[ It's a gentle coaxing. She feels terrible for taking up their time with her tears and hurt feelings. She leans into him and feels the warmth that spreads through her from the gentle stroke of his fingers through her hair. It's so relaxing. She can't help but lean in to press little kisses against his throat. ]
[ At the present moment, Ravka, that imbecilic tracker, the First Army, the Lantsovs, and that stag can just saunter off into the bloody Fold. Because his mind is nowhere even near the subject that he'd initially needed to speak with her about. Because she's kissing his neck, her lips so soft and warm against his skin that it's impossible for him to focus.
Thus it takes him longer than he'd like to haul his mind out of delirious bliss to answer. Still difficult, with his hands still threading through her hair, following its fall down her slender back and sneaking beneath it to lightly tug at her kefta. Saints. ]
It is.
[ He tilts his chin, offering her the opposite side of his throat, all but aching to have her touch everywhere. ]
...the morning after the fete...we'll be leaving for--for Fjerda.
[ She recalls the pride way Mal had boasted about finding it. It's only an afterthought that he'd sought this mission to come see her, yet he doesn't seem so inclined to actually spend time with her once he realizes that her responsibilities must come first.
She presses sweeping kisses to the other side of his throat. She nuzzles against him and finds his pulse point. Her tongue traces against him, tasting his skin. She likes the distracted tone of his voice. The fact that he can lose his focus because of her is thrilling. ]
[ Anything else he might have said is lost, devolved into a low, velvet moan that escapes his tongue unbidden. Dark eyes drift closed, already black with unspent desire, and he has to clench his teeth to keep from tossing her against the wall and ravishing her right here and now.
But he does the next best thing, which is to gently take hold of her upper arms and step back a pace, putting enough distance between them so that he can think clearly. He doesn't let her go, however; that's too much.
Thumbs rubbing her shoulders, Aleksander at last opens his eyes to gaze down at her, lips slightly parted with heavy breath. ]
...because...the stag is one of Morozova's Amplifiers, and we will need it in our efforts against the Fold.
[ The moan is makes is sinful and beautiful. She wants to hear it over and over again. She's just about to nip at that spot when she feels his arms on his shoulders. There's a space between them that makes her pout up at him. Her eyes are dark with renewed desire. She has to focus on his words. ]
Morozova's amplifiers? [ She stills as her dreams come into sudden focus. The stag comes into her mind's eye. ] I've dreamt about it.
[ That brings him back into focus. And pulls his brows down into a puzzled frown. ] Have you? [ Not an accusation, but a very curious query. ] For how long?
[ If she's been dreaming about the stag, then perhaps they won't need the idiot tracker to locate it. All the better, as he'd rather keep Grisha business Grisha business. ]
[ It's something that doesn't linger with her. She dreams it and draws it then sets it away again until nightfall. Her eyes take on a faraway look as she begins reaching for the tendrils of the dreams to remember more details than just the stag itself. ]
It's always in a forest, and there's snow all around it. But I never feel cold. I feel like I've dreamt of it my whole life, but that's not right. It knows me, and I think-- I think I know it.
[ Aleksander listens intently, carefully memorizing every word to catalogue later. So she doesn't have a precise location, but that's of no matter. Perhaps once they're closer, she'll be able to sense it. ]
I've no doubt that it does. [ Now he does release her arms and straighten, but keeps his gaze firm on hers. ] You're its destiny, Alina.
[ She blinks and looks back up at him. She's brought back to the moment. Destiny feels right for what she feels towards the stag. Like it's waiting for her. She'll go to it soon in a few days time. ]
I'm not going to kill it. [ She understands how amplifiers work. Killing the stag doesn't sit right with her. It doesn't feel right. That's not how it's supposed to go. ]
[ It's also not surprising that she finds the duty distasteful. However, there's no other way. She's not strong enough on her own. And Ravka dies a little more each and every day. ]
You must. [ And he's absolutely serious. ] I dislike it just as much as you do, believe me. But this is why it was created. To be used. Used for a glorious purpose, such as the one you and I are undertaking.
[ He places his hands back on her upper arms again, soothing. Reaching upwards to gently stroke her cheek. ] There's no other way, Alina. If there were, I would have found it by now.
[ She doesn't pull away from him, but she does shake her head stubbornly. She reaches up to place a hand upon his heart. She gazes into his dark eyes imploringly. ]
I think--no, I feel that there's another way. Please, just give me a chance when we find it. I think this is meant to be done differently.
