Our Flame

xxi

NADIA

Marriage can be tough, it can be a controlled environment. Especially in my predicament.

Which is why I made a list.

A list of all the things I want to do in the next few months, just because I can.

"Tada." I reveal my list to Luka and Niko.

Luka tilts his head reading the writing then he speaks up, "That's nice since he might not let you do anything." Niko nudges our brother. "Shut up."

"Nadia, he's probably not that controlling." Niko sighs. That makes it so much better that he may not be that controlling, I fight the urge to roll my eyes at the thought.

"What's next on that list? I'm tired of being in this hotel." Luka groans. "You're on bed rest." Niko and I both remind him. "I'm fine." Luka insists.

The three; Gianna, Aleksi, and Luka insisted that they were fine despite their injuries. Despite being almost blown apart less than two weeks ago.

We're all fine, we have to be.

"What's next?" Luka repeats. I sigh deciding to just pick a random thing off the list, "Getting a dog."

My two brothers stare at me as if I'm crazy, I smile. "Come on guys, you know I've always wanted a dog." I plead. "Whatever." Niko sighs. "Let's do it."

My smile grows, "See that's the spirit."

"Go get ready then meet me in the lobby." I push them out of the room. I let out a breath closing the door behind them.

I'm getting a dog.

I repeat in my mind until realization dawns on me, I live in a hotel. A somewhat empty hotel but still, it's a hotel. Where will my dog run? Down the halls?

Vadim and Viktor say we'll be out of here soon but I don't know- the two of them take house hunting pretty serious.

Which is why it's taken so long. Something about the architecture and the area.

This all causes me stress, I walk over to the stand by my bed and grab the pack of cigarettes. I did tell Luka that I'd stop smoking but it's better than relapsing.

Something I never want to do, I clear my throat pushing back the thought. Right as I put the cigarette to my lips I hear a knock at the door, "Fuck." I mumble.

I don't bother to put it out though, that would be wasteful instead I smoke on my way there.

"Seriously Nadia." Vadim groans airing the smoke out of his face. "It's been a while." I inhale. "What's up."

"Going somewhere." He points to my shoes by the door. I look at the shoes then back at him, "No." I lie.

"Spill Nadia." Vadim takes a seat on my bed. I shrug taking another drag of the cigarette. "I'm getting a dog." I blankly speak.

He crosses his arms, letting out a low chuckle. "A dog or a puppy Nadia?"

I think for a moment; I don't want a puppy peeing everywhere, but I want to watch it grow, or a full dog who'd I'd only be with for half it's life.

Mind's made.

"A puppy."

"Puppies are a lot of work." Vadim warns. "So is marriage." I deadpan.

"You said you weren't mad." Vadim sighs. "I'm not mad V, I'm adjusting." I tell him. "Adjusting?" My brother questions.

"Yes adjusting, I'm adjusting to the fact that I will be married soon and there's nothing I can do about it."

"Nadi- It's fine, I swear." I lie through my teeth. Nothing about me getting married is fine, but it's all apart of life, right?

I take one last long drag of the cigarette before I walk away from him putting the cigarette out, "What brought you to my room anyway?" I question.

As if my question made him remember he sits up straight, "We're going to see a house tomorrow."

Vadim says, I let out a small smile. This is good, yet Vadim's face says something different. "Why do you seem upset about that?"

He quickly shakes his head, "That was home- We'll be fine, this is a new start." Vadim gets up to leave, stopping his confession. "Vadim?" I call out.

"This'll be home too, just not the one we're use to."

He stopped in his tracks, turning around giving me a smile, "Don't get an ugly puppy Nadia." I roll my eyes at his words.

"Ew why is he here." Niko enters the room, almost hitting Vadim with the door. This time Vadim rolls his eyes not even entertaining our brother.

"Why aren't you ready?" Niko groans.

"I am." I signal to what I'm wearing. A very short crop top and Viktor's sweatpants, who knows maybe I'll top this with Aleksi's hoodie.

"You're joking." They both say. I raise my eyebrow, "Why would I be kidding?" I start to put on my shoes.

"Because your shirt has like zero fabric- just have fun Nadia." Vadim clasps his hand over Niko's mouth.

"Thank you Vadim." I jokingly glare at Niko. "Come on." I lead them out of my room and to the elevator.

"I didn't know this was a whole family thing." Niko crosses his arms as we enter the lobby. "Neither did I."

I clap my hands together, "Well come on everyone." I grab the keys from Viktor. "Hi V." I greet after. "Do you even know how to drive?"

"I know enough."

***

"Slow down, fuck Nadia." Luka yells from the backseat. I roll my eyes. "What a baby." I mumble. "Is everyone else fine or do you guys want to overreact too?" I add.

Viktor shakes his head as a smile plays out on his face, "Just make the next right." he speaks.

"Oh this was a short ride." I joyfully speak as I park. "Because you were driving on the side walk." Niko grumbles.

I huff, I was on the road, I think. "This is going to be good for you, Nadia." Gianna grabs my hand as we walk in. "I know."

"I'd like a dog."

I tell the man at the counter, though his attention wasn't on my words. "Keep staring at my sister like that and I will fucking kill you." Viktor says.

"Yes, Eli.." I read his name tag. " Please, don't make my brother take out his gun."

"Anyway, as I was saying, I'd like a dog." I tap the counter. The man frantically nods leading us to the back. "Men are so weird." I whisper to Gianna.

"The-These are pup-puppies and those are dogs." The man shows us. "Keep your eyes up and they won't kill you." I shove pass him going to look at the puppies.

VADIM

"привет детки" I watch my little sister coo at the puppies.

translation: hi babies

The look on her face is pure contentment; her smile grows as she holds a puppy in her arms. This might be the first time she truly looks stress free.

Well without her having to smoke.

"She's happy V." I go stand by Viktor. "For now, until the fact that she's getting married returns."

I stare at my brother, "But for now that's all that matters, she's happy."

Finally, he gets it.

I'll do anything to see Nadia happy, the second Ezra makes her the opposite, I won't hesitate to hurt my friend.

все и вся для моей сестры

translation: anything and everything for my sister. (everything and everything idk)

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i've been so busy lately but this is mostly like a filler chapter, i prefer the next one 🤔
word count: 1258