#mal x alina imagines

[mixed-imagination]

A Grisha's Affair - Nikolai x Grisha!Reader x Kirigan (part 1)

PAIRING: Nikolai Lantsov x Fem!Grisha!reader x General Kirigan ♡

NOTE: This is the first part of a short two parter.

*** Requested by @seronsalk

*** Beautiful golden divider created by @saradika ♡♡♡

As you neared the rear entrance of the Little Palace, your heart raced within your chest, drumming a quick and frantic beat. You had pushed yourself to the limit, sprinting down the forest path until your lungs burned and your breath came in ragged gasps. You cursed yourself and wondered why you had driven yourself to that point anyway.

A sudden memory flooded your mind, creating a rush of emotions.

You pounded on Nikolai's door. You weren't sure why you were so eager to see him, but you chalked it up to wanting only to say goodbye.

The door swung open to reveal Nikolai standing in his untied robe. His face seemed surprised to see you, but with one look at you, he greeted you with a big smile "Y/N, isn’t it past your curfew, little miss Durast?

You mirrored his smile but furrowed your brows, "I'm no longer a child, Nikolai."

"No, you certainly are not." His gaze descended your figure which made your cheeks hot. You were suddenly aware of how exposed and vulnerable you were. There you stood, before this handsome prince, in a thin, lace night dress and silk robe.

You wrapped your robe tighter around your frame, praying Nikolai did not catch a glimpse of the cold night air exposing your natural body, "Let me in."

"Won't you get in trouble with your Darkling?”

"I haven't seen him in weeks," you pushed past him and headed straight to the opposite side of his room. You settled in front of his desk, leaning your hands back against the chair.

Nikolai shut the door and his smile widened. He waited for you to continue speaking but it didn't come, so he responded, "Am I his replacement then?"

“General Kirigan?”

“The one and only Darkling.”

"What, no, of course not. First off, he’s my superior, and you’re no way near—" You huffed, "Stop. I'm not here to be questioned by you."

Nikolai laughed, "Right. Go on then."

The halls were dimly lit, and you realized you had never ventured through the palace this late before. You prayed that no one had noticed you sneaking back in after your late-night rendezvous. You didn't want to risk General Kirigan finding out about your secret meetings.

The unfamiliarity of your surroundings and the thought of what might be waiting for you made you quicken your pace as fast as you could without running. As you rounded the next corner, your hand instinctively went to your chest, trying to calm the erratic beating of your heart.

You crossed your arms, "So tomorrow you leave again."

"As soon as the sun rises, I'm off," Nikolai did not come closer to you. Instead, he copied your position and leaned his back against the door frame.

You found your gaze inevitably drawn to the way his torso muscles rippled underneath his robe with each subtle movement, causing you to bite your lip in frustration at the unyielding distance between you.

"And where are you going to this time?"

"Novyi Zem." Your chest ached, knowing well how long the journey would be. "There's a talented Fabrikator there that's willing to create a strong steel for my newest creation."

Your jaw dropped slightly. You were slightly offended but your playful tone remained, "What? Fabrikator? Have you forgotten I'm a durast? You could've asked me to—"

Nikolai finally stepped forward and raised his hands, "Y/N no, you're one of my closest friends, I couldn't—"

Friend.

A memory of his mouth on yours suddenly flashed in your mind.

Friends don't kiss.

You ignored it.

Breathless and with a light sheen of sweat on your forehead, you finally reached the entrance to your wing of the palace. You could see the guards standing, their eyes watching your every move.

You tried to act casual, as if you had simply been out for a stroll in the gardens, but your heart was racing with fear. What if they could somehow sense your guilt and apprehend you on the spot?

You approached them with a smile and a greeting, hoping to deflect their attention. They nodded politely, but you could tell they were eyeing you suspiciously.

As you made your way down your long corridor, you felt relieved to see the door to your bedroom. You couldn't believe you had gotten away with it.

You giggled to yourself, remembering once again.

"Saints, Nikolai, that's exactly why you should've asked me!" your head tilted and you tutted, "I bet I could do your fabrikator better."

"Better than 80,000 tensile strength?"

"100,000 tensile strength and more!"

He threw his head back, "Oh no, you're joking. Really?"

Your face broke into a big grin. "Yes, yes, yes, you bet your royal arse I can,” you laughed.

Like always, you fell into an ongoing easy conversation with Nikolai. Talking with him was breath of fresh air as you had a natural understanding of each other. Your conversations always felt like a plunge into an infinite pool that contained both his thoughts and yours.

As you listened to him speak about his latest invention, you couldn't help but get lost in not only his words but also in his boyishly handsome features. His dark blonde hair was perfectly messy and his blue eyes sparkled with mischief. You stared at the way his lips moved and how the sharpness of his jawline accentuated with every sentence.

You tried to focus, but your mind kept wandering to other things, like how it would feel to run your hands through his hair and kiss him again. A heat suddenly began to rise in your cheeks, your attraction to him growing more obvious.

Nikolai stood only a few feet away from you now. He started to notice how your eyes seemed to linger on him a little longer than usual. "Are you alright, Y/N?"

You blinked and nodded, "Oh yes, I am."

"Good," he beamed and stepped closer. "So tell me. Why have you come? I've never seen you out this late."

You shrugged, avoiding his eyes, "What? I can't come and spend quality time with my closest friend?"

"Not at this hour, little miss goodie two shoes," he smirked.

You turned with your back facing him now and looked down at his desk, feigning interest in the papers placed on it. "Maybe I wanted to say goodbye. As a friend should."

He scoffed, "Don't say you're actually going to miss me when I'm gone."

"A good, best, closest friend would."

Nikolai was right behind you now. The third time you exaggerated the word, a knowing shit-eating grin grew across his face. "You sound like you have an issue with being my friend."

You finally entered your room and firmly pressed both palms against the door, shutting it behind you. Leaning your forehead against the cool wood, you lingered in that stance, still lost in your reverie.

"I am but your friend Nikolai, I have no issue."

Unexpectedly, the weight of his hand resting on your shoulder sent a shiver down your spine, your silk robe providing little barrier between his warm palm and your skin. It felt as though his touch had set your nerves alight, leaving you with goosebumps despite the delicate fabric that separated you.

His thumb began tracing circles on your shoulder, and you couldn't help but lean into his touch. You felt his fingers slowly making their way down your arm, gently squeezing your skin. He was leaving a trail of fire along your shoulder as they traveled back up to your neck, only to slowly descend down again. With a deft movement, he pulled your silk robe down your shoulder. The unexpected touch sent a jolt of desire through your body.

"You stubborn thing. You don't want to be my friend, Y/N?"

He then swept your hair away, revealing a tantalizing sliver of skin to his gaze. As he leaned down, you felt his warm breath tickling your ear. "Nikolai," you whispered breathlessly.

"Why are you really here, love?" his voice was low and seductive.

You suddenly felt wet, tender kisses trail down your neck, causing your core to ignite. The sound of your mingled breaths and the soft smack of his lips sucking against your skin filled the air. Each touch of his lips made you feel like you were melting, completely powerless to resist him.

