Cliché School Romance

Summary: Romania is an eccentric new student eager to make friends. Bulgaria is the school delinquent who hangs out with the wrong people. Against all odds they form a friendship which transforms into something more.

Chapter 14: Yogurt

Alin spends the next days trying to convince himself he doesn't need like or even know Nikolai. His free time consists mainly of endless scrolling through the Internet and leisurely talking to his classmates whose friendship seems like the only bright ray of sunshine in his life right now.

But the thing is, for whatever reason, reading vampire FanFiction online (guilty pleasure, don't judge) and listening to Feliciano's constant chatter about pasta and how cute Germany is in blue (It compliments his eyes, si?), is simply not the same without the Bulgarian always lurking in the corner, smirk ever present on his pale face.

As the days pass, Alin finds himself more and more bored and exasperated. It is only the third day without the green eyed boy and yet it already feels like it was another life time when the two of them were together.

His mother catches on this and starts to give him "the looks". The Romanian can swear all mothers have a universal way of giving you one of those looks. He quickly starts feeling guilty for making her worry because after all this is beyond stupid. Why would he even care if his stupid classmate is mad at him? He is so above all of this. Not.

"Is everything alright?" his mother finally questions, looking up from a delicious plate of sarmale she has prepared for him and breaking him away from his little introspection.

He should have known having his favourite dish for dinner was some sort of trap.

"Yeah, everything's fine. Why wouldn't it be?" he assures, giving her the brightest smile he can offer at the moment.

Of course it doesn't work and she sees right through his façade, it's what mothers across the world do.

"You've been acting all gloomy the last few days. You seemed so happy at first when we got here and I was really glad but now…" she pauses, sending him a tiny, unsure smile, as if searching for the proper words, "I know something is bothering you so just please tell what it is honey."

"I told you, everything is fine, mum." Alin responds in a haste, the answer rehearsed throughout the years.

But of course she isn't buying it and offers an exasperated sigh.

"Even Sorina is starting to notice."

The teen looks up from the table, mortified. Great, now not only is he worrying his mother over nothing but also his little sister. He feels like the worst son and older brother which should be noted as some sort of new record in terms of messing up.

Add to that list worst boyfriend of the century and his failure is complete.

As a whole, there are many things he regrets but one of the most biggest is how little effort he's put for his relationship with his sister. Sorina is a great kid and yet they're not close. Being the drama queen he was, he always made sure she wouldn't bother him.

Alin remembers the countless occasions he would come back from school in a bad mood after some assholes would yet again remind him that being different isn't necessarily a good thing. His little sister would spot it right away and would run up to him, wrapping tiny fingers around his knees in a vain attempt of comfort.

"Why is big brother always so sad?" she'd ask him, large hazel eyes full of innocence and genuine concern.

But comfort was out of her reach and she couldn't help him as much as she tried in her childish ways. He saw her as little more than an annoying brat he happened to share DNA with. Now as the memories flash before his eyes, Alin bites his lip, already feeling regret bubbled up his chest.

"Don't worry, I'll talk to her, tell her everything is fine." he replies, opting for a reassuring smile and a proper look.

"I'm not worried about her Alin but you. What's going on? You seemed content just a few days ago." His mother questions, plea evident in her soft voice.

The boy sighs, exasperated.

"Everything is fine, I have made some friends, some of them are pretty nice, others not so much but still…" he pauses, not sure how to continue. He feels ridiculous for making such a big fuss about one idiot.

One very hot, interesting, smart, kind and adorable idiot he loves but still.

The silence in the spacious room is deafening and at some point the worry behind his mother's dark brown eyes is more than he can bear.

"Um, well, Nikolai and I had a fight." he mutters in defeat but she doesn't look one bit surprised and only raises a devious eyebrow, as if she has known all along because mothers are smart just like that and make the best detectives in the world.

"I thought it would be something like this." she muses as offers him an understanding smile, "Was it serious?"

"Yeah…I mean we started screaming at each other in the middle of the park and swearing and what not…it got pretty out of hand."

