𝐍𝐈𝐊𝐎 𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐒𝐄𝐘 / 40
shipping heir / wealth manager
i have lived my entire life in this country, and i have tried to balance it with my heritage somewhere else.
i give you permission to crack me open and witness the war inside my brain.
maybe that'll help you understand.
Welcome to Briar Ridge … [ NIKOLAI DIMITRIOS LAZARIDIS RAMSEY ]! Who is known as [ NIKO ] and was recently seen leaving their home in [ BRIAR RIDGE HILLS ]. he is currently [ 40 ] years old. he resembles [ THEO JAMES ] and is a [ SHIPPING HEIR / WEALTH MANAGER ]. They’re best known for [ his finely tailored suits ] and also, [ trying to right the wrongs his father made and fix mistakes that weren't his ]. What is really important to know about them is [ he saved his great grandfather's company but at what cost? ].
»» ⸻ DIGGING A LITTLE DEEPER
Trigger warnings: brief mentions of suicide and alleged infidelity
When it came to his youth and the way he grew up, Niko experienced a duality of both worlds. For a portion of his childhood, up until he was 11, he essentially lived with a silver spoon his mouth. Affluence and opulence surrounded him wherever he went. Then Niko began to notice things tightening up. His parents were so free flowing with the money going out of the house and expenses were cut back and cut back, and then cut back some more.
They still played the game and looked the part up until Niko was about 17, and that was when his father sat him down and told him there was nothing to inherit. There was no money to send him to an Ivy League and the company his great grandfather, who'd immigrated from Greece, had started had nothing left to it. The excuse given was that the business had gone bankrupt, but it would be only a few years later when Niko would learn the truth.
A few months shy of his 21st birthday, when he was away on scholarship at Yale University, his father would take his own life. The shame and hopelessness had gotten to him. There was almost no time to grieve as Niko had been suddenly the heir to massive debt and a foundered legacy. It was up to him to find a way to save what his heritage had built and to restore the family name, and Niko had to do so without any guidance or backup.
Foolishly he'd thought he could do it all. Niko had to. Because when a great love comes along in your life you can't just sit back and hope it waits for you. His romance with Valentina Flores had been everything to Niko, easily he'd fallen madly in love and knew he'd found his forever partner, and aside of building his relationship with her Niko worked on rescuing terrible investments and even worse mistakes in business decisions.
It was only a couple of years following Valentina's graduation that they'd gotten married. He worked as a wealth manager. The great thing about growing up on the Gold Coast and rubbing elbows since he was a boy with the elite was the connections. Thankfully he had more clients than he knew what to do with, or that he could manage and have a healthy work-life balance.
Unfortunately it wasn't long before the marriage began to feel the strain of Niko working all the time. Not only was he hardly home, when he was he would disappear into his home office to do more work. He just wasn't present. Valentina, with her love, allowed him some space and time believing Niko when he'd told her this was only temporary. That they had to sacrifice for the time being so that he could build this life for them. It was all for them.
That was a lie. Niko hadn't been incredibly forthcoming about being left with so much on his shoulders. In the need to be strong and confident he'd shouldered much of it believing that he could handle it. But it all just kept getting worse and they began to fight and argue often because Valentina's life had been constantly held in wait, and it'd gone on too long.
Not only that but there was a pregnancy scare, and while Niko would really love to have children with her there was no way he was ready. She didn't know how much he was drowning with the pressure he was under. Not her fault he kept that a secret and hidden away from her but the fight had been bad enough that it did major damage that it was difficult to come back from. More so, the distance grew, and one night an assistant answered his phone and fidelity didn't even come into question.
Divorce was suddenly on the table and failure in every aspect of his life threatened to tear him down. Niko set her free, put up no fight in the divorce, and carried on in trying to save the one thing he felt he was getting a handle on. Eventually he amassed a wealth great enough and made exceptional decisions for his legacy that Niko got it back on track. It cost him everything but at least there was one tally in the win column.
The move to Briar Ridge is to be closer to his grandmother, his last living relative, that lives in a retirement community in town. Only problem? Niko is aware that his ex-wife now resides here as well.
»» ⸻ THE TANGLED WEB
Valentina Flores »» if only he'd gotten his priorities straight he wouldn't have ruined his marriage and relationship with his ex-wife. niko focused so much on work and saving his great grandfather's business that his inattention and thoughtless decisions sabotaged things with valentina. she truly was the love of his life and he has regrets but he's also accepted his losses.
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"Aw come on, she revealed the best location?" Luckily, it seemed that even if she had, people still didn't know the men were there or just simply didn't care. Nate had nothing against getting involved in the celebrations, the colours on his shirt proving that he had been in amongst it, but there was something truly amusing about shocking people with clouds of colour whenever they walked somewhere around his hiding place. "Brilliant, isn't it? If only I could find a way to throw it over the top, it would be even better, but I think it would just fall straight back down onto us."
At the surprised squeal from the couple they jumped out on, Nate quickly tossed the colour and ran, ducking back into his hiding place before Niko joined him with his few steps back. "Apparently so, I overheard someone talking about it earlier about how the different colours mean different things, but I don't much about it myself." Although with how much fun he was having, it was definitely something he'd be looking into. "It makes me want to go to a proper one, you know? Imagine this on a bigger scale. I wonder if they have bigger tactics to get people completely covered in colour." The event definitely spoke to Nate's inner child. "Need to figure out a way to catapult the colour next time."
