Part 1
Part 2 (mdni🔞, optional)
Today the plan was to go to the store — the fridge was out of groceries. You look out the window and frown. Mid-April. What the hell is with this blizzard outside?!
Nikto comes up from behind and peers out the window over your shoulder.
"Мы сходим (We'll go)," he says, resting a hand on your other shoulder, then turns away.
You sigh and head to the front door, watching Nikto put on his winter boots and jacket. You slip the wallet into his pocket, knowing perfectly well he wouldn't have forgotten it.
"A couple dozen eggs, dumplings, milk, ground meat. And check for a few soup seasonings too. Coffee… and sugar. Want me to write a list?" you recite the shopping list, leaning your shoulder against the wall. Nikto pats the pockets of his jacket and pants, double-checking that the wallet and phone are in place.
"Нет. Мы пошли (No. We're off)," Nikto replies curtly, turning and opening the door.
You see him off with your gaze, staring at the door for a couple more seconds after it closes.
That brief moment with the door open was enough to make you shiver from the cold. And that was just the air from the stairwell… It must be even colder outside.
You go to the kitchen, opening the fridge and verifying that the list you recited was accurate. Maybe you should have added chicken fillet…
The plan was for you to go to the store alone, but since Nikto volunteered himself, let him. It's still his house and let him decide what he wants for dinner.
The apartment holds its usual ringing silence. Almost. A dull thud sounds from above — the upstairs neighbors dropped something. But otherwise, it's dead quiet. So you decide to break it — you walk over to the shelves with CDs, pick a random nineties movie, and slide it into the TV player. Let it create some background noise. And you'll watch it a bit — maybe it'll catch your interest and draw you in.
That's exactly what happened. The movie made you forget about the blizzard outside. But you immediately get up, hearing the turn of a key.
You step into the hallway, seeing Nikto with a couple of full grocery bags. What the hell did he buy? You don't remember the shopping list being that long.
"Welcome back," you say, taking the bags and carrying them to the kitchen to put everything away.
Oh god… A package of your favorite tea, a whole assortment of treats you've been craving the last few days.
Seems Nikto knows better than you what needs to be bought. The bags contain quite a lot of meat products and vegetables that had completely slipped your mind.
You put everything in its place — some in the fridge, some in the freezer, some in the cupboards. After taking off his boots and jacket, Nikto helped unload the bags as well.
Soon, only a few of the treats you wanted right now remained on the table. Sometime in between, Nikto had already turned on the kettle and now took out the mugs.
While he makes tea for the two of you, you come up from behind and gently hug him. He still carries a slight chill of the outdoors.
"Thank you," you say into his back, and after a couple of seconds, you step back, letting go.
He gave a short nod and handed you your mug. Perfect temperature. The taste is perfect too.
Sometimes the thought crosses your mind that, since he's away from home for so long, he must forget a lot about you. It's amazing how he manages to get everything exactly the way you like it best, every single time.
You take the treats and return to the TV, where the movie is still playing.
"Кодекс бесчестия (Code of Dishonor)?" Nikto's voice sounds, and you just shrug in response.
Nikto sits on the couch and pats the spot next to him. You huff and, gripping your mug tighter, sit down on his lap.
He doesn't push you away. So you correctly understand who's in control inside him right now.
Nikto's hand settles on your side, holding you steady. You place your palm over it, stroking gently with your thumb. Your gaze turns to the screen, continuing to watch the movie.
Outside, snow is still falling in flakes, bringing december back to april. But a warm man, tea, and your favorite treats keep the cold at bay.
There was a blizzard in my town yesterday