Nikolai smoothly turned down Allen's offer to drive them back, pointing out that their house was just a short walk away.
Before Andrei could even step onto the path, Nikolai knelt down, hoisted the young boy up, and settled him securely against his back.
Surprised by the sudden lift, Andrei gasped and reached for his slate board to protest, but Nikolai cut him off with a low, calm voice. "You have class early tomorrow. We can't have you completely exhausted before the week even starts."
The quiet logic settled over Andrei immediately. Dropping his marker, he let out a soft sigh, wrapped his arms gently around Nikolai's shoulders, and nodded in quiet agreement as Nikolai carried him home through the cool evening air.
Leaving Belle's house into the cool night air, Nikolai felt remarkably untroubled. If he had to be completely blunt with himself, he was at peace—a rare, quiet stillness settling over a mind usually consumed by calculation.