In a moment of clarity, between the laughter over his γιαγιά calling out their tactical high ground, Niko considered that the Holi celebration wasn't really meant as a game of powdered paint ball. The bright hues that stained their clothing and dusted their flesh all had meaning, at least—he'd heard something about that at some point. Despite that creeping knowledge in the back of his consciousness he was still game for the antics. ❝ ⸻ Are you a fast runner? You could try a toss and dash, ❞ Niko suggested. ❝ It's difficult to hit a moving target, you know? ❞
This particular part of the festival took him back to his childhood. Not because he'd done this before, it was just the act of letting loose and having fun in public space in a way that spoke to youth. Adult versions of fun weren't exactly the same as the way he and his partner in crime were glowing with innocent mischief. ❝ You know, now that you mention that, I do think I heard about the colors and the intention behind it. One of those periphery conversations I picked up on but missed the important details. ❞ There was a half roll of his eyes at himself and a light laugh. ❝ On a bigger scale I don't think you would've made out as well as you did. You think they'll do this again next year? You've got time to come up with some plans. ❞
Enzo watched as Niko slipped the twenties into the eggs, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest. “Man, whoever finds those is gonna think the Easter Bunny picks favorites.” He leaned over the table, dragging one of the empty eggs toward him and cracking it open, only to stuff a few chocolate eggs inside to balance things out. “Your grandma’s on the committee? You mean to tell me you could have pulled some strings and gotten us out of this mess?”
The man glanced up at his partner when Niko mentioned fastening the bunny to the basket’s handle, and nodded, reaching for a twist tie like it was the best idea he'd heard in his life. “Alright, bunny. You're promoted.” Enzo secured the plush by its little paw like it was holding on for dear life, and sat back to admire their questionable masterpiece. The basket was wildly uncoordinated, but there was something charming about it. Like it had been built by two people who gave a damn, even if in reality, they hadn't a clue what they were doing.
❝ ⸻ I just better not see a parent try to 'hold onto it for safe keeping', ❞ Niko responded as though they might actually be there for the delivery and distribution. ❝ Maybe they pick baskets at random, ❞ he tacked on with a shrug, not wanting to secondguess his contribution. The last thing he wanted was to make this more difficult and go back a step. As he wrapped chocolate eggs in tissue paper Niko paused and gave Enzo a look that couldn't believe he was serious. ❝ Who do you think put me into this mess? ❞
There was an unfortunate mistake made—Niko glanced at the other tables as they worked away on their baskets, and then looked down at theirs. It held the appearance of a kindergartener's project. As though it could help matters he picked up a toy and pressed a pastel bow to it and then added it to the basket. ❝ It's not too bad, ❞ Niko claimed, sprucing up the items and their placements a bit. ❝ It's the thought that counts, right? ❞
Val's breath caught at his words—“I’m just glad I’m here to catch you.” She hated how effortlessly he could still make her heart stutter like that. Hated how some part of her wanted to believe it meant more than it probably did.
She laughed softly, shaking her head as she brushed invisible sand from the sleeves of her jacket. “If the universe is trying to say something, it’s got a hell of a sense of humor.” Her tone was light, but there was still a weight there, a questioning in her spirit of what was life trying to tell her by continuing to bring Niko back into it?
Her eyes lingered on him for a moment longer than she meant to. He looked good. He always looked good. But it was the familiarity that got to her—the way he still smiled at her like no time had passed at all.
"Thanks," she said after a beat, letting a small, genuine smile slip through. “You look… good too.” God, was she blushing? This was getting ridiculous.
At his question, she glanced toward the sky, watching as another lantern floated higher and higher into the darkening twilight. “No, first time. Thought I’d give it a try. Kind of poetic, isn’t it? Letting go of things you wish had gone differently. Or at least trying to.” Her voice trailed off at the end, softer now.
She pulled her jacket a little tighter around herself and gave him a small smile—this one more bittersweet. “Anyway... what about you? Just here for the view, or did your γιαγιά rope you into finally checking out the sentimental stuff Briar Ridge has to offer, too?"
Maybe there was truly nothing to it. His grandmother had her superstitions and Niko humored her, it was just that his encounters with his ex-wife were too infrequent for him to leap onto the train that would take him to delulu land. The warning from his γιαγιά had been that he and Valentina had kept running into each other because there was unfinished business between them.
What a foolish hope.
❝ ⸻ Apparently it laughs while we're busy making plans and think we know what's best, or know what's coming. ❞ Casually, his hands slid into the pockets of his shorts while he couldn't keep his eyes from appraising her. Just as he did the last time he was this close. The years hadn't done much to her, Val had matured more but she looked happy. That was easy enough to see around the awkwardness—she was doing well.
When some color dusted her cheeks and warmed her flesh Niko offered Val some privacy and shifted his eyes off of her. A lantern was floating up into the sky, possibly believing it could reach the stars. ❝ Actually, that almost sounds serendipitous, ❞ he replied to her poetic comment of letting go of things you wished had gone differently, ❝ for it to be where we run into each other. ❞
That could be a very clear message. Perhaps it was time to let go.
In his perophery Niko saw Val shift and his gaze was drawn back to her. He'd been trying not to lean too much into conversation, or even lingering too long if it got incredibly awkward. The problem was that he wanted to be nowhere else now that she was right there. ❝ Uhh, ❞ with a lopsided grin he looked around as though his grandmother was in sight, ❝ she's with her gang somewhere and I broke away. Too much insistence from her gals that I date their granddaughters. ❞ A soft laugh followed and his fingers scratched under his chin.
