Of Books and Crime
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 15: More about the Past
Once more time proves to speed up with Nikolai by his side.
Alin becomes used to going to his home, tutoring him every spare minute they get as midterms are fast approaching. He isn't entirely sure if the other's going to finish the school year by he holds onto the hope.
It seems to work as in the end Niko agrees to come to classes, once his shoulder is fully healed.
Christmas is right around the corner and he can already smell it in the air. Plus the jolly decorations which sparkle in bright red and green kind of give it away.
"Alin, just who I was looking for!" Feliciano beams at him, hands full of paper made snowflakes which he hangs all over the school windows, "I can use some help for this!"
The Italian's eyes fall over his, warm brown irises full of joy. Then they move and meet Nikolai's cold green and he can see the smile on his face falter for a second or so.
The taller teen stiffens and Alin can tell he's about to walk away, so he acts faster and clings onto his hand.
"Can Niko help too?"
For a fraction of a second Feliciano hesitates, worry and maybe a bit of fear flashing through his eyes.
"Sure, why not?"
It's a third, deeper voice and they turn around to see Francis, who's smiling at them, hands full of Christmas balls and various other decorations.
"Uh, I'm not the best with all the…uh, artsy shit," Nikolai admits and although his voice is gruff Alin can hear the insecurity in it from a mile away.
"No worries, we need someone to carry the boxes as Ludwig has to study for his math race for now!" Feliciano explains, all his previous worry having melted away the moment Francis has assured him,
"Did I tell you Ludwig had the highest score from the entire school! Ah, he's soo smart!"
"He sure is," the Romanian smiles, the warmth the other has spreads through the entire hall and he quickly finds himself drawn to it.
They start decorating, with Alin and Feliciano making paper snowflakes or drawing Christmas cards, Francis bragging about his wonderful interior design skills and Nikolai carrying the various boxes around with ease.
They laugh and joke around, it's silly and light hearted and just what they seem to need. Alin's eyes fall over Nikolai, taking in the way his pale skin contrasts against the navy sweater. It's good colour, it brings out the green in his eyes and highlights the turquoise flecks.
But what is more, he pays attention to the expression behind those irises. The Bulgarian looks happy, relaxed. He knows for a fact the other is extroverted but he only shows it before him and his family. Now though he appears to slowly open up to their classmates.
"And I'm telling you баница tastes so good you'll forget all about pasta," he tells Feliciano with a shit eating grin which makes Alin's chest flutter.
The Italian too seems to welcome him, finally he doesn't look scared.
"See I told you Feli can make friends with anyone," Francis whispers in his ear but the Bulgarian fortunately doesn't notice otherwise he'd be jealous.
Popescu grins at him,
"Maybe if he makes other friends he won't be so hell bent on hanging out with Ivan and the like," the French muses, blue eyes glued to the taller teen.
Alin starts considering the idea, he can almost hear the gears turn in his head. Quickly, he's come up with a plan.
xxx
At some point Ludwig joins them, wearing a silly Santa hat which is an exact copy of the one his boyfriend's head. No doubt a gift from him. Feliciano quickly runs up to him, jumping in his arms.
The German picks him up with ease and responds to the hasty kiss.
"Feliciano, maybe we should behave," he mumbles, always so proper.
His cheeks are a flamboyant red colour as the Italian wraps his hands around his neck and pulls him in for another deep kiss.
"Way to go," Francis chuckles, smiling at them warmly.
There is a flicker of sadness on his face though, a look telling he wants what they have too.
Alin turns to Nikolai and pays attention to his expression, it's one of longing. It mirrors the one on his one face and he realizes the Bulgarian wants it too. He too years for them to be openly close, to share moments of intimacy without worrying for what others would say.
"Sorry," the Bulgarian mumbles, as if reading his thoughts.
It makes a wave of guilt wash over Alin because no matter the reason he doesn't want the other to feel bed.
He walks up to him and takes in his hand which the other surprisingly doesn't protest, probably because he realizes Francis already knows while Ludwig and Feliciano are too drawn in each other to notice anything else.
xxx
Throughout the day they barely have classes as the teachers are caught up in the festive vibes as well. Alin is ecstatic, the happy smile never once leaving his face.
He's with his friends and his boyfriend and what more could he ask for?
When the others aren't looking Nikolai even pulls him into a corner, pushing his back against the wall. It's surprising and it makes a small (totally not girly) yelp fly past his lips but it is welcomed.