[ She feels it in her dreams. There's a sense of knowing when she gazes into the dark eyes of the stag. She's meant to do something, but not to kill it. ]
[ His first response is to order her otherwise, but he stops the words before they can leave his mouth. They're so bloody close...the death of the Fold is within their reach, can they but obtain the power. And she grows stronger every single day...
But her hand is on his heart, and her eyes gaze into his, a silent plea for his understanding, his grace. Aleksander narrows his eyes slightly, but finally gives a small sigh and a single slight nod. ]
When we find it. [ That, before aught else. ] But mark me, Alina, if your 'other way' fails, then we will revert to the ancient tradition. Understand?
I understand. [ All she's asking for a chance. She can't explain it, but it's something she feels deep in her bones. She can see this is difficult for him. He is a man with plans upon plans. He knows what he's doing ten moves ahead of everyone else. He hadn't planned for her. He cannot plan for her actions, so that is why she shares her wishes with him. So they can go into every situation together, side by side. ]
[ In answer, the Darkling moves to the chair she'd just abandoned, folding down into it and pulling her right across his lap, cradling her quietly against his chest. The library is empty, the lamps burning low, and the rising moon spills through the window panes like silver.
Again he tucks her head beneath his shin, one long arm over her knees and the other around her waist, keeping her close. ]
...I trust you.
[ It's murmured against her hair, words he'd never spoken to another living being in all of his long life. Profound, and so very, very vulnerable. But he does, though he knows it's foolish. Yet, even behind the Shadow of the Black, there is still...hope. ]
[ She follows him without hesitation. A soft smile quirks at her lips when she realizes his intention. She lets herself be pulled into his lap where she curls up against his chest with a happy little sigh. His chin rests upon her head, and his arms are wrapped warmly around her. Her hand finds its ways back to his chest upon his heart. She feels like a kitten tucked against him like this. ]
That means so much to me. [ Her words are spoken honestly and with such meaningfulness. She understands the weight of it. ] I won't betray it. I trust you too. You're-- you're the person I think of whenever I'm upset and need comfort or when I hear a funny story that I want to share with.
[ Again, long fingers thread through her dark hair, the soft waves smoothing against his skin. Her voice is quiet, silky in his ears, and he closes his eyes, unable to get enough of it. She's a pleasant weight in his lap, and this is a comfort he's seldom, if ever, known. ]
I'm glad of it. [ His voice is nothing more than a low, velvet purr, breath stirring the hair at her temple. ] And I will always be so for you, as long as you'll have me.
[ She lifts her head to look at him. She's got mischief coloring her features. Her eyes are a bit heavy lidded from the stroke of his fingers through her hair, but she fights against the drowsiness that's edging in. ]
Will you save all your funniest stories for me? Come to me when you are cross or distressed?
[ She wants to be that for him. She wants him to see the truth of it between them. ] You don't have to be alone anymore.
[ He laughs lightly, not at all fooled by the glint in her dark eyes. To return the favor, however, he bumps her nose with his, stealing a soft kiss from her sweet lips. ]
I cannot promise the 'funny stories'. Ivan has no sense of humor whatsoever. [ He gives her a squeeze. ]
But my temper can be...mmm, dangerous when it's roused. But whenever you are with me, I promise you will be safe. [ He nuzzles her gently. ] You are already a soothing balm to me, Alina. Just having you near...brings me comfort.
[ His laughter makes her beam. It brings her joy to make him laugh. His serious features always soften when he does. There's even an adorable scrunch of his nose. She wonders if he knows he even does it. She smiles against his kiss then kisses his nose too for good measure. ]
I know. I know I'm safe with you. I've never felt safer. [ She brings her hand to his hair. Slowly, she cards through it and massages his scalp with each pass of her nails. She wants to give back the feeling of relaxation he's poured into her. ] You're home.
[ His nose scrunches again when she kisses it, and his low chuckle echoes between them. ]
Home? Yes, at long last. But, [ and he hitches her around, pulling her astride his lap and looping his arms low around her waist ] only with you. My Alina.
[ Aleksander nestles her close, lips nearly touching but not quite. ]
[ She laughs with him. Feeling his nose scrunch beneath her lips draws more laughter out of her. Earlier, she'd felt so unmoored by the little care Mal expressed to her. She'd felt like she was losing something important.
She accepts that she is, and that's okay. She's gaining so much more. All her friends amongst the Grisha, all the lessons she's learning, and best of all, Aleksander. She straddles his lap at his guidance. He's closer to her now, breathing her breath. He can feel her smile. ]
[ Gentle but powerful hands smooth over her back, her sides, her arms, her cheeks. Worshipful, nearly. Learning her by touch alone, but so very eager for her skin. There is no sound in the library save for their voices, and the shared breaths softly panted between them.