A small, tired smile pulled at the corner of Leyla's mouth when he tried to recover, calling Billie her mini-me. Still, hearing him mention Taner so casually had thrown her more than she'd expected. It wasn't that he was wrong, far from it actually. More often than not she had seen strong glimpses of Taner in Billie over the years, it often left her speechless.But, this whole thing was just complicated. Everything was. "I know. She's got her father's fearlessness, too. Keeps me on my toes." She let out a soft exhale through her nose, gaze drifting momentarily before refocusing on him.
Family has always been very important to me. The way she was so tempted to argue that. She held back a roll of her eyes, and sighed through her nose in response instead. At his question, something flickered in her expression. Another punch to the gut. Her eyes dropped for a second, and she gave a faint shake of her head. "I haven't written in a long time," she said, her voice a little thinner now.
Leyla looked back toward Billie again, making sure she was still in line at the slushie stand, before turning her attention back to Niko. The next question hovered on the edge of her lips, unspoken. Have you spoken to Val? Instead, she said, quieter this time. "It's weird seeing you here. Her eyes searched his face for a moment. "I really didn't think we would again." We.. real smooth, Ley.
It wasn't too difficult to discern that she didn't really want to be having this conversation, or perhaps just not with him. ❝ ⸻ I'll bet, ❞ Niko replied almost automatically with a bit of a bobbing nod and a half smile. There wasn't really an interest in forcing communication and aside from easy pleasantries and some casual, not too deep catch up he wasn't entirely sure what to say. Talking to a friend who'd cut you out and cut you off wasn't an easy thing to walk into, and there might've been a bit of an internal debate going on within on if he should even be making the effort.
The second topic Niko had tried surprisingly had produced even less conversation than the first, and he was a bit dumbfounded on where to go. Leyla's expression, her body language signified disappointment, maybe even pain. At one point in time he'd thought he'd known her pretty well, she wasn't as decipherable to him now. ❝ Why not? ❞ Brow creased, baffled and confused, his inquiry came out almost as a reflex. ❝ I always loved your writing. That's a shame. ❞ The sentiments were genuine despite the awkward, slightly uncomfortable tension between them.
We. That certainly hadn't gone unnoticed. Niko immediately picked up on what it had to be in reference to. His ex-wife and her best friend. Leyla's comments also meant that Valentina hadn't told her that they'd actually run into each other before, and Niko wasn't entirely sure how to feel about that. Well, anything other than bad. ❝ I'm sorry, ❞ it came out bare and honest, ❝ maybe it'll make you feel better that we won't see much of each other. I know Everything Goes is yours so—I won't bother you. ❞
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As soon as Niko slipped into the booth opposite of Mateo, his mouth was already off running. Typical New Yorker, almost too much on the nose. ❝ ⸻ Were you at brunch with γιαγιά and her gang Sunday? ❞ A look of partial amusement twisted with the hurt of being left out. Niko settled into his seat and took a menu from a passing waitress with gratitude and a nod. Despite his visits over the years he wasn't entirely all too familiar with this establishment and it's offerings. In fact, Niko didn't have broad experience with diners. ❝ You know Marjorie has been going on—Teo this and Teo that. ❞ The sound of his tongue kissing he roof of his mouth came after as his eyes scanned the menu. ❝ Be careful with these Golden Girls, bud. ❞
Perhaps coffee was automatic—the waitress set a mug on the table for Niko and filled it up without a word before she'd moved along to refill other diners. When he finally looked up, tearing his eyes away from a choice he didn't feel equipped or confident to make, Niko shook his head just slightly at Mateo. ❝ Not even a heads up that you're in town, you just go straight to γιαγιά? ❞ There was no actual upset despite the fact that Niko was surely feigning it, and perhaps pouting just a very slight, grown up amount. ❝ So, what's good here? ❞ The gears were hardly shifting off course, he just wanted to make a decision before the waitress came back around. ❝ Surely, we're not ordering a steak at three in the afternoon. ❞
Morning coffee had always been one of Allie's favorite rituals. For the longest time it consisted of waking up a little early to enjoy the peace and quiet of the sunrise, making her pour over coffee to her exact specifications and enjoying it on the porch of the home she'd left behind when she and Ryan came to Briar Ridge before starting her chaotic days. But now? She'd seen the breaking of her beloved pour over carafe as a sign that the move wasn't the right choice- at least until her morning coffee runs started to include him. Niko.
He'd somehow effortlessly slid into her morning routine and she'd gone from looking forward to quiet sunrises to ensuring her routine was structured around making it to the cafe in time to share a portion of their days together. It was silly, really. A grown woman with a crush that gave her butterflies, but it was also refreshing. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this way about someone, the last time she was giddy enough to check her reflection in any reflective surface before seeing him. And finding him now amongst the crowd had been a welcome surprise.
"Who would've thought, right?" A grin of her own stretched her features and caused the corners of her eyes to crinkle, highlighting the way they sparkled beneath the bright sunlight as she looked at him. "You spend your whole life searching and suddenly, in the back of your closet, there it is." The sound that left her lips was akin to a very girlish giggle and she had to bring a hand up to cover her mouth, stopping the sound from escaping once more. God, she felt like she was in middle school, flirting with the boy she liked between classes. At least that's what the butterflies currently fluttering around in her stomach would make her believe.
One hand coming up to gather a small section of her hair and begin to twirl it around her finger, Allie let out a quiet hum of thought at his question. "Hmm… how would he? That's a good question." She mused, her tone playful as she looked up at him from beneath her lashes. "Unfortunately, I think that's something the newly dignified man will have to figure out himself. The designator can't have all of the answers now, can she?" Her tone was teasing, grin ever widening at their easy banter.
