Vixen & The Viper - Baby It's On The Cold Outside [a specterverse xmas novella]

Chapter Ten : There's No Place Like Home

Mishka Ivanov

January 13th, 4pm
Upstate, Darkport City, USA.
Golden Arrow, Private Airfield.

As I step off the plane and onto the tarmac, an overwhelming sense of relief rolls over me.. It's like I can finally breathe again after weeks underwater..

I am home..

"Mishka!" A booming call echoes throughout the hanger and I turn to see two strapping men waiting for me by the entrance.. One of them, a lean yet muscular silvery stag of a fellow in his early fifties, is My Uncle Stori.. And beside him stands a stoic soldier, tall and dark, my brother, Anatoly..

"Tolya?" I cry out in surprised delight before my legs begin moving of their own accord.. I race across the asphalt, ignoring my aches as I fling my arms around my surly sibling and capture him in a crushing embrace.. "I didn't think you'd come.."

He squeezes me slightly, careful with me as if I were a glass doll.. My brother has always been protective of me, but today he is something more, apologetic and guilt ridden.. "I should have been here sooner, Luchik.. I never should have left.." (Sunbeam)

I pet his hand in mine as we break apart.. "You're here now, and that's all that matters.." Turning to my uncle with a grin, I shake my head.. "You really didn't have to send the private jet for me, uncle Stori.. I would have flown economy with the others."

"Ah, Moya printsessa-" (My Princess--) Stori winks a dazzling ocean-blue eye back at me.. "Why for I even have thiz fucking thing otherwize?"

The smiles soon slide from their faces as the sound of boots on the ground scuff the tar behind me.. Both my uncle and brother turn their attention over my shoulder and I bite my lip, nervous at how this interaction will go..

Please god, don't let them kill each other..

"Uhem- Guys.. This is Venom.. We met in Strysakstan.." I make the introduction, praying silently that everyone be on their best behaviour.. "Venom, this is my uncle, Stori Petrovich, and my brother Anatoly.."

"Zdravstvuyte." (Hello.) Venom makes the first move, confident but cool as ever, he nods politely and extends a hand towards my uncle..

"You are a Romanov, Eh?" Stori probes, ignoring the goodwill gesture as he scratches his chin and sizes up the Ice King.. "Oska's bastard son?"

"Da.." (Yes.) Venom grunts, glancing sideways to me with his irritation barely contained.. I can see just how uncomfortable the subject of his father makes him.. He deserved so much better than he was given and I can't help the way my heart aches for him..