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frost-queen · 1 year

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What love makes one do (Reader x Aleksander Kirigan)

Requested by: anon, Forever tag: @missmelodramatic, @merlin-dahlia, @alex--awesome--22, @elllie-does-the-posts, @floatlosers, @merlieve, @queen-of-books, @glimmering-darling-dolly @denkisclown, @wildieflower, @meyocoko, @bubblybrianna, @justanothercoco, @subjecta13-thefangirl, @m-rae23, @harleyquinnswifeyfrfr, @swampthing07

Summary: You are once more forcefully captured by Kirigan who you once loved. Forced to display your powers in the fold with him, Mal and Alina save you from a certain faith. Being sure of it he was dead, you start having dreams about the fold extending and romantic dreams of him. When face to face with him once more, you argue with him finding it unbelievable how he could've used you while you loved him. Kirigan speaks clearly off his feelings for you yet about using you he remains silent, unsure how to respond to it.

Hooves thumped loud on the ground. Hastened as it rooted earth from the vast ground. The loud huffing of the horse sounding ominous. The beating of a steady rhythm, frightening your heart. A dark rider chasing you. You had a heads-up but not for long. The horse seemingly catching up on you. Panting loud, arms swaying swiftly back and forth whilst running. Looking quickly over your shoulder you caught a blurred glimpse of the dark rider pursuing you.

He called it out, signaling his horse to go even faster. The horse snorted loud, kicking up a notch. Gasping loud you saw more riders approach you from the front. They must have taken a different route to cut you off. Taking a brutal left, you ran into the nearby forest in the hopes of losing him there. If only you had been given more time to escape.

If only someone hadn’t alerted him, you’d had a better chance at survival. The woods were a trickier path to maneuver through. Not only for the horses but for yourself too. Swaying your hands around to move low hanging branches away. You caught one too late as it made a clean cut on your cheek. Breathless you pushed through. Zigzagging between the trees. Never a clean straight path.

You were about to move to the left when a horse came close. It made you stop for a second, freaking out as the hooves went up in the air. Turning around you headed for another direction before the hooves came back down. From between the trees you noticed they tried to cut you off. Clenching your jaw, you carried on. Not far from you was a breach, a gap between two parts of the woods where once ran water.

You took a deep breath, jumping over. Over the edge you stumbled down, grabbing onto the grass to pull yourself up. Gasping loud, you looked over your shoulder seeing him. General Kirigan. The anger in his eyes clear enough from up here. A shadow following him on the ground. Panicking you pushed yourself up, speeding up once more. The jump wore you out as breathing became heavier. Not to mention the sting in your spleen was making itself aware.

Nearly tripping you straightened yourself. You lost track of the other horses, only worrying about General Kirigan. Panting in a panic, you ran down a hill coming into an open space. As you were about to run across, a horse started you from the front. Before you could turn, more came. Looking each way, you watched as they came circling around you. Closing you in. Catching your breath, they kept startling you by running around you.

There was no way you were going to let yourself get caught. Moving your hands in a pattern of movements, light illuminated from you. You were about to blast it away when a wave of shadows came creeping at you feet. Darkening the ground. Startled, you gasped as the light faded from around you. The circle of horses opening as General Kirigan rode in. Swiftly jumping off his riding horse. Determination and anger clear in his expression. – “I am not afraid of you!” – you called out as he approached.

You rose your hand ready to strike him with your light as he grabbed your wrist forcefully up in the air. – “You should be.” – he said coldly. You tried wiggling your hand free, yet his grip was stronger. – “Come now my love.” – he lowered your hand in his grip, moving tenderly his other hand against your cheek. It made you turn your face repulsed away. Kirigan tensed his expression grabbing you roughly. – “In time you will understand and praise me for what I am doing.” – he called out. He flung you over his shoulder as you scrabbled against him.

“No! Aleksander please… don’t.” – you cried out. A guard bringing his horse to him. He strapped your hands behind your back, laying you over his saddle. He then got on it, pressing one hand on your back to keep you in place. – “Aleksander please… do not inflict this on me.” – he had no ears for your plea, riding off back to where the fold started.

You were in tears standing in the tent nearby the fold. Waiting for preparations to be done. You rose from the chair you were sitting in when Genya entered. She lowered her head at your presence. – “I was instructed to…” – she gestured at your face making you touch the cut on it. She approached as you took a wary step back.

She came even closer bringing her hand up. You flinched from feeling her touch on your skin. Genya lowered her gaze, moving her finger to the cut once more. Stroking over it as the cut slowly disappeared. She bowed in your presence before taking her leave. You inhaled sharp through your teeth, spinning around to the mirror standing nearby. Taking a good look at yourself.

You felt disgusted by how he had dolled you up. The ominous thunder from within the fold rumbling loud. Gritting your teeth, you grabbed a chair, calling it out in anger as you pushed it down. Angry at how Kirigan was forcing you into doing this. Using you as a pawn. You turned back to the mirror, looking down at your trembling hands. Nothing could cure the betrayal you felt in your heart.

You flinched back feeling a sensation of a touch go across your bare shoulders. General Kirigan standing behind you when you had turned around in a panic. He stared with hungry eyes down at you, tilting your chin up with his finger. Tilting your cheek a bit to his side to admire Genya’s work. – “Such beauty.” – he whispered. Agitated, you pushed yourself off him. – “You stay away from me!” – you said keeping a hand on your collarbone.

General Kirigan smiling with a soft huff. – “If only you could see I am doing this for you my dear Y/n.” – he told you. – “I didn’t ask for this! I didn’t ask for any of it!” – you shouted at him, fighting back your tears. General Kirigan inhaled deeply through his nose, puffing his chest up. – “Why can’t you see it!” – he responded loudly. He approached you moving his hand up as you staggered back from him. He came to a stop, lowering his hand.

Composing himself for a second. – “You… you will be at my side and rule Ravka as it should.” – he reminded you. – “By fear?” – you spewed out, disgusted by the word. Kirigan slammed his fist against a table. – “Yes!” – he called out angered. – “Soon enough you will see it. How you are meant to be by my side Y/n.” – he turned around, leaving the tent infuriated.

You swallowed nervously when you entered the fold. Kirigan came standing beside you with a smile. You grunted, lifting your skirt a bit up. Showing him the shackle around your ankle. – “Is this really necessary?” – you questioned, wiggling with your foot. He chuckled coming down to whisper in your ear. – “Very much my dear.” – you glared at him, feeling like a caged animal. – “I hate you for this!” – you told him. Kirigan tensed his jaw. – “No you don’t.” – he answered taking your hand forcefully.

Looking up you saw the volcra fly dangerously close. You gasped loud feeling your powers be pulled out of you. Forming a circle of light around you as if you had no control over it. Kirigan squeezing your hand tight as he watched the light grow with each pulsation that moved from your body. Kirigan was looking pleased at the sky. Hunger for power as he had always been. The light kept coming from out of you as you couldn’t stop it.

Gasping loud with each pulsation that vibrated through your body. Extending your reach of light. Feeling yourself get light-headed from using such intense power you didn’t even know you possessed. Behind you, you heard some commotion. Then. A loud scream of agony coming from Aleksander as he let go of your hand. Then everything went black for you. Dropping down with a loud thud.

Gasping loud, you shot awake. Sweat staining your forehead. – “Hey… hey… it’s alright.” – Mal called out rushing over to you when you looked in a panic around. He came sitting on the bed with you, moving some hair behind your ear. – “It’s alright Y/n. He’s gone… he can’t harm you anymore.” – he told you. It took you a few panting breaths to steady your breathing. Swallowing nervously, you seated yourself better. – “Where… where is Alina?” – you asked to change the subject.

Mal smiled faintly. – “She’s out don’t worry she’ll be back soon.” – he told you, taking a good look at you. – “Was… was it another nightmare?” – he asked cautiously. You nodded shakily. – “I… I could feel it… the fold… extending… villages consumes… it can’t be right? It sure can’t, can it Mal?” – you answered worried. Mal moved his hands calmly down to reassure you. – “It cannot Y/n. The darkling is dead. Alina and I made sure of it.” – he reminded you.

He had told you numerous times what happened back in the fold when you passed out. How he and Alina fought Kirigan leaving him to the mercy of the Volcra. He moved his hands to your shoulders, soothing you. – “Then why does it feel so real?” – you said concerningly. Mal pulling his shoulders up. – “I am not sure.” – he responded with a soft sigh. Mal and you hugged to show him you were alright, yet deep inside you weren’t so sure.

Mal moved closer to Alina, speaking in hushed tones. – “She’s been quiet all day.” – Mal told her. Alina hummed deep, glancing your way. – “It is the nightmares.” – he continued to explain to her. – “It seems the trauma Kirigan inflicted on her still haunts her.” – Alina responded watching you stare out of the window. Not having moved from your position in hours now. Mal clenched his hand into a fist. Angry at Kirigan. – “Even after his death, he still finds a way to torment her!” – he said slightly louder as it made you turn your head slightly in their direction.

Alina placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him down. – “Let us hope it settles down…” – Alina placed her hand against Mal’s cheek. Kissing his lips afterwards. Night fell as Mal and Alina were vast asleep. Your eyes were still open, a bit frightened to fall asleep. You didn’t want to have the same nightmare again. Shivering breathlessly, your chest rose as your eyes closed. Tumbling down a spire whirl.

You fluttered your eyes open, looking around the room. It appeared different. Different then the room at the inn you were staying. You gasped seeing that your sheets had a deep red color with golden ruffles. A sudden voice soothingly shushing you. Eyes widening when General Kirigan came moving over you, having apparently laid beside you. You squeaked loud at the sight of him. Still the same yet his face was different. Scratched and torn.

He shushed you again, bringing his finger to your lips. Moving the sheets a bit aside for him to slide his leg between yours. His finger moving down your lip till your chin, leaving you breathless. He then moved his palm against your cheek, observing your face vigorously. It made you shiver at how real his touch felt. – “You are not real…” – you whispered out. He shushed you again brushing his thumb over your lips to the side.

“I…I cannot be with you like this…” – you mumbled to yourself. How was it despite everything your heart still yearned for him. Aleksander moved his hand down to your chest, feeling the beating of your heart against his palm. He chuckled feeling how it beat for him. – “You cannot forget me.” – he breathed out, looking back to where your legs were. He reached for your leg, pulling it up as the sheet slid of it. Revealing your bare skin. A shiver went down your spin as he brushed his hand up your leg to your thigh.

Your whimpering reaction satisfied him. – “Please…” – you sputtered out. – “Let me go…” – you begged wanting the dream to end. You were screaming at yourself to get a grip. Reminding yourself of what he did to you. Yet all those feelings you had for him unleashed at once. – “I can’t.” – he responded staring hungrily down at you. He leaned down kissing your neck. You squirmed under his touch, nearly panting as he kept kissing your neck.

A faint light coming from you. Blue and sweet golden bursting out of you in soft waves. – “Aleksander.” – you whispered out, letting your fingers trail up his back. Aleksander moved his head up, whispering your name. You surrendered to him when he kissed you roughly. You kissed him back despite all the pain he had caused you. A part of you could never stop loving him. Even if this was but a dream. You shot awake, nearly causing Mal and Alina a heartache.

Mal jumped out of the bed, rushing up to you. – “Was it another nightmare?” – he begged to know, holding his hand against your cheek. Confused you shook your head. – “I…I…” – you muttered unsure if you could tell them about this dream. – “It was nothing.” – you reassured him. Mal looking nervously back at Alina. – “Are you certain?” – Alina questioned coming to join Mal on the bed with you. You nodded once. Alina wrapped her arms around you.

You stared at the wall over her shoulder, unsure of what to make out of the dream. You helped Alina and Mal pack to continue with your journey. The path taking you further away from the fold. Alina and Mal set up camp for the night. Mal was poking the fire as Alina was seating beside him. You got up as Mal jumped up as well. – “Where are you going?” – he asked loudly.