For a moment, her initial foot in mouth moment was forgotten and all that remained was the lightness in her chest as she gazed up at him, their eyes meeting and the butterflies in her stomach swarming in response. "Island life doesn't sound so bad… I could get used to having a year long tan." She mused. "Think he'd be up for some roommates? Or should I find my own island to disappear to? You know what, maybe I will take his number." More quiet laughter left her lips, head shaking in amusement as she felt her cheeks heat a bit more beneath his gaze.
Unable to stop herself, when Niko held his hands up in the half shrug, Allie's own raised and she placed her palms in his, pushing his hands down as she shook her head with a grin. "Oh how the mighty have fallen." She teased, "But look at that, a way to climb your way back to the top. Earn the title back by doing some good in that dignified shirt of yours."
This time it was her turn to feign wounded, her hands coming to rest over her heart as she let out an exaggerated gasp. "I wouldn't do such a thing! Upstanding citizen over here, remember?" Despite her attempts to appear aggrieved, the playful smile fought its way back onto the guidance counselor's features. It seemed she couldn't contain the expression when she was around him, especially when he was so effortlessly going with her bits. "A stroll?" She questioned, feigning ignorance as she straightened and linked the arm that wasn't holding her nearly empty basket through his, "I could go for a stroll." She mused. "Lead the way, Little John."
It'd felt like such a long time since Niko had been involved in such an easy exchange. She was beautiful yet that wasn't the reason he'd looked forward to morning coffee again, aside from the energy demands and caffeine addiction his body screamed, it was the company. More than that; the sound of her voice, her natural laughter, the relaxed banter, her good nature and ability to establish comfort, and the fact that his interactions with her were the most uncomplicated thing in his life. They hardly knew each other and Niko felt at peace in her presence during their habitual morning rendezvous.
Seeing Allie outside of Everything Goes for the first time could have been jarring. It could have thrown everything off. The spell might have been broken. Yet he stood there smiling as she lodged her foot into her mouth and floundered under her embarrassment. Niko appreciated that there was no pretense with her, and even more, seeing a different side of her only seemed to interest and endear him more. Aside from the lighthearted flirting they slung hopelessly at each other he wasn't even sure if she were actually available for anything more than their coffee ritual.
❝ ⸻ Serendipity with my shirt, huh? ❞ The lift of his brow matched the rise of the corners of his mouth. ❝ Well, with that in mind, be honest—do I look like one of those Tommy Bahama guys? ❞ Then, depending on her answer, Niko would have to gauge if that were a good or bad thing. Somehow, maybe the spread of her magic, Allie had been the reason he felt a little less like a tool for the Hawaiian shirt at a spring festival. To his credit, the man is a northerner. The giggle distracted him, pulled his thoughts completely awayre from the fashion disaster he potentially exposed Briar Ridge to, and Niko couldn't help the way he stared at her dimpled cheeks and Allie shyly covering her mouth. ❝ You're really cute, ❞ he surprised even himself in saying, ❝ in natural sunlight. ❞
Some concentration and effort of thought went into the internal mental debate of if she had been right about in her opposition and refusal. Niko decided on a different approach. ❝ Doesn't the designator wield the power? I would think that'd make her the one with the answers. ❞ When their eyes connected his lips immediately curled in a smile and he found himself secretly hoping she didn't have to run off soon. Since his grandmother was busy with her friends Niko was moving about solo. Time with Allie so far had only want a little more of it with her outside of their usual designated zone.
❝ Island life is certainly nice. I've only actually experienced it in long vacation format—since I don't think I could claim Long Island as island living. ❞ Niko peered at her curiously, ❝ do you think you'd get island fever? ❞ It was something he'd heard about and even though Niko had technically been raised on one the proximity to a major city didn't leave room for feeling closed in and cut off. ❝ You don't think that's moving too fast? Or are we past that now that you've brought my balls into this, ❞ with a playful grin Niko motioned between the two of them. ❝ Coffee dates to shacking up. ❞ As though he were considering it seriously, his head bobbed in a slow nod.
❝ Upstanding, ❞ Niko grinned at first, then laughed lightly, ❝ you don't even know my last name and you were talking about my bits. ❞ Maybe he was teasing and giving her trouble for the simple fact of liking the sight of her smile and being the reason behind her laugh. In her company he felt lighter, those chunks of time they had in the mornings put the rest of the demanding world away for a while. When she linked her arm with his he carried on. A scoff in his throat tossed his indignation out into the air as faux offense worked its way into his expression. ❝ Little John? Not even Maid Marian? ❞ Niko's head shook. ❝ We'd made some strides forward and now we've gone backward again. ❞
When he walked in Taner scanned around the establishment. Not to look for someone he knew or a friendly face to sit with, there weren't really any of those in his hometown for him, but more so to take in the scope how busy the place was early evening. It looked like people who'd just gotten off work and were having a drink before going home had taken up residence at the bar while some families filled booths and tables. It wasn't until Taner circled closer around the bar, looking for an opening, that he'd noticed a familiar face. One that he hadn't seen since New York. Niko Ramsey was in a tailored suit and hadn't actually looked a day older as he sipped on his order and kept glancing at his phone. To his surprise, or perhaps it was fate, there was a seat next to the man he'd also considered something of a friend nearly seven years ago.
"You know," he lightly grunted as he shifted into the seat next to Niko and pulled a coaster in front of him, "I never thought this would be the place we'd have a reunion if it were to ever happen."