His strong hands wrapped around your waist, pulling you closer into him. You could feel his lower abdomen pressing hard against your backside, making you feel weak in the knees. Without warning, he spun you around to face him, his intense gaze locking onto yours. He leaned in for a kiss with his arms still wrapped tightly around you, as if never wanting to let go.

In that moment, all your doubts and fears faded away. It was just you and him, lost in each other.

You replayed the memory over and over again in your mind. The softness of his lips, the way his hands cupped your face, and the way you felt as though time stood still in that moment. You sighed, sinking further into the memory when a voice interrupted your thoughts.

"Penny for your thoughts, Y/N?"

Your heart skipped a beat, startled out of your reverie. As you turned around, your eyes landed on a tall, dark figure.

"Aleksander!"

The corners of his mouth curved upward, "You seemed to be lost in thought, milaya."

♡ part two coming soon....

soooo my brain was formulating the idea for this concept, and originally it was just supposed to be a one part one shot, but idk i just went off LOL. like holy, i went down a rabbit hole and came back up with enough plot for a series.

should i write a series? let me know what you think!!!

if i do, im imagining there'll be some mutual pining, angst, fluff, and spiiiice - wink wink wink -

if you enjoyed, please support me and my writing by giving me a like, reblog, or follow! thanks ♡♡♡

♡ gage

#nikolai lanstov x reader #general kirigan x reader #aleksander morozova x reader #nikolai x reader x kirigan #shadow and bone season 2 #alina starkov x reader #mal oretsev x reader #kaz brekker x reader #nikolai lantsov #general kirigan #mixed-imagination #sankta alina #tolya yul bataar #tolya x reader #tamar yul bataar #inej x reader #nina zenik #aleksander kirigan #shadow and bone

[mmgwritings]

UNKNOWN / NTH

Characters: Kaz Brekker / Sun Summoner ! Reader

Prompt: when alina starkov fails to destroy the fold, kaz brekker discovers the true power of the saints.

Warnings: angst, canon divergence, shadow and bone season 2, main character death, definitely didn't proof read, kaz suffering, fjerda sun summoner.

The nichevo'ya bore down upon us and Sankta Alina was struggling to wield her power while shielding the group from the volcras. Waves of terror swept over us when the screeches of the volcras echoed around in the dark. Beside me, Jesper whispered curses as he loaded more bullets into his pistols and Wylan knelt down to search for more gunpowder in the bag.

"Got everything we need, Wylan? We're not going to a picnic, you know" Jesper quipped, a nervous grim in his face. "We're definitely going to die"

Then, the nichevo'ya breached Alina's protection with the Darkling behind them. Inej, quick as lightning, drew her sword "neshyenyer" and sprang into action. With the blade gleaming in the dim light she enganged the shadow monsters in a fight which each swing of her sword was precise.

Y/N didn't wait and started shooting at the shadows. Jesper's pistols were also aimed and ready. He stood at the forefront of the remains of the First Army, with King Nikolai at his side, shooting and desperately trying to get a clear shot amidst the chaos of battle.

Nothing was working. It seems that don't matter how hard we fight the darkness didn't falter, and then, as if and overwhelming force had descedend upon us, Alina's light protection crumbled completely. We were now exposed to all the horrors of the Fold.

"Come on, run!" screamed Nina. She grabbed my hand and pushed me through a door in the fortress as the battalion scattered, desperately seeking refuge in other rooms. Jesper, Wylan, and Kaz ran close behind us, with Zoya supporting Nikolai's injured side and Mal dragging Alina.

We entered a training courtyard, with the remnants of the battle between the Darkling's Grisha and the First Army still visible. Volcra dragged the bodies of the fallen and descended from the skies in droves. The place was engulfed in chaos, and the sounds of combat reverberated all around. A volcra swooped over our group, seizing one of Nikolai's soldiers. His screams faded into the darkness.

"We're too exposed here!" Kaz shouted as he began striking his cane against the old door lock, which gave way without much effort. "Let's go, get inside!"

Kaz led us through a series of corridors, candles still burned and provided a faint glow to guide our way. The air was heavy with tension, and the sounds of death echoed from outside.

In a small, dimly lit room, we finally regrouped. Mal and Alina were gasping for breath, their faces pale, while Nikolai's wound was tended to by Zoya and Nina. Kaz was busy devising a plan, the gears of his mind turning even in the midst of chaos. Jesper and Wylan stood ready, pistols and bombs in hand, guarding the entrance.

Alina, even though visibly shaken, looked at each of us with fierce determination. "We may be cornered, but we're not done yet," she declared. "We fight, and we survive. This is not how our story ends."

"Well, whatever your plan is, Sanka, you'd better make it quick," Kaz said coldly. He had never believe in saints; this wouldn't be the moment. "You have amplifiers, don't you? Why aren't they working?"

Alina paled. "Mal... Mal is the third amplifier. Baghra told me that only with his death will I have enough power to destroy the Fold." A heavy silence settled in the room.

Alina would have to kill Mal, the man she loved. Y/N had always known that a Grisha's powers were cursed. She was born in a village in Fjerda, raised under the belief of Djel, but saw her world shattered when she discovered her powers. For her sins, for her curse, her family was murdered by the villagers. In a last desperate attempt, her sister handed her over to a Kaelish slave trader, which is how she ended up in the pleasure houses of Ketterdam.

Y/N had suppressed her powers since then, rarely using, and no one knew about them... no one except Kaz Brekker, the man who set her free. Kaz needed a spy, and she was perfect for the mission. Years later, Y/N was still working for Kaz — murdering for Kaz.

Kaz discovered Y/N's sun summoner powers by chance when a mission went awry, and they needed to escape. SHe had to blind two of their pursuers from the stadwatch and for the first time, she feared Kaz. She thought he might sell her, turn her over to Ravka, or auction her off to the Drüskelle.

But that day never came. He never spoke a word about Y/N being Grisha, never asked her to use her powers... and that was how she began to fall in love with Kaz.

Alina's eyes welled with tears as she looked at Mal, her voice trembling. "I know, but I can't bear the thought of losing you."

Mal reached out, gently wiping away her tears. "We've faced so much together, Alina. This is just one more sacrifice we must make for the greater good."

Kaz, still resolute, added, "We don't have much time. We have to make a plan"

Tears streamed down Alina's face as she nodded, knowing the weight of the decision they had to make.

That's not fair, i thought. And, as she was capable of reading my mind, Inej, who had been quietly listening, spoke softly, "Life isn't always fair, but the choices we make define us. We'll support you, Sankta Alina, no matter what you decide."

Zoya, her expression soft, added, "It's a hard choice, but it's one that could save countless lives. Or, maybe we can find a way... Nina, how fast can you cure him?"

Nina, her face filled with concern, replied, "I'll do my best, Zoya, but it might take time. We can't afford to wait too long."

The room was filled with a shared sense of determination as they began to explore every possibility, but we didn't have time. Outside a cry pierced the air. It was the Darkling, leading the charge of the dark forces.

It won't work. I realized this just by looking at the determined way Alina gazed at Mal – she would never sacrifice him to save the world. She's not capable, just like Nina isn't capable of healing him in time. Mal would have to die, and Alina couldn't be the one to kill him.

