iron. (nikolai)

[Nikolai Boryenko]

Nikolai paid compliments few and far between normally. He would tell one of his soldiers a job well done and the next day they were recovered without cover with a bullet in their head. It probed cockiness, and that was a trait Nikolai disliked. This is why when Nikolai paid an honest compliment, it meant something, at least he knew it did. He had never paid compliments to a woman though other than his mother about her cooking and a comrade that was able to match one of his shots years ago.

"Not all. I have met a few men and women who held different views on their country. It is simple to hate a whole group rather than a few individuals, I have been guilty of that- but the men who are proud and work under the SS, those are the true monsters."

Nikolai raised an eyebrow at what she said. He had heard of 'freedom fighters' before in Poland and even France, but Germany surprised him. He expected every German soul to be swayed by the silver tongue of the man he viewed to be the devil's follower. But he heard what she said and believed her. He saw the truth in her eyes and the unwavering honesty in her voice.

"I guess there are not all demons under the influence of hell. And it is my pleasure to have had a few meetings with the SS. Nikolai finished without any real feeling. It was true that he had taken the lives of quite a few SS officers. He liked to believe that they were all evil men that he had killed, but the notches on his Mosin–Nagant M91/30 had fallen short of his total kills. Instead of marking his weapon, he kept track in his sniper's journal that he had left with his friend Serzhant Vladlen Davydov whom was in his platoon. This man had been more like a drinking buddy, although Nikolai did not drink. He spent a few hours with the man to talk about tactics and other things that would be expected of two men at war. Nikolai trusted the man.

Trust was hard to come by in his position and Nikolai had started to trust a person that he had met a few hours earlier. He felt her warmth on him. Their bodies touched and Nikolai's body felt warm all over. He made his move and she responded. She kissed him back when he went for it. Her lips were soft and warm. Her cheek was warm to the touch of his fingertips. He had never felt a woman before. He had never felt the warmth of ones skin or the tasted the sweetness of ones lips. It was very enjoyable for him and he did not want it to stop. He felt her hair fall upon the backside of his hand. It was soft and cold. He felt Ivana run her fingers through his jet black hair. It gave him a small rush that was different. It was a rush of pleasure and something that did not cause him to feel the need to look at his surroundings. He lost himself in her for moment.

When their lips moved apart, he heard an intake of air from Ivana. Nikolai smiled as he kept his face close to hers. She moved back a little more with her eyes halfway open and a smile on her face as well. The velvet of her voice touched his ears lightly.

"Hmm, I don't think I am convinced, I think I missed something."

Nikolai closed the gap again, this time getting his mouth within centimeters of her ear. "It's getting dark out. What do you say we find a place where we can spend more time with one another?" Once he finished his sentence, he kissed her lightly on the cheek and moved his hand to hers. He liked having physical contact with this Ivan. Her hands were also cold, so he grasped the one he had lightly and tried to cover it with his own. "Ivana, I would very much like to learn more about this person." He said to her out loud and gave her a curious looking smile.

[Ivana Dimionva Kuznetsova]

It was a new sound to those few who heard of underground German resistance, it was new to the spy with the chosen few who willingly aided the Allies during her documentation deliveries and swapping. Sometimes she believes that her homeland were no better as the monsters that devoured as a whole, rather than picking out the poisonous few, but that was optimistic ideals that would land her in the Gulag or a nice hot piece of iron in her skull. 

"I guess there are not all demons under the influence of hell. And it is my pleasure to have had a few meetings with the SS."

Her smile wavered, she understood what was flowing through his lips- she pondered on how much this man carried on his shoulders, all the horrors that he have seen, the kin and friends he had lost. But he seemed content with her menial company, for all what was worth to her Ivana believed that she had nothing to offer to a man, complacent with living alone and gasping her last breath alone. But with Nikolai she trusted every word, took every breath into hers.

The absence of his lips on hers did bring forth a tide of emptiness, but it was a fleeting emotion, for his soft caresses on her skin and hair made up for the paradise lost. Ivana could not catch a glimpse of the slow world around her, his eyes prevented her from casting her vision elsewhere. He held that handsome smile on his lips once more, something that she reminded herself to tell him later on. 

"It's getting dark out. What do you say we find a place where we can spend more time with one another?"
So he did catch the context of her hidden prose. Ivana could not help but to allow a smirk to play on her lips, the smoothness of his voice caused a hidden fire to rise within her, the spy was pleased that Nikolai was on the same page as her. For a moment, her eyes caught the glimpses of the darkened sky, the peaceful stars painted above speaking to a place far from the mortal wound. Ivana could not help but to giggle once Nikolai's warm lips brushed her cheek, how she wanted to feel those lips all over her. 
The woman accepted her lover's hand, interlocking her smaller fingers with his larger one, feeling the heat from his body flowing into hers. A smile seized her slightly numb lips, how he grasped her freezing hands in his larger ones. 

"Ivana, I would very much like to learn more about this person."

Her eyes returned back to its sultry cast, placing emphasis on her deep chocolates. 

"And I would love to know more about Nikolai also, beyond the battlefield."
Ivana brushed their noses together playfully before placing a soft kiss on his lips, pulling back with a satisfied seduction on her lips.

"I would love to see this place, so we can gain a deeper understanding for one another."

The spy spoke with buried eagerness, still having the building desire within her. 

[Nikolai Boryenko]

As Nikolai finished his sentence he smile fade and a serious look approach her face. She understood what he said about the enemy's people. He could easily grasp that by her facial expression. He looked into her pretty eyes. This is a very intelligent woman indeed! He thought to himself as she contemplated, in thought. He did not know what she was thinking, but he knew it was something that he needn't ask of quite yet.

With every touch, Nikolai's senses were filled. He smelled a hint of vodka on her breath, from what she had drank a little while ago. It smelled sweet on her, it added a slight bite to their kiss. He had never drank vodka, it went against his beliefs to drink, but he figured God would understand. He kept the smile on his face until he grasped Ivana's hand. He longed for her now. He wanted to know everything about her, where she had been, what she had done, who she really was. He was looking forward to getting back into a warm building with her.

