Chapter Text
...And of course being out of town for a few months would leave plenty of new developments while I was away.
I can't believe I missed their wedding! Well, I guess I'll have to swing by the office.
As I drove towards the new cab Depot with instructions given by Mallorie, I realized how much I had missed. Roman relocated to a new area? Did his business actually get some promotion? They're planning to have a child? All these things waded through my thoughts, slowly and thoughtfully. I had heard they got married. Kinda feel bad I missed that especially.
I was a old school friend of Mallorie's, and we go way back. Ever since we've been helping each other through the good times and the bad. Though for the past 10 months I've been out of state, living and visiting with family. They needed me, and I'm not about to abandon family.
I rounded the corner, and my excitement to see my best friend grew. 'What are they up to? Did they finally get rid of creep Vlad? Is Roman finally cutting back on his gambling? I hope so.'
I was grateful the snow was light this year in Liberty City.
Entering the cab depot office from the sidewalk, I was tackled with a hug by Mallorie almost immediately. She had been expecting me. "(N)! I've missed you so much!"
Reciprocating the hug I chuckled lightly. "It's good to see you too Mallorie."
As we caught up with each other's personal life, she had to go sit back down at her computer to review and fill in driving logs. As she was, I heard a car pull into the depot. The car doors opening and shutting as a conversation caught my attention, turning my head to the office door behind Mallorie that led to the garage.
"See cousin? I told you this business makes money."
I recognized the first voice as Roman, Mallorie's now husband. Wow, just saying that makes me realize how long I was away.
"Not when you're gambling it away or going into debt with loan sharks who want to kill you." The other voice I couldn't recognize. I hoped and prayed it wasn't Vlad. It didn't sound like him, neither was the inflection in the voice. The footsteps grew closer to the door. Only now did I register the word "cousin".
Roman began speaking again, brushing off the other man. "Eh f**k you," he changed conversation as he opened the door, first talking to his wife. "Hey Mallorie, we got another regular if you could write their number down-"
He stopped mid sentence, immediately noticing me. Roman started grinning, pleasantly surprised to see me. "Oh! Wow, (N)!"
Briskly he came over to me to give a side hug. "By god it's great to see you again!"
I reciprocated the hug naturally, smirking slightly. "Hello Roman. It's nice to see you as well."
He knew that tone of voice from me, and broke from the hug chuckling. "I know what you're gonna say, and yes, I have been cutting back on the gambling. This is a nice place yeah?"
As Roman rambled on, something about a fire happening at his old depot and apartment, my eyes drifted to the other man in the room who shut the door behind Roman. He seemed to drift across the room tensely, posture lowered a bit but an alert walk. He paced slightly with a tired energy.
As I observed him I noticed his wavering expression, like he suddenly felt unsure to be here. His hands, caliced, scarred and rough looking, a working man's hands I thought. His eyes looked old beyond their years, tired and sollumn, dark half circles under his eyes. His face held nervousness, and absentmindedly I noticed him slow his pacing to a stand. Slowly I was assessing him, from his shoes to his head.
I could tell, this man had lived a life of suffering.
And when I finally met his eyes again I realized why he had stopped. He was staring at me. I blinked in realization. He had caught me reading him. My eyes widened slightly and an embarrassed flush colored my cheeks, quickly turning my head away.
'That was so embarrassing.'
He noticed, tilting his head slightly with a now present curiosity.
Roman had only seen his cousin look to me, but exasperated in response, taking big steps to the man. "Oh! Niko, come, meet (N)!"
He walked his cousin over to me and introduced us. "(N), this is my cousin Niko. He moved to Liberty City to live with me 6 months ago. Niko, this is (N), Mallorie's best friend since elementary school."
I nervously greeted him with a wave. "Um, hi." Followed by a raised hand to shake. Niko met the gesture, shaking my hand. "Nice to meet you. You're not secretly working for the government are you?"
That was random, and.. confusing. "Huh?"
Mallorie interrupted, waving off Niko's comment. "Oh Niko, she's not like that friend at all. She holds little to no secrets."
"How come I never saw you around?" Niko asked me. It was obvious to me that he was questioning with intent. 'You shouldn't have been eyeing him so intensely stupid, now he's suspicious.'
I answered honestly to ease his subtle concern. "Ah, I was out of state for a chunk of the year, helping out family with some trouble back west."
