quillsandcassettes

[quillsandcassettes]

Character Smells

A Question for the Tumblr void. What do you think certain characters smell like? It's such an interesting concept to me! Don't mind which fandom, if you've got a thought, I want to hear it! There's no wrong answer here, I'm super interested to see how similar or different people's thoughts are. Can be anything from florals, to woody smells, to leathers. Whatever you've got!

[quillsandcassettes]

Day 5: Waffles

Summary: Nina introduces Matthias to waffles

Wordcount: 802

Warnings: None

Another one a little short and sweet! All of these are first drafts. If you've got any prompt you'd like me to take a crack at, feel free to send it my way! The image each prompt is taken from will be at the bottom. (The art below is not mine).

By the shock that crossed his face, anyone would’ve thought Nina just slapped him. “Did you just say you love waffles more than me?” His mouth was hanging open in a rather undignified fashion and his eyes were wide.

She offered him a soft smile “I’m sorry, waffles will always remain my one true love, Matthias. They’ve always been there for me, since the very beginning.” She brought a hand to her chest as she seemed to reminisce on all the times she’d had with waffles in the past.

He scoffed “surely they are not so good that you hold them higher than your lover.” Yes. Matthias Helvar was becoming rather jealous of waffles and Nina’s love for them over him. Was he offended? A little bit. How could any food be so good?

Nina quirked a brow at the Fjerdan as she spoke “The way you just phrased that, suggested to me that you’ve never had this delicious delicacy before. Is this true? Did the Drüskelle deprive you of one of the best foods on this planet?”

“No Nina, I have never had a waffle before. No, they didn’t deprive me. I just never felt the need to try them.” Nina brought a hand to her heart. He may as well have just shot her, she felt betrayed.

“Never felt the need. I’m about to change that.” She took ahold of his hand and dragged him through the Ketterdam streets, straight to the best waffle place she knew. Once inside, she ordered for them and settled into the seat opposite him.

“Now you will try these, and you’ll enjoy them. Otherwise, I’m sorry, but this won’t work.” She was only half joking. Of course she wouldn’t break up with him just for not liking waffles… But it was almost a deal breaker. Although, If he didn’t like them, then that meant more for her...

Their plates were eventually set in front of them and Nina watched Matthias’ reaction with anticipation. “Is there any meat in these?” he queried as he inspected the food before taking a rather large bite.

“No… But Saints, you’re a genius, imagine! Infused with wild boar.” Nina was grinning as she took a bite herself, the softest moan escaping her lips. She was falling in love with waffles all over again.

“Are they supposed to be sweet or savoury?” Matthias continued to question. He wasn’t exactly waiting for any answers before finishing the first waffle though. The second was already in his hand as Nina responded.

“Yes.” She was rather chuffed he seemed to be enjoying them. One more thing they could share, something they could keep a hold of together. Anything that continued to bridge the divide between the Grisha and Drüskelle these days was certainly welcome.

Matthias shook his head, the smallest chuckle escaping his lips. The plate was near empty and Nina’s heart melted at the sound. “Saints, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that laugh.”

He rolled his eyes at her, leaning back in his seat. “I laugh enough.” His eye roll was met with one of her own along with a soft ‘tut’. He didn’t laugh often enough in her opinion. Although she’d never get used to it, she’d still prefer to hear it more often than not.

“Oh, you barely laugh at all, Matthias. I’d like to hear it more. But you’re stubborn.” She noticed the way his jaw tightened at that, but he let her comment go. Something they both seem to have gotten better at, not biting when the other threw out a line.

“The waffles were good.” Complete subject change, but Nina didn’t mind too much. She was just happy he enjoyed them.

“How good?” She was testing him now. Would he make the same bold claim she had a mere hour earlier, or would his pride never allow him to hold food in such high esteem.

“I can see why you love them.” Was his response. Very diplomatic. He fell silent before speaking again as Nina settled back in her own seat with a satisfied sigh. “But I still love you more than waffles.”

She made to retaliate before catching the slightest smirk on his lips. “Well I suppose… If I must decide… I guess it would be you over the waffles. On a good day.” She reached over the table for his hand with a grin.

“Djel…” He murmured, although his smirk had morphed into a smile as he took hold of her hand. He gave it the gentlest squeeze. How could he ever be upset with his Nina? Even if she did love waffles more than him. That was a sacrifice he was prepared to deal with if it meant getting to be with her. He would make any sacrifice for that privilege.