The two stayed within close proximity to each other, as possible another kiss, to which Nikolai would not object. She looked at him in a way he had never been looked at before. It was nice, he felt like a human whenever she looked at him, talked to him, felt him. He spoke to her softly and she replied. "And I would love to know more about Nikolai also, beyond the battlefield."

She then played their noses on each other and gave Nikolai another soft, quick kiss and gave him an alluring smile. Nikolai gave a small laugh and rubbed the top of her palm with his thumb. Her skin so soft and cold added to her sensuality and mystique. He listened to her once again.

"I would love to see this place, so we can gain a deeper understanding for one another."

Nikolai raised one of his eyebrows. This woman had a way of speaking without saying very much at all. He liked that. He wasn't sure if it was because he was so infatuated by her or if it was because her charm overtook his senses. He did not much care regardless. He squeezed her hand softly.

"Let us walk this way. Perhaps there is an unkempt, homely inn where the temperature is above freezing." He said with a smile and a wink. He started to move towards the sidewalk to go down the street towards a few lights where there were a few signs above door posts. One of them were bound to be an inn.

Nikolai's mind forgot about he war. He found comfort in this woman. Comfort he had not felt in a long, long time. With his left hand he felt his chest. His rosary hung there, on top of his identification tags. He said a silent thanks to God for bringing him some comfort when he was starting to truly need it. All of the deaths, not being with his comrades on the frontlines, not being able to comfort his family after the loss of his brother, not being able to tell his Aunt and Uncle what had happened to young Aristarkh. Everything started eating at him, until he met Ivana.

After walking a few paces, he started talking to Ivana once again. He could not wait to get inside to continue to speak to her. He had many things he wanted to ask her.

"So, you have heard a few stories of my life. What of yours? Who is this beautiful, mysterious woman whom has me by the hand?" Nikolai said with a little humor so he would not give off a prying impression. He caressed her hand with his and walked at a slow enough pace. Listening intently to her reply, hanging onto every word.

[Ivana Dimionva Kuznetsova]

What was happening beyond the untouched front did not concern her, not in this moment. The only thing that was flowing in her mind was this alluring man. In retrospect it was supposed to be a simple assignment, 'deliver this book to Wolf' and continue the lone ellipse of life, but whether it was the divine right of a Higher Power or the kiss of fate that landed her here with this man she was grateful. Her mind was still lost in the current of thoughts, how she seemed to have a desire that was hidden below the surface, waiting to bubble to the air. 

Ivana was intoxicated by Nikolai's soft touches, forgetting of the burning alcohol that resided on her taste buds. She wanted him to feel more of her, and she wanted to feel more of him. It was a wonder how she was able to fall so deep in just a brief moment of meeting a stranger. But he was not a stranger, Nikolai was more than that to her, he was like a missing piece to her soul- something that she was keen on living without. With every accented word she uttered, his senses seemed to have lingered, catching every ounce of what was floating in the air- that alone made Ivana feel special, to feel wanted by another soul who held no lust or desire to extract information from her. It was a lovely emotion that no adjective in any written language or man could describe. 

Ivana made no hurry to make space, not minding the personal air she enjoyed to breathe around others; it was her intent to somehow be like this for as long as she could. When a laugh fell from Nikolai's tongue, a rapid wave of happiness washed over her features, it was a first to hear the man laugh like that and yet so free. 

"Let us walk this way. Perhaps there is an unkempt, homely inn where the temperature is above freezing."

Another shift of warmness was felt in her hands, she wore the smile on her face like powder, a feat that has not been done in years. With a slight nod of approval and a laugh at his banter, Ivana kept her hand intertwined in Nikolai's larger grasp. She walked in tender silence, slightly awkward on the tip but it was due to her mind connecting the chain of events, attempting to replay what seemed like a fairy tale that was written by human hands before her. It was refreshing to retrace back to her lost innocence, to a corner of her mind where she did not have to worry about who heard too much or caught a sniff of another scent beyond her veneer. 

"So, you have heard a few stories of my life. What of yours? Who is this beautiful, mysterious woman whom has me by the hand?"

It only took a few more paces of their feet to illicit another question, more curiosity about who she was behind the screen of espionage. It was surprising to her that a man of sorts was so interested in the uninteresting, well that is what Ivana spoon fed herself constantly, much like how she treaded upon the other beauties that she caught glimpses of throughout Europe; it was a horrible habit she had always possessed, to measure herself to others. It was toxic, but it seemed as if Nikolai was a pull away from that mindset. She could not help but to snicker a bit as he teased about her. With a soft squeeze of his gloved hand, a animated thoughtful look played upon her face.

"Well what do you want to know? I do not want to bore you."

She could not help but to place a jab herself, there was no fun in one person going out their way in making this experience pleasurable. Ivana had cast her attention back to the man of her tender hand, with each touch she felt like she was truly beautiful in his eyes.

[Nikolai Boryenko]

The walk seemed to go on and on. Nikolai was happy that they were moving at a slower pace. Everything in his adult life seemed to move a million miles an hour until he was by himself, alone in a trench, waiting for a kill or alone in a shallow grave, drifting to sleep where the horrors of the war would haunt him in his slumber. Faces of death haunted everyone these days. He remembered being awoken by the yell of one of his comrades. A man had gotten out of his hole to take a piss, when he came back, his hole-mate panicked and stabbed him twice with the razor sharp bayonet placed on the edge of his rifle. The man's wounds eventually got infected and he died the next week. Nikolai could not remember his name, but his officer no doubt sent a letter to the man's mother or wife telling them that he died a hero rather than a mistaken Nazi. Nikolai had so many new and terrible memories, it was hard for him to recall the ones from his past that was afar. He could barely remember his sister's face, or even his own mother's for that fact. He longed to be with them again.

