Raivis quietly walked into the kitchen of Ivan Braginsky, the scariest Russian he would ever work for. Therefore, the only thing on his mind every day at work was to get everything he was told done while avoiding the intimidating man and without getting punished if he was caught slacking off, or sometimes for no reason at all.
"Just a little while longer and I'll be home free…Toris?" he stopped in front of the Lithuanian who was stumped in the corner under the counter, polishing the sunflower china teacups. His head snapped up and sighed to see it was only the innocent Latvian standing in shock, curiosity and concern for the older boy. Did he already get harassed by Ivan already this morning…?
"Oh, hello there Raivis," Toris smiled sheepishly, standing up, and moaning.
"Toris, what's wrong? Did Ivan do something to you…?" he came over, taking the teacup and washcloth from the other boy's hands. The chocolate haired boy laughed softly and shook his head.
"It's….nothing…" suddenly, his eyes darkened, looking down at his feet, looking scared and concerned.
"D-did something happen at home?" the little Latvian stuttered, tearing up from his friend who was feeling pain from possible problems between him and Feliks.
"I….I'm worried about Feliks…" Toris leaned against the counter, wrapping his arms around his abdomen, acknowledging his stomach ache – his sudden depression.
"What happened this morning…?" Raivis's eyes shone in worry.
"He of course is worried about why I'm having nightmares and asked what's happening at work….but I couldn't bring myself to tell him…" Toris confessed, pushing his hair back, realizing he should put it back before doing dishes and pushed his sleeve up, and stopped abruptly at the sight of the bandages going up his forearm and pushed it back down, feeling up his arm under the sleeve gently to find the hair band. Toris noticed as well and sighed, placing the delicate glass on the dull gray and gold granite counter. Tying his hair into a ponytail, they heard footsteps approaching the room, and they froze mid – motion, then scampering to do some sort of duty, the dishes more specifically since they were right there in the sink next to them and began to run the water without letting out a squeal of fright or rush, running the water and scrubbed the teacups.
"You two look like you've seen a ghost," came the voice of Eduard, coming in with a stack of paperwork. The other two sighed in relief and continued washing with the feel of no more danger.
"We just thought you were Mr. Braginsky coming in," Raivis explained, smiling sheepishly with his eyes closed, turning a bit to the Estonian. Eduard smiled a little as well, going past them.
"Well, it is good that you two are keeping your ears open. See you all a little later," then he left through the door on the other side of the room.
"Same to you too, Ed," called Toris as his other companion disappeared.
"I'm just afraid he'll watch us cook dinner again…" the Latvian muttered, drying his hands of soapy water and pulled his sleeves down as Toris did the same.
"That does sound like a good idea. May I ask what is for dinner tonight, Raivis, Toris?" asked the menacing voice that always made them cringe in fear. Slowly, they turned to the keeper of the house with eyes wide open.
"M-M-M-Mr. Braginsky, uh…umm….it's whatever suits your taste tonight, sir!" Raivis stuttered becoming teary eyed. "What are you feeling tonight s-sir…?"
"Hmm….what do you recommend tonight, Toris?" Ivan looked over at the Lithuanian, calm purple eyes dark and intimidating with is intentions.
"Ah…..I-It is all up to you!" Toris put his hands up in defense, stepping back in synch with Raivis, both of them terrified, bumping into the counter.
"Alright then…..how about you make some soup with dinner rolls tonight?" he leaned against the pantry, an intimidating look in his eyes. Toris swallowed hard, looking at his friend for help, but was afraid of dragging him into another one of Ivan's beatings.
"Would you l – like to use fresh tomatoes, T- Toris…?" Raivis piped up, pointing at the back room where all the fresh fruits, vegetables, and preserved goods were. He blinked his nervous green eyes and nodded, walking over to one of the silverware drawers and opened a bigger one up and pulled out a large, sharp knife, which he was scared to handle with the dark gaze on him, and looked through a revolving cabinet of pasta for the spaghetti noodles.
"Is spaghetti alright with you, M – Mr. Braginsky…? Toris glanced at Ivan, who shrugged.
"Whatever we have…Toris…" his voice dropped and octave and purred as he said his name, making him shutter in further fear, wanting to just run for his life.
"As you wish, sir. Would you like some Vodka with that?" the Lithuanian opened a revolving cabinet holding alcoholic drinks from booze to vodka next to the refrigerator, awaiting the house lord's orders.
"Hmm…I'd rather have you…da?" and thus, starting off his nightmare of another day, he was attacked by the scary, big, overpowering Russian.