Nikolai had always been captivated by birds. Their elegant wings, the way they soared effortlessly through the sky-it was a kind of beauty that never ceased to amaze him.
.
. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁
.
He often watched them from his window, imagining what i...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
TWENTY SIX
As you entered the main room with Nikolai and Claire trailing behind, your eyes naturally found Sigma. He was sitting at his desk, diligently fixing his papers, but when he noticed you, his face brightened with a welcoming smile. He waved at you, and you couldn't help but return the gesture with a grin.
Out of the corner of your eye, you also noticed Fyodor seated in his usual spot, engrossed in a thick, leather-bound book. He looked up from his reading when you entered, his sharp eyes locking onto yours. His smile was subtle, just a slight curve of his lips, but it sent a warmth through you. That nod of acknowledgment was his way of greeting you, and it was enough to make your heart skip a beat—a tiny, barely-there crush you couldn't help but feel whenever you were around him.
You playfully skipped over to Sigma, hopping onto the edge of his desk, careful not to disrupt his work. "How are youuu?~" you asked in your usual sing-song tone, offering him a sweet smile that you reserved just for him.
Sigma chuckled at your tone, leaning back in his chair. "I'm fine, Y/N. How about you? Did you get any sleep after your 'eventful' night with Nikolai?" His voice had a teasing lilt, accompanied by a soft laugh.
You felt a small blush creep onto your cheeks, but you waved it off with a shrug. "I guess... it was fine. But, funny you mention it—I ran into someone while I was out last night."
"Someone?" Sigma raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Who did you run into?"
"Oh, just some guy named Chuuya," you replied with a sly grin, swirling the remnants of your coffee in your mug. "We talked about wine and birds. You know, the usual."
Sigma chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Birds? That's definitely an interesting topic for a midnight chat."
Fyodor's deep voice cut in, smooth and velvety. "It sounds like your night was more... eventful than usual." He leaned forward slightly, his dark eyes watching you with an almost predatory curiosity. "Birds and wine... quite a combination."
You met his gaze with a playful smirk, feeling a familiar thrill run through you. "What can I say, I'm a woman of varied interests."
Fyodor's smile deepened, his amusement clear. "It seems so. But, you should be careful, Y/N. The people you meet might not be as innocent as they seem." His voice held that usual cryptic tone, a subtle warning wrapped in the guise of a friendly comment.
"Are you jealous, Fyodor?" you teased, tilting your head as you leaned a bit closer to him. Your voice was soft but laced with flirtation, testing the waters with him as you often did.
Fyodor's eyes glinted, but his smile remained composed. "Jealous? Hardly." His voice dropped, a hint of challenge in his tone. "I simply find it interesting to observe where your curiosity leads you."
Before you could respond, Sigma leaned in a little closer, drawing your attention back to him. "I don't know, Y/N. It sounds like you're making quite a few new friends lately." His tone was light and teasing, but there was a warmth behind his words. "Though, if you ask me, you're plenty of fun just the way you are. No need to go looking for trouble."