"Fuck, I've wanted to this all day long," the Bulgarian comments as his hands roam his torso, warm fingers making Alin bite his lip so he doesn't moan.
He meets the other's green eyes and he sees affection mixed in with something else. His pupils are large, big black circles contesting sharply against the light green rings of his iris.
It takes him a second to pin point what he sees in the other but then it hits him – it's desire. And not just for a kiss. Alin can feel his cheeks heat up as he realizes he wants it too. He hasn't thought much of them doing more than the heavy make out sessions as he never believed the other would like him back.
Now though he is certain and for once his wants silence the insecurities lurking at the back of his mind.
Nikolai kisses him but it's different from the previous kisses, it feels a bit more. He deepens the kiss, tongue coming into contact with his own. After a few seconds he pulls away, making him protest.
But he doesn't stop instead, plunges lower, lips coming into contact with his neck, sucking in on his tender flesh. Alin can't stop himself before the moan escapes his lips.
That seems to break the spell as Nikolai pulls away abruptly, almost as if he's just woke up from a dream. His green eyes dart left and right, making sure no one has seen them.
"Shit, we shouldn't be doing this here," he asserts, worry poking through his strong Slavic accent,
"You were the one who insisted," Alin smirks, already missing the feeling of warm lips over his skin.
"Sorry, I just…fuck. Lost control for a second,"
The Romanian wants to point out he rather likes this type of behaviour, his neck pulsating as he raises a hand and feels up the tender place. He makes a mental note to wrap his scarf tight before going home and the thought makes him flash a sheepish smile which Nikolai reflects.
xxx
The school day is almost over when it happens. Alfred flies in the room which they're decorating and Alin can tell by the look on his face some shit has go down.
His mind flies to Nikolai only to remind himself the Bulgarian is for once safe and secure with him.
"Guys, you've gotta come to the school yard!" the American pants, a little out of breath as he has no doubt been running to get them, "Mathew texted me, something's up!"
"What's going on?" Ludwig questions, setting aside the boxes he and Nikolai have been carrying around.
"What do you think?" Arthur huffs while his boyfriend tries to catch his breath, "That bloody wanker Radko is causing trouble again.
"Radko?!"
"Again? Wasn't he suspended only a few days ago?" Francis asks, bewilderment in his voice.
"We should go!" Alfred exclaims already turning to leave, "If he hurts someone, I swear I'll kick his ass."
The American flies out of the room, suddenly having regained his composure while Arthur and Ludwig quickly follow, the Brit warning him not to lose his temper.
Alin's dark brown eyes dart to his boyfriend but it's already too late, the Bulgarian is missing.
xxx
He doesn't get to see what happens as by the time he gets to the school yard show's pretty much already over. But what he gathers as info later, as Matthew, Alfred's twin brother tells them, is that Radko has picked up a fight with Sadiq.
The Romanian doesn't have to think twice of the cause, it's not hard to guess it must have been because of Elira.
Radko and Sadiq are taken away to the principle office and Alin is grateful as he is no mood to see the Serb. His blood boils as he realizes the perfectly happy day he's had is about be ruined by whatever drama the other has wrecked this time.
Later on he finds out Alfred has had to play peacemaker, only for him to lose his cool and finally snap. His fist is bloodied up while Arthur appears as though he might have a heart attack.
"You cock, why the bloody hell did you have to do this!?" the shorter blond demands while his boyfriend still appears angry, a stormy expression crossing his normally calm, sky blue eyes.
"What the fuck was I supposed to do, huh? Let him and Sadiq kill each other?" he demands, "Plus that arrogant piece of shit fucking deserves it after all the crap he's been doing for years."
"You might get suspended over this," Arthur barks at him but Alin can tell he's doing it purely out of concern, "You ever stop and bloody think about that?!"
The American doesn't reply, it's evident he doesn't regret his actions. To him being right is much more important than being proper.
The entire school is buzzing with emotions, everyone talking over the other, taking sides. They all quickly side with the Turk and Alin has to agree.
But… he has a much more important task at hand, finding his wayward boyfriend before he does something stupid. Alin quickly rushes through the crowd, brown eyes searching for green.
In the end he finds him, leaning in against one of the school walls, cigarette between his lips in what look like an attempt to calm himself.
"Jesus, Niko, I've been looking for you,"
Nikolai remains silent, eyebrows knitted together as he takes a deep drag and shut his eyes, soaking in the nicotine bliss.
