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#sturmhond imagines
heliads · 2 years
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Hi! Could I please request a Nikolai Lantsov x reader where they’re childhood friends that fell out of touch (with mutual pining, no doubt :) but meet up again on the open seas, when he’s tailored as Sturmhond but wants to talk to them as Nikolai? I like the idea of a pirate reader, though I’d love to see where you go with the idea. Thank you so much! Love your work ♥️
the vibes of this request >> let me tell you anon i was THRILLED
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There was a time when you thought the world could only ever end, that you would live your life start to finish within the same four walls, or at least variations of them. You centered your entire being around insignificant things that could never last long— a wildflower left without water in the dry earth outside your home, a friend you made when you were just a child— and grew consequently hopeless when they all left in turn. 
What do crackling leaves and vanishing golden blond boys have in common, though? They teach you lessons no one else will. Lessons about how if you crave something not given to you, you must take it by force. Lessons about how although everyone leaves, it is far less painful if you are the one shipping out on strange tides. You did your time of learning, and now you push it further still on the bow of a ship you taught yourself to sail and master. 
Few people would expect someone who had once been a well trained Ravkan to trade their entire life for one at sea. Those who know you, though, wouldn’t even bat an eye. You have never been made for cages, and now you break them. It’s as easy as that. 
There were a few times when you wondered if you were making a mistake to cast off all your old ties for this. There had been moments when you swore your precious Ravka held everything you could ever need. There was a family, once, that promised you the world. There was a friend, once, who made you think that you could have it. 
Your childhood has long since disappeared, however, carrying with it parents and their fables as well as blond boys who know too much for their own good. You know what was expected of you, and you hated it. Too terrified of turning into those same people you saw every day, you fled. Let the gilded gates of Ravka wither with rust. You will not be there to see them fall. 
Thus a ship was acquired and a crew was found. It can be difficult to track down men worth trusting in any province, let alone one run by gold-drunk old men, but you make do with what you’ve got, you always have. Convicts and criminals may run with wolves every night, but they’ll protect you in a heartbeat, and rather do it above anything else.
That was where one chapter closed and another began. You’ve been on the seas for a few years now, staying afloat through odd jobs that have a miraculous way of paying you far more than they should. Interest runs high when there’s no one to check you. It would certainly be a shame if your men took more than their fair share from those who have too much money to ever miss it, wouldn’t it?
You’ve gained a name for yourself over these years as well. Among the lighthearted community out there on the sea, few could hope to have half the reputation that crowns your head. There’s one like-minded soul that you wouldn’t mind meeting, but then again, the list of people who’d like to meet Sturmhond could fill an armada. You’ve heard rumors that he’s talked of engaging with you as well, but you can only take those with a grain of stolen salt. Thieves of the sea forge truths as often as false documentation; until you meet the man himself, you’ll never know for sure if he truly wants to know you or not.
Still, when you’re out with your crew one day, heading out of the Ravkan harbor after another successful voyage, it isn’t beyond you to search the endless seas for some sign of another ship. And, when one of your crew stationed up in the crow’s nest for lookout shouts something down about seeing a schooner speeding up towards you, you can’t help a leap in your chest. Everyone’s heard stories about the Volkvony, but fewer still have actually seen it in person or lived to tell the tale.
When you stride over to the side of the deck to get a better look, though, your hopes are confirmed. It is indeed the Wolf of the Waves, Sturmhond’s flagship, and it is indeed approaching you. This close to Ravka, it’s hard to tell if the privateer could actually be gunning for you or just headed towards the coast, but they drop anchor soon enough.
You haven’t done anything to irritate the infamous seaman as far as you’re aware, so this meeting could be merely a passing pleasantry. All the same, you tell your crew to be on high alert. Sturmhond is notorious for narrow escapes and bold moves. It would be just like him to rob a fellow privateer just for the thrill of saying he could do it.
When the redheaded man first steps foot on your deck, however, you do have to wonder if he could truly be here for any nameable crime. His face is harsh, weatherbeaten and rugged as if carved into being by a blade instead of shaped by any Saintly hands, but it still holds a certain something that lends itself well to receiving stares. He takes his time getting a good look at the ship and the crew before he looks at you, so you have the pleasure of studying him before Sturmhond is ever able to consider you.
You take your time in it, too. You have never met the privateer, and would certainly remember it if you did, every detail down to the flamboyant teal frock coat, yet you can’t shake the feeling that something about him is familiar. You find yourself searching his face for some sign of recognition– perhaps a shade of muted green in his eyes that you’ve seen elsewhere, or a lock of copper hair that reminds you of a sailor you’d passed before, but can find no explanation anywhere in your memories.
At first, you think you must be confused, merely trying to delude yourself into thinking that you could have a connection with such a famous master of the seas, and then Sturmhond looks at you at last and you know you’re not making things up. He is careful to keep his face light, his expression sharp yet bright, but for a moment his demeanor slips. There is one half second in which you lock eyes and you swear that he recognizes you, and in that brief infinity, you know that you were wrong to ever doubt yourself.
The instant is over in a heartbeat, and then Sturmhond is back to his usual self. He claps his hands together, announcing for all the world to hear that he had heard of your ship in passing and wished to meet a fellow captain. He’s done this before, you’ve heard of Sturmhond evaluating sea captains to see if they’d fit in well with his fleet, so it’s not unusual for him to pay you this visit.
Still, when his eyes linger on you, you can almost convince yourself that there’s another reason for his presence here, something that he’s not telling you or at least won’t mention in front of the crowds of pirates surrounding him. You nod once and extend a hand towards the captain’s quarters.
“How about we speak somewhere in private? I would welcome any chance to confer with a fellow seaman.”
Sturmhond laughs briskly at the understatement of his title, and strolls over to accept your invitation. He keeps up his air of unconcerned bravado while all eyes on him. It is a different story once the door shuts behind you and the voices of the crew fade into the background.
You take a seat behind your desk and gesture for Sturmhond to relax as well. He makes a show of flicking his coat as he sits to show off rows of pistols, knives, and other weapons, but it doesn’t faze you for a second.
Instead, you steeple your fingers on the table in front of you. “Do you want to tell me why you’re really here?”
The privateer laughs again, and you swear that there’s something familiar in it, some sort of tone that you’ve heard before. “Can’t I just drop in on a friend?”
“We’ve never met before,” you counter, but add on something more when his face drops almost imperceptibly, “or have we?”
“I would hope that I’d make such a fantastic impression that you’d have no choice but to keep vivid memories of me wherever you go,” Sturmhond says pleasantly, “If that’s not the case, I’ll need you to keep that to yourself. I have an image to uphold, you see.”
You nod once, eyebrow raised. “Oh, of course. And how does that image relate to the fact that you’re being Tailored?”
Sturmhond’s face drops in a flash, although he picks up his charade a half second later. Still, even the momentary lapse is enough for you to recognize that you’ve seen straight through him. “I hope that’s your way of saying that I’m so handsome that I have to be the work of a Grisha, but it’s not the case. Many have tried to discredit my natural beauty, but–”
You cut him off with a raised hand. “But it’s true, isn’t it? You look at me like you’ve seen me before. That would only work if you’re wearing a different face than when we met. That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? You knew me as someone else and you want to see what’s become of me. Tell me, was it before or after I took to the seas?”
Sturmhond waits a second, two, and you’re just about to wonder whether you’ve colossally misread the situation and Sturmhond really isn’t Tailored at all when he sighs. It sounds like the dying breath of a god, all weighty pain and deep grief.
“Before,” he whispers, “long before.”
It is the easiest thing in the world for a pirate to lie; you’re all taught it at a very young age. Still, you know instantly that Sturmhond is telling the truth. You don’t know how you know, you just do. You know him better than you know yourself. It is something only many years of contact would teach you.
“How old were we when we met?” You ask tentatively. Pieces are starting to click together in the back of your mind, memories you haven’t thought about in quite a long time. His face may be changed, but his voice– something about his voice, maybe, his eyes, the way he looks at you–
The corners of Sturmhond’s mouth prick up into a half smile. “I don’t remember. Very young. We knew each other for quite some time too, and then I had to leave suddenly. I don’t even know that I was able to say goodbye. I was–”
You interrupt him again, this time with a shaky laugh. “Blond. You were blond and a prince. Saints, Nikolai, what have you become?”
It is a gamble to say his name like this, out of nowhere with little to no evidence to back it up. All the same, seeing Stumhond– Nikolai– and the way his face lights with some indescribable emotion the second you say his name is how you know you’re right beyond measure.
This is him, then. This is Nikolai Lantsov. This is the childhood friend you worshipped when you were barely knee height, the boy you grew up with until he disappeared one day without a trace. You had met him somewhere you can’t remember, on a street whose name is both the only thing you will ever know and also the first to vanish from your mind when you need it most. Nikolai had been your best friend, your truest friend, and the one whose absence hurt more than any blade when he left.
It makes sense now, of course. Nikolai was a Lantsov above all else. Of course he would be called away from you at some point, he had duties you couldn’t even begin to understand. You heard rumors that he was in the military, or studying in Ketterdam, and then some other grand plan that criminals like you wouldn’t be privy to in a thousand years, no matter how well you knew Ravka’s golden youngest son.
Here he is now, though, wearing a face that isn’t his and smiling at you like he has finally found the one treasure no pirate could ever dream of taking. You look at him, and although every facet of his face is changed, you see him. Nikolai. Your Nikolai.
You can’t help a smile. “What are the odds that we’d both pick this career path?”
Nikolai grins as well. “Surely very small. I didn’t think you’d recognize me this easily, though. I have to say, it’s making me doubt my own appearances, and I prefer to do that as little as possible.”
You chuckle. “I’ve known you for years, Nik, you can’t honestly believe that I wouldn’t see straight through you. What was your plan, then, if I didn’t recognize you? You would sweep up to my ship, engage in some idle chatter, and leave without telling me a thing? Would you really be so cruel as to let me go another few years without knowing that I’d met you again?”
Nikolai’s eyes shine at the nickname. “I didn’t know what my plan was. I had heard stories, but I didn’t dare connect your name with them until I saw you and knew for sure. When my men spotted your sails this morning, I knew I wouldn’t be able to stay away unless I saw you again. It’s been too long, Y/N. Far too long.”
You nod in agreement. “What will you do with yourself now that you know it’s me? Pack up your things and sail off to another distant corner of the world just like you’ve been doing all this time?”
Your tone holds no malice, only the faintest hint of regret. Losing Nikolai had been like losing yourself when it happened all those years ago, and now you’ve got to say goodbye to him all over again despite just getting him back.
Nikolai, too, seems unwilling to part ways just yet. “We don’t have to separate,” he whispers, “I’m in need of a good captain in my ranks. Someone I can trust more than anyone. That has always been you and you know it.”
You let a small smile slip onto your face. “Are you offering me a job, Sturmhond?”
You emphasize the false name and he rolls his eyes. “Your old friend misses you,” he replies, “isn’t that enough? That and the promise of untold wealth?”
He holds out his hand, and you shake it without a second’s hesitation. “I’d follow you anywhere,” you say simply, “I would hope that you’d know that.”
Nikolai stands, and, crossing around the desk, pulls you into a tight embrace that leaves you breathless. Without his Tailored face hidden in the crook of your neck, you can pretend that nothing has ever changed, that you are both still children growing up on Ravkan shores that have yet to cast you off.
“I don’t want to let you go again,” he says against the top of your head, “I look forward to seeing you fly my colors, moi kapitan.”
You laugh. “Always the flirt, weren’t you?”
“Anything for you,” Nikolai says breezily, and extends a hand towards the door. “Shall we tell your crew of the good news? I’m sure they’ve been waiting long enough.”
You nod, but steal one last moment to stand here and look at him. You have your friend back, your Nikolai, your captain. Nothing could make you happier. At last, you walk to the door of your cabin and push it open. A wave of dazzling sunlight threatens to blind you, and through the rippling light, you see Nikolai by your side. Him and nothing more.
grishaverse tag list: @rogueanschel, @deadreaderssociety, @cameronsails, @mxltifxnd0m, @story-scribbler, @retvenkos, @thatfangirl42, @amortensie, @gods-fools-heroes, @bl606dy
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kay-i-guess · 1 year
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stay, stay, stay | Nikolai Lantsov
𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 | Nikolai Lantsov x gn!Reader
𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 | mentions of an argument 
𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬 | after an argument Nik and y/n apologise and confess how much they love each other
𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞 | based on this request <3 
𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 | 600 ish words I'm sorry its short :(
I pace a few times outside the door before gathering the courage to knock. I freeze. I can't do this 
I'm pretty sure we almost broke up last night, I remember all the yelling, I cringe as I recall throwing a book across the room. 
“Who am I kidding he probably left early this morning, he probably hates me now” I drag my hands across my face.
As I turn to leave I see the door swing open, I whirl back around to see Nikoli staring back at me.
“Nik” I breathe out in relief “you stayed?”
He looks at me questioningly “where was I going to go?”
I shake my head “doesn't matter” I wring my hands nervously “can we talk?”
“Of course” he steps back letting me into his room.
I hear the door shut and Nikolai makes his way until he was standing in front of me “Okay let's talk”
“Nik I’m so sorry, I don't know what happened last night but I feel so guilty” he doesn't say anything so I continue “I'm not good at this whole relationship thing, and anyone I've ever dated took all their problems out on me” 
“y/n you know I didn't mean-” 
“I know” I cut him off 
“Look Nik, I love you, you have given me no choice but to
stay,”  
 He looks shocked for a second ad I fear I said something wrong “I'm sorry i-” he takes my hand cutting me off “y/n! I've loved you for quite some time!”  
“Really?” I start to smile 
“Really” were both grinning like idiots now
“I'm sorry about last night y/n” 
“You know what will make it better?” I grin slyly 
“He laughs at my obvious ploy but goes with it nonetheless “what?”
“A kiss” my arms go up to his neck as he laughs
“I can't argue with that” he leads down meeting my lips with his 
It's a sweet kiss full of apology and love, all too soon we have to break away as there's a sharp knock at the door  
“Sorry love,” he says to me 
I pout jokingly as he greats whoever's at the door 
I make my way over to his desk which is covered with papers, I spot a book sitting on the floor and pick it up examining it for damage, it must have been the book I threw across the room, I smile at just minutes ago I was stressing over this very book I place it gently on the desk and make my way over to Nikolai and the interrupter at the door. It's Zoya, she seems to be annoyed at him, something about missing a meeting.  She says one more thing before stalking off.
Nikolai runs his hands over his face, and I giggle over his frustration “hey, hey look at me it's okay” I pull his hand down and hold them in mine.
“I know, it's just frustrating, sometimes I wish it was just you and me.” he sighs and pulls me into a hug placing his head atop mine I hum in agreement “I love you y/n it's like you know everything about me” I look at him in curiosity his eyes meet mine and I can tell his words are true “you've memorized all of me. My fears, hopes and dreams” he presses a kiss to my forehead “I just like hanging out with you, all the time”
“I step back and study his face “Nik honestly, all those times that you didn't leave It occurred to me I'd like to hang out with you for my whole life”
“Honest?” he breaths so quietly I almost miss it 
“Honest” I conform 
A smile breaks out on his face and I can't help but kiss him
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undiscovered-horizon · 11 months
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In Emerald Hearts, Emerald Minds - Nikolai Lantsov x Reader
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[mentions of unwanted advances + suggested groping + suggestive/sexual (consensual) themes]
☽ REQUESTS ARE OPEN ☾
SUMMARY: When Vasily asks you to forget his half-brother and marry him instead, you escape the Little Palace along Alina. Nikolai realizes something strange is going on when Kaz mentions seeing a similar emerald ring on the woman that came with the Sun Summoner. With how much you and Nikolai have been running in circles to find each other, the reunion aboard Volkvolny feels almost fated.
WORDCOUNT: ~ 4.6k
>>Grishaverse-inspired playlist&lt;<
It feels like the Winter Fete has been going on forever. The champagne keeps on being poured, the guests keep on dancing and the circus acts just keep on performing as though tomorrow is a mere mirage, a concept of a certain time period that never actually comes. Inside those walls of gold and marble, the misery devouring all of Ravka seems like nothing beyond a mad nightmare - something so removed from reality, it’s hilarious in its ridiculousness. Everyone is so carefree and happy you almost take their joy as your own.
Almost.
The orchestra begins playing Waltz of the Flowers and you feel your throat tighten. Despite doing your best not to, your mind relives that fateful night when everything changed. For the longest time, you’d been claiming that the change was for the better but now, standing alone for another year in a row and watching the dashing aristocrats spin to the music, you’re not so sure anymore.
“You really need to stop doing this,” Nikolai says firmly. Although his tone is decisive and clearly unwilling to accept defiance, a pronounced hint of amusement lives between his words - a thread of light-heartedness, one might say.
Your eyebrows gently furrow. “Doing what?”
“Smiling at me like that. Any longer and I might ask you to marry me.”
It feels like you’re about to burst at the seams. Trying to contain your emotions, and failing at it quite horribly, you bite your lower lip. “I might say yes.”
“Where have you gone, Kolya?” you whisper under your breath. The gloss of vacancy covering your eyes blurs the dancing bodies into one mass of faceless strangers. But it also makes you not notice someone approaching you.
“I find it quite admirable.”
Vasily’s voice startles you. To your now-gone relief, you didn’t have the displeasure of running into him all evening - until now. If you were to list all of the things about the older Lantsov son that makes your skin crawl, you’d be done by the time another Winter Fete is organized. The top of the list, however, deserves to be mentioned as it’s an inseparable part of your every interaction with the prince: he’s quite adamant and crude in his desire to be more than just a future brother-in-law to you.
“Excuse me?” you stutter out.
That patronizing look on his face is now accompanied by a cocky half-grin as he realizes he caught you off-guard. “Your devotion to my brother. For all we know, he might be already dead, Saints’ protect him.”
“Don’t even say that!” you hiss at him. Right after, you look around to check whether one of the guests has noticed your unpleasant exchange.
Despite what you’ve just said, you know he’s right. There’s no way you can be sure that your Kolya is either dead or alive. Perhaps this is the detail further ripping your heart apart - you don’t know anything about his fate; you’re mourning, although you’re yet to see the coffin. You haven’t for a few years now and each passing month of silence only made court gossip more cruel and bold.
