[ The thing is, Thorin keeps talking as if he has the authority to tell Nikolai what he is or he isn't permitted to do, and Nikolai has never listened to that. Not even from his own handler.

(Yuri knows by now that telling him that he should do something will almost definitely result in him doing the complete opposite; not because Nikolai is inherently disobedient, but because Yuri's orders were always to try to preserve Nikolai's life, to make him a little bit safer, but Nikolai has never really cared about such things.)

He looks at Thorin for another moment more before he takes a drag of his cigarette. Holding the smoke in his mouth, he tosses the stick away before he's moving, his hands clenching around Thorin's collar, practically throwing his entire weight against the Dwarf (while still on his knees) before he opens his mouth and lets the smoke cloud Thorin's face.

He holds that blue gaze with his own. ]

Stop. [ Softly. ] Save your breath and don't tell me what I am 'permitted' to do or not. [ He smiles slightly, his hands tightening on Thorin's collar. ] You have no authority over me. No one does; I do what I want.

And I will tell you this is what I do: I hold this debt - or whatever you call it - between us resolved. It doesn't matter. What you decide to do with it, your business.

[ He lets go, dropping back to his haunches. ]

Not mine.