“I…I just need a moment alone… I won’t go far.” – you told him as Alina pulled him back down. – “Stay in sight!” – he ordered receiving a slap from Alina against his arm. – “What?” – he told her. - “There could be bandits out there.” – he pointed at the woods. Alina chuckling as she took his arm. – “I think she can handle herself.”

You drifted away from your friends, further into the woods. Lost in your thoughts as you weren’t sure what was real and what were dreams anymore. The sudden snap of a twig made you jump out of your skin. Turning around you saw the last of a black cloak move behind a tree. You wanted to look when a sense of someone standing behind you outgrew it. You spun back, staggering back at General Kirigan.

Tripping over your own feet till you fell down on the ground. – “You…you are not real.” – you breathed out in a panic as he came kneeling before you. His face the same as in your dreams. He extended a hand to you. – “I am real Y/n.” – he responded. He grabbed for your arm, pulling you up. Once at your feet, you slapped his hand off you, taking a step back. It felt real indeed. – “How?” – you asked, lip nearly trembling with emotions. – “Did you truly think the Volcra could kill me? I am what they are made off.” – he informed you.

Tensing your jaw, you tried your best to keep your tears at bay. – “Why… why are you here?” – you asked. Kirigan furrowed his brows in sorrow. – “You of course. I am here for you Y/n.” – he responded wanting to approach you, but you moved back. – “No.” – you breathed out loud. – “You don’t get to do that anymore.” – you made clear. – “No more!”

Kirigan inhaled sharp through his nose, composing himself. – “You still do not understand, do you? Everything I do is for you!” – he shouted, losing a bit of his temper. – “Everything what I do to have you by my side!” – he rushed up to you, grabbing your hands forcefully. – “You were meant to be at my side Y/n. To rule a worthy Ravka where Grisha can be save.” – he lowered his voice, nearly begging. – “At what cost?” – you responded heartbroken.

Pushing him off you again. – “I…I… I loved you!” – you shouted at him. – “and you used me!” – you were breathless after those words. Kirigan looking away in agony. – “And why… why would you do that to me?” – moving away from him. He grabbed you firmly by your shoulders, forcing you to look at him. – “My feelings for you were never fake!” – he made clear. – “I…I love you Y/n with every deep part inside of me.” – he pressed his forehead against yours as you wanted him off.

Yet his grip was tight, keeping you in place. – “I hate you!” – you answered ruthlessly. He tightened his grip around you. – “No!” – he said deeply against your skin. A shadow monster appearing behind him. It made you widen your eyes. – “Don’t… don’t say that Y/n…” – he breathed loud near your mouth. – “You used me Aleksander.” – you responded seeing the shadow monster move swiftly behind him.

“If you loved me, you wouldn’t have used me.” – you pushed him slightly off you. Aleksander stumbled back out of breath. Silent to react upon your words of truth. You turned around, running back towards Mal and Alina. Kirigan slowly lifting his head up. – “I’ll have you as mine once more… no matter the cost.” – he spoke watching you leave.

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tirkdi · 14 days

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For the DVD commentary:

A century in, she began to worry.

It had been some time now since anyone but the two of them had a personal memory of the Black Heretic. She had hoped that the distance would allow him to regain some of his interest, some of his intensity, but if anything, it was the opposite.

"Still no Ilya." He made the observation sound tired, rehearsed. He spoke Suli, because he knew the oprichniki did not. "I made the Shadow Fold a hundred years ago, and there’s still no Ilya. Do you think he figured out how to die?"

"I know why you’re asking."

"Are you going to answer?"

A fish jumped in the lake beside them, shattering the reflection of light on the pond. "Are you still scared of me?" he asked.

Damn her mouth and his memory. She sighed. "I’m scared for you. You’re waiting for something we may never find."

"Never is a very long time."

"I don’t need a lecture on eternity, boy."

A hint of a smile played on his lips. "It’s a long while since I’ve been a boy, Madraya."

"Then maybe you need the reminder."

He didn’t respond, and they walked the path together in silence, the scrape of pebbles beneath their feet the only sounds. Even the oprichniki moved quietly, conserving energy in the midday heat.

She looked in the direction her son indicated, the leaves on the trees unmoving without a hint of breeze. "Still working on your penance," she observed.

"My what?"

"Penance," she repeated. "For the Fold." Baghra had long since realized that life was cyclical for a reason – the straight line of immortality broke too many tethers to the world, made it impossible to keep one’s center. Without the threat of death, a practice of repair was the only thing that could bring one back into alignment with others, with nature. Wasn’t that repair why she was at the Little Palace in the first place?

"Penance." He rolled the word in his mouth as if he’d never heard it before. "That’s one idea, I suppose."

I briefly futzed around with the idea of this chapter being from Aleksander's point of view, and then I realized it would be so, so boring. I did not want to write 400 years of the type of depression going on in his head and you did not want to read it. It's not like Baghra is doing great at this point, either, but at least she's got coping mechanisms (shitty ones, but still!) So here we are. Bold is my commentary. *

A century in, she began to worry. Another one for 'mom of the millennium' award. She waited a century before she started worrying. "It's just a phase," she told herself, years one through ninety-nine.

She walked the lake beside him, the noon sun hot above. The grass was summer-green and unmoving – no natural wind to stir it, no Squallers to disrupt the stillness. The Grisha who would normally be training or playing around by the water were inside the Little Palace, avoiding the heat, but heat had never bothered either her or her son. Not after spending so many, many cold years. I don't go deep into this headcanon but I definitely believe that Baghra & Aleksander are sensitive to cold but not heat. There's a reason that Baghra keeps the fire going all the time, and though I think it's partly religious/superstition, I think a lot of it is just straight up trauma.

The two of them walked the gravel path by the lake, the Little Palace behind them, rolling hills in front. The oprichniki the Tsar had given him for protection – spies, more like – kept the perimeter at a healthy distance. I deeply, genuinely believe that the oprichniki were the Tsars' attempts at spies post-Shadowfold. Why on earth would the most powerful Grisha need protection -- and why would he need otkazats'ya protection? Genya was not the first spy between the palaces!! Aleksander was just better at getting his spies to be loyal to and side with him than the Lantsovs were.

"Still no Ilya." He made the observation sound tired, rehearsed. He spoke Suli, because he knew the oprichniki did not. Spiesssssssss. "I made the Shadow Fold a hundred years ago, and there’s still no Ilya. This is the sort of thing that should bring Saints out of the woodwork, don't you think? Every disaster is an opportunity, etc. Do you think he figured out how to die?"

"I know why you’re asking." Because he wants to die, too.

"Are you going to answer?" This is almost a 'do you love me enough to help me die' question.

She chanced a glance up at his face, the clench of his jaw. She wouldn’t push him on this farther now. "Do I think he figured out how to die? Perhaps," she admitted. Perhaps he had been too Grisha to die, or perhaps he had been just Grisha enough. Not unnatural they way she was. The way he was. Here we have the beginnings of Baghra acknowledging that maybe she and her son are not Grisha at all, or were Grisha of a different type. Her powerful father might not have had the same immortality. And then, because she remembered the decades when her son had asked question after question about her life, about her wants, she added: "I like to think he would have found me hadn’t." She thinks he'll snap out of his century-long depression if she shares one (1) personal fact.

A fish jumped in the lake beside them, shattering the reflection of light on the pond. "Are you still scared of me?" he asked.

Damn her mouth and his memory. She sighed. So annoying when your son remembers that you almost said you loved him. "I’m scared for you. You’re waiting for something we may never find."

"Never is a very long time." A line he uses with both his mom and Alina.

"I don’t need a lecture on eternity, boy."

A hint of a smile played on his lips. "It’s a long while since I’ve been a boy, Madraya." Legit, can you imagine being four hundred and your mom calls you boy. You are three hundred years older than everyone else other than her and she's all "You'll always be my baby (derogatory)"

"Then maybe you need the reminder." I don't think he's forgotten what his childhood was like, Baghra, but thanks.

He didn’t respond, and they walked the path together in silence, the scrape of pebbles beneath their feet the only sounds. Even the oprichniki moved quietly, conserving energy in the midday heat.

"We’ll be expanding the grounds of the Little Palace," he said, gesturing to a hill beside them. "Our expeditions to find Grisha children in other countries and bring them to safety have been increasingly fruitful. We’re going to need more space." There's so little about the intervening years! I assume he had parties going into other countries and getting Grisha out of there on the reg.

She looked in the direction her son indicated, the leaves on the trees unmoving without a hint of breeze. "Still working on your penance," she observed.

"My what?" Penance? I don't know her.

"Penance," she repeated. "For the Fold." I was so curious in the trilogy when he says "Redemption. Salvation. Penance. My mother's quaint ideas." what their conversations about those must have been like. So here's one.

Baghra had long since realized that life was cyclical for a reason – the straight line of immortality broke too many tethers to the world, made it impossible to keep one’s center. Without the threat of death, a practice of repair was the only thing that could bring one back into alignment with others, with nature. Wasn’t that repair why she was at the Little Palace in the first place? There's a lot made of Baghra's shift in perspective from DiTW to TGT, and also what her religious beliefs really are. This is my attempt at a quick explanation for that – it's more pragmatic than religious, though it's not dissimilar to some religious practices. Here she's really trying to help her son.

"Penance." He rolled the word in his mouth as if he’d never heard it before. This guy, man. "That’s one idea, I suppose."

#thank you this was a fun one!#dvd commentary #a hundred lifetimes ago #an ask #jammerific

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seirclys · 11 months

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OG! Penelope Eckhart Headcanons: A Life Before the Eckharts

Part 6!

This one was uh... it took a while. While some may remember Shrike's version of Penelope's parents, who are perhaps the best parents she could ask for... the reality, I think, will be much darker.

Studies, like Bywaters et al. (2022), which is a critical review of research papers in the period between 2016-2021 that compiles evidence and analyzes them together, show that food insecurity, low income, unemployment, and other factors in relation to poverty lead to a higher chance of childhood neglect.[1]

Given that from canon, we know that Penelope's father is dead or at least presumed so— "Her widowed mother was a poor traveling merchant"[2]— it's reasonable to assume that he's just not in the picture.

From Part 4, if you recall, Penelope is a World Catalyst where her world is expressed as a romance-genre dating simulator. I'll definitely elaborate on this in another part, but suffice to say, Penelope's life is pretty much written to be tragic no matter what.

Thus, isn't it fitting to give her a just-as-horrible childhood before the Eckharts?

It would certainly explain why she was so desperate for love, despite the seemingly-obvious idea that she misses the love of her biological family.

The Father— Aleksander

Aleksander is a Greek name meaning "defender of the people", with this particular variant can be traced to Central and Eastern Europe.

Aleksander is from the Northern territories of the Eorka Empire, near the borderlands with treacherous, eternal winter. He moved from the North to warmer lands when he became of age.

He had three siblings, but his older sister died shortly after marriage. On the other hand, his younger brother died in childhood from sickness and a particularly harsh winter.

His father disappeared one day while hunting for prey in the forests, and his mother was beaten to death for stealing from a noble household.

Aleksander has classic, deep magenta curls (think old Hollywood). The color is so dark that it looks black.

His hair is left somewhat lengthy, reaching his mid-back and tied back with a ribbon.

In addition, his eyes match his hair but have an orange glow to them instead.

He has a slender physique, not necessarily muscular or very strong.

Aleksander is extremely religious.

He has a pleasant smile and a gentle disposition, but that doesn't mean he's weak or useless.

He knows how to wield a small dagger, but that's it.

Aleksander was a doting father and loving husband, content with a simple life with his family.

Originally, he left the church he was a part of to follow his wife, but left and returned to his religion and the North when he found out that Penelope had mana.

His religion actively pursues wizards and those of Ancient Wizard blood, and his daughter is no exception.

It's unclear what happened on the day he found out. All his wife knows is that when she returned from her daily trip to the marketplace to sell her wares, her husband was gone, with blood on the bed.

Penelope was holding her neck, terrified.

In the aftermath, he became obsessed with tracking down wizards to "atone" for not having killed Penelope, torn between the guilt of attempted silicide and also the regret of not having snuffed out an Arcani's life.