With that he relaxed a smidge, especially with the mention of family. Neutral curiously came back to him and I turned my attention to Mallorie and Roman. "On another note, I felt really bad that I missed your guy's wedding! It must've been wonderful."
At the mention of the wedding the room became silent. I noticed how Roman and Mallorie had avoidant eyes. Glancing at Niko, I noticed his expression turn solemn again, turning his head away.
"Um, well, I guess we're kinda glad you missed it." Roman spoke, faking a dull chortle.
I blinked, glancing around at everyone. "What? What happened?"
I didn't know yet, but even through everyone including Niko had moved on from the incident, no one wanted to talk about it, as it did still bring up sad emotions.
Mallorie broke their quick silence. "It's just.. after the ceremony things went awry."
Reading the room, I assumed something bad had happened to a guest at their wedding. "Oh. I'm sorry I brought it up."
Mallorie sighed, standing up from the computer and going around to meet me. "It's okay (N)." Transitioning away from that conversation she gave a slightly teasing smile. "Hey, what did I tell you about over-apologizing?"
"Sorry." I caught myself saying so and laughed a little. "It's just a habit for me Mallorie."
She gave a genuine smile walking back over to the computer, Roman finally giving Mallorie the new client's number to run into the system. "Well, I've watched over your place while you were gone. I think you'll find it to be spotless, things placed exactly where you left it."
I breathed a sigh of relief, it looked like everyone had cheered up from before. "Thanks Mal." Niko had returned to sauntering across the room slowly, seemingly neutral now.
"Will we be seeing you around the office?" Roman asked, hopeful. I turned myself to the main office door, still looking at the newlyweds.
"Of course. I'll be able to lend a hand if you need me to as well."
Roman nodded. "Good, good."
"Congratulations you two, by the way." I added, beginning to walk.
Before I reached the door I stopped next to where Niko was now standing. I gave a friendly smile. "It was nice meeting you Niko. I hope we get to talk again."
Niko responded steadily. "Sure. I agree."
I walked out, into the chill winter streets.
Niko watched me walk out and without saying a word, he let his own feet carry himself out the door I left. He wasn't really sure why. But he let himself open the door regardless, closing it behind him. The day was not snowy, just cold and frozen.
Seeing me unlock my car door, he spoke.
"Hey."
I blinked at his voice and stood straight, looking up to face him. He spoke again. I could've sworn he looked a tad nervous.
"You said you were away helping family?"
I nodded, speaking sincerely. "Yeah. My brother and his wife take care of the family property alongside my parents. They were running behind on bills so I went back to help them get stable."
Niko nodded back with a bit more energy, almost scoffing at himself. "Hell, I understand that. Considering I'm trying to help out my idiot cousin."
I giggled at his word. It seems these tended to be his terms of endearment for his kin. "Yeah, I agree he is a handful. Gotta give Mallorie props on that one."
That made Niko chortle back. "S**t, you and me both."
We both laughed lightly. Now we seemed to have a neutral understanding of the other, and a string of sharing common ground. The mirth was shortlived as I reaffirmed Niko. "But yeah, if my family's in trouble, I gotta help them out if I can, even in the smallest ways."
For the first time I had seen so far from him, he smiled genuinely. "Good to know then. I respect that."
I opened my car door, waving to Niko as I stepped in. Closing the door and turning on the ignition I bid him farewell. "See you around." And I was off.
Niko turned back to the depot, entering the office to be greeted by the sickening smug face of his cousin. "Were you getting her number big man?"
Niko waved him off with a throw of his right hand. "Screw you."
Roman just laughed, underhandedly gesturing a finger to the door then settling his hand on the office desk next to the computer. "Ah, but she is cute eh?"
Niko looked to Mallorie, expecting her to talk back to her husband. Unfortunately for Niko, it appeared Mallorie wanted to know the same thing, if not more than Roman. "Well Niko? Did you think she was cute?"
Niko sighed at the duo's team up, shrugging and talking immediately after the sigh. "I don't know. I wasn't really paying attention to her looks."
His fatter cousin started laughing some more as Niko moved across the room, ignoring the pointed finger directed at him from Roman. "You f***ing world's worst liar, I saw you were staring at her."
Niko raised his voice and in turn his arms up and forward slightly. "I wasn't staring at her, she was staring at me!" Quickly he settled, sitting down in a waiting chair next to the main door, folding his hands and leaning forward. "Specifically, she was reading me."
