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. Bulgaria x Romania
Author's Note: This chapter contains child abuse, if you're affected by such themes, please read with caution.
Chapter 17: More to the Story
A few days after Christmas they're currently in his room, watching fat snowflakes dance in the air and cover the ground in pristine white.
It's one of those seemingly endless, quiet winter afternoons when the world appears somehow smaller and the warmth between people contrasts with the cold outside.
They're watching Disney movies, something which Nikolai proves to be a big fan of, regardless of the constant eye-rolling and snarky comments about how the happy endings aren't realistic.
Once the movie is over and he sees the final logos of The Lion King fade into the black of the screen, Alin leans in and shuts the device close.
"Admit it, you loved it?" he teases, leaning in against the taller teen.
He offers a small nod and the Romanian writes it off as a victory.
Niko pins his wrists down, the movement quick and surprising but no unwelcomed. Alin doesn't even fight it, he kinda enjoys the other taking control.
The Bulgarian eyes him, as if exploring every inch of him and memorizing it.
"Alin, you know have pretty eyes, right?" he asks out of nowhere, surprising him so much he has to scoff.
"They're just dark brown, nothing special," Alin argues on autopilot, "Not like your green,"
Nikolai chuckles, shaking his head,
"Okay, first off, they have a tiny bit of red in them which makes me want to confirm my theory that you're a vampire,"
The Romanian laughs out loud, the light sound flying across the room,
"Man, you like stereotypes, don't you?"
The green eyed teen shrugs,
"I mean it, you're…pretty cute,"
Alin gasps theatrically, one hand over his heart, the other on his forehead. He should really try out for the Drama Club which Francis and Feliciano lead.
"Is that Nikolai Ivanov offering a compliment?" he inquires in exaggerated shock, "The world's coming to an end!"
"Haha, very funny…you should enjoy it while it lasts,"
"I do," Alin shoots back, with certainty.
The tone between them shifts, from lighthearted and playful to something else, something they aren't quite sure how to label.
"And you…you're so handsome and interesting and different from everyone I've met and-" Popescu bites his lip, unsure how to continue, "These past months…even though you're a stubborn idiot, they're the best of my life,"
Nikolai seems shocked at the words but it quickly melts away, morphing into what looks like genuine happiness. It suits him so much, it makes him even more beautiful in Alin's eyes, if that were possible.
Green eyes sparkle with joy as he leans in, closes the gap between them. It's long kiss, full of a emotion, one the Romanian begins to realize stands for a little more than just a mindless high school crush.
The taller teen goes lower, to his clavicle and neck which he has already seem to claim as his own territory. One large hand buries under his T-shirt and strays over his torso, caressing soft skin in large, even moments.
"God, you're good," Alin all but moans because even though they're not really doing anything all that special, he already feels turned on.
"You've done this before, haven't you?" he asks, words slipping past his lips before he thinks them through,
Niko pulls away, a little surprised by the sudden question,
"Да, I have," he admits, "I've had sex with a few women,"
Alin nods, he's not surprised, if anything he's come to suspect the Bulgarian has some experience under his belt, otherwise he wouldn't be so confident when it comes to…this.
"With Liz?" he inquires, heart stinging with hurt at the mere thought,
"Fuck, no," the green-eyed boy shoots back, shaking his head, "We were kids when we were together,"
"And after that?" Popescu presses on, he wants the entire truth regardless of whether it's a pretty one, "Did you…uh, rekindle your relationship once again in high school?"
Nikolai pulls away slightly, a look of betrayal flashing through his face,
"Alin, she…she pretended not to know me," he admits, words laced with bitterness, "When I tried to talk to her she said I was just some Eastern European freak who wanted to have his way with her,"
The Romanian gasps at the admission, feeling anger bubble up his chest. He's never been a fan of Elizaveta but this…he now legitimately hates her for hurting Niko.
"She said I was just as bad as Radko," the taller teen adds, a reminiscent expression over his pale face.
"That's not true," Alin argues immediately, raising his voice by an octave or so, "You're nothing like that monster!"
Ivanov doesn't reply, almost as if he isn't so sure about it.
"And fuck Elizaveta for treating you like that!"
Niko's eyes widen in surprise at his swearing, it's so unusual for him to talk like that or voice his disapproval so someone so strongly.
"I don't…I don't blame her actually. She just wanted to fit in which meant…throwing me under the bus I guess."
The Romanian narrows his eyes, dark brown orbs full of fury.