He feels similarly torn with Nilar, reasoning that since he can never be a descendant of those filthy traitors who served Laila(the Ancient Wizards), then Penelope's magic must have come from his ex-wife.

Aleksander's fate is unknown, but evidently kept out of the capital and surrounding territories, staying in the outskirts. Penelope never met him again.

Edit: ok I didn't mention his third sibling but his mother had the baby when he was away studying to be a priest. It's not clear what happened to the child, but it died before he could meet his sibling.

In truth, Aleksander HAS Ancient Wizard heritage, ironically — his sibling was killed because flowers started blooming around the infant in the middle of winter. Like, summer flowers in the crib, growing out of the mattress.

His mother, terrified, suffocated the infant. Truly, like mother, like son.

The Mother— Nilar

Nilar is a female name of Burmese origin meaning "Sapphire", with the origin having NOTHING to do with my characterization of Penelope's mom. I left the choice up to @eloise175 in a blind-box situation.

If it had any bearing, it would be that Nilar was born in a foreign land but is Eorkan by blood. Her parents just settled down in a foreign land for a bit to ride out the pregnancy.

She was part of a merchant ship crew that docked frequently in the port city of Tratan. By extension, it's near Soleil Island, which is Laila's hideout.

She has abandonment issues due to her parents' mysterious disappearance when she was young. While traveling, she met Aleksander and fell deeply in love.

Nilar is an accomplished Arcani(One who uses mana and is of Ancient Wizard descent). However, her love for Aleksander blinded her, causing her to seal her own powers so he wouldn't turn on her.

Nilar's mother's powers were primarily water-based, which is why they were seafaring. Her powers are Earth-based.

Nilar's hair is naturally a bright pale turquoise-green with darker roots, ending around her mid-thighs. The ends of her hair shift according to her mana. It'll turn from a burnt-sienna color to a pale blonde when uses her powers.

As a civilian, her hair is kept in a low bun.

Nilar's eyes are bright green, near-glowing in their saturated hues. She passed them onto her daughter, though Penelope's eyes tend to stray more turquoise.

She has a soft expression as her default, but her face is naturally stern, which is where Penelope's default "villainess expression" stems from.

In addition, she has a strong physique, from her years as a mercenary in addition to being a merchant. She didn't just settle in Eorka but traveled all over the world before meeting Aleksander.

Had she never settled down with Aleksander, she might've been hired as an Imperial mage, or even an Archmage to fight for the Empire.

Nilar's love blinds her to the red flags surrounding her husband.

After she had Penelope, she became more frail as a result(Giving birth to a World Catalyst, especially one so connected to the world, takes a toll).

When she found out that Aleksander left with her daughter injured, Nilar kind of shut down. She tried to take care of Penelope but found herself spiralling into self-doubt, especially since her daughter looks just like her missing husband with the hair and smile.

As Penelope grew older, Nilar worsened in health, especially since she could no longer easily support two people and pay for expensive medication. She didn't unseal her mana, deluding herself that Aleksander would come back. Poverty made things worse, and the neglect and abuse began to worsen.

Nilar would always cry and apologize to Penelope but it became so frequent that Penelope began to doubt her. Her health and mental state deteriorated to the point where her own mana was lashing out against her, worsening her condition.

Eventually, she died of sickness, a mere three months away from Penelope's 10th birthday.

Life as a Street Orphan

Penelope wandered for many months between villages and towns, hitching rides on merchant carts in exchange for some labor.

She would take refuge in abandoned houses, sheds, and as she got to larger settlements, brothels.

The ladies there cooed over her magenta hair and sparkling eyes, giving her at least a warm bath and clean(if a bit shabby) clothing.

When she got to the capital, Penelope, again, stayed in some of the brothels. She acted as a messenger girl and was groomed to be one of the upcoming new flowers(essentially, she would've started working at the brothel when she was fifteen).

However, an incident with an unruly customer who tried to touch her made her lash out and stab the customer to death with a sharp hairpin.

She fled the brothel, living on the streets as she continued to wander further and further away. She lived in a dilapidated shed amongst the rest of the shacks. It was barely standing with one wall completely broken down.

During the rainy season, Penelope dragged herself back only to find a woman collapsed in her shed, clearly dead.

At this point, she was too weak and hunger-starved to drag the body out, so she stayed inside with the body.

Eventually, this was how Duke Eckhart found her.

#lysia's posts #lysia's narratives #villains are destined to die #vadd #death is the only ending for a villainess #death is the only ending for the villainess #ditoeftv #penelope eckhart #original penelope eckhart #og penelope eckhart #og! penelope eckhart #og penelope #og!penelope hcs

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ofrecklcss · 7 months

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( max irons , 31 , he/him , cismale , Romanov 5 - have you seen DMITRI ROMANOV II? we’ve heard through the grapevine that they’re CHARMING but also HOT TEMPERED. when you think of them , you think of THUNDERSTORMS, CLASHING SWORDS AND CRUMPLED SHEETS. * barbara’s betrothed wc

parallels: anakin skywalker (star wars) , harvey specter (suits), damon salvatore (vampire diaries), flynn rider (disney - tangled), chuck bass (gossip girl)

BASIC INFO

FULL NAME: dmitri romanov ii

PRONUNCIATION: deh-mee-tree

NICKNAMES: dem (only by his family)

AGE: thirty one

GENDER & PRONOUNS: cis man, he/him

ORIENTATION: heterosexual, heteroromantic

LANGUAGE(S) SPOKEN: primary — russian, english ; conversational — german, italian, spanish, french

ACCENT: russian

ALIGNMENT: phlegmatic

ZODIAC: capricorn

LABEL: the regicide/ rebel

alternatively: the dark horse

HEADCANONS

The youngest Romanov son, Dmitri never had as much pressure put on him as his older siblings and was given a lot of freedom which formed the base of his personality. He is definitely the black horse and rebels often for the hell of it.

He was trained with the Russian military from an early age and is an excellent swordsman/soldier, sometimes acting more like a soldier often forgetting diplomacy and court protecol much preferring to speak his mind. He is hot tempered and can be very reckless to the chagrin of his advisors and the Russian courtiers.

He's never really given much thought to marriage but now that his brother is the Tsar and it is expected for him to marry for the sake of beneficial alliances, he's not too pleased but as a soldier he does have a great understanding of following orders.

WANTED CONNECTIONS

BETROTHED: Barbara of Lorraine

CONFIDANTS/CHOSEN FAMILY ; those he's fought with and spent a lot of his time growing up with during his time in the military - he trusts them and trust is not easy to come by with

BROKEN BETROTHAL: Someone his father was in talks with to arrange a marriage before he died - when the previous Tsar died and Aleksander took over, the discussions and negotiations were halted and cancelled.

CURRENT + PREVIOUS FLINGS: Dmitri was never one to believe in marriage, and he thought he would never have to think about it so he's lived a life of a Grand Duke who cared little for propriety and has had several flings over the years.

CHILDHOOD SWEETHEART; Someone who grew up visiting/spending time with the Romanovs (could be from a close country/their parents could have had some kind of alliance) where they had the chance to meet and connect to the point where everyone who saw them thought they would become sweethearts (maybe they were? open to interpretation of character taking the wc)

PEN PAL; (female - royal or high ranking) Someone that Dmitri has written to honestly and openly from a young age after meeting at some kind of state visit/event. this person will know him well even if they haven't seen each other since.

#francehq.intro #dmitri romanov

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nerdyelvenpolitologist · 1 year

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Real life Witchers

As the premiere of Blood Origin is coming closer I thought it’d be a good idea to write something about the less known history of monster fighting in Poland. As all know that Witchers weren’t really existing. But that doesn’t mean we didn’t have people who knew how to fight monsters.

First thing that has to be mentioned is that pure “slavic” beliefs in Poland are not really a thing. Almost all of the things we know now are highly influenced by the Catholic church. And it’s kinda ironic that people that believed in monsters and demons the most were usually very religious. It also says a lot about religion in Poland. Till this day people that call themselves Catholics shape their religion to their liking… Anyway!

So when… for example the wraith was visiting some poor girl every night causing her nightmares and neither priest nor beadle couldn’t help, people were asking for help from professionals. And these were… shepherds. Yes, the ones that took care of sheeps. Them.

What do we know about shepherds back in the days?

1.They were like a village elite. And most important - shepherds were free people. They didn’t have to pay feudal service.

2. Technically they should have surnames. In reality they were known just by names and these weren’t even that clear. Shepherds were giving children names known from royal court like Zygmunt, Karol, Aleksander, Anastazja etc. But during live these changed a lot. And for example the girl named Anastazja at birth at the death bed may have been known as Anna or Agnes. So it’s not really easy to find some more information about their lives.

3. There is a big chance that nobility’s illegitimate children were given to shepherds because they were changing a place where they live a lot and were learning a profession from the very young age

4. As shepherds were living in close societies they learnt their profession as it was hundreds of years ago. That included not only how to take care of sheeps but also a witchcraft

Sounds familiar? Now wait for the best part. At the end of the XIX century in Mazovia one shepherd from Czarnostów became quite a celebrity in the monster hunting business. He traveled the whole voivodeship. Some even say that carriages were sent for him. Of course his methods were a mystery. He didn’t carry much but a closed sack that no one was allowed to look inside of. When he was there to get rid of some wraith or a mare he stayed alone in the haunted house for a night. No one was allowed to be there. During the night people heard screams, fighting sounds and the sounds of a shepherd’s whip that came from the house. In the morning the shepherd was leaving a house in a ripped shirt, covered in bruises but with a smile of victory on his lips. In a small bag he was carrying something that later he drowned in a river. Since that moment the house no longer being hunted.

He never told stories of how he fighted mares, devils or wrights but his actions spoke louder than words because he could get a nice payment even before he started working. It says that it was actually the money that ended his career. One time a mare he caught was trying to bribe him and it succeeded.

Of course most of the stories were myths. Shepherds actually liked to tell unbelievable stories about their magic abilities so they could get money for taking care of some non existing monsters.

#Witcher #the witcher #blood origin #Geralt #geralt of rivia #witchers #wiedźmin #polish culture #witcher meta #the witcher netflix

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asirensrage · 1 year

Note

Dark Prompts 20 & 38 seem like they would fit together...

oooo that's true. Okay, there were a lot of ways I could have gone with this, but i got two votes to write it for The Darkling out of spite and you know how much I love doing things out of spite lol.

Fandom: Shadow and Bone Pairing: Alina/The Darkling (well, it's referenced) Rating: M Warnings: mention of violence and blood, mention of kidnapping, being "given a choice", threats and being forced into realizations, forced to join (basically)

20. “You take him so well, just not as good as you take me.” 38. “Just don’t hurt them, please.”

“You take him so well,” she hears him say. “Just not as good as you take me.” She whirls at the voice, turning to see him sitting in the chair in the corner of the small room. The shadows hid him well.

She shouldn’t have run. She should have stayed in the Little Palace and just accepted her position. “What are you doing here?”

“Did you really think I would let you leave like that?” He stands up and she can’t help but straighten her posture in his presence. He was her General, her saviour until she was told he was the villain. “Did you think I would let my mother ruin everything I have worked for?” He steps forward and Alina’s breath hitches in her chest. “You did not ask me for my opinion, my view point. How is that fair?”

“You’re a murderer.”

“I did what was necessary!” he snaps. “I did it to save my people! What’s your excuse?”

She blinks at him, stunned by the question. “What?”

“You ran the first chance you got. You could be the saviour of all Grisha, helping them to find a balance in this world. Acceptance.” He moves forward again. “And you ran.”

“You wanted to hurt people.”

“A pittance against all their crimes against us! They have attempted to wipe us from this world. I have only harmed those who threaten or harm mine.”

“You lied to me.”

“I did what I needed,” he offered. “I won’t apologize for that.”

The silence is heavy between them, weighted by their words and everything that lay between them. She had given up the possibilities of what they could be and yet…she could still feel it. That promise.

“Why are you here?” She asks, glancing around for the others. The place is quiet in response.

He takes a slow breath before meeting her eyes. “I am giving you a choice,” he says. “You can return, help me create a better world for our people - the very same you still refuse - and I will ensure you survive, safe from the Apparat.”

