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?
[ He'd never in all of his centuries been the subject of such sweet, aching torture. She's still tugging at his kefta, and his eyes drift closed and his head falls back against the chair when her lips find his neck once more. He can't stop her, because he doesn't want her to stop.
He's always been the one to lead, the one to make the decisions, easy or difficult. And with his lovers, sparse though they are, he's always been the one in command. But with Alina Starkov, he's found himself her willing prisoner. Captured by her unthought affection.
A hand cradles her head to silently beg for more; the other deftly unfastens her kefta to slip beneath it, so very gently cupping a breast through the fine linen tunic. The sweet feel of her pulls another low throaty moan from his lips, and it's with effort that he swallows enough to answer. After a good minute or two. ]
...because...because I can't have you in...in my quarters...just now.
[ She's genuinely curious. It doesn't occur to her that he's trying to keep things somewhat appropriate between them, but even the library serves as a good enough deterrent. She moans sweetly into his ear at the warmth of his hand cupping her. She's gotten beyond his kefta and his black tunic, untucking it to get underneath. Her fingers brush along skin.
She switches to his other side to nuzzle his cheek and kiss back down his throat. Her teeth are a little sharper when she nips, just enough to leave a slight mark. She squirms in his lap for friction. ]
[ He shifts in answer to her squirm, biting off a gasp at her slight weight settling exactly where it needed to be. And his skin twitches at the brush of her fingers, eagerly wanting more. ]
...Alina...
[ It's little more than a graveled growl now, his voice. But he can't deter her, not when her lips are warm, soft, and curious, mapping him with such eager curiosity. More than enough to make him ache. Against his intention, his hands make quick work of her own kefta, sliding it off of her shoulders to thump quietly to the floor, all too eager to get beneath her tunic. ]
--because if I take you to my quarters right now, my Alina, I'll not be able to let you leave until sunrise. Or later.
[ The words come out in a husked rush, just seconds before he bends his head to her mouth, firmly licking apart her lips to slide his tongue with hers, sweet and delicious and so very tantalizing. ]
[ The way he says her name sounds like a prayer. More than anyone who reverently murmurs Sankta Alina to her. There's a special sort of weight and appreciation in Aleksander's voice. It feeds hers and nurtures something powerful deep within. He's so responsive to her too. She likes the way he twitches beneath her touch. She wants to learn all the ways he'll respond to her. Her kefta falls to the floor, leaving her only in her tunic.
She giggles against his throat. She playfully nips at it again. ]
Did you think the library would-- [ The rest of her words are swallowed by his kiss. She parts her lips in happy invitation to taste her. The slide of lips and tongues against one another makes her tremble with need. She's deftly trying to remove his tunic off of him, or at least undo it enough that she can slide more of her hands on bare skin. Her hips rock against his, determined to share the friction for both of them. ]
Frustration emerged in soft little grunts, exhaled into their kisses. Alina lapped at his mouth, willingly submissive and so very eager, and his desire for her flooded his mind until his whole world devolved to just her. Writhing in his lap. Tugging at his clothes. Kissing him dizzily.
But his hands weren't idle, either. They made quick work of her tunic, shredding the laces to part the fine material, revealing, thank the Saints, her beautiful skin. And his fingers wasted no time in devouring it, painting his touch everywhere he could reach.
And to think, he'd genuinely hoped that the library would keep them from doing just this, but the pull between them was just too strong. Too deep. Too hot. Aleksander had half a mind to carry her back to his quarters right now, or, at the very least, spread her out atop his kefta on the damn floor.
Only the burning in his lungs lifted his head, and he gasped a swift breath, exhaling it to say, "...Alina...we...we have to--"
--a door slammed down the corridor. And five heartbeats, the Darkling's quick ears heard the absolute worst sound: that of the library doors slowly creaking open. Then a familiar voice: "...Alina?" Genya. No doubt searching for her lost charge.
