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The sun had started rising, its golden rays penetrating the windows and spraying itself across the floor sprinkled with shattered glass. I don't think any of us got any sleep last night; our minds were too busy and cluttered.
I stood behind the bar with my phone between my ear and shoulder as I watched the shifting sky. Nikolai's voice echoed through my phone, and I nodded along to whatever he was saying. I tried my best to focus on the story he was reciting, but a million thoughts ran through my brain that never seemed to quiet.
"Kjære, are you even listening to me?" he asked. I guess he must've realised I wasn't paying attention.
"Ja, ja," I said distractedly. "Nastya got into a drunken brawl and pulled out some impressive moves."
Nikolai sighed. "What's wrong?"
I looked up. Uncle Clint was leaning against the railing of the floor above. He, too, was on the phone, and I held no doubt that Aunt Laura was on the other end of the line. Lowering my gaze to my ankle, I pursed my lips. I didn't particularly want to tell Nikolai about last night's events. For years, I had been the leading cause of worry and concern for him, and by recalling the potential threat of a murderous bot, I was certain it would do nothing to calm him.
I owed him that much to not reduce his lifespan anymore through the amount of stress my job and I gave him—another reason why I thought about leaving this job.
"Elsa?" Nikolai called again.
"Nothing. Would you be upset if I spent a few more days here?"
Nikolai chuckled. "Upset? No. I cannot and will not control where and when you go. Worried, on the other hand? Absolutely."
I shifted my weight and gnawed on the skin of my lips. "What will it take for you to stop worrying about me? I can handle things myself."
"I never said you couldn't." I knew he was smiling. "But I will always worry about you, kjære, even if you're in the safest, most protected place in the universe."
My lips curled into a soft smile, though I realised our call would be cut short when Steve and Hill walked in my direction. Their conversation grew louder as they neared me, and I knew it was time to work again.
"I have to go," I said quietly and reluctantly.
Silence filled the other end of the phone, and I thought Nikolai had already hung up, but as I was about to lower my phone, his voice came through. "Okay," he said. "Stay safe."
"I will." I nodded, even though he could not see me. I was met with more silence, and I knew this time that Nikolai had hung up. I stuffed my phone into the back pocket of my jeans as Steve gestured for me to follow him. Only the last bit of their conversation was audible, where they mentioned Wanda and Pietro's surname, Maximoff.
