Drago's Story

Drago's Break

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: 2018

Time× 9:12 pm

"Who is it?" Natalie asked as Viktor dug into his pocket to pull out his phone.

He sighed in annoyance, looking down at the caller ID on his cell phone screen. "It's Sofia." He tells Natalie. "I'm not sure why she's calling me at this time of the night." 

Natalie frowned, sitting up. "Let me answer it, so I can put her in her place. She clearly has lost her mind calling you at this time. It's unprofessional as hell." 

Viktor shook his head. "Don't bother, I'll handle this." He placed a kiss on Nat's forehead and stood up, making his way towards the kitchen. "Sofia, now really isn't the time." He said, answering the phone. "You really shouldn't be calling at this time of the night." 

"Woah, slow your roll, Drago. I'm not calling you to get under your skin, we both know if that was the case I'd call you later than this." She chuckled lightly. "I'm actually calling you, to tell you that you're trending right now in basically all of social media's platforms. If I was you I'd check out ESPN." 

Viktor frowned, confused at what she was saying. "Hold on, give me a minute." He said, putting the phone on mute. "Nat, do me a favor real quick. Go to the ESPN webpage and tell me what you see." 

"On it." Said, Natalie. It took her about a minute to get to the site and when she did her eyes widened. "Viktor!" She yelled, shocked. "What the f**k?! Why would you agree to this." 

It took him a moment to comprehend what she was talking about. And once he did, he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Give me a second to explain, let me get her off the phone first." He told her, before unmuting the phone and putting it back to his ear. "I see what you're talking about now Sofia." 

"Mmh. I knew your dad was trying to get you to go mainstream, but Jesus I didn't think he'd use this route. This is serious. We're gonna get both good and bad press because of this. There's no going back, so you better prepare yourself. It's gonna be a long ride." 

Viktor nodded. "Got it, I'll talk to you later. Bye." He hung up the phone before she even had time to reply. "Nat." He called her name desperately, watching as she stood in the living room with her hands crossed. "I can explain." 

Natalie glared at him, silencing him with the lift of her finger. "First off ты ублюдок." (You bastard.) "I know you did not just tell me to hold on so you could finish talking to your little stalker. Second of all, please explain to me why ESPN is broadcasting that you've agreed to fight Apollo Creed's son. Do you know how bad this looks?!" 

"Natalie, you know me. I would never come up with something this stupid. Buddy and Ivan did, they pitched it last night during my press conference without my knowledge. And of course, I know how bad it looks, but I had to go along with it... for us." 

"For us?" She whispered. 

"Yes." He admits. "To give you the life you want... the life you deserve. And if doing this is what I need to do in order to get you that life, then so be it. I've got no regrets about it and I sure as hell will gladly deal with the consequences."

Natalie licked her lips, her eyes were getting watery. "How is it possible that you always know what to say?" She asked, walking close. "Because that... that's the most sweetish s**t you've ever said to me and if it weren't for the fact that you were in training, I would've been on my knees right now."

Not being able to contain himself, Viktor laughed, which caused Natalie to crack. "You have a strange way with words Детка." (Baby) 

She smiled as she walked towards him. "Give me a kiss you tall idiot." She moved closer and he wrapped an arm around her waist, lifting her up effortlessly. He placed small kisses on the crease of her neck, which caused her to giggle uncontrollably. That was her ticklish spot. "Stop!" She squealed and giggled, trying her best to jump out of his arm but he continued to hold on tight. 

"Tell me you love me and I'll stop." 

"Never! She screamed dramatically, which made him smile wider. He placed more kisses on her neck, causing her to fidget some more. "Vik stop." She pleaded giggling. "This isn't what I meant when I said kiss me." 

Viktor looked down at her. "Should've been more specific, now tell me you love me." 

Natalie huffed and rolled her eyes. "Fine." She said giving in. "I love you." She muttered. 

Viktor's face scrunched up, he bent down a bit. "What was that? I'm sorry, I couldn't hear." 

She sucked her teeth. "I said, I LOVE YOU!" She yelled the last part into his ears and he groaned.

"Good." He said and then proceeded to smash his lips down onto hers. Their world slowly started to fade away as they kissed deeper, their tongues sliding in and out of each other's mouth. She bit his lower lip, making him moan into the kiss. His one hand held on tightly to her left ass cheek like his life depended on it. The warmth of each other's skin caused both their hearts to flutter. "You are so f*****g sexy." He whispered, pulling away. 

Natalie smiled. "I know right." 