The visits Niko had made in the years prior he'd only managed to cross paths with his ex-wife once, and then no one else. Yet, in the few months he'd found himself residing in Briar Ridge, there seemed to be a procession of reunions. When the familiar man dropped into the space beside him a rush of history came forth. It was almost overwhelming with the sheer force of now painful memories trudging back to the surface.
❝ ⸻ Oh yeah? ❞ The interest he cast toward Taner was framed with restraint and hesitation. A different, off-shade than what he had cast in the one conversation years before when the man next to him had been seeking a way to connect with his child. Guilt spilt from his eyes as he peered at Taner and recognized just how much of a man he'd become. The hair was longer, the stubble was thicker, and the man himself was broadened by hard work and physical labor. That bone deep sadness he always carried in his eyes had even grown; something Niko hadn't thought possible. ❝ Did you think New York? ❞ Humoring the moment, perhaps falling into the intrigue, couldn't be helped.
There were so many things he'd wanted to say to this former friend and yet words failed him. They'd bonded through their partners and Niko had rightfully cast out Taner when it'd come to the way he'd backed away from responsibility, to the fact that he could turn around and leave. When Taner had caught him on the phone years ago, unnecessarily explained himself to the wrong person, and was unabashed with his shame and desperation to return to his family — the burden of turning the man away had weighed on Niko ever since. Withholding, keeping himself restrained from rushing to the obvious, Niko decidedly eased in. ❝ You're back home. This must be—really difficult for you. ❞ Had he seen his family? Through whiskey nights he'd learned of the gruesome details of Taner's childhood. This, without a doubt, especially with what he had to be facing, took quite a lot of strength and courage.
starter for: @nikoramsey
location: the beach at the lantern release area
Gazing up at the lanterns flickering over the ocean, Val let out a contented sigh. The principles she’d learned about Vesak Day—especially the meaning behind the lantern release—were ones she could deeply relate to and appreciate.
As she lit a lantern and released it into the sky, the weight of the past she’d been carrying seemed to lift, if only slightly. She watched it drift upward, carried by the ocean breeze, her eyes fixed on the glowing light as it floated away.
Wrapped snugly in her bomber jacket, Val could’ve stayed like that on the beach for a while longer. But then someone in the crowd pushed through the onlookers, jostling her and sending her stumbling backward. She collided with someone behind her—someone who caught her just before she could land flat on her ass.
Turning around to apologize, she froze. It was Niko.
Without her permission, a warmth spread through her just at the sight of him, and the corner of her mouth tugged upwards in the beginnings of a smile. "Sorry, about that." she apologized as she took a step back, finally righting herself. "Why is it that I always seem to be falling when we bump into each other?" Doing her best to fight off a laugh, she reached up to tuck a stray strand of hair the ocean breeze had tugged loose.
Of all the Spring Fling offerings the lantern release in honor of Vesak Day had been the activity his grandmother had pushed him toward the most. The more Niko had looked into the meaning and purpose, not only of the holiday but also the lanterns, it seemed something meaningful worth a try. Sunset happened to be his favorite part of the day as well and there seemed to be no shortage of beauty as he stood at the water's edge and let go while the sky was colored in muted pastels as the sun dipped in the horizon.
The orange glow of the lanterns spotted the dimming evening and Niko held a soft smile on his lips. For a better vantage point he'd made his way further back through the crowd to watch as the breeze carried away people's past misfortunes and hoped for enlightenment and good karma in return. Truthfully Niko hadn't really felt anything, nothing seemed to pull away from him leaving him to feel lighter or more at peace, he mostly marveled at how people came together. There was a unity in so many people wanting to let go, and needing a different kind of fulfillment in where they'd previously gone wrong.
Fighting the urge to pull out his phone and snap a picture or two, Niko told himself to stay in the moment, and to watch until the lanterns burnt out. That was when someone backed into him as another person pushed by. Steady hands and a firm enough grip caught the falling petite woman before she hit the sand and slowly eased her back to an upright position. Somehow in the midst of that the familiarity had hit him hard. A smile immediately tugged at his lips when it was his ex-wife that had turned to face him.
❝ ⸻ Maybe the universe is trying to say something, ❞ Niko teased, though was definitely hinting at something more. Never had he been the type to search for meaning in every little thing, but it felt symbolic in these moments with Valentina. ❝ I'm just glad I'm here to catch you. ❞ After looking into her eyes and taking in her beautiful face for a long moment Niko figured he couldn't just stand there and stare at her. ❝ You look great—like you've had a really good day. ❞ The woman always had looked marvelous during a setting sun. ❝ Have you done this in the years before? ❞
As his ex-wife rose to her full height, which, to be fair, wasn't a huge difference from when she'd been kneeling down Niko couldn't tear his eyes away from the new, closer gifted view of her. The years hadn't really changed her all that much. With the exception that she looked a lot happier now than she had when she'd been with him. At least in that last year or so of their marriage. Niko harbored a lot of regrets about that and perhaps that had been why his smile was weak in her presence.
It was bittersweet. His heart still beat the pain of the loss of her while his conscience reminded him that their downfall had been his doing. The remorse that hung around him like heavy, humid air.
❝ ⸻ Oh, σκατά, that's right— ❞ Niko had actually forgotten or not really recalled that detail until just now. Seeing Valentina had taken him out of anything but the moment and displaced him. Looking at her face he could be exactly sure where he was. Given the immediate cutoff and Valentina leaving there hadn't been conversation about where she'd be going, just that she wanted a divorce and next thing Niko knew she was gone.
