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dearmantis · 11 months

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So I stayed in the darkness with you

Pairing: Aleksander Morozova/The Darkling x wife!Reader

Summary: When you finally wake up and the joy of seeing your husband alive and well dies down you have a conversation you've always wanted to avoid.

Warnings: mentions of death, murder and violence, mentions of grisha persecution, this is not a healthy relationship but they love each other very much, slight gaslighting, mentions of human trafficking

Word Count: 3.6k words

Authors Note: I really thought I would never write this, but I'm having a rare moment where I crave comfort. Also, a few people asked for this (and apparently, some people cried after part 2??? I'm so sorry about that I hope you guys are alright now!). I think this is the end of this? Its not the ending I expected when I first wrote the A lost embrace one shot but it is where we ended up. I hope you guys like it :) I'm not a native English speaker and this isn't edited.

The title of this part (and the name of the series) is from Cosmic Love by Florence + the Machine

Previous Part | Masterlist

When you wake up, it's to the sound of a few birds chirping outside and waves crashing against rocks. You don't open your eyes for a while, instead choosing to enjoy the soft atmosphere around you, letting yourself glide into consciousness slowly and carefully.

It's warm and soft, wherever you are. You feel safe.

Your arms and legs still feel a bit sore even without trying to move them, so you simply breathe in and back out, enjoying the fresh air that faintly smells of lavender, salt and rosemary.

With every minute you spend laying there, eyes still tightly closed, you notice more things around you.

A weak breeze moves the leaves on a tree outside. Occasionally, you can hear muffled steps coming from somewhere other than wherever you are right now. Someone other than you is in the room, fabric rustling quietly when they move. You're not afraid.

It takes a while until you feel ready to try and open your eyes, and when you do, your gaze imediately and instinctively move to the chair next to your bed where your husband is waiting for you, his dark eyes glued to your face and a glass of water in his hand. He's not wearing his kefta, you notice. Just a black shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Not a single speck of gold is visible on him.

A small smile charms itself onto your lips before you can stop it.

"Do you feel ready to rejoin the world of the living?" he asks quietly, waiting for your nod before reaching over to hold the glass of water against your lips.

You empty the glass quickly, your dry throat desperate for any kind of liquid. He takes the glass away slowly, moving to fill it up with more water before placing it back against your lips.

You drink three glasses of water that way. That's how much you need to drink to banish the itching from your throat. Damn those soldiers.

"How long... how long was I asleep?" You ask after Aleksander places the glass back down on the nightstand next to the bed. He doesn't respond for a while, instead moving carefully to check if your body is fully tucked in and warm under the thick blanket covering your body.

"Two weeks," He answers finally while he shuffles around. "You were woken up a few times to make sure you eat and drink, but I doubt you remember that. Fedyor thought it was best if your body got time to recover energy on its own. The two weeks in the cage, the torture, the starving and dehydration, lack of sleep, and even the healing took a huge toll on your body."

The Shadow Summoner moves back to his chair, but before he sits down, he checks if your pillow is fluffy, his gaze awfully serious considering his current task.

Letting the information settle for a bit, you look around in the room you're in. You don't recognize where you are. The old, dark wooden floors are new to you, just like the walls decorated with small drawings and letters you're too far away from to read. When you look outside, you see the ocean.

"Where are we?"

Your hand moves to grab Aleksanders wrist before he can step back to sit down on his chair again, carefully pulling him closer towards you. He looks tired, deep shadows visible below his dark eyes. He needs to rest, probably more than you do, considering you apparently slept for two full weeks. A small, amused smile finds its way onto his lips before he carefully moves to sit down next to you on the large bed you're occupying. You move to give him space, encouraging him to lay down instead of sitting.

"I'll be more relaxed if you're next to me," you reason when he tries to argue, and the mighty, dangerous Darkling gives in, slipping under your blanket and resting his head next to yours on the pillows. You're still mad at him, a deep-rooted hatred for him burning deep in your chest, hotter than the sun itself, but feeling him next to you is nice. It almost feels safe.

Once he settles down, he answers, his voice even quieter and softer than it was before.

"In Fjerda. Kenst Hjerte, to be exact."

Ulla. You're with Ulla. Outside of Ravka. Away from everything he has built. Away from his sun summoner.

"Ivan is still in Ravka with a few others to make sure that no Grisha are left in cages. The rest is up here."

You want to say something, like acknowledge the fact that it must've been almost impossible to move a large group of Grisha through Fjerda undetected, but you don't want to interrupt him. He has that far away look in his eyes, and you assume this must be the first time he's letting himself actually work through and think over the events of the past month.

"Ulla wasn't particularly excited to see such a huge group, you can probably imagine. She has never been fond of company, after all, but she accepted it as long as she could stay away, and I don't tell anyone about her presence."

A smirk appears on his lips, and his eyes find yours. "The last bit that convinced her was the absence of Baghra, of course. As soon as she found out that she was still in Ravka, she was suddenly alright with everyone staying as long as the group doesn't pull attention towards the islands, and no one get's close to her."

Mirroring his smile, you watch him for a few seconds, carefully turning your body to lay on its side.

"So we're hiding again."

Aleksander opens his mouth to respond, probably ready to justify his decision, not realising that he doesn't have to. You're glad. Disappearing back into hiding is arguably the first sensible decision he has made since the sun summoner showed up. You're just surprised that he got to this decision himself. He's usually not someone who admits defeat, at least not without you forcing him to. You expected him to do something stupid, like try to fight the entire First Army and the Sun Summomer on his own and get killed in the process.

"I've never really been in hiding before, not since I was a child, at least. Most of the others never had to be. This will probably be really weird, but I'm excited to learn. Are we going to stay here or move somewhere else?"

He seems a bit surprised by the fact that you're not against his decision, pausing for a few seconds to study your facial expressions before he answers.

"I hope to stay here as long as possible, but we have to be prepared to leave any minute. I hope that Ivans group can collect the last Grisha that don't want to serve Vasily and come up here without attracting too much attention, but it's impossible to tell if that will work out."

You nod slowly, carefully putting together a picture of what has happened in the month that you've been out of the loop.

"Do you think there's a risk that Vasily could find out that we're hiding here and tell the Grimjer family? Maybe as an offering of some kind to kindle peace between Ravka and Fjerda and end the war?"

The darkness that flickers in his eyes for just a second makes clear that he has thought about that possibility as well. It would make sense, after all. Give up the Darkling, his wife, and the Grisha that side with them in exchange for peace. You are all considered enemies of the ravkan royal family anyway, so it wouldn't be a loss for Vasily.

"The risk is always there, but I have hope that the preparation of the royal wedding will distract everyone enough to make sure that we can get everyone out of the country without anyone noticing. The people want to celebrate their sun queen and hope for a better future. It should be easy for skilled soldiers to get through and out of the country unnoticed."

It takes you a few seconds until you realize what he just said, and when you finally do, a confused frown appears on your face.

"Sun queen? Is Vasily marrying Alina?"

Aleksander nods.

"And you're not... you're not on your way to rip him to shreds and take her for yourself?"

He let's out a long, loud sigh and turns his head to look at the ceiling, choosing to stay silent for so long that you start to believe that he's not going to respond at all. The only proof that you have that he's actively thinking about his response are the shadows slowly crawling over the floor and walls, swallowing the room and covering you under the familiar blanket of his very own darkness.

You have spent many private moments like this, cloaked by his powers, including your first kiss, your first time sleeping together, and your wedding night. As long as he controls his shadows, you will always have a home.

When he finally does speak, it's soft and light as a feather, his voice drifting through the air like an ancient melody.

"In those two weeks where I was convinced I would be too late, that you were dead, I learned something very important about myself."

Behind him, the shadows crawl up to cover the window, swallowing the last bit of light in the room.

"You are part of me the same way the shadows are part of me. Even if I hate you and you hate me, I can't change that. Losing you would be like losing a vital organ. Even if you chose to despise me for eternity, to never speak to me again, I need to be around you. I'm not fully myself if I'm not with you, sweet girl. You are part of me, just like I hope I am part of you."

You can't see him, but you can hear how he turns his head to look at you. "You can hate your heart and your powers as much as you want, you can't get rid of either. You need both to survive. And I need you the same way."

If anyone else, literally anyone else in the whole world had said this to you, you would've laughed so loud that you could still hear it in the Fold, but hearing those words come out of Aleksanders mouth, especially in that tone, makes you pause.

You know how he sounds when he lies, how his tone shifts to make every word sound just a bit smoother, a bit more convincing, but none of those signs are noticeable now. It's just his voice, in the same, normal, serious tone he uses during important discussions. The same tone he uses when he marries you once every hundred years.

"I have waited many centuries for the sun summoner. I can wait a few more if that means I can keep you with me."

The shadows retreat from the window, letting sunlight back into the room, but they continue to cover the walls, floor, and ceiling.

The light shows you his facial expression, the warm smile that softens his features and smooths the wrinkles in his skin.

"And what if I don't want to stay with you?" You ask quietly, afraid that you could shatter the atmosphere if you speak too loudly. "You hurt me a lot, Aleksander. I don't think I can do this again. What do I do if you randomly decide that you actually want the sun summoner more than me? If you leave me behind? What do I do if she dies and a new sun summoner appears in 300 years and you fall in love with them as well? I can't be your little bed warmer that fills the space next to you until your sun summoner comes back. I'm not strong enough to go through this again. Not tomorrow, not in twenty years, not in a thousand years. I can't do it again."

You try to turn away from him, but before you even get the chance to move, he wraps his arm around your torso and pulls you on top of him, every inch of your body touching his. His large hands cup your face, forcing you to meet his gaze.

"What can I do to prove to you that I will never leave you again?" he asks earnestly, and you can't stop yourself from whispering as you harshly move your head to escape from his grasp, your voice so quiet that it barely makes a sound at all.

"Kill Alina"

Your husband laughs, this time louder, amusement clear in his gaze as he grasps your face once more to make sure your eyes meet his.

"What was that, little wife?"

"What?"

"What you just said. You said something about Alina."

"No, I didn't. What are you talking about? Why would I talk about her while I'm lying on top of you? You must be hallucinating because of how exhausted you are." Your face contorts with mock concern, and Aleksander scoffs, swatting your hand away when you try to touch his face the way he's touching yours. "You should really sleep, my love. This isn't healthy for you at all. Come on, let's sleep. Good night."

You lean forward to press a quick good night kiss onto his lips – more of a peck than a kiss, really – when his grip on your face suddenly tightens, a loud squeak leaving your lips as he pushes you off of him and positions himself above you, switching your positions.

For a few seconds, you just stare at each other, taking each other in for a few seconds until Aleksander slowly bends down to press his lips against yours.

It's a soft kiss. Slow and sweet with an underlying bitterness that you want to ignore but can't.

His weight on you is familiar despite the fact that he isn't crushing you into the mattress the way he usually would, holding himself up with his arms to keep the majority of his weight off of your still recovering body.

When he finally lifts his head and ends the kiss, you smile at him for a second before seriousness washes the softness from your face.

"I'm serious, Sasha. You hurt me. A lot. And I'm not strong enough to withstand this again. If you want your sun summoner, tell me now. I won't even leave, I promise, so you can just tell me. I just want to be prepared, please." Unshed tears fill your eyes, turning your sight blurry as you stare up at your husband who simply watches you, his own face focused solely on you, face blank like a sheet of paper as he listens to your words.

"You left me. After more than 200 years together, you left me for a child. You lied to me and deceived me, pushed me to the side, and ignored me. Two centuries of partnership thrown away because of her. How am I supposed to ever trust you again?"

You regret letting him turn you now. Sitting on top of him gave you a bit of strength, made you feel stronger and bigger than you really are, especially right now in your weakened state. Now you feel small, caged in by his body and his watchful gaze that you're unable to escape. Pathetic, that's how you feel. You should be stronger than this by now, yet here you are, fighting back tears like a child.

"What if you suddenly decide you want her instead of me in a year or two? Do I have to put myself into a life-threatening situation just to remind you that I'm apparently important to you? What will it take next time? All of Fjerda hunting me? Getting sold like cattle in Ketterdam? Experiments in Shu Han? Is that what needs to happen to keep you interested in me? Because that's not worth it, Aleksander. I love you, I do, but I deserve better than that."

He doesn't react for a while, his eyes simply studying your face while he thinks over his response. After a few minutes, he lets himself sink down next to you, laying back on his side, his gaze still glued to you.

Aleksanders dark eyes do not move from you for what feels like hours, taking in every pore, every wrinkle, every bit of texture, taking his time to catalogue every single milimetre of your face in his mind.

He watches how you try to blink away your tears, angry at yourself for showing weakness in a moment where you have to be strong, and he hates himself for pushing you so far away from his heart that you feel like being vulnerable around him, showing weakness in from of your own husband, is a mistake.

He watches you bite your chapped lips, tearing the flesh and covering your front teeth with a bit of blood. An act of self-punishment or a nasty habit you may have developed while he was occupied with Alina? He hates himself more for not being able to answer that question.

It takes a while, but then his hands move to cup your face, holding you like a precious gem, his rough hands suddenly softer than cotton.

Aleksander doesn't tear up like you do. His hands don't shake, and his voice doesn't break when he speaks, but you can feel his sincerity ringing in the air like a bell.

"I'm sorry."

He apologized several times when he found you. Panicked, pained apologies filled with dread and relief and more fear than anyone should be able to feel. But now he's calm. He's not scared of death ripping you out of his grasp in the next minute, isn't trying to lift some of his own guilt off his shoulders before you die in his arms. He had two weeks of processing his thoughts on his own. He had time to think over every mistake he has made, and he intends to right them, starting with you and what he has done to you.

"I'm sorry that I ever made you feel like you weren't enough. I'm sorry for acting like you aren't enough. I'm sorry for forgetting how much greater you are than me. You are and will always be the most precious thing in my life, the most wonderful thing the making could've ever given me. I am a foolish man, but I should know better than that. And you shouldn't forgive me. I do not deserve forgiveness, but I can't help but hope for it anyway. I pray that you find it in your endlessly kind heart to give me one last chance. If you do, my love, my beautiful, wonderful, perfect little wife, I swear I'll make you queen. I will end the Lantsov line and kill the sun summoner and give you the country we once called home. I will give you anything you want, I promise it."

A loud sob tears through your throat, tears running freely over your face and soaking into the pillow below you as you listen to him bear his old, rotten heart and soul to you.

"I don't want the throne," you rasp out. "I just want you. That's all I've ever wanted."

"I know. And I failed to give it to you, but I promise that this will never happen again. Kill me if it does. Stab me in the heart while I sleep, poison my food, slit my throat. I swear that I will not defend myself. Bring my head to the Apparat and let him turn you into a Saint if I betray you again, my love, but please give me this one chance to prove myself to you. I will not fail you again, I swear it."

You almost laugh at that, but the shimmering in his eyes stops you before you can even smile. It's like he's fighting himself to make sure he doesn't cry, reminding you that this is serious.

"I will actually do it, you hear me? If you betray me again, I will rally the Grisha against you. Ulla, too, while I'm at it. They like me more than you anyway. I'll chop your head off and give it to the Apparat and become Sankta Y/N of the dawn or whatever they end up calling me. I'll make sure there are thousands of paintings of how I murdered you. And I'll make it seem like it was easy, too. I'll tell them I overpowered you effortlessly and cut your heart out while you confessed your love to me or something. All of Ravka will make fun of how you died. It'll overshadow the horror stories about the Black Heretic. You will become the joke of a whole nation."

He smiles softly. "I would expect nothing less of you, my love."

You mirror his smile weakly, eyes flickering down to his lips twice before slowly leaning in. Aleksander waits for you, refusing to move while your breath ghosts over his lips.