"You're just too good with people sometimes," he points out, "I get what it's like to want to fit in…believe me I do, but what she did is inexcusable!"
Nikolai looks away and Alin hates how insecure he is when it comes to others caring about him. He might be confident in his fights but when it comes to this…Popescu sighs, he supposes it's only natural.
The Bulgarian has lost his parents, Radko despises him and Ivan seems like the worst when it comes to keeping him safe.
Can he honestly blame him for not feeling confident in people?
"Can we be done with all the…feelings and mushy talk?" Nikolai asks, the smirk having returned to his face, the mask back up.
Alin nods, realizing he shouldn't push him,
"Yeah…uh, I quite liked what we were doing before being interrupted," he says, trying to return to those feelings before the talk.
The Bulgarian happily obliges with what he implies, continuing with his kisses and plunging lower.
The shorter teen hesitates; he's still not ready for sex. To him it is a big deal, despite the way society sees it now, as nothing more than taking off your clothes as just doing it, getting over with it in quick, messy movements. To him, no, it has to have some meaning and he has to know he's ready.
Not that he has anything against casual sex but it's just…he isn't like that, he craves for something more.
Nikolai seems to read his mind, which has become a habit of his these days,
"Relax, we don't have to have sex…There are things to do,"
Alin cocks an eyebrow,
"Such as?"
The green eyed teen laughs out loud,
"Do I really need to fill you in on the details or…would you rather I show you?"
"Don't tell me you have experience with this too…Do you?"
The Bulgarian hesitates, a strange look coming over his face,
"No, I don't. I-I was with a man once, but…not in the way you might think,"
Alin's eyes widen in surprise, knowing how hard it was for Niko to even grasp the idea of them being together it seems downright insane to picture him with another man.
"We didn't have sex or anything…it was just a onetime thing in the bar,"
Popescu props himself on his elbows, there is something peculiar in the other's voice. He wants to delve into the subject, ask about more. But…there's the most puzzling feeling tugging at his heart strings, telling him not to press on.
Perhaps it's his intuition, signaling to him that he'll find the answers he's looking for soon enough.
"Since you're in the sharing mood," he begins, an inquisitive look over his face, "What about Ivan? How did you two meet?"
Nikolai hesitates for a moment too long but in the end he seems to decide he can trust him and begins to tell him.
xxx
Somewhere along the road Nikolai realizes with the clarity of an early January morning that he has no reason to behave, no reason to hope for a better future.
Though he doesn't grasp it fully, he has given up on himself. Even at the age of eleven he can realize society is split in two – the people who do matter, who are loved and taken care of and the ones who don't.
And him and Radko, they fall into the second category.
What point is there in trying to save yourself only to fail in the end? Isn't that the very definition of stupidity?
Nikolai stops trying and starts going downhill, finding it is much easier to go with the flow. Smoking and fighting and drinking and finds suit him nicely, almost like a missing piece of the puzzle. Alcohol is a quick and easy escape and by the looks of it, with him being Eastern European it is something that society all but expects from him.
It's funny how people live up to stereotypes and stereotypes live up to people.
xxx
Niko isn't quite sure how it happens but at some point he and Radko have turned into all but a catastrophe for the orphanage. Teachers can barely tolerate them and they start hearing things such as "correctional facilities" and "places for the likes of them".
The Bulgarian isn't sure why but he instinctively knows he does not want to go there. But he doesn't stop either, already too far down the road to self-destruction to change the course on his own.
He barely remembers it but one night Radko rob some rich teen and get stupid drunk. On the next morning they wake up in the middle of an ally and Nikolai knows with certainty this is bound to cause trouble.
"Shit," he swears under his breath, pushing against the hangover and getting up, "Radko get your ass off the ground, we need to go back,"
"Why, not like they give a fuck about us in the first place," the brunette grumbles but he does comply nonetheless.
They do need food and shelter and the orphanage offers those at least.
When they go back …there is the screaming and the punishment but there is something else besides the rage he finds in the teacher's eyes. They've have given up on them already, accepting them as one of those people you should just let go of, throw in the trash and move on with your life.
They've made their mind and they're not planning to help.
One of them, the one he gets a long a little better with as he used to be Elizaveta's friend, meets his eyes, a look of pure disappointment written behind blue orbs.