"Maybe there's another way" I whispered.

Inej, her eyes filled with hope, asked, "What do you have in mind?" at the same time that Kaz a loudly "No"

My voice gained a touch of determination as I responded, "We can't let Mal die, but we also can't let the Darkling win. We need to find a different source of amplification, something that doesn't involve taking a life."

Confusion hung heavy in the room as Kaz stepped forward, his face masked by controlled fury. "You're not going to," he said "I'll not allow it"

"It's not your decision to make, Kaz," I replied, my tone resolute.

Kaz's eyes bore into mine, a battle of wills silently raging between us. "You can't expect me to stand by while you kill yourself."

"Believe me, that's not my intention," I said with a sly smile. But smiles never fooled Kaz. He know me, perhaps the only person in the world who truly know me.

We're complicated people, each with our own traumas, but over the years, we've learned to share some of our past. Kaz told me about Jordie, the farm, the con and I told him about fjerda, the blood, the slavery.

Once, at the slat, on a rainy night, Kaz's expression softened slightly as he said "We've both carried our burdens, but it's made us who we are. It's what's kept us alive in this unforgiving world."

We became friends, confidants, and slowly, we tried to be something more. He can't stand being touched, and I can't stand being seen — two of the most broken people in the Barrel, trying to shed their armor.

In the quiet of that rainy night in the Slat's office, we dared to be vulnerable. Kaz's gloved hand hesitated, almost touching mine, as if testing the boundaries of his aversion to contact.

I whispered, "Kaz, it's okay. You can trust me."

He looked into my eyes, a storm of emotions flickering in his gaze, but he didn't pull away. His gloved hand met mine, the moment felt like a breakthrough, a chink in the armor we had built around ourselves.

In that fragile connection, we found solace in each other's company, knowing that we didn't have to be alone in the darkness of the world.

I let the memories fade away. Kaz was standing in front of me, shielding me from the eyes of the others.

"I have to do this, Kaz. You know that," I whispered, moving closer to him, my hand softly touching his fingers.

Kaz, his gaze unwavering, finally nodded in reluctant agreement. "I know, but it doesn't mean I have to let you go alone"

Dread coursed through my body when I realized that Kaz was going with me. If I couldn't make it, he would end up dying with me.

"No, you're staying here," I said, but Kaz simply turned his back and began giving orders to Jesper and Wylan to prepare reinforcements. "KAZ!" I shouted, panic-stricken. I ran over and stood in his way, and I did something I had never dared before – I held his face.

"You're not going alone, Y/N" he said, his eyes locked onto mine, "If you go, I'm going with you."

I removed my hands from Kaz's face when I noticed he was turning pale. Jesper, like everyone else, was confused, so he said "I'm not sure what's happening."

I couldn't explain further because, at that moment, a terrible noise descended upon us. Something was tearing the door apart. We all rushed towards the other exit leading to the hill. The Darkling's nichevo'ya circled the grass like vultures, destroying any form of life. Nikolai, Mal, and Jesper began firing their pistols.

Then, he appeared. The Darkling was still handsome, even with his face partially marred by the corruption of merzost. His eyes blazed with fury as he spoke to Alina.

"You can't escape me, Alina. Your powers belong to me, and you will give them willingly or by force."

Sankta Alina, her voice filled with defiance said "I'll never willingly give you anything, and you'll never control me again."

She then attempted to strike him with a beam of light, but it was strangely weak. When it hit the Darkling, he absorbed the light as if it were nothing.

A twisted smile appeared on the herege face. "You see, my little saint, you can't fight destiny. Your powers are mine to command."

Sankta Alina couldn't do anything to stop him. Y/N had to intervene while the Darkling believed he had everything in his grasp.

She looked at Kaz and whispered a "I'm sorry" with a small smile o her face, one that Kaz knew it was filled with sorrow.

Kaz expression hardened, he simply nodded and said, "Just make it count."

Y/N, being more experienced in sun summons than Alina, definitely didn't need an amplifier to perform the cut.

With confidence born of her expertise, Y/N channeled her power, a blinding ray of red sunlight cutting through the room and striking the Darkling. He let out a searing scream as the light consumed him, writhing in pain. It was a scream of pain and surprise. As the rest of the world, he believe that existed only one sun summoner.

The room was filled with a blinding radiance, and for a moment, it seemed like the Darkling's corruption might be purged. But as the light dimmed, his sinister form slowly re-emerged, and it became apparent that the battle was far from over.

"Alright, let's see how strong you are," Y/N said as she unleashed waves of light upon the nichevo'ya.

The nichevo'ya screeched in agony as they were engulfed by the brilliant light, their dark forms dissipating in its radiance. In the midst of the battle, the Grisha and first army all rallied behind her, recognizing that Y/N's power might just be the key to turning the tide against the Darkling's forces.

The sky crackled with energy as she fought the darkness. Y/N unleashed all her power, releasing every ounce of her strength, and gradually, with bursts of radiant lightning, the Fold dissipated. Volcras burned and plummeted from the skies.

Volcras and nichevo'ya fell one after the other, their malevolent forms vanquished by the searing light.

Y/N's power illuminated the battlefield, then, as a final blow, Y/N performed the cut, unlike the initial one which was merely to test the strength of the heretic. This one was hot, sharp, and incredibly potent.

But it wasn't enough. Remnants of the Darkling's cut hit her chest. She fell to the ground, struggling to breathe, her chest burning.

In her most haunting nightmares, Y/N is always alone when she die. Typically, it begins with a startling realization that her demise is finally upon her. She feel her heart struggling to keep beating, even under the weight of a perfectly aimed dagger. The cries of my family have faded into silence, and Y/N, like any other ordinary person, is capable of facing death.

But this time, everything feels too vivid, too different, as if a new nightmare is taking shape. She taste the metallic tang of blood in her mouth, choking and bringing tears to her eyes. Strangely, she don't experience any pain; in fact, she doesn't feel much of anything except an intense cold, even though the sun shines brightly above.

What makes this new nightmare the worst is his presence.

Kaz looms above Y/N, his brown eyes hidden behind unshed tears. His voice sounds muffled, as if speaking from beneath murky waters. He speaks in desperation, making threats and offering impossible promises... promises about love.

Y/N, gasping for breath, managed a weak smile. "Not... on your... watch."

Kaz, his usual mask of indifference cracking, held her hand tightly, his gloved fingers trembling. "You better not."

But Y/N wasn't feeling the warmth of his hands and breathing was becoming a difficult task. Blood coated her mouth, and her vision blurred as Kaz's face slowly faded from focus, Nina was by his side, trying to tend to the gaping wound in Y/N's chest.

Nothing seemed to work; there was some kind of dark poison, a residue of the Darkling's merzost, in her body preventing the wound from closing.

Y/N loved Kaz's eyes; often, they couldn't lie as convincingly as his words. It was through Kaz's eyes that she knew. Kaz couldn't hide the worry and helplessness in his gaze. For the first time, he wasn't able to find a solution to the problem at hand, and it weighed heavily on him.