"Are you sure?" he asks, waiting for you to decide what to do. The tension between you two is heavy, your nose filling with his oh so familiar scent with every breath you take.

"I am," you answer almost silently. "I don't forgive you, not yet. But I think I can give you one last chance. I think I can do it."

Laughing weakly, you continue, "Especially now that I'm allowed to murder you if you betray my trust again."

He hums, his nose brushing softly against yours as he waits for you to confirm your decision.

When you do, your lips pressing against his, it tastes like ash and death, like destruction and poison and chocolate and peace and promises.

It tastes like sin. It tastes like coming home. It tastes like love.

Taglist: @budugu @purebloodwitch @hells-escapees @savagejane1 @deadunicorn159

#aleksander morozova x reader #general kirigan x reader #darkling x reader #the darkling x reader

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marvelmusing · 2 years

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A Night of Firsts

Pairing: Aleksander Morozova x Fem!Reader

Summary: Your family requires you to marry, despite your position as a First Army strategist. Luckily, General Kirigan is more than willing to offer you his hand in marriage. You’re fond of Aleksander, but your wedding night has arrived and you’re beyond nervous.

Warnings [18+]: smut, fingering, first time, experienced!Aleksander, innocent!reader, reader has outdated ideas about first times, tiny bit of corruption kink, praise kink, wife kink, little bit of size kink

My Masterlist

“I can hear you overthinking,” Aleksander says in a low voice as he steps out from behind the changing screen in his room. He’s changed out of the kefta he had worn for the ceremony, into a black bath robe.

Glancing at his reflection in the mirror, you fiddle with the hem of your nightgown as you adjust yourself from where you’re currently seated at his vanity table.

“Am I really that easy to read?”

“No, I just know you.”

You wish he would touch you as casually as he had been through the evening. The reception had been as nerve wracking as the ceremony itself, but Aleksander’s touch had helped to ease your discomfort.

He holds your gaze in the mirror as he stands behind you.

“We won’t do anything you’re not comfortable with.” You nod faintly. “We don’t have to do anything tonight, or any other night onwards.”

“But we do,” you insist in a small voice. “If anyone finds out our marriage hasn’t been consummated, my parents will seek to annul our marriage instantly.”

You know your parents were pleased that you had finally married, but you’re certain they believe you could have done better than a Grisha General.

“Whatever happens in this room stays between you and I.”

A soft, yet bitter, scoff falls from your lips as you remember one of your married friends telling you about her wedding night.

“Servants check the bedsheets you know.”

A frown crinkles at his brow, then his expression softens as he takes a step closer to you. His hand is warm as it settles on your waist, and some of the tension leaves your shoulders.

“It isn’t supposed to hurt,” he says softly and once he sees the confusion in your eyes he adds, “Your first time. You shouldn’t bleed, or hurt, if I’m doing my job correctly.”

“What do you mean?”

“May I touch you?” You nod.

He presses a kiss to your temple, nuzzling his face against yours as his hands smooth over your body. You’re only wearing a simple nightgown, white silk and lace that was picked by your dressmaker.

One hand squeezes at your hip, as he leaves a line of kisses from your cheek, to your jaw, and down your throat. His other hand cups your breast tenderly, a warm pressure against your body that leaves you aching.

“When I touch you,” he murmurs softly against the shell of your ear. “And kiss you.” He presses his lips against your neck once again and you shiver. “How does it feel?”

“Good, so good,” you whisper, your eyes heavy as he continues his actions. He hums approvingly.

“Where does it feel good, milaya?” Your cheeks burn, and he offers you his hand. “Show me where.”

You take his hand, sliding it down your body to rest against your clothed core. The heat of his hand, and the firm pressure of his fingers pressing against your entrance has you inhaling sharply. He watches your face, taking in your wide eyes and parted lips.

“When you feel good down here, it gets wet. Have you ever noticed that, milaya?” You shake your head, and he rubs gentle circles over the fabric of your panties. “Have you ever touched yourself here?”

When you open your eyes you find him staring at you, and for a moment you lose yourself in his darkened eyes. You shake your head. He breathes out sharply, grasping your chin between his fingers to ensure that your gaze doesn’t shy from his as he speaks.

“I’m going to take such good care of you. Will you let me, milaya? Will you let me teach you how to feel good?”

Before his words are finished, you’re nodding your head. Aleksander’s smile is dark as he kisses you, firmer this time. His lips devour each and every sound that leaves you, and you’re gasping when he pulls away.

“Let’s get you to bed,” he says quietly, and pulls you into his arms.

Arms curled tightly around his body, it isn’t long before Aleksander is placing you down at the head of the bed. He kisses you again and you moan softly as his hands pin your body to the mattress beneath you.

“Can I take this off?” he asks, gesturing to your nightgown, and you nod hurriedly. He smiles that dark smile again at your eagerness and helps you to pull the garment over your head.

All that you’re wearing now is your panties. White lace, with a delicate bow at the centre of the waistband. Aleksander groans low in his throat at the sight of you, and your body burns under his gaze.

“You’re so beautiful,” he tells you, as his hands settle at your waist and his mouth kisses along your throat. His movements are firmer than before, with more pressure behind his touches and his tongue and teeth join his lips as he kisses your skin. “Utterly perfect.”

“Aleksander,” you whisper in a gasp.

He lifts his head up and your eyes meet his. Then he slides your panties down your thighs, before removing them completely. He settles his body over yours, the heat of him chasing away the chill of the room. Aleksander nuzzles his face against your cheek tenderly.

“Can you part your legs for me, milaya?”

Shyly, you do as he says. He moans lowly as he looks down at the slick gathered between your thighs.

“Good girl.”

You whimper at his praise, and with the glint in his eyes you know he’s noticed.

“Can I touch you now?” he asks softly, his fingers tracing delicate patterns over your stomach and thighs.

“Yes, please,” you beg and he chuckles quietly.

“Such a well mannered little wife of mine.”

A shuddering gasp leaves your lips as his fingers finally brush over your entrance. He slides his digits through your wetness, and your hips begin to rock against his hand. Aleksander notices you biting down on your lip.

He cups your face with his other hand, pulling your lower lip away from your teeth.

“Don’t quieten yourself. I want to hear all the pretty sounds I can wring from you.”

Then he slides a finger inside you, and a broken moan leaves your lips. He tilts your head, keeping your eyes on his as he pushes his finger further inside.

“Doing so well for me, milaya,” he says in a low voice, his forehead pressing against yours. You gasp when his finger is fully inside you, and he curls the digit until you’re writhing beneath him.

He moves his finger out of you, and you moan loudly when he thrusts back inside. The wet noises make your skin flush, but Aleksander begins to increase his pace. His fingertip brushes against a spot inside you that makes you groan and he ensures to hit that spot with every thrust.

His thumb brushes along the outside of your entrance, and you whimper when he catches a particular spot. He smirks and rolls the pad of his thumb against the spot.

“Does that feel good, milaya? Is your pretty clit all swollen and needy for me to touch it?” The word is unfamiliar to you, but the small nub is eager for more of Aleksander’s attention.

“Yes, oh yes Aleksander please.”

He soon finds a rhythm that makes your legs shake, and you moan and whimper with every one of Aleksander’s touches. Sweat glosses over your skin, and your chest heaves as pleasure overtakes your need to breathe.

Your body tenses, and a warm pool of pleasure settles in your stomach before it plummets downwards quickly.

“Aleksander.”

You whine, grasping at his wrist and staring at him with wide eyes and a puzzled expression.

“Is something wrong?”

“I don’t know. I-”

You whimper, your eyes fluttering closed as the feeling of immense pleasure returns. Aleksander can feel your clenching tightly around his finger, your walls fluttering as pleasure threatens to consume you.

“It’s alright milaya. You’re about to climax. Do you know what that is?”

You shake your head, and the speed of Aleksander’s finger increases, his eyes darkening at the thought of being your first in so many different ways.

“That’s alright,” he assures you, before explaining, “Your pretty little cunt is going to squeeze hard around my finger, drip all over my hand, and you’re going to feel incredibly good.”

His words alone have you moaning his name eagerly. The well mannered, well spoken General speaking to you in such a manner has you reeling. He swipes his thumb over your clit in smooth circles and the pleasure builds steadily within you.

“Can you do that for me, milaya? Feel good for me, and cum around my finger like a good little wife?”

Your voice is a whispered plea of his name, that you repeat over and over again. He holds his finger still as you clench around him, your back arching as he presses his fingertip against that spot inside you.

A broken cry leaves your lips as you reach your peak, before his mouth is on yours. You moan softly against Aleksander’s lips as the pleasure tingles over your skin.

He eases you through the after waves of pleasure, before he pulls his finger out. You feel the loss of it, as your eyes flutter closed, but you’re too busy catching your breath to protest.

When you open your eyes you find Aleksander’s attention is on his finger, his pink tongue lapping at the creamy white proof of your climax. His eyes meet yours, and he sees the surprise on your face.

“Would you like to taste yourself, milaya?”

Your cheeks warm but you nod tentatively.

He chuckles softly and extends his finger towards you. As you lean forward you poke your tongue out, lapping at his large finger with small kitten licks. The salty taste isn’t unpleasant, and you run your tongue over the length of his finger. A small hum leaves your throat as you pull away.

“Good girl,” he murmurs.

He moves away from your body, settling on the bed beside you, and you frown. He smiles softly.

“I won’t overwhelm you on our first night together, milaya.” He presses a kiss to your hairline as you rest your head against his chest. “I want to take my time with you.”

“So, what now?” you ask softly, pressing a small kiss to his collarbone as you sink into his embrace. Your mind is still fuzzy with pleasure and clinging onto him is the only thing grounding you.

“In a moment, I’ll call for a servant to run you a bath, and to change the sheets.”

Your cheeks burn, and you squeeze your eyes shut as you press your face hard against his chest. Even as you cover your face with your hands, you can still feel Aleksander chuckling beneath you.

Once he’s gone quiet, he pries your hands away from your face and regards you tenderly.

“No one will question the status of our marriage.”

He brushes a hair from your cheek, and you give him a small smile, before you kiss his lips softly. The first kiss you had ever initiated with him. His smile widens.

When the servants arrive, you’re sitting at the vanity table wearing one of Aleksander’s bath robes. He issues a few requests, and you can hear one servant pouring the water into the bath tub whilst another pulls back the bedsheets.

You frown when a tray is placed on the table in front of you, and lift a brow towards Aleksander. He stands behind you, his chest against your back as he says quietly,

“You didn’t eat much at dinner.”

You’re surprised he had noticed such a thing, your reception had been demanding for the both of you.

“I was a little nervous,” you reason.

He leans over, lifting up the metal covering to reveal the contents of the tray. A smile blooms over your lips, and you tilt your head back to look at him. Aleksander’s eyes sparkle as he smiles down at you.

Two slices of cake sit on their own delicate china plates, with a pot of tea and two teacups, as well as milk and sugar. Not just any cake either - your wedding cake.

Aleksander drops a kiss to your shoulder.

It’s likely the servants are exchanging looks. It’s likely they see the smile on your face, and the glow of your skin. No doubt they will tell all the others that the General and his wife are madly in love. When Aleksander looks at you with such adoration in his eyes, it’s hard for you to not believe that as well.

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marvelmusing Tag List: @dreamlandcreations @blanchedelioncourt @idaofinfinity

#the darkling #the darkling x reader #aleksander morozova #aleksander morozova x reader #general kirigan x reader #the darkling x you #the darkling x y/n #the darkling smut #shadow and bone au #netflix shadow and bone #shadow and bone x reader

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kasagia · 9 months

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Bring me a dream pt. 2

Pairing: Aleksander Morozova/general Kirigan x fem! sun summoner! reader Summary: Aleksander has always wanted to meet you. His soul mate. But when he finally has you by his side in the Little Palace, he realises that you are not the same after all, and the passage of time has changed both him and you. Can you find your way back? Rise to the occasion and give Grisha a brighter, safer future? Wairning(s): trauma, fold, volcra, abuse, de@th mention, Baghra is a terrible mother, Genya deserves better, Aleksander is a puppy that needs a hug, the reader has a moral conflict, they are all ALONE. Word count: 5,4k Taglist: @aoi-targaryen @morrigan-crowmwell @louderfortheback @ludarklina-fan-spot @sayumiht @budugu @howibecameabadassbitch ~•♤♤♤•~ Part 1 ~•♤♤♤•~ Aleksander Morozova's Masterlist ~•♤♤♤•~

Oh I'm scared to see the ending why are we pretending this is nothing? I'd tell you I miss you but I don't know how... I've never heard silence quite this loud. Taylor Swift - The Story of Us

"If he thinks I'm going to wear this, I would be more than happy to go and tell him that I'm not." you snort as you sit in the huge (very comfortable) bed in the room Aleksander has assigned you in the Little Palace.

Genya sighed as she put the black kefta with golden sun embellishments and sunbeams on the bed. Kefta was beautiful… if only it hadn't been tainted by his colour.

"The general insisted that you wear black to your presentation to the royal family."

"And I insist that he shouldn't take me to that circus. Did you tell him that?" the redhead giggled in amusement, which made me smile slightly.

It was a big change for her. After the first time I disobeyed Aleksander's orders, Genya looked at me with a mixture of fear, confusion and concern. However, she quickly learned that such skirmishes between us were the norm ... or at least I wasn't punished for them in any way. Except for Aleksander's inborn malice, which he surely gained from his mother.

"Oh I did… and General told me to tell you that if he had to, he'd carry you all the way to the Grand Palace himself. No matter what you would be wearing."

"Bastard." you mutter under your breath. You get out of bed and look at the kefta Genya made for you.

"The General doesn't let just anyone walk in his colors." she tells you in a conspiratorial tone. A small, mischievous smirk stretches across her lips.

You flinch, feigning disgust. "Don't even insinuate such things to me. He must be too old for me... Better tell me how your handsome friend Durast is?" you ask teasingly, laughing as you see the blush on her cheeks.

She bends down and steals a pillow from your bed to throw at you. You toss pillows, laughing. You both stop when, suddenly, after your dodging, a pillow thrown by Genya is caught by Aleksander standing in the doorway.

"Are you two enjoying yourself?" he asks, raising an eyebrow at both of you.

"Shouldn't you knock first before entering a lady's room?" you snort sarcastically, already annoyed by his serious, sepulchral demeanour.

"Shouldn't you be dressed already?"

"I don't like black and I'm allergic to royalty, so I'm not going," you say, crossing your arms. "And give me back my pillow."

Aleksander sighs as he throws a pillow at you, and if it wasn't for your quick reflexes, he would have punched you in the face. "Genya, wait a moment outside." he says as he enters your room and waits for the door to close behind the redhead.

You look at him defiantly with your arms crossed. "I'm not going anywhere." you declare firmly.

Aleksander sighs as he walks over to you. "Don't be a brat. I have hundreds of years of plans that will go awry if you don't do this one thing for me. So, for the sake of Grishas, put your pride in your pocket and please put on this kefta."

"And how do you know your plans are good for them?"

Ever since you arrived at the Little Palace, the subject of the fold has come up many times between you... mostly it ended with you both taking offence at each other and taking your anger out on the other.

"We'll discuss this another time. Please, Y/N." he asks. You roll your eyes but take the kefta from the bed anyway. "Thank you," he says with relief.

"I'm not doing this for you." you say coldly and walk past him, locking yourself in the bathroom to change. You hear him stand still for a moment, processing your words, before storming out of the room in anger, letting Genya inside.

You could have kept quiet about his true identity and the plans he'd revealed to you, but you weren't going to stand by his side. No matter how he tries to convince you. And after looking at yourself in the mirror and at the kefta in his colours, you come to a terrible, but true conclusion.