“All I’m saying, dearest,” Vasily begins quietly as his hand drags along your arm, “is that the moment the news of Nikolai’s death reaches the Grand Palace, you’ll be thrown out. On the other hand, I can make you the Queen of Ravka. And unlike my brother, I won’t disappear off the face of the Earth and forget about his beloved lady.”
The word of endearment is dripping with sarcasm as it leaves his chapped lips. His breath reeks of alcohol and you unknowingly turn your head away. Vasily seems to think you’re about to leave his side, so his hand tightly grips your arm. The hold is almost bruising. He yanks you even closer towards himself.
“Kolya hasn’t forgotten about me,” you say in a shaky voice. Maybe he’s not as foolish as he appears and Vasily is genuinely trying to break you down.
The prince studies your face for a moment, definitely noticing how shaken you are. His eyes have the strangest glint to them - something between desire and contempt. “Is that so?” he barely stifles a grim laugh. “He would have written you a letter if that were true, no?”
Tears sting your eyes. Vasily is certainly smarter, or at least more cruel, than he lets on. He knows exactly what to say to get into your head. It’s a startling difference between him and Nikolai - only one of them does what he can to keep a smile on your face. Well, did.
His dirty, rough hand grabs your chin. Vasily forces you to look at him, his smile wavers upon noticing your desperation. “Consider your options, зайка,” he purrs out. The prince’s other hand trails your face. “The choice is yours.”
A tear falls down your cheek. You feel it rolling across your skin and you silently hope the guests surrounding you are watching this scene. Then, you lean in even closer to Vasily’s face. The whisper leaves your lips like a viper’s venomous hiss: "I will marry you the day you lay his dead body at my feet."
To your surprise, Vasily drops his hands and takes a step back. Despite the self-assured smile on his face, you can see the fury inside his eyes. “As you wish.” He bows curtly, turns on his heel and marches away, undoubtedly looking for another glass of alcohol and a lady naive enough to warm his bed.
The palace suddenly feels stuffy and overcrowded; the music is too loud, the plethora of smells make your head spin.
Outside. You need to get outside.
Bumping into several guests and mumbling half-coherent apologies, you run through the halls of the Little Palace. When the cold, night air hits your flushed cheeks, only then do you stop. Taking in a deep breath, you can actually feel your thoughts becoming clearer. 
With each gust of freezing wind, all the anger and sadness is leaving your shaking body. Vasily just wanted to get a rise out of you and, as much as you don’t want to admit it, he succeeded. Unlike he claims, Nikolai surely is alive. Maybe bruised or sick or not sleeping well but as long as there’s no news about him being dead, he is as alive as one can be. The same starry sky hangs above your and his heads. Perhaps, in this small moment of longing, he’s thinking about you too. Wherever he is.
A tired sigh leaves your lips. You’re about to turn around and go back inside when a silhouette moving in the night catches your attention. The shape is swift although careful like a lizard approaching a fly. You see them looking around before running for another few meters only to hide behind a bush or piece of architecture.
Curious and a little scared, you follow the stranger towards one of the carriages. Quietly, you get close enough to grab their wrist. The shape lets out a gasp and turns around to look at you.
“Alina?!” you whisper. What in Saints’ mercy is she doing? You look at her warm, casual clothes and the bag on her back. “Are you running away?”
“I need to leave,” she answers equally quietly. Her voice as well as her stare is filled with certainty - she’s convinced beyond reasonable doubt this is the right thing to do. “Please, don’t try to stop me.”
You let go of her hand. “Stop you?” A dry chuckle leaves your lips. “I’m coming with you.”
“What?” she deadpans. Alina is staring at you with a vacant stare and her mouth slightly agape. Apparently exchanging royal comforts for hay and stolen apples is unthinkable.
“If I have to spend one more day around Vasily, I will murder someone.”
Alina slowly nods her head - she can definitely understand the sentiment. A dimwitted Fjerdan would have more charm than the older prince. But then she squints her eyes, looking at you with a sense of scepticism.
“Out there, there won’t be warm beds and three-course dinners, you know?”
“I know,” you answer with a careless shrug. Loitering and wandering isn’t for ladies of your sort, it’s like throwing a finless fish into a tank with sharks. Despite that, you’re quite convinced the means justify the end, at least in this scenario. “But out there is my Kolya. And I’m done politely waiting for him.”
A shadow of sadness covers her face. If there’s anyone who can understand your plight, it’s her. In fact, she is luckier than you - she saw her lover maybe an hour ago. Pleasant or unpleasant, the meeting confirmed to her that Mal is at least alive. It’s not a privilege you could afford.
“Then let’s go,” she says to you before opening the chest in the back of the carriage. Forgetting all of your etiquette and social standing, you climb into the compartment with her. Towards adventure or death, you’re going somewhere.
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“The ring gave you away,” Kaz announces. “It’s too expensive for a bodyguard.”
Jesper knits his eyebrows together, suddenly remembering something. He leans towards Kaz but speaks a little too loudly for the question to be inconspicuous: “Didn’t that girl wear the same-”
When Kaz’s cold glare meets Jesper’s squinted eyes, the dark-skinned man immediately closes his mouth halfway through the question. Both of them sit back as they were but the cat is already out of the bag. Well, not entirely - half of it is peeking out of the metaphorical sack.
Nikolai looks between them with unmissable suspicion. Although he’s heard enough to be aware of the possibility that the Sun Summoner isn’t travelling by herself, this is the first time either of the Crows admits it.
His heart begins to beat slightly quicker: Alina run away from the Little Palace along with another woman and that lady was wearing a royal jewel at the time. As long as Vasily didn’t lose his signet on one of his distasteful escapades, the course of events points to only one person - you. Shoving his restless excitement into the deepest chasms of his heart, Nikolai manages to remain his composure:
“Who was wearing that ring?” The prince-turned-privateer unknowingly fiddles with the heavy jewellery on his finger. Noticing the Crows’ reluctance, he makes them an offer: “If you tell me who you saw wearing an emerald ring, I might, say, give you ten minutes to escape.” Nikolai vaguely gestures to the closed window on his right-hand side.
Kaz knows there’s no point in lying any longer. The man in front of him is not only well-informed but also smarter than he looks, making the Crow wonder whether he also knows the answer to this question but prefers to play some kind of a game. In any event, he’s done his part of the deal and his ex-accomplices are left to their own devices. Additionally, he could really use those ten minutes. “A young woman that accompanied Alina Starkov. High-born, confident, decisive. Not a Grisha as far as I know.”
“Not a Lantsov, obviously,” Jesper chips in.
Brekker’s keen eyes catch the barely noticeable change in Sturmhond’s expression - the corner of his mouth merely stuttered up and down but it is enough to tell Kaz as much as he needs:
“You know her.”
Know her? If Nikolai had a weaker grip on his emotions at the moment, he’d laugh until his stomach and diaphragm hurt and then he’ll burst with laughter once more, unspeakably joyous that he might get to see her sooner than he thought. Yes, he does know her but in the way heart knows blood and lungs know air. She’s the ligament that keeps his bones together, the fibres that construct his muscles, the very blood that runs in his veins. Does the Moon simply know the stars? Do trees know their roots and branches?
But for now, he needs to stay focused. 
“Not really,” Sturmhond answers while scrunching his nose. “Many aristocrats wear a ring like that. While I may know of a lot of them, I hardly know anything about them.”
Kaz fights back a mocking half-grin begging to twist his thin lips. “I’d argue that an emerald in Ravka is a rather rare gem.”
“Hers is probably genuine. Mine’s stolen.”
Silence falls between the three men. Nikolai and Kaz are staring each other down, battling in some kind of war of wits and nerves, waiting for the other to give in. Jesper is stealing glances at both of them, feeling the cold tension rise in the air.
Against his deep-seated desire, Kaz doesn’t inquire further about the emeralds or the strange coincidence that the two enigmatic characters wearing them might know each other. He sits back in the chair, his shoulders visibly drop. As much as he’d love to dig deeper, he’d much rather get out of here and reclaim his freedom that is now endangered.
“Well, gentlemen,” Nikolai begins in an upbeat tone, “your ten minutes start now.”
Without saying anything else, he leaves the room. Only then, when the dark, wooden door close behind him, does he let suppressed emotions wash over him. A quiet chuckle brushes past his lips and for a moment even tears sting his eyes. Delight, worry, relief - conflicting sensations merge into one, completely overpowering flame burning inside his chest.
Maybe he doesn’t have the Sun Summoner and he still needs to come up with a plan to catch her but Nikolai hasn’t been this happy for a while now: his солиышко is alright, still making the world brighter and warmer. If he can get to Alina Starkov, he might see her again, although he begins to wonder whether she wishes to see him after all those years of silence and ignorance. But if he can see her, just witness the marvel of her entire being even for one last second, he’ll be cured of the longing and loneliness that has been gnawing at him ever since he left Os Alta.
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You’re following the Shu man to what you assume is his captain’s cuddy. The ship creeks and groans under the weight of the crew as well as the power of the waves. The bussing crewmen spare the three of you a glance, only to show disinterest and go back to their duties. It’s a nice change compared to the kerchen ship you travelled on to Novyi Zem, where the captain asked Alina and you to stay under the deck because of the sailors’ superstition. After getting off the ship, it took you a good week to wash out the reek of cured cod from your clothes and hair. Sometimes you still felt like you can smell it in the air, even in the dusty wind sweeping through Novyi Zem.
Your ‘guide’ pushes the door and they swing open with a creak, the list of the ship aiding the motion. Except for the squeaky hinges, probably rusting faster than anyone can manage, Volkvolny is in good shape. In fact, it looks brand new - no mould or woodworms.
“Captain, request for charter,” the stocky stranger announces with a hint of amusement or excitement in his voice. Despite his imposing visage, the Shu man has made a good impression on you but the long sword on his back kept you vigilant against getting too comfortable in his company.
Only when he moves to the side, presenting the three of you to his captain, do you see the face of the infamous Sturmhond.
You want to laugh. In fact, you have to clench your fists to stop yourself from bursting out with laughter. This situation feels like the strangest coincidence that you can think of, which in turn makes you suspect that it’s not a coincidence at all. Because what are the odds?
Nikolai’s face momentarily brightens up when he recognizes you, a new glint lights up his eyes. He looks different than you remember but in all the right ways: his shoulders look broader and his hair is longer, curling in a way that makes him appear more infantile. You remembered him as a handsome man but the Nikolai in front of you is beautiful enough to be considered unreal.
He's staring into you like a deer caught in headlights until Tolya hands him Alina’s unusual means of payment. As Nikolai is turning the piece of jewellery in his fingers, you notice another change: his hands look rougher, definitely scarred from all the adventures you hope you’re yet to hear about.
The blond prince turns his attention back to Alina, Mal and you. “A gold hairpin can get you anywhere. But an emerald ring?” He gestures to you. “It can get you everywhere.”
“It’s not for sale,” you answer, although you know he’s not trying to buy it. After all, he’s the one that gave it to you.
“I don’t want it.” Nikolai shakes his head. Then, a flirty smile appears on his face. “Looks better on you anyway, doll.”
You’re about to respond to his remark when his attention is once again placed on Alina. “Now, Tolya says you’re looking for a charter. Where are we sailing?”
Alina begins the story with ‘the creation of the world’ as your mother used to say: the Little Palace, Darkling, Morozova’s amplifiers and the Fold. Nikolai nods along, never giving away that he’s privy to most of the story. He doesn’t believe in the Sea Whip at first but that’s hardly his fault - not too long ago people wouldn’t believe in the existence of the Sun Summoner and now she’s standing beside you, nervously rubbing her hand. As you have expected from the moment you saw that Nikolai is Sturmhond, he agrees to the insanity of taking up the quest to catch the amplifier.
“Tolya will show you around.” He sends you off. You’re about to follow your friends out of the cuddy when he adds: “You, emerald lady, I’d like to talk to in private.”
Alina gives you a concerned look (‘blink twice if you need help’)  but you only smile and nod at her in response. With Mal tugging at her arm, she reluctantly leaves you and Sturmhond alone.
The moment the door closes behind Tolya and your friends, Nikolai runs around his desk towards you, engulfing you in a bone-crushing hug. His hand threads through your hair, pushing your head further into the crook of his neck. Even if you tried, there’s no way you can pull away or even move. Taking a deep breath, you smell the familiar fragrance of his cologne but now it’s mixed with the scent of resin, saltwater and seaweed.
Then he pulls away, looking you up and down with burning worry. “Are you alright? Are you hurt? What are you doing here?”
You swear he could be bleeding out on the floor and still he’d be apologizing for staining your clothes. It’s heartwarming that despite the years and evident change in his appearance, Kolya is still Kolya.
A wide smile enters your face. “Looking for a frisky sailor to take me on a voyage filled with indecency, obviously.”
“Well, here he is.” Nikolai points to himself and winks at you. “And he’d really like to know why you’re in Novyi Zem with the Sun Summoner and whats-his-face and not in the Grand Palace in Os Alta.”
You let out a heavy sigh and shake your head gently. “I grew tired, Kolya.” His eyebrows slant upon hearing the exhaustion in your voice. Despite the sheer happiness he feels when you say his name, the concern gnawing at his heart seems to be more powerful. “Years have gone by without you giving me even the tiniest sign that you’re alive and well. And your brother, Saint’s have mercy on him because I won’t, has been adamant about marrying me ever since you left. I told him I will accept his proposal the day he lays your dead body before me.” You make pause, noticing a strange shadow hanging over Nikolai’s face. But he’s not saying anything for a moment, so you finish what you wanted to say: “I had to get away from it all. There’s only so much uncertainty and intruding fingers a lady can take.”
“By the Saints,” he breathes out, “did Vasily lay a hand on you?”
You feel his grip around you tighten but it’s not painful, rather securing. “If you’re asking whether he hit me or forced himself on me, then no, he did not. He did, however, make it abundantly clear what he wants from me. On multiple occasions.”
Nikolai’s face twists in a scowl. The glint that lit up his eyes when he saw you is now gone, exchanged for something dark and unstable. “I’m so sorry, if I knew-”
“I know, love,” you interrupt him. He doesn’t need to announce the ends he’d go to in order to ensure you’re safe and comfortable. Nikolai has never said or done so but you’re fairly convinced he wouldn’t shy away from fistfighting Vasily if he said something less-than-savoury to you. “But neither of us could have known.”
“I promised you’d be safe in Os Alta.”
“And I promised to stay put.” You can’t keep laughter in any longer. You’re not quite sure whether your chuckle is born out of happiness or disbelief. “Now look at us.”
Suddenly, he knits his eyebrows close. At first, you think he’s confused but then the slight rise of his cheeks suggests something closer to contempt or disgust. "Would you actually marry Vasily if he gave you my dead body?"
You can only give him an indifferent shrug. "Maybe?” you ponder aloud. “If you were dead, I would lose all care about what happens to me or with me. In a way, I’d be dead too."
Nikolai takes one of your hands and kisses its fingers. Your breath hitches in your throat when you feel his warm lips against your skin. “I could never rest in peace knowing how he’s treating you.”
“Having you haunt me would be incomparably better than you just being gone. Everything is better than silence.”
His shoulders slouch. Nikolai looks away from you for a moment, admiring the floor in his cuddy but even this can’t hide his guilt and shame. “I couldn’t have just popped in for a visit. Not anywhere in Ravka.”
"You couldn't even have written me a letter?"
"Someone at the palace would recognize my handwriting. I couldn't risk it."
"Then you could have dictated the letter to one of your crew."
That self-assured, flirty smirk appears again on his face. "And scandalize my crewmen with the things I want to tell you?”
As much as you’ve dearly missed his insufferable humour, at the moment it’s making your skin crawl. “This is a serious conversation, Nikolai,” you state firmly.
“I am serious, солиышко.” The pet name rolls off his tongue with both weight and lightness as though it belongs exclusively to you and no one else can ever claim it as their own. He kisses your hand again but keeps it against his lips for a while longer. Then, he places your fingers on his chest and you can feel the soft thrumming of his heart. “Do you think I never thought about writing to you? That I didn’t stay up at night thinking about what I will tell you when we meet again? Countless letters I have begun only to tear them apart and throw them into the sea or burn them. If some people found out we know each other, you’d be in much greater danger than Darkling following your steps. I’d rather deal with the heartbreak of staying away from you than know I put you in danger because I can’t live without you.”
It brings you a grim sense of comfort that he’s been equally torn as you were over the lack of contact. You never thought about it before but Nikolai must have been worried sick, not knowing whether you’re alright and happy. Has he imagined your plight and misery as often as you did his?
“What did you write in those letters?” you ask in a shaky voice.
“I wrote about how much I miss you, how it physically hurts to consider that you might think I have abandoned you. When I was hungry, cold, tired or sick, only the memories of you made me push on. On nights when I couldn’t sleep, I’d stare at the sky above me and wonder whether you’re looking at the same stars. I wrote that wherever I go, I see your face. You are in every sunrise and sunset, every flower I see and every fire that warms me.” Nikolai lets go of your fingers, placing both of his hands on either side of your face. The softness in his eyes makes you swoon. “I only wrote the truth,” he says slowly, making sure you understand the weight of his words.
Swallowing back tears, you lean into his warm touch. “My beloved, my heart yearns for you?” you jest in a dramatic voice.
A playful smile creeps back unto his lips. “If only my heart.”
“Gross.”
“You wanted a frisky sailor.”
"You’re a pirate, not a sailor.”
"I’m a privateer,” he drones out the word as though it makes a world of a difference.
"Pirate sounds sexier."
Nikolai gives you a fake frown. “Oh, I definitely am a pirate."
Without thinking twice, he’s kissing you. The sensation is just as comforting as you remember. His soft lips are doting on you, growing needier with each peck as though this is some feverish attempt at making up the lost time. 
He pulls away to catch his breath and although you’re panting yourself, you unknowingly chase after him, unwilling to dismiss this carnal desire just yet. Nikolai seems to notice your eagerness - he flashes you a cocky grin and shortly pecks your lips again.
“You crossed Ravka, the Fold and the sea just to find me?” he whispers. His eyes are stuck to your wet, swollen mouth.
“And I’d do it a hundred more times if I had to.”