She nods, waiting for him to share more.

"And the worst thing is now I feel as if it was all my fault because he overheard me telling Francis about us even though he begged me not to," Alin admits, "Plus…I might have said some pretty mean stuff."

Once he has starts sharing he can't stop himself, words pouring out of his mouth as if they have a life of their own. Relief washes over him when he's finally able to talk about the mess he has got himself into.

"What kind of things?" his mother has a scornful expression and Alin knows she won't like it. Still, it's not like he can hide anything from her, even if wanted to which at this point he does not.

"Well…he's not exactly the easiest person in the world to deal with and…I know he's had a rough childhood and what not but…that can't always be his excuse."

Alin pauses, biting his lip. He can already see the lecture she is about to present once she hears this.

"The people he is closest to, his family is absolutely horrible. This Radko guy almost raped a girl and Ivan is playing some sort of criminal master mind…Oh, and did I mention they're homophobes?"

The teen expects his mother to scorn him but he is met only by silence. He can't really look at her and he can feel his cheeks flush.

"Hence why…Nikolai and I have to hide like some sort of thugs, like what we're doing is wrong."

"It's not," his mother assures, a gentle look painted on her face.

Alin nods, slowly taking in her support. It seems as though she has always known he was gay, perhaps before he even told her a few years ago. And when it came to Nikolai…one look at their rare pictures together was all it took for her to figure it out.

"I told him Ivan doesn't care about him and in my anger I even told him he was just jealous of me cause I have a loving family and…I-I shouldn't have said any of that." he admits, voice rich with regret.

The Romanian feels as if he is eleven all over again, coming home with a shining blue and purple bruise over his left eye and a torn T-shirt because some asshole has decided to express his pent up anger over him. It's embarrassing and pathetic and he feels sorry that his mother has to put with it because really, she deserves something better.

Alin can sense the familiar feeling of self-hatred peeking at the corners of his brain, just waiting to jump in on him and bite him in the ass.

His mother sighs, giving him a look that incorporates understanding and a tiny little bit of disappointment.

"Alin, what you said wasn't right but I can understand why you did." She points out, her tone soothing, "Things haven't been easy for you either and it's only human that you snap from time to time."

The boy buries his head in his hands, because he knows better than anyone how hard it sometimes is to battle the demons which lurk at the back of his mind and make sure to keep him trapped. However, that doesn't wash away the guilt after they get out.

"I agree you shouldn't have said those things to Nikolai…we can't even imagine how hard it must have been for him to lose both parents and to be forced to live with people who hate him for his sexuality…"

"Yeah…but I just…I didn't even think at that moment. I didn't think Nikolai could hear me when I talked to Francis and then he confronted me about it and-…"

He can't finish because reality slaps him in the face and he doesn't like the concept of the Bulgarian being out of his life at all.

"During the fight, I wanted to be there for him, to apologize for telling Francis but I just...I couldn't, not this time."

His mother walks up to him, running a hand through his hair before patting him on the shoulder.

"Alin, you have to stop putting yourself down and step up to your actions." She begins, voice gentle but firm, "This wallowing in self pity isn't going to help you…or Nikolai."

"I know…"

"I've seen how you look at him, the way your mood lifts when you've spent a day with him and trust me that is not something you want to lose."

"Yeah..."

His mother pauses, unsure how to continue, how to phrase her next question.

"Alin…do you like Nikolai?" she intrigues in the end, plopping in the chair next to him while the boy still refuses to meet her gaze, head buried in his arms, "Like really, really like him? Maybe even love?"

Alin doesn't reply right away and that already gives her the answer she's looking for.

"I do." He whispers in the end, still not bothering to look up, "But I have no chance. He's never going to change."

His mother cocks an eyebrow, "And how can you be so certain?"

Alin finally looks up before scoffing, "Mum, I just am."

"A year ago did you think you would be doing all the things you are now?" she inquires, lifting her brows.

"Well…no. But I mean…him changing and loving me is impossible at this point."

His mother lets out a small chuckle, shaking her head,

"Remember what grandpa always says about impossible?"

