Chapter Text
The cold stings. You wrap the fur coat tighter around yourself and ring the doorbell again.
You're sure Vladimir is home. His schedule on Saturdays is light. Just as you're revising his schedule for the fourth time, the door creaks open.
"Hey, love." His tired, yet fond grin warms your heart. "Sorry I made you wait in this cold; I just woke up."
You smile back. You knew from the first glance that he'd been sleeping. The puffy eyes and pillow marks on his cheeks made it clear. "It's fine, I interrupted your rest day."
"You just made it better." He steps aside so you can get in. The warmth and familiarity of their house embraces you, but it doesn't manage to calm your nerves as it usually does.
How do you tell him? How can you tell the boy who loves and cherishes you that you'll be leaving him?
It's for the cause. You try to reason with yourself, but to no avail.
You follow him mindlessly to the kitchen and sit at the dining table. "The usual tea?" He asks, but you're stuck in a trance of horrible thoughts about how he might react. Will he come to hate you, or understand you?
Vladimir seems to notice the turmoil in your eyes. Worry tugs at his eyebrows and he frowns. "What's wrong?" His voice anchors you back to the present moment. You shake your head, to knock some sense into your head and also answer Vladimir. "Tea, please."
"I won't push you." He goes to bring tea cups, and you can't help but let your arms linger on his flexing arms as he reaches inside the cabinet. He comes back and sets the cups on the table and brings the pot to pour the tea. "You can tell me whenever you feel like doing so."
You smile in a silent thanks. "I don't think it has brewed enough." You rest your chin in your palm and watch him. He sets the pot aside. "It's the company that matters." He replied, planting a small kiss on your lips before sitting beside you.
The little kiss is a momentary reprieve. It washes over you and suddenly you don't remember that you're leaving in a week.
The both of you fall into the casual catch up of the few days since you last met; but your small talk would end eventually, and you'll have to tell him.
You bounce your right leg and play with the rim of the now empty cup.
Your anxiety upsets Vladimir, but he stays quiet and stares at you with worried and loving eyes. His eyes are like a sea of melted chocolate and you would gladly drown in them.
This is one of the thousand things you love about him. He knows and understands you better than anyone. Knows when to push you, and knows when to wait for you. Knows when to annoy you, and knows when not to. He's perfect. You wish you could have him forever, but it's a stupid wish; because you know your time is nearing its end.
"I need to tell you something, Vlad." You finally gather the courage to speak. "I'm listening, love." He holds your hand to help your troubled mind. Tears brim your eyes before you even begin. He squeezes your hand.
You take a deep breath and let it out slowly. You place your other hand on his. "We–" Your voice cracks. "We're leaving for England in a week. Dad says it's not safe here for us anymore. Especially after my aunt's murder."
His eyes go wide and you can see hurt flicking in them. Horror fills you. What if he thinks you easily agreed and succumbed to that shit? "I fought him." You say in a rush. "I really did, but I can't change his mind." A sob escapes you, and a tear rolls down his cheek.
You and Vladimir go to his room, hold each other, and cry until there are no more tears left to shed, and his parents come back home. Before you leave, they promise to be at the airport for your departure.
You suppose that's better than having to say goodbye right now.
All you think about on your way to home, is your memories with Vladimir. A thought suddenly crosses your mind. You had never seen Vladimir Makarov cry – until today.