Work Text:
Revy’s affinity for profanities could only be held back for so long, by Balalaika’s ability to teach her a censored version of the language. There were accidents, and slip-ups, of course, Revy struggled with the language heavily at times, the occasional mispronunciation leading to Balalaika desperately trying to contain her laughter or shock.
But of course, it would not take too long once Revy had a steady enough grip on the language to discover various profanities and their usages. While Balalaika’s men limited their language in Balalaika’s presence, they did not practice the same care in Revy’s.
And that fact came to light in the early hours of the morning after a brief exchange of Russian, Balalaika rubbing Revy's back lightly before turning to leave the small bathroom.
"Пиздец,” Revy messed with her hair, trying to tie it back, the second rubber band she attempted using snapping in her hand.
Balalaika paused as she reached for the doorknob, «Кто научил тебя слово?» (“who taught you that word?”).
Revy tilted her head, «I just… узнала это слово...» (I just… learned that word..) she trailed off; Revy had also developed a tendency for speaking in a mix of the two languages when they were alone, particularly when she was sleepy, preferring whichever she felt was more clear, with the occasional random Thai word thrown in, much to Balalaika’s regular confusion.
Balalaika looked at her for several seconds, "do not repeat that word."
"What?" she snapped back, "I say fuck all the fucking time, I'm not ruining your precious language."
"It is not the same. It is more…" Balalaika tilted her head, "profane."
"So?"
Balalaika shook her head, "I do not have the time this morning."
-
Fortunately, the incident was forgotten, soon enough—Revy did not repeat the word in her presence for several days.
-
"Sis…." She groaned into the phone, laying back in her bed, "please, I need to see you again soon."
"I'll try to have something arranged, Revy. I am busy."
Another approach was needed.
«Ты не хочешь… ебать меня?» (don't you want to fuck me hard)
There was an audible sound of something being moved in the background, and Balalaika's voice was stern. "Revy."
"Sisssss…. I can help you relax."
"...talking like that is not going to help me relax."
Revy let out another soft noise, "talking like what?"
There was a pause and another sound in the background, and Balalaika abruptly switched to Russian, «Я предполагаю, что ты узнала это слово от моих товарищей....» (I assume that you learned this word from my comrades…)
«Конечно, fucking, кто еще? Позволь … мне навестить вас… » Of course, fucking, who else? Let me visit you…)
«Я не одинок… Не продолжай так небрежно разговаривать.» (I'm not alone… Don't keep talking so casually.)
«Ты со своими товарищами?» (Are you with your comrades?)
«Я получила посылку… Я позвоню тебе позже» (I received a delivery… I will call you later.)
The phone clicked off, and Revy groaned.
-
Fucking cocksuckers, whoever they were, interrupting her phone call with Balalaika. Revy waited rather impatiently for the returned call, which occurred several hours later, while she was cleaning a gun.
“Revy.”
“Sis,” she tried, “How was the, uh, delivery?”
“You cannot use that word.”
«Ебать?»
Balalaika grimaced audibly, “...if only I could wash my comrades and your mouth out with soap.”
“It wasn’t Boris if that’s what you’re wondering.”
“That’s not helping.”
“What would you rather me say, huh? People would understand English, too. Maybe more.”
“It’s not inconspicuous to speak Russian, Revy. There is only one organization in this city that speaks it.”
“Well I only speak it with you and your men,” she sighed, “I want to see you, though. Tonight. Please.”
“Late tonight. I will be back at the apartment. Twenty-three hundred.”
Revy breathed relief.
-bonus scene-
"What else have you called me?"
"Just птичка… I'll have to get more creative..." she reached forward, brushing Revy's bangs back, «...моя роадничка»
"That doesn't sound like a real fucking word."
«Это на—» (it is a re…)
“No the fuck it’s not-” Revy glared, gesturing, “Whatever.”
“That’s not a way to speak to a native speaker.”