[quillsandcassettes]

Crowtober Day 4: Skill

Summary: Inej and Jesper share a quick little challenge

Wordcount: 858

Warnings: Potential spoilers for Six of Crows/Crooked Kingdom

A/N: Day 4 of the Crowtober oneshots. This one is short and sweet! (Mostly cause I'm tired 😂)

All of these are first drafts. If you've got any prompt you'd like me to take a crack at, feel free to send it my way! The image each prompt is taken from will be at the bottom. (The art below is not mine).

Anyone who knew him well enough knew he never missed a shot. Some said it was good luck, others said fate, some even theorized it was the work of a demon or supernatural force outside of anyone else’s control. They’d all be wrong; he was just that good. That and practice… Perhaps being Grisha helped too.

Of course, being Grisha wasn’t something he leant into, it certainly wasn’t something he advertised, but it sure helped him make each an every shot. He didn’t use his powers enough to be trained, to not have to face the side effects that came with ignoring them. That wasn’t important today, what was important was training, He didn’t ever want to be in a situation where he had to rely on his Grisha powers to make the shot.

So here he was, standing in the middle of a makeshift shooting range in one of the quieter parts of Ketterdam. He readied his stance before taking aim at a tin can he’d found and propped up on the edge of a bin. Taking in a deep breath, he let his finger hover over the trigger before pulling it. He was ready for the kickback as usual and there was little to no movement from his body as the bullet went flying directly into the can, knocking it into the bin. “Bullseye.”

Days when he could practice like this were good, they kept him out of a gambling den which in turn meant he wouldn’t be yelled at by Kaz. He took a few more shots after resetting the can into place. “You know, it’s not much practice if you just take the easy shots.” Inej spoke as she stepped out of the shadows.

Jesper jumped a mile, swinging to point his gun at her before lowering it with a heavy breath. “Saints, Inej! You have got to stop doing that! Seriously, would it kill you to make some noise sometimes!?”

Inej just rolled her eyes, ignoring his statement. “Come on, you and me. You shoot, I’ll throw my knives. See who makes the most hits.”

“Inej, honey. You know I’ve never missed. Not once.” He sounded smug as he twirled his gun rather expertly around his finger.

“Then there’s nothing to worry about.” Inej threw one of her knives without looking, it landed directly in the can, she’d officially initiated a challenge.

Jesper made the next logical move, he shot at the can without looking as well, the bullet went straight through just beside Inej’s dagger, and lodged into the wall behind. “You were saying?”

She couldn’t help but laugh, he was never one to back down from a challenge and she knew that. She turned her back on the can after setting another one up and throw the dagger over her shoulder. Once again it landed almost perfectly. Jesper’s mouth was hanging open just the slightest. He always knew she was good but he’d not seen her do that before.

In retaliation, he shot aiming so this time the bullet would ricochet off of a piece of metal piping before hitting the can, this time above Inej’s dagger. “I have a feeling this could last all night.” Inej remarked.

“Should we call it quits here?” He offered “Perhaps I’ve met my match.” He knew that, he’d always known he’d met his match with Inej. Aside from Kaz there was no one else as good at their job. He admired her for it really, she was amazing to watch in a fight. Not that he got to do that often, but the way she let a dagger fly with such skill and precision every single time. She could do with her daggers, what he could with bullets, she just didn’t need to be a Grisha to do it.

“We should really be getting back to the club, the boss actually sent me looking for you, we’ve got another job.” Inej fetched her discarded daggers as she spoke, tucking them neatly away out of sight. They’d probably be reprimanded for taking this long as it was, best not to dawdle.

Jesper nodded. “I swear that man just has a hat full of jobs that he pulls from randomly as soon as we finish so we can start all over again.” He was only half joking.

“For all we know he probably does. Don’t say that to his face though.” She led him towards the exit. “Are you coming or not, Jes?”

He rolled his eyes, tucking the revolvers away. “I’m coming! Saints, you’re bossy. We should make a habit of this though, coming out here and training together.”

She seemed to think on it a moment before nodding “Yeah, alright. We come out here to train maybe once a week? Keeps us out from under the boss’s feet and keeps you away from a gambling table.”

