Nikolai stood at the bottom of the stairs, Viktoria was alive. After three weeks of thinking he had lost her, he got on the first fight to Russia when he heard the news. But she didn't remember him at least that's what Yelena and Ivan had told him, anyway.
Yelena touched his arm gently, pulling him out of his thoughts. "Nikolai," she said softly, "you'll have to be patient with her. She's... different now. She's still Viktoria, but she's not the same. Don't expect too much from her, alright?"
"I know," Nikolai said, his voice tight. "I just... I need to see her."
Ivan crossed his arms, his face as serious as ever. "Don't overwhelm her. She's been through enough."
"I won't," Nikolai promised. He looked at Yelena, then at Ivan, before nodding once and heading up the stairs.
When he reached her door, he hesitated. Her parents had already told her he was coming, but it still felt a bit awkward. He raised his hand and knocked.
"Come in," Viktoria's voice called out.
