Hello readers! So for those of you who are new to my writing, thank you for choosing to read this. This is my first fanfiction for the Grisha Trilogy. Read, review, and enjoy!
"This heat is insufferable!" complained Nikolai.
"Then move away from the fire," suggested Tolya.
"Good man! Always thinking on your feet."
The big Shu man only grunted in response. Nikolai was used to his quiet demeanor. Tolya might not say much, but he was as deadly as they come on a battlefield. They sat in a small parlor with the fireplace as their only light. It was late winter and Nikolai was getting extremely antsy after not being able to sail during the snow filled months.
I can't stand sitting still, he thought.
Although he had had plenty of time to work on his newest design: the Penguin. It was going to be his best ship yet; built only for speed. It was small and would slide through the air like a hot knife in butter.
Well that's fantastic, now I'm hungry, he thought irritably. It seemed that he was irritated a lot lately. He didn't feel much else. I haven't been myself since…
Since Alina left.
Perhaps I am living up to my nickname: puppy. A lovesick one at that.
"I'm going down for supper. Tamar should be here soon. You should think about eating something." Tolya seemed uncomfortable with showing his concern. It didn't come naturally for him to worry about people, and he certainly wasn't the type to mother. Or father for that matter, he thought, a little disappointedly. He was a warrior, not a family man. He would most likely carry out his days serving his tsar and die without having passed on his name. The King's foul mood is wearing off on me, he thought with a scowl.
"I'm not hungry," Nikolai lied. "Bring me some kvas when you come back up, if you would."
"Yes moi tsar."
Truth be told, Nikolai actually wasn't that fond of the drink. But brandy had been in short supply over the winter. And besides, it made the waiting easier. He couldn't wait to get out on one of his ships, preferably the Penguin, if it was completed in time.
That's what I'll do! he thought. Check on David's progress.
Nikolai made his way down to the shipbuilding yard, which was enclosed during the cold winter months. He whistled as he walked, but his heart wasn't in it. The curved metal roof of the arena-like facility rose high above him and the shipyard bustled with activity, even at this hour. In the far left corner, he could see the Penguin. He felt a thrill of excitement when he saw how close to completion it was. That was the closest thing to happiness that he'd felt in a long time. As he neared, he cast about for David. The Fabrikator loved his work and was extremely dedicated to it, so where was he?
He loves his work, but not as much as…
Sure enough, there was Genya, her arms around David's neck, giggling away. Even with her scars, she was by far the prettiest girl Nikolai had ever seen. And I can't exactly discriminate against the scars, he thought, glancing down at his hands, but then remembering they were gloved. If she weren't with David, Nikolai would've had to have her. Today her hair was made up of strawberry blonde curls. She just couldn't leave her hair alone.
"David! Fantastic work!" Nikolai called, startling the couple out of their wits, "I just love what you've done with the hands around her waist thing! Pure genius!"
"My apologies sir," David floundered, his face bright red. "I was just—"
"We're engaged!" Genya exclaimed.
Nikolai raised his eyebrows. "Can't say I saw that one coming." He paused, then, "Actually yes, I kind of did."
Genya gave another giggle. "Can you believe it? Oh, I'm so happy!" She gave an odd little girly jump that Nikolai struggled to understand the point of and planted a kiss right on David's mouth. If they were a normal couple, this would be somewhat spontaneous, but she did this quite often and it was no longer shocking. Even David seemed somewhat subdued. But perhaps it was the hour…
"Moi tsar, if it's alright with you, we were going to retire for the night. Unless you wanted me to show you the additions I made, then—"
"No, no David, it's fine. I didn't realize how late it was. Go get some rest."
"Thank you moi tsar."
Nikolai bristled at his father's title. "Oh and David, one more thing: when will she be ready to fly?"
"The Penguin should be ready by the end of the week. Although I wouldn't recommend sailing until the weather—"
"Thank you David, I'll worry about the weather."
"You know, there's something unsettling about building a flying machine called the Penguin." David said. Nikolai grinned.
"Oh, surely even you can appreciate the glorious irony."
"I'm just saying, you're asking for trouble."
Without another word, Genya and David left, hand in hand. The shipyard grew quiet as the workers left for the night. The enormous domed lights overhead snapped off, leaving Nikolai in the dark. He found he didn't mind it too much.
"No David, I'm not asking for trouble," he whispered to no one, "I'm begging for it."