𝐊𝐎𝐑𝐎𝐋 𝕽𝐄𝐙𝐍𝐈.

⠀ the world might 𝒄𝒓𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒍𝒆 , but 𝐍𝐈𝐊𝐎𝐋𝐀𝐈 𝐋̶𝐀̶𝐍̶𝐓̶𝐒̶𝐎̶𝐕̶ would be 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒖𝒑 the ceiling with 𝐨𝐧𝐞 hand and plucking a speck of dirt from his lapel with 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 when it all went 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐧 . ❞̲ ⠀

╱ i have nothing ic for nikolai bc i forgot how to write him but i want y'all to know that they have kvas at my store and it made me think of ravka

observing him closely between prods, not wanting to miss the moment he finally breaks; grin already somewhat pleased. he's merely creative on top of his many other impressive qualities. but yes, he's wondered once or twice. see? admitting something isn't so bad.

grin only widens, resorting to little shoves now, poking here and there in halfhearted attempts to fend him off. he sounds like he practiced saying that. has he really never thought about it, hm? not once? what about late at night, in his non-royal cot, in his scariest dreams?

a satisfied grin appears and quickly grows, pinching the back of his hand on the next smack. is that so? remember, the arrogance adds to the charm. and no one would blame him for yearning to see something so captivating.

little correction: he was standing around, looking incredibly smackable. there is a very important difference. one way, sure, and probably a pretty failproof one. but boring. so, alternatively, he could tell him something more . . . heartfelt.

he's glad they agree. alright, well, for one, they don't seem so innocent when they're over here, so clearly, and shamelessly, playing the sympathy card. secondly, if he wants to see him teary-eyed, there are better ways.

arrogance adds to the charm. and is that so? pray tell, he's all ears — what does he know about regality? does count oretsev have any helpful tips to share on how he could be behave more royal?

ouch. for the attempt to hurt his feelings, even though he can't succeed when nikolai knows he's right, he's getting smacked again.

like what? better looking than him? breathtakingly charming? a joy to be around?

that's one way to put touching his beautiful face.

nothing, it's all owed to the fact that he looks smackable.

╱ the nikolai in me has felt a strong urge to mess with mal all day and i couldn't tell you why

╱ speaking of punching