"This stops now." He declares and the green eyed kid is scared out of his mind because he has no idea what the correctional facility is going to be.
xxx
In the end, faith is on his side, as it turns out there is no correctional facility. To everyone's shock they're getting adopted. Him and Radko, who everyone labels as the worst of all children are going to have a family and he's so shocked he doesn't even have the time to be happy.
xxx
"You've already guessed who it is, haven't you?" Nikolai asks as he meets Alin's eyes.
They're wide in surprise although logically thinking, he should have seen the twist all along.
xxx
Nikolai ends up loving his new family. It's not the picture perfect version of the American dream, far from it. In fact most label it as hell but it's all he has.
They're Russians which is the closest the orphanage could find as there aren't many Bulgarians or Serbians willing to adopt around. Plus Niko has the sneaking suspicion that the Braginski family only took them in so they would get the welfare checks.
The family is like one of those walking clichés, an epitome of the poor and miserable emigrants who have lost sight of the American exceptionalism and have instead plunged into the deepest hell of society.
There's his new dad - Igor who gets blind drunk each night and beats his wife and kids. It's cliché really but that too perhaps is to be expected.
He stinks of vodka all the time and he is a criminal. The Bulgarian isn't sure why the USA is letting such people adopt but it probably has something to do with the fact they wanted to get rid of him and Radko.
While Igor is a pure monster Elena – his adoptive mother – can't do much about it and falls into one of those grey areas between a victim and a co-conspirator. In the end of the day he can't be mad at her, for she too is suffering.
Elena Bragisnka has a sad, melancholic smile on her face at all times, one as pale as her blond hair. Nikolai doesn't know what's wrong with her and it isn't until many years later that he learns words such as depression.
In a strange way she reminds him of his own mother, who as he knows from picture was also blonde. But that's as far as him seeing her as a mother goes.
xxx
What Nikolai does love about the family are his new siblings – Ivan, Katya and Natalya.
Ivan is older than him, thirteen as he later finds out. The kid's tall and muscular and he can tell the entire neighbourhood (an it's bad one) is scared of him, even at this age. But the Bulgarian isn't. If anything there is something meek, something kind about the other boy that he immediately finds behind his pale blue eyes.
Katya is one year younger than her sibling although even at twelve, there's that warm motherly air about her. And last there's Natalya.
She's a little bundle of joy, looking too small and fragile even for her age. At first Nikolai is afraid to touch her, that's how delicate the little girl looks. He's horrified at the way neither Elena nor Igor take care of her and a sudden appreciation blossoms for his father who did everything to protect him, despite the harsh reality of Eastern Europe.
At least there's Katya who always feeds and changes Nat and Ivan who sings songs to her in his clumsy way, maturing voice clashing against the silence of the house.
Nikolai sings up for taking care of her the moment his green gaze falls over her navy one.
xxx
The family speaks in Russian but he finds it surprisingly easy to learn it. It's similar to Bulgarian, unlike English which at this point he refers to as "the evil language" and has completely given up on learning it. He talks mostly to Ivan who agrees with him about that. They discuss games and make stupid jokes and like each other from the instant their eyes cross.
It's lighthearted and simple and for the first time in years Nikolai feels like a kid again.
But it's not all roses and cream as Igor wreaks havoc each day, broken bottles of vodka flying inches above their heads. It's Elena that carries the brunt of his anger but Ivan is also black and blue most of the time.
As it turns out though their adoptive father isn't much of a fan of him and Radko either, especially not the Serbian.
"Could've at least taken a kid that's not covered in scars," he grumbles one day, voice thick and coarse.
To Nikolai's utter shock Radko doesn't even argue, he merely looks down at his feet.
He knows for sure it is only a matter of time before Igor turns to them as well and beats them up. He's not too scared of it, he's used to a beating and he knows the brunette is more than capable of taking one.
xxx
"You okay … I mean after what Igor said?" Niko asks the Serb later that night, when they're in bed.
Through some cosmic sense of irony once again they share a bed since the Braginski can't allow for another.
Radko shifts and comes closer to him which catches the Bulgarian off guard and he flinches away. The Serbian grabs at his shoulder, fingers digging in.
"You should call him dad, not Igor."
"What? Are you fucking kidding me? The guy is not our dad and he's a monster!" Nikolai huffs but the other only tightens his grip on him.
"Listen to me," he grumbles as he sets his one remaining brown eye over his own green ones, "This is the only family we've got now. Our parents are fucking dead and I'm tired of you being too soft to deal with it."
Nikolai swallows, he wants to argue but the very thought of his parents makes his eyes water. He obviously hasn't let go and perhaps it's time he does.
