#infinity ward

“Ikaw ay nasilayan sa ’di inakalang panahon. Lumapit nang biglaan, para bang ’di nagkataon.”

“Yes, thank you.” you smiled at him. A man who seems a local tourist sat beside you, patiently waiting for someone to take his orders. You looked and locked eyes with him, you smiled and he smiles slightly. He asked you, “Tourist?” it felt strange, no greetings at all. Just a question, and you replied, “Yes. Took a leave from work, I just need to freshen up.”

“That’s good. Seems like you’re alone, Леди (lady). Take care of yourself, some people you’ll meet here not truly appears like what they seem. Be careful.” he said, and it is weird for you. You want to thank him for saying that since he's a local, but you seem scared of what he just said. You said, “Thank you. I’ll take note of that.” and you smiled at him.

The waiter returned together with your meal, placing your meal in front of you. The man beside you said, “Nice choice for a first time tourist around here. И отличный выбор для красивой женщины. (And nice choice for a pretty woman like you.)” you didn’t clearly understand what he said but you just let it slide and thanked him.

You’re finding for some available tables since the restaurant was filled with lots of people, you found one beside the wall. You chose to sat there and eat your food in silence, when suddenly someone asked you “Is this seat available?” pointing at the seat in front of you. It’s the man from earlier, you smiled and said yes to him.

“Ito nga ba’y tadhana? Tangi kong hiling sa mga tala, mga pintig ng puso’y nakalaan para sa ’yo.”

Expert with some small talks, you asked him about his name and he replies to it calmly. “Vladimir. What about you, красивый (beautiful)?” and you said, “Y/N’s the name, Vladimir.” His rough accent lingers to you, and the things he said in russian. You didn’t mind asking him what he just said, you thought he may not just be comfortable speaking in english.

After finishing your meals, he asked you to walk around the beach. And you agreed to him, as he seems like a decent man. And being with someone who’s a local tourist made you feel safe around the beach.

As you trip around the beach, you talked out some things about the both of your lives. You learned that he’s serving in a military for the most of his life, that’s why being in here makes him feel calm too. He also learned about you too, what your field of work is and some little information.

There’s something about him that makes you feel better, the way he jokes around you and the way he taught you things around the beach. Which you jokes to him casually and saying he looks like a tourist guide for it. The little things he opens up about his childhood. It feels good. His heterochromia eyes resembling the calmness that you feel while you’re around him.

“From following your footprints in the sand, to walking you with you in this island. Guided by the grip of your hand, I can feel you’re holding my world.”

That’s where the closeness starts, he held your hand when you almost tripped over on the rock. He checks up on you and held your hand tightly, asking you “Are you okay?” voice filled with concern. You said yes and urging him to just continue on what he’s saying. He checks up on you one last time. He said, “You should rest, Y/N. You seem tired, you just land here right? You can call me tomorrow to accompany you. I’ll be there, моя любовь (my love).” and you asked him, “Thank you. But what does that mean?” filled with confusion and he looks away. “Nothing.”

He gave you his number to call him whenever you need to. As you part ways, both of you were struck to find that hands are still intertwined. You looked away and bid goodbyes to him.

Days had passed, you enjoyed your own company. Little did you know, Vladimir was still picturing the moment he met you. He’s still thinking about the way your hands intertwined with him, the calmness he felt around you. How you didn’t judge him for what he looks like, how you didn’t seem scared away by the scars on his hand, how you didn’t flinched on how he looked at you. How you entertained him like he’s the only one that matters the most.

He’s not used for all of it, but one thing he’s sure of—he likes you. He’s willing to give you everything just for your existence in his life, he’s willing to burn the whole world down just for you. And if all’s fair in love and war, he won’t force anything just to be close to you. He’s willing to show up for every moment in your life, willing to give in and be there until you realized that you’ll love him too. If all’s fair in love and war, can he have it too? Despite of everything he did in his past.

“Fucking ironic.” he mumbles, all the thoughts he’s having; he is shocked for it too. Vladimir Makarov, the madman. Finally feeling something called “love” and yearning for someone that may not see him or his intentions at all. Yearning for something impossible for him to have.

One last time, he calls you. Reaching out with all of his strength and fears in his heart and you picked up. “Hello? This is Vladimir, am I right?” voice lovely. The sound he’s longing to hear and he replied, “Yes, Y/N. Are you still here in Russia? Do you mind if we’ll meet?”

You said, “I’m sorry if I didn’t called you for the past days, I just needed to enjoy my own company. But hey! I missed you." you chuckles, “And yes! I’m still here. We can meet though, just pin me your location and I can come.”

Vladimir said, “No need, Y/N. I’ll be there. Wait for me.” and you quickly agreed to him. Finally, Vladimir heard your lovely voice and the words that told him that you missed him. Fuck, that’s something he never expected.

You meet him at the same place again, and finally—the familiarity felt like home. He’s wearing the same thing, his white longsleeve. The one that made him stand out, or maybe stand out just for you?

He came to you, greets you good evening together with flowers. You felt overwhelmed for him and you chuckled nervously saying, “Hey. You don’t need to, but thank you for the gift.” and Vladimir asked you, “Let’s order the same thing again?” you agreed.

After placing your orders, he asked you. Words you’ll never expect from him, words that you’ll never from someone you just met. Unbeknownst to you, you reached his hand. And you didn’t even contemplate once, you trust him really well.

“Ano ba itong nadarama? Oh, shucks, ito ba’y pag-ibig na? Totoo ba ang ’pinadama, ’cause, boy, it feels so good.”

Vladimir asked you, “Can I court you, Y/N?” he was nervous. He was used to get anything he want, no matter what happens. He was used to not anything let out of his way, he’ll get what he desires. But now, he’s asking someone? What a change.

And without asking anything, you said “Yes, Vladimir.” even you—you were shocked and nervous too. You never expected for this to happen, but there you are, getting asked out by a man you just met once. And you couldn’t believe that you just said yes, but you didn’t doubt yourself for it. You didn’t even think about it twice, you agreed without regrets.

“Let’s just see where this thing goes, Vladimir.” you said, and he held your hand tightly. Saying, “You’ll never regret this, Y/N.”

“I'll give you the world. The moon. The fucking stars. Anything you ask, it's yours. I’m yours.” it felt like a wedding vow but you didn’t mind, you’re just listening to him. “I’ll be the best man for you, Y/N.”

Finishing up your meals, you left the beach wit him. He invites you at his house and that’s where everything starts. He plans to tell you anything without secrets, because for him—loving someone is as the same as being vulnerable around them.

You agreed to everything and you got along with him. Leaving the place with just one glance, you are happy. That’s why the place felt familiar, because that’s where you will found your love.

With one glance, you said “Thank you, Laskovy.” and with it, you intertwined your hand with him. Ready to get to know him more and begin your tales with the man that you just met. Happiness is an understatement for what you feel because you feel more than that. You felt everything at once and it feels good. “Can’t wait to go back with you, Vladimir.”

“Bawat araw mas sumasaya pag ika’y kapiling na, nawawalan ng pangangamba ’pag ika’y kapiling na. Feels like summer when I’m with you (ooh), parang islang pantropiko (oh). Can’t wait to go back with you (ooh) sa islang pantropiko.”

– taglist: @livelyinborderland

– credits for the gifs that I used: @uzmacchiato, @clarke-mason