Chapter Text
It happened so fast that you didn’t even have time to breathe.
Two people invaded the house that covered up the underground labs you were in. It was told you that they were American and they were armed, but since the engineer that was there didn’t speak English, he didn’t know what exactly they wanted, but they kidnapped Alexei and God knew where they took him.
You were desperately worried about him. Alexei was not mentally stable and now someone kidnapped him? What kind of horrible things they could be doing to him? Was he even alive? Each day you felt like you were broken little by little. The anxiety was devouring and you weren’t sleeping or eating well.
You needed to find him, needed to know if he was okay. You just hoped he wasn’t scared.
The General was doing everything he could to find Alexei, after all, he was a very valuable scientist and his presence is indispensable to their progress.
Someone, and later you found out it was Mayor Kline, called Grigori on the phone and told him that he found the Americans and you were lucky enough to overhear the conversation. The General ordered him to go find and kill them, and, if needed, kill Alexei as well.
Your entire blood froze at the statement, and at this moment you knew you had to do something. You couldn’t just ask to go with him, so your only option was to escape and try to find Alexei by yourself.
Since no one knew about those plans, no one questioned you when you were heading out of the labs. You were extra careful to not be noticed by Grigori and luckily he didn’t found out he was being followed.
You followed him to some kind of festival, at first you were confused by the scenario and wondered why the Americans and Alexei would be there, but as soon as you entered that place, you forgot about that.
The colors were so vibrating your eyes hurt, if you weren’t looking for Alexei you would totally play one of those games, they seemed fun and it’s been ages since you had real fun.
But now you needed to find him before Grigori did.
And like a miracle, you saw him with a plushie toy in the arms walking while talking to someone who was far from him.
- Look! It’s not rigged! – He said happily
For a moment you were paralyzed. Alexei seemed radiant. It almost didn’t look like he was kidnapped by some crazy Americans. You were not upset though. You have not seen him so happy in ages and seeing it now made your heart swell with joy.
But it all happened so fast that you didn’t even have time to breathe.
Grigori suddenly appeared and the next thing you know Alexei had a hole in his stomach.
It was impossible to describe the feeling of witnessing the man you love getting shot right in front of you.
Your immediate reaction was to run to him, but it as risky with Grigori still nearby. You felt hopeless for a moment but a man, the man Alexei was talking to before being shot, appeared and you felt a light relief, at least someone was going to help him.
The man prevented Alexei from falling on the floor and helped him walk to a quieter place. You followed them.
- Alexei – You caught their attention
- Who are you? – The American said in English and you didn’t understand
- (Y-Y/N)… - Alexei said between gasps and tried to reach a hand in your direction, but failed.
You kneeled beside him and cupped his face. You finally let the stuck tears in your eyes fall as you watched his terrified expression.
- I’m going to find help, okay? Stay here – He looked at you one last time and then left
- Alexei, please – You didn’t even know how you managed to talk between the sobs, you felt your lungs weak as you pressed his wound with that man’s shirt. The amount of blood on his shirt was terrifying and you could see that the loss of the red liquid was starting to affect him.
- I’m scared – He said weakly – I don’t w-want to die
- You won’t – You said between erratic breaths – Everything will be all right, okay?
- I’m sorry – His eyes were slowly closing
When you opened your mouth to respond, the man was back with a woman. She looked confused at you but ignored as she reached to Alexei.
- Oh no – She said when he passed out – I think we can make it to the hospital
- Let’s go – You recognized the expression and helped Alexei to stand up.
The man carried Alexei to a car and put him in the backseat. When you tried to enter, he put a hand on your chest to stop you.
- Who are you? How do I know you are not another Russian trying to kill us? – He said
For a moment, you felt the heat rising in your face and ears and an urge to punch this man on the face, you were now an emotional mess and you felt you were about to explode. For Christ’s sake, Alexei was dying right there!
But you needed to calm down, he was just being careful.
- My name is (Y/N) and I’m a scientist, like Alexei – You said trying not to cry – I’m also his… Partner…
He didn’t look very convinced. And was about to reply when a shout behind you caught your attention.
- JOYCE! TURN ON THE DAMN CAR – A big man shouted at the woman. And you could see a Russian guard behind him.
- I’m not your enemy – You said – Please!
- Enter the car – he sighed and sat beside you as the big man jumped in the front seat.
- JOYCE! – He seemed angry
- I KNOW – She said and quickly turned the car on.
While the woman was driving, the big man seemed to finally notice your presence, he looked confused for a moment as if he entered the wrong car, but he was sure he didn’t.
- Who’s that? – he asked in English to the man beside you
- Alexei has a lover, apparently – He said almost laughing – I don’t know for sure if it’s true
He looked at Alexei and saw your hand pressing the wound on his chest, he opened his mouth to say something but gave up. All this situation was extremely stressing, and everyone was silent.
When you arrived at the hospital, the woman was the one who entered to call a doctor, the big man was quick to get Alexei and bring him inside. You were about to follow him when the other man held your arm.
- You stay here – He said
- But-
- I’m not entirely sure if you are really saying the truth – He cut you off – And if you are really a scientist, we are going to need help.
The urge to run away was huge, but you were not in shape to it and they probably would get you. Stubborn tears were trying to fall from your eyes as you tried to breathe. You had no choice but to stay with them.
The events of that night were indescribable. But the things you saw made you finally understand Alexei.
Beside you, Joyce was holding one of the keys and you the other. Hopper was right in front of the portal. You two had no choice.
. . . . .
- Hey – Alexei caught your attention – You okay?
You looked at him. He was looking good for someone who had been shot in less than a day ago. The doctors said he was lucky he survived, if that plushie wasn’t there to slow down the bullet, he probably would have died.
The damn plushie saved his life, not you.
- I’m okay – You held his hand.
The door opened, Murray and Joyce entered the room, you looked at Alexei as he smiled at the two of them.
- Well, the doctors said that you can go home in a few days – Murray said, and Joyce smiled at you.
- But… What home? – You said – We can’t go back to Russia
- Don’t worry, you can stay at my place for as long as you need – He said happily – I’m sure we can figure something out.
You were sure that if he wasn’t trapped in that bed now, Alexei would get up and give this man the tightest hug he could ever receive, because of the smile on his face when Murray said that was the most example of happiness you had ever seen.
He gave your hand a tight squeeze and smiled at you happily.
- Thank you, Murray – You said – Thank you, Joyce – you tried in English, she smiled weakly and they both left the room.
- I guess we don’t have to worry about the general anymore – You said, and he laughed.
- It’s a new start for us – He kissed the back of your hand – I love you so much
- I love you too