chapter 18

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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

You sipped from your coffee mug, savoring the warmth as the rich flavor slid down your throat, trying to wake yourself up properly. Across the table, Nikolai rambled excitedly, explaining the details of the next mission Fyodor had assigned.

"Sooo!~" Nikolai started, his voice carrying a theatrical lilt. "We have to find someone to uhh... manipulate, per se," he added, placing a hand dramatically on his chest, as if the task was somehow noble.

You sighed heavily, setting your mug down on the table with a gentle thud. "Why doesn't Fedya ever let me have a break for once... I'm injured in my shoulder, for crying out loud," you muttered, shifting your sore arm and pouting at the unfairness of it all.

"Don't worry, dovie!" Nikolai chirped, leaning across the table to tap your nose with his finger. His smile was wide, almost childlike in its enthusiasm. "I'll do most of the stuff! You can just sit back and look pretty." He gave you a playful wink.

Despite the pain in your shoulder and the looming responsibility, you couldn't help but crack a small smile at his carefree attitude. Nikolai had a way of making the most frustrating situations feel like a game, always bringing a lightness to the tension that Fyodor's missions usually created.

"You always say that, Kolya," you said, shaking your head. "But somehow, I always end up doing half the work."

Nikolai waved his hand dismissively. "Minor details, dovie, minor details! Besides, I always come through, don't I?" His grin widened, and you had to admit—despite everything, he did manage to keep things interesting.

You glanced down at your shoulder, wincing slightly. "I guess I'll have to trust you this time."

He jumped out of his chair, spinning around dramatically as if performing for an invisible audience. "Trust? Oh, my sweet Y/N, you wound me!" He clutched his chest in mock agony. "When have I ever let you down?"

You gave him a pointed look. "That time you left me alone in a room full of explosives comes to mind."

Nikolai let out a high-pitched giggle, waving off your accusation as if it were nothing. "Details, details! It all worked out in the end, didn't it?"

"Only because I had to defuse half of them while you were off somewhere enjoying a snack."

"Well, you did it so gracefully, though! And with your injured shoulder this time, I'll be extra helpful. Besides," he added, a mischievous gleam in his eyes, "if anyone messes with you, I'll send them straight into my portal—poof! Gone without a trace."

You rolled your eyes, though a part of you appreciated his strange form of reassurance. "Just make sure to stay focused, okay?"

Nikolai gave you a dramatic salute. "Scout's honor! I'll be as focused as a hawk on a hunt." He paused, then grinned cheekily. "Except a lot more fun."

𝑭𝑬𝑨𝑻𝑯𝑬𝑹𝑺 - 𝑹.𝑵𝑰𝑲𝑶𝑳𝑨𝑰Where stories live. Discover now