COD Oneshots

Right on time (Nikolai)

Nikolai lived a life split between two worlds. In the realm of combat and missions, he was the epitome of reliability. As a member of his elite team, his comrades relied on him for everything—from securing extra weapons at a moment's notice to providing crucial transport to the most perilous of locations. His skills and dedication were unmatched, earning him the respect and trust of everyone around him.

However, outside of his missions, Nikolai struggled with a persistent flaw: punctuality. In his personal life, being on time seemed an elusive goal. This seemingly trivial issue had significant consequences, especially in his relationships. His previous partners, despite his many other qualities, eventually found his chronic tardiness intolerable, leading to the demise of each relationship.

Then came Y/N.

Y/N understood Nikolai in a way no one else did. She saw beyond his shortcomings and appreciated the man he was beneath them. From their first date, she knew Nikolai had a heart of gold, despite his perpetual struggle with the clock. Their relationship blossomed despite his habitual lateness. She would often tease him gently about it, but never in a way that made him feel inadequate.

On their second anniversary, Nikolai was determined to make a change. He meticulously planned the evening, ensuring he would arrive just on time to pick Y/N up. As he pulled up outside her apartment, he nervously checked his watch—right on schedule. To his surprise, however, Y/N was not waiting for him outside as he had expected.

He parked the car and checked his watch again. Fifteen minutes passed, then twenty. Just as he was about to call her, the door to her apartment building swung open, and Y/N emerged, looking stunning in a dress that took his breath away.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to keep you waiting," she said with a sheepish smile, noticing the slight confusion on his face.

Nikolai chuckled softly, a mix of relief and amusement washing over him. "I... I thought I was late," he admitted, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders.

Y/N walked over to him, her eyes filled with warmth and understanding. "I know you always try your best. So, I started getting ready a bit later so I wouldn't be waiting for you. I love you just the way you are, Nikolai."

In that moment, Nikolai realized just how lucky he was to have found someone who accepted him unconditionally, flaws and all. Their anniversary dinner turned out to be one of their most memorable evenings yet, filled with laughter, heartfelt conversations, and a deeper connection that bound them together.

From then on, Nikolai continued to strive for punctuality, not out of obligation, but out of love and respect for Y/N. And whenever he slipped up, Y/N would just smile knowingly, reminding him that in her eyes, he was always right on time.