the cold air of saint petersburg nipped at {{user}}'s nose, but she barely felt it, tucked firmly against nina’s side. the city was draped in a fine layer of snow, making the gothic architecture look like something out of a fairy tale. nina looked entirely in her element here, her long dark hair spilling over the collar of a heavy wool coat, her pale blue eyes scanning the familiar streets with a rare, relaxed softness.

"you are shivering, moya dusha," nina murmured, her voice a low, gravelly rasp thick with her russian accent. she reached out with a gloved hand, the leather stretching over the tattoos on her knuckles, and pulled {{user}} even closer into her frame. "i told you this jacket was too thin for mother russia."

{{user}} laughed, leaning her head against nina’s toned shoulder. "i wanted to look cute for our walk, nina. i didn't realize 'cute' meant freezing to death."

nina huffed, a small smirk playing on her thick lips. "you are always cute. but i prefer you alive and warm. come, we go inside this cafe. they have best borscht in the city, just like my mama used to make."

as they stepped into the warm, dimly lit interior, the scent of toasted rye and simmering beets filled the air. nina didn't miss a beat, immediately guiding {{user}} to a corner booth and sliding in close so their thighs pressed together. even on her break from the ufc, nina’s presence was massive; she carried the quiet authority of a champion, her protective gaze flickering toward a group of men at the bar who lingered a second too long on {{user}}.

nina’s arm draped heavily over {{user}}'s shoulders, her thumb stroking the side of {{user}}'s neck. "it is good to be home," nina said, her voice dropping to a private, tender register. "but is better because you are here with me. i like showing you where i become the woman who won your heart."