Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: 2018

Time× 12:22 pm

"Viktor, stop playing before I hurt you!" Natalie threatened as she hopped up, trying to get her lace thong out of Viktor's hand.

He grinned down at her, laughing on the inside at how adorable she looked. "It's not my fault I'm taller than you. Keep hopping, maybe you'll get it bunny." He teased, lifting his arm up higher.

Natalie stopped hopping and glared up at him. "Keep playing and I'm going to kick you in the balls." When Viktor didn't bulge, she lifted her leg to show him she wasn't kidding. He quickly handed her the thong and took a step back. "That's what I thought, Drago." She said, before throwing it into the washer Machine.

Today was wash day, and they decided to humble themselves by spending the morning washing their clothes at the nearest laundromat. It was something they did back in Russia, so they decided to carry it out and turn it into a traditional thing. Viktor sighed as he sat on the folding table. "I'm exhausted, Nat." He said, watching her put the coins in the slot. "We need a vacation."

Natalie frowned and turned to look at him. "A vacation? We've only been in the states for like three months."

"I know that... it's just... I'm tired."

She started the machine and walked towards him, with one hand on her hip. '"What kind of tiredness are we talking about here. Physically, mentally, or emotionally?"

Viktor looked away from her, checking to see if anyone else was listening. When he was sure nobody was, he said to her, "Mentally."

"What's making you mentally tired? Your dad? Your fight... me?"

Viktor shook his head. "No, it's not you, it's never you... I just feel tired."

Natalie nodded, settling herself in between his thighs. She wrapped her arms around his waist, snuggling into his chest, just as he leaned his upper body on her. "It's okay... we'll figure it out." She reassured him. "Why don't you go see a therapist?" She suggested.

Viktor groaned, softly. "I don't need to see a therapist Nat, I don't need anyone in my head. I'm just tired... It'll pass."

"Well, if you're still tired by the end of this month, I'll drag you to one my damn self."

He groaned some more, holding onto her tighter. "If I go, then you have to go to the doctor. I'm talking about a full visit and everything."

Natalie sighed heavily, rolling her eyes. "You couldn't wait to say that, couldn't you?" Viktor chuckled. "Alright, alright. I'll go to the doctor... but you have to do at least two sessions with the psychiatrist. Deal?"

"Mmh." He mumbled, closing his eyes. "Deal."

"I've got to tell you something."

Viktor backs away, giving her his undivided attention. "Don't tell me you went after Sofia." He said, seriously.

Natalie laughed. "What? Of course not... not yet at least." It sounded like she was joking, but she meant it. "So last week, when I took the day for myself to... think about things, I met this group of kids that were being harassed by this lady. And she was rude, so me being the woman that you know I am, I stepped in. Anyway, the moral of the story is I felt bad, and I bought all the candy they had with them."

Viktor frowned. "Really? That's very generous of you."

Natalie smiled cheekily. "I know, but," She bit her lips. "They happen to be a big fan of boxing and... I may have promised them some seats to your match tomorrow." She rushed out. "And I withdrew six-hundred dollars from our account to give to them, so they could use it towards their football program."

Viktor sighed. "I'm cool with the money, and again you don't have to tell me when you go into our account. Now the seats... that'll be tricky." Natalie's smile slowly faded, and that made him groan. "But I'll make it work." He agreed.

Natalie's smile came back, and she squealed before placing kisses all over his cheek. "Thank you, baby."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Viktor said, enjoying her kisses. "How many seats do you need?"

"Well, since it's a football team, there are fifty-four players altogether." Viktor's eyes widened. "But, because some of them have other activities to attend too and more important things to do, only seven of the boys will be there."

Viktor let out a breath of air. "Thank goodness." He said. "Since they already gave me four free tickets, I've only got to pay for the other three. I'll give my dad a call later on and have him arrange everything."

Natalie's smile widened. "Thank you, my love." She picks up one of his clean shirts off the table and throws it at him. "Now come on, help me fold these clothes so we can go home and relax. You've got a big game tomorrow."

"Ma'am yes, ma'am." He said, saluting and hopping off the table.

Natalie giggled, shaking her head.

He was such a goofball sometimes.