The pace kept at a slow and steady pace. Nikolai heard the young woman give a giggle at his joke to prod a conversation. Nikolai found her laugh very inviting and warm. It reminded him of his mother's reserved laugh she would do when she covered her mouth with her palm. It put him at ease, it felt like a tie to the past almost. When she giggled, Nikolai gave a smile, knowing that she had accepted his joke and found it amusing. He looked at her as she made an interesting face that made Nikolai smile a little bit wider. She then asked him a question that he should have expected, but did not.

"Well what do you want to know? I do not want to bore you."

He wanted to know anything and everything about this dark haired spy. Seeing as spies were always the mysterious ones, it drove him to want to know just a little bit more about her every time she spoke. There was more to it than her being a spy, it was also her charm, her gestures, the sad look she gave him when he mentioned his own mother, the look of small sorrow she had behind her possible facade of interest in Nikolai. He did not believe that she was faking her interest him. He felt that she was being honest with her actions and intents, but what did he know? He was just a soldier trained to kill, not read minds.

"Well, he measured his words carefully, what about your life in Moscow? What was it like living in such a large city. I've been told the 'Third Rome' is easy to become lost in. What was it like? I've never been to a large city. The largest I've been is probably the size of an average house in Moscow." Nikolai finished this with a tone of sarcasm to lighten the mood yet again. He wanted to learn more about the woman, but not at the cost of opening wounds that were still healing. He listened to her as she spoke, hoping for more information on Ivana.

The snow crunched under their feet as the two new found lovers walked. Nikolai's eyes were drawn to an inn that was about thirty paces off. the lights in the front room were on and there were a few patrons sitting down having drinks. Nikolai nodded towards the inn.

"What do you think about that place there? Does it look dingy enough?" Nikolai tried to keep things lighthearted between the two of them so he could keep her comfortable with him. After all, the more comfortable someone is with you, the more they are willing to say to you. And Nikolai, was a very good listener. His ears have helped him in situations more than a few times.

After a few more steps, Nikolai then saw the name of the inn. The Sleeping Gypsy. Nikolai looked at the sign twice. I didn't know all of Russia had such odd names for their stores. Nikolai thought to himself as he loosed his grip on Ivana's hand. The wind had picked up a little and started to make the snow swirl around. It sent chills through his body. He moved his hand to put his arm around her instead, into a half embrace and to block the wind better, seeing as it was coming from his side. He wanted to keep her warm, and this chill wind was the perfect excuse for their bodies to touch a little bit more.

[Ivana Dimionva Kuznetsova]

She did not mind the close proximity, the chaste touches, the drowning gazes it was all refreshing, a different sound to the music of warfare. This was the first time in her life that her heart held a different drum beat, her river flowing in a different emotion that held a sweet taste. Honestly this was the first time she truly held a deeper emotion for another soul, dare to say that Ivana loved him. 

In her eyes she saw a kind, handsome mortal who had much more to offer than delivering a piercing bullet through the flesh of the enemy. It felt nice to walk at a slower pace, to slow their world down to a more tranquil medicine to swallow. The warmth of his hand confused the coldness that chilled her pale flesh, it felt similar to the tender kisses their soft lips shared moments before. 

"Well, what about your life in Moscow? What was it like living in such a large city. I've been told the 'Third Rome' is easy to become lost in. What was it like? I've never been to a large city. The largest I've been is probably the size of an average house in Moscow."

Ivana could not help but to beam with a glow as the sniper inquired about her home, so he truly did grasped an interest to her. She locked her attention before her, watching her surroundings before her.

"Well, those who said Moscow was like a 'Third Rome' they were right. It is a very large and beautiful city, you can get lost if you are not aware of where you are- but they're very generous people that would gladly show you around. But I must warn you, it is pretty hectic."

A white wisp escaped from between her full, pink lips. Ivana could not help but to feel even more pure when her mind slipped into the place where she was born and raised. For the first time she never shied from searching deeper within her.

"What do you think about that place there? Does it look dingy enough?"

Once again her attention was pulled to a hole-in-the wall motel not too far from the park. 

"I haven't seen a place any dingier."

The spy place her change of witty banter throughout her sentence. Her eyes caught the glimpse of the ratty hanging sign over the front doors. 'The Sleeping Gypsy', it was a very eclectic name- held it's own ironic twist, well to her mind. Ivana felt the grip on her warmed hand loosen, her mind want to flash a protest, but the even closer slight embrace of Nikolai's body. Without much thought, Ivana snuggled closer into his warmness. Not only because of the gust to winter but also due to the obvious fact that she wanted to be with him. 

She waited patiently until Nikolai opened the door, staying beside him allow their bodies to embrace on another. The feeling of his strong arm around her made her fee safe, despite how independent she truly was, it was a sensation that Ivana would always think about the moments with Nikolai, how she would dream of an end to the carnage and be in peace with him. 

[Nikolai Boryenko]

Nikolai could not scrub the feeling of happiness from himself when he let go of Ivana's hand. He felt her hand try and reach for it again, this made him swell up inside a little. As he placed him arm around her in an embrace, she let her body come closer to his and he felt her warmth. It made his feelings for the woman go deeper. He did not feel the need to be a killer at this time. He felt as if he only needed to be his original side, his human side. He missed the way he used to feel at home with his family. Just like the way he felt now, like a man.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a breath escape her mouth. It gave Nikolai ease to know that she was real. He was afraid that he would, all of a sudden, wake up to the whistle of a mortar and be back in his dirty, muddy hole that he had slept in for many nights. But if this was a dream, he wanted to sleep forever. He would hold each of these moments with him as long as he could, before his memory faded like a photograph.

Ivana responded to his sarcasm with an equal tone of joke. "I haven't seen a place any dingier."

Nikolai gave a small laugh and responded. "Good, just how it should be." He rubbed the upper part of her arm as they kept on their heading.

They moved closer to the building. Nikolai let his hand move from Ivana's shoulder, down her back, and to the door. He wanted to keep as much bodily contact with her as he could, he almost felt remorse at the need to let her out of his touch. Regardless, he grasped the handle and pressed his thumb on the latch and pulled on the door. It broke free and Nikolai held it open for the beautiful young woman from Moscow.