“He’s not going to hurt me.”

“His people will.”

She pauses at that, thinking of the fanatic way people referred to her. A saint who needs to suffer. She shudders still thinking about it. “What’s the other choice?”

“I take you by force and in return I will ensure every person who has ever given you support is killed.” He says it with complete confidence.

“You won’t,” she breathes. “You failed before.”

“I gave you a benefit of the doubt. I played your villain. If you refuse, there will be no other chances. I will not be bound by your expectations of me.”

“And I’m to be bound by yours?”

“I will do what is necessary for my people.” He looks at her in apparent sympathy. “You are a child compared to the lives I have lived, Alina. You lack ambition, compassion and the desire for justice. You are willing to accept your position in this world and do nothing to change it, regardless of those in power willing to sacrifice people like you to play their games. I tire of games. Make your choice.”

It feels as though time slows as she stands there, staring at him. Her throat is tight, faced with the truth of her actions, her decisions. She ran because she does not want to be Grisha. She never has. Alina has long believed that to be noticed results in your undoing and as much as she enjoyed being desired by the man in front of her, she has always been looking for a way out. She took the first one that was offered and never looked back.

Aleksander was the villain, wasn’t he? He was the cause of so much in her world, and yet he was not wrong. She never listened. She didn’t actually care about anyone she didn’t know. Why would she care for a world that never gave any concern about her? She only ever cared about Mal. If she hadn’t, she would have never sacrificed her so-called friends to the fold when she chased after him. And Mal…he was just the one constant in her world. Was she that afraid of things changing?

“Your choice,” the Darkling says again. “Before I make it for you.”

She meets his eyes. “Just…don’t hurt them. Please.”

He offers her his hand. “Come willingly, help me make things better, and I promise they’ll be protected.”

“You swear?”

“Unlike some, I honour my promises,” he says dryly.

Alina is certain she’s going to regret this. The man in front of her will bind her to him but she is not an innocent victim. It is time she acknowledges that. He has blood on her hands, but so does she. Perhaps they are not as dissimilar as she wishes they are.

She takes his hand.

dark prompts

#dark prompts #asks #residentdormouse #the darkling x alina #alina x kirigan #oh hey a detailed look at both their choices #sort of

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dreamlandcreations · 1 year

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I posted 4,113 times in 2022

That's 3,928 more posts than 2021!

419 posts created (10%)

3,694 posts reblogged (90%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@dreamlandcreations

@pillow-titties

@marvelmusing

@raincoffeeandfandoms

@stardustmorozov

I tagged 3,526 of my posts in 2022

Only 14% of my posts had no tags

#reblog - 1,495 posts

#billy russo x reader - 225 posts

#reading list - 225 posts

#on queue - 220 posts

#billy russo - 209 posts

#self reblog - 205 posts

#alfie solomons - 194 posts

#withmyteeth's reblog challenge - 182 posts

#alternate universe - 181 posts

#moodboard - 151 posts

Longest Tag: 124 characters

#🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

My Top Posts in 2022:

Hi! Can you do a what it would be like to date Billy Russo/Darkling/Logan Delos/any other of Ben's characters post?

Hi! Of course, thank you for asking 😊 this got a little more fic like than I intended 😳

I think it's pretty gender neutral overall (except with the Darkling and his Tsaritsa)

Dating the Darkling / Billy Russo / Logan Delos / Caspian / +Sirius Black (because why not? 😇😈😉)

note: I have not seen much of Westworld so I'm making a lot of assumptions about Logan

• Billy Russo masterlist • Main Masterlist • Moodboards masterlist •

Dating the Darkling

The biggest problem with him (from a matchmaking point of view) is his immortality.

I don't think he would even entertain the idea of being with someone who's not as powerful as he is or doesn't have the potential to be. He has seen enough people die to learn to not get attached to mortals.

When he realises he found his equal, he fights tooth and nail to get them. It's not necessarily love at that point, more like a desperate fixation, rooted in fear of being alone forever.

He charms you effortlessly.

Yes, he manipulates and lies or tells half-truths when it suits him but he means no harm with that (at least not to you).

Slowly he starts to truly fall in love and lets his guard down, so much so that fragments of the truth slip here and there and his Milaya starts to put the pieces together.

When his secret is out and he gets confronted he kinda guilts you into giving him another opportunity with things like "Would you have given me a chance if you knew?" and "I was so afraid to lose the only light in my life after so many years of darkness."

He makes promises to you that he's not sure he can keep

He is crafty and diabolical if he needs to be but seducing you (even more) takes all his efforts because you are on your guard now.

It takes a long time to get you to trust him again but he is patient and after all, you have all the time in the world.

He feels a weird excitement in corrupting you ever so slowly until you fall for his charms again.

He seals the deal as soon as he knows he has you.

Aleksander marries you a week within the proposal.

A few years go by and you get stronger than ever. Together.

You mature over this time and you see through your husband more and more but the war also hardens you and you start to see things his way, meanwhile, he gets a teeny tiny bit softer (in his old age - you joke) but that all fades away in a moment if anyone threatens you or puts you in harm's way.

The Tsar's last mistake is to try to assassinate you when he begins to fear your husband's power and influence.

Aleksander starts a war for you.

He planned this for a long time but wasn't prepared to care for you or for your life to be threatened like this.

So all his carefully planned strategies go out the window and he uses his power to claim the throne.

His darkness consumes him and he makes some bad decisions but for the second time since you met him, you drag him out of the shadows and this time you take your place beside him as his equal.

His Milaya becomes his Tsaritsa.

Aleksander never tries to control you again and you find your way back to the freedom you never realised you've lost.

See the full post

417 notes - Posted February 12, 2022

Imagine Jake being your parents' favourite in-law even before your relationship turned serious

You have no idea how it happened. All boyfriends, girlfriends and spouses of yours and your siblings' were despised by either your mother or your father, or by both.

That arrogant, cocky, adorable jerk somehow managed to charm your entire family on the first occasion you took him home for the holidays.

Your siblings wanted to hate him on principle. Because how come golden boy earns the stamp of approval after they have all been through? But Jake has sisters, and he knows how these things work.

Hangman was on a mission, and he never failed one. Ever.

By the end of the night, basically everyone was planning your wedding to Jake. Which is a good thing, since he has been doing the same since your first date. Now, it's time to change the mission parameters because while he could easily wrap everyone else around his finger, you were a tough nut to crack. But that's okay, he liked challenges and the reward was definitely worth the wait.

714 notes - Posted November 5, 2022

Not yet

Darkling x Reader

Summary: You just don't want to get up from bed yet...

Warnings: tooth-rotting sweetness, a teeny tiny bit of angsty moment, implying some extensive lovemaking

See the full post

726 notes - Posted May 12, 2022

Had your fun?

Jake Seresin x Reader

Summary: Uhm... Jake doing push ups?

Warning: playful frenemies with serious tension going on

Hangman is competitive even in the gym. He likes to show off.

They are doing push-ups with Roosters and Jake brags that he could outdo him even with one arm.

You, the unfortunate judge in their pissing contest, roll your eyes at that. And Jake, who can barely take his eyes off of you when you are in the same room, sees that and starts to involve you in the dispute too.

"What? You don't believe me?"

You just raise your eyebrows at him, clearly doubting how far he could go. Then you get an idea and you flash him a rather diabolical smile that has he's knees weakened for a moment.

When you step closer to him and lean down, he huffs a laugh out at your slurty-voiced question.

"Sure you can take it, tough guy?"

The smug smirk says 'bring it on'. So you do.

Jake froze in place, arms straight as he felt you push on his middle and when you hear him laugh again you decide to add to the challenge and slowly sit on his back.

As soon as you are secure, Jake gets back to his previous rhythm, not even a hint of strain or intention of slowing down.

When Rooster takes in the scene, he knows Hangman probably doesn't even remember he's still in the room. The both of you are too deep in the play with each other.

His suspicion is confirmed when you only notice that he stopped, stood up and got his bag when he dropped it next to you.

"I'm done," is all he says before he heads out as he hears your comment to the man under you.

"What? That's it for you too, Hangman?"

Bradley turns back when he hears your yelp. Seeing how Jake has thrown you off his back and moved to cage you in under him, resuming the push-ups.

"Had your fun, sweetheart?" You are rendered speechless as the blonde whispers so close to you.

Bending so low that he can press his body against yours, Jake is grazing your nose with his as your lips almost touch before pushing away again.

Shaking his head, Rooster yells back at you two to "get a room" before he leaves.

737 notes - Posted November 18, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

What happens in Vegas

Jake Seresin x Reader

Summary: After a disastrous family gathering supposedly celebrating their engagement, Rooster and Phoenix decide to get married in Vegas with the squad and a few friends present and somehow you wake up in the last place you ever expected to be...

Warnings: enemies to lovers, nudity, implied/mentions of (drunk) sex, leaving this kinda empty bc it would be too much spoiler about the plot, pff what plot?, size difference, unprotected sex, some warnings left out so dead dove do not eat

note: most of the original draft was left out from this, including the smut, soooo maybe part 2 coming soon? 🙈

~ 800 word

See the full post

1,109 notes - Posted November 13, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review #false

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amiramorozova · 2 years

Text

Soulmates? Aleksander x Amira x Nicolas

Pairing: Nicolas Stark (Perhaps this chapter only for him unless people like this) x Amira Silina x Vampire Aleksander Morozova/General Kirigan Warning: Threesome Words: 3371

Nico led me over to the bed as he had me sit down before he kissed me again, I tried to indulge in giving him a chance. Yet it was when he went to kiss my neck I pulled back as I crossed my arms around myself. "Mira.." Nico said as I shook my head "I'm sorry...I can't...I don't think I can.." I said as he sighed. He looked at me and kissed my forehead "take a few minutes to consider it." He said before leaving me alone.

I laid down knowing that I wanted to know what it was like with someone other than Aleksander. He'd always be there waiting never aging but I wanted to live my life with risks and yet my body recoiled in some way. Was it Aleksander's fault? Had he done something in my sleep or his drops of blood he'd made me have. My eyes closed as all I could see was him in that mirror pressing me against him while he was inside of me. You could test things out with your tracker but it will never compare to what I do. Again his words echoed in my mind. As I thought about him again my hand slid down and swiftly plunged in my core as I gasped from the intrusion of my own fingers.

I let my hand to do the work as I tried to get it out of my system, wanting to just get it over with before Aleks tried to come to the window. Yet no matter what I did nothing was good enough because I hadn't touched myself like this before. I groaned softly trying to stay quiet but then I heard my door open as I looked up only to meet eyes with Nico. My freehand pulled my robe over the scene as I blushed. What had I just done?

The lust in Nico's eyes was unmistakable as he seemed to be looking at my face then my covered core. I gulped knowing he should never have seen me in such a state but then he decided to walk over. "Mira..your trying to get yourself off. Not working?" Nico asked the hint of lust in his voice. I nod as he looked at me "Could I..help?" Nico asked as I was hesitant but figured what in the name of saints did I have to lose? Except the truth, so I nod not trusting me voice. Nico got down on his knees as he pulled me close before he put my legs over his shoulder. I questioned if this was right but he'd pulled my fingers out licking them clean clearly to have a taste.

"Nico if you don't want to I won't ho-" before I could say anything I gasped as his mouth attached to my core. I questioned if he even knew what to do but before I could even asked his tongue had slipped inside of me and he started to go to work. I covered my mouth with a moan as he was a bit too good but it wasn't anything compared to Aleksander. While he was at work though I heard a knock on my window next to the bed and my eyes opened as I saw him. "Saints." I said as Nico pulled away and I whined. I sat up and opened the window. "Really tonight? Publicly wasn't enough for you." I said as I knew I was just lashing out cause I was enjoying myself. "Let me in, I'll show you how to enjoy having two men pleasure you Amira." Aleksander said with a smirk. That shouldn't have aroused me but with Nico's work it had as I looked at him. "Come in Aleksander.." I said

Aleksander came in fast through the window and then he got behind me so I had to rest my body against him. "You'll expose your body to me but not to him." Aleksander said as I knew the robe concealed me...well half of me "Why are you ruining this moment?" Nico demanded as he seemed pissed. "Well she's aroused that's clear but she hasn't cum obviously. So either you can't get her there or she hasn't been given enough...then again your inexperienced in pleasing a woman. Let's see I have her ready to burst twice in an hour." Aleksander said as I blushed covering my face this was not happening. Nico must have been annoyed cause I felt Aleks tighten his grip on me. "Well let's see tracker get to work. If you can't get her there soon I'm going to bend her over and fuck her right infront of you while you watch." Aleksander said as I felt my face heat up even more.