You exchange a few more hungry kisses, pecking and nipping at each other’s lips, before Nikolai continues the conversation:
“I want to say that I’m flattered but I’d rather not encourage you to do something this stupid and dangerous ever again.”
“Hate to break it to you but you took all the stupid with you.”
He rests his forehead against yours; hot, laboured breaths brush against your flushed cheeks. “I’d like to clarify that I’m not stupid, I just can’t seem to think about anything other than you.”
Nikolai wraps his arms around your waist. In a swift motion, he turns you around and pushes you against the edge of his desk. His strength surprises you when Nikolai effortlessly lifts you and places you atop the table, pushing off maps and navigation essentials. Firm, warm hands are restlessly wandering across your body, unsure where to lay or what to grab.
You gasp quietly when his fingers sneak underneath your shirt. “Is this the indecent part of the voyage, my frisky sailor?”
“By the Saints, I hope so,” he whispers against your lips. Then, he furrows his eyebrows questioningly. “Is that offensive to say around a living Saint?”
“I don’t think Alina heard you.”
His nimble fingers are quickly undoing the buttons on your clothes. “Well, she will hear you in a moment.”
“Gross,” you say with laughter in your voice but the word gets muffled as Nikolai gets back to kissing you again.
Even if the crew did hear you that day, no one dared say a word.
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зайка [zay-ka] - bunny (feminine; term of endearment)
солиышко [sol-nee-shko] - little sun (unisex; term of endearment)
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criminalamnesia · 1 year
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Dancing With Our Hands Tied
summary: Nikolai confronts you about unspoken feelings.
warnings: fluff, no use of y/n, not proofread, no gendered pronouns used (that I know of), grisha!heartrender!reader
author’s note: dancing with our hands tied by taylor swift inspired this! also listen I love zoya and nikolai but nikolai is just sooooooo ksjfjsjs I wanted to write a reader insert for him.
What you had with your captain was something no one understood– not even the two of you.
Sturmhond– or Nikolai, as you knew him in secret– was your friend. Your captain. But he was also something more.
He was a rogue ship, and you were a lighthouse guiding him home. He was a dangerous sea, threatening to drown you if you tested your luck– and oh, how you were so close to seeing what would happen if you did.
You shouldn’t even know his true identity. But, as fate would have it, he needed a heartrender with a specific set of skills that you just happened to have, and you needed an escape.
You were his tailor– disguising his appearance and turning him into the infamous Sturmhond. That was the only reason you were allowed to see him without his mask– you were the one to put it back together.
“You’re not surprised?” He had asked you the first night your services had been requested.
The ginger hair of Sturmhond had faded. The crooked nose had straightened, but the same smug grin was still present.
“No,” you had said. “I know that heartbeat. I knew it was you a mile from your ship.”
That took him aback. How did you know his heartbeat?
You had laughed, your eyes twinkling with something he found mesmerizing. He didn’t know you– he was sure of it. He wouldn’t forget a face like yours.
One of your hands was on his shoulder, holding him still. The other roamed his face, fingers dancing across his skin as you worked.
“You’re staring,” you stated, your fingers moving to his messy blond hair. “Trying to figure out how I know you?”
“Yes,” he admitted, eyes watching your face intently. “Were you at the Little Palace?”
You nodded. “I was.” The blond of his hair started to turn red. “But I spent most of my time in the Grand Palace.” You paused, your hand leaving his shoulder to move to his chin, tilting his head to the side. You could hear his heart beat a tad bit faster.
“The Darkling gave me to your mother, as he did with Genya. I was her apprentice. She taught me how to tailor.” You told him.
“I didn’t suffer the same fate she did, if that’s what you’re wondering. Your father had eyes for her, not me.” You couldn’t help the bitterness in your voice. Nikolai flinched.
“You were rarely home– but I met you once, when we were both still small. That’s why I know your heartbeat. The only one of the Royal Family to have a good heart– not a sour one. It stuck with me, I guess you could say.”
“I don’t remember you,” he admitted, and you gave a small laugh. His blond hair was almost completely red now.
“I wouldn’t expect you to. You’re not the only one being tailored, Captain. The First Army can’t take me back if they don’t recognize me, now can they?”
“Are you listening?”
Nikolai’s voice broke you from your thoughts. He was sitting on the bed in his quarters on the ship. You stood between his knees, your hands on his face as you changed him back into Sturmhond.
“Mhm,” you hummed. You weren’t. This routine was something you could do in your sleep, and truthfully, you found your mind drifting off more and more whenever Nikolai required your assistance. It’s not that you found his company dull– quite the opposite, actually. But you didn’t want him to know that.
“No you weren’t,” he gave a small chuckle, one of his hands moving up to grab one of yours. He pulled it from his face as he intertwined your fingers.
“Nikolai,” you hissed, pulling your hand from his grasp. “Do you want me to mess up? I was in the middle of reforming your nose.”
He sighed, his hand falling back to his lap as you raised yours once more. You avoided his eyes, knowing you wouldn’t like what you saw in them.
Between the two of you, he was the more open with his feelings. For the past few weeks, he had continuously tried to corner you and get you to talk about whatever the two of you were. To try and figure things out. You had successfully avoided him thus far, but you knew you were dancing on thin ice.
It was only a matter of time before he recruited one of the twins to subdue you while he forced you to listen. You wouldn’t put it past him, and you knew for a fact Tolya would help him. Curse that hopeless romantic.
“You’re insufferable. And exhausting,” he told you as you grasped his chin gently between your fingers, turning his face this way and that to examine your handiwork.
“I know. You tell me quite often,” you remarked, nodding to yourself as you moved to focus your sights on his hair.
He sighed. Silence engulfed the two of you. It was almost smothering, full of unsaid words and the tension between the two of you. You were suddenly aware of how close you were to him– his knees caging you in as you stood between his spread legs. His face in your hands, his hands now on your waist.
“We keep dancing around this,” he said. You didn’t reply, choosing to focus more intently on the roots of his hair. “The whole crew thinks we’re sleeping together.”
That caught you off guard. You gave a snort, rolling your eyes. “Of course they do. You call me to your quarters in the night, every week. You always stare at me, especially when you think I’m not looking. And you’re handsy– you’ve always got a hand on my back or my shoulder or something.”
Nikolai chuckled. “Well, you’re one to talk. Every time you laugh at something I’ve said, you grab onto my arm and go ‘oh Sturmhond!’. And don’t act like you don’t stare, too.”
“I do not say ‘oh Sturmhond’,” you said, looking down at him. He grinned that same crooked smile.
“I know you’re thinking it. Probably thinking some other things, too. Like how you’d like to–”
“Shut up, or I’m going to give you a black eye.” You hissed, pulling his hair harder than you should’ve.
He laughed. “You wouldn’t. You like my face too much.”
“Im sick of it, actually,” you remarked. “I see it everyday.”
“If that were true, you wouldn’t be here.” He replied.
“You say that as if you’d let me leave. I’m the only tailor you’ve got.”
He shook his head. “That’s not the reason I wouldn’t let you leave, and we both know it.”
You dropped your hands as the last of his blond turned red. Your job here was done. There was nothing stopping you from bidding him goodnight and excusing yourself to your own cot. You knew he would drop it and let you go without another word, but you couldn’t bring yourself to say anything. You didn’t want to say anything.
“So now you’re keeping me prisoner?” You said, suddenly all too aware of his hands squeezing your waist.
“Maybe I am. At least until you admit you like me,” he said, and you scoffed.
“If I didn’t like you, I wouldn’t be here–” you began, but he cut you off.
“That’s not what I mean and you know it.”
He moved to stand. You tried to step back, but his hands on you kept you rooted to the spot. You looked up at him, heat rising to your cheeks. Your chests were touching now, and there were only inches between your lips and his.
“When are we going to stop playing this game?” He whispered, one of his hands moving from your waist to brush a strand of hair from your face.
“You like it too much to stop.” You retorted.
“I’d like honesty more,” he said, and you shook your head. “As much fun as playing cat and mouse is with you, I’m growing tired of chasing. And we both know you’re tired of running.”
His hands were on your hips as he swung you around the deck, a laugh on his lips as you clung to his shoulders. You couldn’t help but smile as he dipped you, your eyes meeting his. There were unspoken promises in his gaze– too many feelings, and you had to look away.
Others danced around you two as a few of the crew played some song you’d never heard on makeshift instruments. Laughter and conversation made it hard to think straight. Spirits were high– you’d all just succeeded in breaking through a Fjerdan blockade– and that called for a celebration.
“They’re all going to think we’re together,” you had told Nikolai as he grabbed your hand and pulled you to the dance floor. He had laughed, leaning in close to whisper “let them” in your ear.
He had kissed you for the first time that night, after the party had subsided and everyone was asleep but the two of you. You had been talking quietly, watching the stars and listening to the waves, and he had kissed you and you had melted.
“Nikolai..” you sighed, your hands moving to rest on his shoulders. “This isn’t a good idea.”
“I don’t care,” he told you, and his heartbeat was as steady as it had ever been.
“I do,” you told him, meeting his gaze. “You can’t play pirate forever. What happens when you go back to Ravka, back to your family? You can’t marry me. I’m nobody– not a princess, not a diplomat. I’m an escaped servant who knows too much and would be imprisoned or executed for escaping.”
“Privateer,” he corrected, and you rolled your eyes. “And I’m the second son– a bastard second son. I’m already a disgrace in their eyes,” one of his hands moved to the small of your back, his thumb rubbing circles into the fabric of your shirt. “I can’t disappoint them any more than I have.”
“It doesn’t matter what they think of you now, they still won’t let me anywhere near you.” You replied, and he shook his head.
“Why are we even talking about this?” He asked. “We’re not in Ravka. We’re in the middle of the ocean, and no one cares what we do.”
He was right. You were far from Ravka and his family and your pasts. You were someone new, and he was, too. You weren’t an escaped servant– you were Sturmhond’s first mate. You were his most trusted friend– besides the twins– and you were the one he wanted.
And you wanted him, too.
“I don’t care about details,” he said, his voice low. “I don’t care about families or consequences or rumors. I care about you, about that little smile you always get before you win at cards, about how you let me drag you onto the dance floor while the crew stares, and how you put up with me more than you should.”
You didn’t say anything, too stunned for words.
“I would do anything,” he began, his face slowly inching towards yours. “To dance with you again. To kiss you again. To not hide behind stolen glances and little jabs at each other.”
“Nikolai,” you murmured, your eyes flitting down to his lips.
“Yes?” He asked as your eyes found his once more.
“Just shut up.” You said, and you closed the gap between the two of you, your lips meeting his.
Maybe nothing he said would be true in the morning. Maybe he would realize this was all a big mistake, but you didn’t care.
He was right. You were tired of running, and you were so glad he was tired of chasing.
And as you kissed, that heartbeat that you’d remembered after all these years– that you’d always remember– soared.
And you knew he wasn’t lying.
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syllvane · 1 year
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beginnings- nikolai lantsov x reader
In another life, you might have found him handsome.
You might have been attracted to his golden hair and the arrogance that he carried with him, but it was hard to be attracted to him when your hands were locked and he had the key.
Besides, you don’t have room in your life for romantic machinations 
“You know, I think what’s been throwing me off is that you’re too pretty to be a criminal.” He said towards you and Jesper and Kaz fell silent.
Oh you were never going to hear the end of this.
“We should see how pretty you think I am when I break your fingers.” You retorted, slowly and silently working on the lock mechanism.
“Promise?” He replied almost instantly and your fingers stopped working for a second, stumbling at his response. “Oh, that reminds me, Alina Starkov. She-”
You tuned him out as you undid the rest of your restraints, starting to plot your escape from here.
The window was likely your best and only option, with guards conversing outside of the door behind you three, and the Sturmhond blocking the door in front.
The pirate caught your attention once again by producing more Kruge than you had ever seen at once in his hand, setting it down on the table.
“Twenty seconds,” he nodded to Kaz, turning to leave before looking at you, catching your eye one last time. “You could always join my crew. Always looking for new talent.”
“Go to hell.” You shot back and a wide smile appeared on his face.
“Worth a shot.” He said while walking through the pair of double doors.
Both you and Kaz shot out of your seats, Kaz walking towards the Kruge and you towards the window, which luckily had a landing empty of guards.
“I can’t believe he was flirting with you. A little help?” Jesper said, half-annoyed and Kaz tossed a coin towards him. You rolled your eyes.
“What am I supposed to… when did you know? That I’m a Durast?” Jesper asked, his voice growing soft as he transformed the coin into a lock pick with nothing but his hands.
“In the train, when we were crossing the Fold, in the train. And besides, when you shoot, you never miss and no one is that good.”
“I don’t-”
“Neither of us are gonna out you, Jes.” You said, half-focused on the guards trying to break through the door.
“I appreciate it, but I’m more interested in hearing that from him.”
You turned to Kaz. His eyes never left Jesper.
“I’m not going to out you.”
Jesper gave Kaz a single nod, the handcuffs falling to his feet.
“Let’s go.” You said, one leg already out the window.
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corpsebasil · 11 months
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Hii!!!!! Can I request a nikolai x reader where she hates nikolai with every morsal in herself but she soon realises the reason she hates him is cause she is scared of liking him as she has had a bad experience with men in the past. And one day he traps her and asked her what he has done to make her hate him so much and she breaks down about what has happened and how she loves him so much. His smile, face, personality, his kind and caring attributes and they share a heartfelt kiss
Do You Love Me-> N.L.
The Lady that lives in the Grand Palace is immune to the Prince’s attention.
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He wouldn’t. Leave you. Alone.
You didn’t like anything about him. Not his stupid face, or his ridiculous sense of humor, or his cocky attitude that made you want to vomit when you watched him turn on the charm for other women. You especially hated him when constantly you badgered you, seeking you out.
“Lady Y/N, darling!” You heard a cheerful voice call behind you as you worked on stitching up a tear in your nightgown. You flinched and poked yourself in the finger, cursing under your breath as you stuck the wounded digit into your mouth.
The prince entered uninvited; he had a habit of showing up in the middle of the day, bored after his state meetings around noon and desperate for entertainment. That was all you were, apparently. Entertainment.
“Your Highness.” You greeted tightly, glancing up from your perch on your window-seat, your knees tucked up to you chest. “And to what do I owe this grand displeasure?”
“I’m bored.” He sighed, dropping onto your couch. Of course he was. “I’ve missed you desperately.”
“You saw me at dinner yesterday.”
“You didn’t even speak to me.”
It was true. He’d been trying to get your attention for at least an hour. He’d even gone so far as to wave dramatically, drawing your annoyed eye slowly to him, only for him to flash you a beaming grin.
That was it.
He just wanted to smile at you.
“Maybe you should take the hint.”
You could almost hear his aggressive eye-roll. Nikolai swore he’d never rolled his eyes so much before he met you. Every since you’d come to the palace, a beautiful lady of high ranking, his breath had been ripped right out of his lungs. You’d been polite, at first. Sweet even. But as he spent more time with you, tried harder to be your friend and eventually court you, you grew cold.
And he didn’t know why.
“You look stunning today.” He tried again, smiling sweetly as you glanced up, your eyes meeting his.
“I know.”
“Glad you know. I love a confident woman.” When you ignored him, he pressed on. “Lovely day, isn’t it?”
“It’s definitely another day in Ravka.”
“I have a proposition. We could—”
“Not interested.”
“You didn’t even hear it.” He whined, and you looked up.
“Anywhere you are—” you began, giving him a firm stare, “—is where I do not want to be.” You returned to your stitching, smiling in amusement to yourself.
There was a weighted pause, and you glanced up. Nikolai’s expressed flickered for a moment, before smoothing into neutrality. He stood, wiping imaginary dust off of his trousers.
“Of course, well. Wouldn’t want to burden you.” He said crisply, and tugged something out of his pocket. He laid a piece of paper down on the couch and you were surprised to see the tips of his ears had gone a bit pink. “I bought tickets for that play I know you like. What is it? The one with the skull and the emo guy?”
“Hamlet?”
“Yeah, that one. We don’t have to sit together. Or—you can go, and I’ll stay here.” He smiled tightly and nodded, leaving your bedroom before you could say a thing.
-
That night, you did go to Hamlet. And it was amazing.
You got back to the palace feeling like you were walking on air; something about the theater made your heart sing, and you were surprised Nikolai knew anything about that.
You walked down to the hall to your rooms, clad in a splendid dress that swept across the floor, emerald jewelry dangling from your ears and neck. Gifts from Nikolai, obviously, but they were the best options you had, so of course you wore them. You weren’t vain enough to toss away emeralds.
You had barely gotten your handle on the doorknob when a guard stopped you, handing you a piece of folded stationary.
“Lady Y/L/N.” He greeted, nodding his head. He passed it to you wordlessly and you entered your rooms, breaking the seal as you walked. Then you paused, eyes flicking up to your coffee table.
A bouquet of spring flowers were in a grand vase on the table, as beautiful as any flowers you’d ever seen in your life. You were pleasantly surprised; you loved flowers. You smiled and moved over to smell them, then flicked open the note, eyes running across the elegant script.
‘Y/N,
I hope you enjoyed Hamlet. I certainly enjoyed sitting in my room all night pretending I was there. Imagine me holding a skull and whining about my dead friend. (Was it father? I don’t remember.) Anyways, I’m sure you looked magnificent. I heard from some servants that you were the prettiest Grisha they’d ever seen as they saw you leave.
I know they won’t, but I hope the flowers I sent will amount to even a fraction of your beauty. Maybe you’ll hate me a bit less tomorrow.
Yours,
Nikolai.’
Something tugged at your heart at those words, especially the last line. You grumbled to yourself and tossed the note into the bin, right on top of a multitude of others that he’d sent you. Some were long rants about what he’d did that day and requesting you write him back. Some were just one line, things like ‘you looked beautiful at dinner’ or ‘thinking about you by the way’.
It was annoying as hell and you didn’t know how to get through to him that you had no interest in the prince whatsoever. Sometimes it felt like he only chased after you because you were only woman he couldn’t have. You’d seen the way he flirted and had no interest in any of that.
-
Breakfast was a fun occasion, one in which you and a few of your Grisha friends sat at a small table in the tea-room, laughing over delicate sandwiches and tiny cakes. You had just popped a small slice of strawberry into your mouth, clad in your favorite green silk robe, when you glanced up.