"That it's only impossible until someone does it and then it's the most natural thing in the world," he responds, mimicking his grandpa's tone which makes them both laugh and the light sound momentarily dispels the tension.

But Alin looks away, refusing to allow himself to hope when he knows he's probably in for disappointment, after all the prospect of someone loving him is foreign and borderline laughable.

"You can never know what he might do unless you try to apologize and help him." His mother goes on, running her fingers through his dyed hair, "You know you can both count on my support, right?"

Alin nods, "Thank you. You're the best mum in the world,"

She leans in, kissing him at the top of his head.

"Not to even mention you two had a sleepover, with cuddling at all." she insists, devious smirk on her lips, "That makes me think he might be willing to change after all,"

"Oh, come on, mum, we were both dressed!" he cries out, a deep blush covering his cheeks.

"Look, Alin, I'm not saying Nikolai's is going to be the love of your life, maybe he is, maybe he isn't but you have to try to make things work out or else you'll regret this for the rest of your life."

The teen doesn't respond right away, trying to take in the advice and muse over it. In the end of the day he knows his mother's right, he knows giving up on Nikolai is not an option, regardless of how much of stubborn assholes they both are.

In the end he sighs in defeat, "I know. Now I just have to think of a way to bring him back…hey, do you know where they sell yogurt?"

xxx

Alin buys copious amount of yogurt the next morning to the point where a few customers send him weirded glances. He takes one from every brand and stuffs him into his backpack before returning to his home and heading school.

He has a plan, you see. The plan is to somehow get the Bulgarian to forgive him and yogurt is one of the things he knows for a fact the other loves.

When he reaches school his eyes scan for Nikolai, searching for pale skin and brown hair or intense green eyes even though he knows the other is still suspended.

So far his idea is to go to the park nearby his bar and hope the other magically appears out of nowhere, much like the in the movies. It's not the best plan, maybe it's not even a good plan but at this point it's all he's got.

He plops onto his desk, a forlorn expression over his face.

Feliciano is absent and he hears something about an art tournament he's participating in. Ludwig is missing as well and Alin's lips curve into a knowing smirk when he puts two and two together. He can't help but swoon a little at the thought of Ludwig (the stoic German, the perfectionist, the straight A student) skipping classes in the name of his Italian boyfriend.

The happiness for Feliciano is soon replaced with jealousy as Alin realizes he doesn't have that and if anything Nikolai either hates him at this point, wants to do nothing with him or he never did. He bites his bottom lip, trying to shoo away the thought and focus on his plan which has to work.

After classes he heads for the park when suddenly he hears screaming his name and turns around, mouth agape when he sees the person calling him.

Radko of all people is standing next to him, scarred face baring an angry expression. He's panting for breath which seems odd having in mind the Serbian is supposed to be all though and what not.

The Romanian raises an eyebrow at him, it is after all extremely rare for the other to come to school, let alone when he is suspended.

"The fuck are you looking at you creepy shit?" Radko grumbles, sending a death glare at Alin.

The shorter teen stiffens at the words but chooses to ignore them; seeing the other as an opportunity to find out what's going on with Niko.

"Have you seen Niko?" he blurts out and the Serbian scoffs at his words, apparently becoming even angrier at them.

"Don't call him that faggy-ass name," he demands, never failing to surprise Alin with all the stupid things he gets angry about.

"Fine, have you seen Nikolai?"

"Yes, of course, we fucking live together." The Serbian sneers, taking in pleasure of bullying Alin.

The Romanian takes a long look at him. He doesn't look good. There are bags under his one good eye, his hair is longer and now a mess. Dark, greasy strands fall over his forehead. His rubs his hands together, as if they're sweating.

"That's not what I asked," Alin points out through gritted teeth, trying his hardest to remain calm with the other, "What is he up to?"

Radko's lips curve into an animalistic grin at the question and the Romanian shivers, the other looks sadistic.

"Nothing much," The Serbian muses before adding,

"Oh, except he got shot."