"Hey, answer me!" Alin protests before taking actions in his own hands and dragging the other in the direction of the school.
"They'll expel him," the Bulgarian comments matter of factly.
"Will it be such a bad thing?" he demands, too tired to play pretend and too fed up with all the trouble Radko has been causing. For Elira, for Sadiq, for the school and for the two of them.
Anger pulsates through his veins, he has always despised bullies and the Serb looks like the embodiment of them. The more rational part of him argues to give the other an excuse, to blame it on him being poor. But no, being poor or not there is no justification for hurting others, trying to rape a girl or beat up a person.
All the previous experiences, all the bullying at home, it all pours over him and he snaps.
"And don't you dare get involved or else I fucking swear Nikolai, I'm done with you."
The words fly out of his mouth before he can process them and he freezes, eyes frantic, searching for Niko's reaction.
To his shock the Bulgarian, for once, doesn't argue, he merely nods, a look of strange acceptance having settled over his pale features.
Alin wonders how much more he knows that he's not telling him.
xxx
Radko is expelled but not just because of the fight.
"They found drugs on him," Francis comments, always one to know what's going on in the school, sometimes before it even happens, "And they're pretty sure he was on something during the fight."
"Makes sense, I mean even he shouldn't be careless enough to pick a fight right after being suspended." Ludwig reasons while Feliciano is pressed up against him, fight always seem to affect him.
Alin's eyes suddenly widen as he takes in the German's words. All the missing pieces of the puzzle finally click together and things makes sense.
He wants to facepalm at his own stupidity, for not figuring things out earlier.
Without a word he takes Nikolai's hand, ignoring the other's bewilderment and drags him away, until they're in a clear hall.
"How long has Ivan been doing this?" he demands, voice sharp.
"Doing what, I don't get you question and-"
"Don't fucking play dumb, Niko!" Alin screams, his entire being pulsating with rage. He hasn't been this angry in years, maybe ever.
"How long has he been selling drugs in that horrible bar of yours?"
"Keep your damn voice low!" The Bulgarian hisses at him, anger finally coming over to him as well.
"Oh, this is what you're worried about!? The entire school will know cause of Radko now!"
Nikolai throws his hands in the air, almost as if he's not sure how to reply or what to do.
"Ivan didn't tell me." He says in the end, "He must have known I would react badly so he and Radko did everything on their own."
The Romanian isn't sure whether to believe him, after everything. He searches for his eyes and takes them in, the helplessness behind them.
"Alin, you have to believe me, I am telling the truth!"
He shakes his head, he feels completely drained. How naïve was he to think they could have a normal day?
"How did you find out then?"
"Radko he…he really fucked up. I guess at some point he started using and though he's really good at hiding things in the end Katya and I found out."
Alin nods, this much seems plausible. The Serbian has always seemed like the type to hide things, no matter what. Then again sooner or later the truth has the habit of shining through the lies.
"This one time he hit Natalya when he was on some shit and I swear fucking lost it, if it weren't for Katya I would have killed him then and there."
Popescu shudders at the very thought of it, the scene playing out in his mind.
How could the Serbian hit a kid? The one he lived with every single day, the one which probably loved him the same way she loved Katya or Nikolai?
Being on drugs or not, there is no excuse for hurting a child.
"I then told Ivan and to my surprise he didn't seem so shocked."
"So he knew," Alin whispers, realizing he should be angry. But at this point he's not surprised, after all he's always known Braginski is bad news. It's appalling how used he has become to all horrible things he has done to the point where they don't surprise him anymore.
"Yes… he confessed everything and he assured me he would make sure Radko stops."
"And you believed him!?" the Romanian exclaims, shaking his head, "Jesus, Nikolai how naïve are you?"
The Bulgarian stiffens and Alin knows he's crossed a line. The other might be willing to admit Radko is a fuck up but Ivan seems to have immunity.
"Radko did get clean for a while. He was still a fucking jerk of course but he stopped for some time."
Suddenly Alin remembers something – the way the Serb was shaking badly, his horrible looks, the shadows on his face, Katya's concern. He should have known, should have figured it out. Then again…of what used could it be?
"But of course he went back to it," Alin scoffs.
"Hey, it's not as easy as you think!" the Bulgarian protests, always one to give excuses for others.
"Oh, you have experience in that as well? Now we have to deal with-"
"No! Alin, I swear I don't do drugs. I've tried and I saw what a monster I was, I knew from that moment I could never do it again."