You looked good in black…

"Her name is Y/N Y/L/N. And she is going to free as all." Aleksander introduces you to the crowd that has gathered and the royal family. You wince slightly at the drama of his words. Fortunately, in the darkness of the shadows he has summoned, only you two can see each other now.

He stands in front of you and watches carefully as you summon several beams of light.

It must not be enough for him, because suddenly he grabs you by the wrist... and then the real show happens.

You immediately feel his amplifying powers. You feel a familiar haze of daze, a sense of power and authority as light pours out of you, burning your veins from the inside out.

You like that feeling... it scares you as much as it fascinates you. And just by looking at Aleksander's smug, almost proud face, you know he's boasting that he still has such power over you... that he can still make you shine for him.

You look each other in the eye. Each with their own emotions. This time, you can see through his eyes what he feels. Pride. Admiration... the longing hidden behind the way he stared at you and your light as if he was enchanted.

He stepped aside, facing the royal family again. You yanked your hand out of his grip and, ignoring the disgruntled frown on his face, ended the show.

You were furious. You knew why he did it. He wanted to show exactly how much power you wield. That they fear you as much as they fear him. And he succeeded. Only he looked at you unwaveringly. The rest of the crowd either looked down, whispering to each other, or stared appraisingly at you.

Then the real hell began. For an hour, you were the main attraction, entertaining the nobility with your skills and your fake origin story. You didn't know what was worse. The fact that you voluntarily became a little toy at the royal court or that the constant presence of Aleksander by your side brought you some kind of relief and you were able to survive this torture thanks to him.

And the last thing you wanted to feel about that son of a bitch was gratitude. Not after he was the reason you had to come here. Therefore, as soon as you were able to leave the Grand Palace, you decided that you would act like a child and not speak to him. To which he just smiled under his breath. His mischievous grin was still as hot as it had been hundreds of years ago. Even better with his beard and shorter hair. Damn bastard.

Just as you are about to walk back into the Little Palace, you feel his hand on your elbow. You raise a questioning eyebrow at him. He doesn't answer you. He still smirks as he leads you away from the Little Palace to a place only he knows.

You roll your eyes. Apparently, you have to speak first if you want to know where he's taking you.

"All right. You won." You huff angrily. "Where are you dragging me? My room is over there." you say, pointing to the building next to you two.

"I think you'll appreciate fresh air more than closed walls. Especially after you've been stuck there with nobles and royals for so long." you snort, not for a moment believing in his sudden concern for your well-being.

Aleksander looks around, trying to make sure you're alone. He looks at you intently for a moment. A spark of mischief in his eyes. Then, at the speed of light, he unhooks your grandmother's bracelet from your wrist and runs away with it.

You stand there for a moment in shock before you run after him. "Hey! Give it back!" you shout after the retreating shadow summoner, who laughs.

Fortunately, his black kefta is easily spotted in gardens, so you have no problem tracking it. He stops suddenly, and you bump right into him. You fall to the ground, and he is beneath you.

You can't help but snort in amusement, then laugh when you see that he's somehow gotten his cheek dirty in the earth. He smiles and giggles too. You both stop when you see how close the two of you are after you reach up to his face and brush away clods of earth with your thumb.

His dark brown eyes watch you intently. You feel yourself blush under his intense gaze. But before he reaches out to cup your cheek with his hand (and maybe raise himself up on one elbow to kiss you), you reach for your bracelet and quickly stand up.

You fasten the bracelet around your wrist with his name on it and look around. You gasp as you see that he has led you to a beautiful lake with a small island in the centre.

"Do you like it?" Aleksander whispers in your ear. You turn your head towards him, freeze when you see how close he is to you. You involuntarily lick your lips as you look into his eyes.

"That's nice." you say, and you move away from him to go to the pier.

He doesn't stay far behind. After a while, he walks beside you. You both sit on the edge, arm in arm. You take off your shoes and dip your feet in the water while playing. You feel Aleksander's eyes on you, and out of the corner of your eye, you see a smirk on his face.

"I used to want to be a tidemaker. When I was a child, I was frustrated that I couldn't use my powers in public. My grandmother used to take me to the lake, and I had only one desire while swimming..."

"To be anyone else." he finishes for you. You shift your gaze from the lake to him. He stares into the distance, as if remembering the past. "Stop being afraid of being ostracised and hated by both Ravkans and Grishas. Stop being afraid that one day your "brothers and sisters" will stand against you. Stop being a changeling."

"Yeah… something like that." you reply bitterly, shifting your gaze back to the lake. The wind blows lightly across your face, blowing strands of hair from Genya's scruffy hairstyle.

You wrinkle your nose, trying to loosen the intricate bun with braids in it. Aleksander giggles as he sees you struggle with a complicated hairstyle.

"May I?" he asks, pointing to your hair.

You raise an eyebrow at him. "You know how to… undo it?" you ask, surprised. He laughs genuinely and carelessly at your reaction, sitting down behind you. You blush slightly at the sound you've missed over the centuries.

"I have a younger sister." he says nonchalantly, starting to untangle your complicated hairstyle.

It's a good thing he's sitting behind you, or he'd have seen your mouth open in shock. Somehow, you couldn't imagine him as… a sibling.

"A sister?" you ask, too curious to let the subject go. He just croons in confirmation. Annoyingly, he untangles your tresses well. You barely feel his hand movements. "Will you tell me more about her?"

"She's almost as stubborn and irritating as you are." you snort, offended, feeling the first loose strands of hair fall down your back with relief. "Her name is Ulla."

Aleksander is not effusive. He wasn't like that even when you first met. That's why there's something… intimate about him sharing a piece of his past with you.

"So… Baghra had more of you?" you ask curious.

"Perhaps... but only I was... like her." A Shadow Summoner - you think. And deep down, you suspect that Baghra wasn't the one who looked after Ulla. Aleksander snaps you out of your thoughts as he strokes your already loose hair. "Done." he says and stands up.

"Thank you." you tell him. You stand up too and grab your shoes as you both walk off the pier.

"And you?" he asks, walking beside you. "Any siblings to tease?" you snort in amusement as you put on your shoes.

"No. My mother died… quite early and I never knew my father."

"You never wanted to meet him?" he asks curiously. You know why. He never knew his father either… you wonder if he ever wanted to meet him himself…

"No." you speak quickly, sure of your answer. "I had a grandmother. I didn't need anyone else."

"Had?" he asks, raising an eyebrow. You sigh, involuntarily playing with the bracelet on your wrist.

"She died." you speak calmly… in an empty tone learned over the years, betraying no emotion.

After so many centuries, Aleksander knew there was no point in saying I'm sorry. Not for you. He knew that the last thing you would expect in such a situation were words so empty or full of feigned regret, often repeated by people. He decided to go with a rather safer and definitely more meaningful question for the people in your situation.

"When?"

"Centuries ago." silence fell between the two of you, and realisation hit Aleksander. You were utterly alone. For so many centuries. You didn't have anyone standing by your side.

If Aleksander was sure you'd let him, he'd lock you in his embrace and not let you go until he's sure you know he'll always be there for you... that he's been your shelter whether you love, like, or hate him with all your heart. He would always be there for you.

You change the subject, trying to avoid his questions. Fortunately, he doesn't insist. For a moment, you're back to those kids who met hundreds of years ago. Only Aleksander and Y/N. No summoners of shadows or sun. And you can't help feeling how easy it is to get into that old routine with him.

However, everything changes when you are back on the palace grounds. You feel Grishas' heavy, hopeful, admiring eyes on you again. And you feel overwhelmed by your new role. You were not a saint. You were not a hero or a person who changed the world.

And by the soft smile on Aleksander's face, you're reminded that the man you were talking to so freely and openly just a moment ago wants it all. He wants you to stand by his side and change the world... not necessarily for the better for everyone.

"I guess I didn't get a chance to tell you sooner, but you look lovely, by the way." he says, looking at you. The black kefta suddenly weighs heavily on you more than before… and explains the soft whispers of some Grishas.

You roll your eyes. You suddenly remembered why you couldn't trust him. And you mentally chastised yourself for letting him manipulate you. You had to raise your walls again. "I know you too well and I'm too old to be seduced by you."

"I thought you were too smart for that?" he is teasing you, remembering what you said to him the first time you met. You look around to make sure that no one can hear your conversation.

"I was wise. Before I met the Black Heretic and let my guard down." it is obvious from the slight furrow of his brow in anger that he does not like the nickname. You make a mental note to call him that way more often when you're alone.

"There was a time when names didn't matter to us. Where all you cared about was the real me. Not the way others saw me." he says, and if you were still that naive girl, you'd think you saw a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

"You're right. At that time, I never imagined you would turn out to be..."

"I'm still the same man, Y/N..." he interrupts you with obvious hurt in his eyes. You both stop in front of the door of the Little Palace. Aleksander tries to read in your eyes where this sudden change of mood and coldness come from. "As you are the same wonan."

"No." you shake your head. "I'm not. And the boy I knew and loved died hundreds of years ago in the fold."

You see your words hurt him. And for a brief moment, he lets you see right through his eyes. He lets you see the pain and the tears that threatened to run down his cheeks.

But he doesn't let his emotions take over. You both live too long not to be able to hide them whenever you want... but that doesn't mean it hurts any less.

"What a pity... If you change your mind, you know where to find me."

You watch his receding silhouette with a heavy heart, and you can't help but wonder… did you two really seem so different after all?

You shake your head. NO. You couldn't fall into the arms of a man who took everything you knew, your last shelter... and you didn't want to admit to yourself that you still had TWO known arms that could be your shelter... Unfortunately for you, they were wearing a black kefta, symbolising his shadows.

All you remember is a scream.

A loud, soul-piercing scream.

Actually, not one. Not short. Not temporary.

And with the screams came darkness. A darkness that made people lose sight of their loved ones. It didn't matter if it was Grisha or Otkazat'sya. Everyone died. One after the another.

No one knew from where, in a few seconds, shadows appeared instead of a clear sky and sun. All that could be seen in the shadow fold were only the fingers on your hands.

And after a while, they joined the shadows. Human-eating creatures. Volcra.

You were running ahead with a light orb in your hand. Beside you was your grandmother, shooing the creatures away.

You ran together, trying to find a way out of the vast sea of shadows that surrounded you. At some point, a scared group of people started running straight at you, trying to get as close to your light as possible and hide. You split up, trying to lose the crowd of people who might remember your faces. But you couldn't leave them alone. You created a great orb of light and left the people behind, making sure the orb would follow them.

As you offered to help others, you paid little attention to your surroundings. Volcra surrounded you, and one of them lunged at you from behind. You'd be dead... if your grandmother hadn't thrown herself in front of you. But before she could create a sufficient orb of light, the volcra struck her in the heart.

Your scream mingled with the screams of the people around you. Grandmother's blood mixed with the blood of others. You kneeled by her until the end… until she gave you her amplifier, and with the last of her strength, she used all her power to illuminate the area around you, killing the nearest volcras.

You were completely alone in the darkness of the fold. Tears dripped from your eyes onto your cheeks and bleed the earth beneath you, your screams of despair slowly becoming the only audible sound in the fold.

You were all alone.

You flinched as you felt a hand on your shoulder. You closed your eyes, waiting for the volcra to attack as usual in this particular dream, but nothing came...

Nothing but a warm embrace and a familiar scent that you only associated with security and safety.

With tears in your eyes, you threw yourself into Aleksander's arms, crying into his chest. And you couldn't help but shiver as his hands stroked your back, pressing you tight against his chest as he kissed the top of your head.

"You're not alone." he whispered, holding you close to him. And for a brief moment, you wanted it all to be real...

Wandering around the Little Palace at night turned out to be something that did not bring you peace. Contrary. After overhearing a conversation between a pair of guard soldiers, you storm Aleksander's chambers, furious, frustrated, angry, and… disappointed.

You don't bother knocking or stopping at the soldiers guarding his chambers… you wonder for a moment why they even let you into his chambers late at night, but decide to think about it another time while you focus on the rage bubbling inside you.

You stormed into his war room and if it weren't for the late hour and the fact that you didn't want to wake anyone else but him, you would have slammed the door loudly behind you.

Then you see him. The object of all your negative feelings. The reason for all your anger and hurt… Grandmother was right, he should have been kicked in the ass and left to freeze to death in that lake while there was still a chance to get rid of him.

He stands before his war table, where there are maps, soldier figures, and something that looks like a fold. He drinks kvass. You send a little prayer to the saints, hoping that one day he'll choke on it.

"Aleksander." you say, warning him of your arrival before you unleash hell.

He looks at you with a slight shock that gives way to something like a sense of awe and adoration, as if he is trying to keep in his memory the way you look right now. You're suddenly very aware of your black and gold nightgown, which reveals more of your skin than he's ever seen. You could have changed into something else if you've already wanted to yell at him… or at least put on a bathrobe.

And with those puppy eyes he gives you, he almost melts your heart… almost.

"We need to talk." you say in a cool tone, trying not to give your emotions away.

"Of course. Come in. Do you want something to drink?" it annoys you. His calmness and composure when anger is burning inside you more than ever… and for some unknown reason you feel betrayed… as if you couldn't foresee that he is exactly like any man.

"No, I… You know. Give it." you say, taking a glass of kvass from him and drinking it all down. He raises an eyebrow in surprise but doesn't comment. Good for him. You decide to go straight to the heart of the matter. "Are all your female Grishas are whores for the royal family or just Genya?" you ask in an accusatory tone.

He widens his eyes, not expecting such a question. He takes the glass from you and puts it on the table. Then he turns his gaze back to you and speaks in that damn calm tone.

"Y/N... You don't understand..."

"YOU KNOW how much we suffered at the hand of the king, and yet you sent that poor girl there? And you told her to be his whore? IN THE NAME OF WHAT, Aleksander?!" you explode. Aleksander's head flies to the closed door.

Very good - you think. You want the bastard to worry about someone overhearing you... you're not sure you'll even tell him that you asked the soldiers (with all the politeness and composure you have left) to go check on the commotion in the gardens. By the time they realise there's nothing going on, you'll be done here long ago... or you'll have to hide their general's body. You don't know how it's going to end yet.

"Shh! Someone will hear." he tries to silence you and walks to the door, closing it.

"DO NOT SHUSH ME! I don't care what your plans are, but I am taking Genya out of there once and for good. And nobody can stop me."

"Y/N... please let's talk calmly." he says as he slowly walks over to you to stand in front of you.

"Do you want to talk calmly? Fine. I am calmly informing you that Genya is returning to the Little Palace and getting her own kefta. Not some white servant shit you made her wear."

"Genya's service is part of the great plan of things she willingly agreed to." Killing the king. You finish for him in your head, linking the king's increasingly deteriorating health to a mad heretic's grand plan.

You may have been different, but you knew each other's thoughts and ways of acting. It doesn't change that quickly over time… even if he has given himself more to his darkness and you more to your light. But hell will take you if you agree with his way of working…

"Because she had no other choice! You say you despise the king and everything his ancestors did to us, and that's what you are, doing exactly the same thing, if not worse, to your own people who are as loyal and faithful as dogs to you!"

You yelled furiously at him, and from the crease on his forehead and the hurt look in his eyes that turned to anger when you compared him to a king, you knew that there would be a war between the two of you today.

"You have no idea what's going on! You have no idea why I do what I do. You come here, accuse me of the worst, and make childish claims! Maybe you should finally wake up and see that, actually, I am the only one who does anything for our people, even if it means going to the worst!" you bit your lip in anger.

You both knew where to hit each other so that it hurt the most. You in his immoral, dubious ways of acting to win this eternal war for the good of the Grishas, and him in your passivity and hiding for centuries. But you're not giving this bastard the privilege of having the last word.

"And that's a very beautiful transition to the second topic, which is the fold and your plans to expand it. What is it? Another necessary evil? Do you know how many lives it has taken? Not just Otkazat'syas."