What was throwing him for a loop was the coincidence of it all and he had never really believed in those before. ❝ My γιαγιά moved into a retirement home here by the beach. I come down to visit her, ❞ he needlessly explained. Valentina hadn't asked yet he felt it important to let her know that he hadn't been trying to intrude on her space.
Seeing that positive movement of her lips eased a fraction of the awkward tension he'd been feeling. It was nearly jarring to have a surprise encounter like this with someone that was once your whole world and then gone because of his failure to keep her happy. ❝ It's definitely one of the best, ❞ he agreed of Casablanca, though Valentina knew it wasn't his favorite Bogart film. For Niko it was The Maltese Falcon. ❝ I'm just glad you hadn't forgotten the line. ❞ Why? Because maybe some parts of their marriage still meant something to her.
When she went for her cart Niko crouched and put his hands on the metal, ❝ here, I got it. ❞ The cart was righted with ease and he then collected the remaining items that had fallen out and scattered when the basket had tipped over and made it's crash against the grocer floor. After he set them in her basket, still smiling to himself over her mutterings in Spanish, he locked eyes with his ex-wife once more. He'd learned the language because of her, after they had met and started dating, because he knew it was going to be important. ❝ You've never been ridiculous. I think anyone would be startled seeing the ghost of Christmas' past, ❞ he attempted another spot of humor if it'd gain him anymore movement of her lips like the last time.
❝ I'll, uhh, be in town for a few more days if you'd be interested in a coffee or a bite to catch up. ❞
Val’s brows lifted at his explanation. What were the odds that Niko’s γιαγιά would end up in Leyla’s hometown of all places? “Well, I can’t say I blame her. Briar Ridge is lovely.” Her voice softened with genuine affection—she had fallen in love with the town not long after moving, and she could see why someone would want to settle down there.
But the thought that Niko might be around more often hit her square in the chest. Briar Ridge was small; running into people was practically inevitable. And bumping into him again and again? She couldn’t tell if that was comforting or terrifying. Maybe both.
She bit her lip, caught up in the spiral of it, until he pulled her back with the soft thread of memory.
“I don’t think I could ever forget those nights,” she admitted, voice low, almost reverent. The weight of shared memories washed over her in a rush, and she dropped her gaze, realizing just how close to dangerous waters she was drifting.
Then, as Niko crouched beside her and quietly righted the cart, something in her chest twisted. The way he moved—gentle, familiar—unlocked a tenderness she thought she’d buried. When he spoke again—“You’ve never been ridiculous”—it hit like muscle memory. She nearly laughed at his film reference, a smile tugging at her lips before she could stop it.
“You always knew how to make me feel less self-conscious,” she said, warmth creeping in before she could build her walls back up.
But the offer he made—coffee, catching up—dangled between them like temptation, like danger. Her heart responded before her brain could stop it, before years of therapy and sleepless nights and whispered prayers had done their job. She wanted to say yes.
But wanting had never been the problem.
With a soft, steadying breath, she looked up at him. “I don’t think coffee’s a good idea, Niko.” Her voice was quieter now, laced with a sadness she hadn’t meant to show. “It’s not that I don’t want to see you—I do. That’s the problem. I see you and I forget everything I’ve worked so hard to get past. And I—I can’t go back to that place.”
She offered a half-smile, this one tinged with sadness before taking a step back, gripping the handle of her cart with both hands, as if she needed something solid to hold onto. “Take care of yourself and your γιαγιά, okay? And… thank you. For the cart.”
And with that, she turned down the aisle, not trusting herself to look back.
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Having a developed a relatively thick skin at a very young age, it took a lot to embarrass Allie. But putting her own foot in her mouth in front of a man she seemed to be unable to be normal around appeared to do the trick. If the world were kinder, it'd have opened up and taken her away in a sink hole right then and there- but the guidance counselor had learned long ago that the world wasn't a kind place, so there she stood, unable to stop the nervous word vomit that continuously spilled past her lips.
"Well, such a dignified shirt deserved a dignified title don't you think?" Reaching out, she lightly tugged at the sleeve of his the aforementioned shirt, though her touch was fleeting and she quickly returned her hand to her own side as her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink. She probably shouldn't have done that. Especially not when she'd gone and made a joke about balls right after.
'If there is a God,' she silently prayed, 'Or any ruler of the Universe out there... please get me to shut up.'
But as usual, her prayers went unanswered and she laughed along with him, unable to do anything else. "I might need to apply for witness protection. Do you think they take single mom's who embarrassed themselves at a family event with a crude joke? That's as important as someone willing to testify after witnessing a mafia killing, right?" She mused, biting down on her lower lip in order to stop herself from rambling.
Though his next question had her eyes going wide and a sound that seemed to be a mix between an amused laugh and a surprised squeak escaping. "Cheating?!" She did her best to sound offended, reeling back as her free hand flew to her chest. "I would never! I'm an upstanding member of this town, Mr. Ramsey, and I am offended at the insinuation." Despite her faux outrage at the suggestion, she leaned in conspiratorially and lowered her own voice, teeth closing down on her lip once more, but this time to bite back a smile. "Though if you knew a few spots I wouldn't be opposed to a few hints." Finally allowing her grin to overtake her features, she leaned in a bit more. "I'm collecting the best hidden ones, making sure no egg goes undiscovered and plan on slipping them into a few kids' baskets that are lookin' a little light. Like the Easter Santa Clause." She teased with a wink. "Wanna help? I could use an elf."