Saints! He did not say that! I thought

Before I could even form the words to say anything I felt Nico go right back to what he was doing, I gripped the sheet under my hand as Nico wasn't being as soft."Saints..." I said as I closed my eyes. I had to bite down on my lip to make sure I didn't moan with Aleks here and my parents asleep. Yet I must have bit my lip a bit too hard as I tasted blood. Aleksander moved my head as he kissed me and his tongue slipped into mine so easily as I kissed him back. I felt his tongue licking across where my open wound was and knew it was my blood that'd gotten his attention.

Aleksander moved his hand over the clothed part of my body as I leaned into his touch wanting him to do more. He smirked before he went up tugging on the robe part around my neck as he started to kiss my neck. "Hm.." I said as I knew he knew just how to get me there. He was supposed to wait for Nico to even try to get me there but seemed even the General was impatient as he started to kiss my neck and then found my weak spot and suck on it. I lost focus on Nico because within minutes Aleksander was able to send me over the edge Nico had me on as I closed my eyes breathing heavy from the release.

Nico after a few minutes pulled away and Aleks had removed himself from my weak spot as he had a knowing smirk at the corner of my eye. "Well tracker, you failed." Aleksander said in triumphant please. "But she did.." Nico said in protest as I heard Aleksander chuckle. "I pushed her just enough, your tongue just can't hit the places she needs to be touched." Aleksander said as he laughed. "Though if you want, you could try to fuck her the other way..but her virgin areas are mine to claim." I wanted to smack him silly for saying that. "Fuck you Aleksander." I said through pants as he put a hand on my cheek and looked in my eyes. "Amira, don't say things you don't want to happen..otherwise I might have to put your mouth to work." Aleksander said

It shouldn't have caught me off guard but it did, him saying my virgin areas were off limits to Nico meant only two things. He wanted to take one of those places tonight, if I didn't watch he'd make me take him in my mouth but the other option..saints. I even offered those to him the night I'd surrendered to his temptation. He must have noticed my realization as he chuckled a bit "You did offer yourself completely to me. I just didn't want to overwhelm you right away but soon I'll have claimed every part of you." Aleksander said without a care to if Nico took him up on the offer. "Your mine to have when I want." He said as he claimed my lips in a kiss as I kissed him back.

I nearly forgot about Nico until Aleksander moved from my lips to my ear "But tonight, for one night only I think I'll share you with your tracker. Let his little fantasy of having you come true only for me to snatch your attention away when I take you from behind." Aleksander whispered as I gulped a bit nervous about what he was implying. Nico seemed to be into the idea cause when I looked at him he was already removing his clothes. At first I covered my eyes because he was my best friend this was inappropriate but then Aleksander whispered in my ear "Look at him Amira, look at him while I remove this robe from you." I took a deep breath as I looked at him seeing his muscle and how well he was built.

Saints...this is my best friend... I thought

I felt Aleksander reach for the part of the robe that was tied as he slowly untied it and then ever so slowly removed it off of me exposing me to both of them. I felt awkward about it since Nico had never seen me like this but then I heard the sound of clothes being removed and I looked back seeing Aleksander was even getting himself undressed. I adjusted myself able to move as I helped him. He looked at me since he'd already removed his kefta and General Jacket as I removed his shirt exposing his chest as I leaned close placing kisses before I reached for his pants and unbuttoned them. Reaching in the waist band as he lifted his hips up so I could remove the pants easily from him and his shoes. Both the men around me were in their boxers and here I was exposed completely to both of them.

Aleksander smirked as he pulled me close and kissed me as I kissed him back then he moved to kiss my neck as I moved to give him more access. "Perhaps a demonstration would make it easy for him to know how to please you." Aleksander said as I didn't know what to say but before I could he'd swiftly moved us and when I went to reach for his boxers they were gone. He readjusted me to be on his lap just as he lined up with my entrance and thrusted up inside me. I kissed him on the lips as it muffled my moan of him inside of me as he started his pace being hard and fast. My lips finding places to kiss and or have them against with his pace. I was sensitive from the last release as I knew that it wasn't going to be long before I released again as my head went back when he hit just the right spot. "Aleks.." I said as he only chuckled but I I noticed Nico watching us seeing my reactions as I had to bite down on my lip when Aleks got harder and faster as I muffled my moan. "I'm not gonna last.." I said as he laughed a bit at hearing me and his fingers went down teasing me as I looked at him. "Cum for me Amira.." Aleksander said as I shook my head as I look at him "Only if you do too."

He seemed to get the idea as he grabbed hold of my hips and kept going as I knew he kept in mind of my words. I tried to hold on until we both came undone together as I used my hand to muffle the moan that came out of my mouth as it hit me hard and the familiar feeling of Aleksander filling me happening as even he was still thrusting so his seed was inside of me. Little did he know I'm on the pill grandma gave me but even Nico didn't even know that. Aleksander kept me on him for a few minutes as I caught my breath since my night was far from over and I knew what he was doing but it wouldn't work this time. Once he was sure it wasn't going to leak out he laid me down as he pulled out of me.

I closed my eyes for a minute to just relax from what happened but when I felt I was ready I looked at them. "Nico come here." I said as he walked over to me as he climbed over to where I was. I kissed him as he kissed me back and slowly I looked over at Aleksander to see his reaction. He was watching me, waiting for his moment to intervene in one of my unclaimed areas. Nicolas though was a virgin like I was before I'd surrendered to Aleksander and part of me questioned if he truly wished to lose that to me as I pulled away and looked at him. "Nico, are you sure about this?" I asked as he looked at me "Are you sure Mira?" Nico asked as I realized that this would cross the line for our friendship. "I am if you are." I answered as he nod "Then yes, I am. I've always imagined it'd be you but I always thought I'd be your first." Nico said

I felt touched by his words but I nod as I adjusted our position where he'd be beneath me as I kissed him again. He kissed me back as I put my hands on his chest and moved my way down as I put my fingers in the hem of his boxers as he lifted his hips up and I ever so slowly slid them down but that's when I realized he was telling the truth. I could feel his member by my thigh and I broke the kiss to take a look seeing he was very into this. I looked into his eyes as I slowly touched him as he groaned and I had to admit it was turn on that I had this effect on him before I'd adjusted and lined him up. Nico grabbed hold of my hips as we kept eye contact before I lowered myself on him until he was fully sheathed inside of me as we moaned. I could see Aleks was bothered by it but I didn't care at that moment but since I'd just had Aleks not long ago I didn't have to wait as long.

"Ready Mira." Nico said as I nod as we started a pace, Nico was different unlike Aleks he let me choose the pace but as Nico and I were starting to really get into it. Aleks decided to make his move just then as I felt him slide in behind me but he made me stop moving which irritated me but also irritated Nico as we were actually enjoying ourselves but my wetness must have been leaking out cause I felt Aleks touch my thigh to coat his fingers and then I questioned just what he was doing before I felt the intrusion from behind me. "Saints..Aleks.." I said as I knew the sudden feeling must have made me grip Nico cause I heard him Groan.

Aleksander moved his fingers as he was preparing me for his plan on claiming one of my unclaimed areas as I figured he'd at least let me finish with Nico. Clearly that was not the case as I eventually relaxed when I adjusted to his fingers. I could hear him chuckle as he slipped his fingers out as I whined even though I had Nico in one end. "Just get it over with so I can start up again." I demanded, my mistake for being irritated cause he did just that as slid in I gasped but he covered my mouth as he whispered in my ear "As I said Amira, you're mine." Aleksander said

Nico had to adjust our position with Aleksander doing this as tears must have streamed a bit down my eyes from being stretched again to Aleksander's size. It was after I was relaxed with having two men in two ends of me I nod. The knot that had barely begun to build was gone as I evened my breathing. "Alright..You better pick an even pace." I said as Nico slightly glared at Aleksander but Aleksander merely chuckled. "No guarantees." Aleksander said

They both started an even pace which brought me pleasure like I'd never felt more. Nico decided to claim my lips in a make out and I obliged it. That is until Aleksander would be harsh in his thrusts and make me break the kiss with Nico to moan only for Aleksander to use his hand to make me look at him and kiss me. Aleksander's kiss was more dominant than Nico's gentle kiss it carried many things. Love, possessiveness and it was like he had to make a claim as his tongue entered my mouth only make me want more.

I moaned into his mouth as his tongue explored mine while they both worked me hard with their movements. They were trying to get my attention but it only made my body want more. Nico though was close and I could tell cause he started to throb in my core. "Mira.." Nico said as I broke the kiss from Aleksander as I looked at him. Aleksander wasn't even close as he kept moving and I was on edge yet I ignored him as I got close to Nico "You're gonna cum Nico.." I said against his lips as he kept going yet I seen it he considered pulling out.

Aleksander started to move even faster in my backend as I moaned softly cause his movements forced me to take Nico even deeper which also made Nico moan softly. Aleksander was relentless but I knew what he was up to as just a few more thrusts pushed me over the edge and my release hit me hard. I realized how much of what Aleksander did also pushed Nico over the edge too cause while Aleksander was still thrusting behind me hard Nico was thrusting in my core as I felt Nico releasing into me.

Nico groaned once his release finished washing over him, Aleksander stilled for a second which caught me off guard and made me whine. I wanted it what he was offering yet he was giving me time to relax. Nico though pulled out and his release slid out of my core. He adjusted to let me relax but that didn't work cause as soon as Nico was out of reach Aleksander started to thrust again. "You're not done yet." Aleksander whispered against my ear as he moved fast and hard inside of me.

Saints! I'm gonna be sore tomorrow.. I thought

After so long we came undone together as I saw Nico watching me but as soon as Aleksander was done he pulled out as I felt sore. I was breathing hard cause I hadn't had anything like this before. Aleksander nod as he pulled me close to him and he bit his wrist. "Drink it'll heal where your sore." Aleksander whispered in my ear as I just looked at it. I didn't want it like last time but he opened my mouth again and let a few drops fall in as I tried to push away.

"Hey, you said you'd stop doing that for a few months." Nico said to Aleksander to which Aleksander just held me close. "Well tracker, by our agreement she's mine. Mine to fuck, mine to kiss, mine to do whatever I want with. Technically she should be a vampire but she's not." Aleksander said as Nico stopped as Aleksander was right I should have been by their agreement. "Why is she still.." Nico said as Aleksander laughed a bit and held me "You have to ask? Think about it. You offered her up to me the night of the party and here she is..still a normal Grisha within the means of normal." Aleksander said as Nico thought about it but then he looked at me. It clicked for him finally that I had convinced Aleksander to not turn me into a vampire unless I was dying and for now he was.

"You did something Mira.." Nicolas said as I leaned into Aleksander, his blood had an affect I couldn't deny. "I did..he can't turn me unless I'm dying." I admitted to Nico.

TagList: @lifeisingrey, @houseoftoomanyfandoms, @mizelophsun11, @budugu Want on the tag list for updates? Comment below to be added

#vampire darkling #Team Darkling #darkling x oc #the darkling #darkling smut #Nicolas Stark #Amira Silina #aleksander morovoza #Soulmates?#shadow and bone #shadow and bone fanfiction #Grishaverse #ben barnes #matt bomer #fanfic #original story

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crescentcampbell · 6 months

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Royal Ravka University Chapter 8: Alina Starkov

Eight:

Alina Starkov

Mal’s date for shipping out to basic training had been pushed. Which meant it was a week after she had started college. Alina had decided to let him stay in her dorm. Since she was under a special scholarship from the university, she’d been given a private room. The better for studying. Of course, now that she had put two and two together about who had made the scholarship possible, she wasn’t sure if that was the actual reason or not. She still clenched her thighs together and flushed every time she thought about what they did in the lecture hall.