Alin's entire mind goes blank upon hearing the words, eyes widening almost comically, if it weren't for the dire situation.

"He WHAT!?" he cries out, not bothering to acknowledge the Math teacher who passes by, giving him a weirded out look.

"He got shot," Radko repeats, drawing out the words and taking immense pleasure in torturing the Romanian.

Alin feels as though the whole world has hit an abrupt pause and suddenly it is quiet, almost as if someone has pushed some imaginary mute button over the school yard.

"Is-is he dead?" Alin stammers, feeling out of breath suddenly to which the Serbian only breaks into a forced, almost menacing laughter.

"Fucking answer me!" Popescu demands, surprising people around and himself with his sudden outburst.

"No," Radko retorts simply once he's done laughing and Alin releases a breath he hasn't realized he was holding,

"I swear you're such a fucking crybaby." The Serbian grumbles, "A real disgrace for men and your country."

Alin pretends not to hear him, he has no time or interest in the other's peculiar brand of politicized bullshit.

"We have to go and see him," he points out, completely uncaring about his surroundings at this point.

Francis walks by him and raises an eyebrow but Alin pointedly ignores him, he'll explain things later. Hopefully, when he knows the Bulgarian is okay. And alive.

"Uh, why do you think I'm here?" Radko demands, voice as rough as always.

Alin shrugs, unable to think of a witty response at the moment.

"Cause my dear brother Nikolai wanted it," the Serbian mocks, voice laced with disgust, "Cause you know every time he wants something, Ivan caves in."

"What are you talking about?" Alin inquires, unable to follow the other's hectic thinking.

The Serbian waves a hand as if to indicate he's stupid for not understanding but continues still,

"Nikolai likes the Math teacher cause she's nice to him and so he didn't want to miss classes."

The Romanian stares at him, taking a few long minutes to let the words sink in. It makes sense since after all Math is the only subject the Bulgarian isn't epically failing, as peculiar as that is. Perhaps it's because it doesn't require much proficiency in English.

"Ivan forced me to come and take the notes from someone, even if had to kick their ass for it." Radko concludes in a flat tone, "I figured you were the easiest target."

And then it hits him, the sudden realization that the Bulgarian no longer considers him a friend. He could have easily asked Alin for the lectures but instead he's asked Radko, the guy who loathes him.

The Romanian gulps, feeling equally horrified by the prospect of not seeing the Bulgarian or seeing him only to find out the other wants nothing to do with him.

"We'll go see him and I'll give him my notes," he states, voice surprisingly firm while Radko merely huffs in response.

Regret washes over him and threatens to drawn him as he realizes the extent of his mistake. The very thought of Nikolai being injured terrifies him, leaves him without air and almost makes him want to scream. The Bulgarian is the person he cares most about next to his mother and sister and he has thrown that all away in one moment of anger.

Nikolai matters.

Alin silently promises himself he'll do anything to get him back. An alarming image of the Bulgarian covered in blood and pale, too pale, crosses his mind and he rubs his eyes, trying to push it away.

xxx

Radko leads the way to their house in large, quick strides. Alin is surprised at the energy he has considering he looks like absolute shit.

The Serbian doesn't bother talk to him and he doesn't feel as though he's missing anything. He's better off without the other's hurtful insults the other hurls at everyone.

When they finally stop Alin looks up only to see a decrepit old house nearby the same park where they fought and just a block away from Ivan's horrible bar. The house is old and looks as though it's falling apart and he can feel sympathy bubble up his chest.

Radko pauses before the door, going through his pockets for a key. Once he takes it out, his hands are shaking and he drops it,

"Fuck!" he swears loudly before bending to pick it up. He scratches his hands feverishly and takes a deep breath before finally being able to unlock the door.

Alin is taken aback by his strange behaviour, it reminds him of something but he's not quite sure of what. There's a sneaking suspicion at the back of his mind but he hopes he's wrong.

Whatever it is, he quickly forgets it, mind entirely preoccupied with the Bulgarian.

The interior of the house isn't much better than the exterior. The walls are an off yellow colour which he can only imagine was once white. The furniture is old and falling apart, it looks like something taken straight out of a Soviet era movie.

