“That’s a good look for you.” anika x nikolai @scatteredcosmos

It all happened so fast, Nikolai hardly had any time to react. One second he was reaching toward Anika and the next they were both falling through the trap. When he finally came to, Nikolai’s first order of business was to make sure that his suit had not suffered from the fall. He winced upon seeing a tear on his forearm and whispered a silent prayer for the now deceased Givenchy piece of clothing. He then adjusted his hair as much as he could.

There was shuffling nearby followed by a very loud growl, “Really? You fall through a trap on enemy territory and the first thing you’re concerned about is your appearance?”

Given the dirt on Anika’s face and the small and quickly healing tear on her forehead, Nikolai could only imagine how horrible he must look himself.

Even still, she should look dreadful but she remains to be terrifyingly beautiful.

He quickly shoved the thought out of his head and approached her. At least, he tried to approach her. Upon movement he was able to detect that his right ankle had more than likely been broken. Nikolai chuckled as he felt the pain suddenly course through his entire body.

The hard features that had been on Anika’s face quickly softened to those of concern. She rushed toward him and then froze once in front of him. She seemed unsure of how exactly she could help him.

Nikolai gave her a curt nod and yanked the necklace he was wearing off his person. Once spoken the incantation, his charm became a walking stick. “One of my best investments.”

Anika rolled her eyes. “You still need some type of bandage.” She was beginning to reach for her shirt when Nikolai stopped her.

“As much as I appreciate it, there is not a chance in hell that I am letting you see my bare foot.”

She looked at him incredulously, “Are you kidding me?”

“I’m afraid I’m not. You see, darling, I don’t quite think you and I have reached that point in our relationship yet.” He reached over to gently bop her nose and stepped back quickly. Nikolai wasn’t willing to risk a broken nose as well.

She seemed to have let it slide as she began to walk around and investigate their surroundings.

Nikolai had begun to do the same, the only difference being that he had now turned to his flask for additional comfort.

“I don’t see a way out,” Anika stated.

He leaned against the stones and took a sip, “At least I’ll die with Russia’s finest vodka in my stomach.”

Anika glanced at him with that look she always gave him whenever she was beginning to lose her patience with him.

He smiled and offered her a drink, “For the nerves?”

She hesitated but then walked on over next to him and took a generous few sips from Nikolai’s flask. “More like to help keep me from bashing your skull against the bricks.”

It was in that moment that Nikolai noticed something from across the way. There was a small gap within the wall and he could feel a gentle current of air seeping in. He detached himself from the wall across the way and leaned his walking stick against his leg to prepare for a spell.

He needed both hands in order to perform the enchantment and he just hoped he hadn’t been too drunk to remember from that day in class.

After a little bit of trial and error he finally got it and pulsated the energy toward the wall. There was a crack.

“What are you doing?” Anika asked as she approached him. She picked up the walking stick that had fallen to the floor.

“Trying to get us out of here,” he said and repeated the motion. The second crack was much louder.

The third time had resulted to indeed be the charm and the wall exploded to reveal a tunnel.

Like a small boy cheerful that he had successfully tied his shoes, Nikolai beamed at Anika. He always basked in every small victory.

“Now let’s say we go find the rest of our team, eh?” he said.

Anika smirked and handed him the walking stick, “Don’t fall too behind.”

“Fret not, as soon as my sister heals my foot I’ll be as good as new.”

She shook her head and then smiled, “By the way. You and that cane…looks good on you.” She walked on ahead.

anika duncan & nikolai belikov.

@scatteredcosmos