The Romanian meets his eyes once more and he knows he's telling the truth.
"Fine but…you have to make sure Ivan stops with all this…this shit, Niko! I can't be friends let alone more with someone who works for a drug dealer!"
The green eyed teen doesn't seem to even consider it before responding,
"Of course! I'll make Ivan stop one way or another, I swear Alin." He presses on, desperation written over his face, "I don't want to disappoint you."
Popescu smiles weekly because despite everything the other is telling the truth, the idiot.
It's then that they hear a light pair of footsteps and Elizaveta of all people comes into view.
"Now is not the time to-" he tries to protest but the girl doesn't so much as glance in his direction let alone hear his words.
"Are you doing drugs too?" she demands, hands crossed over her chest.
Alin is taken aback by her outburst which looks completely uncalled for but the Bulgarian doesn't seem as surprised as he should be.
"That's none of your business," he replies coolly but the shorter teen knows him well enough to read the hurt behind his words.
"Not my business?!" the Hungarian girl cries out, as if the words come as a shock, "Of course it is, you idiot! I don't want you to die or go to prison!"
Nikolai laughs, it's a bitter and cynical and it makes Alin shiver against the it, it sounds as though it doesn't belong to his boyfriend but rather someone whom he doesn't even know.
"Oh, really?" he mocks, eyes locked in a scorn.
The Romanian can't stop staring at him, shocked by the sudden change in him. It reminds him of someone else, maybe Ivan…no, not even him but Radko. It honestly scares him and he wants to protest but doesn't find the strength to.
"Then where the fuck were you, Lizzie?! Where were you when I needed you?"
Nikolai is screaming, the way he did when they were fighting in the park. Alin can't do anything but stare at them each, taking in the guilt written over the Hungarian's face.
"You fucking left me, you pretended not to know me! Do you have any damn idea how fucking terrible that felt?!"
"She what?" Alin can't stop the scream, it flies out of his lips on autopilot as the sudden realization washes over him, "Oh God, please don't tell me you too…"
"We were together," Elizaveta admits while Nikolai merely scoffs.
The Romanian is certain he goes deaf after hearing those words. He doesn't hear the way she points out it was many years ago.
All he knows is, he's absolutely fed up with the Bulgarian.
xxx
"Hey, do you mind if I sit next to you?" Nikolai hears a small voice so he turns around only to spot a smiling girl next to him.
She's new to the place – short and skinny, long brown hair falling past her shoulders and curling into gracious waves. She has green eyes just like him. He instantly likes her, probably because she's the first person to smile to him in years.
"Да, разбира се." he says, without thinking because Radko is the only person he talks too and he understands. As he sees her puzzled expression, he quickly realizes his mistake, "Uh, I mean yes."
The girl doesn't make fun of him as expected but instead just pulls away the chair and sits next to him as if that's the most natural thing in the world to do. She stretches out a hand in a greeting, a small smile playing over her pink lips,
"My name is Elizaveta, I'm from Hungary.".
"Nikolai Ivanov. Bulgaria." he replies, taking her tiny hand into his. Her fingers are freezing which is no surprise given that the common room isn't heated. He doesn't mind the cold, has become used to it long ago in Bulgaria, when there was money for heating during the harsh winter.
Seeing the other freeze though is something else altogether, a terrifying sight he doesn't like.
"Sit closer to me." he says in a sudden bout of determination, powered through his usual impulsive nature.
Elizaveta eyes him suspiciously for a few seconds but he doesn't waver. In the end she settles closer, her teeth were starting to chatter.
Nikolai takes off his jacked and wraps it around them. The girl's eyes widen in surprise, which soon morphs into genuine appreciation. She snuggles against him, enjoying the newly found source of warmth and Nikolai isn't sure if it's her or him that is happier from the contact.
xxx
From that point on their friendship is official and only starts to grow. Their bond is special and pure, forged in childish games and silly jokes, rid of all the nuances that adulthood tends to impose on people.
Their friendship, unlike most adults' is real.
They both find some sort of strange solace in the fact they only have each other, not another soul in the world that is on their side.
Nikolai smiles, things would be okay now. At least he is no longer alone.
xxx
One day Elizaveta explains to him how adoption works.
"Basically they only want American, white kids." she says, voice blunt. Nikolai has to admire how straight-forward she is at the age of nine.
And sadly, he has to admit that she is right. Although there are many black kids and Hispanics, the couples that come over never even look at them. The only adopted ones are white and American.