Nikolai was entering the room, heading over to a group of men that were eating their own breakfasts. Soldiers, by the looks of them, all in uniform and ridiculously attractive. Your eyes tracked him, keeping watch on his movements as he approached the soldiers. They stood and laughed, grinning as they clapped him on the back and ushered him into a chair, their boyish voices loud and carrying.
Nikolai’s eyes darted to yours, as if magnetized, and you glanced away.
“He’s so handsome.” Your friend Marley sighed, propping her chin on a hand as she stared at the prince.
“He’s average at best.” You countered, following her gaze. “I mean really? Blondes?”
“I’m more of a brunet loving girl myself.” Lina said, pointing her fork at you. “I agree with Y/N. But he is rather handsome. I think he’d be my exception.”
The fourth girl at the table, Joanna, simply wrinkled her nose. She was into women, and had no interest in this line of conversation.
“He’s a guy. Who cares.”
“Y/N..” Marley purred, and you did not like her tone one bit. “I heard Nikolai got you invitations to the play last night.” She grinned. “And you went. Did you guys snuggle in the carriage the whole time?” She wiggled her eyebrows.
“He didn’t go.” You said calmly, looping one leg over the other knee.
“What?” Both Marley and Lina exclaimed, and even Joanna looked surprised.
“Why not?” Marley asked, voice rising an octave.
“I didn’t want him there.”
“But—but he’s the prince.”
“Only you would find a way to turn down the most ridiculously high-ranking bachelor in the kingdom.” Lina grumbled.
“She’s a duchess in her own right.” Joanna argued, tucking a piece of her dark, shoulder length hair behind an ear. “Just because he’s a prince—”
“But he’s a prince!” Marley told you, eyes wide, and her voice carried a bit too loud. You cringed as the soldier’s table quieted down a fraction, then erupted into male laughter. Marley blushed.
“Go ahead and let all of Ravka know what we’re talking about.” Joanna grumbled, wiping her hands and standing up. “I’ve got to meet up with Rebecca. See you ladies later.” She beamed, wiggling her fingers at the three of you before sweeping out of the room, her cream-silk robe billowing behind her.
You shot Marley daggers with your eyes and the honey-blonde girl ducked her head, smiling to herself.
“I’m just saying.” Lina whispered, voice much lower now. “You guys need to come to my room around ten. Trust me.”
“Will there be fireworks? Copious amounts of kittens?” You asked drily. “Because that’s the only thing that’s going to interrupt the novel I’m reading.”
“If it’s one of those filthy novels I know you read, then you’ll like it.”
You wrinkled your nose.
“What?”
“Geez, Y/N, lighten up. Just come.” The black haired beauty groaned, her smooth tan arms crossing onto the table. “Pleaaaase?”
You glanced between the two girls, back and forth, then nodded.
“Fine.”
They both squeaked rather loudly, again too loud, and against your better judgement your eyes slid over to Nikolai. He was watching you, a soft smile on his face, and you felt your cheeks flush.
“See you then.” You said and abruptly stood, fastening your robe tighter around you.
And as you left the room, you could’ve sworn you felt his eyes tracking you the entire way out.
-
“Oh my god.” You scoffed, eyes wide as you yanked the current shut. “You didn’t tell me we were going to perve.”
“Just look at them.” Marley giggled, face practically glued to the window.
The guards were on their morning run, which included every soldier at breakfast, all shirtless and jogging across the front lawn, down the back trails to the woods. Which included, to your dismay, Nikolai.
Your mouth went slightly dry.
He was more ripped than half the men around him, golden skin glistening with sweat as he kept up with the very front of the pack. You were alarmed to see he was laughing, whereas some of the men behind him were red-faced and breathing hard.
“Does he—” you stopped yourself. “Do they always run at this time?”
“Mhmm.” Lina said, smiling coyly. “Right under my window. Makes for a lovely after breakfast treat.”
“You two are horrible.” You said, but a smile was pulling at your mouth. Your eyes went back to Nikolai, watching his back muscles flex as he ran ahead, chasing after the man in the very front as they rounded a corner. You tried not to laugh when the two began racing each other, full out sprinting for the lead while the others kept steady pace behind them.
“Ask it.” Lina demanded, and you raised your brow. “Ask what you want to ask.”
“I don’t—”
“Ask me you coward!”
“Fine. Does the prince always run with them?”
Marley and Lina exchanged looks.
“He served in the military…you know that, right? Of course he trains with them.”
You blinked. You’d always thought he was a pompous flirt. You had no idea he was a soldier. Nor that he was packing that much muscle under his outfits of state.
“I um. I didn’t know.” You admitted, biting your bottom lip. “How…strange.”
“He’s so brave.” Marley swooned, slumping dramatically against the window. “I would literally kill to be you. Kill.”
“No threats.” Lina giggled, poking Marley. “Anyways. They’ll come back around in about ten minutes. Let me grab my binoculars.”
You rolled your eyes, pinching the bridge of your nose. Your friends would be the death of you.
-
You left Lina’s room, face flushed from laughing. You indeed had ended up using the binoculars at one point after much peer pressure, and the view was…well… You felt immensely creepy after about two seconds and tossed them back to her, saying that ladies of your stations shouldn’t bend to such inappropriate behavior.
So you walked down the hallway, towards the gardens, eager to get some fresh air when—when—
He didn’t see you at first, eyes closed as he drank from a water bottle, his throat bobbing as he swallowed. A hand-towel was looped around his neck, his bare chest glistening with sweat and—
“Y/N?” He called out, and your eyes snapped to his face. You hadn’t realized you’d frozen in place, ogling him like a damn lunatic. “You okay?”
“Mhmm.” You squeaked, raising your eyebrows as if to ask, what’s it to you? “Why are you topless? Decided to be a little sluttier than usual?”
“Slutty?” He scoffed, moving over to you as he screwed the cap on his bottle, an amused glint in his eyes. His teeth flashed in a grin as he stood in front of you and he was so tall up close you had to tilt your head up. “How am I slutty?”
“Running around flirting with everyone.” You said, raising a finger as if to tick off the reasons. “Sleeping with anything with a pulse. Oh—” you tapped your chin, pretending to think. “—and weren’t you caught at that orgy party last week? Everyone heard about it.”
Nikolai’s smile grew lazy and he tilted his head, his blonde hair curling a bit with the moisture of his sweat. His eyes scanned your face, then grew mischievous.
“Well.” He started, wiping his face off with his towel. “Since you’re so interested in my sex life, Lady Y/N, I’ll have you know I haven’t had sex in over a year.” You flushed and raised a hand for him to stop, but he continued. “I’m flirtatious by nature, sure. But you must know by now the only woman I want is you.” He leaned in closer, chills spreading across your body as his voice brushed the skin of your neck. “By the way, sweetheart? Lina’s windows are see-through.”
When he nipped your ear you jolted, lurching away with a flushed face, and his laugh echoed down the hallway as he walked past you, headed to take a shower.
“Nice binoculars by the way!” He called over a shoulder, and you wanted to kill Lina.
-
You sat in your rooms. You paced. You groaned into your pillow and sat up, crossing your arms over your chest. You hated him. You hated him. And yet the ghost of his teeth still warmed your ear, and his voice—and his body, and—
No. Absolutely not.
You let out an annoyed sound and rubbed your eyes, standing up to wrap your robe around yourself as you paced some more. You’d had experiences with princes. Arrogant assholes that wrung you out like a towel and left you to dry.
Prince Achileas was the last straw, a pompous ass that had made you feel completely in love. All until you found him mid-fuck with one of the servants, an affair you discovered had gone on for a long time. Possibly during your entire courtship.
You would not make that mistake again, ever. You would marry a nice, non royal, totally normal boy who—
A knock.
“Who is it?” You called after a beat, and the door opened a crack.
“May I walk you to dinner?” Nikolai asked, sticking his head in the door, and your patience was at its wits end, images of Achileas still haunting your thoughts.
“My god cant you just—” you bit your tongue hard enough to draw blood and his eyebrows knit together.
“Can I what?”
“Fuck off and leave me alone?” You snapped, but immediately regretted it when a wounded look crossed his handsome face. He opened the door a fraction wider, leaning against the frame.
“What did I do to you, Y/N?” He asked, voice soft but strained. “Why do you hate me so much?”
“Because!” You fought for words, a flush rising in your cheeks. “Because you annoy the shit out of me. You chase after me like a damn lap dog. What do I have to do to get through to you?”
He flinched like you’d slapped him, then held his hands up in surrender. You’d never seen him look so hurt; every rejection, every rude comment, was always swept under the rug as he tried harder and harder.
Now he was done.
“Alright.” He said, and it sounded like his words had to travel over a lump in his throat. “I’m sorry. I apologize for following you around, and for trying to love you. I’m sincerely sorry.” Nikolai closed the door before you could respond, a soft click that made you wish he’d slammed it.
You were such an idiot.
Because you’d been lying to yourself. You knew, somehow, that he was genuine. That he kept trying because beyond your icy exterior, he saw something in you he longed for. And you, deep down, though you didn’t want to admit it—had never admitted it—had cared for the prince for quite some time now.
Fighting the ache in your throat you sat on your couch, pulling your knees to your chest, and decided not to go to dinner.
-
A week passed and you’d been watching, waiting, for him to find a new girl to chase. But he didn’t. In fact, he seemed to be a dimmer version of himself. He only spoke to his fellow soldiers, and avoided your presence.
It all came to a head at the nearest ball, one you were forced to attend by your friends, you eyes tracking Nikolai’s figure as he leaned against the wall, completely ignoring the party. You’d been following him with your stare all night, the hurtful words you’d said to him seared into your mind.
“What’s wrong with him?” Lina asked you, nudging your arm. “He’s been going on night runs alone, lately. Never used to do that.”
“I don’t know.” You lied, though your heart ached as you watched him.
Your eyes met and you saw him take a deep breath, his brow furrowing as you made eye-contact. You hoped he could see your pleading expression and apparently he did, because he pushed off the wall and headed in your direction.
Your stomach churned.
“Shit.” Marley squeaked, snatching Lina’s arm and dragging you away as the prince neared you, stopping a foot away.
“Enjoying yourself?” He asked, tone flat, and he was surprised by the immediate ‘no’ that left you. “No?”
“Are you?” You shot back, and he gave you a sad smile.
“No.” He told you, tilting his head. “You’ve been watching me. Making sure I leave you alone?”
“Nikolai—” You stopped, pained, and blinked up at him. “I’m sorry.” Your voice lowered and you felt ashamed at his stunned expression. “I’m really, really sorry.”
You were relieved when he didn’t make you work for his forgiveness; his face relaxed, a hesitant smile on his mouth.
“Y/N,” he sighed, blinking up at the ceiling. “I appreciate your apology. But if you truly do not want me to pursue you, I won’t.” You stared, but then he offered you his hand. “May we dance?”
You nodded wordlessly, ignoring the tightness in your chest, and allowed him to lead you out onto the floor. His hand found your waist, pulling you close, and you realized this was the most he’d ever touched you. His fingers locked with your own and you caught your breath.
“You’re so beautiful.” He murmured a minute into the dance, then cringed, like he wished he hadn’t said it. You closed your eyes, absorbing the feel of his hands. When he spun you and pulled you back in, he tugged you closer than you were before.
You took a shaking breath at the scent of him, and the warmth of him, and you remembered his words. Sorry for trying to love you. You’d never been truly loved by any man, only hurt, and it was hard to believe that Nikolai, the kindest, most generous man you’d ever met, could love you.
“I’m sorry.” You told him again, and his grip on you tightened. He tilted his face closer to yours to listen as you spoke, his blue eyes gentle. “It’s just—I’ve never—” you swallowed. “I’ve never been treated…right. Loved. And I didn’t trust you at first. It was easier to push you away.”
He sighed and shook his head.
“I’d have given you the world, Y/N.” He said, expression pained. “Anything you wanted. All of me.” He glanced down, eyes meeting yours. “I would’ve been yours.”
Would’ve.
The past tense isn’t lost on you and you pulled away, feeling stupid, and sad, and lonely and—and what had you expected? Him to still want you after what you’d said? You didn’t realize a tear of grief and self-hatred had slipped down your face until he cupped your cheeks, a low noise caught in his throat as his forehead touched your own.
“My sweet angel.” He murmured, tilting your face up. “I like you better without your claws.”
You didn’t care if this was inappropriate, didn’t care about onlookers, not when he kissed your brow softly, his smile weak when he pulled back. He gave you a nod that broke your heart and moved away, disappearing into the crowd.
You left the party.
-
Nikolai found you later, around midnight, sitting on the ground with your back against a stone bench in the garden. It was raining, a light sprinkle, but you’d been out here so long staring at nothing that your hair and dress were wet. You hugged your knees, chin propped on one leg, lost in thought.
“Lady Y/L/N?” The prince called, and you cringed at the formality. You didn’t turn, though, only stayed still as he sat beside you, blond hair growing damp. “I’ve been looking for you.”
You swallowed the knot in your throat before speaking.
“Are you sending me home?” You asked, voice strained as you stared ahead. The fear had began to plague you the moment you’d left the party. Without the prince’s affection, would he let you stay?
“What?” Nikolai demanded. When you only sniffled he turned your chin with his hand, forcing you to look at him. “Why would I—Saints, no, Y/N.”
“But you said you—you said would’ve. I ruined everything.”
“Do you love me?”
“I’m scared Nik, I’m scared to hurt you again—”
“Do you love me?”
“—I’m scared of being hurt—”
“Y/N.” He gripped your chin tighter. “Do you love me?”
“Fuck. Yes okay? I do and I cant stop and—”
Faster than you could blink he lunged into you, crushing your mouth to his. You swayed from the impact and collapsed against the wet grass, his body dropping onto yours. Your lips separated and you laughed, his eyes brighter than you’d ever seen them.
“God, say it out loud.” He told you, calming his amusement to kiss your cheek and temple. “Tell me you love me.”
“I love you.” You said with a soft smile, and he kissed you again.
SORRY I GOT CARRIED AWAY LOL
445 notes · View notes
jahayla-parker · 1 year
Text
Royal Comfort : Nikolai Lantsov x Reader
Description: 2.1k wc sick!reader fic where reader is Nikolai’s wife and becomes sick after not heeding advice to rest her voice.
Warnings: illness/sickness, mentions of eating and drinking/soup and tea, mentions of Nikolai being shirtless (just fluff though, I promise), Nikolai bring a protective!simp for reader. 🖤
Note: full disclosure this wasn’t a WIP but rather to help my little sis @ell0ra-br3kk3r feel better 💜
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“I thought you agreed to take it easy today” Nikolai sighed, walking into his office and seeing his wife y/n tidying up.
She turned to him with a guilty smile.
“How’s your throat?” He questioned, stepping to her.
“It’s gr-“ she coughed, “great”.
Nikolai gave her an incredulous look.
“Milaya, I heard you singing to yourself again” He informed her, reaching for her hand.
“Habit” she mumbled, shuffling her feet against the wood floor.
He grinned softly, “I know. And it’s precious, truly. But, you have to rest your voice”.
“Are you telling me to sh-“ She coughed again and groaned, “to shut up?”
Nikolai smirked, “If that’s what gets you to rest your throat, then, yes”.
She gave him a weak glare before spinning around to resume her cleaning.
“My beloved wife, we have people who can do that, you mustn’t fuss over it” He reminded her.
“You want them going through your documents?” She questioned softly, holding up one of his more confidential notes.
Nikolai hummed and took it from her, “Fair point Darling. I’ll handle this, you should see if Genya or someone can aid your throat”.
Y/n shook her head and took the paper back from Nikolai before setting it on the desk.
Nikolai watched her silently as she guided him to the lounge chair across the room.
She popped down and signaled for him to join her.
Once he sat down beside her, he moved to pull her to his chest and placed a tender kiss on the top of her head.
—— Time Skip 1 Day ——
“Darling” Nikolai scolded, arms crossed as he stared down his wife.
She winced slightly and covered her mouth.
He signed and walked to her before lowering her hand with his.
“I’m just worried you’ll make yourself worse” Nikolai explained.
She nodded, “I’m not trying to be difficult, it’s just so routine”.
Nikolai pulled her to him, resting his chin on her head, “perhaps you should stay in bed where you don’t have a reason to sing?”
Y/n looked around the room she’d been painting in and frowned.
As she turned back to Nikolai she shook her head with a pout.
He chuckled softly, “alright, but then the signing has to be put on hold hmm?”
She sighed but nodded reluctantly.
—— Time Skip 1 Day ——
“Your highness?” Sentinel Ivanov whispered, standing behind the King as Nikolai attended yet another boring meeting.
Nikolai nodded in response to his wife’s personal guard member, but respectfully kept his eyes on the meeting’s current speaker.
“It’s the Queen,” Sentinel Ivanov began, stepping back when Nikolai’s head whipped around instantly.
“What is it? Where is she?” Nikolai questioned, diregarding the meeting he was in.
“She’s fallen ill, she hasn’t left your shared chambers but has requested your-“ Sentinel Ivanov explained cautiously.
Nikolai stood from his seat and quickly walked to the exit.
“I have a family matter to attend to. General Nazyalensky will take over” he breathily rushed out before exiting the meeting room.
Nikolai ignored the way his staff in the hall turned to watch him speed down the hallway.
Upon reaching their bedroom door, he impatiently waited for the guards to part from their blocking of the entrance and then dashed inside.
Nikolai frowned so deeply his forehead wrinkled as he saw the state his wife was in.
Y/n lay there wrapped up in the comforter in the middle of their bed, tissues scattered across the sheets, head slightly hung, and sad eyes.
He nearly choked when she glanced over to give him a weak smile.
Her nose was red and stuffy and the smile didn’t reach her eyes.
“Moya tsaritsa” he whined, rushing to her bedside.
She pointed wordlessly to her neck and frowned.
Nikolai sighed as he took her hand in his, “your sore throat worsened?”
She nodded and then paused as a shiver took over her body.
Nikolai felt her forehead with the back of his hand and let out a sigh of relief.
“No fever, let’s keep it that way, hmm?” He advised, scanning the room.
“It’s just a stuffy nose and re-“ y/N’s voice cracked, “really bad sore throat”.
Nikolai nodded and gently moved the pillows behind her before scooping her up in his arms.
