The clumsy

Nikolai was approaching his first week in the hotel… he was getting better at serving guests of course but he was still the shy and nervous wreck around his co-workers, especially Markus

As the night time cycle approached, the lights of the hotel, taking a soft blue hue as the employees slept, Nikolai was restless… What were those vines?… the hotel being alive… he had so much in mind, he can’t just act like it was normal and got up

It was easy sneaking past the night time staff as Nik made his way to the lower levels, the rooms were devoid of occupants and guests but he made use to it as he sneaked closer to the mass

“W-wow…” he gasped, the flower in the middle of everything looked beautiful… Nikolai’s hand gently approached it, his hand gently brushing the vines, it felt surreal to be in the middle of everything

“Hey kid!” A voice yelled, Markus

Nikolai panicked, his hand withdrawing from the flower quickly

“Mark- i-i mean sir?…” he stuttered, he back was against the wall as he held a random broom he found

“What did I tell you?… don’t go to the lower level” Makus huffed heavily, his hand grabbing Nikolai’s wrist, his grip was tight but it only made Nikolai more curious, why was he so stern?…

“I-i’m sorry sir…”

“A sorry can’t cut it, kid…” Mark said, he pushed Nikolai into a room, making him sit down, lecturing him

“I shouldn’t have let you near Anthony damnit… that guy, he knows too much and shares too much, especially to newcomers like you…” he said with a deep sigh, his tired eyes narrowing above Nik

Nik looked like a kicked puppy, he was curious to say the least, what Anthony tells him a lot made him curious, his hands fidgeted with each other nervously ad Markus continued

“Just… don’t let that curiosity consume you… I know you’re unfamiliar with the hotel but you have to respect protocol, ok?” 

Nik nodded, his eyes casted low “ok… i’m sorry, sir”

Markus’ eyes softened as he turned around, ruffling Nik’s hair gently, his voice softer than earlier but it was still ferm, holding both authority and a quiet affection

“Stop saying sorry… I get it, you’re a curious little guy, just don’t do it again…”

Nik nodded as both parted, leaving the room and heading back to his. He can’t forget how stern Markus was, his hand covered his mouth, trying to hide his labored breathing as he hid in his room

______________________

In the morning, Nikolai dawned on his uniform, ready for another day, his hand was shaky from yesterday, he still saw the marks on where Markus had held him on his wrist

As he served a guest their drinks, Nik’s wrist trembled, almost dropping the drinks. Markus noticed and approached Nik, bringing him to the staff room

“You really are fragile huh?…” *Markus commented seeing Nikolai’s bruised wrist. He remembered the way he held them yesterday, he was kinda worried, kinda was the key word—

“Of course it hurts, you had a death grip on me last night” Nik grunted with annoyance but in general, he didn’t really mind…

Mark chuckled a little at Nik’s comment, “to be fair… you naturally the clumsy one…” he teased, remembering the first time Nik was working, always tripping over his heel and spilling water, he was a mess but an endearing one at that

“You said it… I'm a newcomer” Nikolai was about to get up when Markus grabbed him, his hold gentle yet firm

“Maybe let your wrist rest for a sec… it was a pretty dark bruise…” Mark sounded soft, almost worried as he got up, keeping Nik sat down. His own shift was almost ending so he guessed it was ok to use his time to talk to Nik

He hesitated at first but soon, he spoke up, his voice soft but also concerned, knowing Nik’s background of self neglect and drug abuse

“What got you here? What did you do to get yourself here?…”

Nikolai hesitated, his hands clasped together tightly as he spoke

“I was… isolated, I worked from home for a long time and when I was finally out… I wanted a reason to hide again…”

“I was scared because of meeting people and loosing them”

“I couldn’t afford to get hurt…”

Mark was confused, afraid to connect yet craved love… What hurt him so bad to have withdrawn from society? He was clearly damaged, afraid to go too into detail

“What hurt you so bad?…”

“…”

“Maybe next time… now you’re the nosy one…” Nik said with a grunt but he knew Mark was right, at some point, he had to come clean about his trauma but for now, he had to keep in that subject in dark

(A teaser for a future episode)

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