He laughs bitterly and licks his lips as you return to your most divisive topic. "Your obsession with the fold is naive."

You growl angrier at him. Only he was able to drive you crazy with one look, comment, or mocking smile. Good for him that you had similar power over him... otherwise, you would probably have tried to scratch his eyes out long ago.

"The fold took everything from me! From us all!"

"You think I don't know that? That I'm not reminded of it at my every single step?! That I forgot that I created it?! NO Y/N! I remember it perfectly! I remember the king's men chasing us and wanting to kill us like dogs, I remember the Fjerdans and Shu kidnapping and killing them either out of hatred or experimenting on us, I remember all of that, Y/N! You weren't there! You don't know why it happened, why I had to do what I did."

"Maybe you're right. Maybe I don't know why, but I was there when the shadows started to cover the ground, when the innocent people living in the territory of the emerging fold started turning into volcra because a certain shadow summoner decided to play a saint!"

He seems taken aback by your words, but he quickly puts his mask on his face. He turns his back on you and walks over to the war table, staring at the map, speaking in a calm, emotionless voice this time.

"You should leave now."

"We didn't finish..." he cuts you off before you can say anything else. With every word he says, the frustration and anger in his voice get clearer. The room is darkened by his shadows.

"The disclosure of your existence has brought our enemies ever closer to the border. An uprising is brewing in the west, led by a general of the First Army. Our own people in Ravka are against us. Our resources are dwindling, the noose is tightening, and our own people are turning against Grisha just like the king once did. The last thing I need right now is to argue with you. So leave. And let me continue fighting this war alone."

You don't know why you're doing it or what drives you, but you walk over to him and grab his hand. You both don't control the power flowing within you, so when your skin touches his, you feel him amplify your powers. You create a bubble of pure white light around you that dispels his shadows.

It's like at the throne room again. The two of you are staring at each other as your white light surrounds you. Only this time, Aleksander doesn't look at you like a capture or booty; there's not a single trace of pride or annoyance on his face, as you feared.

No...

He looks at you as the last light in the darkness of his soul. A reminder that he is not alone and that as long as you are by his side, his shadows will never consume him like in his worst nightmares. You were here. Next to him. Holding his hand in yours and shining like the last star in his dark sky devoid of hope.

For a moment, he was transported back to those times when, hundreds of years ago, you were both there for each other, alleviating all insecurities, sorrows, and dilemmas without even knowing each other's names. Just being there for another similar lost and lonely soul... not much has changed in those few centuries.

You'd tell him you missed him but you don't know how...

And he was dying to know if this aloofness and mistrust were killing you as much as they were killing him.

You let go of his hand. The light around you slowly faded away, leaving the two of you in darkness as you stared enchanted at each other.

"What are you doing?" he asks in a whisper, never taking his eyes off yours. The anger is gone from both you and him. You just stare at each other, both of you unable to take your eyes off the other.

You did not know what you were doing. Really. Aleksander had a tendency to make you do inexplicable things…

He knew you were as lost as him. So many centuries on earth, and none of you have yet learned… how to live. Hundreds of years and you still felt like lost children in the mist, trying to control everything around you, pretending to others that you were in control or knew perfectly what you were doing.

That's why he didn't question your lack of response. Or that you stayed in the dark, staring through each other for a moment longer. Both of you feel that for the first time in hundreds of long years, you are facing someone who is facing similar demons.

One thing was sure.

You have never heard silence speaking about dormant feelings quite this loudly.

"You're not alone." you repeat his words from your dream, involuntarily wondering for a moment if you still haunt him in his dreams as well. The look of his dark brown eyes, focusing only on you, is too overwhelming for you to take it much longer. You look away for a moment, then take your gaze back at him, giving him a small smile. "Someone has to undermine those perfect plans of yours from time to time. We don't want your ego to grow so big that it can't be contained in this palace, do we, General?" you ask jokingly and smile as you hear something like an amused snort from him.

He leans towards you and you gasp in surprise. Gently, he brushes the hair behind your ear with his fingertips. You shiver slightly at the small, almost non-existent touch of his skin against yours.

"No… we don't want to." he whispers, staring at you for a few more moments before pulling away and introducing you to the situation.

Darkness surrounds the two of you as you both talk. The only source of light is your little orbs floating above the war table. And for the first time, both of you feel at peace.

Neither of you were alone anymore.

And you both feel in this moment some kind of peace and relief...

At least until a messenger came running in the very dawn with a letter from the colonel of the Second Army…

The Fjerdans attacked.

200 notes · View notes

thebadgerclan · 9 months

Text

Appetizer

Pairing: Aleksander Morozova x reader

Requested by Anonymous

Summary: He needs to taste you...

Smut!

Aleksander was tense at your side. His knuckles were white as he gripped his fork, and his hand shook as he brought his wine glass to his lips. “Darling?” you asked coyly, resting a hand on his bicep. “Are you alright?” Your husband slowly inhaled, his gaze remaining fixed on the wall before him. You were attending a state dinner for the Kerch, which meant the Grisha were effectively on display.

For you, this meant wearing your black silk kefta and entering proudly on your husband’s arm, the full force and power of the Morozovas and the Grisha as a whole on display. You had chosen to wear your hair down, your lips painted a scarlet red, and it was driving Aleksander crazy. It hadn’t helped that you’d pinned him against a wall and kissed him senseless just before you had to leave for the dinner, which left Aleksander achingly hard and needing you.

“I think you know the answer to that, my love,” he replied, taking your hand and squeezing it. You looked at him with innocent eyes, and your husband’s cock throbbed with need. He leaned towards you, looking to everyone else like he was a man besotted with his wife, whispering sweet nothings in her ear. Which wasn’t entirely false, but his words were anything but innocent.

“If we weren’t in public right now, I’d have my head between your legs.” You nearly choked on your wine, and Aleksander let a hand rest on your thigh, squeezing softly. “I can barely smell my dinner, sweetling, all I can smell is your dripping cunt.” You covered a moan with a cough, and your husband smirked. “Sasha,” you whispered, and he pressed a deceptively gentle kiss to your cheek.

“Can you keep quiet, my love? Be a good girl for me?” Eagerly, you nodded, and Aleksander stood, slipping from the room. For a moment, you were confused, until you felt something warm brush against your leg. Your husband had bent the shadows around him, allowing him to crawl beneath the table unseen. He slid your kefta the dress up, his palms warm against your skin, slowly tugging your undergarments down.

Then, his lips, soft and gentle against your thighs, creeping upwards towards your wet pussy. Your breathing became ragged as your husband’s kisses moved upwards. One of his hands splayed across your lower abdomen, the other rested on your hip. Aleksander breathed deeply, the scent of your arousal headier than any liquor, and he dipped his head, licking at your cunt.

You had your napkin crumpled in your fist, squeezing it so hard it was a wonder your fingers didn’t break. Aleksander lapped at your slit, his tongue laving and flicking at your clit, all of which would normally have you moaning and crying his name. But here, in a crowded ballroom, the Kerch ambassador and the King and Queen of Ravka mere feet away, you were forced to dig your nails into your palm and bite your lip to keep from moaning.

Aleksander, for one, was in heaven. There were very few things he enjoyed more than eating you out; very few places he enjoyed being more than with his face between your thighs. It barely mattered that it was sweltering beneath the table, it barely mattered that the hardwood floor was biting into his knees. Your husband was drunk on the taste of your cunt, and he pressed his tongue deeper into you, his nose bumping against your sensitive clit.

When he drew your clit into his mouth and sucked, you couldn’t hold back a moan. You were barely able to cover it with a cough, and the Kerch ambassador turned to you, concern on his face. “My lady,” he said in heavily accented Ravkan. “Are you well? You look rather flushed.” You coughed once more, lifting your water glass to your lips. “Fine, fine,” you replied, your voice breathy. “Just a bit warm in here, is all.”

Beneath the table, Aleksander grinned wickedly, once more licking a stripe across your pussy, the hand on your belly pressing down slightly. You fought the urge to buck your hips, your toes curling in your boots, teeth digging into your lip. Your husband had shifted his focus once again to your clit, flicking the tip of his tongue over it and suckling gently on it, which had you hurtling towards an orgasm.

Aleksander sensed it, as he always did, and he felt you reach down for him. He took your hand and squeezed it, and when he sucked a bit harder on your clit, you came, letting out a strained sigh that ended with a slight moan. Your husband pressed a few soft kisses to your thighs before righting your undergarments and skirt and extricating himself from beneath the table.

“My love,” he said, returning to your side, not at all looking like he’d spent the past 10 minutes under a table licking your cunt. “Are you feeling alright? You don’t look too well.” Aleksander made a show of feeling your forehead and shaking his head. “Sweetling, you’re burning up. Come, let’s get you to bed.” Your husband made his apologies to the Kerch ambassador and to the King and Queen before escorting you from the ballroom.

The moment you were in the hall, you had Aleksander pressed against the wall, kissing him hungrily. “Sasha,” you breathed, tugging at his hair. “If you don’t take me to bed right now, I swear to the Saints, I’ll-” You were cut off by your husband lifting you into his arms and kissing you. “Don’t worry, my sweet,” he cooed, already carrying you down the hall. “That was just an appetizer.”

#aleksander morozova x reader #shadow and bone fanfiction #the darkling x reader #general kirigan x reader #shadow and bone reader insert

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moonlightgrisha · 11 months

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Ch. 6 He knows who you are, now, and he wishes to know you better. [Masterlist] Previous - Next

Your new room is beautiful, even more than your apartment in the Grand Palace. The view is beautiful too, on the courtyard and the surrounding wall, and the windows are not even sealed closed, meaning he doesn't think you could, or want to escape.

You sit there, looking at the refined tapestry on the wall, uncertain whether or not you should feel a prisoner.

You met Genya, a few hours ago. You had just shown to your new quarters, and the General was gone. He had been silent, and polite, and mysterious enough to drive you crazy.

But you knew Genya. You already met her while she was attending the Queen. You always liked her, and the two of you also gossiped a little, during those endless receptions.

She found you wandering around the room like a caged creature. She had brought some lunch with her, and she smiled. "I thought you could use a friend", she said.

"I didn't realize we were friends", you replied, with a hint of hope.

"Well, how convenient I'm determined to be one". She sat down at a small table in front of the window and gestured to the chair in front of her.

"Did he send you?" you asked, sitting down.

"Of course he did", Genya replied. "It was the most sensible thing to do. But it doesn't mean I'm not genuinely interested in how you are feeling now. Or curious to know what happened".

"I guess I do have a story to tell", you said.

You told her everything, and you felt relieved.

Genya listened, and fell silent for a long time once you had ended you tale.

"You are safe, here", she eventually said. "You can be what you are".

"You mean a weapon?" you replied. "A valuable tool, for them to use? Because that's not what I am".

You immediately realized you had struck a nerve. Genya lowered her eyes, and seemed to drift away, but just for a moment.

"We all have to endure, if we wish to be eventually free", she concluded. She sounded so wise, and she was right.

"Am I his prisoner?" you asked, right before Genya left. You both knew who you were referring to, and there was no need to explain.

"He will say you are his guest", she whispered. "But actually, you are what you make yourself".

She paused, and before walking out the door, she said: "He wishes you joined him for dinner, tonight. That's why he sent me in the first place".

Your heart missed a beat. "You can tell him I will be pleased to accept his invitation".

It felt the right thing to say, but now, as you wait for someone to come and take you to him, you are not so sure anymore.

You hear a knock at the door. You rush to open it. Ivan, the Heartrender, the General's right hand man, is there.

You follow him through the unfamiliar corridors of the Little Palace, suddenly feeling a little homesick. There's life behind all those closed doors you are passing by, people just like you, blessed or cursed with strange powers, and you wonder if you'll ever be part of their world, or if you'll just stay forever in between, being neither Grisha, neither otkasat'sya.

Ivan opens the doors of the General's quarters, then disappears.

The Darkling welcomes you in.

He wears is black kefta, but the collar is unbuttoned. He is dashing like a prince, and you proceed to ignore him and his piercing dark eyes, while you make a few steps inside the room.

It is comfortably warm, the walls are filled with bookshelves and maps, and candles have been lit in every corner. There is a small table set for two, and he gallantly moves the chair for you to sit on.

He knows how to behave around royalty, and you remember you are a princess. When he sits in front of you, you look haughtily down at him and say nothing.

"I trust you found your quarters comfortable", he says.

"Yes, they are suitable", you answer. You also manage to add: "Thank you", but it doesn't come easily.

Dinner is exquisite, and you haven't eaten much the whole day, but you struggle to enjoy it as you would in any other occasion.

You notice there is only water on the table. "No wine?"

"I like a clear head", he replies. "Although, occasionally, I might indulge a little fog".

"But not tonight".

"Not tonight".

You stare at each other and you feel the urge to say something, anything to break the silence.

"Of course. You must need a clear mind, to interrogate me".

He chuckles. "Interrogate you?"

"Isn't this the purpose of it all?" you make a gesture to the table. "I deceived you, and I would, still, if you hadn't exposed my secret so... easily. Actually, what was that? I didn't even know I could summon in the daytime".

"I amplify other Grisha's powers".

"Simply by touching them?"

"Simple as that".

You raise your eyebrows, considering it. "How unconvenient. People must have tried to use you too".

You expect him to reply, instead he says nothing. When you look at him, he's staring at you, but he seems to have drifted somewhere else, deep in his memories.

"That's what you'll do to me", you add, trying to ignore the fact that your words might have resonated in him more than you wished for. "You'll use me to gain power, victories or whatever it is that you crave".

"You paint me quite the tyrant", he replies, sharply. "And to think you don't even know me".

"And you don't know me".

"Yet, you assume you know my... cravings".

You might have blushed.

"Fine. That was quite unfair. Those weren't your words, after all. They were the King's".

He stands up, like the only mention of the King has made him restless. Maybe he has ran out of his patience. You are almost going to dismiss yourself, when he stops by the window and speaks again.

"I was wondering if you could show me".

"Show you what?!"

He turns to you. "Your light".

You are almost speechless. "You have seen my light".

"Not really", he answers. "That was me, calling it for you. But tonight is a fine night". He looks out the window again, his shape barely lit. "A perfect, bright full moon".

When he turns, he's looking hopeful. You feel a knot in your throat.

But deep inside, you are inexplicably excited.

You raise your hand, just a few inches above your leg, as you are still sitting down. You can feel the full moon like a limb of your body, and it's easy to let it come to you.

A ticklish, sparkling light emerges from your palm. It moves towards your wrist, flickering, then it slips down on your knuckles.

The Darkling stands frozen at the window frame, like he's suddenly unable to talk, or move, or be anything else than hypnotized by your evanescent, soft moonlight.

Then he approaches you, but slowly, like he's afraid you'll take it away if he comes too close. For a moment, you enjoy the thought of having that kind of power over him.

But reality surpasses your fantasy, as he kneels down in front of you.

You are face to face now, and you get lost in his eyes, darker than the night itself, filled with unsaid promises, and mysteries you can't help but wonder. He doesn't stop looking at you, while he lifts his hand, placing it a few inches above yours.

Darkness comes floating out of his fingers, like black waterpaint, so softly you wouldn't even think of its deadly power. It surrounds your sparkles of moonlight, but instead of suffocating them, it makes them glow even brighter.

It's like a small galaxy has found its place beneath his hand and yours.

It seems he could stay like that forever. And, damn it, you could too.

Instead, you ask, with the faintest whisper: "Am I your prisoner?"

He answers quietly. "You are my guest".

Something breaks inside you. You close your fist, and just like that your moonlight is gone.

His shadows dissipate like smoke from a candle, as you stand up from your chair. "It was a most... instructive evening. I am quite tired, now, and I wish to rest".

He stands up too, and walks you to the door like nothing has happened. You successfully keep the same blank face, ignoring the weird heartache that's tearing you apart.