Although since that first class, he had been on strangely good behavior. He treated her like any normal student. He ignored her. Which was exactly what she wanted. Alina didn’t want him thinking that she would get weak in the knees over him like some simpering school girl. Regardless of if that was what she actually was.

The two of them were sitting on the floor of her bedroom, eating Shu-han takeout food straight from the cartons.

“So,” said Mal, “I got a strange offer.”

Alina raised an eyebrow. “What kind of offer?”

“It seems that the prince is looking for a new security guard. They need to be part of the military, and close to his age. My recruitment officer thought that I might be good for it because I fit the profile. If that were the case, I’d be going to school with you…”

Alina looked at him. “Wait, as…as an undercover student?”

He nodded. “I’d have to take all of the same classes as him. No one would know who I was except for him and the faculty.”

Alina poked anxiously at her food. Mal staying instead of being shipped off to saints knew where should have made her happy. Except, if he were taking the same classes as Nikolai, that would put him in her classes with Aleksander. She could only imagine what would happen if Mal found out what had happened between the two of them….

“Mal, are you sure you’re not just considering this because you’re worried that I won’t be able to take care of myself?” she said instead.

Mal furrowed his brows together. “You don’t want me to go to school with you? I thought you didn’t like the idea of me enlisting. This way, we could still be together.”

“I know,” said Alina, “but you’d still be enlisted…and…I’m just now finding my own independence. I would love for you to change your mind but Nikolai Lantsov isn’t exactly an easy security target. He’s a high-profile royal. Second in line for the throne. If you were with him as his security guard, you’d be in danger every minute.”

Mal rolled his eyes. “I’m going to be a soldier. I’ll be in danger every moment once I ship off.”

“But if you’re here and something happens, I’ll see it. I don’t think I’ll be able to live with myself if something happens to you and I’m not able to do something.”

Mal sighed. “You don’t, by chance, have a crush on Nikolai do you?”

Alina laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous. He’s a manwhore. Not my type. Besides, I thought we decided a long time ago that we were just going to be friends.”

“You decided,” said Mal, “I’ve been planning our wedding since we were kids. I thought it could be in the summer, in Novyi Zem. Somewhere on a beach.”

She rolled her eyes and took a bite of her food. “Yes, because that’s my favorite thing in the world…”

“Where would you have it?” Mal asked.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I never really thought about getting married. Anyway, it won’t matter. You’ll meet some pretty girl when you’re off at basic training and have a gaggle of children and I’ll be your poor, artist friend that lives in the attic.”

Mal rolled his eyes. “I don’t think so. I think Aleksander’s going to try and take you from me.”

She made a face. “You’re being dramatic. Besides, I do have a say in the things that happen to me. Or have you forgotten?”

He shook his head. “No. I haven’t forgotten. I just…worry. You’ll be here all alone with him. You don’t even know the kind of person he is.”

“I’m not naïve, Mal. I haven’t made it this far on my own without thinking for myself. Besides, who was the one that kept the bullies away from you at the orphanage?”

He sighed, and ran a hand over his buzz cut. “You.” He gloomily took a bite of his food. Alina smiled and nudged him.

“That’s right. Anyway…I think we’ve relied on each other a little too long. It’s time for the two of us to have some adventures on our own.”

“Right.” He took a sip of the soda he had in his hand. “You’ll wait for me, then?”

She rolled her eyes. “Not on your life. But…I’ll be here when you get back, yeah?”

“Yeah, okay,” he said. He kissed her on the cheek. “Just promise me I won’t come back and find you with the last name ‘Morozova’. I might have to kill someone… and think of the family scandal that would cause.”

Alina huffed. “Oh, please. I’m not interested in your…nephew.” She winced at the word. “That still sounds weird to say.”

“Trust me, I know,” said Mal, “although it is great fun to piss him off when I correct people about it. He gets all mad and sputters. He’s not exactly the sputtering kind, Aleksander. It’s quite refreshing.”

She laughed. “I bet. Anyway, you want to watch a movie?”

“Sounds good. Can I pick?”

“I suppose so, since you’re going off and being the gallant soldier tomorrow…”

“Gallant, eh?” Mal waggled his eyebrows. “I like the sound of that.”

“Now you’re just being cocky.”

“I like the sound of it too. So, something with Vin Diesel in it?”

“You’re the absolute worst!”

He laughed, and they spent the rest of the night binging shows, and eating until their stomachs were full. In the morning, Alina took him to the train station.

“You’ll write, won’t you?” he asked.

“Of course. Take care of yourself.” She stood on tip toe to kiss him on the cheek, but before she could stop him, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulled her close, and swooped in for a kiss.

Mal grinned impishly at her when he pulled away. “Something to remember me by, yeah?”

“Off with you, then.” She rolled her eyes and shoved him off onto the train. He waved at her from the window, and she waved back.

When she got home, she found a note on her dorm room door.

Dear Miss Starkov,

We regret to inform you that do to a shortage in the university budget, the funding for your housing has been pulled. You have until the end of the month to remove yourself from the premises or you will be evicted.

Regretfully,

Dean Ivan Kaminsky

Alina let out a very loud shriek when she saw the letter. She knew why it had happened. And she was going to kill him for it.

#shadow and bone #shadow and bone fanfic #shadow and bone fic #shadow and bone fanfiction #darklina #darklina fic #darklina fanfic #darklina fanfiction

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aleksanderscult · 2 months

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What kind of "Alina" did Aleksander want?

I've seen so many different people in this fandom give their own opinion about how did the Darkling wanted Alina to be.

Did he wanted her meek, weak and obedient?

Did he wanted her strong and powerful?

So I took the liberty of creating this post to analyze this issue through his own words, thoughts and actions.

I know how popular the "Aleksander wanted her submissive by the way he put that collar around her" theory it but it doesn't really stand because:

A) we will never know how things would turn out if Baghra didn't approach Alina that particular night but it actually seems that he wanted to take her with him to the north.

“The key to the Shadow Fold is finally within our grasp, and right now, I should be in the war room, hearing their report. I should be planning our trip north. But I’m not, am I?”

He couldn't keep the truth from her forever so at some point of that journey he would definitely spill the beans to her.

B) he forcefully put the collar around her throat because she showed resistance at the worst possible moment. The Darkling had already set the wheels in motion: the King was slowly getting sick and the whole country (and most importantly, their enemies) would know it (so he had to work fast before anybody got any ideas of siege, rebellion or war) and he himself would have to show his true colors and plans. By having Alina slip away and act all dramatically with Mal was a blow to his plan and stomach since not only he had Alina as an enemy now but he fell for her so her rejection hurt him on a personal level.

(that weekend MUST have been the worst of his life)

He didn't want her to take that power unwillingly:

Or steal her powers in a violent manner:

He had little time and little patience. He worked his ass off for centuries and tolerated so much bullshit from the monarchs. He wouldn't allow her to foil his schemes. But it's also interesting how his feelings got in the way too and, therefore, acted impulsively.

But! How did he want her?

Well, the very fact that he grew up around a very strong, powerful and stubborn woman is an answer by itself. Baghra's influence definitely played its part if you look at this from a psychological point of view.

“It seems that most men are after a significant other that will essentially replace their mum.

A recent study by eHarmony has found that 64 percent of men are in a relationship with someone who shares significant personality traits with their mother. Fortunately, it’s totally normal from an evolutionary, psychological standpoint.”

Many studies have shown that plenty of men and women search a partner that resembles their mother and father respectively.

It wouldn't be surprising if Aleksander was the same given how many centuries he spent with his own mother and how much of an influence the latter was to her son in his childhood.

There is an abundant amount of proof in the books that Aleksander wanted Alina to be strong, powerful, to embrace her true self and believed that there was more to her.

He thought of her as someone like him and could see himself in her, no matter how much Alina denied it.

Baghra raised him to value power, so seeing Alina shy away from it is strange and peculiar to him. She has the chance to change everything and she seeks things that are beneath her. Aleksander can't fathom that because he doesn't believe that she's meant for something as simple and pathetic as this.

He chastises her for the choices she makes and the wishes she has. She was destined to shine and be seen and here we are watching a girl trying to hide her potential.

If Aleksander wanted her submissive he would be glad to see her state in the beginning of S&S. She's weak, right? So a perfect victim to have that can't fight him back. But, in fact, he's furious, disappointed and unsurprised with her state.

Aleksander never wanted her meek or weak. He even admired her stubborness:

(there is a sense of admiration and annoyance here)

BUT he never wanted that stubborness and ferocity to be directed against him:

He even thought of her better than the men that surrounded her and believed that they couldn't measure up to her power:

The aftermath of their battle in the chapel is extremely interesting because we see the Darkling showing a genuine admiration for her powers and how quickly she (sort of) mastered them:

It also seemed that he showed understanding for the fact that she wanted to keep her freedom. Now that was a very good reason to fight him in his eyes. Since the Darkling himself believed in freedom and fought for it.

And, of course, he offered her a throne at his side. He didn't mind sharing power as long as she wasn't an obstacle to his plans.

He strongly believed in equality between them and according to the author he envisioned a future with her:

In order to have someone to keep your power under control then that person needs to be as powerful as you.

And then we have him at his most vulnerable state confess that he didn't lie about equality after all:

He talked about equality again and again. His disgust and anger every time he saw her weak from not using her powers was prevalent as well as his admiration every time she used her powers to their fullest.

The only thing in which he found her inferior to him was her knowledge of power. Which is understandable since Aleksander had much more time to understand it, study it and use it.

In RoW, his anger and disappointment for her state continues.

So:

1) He believed that she could rule as Queen and her life in hiding is not right for her.

2) He believed that she was meant to be powerful and strong and stood by that statement many times.

3) Didn't consider her life a worthy life at all.

The only character in the Grishaverse, the one that people keep saying that she wanted her weak, was the only one that wanted the opposite for her and considered her fate disgusting, wrong and tragic.

His plan of having Alina on an equal stand beside him continued in this book as well:

Which means that he wasn't lying when he said that he didn't intend to make a slave of her.

And of course her stubborness was a trait that he found annoying and admiring at the same time. It showcased how strong-willed she really was:

So according to his own thoughts and words, I would say that Aleksander actually admired her fierceness and determination. It showed strength and he found it attractive. In fact, it probably even enhanced his conviction that she was the right partner for him.

But he didn't want that hostility to be directed against him and his plans. Which is not weird at all because what kind of person would like someone to screw up his goals.

In conclusion: Aleksander was actually the biggest fan of "powerful Alina".

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bearstruck · 9 months

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BORN JUNE 18TH, 1996 in NOVOKUZNETSK, a city located in Kemerovo Oblast in southwestern Siberia, Russia, Aleksandr Volkov came into a life full of hardship and loss. Birthed in a deteriorating apartment complex in the slums of his home city, his mother spread herself open on a bed bug infested mattress, quiet upon arrival. His father, Kirill thought the boy to be dead until he tapped his son's chest and felt a heartbeat. With his attention focused on his newborn, he hadn't realized that his wife, Polina had passed. A life for a life, if one were to ask Aleksandr about it he'd joke saying his mother was his first kill.

HE WAS RAISED IN A CITY FULL OF CORRUPTION. The kind of place with syringes littering the streets, the place where your own friends and family would have to build your coffin out of old wood, a place where religious cults disguised themselves as rehab facilities in order to gain followers. His father couldn't afford to relocate them to Ilyinka, but even if he did Kirill would've stayed put in Novokuznetsk. Even with all of the city's issues, Aleksandr looks upon his memories there fondly.

HIS FATHER A JUNKIE, NOW A REFORMED MAN. Kirill had switched his role from the consumer to the supplier. A chemist in his own right, having excelled in his education in his youth. Wasted potential now being used to cook forbidden nectar, it was a way for him to provide for himself and his son. When Aleksandr was old enough, his father would send him out on runs, dealing in the ❛ family business ❜ and soon enough Aleksandr was helping in the kitchen. It was when he accidentally blew up a batch that he realized he loved making shit explode.