He delicately placed her back down on the bed, closer to the head of it this time.
“Let me change and then we’ll cuddle and get some rest okay?” Nikolai offered.
“You could get sick Kolya” she whined followed by a small coughing fit.
He raised an accusatory eyebrow, “you expect me to care about that?! Especially when you’re ill?”
Y/n smiled softly at him but nodded.
Nikolai chuckled softly as he removed his uniform top.
“Your guard informed me that you requested my presence “ Nikolai grinned, although he was inferring that information as he hadn’t let Sentinel Ivanov finish before he rushed to come to her aid.
Y/n coughed loudly, making Nikolai’s head whip around to look over her.
As she lowered her arm from her mouth she sighed, “I’m okay”.
He shook his head and resumed changing his clothes.
“I didn’t think about it when I asked for you” she mumbled, “but I don’t want you to get-“
“Enough of that y/n,” he warned, “I won’t have it. You are my one true love and I’m not leaving your side until you’re well”.
“Bu-but you don’t have time to-“ she argued weakly.
Nikolai turned to her, his robe hanging open around his torso as he stared at her.
“Y/n/n, I always have time for you. I love you” he cooed as he made his way back to her.
“Even when I’m sick?” Y/n questioned, followed by another cough.
Nikolai pouted and softly pulled her arm away from her face after she finished coughing, “especially when you're sick. Sick people need even more love and time than usual, you know."
Y/n whimpered quietly as she reached to her husband, “…… I love you immensely”.
He smiled and slid into the bed beside her, his arms instantly closing around her frame.
“I love you too moya tsaritsa, now how can I help?” He questioned, kissing her forehead.
She shrugged, desperately clinging onto him, “don’t know. I’m fine”.
Nikolai sighed, moving one hand from her back to her chin and tilting her face upwards, “what’s the matter?”
“This is humiliating” she pouted, eyes darting anywhere but his face.
“There's nothing humiliating about needing help once in a while, my love” he promised, smiling tenderly at her.
She finally made eye contact with him and sniffled, “but you have more important-“.
“No” Nikolai stated, his hand placed over her mouth.
She gasped and then giggled against his hand, making him smile as he pulled his hand back.
“Don’t make me risk you having to cough because I had to cover your mouth. You’re not permitted to finish that sentence” Nikolai alerted her.
“Per-permitted?” She coughed and rose her eyebrow at him.
“You know I’d never restrict you milaya, but this is one exception. I will not stand for you insinuating that there’s anything in this world I would find more important than you” he affirmed, holding her closer to his bare chest.
Y/n laid her head against his torso with a smile on her lips.
“You’re sitting though” she teased quietly.
Nikolai chuckled loudly and tickled her sides.
As her laughter turned into coughs, he abruptly stopped and held her still as his eyes scanned her face.
“I’m terribly sorry love, that was a bad idea” he apologized frantically.
“Moi tsar, Moi Kolya, it isn’t y-your fault” y/n assured him, her voice cracking slightly.
Nikolai bent his head down to place a kiss to her stuffy nose.
“Shhh y/n/n, you don’t need to talk love” he advised, shifting so she could rest on his chest again.
A few calm moments passed before y/n pulled back to glance up at her husband again.
Nikolai smirked at her inability to stay still and nodded for her to explain what was on her mind.
“You’re not mad at me?” She questioned in a breathy whisper.
Nikolai’s eyes nearly crossed as he tried to figure out where she’d get such an idea from.
“Course not, why would I be?” He wondered, staring deeply into her eyes for an answer.
“I..” she sniffled and rubbed the tip of her swollen nose with the side of her palm, “I didn’t listen when you said to stop singing”.
Nikolai let out a gust of air as he broke into a smile, “it’s okay milaya, I love your singing. Just didn’t want you to hurt is all”.
“You love my singing?” She whispered.
He cupped her cheek and guided her head back to his chest, “I am in love with your singing, y/n”.
She hummed softly but stopped as she rubbed her throat in pain.
Nikolai pursed his lips before he began to slowly moving out from behind her so he could set her against the pillows.
“I’m going to get you some tea” he informed her when she frowned at his movement.
She pouted and shook her head as she tightened her grip on the edges of his robe to try and hold him down.
Despite the fact he could very easily escape her grip, he didn’t want to; and she clearly didn’t want him to either.
So, he placed a tender kiss to the top of his wife’s head.
“Sentinel Ivanov” Nikolai called out, his hands placed over y/n’s ears.
There was a firm knock on the doors of their bed chambers as Sentinel Ivanov responded, “Korol Lantsov?”
“You may enter” Nikolai confirmed, lowering his hands from his wife’s ears.
“Korol, Koroleva” Sentinel Ivanov bowed as he reached the end of the couple’s bed.
“Ilya, please rise” Nikolai said at the same time y/n said, “you don’t need to do bow”.
Ilya smiled and nodded at them as he waited to hear why he’d been called.
“Would you please have the kitchen fetch some warm tea, and perhaps honey if there’s any, for my loving wife?” Nikolai requested, rubbing y/n’s shoulder that wasn’t pressed against his chest.
“Of course moi tsar, anything else for Koroleva Lantsov?” Ilya replied with a nod.
Nikolai glanced down lovingly at his wife, “anything else you think will help, darling?”
She shook her head and then pulled her shirt over her nose as she coughed again.
Nikolai frowned, glancing between his wife and Sentinel Ivanov.
Ilya gave Nikolai a sympathetic look, knowing full well how much y/n’s discomfort was impacting the King.
“Has anyone brought her food today?” Nikolai questioned Ilya upon remembering it was nearly noon.
Ilya shook his head, “no one other than yourself has left nor entered these chambers today. Well, and now myself”.
Nikolai nodded, sighing as he looked back at his wife.
Y/n lifted her head to make eye contact with Nikolai as she felt his gaze.
“It hurts too much” she whispered.
Nikolai pressed his lips into a fine line as he thought of how to make sure she still ate.
“Perhaps there’s some soup or broth in the kitchen?” Nikolai asked as his eyes snapped to Ilya.
“I can certainly check sir” Ilya agreed.
Nikolai hummed and nodded, “that’ll be all. Thank you”.
—— Short Time Skip ——
“You must love me a lot” y/n croaked a Nikolai lowered the spoon back to the bowl of soup.
“Obviously, you idiot” Nikolai smirked, bringing up another spoonful of warm broth.
She squinted at him but sipped the broth from the spoon in his hand.
“Now you’re insulting a sick person?” Y/n huffed.
He chuckled, “only when you say such obvious things”.
She smiled and softly pushed his hand back down to the dish has he brought up another spoonful.
“You’re full?” He questioned warily.
She nodded and he grinned as she let out a yawn.
“Fair enough, but you’re going to have some more tea before we go to sleep” he ordered as he set the bowl on the bedside table.
—— Short Time Skip ——
“Don’t” y/n whispered, eyelids blinking slowly.
She yawned and snuggled into Nikolai’s embrace even more, “don’t stop.. your fingers…”
Nikolai hummed tenderly, his fingers still moving through her hair.
“Your fingers” she repeated lowly, “feel so nice in my hair”.
He smirked to himself before lowering his head to press a kiss to her head.
“So cozy Kolya” y/n mumbled, her eyelids closing.
Nikolai watched her closely until he saw the rise and fall of her chest.
Once he noticed her eyelids and facial features relaxed, he let out a satisfied sigh.
“Rest well my dear Koroleva” Nikolai hummed, letting his own eyes close.
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typingfool · 11 months
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𝐍𝐎𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐍𝐎𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐒 ;; nikolai lantsov
pairing ; Nikolai Lantsov x fem!Reader platonic / mentions ; tamar yul-bataar, tolya yul-bataar
outline —; Nikolai isn’t the only royal member in the Sturmhond Crew. 
WARNINGS —: none.
Word Count —; 621
A/N —; just wanted to write something again, i've been stuck in a writer's rut. NOT BOOK ACCURATE. THIS IS BASED ON THE SHOW; SHADOW AND BONE. so sorry if it's short, i'll expand on this later. for now, enjoy !!
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“You’re whom?” 
His tired question echoes, voice bouncing across the room, making Nikolai slightly bite his inner cheek. He shook his head, blonde hair messily falling over the edge of his brows. You sat with your back against the headboard, the weight of your knees covering your chest. He carefully repeated his question; “Who are you?” 
You lay your cheek against your knee, a familiar smile broadly appearing across your face. A sleepy expression carried your next words, as though you weren’t thinking about what you were saying. “Secondborn Princess of Novyi Zem.” You replied with a yawn. 
Nikolai sat on the edge of the bed, the fabric of the tunic fit his body perfectly, and you forced yourself not to stare. Peaking your gaze towards your clothes. He scoffed, his hand extending to your face. His fingers found their way to your chin, forcing you to look at him. With amusement evident in his voice, he said; “Why didn’t you tell me?” 
Your fingers curled around his wrist, pulling it away, the absence of his touch lingered across the skin of your chin. Rolling your eyes, your head fell back against the bed’s headboard. “Sure, of course, I would tell you, Prince Nikolai.” You teased, shaking your head, arms wrapping around your legs. “You didn’t think you were the only royal one on board, did you?” 
Nikolai plopped himself on the bed, with his palm on his forehead, scoffing. 
No wonder you were so enticing. So polite and kind. Your posture told your status, you held your head high, shoulders on-alert, hands crossed or over each other (because, who would hold your hands if it grew cold?). Your choices were impulsive, for sure, but that was only due to the fact that the luxury of choice isn’t a right to a Princess, especially a Secondborn. The attention is with the Firstborn, the first light, the first star, the responsible, the role model. 
How could Nikolai miss all those traits? The traits that made him love you deeply. In secret. With the doors locked, he would hold his aching heart, wishing that Sturmhond is his real name. 
Then again, you adopted an alias. One that felt so uneasy leaving his tongue. He felt the need to say your real name, if you so kindly give him the permission to. “What is your name?” Nikolai asked, peeking down on your tired figure. 
You left your spot and settled beside him, elbows touching. You said your name without looking at him, carrying the bitterness of your title alongside your identity. 
“Princess…” He started slowly, maybe sleepily. His whispery voice stopped, before he turned to face you. Your gaze was still fixed on the ceiling, ignoring the Prince’s tracing eyes over your profile. “No,” He stopped, then said your name. 
The weight of your responsibilities came tumbling down. And Saints didn’t matter to you anymore, the ongoing war of Ravka, destroying the Fold, Kirigan’s return… nothing mattered. Nothing. Your name never sounded so common, yet so rare. Your parents named you after a Queen, and as the saying goes, ‘Name her after a Queen and expect her to act like one.’ 
For a moment, you were so thankful that you were in a foreign land. One that didn’t recognize your name in its meaning. Thankful for your impulsive and rash decision that one midnight. The one night you fled, met Tamar and Tolya, and joined Sturmhond’s Crew. 
The one night that changed your view in a world so cruel. That, perhaps, a stranger’s name could belong to you. But he proved you wrong. Your name belongs to you. 
“Out there, Princess” Nikolai pointed to the walls, eyes closed. “In here, No titles,” Nikolai smiled. 
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igotanidea · 1 year
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Nikolai Lantsov x inferni!reader : Traitor
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It was the same nightmare over and over again. Making her wake up in the middle of the night in tears with heart beating way to fast and ragged breath.
If only it was just a nightmare.
But it was more.
It was a memory.
Flahsback
“Here she is. My favorite Inferni.” Darkling smiled with his brightest smile, greeting Y/N as she entered his chambers.
“General Kirigan” she acknowledged him without any hesitation in the voice, and yet screaming inside. He was nice, too nice and she knew exactly why. He needed something from her. More precisely, he needed her.
While everyone at court were fooled by Kirigan’s charm and well put-on pretenses, Y/N was the only one to see right through him. The king, the queen, all the Grishas…. So silly when confronted with his bright smile and practiced speaking.
If only Nik was here…
But “the puppy prince” left few years prior, leaving her alone to deal with the potential enemy of the state and it hurt like hell. Firstly, because it seemed like Nik never cared about her at all, secondly because all the court and royal family believed her to be insane and mentally impaired the very second she even hinted at Darkling’s intention being dishonest. Y/N knew he was searching for the sun summoner and why was he doing this, but had to keep it a secret. It was like being torn into two opposite direction. She had to protect the royal family and Ravka she swore an oath to and that came with exposing Darkling, but at the same she had to protect herself and that meant getting into general’s good graces to avoid getting hanged for treason. And still protect the Lantsov, even that fool or a price Vasily.
Being some sort of double agent came with a heavy price.
Poor girl.
This was why she was called upon Kirigan every night and walked into his chambers. He always wanted something in return for keeping her secrets. Sometimes he needed her big brain and Inferni skills, sometimes it was .... more .... but it always, always left her with scars.
“Please Y/N. There is no need for formalities here.” He eyed her with those predatory eyes
“Why am I here tonight, general?” Y/N asked, still keeping her head high, back straight and gaze hardened.
“I….” he took a step closer and waved a hand towards the guards dismissively. The men bowed and left immediately “I have needs tonight.”
“Why… why don’t you ask Zoya?” she hissed “she’ll be more than happy to help you with those.”
“Oh, yes, Zoya…. You are not really in the good terms lately, are you?” he smirked, grabbing her hips and pulling her closer. “but then, you are not really anyone’s favorite Grisha, even in your own order, am I right?” his grip became unbearable “do not worry, dear. It’s a fair exchange. You give me that fire of yours and I keep you protected from anyone else” he muttered into her ear and she knew she was trapped for that night.
***
After everything she was left with pure hatred towards herself. She knew this was just a begging since intimacy was the first step. And after he made her a sobbing mess on his mercy, there were more …. practical tasks. Fires, strategies and plans she was always good at making.
But even with her help, Kirigan was slowly slipping. Slowly, yet consistently, and soon enough Grisha started seeing past his charm. Especially when he brought the sun summoner to the little palace. Y/N though herself to be smart enough to warn her about general’s purpose and tried to reach towards Alina.
Sadly, she was not.
And her attempt to warn miss Starkov ended up with the real, physical scars on her back. Those that could never properly heal even with Genya’s help.  The tailor was probably the only person in the palace who knew who did this to Y/N, but never said a thing. At least she was a bit of support.
However, the pain coming from the cuts was unbearable and was following her for days.
And so she made a decision to flee and search for Nikolai to bring him back to the country. She escaped during the night and when it was discovered the next morning she was quickly announced the wanted traitor.
***
She found Nikolai a few moments later, by accident, while walking the streets in some small village. She was exhausted and was slowly losing hope for the future when she heard noises coming from around the corner. A man and a woman, Shu, judging by the looks were laughing and bantering with each other and when Y/N raised her bloodshot eyes she saw the person she was so desperately looking for.
“Ni….” she started, but he was faster.
“Leave us.” He commanded his companions and only when they left he came towards her, wrapping arms around her. “Y/N” he whispered, breathing her in but quickly pulling away “you look terrible. And you could definitely use some cleaning.” He smirked “Why are you here?”
“Nik….” She sobbed desperately, tears falling from her eyes like a fountain she could not contain once they started “I….”
“Hey, hey, it’s ok. Sh….” He hugged her tightly against his chest “you can tell me. Although I may have to warn you, no one here, except Tamar and Tolya knows my real identity. I’m Sturmhond.”
“The pirate?” she frowned, looking at him with surprise in the eyes
“Privateer….” He hissed “Now come on, whatever happened to you, you are safe now.”
He took her upon the ship and listened carefully to her story. She told him everything, except for the part how Darkling damaged her. It was not important, the country had to be put first. And it was, since they both created a plan to save it. First, get the sun summoner, secondly get Nik back to his prince-self and third, defeat the Darkling.
***
They were spending too much time together on the Volkvolny. There were to many jokes, silly fights and tension. And soon the crew started making ambiguous allusions to the character of their captain and the Inferni’s relationship. And Y/n soon had enough of it so gathering herself she confronted Nik about it.
“Captain, can I have a word with you?” she entered his cabin, not really caring what the answer would be.
“My favorite Inferni….” Unknowingly he used the same words as Darkling and it made her flinch “missed me that much?”
“With all those comments I hear all the time it feels like you are always with me” she rolled her eyes
“Is that why you are here? Came to make the rumors a reality?”
“Not exactly. I came to remind you I will never….” She never get to finish when with one long stride he was right in front of her, grabbing her waist and connecting their lips. At first she froze, shocked by the unexpected action but when he tried to pull away, she grabbed his shirt and pulled him back to her.
“You were saying….?” He muttered
“Oh, shut up…” Y/N locked her hands around his neck, wanting more and knowing he could give her that. She did not protest when he lifted her and walked her to the bed, laid her gently and slowly started to undress her. Saints, she wanted more and more and more, getting so greedy. “Nik….” Her little moan only spur him on.
“Tell me what you want…” Nikolai’s lips moved onto her neck, hands getting under her coat, caressing the skin on the sides and stomach.
“I want….” She panted and smiled lightly, teasingly “I want you to show me if you are truly as good as you are bragging to be.”
“Hm…” she smirked “not sure if you ready for this, love.”
***
As much as she hated to admit it, he was good. Really, really good and left her fully satisfied when she fell asleep in his loving embrace and woke up in them a couple hours later. Her back to his chest. 
“Where did you get those scars?” he muttered kissing along her neck and shoulder, avoiding the damaged skin.
“I…. I don’t really want to talk about it.” She sighed deeply “at least not yet.”
“That sentence just confirmed you see us together in the future. I mean, of course you do, you caught a prince, fireball. A big fish, am I not? ”
“You are unbelievable….” She turned to the other side to face him
“But you love me, don’t you? You admitted that quite a few times …”
“I hate you.” she punched his chest “what time is it? Isn’t your crew going to look for you?”
“Maybe. But those marks I left on you will be enough of the explanation.”
“Marks?” her eyes widened “oh my…..”
“Besides, I am also sure they heard you scream my name.”
“I’m going to kill you, Nik!”
“Come on, it was good, wasn’t it?” he caressed her shoulders “you can admit it, I won’t judge. After all, I am the one who lost his mind for you.”
“You lost your mind when you were a kid, and never found it since.”
“And all of it, because of a certain Inferni which I feel in love with.”
“What….?”