It didn't hurt, it wasn't tumultuous at all.

Yet, it was bittersweet to know that someone who had never believed in saints, who had never begged, and who had never touched another person for fear of the dead, had done all of that for her.

For the first time that year, the sun shone in Ravka, but when Y/N opened her eyes, winter was closing in around her.

In the distance, an ash tree stood tall, beckoning like an invitation.

#mmgwbrekker #kaz brekker imagine #kaz brekker x reader #kaz brekker x you #shadow and bone #six of crows #kaz brekker #ineje ghafa #jesper fahey #wylan van eck #alina starkov #mal oretsev #malina #the darkling #darklina #nikolai lantsov #zoya nazyalensky

[omgkatherine01]

Creatures of the Night - Masterlist

Summary: Running away from the orphanage home you grew up since you were a baby, you wanted to search your place in the big world. But at a rainy stormy night you found yourself pulled into a different universe. You were found by a local gang, who decided to help you get back to your world, only to discover you were apart of the world you were pulled into.

The discovery of powers you didn't knew you had all your life and to find out you were part of their universe had pulled a change in the plans quickly. You were dragged into a plan of kidnapping a target of theirs and on the way, you will be returned to your real family.

However, during your journey through the Fold, you found yourself developing some feelings to the gang's con-artist leader who was suffering from haphephobia.

Pairing: Kaz Brekker x female reader

Masterlist (requests are currently open for now)

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11 coming soon

#shadow and bone #netflix series #kaz brekker x y/n #kaz brekker x reader #kaz brekker x you #kaz brekker imagine #kaz brekker #inej ghafa #jesper fahey #the darkling imagine #mal x alina #the darkling x alina #mal oretsev imagine #jesper fahey imagine #the crows #another universe #the crows x reader

[raparopa]

Omgg could you write about nikolai lanstov and how he has known reader his whole life and they are together but not oficially and then alina comes and yk what happens and reader thought that they could handle it because it's a political marriage but then they end things and then nikolai one night can't take it anymore and so he goes to her room and begs her, quite literally on his knees to get back together, and maybe end it with some smut or fluff however you feel like doing but I just need him begging 😭

a/n: Crap! I really liked the idea of your request, so I thought about it and decided to make some changes. First, I thought about it and decided that I would most likely make a mini-series (big story) of several parts. Secondly, I realized that it is easier for me to fulfill your request with an !Original Character! not marked "reader" or "Y/N" And thirdly, of course, I had to change some details of the canon in order to somehow structurally introduce the hero into the story. Hope you enjoy what I do! let me know if you like it?(!)

warnings: Language, Squaller!OC (idk)

pairing: Nikolai Lantsov x OC!Dasha Romanov

summary: There is clearly an understatement between Nikolai and his childhood friend. But who knew that things could get even worse when the sun shines on the horizon?

gold and silver

prologue.

I knew Nikolai, without exaggeration, all my conscious life. We met when we were just children, when I was brought to serve in the palace (sensible squaller are needed everywhere, especially when the queen wants the sun on a cloudy day). He was the most restless boy I have ever seen in my whole life: he caused trouble for his whole family, nannies and tutors, but he was a fun guy, with an adventurous spirit and a good heart. Therefore, the fact that we found a common language did not take long. We would run away from classes together, I would show him tricks with the wind and clouds, and he would teach me how to shoot and even show me a couple of tricks so that I could protect myself with more than just my abilities.

And then the service began. His and mine. Nikolai and Dominic signed up for the First Army, while I was accepted into the Second Army, where my hard and fun life began. At first, Nikolai and I kept in touch, tried to keep in touch, but time passed, everything changed, we grew up and over the course of our destinies we changed a lot. Our communication slowly faded away. Of course, I heard rumors about what happened to the prince, and I'm sure he also heard rumors about me. I have long lost the habit of having Lantsov around, but still my heart ached every time I heard the news about him.

But in one moment everything changed. More time passed when Nikolai himself found me. True, now he was no longer Nikolai, but asked everyone to call himself Sturmhond. He was a privateer, with his own ship and crew, and kindly invited me to join the crew of the "Hummingbird".

How long did I think? Yes. It would be strange to immediately agree to such an adventurous proposal from someone whom I had not seen for several years. But Saints!

No matter how many years, centuries, centuries have passed; no matter what happens to me, I will always continue to adore Nikolai.

He still managed to convince me to join his crew. And I climbed the "Hummingbird", starting a new page in my life, but again next to Nikolai.

#shadow and bone x reader #shadow and bone imagine #shadow and bone season two #shadow and bone #nikolai lantsov x reader #nikolai lantsov #nikolai lantsov x oc #alina starkov #mal oretsev #tolya yul bataar #tamar kir bataar

[witchthewriter]

♢ 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐢𝐤𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐢 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬𝐨𝐯 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞 ♢

𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕

↳ female reader, requests open ♔ What are your fancasts for Nikolai? Also I haven't finished the book series so keep that in mind please!  

⁕ A lot of surprises - so so many surprises. They range from presents (jewellry, dresses/clothes, perfume, books) to adventures. He loves spoiling you; putting a smile on your face and giving you something that makes you light up.

⁕ He wants the absolute best for his woman, even if you tell him that you don't need it, he wants to at least give you something that brightens up your day.

⁕ You're like a reprieve from the pressures of his role - everyone expects the best, the most from Nikolai. He unmasks when he's with you. It wasn't always like this; at the beginning of the relationship he kept a lot of things to himself. So when he's alone with you, he can relax.

⁕ He has quirks that not a lot of people know about - he snores. sO DAMN LOUD, also talks in his sleep. But it's normally babble and incoherent. BUT, this one time he scared the absolute crap out of you by sitting up in bed, wide-eyed and mumbling, "they're coming, they're coming, they're coming." (stress is crazy bro)

⁕ He loves it when you completely wrap yourself around him and engulf him in the biggest hug. Intimacy/touch, wasn't something he had growing up - it was all prim and proper. He didn't really have a mother, or a good father. He couldn't trust anyone.

⁕ FOREHEAD KISSES. HAND KISSES. NOSE KISSES. SHOULDER KISSES.

⁕ Definitely the trope; you fell first but then he fell harder. He kept on asking you out, over and over again. But you didn't want to give him the satisfaction.

⁕ You give him flowers, and he LOVES IT. His favourites are roses, orchids and camellias.

⁕ Just like he has a reputation, so do you. You're fearsome in your own way, possibly a heartrender, tailor, squaller etc. or a simple villager who had to create a persona to protect her family. Either way (you decide), he was taken aback when you showed him kindness.

⁕ He loves to sleep in; but is nearly always awake before you.

⁕ Nikolai has many skills - he's picked up a lot of things on his journeys. With the time it takes to travel, he's been taught most things.

⁕ Likes to play with your hair and vice versa. He's actually pretty good at doing hair, and has done it for events/balls/occasions

⁕ He wants to marry you, to spend the rest of his life with you. Which is very telling because Nikolai has been ready to die at any given moment. This means you give him hope, now he has something he wants to live for. Something to lose.

⁕ Is obsessed with music and loves folk songs.

