Chapter Text
It felt like the world hadn't started until that moment, but that it ended at his death, and Edward couldn't take it. But, there was one thing left of his father figure.. of Maxis… a little girl, his daughter, who was named Samantha.
She was young, very young, only a toddler, only 3, and she already lost so much, her mother dying during childbirth, and now her father. Edward couldn't even begin to imagine it because he never had parents of his own, but he felt it in his own way, he had been close with Maxis, and knew his wife, too, they were both kind, like parents to him, even if he wasn't truly their son, it was so much like it, if only he truly was...
But, now, he would have to raise her, as if HE were Maxis, and the chances were high that she wouldn't even remember her parents because of how young she was when they died… it broke his heart, and made him wonder what could've been of him if his parents lived… But, that wasn't the point, he had a child to care for, now, he would have to learn something he wasn't truly qualified for, and he was young, too. 23, just barely graduated with a decent job, but he believed in himself, though he knew it would be hard.
But, almost as if the thought was only just spoken, days had passed by then, a knock was heard on the door of his home. It was a surprisingly snowy day in November, so whoever was outside must've been freezing. He hurried to answer the door for whoever may be outside, truly confused as to who would be here at such a time. He just put Samantha to bed, and the sun was down by now, but when he went to the door, and opened for the mysterious person outside-
A Russian voice spoke up, and stepped inside, almost as if they owned the place. “Hello, Richtofen”. The German couldn't stop his jaw from dropping at the sight, he hadn't seen him in so long… Why was he here now?
“Nikolai!?!? What are you doing here?” He asked, “Und why are you walking in like you are allowed!”. Nikolai turned towards him and raised an eyebrow, “And you think that you would really have the guts to kick me out?”, “...”, “That's what I thought”.
Richtofen glared at him, “Well?? Are you going to explain? Or what?”, he demanded. Nikolai cleared his throat, and responded, “Listen, I heard about Maxis’ death.. I may not like you, but I can understand the grief you AND Samantha would be going through... I can- I thought I would offer my support, you would be a horrible father, Edward, I don't trust you with her”, he wanted to be offended, or tell him he was fine and kick him out, but his offer was genuinely tempting him, the idea of not being alone… Being with Nikolai through this, he didn't want him to leave whether he'd admit it or not….
He felt his cheeks heat up against his will, and became very embarrassed. “... Ah, the offer is very sweet, Nikolai, but you really don't-”, “So you would accept offer?”.
Nikolai's persistent was killing Edward, why couldn't he just fuck off…
He sighed, “Alright, fine, you can… help. Samantha is currently sleeping, though, so be quiet. You are lucky there happens to be a guest room in the house”. Nikolai nodded and smiled, “Alright. Thank you for the hospitality, Edward, I appreciate it”.
He began walking through the house, up the stairs, still in his snow covered clothes, as he carried what seemed to be his luggage, which was oddly tiny… wait luggage? What was this? A hotel? Nikolai just thought he could come into his home unannounced, and move in so they could raise some orphaned child together???... Well, that was exactly what's going on, and honestly he couldn't even want to imagine being alone.
Like sure, he had Samantha, but she was 3 year old, and Nikolai was actually his age, though some years older. He could have proper conversations with him, and receive comfort, and he needed that. So fine, Nikolai could come into his home whenever he wanted, he didn't care, he even somewhat welcomed it.