He wanted to bite back with a witty remark, but she was right. She was also fast and already out the door. That woman… He appreciated her though, and her attempts to keep him out of trouble, even if it was under the guise of improving their skills.

[quillsandcassettes]

Crowtober Day 3: Witch

Summary: Matthias still has dreams of Nina's betrayal, this time she's there to witness them.

Wordcount: 1,288

Warnings: Nightmares, angst, attempted m*rder

A/N: Number 3 of my Crowtober oneshots! Anything in Italics is a dream.

All of these are first drafts. If you've got a prompt you'd like me to take a crack at, feel free to send it my way! The image each prompt is taken from will be at the bottom. (The art below is not mine).

The nightmares had plagued him ever since the day she turned him over to the Slave Hunters. Even now that he was out of Hellgate and they’d reconciled, they still tried to drown him occasionally. Tonight, was just one of those nights. Even Nina laying beside him was not enough to keep the demjin at bay.

His body barely moved but his eyes flicked beneath his closed lids. “Drüsje…” he growled. Nina circled him, a soft laugh escaping her as she took him in, in his chains. The woman held her hands up, ready to drop his heartbeat in a split second.

“How does it feel to be the one chained up like an animal Drüskelle?” Her question was laced with malice and accusation. She was only giving him what he deserved, what he and all the other Drüskelle had forced on the Grisha before her.

Matthias tugged at the chains, they seemed loose. He might have a chance here if he could just keep her talking. “I trusted you.” He spat out “You trapped me in Hellgate and now this! You pretend you’re better than us, but the stories are true. You’re just filthy Grisha.”

She slapped him hard across the face, her next words came out like ice; “You made me like this.” She truly believed that. Had the Drüskelle not taken her they wouldn’t have met. She wouldn’t have had to turn him in to save his life and he wouldn’t have turned on her once again. She didn’t have a choice. If she was to survive him, she had to be the Witch he’d always believed she was.

Outside his dreams, Nina had stirred awake and was now trying to bring him to. “Matthias?” her voice was soft as she cupped his cheek. “Matthias it’s just a dream, wake up.”

Her voice was not enough to break through the image of her his mind had created. It seemed to seep in but instead of being gentle and reassuring, the tone was taunting. “Wake up, Matthias! You made me like this, you gave me no other choice! Now? Now I’m going to be the Witch you’ve always pushed me to be. That’s the thing about being a Heartrender, death is so easy.”

She slowed his heart only the slightest before releasing with a wicked laugh. “Your death won’t be quick; I can promise you that. You deserve so much less.” She turned her back on him, to do what he wasn’t sure. Now was his chance to catch her off guard. Matthias tugged as hard as he could on the chains, and they came free.

The Fjerdan lunged at her, knocking her to the ground. He barely had time to think before his knees were pinning her arms so she couldn’t draw her hands together. So long as they remained apart, he could survive. His hands were around her throat in an instant, squeezing hard, it was the only way to stop her.

Nina spluttered as she tried to fight him, but he was larger than she was. He was heavier and more determined; she was dying tonight. “Matthias, Matthias please.” Those words were far too soft to be the Nina from his dreams. The Nina that only mere moments ago had been practically spitting venom.

Fragments of the real world began to push through “…please!” came first, her voice. “…A dream.” Her again, or perhaps an acknowledgement this time. “Wake up!”

One would think he woke with a start, all at once as if a bucket of water had been thrown over him. In fact, it was the total opposite. It was slow and lethargic, he had to fight his way to the surface. When he came to, the sight he was met with sent his blood cold. Nina’s hand was resting against his cheek, tears in her eyes as the softest “it’s okay” left her lips repeatedly. His hands were around her neck, and he’d been pressing down. She hadn’t been able to wake him, he would’ve killed her.

As soon as he realized what he was doing, he was off her. Scrambling to the other side of the bed he had to bite back his tears. Tears of shame, tears of hurt, tears of complete and utter guilt. Nina gasped, sucking in a few deep breaths before she slowly crawled to his side.

“Matthias? It’s over. I promise it’s over. We’re okay…” She very gently rested her hand over his arm, she’d expected this at some point. They’d made amends a long time ago, but she knew of his nightmares. He’d warned her sometimes he just lost control because he couldn’t get out, like he was fighting through quicksand.