Her question, however, brings a smile. Because this one, at least, he can answer with no hesitation. And he does, hand at her cheek, holding her close. ]
Without question. [ A small imp of mischief nips him and he quirks an eyebrow at her, saturnine. ] --was it not obvious?
[ Alina ducks her head a little shyly. He doesn't really let her look away for long with his hand upon her cheek. She slides her hands beneath his kefta and wishes there aren't so many layers between them. She's fidgeting by keeping her hands moving even as her cheeks flare with heated embarrassment. ]
I like hearing it. You always call me your Alina. You want to be my Aleksander?
[ Her innocent sweetness is enthralling. The Darkling rubs her cheek with his fingertips, shifting lightly to loosen the Black coat for her hands. He has to force himself to keep his own hands away from the fastenings of hers, lest he lose himself in her and pass beyond the point of return. Not here. Not yet. ]
I like saying it. [ And meaning it. ] If you wish, then that is what I am. But in private, for now. And I will make time for us to spend together, this I promise you. Would that please you?
[ There used to be some days where she'd hardly see him at all. He's a notoriously busy man. She'd see him in passing sometimes, but being able to spend more time with him instead of trying to carve out little moments here and there sounds wonderful. Her smile brightens her features like he's chased all her heartache away. She tugs to get underneath all his layers. She wants to feel his skin.
Alina thinks better of it and leans forward to find his pulse point again. Her tongue traces it then her teeth nips it. ]
My Aleksander. My Sasha. [ She punctuates the words with more kisses and bites up to his ear and jaw. ] Why did you ask to meet here?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sarken
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 12:12 am (UTC)[ It's a gentle coaxing. She feels terrible for taking up their time with her tears and hurt feelings. She leans into him and feels the warmth that spreads through her from the gentle stroke of his fingers through her hair. It's so relaxing. She can't help but lean in to press little kisses against his throat. ]
Is it important?
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 12:53 am (UTC)Thus it takes him longer than he'd like to haul his mind out of delirious bliss to answer. Still difficult, with his hands still threading through her hair, following its fall down her slender back and sneaking beneath it to lightly tug at her kefta. Saints. ]
It is.
[ He tilts his chin, offering her the opposite side of his throat, all but aching to have her touch everywhere. ]
...the morning after the fete...we'll be leaving for--for Fjerda.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 01:05 am (UTC)[ She recalls the pride way Mal had boasted about finding it. It's only an afterthought that he'd sought this mission to come see her, yet he doesn't seem so inclined to actually spend time with her once he realizes that her responsibilities must come first.
She presses sweeping kisses to the other side of his throat. She nuzzles against him and finds his pulse point. Her tongue traces against him, tasting his skin. She likes the distracted tone of his voice. The fact that he can lose his focus because of her is thrilling. ]
Why?
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 01:16 am (UTC)[ Anything else he might have said is lost, devolved into a low, velvet moan that escapes his tongue unbidden. Dark eyes drift closed, already black with unspent desire, and he has to clench his teeth to keep from tossing her against the wall and ravishing her right here and now.
But he does the next best thing, which is to gently take hold of her upper arms and step back a pace, putting enough distance between them so that he can think clearly. He doesn't let her go, however; that's too much.
Thumbs rubbing her shoulders, Aleksander at last opens his eyes to gaze down at her, lips slightly parted with heavy breath. ]
...because...the stag is one of Morozova's Amplifiers, and we will need it in our efforts against the Fold.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 01:31 am (UTC)Morozova's amplifiers? [ She stills as her dreams come into sudden focus. The stag comes into her mind's eye. ] I've dreamt about it.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 01:41 am (UTC)[ If she's been dreaming about the stag, then perhaps they won't need the idiot tracker to locate it. All the better, as he'd rather keep Grisha business Grisha business. ]
Do you know where it haunts?
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 01:50 am (UTC)It's always in a forest, and there's snow all around it. But I never feel cold. I feel like I've dreamt of it my whole life, but that's not right. It knows me, and I think-- I think I know it.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 01:54 am (UTC)I've no doubt that it does. [ Now he does release her arms and straighten, but keeps his gaze firm on hers. ] You're its destiny, Alina.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 01:58 am (UTC)I'm not going to kill it. [ She understands how amplifiers work. Killing the stag doesn't sit right with her. It doesn't feel right. That's not how it's supposed to go. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 02:03 am (UTC)You must. [ And he's absolutely serious. ] I dislike it just as much as you do, believe me. But this is why it was created. To be used. Used for a glorious purpose, such as the one you and I are undertaking.