It'd been a long time since he'd found so much enjoyment out of getting a coffee in the mornings. When Allie had tugged on the sleeve of his shirt the feeling that had overcome him was a resurgence of high school. There was a giddiness in the grin that had responded immediately to the touch and a shine in his eyes that felt so carefree. Seeing this woman in a different light, such as the sun, but also a different atmosphere that had an anti morning grind feel to it, didn't little to help the allure that had captivated him from the moment they'd met. If anything, the flirtations were coming out easier than ever.
❝ ⸻ Hibiscus flowers, palms, and sand have been the key to dignification all along? And I happened to chase it all my life only to stumble onto it by accident? ❞ Hand to chest, his grin nearly held more of the shape of a smirk, Niko tipped his head. ❝ How does a newly dignified man bestow his gratitude onto the title designator? ❞ The color that bloomed on the apple of her cheeks was something Niko had paused to take it, and he'd wished she hadn't taken back her touch so quickly. There didn't seem any right way to convey that feeling, and before he'd been given a chance to think something through Allie sank her teeth into her bottom lip.
Thankfully his reaction was imperceptible, that slight intake of breath—but, there was no disguising where his gaze had pinned. It'd actually taken Allie setting that lip free from torture and speaking for Niko's eyes to flicker up to her own. Hearing her laugh only encouraged him to find ways to provide himself with more of the sound. ❝ The government is too slow moving. You're better off putting yourself into hiding. I have a great uncle who exiled himself to island after embarrassing himself at a family event. Would you like his contact information for tips? ❞
The faux offense was reason for Niko to hold his hands up in a half shrug, a look that attempted claimed innocence. ❝ Ooof, ❞ he audibly winced, ❝ that demotion was fast and swift. From Sir to Mr Ramsey in just a few minutes. ❞ Feigned wounding was sold on his countenance. Until Allie distracted him once more by moving in closer and biting that lip again. We're going to have to have a conversation about the abuse there, he thought. Niko's eyes narrowed as her conspiratorial speech began to reel him in. ❝ Of course you would use me for my connections. ❞ His head shook before Niko moved an inch closer and dipped his head. There was a pause though, an act of looking around and over his shoulder—to be sure no one was witnessing the crime he was about to commit for a pretty face. ❝ Alight, Robin Hood. I can't outright tell you. The wrath of the committee could be worse than William Wallace, but—if you'd like to take a stroll with me over here towards this cluster of trees, ❞ he cleared his throat, allowing her to get the memo.
"Is that your grandmother?" Nate smirked a little as he looked back out from the gap between the leaves. "She may pass and her white shirt will stay intact by me. She has a good eye, I thought I'd snuck in here completely undetected." As someone else thought they'd get a moments pause from the colour throwing in front of the rose bush, Nate grabbed a handful of red before throwing it over the top and onto them. With the squeal and the jump of surprise, Nate couldn't hold in his laughter. "This is the best idea I've had in a while."
Dusting off his hands onto the grass, Nate grinned over at his new companion. "Not long, maybe ten minutes but it's so much more fun than being out there. It might not be quite in the spirit of things, but we take what we can get." With a different colour now in each hand, Nate snuck around the side of the rosebush, clapping his hands above a young couple to rain down some blue and yellow powder before they scampered off. "Have you ever been to one of these before? I've only ever seen pictures."
❝ ⸻ It is, and you're right, she does. She may not be as agile anymore, but she's got the stare of an eagle. ❞ For a moment, Niko broke his attention away to watch his γιαγιά move the the periphery of the Holi celebration. ❝ She's a bit of a menace, though, so she might've called out your location because you found it first. ❞ Laughter spilled after witnessing Nate's tactics in action and seeing the reaction from the person that had gotten bested. ❝ You're just up here in your ivory tower picking people off, ❞ the amusement was unmistakable in his voice.
After taking cue from Nate, he dipped his hand into the vibrant pink power and looked at it at first. Thick in his palm and rich in color like some of the spice markets he'd been to in his travels. The consistency was soft rather than granular. When the male went around the bush to seige on an unsuspecting couple, Niko followed suit on a bystander just entering the scene. The burst of color stained the front of the person's shirt and Niko had taken a few steps backward, laughter spilling out of him. ❝ I never have but this is great. Now I want to learn about it, ❞ he admitted, still with a grin in place as he dusted his hands. ❝ Any idea if the colors mean anything? ❞
Enzo couldn't help but laugh at the money-in-the-egg comment, unable to relate as he shook his head. “Man, I would've killed for money in one of these as a kid. Or hell, just the basket.” He poured a package of plastic Easter eggs out onto the table with a quiet rattle, before glancing over at Niko with a crooked smirk. “Guess we’re winging it, huh? Two grown-ass men trying to figure out what eight-year-olds want. This has all the makings of a disaster.”
Reaching for one of the chocolate eggs, Enzo took a brief glance around the vicinity before unwrapping its foil and tossing the candy into his mouth. Though when he spoke, something in the man's voice softened. “It’s weird, isn’t it? Doing stuff you never got to do as a kid and not knowing if you’re doing it right—but still hoping it makes a difference for someone.”
He cleared his throat like he hadn’t just said something vaguely personal and reached for a plush bunny with a tag still dangling from its ear. “Alright. We throw this guy in, about five pounds worth of candy, some stickers... Boom. Instant Easter magic.”