“I’m serious, Y/n.” he looked straight into her eyes “I love you.” 
“I love you too, Nik.”
“Great. Now that we got this covered, time to get up and get back to work!”
***
Besides that little unplanned thing, everything went smoothly. Soon, Alina and Mal joined the crusade and they all returned to Ravka happily, ready to stand against Kirigan. Sad part, old rumors did not die and soon, the prince heard about Y/N’s past and about her apparently being a traitor.
End of flashback
She was with Kirigan again. He was too close, causing her so much pain and she could not endure it all. Her skin aching, reddening and bruising. Again and again and again.
And that made her woke up. Sweaty, shaken and terrified, turning around and trying to reach to other side of bed but she found it empty. He was probably in the adherent room, listening to all his advisors and Grisha filling him in on the country situation.
“Nikolai?” she came thought the door and surprisingly found him alone, sitting on the chair, head hung low, running a hand through his hair. “What happened, my love?” in a second she was next to him grabbing his hand and caressing it gently.
“I… I’ve spoken to some people.” He started “about the country.”
“Is it that bad?”
„Were you conspiring with Darkling?” he said suddenly, his voice cold as ice and she could not recall any time in the past he was so indifferent towards her.
“What?” she gasped taking a step back, utterly terrified by that simple question. No,no, no, no. Oh, saint, please no.
“Answer me, Y/N. Were. You. Scheming. With him?” now his tone was angered, he was clenching his teeth to prevent himself from yelling.
“How could you even ask me that?” she stuttered, her heart breaking.
“I have every reason to suspect you have not been loyal. First of them being the fact you never told me about your past here. You were not ready to talk about it, huh? Now it would make sense why you have those marks on your back. This was punishment, wasn’t it?” he stood up, towering over her and suddenly she felt so small, so vulnerable against his rage. How could she ever explain it to him to make him understand?
“Nik…” poor girl trembled, hurt beyond any recognition “you don’t believe the rumors, do… do you?”
“Give me a reason not to.”
“You have no right to judge me! You don’t know what it was like! What is felt like to be forced to do things you don’t want to just to keep yourself alive!”
“Don’t I?” he looked straight into her eyes and that struck her with the force of lightning.
“You…. You really think what they say is true…. You….Oh my god, you think I am a traitor!” she cried and hid face in hands to avoid looking at him. He thought she betrayed the Lanstovs, so how come at this moment it felt like he was the one to do exactly the same to her.  
“I’m not accusing you of anything. “I just don’t….” he took a sharp breath and closed his eyes “I don’t want to see you right now. I need to think.“
“Nik….” She cried “Please, you have to listen to me…. It’s not what …..”
“What I have to is for you to leave.”
“Please!” she tried again, reaching for his hand, but he just turned around “Nik, I love you, I was nothing more than loyal, all my life and this is what I get in return?”
“Leave.” he commanded with his price voice
“No.” Y/N was not going to give up so easily
“Don’t make it any harder than it already is.” He warned coldly, but his eyes showed that it was painful for him as well.
“Let’s just talk about it, love, I’m begging you. Darkling, he….”
“I’m sorry Y/N….” his voice broke a bit “you leave me no choice….”
“So what, you are going to call your guards to escort me? Put me under lock and key until you clarify the situation?” she mocked “Don’t bother. I’ll make it easy for you. Might as well save any remnants of dignity I have left. “
 “I promise, you will get fair judgment if you cooperate.”
“Fair judgement? How…. How is this fair?” she sobbed “how is this fair that you believed them against me? I….. you know what? Fine. I’ll go.” Y/N angrily wiped away the tears and fixed her pants “You may not have Lantsov blood in your veins, moi tsar, but you surely act like one.” She turned around and walked away with the guards, missing that utterly broken and hurt expression on his face. But he had it coming.
***
He regretted treating her this way the moment she walked thought the door.
He was torn.
He was a king, he was supposed to be firm, unwavering and deliver objective justice by not being biased by personal likings and feelings.
But it was so damn hard.
He loved her, like no one before, with all his heart. Nik had already forgiven her for everything or at least desperately wanted to do so, but King Nikolai had duties, obligations and had to protect Ravka and put it first. He could not tolerate any symptom of not being loyal. Not under the current circumstances. 
But she was so broken…. So hurt and scarred. He was the reason tears showed in her eyes and that urge to just run after her, grab her, pull her close and kiss the pain away was overwhelming.
Nik would believe a single word of denial of those allegations coming from her mouth, but king Nikolai needed hard proof.
He had no idea what to do apart from running hands through his hair in despair.
As if that could help
***
“I don’t envy her. First she was used as a Darkling toy, now got into the black books of the prince”
 “She should have been more careful. Playing double with Lantsov and Kirigan couldn’t have ended well.”
“But still, in addition to those scars on the back she will have some mental damage. I pity her. Truly.”
“I don’t. She always had too big appetite and ambitions for her own good and…..”
“What are you talking about?” Nikolai peeked through the door, overhearing the guards chattering
“Moi tsar” they both saluted and bowed in respect
“What is this about?” he insisted, demanding explanation “Talk. Now.”
And that was how he learned the other side of the story.
And it left him heartbroken and full of unimaginable amount of guilt.
She was never going to forgive him for treating her this way, but he was ready to beg on his knees just to see even a glimpse of warm feelings from her.
***
While Nikolai was listening to the story and swimming in regret, Y/N was lying on her bed, back to the door, curled up, sobbing and shaking. It was just too much. It felt like she was accused of so many terrible things, since she was 15. First by Lantsovs, then by Kirigan, then by her fellow Grisha (give or take a few exceptions), and now by Nikolai. The last one hurt the most.
He should have believed her, not the gossip.
He should have listened.
He shouldn’t have ask her for explanation of the matter.
He broke her heart with the use of one little word.
Traitor.
How could he think she would ever betray him or his famliy. Even after everything the Lantsov did to her?
She got scars because she never lost hope he will return and put Ravka back together.
She was used, manipulated and laughed at, just because she saw more than anyone else.
And now….
Now he wouldn’t want to see her.
“Y/N…..”
“Genya?” Y/N propped herself on the elbow, meeting with the scarred face of her best friend. “What…. what happened to you?”
“nietchevo’ya……”she whispered looking down onto the floor, hiding her damaged face behind hair
“Oh, Genya!” the Inferni stood up and hugged the tailor, both of the girls started crying even more “I am so, so, so sorry. You did not deserve this. None of us ever deserved this.”
“I….” Genya stuttered “I should have taken your side. Back then….. But I chose to be silent and …..”
“Sh, sh….” Y/N caressed her hair “It’s in the past. We cannot dwell on that. We need to stick together now, that;s the only way….”
“Please, forgive me for everything …..”
“You did nothing wrong, my friend.” Y/n looked her straight into the eyes “you hear me? Nothing. We have to make hard choices sometimes and carry the results with us. But it doesn’t make us bad people. It does not make us monsters.” 
“Is that what you truly believe in?” a small, broken male voice came from behind and both girls turned around only to spot Nikolai, with disheveled hair and reddened face.
‘moi tsar” Genya try to bow, but Y/N stopped her from this
“not until the coronation.” He simply stated
“I will leave you two alone….”
“Y/N…”  Nik whispered taking a step forward trying to make her back away “I… I don’t even know how to begin expressing …..”
“Why are you here, Nik?” she fixed her gaze on the floor, not ready to look into his eyes
“I know everything now.”
“Which is?” now she raised head, single droplets falling down her cheeks “You know how I got the scars? Did they tell you how I was treated by everyone here? By Darkling? By your mother? By Apparat? Like no one.”
“I know….”
“Did your informer told you I created dozens of plans and strategies in case of any attack from Darling attack on your family and shared them with generals and they called me insane? Did they tell you I was a playtoy? Did you believe them only because you saw Genya damaged in similar way? Did they tell you…..” she broke and fell onto the ground, clutching her heart desperately. It was all coming back and she could not breathe, feeling the panic attack taking over her.    
“My love.” In a blink of an eye, Nikolai was next to her, embracing her, hoping she would not push him back. Luckily she clung to him tightly, searching for that safety and protection she always felt in his arms. He messed up. Really bad. And yet she wasn't figthing him. “Saints, I swear I never meant to cause you any harm.”
“I…. I…… I know….. I.... need to tell you the whole truth, you deserve it."
"You don't have to say a single word, darling."
"I want to..... I....." she took a sharp, shaking inhal ready to go on, but was stopped.
“No. Hush. I’m so sorry.” He kissed her head and pulled her closer “I can’t even tell you how, love. I was torn between being your Nikolai and the king everyone wants me to be. Guess I failed at both.”
 “No.” she shook her head and slightly moved away, but still staying in his arms “you… did not....”
“I did, my love, if it puts you in such state.”
“No.” she gulped “you, Nik, have the power to make Ravka a better place. To make everything better. I know it. And it comes with hard choices and  …..”
“And you should never be one of those. You are my priority and I;m sorry I was blinded.”
“Heavy is the head who wears the crown….” She quoted the poem they used to know and mock as children “guess we only understand the true meaning behind it now.”
“I love you….” he cupped her cheeks and wiped the tears away
“I love you too….”
“Can you forgive me?”
“As long as you promise to never doubt me in the future. And to talk to me if something bothers you. I will never cause you any harm.”
“Guess now you will have to.” He smirked “You’re gonna have to make us even.”
“Idiot.” She rolled her eyes “you are an idiot, moi tsarevich. Here, I just offended the head of the country. Is that enough for you?”
“That’s a start.” He smirked and captured her lips in his, slowly, gently, caressing her scared back at the same time. “I swear to you, everyone who ever hurt you will be punished. I will hit Kirigan with everything I have. And as for my mother.... mother of Ravka" he muttered "I should have known what my family was capable of. I am sorry, my love...."
"Just be better."
"I will do the best I can as long as you are by my side." she nodded" now, come on, we got job to do and I need you with me.”
“Ugh! After a kiss like that I was expecting a bit more of an apology..."
“I solemnly swear to continue once we are done. Is that worth waiting for?”
“Let’s hope you can live up to your promises, prince.”  
@bradleyroosterbradshawfr
@hauntedenthusiasttragedy
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bey0nd-1he-stars · 1 year
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3 times, 3 words - Nikolai Lantsov
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Masterlist
Pairing: Nikolai Lantsov x reader
Word count: 2076
Warnings: mentions of wounds, mentions of death(Vasily’s)
Summary: 3 times Nikolai wanted to tell you he loves you and 1 time where he do tell you.
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Gentle waves crashed against the side of the Volkvolny. The sun was on its way up and the world bathed in a pale glow. It was an honest light, it showed nothing but the truth of the world, both the rough parts and the beautiful ones. Nikolai walked across the nearly empty deck. A few of his navigators were already up and going, the night's watch had gone to take a nap after the night’s work, one of his squallers stood ready at the main mast, you were helping Tamar let up the anchor.
You’d hastily thrown your hair up in a messy bun just to get it out of your face while doing some of the morning chores. Your clothes were impossibly clean and fell around your frame perfectly. Nikolai had asked you how you managed to keep your clothes so clean but you just shrugged and said that it was probably something you’d brought with you from your upbringing in the palace.
Tamar gave you a grin when you’d pulled up the anchor and she gave a nod to Nikolai, signaling that it was done and that you could begin today's journey. You pulled your hair loose from your bun and let it fall around your shoulders. Walking across the deck, you joined Nikolai who was standing on the quarterdeck. He reached out and put a strand of hair behind your ear. You looked beautiful in the early sun beams and Nikolai found himself watching you for longer than he probably should. A soft breeze came and pulled at your hair, getting it in your face again and Nikolai smirked at your defeated expression.
“Want me to braid it for you?” he asked and gestured to your hair. You chuckled and nodded, “sure.” You could do it by yourself and it would probably turn out way better than when he did it, but when he offered you could never turn him down. And truth be told, Nikolai liked to be able to braid your hair. Nikolai couldn’t braid someone’s hair to save his life and it looked like shit, but he adored you for letting him do it every time he offered. He never failed to notice how you kept the braid in for the whole of the day and then gently detangled it in the night when you headed to bed.
You’d sat down on the stairs leading up to the quarterdeck and Nikolai sat down behind you, starting to gently card his hands through your hair, tangling out the knots. Then he carefully divided your hair in three pieces and started to braid it gently. His fingertips brushed softly against your neck and his gentleness was stealing your breath away every time he braided your hair. He finished off the braid and tied it together with a ribbon. With gentle hands he placed the braid down your shoulder so you could see it and then he rested his hands on top of your shoulders, massaging them gently. You tipped your head backwards, smiling in a way that shined brighter than the sun and stole his breath away.
“Thanks,” you smiled and pressed a hasty kiss to his cheek before pushing yourself off of the stairs and walked down them to join Tolya and Tamar at the main mast. Nikolai just watched you walk away, taking in the way you moved across the deck. He saw Tamar teasing you for your hairstyle but you just laughed and turned your head towards him, giving him a smile he thought he might die to see again.
Your long gown almost made you trip when you ran. Nikolai’s birthday party had turned into a disaster and the nichevo’ya had stormed the palace. Nikolai had lost you in the crowd and he was too focused on getting his mother and father to safety to go back to look for you, despite how much his heart ached for him to just turn around and run to find you. You were pushed back and forth by the guests and you occasionally turned around to look for any familiar faces but the tumult was too much and the many colors of the gowns and the chaos made it hard to do anything else than to follow the stream of people pushing for the exits. You’d seen Nikolai’s white suit among the people but the guards had pushed him to the frontline, keeping him out of the way of the shadow monsters. They’d already gotten his brother.
Somewhere you thought you heard a shout of your name, but it was hard to tell. When you finally made it out of the palace, you gathered your skirts in your hands and set off towards the Kingfisher that laid in the lake. You caught sight of Nikolai in the front and you let yourself let out a sigh of relief. He was alive.
Nikolai climbed aboard the Kingfisher and began preparing for departure. He shouted orders and he gave himself a second to look back towards the hoard of people. If they were to fit all these people on the ship, they’d need a couple of squallers. It would be heavy cargo. Zoya came up on the other side of the railing and he took her wrist and helped her aboard. She quickly shook him off and took place in one of the corners under the big sail. Good he thought we need her winds.
The next person he noticed to climb aboard was you. Your elegant gown was torn in a few places and your hair had fallen out of its updo. You were out of breath from the run but you still heaved yourself over the edge before you let Nikolai whisk you into his embrace, pressing you into him and relishing the feeling of having you close. You’d made it out alive and you were there with him. He could have kissed you. You pulled away before he got the chance.
“I’ll help fly the ship,” you stated and walked away after he gave you a nod. Zoya gave you a nod as a greeting as you took place beside her and watched as Adrik and Nadia took the spots in the front and with a nod from Nikolai you all raised your arms and the Kingfisher took off towards the sky.
The walls of the spinning wheel were almost as grand as the ones in the palace. In the war room a fire burned in the hearth and Nikolai stood bent over the table, studying the maps and playing with the golden compass hanging around his neck. You stood in the doorway watching him with a gentle smile on your face. A twinkle of adoration in your eyes and a hot cup of tea in your hands.
“Knock knock,” you said gently and Nikolai looked up from his maps. His eyes set on your frame and a smile took over his features.
“I brought you some tea,” you held up the cup and his smile only widened. You stepped inside the room and Nikolai met you halfway, gently taking the cup from your hands and bringing it to his lips, sipping the hot liquid. A content sight went through his lips and he pressed a gentle kiss to your hair mumbling a thanks. You just smiled and walked past him, looking down at the maps on the table. It showed different routes, one to Zvedya, one to Keramzin and one to Kibirsk. All three of them, plus the Spinning wheel, connected with neath lines drawn on the maps.
“I’ll throw them in the fire if someone attacks us here,” Nikolai’s voice sounded from behind you. You chuckled at his statement and turned around, resting against the table and looking up at him, his hazel eyes shining.
“Good idea,” you laughed softly and lifted a hand to push away his blond curls from his eyes. The gesture was gentle and filled with adoration and it made Nikolai drown in the feeling of wanting to pull you close to him and kiss you until next dawn. He had to restrain himself from the idea and settled for placing a warm hand on your waist, keeping you in front of him. His hazel eyes found yours, looking for something. You didn’t know what but it looked like he was searching for something, not quite finding it. You pushed the thought away and opted for resting your head on his shoulder instead. He drank the last of his tea and then placed the cup down to be able to wrap his arms around you. He pressed a kiss to your temple and then he rested his head on yours, relishing in the peace and quiet and the calmness of the moment. Battle was knocking on your door so he intended to savor this moment for as long as it lasted.
You had gone with Alina, Mal, Zoya, Inej and Nina into the heart of the fold to destroy it. It had hurt you to leave the fort but you didn’t know where Nikolai was and Zoya demanded to not leave you alone in the fort now when the fold had swallowed it whole. So you’d hopped aboard the Hummingbird and followed your friends. Now the fight was over. The darkling was dead. Zoya had stayed to protect the body until you all could return to burn it. You’d flown the hummingbird back to the fort with the rest of your little crew.
When you rounded the corner of the fort and came out on the front side of it, you saw soldiers laying in the grass, the crates and barrels had been thrown around but it still looked pretty tidy. Tolya’s big frame caught your sight and you broke out into a sprint. The sound of your steps on the gravel made them all turn around and you caught sight of Nikolai. He was sitting on a crate, Tamar and Tolya with one hand each resting on his shoulders. He was bloody and bruised but he rose anyway, meeting you halfway and catching you when you threw yourself in his embrace. He hissed when you pressed on his wound in his shoulder but he didn’t care for the pain.
“Oh, Y/N,” he breathed out and pressed a lingering kiss to the side of your head. “Are you alright?” He wondered but didn’t dare to pull away from the hug to check for himself. You nodded, burying your face against his neck and pulling a hand through the hair in the nape of his neck.
“Saints, Nikolai, I’m so glad you’re alive,” you whispered, holding him even closer.
“Me too, darling. What would I do without you,” he mumbled and pressed yet another kiss to your head. Carefully he pulled away to meet your eyes and your e/c one’s flickered to the wound on the side of his head, then settling on his again.
“I wouldn’t have survived losing you,” he told you, voice soft and filled with love. You closed your eyes, taking in his words. His arms were still around your waist and yours rested around his neck. And it felt too right. It felt way too right.
