An insult wrapped in a compliment really just means that you adore me, but you're trying not to let it go to my head. It's too late, by the way. My head is quite full of your affections already.
[ the moonlight catches the glimmer of unshed tears she quickly blinks away, though he doesn't do her the disservice of calling attention to it. he's already had a taste of the sort of man aleksander is, and he knows her hardened exterior has been strategically placed to combat the experiences she wishes she could forget. they're alike in that regard, and he finds that he respects her armor even while hoping he can somehow find his way beneath it.
her laughter dwindles at what he says, making him immediately regret his words. he's been so careless with his statements lately, but alina has the unfortunate — or perhaps fortunate — effect of pulling his thoughts out of his head without much actual thinking going into them. he forces himself to focus now, wanting to pull away from where her hand rests at his chest because he can feel his heartbeat quickening.
how long has it been? he gives the question a moment's thought despite having no intention of answering truthfully. it's been a year and a half since dominik's accident, but he'd lost his happiness somewhere even before that, when he could see the toll the tabloids and the rumors and the clandestine photographs were taking on dominik. and then after... he'd spent two weeks in hiding at his parents' estate before he simply couldn't take it anymore and returned home, where zoya was waiting with her blessedly scathing tongue. she'd barely left his side for weeks, offering him the same comfort he'd given her after the death of her aunt, back when they were both still nearly strangers.
after that he'd decided happiness was no longer a goal he needed to attain.
he escapes her hand by drawing her by the wrist onto the love seat, throwing a fuzzy blanket over her as he pulls her close. the ears still flopping over her hair pull a smile out of him. ]
You told me to ask you about your very wise experiences later tonight. [ he tucks a bit of her hair back, his fingers gently sliding to the nape of her neck to rub circles into her skin. ] The only thing that haunts me is that clown from my birthday party. And the thought of someone trying to steal my dear Zoya away. And the fact that you'll probably play a spider prank on me one of these days. I suppose I am a bit haunted.
no subject
[ the moonlight catches the glimmer of unshed tears she quickly blinks away, though he doesn't do her the disservice of calling attention to it. he's already had a taste of the sort of man aleksander is, and he knows her hardened exterior has been strategically placed to combat the experiences she wishes she could forget. they're alike in that regard, and he finds that he respects her armor even while hoping he can somehow find his way beneath it.
her laughter dwindles at what he says, making him immediately regret his words. he's been so careless with his statements lately, but alina has the unfortunate — or perhaps fortunate — effect of pulling his thoughts out of his head without much actual thinking going into them. he forces himself to focus now, wanting to pull away from where her hand rests at his chest because he can feel his heartbeat quickening.
how long has it been? he gives the question a moment's thought despite having no intention of answering truthfully. it's been a year and a half since dominik's accident, but he'd lost his happiness somewhere even before that, when he could see the toll the tabloids and the rumors and the clandestine photographs were taking on dominik. and then after... he'd spent two weeks in hiding at his parents' estate before he simply couldn't take it anymore and returned home, where zoya was waiting with her blessedly scathing tongue. she'd barely left his side for weeks, offering him the same comfort he'd given her after the death of her aunt, back when they were both still nearly strangers.
after that he'd decided happiness was no longer a goal he needed to attain.
he escapes her hand by drawing her by the wrist onto the love seat, throwing a fuzzy blanket over her as he pulls her close. the ears still flopping over her hair pull a smile out of him. ]
You told me to ask you about your very wise experiences later tonight. [ he tucks a bit of her hair back, his fingers gently sliding to the nape of her neck to rub circles into her skin. ] The only thing that haunts me is that clown from my birthday party. And the thought of someone trying to steal my dear Zoya away. And the fact that you'll probably play a spider prank on me one of these days. I suppose I am a bit haunted.