They hadn’t slept in the same bed until recently because he was terrified of this very scenario. “I’m sorry Nina, I didn’t-“ She shushed him, pressing her lips to his cheek.

“Come back to bed, please?” Nina hoped this was the one and only time this would happen. She had heard him utter the words ‘Drüsje’ and ‘Drüskelle’ so she could only imagine the nightmares that plagued him in Hellgate were still holding tight. She prayed that those nightmares would soon be completely replaced by the dreams he’d once told her about instead. His dreams of them together.

It took him a while before he finally let her bring him back to her side, his head resting against her chest. Nina pressed a kiss to his temple before carding her fingers gently through his hair. She was glad it had begun to grow back after Hellgate. The short hair had been a visual reminder everyday of the things they made him do, now that was gone, and in time the memories would fade too, at least that’s what they could wish for.

She began to hum softly, a lullaby sung long ago that she hoped would calm him. Bring him back to earth again, to solid ground. She made the promise that she’d never leave. She planned to keep it. Nina thought he’d fallen asleep before he spoke again. “The Drüsje and the Drüskelle, we weren’t ever made to last.” He sounded certain of that.

“Maybe not, but what fun is winning if the odds were always in our favor?” She whispered back. “I think there’s something rather poetic about the witch and the witch hunter. We’ve had to fight like hell to get here, I’m not giving up on you now. Please don’t give up on me.”

“I’m not sure I ever did.” That melted Nina a little bit. She had been almost certain that after everything there was a moment there that he’d given up on her all together. They were silent a moment longer before he spoke again.

“I’m sorry, for everything. Perhaps the Demjin was right about a few things.” Nina hushed him for the second time that night, fingers still twisting through his hair.

“It’s okay, I forgive you. I’m sorry too, I’m sorry you still hurt because of me, and I’m sorry you have to put up with Kaz.” The last part was a joke, an attempt to lighten the mood, if only a little.

“I think I forgave you a long time ago.” She could feel by the weight of the silence that he still had something else to say. “Nina… No matter what, I’ll always be Drüskelle.” He said it as if he were afraid she’d walk at the mere thought.

Her response was simple “I don’t mind, love. I’ll always be your Witch.” That seemed to settle them both, whatever heaviness had been in the air melted away as the Drüsje and the Drüskelle spent the rest of the night in each other’s arms.

[quillsandcassettes]

Crowtober Day 2: Tea

Summary: A fluffy Sharpshooter oneshot

Wordcount: 1,201

Warnings: None

A/N: Number 2 of my Crowtober oneshots! If you've got a prompt you'd like me to take a crack at, feel free to send it my way! The Image each prompt is being taken from will be at the bottom. (The art below is not mine, I just thought it was cute and absolutely fit the theme!)

He loved to watch her in moments like this. They could almost pretend they lived normal lives, that they lived the white picket fence kind of life somewhere much nicer than here. Novyi Zem maybe, or even Lij. Of course, if that were the case, would they really be happy? Could he ever live that kind of life after the fast paced nature of Ketterdam.

Jesper wasn’t sure why he even entertained the idea. Inej would never leave Kaz to run the club alone and he wasn’t sure he could do that either. Still, it was nice to pretend as she made them tea. He stepped forward to help her, reaching for a mug that was just that little bit too high to reach. He stretched over her head and brought it down to the counter for her, the softest of smiles anyone would ever get to see rested on his features.

She smiled back, she often thought the boys kept things up high so they had an excuse to help her, their own way of either feeling needed or just reminding her she was shorter than they were. Either way, today she didn’t mind. His smile was sweet and it had a bad habit of being able to disarm her before she could even reach for her knives.

“Thanks… You know you wouldn’t need to help me so often if you two just agreed to lower the mugs, right?” They’d had this conversation quite a few times, either this exactly or a variation on it. Each time she was met with the same answer.

“There’s not much else you let us help you with, Inej. The mugs stay.” Jesper’s response was short and simple and left her no room for argument. Sometimes she argued anyway, just to see how far she could get but today she just wanted the tea, and he was looking both awfully cute and extremely certain about that sentiment.

She only offered him an eye roll in response, turning her attention back to the now boiled kettle that housed part of the makings to her sweet serenity. As she reached for the kettle, she was trapped in the arms of what was quickly becoming her nuisance for the day.