"Goodnight".

And so you are back to reality. Back to the beautiful room that might be a prison, if you decide it is one. The window next to your bed gives you the best view on the night sky, and you wonder if that's why you were given that room in the first place.

The moon reminds and remembers. It is never gone, it only hides. Whatever happened tonight, it won't be gone tomorrow. You extend your arms above you and let the light come back to you, just because it feels good, and ask yourself if he ever does the same with his shadows.

Hi everybody. I hope you are enjoying this story so far. Please remember English is not my first language, and that I'm writing purely for fun. If you appreciate my work, please like, repost or leave a comment. You'll make my day! See you next.

Taglist @budugu

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metvmorqhoses · 1 year

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A big issue that they (unfortunately) carried over into the show was how dense Alina is. Yes, Aleksander came off as a weak obsessive rather than someone who was entangled in a mutually complex yet deeply felt connection with Alina, yet he was posing very REAL and valid questions towards her which were brushed off with reactionary and flipppant answers. They had a chance to address these real issues Alina faces alone with him out of the picture. Because he’s posed as the villain, his centuries long experience is completely thrown out the window instead of at least contemplated. Unless the show writers are planning to tackle this in a substantial way next season they otherwise come across as incredibly stupid at least. He’s known loss, he’s known love and pain and violence and all of that is completely disregarded and shunned by Alina who in the books (which I still have issues with) at the bare minimum acknowledges a real connection towards him. I mean, she boldly asserts she will walk her own path and not five minutes after his death is already dabbling in morally grey territory because *shocker* things aren’t actually black and white (good or bad) as she thought.

You know, the more I think about this season putting it against the implication the ending gave us, the more I'm convinced it was done on purpose. I refuse to believe they reached this level of utter absurdity for real and no one thought to stop them.

The only way this even thicker Alina makes any sense in the grand scheme of things is to consider the entire season her corruption origin story. This interpretation is actually backed up by many subtle things and literally most of her exchanges with the Darkling.

He tries to make her understand things, he constantly tries to warn her about power and their unique circumstances, about balance and sacrifice - she doesn't listen and only villainizes him further and further (constantly making him her villain), while the plot actually slowly and unrelentingly proves him right. She calls him power-hungry and immediately proceeds to desperately search for the next amplifier. In their every interaction he acts as the proud mentor, even calling her "one of his out-of-control creations" and saying things like "I saw what you truly are and I never turned away". She takes off her kefta saying she will never wear his color again - her own dress underneath is black. As the season progresses, her makeup turns darker and darker. She's obsessed with tearing down the Fold almost as if it was her way to prove something to herself more than for the sake of Ravka ("Ravkans will see the skies from here one day, by my power!"), that probably would have actually benefited from the existence of it at that precise moment in time. She shames him for his use of Merzost and then proceeds to use it for the most selfish reason imaginable. The Darkling's ending is also very odd, I'm more and more convinced he actually went there with the intention of being killed by her (he basically closed his eyes and waited for her sword), afraid of his uncontrollable powers. He even begs her to make sure "nothing of him remains", and if at first I was influenced by the books' reason (he didn't want his body desecrated), I now actually think he was trying to make sure nothing of that infectious power remained to haunt her and Ravka while he was gone - and what I think actually happened right away to both Nikolai and Alina, immediately possessed and, in her case, corrupted. This is even teased by Nikolai's attire in the last moments of the show. When I was watching it I immediately noticed they put him into a black uniform with a golden "eagle" that looked strangely way too similar to Alina's kefta from the Winter Fete and even to Aleksander's new one. I found it odd and then, surprise surprise, Nikolai is possessed! Is everything a big coincidence? I think not.

In short, the entirety of the narrative is actually hinting at the same thing, proving her wrong and the Darkling right. Even with the wisps of light in his kefta and her shadow cut, I think they are definitely hinting at their shared powers and probably they more in-depth books dynamic in season three. This would also explain why they didn't include any canon darklina scene this season. They are saving them for later.

#it's either this or absolute madness that hints at this but it's a trap instead #thinking again about the season under these lenses makes more sense #it's still wild tho #shadow and bone #shadow and bone s2 #darklina #the darkling #alina starkov #anon #asks/replies #one and one thousand stories lis told

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seronsalk · 1 year

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A waltz with shadows

My Masterlist.

Aleksander Morozova/The Darkling x Sun Summoner fem!reader

AN: I had this idea, and I changed some things because I always thought it was really silly how Alina, a girl from the army, suddenly just started trusting a shadow man. (It's not extremely romantic sorry)

Warnings: Angst, fluff, mention of alcohol and other substance use.

Cute starry dividers from: @saradika (who is an absolute blessing with their creativity!)

Word count: 1,310k

It was the day of the winter fate and the atmosphere couldn't have been more busy.

The constant thought of the last couple of weeks remained at the front of your brain, everything was so different, especially you and the general.

You still didn't trust him, but the eerie longing feeling you had towards him lingered on your skin. Craving him to wrap his hand around your wrist again, no. You pushed those thoughts away, you didn't need a man to be there, Baghra was right as much as you hated to admit it.

As if on que, snapping you from your thoughts, Genya barged in holding a kefta and a servant brought in her kit before exiting swiftly.

"Saints, thank goodness I got here in time," she said widening her eyes at the look of your messy hair.

You breathed out a small laugh and with that Genya was at work.

"I know the general insisted on black for the performance, but afterwards I was thinking you could go back to the blue?" Genya expressed.

"Unless somehow he convinces me otherwise, I probably will, though I wouldn't want to come off as ungrateful, " you stated.

Genya paused her tailoring, "Don't feel like you have to always please him, I want you to be careful." "Careful of what?" you asked, a little confused.

"Powerful men."

"I know, I've seen a corrupted general or two, if he is like them, there is no difference," you stated, thinking back about some of the generals who you knew had used there army salaries to just drown themselves in liquor.

You decided to not clue Genya in on how you were weirdly drawn to Kirigan. Immediately hearing your thoughts say 'Kirigan' made you remember he had given you his name, though you had honestly ignored him.

Genya smiled, before continuing her work.

Later,

you both were walking through the hall and many of the ambassadors and guests of the royals were definitely gawking at you.

You were certain that if self control didn't exist a couple of them would have asked to marry you right then, not that you would have said yes.

As you and Genya walked you came to the main hall, "I can't enter with you, besides they aren't ready for you." However before she could get that through your brain, your gaze landed on Kirigan. He was speaking to the king and queen, you immediately walked in.

Murmurs caught his attention as he turned his gaze meeting you, you noticed his eyes wandered downward. His eyes were always so enticing as somehow you could see no emotion on his face, but every emotion in his eyes.

No matter how deep, dark and black those two pools were, getting lost in them was honestly a gift.

Before you could continue to think about his eyes, you came to your senses noticing he was now in front of you, "you were supposed to enter accompanied by guards," he said his eyes looking around before meeting your gaze.

Ah, there they were again, "You look lovely by the way."

"I can see you really got dressed up as well," she said with a teasing smile noticing he was wearing the same black kefta he always wore.

He smiled, "You don't like my different shade of black?" Then again their conversation was interrupted.

The Inferni twins started their demonstration, keeping the eyes on them and not you and the general for too long. Tossing balls of fire between each other with a few murmurs of interest from the audience.

When they finally ended their demonstration everyone clapped, but you nor the general did not. "It's time, let's show them all." He stated, before you could ask him any of your many questions.

He led you up on the wannabe stage-like platform before he drew the shadows into the hall quieting the guests and plunging them all into complete utter darkness.

As he turned, you focused on his eyes as you called your light. You split the beams into two and then heightened the light into the chandelier, like you had practiced.

Sending light bouncing off of everywhere in the room and the intensity of 'ouuing and ahhing' put a small smirk on your face.

When the light finally commenced, lots of them immediately started getting on a knee or so praying and saying "Sankta y/n." It felt extremely weird to be referred to as a saint.

The general helped you down and his facial expressions were unreadable, yet you found a strange emotion in his eyes almost hopeful.

Your suspicions had been confirmed when he simply said, "You are amazing, Miss l/n."

After being introduced to a few hundred people, you rejoined the general thinking about your bed and how tired you were. As if on que, the general held out his hand to you, "Would you like to dance?" You couldn't have imagined him dancing, especially with you.

As realization hit you hadn't given him an answer and instead left him patiently studying your facial expressions, you got out a quick, "I would love too."

With that he led you both to a part of the ballroom where a dance was about to begin. You grabbed his hand and rested your other on his shoulder. He placed his other hand on your waist and a chill was sent down your spine.

You both moved elegantly as one, and if anyone was watching, all they could see was the sun in the eclipse.

Your eyes locked with each other's as he spun you around before speaking.

"I know you aren't fond of my color on you, but I must say you look magnificent," he gawked.

Thinking on how to respond you smiled, "I must say its grown a little on me."

He smiled a little wider before they waltzed into a turn, even for a second of moving from each other's gaze it felt cold immediately, lost and empty.

And when it returned it was warm and sweet, safe and longing.

Feeling the need to say something you spoke up, "I would like to say that all these demonstrations of grishas abilities are honestly annoying, they aren't entertainers after all." He took a moment before responding, "No, We aren't." A slight smile creased your lips.

"It means a lot to know I am not the only one who doesn't appreciate these antics," he added.

Something in his eyes told you he was holding himself back on something else, but you didn't have to pry, he spoke softly, "You mean a lot to me and not just your power and what it means for everyone, but you yourself." That had your heart rate speeding up and you were sure Fedyor or Ivan were somewhere in the crowd silently smirking.

"Thank you," you paused before he pulled you closer for the last turn and in a near whisper so only he could hear it against his earlobe,

"Aleksander."

And the look in his eyes was all you needed to see, to know that he was your one and only future.

An: Alright shawty's I don't know about y'all, but this wasn't even like a big sappy thing I wanted, its just a little longing here and there let me know if you think I should I don't know make a part 2 or something!

Requests are always open, let me know what you got!

Thanks for reading, proud of you!

Shadow & Bone Masterlist!

#aleksander morozova x reader #aleksander morozova #shadow and bone #general kirigan x reader #the darkling x reader #genya safin #fedyor kaminsky #fanfiction #sun summoner #shadow summoner #baghra morozova #grishaverse

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lynsstrange · 1 year

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Six of Crows Headcannons: what I think each crow would wear on the red carpet

I’ve been getting into runway fashion and couture recently, and I thought this would be a lot of fun, so here are my personal outfit headcannons!

Inej

(From left to right/top to bottom: Nina Ricci Fall 2009, Chanel Spring 1992, Amit Aggarwal India Couture Week 2019)

Okay so Inej was super fun for me. My first thought was automatically something black and sleek like the first two, but then I thought she would love wearing something that is influenced by her culture, and I thought that green look from Amir Aggarwal would look stunning on her.

Kaz

(From left to right/top to bottom: Hermès Fall 2014, Les Hommes Fall 2015)

Do I really need to say anything? You know he’s rolling up to that shit in all black. Period.

Jesper

(From left to right/top to bottom: Gucci Love Parade LA, Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2022, Tom Ford Spring 2023)

Running in the exact opposite direction of Kaz, Jesper would 110% wear something outlandish and in a shade so bright it’s hard to look at. These were some of my favorites I could see him in.

Wylan

(From left to right/top to bottom: Sandro Spring 2021, Fear of God Seventh Collection, BOSS Spring 2019)

Wylan was difficult for me at first, then I got inspired and had a lot of fun with it. I think he would wear something simple, elegant and in his style. I love these looks a lot.

Nina

(From left to right/top to bottom: Christian Siriano 2018, Alexandre Vauthier Summer 2019, Ziad Nakad Spring 2021)

Nina is in a similar vein as Jesper, I think, but probably a bit more sexy and refined. I chose the first one because it reminds me of her kefta! (and the model is plus sized!!)

Matthias

(From left to right/top to bottom: Corneliani Spring 2020, BOSS Spring 2020)

Matthias was definitely a hard one for me, because he doesn’t exactly strike me as a “fashion guy” lmao. But I think he would rock something white or light blue “like the ice in Fjerda.”

#Six of crows #grishaverse #leigh bardugo #the crows #crooked kingdom #couture #fashion #runways #womens wear #mens wear #kaz brekker #inej ghafa #nina zenik #matthias helvar #wylan van eck #jesper fahey #six of crows headcanons #shadow and bone #shadow and bone show

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19burstraat · 1 month

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Ok we all know guild me, build me exists due to my artistic abilities being very lacking in the visual arts, so rather than drawing the crows in the komedie brute, I had to write kaz in. however I had ideas for the others that I couldn't get into a fic, so I've put em down here

Kaz: (description ripped from guild me, build me):

a heavy black cape, sewn with stolen chains and jewels so that it jingled upon every movement (...) It was marked up and slit here and there, on the edges and at the collar, to give the impression of crow’s feathers, and it was made of some kind of shiny, velvety fabric that had the oily shine of crow’s plumage. The gloves were the same material, thinner and more embroidered than Kaz would have ever entertained, and the cane was a plain, inaccurate copy– (...) the mask; a silver crow’s head (...) crooked over the eyes and nose, almost like a Kaelish plague mask. But it left the mouth unblocked; of course it did. Dirtyhands needed to talk.

Inej:

Light and flimsy dark (doesn't have to be black; could be blue or grey) fabric for the veil and cloak. Has an element of spiderwebby fraying to it which is a nod to her being... Well, a spider lmao. But also meant to look ghostly and insubstantial, can sometimes see a metal shiny suggestion of knives underneath it. The veil can be parted just down the side of her face, so you can occasionally see a bit of her face, but never the whole thing. Would not be a practical costume to climb or spy in; too long and bothersome, the same way Kaz's Dirtyhands cloak would not be practical to pickpocket in. Sometimes productions get her a few cheap sheath knives.

Jesper:

Rabbit head mask, short cloak in some batshit colour like green or pink, lined w rabbit's fur and threaded with gambling chips, 'lucky' rabbits feet, coins, and stray bullets. Adornments tied on loosely so they swing everywhere when he moves. This way there's also a real risk of the Kaz and Jesper actors getting tangled together if they interact, which is not symbolic, just funny. This is our get-along Komedie Brute costume :) (we are stuck)

Wylan:

A once-fine red cloak with a high ruffly collar-- now tattered and singed and gone to seed. Little bits of wiring or string or pouches of powders etc sewn into it; sneakily embroidered with the Van Eck laurel around the edges. Mask, while elaborate and matching with the cloak, only covers the top half of his face, as if he's not quite as all-in as the others. For similar reasons, the cloak is half-length.

Matthias:

Wolf's head mask ofc, white fur cape a lot longer and more substantial than Jesper's, with heavy furring around the neck (made to bulk out the actor if they're not the right stature, which most will not be). Likely they also weight his boots to make his tread sound more imposing. Possibly a wig if they can afford one, since Druskelle are known for the long hair.

Nina:

Porcelain-doll Venetian style mask (you know the ones!) with a single black tear-- referential both to that bit in CK when they identified themselves that way in the crowd of Mister Crimsons, and the Queen of Mourning thing. Mask is covered with a very light veil, and she wears a long heavy silk cloak with a bit of a hint of a kefta, but not enough to get the Komedie Brute in shit from Ravkan Grisha lmao. Entrance usually heralded with a blue corpselight.

I imagine dependent on the production and the costumier they could look great and beautifully elaborate, or they could look cheap and shit lmao.

Bonus: I got bored and made a mock-up of a page of a Komedie play. I edited over the first folio for this, yes. Sorry to the Big W.S.