⁕ He'll sneak off with you during the nights and take you to the village bars.

⁕ He wants your input in EVERYTHING; your ideas are amazing and wants to know your opinion. The more outlandish you are, the better.

#nikolai lantsov x reader #nikolai lantsov #nikolai lantsov headcanons #nikolai lantsov x y/n #headcanons #dating would include #would include #shadow and bone #shadow and bone series #shadow and bone x reader #shadow and bone x y/n #the crow club #grishaverse #alina starkov #siege and storm #ruin and rising #siege and storm imagine #the darkling #mal oretsev

[bi-bard]

Shadow & Bone has been one of my favorite shows to write about. It gave me interesting characters, this sense of greater creative freedom than I've ever been offered, and this beautiful way to discuss the importance of hope and love in the face of pain and despair. It has also brought many readers to work that have shown the same level of passion and care that I hold for it. I haven't been writing for this show for a very long time, yet it feels like it has always been there. Something that was always going to happen; I just had to wait for it all to click into place. I will forever be grateful for that feeling. That sense of purpose.

I have no intention of just letting this show go after two seasons. I promise.

I will continue to write about it. My OC will continue. I plan to extend that story beyond the bounds that we have been allowed to see on screen. I also have plans to start a new series exploring another facet of the show's universe that I have not been able to explore yet.

It is sad to see the show go, but that does not mean the story ends or the characters stop. We, as fans, can keep these stories going for as long as we want them to.

I'll see you all soon.

no mourners, no funerals

#imagine #fanfiction #x reader #shadow and bone fanfiction #shadow and bone imagine #shadow and bone x reader #shadow and bone oc #kaz brekker #alina starkov #mal oretsev #inej ghafa #the darkling #leigh bardugo #shadow and bone #six of crows

[zepp-l1n]

My Sankta Alina.

(Part 1 of ??)

Pairing: Alina Starkov x (Healer) GN!reader

summary: the story of the sun summoner and her healer. fic type - fluff, friends/crushes to lovers (kind of in later parts??), some angst warnings - none word count - 2,230 a/n: more cute stuff ig :). Also, this is my first series, so I don't exactly know when I'll update the next parts.

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Alina Starkov had been living in the Little Palace for approximately 3 months when she was first introduced to the Corporalki grisha by the name of (Y/N). She had been on her way back from working with Bhagra, and on a whim, decided to take a walk around the corridors of her new home. Her interaction with the Corporalki had been a complete accident.

The sun summoner walked tiredly through the intricately designed halls. Bhagra's lessons had gone on an hour more than they usually did, and had been far more exhausting. She needed a breather before returning back to her room. Alina let out a soft sigh as her fingers caressed the edges of her blue kefta. The velvety fabric brought her a comfort she hadn't felt since being in the Ravkan army camp.

The shiny halls were quiet - the only sound being the echoing noise of Alina's steps. The quiet was soothing, having been regularly subjected to the fawning and criticism of the more common grishas. As Alina continued to walk she brushed her hand along the carved drawings on the walls. Each was hand crafted and mesmerizingly stunning. Apart from her bed, they were her favorite part of the Little Palace. The carved wood was a surprisingly smooth texture. It reminded her of the wooden bannisters she and Mal would hide behind when Ana Kuya was in one of her moods.

As Alina's attention was solely focused on the carvings, she didn't notice the sound of footsteps coming her way, nor did she notice the upcoming connection in the hallway. By the time she had noticed, Alina had already bumped into the unknown individual, knocking them both down.

"Saints!" the unknown person yelped. Alina franticly glanced over, looking at them. As far as she could tell, this wasn't anyone she had been introduced to in her few months living here.

"Oh my- are you okay?" the sun summoner asked.

The stranger scoffed, dusting off their red kefta. They hurriedly got back on their feet - attempting to look professional. "Yeah, but maybe watch where you're going next time. Not all of us like to be rudely slammed int....." the strangers words got caught in the back of their throat at they glanced up, taking in the form of their accidental attacker. "Sankta Alina, my apologies." they awkwardly bowed.

Alina jumped forward, stopping them. "No, no, it's completely fine. You're right, I should've been paying more attention." Alina reached her hand out towards the Corporalki and smiled. "And please, just call me Alina."

Without meeting her eyes, the Corporalki took Alina's hand, shaking it hesitantly. "(Y/N). (Y/N), (L/N)." As their arm was much closer now, Alina could see the color embroidered onto (Y/N)'s sleeves. It was grey; they were a healer.

"Well, I'm sorry we had to meet under these circumstances (Y/N). If I had it my way, neither of us would've been on the floor." Alina joked.

The healer and sun summoner smiled at each other. Both casually stood for a moment, chuckling at the ridiculousness of their introduction. Unfortunately, the moment was cut short by a shout from down the hall (Y/N) came from. "(Y/N), what are you doing? You were not permitted to leave your station!" The voice was Ivan's, the heartrender that rode in the carriage that brought Alina to the Little Palace. The healer turned in Ivan's direction, fear evident in their eyes. As he got closer, the heartrender noticed Alina's presence. "Ah, Alina, I'm sorry about my associates disrespectfulness. And (Y/N), how dare you take up the sun summoner's time?" he angrily spoke to both grisha.

Ivan reached forward and harshly grabbed (Y/N)'s arm, pulling them away from Alina. "Once again, Sankta Alina, I'm sorry for their disrespectfulness."

Alina tried to come to the healer's aid, but Ivan dragged them away to fast. She stood in her spot, unmoving, as (Y/N) glanced back her way. They gave the sun summoner a look that she could only describe as apologetic, and was pushed into the Corporalki training room.

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The next time Alina saw (Y/N) was while she was with General Kirigan at the Grand Palace. The two had already done the winter fete tradition of an important grisha showing off their powers, and were now starting conversations around the room. Alina was in the black, silk kefta and gold accessories and shoes Kirigan had gifted her. Each item flattered her extremely well.

As she looked around the room, her eyes caught sight of of the healer. Alina hadn't been able to keep (Y/N) out of her thoughts sense their last interaction, and she knew that the way they looked tonight would only make it worse. They were wearing a rose-red, silk kefta. It was floor length, and was tightened around the middle by a grey and black belt. The embroidering was a healer's grey, which went across the shoulders and continued down on the hips and faded out like veins. Their jewelry was the same color scheme - mainly being made of grisha-steel and rubies.

(Y/N) must've felt Alina's eyes on them. They elegantly brushed their hair from their face, turned their head in Alina's direction, and smiled.

Alina could feel her heart in her stomach, and she wished she didn't. She had only met them once, and seeing them like this already made her feel far more giddy than she ever had with Mal growing up.

The feeling in her stomach only grew as she noticed (Y/N) walking towards her and Kirigan. At this point, the shadow summoner had also noticed the healer that had stolen Alina's attention. "Sankta Alina, it's nice to see you again." they softly spoke.

Alina grinned. "Once again, just call me Alina. There's no need to be referring to me as 'saint'."

(Y/N) smiled at the comment, knowing that it wouldn't happen anytime soon. Kirigan couldn't hold his intrigue any longer. "So, Alina, who's your friend?" he asked.