Had anyone else wrapped her up like this they would’ve been met with an elbow to the ribs and a knife to the sternum, but she knew in her heart that Jesper was only playing. He wouldn’t hurt her like the others had set out to do. “Jesper Fahey, you let me go so I can make this tea!”

His breath of a laugh swept across her neck as he just held her closer to his chest. “Apologize for the eye roll first and then it’s all yours.” That forced another roll of her eyes and a soft huff.

“I’m not apologizing for treating your answer with the response it deserved.” She stated, standing firm. They were both as stubborn as each other, it might be a while yet before she got the tea she’d been longing for since their job ended.

“Come on, Inej. Say it…” He murmured against her ear, pressing a soft kiss right at the base. Dirty sneak, he knew that was one of her weak spots.

She was melting in his touch, damnit now she wanted tea and more kisses. This was just unfair. She leant into him a little, they didn’t get to enjoy moments like this often, it was far too dangerous, so she reveled in them when they happened.

“If I apologize, will I get more kisses too?” She asked, eyes slipping closed as every point of contact with his skin sent little jolts of electricity through her.

“Of course, my darling. I’m feeling generous so it’s a two for one deal.” He assured, lips only just skating across the skin at the base of her neck. Saints, this was one argument she’d have to concede.

“F-fine. Fine, I’m sorry…” She murmured, she moved to turn and kiss him properly and he loosened up his grip to allow for the change. He kissed her briefly before moving around her to finish the tea making venture.

“Hey!” Inej protested, that had been her job. Jesper’s sweet laughter filled her ears and her annoyance dissipated almost instantly, damn that man and his charming laugh.

“You, my dear, were taking far too long!” He said it like he’d played no part in that delay, a lazy smirk on his face. The sly bastard. She really, really wanted to be annoyed but then a warm mug was carefully placed in her hands and his face softened and she didn’t have the heart to be.

“You’re a bastard sometimes, you know that?” There was no malice in her tone as she sipped from her mug, amusement sparkling behind her eyes.

“Careful, don’t let Kaz hear you say that that’s his title.” That pulled a soft laugh from Inej, her eyes crinkling at the corners. Jesper liked to make her laugh, he liked it quite a lot. It was his favourite sound these days.

He bent a little to press the gentlest kiss to her cheek, smiling as her nose scrunched the slightest at the action. “Jes…” Her statement was open ended, like she wasn’t sure she should even finish it, almost afraid that saying the next words would make everything they had fall to pieces just as fast.

“Yes, Inej?” His eyes held that curiosity and attention that made her heart flip, like he was really listening, really interested. She took another sip from the mug, the warm liquid seemingly giving her the courage she was seeking, that, along with a quick prayer to her Saints and the words tumbled out of her.

“I love you.” Three simple words that held so much weight, especially for them. The silence that followed was deafening and Inej regretted them almost as soon as they were uttered. She searched his face for some kind of answer, anything at all. Instead, she was met with his soft lips against hers.

The kiss didn’t last very long but it certainly did a brilliant job conveying how Jesper felt. As he pulled away, he let his forehead fall against hers. “I never thought I’d hear you utter those words, not in this lifetime.” He whispered. “For the record, I love you too…”

A laugh bubbled past Inej’s lips as she cupped his cheek with her free hand, both their teas nestled between them. This was far more domestic than they would usually have the luxury of being. It wasn’t often either of them were like this, allowing the other to truly see them. This moment right here, admitting their love for each other was the highest form of trust either of them could place in each other. Inej knew there was no one else she’d rather place that trust in.

She never thought she’d have the courage to share her true feelings but here they were. Wrapped in each other’s arms having just spilled the feelings tucked away in their hearts, feelings neither of them anticipated would ever see the light of day. All thanks to a mug of tea.

[quillsandcassettes]

Crowtober Day 1: Pumpkin

Summary: A short oneshot where Nina convinces the Crows to do some pumpkin carving for Halloween.

Word Count: 1,038

Warnings: None

A/N: This is the first in a long line of Crows/Grishaverse oneshots I'll be doing for October! If anyone has any prompts they want me to use for oneshots after October, feel free to send them my way and I'll see what I can do! The image I'm getting each prompt for this month from will be at the bottom.