[ He places his hands back on her upper arms again, soothing. Reaching upwards to gently stroke her cheek. ] There's no other way, Alina. If there were, I would have found it by now.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 02:07 am (UTC)I think--no, I feel that there's another way. Please, just give me a chance when we find it. I think this is meant to be done differently.
[ She feels it in her dreams. There's a sense of knowing when she gazes into the dark eyes of the stag. She's meant to do something, but not to kill it. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 02:12 am (UTC)But her hand is on his heart, and her eyes gaze into his, a silent plea for his understanding, his grace. Aleksander narrows his eyes slightly, but finally gives a small sigh and a single slight nod. ]
When we find it. [ That, before aught else. ] But mark me, Alina, if your 'other way' fails, then we will revert to the ancient tradition. Understand?
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 02:20 am (UTC)Thank you, Sasha.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 02:25 am (UTC)[ In answer, the Darkling moves to the chair she'd just abandoned, folding down into it and pulling her right across his lap, cradling her quietly against his chest. The library is empty, the lamps burning low, and the rising moon spills through the window panes like silver.
Again he tucks her head beneath his shin, one long arm over her knees and the other around her waist, keeping her close. ]
...I trust you.
[ It's murmured against her hair, words he'd never spoken to another living being in all of his long life. Profound, and so very, very vulnerable. But he does, though he knows it's foolish. Yet, even behind the Shadow of the Black, there is still...hope. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 02:32 am (UTC)That means so much to me. [ Her words are spoken honestly and with such meaningfulness. She understands the weight of it. ] I won't betray it. I trust you too. You're-- you're the person I think of whenever I'm upset and need comfort or when I hear a funny story that I want to share with.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 02:38 am (UTC)I'm glad of it. [ His voice is nothing more than a low, velvet purr, breath stirring the hair at her temple. ] And I will always be so for you, as long as you'll have me.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 02:44 am (UTC)[ She lifts her head to look at him. She's got mischief coloring her features. Her eyes are a bit heavy lidded from the stroke of his fingers through her hair, but she fights against the drowsiness that's edging in. ]
Will you save all your funniest stories for me? Come to me when you are cross or distressed?
[ She wants to be that for him. She wants him to see the truth of it between them. ] You don't have to be alone anymore.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 02:54 am (UTC)I cannot promise the 'funny stories'. Ivan has no sense of humor whatsoever. [ He gives her a squeeze. ]
But my temper can be...mmm, dangerous when it's roused. But whenever you are with me, I promise you will be safe. [ He nuzzles her gently. ] You are already a soothing balm to me, Alina. Just having you near...brings me comfort.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 02:59 am (UTC)I know. I know I'm safe with you. I've never felt safer. [ She brings her hand to his hair. Slowly, she cards through it and massages his scalp with each pass of her nails. She wants to give back the feeling of relaxation he's poured into her. ] You're home.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 03:21 am (UTC)Home? Yes, at long last. But, [ and he hitches her around, pulling her astride his lap and looping his arms low around her waist ] only with you. My Alina.
[ Aleksander nestles her close, lips nearly touching but not quite. ]
Mine.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 03:29 am (UTC)She accepts that she is, and that's okay. She's gaining so much more. All her friends amongst the Grisha, all the lessons she's learning, and best of all, Aleksander. She straddles his lap at his guidance. He's closer to her now, breathing her breath. He can feel her smile. ]
Are you mine?
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 03:35 am (UTC)Her question, however, brings a smile. Because this one, at least, he can answer with no hesitation. And he does, hand at her cheek, holding her close. ]
Without question. [ A small imp of mischief nips him and he quirks an eyebrow at her, saturnine. ] --was it not obvious?
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 03:43 am (UTC)I like hearing it. You always call me your Alina. You want to be my Aleksander?
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 03:51 am (UTC)I like saying it. [ And meaning it. ] If you wish, then that is what I am. But in private, for now. And I will make time for us to spend together, this I promise you. Would that please you?
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 04:02 am (UTC)[ There used to be some days where she'd hardly see him at all. He's a notoriously busy man. She'd see him in passing sometimes, but being able to spend more time with him instead of trying to carve out little moments here and there sounds wonderful. Her smile brightens her features like he's chased all her heartache away. She tugs to get underneath all his layers. She wants to feel his skin.
Alina thinks better of it and leans forward to find his pulse point again. Her tongue traces it then her teeth nips it. ]
My Aleksander. My Sasha. [ She punctuates the words with more kisses and bites up to his ear and jaw. ] Why did you ask to meet here?
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