Alina looked up at the general and then back at the healer before answering. "This is (Y/N). They're a Corporalki - or more specifically, a healer. We met one evening after my training a little while back."

"Our sun summoner ran right into me. She knocked both of us right to the ground." (Y/N) recalled, grinning down at Alina. Kirigan chucked in response of the story, while Alina embarrassingly shrugged.

"In my defense," she started, "I was tired from training and didn't hear you coming." (Y/N)'s laugh doubled at her attempt to make it seem like it wasn't her fault. Their arm reached out, hand going to rest on Alina's bicep. The shu girl's face flushed at the contact.

Kirigan stood to the side of the couple, forcefully smiling at the interaction in front of him. As much as he wanted Alina to focus on her powers and his plan, he couldn't deny that the duo in front of him had some chemistry. And as cute as it was, he couldn't let that happen. It would ruin everything. He had worked so hard to fine the sun summoner and he wouldn't let some healer end it now.

"Well, (Y/N), as nice as it was to meet you, Alina and I now have to be going." as he spoke he reached his arm to the small of her back. At the look he was giving them, (Y/N) removed their hand.

"Oh." (Y/N) glanced over at The Darkling. Both Alina and (Y/N)'s moods seemed to dampen. "Well, it was nice speaking to you both." the healer's mouth twitched as they forced a smile. They respectfully bowed, gave one final look to Alina, and headed back across the room.

Once (Y/N) was out of ear-shot Alina turned towards Kirigan, an unpleasant look on her face. "What was that for? Why'd you shoo them away like that?" she asked.

"Alina," Kirigan roughly whispered, "it's nice that your making friends. But, I need your full focus on your powers. You can't get distracted by some healer - not when we are so close to gaining your full potential." He reached forward, placing his hand where (Y/N)'s had been. Alina felt an unsettling tingle reach down her spine at his touch. "We can't let down Ravka, our home, because of them."

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Once again, it took a while for the healer and the sun summoner to meet again. Only this time, Alina was on the run.

She and Mal had made it out of East Ravka, and were hiding out in small towns and forests they traveled through. Everything had been going fine, other than the close encounter they had experienced with the first army a few weeks prior.

They had made sure to cover their tracks the entire way, and took every precaution possible.

They had officially set up camp in the woods, planning to stay for the next few days. As Alina used her light to warm herself up, she was startled by the sound of a twig snapping somewhere in the forest surrounding them. "Mal?" she gasped in worry. She received no response. "Mal, I swear on all the saints, if you're trying to scare me I'll blind you. Temporarily, of course." her voice grew shakier the longer the spoke.

Another twig snapped, sending Alina farther into her panic. She threw her hands up, shining her light around her. The light lit up the sight of a familiar healer - one that Alina had found herself missing since she ran away.

"Alina?" they gasped out. The sun summoner's light dimmed at the sight of (Y/N). They took a step forward, a relieved grin on their face. "You're okay?"

Alina stepped back, raising her hands back in (Y/N)'s direction. The healer's arms shot up in defense. "Are you with him?" Alina shouted.

"With who?"

"Kirigan! Are you with him? Did he send you out here to find me?" (Y/N)'s face shifted from one of happiness to one of betrayal.

"Alina, no. For saints sake, do you really believe that I would?" they asked.

"I didn't believe he was a bad guy, and look where that got me." Alina still blamed herself for trusting Kirigan, for letting him get so close.

The healer stepped forward again, this time slower and far more cautiously. "I swear. Sankta Alina, you have far more power and respect in my eyes than he ever has." Alina lowered her hands, and stepped back towards the healer. Her shaking hands reached (Y/N)'s outstretched arms, and she hastily pulled them forward into a hug. Her grip was tight, and took (Y/N)'s breath away. "Huh." she gasped out, "Didn't think the sun summoner would miss me this much."

"I didn't miss some healer - I missed one of the only kind people I met in the Little Palace." Alina mumbled. "Of course I'd miss you." A small smile grew on both the grishas' faces.

A loud 'snap' brought them out of their content moment. Alina's head shot up at the noise, much like before. This time, the breaking of twigs came from the person she was yelling for in the first place - Mal. (Y/N) unlatched themself from Alina, and moved in front of her in a attempt to protect her from the form they didn't recognize.

Mal brought his gun up from his side at their movement. "Hey! Get away from her!"

Alina frantically shook her head before yelling, "Wait! Hang on! Mal, their here to help! (Y/N)'s my friend from the Little Palace." Alina then turned towards (Y/N), "This is Mal. We grew up together. He helped me escape Kirigan." Both teens slowly backed down at her words.

"You got her out?" (Y/N) walked towards Mal, and reached their arm out.

"Yes." he sharply responded. Mal clasped his hand around theirs, accepting the handshake.

"Good. Now, as nice as it's been to meet you and catch up with Alina, I have news about the second army." (Y/N)'s demeanor quickly became serious. "You'll have to move soon. They're still a little while away, but it won't be long before they catch up. Look how easy it was for me to stumble upon you guys."

"How many of them is there?" Mal asked.

"Two groups - one coming from the East, the other coming from the South. Second group has some familiar faces, Sankta Alina." as serious as (Y/N)'s topic was, they couldn't help but grin when they called Alina her nickname.

"Who?" Mal, once again, impatiently asked.

(Y/N) rolled their eyes at the boy. "Ivan and Kirigan." Alina visibly shuddered at the thought of the men. "I was placed in the group under Ivan, but I couldn't go along with what they're planning - not to you."

"Well I'm glad you couldn't. It'll be nice to have someone who knows their plan on our side." Alina sighed. Mal nodded at the girls comment, clearly agreeing. "Well what would be our best bet? How should we out run them?"

(Y/N) smirked at the girl. "You're already on the right path. We've just gotta continue through the woods, and have your soldier-boy keep covering our tracks." The healer patted Mal on the shoulder as they spoke about him, and threw him a grin. "Smart idea, by the way." The trio straight away took to packing the things around them, and continued their way to freedom - now with a new advantage.

#alina starkov x reader #shadow and bone x reader #alina starkov #netflix shadow and bone #jessie mei li #sun summoner #alina starkov imagine #sun summoner x reader #alina x reader #the darkling #ivan shadow and bone #mal shadow and bone

[zoyaofthegardvn]

Where the Storm Lands (1)

A/N: Here is the first chapter in a multi-part fanfic featuring a Zoya Nazyalensky x reader plot line! Some chapters will be smutty, and I will be diverging from canon to better fit the story I want to write. I can't promise a lot of consistency with posting, but this is a story I am excited to put out there!

Chapter 1:

There is nothing that can compare to the overwhelming dread that consumes one as they are confronted with the vastness of the Shadow Fold for the first time. Some soldiers are lucky, their regiments are not sent into the Tulya Valley, they do not have to face the dreaded Unsea and its horrors. The forcible divide in Ravka is not their enemy, the ghosts of its all-consuming power do not haunt them as it haunts the soldiers ordered to make the crossing. 