Nina couldn’t stop the giggle that bubbled past her lips as she watched him struggle. She knew from the start he’d be far too heavy handed, but it was fun to watch him try. “Alright, alright just slow down.” She spoke through her giggles, reaching out to rest her hand over his. “Be gentler, pretend you’re holding me.” He met her gaze, a blush covering his cheeks. “Such a thought is not appropriate for right now, Nina. It is neither appropriate nor helpful. I’m hardly going to try and carve you.”

Nina rolled her eyes, curling her fingers around his hand gently. “There was a time you may have but that isn’t the point. Don’t be so heavy handed, be softer.”

Jesper spoke up from the other side of the table “Asking Matthias Helvar to ‘be softer’ is like asking Inej to ‘be taller’. I’m truly not sure it’s possible.” His comment was met with a sharp elbow to the ribs from the woman in question.

He winced as he looked over her shoulder “who’s idea was it to allow Inej to pumpkin carve anyway? She has an unfair advantage, and we all know it.”

“Jesper, are you going to continue to whine or are you going to finish carving? I can always help if you need it.” Inej was doing her very best not to elbow him again, although she felt he deserved it.

Jesper’s reply came out a cross between hurt and indignant. “I’m fine. I can carve my own pumpkin thank you very much.”

Wylan gently bumped Jesper’s hip “you can’t be doing any worse than the Fjerdan so take solace in that.” He murmured, offering Jesper a small, slightly rosy cheeked smile.

“I appreciate that, Merchling. Although maybe I should just shoot it instead, it’d be easier.” Wylan stopped him as he reached for his guns.

“Not exactly in the spirit of it, Jesper. Come on, let me help you.” He moved so he was closer to his side and begun to help guide him better, much like Matthias, Jesper was surprisingly heavy handed.

Kaz watched them all from his place at the end of the table. How they’d also dragged him into this he wasn’t sure. Not that he was really participating, he was mostly observing. He knew of course, exactly how he’d gotten here. Nina had suggested it, given Halloween was coming up, Jesper and Wylan had jumped at the chance and then Inej had batted her rather perfect eyelashes at him and boom, pumpkin carving for six.

They had another thing coming though if they thought they were displaying these things anywhere in the club. He knew Inej and Jesper wouldn’t ask but Wylan and Nina had the potential to try. No carved pumpkins were setting foot inside the Crow Club. No word was to get out about any of this, lest Kaz’s reputation take a hit.

Inej was studying him as she finished up her own carving, it looked like she’d been making them for years, perks of a knife being her preferred weapon of choice. She settled herself beside him once she’d finished. “You don’t have to worry about them you know, they won’t ask to have them in the club. They know the rules. Nina just thought we deserved some fun.”

Kaz nodded but didn’t speak, he didn’t have much to say. As long as they stayed here, he didn’t care. Nina Zenik had very interesting ideas of fun and he wasn’t sure they aligned with his own.

“They seem to be getting on quite a bit better.” Inej remarked as she watched Nina and Matthias interact. It was nice to see them finally together again, properly after so long apart. If anyone deserved to be happy it was those two. She watched as Nina threw some of the pumpkin pulp at Matthias over whatever had been said, the man himself only offering her the smallest of smiles before he finally let her take over and finish his pumpkin.

Kaz’s eyes were on Jesper and Wylan, it wasn’t like him to speak much on the topic but since Inej had started it. “and those two.” He remarked, nodding ever so slightly in their direction.

Inej’s gaze flicked to them next, he was right. Wylan and Jesper were deep in conversation, the red head’s cheeks were still coated in the softest tinge of pink, not that Jesper seemed to notice, or if he did, he didn’t mind.

They were both bad at this, communicating their feelings but maybe given the environment they were in and the people surrounding them, they should give it a try. Inej turned her focus to Kaz. “Guess that just leaves us.”

Kaz turned to her with a blank expression, although she hadn’t missed the slight widening of his eyes before that. “Leaves us to what?” He questioned, they both knew he was aware of what she was referring to. They’d been pining after each other for how long now. They had their own problems but just maybe they could work through them together.

“I think you and I both know what I meant.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, partially so the others didn’t hear and partially because she’d just initiated a conversation that terrified her.

“It’ll be far from easy.” He stated. Especially given he couldn’t touch her without feeling like he might drown.

“When has anything ever been easy for us?” She questioned, neither of them had said it but that small exchange was enough to agree that maybe trying wouldn’t be so bad.

