𝖈𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖆𝖎𝖓| Nikolai Lantsov

A laugh |

-Tolya-

Nikolai and I had been working side by side all day. The sun was beginning to set and most of the crew had finished their tasks. Adelaide, Tamar and Alina were sitting at the top of the ship talking and drinking.

"I wonder what they're talking about." I said trying to gain Nikolai's attention.

"Saints knows."

"Oh god! Look at them..." I cried out exasperatedly after Tamar had fallen over.

"Tolya-." Nikolai sighed.

"Sturmhond...Just look at her, she's pulled Adelaide down with her!"

Nikolai looked at her. And in that moment, Adelaide tipped her head back to laugh at whatever Tamar told her, and Nikolai looked as if his heart was about to explode. And I realised that it was true. Nikolai was in love with the girl he had grown up with. He was in love with his best friend. Even if he didn't know its yet.

His lips twitched up at the corners and his tiredness seemed to wash away. He let out a deep, warm laugh and shook his head at the sight of the girl.

- Nikolai-

She'd laughed. It was my favourite sound and I could get drunk on it every night. She had the sort of laugh that was contagious and anyone that was around could not help but laugh along with her.

I could hear her giggling as I continued working. It drove me crazy and I started getting lost in my thoughts. There is no way that I was falling for her, no fucking way. Sure she was breathtaking , with her dark hair and deep brown eyes. And sure the leather boots she wore made me feel things that nothing has before. And her laughter made a smile slide upon my face. And-

No! She is my best friend. Nothing more. Nothing less. I cannot let my emotions get in the way of us stopping the Darkling and destroying the fold.

But just the mere thought of her made my heart race.

"Careful." Tolya whispers to me, bringing me back to reality.

"What?"

"Your smile. You look like you're about to fall in love." I went to argue with him, but he was right. I was falling in love with her.

-Mal-

I was busy working with the navigators all day and had no chance to talk to Alina. At first I was worried that she was alone and had no one to speak to.

But when I heard her laughter coming from the top deck, all of my worries washed away. Her laugh was pure, just like the laugh I first heard in the corn field back in Keramzin. To many Alina was a Saint, a saviour. But to me she was still the same little girl I met at the orphanage.

I have given her everything I have. I would search the world for that Sea whip, if it meant that my Alina was happy.

Countless nights with no sleep. Countless days with no food. Countless days where I've been on the run: just so I could be with her.

But it would all be worth it in the end. We will have it all. And I will have my Alina.