On the edge of a crowded road, suffering the inner-turmoil of duty to country and duty to self, is Y/N. Next to her, her best friend and fellow cartographer, Alina Starkov. Above them, the sun shines strong and bright, but not enough to illuminate any part of the Fold. When Y/N glances over, she notices Alina shivering in her coat. 

Taking a deep breath, Y/N turns to face her. “Alina, is it possible that you’re actually more afraid than I am?”

With a roll of her eyes, Alina responds. “Is it a competition?”

“No, I suppose it isn’t. I just want to lighten the mood.”

Alina sighs, and links her arm through Y/N’s. “I know, I’m sorry. You know I always laugh at your jokes. I’m just not usually faced with impending death when I do.”

And there it is. Once again, that wave of fear and paranoia threatens to topple Y/N, to bring her crashing to the ground, struggling to breathe, ready to beg and plead for her life. No, Y/N does not want to make the crossing. But she has been ordered to do so, and so she will, for her loyalty to Ravka comes before her sense of self-preservation. She wonders if this is a feeling that is right and true, or if it’s been drilled into her so much that it’s started to feel natural. Duty to Ravka, loyalty to Ravka, allegiance to Ravka. But then, where do Ravka and Y/N converge?

Alina and Y/N have hardly made it ten feet down the dusty barren road, when Malyen Oretsev joins the pair, slinging an arm over Alina’s shoulders. Instantly, the mood feels lighter. Mal takes nothing seriously, and that sort of disregard is infectious to the two girls who have known him all his life. Life is better, easier, when the three of them are together. Life feels conquerable, and it feels like they don’t only belong to Ravka, but to one another, too.

Y/N walks ahead of her friends, turning around and noting the pink tint to Alina’s cheeks under the arm of her first love. Not that Mal knows this, though. Y/N is sworn to secrecy, and would never betray Alina like that anyway. But, Y/N never promised to not play matchmaker. 

Between laughs, Y/N calls to the two. “I’m going to go on ahead. Alina, I’ll try to find our tent and make sure we’ve got cots.”

Mal shakes his head at her. “You’re no fun, this could be our last day alive and you so readily leave us, for what? An early night in?” Mal feigns heartache, unwrapping his arm from around Alina and bringing it to his chest. “That hurts.” 

Alina swings a weak fist around, landing it on Mal’s arm. “Not funny.”

Mal shrugs. “I think it’s funny, and a valid point.”

Y/N has stopped walking, suddenly ashamed that they’d think she’d leave them. But, isn’t it easier this way? She wants to pretend like nothing about this mission is out of the ordinary, that tomorrow she’ll wake up, on a cot next to Alina, Mal walking into their tent, grumbling about them needing to wake up. They’ll find a meager breakfast together, Mal will go track, and Y/N and Alina will map something, whatever they’re told, their drawings never to be used. It will be routine, simple and safe. 

But, as much as she tries, Y/N cannot ignore the falseness of this entirely. Better to pretend it isn’t happening, to let Alina have some time alone with the man that she loves, than to face the sickening urge to say goodbye to them tonight.

“That’s not what I’m doing, but I want a cot next to Alina, and the food will be nearly gone before they allow lowly First Army soldiers any rations. We’ll meet up again tonight, the three of us. I’ll find you both later.” Y/N accepts Alina’s and Mal’s nods before turning back around, facing the road, with the Shadow Fold taunting her just beyond the encampment. 

~

Though it took longer than she’d have liked, Y/N found the cartographer’s tents after noticing a First Army soldier lugging some rolled up maps into one. Thanking the saints, Y/N found two unoccupied cots next to one another, and dumped her things across them both. Though, more than likely, Alina would climb into her’s, or Y/N into Alina’s. While they’d both claim that it just got cold at night, they’d both be needing the comfort before the journey ahead.

After claiming the two cots, she begins to pick her way through tents, soldiers, and supplies, beginning the search for food. She starts by moving inward, hoping the army would centralize the food, causing soldiers and Grisha both to flock to the middle. Thankfully, she can see that she’s right. Y/N can see a tent in the distance, a line emerging out of it on one side, others flocking around the edges, mingling with one another. But not speaking much, it’s hard to find anything to speak about that isn’t the inevitability of death or failure.

The camp isn’t completely silent, though. Y/N hears some hoots and hollers, the occasional laughter. It must be coming from the soldiers who’ve made the crossing before, who’ve got the scars the prove it and the fearlessness to keep testing their luck. 

If I survive this, please, let me never have to do it again. It’s a mantra at this point, after repeating it to herself so many times. It’s grounding, and the possibility of survival is enough to keep her sane. The knowledge that people have crossed the Fold and come back, it’s enough. It will have to be.

Finding where the winding line ends, Y/N places herself behind some other soldiers, prepared to wait a while, likely to only accept scraps. Looking around, it isn’t hard to differentiate the First Army soliders from the Second Army. Other than the ornate keftas that distinguish the Grisha, Y/N also notices how much happier they look. They travel in packs of fellow Grisha, smiling, laughing, practicing their Grisha magic where all can see. It’s likely they want to make any First Army soldiers jealous, but it only makes Y/N annoyed. She doubts that any of them are hungry like she is, she doubts that any of them had to hurry to claim a place to sleep tonight, that any of them will be restless due to fear of the Fold. No, she’s not jealous. She thinks she’s just angry. 

She notices one Grisha in particular, one that stands out from the rest. Her kefta is blue with silver detailing, marking her as a squaller. She seems especially powerful, creating strong gusts of wind that wipe out every target laid before her. She looks important, too. She’s giving orders to the Grisha around her, giving lessons to the Grisha she spars with. As much as Y/N hates to admire the Grisha, she can’t help but notice how beautiful this one is. She’s tall with glossy, wavy, raven dark hair. She has a commanding presence, eyes so deep blue they lure you in. Y/N knows that if she were standing just a bit closer, if she were apart of her inner circle, she wouldn’t be able to help being enraptured by the girl.

She doesn’t realize how hard she’s staring until the Grisha’s gaze lands on her own. Y/N feels her cheeks warm, immediately dropping her eyes. It’s best to not antagonize a Grisha, especially when it is clear how powerful they are. After a few beats have passed, Y/N slowly looks back, just to see if the girl is bounding over, prepared to start a fight Y/N knows she cannot win. But, she’s not. She’s still staring at Y/N, blue eyes taking her in, looking her up and down. Y/N heats under her gaze, and when the Grisha’s eyes return to her own, the girl smirks before turning back to her cohort. Y/N has no idea what to make of this, and just feels lucky to make it out of the interaction unscathed. 

The line moves a bit faster than Y/N expected, and once she gets to the soldiers responsible for serving, she realizes it is not a good thing. The tent smells of sweat and slop, and when Y/N picks up a tray, she notices some questionable leftover stains. 

She rubs it off with her sleeve and approaches the man behind the table. Holding her tray out, he scoops up an interesting looking serving of what Y/N can only describe as mush. It plops onto her tray, and she looks down at it like it’s grown legs and a mouth and started talking. The man clearly has no patience. “That’s it for tonight, move along. Lots of mouths to feed.” She has no desire to argue, and leaves. 