#right I think this is all right now. finally #fuckass blue site so glitchy it posts my shit early.#six of crows #soc duology #my fics #my post #grishaverse

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mistiell · 1 year

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Strange Love Pt. 4

Pairing: Aleksander Morozova x Fem! Healer! Reader

Summary: Aleksander has a kefta made especially for you for the upcoming fete. When you visit him later that evening, you find out he hasn't been entirely honest with you.

Warnings: There's one non-canon character named Ania that makes an appearance in order to move the plot along lmao

A/n: Soooo, I designed my own header!! Is that what it’s called? A header? Either way, the symbol in the middle is what I imagine Aleksander’s symbol to look like.

Word Count: 2.9k

Part 3 < current > Part 5

Slowly slipping out of a pleasant dream, a knocking penetrates the haze of sleep clouding your brain. It’s been two weeks since your foiled escape attempt, and you’re finding it harder and harder to want to leave. Your relationship with Aleksander is… confusing at best, but you can’t ignore the warmth that blooms in your chest everytime you see him. Sometimes, you think back on the night he told you his name and wonder whether you two could really be something, but the more pessimistic voice in the back of your head is always quick to squash that hope.

The knocking persists and you groan, calling out a rather annoyed, “Coming!” As you toss the covers off your body. When you open it, you’re met with a familiar face.

“Good morning!” Fedyor smiles and you smile back despite the lingering sleepiness.

“Morning, Fedyor.” You yawn, rubbing at your eyes. You hear him chuckle.

“Sleep well?” You only hum in response, “Late night?” You huff a small laugh and nod.

“Do you need me for something?”

“Oh! Yes, actually. The General sent me to fetch you for Genya.” You perk up at the mention of Aleksander and a knowing smile spreads across his face.

“He did?” You should be asking who Genya is, but it’s early and you can only focus on one thing at a time right now, “Did he say why?”

“He said she has something for you.”

“Oh.” You wonder what it could be, “Um, not to be rude, but who exactly is Genya?”

“You haven’t met her yet?” You shake your head, “She’s the queen’s tailor. I’m sure you’ll love her.”

You nod, “I’m sure I will. Could you wait here for a moment? I still have to get dressed.”

“Right, sorry!” He chuckles, watching you close the door.

You dress quickly and soon enough, Fedyor is leading you through the halls of the palace. You recognize the hallway you turn down as something of a guest wing, each door leading to a different lavish bedroom. For a moment, you think perhaps he may have taken a wrong turn. Until he opens one of the doors to reveal a woman with fiery red hair stood next to a bed, a red kefta laid out on the quilt in front of her.

“You must be Y/n.” She smiles, holding her hand out to you, “I’m Genya.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” You smile back, shaking her hand, “If I’m being completely honest, I’m not entirely sure why I’m here.”

“I wasn’t expecting you to. I suspect General Kirigan wanted this to be a surprise.” She smiles, stepping away from the bed and gesturing to the kefta.

You glance once more at her before stepping closer to inspect the garment. It’s the same red as the one you’re wearing now, black and grey embroidery swirling along the seams to represent both your healing and heartrendering abilities.

The big difference is the collar. What’s usually supposed to be a darker red is black, tufts of dark fur poking out along the edge from the lining. The buttons and the edges of the outer layer match it, the fabric shiny and almost satin-like .

“He had it custom made for you for the fete.” Genya states, watching you run your fingertips over the fabric.

“Is this allowed? I thought he was the only one allowed to wear black.” You open one side to find the entire thing is lined with soft black fur, just as you thought. Running a hand over the inside, you spot a symbol embroidered in silver thread. It’s small and a couple tiny tufts of fur obscure little parts of it, but you manage to catch it. You brush back a few hairs to properly look at it and when you do, your breath catches in your chest.

A moon in eclipse. Right over where your heart will be.

You notice that the thread work isn’t as precise as the rest of the embroidery. It’s still beautiful and very well done, but the edges are the tiniest bit uneven and there’s a couple of almost unnoticeable gaps in some of the thinner lines where the needle didn’t quite meet the last backstitch. This was hand embroidered.

“Typically, he is, but no one dares question him on a good day. Let alone over the colour of a kefta.” She laughs, “I almost did when he asked to have it before giving it to you, but he seemed very serious about whatever it was he was doing.”

Could he have—? No, there’s no way.

“How long did he have it for?” You ask, flipping the coat closed to prevent either of them from seeing the symbol. For some reason, it feels like a secret that’s meant to be kept between you and Aleksander.

“Five days? Give or take?” Fedyor replies and you both turn to look at him, “What? I saw it on his desk five days after you gave it to him and the next, it was gone.”

“On his desk?” Genya asks, expression muddled with confusion.

Meanwhile, you’ve checked out of the conversation completely. He had it for five days. On his desk.

Aleksander hand embroidered his symbol into a kefta made specifically for you.

Perhaps your relationship isn’t as confusing as you thought.

“You said this is for the fete?” Genya nods.

“Yes, it is.” She sees you eying it and fiddling with the hem, “Would you like to try it on?”

“If you don’t mind, yes.” You smile bashfully.

“We’ll leave you to it.” She smiles back, leading fedyor out of the room.

You’re quick to strip yourself of your current kefta, draping it over the side of the bed before slipping into your new one. The fur is soft against your neck and keeps you pleasantly warm. Making your way over to the mirror, you admire the look of it again as you do up the buttons. You do a little spin, craning your neck to catch a glimpse of the back.

“You look lovely.” You yelp whipping around to face an amused Aleksander. He chuckles softly, “I apologise, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“It’s alright.” You titter, hand press over your racing heart, “Um, thank you. It’s beautiful.”

You turn back to the mirror to admire the kefta again, oblivious to the fact that his gaze hasn’t left you, “It’s gorgeous.”

Watching him come to stand behind you in the reflection of the mirror, you smile shyly, looking down at your hands as you pick at the edges of your cuffs, “I noticed your addition.”

“My addition?” You look up to find he almost looks surprised.

“The eclipse on the inside.” He huffs a bashful laugh and you can hear his heart thud a little faster in his chest, “You’re talented with a needle.”

“You like it?” He asks,

You nod, looking up at him with a mischievous glint in your eye, “You know, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were attempting to court me.”

“Do you?” He asks, smile matching your energy.

“Do I what?” Carefully, hesitantly, he takes your wrist and turns you around to face him.

“Know better?” His gaze bores into yours and for a moment, you forget how to breathe.

“I thought I did.” You whisper, searching his eyes for any sign that he isn’t being serious, that this is a trick. You don’t find one. In fact, with the way he’s looking at you, one might think he’d mistaken you for a living saint, “Perhaps I was wrong.”

“Or perhaps,” His gaze flicks down to your lips, hand slowly sliding up your arm to tentatively ghost the pads of his fingers over the side of your neck, “I haven’t been clear.”

“Clear about what?” Your voice is barely above a whisper, and you wonder if he can feel your breath fanning over his face like you can his.

“My feelings for you.” His hand is cradling your cheek now, lips mere millimetres from yours. Gripping the lapels of his kefta, you let your eyes fall shut halfway, the pounding of both your hearts a dull but prominent sound in your ears. He nudges your nose with his ever so gently, his next words coming out as a soft but earnest request, “Can I?”

“Please.” You breathe and he smiles, closing the short distance to slot your bottom lip between his.

The kiss is languid, gentle, tongues ebbing and flowing like the tides of the sea. There’s a slight but pleasant tingle that starts at your lips before spreading throughout your body, only amplifying your desire to be closer, to feel him. Sliding your arms up and over his shoulders, you lace your fingers in the hair at the base of his neck and tug him closer. He hums a low, gravelly sound that comes from the back of his throat and pulls you flush against him by your waist. Sighing into his mouth, you barely get the chance to suck in a breath before his lips are back on yours, devouring you with fervour, a far cry from what the kiss was just moments before.

He consumes you, overwhelms your every sense. He’s all you can feel, lips molding against yours, palms firm against your waist. He’s all you can hear, breathing heavy, heart thudding in tandem with your own. Saints, you can even sense the blood rushing through his veins. At this moment, you swear you’re the only two people in the palace, the only two people in the world.

When he pulls back, you chase him, eyes still closed when he rests his forehead against yours, “You have no idea how long I’ve wished to do that.”

“Considering the fact that I can hear your heartbeat every time I enter a room, I think I do.” He laughs at that and you can’t help but giggle along with him.

He steals a few more quick pecks before someone knocks on the door. When he calls a quick, “Come in” and turns to address Ivan, you move to pull away. Only you’re stopped by his hand on your waist, holding you at his side.

“Moi soverenyi.” Ivan bows low before righting himself, looking serious as always, “You’re needed in the war room.”

“Thank you, Ivan. I’ll be there in a moment.” Ivan nods, glancing once at you before promptly exiting, closing the door behind him.

He turns back to you, pulling you to him by your hips and meeting your lips briefly, “I’ll see you tonight,” You steal a kiss this time and he smiles, laughing into it, short puffs of air brushing against your skin, “As usual?”

“As usual.” You grin, and he kisses you once more before making his way over to the door.

He’s halfway there when he turns around and rushes back to you, cradling your face between his palms and stealing the breath from your lungs again. He seems reluctant to let you go, but eventually the responsible part of his brain forces him to pull away, finally leaving to follow Ivan.

<————>

Hours pass and the sun sets, the dining hall lit up by the lights above. You’re currently sitting with Fedyor and a girl named Nadia. Despite her being a fair few years younger than you, she’s been nothing but kind and cordial, going out of her way to talk to you when virtually no one else would.

You’re picking at your plate of food when you’re approached by a girl who looks around Nadia’s age. She’s accompanied by a couple others, and they’re giggling amongst themselves when she speaks up, “Hi, I’m Ania.”

“Erm, hello.” You feel rather awkward and a little suspicious at her tone, giddy and peppy in a way that reminds you of a few girls that used to tease you when you were young. Still, you try to be friendly, offering them a small, albeit tense smile, “I’m Y/n. Can I help—?”

“Is it true that the general had a Kefta made especially for you?” She blurts, interrupting you.

“Oh, erm…” Your face flushes and you glance sidelong at Fedyor, and he looks back at you with just as much confusion. If there’s one thing you’ve learned in your months of being here, it’s that people really like to gossip. You aren’t entirely sure how it spread through the grapevine so quickly, but you have a feeling it started somewhere along the chain of people who were tasked with making the garment for you. You figure there’s no harm in telling the truth. They’ll find out soon enough anyways, “Yes, he did.”

Before the girl has a chance to respond, there’s a screech of wood against tile adjacent to you that startles the life out of you. When you turn you catch a glimpse of a rather peeved looking Zoya storming out of the dining hall. That can’t be good.

“I wonder what her problem is.” Ania scoffs before turning back to you, “Sorry for bothering you like this. We heard a rumour and we just had to know if it was true.”

“Oh, that’s alright.” You smile, waving a rather perplexed wave when they bid you a very rushed goodbye. You turn back to your friends and laugh a little despite yourself, “That was… odd.”

“It’s not out of the ordinary for Ania. She and her friends are a little too friendly sometimes.” Nadia explains, stabbing a vegetable with her fork and nibbling at it, “Gets them into trouble from time to time, but they mean well.”

You hum, returning to your own food.

You finish rather quickly, eager to make your way to the war room for the evening. When you get there, Aleksander is where he usually is, hunched over his desk looking serious as ever. He doesn’t notice you until you move the chair over to his desk.

“Y/n.” His gaze softens immediately and the warmth that blooms in your chest makes you want to scream, “You’re early. Did you not eat?”

There’s a very subtle crease between his brows as you smile at him, “I did, don’t worry. I was just eager to get some work done.”

“Were you?” Amusement sparkles in his eyes as he sees through your half assed lie.

You hum and sit down, plucking your pen from the desk. He notices you worrying your lip and frowns.

“Something’s plaguing you.”

Looking up at him, you huff out something between a sigh and a laugh, “Am I that transparent?”

“No,” You quirk a brow at him, and he chuckles, “You bite at your bottom lip when you’re thinking.”

“Oh.”

He hums, gaze roaming your face.

“I’m just… I’ve been thinking.”

“About?” “You said if I didn’t agree to become an oprichnik, I’d be tried for treason.” You start and he nods slowly, “I just…How did you get the king to agree to that? I’ve never met him, but I know he isn’t exactly known for his generosity.”

There’s a flash of something in his eyes before he leans back in his chair with a subtle sigh, gaze averted and hand rubbing at his mouth before meeting his other to twirl his ring. A sick, sinking feeling settles in your gut and your voice comes out quiet, “Aleksander?”

He meets your eyes, and you realise that what you saw flash behind them a moment before was guilt, “I didn’t.”

You swallow hard, sitting up straight in your chair, “What do you mean you didn’t?”

“When he asked if we’d found the person responsible for the safe house, I told him we’d found a powerful heartrender living on the edge of Duva.” He explains, watching your expression morph into one of confusion and anger, “And that I’d like to make her an Oprichnik.” “You lied to me?” There’s a sharp pang of something in your chest that makes your body flush with a flare of vexation.

“It wasn’t a lie,” He says cautiously, “It was a half truth. A half truth that spared your life.”

Frustration flares in your chest, both because you’d been deceived and the fact that he’s right. If he’d told the full truth, you would have been dead months ago. He says your name carefully and places his hand out palm up on the desk, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lied to you.”

“You’re right. You shouldn’t have.” Your words are sharper than you intended and he sighs. You know he’s being genuine. If he were lying again, his heart rate would give him away, something you’re actively focusing on now considering it slipped past you the first time. Whether he lied to you or not, he saved your life, and you suppose it would be unfair of you to condemn him completely. With a sigh, you take his outstretched hand, meeting his gaze, “Don’t do it again.”

He lets out a small breath and smiles, squeezing your hand, “I’d never dream of it, milaya.”

“Pet names? Is this your attempt at winning me over again?” You tease and he laughs, a bright and relieved sound that bubbles up from his throat.

“Perhaps.” He grins boyishly at you and leans in a little closer, “Is it working?”

“Perhaps.” You echo, closing the distance between you to meet his lips in a slow and tentative kiss.

A/N: Oh my god, I am so sorry! I forgot to tag people lmao

It should be fixed now. If anyone else wants to be added, again, just let me know in the replies :)

< -------- >

Strange Love Taglist:

@watersquirtpewpewboomm @sorrow-and-bliss @sande5098 @rachlovesactors @trinity-dose-stuff @maggie-da-rat @budugu

#aleksander morozova #aleksander x reader #aleksander morozova x reader #the darkling #aleksander morozova x you #aleksander morozova x y/n #the darkling x y/n #the darkling x you #the darkling x reader

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marvelmusing · 1 year

Text

In Another Life

Part Eight

Pairing: Aleksander Morozova x Alternate Universe!Reader

Summary: The Winter Fete goes smoothly, a perfect evening followed by a foiled assassination. A few days later, you and Aleksander journey into the Fold.

Warnings: canon level violence, minor character death (not graphic).

My Masterlist • Series Masterlist • Next Part

Music and conversation fills the ballroom of the Little Palace, as noble men and women mingle amongst the Grisha, all decked out in their finery for the Winter Fete.

The people are still buzzing with excitement after Alina’s performance. The power of the stag has given her a new burst of confidence, and you’re glad to see her step into her power.

Aleksander appears behind you, his head tilted down to speak directly into your ear.

“The matter has been dealt with.”

When you had warned Aleksander of an assassination attempt on Alina within the walls of the Little Palace, you know he had been upset. The thought of any of his Grisha not being safe here must be distressing for him. As a result, you had left the issue with Aleksander.

You nod, raising your drink to your lips as you murmur your response.

“Genya and Marie?”

“Both safe and unharmed.”

“Alina?”

“With Fedoyr. He will not leave her side unless she is with either of us.”

“And the perpetrator?”

At one point, you might have thought all your questions would annoy Aleksander, but now you know that he would never look down at you for being prepared.