A NEW FOUND PASSION. Stolen car batteries, gasoline, glass bottles and rags, things found locally to fuel his new activity. First it was small things, trash cans the homeless used to stay warm, then to abandoned cars, then small buildings that only rats and roaches dared to live in. He got his hands on a copy of The Anarchist Cookbook, learning English just to dive into its pages. More ideas were sparked, new plans unfolded, his skills improving with each passing day. The few friends he had only stood by to watch as he burned, also enticed by the flames. He became their figure head, a messiah among them.

IN HIS LATE TEENS HE FOUND HIMSELF IN A MAKE SHIFT RING. A fighting pit, a chance for young men to earn money with their fists. For years Aleksandr proved his worth, the money he won only used to fuel his other passion. But with threats of war caused by the hands and mind of Vladimir Makarov, recruiters from a resistance group were sent throughout the country to find Russia's best.

ALEKSANDR WAS ONE OF THEM. Out of desperation for men, his background was disregarded, along with underlying issues he had. Any other circumstances he would've never made the cut. Given his love for destruction, Aleksander was guided onto the path of becoming a demolitions expert. He thrived in it. Coming up with new methods, putting together bombs that no one has seen before, he was excelling, proving to be valuable.

SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAD HAPPENED, Aleksandr doesn't see it that way. The men he was sent out had fallen, killed in action, and it was just him. If asked about it he'd say only he survived since he was the best of them, he's always been a bit conceited. Lacking morals he did what he had to be done to ensure his survival, tales he'll never share. But he had gotten caught, tried with crimes of war. Sentenced for life.

OLEG NEEDED MEN. He didn't care where he got them from. He needed the strongest, the most durable, those who could withstand anything thrown at them. He was picky with who got to come with him, but didn't mind paying a hefty price for those who met his standards. Aleksandr had accidentally proved himself, getting into it with another inmate, contraband found itself in his hands, blood was shed, and a body fell to the ground. Aleksandr costed more than his weight in gold.

PREPPING WAS NEEDED, SOMEONE NEEDED TO WHIP THE BOY INTO SHAPE. Oleg found what drove him, what motivated him, and what he was good at. Oleg used it to his advantage, proving to Aleksandr that he was capable of more, as long as he was willing to work with Oleg. Aleksandr found himself growing attached, looking to Oleg as a father figure, something he hadn't expected. He never thought he'd grow loyal to anyone but himself, yet he was proven wrong.

HIS LIFE TOOK AN EXPECTED TURN. From fighting alongside a resistance group to put a stop to Vladimir Makarov to working underneath him. The CIA'S most wanted terrorist, his idol.

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starlsssankt · 1 year

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@noblehcart / luda

“Some things you can never leave behind. They don’t belong to the past. They belong to you.”

𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐊𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓, but his gaze does its absolute best not to stare at her, for his thoughts focus only on Luda. There is a threat to them all rising, and he knows what this world does to people like her.

Good people. Kind hearts.

They're burned and killed. Destroyed.

❝ Is that a promise that you will not fade away this time? ❞ he murmurs, more to himself than to her directly. He'd lost her before, never having known he'd find her again. Oh he'd vowed to, vowed to make every last soul pay for her death.

He just hadn't thought to be given this chance again.

Hands reach for her, and Aleksander cups Luda's cheek. ❝ The past, this world, it has taken too much from me, Luda. From us. I cannot bear it if it happens again-- ❞

Because as it is, it's a miracle by whatever saints and gods exist that actually smile upon him. He's found her, she's found him, and as the sound of carriages pulled by horses and the smoke from chimneys, the sounds of rain outside the door and windows... as the world echoes its way around them, he doesn't want to lose it. To lose this.

Her death at the hands of those villagers centuries ago plays like a morbid film in his head. He'd hoped to find her again, but had sworn vengeance at the very least against those--and all of those who descended from them--who had harmed her.

He knows he was cursed then, to lose... to lose her.

So to have her now, here-- It is a wish, a hope, that he hadn't even thought to hold for longer than a millisecond lest it vanish, unfulfilled.

❝ You belong with me, Luda... ❞

#noblehcart #verse / tbd ;; vampire au #// okay this got a little rambly #// but this takes place during her FIRST reincarnation if it's not clear in the text #// not past not modern but a third thing--the Victorian era or what have you #// because why not?

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luxmaeastra · 1 year

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Why didn't she understand what she was asking?

"You think Rigelus cares about -"

"I don't care what Rigelus wants. I don't care what army and magic he has Azriel."

Hypaxia's hand tightened around the blade she was packing looking back to him. It felt like a fog was lifting from her skin. How many years had she let herself be soothed by just Azriel in this world they'd made? How many years had she had let him lull her into a false sense of security?

Nirtea had broken her in ways she had never understood. And then Illyaria had given its own twisted brand on her skin. Azriel had always been her solace and right now he was feeling more like a prison.

"They have our boy Azriel. I will be getting him back are you coming or not?"

Perhaps she could even ask for Aleksander and Anastasiya's aid. She'd heard of this Ascension they'd done - would it be enough to stand against Rigelus and his kin?

Would they even do it if she asked them to? Would they care for a child they'd never truly known?

"And if he is there, you want him to learn the fate of his mother. She ran into a place where she was ripped to pieces and that she didn't have a chance."

Azriel stared at her. His hands tightened, he wanted to shake her and tell her to snap out of it. Why was she so eager to throw it all away, when they were laying the path before them very slowly. Rigelus was not someone they could mess with, he had strength and means they did not.

"We cannot rush into this recklessly, Hypaxia, why won't you listen!"

#Muse | Azriel

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vicioux · 3 years

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MODERN AU DARKLINA FIC RECS

yeah...another one lol this time inspired by bin bon’s new music video. tried something new for this one by putting fics in categories but i will say they're pretty loose categories since there's quite a bit of overlap (i'd say 90% of modern darklina fics have plenty of smut 👀 and mal bashing) and i got lazy by the end. here are some of my recs for darklina modern AUs & as always thank you to all the lovely writers in the fandom for feeding us during the off season 💛💛 p.s you can find all my fic rec lists here.

come for the smut stay for the plot

ABSOLUTE by twilighttomidnight “Good.” Genya hummed, unrepentant. “I hope I’m ruining all your virginal fantasies. They never live up to your expectations so why not have a skilled older man induct you into the world of sin and be paid handsomely for your time while you’re at it?”

GAMES by persephoneselene Alina gets more than she bargained for with Wall Street tsar Aleksander Morozova. (or: Astrology GF Alina, Stockmarket BF Sasha)

GUDENE SKRATTET by madismen You don’t need love to get married. Alina marries Mal as part of the peace deal between their families. After a year of misery and a stubbornly flat stomach, Uncle Sasha steps in to rectify the situation.

ROYALS OF NEW YORK by starwarringavengers Alina Starkova is leverage in Aleksander Morozov's war against the Starkov Family. She is leverage, and nothing more. They both get emotionally attached.

workplace romance

SUITS!AU series by secretsarenotforfree An authoritative voice, lightly accented and full of power even when kept low for secrets sake, his back to her. A briefcase so neatly made it had to be bespoke. The tall bob of the top of just criminally beautiful hair. Puzzle pieces. Alina’s favorite. Especially when she was given the chance to assemble them into a whole.

MOROZOV PUBLISHERS!AU series by lrcee Alina Starkov is rising in the publishing world. Singlehandedly responsible for rewritingediting the hottest book of the year, she lands a coveted spot at Morovoz Publishers. It's the position she's always wanted, at the biggest publishing house in the country. That crush on her boss though, that's gotta go.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS by lrcee “So then what are you accomplishing?” Alina snaps. “What, tangibly, is the UN? An umbrella that comes down when it rains?” Alina has cut her teeth on war zones and crises. She can decipher multiple languages; she can get people to divulge precious information with ease. So why, then, can she not handle Ambassador Morozov?

these crack me up

A VAMPIRE'S GUIDE TO THE 21ST CENTURY by bedpostsongs + clowsan In which Aleksander is a literal millennial and Alina might have bitten off more than she can chew taking him home for the night.

THE FIGHT WE NEVER HAD by poethrotsvitha For the first time in her life, Mal has gone somewhere that Alina can't follow. She has no one left in the world- or so she thinks, until Aleksander Morozova shows up on her doorstep with an offer she would be a fool to refuse. (In which Aleksander oh-so-helpfully steps in to assist newly widowed Alina with anything that she might need, even if she doesn't know she needs it yet)

srynotsry mal

GOOD WIFE by sugarshakes Alina tries to be a good wife, she really does.

DON'T KEEP LOVE AROUND by larry_hystereks She wishes it was his fault, but really she only has herself to blame. (or: Alina cheats on her boyfriend with the hot bartender she can't seem to stay away from)

NEEDY by macdav It starts out small, simply wanting to save what’s left of her marriage, and with Dr. Morozova, she feels as though she’s making progress. Until he suggests she leaves her husband. Suddenly the hand he so graciously extends to her starts finding its way into places it doesn’t belong.

NO REST AT THE KINGDOM by kneeinjury This is Mal's fault. This is his fucking fault, and she’s just trying to be a decent wife, but ever since she got laid off he only seems to think of her as his personal errand girl and if he insists on treating her that way then he should at least be where he says he’s going to be and why won’t he answer his phone goddammit?

MILLION DOLLAR MAN by amplifierverse "Yes, but not from my best friend. He's my—” Alina stops, bites her tongue. Genya snorts, and says oh so innocently, batting her unfairly long eyelashes at Alina, “Your new daddy?” (Alina's foster mother brings home her new boyfriend. Things get a little complicated for Alina, after that)

romance movie vibes

THAT'S WISHES ONE, TWO, AND THREE by starlessmistake Aleksander is a famous musician. He's also hopelessly in love with his personal assistant, Alina.

A CONSTELLATION TO STIR MY HEART by littleloststar “Alina, listen,” he sighs, “the fact is, I’ve got way too much money and I’d like to spend some of it on you. If you want." (or: A super indulgent good-times-only Darklina sugar daddy AU)

SUGARFULL by silberias He’d heard her curse, the little gasp she gave as the wind nearly took her off her feet, and hesitated for only a moment before dashing back into the rain with his umbrella already halfway open again. “Keep it,” he’d said with a warm smile, taking her old ratty umbrella from nerveless fingers and wrapping her hand around the handle of his.

CEREBRAL by lord_janley "Mama fell down," says his son's voice, small on the phone. Had put it on speaker initially, thinking it would be his usual babbling about dinosaurs. Or planes. Or space. Anything but this.

AS WE KNOW IT by larry_hystereks A horrible accident leaves Alina and Aleksander to raise their friend's baby as their own. The only problem? They’re not even together.

THE PRAYER OF GOING NOWHERE by kneeinjury "Just friends. I promise. There'll be an open bar." It’s been almost six months since they started sleeping together and she hasn’t fallen hopelessly in love yet; she supposes one outing together won’t undo her completely (or: The FWB au)

1-800-MISS-UR-GUTS by kneeinjury It’s been over two years since Aleksander moved to Seattle, which means it’s been over two years since he dumped her in her apartment and broke her heart (or: The breakup makeup fic)

PLAY by inky_pens When Alina's preschool is forced to shut down at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Aleksander propositions Alina, in more ways than one, to stay with him and his son during lockdown.

IT'S A DANGEROUS GAME by ohwastelandbaby Left as the only witness to a heist, Alina Starkov is in need of protection from a band of criminals out to get her. What Agent Kirigan offers her, is far more complicated. bodyguard!AU

PAST LIVES (SHADOWS & PROMISES) by stargurl28 She hasn’t seen him for years. This number probably isn’t even in service anymore. She’s not even certain why she calls. She sobs when he says her name, that way, the way only he can. Between her sobs, she manages to whisper, "I should have waited for you, Sasha."

THE BREADTH OF HIS DOMAIN by sexypicard Alina tapped her foot impatiently as she waited in line. As her own boss, she set her own hours, but it was the principle of the thing. She demanded no less of herself because she happened to be self-employed — and that was perhaps why she was so annoyed with the man in front of her.