"Do you think someone will adopt us?" he asks quietly, trying not to show the hope in his voice.
Truth to be told, he already knows the answer. Americans don't adopt trouble makers from Eastern Europe and he is all but the embodiment of trouble.
Elizaveta laughs and absent-mindedly he thinks how beautiful her laugh sounds against the grey atmosphere of the orphanage.
"No, of course not. We are not American."
"Oh." he says in a flat voice, trying to pretend he understands. What is wrong with not being American? He just doesn't get it. People in Bulgaria aren't judgemental like this.
"Well, we still have a better chance than other kids. I mean look at Radko – not only is he Eastern European like us, but he is also scared."
Nikolai frowns.
"What is wrong with that?"
"Nothing…" Elizaveta whispers but something in her voice tells Nikolai she does think it's wrong, "But couples only want good and pretty children. He doesn't stand a chance and I doubt anyone would ever love him."
The Bulgarian bites his lip, he's absolutely terrified of the prospect that maybe her words stand for him as well.
(And when Radko hears he is terrified as well).
Elizaveta seems to sense his distress and so she puts a delicate hand over him, offering a small squeeze.
"Hey, at least we have each other!" she says in a sing voice but the sincerity and seriousness is poking from the edges of the words and it offers a reassurance he's never been given before.
Nikolai feels a wave of warmth wash over him and he beams at her.
For the first time since his father's death he has someone, someone close and warm, someone he can protect but can count on to comfort him as well.
"Да, we do."
xxx
With that things seem to settle and Nikolai finds himself spending more and more time with the Hungarian. The girl is liked by the teachers, probably due to her good looks and nice manners.
One day she even gets them a free pass in the kitchen where Nikolai surprisingly finds himself very talented.
In the matter of months he starts chopping supplies and memorizing recipes and even manages to win the heart of most of the older cooks.
Elizaveta isn't good at cooking but she seems to enjoy watching him, a small gracious smile plastered over her thin pink lips at all times.
"You're really good at this," she tells him one day as he proudly presents her a chicken soup and they eat it while talking about everything and nothing.
Nikolai's heart slams against his chest and he can feel his cheeks are as red as the tomatoes he's put in the Shopksa Salata he's just made.
"You-you think?"
"Of course!" Elizaveta beams at him, as if complimenting him is the most normal thing in the world when he can't even remember the last time anyone has been nice to him besides her.
He meets her eyes, they're filled with mirth and hope, with childish optimism. They're starkly different from Radko's one remaining brown eye which is always full of hatred and despise for everyone.
Nikolai clings onto the energy she projects, he clings onto the hope that maybe he'll find some of it himself once again.
xxx
Over the months Nikolai finds himself glued to Elizaveta, admiring the small girl more than he can possibly put into words.
Whatever little English he knows is thanks to her.
She's strong and outspoken despite being short and tiny, she's always one to speak her mind and never let the world get to her.
But there's another side to her, a gentle and sophisticated one. She always tries to look pretty and one small part of the Bulgarian, a part he has yet to explore, secretly hopes that maybe that he has something to do with that.
Her charm isn't merely in her looks, it's in her personality, her ability to be both soft and strong, smart and wild, caring and unwavering when the situation calls for it.
Looking at the iron will and an endless amount of optimism locked behind her green eyes, Nikolai starts to feel as though maybe life isn't so bad when she's by his side.
xxx
He tries to teach her to cook and she explains basic math to him. Together they run around the orphanage, play cards in the evening and sneak out on sight-seeing in the evenings.
Nikolai jokes she has the worst sense of orientation while he always seems to make their way back to the orphanage before curfew, not that the teachers care much about their safety.
During the long summer nights they climb up on the roof and gaze at the stars while enjoying food Nikolai has cooked up for them with Elizaveta's help.
The Bulgarian steals glances from her, plays with her hair and sometimes even holds her hand and wishes that somehow these years of his life would never end.
xxx
It's been half an year since they met when their fingers intertwine and Nikolai can feel a jolt of electricity running through him before he gasps and stares at her, face as red as tomato.
Over the years he perfects himself and becomes a master at flirting but back then, at the age of ten, when he's a scrawny kid with no idea of what love is like, he's the epitome of awkwardness.
Elisaveta laughs out loud at his embarrassment before leaning in and landing a soft kiss over his lips.
It's childish and completely innocent and it's over before the Bulgarian even knows it has begun but it's still the best thing ever.