The two stepped into the building and Nikolai's face was instantly greeted with warmth. He followed her into the front room, removing his gloves and moving to the man at the front table. Nikolai spotted four other patrons total. None of them looking under the age of sixty. The man at the front table was large in stature, at least six feet tall, perhaps weighing two hundred and fifty pounds. He had a round belly and round cheeks under his beard. His beard was long and formed and he kept a small amount of brownish red hair with specks of white and gray in both. He seemed to be in his late sixties, which gave him a wise look about him. He also had a small pipe that protruded from his mouth that burned a very sweet tobacco. The man was the owner and Nikolai introduced himself to the man.

"Good evening, brother, I am Fyodor. What can I get you?" The man said with a smile on his face and eagerness in his eyes. Nikolai smiled back at the man.

"Do you have any rooms available, sir?" Nikolai asked respectfully. The man gave a small laugh and responded.

"Of course, comrade, of course. What kind of room are you looking for? One to share with you and the missus?" Nikolai glanced at Ivana and gave her a warm smile when their eyes met. He then looked back at the man.

"That would be great, my friend. How much will it be?"

The man slapped Nikolai on the shoulder. "Whatever you can spare, comrade." Nikolai looked at him almost confused. It was not often that during hard times people were so careless with the prices of their goods that they offered. He pulled his wallet from his pocket inside of his jacket. Nikolai pulled out a couple of bills. "How does this look?"

He purposely pulled out more than what the room was worth. Fyodor looked somewhat worried, but delighted at the same time. He gave a nervous smile and a small laugh.

"This is too much, sir."

Nikolai smiled and shushed him a little. "Keep the extra, friend. Maybe you can help me out in the morning, eh?"

Fyodor smiled at Nikolai and put the money in his breast pocket and walked over a few steps and retrieved a key from under the counter. "Here is the key to room 5. You may check out whenever you would like and breakfast is served from six until eight. If there's anything you need, feel free to ask." The man ended this by tapping his pipe into a small tray.

Nikolai's eyes lit up a little bit. "Do you have any pipes or tobacco for sale?"

The man smiled. "Yes, yes. Here, for free." He pulled out a hand sized packet labeled Black Cavendish and a palm length wooden pipe. Nikolai patted the man's shoulder.

"Thank you very my my friend." He said as he took the pipe and tobacco and placed it in his inner breast pocket. He then grabbed the key and smiled at Fyodor. He then turned around to Ivana and walked over to her and closed the gap between them. He grabbed her lightly around the waist.

"Would you like to continue our conversation upstairs?" He said with a smile.

[Ivana Dimionva Kuznetsova]

There were situations like these where she whispered wishes that the ripping of bones would cease, where family and friends can reunite with one another in a loving embrace- but that would never happen, not soon enough. Ivana knows that her mind's voice was not the only one who prayed to those who are deaf beings beyond the stars- but those were her beliefs, her own convictions.

"Good, just how it should be."

A small chuckle could not help but to flow like her growing love for this man. As they stood beside the front door the soft traveling of Nikolai's hand from her shoulder and down the curve of her back planted even more want and eagerness heart, with each passing moment her desire only increased. Her feet were first to step into small inn. The warmth from the heat seemed to have melted the invisible frost that has clung to the untouched areas of her body. Her senses captured then rustic musk that spoke of age and experience, but also a sense of unkempt carpets. Ivana fully stepped inside, relaxing her muscles from the stiffness of the outdoors; her browns caught the preoccupied glimpses of the scarce patrons that had indulged in their own rights. They were no younger that sixty, there was one elderly couple and the rest were lone men. For a moment, the young spy's eyes caught the attention of the elderly couple, they spoke of a bitter sorrow of the war around them, but a hidden peace of tying their heart strings with one another. Ivana gave a kind smile to the couple, and like wise they returned an aged one. 

She broke the contact and followed besides Nikolai. They were led to a man, around the same age of the elderly couple, who was as stout as the former man at the bar; he held a kind and wise face. The older man was preoccupied by his tobacco pipe, but quickly introduced himself once Nikolai made his presence.

"Good evening, brother, I am Fyodor. What can I get you?"

Fyodor, of course Ivana made a mental note to remember his name- along with his plump features. He held an excited eagerness to house a couple of occupants.

"Do you have any rooms available, sir?"

Ivana stepped a little bit closer to Nikolai, linking her fingers with his once more, feeling the bare warmth of his calloused hand. 

"Of course, comrade, of course. What kind of room are you looking for? One to share with you and the missus?"

A bubble of excitement formed in her, she returned the soft gaze and warm smile Nikolai delivered to her, it excited her how she would be able to spend the night with this man.

"That would be great, my friend. How much will it be?"

But it was brief as his focus returned back to the owner. Ivana listened intently as the two males negotiated on a final price, she could not help but to feel heat rising in her cheeks as she heard Nikolai utter, 'Maybe you can help me out in the morning.' This alone made her eager in what was in store, whether he held the same passion and desire that she held in the pit of her soul. She watched as Fyodor handed Nikolai the room key, Room number five, her mind pondered on the texture and sights of the secluded area, in most cases it was the same as the small lobby, but she did not complain- this moment was about being close to this man, to express her feelings and reveal as much as he wanted to know about the spy. She noticed as the owner handed the sniper a packet of tobacco and a smoking pipe, it was interesting that Nikolai was a smoker, well she was herself but her fingers stuck to the thin papers of cigarettes. She was so consumed by her thought of the soldier that she forgot his physical contact was lost; it was not until he made his way back over to her and wrapped one of his powerful arms around her waist that she was back in reality once again. 

"Would you like to continue our conversation upstairs?"

A slightly sly smile traced her full lips as her brilliant browns found his blues once more.

"I would love to, lead the way."

She could not stop her eyes from drinking up the sight of his lips, how she wanted to feel them again on her own and all over her. 

[Nikolai Boryenko]

Nikolai had never smoked before. His father had before him, but he never found the time to smoke due to his military position, so he felt he may as well try it while he was young. His father always told him that the trick to smoking a pipe was to get a small light at the bottom, them smoke it slowly and lightly, consuming the flavor with each puff. It did not matter if you inhaled the smoke or not. It was more for calming than to get the nicotine into your body. At least that is what father always said.