He wanted nothing more than to take her hand, and maybe one day he would be able to, for now though, the knowledge that they’d have each other either way was enough. She’d be patient, he knew that. Probably far more patient than he deserved. He may not always communicate his gratitude very well but he hoped she’d understand.

As he studied the people who were rather quickly becoming his family, and the girl beside him who had always watched over him better than any Saint ever could, he drew the conclusion that perhaps Nina’s little pumpkin carving idea hadn’t been such a bad one after all.

[quillsandcassettes]

You'll Never Be Alone; Darklina (oneshot)

Summary: The Darkling decides to pay Alina a visit in the Little Palace. Set after the events of ‘Shadow and Bone’ during the events of ‘Siege and Storm’.

Word Count: 1694

Warnings: 18+. Brief mention of drugs & addiction, fluff, intimacy.

A/N: This is the first oneshot I’ve written in a while! Based off a prompt I was given “You’ll never be alone”. Hope you guys enjoy, feel free to throw prompts in my direction and I’ll see what I can do!

“You’ll never be alone,” he’d said as his hands trailed over her skin. “You’ll never be alone,” he’d said as he kissed her with so much delicacy that she thought he were afraid she would break. “You’ll never be alone,” he’d said as his fingers sifted through her hair, across her jaw, along her collarbone, down to her hip. Back then, four simple words had set her on fire, sent every sense of hers spiraling and spinning. It was intoxicating. She had lent into his touch, melted at his voice, let him mould her and shape her and teach her.

Since the day she’d run away with Mal. Since the night she got back to the Little Palace, those four words set her teeth on edge. “You’ll never be alone,” the fabrication of his hissed beside her in his bed. “You’ll never be alone,” he mocked from the shadows of the chapel. “You’ll never be alone.” He taunted her every moment he got the chance. The soft spoken, misunderstood boy was now nothing more than a monster, hell bent on making every single moment she was apart from him pure misery.

She felt like she was going crazy. He came to her in her nightmares. He came to her when she was awake. It had to be something to do with the first amplifier, she knew that much. They were connected now. When she kissed Mal, all she could see was his face. Any moment she managed to steal alone was shattered by his image. Alina didn’t know if he was really here. It had become clear that no one else could see him when he was, but when he touched her, she felt it. When he touched her, that familiar heat rushed through her body like it had the first day they’d met.

Alina loathed how much she began to long for those moments of heat between them. How many nights she laid awake just waiting and hoping he’d appear to her. Those were often the nights he didn’t, as if he could feel her longing and was punishing her for leaving him. “If you had stayed with me then we could’ve been together like this,” screamed the silences. “If you’d stayed by my side we could’ve ruled together.”

Tonight, was one of those nights she longed for him. Wished he’d come to her; he’d trail his hands over her body. She’d feel his hot breath across her neck as he kissed her. Usually, she’d feel guilty. But Mal had been distant and they weren’t speaking. Were they even still together? It shouldn’t matter. Either way she shouldn’t feel like this. Not for him.

He was like a drug, dangerous and addicting. Alina was completely hooked on the rush she felt around him. She was sure this had to be how a drug addict felt waiting for their next high, craving their next hit. She needed to find a way to kick the habit. “Just one more,” she thought to herself. “Just one more.”

Maybe he had decided she’d suffered enough because she blinked, and there he stood, a lazy smirk crossing his features. “Miss me?” Alina sat up so fast she made herself dizzy. “You came?” She hated how desperate she sounded even to her own ears.

He didn’t speak as he approached her, the fact she was seeing him was evidence enough. The look in his eyes sent goosebumps skittering across her skin. “Alina, I asked you a question.” Alina only nodded; she didn’t trust her voice not to give out on her.

“Use your voice Sankta Alina,” his tone seemed mocking, but his eyes betrayed him. He believed what he was saying. He still wanted her to be his Queen. “You have it for a reason.”

Alina’s pulse quickened as he got closer, she wanted him. She knew in that moment, she wanted to finish what they started all those months ago in this very room, and Mal didn’t need to know. “I missed you,” she whispered without even thinking what consequences such a simple confession might have.

That turned the corner of his lips up in a proper smile “I could feel it.” Alina finally met his gaze properly, this close to him she almost lost her composure. She needed to prove that she was stronger than before, to prove she was stronger without him. But was she?