There is something indescribably beautiful about the innocence of love when it's between two kids.
Elisaveta's laughter echoes throughout the orphanage as she offer a snickering, "You should have seen your face!"
Nikolai gets his revenge when he takes her by surprise and lands a quick peck on her lips, the way he's seen adults do it.
xxx
When the next winter rolls by they sleep together, snuggled against each other with Nikolai's face buried in her brown locks.
Somewhere in the back of his mind he starts thinking that maybe the feeling of warmth when she's snuggled in against him is what happiness is like, what people write novels about and what the songs on the radio are trying to tell them.
xxx
It's all great until one day Radko starts a fight like all other days. This time though he targets her, calls her names Nikolai doesn't want to repeat.
They fight, they always fight. It's the one constant in his life these days.
"Oh, what, you're choosing this whore over me?" the brunette demands sharply, eye wide in rage.
The Bulgarian breaks into laughter, all of a sudden he is finding this ridiculous.
"There is no sense in choosing at all. I love her."
And he does.
In that childish, sweet and pure kind of way. Not in a sexual way, not yet. The love children have for one another is perhaps the purest form of love, before money and lust taint it.
Elizaveta wraps his arms around him and tears him away from Radko.
That night they don't sleep, just talk. About Bulgaria and Hungary and the orphanage, and what the sea must feel like and how much they both love dogs.
Simple, easy things. Small things which in the end turn out to be the big ones.
And then they talk about how one day they'll live together and have their own children and never once leave them.
xxx
Elizaveta is leaving.
Niko feels like crying for the first time since his dad died because why does everyone have to leave him?
But he forces a smile over his lips, after all this is for the better. Elizaveta deserves better, she deserves a family.
Probably more than him.
The girl hugs him tight, buries her face into his shoulder and he kisses her hair, inhaling her scent one last time. He can feel his T-shirt become wet at an increasing rate as the brunette quietly sobs into him.
Her new parents (that just sounds wrong) are a wealthy couple and he's happy because even if he doesn't stand a chance for a normal life, at least she does.
Truth to be told one of the older teachers at the orphanage asks them to adopt him as well to which the woman scrunches her nose in what he can only guess is disgust,
"I told you, we don't want any Eastern Europeans,"
Nikolai is so heartbroken at Elizaveta leaving, he doesn't even take offence at the notion.
The small girl breaks away from her parents' grip and runs to him, smashing their lips one last time before she's dragged away.
A tear rolls down his pale cheek but he rubs it off as quickly as it came.
Niko stares after the car that takes her away as he runs his fingers over his numb lips.
xxx
It's probably then when he goes a little mad and something in him just breaks and he knows from then on things are different.
"I'm so fucking happy she left," Radko says purely out of spite as he watches him crumble,
"You don't deserve anyone. You'll die alone one day." He adds, disgust pouring from the words.
Niko is used to the hatred the Serb has for him but this time it's different, this time he's had enough.
His fist connects with the other's boy nose on instinct and the other is so surprised he falls on the floor like a sack of potato, his one remaining brown eye full of shock.
They fight that day until they're both covered in blood and Niko has the horrifying realization that maybe he's starting to drown in the same hatred that the Serb is.
xxx
The change in Nikolai after Elizaveta has left is noticeable as day and night.
There is nothing and no one to strive to be better for.
Now all he has is the darkness in his mind which threatens to drawn him and anyone who's close.
A/N: Hey, guys, hope you enjoyed the chapter and the twists it threw in!
What did you think of Alin and Niko becoming closer and having a good time? Or Feliciano and Francis warning up to him?
And then all the shit that happened afterwards? Elizaveta and Nikolai revealed to be together when they were kids? How do you think Alin will react?
Thank you for reviewing: maryranstadler1, GarGoyl, Elizaveta Hedervary - Hungary
GarGoyle, Alin's mum was a lot less concerned since she doesn't know half of what Niko and she has a lot of faith in her son but trust me she will be more worried in the next chapters.
I wrote it as "sarmi"and not sarmale as that's how Niko would refer to it (in Bulgarian) and the point was that Alin is kind of thinking about how he would say it and…Oh, God now that I think about it makes zero sense xD Plus I should've used the Cyrillic alphabet…yeah, it was kinda stupid, heh.
The idea was that Niko is always on his mind but I didn't really manage to convey it… I'm really sorry, it seemed like a mistake in the end.
Thanks for the comment!