The feeling of the leather book had once again crept into Nikolai's mind. His fingers touched his pant leg where the book stayed comfortably against his thigh. He was satisfied with the position and did not move it at all. He also touched his other pocket, forgetting his journal had been sitting in it the whole time. It was his personal journal that had a few pictures and a letter or two. He had barely written anything in there. He thought that he would perhaps read it in the morning if he felt the need.

He looked over to Ivana, she had not been paying attention to the bantering of the two men. He smiled lightly as he strolled over to her. Nikolai moved to Ivana where he grabbed her lightly around the waist and looked into her deep, beautiful eyes that demanded his focus without her doing anything.

"Would you like to continue our conversation upstairs?"

She responded with a sweet smile and a gaze that made Nikolai warm.

"I would love to, lead the way." She said as she looked at Nikolai.

Nikolai leaned in a little for a kiss, then stopped himself. He smiled and took her lightly by the hand letting his fingers intertwine with hers. "Let us move then." He said softly into her ear as he pulled away and made his way to the stairs with Ivana slightly behind him.

The two made their way upstairs. Each door had a metal number placed next to it. Odd numbers were on the left and even numbers were on the right. Made sense to Nikolai. The hall was long enough to get to ten then it stopped. Nikolai took note of that for some reason. He walked past one, then three, then he came to five. Nikolai had kept the key in his free hand and moved to the door. The key fit in the lock above the handle. He turned it and the lock gave way. He then pressed on the latch and the door came free.

The room was pitch black. The only light came from the room downstairs that crawled up to light the room a few feet into the room. Nikolai let go of Ivana's hand and walked into the room, feeling for an end table that he hoped would have a lamp on it. After a few bumps into various objects, he found the lamp. He turned it on and looked around the room. There was one bed, made nice and neat with two pillows, a small bathroom with a toilet and sink which surprised him a little bit, and a small sitting area with a chair and a small couch just big enough for two, and a small balcony with room enough for four if they squeezed. Nikolai then turned and looked at Ivana in the doorway.

"Home sweet home." He grinned and spread his arms as he said the words. He then proceeded to pull off his overcoat and jacket and placed them neatly on the coat hanger next to the door. After the coats had been discarded, his bayonet was revealed to the open air. He treated the weapon casually and with ease, he also expected to see a similar style of weapon on the young lady with him as well, at least for protection. It was wrapped around his suspenders for easy access, which he unwrapped and placed it next to the bed. He then took the leather bound book out of his pocket, then the small journal with his name and the hammer and sickle on the front cover. It had been bent and worn, but barely used. Nikolai looked at it for a second, a gift from his mother before he left. She wanted him to write about his adventures. He said he would when he had the time. It was a shame that she would never get to read anything that he wrote. He placed these two things on the table away from the door, next to the bed and gave them a small pat as he set them down. He then turned to Ivana. He walked over to her to help her get her coat off with a smile. "It's not so bad in here, I promise."

[Ivana Dimionva Kuznetsova]

Even though it was the twilight mist when Ivana met this man it seemed like she had known him for years prior to the gunpowder, it felt purely natural for her to fall for him, to surrender all forms of resistance- just by his intoxicating gaze alone. 

Her breath hitched in her throat, his movements were gracefully poised for a delicious kiss, but it was stopped short with a teasing smile and a connection of lost fingers. 

"Let us move then."

His breath caressing the shell of her ear, his close proximity, the heat that only congealed with her own; in that first moment, Ivana could feel herself slowly becoming undone. Without anymore prose, Nikolai made his way up the stairs, leaving her to trail from behind to the second tier. She knew that it would be only fair to return the favor. With each passing door her thoughts slowly became tainted with the lustful actions that would hopefully transpire before the burning of the horizon. 1, 3... 5. A small smile could not help but the light up on her lips with each passing inhale, even more so as she waited in the hallway as Nikolai fumbled a couple of times in the pitch darkness to locate a light source. It was a tickled sight to the spy, but she controlled her laughter with a covering of her hand. 

Moments later the decent-sized room was illuminated with a dim lamp, it did cast an alluring glow.

"Home sweet home."

Ivana made her way into the room after the warm welcome by her lover; she preoccupied her eyes by looking around and noting the various objects that nestled in the quaint space. Of course there were the bare necessities, but it did look promising with a small sitting area- looks can be rather deceiving. With the shuffling sounds of peeling fabrics, Ivana's eyes fell upon Nikolai at the moment he was removing his jackets, revealing a concealed weapon. It was impressive how he was able to hide such an object in the folds of his clothes. She noticed the carved notches on the body of the gun- must be the amount of kills he made, but just by the markings alone a lot skulls and flesh has been pierced. Her irises ghosted over his frame, holding the imagination of what he would look like under the rest of his clothing. 

She notice him pull out the book she gave him- the book that seemed to have brought her to this moment with this wonderful man, and another book. It was more worn than the other, what was even more interesting was how Nikolai held his gaze on the leather, must be something really special. Once he turned around to face her, that was when the clarity of the situation took form- how it was just him and her. With a smile on her lips, Ivana momentarily turned to close and lock the door behind her, it was a slight surprise to feel his hands on her- taking off her black wool overcoat. 

"It's not so bad in here, I promise."

She believed every word he uttered, once her coat was completely off, it revealed a dark green, short-sleeved, knee-length dress, the cut slightly revealed her collarbones and the top of her chest. By no means did she truly feel exposed, but a daring smirk played upon her features- they can always converse later, right now she felt a different tune. Slowly, Ivana grasped his hand, holding it into hers for a moment before running it up her thigh, allowing the fingers to brush against a hoister, with a dull click, Ivana unhooked the TT-30 she concealed. She then turned and slowly swayed over to an open table, placing the loaded handgun on the table top.

"We can always talk later... don't you think?"