“In custody. I will see to him later this evening.”

“I’ll join you.” His lips part, as if he’s about to protest. “Please. I want to know if I’m right about his motive.”

Aleksander nods slowly, though you can see the reluctance in his eyes. You wouldn’t be in any danger, but perhaps he doesn’t want you to see him while he interrogates someone. As if that would ever drive you away.

“You look incredible, might I add.” He says in a low voice that has a shiver running down your spine.

Warmth spreads over your cheeks, and you look down at your outfit. You and Genya had collaborated on the design, and you are very pleased with the result. The material is wonderful, and it fits you perfectly.

“I see you’ve brought your summer colours out early for occasion. A bold move.” You tease, referring to his black kefta. The same kefta that he wears every day. He narrows his eyes at you, and you take another drink.

“Your fiancé is approaching.” You nearly choke on your drink in alarm.

“What? Why?”

Once your gaze lands on Vasily, you see that he is indeed heading in your direction, and you turn to Aleksander with wide eyes. The corner of his mouth quirks in amusement as he answers.

“I believe he wants to dance with you.”

You place your glass down on a nearby tray, and begin to fidget with the chunky emerald ring on your finger.

“Oh no.”

Genya had helped to teach you the basics of all the dances that would be held at the Fete, but you’re far from confident. Certainly not confident enough to dance with a Prince - let alone the Crown Prince that you’re engaged to.

“Your Highness.” Aleksander greets him with a bow, and you do the same. Vasily smiles politely at you both.

“Might I steal your assistant from you, General Kirigan?”

“I’m off duty tonight.” You remark, and Aleksander sends a look at you, no doubt reminding you to pretend that you’re enjoying your engagement.

“Then I am most lucky.” Vasily says with a smile that looks incredibly forced. You mirror his smile, and decide to show Aleksander exactly how good you are at pretending.

“I believe I’m the lucky one, Your Highness.” He inclines his head.

“Vasily, please.” He insists. “Would you care to join me for the next dance?”

First name basis already. You are engaged after all, but the two of you have only exchanged a handful of conversations over the last month, which has been quite a relief.

You have the distinct impression that he’s only asking you to dance because of his mother’s insistences. Looking down for a brief moment, you smile and offer him your hand.

“I would love to dance with you, Vasily.”

He takes your hand, leading you through the crowd, and you cast one final look at Aleksander before he disappears from your view.

Vasily leads the dance, and you misstep on a number of occasions, your face burning with embarrassment every time. The conversation isn’t too awkward, despite several pauses as you go through the motions of the dance.

He asks you a few questions about yourself, and your answers don’t require too much thought. Remembering his interest in horse racing, you decide to mention the subject. For the first time, his face lights up, and he explains about his most recent purchase.

You know very little of horses, only what Aleksander has taught you, but you try to follow his explanations as best as possible.

Once you finally get into the flow of it, you think you could enjoy dancing. Only as soon as you start to think that, the music draws to a close.

When you step off the dance floor, the two of you linger beside one another for a long moment. You wonder whether he wants you to stay by his side now. Then someone calls out his name, and he turns in their direction.

Looking back at you for a brief moment, he gestures towards them.

“Please excuse me.” He says. You nod, bowing your head politely.

“Thank you for the dance.”

A slightly apologetic smile tugs at your lips as you remember the small wince on his face when you had accidentally kicked his shin. He takes your hand in his own.

“Have a wonderful evening.” He tells you, rather distractedly, pressing a chaste kiss to your knuckles. Then he steps away, melting back into the crowd.

The eyes on you soon find something more interesting to look at, though you still feel the weight of them as you weave through the crowd back to Aleksander.

He smiles softly when he sees you, finishing the last of whatever drink he had secured while you were away.

“How was it?” He asks, and you breathe out a small laugh.

“I’m sure Zoya found it very funny. She’s usually the one I’m tripping over during combat practice.” He frowns slightly as he places his empty glass down.

“Fedoyr told me you were doing well.” Now it’s your turn to frown.

“He must have been exaggerating.”

“Very well then.” He holds his hand out to you, and your brows lift in questioning. “Show me these atrocious skills of yours.”

With a small sigh, you take his hand in yours. There’s no arguing with Aleksander, though if you weren’t in public you might have tried to. But he has a reputation to maintain, and people would question your relationship if you openly defied him in such a manner.

“I can understand why you might have some difficulty dancing with His Royal Highness.” Aleksander muses quietly as he leads you through the crowd.

“Because I’m a poor dancer?” He shakes his head.

“On the contrary.”

Raising a brow at him, you wait for him to elaborate as you take your position on the dance floor. Nerves fill you once again, at the thought of making a fool of yourself two dances in a row.

Aleksander’s hand settles on your waist, pulling you flush against his chest, and you look down quickly to check your feet. He hooks a finger under your chin, raising your eyes to meet his, and the pad of his thumb grazes delicately over your cheekbone. His next words are a low murmur that sends a thrill through you.

“You need to trust your partner.”

Then the music begins.

Aleksander leads, and every step you take is synchronised with his own. Not once do you tread on his toes as you spin around the ballroom in his arms.

With every turn and dip, you find yourself unable to look away from him, or to fight the smile growing on your face as the music sweeps you up.

“Is the Fete living up to your expectations?” He asks you. Your smile widens and you nod.

“It’s more than I ever dreamed of.”

Something softens in his eyes as he spins you around fully. You’re glad Aleksander had asked you to plan the Fete. It had been nice to think about more trivial things, like having the chandeliers polished or commissioning an ice sculpture, rather than tracking down a mythical creature or fighting a war.

There’s a moment of silence, before you decide to bring up what’s been lingering in the back of your mind all day. This is the first time you and Aleksander have truly had the chance to speak with one another today.

“Are you certain Baghra won’t try anything tonight?” Aleksander’s brows crease together for a moment.

“She shouldn’t. But I have my men keeping an eye on her, as a precaution.” You nod.

“I meant to ask you about it before, but with all the preparations going on, it slipped my mind.” He nods in understanding, and you smile almost sheepishly as you add, “I may have created my own contingency plan, just in case.”

The corner of his mouth quirks with the edge of a smirk.

“I’m hardly surprised to hear such a thing.” He spins you, pressing your back flush against his chest for the next few steps. His lips graze your ear as he asks, “What is it?”

Turning your head, your gaze settles on his lips before they drift up to his eyes, and you remember that he had asked you a question.

“Alina will be spending the night with Nadia and Marie. A Winter Fete sleepover. That way Baghra won’t be able to find her, or get her alone, and Alina remains unaware.”

“An excellent idea.” He praises, and your cheeks flush as he spins you back around to face him.

“Thank you.”

There’s a small smile on his lips as he observes your reaction.

“I believe I should also be thanking you.” At that, your brows draw together in a small frown.

“What for?”

“Tonight. You’ve made everything… quite perfect.”

A comfortable warmth settles in your chest, like the glow of the summer sun over your skin, and you watch his expression carefully as you speak your next words.

“I know you don’t particularly enjoy the Fete.” His lips part, as if he’s about to make some sort of excuse. “I can understand why. Grisha are people, not party tricks. You shouldn’t have to prove your value to anyone.”

There’s a moment of silence between you both, where the sounds of the ballroom fill the lack of conversation. Aleksander’s eyes move away from yours as he assures you in a small voice,

“I can’t tell you what that means to me.”

Once his eyes meet yours again, you see the emotion in them, and you’re surprised you don’t stumble over your feet. A soft smile touches your lips, as you respond in an equally low tone.

“I already know.”

Aleksander smiles.

“Of course you do.”

»»---------------------►

Zoya leads you and Aleksander down the rough stone stairs, your footsteps echoing.

“Has he talked?” Aleksander asks her.

“A lot of lies. Ivan’s with him.”

The iron gate swings open with a screech, and you follow the two of them down into the catacombs underneath the Little Palace.

Stone walls encase you, the small space illuminated by a plentiful number of torches, flickering their amber light over the shadows.

Ivan stands straight with his hands folded together, and beside him a man sits tied to a chair. The man has a shimmer of sweat glossing over his features, some bruises already forming on the side of his face, and his clothes are crumpled, evidently from a struggle.

“I’ve been swindled. Hoodwinked.” The man says, his wide eyes looking at each of you as you approach him.

“My guards tell me that they caught you at the scene of an attempted crime.” Aleksander states calmly, his hands resting unclasped on either side of him.

The man opens his mouth, gaping for a moment, his eyes frantic.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He shakes his head, stumbling over his words. “I’m an entertainer. Oskar. Oskar Krepkov.”

Aleksander raises a brow at you.

“My assistant here organised every aspect of the Winter Fete. Including the entertainers. Does Mr Krepkov’s name ring a bell?”

Keeping your eyes on the man in front of you, a crease of feigned concentration crosses your face before you respond casually.

“Funnily enough, it doesn’t.”

“How peculiar.” He muses, walking slowly towards the bound man.

Grasping hard onto his forearm, Aleksander pushes the man’s sleeve up to reveal a series of black tally marks tattooed onto his inner arm. Each mark represents a successful trip across the Fold. There’s a startling number of them.

“Well that certainly is entertaining.” Aleksander says, his fingers pressing hard into the man’s skin. “You are the Conductor, Arken Visser, are you not?”

Visser swallows hard, trembling under Aleksander’s gaze. Once Aleksander releases him, he steps away, his jaw tense and his eyes dark with anger.

“You smuggle Grisha out of my palace.” Aleksander snarls furiously.

His frustration is tangible in the air, prickling over your skin. When Visser looks hopefully back at you, whimpering a quiet plea, your resentment rises to the surface and you snap.

“You profit off frightened children and desperate families. Don’t look to me for sympathy.”

If Aleksander is surprised by your outburst, he doesn’t show it.

“Would you like to hear my theory?” You ask lightly, but don’t wait for a response before you continue. “I think, a certain West Ravkan General has ambitions to rule his own country. To do so, the Fold would need to remain intact, which is where you come in, Mr Visser.”

The facade of frightened innocence slowly falls from his face with every word of your accusation. When you finish, Aleksander continues, circling Visser with a dangerous look in his eyes.

“You made a deal with him.” As Aleksander passes Ivan, the heartrender wisely moves out of the way. “You put on a disguise. And you played at being assassin.”

Visser straightens, staring back at you both with a resolute expression as Aleksander returns to his place beside you.

“That’s right.” He says. “Zlatan offered me a million to kill the sun summoner. So, give me half that. I can get close to Zlatan.”

Aleksander turns his head aside, and Zoya unfolds her arms, turning to leave. Ivan pauses for a moment, before he follows her.

For a moment, Aleksander’s eyes meet yours, a mixture of questioning and acceptance lingering there. He’s expecting you to turn away. You remain at his side. As their footsteps recede, Aleksander says quietly,

“No. I think I’ll handle that myself.”

With that, he steps back, turning on his heel, and you do the same. Aleksander brings his hand up, curling his fingers lightly as he calls forth the shadows.

“But I can help.” Visser calls out as the two of you walk away. “Tell me how I can help.”

Aleksander pulls his hands together, cupping his fist for a moment before he releases his right hand. With two fingers pointing upwards, he flicks them back in a tossing motion as he remarks in a low voice.

“You already have.”

Even without looking, you can sense the shadows swarming from the depths of the catacombs, creeping towards Visser. You hear him struggling to break free, panic in his movements, as the shadows lengthen around him.

Aleksander holds the door open for you, as Visser chokes out his final breath in the shadows.

»»---------------------►

“You should rest.” Aleksander insists from where he’s sitting at the head of the makeshift bed in his tent. “We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”

You shake your head, continuing to pace beside the foot of the bed. Tomorrow, you journey into the Fold. Hopefully, Alina will be able to fend off any volcra that come for you, but you’re still worried.

“Too much to think about.” You argue, but you still decide to lie down on the bed beside him regardless. Together you stare up at the ceiling for a long moment.

“Are you certain our plan for Zlatan will work?” He asks you. Mulling it over in your mind once again, you nod.

“If he’s coward enough to not risk crossing the Fold himself, a scare tactic like this will be enough to startle him and his followers. It’ll give us a time advantage to gain the upper hand. A show of strength, with limited casualties.”

Aleksander nods along with your reasoning, but you can’t suppress a small sigh as you run a hand over your face.

“I just hope I’m right.”

That isn’t the only thing weighing on your mind, and Aleksander seems to know this. His thumb rubs a slow circle against your bare forearm, that you’ve cast up over your head.

“Are you afraid of the Fold?” He asks softly.

There’s a pause before you admit,

“A little.”

He breathes out a small laugh.

“You don’t have to say only a little to spare my feelings.”

“Are you afraid of it?”

He goes silent at your question, but his thumb doesn’t stop its comforting motion. You wait patiently for whatever response he is considering.

“Did I ever tell Alina about Luda?”

There’s a softness in his voice, making his words feel fragile, and you study his face as you shake your head.

“She was a healer. The only healer we had at the time. There were less than twenty of us, in hiding, together.”

“When was this?” You ask in a near whisper.

“During Anastas’ rule.”

He nods grimly when he sees your expression sadden knowingly. Anastas was the King who placed a bounty on Aleksander’s head, dubbing him the Black Heretic, which eventually led to the creation of the Fold.

“She opened up a clinic, it was only a small cottage in the woods, but she wanted to help people.”

Looking up at Aleksander, you can see how distant his gaze is, lost in his memories.

“Ravka was growing worse for Grisha, day by day. I begged her to join us in hiding and she agreed, albeit reluctantly.”

His eyes darken, and you know the story is about to take a painful turn.

“The King’s guards found us before we could leave. Together, we tried to hold them off but Luda was wounded.” His jaw tenses. “I killed them all. But I couldn’t save her.”

Turning your body over to lie on your stomach and face Aleksander, you take his hand in your own. There’s a small smile on the edge of his lips, but he looks down sadly.

“She died because of me.”

You shake your head, and immediately try to comfort him.

“All you did was try to protect her.”

“And I failed.” There’s a sharpness in his eyes as he lifts his gaze up to meet yours. “I couldn’t stand it any longer. Watching my people die. Seeing them frightened and helpless. My grandfather thought merzost could be used to control people.”

The mention of merzost has your stomach plummeting. You hope that Aleksander will never have to resort to such measures again.

A different version of Aleksander, scarred and pale, exhausted by the creation of shadow monsters, fills your mind. An Aleksander you hope you will never see.

“I faced the King’s army alone, buying the few Grisha left enough time to get away. I tried to bend his army to my will.”

“Instead you created the volcra.” You say in a low voice. “Merzost always comes with a price.”

He nods slowly.

“My price was the Fold. Though I’m not the one who continues to pay for it.”

You can’t imagine how he must feel. Accidentally creating a blight that scars your country for centuries, claiming hundreds of lives. How heavily those losses must weigh on Aleksander’s shoulders.

“Alina never finds out how the Fold was created.” You tell him quietly, your thumb tracing over his knuckles delicately. Aleksander’s eyes are on you, as you watch the movement of your digit. “I think she just believes what Baghra tells her. That you created it in a mad ploy for power.”

“Did you ever believe that?” You shake your head.

“I always thought there was some sort of explanation for it.” Your eyes lift up to meet his. “Thank you for telling me the truth.”

“Thank you for staying to hear it.”

Neither of you speak after that, simply lying beside one another until you both fall asleep.

»»---------------------►

The next morning is bright and cold, despite the first signs of spring arriving. Pulling your cloak tighter around your body, you follow Aleksander and Alina as they walk through the camp at Kribirsk.

All around you, First Army soldiers stop and stare. Some kiss their saint tokens, while others pray openly for your safe passage. You don’t believe in the saints, but a small part of you hopes that prayers still carry some weight.