—————

As the day went on, Viktor and Natalie spent more time together. Once they got home from the laundromat, they decided to watch an action movie, since that was Natalie's favorite movie genre. When they couldn't find any good action movie, they settled with, "The Conjuring 2" which was Viktor's favorite horror movie and movie genre.

"Run!!! Oh my goodness, run!" Natalie shouted, gripping onto Viktor's arm as they laid on their brand new couch.

Viktor pinched the bridge of his nose while looking at her. She always did this when they decided to watch a horror movie. "Natalie, you've seen the movie before. You can see that they can't run." He took a sip of his water. "And for the last time, they can't hear you."

Natalie jumped at the scene where the demon nun finally revealed itself. "Говно!" (Shit.) Natalie cursed, her heart thumping hard in her chest. "I always fall for that same part."

"Okay, that's it." Viktor grabs the remote and shuts off the television.

"Oh come on! It was just getting to the good stuff, Viktor." She whined.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." He stood up, stretching his body. "I've got a surprise for you."

Natalie leaned forward, grabbing her cup of red wine off the table. "Vik, I don't know how many times I've got to tell you this, but you suck at surprises."

He chuckled. "That may be true, but this surprise will make up for all my failed attempts of surprises."

She took a sip of her wine, looking at him with raised eyebrows. "Okay, shoot. What is it?"

"One second." He said with his finger, before running into the kitchen. While he was in there, he grabbed the strawberries covered in dark chocolate and his surprise gift from the bottom cabinet. It was the only place he knew Natalie wouldn't look.

"This better be good," Natalie said, under her breath, watching as Viktor came back into the living room. He was carrying chocolate covered strawberries with one hand, while the other one was behind his back. "Yes! Chocolate covered strawberries, it's been so long. You are so trying to fatten me up."

Viktor snorted. "Damn right." He sat down on the couch and handed her the strawberries. Natalie took it carefully and didn't wait long to take a bite out of it. She moaned as she chewed, which made Viktor smile more. "Life is about making memories and for as long as I've known you, that's exactly what we've been doing... making memories. And today, while we were at target, a thought came into mind. Instead of our memories being in our heads, why don't we document them for future purposes? So," He pulled out the canon camera from behind his back and presented it to Natalie. "I brought us a camera. Nat, would you do me the honor of making new memories with me?"

"Of course, Vik." She whispered sweetly, before putting the strawberries and cup of wine down. Grabbing the back of his neck, she leaned forward, planting a kiss onto his lips. Viktor moaned, loving the way her lips felt and before he could grab her, she pulled away. "Turn on the camera."

Viktor's eyes widened, and he quickly did it, turning on the camera and putting it on record. He set it down on the table, making sure it was angled perfectly. When he was done, he turned to look at Nat before grabbing her by the feet to lay her down on the couch. Natalie's breath hitched as Viktor crawled on top of her. "What's your favorite thing about me?" He asked her.

Her big eyes looked up at him in a daze. "Your arms." She told him, touching them lightly with her fingers. "They're big and strong... and the only place I've ever felt safe. I feel safe with you, don't get me wrong. But when you wrap them around me, it's like I'm invincible... nothing can hurt me."

Viktor placed a kiss on the nape of her neck, sucking on it to leave a bite mark. "What's your second favorite thing about me?"

Natalie smiled wide. She lifted her hand and slowly positioned it near his pelvis. "You already know." She whispered.

Viktor laughed, his arms gave out, so he laid there on top of her. "The cameras on, we've gotta keep it pg." Natalie's eyebrows arched, and he laughed some more. "Alright. Pg-14"

"That's better." Said, Natalie. She smacked his butt, which caused his face to straighten.

"Seriously Nat, you know I hate that." He whined. She stuck her tongue at him. "Fine. I can play like that too." Placing his fingers on her side, he began tickling her. "How do you like that, huh? Doesn't feel so good, does it?"

"Stop!" She practically screamed, trying her best to hold in her laughter. "Please."

Viktor's fingers paused. "Tell you what. I'll give you a five-second head start." Natalie took a minute. Her eyes looked from him to the hallway before she dashed out of the living room. Victor chuckled as she ran. "Oh no, you don't." He quickly picked up the camera, trailing right behind her.

Tonight was definitely going to be a long night.