"Alin!" he hears a loud cry of joy and turns around to see Katya.

"Hey," he replies quickly and before he knows what's going on the blonde girl is pulling him into a hug, skinny arms around his neck.

He responds to it, wrapping his hands around her frame and inhaling the smell of cheap shampoo, mixed in with cooking.

"So glad you came!" the girl gushes as they break apart the hug, "Nikolai has been a mess ever since your fight!"

Alin flinches at the words, a fresh bout of guilt washing over him.

"I'm sorry," he admits and he is. He knows the Bulgarian has his fair share of the blame but in the end of the day he shouldn't have said those things. Especially not the part about his family.

"You hurt him," Katya points out, a sympathetic look painted over her pale face, "It's because you really mean a lot to him, otherwise he wouldn't care about what you tell him."

The Romanian can feel his cheeks heat up at the statement and he wonders just how much the other has shared.

"Now that you're here, I'm sure he'll do much better!" the girl gushes at him and then turns around, heading for the oven.

"Have you eaten? I'm cooking right now,"

"Uh…thanks, but it's not necessary for you to-" Alin begins, realizing the family doesn't have much to go by.

"Oh, come on! We might be poor but we can't leave a guest hungry!" Katya insists, waving a finger at him.

It sounds exactly like a thing Nikolai would say and the Romanian can feel appreciation blossom in his chest. They might be poor, they might be criminals but they are for sure generous.

It's the typical Eastern European warmth and care for others, one which he misses more than he's willing to admit here in the USA.

"I made some soup," Katya points out as she pours the dish into two small bowls and hands them over to him.

"I'm sorry but I can only offer you some sliced bread as well, we don't have salad or dessert," she adds, an apologetic look written behind her light blue eyes.

"We've already given him more than enough," Radko grumbles from next to the door, busy taking off his worn off his worn out sneakers.

"Radko!" the Ukrainian chides him, "How many times do I have to tell you to behave?!"

Alin is finally starting to grasp the kind of mechanism they've established as a family. It's evident Katya is the adult around her and despite her young age she acts like the mother the others don't have.

The Serb rolls his eyes in indignation but doesn't argue any further, instead plops on the couch and digs into the food.

Alin doesn't miss the way Katya eyes him, the worry on her face. He has a bad feeling about the Radko but he can't quite put the pieces together.

"Can I go see Niko now?" he asks and the girl gives him an enthusiastic nod.

"Go ahead, I bet he's dying to see you!"

She leads him to the other's room, the one he shares a room with Radko. The Romanian takes a deep breath, bracing himself for the apology. Katya squeezes his arm,

"Don't worry, you coming here is evident enough you care about him," she says and then offers him another warm smile which he mirrors.

xxx

The first thing Alin notices is the soft snoring. Niko is asleep and he struggles to decide whether or not to wake up. He decides against it at first, wanting to give the his classmate some rest as well as take the chance to enjoy his sleeping form for a few more minutes.

He looks pale and exhausted, some dark shadows under his eyes. Not nearly as bad as Radko though.

Alin's dark brown eyes plunder lower, till they set over the pristine white bandages around his shoulder. His chest constricts in sympathy and he has the sudden urge to comfort him.

He sets the soup on a small table, carefully putting away the various books, clothes and other possessions that lay on it. It's evident Niko isn't much a fan of tidying up.

The Romanian then climbs into the bed, thankful for the many times he has stayed up at night, learning to be as quiet as possible so as to not wake up his mum or sister.

He runs a hand down the Bulgarian's pale face before leaning in and placing a small, innocent kiss over his forehead. Niko doesn't even stir but Alin can feel their fingers brushing against each other.

It's moments like these, the quiet intimacy between them that makes him appreciate what they share all the more. And regret his mistake, the ridiculous fight they've got into.

He lies down next to him, enjoying a few more minutes of the quiet, until the soup cools down.