Viktor rolled his eyes at her cockiness and placed her down gently, before taking a step back. "We've got to get furniture soon. I haven't even slept on the floor yet and I can tell my backs going to hurt." 

"I call picking the furniture! No fence Vik but you have no taste. Like none at all." 

His eyebrows raised. "Really, then how'd I pick you?" He clapped back. 

Natalie's eyes squinted. "Good point." She nodded. "Okay, maybe you do have some type of taste, but still I'm choosing the furniture." She pointed over to her gym bag. "Grab the sheets from my bag so I can make us a comfortable ground bed."

Viktor walked over to the heavy bag and passed it over. "Don't go building a fort in there."  

She frowned. "Sir, mind your business." She said as she walked into their empty bedroom with her bags in tow. 

The sound of Viktor's phone ringing, causes him to sigh heavily. "Now who the hell could this be?" He mumbled under his breath. Walking towards the kitchen, he picks his phone off the counter. "Hello?" He asked, leaning against the wall. "Who is this?" 

"It's Ivan you idiot." His father's voice boomed. "Meet me at Adrian's Restaurant in Germantown. We've gotta talk." 

"About what?" Viktor questioned. "What's so important that we can't talk over the phone?" 

"Viktor!" Ivan snapped. "Just do what I say and don't bring that girl along." 

He scoffed at that. "It's late Ivan, I'm not about to leave her here alone." 

"черт возьми, виктор!" He shouted. (Oh, for f**k's sake Viktor!) "She's a big girl, she can take care of herself. Now meet me at the damn restaurant in fifteen minutes." And with that being said, the phone line went dead. 

Viktor stifled a groan. "All I wanna do is stay home, relax, and sleep with my girl. Why is that so much to ask for." He said inside his head. "Детка!" He yells out. "Выйди на секунду." (Baby. Come out here for a second.) "I need to talk to you." 

"Bring your ass here, you know that I'm busy!" She shouted back. 

His eyes rolled to the back of his head as he made his way down the hall. "My dad just called me," Viktor stated, Natalie's back was facing him while she worked with the sheets. "He asked me to meet him at this restaurant."

"He asked you or did he told you?" She asked, not turning around. 

"Told." 

"And are you gonna do what he told you to do?"

Viktor scratched the back of his head and cleared his throat. "It could be an emergency. He wouldn't ask me to show up anywhere if it wasn't anything important." 

Natalie shrugged. "Okay." She said, unbothered. 

Even though she sounded nonchalant, Viktor knew she was cursing him out in her mind. "Just okay?" 

"I mean, what more do you want me to say Viktor. You're a grown-ass man, I can't tell you what to do. If you want to go to him, then go. I'm sure as hell ain't stopping you." 

"Nat... please don't be like that." He moaned before walking towards her. His arms came up and wrapped themselves around her waist, his chin rests on her head. "Even though he's one of the biggest dickheads in the universe... he's still my dad."

"A dad and a father are two different things Viktor. You seem to be getting those two words mixed up." She told him. It suddenly grew quiet and Viktor struggled on how to respond. He knew very well the difference between both words, the reminder just hurt. Natalie sensed his discomfort and sighed, realizing she was being a little too tough on him. "I'm sorry, that was harsh." She let out. "I just don't want you to get hurt." 

Viktor unwrapped his arms around her and took a step back.  Even though she apologized, his discomfort grew. He was hurt. "Don't apologize... you're right." He said lowly. His eyes glanced down at his watch. "I'm gonna head out, now. Would you like to come?"

Natalie shook her head no. "I think I should sit this one out. Not really in the mood to hear your dad curse me out." She said, trying to lighten up the mood, but it did the complete opposite. 

"Okay." He said, backing away some more. "Keep your phone on and guard up. Don't wait up, I won't be out for long." The words stumbled out his mouth before she even had the chance to say goodbye. 

His legs moved quickly, getting him out of the room and hallway within seconds. Once he reached the front door, his hand stayed glued to the doorknob. His mind raced. It took him a moment to gather his thoughts and once he did, he found himself retracing his steps back to their bedroom. His eyes found Natalie, watching as she leaned against the wall with her eyes shut. Her chest raised and fell softly. "Bye." He finally let out, causing her to jump in surprise. 

She smiled small, her lips trembled. She wanted to cry. Not because she was hurt... but because he remembered. 

Never leave without saying goodbye. 

And even though she was an emotional wreck, she still replied by saying, "Bye." 

They stared at one another as minutes seemed to pass by. Both their eyes said what they couldn't muster up in words. 