Ivana spoke with a seductive drip to her Russian tone, in her black pumps, she slowly turned around to face Nikolai, craning her neck over slightly to expose her milky colored neck, and cascading brunette hair over her shoulder- using her eyes to invite him over to her, much like a siren's call. 

[Nikolai Boryenko]

Nikolai put his calloused hand on Ivana's black coat. It was wet due to the snow that had been falling from the heavens when they had been walking over to the inn. Nikolai turned to put her coat next to his. He let the coat fall next to his on the coat rack. When he turned to face Ivana, he was practically stunned. He saw her standing there with a dark green dress that revealed the inviting allure of her light neck. The light shone lightly on her face, revealing her beautiful features. Nikolai watched her as she gave him a playful smirk. Nikolai moved closer to her now where she took his hand and ran it up into her pistol. Nikolai laughed a little when he felt the cold steel of her concealed weapon. He looked into her eyes as she unhooked the weapon and placed it on the table.

Nikolai slowly cantered over behind her where her placed his hands lightly on her waist from behind. He then placed his lips on her neck and listened to her speak.

"We can always talk later... don't you think?"

Nikolai looked at her with interest. "I think we will have plenty of time to talk." He said with a smile as he leaned in for a kiss.

***

"INCOMING!!!!

Nikolai's mind was hazy. He looked to his left where there was a mangled face of a fellow soldier. He then looked to his right. It was his brother, Yuri. He put out his hand for Nikolai to take it. Nikolai grasped his brother's hand and with his other grabbed his rifle. The two ran towards the cover of an empty building. Another explosion rocked Nikolai's brain. He looked at Yuri. Yuri pointed from their location at a mortar pit about three hundred meters away. Nikolai laid himself down and dialed his scope. He looked through it and found his target. His sights were fixed to where if he squeezed the trigger, the projectile would be sent right through the head of the Nazi that was attacking them. Right before he felt the recoil, the Nazi looked directly at Nikolai and turned into a skeleton. The look in the demon's eyes were terrifying. It shrieked at him as everything seemed to explode and implode around Nikolai. The scream was too much for Nikolai's ears. He pulled back from his scope and looked at his brother. His brother had a bullet hole in his head and looked at Nikolai blankly. Nikolai ran to his side. He could barely see. He fumbled for his brother's hand.

"Why...brother? Why...did you let...them..." Yuri said as blood spilled from his lips. Nikolai grasped his brother's hand. He started shaking it with tears in his eyes. "Yuri? Yuri, answer me! Please!"

He then felt a presence behind him. He turned to see a Nazi with a skull for a face, shrieking at him. Nikolai groped for his dagger that laid sheathed on his chest. He finally yanked it out of the scabbard when the thing gave a yell that made him go blind, deaf, and no sense of touch. Every sense of Nikolai's had abandoned him. He then slowly regained his sight, then hearing. He then spotted the thing. It rushed at him and came within inches of his face. Then Nikolai jolted awake.

He sat upright in the bed. The moonlight was softly falling on the bed through the balcony doors. He looked over at Ivana, she was facing the other way. He was thankful that she did not stir. She looked so peaceful, so beautiful. Nikolai ran a hand through his hair. He pulled back his hand, it had small beads of sweat on it. He ignored it then pulled on his trousers and got out of bed. He slowly got out of bed to keep it still as not to wake Ivana and made his way to the bathroom.

Once in the bathroom, he ran the water lightly and splashed some on his face. Once he had done so, he looked at his hands. His tools of destruction. He then looked at himself in the mirror. Wondering why. Why had his brother died? Why was this war still going on? Why do the sins of one man have to impact everyone so terribly?

Nikolai looked at his watch. 0513. The sun was not out yet. Nikolai took in a deep breath. [b/]"Who am I?"[/b] He said to himself quietly. His past was starting to haunt him again. These nightmares had been filling his sleep constantly. There was not a time that he could remember that he had not been plagued by such terrible terrors. He just wished they would stop. He looked again at the mirror and caught a glimpse of the Rosary that hung on his neck. He touched it lightly, then turned off the light.

He walked as quietly as humanly possible over to where he had left his shirt. He quietly slid it on and grabbed his boots and socks. He slowly made his way to the door where he slowly opened it without noise and then slowly shut it behind him as not to make a sound. Once he was out of the room, he put on his socks and boots. He then started walking down the hall and down the stairs where he was greeted by none other than Fyodor.

"Good morning, Nikolai!" The man said in a quiet but happy tone. "You are up quite early!

Nikolai smiled at the man. "Good morning, Fyodor. You know what they say about the early bird, yes?" He said referring to the ancient Proverb. The man then gave him a smile back.

"I figure you would like to see what is on the menu?" The man had read Nikolai's mind. "Normally I do not start breakfast this early, but I owe you a favor, do I not?"

Nikolai nodded slightly. "It seems you do, my good man." Nikolai said as he sat at the table.

"Do you have any coffee, Fyodor? What about eggs and perhaps some toast?" Nikolai inquired.

Fyodor slapped the table lightly. "Of course my friend. I have a few other things too!" Nikolai waived him to wait one second.

"Could you make a plate for her and just get me a cup of coffee perhaps? Black?"

Fyodor nodded. "Of course my good man."

Nikolai had just finished his coffee when Fyodor returned with a tray with eggs, toast, coffee, sugar, and some milk. He checked his watch briefly. 0552. Nikolai thought that the timing was perfect. He thanked Fyodor and took the tray from him and made his way back upstairs to the room where he opened the door quietly and closed it just the same. He then set the tray down on the table next to where Ivana lay and Nikolai moved to the balcony to say his morning prayers. Prayers for his fallen comrades and family.

[Ivana Dimionva Kuznetsova]

Her pupils watched every movement Nikolai made, silently counted step and individual pull of his clothed muscles- each breath the more she yearned for him. She was pleased that her advances were not denied, welcomed with a tender light-hearted emotion that spoke of equal eagerness. When her back was turned to place the weapon on the table, strong hands wrapped around her supple waist and his warm lips met the pale flesh of her slim neck. A soft smile traced her lips, her soft fingers traced over the rougher skin of her lover. Ivana kept her head tilted slightly so her senses could continue to relish in the attention. 