__________

"I want her fired," Viktor said while leaning against the wall in Buddy's office. Since it was fight night, he decided to confront Buddy about Sofia. "She's annoying, disrespectful, clingy, and very unstable. She's bad for business, and I really don't want to be associated with a person like that."

Buddy raised his eyebrows, confused. "Are you asking me or telling me?"

Viktor looked down at his watch, before gazing back on him. "I'm telling you." He said, plainly. "If my girl has to see her face again, there will be no more Sofia. Therefore, before things get out of hand I'm telling you, fire her."

"Alright. I'll fire her." He said, tapping his pen against his desk. "Any other requests?"

"Actually, yes. I'd like to review that contract my dad has with you."

Buddy gulped. "Can I ask why?"

"Have someone get them to me by tomorrow." He said to him, before walking out of his space. Viktor walked around the packed arena, trying not to bump into anyone. He had fifteen minutes before the weigh-in and thirty minutes before the actual fight started. He wasn't exactly nervous... but he was feeling an emotion that he couldn't quite describe.

"There you are!" Ivan shouted as Viktor walked into the changing room. "Where the heck were you?"

"I was visiting Buddy." He said, taking off his blue crew neck Sweater. Viktor stripped down to his underwear, before putting on his new boxer shorts. As requested, they were the color white and had black stripes on the side. He didn't want to rep any brands in this fight, but Ivan and the Everlast company thought otherwise. At the top of his shorts, the name Everlast was printed in a bold black font for everyone to see.

"Did you eat your greens yesterday?" Ivan asked, handing him the new robe. Viktor nodded. "You've only had water this past week, right?" Viktor nodded again while putting on his robe. "And what about sex?"

Viktor groaned, rolling his eyes. "Stop with the stupid questions. You know I wouldn't do such a thing, especially on the night before a match." He slipped on his boxing gloves. "Have you seen Nat?"

"The last I saw her, she was getting those kids she brought seated," Ivan replied, looking his son over to make sure he looked good. "You're going to need another haircut soon."

"I know," Viktor grumbled, rolling his shoulders. "How much were the extra tickets?"

Ivan crossed his arms together as he leaned against the locker. "Don't worry about it, I paid for them."

Viktor's eyebrows raised, suspiciously. "You did?" He questioned. "How come?"

Ivan cleared his throat, changing the subject. "The weigh-in is about to start, let's go." He noticed Viktor's hesitation and shook his head. "Weigh-in takes five to ten minutes at most, I'm sure your little wh... girlfriend," He said, catching himself. "will be fine. I'm sure she knows to meet us back here. Stop worrying about her and let's go get this done."

Viktor stepped back before nodding. "Alright." He mumbled.

***

"Do you guys need anything else?" Natalie asked the boys as she got them seated.

"You got us front row tickets to a boxing match, bought us expensive ass food, and helped us raise enough money for our football team... you've done enough Ms. Natalie, we're fine and need nothing else."

Natalie felt her cheeks warm up. Something about helping them out made her feel... happy. "You sure?" She asked, hopefully.

Urick nodded. "We're sure. Thanks, Ms. Natalie," He said. "You're the best, we'll definitely pay you back."

Natalie scoffed at that. "There's no need for that... at all. And remember, I told you guys to call me Nat. Ms. Natalie makes me feel old." She looked at the time on the projector screen and silently cursed. "I've gotta go, Viktor's going to be doing weigh-in, in two minutes." She stood up from her seat. "You guys, stay seated and look out for one another. I'll be right back out here once the game starts."

"Okay, we'll be good," Justus said, sweetly. "Thank you, Nat."

"Thank you, Nat." All seven of them said, together.

"No problem." She said, before walking out of the dark ring theatre.

Natalie kept her head down as she walked through the crowds of people. She was kinda anxious about being here. There were more people here than she was used to, and everywhere she went, she got looks. The looks didn't bother her, she was used to it... but what she wasn't used to, was people coming up to her and asking her for a picture.

"Natalie? Natalie Scott, is that you?"

Natalie's eyebrows furrowed as she looked up at a light skin woman with long box braids in her hair. "Ugh, yes." She cleared her throat, shifting on her feet. "I'm sorry. Do we... do we know each other?"

The woman smiled, but it didn't really reach her eyes. "I'm so silly, my fault." She chuckled. "My name is Bianca... Adonis Creed's fiancée."