I love you. 

——————————-

It took Viktor longer than fifteen minutes to reach the restaurant. His phone was acting stupid and his body was begging for some rest. At this point, he was fed up with walking and annoyed with his father. He didn't understand why he needed to meet him at a restaurant, he never even heard of and why so many of Philly's street signs looked the same. 

He shook his head, already hearing Natalie's voice in his head. "Directions just aren't your cup of tea." She'd say. 

And that was sadly the truth. 

You could tell him to go somewhere and he'd do a complete one-eighty and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't understand a map... like at all.

He distinctively remembered a time when Ivan and he went camping when he was younger and everything went to s**t because he had got the directions wrong. Ivan spent the whole remainder of the trip, calling him stupid and making him regret that he was ever born. Which resulted in Viktor never picking up a map ever again.

It was crazy to him how what a parent says, can easily f**k with a child. 

Viktor was f****d in the head, he knew that and even though there were others that played a role in it, his parents will always be the main two aggressors. 

He didn't know how to heal from the abuse. 

Sure, with Nat around he didn't think much about how the abuse and abstinence of basically both his parents messed with him. But when Nat wasn't around and he was alone, the thoughts would always find a way back into his mind, terrorizing him.

He thought about visiting a therapist once, but quickly put that thought to rest. He was a man and to him, men didn't need therapy... because if they did, it would mean that they are weak and that's just something Viktor Drago wasn't. 

Weak. 

Viktor stopped walking as soon as he saw the glowing sign that read, Adrian's Restaurant. From where he stood, he could see both his father and the man known as Rocky Balboa glaring at one another, as if they wanted to put the paws on each other. 

It took a moment for Viktor to process it all. He couldn't believe that he was looking at one of his idols right now. Yes, Rocky was his father's nemesis, but he was one hell of a fighter, a fighter he admired greatly. 

He saw as his dad's fist tightened and decided then to make his entrance so that nothing would escalate. Walking into the restaurant, the door chimes, which caused four pairs of eyes to glance at him. He removed his hoodie and Rocky visibly stiffened. If it wasn't for Ivan being around, Viktor would've laughed. His own idol was probably scared of him because of how intimidating he looked. 

Ivan chuckled and took a step back before turning around in the direction of the door. On his way out, he turned and glanced at a black and white picture of Apollo Creed. "It's good picture." He commented, walking out the door, Viktor right behind him.

"What the f**k was that about?" Viktor questioned, as they walked further down the street. 

"Language." Ivan scolded. "I wanted to meet with him, and mess with his head." 

Viktor frowned. "What does getting in his head have to do with anything." 

Ivan rolled his eyes. "Word around the street is, Apollo's kid is just as stubborn as he was. Therefore, if I get inside of Rocky's head, he'll want to stop all of this because he doesn't like conflict. Which will only fuel little Apollo into agreeing on this fight." 

Viktor stopped walking and looked at Ivan with raised brows. "So you mean to tell me that you called me here at this time of the night, for basically nothing. And that nothing in this little get together, pertained to me at all. Which means that I'm out here, for no reason and you are wasting my time." He concluded. "I should've f*****g known!" 

Ivan looked at him blankly, before lifting up his finger and pointing it in Viktor's direction. "Don't curse at me Viktor, I'm not some random on the streets, I'm your Отец," (Father.) "and you will treat me accordingly. This little, get together as you put it, had everything to do with you. Rocky had to see you in real life, so he'd know that my threat is real."

Viktor scoffed. "Отец?" (Father) He repeated in his native tongue. "You know, it's funny now that I hear it come out your mouth."

"What did you just say?" Ivan walked dangerously close, which made Viktor take a step back. "Go on, be a man for once in your life. Repeat yourself!" He screamed and Viktor gulped. 

"I...I." He stuttered, trying to form the words but, no matter how much he wanted too...he couldn't... he just couldn't stand up to his dad. It didn't matter if he did, the outcome would still be the same. Ivan wouldn't understand him, he wouldn't wanna see anything outside of his own perspective. Boxing would still come first, which meant there wouldn't be any room for Viktor's feelings. "I'm sorry." He apologized reluctantly. "It won't happen again, sir." 

Feeling satisfied, Ivan nodded and proceeded to walk away. "That's what I thought. Get home, you've got practice in the morning." 

Viktor waited till his dad was out of sight, to walk away in the opposite direction. His head hung low, as he mumbled curse words under his breath. His heart felt heavy and his mind was clouded with one thought and one thought only, 

Men having feelings was a pity...