"I am not going to let you screw this up for us," Radko deadpans in dark.
"I won't," the Bulgarian shoots back in an instant but it falls on deaf ears.
"Just so we're clear if you so much as make the smallest mistake and oppose Igor or Ivan…I will kill you."
Nikolai knows he should be laughing or he should be rolling his eyes because they are eleven and the other is threatening him but he can't.
Even at this age the Serbian is cruel and vicious and something tells him he is capable of doing unthinkable things.
He meets Radko's glare and there is nothing but pure hatred in it.
"I'm not fucking joking. I will kill you," he repeats, in emphasis.
Ivanov struggles with what to say next, in the end he sighs and opts to joke about it, like he always does.
"I like Ivan so much better than you anyway. Matter of a fact if anyone's getting kicked out, it's you."
Radko swears at him, then lets go and rolls over.
xxx
It's a warm summer evening when it happens.
Nikolai remembers the details with surprising clarity even when years have passed. He remembers the buzzing of mosquitos in the living room, the way the last sun rays paint the white walls a pleasant colour, something in between gold and pink, which he doesn't have a name for.
Elena is cooking in the kitchen which is a pleasant surprise having in mind she doesn't get much out of the bedroom. Katya and Ivan are with her, helping out while Nat is pleasantly asleep upstairs.
It's a quiet moment of peace, one which he chooses to enjoy while it lasts.
Radko and him have just come back from outside, after playing volleyball for a while. It's a pleasant turn of events, finding out how many things they have in common. When they stop fighting for a second, they get along well and it's a nice feeling, albeit a strange one.
"Man, I'm fucking exhausted," the Serb grunts, swearing comes naturally and easy to both of them and the Braginski don't seem to mind, if anything they participate in it as well.
"It was a nice game," Niko comments although he doubts playing volleyball with two people counts as much.
Radko nods at him and he is taken aback at the other, the way he acts nicely for a split second. He proceeds to lie down on the couch, not bothering to take off his sneakers. He leaves a dirty trail across the floor. The Bulgarian debates whether or not to tell him to clean it but then shrugs it off.
Truth to be told he's never cared much about tidying up and he really doubts Elena would even notice. Not to mention he appreciated the short, rare moment of peace between him and the dark haired boy.
Nikolai drops on the couch as well and takes a deep breath, closing his green eyes and soaking in the pleasant atmosphere of the summer evening. The breeze from the open window ruffles his hair and he inhales in the fresh air which bears a faint smell. It's a mix of a thousand things but in his mind he merely labels it as the smell of summer… A lazy smile tugs at his lips, he's always liked nice sounding words even if he's not a master of them.
xxx
It's then that he hears the door open and swears under his breath. Igor is coming home. The man doesn't always spend the night with them, most often than not he's at some bar, getting stupid drunk and wasting his life with other people who do the same.
"Hell," Radko swears as well and their eyes cross, a knowing look in them.
Igor stumbles back into the room, a stench of vodka following his every step.
Niko shuts his eyes closed; he knows this is going to be a bad night. When the other gets home like this it means trouble for them.
He's not entirely sure how it happens but he remembers that Igor suddenly gets furious, various profanities flying out of his mouth. He stares at the muddy trails the Serbian has left on the carpet and that seems to be the last nail to the coffin. He explodes before them and next thing he remembers Radko is on the ground.
The Bulgarian tries to act tough but he can't help the scream that escapes his lips and pierces the quiet neighbourhood.
Igor hits him as well and he can feel the blood trickling down his chin. He wants to fight badly, he even lands a hit on the taller man but he is much more powerful than him, even in his drunken state.
It's then that Ivan flies into the room, getting them apart. Naturally Igor's anger transfers to the older boy and they quickly lock into a fight.
Nikolai's eyes dart between Radko who barely manages to get off the ground and then Elena and Katya, both of whom are in tears already.
"Get them out of here," Ivan commands and he obeys, dragging the two women out of the room.
xxx
That night Ivan is covered in blood. Broken nose, left eye swollen shut. Maybe even broken ribs. Nikolai's heart constricts in sympathy as he takes in the sight. At the very least Igor is gone for the night and that has to count as a silver lining.
The blonde boy is sitting at the kitchen table, opening and closing his fist to estimate the level of damage. A faint whimper flies past his thin lips before he can stop it.
The Bulgarian gasps at the sound, never before has he seen the older teen at a state like this. Braginski turns around abruptly, pale blue eyes widening in surprise when he sees him.