His eyes explore the small room and yet again he realizes how little the other has. The room is dingy and crowded with stuff but it's all but useless. All clothes, pack of cigarettes, various alcohol bottles, sweat pants and falling apart sneakers. There a few volleyballs and a chessboard and Alin wonders how good the Bulgarian is and whether they could get a chance to play some.

That is if the other forgives him.

xxx

Waking Niko up proves to be a challenge but finally he manages to do the job. The Bulgarian blinks a few times sleepily before sitting up in bed.

He winces because of his shoulder and Alin is momentarily worried and scared.

"What are you doing here?" Nikolai asks, rubbing his eyes with his left hand.

"I…I came to see you. Radko came to school and told me and I was so worried and came here. Niko, I'm so sorry, I was an asshole, I shouldn't have told them that, now that I thought I could lose you, I –"

"Hey! Hey, slow down!" the Bulgarian cuts him off, taking in his hands, "It's okay. I fucked up too. You being here is enough."

"Really?" Alin asks, voice small and broken, "Are you really going to forgive me this easily?"

"Well, you could always bring me some yogurt," the taller teen jokes, shooting him a playful smirk.

"I have!" the Romanian all but gasps, hurrying up to his backpack and taking out the delicious dish.

"Then I'll love you forever, you leave me no choice," he says overdramatically and it's obviously a joke, even if Alin wishes it wouldn't be.

"Not but seriously…I was an ass too. You shouldn't have told Francis but I get how hard it must be for you put with…all this."

Alin nods, relief and gratitude sprouting in his chest. In all honesty, he just wants to put all of this behind.

"So uh, how are you?" he asks sheepishly as he gets up to bring the soup to him.

"Добре," Ivanov insists but the Romanian still looks at him intently, worry written over his face.

"Jeez, Alin, I got shot, so what? It's just a graze, I'll be as good as new in a week or less,"

"Getting shot isn't nothing, Niko," Alin points out and he can feel the atmosphere between them shift, becoming heavy like lead in the manner of seconds.

"This life you have…it's not normal," he adds, "I'm not saying that to hurt you but because I care about you."

The Bulgarian looks away, green eyes now dim with an unreadable expression behind them.

"I know," he says in the end, "I know but…I don't have a way out of this. Not till I graduate at least."

The Romanian doesn't like the answer but he understands and so he merely nods before moving back close to the other.

"Can you eat?" he asks, feeling a little sheepish.

His boyfriend still seems to appreciate the concern and grins back at him.

"Course!" he says, "I'm left handed, remember?"

Alin smiles at him, how could he have forgotten such an important detail about the other? Next time he'll do better.

They eat in silence until they hear a small knock on the door.

"Must be Natalya,"

He isn't sure he's heard the name before but he doesn't have much time to ponder it as the door swings open and a tiny girl, not older than five enters.

The Romanian is taken aback at how adorable she is – she's short and petite, long white blonde hair cascading down her back. She has large pink cheeks, contrasting against pale skin and two large, navy blue eyes. Natalya truly looks like a little porcelain doll.

"Katya said to bring you tea," the tiny girl says in broken English, carrying two large cups of tea.

Alin is surprised at how she carries them with ease, acting much older than she is.

"You're such a good girl, Natalya, thank you very much," Niko says in his normal voice, trying not to talk down to the girl.

She blushes and then offers a small smile which brightens the entire room,

"Is big brother going to be okay?" she asks, worry written behind her sea blue eyes as they fall over the green eyed boy's bandaged shoulder.

"Да, разбира се!" he assures quickly, flashing the other a bright smile of his own.

"Come here!" he adds and the girl quickly runs across the room and climbs up the bed.

Alin is taken aback at how gentle she is not to hurt him, almost as if she's used to this, when no child should be at this age.

Niko quickly introduces them to one another but Natalya proves to be quite shy and instead buries her small head into the Bulgarian's good shoulder.

"She's not used to strangers," he admits, patting her long platinum blonde hair, "It's just us that she sees."

"Doesn't she go to kindergarten?" Alin ponders, realizing the need for her to socialize.