The rest of the passengers have already boarded the skiff, so the moment you set foot onto the deck, the final preparations are made. Alina stands at the head of the bow, staring the Fold head on with Mal at her side.

“Are you ready?” Aleksander asks you, coming to a stop at your side.

“I think so.”

He turns his head, looking up at Zoya. With a simple nod, he orders her to move the skiff. A breeze ruffles your hair as she calls forth the wind to fill the sails. The skiff moves forward, plowing resolutely towards the Fold.

No turning back now.

The darkness engulfs your vision, and without thinking you reach blindly for Aleksander. Even in the pitch black, you find him. His hand is warm, and he provides you with a comforting squeeze as his fingers curl tightly around yours.

Your eyes adjust slowly to the darkness, and the light of the blue lantern at the centre of the skiff provides you with some assistance.

As each second passes by, you grow more and more nervous. Alina’s hands remain at her sides, and the volcra cry out in the distance. Sickening screeches, that you’ve only ever heard in your nightmares.

“What are we waiting for?” You ask in a whisper.

Aleksander turns his head to look at the ambassadors and dignitaries assembled behind you. They shift nervously, looking around for any sign of movement lurking in the darkness.

“Building the anticipation.”

“As well as my stress levels.” You mutter, and Aleksander dips his head down to respond with amusement in his voice.

“Don’t worry, Ivan will keep an eye on your heart.”

How can he be joking at a time like this? Then he nods at Alina, and she casts her arms out.

Light blossoms out from within her, illuminating the deck of the skiff, and you breathe a sigh of relief. She channels her power into a long pathway, lighting the way for Zoya to guide the skiff onwards through the Fold.

In the distance you can see a bright dot of sunlight - Novokribirsk.

The sight of it brings some of your nerves back, as you remember what is to come - the rest of your plan.

Volcra continue to scream from within the Fold, and at one point a crooked talon reaches through the barrier of light, though it retreats with a whimper as the sun scorches its rotten skin.

The passengers seem much more at ease, and some even move to the side of the skiff to stare into the Fold.

Before you know it, you’ve reached the edge of the Fold, and the port at Novokribirsk is visible over the stretch of sand that covers the distance between you and Zlatan’s men waiting to ambush you. As Aleksander had ordered her previously, Zoya brings the skiff to a stop.

At your request, Aleksander had informed the Grisha about your plan. If things went awry, you wanted everyone to be on the same page - knowing that Zlatan is the enemy not Aleksander.

“One more demonstration.” Aleksander calls out, and the people behind you stare with a mixture of curiosity and confusion.

In the book, Aleksander uses Alina’s power to push the Fold outwards. Because of you, he doesn’t have access to Alina’s power. But you still have hope.

In theory, Alina’s light has carved out a space within the Fold. That darkness still exists, her light has only moved it, and you’re hoping that Aleksander has the strength to redirect the darkness towards Novokribirsk.

There’s a small familiar rumble, as Aleksander begins to summon the shadows.

“You’ve all seen what the sun summoner can do. Now bear witness to what I can do, now that the Fold is ours to control.”

He brings his hands together.

A frightening storm of darkness surges forward, heading towards the town. Even from this distance, you can see people running away in terror. With any luck, Zlatan will be one of them.

Aleksander’s brows are furrowed in concentration, and for a brief moment you worry that he might not stop. Then he drops his hands. The darkness halts in its wake, skirting the edge of the docks.

Silence falls.

The Grisha and soldiers surrounding you grin wildly, shock and delight filling their faces. Ravka is no longer a deadbeat country, fighting wars it can never hope of winning. For the first time, in a long time, the people have hope.

Aleksander turns to the ambassadors.

“Take what you have seen back to your own countries. Tell the Shu Han. Tell the Fjerdans. The Fold is no longer the burden it once was for Ravka. We are entering a new age.”

You’re reminded of something Aleksander should have said to Alina, when they had journeyed to Os Alta at the beginning of the book. The age of Grisha power is coming to an end.

Aleksander looks back at you with triumph shining in his eyes.

The age of Grisha power has only just begun.

»»---------------------►

marvelmusing Tag List: @dreamlandcreations @blanchedelioncourt @idaofinfinity @slytherheign @ellooo0ooo @vixenofcourse

In Another Life Tag List: @parabatai-winchester @dangerousbluebirdpoetry @jambolska-grozdova @mxacegrey @budugu @cynthianokamaria @scarlettqueen190 @eloquentree @sharp-cheekbones-locked @sorrow-and-bliss @biblophilefox82 @tartiflvtte @rainbowgoblinfan

Aleksander M Tag List: @nyctophiliiiiaaa @jazmin2211

BB Characters Tag List: @rachlovesactors @noortsshift @aikeia

#in another life au #aleksander morozova #aleksander morozova x reader #the darkling #the darkling x reader #the darkling x you #the darkling x y/n #the darkling au #shadow and bone #shadow and bone au #shadow and bone x reader #in another life chapters

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filmmarvel · 1 year

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My Favorite Season 1 Shadow and Bone Costumes

The Darkling's Full Getup, Fur and All- This one is just so dramatic, and perfect for the Darkling. Plus Ben Barnes looks great in it.

Alina's Nightgown- This one is so underrated! It's so elegant, perfectly capturing the luxury of the palace. It also looks super comfortable, in addition to being so gorgeous.

Alina's Episode 5 Event Kefta- Of course I had to include this one. It's mostly black, with a bit of gold, symbolizing Alina and the Darkling's partnership with him in control.

Alina's Finale Dress- In the finale, Alina wears this gorgeous black and gold dress while imprisoned by the Darkling. Contrary to the color scheme in her Episode 5 kefta, this one is mostly gold. She may be imprisoned, but The Darkling's influence on her has faded.

Genya's Kefta- The standard keftas are so lovely and detailed that I had to include at least one, and I love Genya's, the cream color is very refined.

Red Corporalki Kefta- Aside from Genya's cream colored kefta, the red of the Healers and Heartrenders are my other favorite. I did get Corporalki on the Netflix quiz, so I guess that checks out.

Kaz's Episode 1 Suit- This suit is just textbook Kaz Brekker. He looks great, and it's a perfect introduction to his character.

I want to highlight one Season 2 costume in this post, the final photo:

Kaz and Inej’s costumes- Kaz's vest and Inej's shirt have the patterns, making them go together perfectly. I love the way these costumes symbolize their partnership and unity while setting their characters apart.

Everyone say thank you to the amazing Shadow and Bone costume designer Wendy Partridge! She killed it, and it looks like she's outdone herself with Season 2.

#shadow and bone #shadow and bone netflix #shadow and bone show #shadow and bone costumes #six of crows #shadow and bone season 2 #the darkling #aleksander morozova #ben barnes #alina starkov #genya safin #corporalki #kaz brekker #inej ghafa #kanej #costume design #costume department #wendy partridge

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mae-falling-in-may · 1 year

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Save Your Tears | The Darkling x Reader

Hum, hi :') It's been a while... I'm sorry !! I've been so demotivated on writing and just couldn't get my mind on Tumblr. So, before you can read what I finished after years, just know that I won't be publishing first on Tumblr if I write anything, I'll prioritize Ao3 for further OS and eventual series (I'm working on one rn). So now you know !! Now enjoy :))

Pairing : The Darkling x Reader

Warnings : Angst, mention of breaking up, Aleksander is a coward

Summary : He sees you at the ball after breaking your heart, but he can’t handle seeing your tears dropping down your face.

This is a song fic based on Save Your Tears by The Weeknd.

Words : 2k

This was another ball at the Little Palace. Even though he did not want to waste his precious time on a foolish event like this one, he had to attend, to show to his people that everything was okay. Sighing, Aleksander put on the black kefta he usually used for events like these. It framed him perfectly, knowing that black was only his to wear. The embroidery on it was sophisticated, as always. He observed his reflection in the mirror, firstly satisfied with the aura he gave off. But when he looked at his face, it hit him, he was exhausted. The man had barely slept for the past few weeks. All the previous events had broken him little by little, and it was his fault.

Sighing once again, he called Genya with a very strict tone. She arrived quickly after that, he asked her to fix his face, not wanting to look dreadful. Knowing that she would ask him to sit on a chair, he did already so he would not be hearing her soft voice, as he felt like it would overwhelm him too much. He let Genya arrange his features, making him look less tired, cheeks less deep, and his skin a bit more colored. When she finished, she let out a small "It's done General." He thanked her quietly before standing up and told her to enjoy the evening, then left the room.

The corridors were much brighter than Aleksander's liking, he usually liked more settled lighting. Walking through the Little Palace, directing himself to the reception room, he started to feel anxious. Yes, the great General, a Shadow Summoner, anxious. Because his mind drifted off, and he started thinking of you. He knew you were going to be there, you had no choice after all, this reception was so important for everyone. He anticipated this night so much, after all he did to you, after breaking your heart. He was such a fool, how dare he, making you feel worthless when you were his everything.

He got closer to the room, stopping himself right before the entrance. A few people greeted him, wishing him a good night. He sent back the same wishes too, politely. He took a big breath, quite discreetly, before entering the room. A few looks turned to him, but he did not take note of them. He looked through the whole room, then his gaze stopped. You were here.

I saw you dancing in a crowded room

You were here. And you were dancing with one of the guests. His hands and jaw clenched. Seeing you with someone else, felt like a dagger through his heart. You were so graceful, your hair was embellishing your features. Your eyes were so full of life while you were dancing, your lips looked so soft, the outfit you chose fitted you perfectly. But oh, how he wished you wore black. Just to show everyone that you were his.

You look so happy when I'm not with you

He could not lift his gaze off of you for one second. Luckily for him, anyone barely spoke to him, they were just enjoying the soirée. He took a glass of the nearest alcohol he could find and drank half of it. He needed to feel more relaxed to be able to go through this night, really. You were still dancing so beautifully in the center of the room, before the music stopped. You bowed before your dance partner, while they kissed politely the back of your hand. This was when you spotted him.

But then you saw me, caught you by surprise

Both of your eyes met each other. It felt completely ethereal, it was as if you were meant to be in each other's arms. This moment felt like time completely stopped, like everyone in the room disappeared. Looking into your eyes, Aleksander felt his heart drop, he had not seen you for so long. He missed you, he missed drawing his hand on your cheek, he missed being close to you. Losing himself to the thoughts of you and him, he got startled when he noticed that you were crying.

A single teardrop falling from your eye

One teardrop, he didn’t know why it startled him so much, seeing you cry was the worst thing he ever saw. Seeing you cry because of him, made the man feel so guilty. Something had gotten stuck into his throat, maybe guilt, regret, love, he didn’t know. He cleared his throat while watching you cry more freely. Your dance partner was obviously worried about you, and they asked how you were feeling. They offered you their handkerchief to dry your tears, and you did use it, muttering a small thanks.

I don't know why I run away

I'll make you cry when I run away

The fact is, he was a coward. Despite the both of you being so in love with each other, he wanted to run away. It’s been so long since he last loved someone, dared to let down his mask and shield with someone. But he hated it, he felt so vulnerable, so the more you saw each other, the more he was conscious, thinking of leaving you to protect you, and him.

You could've asked me why I broke your heart

You were walking towards the General, after giving back the tissue your dance partner handed you. You tried to be as emotionless as possible after some of the guests and especially The Darkling had spotted you like that. You hated the fact that your heart was still calling him. After everything happened. You hated the fact that you still find him so handsome, that you still could fall asleep in his arms.

You could've told me that you fell apart

Despite being not able to read minds, Aleksander knew that you were fighting with dangerous thoughts in your head. But you were silent. You broke the eye contact that lasted for so long as if it was hours, while walking towards him. You took a glass of alcohol from one of the servants, smiled politely to thank them, and drank a lot of it. You were dangerously approaching him, and it made him tense up a bit.

But you walked past me like I wasn't there

And just pretended like you didn't care

You left the room, without a word. Without another look towards him. When he felt your presence leaving, he felt like falling apart. How could he get hurt so much just by having you leave like that ? He didn't know, but the overwhelming feeling of guilt has started to make him sick. He fought the urge to follow you, and try to talk to you, to apologize. But he knew, deep down in his heart, even though you loved him so much, you could not forgive him, ever.

I don't know why I run away

I'll make you cry when I run away

He was getting more and more distant everyday, thinking that you would not notice. But of course you were too smart for that, you let him know that he was worrying you. He told lies after lies to make you feel better, and to be honest, to make him feel better too. Alas, being far from you was killing him. Not being able to have you in his arms, to kiss the top of your head, your cheeks and his favorite spot, your lips, was strangling him day after day. He knew you cried a lot these times, and he regretted making you feel that way, he didn’t deserve you.

Take me back 'cause I wanna stay

He wished he could be back into your life. He wished to change everything he said to you that night. He wanted to be with you, to tell you how much he loved you. Oh, he wanted to stay with you so much. He wanted you to get him back. Instead of leaving, he wanted you to take his hand, look at him with your beautiful eyes and pull him back into your arms. But the only thing he could have from you were the tears you liberated when you saw him.

Save your tears for another

Save your tears for another day

He hated seeing you cry. He hated the feeling that it gave him, the way you looked up at him, with your wet and sparkly eyes, he wished he could dry them up. He didn’t want you to let them roll down your cheeks because of him. He wished he could tell you to keep your tears.

So, I made you think that I would always stay

He was so scared of losing you, after many years of loneliness, finding you was a relief. The way you could make his heart and head spin just by smiling at him, the way you could make him stutter just by locking your eyes to his dark and weary gaze. He wanted to stay with you forever, and he told you so many times he would. But he lied, as much as he wanted to have you, he was terrified.

I said some things that I should never say

You looked at him in pure shock. The words that left his mouth ringing in your head made you shiver and shake.

“I hate you !” He said, looking down at his feet. He pressed his lips together before looking at you with tears in his eyes. You didn’t know that it was possible to see The Darkling crying, but today was the first and the last time you could see that. He took a step forward, approaching you with his powerful presence and body, while you got scared and got your back touching the wall.

Yeah, I broke your heart like someone did to mine

“I hate how you make me feel, I hate that you have so much power over me. I love you but I can not do this anymore. Everytime I look at you, I feel weak, when everyone thinks I'm the most powerful Grisha in this world. I feel that way because I’m constantly scared that someone is going to kill you, or take you away from me. So today I decided that I’ll be the one taking you away from me, I want you safe, but I can’t love you anymore if I want this.”

Tears were rolling down in both of your eyes. You felt your heart shatter, how could he tell you that after all this time ? You clenched your fists, letting a heavy silence in the room, before slapping him with all of your strength. He expected you to scream at him, run away from him, but definitely not the slap. Even though he knew you were strong, the ache on his cheek was not as severe as the pain in his heart when he shared these cruel words. Not being able to say anything, he saw you leave the room hastily, without a word, he knew he couldn’t have you back, it was his biggest mistake.

And now you won't love me for a second time

He left the room, wanting to go back to his quarters, but he decided to go outside for a bit, before locking himself in his room. After leaving the tall walls of the Little Palace, he saw your shadow walking towards the near forest of the building. He imagined rushing towards you, yelling your name, trying to find the best excuses of the world to have you back, but he just couldn’t. He already broke your heart, he was sure that he would do it again if you accepted his apology. So he just looked at you going far away from him. His mask broke, tears were rolling down his pale cheeks, he closed his eyes and tried to dry them, in vain. He wished you could love him again.

I don't know why I run away, oh, girl

Said I'll make you cry when I run away

Girl, take me back 'cause I wanna stay

Save your tears for another

I realize that I'm much too late

And you deserve someone better

#shadow and bone #shadow and bone imagine #reader insert #the darkling x reader #the darkling #general kirigan #general kirigan x reader #aleksander kirigan #aleksander morozova #aleksander morozova x reader #shadow and bone x reader

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