He's so used to her being right here, where he can protect her. Where she's within reach, and he knows what's happening. It had been entirely different at home. He hasn't even had confirmation she was alive.
Saints know, he's not telling her that. ]
By all accounts, you'd run to Novyi Zim and work on staining your fingers orange. Let's try to avoid that, shall we?
[ He doesn't have to say. His lack of confirmation and dodging is enough. She's likely dead. If she were in the darkling's hands he'd no. And the darkling wouldn't let her out alive either.
She shakes her head though. ]
No. I'm not running anymore. I'm not that girl anymore, Nikolai.
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I thought you'd approve. The Fjerdan mountains are covered in snow. I had it in my mind you'd be difficult about that.
Apparently, I wasn't wrong.
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[ She eyes last one suspiciously. ]
And that one?
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[ He glances at the lace again. ]
Or so I thought.
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He's so used to her being right here, where he can protect her. Where she's within reach, and he knows what's happening. It had been entirely different at home. He hasn't even had confirmation she was alive.
Saints know, he's not telling her that. ]
By all accounts, you'd run to Novyi Zim and work on staining your fingers orange. Let's try to avoid that, shall we?
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She shakes her head though. ]
No. I'm not running anymore. I'm not that girl anymore, Nikolai.
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Do you know, I believe that's the first time you've sounded certain of that. I'll have to keep a record, for posterity.
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Lightly though. ]
I'm really glad you're alive... [ even if she had to die to save him. ]
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I will find you, Alina. This is not going to be our end.
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Fine he gets a hug instead. ]
I never doubted you would, nikolai.
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Well, that's a relief. I must have made some kind of impression.
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Did you think I'd expect you to abandon us?
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I wondered. It wouldn't be the first time you've been suspicious of my motives.
Or my caring, for you.
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Nikolai was one of the best men she'd ever known.
Although his caring wasn't entirely above suspect, still. But she'd never really believe someone like him could really love someone like her. ]
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So you say. I'm glad you do. You're one of the few people who actually sounds like she means it.
Thank you. [ His arm tightens around her a little. ] It means more than you know.