Ivanov bites his bottom lip,

"We tried but she didn't get along with the others. She's very shy and doesn't like talking."

Alin nods, he knows a thing or two about being bullied.

"The boys bullied her cause she can't speak much English and most girls pulled her hair and called her Barbie. I think they're just jealous over how pretty she is," the Bulgarian adds, stroking her hair lovingly, a hint of pride crossing his face.

Needless to say Natalya is already half asleep in his embrace. Alin can feel something warm flutter in his chest, he's never seen how good the other is with kids. He now wishes to introduce him to Sorina.

"You've been teaching her English, haven't you?" he asks, recalling the small bits the girl has said in the foreign language.

Niko nods, sealing his suspicions.

"Katya and I are trying to give her a sense of normalcy…" he admits, voice suddenly heavy, "I…I don't want her to become like me and Radko. We grew up without parents and…look where we ended."

"Don't say that!" Alin argues loudly, but then hushes himself down as to not wake up Natalya, "You can always change and become better!"

The Bulgarian shoots him a small, sad smile.

"Alin…I heard what you said about me. I know what you really think about me now."

The Romanian can feel himself drowning in guilt, wanting to take back all he's said.

"I didn't mean that! I only told him so because I was angry and frustrated!" he argues desperately, "Not only at you but also at myself because I can't help you!"

"Sure," Niko mumbles under his breath, looking away.

Alin hates the insecurity he has brought over him, wants to dispel it all away.

"I care so much about you," he admits quickly, desperate to bring the other close before he's too far out of his reach and the walls he's fought to dismantle come back up again.

"I care about you too," Nikolai replies, no hesitation behind the words, "But…I have no idea how we're going to do this,"

The Romanian shakes his head, exhausted from all the drama. He just wants peace and quiet, a sense of security between them even if it's an illusion.

He scoops closer, mindful of his injuries. He can't lean in on him as his shoulder is still bandaged up but he closes the gap between them, their noses centimetres apart.

"It's okay, she's asleep," the Bulgarian assures when he sees his hesitation.

Alin leans in then, mashing their lips together. A wave of relaxation washes over him, being close to Niko tends to have that soothing effect. The taller teen tastes of tobacco and there's the after taste of alcohol but right now he's not one to complain.

When they break apart the green eyed boy hisses and Alin's gaze flies to his shoulder.

"Sorry," he mumbles, a sympathetic look painted over his face.

"Nah, it's nothing," Nikolai waves his good hand, "Ivan's been much worse than this, so has Radko."

"How did you manage to get shot anyway?"

The Bulgarian scoffs, as if it's unnecessary to ask in the first place,

"Most guys who come to the bar love guns, it was only a matter of time till someone got stupid drunk and did something like this. But don't worry Ivan kicked his ass."

Alin wants to protest, to tell him this is not okay, it's no laughing matter. He wants to keep him safe with all his heart and mind but he realizes at this point that is not an option.

So he sighs and lies down, as close to Nikolai as possible. He takes his hand and runs his thumb down his palm, it's a small reassuring gesture, just letting him know he's there. It feels weird for him to be the one offering support but as he finds out it's a role he doesn't mind filling when it comes to the other.

Niko's green eyes fly shut and he seems content, a look of complete relaxation coming over his handsome face.

"Go to sleep," Alin says quietly and before he even finishes the sentence the Bulgairan is out.

He follows close behind and can't help the smile over his lips.

Though things are not perfect, this, whatever it is, between them is.

Author's Note: Time to make it official: Sorina Popescu = Moldova Natalya Braginska = Belarus

So what did you think of Alin's mother? Isn't she great with advice? And Nikolai's house – did you expect it to be like that?

What are your thoughts on the dynamics between the two boys? Was it surprising Niko was all that forgiving and that he too realized his mistakes (at least a little bit)?

And snuggling and falling asleep – aah, isn't that just the cutest thing in the universe?

Shoutout goes to: maryranstadler1, GarGoyl, Elizaveta Hedervary - Hungary

GarGoyl – ahaha, I just love your tough, no bullshit approach!

Please share your opinions!