His hands on her skin felt divine. She felt as though she was on the precipice of a spiritual experience like this, as blasphemous as it was to think so. Every inch of her skin he touched seemed to warm at his touch. She wanted them to be skin to skin, utterly bare. All these articles of clothing were driving her mad.
She was panting and catching her breath too. That didn't mean she stopped kissing him. She dipped her head and peppered kisses towards his earlobe. Her teeth bit lightly at it as she murmured into his ear. "We have to...?" she teased.
But the sudden sound of Genya's voice was like ice cold water tossed on her. She realized that they were moments away from being caught in such a compromising position. Gasping softly, she quickly scrambled off of him and stood before him instead. Alina's eyes were wide as she snatched her kefta off the floor and shrugged it on. Her back was to the doors while she stood before Aleksander.
Genya was discreet and respectful, but still. This was intimate. This was just for them.
There was no hiding what they were doing though. With her kefta open and tunic wrinkled, she knew she looked every bit thoroughly kissed. The Darkling looked no better seated before her. His neatly styled hair was wild and askew with strands draping across his forehead. She rather liked that look on him.
Genya Safin was hardly naive. Or innocent. She correctly interpreted the breathlessness in the Sun Summoner's voice, and smiled. General Kirigan had also disappeared right after supper, and he hadn't been in his office or private quarters. Neither had Ivan nor Fedyor been standing station in his corridor; the mystery deepened.
So the Tailor simply folded her hands in front of her and waited. And gave a cordial smile when Miss Starkov did finally appear, looking...a little worse for the wear. Her hair was mussed, her tunic untucked, and her kefta actually buttoned haphazardly. Yet Genya said nothing of it; she merely looped her arm through Alina's and began heading back towards the library's entrance.
Though she did pause, glance over her shoulder, and rather cheekily call, "Have a lovely evening, General..!" before ushering her charge out and into the gilded corridor.
Alina hurriedly buttoned her kefta. She wasn't sure how much time she'd bought them, but she knew she couldn't idle long. Her eyes drifted back to the General. Looking at him filled her with such aching yearning. There was nothing more she wanted to do than to crawl back in his lap to resume their activities. Instead, she leaned forward to run her fingers through his hair to smooth it out. His hair was so silky soft. She loved playing with it.
"I will see you tomorrow," she murmured to him with a smile. She kissed him sweetly. Chastely. She didn't trust herself any further than that because she knew she wouldn't be able to stop.
Reluctantly, she pulled away and forced herself towards the library's doors. She smiled at Genya though with a touch of guilt for being caught. She let her friend take her arm to escort her back to her room, but the Tailor couldn't resist getting the last word in.
"Genya!" she hissed, mortified. Her cheeks were as red as the other woman's hair. She tugged her along back towards her quarters. "I can't believe you!"
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sarken
(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?
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 04:10 am (UTC)He's always been the one to lead, the one to make the decisions, easy or difficult. And with his lovers, sparse though they are, he's always been the one in command. But with Alina Starkov, he's found himself her willing prisoner. Captured by her unthought affection.
A hand cradles her head to silently beg for more; the other deftly unfastens her kefta to slip beneath it, so very gently cupping a breast through the fine linen tunic. The sweet feel of her pulls another low throaty moan from his lips, and it's with effort that he swallows enough to answer. After a good minute or two. ]
...because...because I can't have you in...in my quarters...just now.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 04:16 am (UTC)[ She's genuinely curious. It doesn't occur to her that he's trying to keep things somewhat appropriate between them, but even the library serves as a good enough deterrent. She moans sweetly into his ear at the warmth of his hand cupping her. She's gotten beyond his kefta and his black tunic, untucking it to get underneath. Her fingers brush along skin.
She switches to his other side to nuzzle his cheek and kiss back down his throat. Her teeth are a little sharper when she nips, just enough to leave a slight mark. She squirms in his lap for friction. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 04:27 am (UTC)...Alina...
