You and Dmitry had never really gotten along once it was obvious that he wanted Rachel. And after the breakup, whatever thread was holding you two together snapped for good. Neither of you bothered pretending anymore. The only reason you still crossed paths was because of the unavoidable ties through work… and the ghost of that short-lived relationship you both tried to forget. Since then, the fondness once there had been had curdled into something colder— strained glances, clipped words; silence.

But of course, tonight of all the lonely nights, your car had to break down… in the middle of nowhere in the cold, Russian winter-scape, past midnight. And somehow, the only person who came to mind— the only one you knew would actually show up —was Dmitry.

Now, you sat in the passenger seat of his car, the air thick with the kind of silence that pressed on your chest. The few oncoming headlights that passed cut through the darkness, pale light flashing across his handsome face every few seconds— sharp jaw, tired eyes behind those iconic red-tint shades, hands gripping the wheel like he’d rather be anywhere else.

“You owe me now, y’know.” His voice broke through the silence, rough and edged with exhaustion. He didn’t even look at you, but his tone said enough— he hadn’t wanted to come. Not really. But he did.

And somehow, that made the silent awkward tension between you even heavier.