“And I wouldn’t have survived losing you,” you told him in return, opening your eyes again. They sparkled in the sunlight and Nikolai’s breath got stuck in his throat at the sight. He let his eyes flicker down to your lips and back up again as he drew a deep breath.
“I won’t kiss you if you don’t want me to,” he said quietly so only you would hear. You didn’t answer. Instead you gently pressed your lips to his, careful not to hurt him. When the two of you pulled away, Nikolai let the words spill over his lips. He let them fall out in the air for you to hear, the words he’d been wanting to say for so long, so many times. But now the battle was over and he could finally say it along with the promise it held.
“I love you,” he breathed out, “I love you so much that I don’t know what I am without you.” You smiled at his words and pressed another soft kiss to his lips, watching as the action made his eyes flutter close at the short peck.
“And I love you. More than you could ever know.”
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iliveiloveiwrite · 1 year
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Through the Dark // Nikolai Lantsov
Request: you have nightmare that woke you up in middle of night, you walks to nikolai room, you knock the door, you hear unlock, as you look up to him, he half naked, nikolai tell you what wrong, he really want to comfort you *fluffiness* - anon
A/N: I’m such a sucker for nightmares and comforting, I just love it. I love it as much as I love the patching up trope and friends to lovers trope. Anyway! Thank you for the request, I hope you like!
Warnings: nightmares, fear, upset, hurt/comfort, fluff, pining, mutual pining.
Word count: 1.7k
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There wasn’t much you could remember from the nightmare. An overwhelming sense of loneliness combined with the darkness pulled you from your slumber before much more could be imprinted onto your mind.
Sitting straight in bed, you cast your eyes around the dimly lit room. The fire was beginning to burn low; the multitude of candles dotted around the room flicker gently, only adding to the warm glow of the room.
As you remain in your bed, your breath starts to come faster and the walls start to feel as if they are closing in on you. Your pulse pounds in your ears; the urge to run growing. Pushing back the covers, you give yourself enough time to grab your robe before leaving your bedroom and the nightmare behind.
It wasn’t often you saw the palace at night. There was the occasional party where everyone was required to stay up far too late, drink far too much wine and indulge in far too much fun. Through those times, the palace comes to life – bright lights, laughter and music shine from every room creating an almost heady atmosphere as you would walk from room to room looking for Nikolai in and amongst the revellers.
Tonight, however, there was no party and the many rooms of the palace were silent and pitch black. You do not know how long you wander; the corridors bleeding into one as you turn left then right and then left again before ascending some stairs and finding yourself on a different level of the palace entirely.
Without you realising, you had landed on Nikolai’s corridor. At the sight of his closed door, you realise that there was no-one else in the entire palace who you would rather talk to, or see, than Nikolai. He could provide you with all the answers without talking; he could provide you with all the comfort with only a single smile.
It is cold on your short trip to Nikolai’s room. You worry your bottom lip with your teeth, silently hoping that the prince would be awake and willing to provide some much needed comfort. Tugging your robe tighter around yourself, you remain focused on your mission.
Taking a much needed deep breath, you knock on Nikolai’s door.
Counting the seconds in your head, it takes Nikolai five seconds to answer his door. He doesn’t hide his surprise at finding you at his door in the middle of the night. “(Y/N), love? What are you doing here at this time?”
Skin stretched taut across his stomach, you cannot help but ogle the skin left visible by his forest green robe. A satisfied smile crosses Nikolai’s lips as he watches your gaze crawl across his body. “Surely you haven’t knocked on my door, in the middle of the night I might add, to stare at me?”
You gasp, forcing your eyes back to his face. You feel your skin begin to heat from being caught. Caught out, the ability to speak leaves you. Unable to form words, you simply shake your head.
Now, Nikolai frowns. “Is everything okay?”
Again, you shake your head. Nikolai reaches for your hand and pulls you into his room.
This wasn’t the first time you had been in his room. Your friendship having spanned years at this point; you had been in the prince’s room plenty, but always in the day time. You had never ventured past the doors at night. It was no different to the day apart from the rumpled bed covers, but there felt to be a tension hanging over the room. One that had been there since Nikolai had pulled you through the double doors of his bedroom.
Nikolai leads you to the couch closest to the fireplace. “Your hands are like ice,” He complains, sitting down beside. “You need to warm them up.”
You turn your hands to the heat, feeling some of the stiffness leave your shoulders as the heat seeps through your fingertips and up your arms. Silence descends upon the room; the two of you watching the low flames of the fire, listening to the crackling of the dying logs.
At some point, Nikolai’s gaze turns to you. He doesn’t miss the dark circles under your eyes from an incomplete night of sleep; the frown that is set into your lips as whatever has upset you remains on your mind. A sharp burst of need rushes through Nikolai’s body; a need to protect you, a need to know about whatever has upset you and brought you to his door in the middle of the night. He wants to be the one to help you through the dark, to find the light in whatever this upset is.
“I’m here when you’re ready,” Nikolai reminds you gently, his hand squeezing your shoulder.
“I had a nightmare,” You explain, meeting the crystal blue gaze of the prince.
“Do you want to tell me about it?” He offers, wanting nothing more than to be a listening ear for you after all the times you had been there for him.
You shake your head. “That’s the thing,” You murmur, “I don’t remember the events of it. I just remember how alone I felt, and how that loneliness was crushing me to the point where I couldn’t breathe. I thought I would be fine when I woke up, but when I was sat in bed, it all came rushing back and I simply couldn’t stay in my room any longer.”
“So you came to me?” Nikolai states; his tone more of a question than a statement of fact. His heart rate quickens at the thought of you coming to him in your moment of need.
“My plan was to wander the palace for a little bit, to wear myself out with all the adrenaline in my body, but I found myself walking to your room, wanting to talk to you.”
Flattery and affection washes over Nikolai as he watches you play with your fingers – a nervous habit, one you had had since you were children, playing together in the palace and getting in trouble with the cook for stealing one too many iced buns. He watches the movement fondly. “I’m glad you came to me, love.”
The term of endearment startles you but you don’t let it show on your face. Instead, you revel in the joy of how right it feels to be called his love. “I don’t think I can face going back to my room just yet,” You confess, staring at Nikolai’s bedroom doors, wondering how long it would before the first of the servants were to wake.
“What will you do?”
You shrug. “Walk around the palace until it’s light enough for me to face my room.”
Nikolai frowns, not liking that idea in the slightest. “Do you want to stay with me?” Nikolai asks after a moment. The words are sincere though he blushes when the question hangs in the air, waiting to be answered.
Your eyes widen as you meet his stare. “With you? In your room?”
“Where else?”
“Are you sure?”
“I wouldn’t offer if I wasn’t certain, love,” Nikolai murmurs; the term of endearment slipping out naturally now.
You think over his offer. If your nightmare was to return, you wouldn’t be alone in the aftermath, plus a nice warm bed feels like a better deal than a cold palace and a dark room.
“Alright,” You accept. “I’ll stay with you.”
Nikolai smiles; standing from the couch and offering you his hand. He removes his robe; leaving him bare save for the pair of pyjama pants. He slides into the bed effortlessly, shifting onto his side as he waits for you to join him. After a moment’s hesitation, you take off your robe, letting it drop to the floor before sliding into his bed beside him.
“That wasn’t so scary, was it?” Nikolai teases.
A short laugh leaves you. “No, you aren’t scary in the slightest.”
“Good,” Nikolai sighs before turning sincere. “I wouldn’t want you to ever be scared of me. Do you still feel lonely?”
The question hangs in the air as you debate your answer. On the one hand, you could reply with a simple ‘no’ and be done with it. On the other hand, you could go one step further for you could never be lonely, or feel alone, when you were with Nikolai. He brought out a side to you that you not only admired, but you liked. He could make you smile on your darkest days, and he could make you feel as if you were worth all the gold in all the world. At some point along this lengthy friendship, it started to turn into something more for you and it was that quiet love for the prince that had you answering.
“I could never feel lonely with you,” You say quietly, choosing honesty to be your best policy. “I think that’s why I came to you tonight. On some level, I knew that as long as I have you, I could never be alone or lonely.”
Nikolai throws caution to the wind. He moves towards you, reaching for you. You go into his embrace willingly; his arms anchoring you in place as you tuck yourself into his side.
“This is new,” You comment lightly, inhaling the spicy scent of his cologne and committing to memory how his skin feels pressed against yours.
“Does it bother you?” Nikolai asks quietly; a touch of vulnerability in his voice as he prepares to move away, leaving you to your own space.
You shake your head. “No, it doesn’t bother me at all.” You take a deep breath before continuing, “In fact, I could get used to it.”
Admission out in the open, you hold your breath, waiting for Nikolai’s response.
His arms hold you tighter. “I could get used to this too. Having you in my bed, holding you in my arms… I might have to thank your nightmare for bringing you to me.”
Turning your face towards him, you press a kiss to the corner of Nikolai’s mouth, not missing the hitch in his throat when your lips touch his skin. “I’ll thank it for you,” You whisper, “So long as I get to stay in your bed.”
“Always,” Nikolai murmurs, closing his eyes, silently thanking the nightmare that brought you through the dark to him.
******************
Shadow and Bone Taglist: @cpetrova @cameronsails @chaotic-fae-queen @pinkcloxds @writingmysanity @netflix-imagines
**Taglist is open if you would like to be added!
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pepperonijem · 1 year
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be here with me || nikolai lantsov
Pairing: Nikolai Lantsov x fem!reader Warnings: none Genre: fluff Word count: 788 Summary: it's been a long day, but it's okay because at seven you will be here with me
A/N: inspired by the song 7PM by BSS feat. Peder Elias. there are no thoughts, no lore, no plot. just fluff and nikolai. give the song a listen <3
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It wasn’t much of a stretch to say you were tired. The kind of tired that feels like it’s been building up for weeks – sneaking up on you like wavelets against the sand, growing and growing until you find yourself sinking under tsunami tides. 
Rebuilding a kingdom from ashes of a war was no simple task, even for the most seasoned of veterans. Too many things to do and never enough time. Too many people to please and never enough resources. Each day was a paradox, twenty-four hours dragging like molasses out of the mouth of a glass jar while you run on against the stream. Every rise of the moon was a welcome sight to you, a sign that although tomorrow would be its own battle, for a few hours you could enjoy the pale glow of the moon. 
Tonight, however, instead of retreating to your private rooms to enjoy time alone with your lover, you found yourself longing to be outside of the palace walls. You send a courier to deliver a message to the king, a short message of  “meet me at the river,” and make your way to the quiet banks of the indigo waters to wait for him. It doesn’t take long for him to find you – it never does – and with the sound of grass breaking, you feel warm arms wrap around you from behind. 
You don’t turn around until he calls your name — not the name used by the people to address you but rather the one kept secret for moments like this. “My love,” the dulcet tones of his voice harmonizing with the crickets and the river waters. You can tell he’s smiling as he calls for you, as he always does, and when you turn around it feels like falling into starlight. His disheveled hair after a day of frustrated ticks is ever so golden, glowing in the white light of the moon and his blue eyes catch the broken reflection of light against the water. It happens quicker than instinct that you reach a hand to rest against his cheek and for Nikolai to release a soft puff of air, as if only now can he finally find rest. 
“Come sit with me, darling,” you beckon to him and he quickly complies. He gently pries your hand from his cheek, opting instead to hold it in his as he fills the space beside you, close enough to feel your thighs touching and you loop your arm through his to fit yourself to lay in against his shoulder. This is home, you think to yourself. 
It isn’t long before the quietness is filled with stories about the day. Although you had spent most of the day in your husband’s company, it was never enough, with only fleeting glances across meeting tables and secret smiles shared in passing. In the daylight, he was Nikolai Lantsov, the people’s King of Ravka. But here with you… he was your Nikolai, dearest. Although your relationship was well-known among the people, it was moments like this that you indulged in like a delicious secret between the two of you. Once the silence comes to find its way between the two of you once again, Nikolai turns his head to press a kiss against the crown of your head. 
“What’s that for?” you lift your head up to smile at him. He shakes his head bashfully before giving you a soft smile and bringing your entwined hands to his lips.
“I just missed you,” he replies sincerely, his free hand coming up to push a hair back from your face pointlessly as a chilling breeze sweeps it back out of place. You let out a chuckle as Nikolai sighs in exasperation with a pout. However, when he notices the slightest shake of your shoulders in a shiver, he immediately stands and extends his hand out to help you up. “Come? Before the winds turn icy.”  
With a laugh, you slip your hand in his, leaning against his shoulder as he tucks your hand into the crook of his elbow. “Is the fearless king afraid of the cold?” You look to see him roll his eyes as he pulls you closer into his side.
“Never,” he replies with a scoff. “But I’d rather like to feel my wife’s skin under my fingers, and I can’t do that when they’re frozen numb.” As if to prove his point, he wiggles his fingers before poking you in the side teasingly. 
To his defense, you completely agree. But more than that, it didn’t matter where you were together, so long as you were together. Come storm or high hell, Nikolai was always your resting place as you were his.
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undiscovered-horizon · 11 months
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"Man of Faith" - Nikolai Lantsov x Reader
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SUMMARY: With the Sun Summoner on board, Stumhond's attention seems to be captivated by the living Saint. While you know how important she is to him in terms of politics, you can't help but start to feel jealous. Nikolai, however, stays true to his only faith.
WORDCOUNT: ~ 1.4k
>>Grishaverse-inspired playlist<<
The night breeze feels cold when it brushes against your cheeks. Although you feel an uncomfortable shiver run down your spine, the chilly air is refreshing, revitalizing. Salty ocean water sprays your skin as the ship lazily cuts through the endless waters. Swooshing of the heavy waves hitting the vessel and the drawn-out creaking of boards interrupt the otherwise silent hours. The black, starry sky is reflecting in the equally black waters, making it hard to say where lies the horizon - firmament glistens both above your head and beneath your feet.
Leaning against the railing, you allow yourself a sigh of defeat. You shake your head at the bitter, lead-like weight in your abdomen. This phantom has refused to let you go ever since the Sun Summoner boarded the ship but it’s hardly her fault. Truly, it’s not His fault either, even if he’s part of your problem, following her around and eagerly asking every question that came to his mind. It’s like you’re not here at all, you think to yourself but quickly discard this awful idea with a shake of your head.
No matter how much you refuse to admit it, you’re jealous. In your mind, it’s very logical and rational to get neurotic - he’s an heir to the throne, she’s the Sun Summoner and you… are a pirate. Although your lovesick heart is defending Nikolai with all its might, your sensibility is feeding you a plethora of horrible scenarios that, to some degree, you’re aware are not very probable. Still, they’re not impossible.
You rub your face in a vain attempt to calm yourself down and gain control over your emotions. This is stupid. He’s just interested in an interesting person, nothing beyond that. All of the flustering, and frankly embarrassing, confessions of love he’s given you, can’t just be undone in two days… can they?
The sound of slow footsteps distracts you from your spiralling thoughts. You turn around only to see the man you’ve been agonizing over as though one of the Saints had heard you and, out of annoyance rather than goodwill, sent him your way to clear this perplexing misunderstanding. His blond locks float on the gusts of cold breeze. There’s an undeniable softness to his expression, even if his eyebrows raise slightly in worry. Despite the overwhelming darkness of the night on the open ocean, he looks nothing short of breathtaking. 
And you, through unimaginable luck, are the only thing that steals his breath.
"I was looking for you,” he says in a gentle voice. Jealousy mixes with guilt and shame inside you - Nikolai probably thinks something serious happened but no, it’s you getting into your own head.
"Something's the matter?" you deflect his inquiry. 
"Actually, I wanted to ask you that.” Nikolai leans on his elbow on the railing, his torso turned towards you. He’s standing close enough for his frock coat to brush against you - it’s smooth and velvety, as though water could be sawn into a garment. “You seemed upset earlier."
"Oh, it's nothing, really.” You dismiss him with a vague wave of your hand. “Don't worry."
Nikolai lets out a short sigh. He takes off his coat and puts it around your shoulders. "I always worry about you,” he says as he’s casually fixing the jacket to cover most of your body.
The familiar scent fills your nostrils immediately. Perhaps it’s the additional layer of clothing or his hand resting on your lower back that’s making you warm up significantly. In any event, his overwhelming presence, engulfing you in an embrace of comfort and security, momentarily shakes you sober from your grim thoughts. Like having a bucket of cold water thrown at your head, you’re wondering how you could ever question his devotion.
“A treasure?” Nikolai repeats after the old whaler. The stench of booze is surrounding the retired, one-eyed sailor like a hallucinogenic aura. “I’ve already found her, thank you.”
Doubt, however, is a relentless beast. Maybe you’ve been the recipient of his affection simply by a chance of convenience? You’ve always been there, waiting for Nikolai to pay you attention. But then you inhale again, the scent of resin and seaweed filling your nostrils, and the doubt vanishes once more as the fog does in the early morning hours.
"This is going to sound really stupid and selfish,” you confess.
"I want to hear it anyway."
Nikolai’s hand reaches for yours, fingers intertwining without either of you thinking about it. His thumb is gently rubbing circles into your skin. Some reflexes are scratched into bones, escaping human willingness. 
“It’s just…” You cut yourself off before you can finish. Embarrassed at what you’re about to tell him, you look away, admiring the faraway stars reflecting off the black water. In an unconscious motion, Nikolai cranes his neck to try and see more of your face. “Ever since Alina boarded the ship, you’ve been quite preoccupied with her and I… I think I’ve grown used to having your undivided attention. For the most part, at least. And that made me wonder whether I’m underwhelming compared to the Sun Summoner herself.”
Finally, you dare look back towards him. As you could have expected, he looks just as lovestruck as he usually does - not a wrinkle suggests that he’s angry with you for making a show of your jealousy or doubting his devotion. In fact, that upturned corner of his mouth makes him look genuinely amused with this course of events. Somewhere during your circular way of expressing envy, he only heard you admit how much you yearn for his attention.
"You thought I'm more interested in Alina Starkov than you?" he asks, laughter hiding inside his voice. "Hey, look at me.” Nikolai lifts his hand to your cheek, first brushing his finger against your skin before his whole palm cups your face. "I would have to lose my damn mind and even then I'd fall in love with you again if you just glanced in my direction."