The change in his behaviour is immediate. He tries to curve his lips into a smile, even when they're badly split. He tenses, tries to hide the pain he's in.
"How are you?" Ivan asks, genuine concern in his voice.
"You asking me that?" Nikolai exclaims, "You're beaten to bloody pulp and yet you're worried about me?"
"Да," the other says simply.
The green eyed teen is caught off by the other, he needs a few moments to compose his thoughts. He can't believe it, the fact someone is worried about him, that someone cares.
After his dad's death no one has. Not the people at the orphanage, not Radko who hates him. Not even Elisaveta since she did leave.
"I'm fine, my nose isn't even broken," he comments in a haste, mentally adding that the same couldn't be said about Ivan.
He pulls up a chair and sits, leaning in against the table. They can't go to the living room as it is in shreds, pieces of broken furniture and bottles everywhere.
"And Radko?" the older teen asks, eyes closed, voice drenched in exhaustion.
"He's fine too, he's pretty used to getting his ass kicked."
Nikolai tries to cheer up the atmosphere but fails at it. The only thing stopping him from crying or getting angry and breaking something is his concern for the Russian. With all his heart, he wants to make him feel better, repay him for protecting them.
"Let me help you," he says quietly, moving in closer.
Ivan takes a generous swig of vodka directly from the bottle, to numb the pain. He still can't help the hiss that flies past his lips.
He then hands it over to him, a tiny bit of mischief flickering through bloodshot tired eyes,
"Bulgarians like drinking too, да?"
"Of course,"
"Then drink, to steady your hands,"
The green eyed boy takes in the strong liquid, it doesn't taste all that good but it doesn't have to, they're just drinking to forget, not to actually enjoy it.
Nikolai puts back the bottle on the table, almost empty. He takes a cotton swab and presses it against the throat of the bottle, wetting it. Then he raises a pale hand and gently swipes it over Ivan's split eyebrow.
"Извинявай," he apologizes quickly but continuous with the job of fixing him, patiently washing away the blood from his face.
The Russian catches his hand suddenly and cups it with his own, larger one. The small, unexpected contact makes Nikolai look up in surprise.
Green eyes fall over blue ones and he can see the angst in his own mirrored in the other's.
"I'm the one who's sorry. Our family…My dad is utter shit and – we should have offered a better place for you, not a worse one…"
"Don't say that!" the Bulgarian protests immediately, a spark of anger coming to his voice, "This is a better place! Sure Igor is… he is a monster but-but I have you now."
Ivan's eyes widen in surprise, pupils contrasting against the icy ring of his iris like two large black dots. He then looks away because despite all the confidence he projects he's not used to compliments and doesn't know how to handle them. It's yet another similarity they share.
"How can you say that when I can't even protect you from him?" he asks, voice surprisingly small, clashing against his looks, his personality, everything about him, "I'm doing such a crappy job at being an older brother, I swear…"
"Ivan!" Nikolai protests so loudly he manages to get his attention, pull him out of his own hell, "You've done a better job taking care of me than anyone has after dad died."
The Russian's blue eyes are filled with genuine gratitude and he squeezes his hand,
„Спасибо,"he replies, the soft word melting somewhere in the evening dusk.
"I'm the one who should be thanking you," the Bulgarian argues, he has no idea what Igor would have done to him if the older kid hadn't stepped in.
"Come on let's get you to bed," he adds, stretching out a hand.
"I can get there on my own," Ivan tries to assure, always scared of being a burden and trying to do things on his own.
The minute he gets up he all but falls over on the table but Nikolai is quick, wrapping his hands around him protectively.
"I've got you," he offers, despite the fact it's pretty uncomfortable supporting the other as he is taller.
He takes him to bed where Katya immediately pulls him into the gentlest of hugs, running pale hands through his hair and whispering soothing things in his ear, both to calm him and herself.
Despite it all Nikolai finds himself smiling because even though it is a difficult family at the very least he has one.
xxx
Alin isn't sure what to say once the Bulgarian falls quiet, signaling then end of his story. What is there to say? Sorry that you had such a crappy childhood?
He does offer support though, he wraps a hand around the other and nuzzles his head over his chest. He laces their fingers together, never getting tired of the warm feeling the small gesture has.
"Sorry you had to go through all that alone," he comments, head buried over his chest.
"It's okay, shit happens," Niko grunts, trying to hide behind the smirk, "Plus I have Ivan and Katya and Nat too."