Natalie blinked in surprise. "Oh... wow! Nice to meet you." She said nervously. She didn't know what to say. "What are you doing here? I mean, not that you shouldn't be here or anything... I'm just shocked to see you here and all."

Bianca smiled. "Truthfully, I'm surprised that I'm here too. But um." She stuttered. "I'm actually here to see you though."

"Me?" Natalie intoned. "Why would you be here to se.." Natalie stopped talking... suddenly realizing why. "You want me to get Viktor to drop out of his upcoming fight with your fiancé." She stated. When Bianca didn't deny it, she chuckled humorlessly. "Right... well, I'm going to walk away now."

"Please." She said, grabbing onto Natalie's wrist. Her touch made Natalie uncomfortable... she didn't like to be touched by people she didn't know. "I just found out I'm pregnant not too long ago, and I need my kid to grow up with a father. And... and that can't happen if they fight each other." She explained. "If Adonis loses, I'm telling you he won't be the same guy I fell in love with. He'll become dark and distant and it'll get ugly. Our family has already been through enough, because of the Drago's. Dropping out the fight is the least Viktor can do."

"Let go of me." She said lowly. Bianca did as she was told and Natalie took another step back. "If you're so concerned about your fiancé, why don't you get him to drop out of the fight? Or better yet, have some faith in him." Natalie glanced at one of the flat-screen televisions they had had on the wall and sucked her teeth. "I just missed weigh-in, which means Viktor is probably worried sick about me. Goodbye, and I wish you and your family the best." With quick pace, Natalie walked away.

***

Natalie opened the door to the changing room and the smell of Viktor's cologne made her head run wild. "You alright?" Viktor questioned, noticing the look on her face. He stood up, watching her intently.

She smiled sweetly at him. "I'm fine now." And she sounded so sure of it. She inched closer to him, where he was seated on a bench. The room was filled with everyone on Viktor's team. They could barely hear each other.

"Can everyone clear out!" He shouted, which caused everyone to hush. They walked out of the room, little by little before it was just Viktor and Natalie. "Better?" He asked, rolling his shoulders.

Natalie nodded. "I'm sorry about missing the weigh-in, I was busy with the boys."

Viktor shrugged. "It's no biggie, you're here now. That's all that matters. Besides, you barely missed anything." He stood up and put out his hand for her to take. "You wanna help me prep?" He asked once she took his hand.

"Always," Natalie whispered.

Viktor kissed her fingers and then let go of her hand. "Thank you." He crouched down to the ground in a push-up position. "Lay down."

Natalie's eyes widened. "On you? Are you crazy?"

"Yes, now come on. Lay on top of me and wrap your arms around my body." He told her. Natalie shook her head, but eventually gave in. She laid on top of him, her arms wrapping around him tight. "Hype me up."

"Okay, fine. Who are you doing this for?"

Down.

"Us."

Up.

"Who's about to beat the shit out of that guy out there?"

Down.

"Me."

Up.

"Who's dominating this league right now?"

Down.

"Me."

Up

"And who's going to be dominating the bed tonight?"

Down.

"Me!"

Up.

"But only if you what?"

Down.

"Win!"

Up.

"I can't hear you!"

Down.

"Only if I win!"

Up.

"What are you about to do?"

Down.

"Win!"

Up.

Natalie kissed his back. "That's right baby, you're gonna win." She assured him.

Ivan, who had been watching the whole scene quietly, cleared his throat to make his presence known. Four pairs of eyes glanced up at him. "Two minutes left." He announced.

Natalie carefully stood up and so did Viktor. "I'm ready," Viktor said, confidently. He took Natalie's hand and all three of them walked out of the changing room together.

"You know that I love you, right?" She asked as their footsteps echoed through the hallway. "I love you no matter what and you'll always be a winner to me. Always." She told him. "If there's any doubt in your mind tone it out. You're all that matters and you're gonna win." As they made it to the entrance point, their legs stopped and Viktor put on his gloves. She squeezed his arm reassuringly, before placing a kiss on top of it. "You've got this."

Viktor looked around, watching the row of people gathered around to see him fight. "How are you so sure?"

Natalie's lip twisted into a small smile. "Faith."