❝ ⸻ The road to hell is paved with good intentions, or something to that effect, ❞ Niko grinned, the possibilities of disaster flashing before his eyes. The popping sound of the plastic eggs landing on the table as they were unleashed decidedly had Niko retrieving his wallet and snatching a couple of twenties from it. ❝ What the hell, right? ❞ His hand wrapped up an egg and gave it a little squeeze to pop it open. ❝ Honestly, they couldn't have picked a more ill-suited pairing. My grandmother is on the committee I should ask her what they were thinking, ❞ Niko mused. Wandering eyes moved over some of the other nearby tables that were working away on their baskets. ❝ Okay, maybe this is where we stand out. Looks like most are doing a theme and ours can be like a fun little treasure hunt or guessing game. What could possibly come up next sort of thing. ❞
A glance at his partner in crime for the moment, because this was absolutely on the path of something illegal, at least with the medical emergency of the amount of candy on the table, is when he caught the other indulging. Niko didn't care. Would the kids in the hospital be allowed this much sugar and sweets anyway? ❝ I think it will. Make a difference. We didn't get to experience but at least we can help them to in some way. ❞ At least he'd hoped so. There was some pondering on the personal tidbit before—Instant Easter magic. Niko eyed the plush bunny and then pointed to the handle of the basket. ❝ What if we fasten that guy here so it's like he's delivering the basket? ❞ Niko stuffed the cash he'd pulled into two different eggs and then tossed them onto the fake grass lining the bottom of the basket. ❝ I think the stickers would be perfect around the outside of the basket? Tells a story or something like that? ❞
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Leyla's arms remained folded, glancing where Billie had gone before returning her gaze to Niko with something of a sigh. She hadn't expected to see him, not after all these years. But now that he was here, it was awkward as hell, sure.. but also nostalgic, like stepping back in time into a world that felt way too complicated for her to navigate. When he mentioned Billie's sense of adventure, Leyla felt a shift in the air between them. She stiffened for a moment, her lips pressing together as she processed his words. "I guess she does," she said quietly, her voice softer now, a little uncertain. Her mind swirled for a second with all the questions she had about that situation, and about Taner’s place in her daughter’s life.
She cleared her throat, trying to pull herself back into the present. “I get that,” she said, glancing over at the older woman Niko had pointed out. “I’m sure it means a lot to her.” The awkwardness lingered.. it was just that.. seeing him here now, so many years later, was so much to process. She didn’t know what to say next—did she ask him about Val? Did she keep it casual? There was so much unspoken, and she wasn’t sure how to wade through it without dredging up too much pain for both of them. "Are you still, um.. doing the whole finance thing?"
A frown settled into Niko's brow for a beat in seeing Leyla's demeanor shift. ❝ ⸻ She looks a lot like him, ❞ he further commented, not intending to stir up some trouble. It was observational; he'd seen Taner around earlier and now after a moment of greeting Billie and seeing the girl next to her mother—it was easily obvious who she belonged to. Then Niko stilled as a though traveled through, one that allowed him to consider that Leyla had likely only heard that one way, and hearing something different now could be jarring. He rubbed his fingers against the underside of his jaw. ❝ She's definitely your mini-me, ❞ Niko attempted to recover, ❝ but, it's just— ❞ then he waved it off entirely deciding that this wasn't the opening conversation he'd wanted to have with her. ❝ Anyway— ❞
It was so painfully clear that neither of them knew how to be in the company of each other anymore. They'd been good friends once, and unfortunately, there might have been too much damage in the downfall for them to recover from. Leyla rightfully stood by her best friend, yet he was a friend that she never heard out or gave a chance to. It hurt more considering that he was innocent. ❝ It means a lot to both of us. Family has always been very important to me. ❞ Which was largely why he felt destroyed in having failed Valentina and their marriage. If only he'd gotten the chance to fix it. ❝ But, yeah—still the finance guy. Are you still writing? Anything new I could sink my teeth into? ❞
Location: Gulal Throw Party
Starter for: @nikoramsey
He had never attended a Holi festival throw before, even though he had seen one when he lived in DC. The colours going through the air brought the most amazing atmosphere and as he watched people laughing and throwing the colours, he was once again faced with the depth of community the town offered. It was a truly wholesome scene but as Nate wasn't currently with anyone at the festival, he felt more mischievious than anything else.
Grabbing a few pots of colour, he slunk off behind one of the wide rose bushes, ignoring the buzzing of the bees to occasionally throw a colour through the bushes. With each shocked squeal, Nate's laughter only grew. As the bush rustled, Nate quickly held up his colourful hands. "You got me. I surrender. But this is a whole lot of fun, you should try it."
The cultural diversity that was celebrated in Briar Ridge was something that amazed Niko. As someone that had been fortunate to travel and see different parts of the world and experience the way other cultures lived and celebrated holidays, it was a wonderful thing this town brought those experiences to it's residents. They'd started off in the morning and had caught many of the offerings along the way, but he'd warned his γιαγιά about the Holi celebration and the gulal throw. Still, she was adamant about seeing it.
❝ ⸻ It's not for me, it's for my γιαγιά—your surrender that is, ❞ Niko laughed a little bit as he moved a little further into the bush alongside the male hiding in prime location. ❝ She actually saw you up ahead and doesn't want you to ruin her white shirt. ❞ She's old, just humor her please, was the look he'd given the other in the most lighthearted way. ❝ I was just going to compliment on how well you scoped this out. Let me see some of that— ❞ Niko dipped his hand into one of the bright colored gulal buckets and tossed the handful out at a passerby. ❝ How long have you been sitting here picking people off? ❞