Mallorie hummed in agreement. "Yeah, that's (N) all right. She tends to observe people to figure out an outline of their personality, occupation, or even their past before even saying a word. Very observant person she is. Including when she actually gets to engage in dialogue with other people."
Niko hummed to himself, thinking. "..She's intriguing."
Roman smiled, going over to and nudging Niko's shoulder with a hand. "Possibly future date hm??.."
"It's too soon to say that." Niko decided. He still wasn't 100% sure.
Mallorie thankfully, and with internal relief from Niko, seemed to agree, talking to Roman while standing up from the computer. "Yes sweetie, I think they should get to know each other a little more before we push the suggestion onto him."
Roman also had to agree with that. "I suppose you're right Mallorie. Patience is a virtue after all."
Niko playfully scoffed at his cousin, for no other reason than to simply scoff. Only time would tell.
A few weeks of being back, and I was seemingly caught up with everything. For the most part. They hadn't told me the full story, but I was told they had gotten all the loan sharks off Roman's back and the business was starting to make money again. I was also told about the wedding and what had happened to Kate. Apparently her and Niko had been casually dating but had never made it official or serious. Still, Niko had said it hurt him deeply, however he was mostly over it by now and was "used to hurt." When he told me that it made me feel bad for him. I held the upmost sympathy and respect for him being able to carry that weight.
As I was visiting the office today, Mallorie was reminiscing about one of the first relationships she had. ..Maybe "reminiscing" wasn't quite the right word.
"...And after he left me on the street, I had to walk home in the blistering cold!" Mallorie had exclaimed. I scoffed in agreement, as I was writing something down in a notebook.
I sat in the waiting chairs on the opposite side of the office, near the computer. Niko was in front of the service counter, leaning back on it. Mallorie was at her usual spot, this time printing up advertisment flyers for the company.
Niko spoke up, glancing over to me. "People are d**ks. What about you (N)?"
I looked up from my notebook, sucking in a breath, eyes a little wide. "Huh?" Remembering the conversation I shrunk down a little, shyly glancing away from his eyes, putting my notebook and pencil aside on the other chair. I guess this question was inevitable. "O-oh. I, well, uh, I haven't, been in a relationship before.."
Niko could've fallen over in surprise. That wasn't an answer he was expecting to hear, especially in Liberty City. He stood up straight, gazing over at me with some strange confusion/shock set his face. "What??"
I felt myself shrink down more, and I dropped my head slightly, sight steady on my lap. "I just... Never been asked out. ..Nor have I met anyone..."
For a moment he was shocked into silence. Though, his expression was not too exaggerated and had stayed muted on his features; just enough to tell he was. What he said next caught me off guard. Gesturing to me with a hand, he asked with complete honesty and disbelief. "Why the hell would guys not want to date you?"
My cheeks were brushed with a light red, however I quickly suppressed my blush, glancing at Niko briefly before turning my head away. "It- just never happened I guess."
For a minute I was quiet, before I checked the time on my cellphone. I put away my small notebook into my purse, and picked it up as I stood. "I got to get to work. Thanks for having me Mallorie."
Mallorie waved me out. "Anytime girl."
I stopped briefly by Niko on my way out. I wanted to say something. But the words never came out. So instead I just waved a little with a shy smile. "Bye Niko."
Being an observer as well, Niko had noticed how I had looked down at myself when answering him before. So, he inferred just a little. As I placed my hand on the door, I felt a coarse hand gently hold my left upper arm.
"(N)."
Blinking, I turned to see Niko. He only needed to say one thing.
"Don't ever let people tell you you aren't pretty."
That did the trick. A warm blush bloomed across my cheeks, fully visible. A small bashful grin made it's way onto my lips as I glanced away from him. "Thank you."
Niko was quick to notice my bashfulness and his brows raised up slightly at the way my face looked. He felt his chest tighten.
Tha-thump.
'Oh?..'
My eyes avoided his, but my smile stuck. Opening the door I spoke again. "You're not too bad yourself."
His hand fell as I stepped out the door, and again-
Tha-Thump. Tha-thump.
He blinked, watching the door close, having a small realization. 'Oh..'
Lightly clutching his left hand together, he hummed in thought. 'That was.. odd.'
As he was analyzing what had just happened, Roman entered the office through the service door, late to the conversation but bringing it back up anyhow, catching his slightly younger cousin's attention. "Were you guys just talking about (N)'s love life? Heh, she extra virgin olive oil if you get my drift."