"I think we will have plenty of time to talk."

A snicker escaped from between her lips as Ivana turned to face Nikolai. Their bodies still held the closeness and touch, with a caring hand placed on the side of his cheek, Ivana held her eye contact with his striking blues. It was no wasted second where their lips connected once more in intwined passion. 

*

Her body was enclosed in thin, satin sheets; the pull of their moment of embodiment and pleasure. It seemed as if his presence alone siphoned the energy out of her, but it was not that her heart and soul minded. 

Ivana was not a dreamer, since the war, her mind fell into the trap of harsh realism; her line of dangerous profession skewed her youthful innocence and imagination, poisoning it's waters. But then her fate met an unlikely soul. That soul holding it's own burdens, much like hers. Comatose kept Ivana's senses dull and mind numb to the unrest of her bed partner. For a slight moment she did stir, but her eyes did not open. 

Once her frame turned to where Nikolai laid there was a brisk coldness that awoken her. Ivana's eyes fluttered open, a sense of loneliness wrapped her. It was a bitter emotion that she hated to taste. When her sight cleared, the sight of a breakfast tray with coffee graced her brown eyes. A small sigh escaped from between her lips as she shifted her way towards the table, wrapping the bed sheet around her bare skin. Brushing a brunette lock from her face, the spy leaned over, grasping the cooked bread in her fingers, slowly chewing the rough texture. A slight chill crawled up her bare arm, her attention focused on the open balcony door. 'He must be outside' her thoughts flowed. Making sure that the blanket covered her frame, Ivana made her way to the opened door; the bite of the early morning chill kissed her skin a face. For a moment she tenderly watched Nikolai, pondering a few things. 

"Good morning, I hope I did not interrupt anything."

Her soft voice uttered into the wind with a soft grace in her eyes.

[Nikolai Boryenko]

Nikolai's skin felt the crisp coldness of the winter on his skin. He held the Rosary in his hands, a finger on one of the beads. He prayed for his father now. A man he had not seen in a very long time. Neither had he heard for him in the same amount of time. Nikolai prayed steadfastly to comfort his father, for he had to raise a daughter by himself with no help from his wife or sons, for they were either dead or Nikolai.

His eyes opened, he heard a small shuffle behind him, but did not move very much besides putting the Rosary around his neck and his hands in his lap, folded. He heard the soft, velvety voice of his lover. When the voice met his ears, he closed his eyes once more to gain the full affect of her voice.

"Good morning, I hope I did not interrupt anything."

Nikolai stood up and strolled toward her with a smirk on his face. She looked at him and he looked into her. He thought she looked even more beautiful with her hair tussled and messy, and her eyes still half closed with sleep. He let his torso touch hers as he pulled the door shut behind him without breaking eye contact. He leaned down to her forehead and planted a soft kiss on it. he then looked at her again.

"Good morning, my dear. I had actually just finished." He said with a smile on his face.

Nikolai placed his hand on her cheek and stroked it lightly with his thumb. "Did I ever tell you how beautiful your eyes are, Ivana?" He said with a smile as he gazed into her hazel eyes. He could look into them all day if he was given the chance. They were the kind of eyes that demanded attention with silence, rather yelling for it.

He brushed her hair lightly as he looked at the rest ff her face. He could not get enough of it. Her high cheek bones, her full lips, they intoxicated Nikolai without the sting of alcohol. He then gave her another kiss on the cheek and took his jacket off. He took a few steps away.

"Ivana," He started to say. "What do you plan on doing...after this is over?" Nikolai asked it without looking at her, but rather looking across the room into the fireplace. He rubbed his face once with his right hand. Wondering what he would do himself. He knew the war did not have much longer. The Red Army was making a push towards the Baltic countries and Hitler's ranks were dwindling.

Nikolai then turned to her. "I would very much like to see you, after all this is over. Perhaps, be with you." Nikolai said with a smile, he looked down at the floor boards. He spotted one of them had a hole in it. He had hesitated when he said the second part, about being with her. He was thinking. He had always wanted to start a family. Give them a good life with him and live the way his mother would have been proud of. He missed his mother. She had always been there for him. to wipe off his cut lips and bloody noses after the numerous fights he had gotten into at his youth. She even gave him a few pointers on how to fight. His father would always tell him, "If you find a woman, make sure that she holds qualities as God gave and as your mother shows." Nikolai knew it was good advice.

He turned his eyes to her once again, listening to what she had to say. He felt his heart beat a little faster. He had fallen for this woman. Head over heels in love with her. He had never expected this type of thing to happen to him, ever. Nikolai only hoped that she felt the same way about him. He knew he loved her before they had made love. He pinned it back to when he had first made eye contact with her. He did not know how to explain it, but he knew before she had even introduced herself.

[Ivana Dimionva Kuznetsova]

Her heart fluttered in her ears once Nikolai stood before her, his torso making contact with her soft one. His scent filled her nose, his handsome face and toned body adorned her eyes. Ivana looked up into his irises with a small smile or her lips. Her lungs exhaled a pleased sigh once Nikolai's warm lips brushed her cheek. 

"Good morning, my dear. I had actually just finished."

Ivana's smile widened a bit as she made her way back into the warmness, still holding the grip of the covered sheets in her grasp she found his eyes once more, never wavering her deep interest in the man before her. Nikolai closed the gap once more, placing his larger hand on the full of her cheek and tenderly caressing the flesh with his thumb. 

Did I ever tell you how beautiful your eyes are, Ivana?"

A bashful smile bloomed on her full lips, honestly she could not help how Nikolai's words silenced the gray voices that trailed her since her childhood; his words and chaste looks made her honestly feel as if she was beautiful. 

"Are they? For a long time I was teased by how bland they were, but thank you."

The words traced from the bottom of her beating heart, her language truly was grateful for his loving words- words that she have not heard since she was in her grandfather's arms as a child. It felt natural to feel his handsome eyes drinking in her features, it felt warm to her soul. Nikolai placed another kiss on her cheek before stepping away to remove his outer coat. 

