone else you would never be able to appreciate all the gold the good bits the bits that make you who you are. The beautiful bits I suppose. It’s like that for everything people, places, objects… without the darkness how could we ever appreciate the light.”

He nods but shakes his head letting out a small chuckle, you are utterly confused as to what is funny.

“What? What’s so funny about that?” You are on the defensive.

“Nothing (Y/N) it’s cute you’re an optimist.” Again he shakes his head laughing.

“What’s so wrong with that?”  You face him your hands are gesturing in a defensive manner.

“ It’s just a little naive that’s all no offence. You really think that everyone is good” he’s cocky this one you think. No offence, wasn’t he the one who asked my opinion?

“I think everyone has the potential to be good, I don’t believe a person can be whole heartedly bad or inherently good I think people have the potential to be a mix of both.” You try to reason.

He scoffs “When you’ve seen the things have I have seen you might have a different opinion.” His tone has a bite to it, maybe you were right to begin with when you sensed trouble but you can’t be sure.

“ Cole you asked me. I’m sorry but I have a gallery to run and a gala to plan I’m very busy.”  You turn to retreat to your office to sulk.

A hand laces round your wrist spinning you around.

“I’m sorry, I’m an arsehole. I’m just saying when you have witnessed the things that I have it’s difficult to believe that people have the potential to be good.” You are confused, he stares at you breathless searching your face for signs of doubt.

“I was just saying I don’t think it’s impossible.” You counteract.

“ You know darling when people say impossible they usually mean improbable” he smiles pointer finger resting under your jaw moving your face which was facing downward to face him.

“ I just think there is something to say about the duality of everything. You know without the darkness of the night we would never appreciate the sun during the day. I truly think there’s beauty in everyone and everything. At least there is to me, like the way a strawberry coated in sugar tastes as it settles on your tongue. Or the way the sun sets below the skyline or the way a breeze kisses your skin. Without those little dark moments in my life I would never appreciate all those beautiful things.” You begin to ramble nervously as his finger still rests below your chin.

“You know Cole you might not see the beauty or the good in anyone but I can see that in you there’s a darkness but most of all there’s an abundance of beauty.” Your palm cups his jaw and your thumb gently strokes a few lines.

You begin to walk away to go back to your day filling out paperwork when he shouts your name.

“ Impossible” he hollers his face straight and still.

“Improbable Cole” you shout back when you hear him shout in the distance again.

“ God (Y/N) I love it when you quote me!”

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