Niko turned to his cousin, head slightly tilted, not seeing a huge deal here. "So she's a virgin?" Actually he was kind of impressed, chastity like that was rare to come by these days, ESPECIALLY in LC. His respect for me raised.
Mallorie chipped in, picking up the freshly printed stack of paper from the printer. "Not only that, in addition she uh, hasn't kissed anyone ether."
Now that was surprising. His mouth opened a little, confusion coming back to him. "Are you being serious?"
"hm-nm." She simply nodded, putting a rubber band around the stack of flyers.
Niko blinked. Then he felt like shouting his bewilderment, so he did at a stable voice. "Why?! How come a beautiful woman like her hasn't had a boyfriend yet??"
Roman chuckled full-heartedly, recalling only a few weeks ago. "Ooh, you think she's beautiful cousin?"
At that Niko had a pause. An anxious pause. Collecting himself he exhaled, speaking normally. "..Yes. Is she being picky or just isn't interested?"
Mallorie blew out a short breath. "Oh Niko, she's the most helpless romantic I know! Aside from Roman of course. She daydreams about finding her "soulmate" often. And she's not picky, she just isn't stupid. Like she said, she just hadn't had an opportunity yet."
All of a sudden, her phone rang. Bringing it up she saw she got a text. With a sneaky smile she stood, excusing herself from the room. "I'll be right back.." Walking out the service door.
Roman took initiative of the conversation, picking up the pile of flyers and walking over to Niko, optimistic. "All the more reason to ask her out. She kinda needs a win like this you know."
With the information he had, Niko could read that wasn't my intention. "I don't think she's just "looking for a win" cousin."
Roman rolled his eyes, stopping beside Niko. "Obviously I know that, I meant it as in commitment, a serious relationship is what she's looking for." Roman put his free hand on Niko's shoulder, being self aware of the recent past. "I-If you're ready of course, I wouldn't mean to rush you two."
Niko simply nodded. Maybe he would ask me out.
Mallorie strangely came walking back into the office through the main door, giggling to herself and holding a piece of paper in her hand. "Well this is just too sweet!"
The men turned to Mallorie. "What?"
She suppressed her giggles, handing the paper to Niko. "Here. (N) wanted me to give this to you."
Niko took the paper from her, beginning to read it to himself.
Niko,
Apologies for not being able to tell you this in person,
I'm a very shy gal, I guess kind of a coward then.. Sorry.
Uh, If it's not too much trouble for you, I was thinking
maybe we could go on a date this Thursday...
But, like, just a walk! Through Middle Park in Algonquin?
I can meet you there at 2:00 or 3:00. If you'd like to
obviously. I've always loved how winter looks there,
no matter if it's snowing or not......And now I'm
rambling. Sorry! I hope I can see you there. Oh, my
number's on the back, I'm running out of writing space...
Oops.
Warmest,
(F/N) (L/N)
"Wow."
Mallorie began giggling again at Niko's first impression, walking over to the printer/computer setup but not going around yet. "I know. So?"
Niko felt flattered. Very flattered. He wasn't really sure how to react. "I mean.. She could've just told me in person." He said, knowing full well the answer to that already was in the note. Roman looked over his shoulder to read the note.
Mallorie scratched the back of her head. "Yeah, but she chickened out because I kept pressuring her. Sorry on my part." Suddenly Roman had an outburst of mirth, having finished reading through halfway.
"Ha, it's not every day you get the woman asking the man out first huh?" He shook Niko's shoulder slightly.
"Well?.." Mallorie prodded again, both awaiting an answer.
Why was there a lump in his throat? Niko gulped, nodding with some certainty, glancing to his friends then the paper. "Of course I will. She's very honest and open."
Roman found this to be celebration enough, taking some steps away from him and back to his wife. "Atta boy NB! Make sure to tell me all about it on Friday."
Niko was getting ready to turn around when Mallorie had one last request for him. "Oh, and Niko?"
He turned his head. Mallorie held her hands together in front of her. "Please be gentle with her. She's a very sweet girl, and very new to this. I don't want her getting hurt."
Niko nodded in complete understanding. "Yeah, I know. I wouldn't dare ask of her anything more. It's just a date. Only a standard date. And if it goes well, I might be interested in starting something meaningful. ..I promise I'll protect her regardless." And that was that.
Leaving his cousin's cab company Niko allowed himself to sigh wistfully, a small smile creeping up on him.
'It's almost impossibly perfect.'