"And now introducing the most talked about fighter of the night, Viktor Dragooooooooo!!!!!" The announcer shouted through the microphone. Everyone in the theater went wild, chanting his name with every breath they took. They continued walking once they heard the Russian rap song playing in the background.

It was showtime!

________________

It took an hour for Natalie to get the children home safely and then another hour for her to get home. Viktor was tired after winning his match and she didn't want to make him even more tired, so she decided it would be best if he caught a ride with his father to save him some energy.

"Viktor! I'm home!" She called while locking the door to their apartment. "Vik?" She said when she heard nothing. Throwing her purse on the couch, her eyebrows knitted together in confusion. The only light on was the microwave light in the kitchen. A smile made its way on her face. "Vik, are you playing with me? Because if you are, it isn't funny." There was no response. Walking through the dark hallway, she opened the door to their bedroom and was met with nothing. "Okay, what the hell." She mumbled to herself.

Walking further into their room, she made her way into the bathroom and sighed in relief. "There you are." When she got closer, she could hear the soft sound of him snoring as his head tilted against the tub. She snorted, looking down at him. "How the hell could anyone fall asleep in an ice bath." Ice baths were one of Viktor's favorite things to do after a fight. She placed a separate hand on both his broad shoulders and slowly massaged it.

While ice baths were what Viktor looked forward to after a fight, nursing him back to health was what Natalie looked forward to the most.

"Mmm." Viktor moaned as she kneaded her thumbs into his tense muscles and glided her fingers up and down his neck. "So good." He said out loud as his breath hitched. Natalie applied pressure to the outsides of his shoulder blades and used the heel of her palm to massage just under his collar bone. "Thanks, baby." He said after she finished.

Natalie sat at the edge of the tub, looking at his bruised face. "How much does it hurt?" She asks, lightly touching his face.

With closed eyes, Viktor answered. "A lot. But I'm positive the other guy's face hurts more."

"It's crazy how much white people can bruise." She muttered, touching his chest and then abs. "Remind me to make you some tea in the morning."

Viktor's eyes quickly snapped open. "There's really no need for that." He responded, trying to sound normal. Viktor loved tea, peppermint, and ginger tea to be exact. But that's not the tea Natalie enjoyed giving him. She enjoyed making him tea that taste like dirt and made him gag.

Natalie looked at him sideways. "If only I cared for your input, Drago. I'm making tea in the morning and that's the end of it. And you better drink it willingly, because if I've got to shove it down your throat again... I'm gonna fuck you up."

Viktor groaned. "Alright, alright. I'll drink it." He agreed. Even though the tea tasted like dirt, it had some good benefits and always helped ease his pain. "Hold on... did you just call me white?"

"Yeah... because you're white."

"I am not white. I'm Russian, there's a difference."

Natalie's head tilted back as laughter escaped from her mouth. "Baby, the only difference is the language. You're still white." She said, trying to stop laughing. Viktor looked at her flatly, before grabbing her arm. Natalie's eyes widen. "Drago, you better fucking n—" Her words got caught off as soon as she got pulled into the tub. She shrieked as the cold ice water touched her skin. "I'm gonna fucking kill you!" She threatened.

Viktor's chest rumbled as he laughed, his hands holding her arms so she wouldn't hit him. "I'm sorry, I just had too." He told her as he laughed.

"Viktor." She whined, her teeth chattering. "It's so cold in here."

"Don't worry, your body will get used to it soon." He pulled her close and wrapped his big arms around her waist as she cuddled into him. "Just take slow breaths and relax your body. I got the ice on my way home."

"Are you wearing underwear in here?" She asked, slightly getting comfortable. Her fingers trailed up and down his wet chest as she listened to the sound of his heart beating.

"Of course." He said drowsily.

Natalie's light brown eyes stared up at him. "No sex tonight huh?" Viktor's mouth opened to respond, but Natalie placed a small kiss on his jawline to silence him. "Shh, go to sleep you big goof. I'll wake you up in a couple of minutes."

She spent the next couple of minutes watching over him. There was something that ignited in her whenever she was around him... it made her feel unique.

"You're the love of my life, Viktor Drago." She whispered into the atmosphere.

And she damn well meant it.

I'm officially 20. Damn I'm getting old🤦🏾‍♀️