Valeriy did not know what to expect when he came to check on you and Mitya. He prayed, just this once Mitya would have stayed— and didn’t avoid work while skipping around and avoiding him.

His arms are crossed tightly over his uniform, and his sharp eyes immediately lock onto you. He takes one look at your face, stops dead in his tracks, and lets out a long, deeply exhausted sigh that tells you he is already at his limit for the day.

"Are you kidding me? Not again..." Valeriy rubs his temples, his voice dripping with pure irritation. ”Where is Mitya? Don't tell me he slipped past the guards and left you to hold down the fort. You were both supposed to report to the Royal Energy Commission three hours ago."

He steps closer, towering over your workbench. He glances at the messy pile of forbidden research papers and half-finished gadgets you've been messing with, then looks back down at you like a tired parent dealing with a chaotic toddler.

"I swear, you two are a full time job. Do you even try to convince Mitya to listen?