"Ivana, what do you plan on doing...after this is over?"

She knew his context lied within the war, how they both cling into seeing the carnage through until the reign of peace over the land. There have been a few stolen moments when Ivana would ponder on where her passions lied, and what she wanted to pursue. While her thoughts raced to connect an answer, the spy made her way to one of the upholstered chairs near the fireplace, her legs propped up upon the cushion while the long fabric draped over the edge and onto the floor.

"Well, I know that I want to retire from being in espionage, but I really want to be a music teacher for children. I have been desiring this since I was a little girl back in Moscow; my grandfather taught me piano and violin at a very young age. And I really do want to get married and raise a family. What about you?"

Ivana trained her eyes on the small coffee table before her, what she professed was what she truly desired for herself, what she would have already accomplished in another life.

"I would very much like to see you, after all this is over. Perhaps, be with you."

His words caught her attention, he had a smile marrying his lips as he had cast his focus of her. Ivana could not help but to return his smile, feeling her heart pound a bit faster behind her ribs. 

"Nikolai, 

She breathed through her smile,

I would love to see you again also, and even more so to be with you."

In that moment she truly felt like a schoolgirl receiving a love letter from a crush, it was an unconditional love that seemed to be conceived in her spirit. She truly yearned to be his wife and the mother of his children, yet many men held their lusts and desires to hold her hand in union, but with Nikolai she felt complete. The words of her grandmother resounded in her brain, 'When you find a man Ivana he should hold an undying loyalty to you, love you unconditionally, and never be fearful about his emotions towards you. This may not make sense now, but God works in mysterious ways.' Perhaps He does, but in that retrospect the wisdom did connect, Nikolai were those things and much more. The moment their eyes connected once more, she could not control her movements; slowly Ivana rose for her seated position, still holding onto the blanket, and made her way over to the man who seized her heart. She kept her hazel browns on his blues, drawing ever closer, silently desiring to close the gap between them. Once she got close enough and their breathing patterns could be felt, Ivana took her free hand and tenderly caressed Nikolai's face.

"I want you to know that whatever happens between us... I want you to know that, I love you."

She meant every word the spilled her mouth.

[Nikolai Boryenko]

Nikolai let his hand rest on her face as he spoke. He could not help but being drawn in by her. He wished so many things in this moment. He wished that he could be with Ivana. He wished that the two of them could be together in a peaceful time. But wishes were just that, wishes. He listened and she responded bashfully.

"Are they? For a long time I was teased by how bland they were, but thank you."

Nikolai moved a small strand of her brunette hair away from her face. "There's nothing bland about you, Ivana." He then planted a kiss on her warm cheek. He moved a little ways away and took off his outer coat. He then leaned his backside on the chair that was facing away from him.

"Ivana, what do you plan on doing...after this is over?" He looked towards the fireplace. His ears pricked up when he heard her voice. He listened intently to every word, picking up every detail that he could.

"Well, I know that I want to retire from being in espionage, but I really want to be a music teacher for children. I have been desiring this since I was a little girl back in Moscow; my grandfather taught me piano and violin at a very young age. And I really do want to get married and raise a family. What about you?"

Nikolai listened and smiled at her ambition. He pictured Ivana teaching music to young students, but picturing himself was harder.

"I would love to hear your music sometime. I was told once that there are two ways to look into someones soul. One is through the eyes, and the other is through the music they make. In your case, I believe both are beautiful and should be remembered in history, for years to come." He said and turned towards her with a smile. He was not antagonizing her or poking fun. He meant every word. In these few hours that he had known her, Nikolai had fallen deeply in love with this woman and truly felt that she were the most magnificent woman out there.

When he stopped talking he paused for a second. What would he do after the war? He had barely thought about it. It was always easy to ask the question, but it was harder when being asked. He had lived his current life from foxhole to foxhole. Living on borrowed time, or so he thought. He gave himself a few seconds before he spoke.

"I would like to build a life. I would like to work and live by the sweat of my own brow and to provide a life for the woman I marry and the children I raise. But, if it is how they say, I will be able to offer very little. I have always pictured living out the rest of my days in peace, perhaps..." He stopped himself and cleared his throat. Nikolai was referring to karma. He had done so much in his life to breed destruction that he felt he would only reap the same.

He stopped his thought and started another. One that he really wanted to say to her. "I would very much like to see you, after all this is over. Perhaps, be with you."

He had no idea how this would ever play out. He just had to know how she felt about him. If she felt the same way, he would move heaven and earth to be with her after all was said and done. He put his hands in his pockets and smiled. He looked at her posture and body language, trying to catch any nervous tick or movement to give her away to his trap set for lies.

"Nikolai,

She began to speak. Nikolai's heart beat faster and he bit his lip lightly. Inside of his pocket he started rubbing his fingers together. His anticipation was turning his insides out. Her voice caressed his ears once again.

I would love to see you again also, and even more so to be with you."

She smiled as she said the words. Nikolai saw her movements; there were none. She was like a statue, only natural. Nikolai heard and felt the honesty in her voice. He smiled and gave a small sigh of relief. He watched her as she stood and moved towards him. The sheet was like a gown that flowed around her curves without a single care. The light white blended with her skin and made her look angelic.

Ivana moved to Nikolai and came within his space. Her presence filled Nikolai's senses with delight. Her soft touch made its way to his stubbled face. Nikolai edged his face to her hand and gripped her soft hand with his rough hand and smiled.

"I want you to know that whatever happens between us... I want you to know that, I love you."

Nikolai rubbed her hand with his. He then gave her a few small kisses on the cheek to her ear. and whispered lightly into it.

"You read my mind, Ivana. I love you too." He said this then pulled his face back to the front of hers and touched his nose to hers, then gave her a small kiss. Then he went in for a longer, more passionate kiss.

Once they had stopped, Nikolai looked at her. "I don't want this to end..." His voice faded as he held her then eyeballed the small leather book left on the table next to the bed. The intel was due to be delivered the following day.