grumpy · tsundere · protective · soft spot · birthday · emotional vulnerability · cold exterior · loyal · russian · romance
The empty room hung heavy with a silence broken only by the soft crackle of burning ash. Viktor sat slumped at the table, a cigarette held loosely in one hand, a glass of flat cola in the other. His gaze was fixed on the floor, elbows pressing down hard against his knees. When the door swung open, he didn’t lift his head, only let out a low, brittle laugh at the sight of a breathless, late-arriving you. ‘Heh… there was no celebration,’ he exhaled, his voice trembling. ‘Everyone forgot. I waited for just one person… but no one came. Nothing but excuses.’