[ It's little more than a graveled growl now, his voice. But he can't deter her, not when her lips are warm, soft, and curious, mapping him with such eager curiosity. More than enough to make him ache. Against his intention, his hands make quick work of her own kefta, sliding it off of her shoulders to thump quietly to the floor, all too eager to get beneath her tunic. ]
--because if I take you to my quarters right now, my Alina, I'll not be able to let you leave until sunrise. Or later.
[ The words come out in a husked rush, just seconds before he bends his head to her mouth, firmly licking apart her lips to slide his tongue with hers, sweet and delicious and so very tantalizing. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-05 04:04 pm (UTC)She giggles against his throat. She playfully nips at it again. ]
Did you think the library would-- [ The rest of her words are swallowed by his kiss. She parts her lips in happy invitation to taste her. The slide of lips and tongues against one another makes her tremble with need. She's deftly trying to remove his tunic off of him, or at least undo it enough that she can slide more of her hands on bare skin. Her hips rock against his, determined to share the friction for both of them. ]
Aleksander, please.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-09 02:32 am (UTC)But his hands weren't idle, either. They made quick work of her tunic, shredding the laces to part the fine material, revealing, thank the Saints, her beautiful skin. And his fingers wasted no time in devouring it, painting his touch everywhere he could reach.
And to think, he'd genuinely hoped that the library would keep them from doing just this, but the pull between them was just too strong. Too deep. Too hot. Aleksander had half a mind to carry her back to his quarters right now, or, at the very least, spread her out atop his kefta on the damn floor.
Only the burning in his lungs lifted his head, and he gasped a swift breath, exhaling it to say, "...Alina...we...we have to--"
--a door slammed down the corridor. And five heartbeats, the Darkling's quick ears heard the absolute worst sound: that of the library doors slowly creaking open. Then a familiar voice: "...Alina?" Genya. No doubt searching for her lost charge.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-09 03:03 am (UTC)His hands on her skin felt divine. She felt as though she was on the precipice of a spiritual experience like this, as blasphemous as it was to think so. Every inch of her skin he touched seemed to warm at his touch. She wanted them to be skin to skin, utterly bare. All these articles of clothing were driving her mad.
She was panting and catching her breath too. That didn't mean she stopped kissing him. She dipped her head and peppered kisses towards his earlobe. Her teeth bit lightly at it as she murmured into his ear. "We have to...?" she teased.
But the sudden sound of Genya's voice was like ice cold water tossed on her. She realized that they were moments away from being caught in such a compromising position. Gasping softly, she quickly scrambled off of him and stood before him instead. Alina's eyes were wide as she snatched her kefta off the floor and shrugged it on. Her back was to the doors while she stood before Aleksander.
Genya was discreet and respectful, but still. This was intimate. This was just for them.
There was no hiding what they were doing though. With her kefta open and tunic wrinkled, she knew she looked every bit thoroughly kissed. The Darkling looked no better seated before her. His neatly styled hair was wild and askew with strands draping across his forehead. She rather liked that look on him.
"I'll be right there, Genya!" she called out.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-09 03:22 am (UTC)So the Tailor simply folded her hands in front of her and waited. And gave a cordial smile when Miss Starkov did finally appear, looking...a little worse for the wear. Her hair was mussed, her tunic untucked, and her kefta actually buttoned haphazardly. Yet Genya said nothing of it; she merely looped her arm through Alina's and began heading back towards the library's entrance.
Though she did pause, glance over her shoulder, and rather cheekily call, "Have a lovely evening, General..!" before ushering her charge out and into the gilded corridor.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-09 03:36 am (UTC)"I will see you tomorrow," she murmured to him with a smile. She kissed him sweetly. Chastely. She didn't trust herself any further than that because she knew she wouldn't be able to stop.
Reluctantly, she pulled away and forced herself towards the library's doors. She smiled at Genya though with a touch of guilt for being caught. She let her friend take her arm to escort her back to her room, but the Tailor couldn't resist getting the last word in.
"Genya!" she hissed, mortified. Her cheeks were as red as the other woman's hair. She tugged her along back towards her quarters. "I can't believe you!"