Hotel Six: A Call of Duty Fanfiction

Chapter 33: Goodnews

Sasha hummed awake to Vladimir kissing her cheek. "Good morning, handsome," she cooed.

He smiled and pulled her closer to him. "Good morning, beautiful," he said. "Did you sleep well?"

She rolled over in his arms so she could face him. "After last night, how could I not?" She giggled and kissed him on his mouth. 

Vladimir squeezed her a little tighter and kissed the hickey he had left on her neck the night before. "I'm so glad we could get away," he purred. "I haven't had a vacation in a while." 

"Me neither," she said, resting her head on his chest. She mindlessly stroked her fingers down his arm, tracing the slight definitions in his bicep. "In Toulon, France, no less."

He smiled. "What's the fun in going on a vacation in-country? I thought you would enjoy it more if we went out to see the outside world," he said.

She stretched, arching her back up, and he rolled on top of her. Sasha cupped his face in her hands. "Thank you, baby. I love that you spoil me." He chuckled softly as she kissed his nose.

Vladimir kissed her and heaved in a breath, pressing his hips against hers. She crooned at the feeling of his body on hers and wrapped her arms around his thick torso. Sasha uttered a moan and he pressed into her.

--

"You don't need me back in for work soon, do you?" Jessica took a bite of her crepes as she awaited Captain MacTavish's response. In the two weeks she had been in France, she hadn't been able to get any real intel out of Makarov, only sentimental gestures and affectionate pet names.

Typing... Typing... "Only if you've got good news for us."

She swallowed uneasily and typed back. "None yet"

"Stay as long as you need. We've got you covered here."

"How long are you willing to extend my vacation?"

MacTavish's end was quiet for a bit before he started typing again. "How long do you need to stay?"

"Breaking contact too frequently may make him doubt; I think I'll need a few months"

More silence. "Alright. I'll let S and the team know. Be careful and let us know when you're ready to come back."

While relieved at the extended time to get intel, she felt a deep dread settle into her stomach. God, what was she doing?

"Your breakfast tea, my lovely," said Vladimir, taking a seat across the table from her.  He took a sip of his own drink, breathing in the fragrant steam, and he raised his brows when he saw her staring at her phone. "Everything alright?"

Sasha straightened up and formed a smile. "Yes, it's just work letting me know my shifts are covered until I get back."

He grinned. "Good. That means more time for just us, then?"

"Of course!" 

Vladimir put down his tea and set a small, folded map in front of her. "Alright, we've bummed around Toulon for long enough, I think. Where do you want to go next?"

"Asking my opinion?" she jeered lightly. "I thought your masculinity was too fragile to let a woman make the calls."

"My masculinity is just fine, thank you," he retorted. "Now point at the map; where are we going?"

She stared at the map in quiet contemplation and soon pointed to the northern coast. "Can we go to Antibes? I hear the beaches there are a little quieter than the others."

"Anything for you, beautiful," he purred, reaching out to stroke her hand. The distant expression in her eyes worried him and he tilted his head, brows furrowed. "Are you feeling alright, Sash?" 

"I'm fine," she said pleasantly. "I guess I was just stressed about work this morning, and I still haven't relaxed since I texted my boss."

His chair rattled across the ground and he sat down again beside her, pulling her close to him to hug her, and gave her a peck on the temple. "Well, even if your boss was enough of an ass to fire you, it would be my pleasure to take care of you."

She hummed contentedly. "I appreciate it, baby... You're too sweet."

"Come on, babe, it can't take that long to put on a bikini!" called Vladimir from outside the changing tent.

Jessica sighed shakily and zipped her bag shut, stuffing a handful of clothing into it. "I'm coming!" She stepped out to be promptly seized around the waist and carried toward the water. A nervous giggle rippled in her chest and she dropped her bag on the sand before they got any closer to the edge of the beach. "No... No, honey, don't do it! No!" She shrieked as he walked waist-deep into the water and tossed her into the waves.

Vladimir laughed at the dramatic flailing of her arms and waded a little deeper, only to be surprised that he couldn't see her. He let out a surprised exclamation hearing her erupt from the water, feeling pressure as she stepped on the back of his knee and put him to the sandy bottom.

Seeing him under the water,  it crossed her mind to hold him under. "No..." said Sasha cautiously. "There are witnesses around, we don't want trouble. Plus, if he knows how to fight in the water, we're screwed." Her eyes rounded when he twisted and dragged her under with him. "Just like that..." Sasha groaned. 

They emerged from the water, gasping and laughing. "Jesus, that's cold!" he hissed frantically. He kissed her forehead and hugged her close, his body shaking a little. "Thought you could sneak up on me?"

"I just thought it was perfect revenge for throwing me," she chuckled. She then looked back at her bag up on the shore. "We probably should make sure we put that somewhere it won't get looted."

He let her go and started toward the sand. "Alright. You stay here, I'll take care of it."

A streak of panic went through her. "Oh, wait, I-!"

By then he was already on the beach, picking up her bag and taking it somewhere else shadier, some of its contents spilling out. She swam closer and felt faint at the sight of him picking up the clothes and other items, and he stood stock-still, staring at something on the ground. 

"Baby?" she called, trying to remain calm though was failing miserably, evident by the shrill shake in her voice.

The gravely shocked expression on his face was all she needed to see. He'd seen what had made her anxious all morning.