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clairecrive · 3 years

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hiii! um i had a request if that’s alright? umm a darkling x tidemaker!reader where the reader slowly grows more and more jealous of alina until she finally snaps and tries to leave with another tidemaker to train with master tidemakers for the kings army but then darkling stops her. with a happy ending please 🥺🥺

Where your heart is

A/n; this took a life of its own but I'm still not too sure about it even though I had lots of fun writing it. Hope you'll like it, 🌻x

Word count: 2.4K +

Warnings: angst, darklina, jelousy

Tags: @blackst0nes7077 , @thefictionalgemini , @louweasleymalfoy , @jupiterandbutterflies , @for-bebbanburg , @tarkanelima-blog , @pansysgirlfriend , @acciorudolphx , @kaqua , @hannaxmaria , @vintagebitc , @deardiarystuff, @emmaev , @aleksanderwh0r3 , @hazelrose14, @crowssixof , @qhbr2013 , @odetostep , @strawb3rrydr3ss , @lizzie-he4rts , @korol-lantsov , @shadow4ndbone, @subjecta13-thefangirl , @mriddlemethis , @secretsthathauntus , @carnationworld (tag list form)

SHADOW AND BONE MASTERLIST

He was her mentor. He was the only one who could help her through the discovery and understanding of her powers. That's why he was spending so much time with her. No other reason.

At least that's what you've been telling yourself over and over in hope that you'd start believing it. So far, you had no success. And this had been going on since the day Alina had arrived at the Little Palace a month ago so you didn't harbour any hopes that it'll start working.

But what could you do?

He was spending every waking moment between his War room and the training grounds with Alina. You could see the allure that she had to have in his eyes.

He had been waiting for her for a long time, after all. You couldn't even be mad at him for investing his energies to help her harness her powers since she was the key to Ravka freedom. And, to be fair, Alina wasn't that bad.

Sure, you had to get through many layers of snarky remarks and dry humour that most of the times felt a lot like rudeness rather than humour. But she wasn't that bad. Not when there were people like Zoya walking around.

But the days without seeing him, with just a passing glance or a touch of his hand on your back were taking their toll on you. You missed him.

You had gone from seeing him every day to not seeing him at all.

You had tried to talk to him about it but he.was.always.busy. Or with Alina. You weren't proud to admit it, and you probably never will out loud, but a certain green monster had taken residence on your shoulders.

You were taking your usual stroll around the gardens when you spotted him outside the Palace's main entrance. Hurrying your steps, you called his name to catch his attention.

"Aleksander!"

Fortunately, he heard you and turned to see who was calling him. There were few people who knew his name and there was no chance in hell it would be Baghra. His lips morphed in a small smile as he watched you approaching with a sprint in your steps.

"Hey, I'm so glad I've caught you, it's been ages since I've-" you stopped when you saw Alina's approaching figure. Your eyes darted from her to Aleksander in front of you and you've finally noticed the two horses.

He wasn't wearing his cloak and of course, where Alina was Aleksander followed. Your lips thinned in a line as you rolled your shoulders back. You knew that Aleksander had noticed your expression change but you hadn't had centuries of practice to scholar your features into betraying nothing. But you forced yourself to at least keep up the appearances with Alina.

You gave her a smile when she stood before you complimenting her hair.

"Genya's handiwork," she simply said as it was enough to explain everything.

"Well, I'm going to leave you to your outing," you said hoping they couldn't notice the strain in your smile. Turning around, you retraced your steps to where you had been standing before and where you should have stayed all this time.

It was clear now- what other signs did he need to give you? Swallowing the lump in your throat, you forced yourself to not let the tears fall. You could feel his eyes on you until the sounds of hooves hitting the gravel told you that they were gone.

However much it hurt you to see again and again the proof that you were losing him, there was still a part of you that told you that this was just a phase. A temporary arrangement, given Aleksander's plans for Ravka. You just had to bite the bullet until it was all over.

And so, with renowned hope, you decided that you were going to talk to him. Even if you had to wait for him for hours or meet him at the brink of dawn, you had to do it. You needed to know where his heart was and from that, you could decide where to go.

However, to your luck, today was the day of the Winter Fete. Everyone, including you, was going to be super busy with finalizing the last minute details and rehearsals. Every Grisha had a role in tonight demonstration even though the star of the whole night was, of course, the Sun Summoner.

Since you were a tidemaker, your manifestation was scheduled before Alina's grand entrance. You and the other tidemakers had prepared a light show, along with Alina, to use water to reflect and amplify Alina's light so as to create a beautiful play of light.

The whole ordeal ended in time for Alina to get back inside the Palace and get on stage and for everyone else to get inside too to witness her exhibition. You followed along with everyone else but alas, you really wished you hadn't.

Aleksander had eyes only for Alina, he never looked away from her even when the light got blinding for everyone else in the room. And you couldn't blame him- Alina was literally glowing. She looked amazing in that black kefta and the symbolism of the colour wasn't lost on you.

You had been a fool, that's what you were. It was painfully obvious how whipped Aleksander was for Alina. Each of those signs was a painful blow to your heart and faith in him. His outings with her, her black kefta, the smile she sent his way and how enthralled he was by her.

Shaking your head, you fought to keep your composure. You had lost him, you realized. You had to accept the fact that it was over. Whatever you had, it had come to an end. The moment it did, was lost on you but you knew it had to coincide with the moment he had met Alina.

As if to confirm your inward musings, Alina and Aleksander walked out of the room, her under his arm.

Well, it was settled then. You couldn't stay here anymore. It was one thing to break up and grow apart but it was a whole other thing to watch him being in love with someone else.

You had to go. That was certain.

Nodding to yourself, you took your final decision just as they walked past you. Aleksander's eyes met yours briefly, just long enough for you to send him a teary glare.

This was the last time you were going to see him and as much as you could feel your heart breaking, you knew that it was something you had to do. They walked out of the room and you wasted no time in leaving as well.

However, before going to your room to pack the few belongings you had, there was somewhere else you needed to go first.

The wind blew harshly on your face, the salt of the sea breeze mixing with that of your tears. Alone on the dock, you allowed yourself to cry. To finally let out everything you had been keeping under lock and key for so very long.

You tried to comfort yourself by reassuring yourself that this was the right choice. The best choice. To stay in a place where you had never truly felt at home, where every nook and cranny reminded you of what you had and what you had lost- of the fact that you hadn't been enough. That your love hadn't been enough for him to stick around, to choose you over a girl he had known for about a day. Everything you had shared, the months spent together in intimacy under his sheets or under the comfort of your favourite tree.

Vanished. Erased. Worthless.

You allowed yourself to feel every ounce of pain his dismissing behaviour had caused you because as soon as you boarded, you were going to leave all of this behind. You were sailing towards your future, towards a new land full of opportunities and new people. Somewhere where you could start fresh.

You heard someone shout the name of the ship you had to be on and knew that the moment had come. Here you were about to step into your new life.

Heaving a sigh, you threw a last look in the Little Palace direction, at what-or rather- who you were leaving behind. Turning around, you gathered your kefta closer to your body to shield you from the harsh weather. As you were about to move, a hand clamping on your back, stopped you.

You winced, not expecting the contact since you thought you were the only one on the dock. Turning around, you were met with a familiar pair of onyx eyes.

"What are you doing?" he asked, an edge on his voice that you couldn't figure out if it was surprise, betrayal or boredom.

"I could ask you the same thing, General." Taking a step back, his hand fell from your shoulder as you put some distance between you. Standing so close to him just as you were about to bid him goodbye forever felt like a cruel joke on destiny's part.

"So this is what you do? Leave in the middle of the night without telling anyone?"

"Those who needed to be, have been rightly notified of my departure. I don't see how this concerns you, though."

"You don't see-" he huffed out, a humourless laugh leaving him," how, in the name of all saints, don't you see how this concerns me?"

"This is the first time you've spoken to me in months, Aleksander so please spare me this bullshit. I've got it, alright?" Raising your hands you took yet another step away from him. "There's no need for you to be here and pretend anymore. Go back to your party and your Grisha and your girl."

"You're my girl," he stated somehow still calmly.

"No, I'm not," you scoffed, "and you've done a fine job proving that these past few months."

"I know I've been neglecting you, but what's a few months when we have a lifetime together in front of us?" he conceded taking a step towards you as his arms widened as if to show you the length of time you'd be spending together.

"It's everything, Aleks," you snapped as your emotions got the best of you, "seeing you getting cosy with Alina every day realising that the more time passed the less you were mine was excruciating and I'm done. I'm going away and I'm leaving all of this behind."

"You can't go."

"Watch me," you quipped as you turned around. Challenging you was not the best way for him to go about this. He knew better than anyone who proudful you could be.

"You cannot go," he... begged? the tone of his voice was so weird coming from him that had you pivot immediately. "You cannot leave. You cannot leave me."

You stood there, hair blowing everywhere for the harsh wind, just staring at him. You'd never seen him so emotional. Yes, you'd shared some intimate moments but he'd never been quite this open about his feelings. The sight of his teary eyes was so unfamiliar that made your brain short-circuiting.

Taking a shaky breath, Aleksander took a step in your direction, getting closer to you but still not close yet.

"Everything that I've ever done has been for a sole purpose, y/n, you know it. And you have to believe me, Alina plays a role in this as well."

"I know she does, it's obvious to everyone. It just has become painfully obvious to me tonight just how important she's come to mean to you." You shrugged as you looked away. Admitting this while also looking him in the eyes was an impossible feat.

"She may as well be the Sun Summoner, but you're my solnishko, y/n." He murmured softly as he took another step, this time getting close enough to you to reach for your hands.

"Sweet talking isn't going to change anything, Aleksander. I saw how you looked at her, I saw her wearing your colours. Do you take me for a fool?"

"Of course not," he disagreed vehemently, "but it's as I've told you, my dear, please believe me. Every action had its purpose which was not hurting you or expressing my love for Alina." He insisted, his hands squeezing yours. His eyes flickered between you and you spotted hopefulness as well as sincerity in them. Which made you hesitate.

Could it be...?

"But why didn't you tell me so, then? Why cutting me out dry without a word?" you uttered, afraid to believe him, afraid to let your heart hope again.

"It has been a play, solnishko. Ever since Alina has stepped foot inside the Little Palace, all eyes have been on us. I had a part to play and so did she. Unfortunately, I couldn't risk it." He explained, his eyes taking in your features, noting how hesitant you still were.

"I swear, my love, you should hear her. The only thing she can talk about it's her childhood best friend who seems so boring, I can't see what she sees in him." He added smiling hoping to lighten the mood. And as a matter of fact, he was rewarded with your giggles.

"Really?"

"I'd never lie to you," he murmured solemnly, his head tilting down toward yours. You met him halfway, your nose bumping softly with his.

"You better never start, Sasha," you warned lightly as he gave you an Eskimo kiss, his hands reaching up to hold your cheeks.

"Never," he promised on your lips. His trailed over yours softly before tilting his head to the side and letting them finally touch.

It has been so long since you've last shared a kiss that you'd almost forgotten how it felt like. How soft his lips were, how voracious he could be, how he always tasted of something sweet.

You gasped as his tongue trailed over your lower lip giving him the desired opportunity to sneak in and meet your tongue. Moaning, you moved your lips with his, hands sneaking through his hair to hold him close. The kiss came to a stop when you both were out of breath. He didn't get far away though as he rested his forehead on yours.

"The captain is going to be really mad at me." You murmured as you heard another shout coming from the end of the dock.

"Let me deal with him," he reassured you before giving you another small kiss. With that, he stepped away and headed over to where your ship was anchored.

You stood there, your fingers touching your lips, still in trance after what happened. So, you had never lost him. He had always been yours.

The realisation made you smile and as you watched his cape blowing in the wind you felt reassured. You knew he had plans but those were never the problem. You could bear seeing him with Alina if you knew that you were the only one in his heart and bed. And it seemed that you weren't the only one who wanted to keep it this way.

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