I was watching a compilation of Nik moments/interactions in both MW2 and MW3 and just realized he's like one of the coolest motherfuckers on the planet
Bailey hearing that Price is married. Laswell asking Price something and mentioning this "Nik" person. She doesn't want to pry into Price's personal life, and he doesn't seem to be a very open person. (Price is just emotionally constipated, it's okay sweetie)
She first sees Nik in passing. He's been the one transporting most of the survivors out of the 141 base. She has the instinctive response of "oh shit he looks like one of the men I was stuck with during the quarantine that was NOT a good person". She finds out he's Price's husband and is trying to tell herself "he doesn't seem like a bad person. Both Laswell and Price trust him, so I should too"
Bailey is terrified the first time she has to interact with Nik. She hasn't even seen him yet but the idea that she has to is scary enough.
But then she sees Nik walking towards them with his swagger walk and his cool sunglasses and that dope leather jacket and she's just like "oh okay, I guess I'm just paranoid"
And then when he actually speaks?? Maybe not addressing her directly but the first time she hears him speak??? He's just so Russian and just so casual and he intentionally says something to fluster Price
And Bailey wants to laugh. Wants to laugh cause he's clearly not a threat to her at all and he's so totally the opposite of what she expected that it's so relieving its almost comical.
Bailey who does befriend one of Gaz's little cousins. Gaz's mom and his aunt are pretty far apart in age, and their kids also end up with age gaps. Gaz and his sisters are between the ages of like 24-30 his cousins are all between the ages of 13-19.
Gaz's youngest cousin is Ava, who sees the new girl in her class and instantly has a "target acquired" moment for acquiring a new best friend. Ava who is a bit of an outcast from the social circles forming amongst the other 13 year old girls.
Bailey ends up actually meeting Gaz before ever finding out he works with Price. Bailey was invited by Ava to join her to the local fair or something. It was originally just her siblings and her, but then Gaz came back home on leave and decided to be "cool older cousin" and take them instead of Ava's mom.
He's actually so good at putting Bailey at ease it's honestly incredible. She has a couple of "oh shit crowds" moments but Gaz is playing it off and is like "Yeah we'll go do this thing instead to avoid the lines. Lines suck, we're just trying to have fun, yeah?"
And it works. Bailey has a lot of fun despite still seeming very anxious the entire time.
Ava and Bailey become inseparable over time. Ava definitely hits another kid for them saying something mean about Bailey. Gaz finds out and is definitely laughing his ass off. Until he remembers he has to go home eventually and face the wrath of both his mum and his aunt for teaching his little cousin how to throw a proper punch.
Bailey hugging Ghost. That's it, that's the feeling.
Bailey hugging any of them to be honest.
Bailey's first night home and she can't sleep so Price stays with her until she does fall asleep, except he also falls asleep. Nik waking up to see Price laying flat on his back in Bailey's bed with her curled up against his side.
Bailey getting her period and having horrendous cramps. She's just borderline miserable as she lays in her bed all day.
Surprisingly, both her fathers are good at acting natural about the whole situation, even if it's just checking in on her a bit more frequently and being a bit more hovering.
She's too emotional to not cry when Nik cryptically leaves only to come back with her favorite snacks. He genuinely doesn't understand why she's crying and oh god Bailey please it's okay and "oh fuck, I made her cry, John is gonna kill me"
Nik ends up sitting on her bed and holding her for a bit to help her feel better. It's still relatively soon after she started getting closer to him, so Nik's a bit in over his head with the whole situation.
Price checks in on her only to see her dozing off in Nik's arms. Nik is getting teary and Price can't tell if it's because they're getting closer or because he's so confused as to what happened.