“I know how important she is to you, Коля," you whisper, nervous that someone might pick up on the secret only you've been privy to so far. It nearly escapes your attention that his smile grows a little hearing you say his name. “It’s not your fault I’m being a little selfish. I just need to get a grip. You really shouldn’t worry.”
Nikolai’s hand drops from your face to hold your hand again. He brings your fingers to his lips, placing a soft kiss on them. It’s tender, like everything else he does towards you. Sometimes you wonder whether this gentleness is a conscious choice or if he’s physically incapable of directing any harshness at you.
"I could have an army of Sun Summoners and you’d still be the only Saint I’m praying to day and night.”
You scoff at his cheesy poetics. Laughing to yourself, you shake your head at him. "Oh, please, there is nothing holy about me."
With the hand he’s been resting on your lower back Nikolai pulls you even closer to him. He lets go of your fingers, placing his free hand on the side of your head, forcing you to look at him - not that you have anything against doing so.
"I beg to differ,” he begins in a low, surprisingly serious voice. “Ever since I saw you for the first time, I can't think about anything else. I don't want to. When you’re not with me I can’t focus until I find you and when I do, I feel like nothing can stand in my way. I could lose everything but if you’re by my side, I know I’m saved.” Nikolai rests his forehead against yours and closes his eyes. “You're the closest thing to godhood I've ever seen."
You inhale sharply suddenly feeling his warm lips against yours. His hands are pulling you closer to him, deepening the kiss. It’s both loving and desperate as though he’s expecting you to vanish into thin air at any moment; like he can’t quite believe he has the rest of his life to adore you.
To your disappointment, Nikolai pulls away from you after a long while but keeps a rather impressive lack of distance as your noses brush against each other. In a breathy voice, he whispers:
"You're the only prayer I need to make me feel blessed."
“Just kiss me again, милый мой.”
A quiet chuckle leaves his lips. “As you wish.”
Without wasting time, he’s kissing you again - hungrily, feverishly, reluctantly pulling away every now and then to catch his breath, only to resume this consuming pastime with insatiable desire.
_____
Коля [ko-lya] - short for Nikolai
Милый мой [me-lee moy] - my darling (masculine)
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myeur-n · 10 months
Text
Imagine that Sturmhond reveals himself as Prince Nikolai Lantsov, but you couldn't accept it
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Disclaimer:
This oneshot is purely based on the Netflix series, so some of the lore might be incorrect
y/n is a female Grisha
Angst/Fluff
"Captain, are you sure that the Saint is stable enough to cross the fold?" y/n approached the captain's table and crossed her arms before him. The Volkvolny was beginning to rumble from the calling of the Fold, and as a Materialki, you weren't really fond of how the wooden planks of the ship you had invented with your Captain begun to stir.
"Y/n, how many times have I asked you to address me by Sturmhond?" The blonde and blue-eyed privateer snickered at you, leaning back against his cushioned chair and crossing his legs. You remained silent and only had a concerned look crossing your features. "Come on, then. Call me by my name then I shall answer you," he added and began beckoning you toward him.
"Alright... Sturmhond. Now answer me," you rolled your eyes. "You know how terrified I am of the Fold. If I get caught by one of the Volcra in there, I'll be demanding that you pay for my health insurance even if I'm dead,".
"I would expect no less from you," he pulled a soft smile at your direction, which almost warmed your heart - almost. You shook your head as he stood up from his chair and stood next to you.
"It'll be alright, y/n. Alina's strong enough with her amplifier. You'll be safe, I can promise you that," he muttered, casting a soft smile at you before he climbed the stairs to the upper deck.
"No doubt he's about to show off the Hummingbird," you rolled your eyes and tailed him.
Before you knew it, you were suddenly up in the air and reaching the entrance of the Fold. You looked up at the abyssal storm, growling and calling before your very eyes. Quickly turning around, you saw that only a few of the Volkvolny crew, including yourself and your captain; the Saint herself and her lover were aboard the Hummingbird.
Alina Starkov looked back at the Fold with a determined glare, while Mal's eyes were clouded with his usual protectiveness. Before you could turn to look at Sturmhond, he had already crossed the ship's deck and stood by your side, linking your arms tightly with his.
"It's going to be alright. You don't have to be scared," he mumbled in a low voice, almost to himself. You could hear the slight tremble in his voice, and you knew you weren't alone in this consuming fear - he felt the same way too.
"Sturmhond," you turned your wrists so your palms could capture his. "I trust you," you nodded once before turning back at the starless sky as darkness consumed your surrounding.
Both of you gasped, but held each other tight. The Fold was pitch black and cold - colder than the sea breeze at night. Your mind suddenly travelled to what you could do as a Grisha. You were just a Materialki - a person who could manipulate earth and steel - but, what use is that when it comes to something as powerful as the darkness?
Suddenly, a blinding white light filled your eyes and it came from the Saint.
Sturmhond's blue eyes filled with marvel and wonder, and your heart ached to see them as you realised that he could never look at you the same way he looked at Alina's beautiful sunlight. You pursed your lips and slowly attempted to loosen your grip of his hand, but it won't move a muscle.
You closed your eyes and hoped that this would end soon.
As no light could pierce your eyelids, you thought that the worst is over, but only found that Alina was gasping for air and could not summon the sunlight anymore. Mal rushed to her side to protect her from the Darkness of the Fold, while Sturmhond quickly removed your hands from his and grabbed his pistol.
You rushed to the front of the Hummingbird and placed your hands on the engine of the ship, forcing the gears to work harder so everyone could get out of the Fold quickly. Some of the crew members screamt as they were grabbed by the Volcra and fell to their death.
You panicked as one of the Volcra almost snatched you into the air, but you had quickly picked up a crowbar and shifted it into a sword before slicing it into half.
"Now, that's my lady!" Sturmhond shouted from across the deck as he continued shooting the beasts. You rolled your eyes and with your last effort, you pushed the engines to their limit before they gave out one last revolution and ceased their turning.
And all of you were so close to getting out of the Fold.
"Brace! Brace for impact!" You shouted loud enough for everyone to hear as you shut your eyes hard and focused your abilities to the front of the ship, bending the round-edged wood to become sharp-edged, so that as they land on the ground, it would pierce the dirt and lessen the damage on the Hummingbird. Sturmhond wasn't going to let it go if she had let his precious invention turn into ruin.
The ship dug into the dirt of East Ravka and slid across the grass. Everyone let out a whelp as their knees collapsed from the impact. You exhaled a large breath and wiped a sweat from your forehead. It was definitely hard to use the small sciences without looking at what you're about to change.
Tamar and Tolya were the first to cheer, while Sturmhond quickly ran over to you.
"Are you alright? You seemed to be doing a lot of work there," he spoke - and for the first time, it seemed like it was out of concern.
"Yeah, and it's all because I had to save your damn ship from falling to pieces," you groaned at him, which only received a long chuckle from him.
Out of the blue, everyone heard the marching of more than a legion of soldiers.
"What's going on?" You muttered to yourself, but your eyes held Sturmhond's.
He avoided them and only shook his head.
"Identify yourself!" The captain of the soldier commanded. The Sun Summoner seemed clearly irritated while Sturmhond grasped her shoulder with his one arm and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"I'll handle this," he said and he began to undress himself off his long, ridiculous privateer coat and he seemed to behaving a conversation with the captain. You parted your lips to ask him "Wouldn't you end up naked?", but you quickly took your words back when your eyes perceived Sturmhond wearing a green uniform gilded in golden embroidery, a uniform almost similar to those Ravkan soldiers, but it carried a higher air of command.
"It can't be," the man named Ravski gasped.
"Yes, it is," Sturmhond responded. You unbuckled your knees to get a better view of what was happening.
"Moi Tsarevich," Ravski began to kneel. "My prince,".
You gasped, while Mal and Alina passed each other confused looks.
"I present Nikolai Lantsov, Major of the 22nd Regiment, Soldier of the King's Army, Grand Duke of Udova, and Second Son to his Most Royal Majesty - King Pyotr the Third - Ruler of the Double Eagle Throne!" The captain announced with a spirited voice, while Sturmhond - now Nikolai pulled a smug look across his face.
You couldn't believe your eyes that the man in which you had spent years with was in fact, the estranged Prince of Ravka himself. Your lips quivered as memories came flooding back to you, but you knew that you couldn't cause a scene.
The prince had already been enjoying himself too much.
~•~
Everyone had reached the Stronghold (or moreso like a base) where Grisha who opposed against the Darkling and survivors of East Ravka remained. You spotted Zoya, someone who had always taught you the meaning of hard life back at the Little Palace - greeting Alina Starkov like old friends.
You clenched your fists and held back your tears. Once again, you were a stranger to everyone around you. The only person that you could become yourself was now gone too.
"One week," you took a deep breath in your personal quarters, which was very much far away from Alina and Nikolai's - given your status as a Materialki Grisha. Even Tolya and Tamar's rooms were closer to the Prince's. "Hold on for one week and we shall see," you swallowed the fear in your throat.
Your y/e/c shifted to your modest bed and you laid yourself there - hoping that your memories won't haunt you at night. Everyone was in a meeting to discuss their next move against the Darkling, but you weren't included - as expected.
That night, you recalled the memories from a time long forgotten of you, your brothers and sisters which were called upon to the Little Palace and serve as the Second Army for the Tsar. You shared their excitement when all of you had found out that you were Grisha. Your twin sisters were prodigal Heartrenders like Tamar and Tolya, while your eldest brother was an Inferni and your younger brother was a Squaller. Everyone was suited for battle and talented - but not you.
You were just a plain Materialki - a Durast who was weak and could not bend swords or bullets quickly enough to save your life. And so, you were never ordered to Battle like your siblings since even the Darkling did not acknowledge your abilities.
One day, the Tsar ordered his princes to enter and cross the Fold for a diplomatic mission on west Ravka. Something happened when they were on their way back, and they had to kill as much Volcra as possible along with only a few of the Second Army Soldiers escorting them - with the Heartrenders being your own two sisters and ome of the squallers your younger brother. Almost none survived, with the exception of his princes, as it seemed.
You and your eldest brother grieved their death, and sent many personal letters to both the Darkling and the King, requesting for the return of the bodies of your fallen siblings. However, both of them rejected your requests, giving an excuse that their main priority was to search for the Second Prince - none other than Nikolai Lantsov, instead of bringing their bodies home.
You and your brother were devastated, and he was suddenly being called upon to fight at the Fjerdan borders. You had tried your best to make an armor for him, in which no bullet should be able to pass through - and it worked - only if it hadn't been for the Fjerdans to cut off his head when your brother was wounded.
Distressed, you crossed the the Fold from East to West Ravka by yourself with an invention you had so carelessly made, as an effort to hopefully let the Saints decide your fate in the abyss. And you could have died, if your wounded self wasn't discovered by Sturmhond.
You woke up silently with your eyes brimming in tears. Your siblings' lack of proper burial, Sturmhond's deceit, and your uselessness as a Durast was all too much for you. The very thought of being under the roof of the man which had both killed and saved your life was something your heart could not handle anymore.
You had to leave.
Its not like anyone would realise nor dread your absence.
Wiping the silent and hot tears pouring out of your eyes, you began to pack some clean clothes into your knapsack, a pair of daggers, a map of Ravka, money, food and water. There wasn't much to pack anyway. You put on a cloak and blew out your candle before you opened your door.
"Captain-!" You exclaimed as the blonde and blue-eyed man which had been by your side for years suddenly showed up in front of you with his hands up, and hand balled into a fist, as if he wanted to knock on your door.
"Y/n, you're awake!" He gasped and pulled a cheesy smile. "I guess you've been around me for too long until you could sense me from far away, then?" He chuckled. Slowly observing his formal attire, it was obvious that he had just finished his meeting.
"You're incredibly loud with everything you do, that's how I know," You pursed your lips and forced a smile.
He nodded and began to peek around your pitch black room, past your shoulders. "Your quarters are very dark now, aren't they?" He commented.
"I was sleeping, Capta-I mean, uhm, moi Tsarevich," and you kept a distance away from him as you recalled that the man before you was ranks higher above yours.
"You were asleep with your travelling cloak?" He raised a playful brow.
"You shouldn't be here. Just go to sleep, my prince. You look tired after the meeting,".
"About that," the prince pushed your arm which was blocking the way into your room and lit a match. He searched for your candle for a second and lit it up. "I wanted to talk to you about what happened... earlier," he muttered and his bright eyes searched your room.
"There's nothing to talk about-,".
"Saints, why did they give you such an empty room? There's barely anything in here!" He jumped and began going through your old cupboard. You sighed and closed your eyes, not knowing how to properly deal with the man.
"My prince, you're no longer Sturmhond. Its improper for you to act in this manner. I beg of you, please remove yourself from my quarters," your heart was beginning to ache, but he was seemingly avoiding your words as he continued rambling around.
"The only thing here as stuffed as the king is your-," and his eyes paused at your knapsack. "Why is it packed, y/n? Where are you going?".
"Its none of your concern, my prince," You could not brave yourself to look into his eyes.
"Saints, just call me Nikolai, y/n,".
"How can I just call you Nikolai Lantsov when you've been my Captain and Sturmhond to me?" You snapped as irritation overwhelmed you.
"You don't understand, Nikolai - you're a prince. I'm just a deserter of the Second Army and we're not equals anymore,".
"Come on, you know that I don't think of you that way-,".
"Either way, you can't stop me from leaving," your voice trembled.
Nikolai suddenly crossed his arms and he passed a stern glare at you, a look you had rarely seen him equip himself with. In that moment, you realised that he truly was a Prince - not just any foolish prince like his brother, but a man of command, a man who you could have followed anywhere, even to the edge of the world - if it hadn't been for yourself.
"You can't leave. I forbid you," he stated with his sudden cold blue eyes fixed upon you.
"You have no right to give orders to me," You took a few steps toward him, almost challenging his command.
"You can't leave," Nikolai breathed, voice softening as he slowly closed the distance between the two of you.
"I have no place here - by your side, as a soldier in this war you've involved yourself with. I'm a lesser Durast compared to the ones you've got here-,".
"No one's ever said that to you," Nikolai's hand reached your arm, almost grasping it to not let you go.
"No one needed to say it. I couldn't save my brother because of it. What makes you think that I could save you when you need my help?" your face went hot as you realised how close the both of you were to each other. That panicked heartbeat of yours thundered against your chest and you were worried if he could hear it.
"We made our ship together, y/n. You helped me with my inventions, made it ours and saved me, countless of times during our raids-," he pulled a bittersweet smile as he recalled his days together with you as a privateer.
"Nikolai," your hand instinctively reached his cheek, and he leaned into your touch - blue eyes glowing with a desperate blaze. "Those days are now over. You're a Ravkan Prince and you must let go of things that do not matter anymore - like me,".
He took in a sharp breath and refused to look into your eyes for the first time.
It was true that you had to leave him because there was no chance that the both of you could live peacefully together, sailing away with hopes of building a family together - free from any danger. That was your dream, and not his. Nikolai had always been ambitious, despite his foolhardy efforts to make him appear the opposite.
When he remained silent, you passed by his shoulder and grabbed your knapsack. You crossed your room and to your door, before hesistating to reach for the doorknob. Turning back to him one last time, you stretched a soft and genuine smile of fond farewell to Nikolai.
"Farewell, moi Sobachka. If the Saints would allow it, we'll meet again," you muttered and closed the door behind you as you left.
Nikolai stared at the still door, breathless and heart aching. His heart was heavy, but he understood why you had to leave. With his final breath within your presence, he breathed:
"I love you,".
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syllvane · 1 year
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beginnings pt 2- nikolai lantsov x reader
You don’t get the luxury of figuring out that it’s an ambush until after you’ve been clocked in the head with a rifle, too focused on scope of your rifle to hear the footsteps coming up behind you.
When you wake up, it’s to the impact of your body being dropped out far in the harbor, too far out for anyone from the shore to hear you scream and cinderblocks tied to your legs to drown you.
“Kaz!” You screamed, your voice hoarse. “Jes!”
No response, no sound other than your own struggling in the water. 
A tide pulled you under and submerged you, pulling you further away from the shore, the city of Ketterdam becoming mere lights in the distance.
You swam up desperately, panting from the effort and lack of air.
You couldn’t survive like this for much longer.
You submerged yourself again and only as you instantly descended 10 feet as you gave up resistance did you realize that you had signed your death warrant.
There was no more going up for air.
And so, you sink.
No mourners, no funerals.
When you wake up, it feels like a horse has kicked you in the chest and your throat burns when you breathe.
You open your eyes to see three sets of unfamiliar faces looking at you and so, you use all of the little energy you have to fight, knocking the person on the left off-balance, though you’d attribute that more to surprise than the actual skill demonstrated in the swipe.
You manage to stand up- not without feeling nauseous, but at least you’re standing - as you move to engage with the other two.
“I had a feeling you would wake up and immediately start throwing punches.” A familiar voice said and your head whipped to the front of the ship to see none other than Sturmhond at the helm.
Of course.
“How did you-”
“You can thank the twins and Toma, our tidemaker. They’re the ones who sensed you out there and brought you in.”
You looked at the two people standing directly in front of you, who you now had the perception to see that they were clearly related.
You opened your mouth to speak and when no words came, you simply gave them a deep nod.
The woman returned it and the man, taller than her, gave you a smile.
“I’m not going to stop you from thanking me though as well.” Sturmhond said and you shot a glare at him.
“And what should I thank you for? Did you lift my body out of the water with your own two hands?” You asked and he shook his head, shrugging.
“I mean, you are on my boat, and I wasn’t planning on charging you for saving your life or passage. Perks of me liking you.”
You ignored the last part of that statement, ignored how warm your cheeks felt and how your heart sped up.
Out of the corner of your eye, you could see the woman stifle a smile.
“I need to go back to Ketterdam.”
“We’re already a day away from Ketterdam, and we’re on a tight schedule to find the Sea Whip. I’m sorry.” Sturmhond said and you shook your head, looking around for any sign that he was joking or lying.
You felt a strong hand on your shoulder and you looked to your side to see the woman.
“He’s not lying, I’m sorry.”
tags: @a-disturbing-self-reflection
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pr-olvdr · 10 months
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i saw this and i cant stop thinking about it
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