“I could feel you longing for me little Saint,” He murmured. “For so long. Does your little otkazat’sya know just how often you dream of me?” He had tipped his head to whisper in her ear and she could feel his breath fanning along her neck, it caused her own breath to catch in her throat.

“Leave him out of this,” she hissed. He’d hit a sore spot by bringing Mal up, and the soft chuckle she heard in her ear only proved he knew exactly what he was doing by mentioning him.

“Is there a problem, my Sun Summoner?” His voice was low and it sent a chill through her like no other. ‘Sun Summoner’ his ‘Sun Summoner’. Technically she was, wasn’t she? He’d made her like this. Moulded her and sent her to train. Taught her, guided her, dare she wonder if he’d ever loved her, or had she just been his little project? His means to a terrifying end?

“Just leave him out of this. He’s got nothing to do with us. He’s got nothing to do with any of this.” She didn’t want to have to think about Mal while he was here because it made her feel guilty. Or maybe it didn’t and that was so much worse. There was the problem, wasn’t it? She didn’t care. Was this the part of him that was always with her now? The part that didn’t care, or was that her own? That was something she’d never be sure of.

“Alright,” He conceded. “We’ll leave him out of it for tonight.” He gently nipped at her ear, a peace offering perhaps. Even if it wasn’t, it was working. She was melting and he knew it. He could feel her resolve breaking. “Tell me then, Alina. What do you want?”

“What do I-” The question got caught in her throat. What was he asking her? What did she want with him? With Mal? As the Summoner? She knew the answer to only one of those options, so that was the one she decided to answer. “You.”

He laughed, it was warm and soft and, was that caring? His face fell into the crook of her neck, and he planted a few kisses there. “Me?”

She nodded, head tilting back to give him easier access. “Yeah, Yes.” she breathed, savouring the feeling of his lips against her skin. “I want you.”

“Oh, that is music to my ears, Little Saint,” Aleksander whispered “But not tonight. Tonight, we take it slowly.”

Alina almost whined at that, but she held it together. He was going to tease her, make her wait, give himself a reason to return and finish what he started. She understood the tactic, it infuriated her, and it was cheap but she understood it.

“Is there a problem, Alina?” He asked, teeth grazing the place at her neck where he could feel her pulse, specifically where he could feel her pulse quicken.

“N-no. No problem.” She hated the way she stammered, hated the dead giveaway it was that he was flustering her, that he was winning.

He let it slide, peppering feather kisses down her neck, along her shoulder, beneath the collar of her pajamas. She was right, he’d planned to tease her tonight. Leave her longing for him. It was a dangerous game to play and required immense self-control, something he’d found he didn’t often have around her.

“Aleksander,” she breathed, leaning further into his touch as he teased her, kissed her, hands never dipping any lower than her waist. Ever the gentleman. She knew if he changed his mind, he’d ask her first and maybe that’s why she let him keep going.

“I love it when you say my name like that,” He murmured against her skin. “I love hearing my name on your lips, spoken in your voice, a secret few others have the privilege of knowing.” Each sentence was finalised with a kiss behind her ear, as if he were physically placing the punctuation there.

“Then I’ll keep saying it. As long as you want me to.” Any thoughts of Mal and her guilt were officially gone. She was wrapped up on his arms and his scent and the taste of him still lingered on her lips and that was enough.

He’d been good at this since the day they met. Making her forget the world around her and stealing her breath away. Taking it for his own and curling them together until they became one. He toyed with her, kissed her, wrapped his arms around her from behind as he made her feel home again.

Alina knew he revelled in this; she knew he was only really playing a game, seeing how far he could push her before she begged. Begged for him to stay, begged for him to have his way with her, begged for him to come find her. She didn’t care, if this was a game then she was happy to let him win.

“Please… Don’t leave. I don’t want to be alone,” Alina murmured, finally relinquishing her pride and giving him exactly what he wanted. She needed him to know she still cared about him in some way or another, no matter if he felt the same or not. She pressed her back to his chest as his breath left warm tingles across her skin.

“Oh Alina,” he whispered against her ear. His fingers were trailing slow, gentle patterns along her arm as he spoke, she already knew what was coming next. “You’ll never be truly alone.” Just as quickly as he’d appeared, he was gone. Her body was cold, no longer encased in his warmth and the room had fallen deafeningly silent. Despite his promise, she was once again, alone.