Chapter Text
The Tolmachevo airport was surprisingly bustling, even for a weekday night. Snow drifted densely in the air, swept by the unforgiving Novosibirsk winter air. The place was spacious and semi-deserted, with a few people coming and going, wheeling luggages and checking their flight status on the flickering screens hung suspended in rows from the ceiling. The departure terminal were sectioned into berths, delineated by metallic bucket seats in rows of two facing each other. Only two of these berths were currently occupied.
Berth four, buzzing with activity, were filled with an entourage of families; an assortment of adults and kids; all safely bundled into matching winter jackets, the males in blue and females in pink. One of the toddlers, wandered off towards the berth next to it, the only seat occupied by a pair of legs encased in dark navy blue denims rounded off by heavy brown Timberland suede boots. The toddler, ambling cluelessly, grabbed the tip of one boot chuckling in innocent pleasure.
The upper body these same legs were attached to, began to shift slightly. The toddler’s gaze tilted up to the glittery peepers underneath the bill of a cap.
“Boo.” A raspy voice emanated from under the shadow of the cap. The toddler retreated two steps back in shock and tripped over his own legs. He fell back onto the carpeted floor and started crying. His parents rushed over, glancing around and only seeing a man fast asleep in the opposite berth. They collected the child, pacifying him whilst gazing warily at the stranger, who seem oblivious to the upset baby.
Moments later, a man walked towards berth three, wheeling a glittered rose gold luggage. He passed a hesitant glance at the stranger sleeping and promptly sat across from him. He took off his Oakley’s, folded the temples and sheathed the shades into the pocket of his brown leather overcoat. He gazed sharply at the sleeping man across from him once more, before tearing his eyes away to look at the information screen.
Muffled steps across the carpet brought a new addition to the denizens of berth three. No wheeled luggage, but instead a rectangular leather haversack hung off a small back. Dark boots with light blue jeans tucked into them and a loose, oversized sweater, almost like a caftan completed this almost whimsical, get up. The smell of an extravagant perfume marked his arrival. He slumped himself into the other end where the sleeping man was at, smiling and nodding a half greeting to the man wearing brown, who had been staring at him, almost in fascination. Brown Coat, flashed a quick smile in return and then he was back to glancing at the screen.
Heavy steps broke the silence. Tapered legs strutted into view, the tail of a long khaki jacket flapped against the lengthy limbs. A mustard gold blouse buttoned up and tucked into dark casual pants. A face mask did very little to hide dark, piercing eyes. A guitar case and a shoulder bag was thrown carelessly on the vacant space beside the man wearing the brown overcoat. Just like that, three became four.
Outside, the winds began to pick up pace, a low-vibration whistle barely intelligible, began to fill the atmosphere. By the time the occupants of berth four boarded and their plane prattled away amidst a bunch of Hail Marys and some very strong whiskey, the only people left in the departure terminal were the quartet of strangers in Berth three.
“Attention passengers.” A soft, heavily accented feminine voice could be heard over the announcement speakers. The occupants of Berth three, even the one asleep, stirred to attention. “We are sorry to announce that due to bad weather conditions, all domestic and international flights at Tolmachevo International Airport are suspended until further notice.”
“Fuck-a-duck.” The stranger in the cap exhaled, loud enough for the other three to hear. Brown Coat looked at the screens in disbelief as the words SUSPENDED in both English and Russian, highlighted in red, were flashed intermittently beside the flight numbers he had been gazing at so dutifully for the past fifteen minutes. The man in the caftan hoodie, petite and short in stature, but attractive nevertheless, stood up and started stretching his limbs, looking around to see if any airport staff was walking up to them to offer alternative arrangements. The tall drink of water in khaki, did not even utter a word. He stood up, shouldered his guitar case and his bag, strutting towards the information counter. He still had the face mask on, but his eyes were already burning with impending anger.
Shortly after, a very tall and statuesque lady walked over with him in tow. She was garbed in the maroon and striped uniform of the airport staff. She also looked extremely nervous. Tall drink of water was speaking in impeccable Russian to her and he obviously does not sound very happy.
“So...uh, she wants me to translate the options offered to us while the services here are suspended.” His voice was deep and definitely tinged with unhappiness. The other three sat down, looking at him expectantly as the lady turned to the tall stranger and spoke to him in Russian slowly.
He had unsheathed his mask and his face seem to be carved from marble; chiselled and structured finely. The brows, furrowed in frustration, did very little to take away the attractiveness and even the lady seem flustered as she rambled on. After almost five minutes of back and forth between him and her. He finally turned to the three people waiting for the outcome.
“Well?” The guy wearing cap intoned with an impatience that seem to border on rudeness. Their tall translator regarded him with a stony gaze and stated,
“She’s saying that the blizzard might delay the flights for as long as a week. The best she can do for us is offer lodgings for four at the hotel next door. Any other place would be impossible for travel due to the current weather.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me?!” Cap Man looked utterly unhappy and given the circumstances, Tall Guy could totally commiserate, but Cap Man had an air about him that was completely detestable. It was hard to pinpoint what exactly he found lacking, but it was there, all the same.
“You mean the airport will provide us rooms at the hotel for free, for as long as the flights are grounded?” Brown Coat was saying now.
“Not exactly. “ Tall Guy explained. “The best they can do is two rooms with king-sized beds, so they said we would have to be split up into two groups.” He added. Caftan Boy sighed loudly, fingers flouncing his floppy, dirty-blond fringe. The other three turned to look at him.
“I guess that will have to do. Do you mind if I share the room with you?” He pointed to Brown Coat. It did not sound like a question though, more like a statement. “No offense, but you two look like trouble.” He declared quite candidly, already carrying his haversack and putting on shades, as if any other thoughts on the matter was not up for discussion. He gestured for the airport lady to lead the way.
“Sure. “ Brown Coat answered, smiling faintly, standing up and pulling his glittery luggage along to follow Caftan Boy, glancing apprehensively at the remaining two, with no protests.
“This is fucked-up. I’m not buying this shit. I’m getting the fuck out of here if it’s the last thing I’ll do.” Cap Man was on a self-contained rampage now.
“Suit yourself. I’m not averse to having the room to myself.” Tall Guy intoned, strutting off to follow the other two, putting his face mask back on without even so much as a single glance behind him.