The Romanian opens his mouth to argue, point out just how bad Braginski. But… he bites his tongue, never voices those concerns. He finally realizes why the Bulgarian cares so damn much about the Russian. He's his family.
Alin though…he wants to protect him, wants to show him what a real family stands for. He's scared at the mere thought of it, how forgone he is in his feelings for the green eyed teen. Still…he can't help those emotions, the need to help him.
"You've got me now though," he points out, a serious expression behind his dark brown irises as he looks up to face him.
Nikolai's lips stretch into an appreciative smile, green orbs soaked in joy,
"That I do,"
They kiss once again, taking in the moment, the quiet atmosphere of the late December.
"And what about you, Alin?" Niko inquires, an interested crossing his features, "When am I going to find about your mysterious past in Romania?"
The shorter teen considers it for a few brief moments, he supposes he owes the other to share. It only seems fair, even if he's not all that proud or fond of his memories.
"Oh, come on, your childhood can't be any more fucked up than mine and Radko's," Nikolai jokes, a supportive look in his eyes.
"Yeah…well it's not." He admits, looking away, "It's pretty boring actually. And not all that pretty."
Ivanov smiles at him, raising a hand and gently brushing away a loose strand of his dyed hair,
"Who ever said I only liked pretty stuff? Pretty is overrated anyway,"
Alin reflects his warm smile, ready to begin telling him about his past, all the things he's hidden from others.
And…
It's then that the Bulgarian's phone rings and with an apologetic look he rolls over and takes it from the night shelf.
His eyebrows shoot up in surprise and then concern settles over his pale face. He swears softly under his breath in his mother tongue and Alin's heart constricts in worry.
"Ivan again?" he asks, wearily.
"Worse," Niko responds, "It's Radko, he texted SOS."
Alin's brown eyes widen in surprise,
"I know, it's strange that he would text me for help," the Bulgarian comments, already up on his feet.
"Wait, are you gonna go?" the shorter teen asks, slight panic poking through the edges of his words.
"Do I have a choice, Allie?"
"Yeah, you could just not go," the Romanian presses on, crossing his hands over his chest, "It could be dangerous. What if Radko's dealer or some shit is there to beat him up?"
Nikolai seems to take in the possibility, a small sigh flying past his lips,
"Then I have to help him,"
"Why?!" Alin cries out in exasperation, "Radko hates you! If it were up to him, you'd be dead!"
He regrets his words as soon as they leave his mouth as hurt flickers through the Bulgarian's light eyes.
"Да, знам," he admits, matter of factly, "But I still… I can't just leave him."
Popescu shakes his head, realizing he can't stop him,
"You're just too good sometimes. And other times you're an asshole"
Nikolai grins at him,
"That's why you love me," he winks, then leans in, seals their lips one last time for a good bye,
"Just please be careful," the Romanian urges as he gets up to leave,
"You know I never am,"
Alin's expression darkens,
"That's exactly why I worry,"
xxx
Time seems to crawl at a snail's pace after Niko leaves. Alin is immensely worried, realizing he's read the last passage of the Fanfic he's subscribed to three times already and yet he doesn't realize a word of it.
In the end he puts his phone away, opts to go take a bath, in the vain hope maybe that way, time will pass a bit quicker.
xxx
When he returns he notices the screen of his phone flicker a green light in the darkness of his room. He rushes towards it, in the hope that Nikolai has called.
Unfortunately, it's not the Bulgarian, but rather Francis.
Alin raises a brown eyebrow in surprise – sure, he's had a few talks with the French but…why would he call him three times late in the evening? They didn't even have school the next day.
He doesn't think much of it as he hastily gets dressed. He still intends to call the blonde and his fingers curl around the phone.
It's then that the doorbell rings and Alin's heart jumps in anticipation. He leaves his phone behind and rushes towards the door.
When he opens his jaw nearly drops as he takes in the sight.
Nikolai leans in against the door, clothes torn, covered in blood. His face is already black and blue.
"Niko!" the Romanian cries out in horror as he takes in his looks, "What on Earth happened?"
Author's Note: So, there you have it! Yet another of those cliffhangers that I'm starting to be infamous for xD! Please share your thoughts on what you believe might have happened!
And also, what do you think of Niko's past? And yes, there will be Alin's flashbacks as well ^^
Thanks to :maryranstadler1, GarGoyl for reviewing !
So any guesses on who beat up Nikolai? And why Francis called?
Please review, I love hearing from you all!