GRISHAVERSE X READERS

COLOURS OF THE BEYOND [NIKOLAI LANTSOV]

Summary: Bumping into a man at the Novyi Zem market led to something you weren't expecting.

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When you began your run from Os Kervo and set sail to a new land you had never before seen, you hadn't known what to expect. But Novyi Zem was beautiful. All the colors, the smell of food at the street and beautiful handcrafted items and jewelry constantly left you standing in front of stalls, chatting with vendors. And after it had gone on for a few stops, you turned to Mal and Alina, nodding towards the inn. "I'll catch up."

"Alright," Alina replied. "I'll tell them that you'll be coming later." They then smiled at each other before continuing on as you began wandering through the aisles.

"Can I offer you a piece of my family's hermit cake, my dear?" an old lady asked behind one of the stalls, and you faltered for a moment. In Ravka, you'd immediately think it's filled with something that would drug you, but something in this lady told you she was being genuine, and you excitedly nodded.

She handed you a piece of it, and you took it, taking a careful bite before you felt like you just stepped into some form of food heaven, raising a hand over your mouth. The old woman chuckled at your heart eyes and you began digging your pouch. "How much?"

"For you? Nothing, we're just glad to see a foreigner being so enchanted by our culture. If you want another piece, it's two neredi," she smiled and you blinked at her before nodding, handing her the two coins and getting a piece on the go.

As you took a bite and turned away, you were collided with something and immediately spit your cake piece out, flailing for a moment before you could register you actually bumped with a man who was standing behind you. "I'm so sorry! I should have watched where I go."

The man brushed his coat before raising his eyes on you, and before you could sputter out another string of apologies, you were met with the most gorgeous man you had ever seen, and words just got stuck in your throat.

"No harm done," he replied with a smirk, and you blinked at him for a few times before laughing a little.

"I'm just... so amazed by all these colours. It's everything Ra- Kerch doesn't have. I guess I lost my ability to look where I'm going." You smiled, fumbling with your scarf. His gaze made your face really warm, you noticed.

He smirked. "Well, I'm glad you did. Because otherwise I wouldn't have seen that beautiful smile of yours."

Your face heated up even more and you laid your gaze on the ground. "O-oh. Thank you."

You then ended up chatting as you strolled through stalls together, and you immediately felt like you had known him all your life. He just somehow got you, made you feel special without even doing anything in particular - except for a few flirts here and there. He clearly enjoyed having you flustered.

Your little stroll together came to an end sooner than you would have liked as a woman approached him, laying her hand on his shoulder, causing him to turn.

"Captain, she's in the city. They told you the truth," she mumbled, her eyes flicking to you quickly as he glanced at you too.

He placed his hands on his hips. "You're sure?"

"Yes."

"Alright, I'll come to the ship soon."

The woman left, and the man turned to you, his brows furrowed as he sighed.

"You need to run," you nodded before he said anything. "I understand. It was nice to meet you. I had a wonderful time."

He nodded, his lips forming a tight line. "I most likely need to leave Novyi Zem tonight, but I hope to see you again one day."