Once seated on the ground outside, Y/N eats what she believes to be a combination of potatoes, some other vegetables, and maybe some sort of gravy that had been made with whatever the trackers had found recently. It was not her favorite meal the army had served, but it filled her and kept her warm. Placing the tray next to her, she brings her knees up, wrapping her arms around them, resting her head on top. It has gotten noticeably darker now, enough to have to rely on the fires and lamps of the camp for light. 

Minutes are passing quickly, Y/N knows she’s likely to doze off in the position she’s in. She cannot make herself care. She knows she should go looking for Alina and Mal, spend the rest of the evening with them as she promised. But again, that crippling fear of saying goodbye nags at her, and it keeps her seated. 

The noises of the camp have become nothing but background noise now, and Y/N can feel some form of relaxation begin to take over. Then, the sound of approaching footsteps. They don’t sound to be in a hurry, so Y/N does not look up. They’re likely to walk right by, who would be looking for a First Army cartographer, anyway?

The steps are closer and closer, until Y/N does begin to get a bit nervous. And then, they stop, at what must be right next to her. She can feel eyes on her, it prickles the back of her neck. She slowly lifts her head from her arms, seeing a pair of black boots standing a few feet away. The hem of a blue kefta hangs nearby, and Y/N trails her eyes up until she’s met with the face of the Grisha she’d watched earlier. She’s all the more beautiful when this close. Oh saints. She’s come to confront me about staring. She waited until I was alone, and it was dark and quiet. She’s come for the fight I expected earlier. Somehow, this thought is scarier than any of the Fold.

The Grisha towers above her, hands behind her back. “Hello, soldier.” She speaks, the smirk evident in her voice if it had not been so plain on her face.

Y/N looks around, wondering if she’s talking to someone else. She has to be talking to someone else. But, of course, there is no one around.

The girl rolls her eyes, though it doesn’t feel truly annoyed. “I am talking to you, you know.” She glances at the discarded tray on the ground. “That couldn’t have been good. I’ve seen what they give your like.” Before Y/N can be offended by that, she keeps speaking, moving her arms to her front. In her hands, a bowl of fruit. “I’m sure you’re hungry. Come back to my tent? I have my own.” She bends at the knees, putting herself level with Y/N. Their eyes meet, her’s impossibly blue. Y/N feels the stare in the pit of her stomach.

“I-I don’t know. Why? I mean, we don’t know each other. Are you upset about earlier, I didn’t mean to stare.” Y/N cannot prevent the shake to her voice.

The girl scoffs. “If I was angry, would I be inviting you to my tent?”

“I suppose not.”

“No. I wouldn’t. I’ve plenty of food, it’s getting a bit cold out here. It would be much warmer…” Her voice trails off, leaving Y/N guessing at the implications. 

“I have some friends I promised to meet tonight. They’ll be worried if I don’t find them.”

“We can be friends. Is it that you don’t know me? My name’s Zoya. What can I call you?”

“Y/N.”

She makes a humming sound, like she’s rolling the name around in her mouth. “Pretty name for a pretty girl.”

Y/N just stares, she knows the blush on her face has got to be visible from across the camp.

“Look, Y/N. I’m not one to beg. So, I’ll go now. I do hope you’ll follow.”

The girl, Zoya, rises to her full height. She picks a grape from the bowl, popping it into her mouth, then winks and turns away. 

Is she… did she just flirt with me? Y/N, in the few seconds she watches Zoya stalk off, weighs her options. She can turn the other way, find Alina and Mal. She can spend the rest of the evening with them. She can try hard not to cry at the thought of losing them. She can let it feel like it’s a well and true goodbye. She can potentially interrupt whatever is happening with Alina and Mal right this moment.

Or, she can follow Zoya. She can eat better than she’s had in months, be in a warm tent not crowded with bodies. She can spend the evening with a pretty girl, one who clearly finds Y/N pretty, too. She can pretend like she’s as important as a Grisha for just one night.

Two options, both what Y/N wants. She looks at the pathetic tray on the ground, at all the soldiers in the camp, at the edges of the Fold in the distance, at Zoya walking away, slowly, but fast enough to make it clear she won’t turn around.

Saints. Y/N gets up, and she follows her.

#zoya nazyalensky x reader #zoya nazyalensky #reader x zoya nazyalensky #grishaverse #shadow and bone #alina starkov #mal oretsev #sujaya dasgupta #rule of wolves #king of scars #the grisha trilogy #grisha #shadow and bone imagine #zoya nazyalensky smut #shadow and bone smut #reader insert #leigh bardugo

[marvelmusing]

In Another Life

Part Six

Pairing: Aleksander Morozova x Alternate Universe!Reader

Summary: An unexpected visitor arrives with some good news, and Aleksander makes a earth-shattering discovery.

Warnings: nightmares (featuring blood, canon level violence, and mentions of death), a smidge more angst, resolved tension.

My Masterlist • Series Masterlist • Next Part

“I want him.”

Alina’s face is twisted into a snarl as she shoves you hard against the dark sand. You can’t see anything but her, but you can hear Aleksander lying wounded behind you. Standing up as quickly as you can, you grasp hold of her dragging the two of you away from Aleksander.

“I need him.” She insists. Grabbing a fistful of your hair, she drops you to the ground again.

Exhaustion gnaws at you, and some of the fight leaves your body. If she wants him that much, why shouldn’t she have him? Light and dark. No matter what you do, they belong together.

“I need his bones.”

Too late, those horrific words register in your mind. Too late, you see the knife in her hand. A cry is ripped from your lips, as hands seize you from behind and you struggle to fight your way to save Aleksander.

“No!”

A choking whimper leaves your throat, and pain is the only thing you’re conscious of for a moment. As you look down at the red blooming over your chest, Aleksander’s pained cry shocks you out of your confusion. Heaving a startled gasp, the knife slips out of your body, and you crumple to the ground.

Mal steps over your limp form, towards Alina, and you finally understand.

Instead of sacrificing him, Alina had chosen to kill Aleksander.

Every moment hurts. The two figures blur, and darkness is closing in on you. But you need to get to Aleksander. You won’t let him die alone. Sand scrapes at your skin, burying itself into your wound.

Then everything goes dark.

You wake with a gasp, clutching your chest and looking around wildly for Aleksander. It’s only after a few panicked moments that you realise he isn’t there. That you’re in your own room.

Wiping the tears from your eyes, you pull on your clothes with shaking hands. When you open your door, you nod in greeting to the oprichnik standing guard. It’s only once you reach for the door handle for the war room that he speaks in a low voice.

“The General has company.” Maxim warns you. Your head turns to him quickly, and your stomach drops. There’s only one person Aleksander is close enough with to share his bed with. That person is no longer you.

Nodding in acknowledgement, you assure him.

“Thank you, but I’m just going to work on some papers.”

He opens the door quietly for you, and a grateful smile flickers over your face.

As the sun begins to rise, you do your best to focus on the pages in front of you, and not on the two people in the next room. Of Alina in Aleksander’s bed. The space beside him, which had become your refuge since your first night in Ravka. You hadn’t realised how much it had meant to you, until you could no longer have it.

Hope stirs in your heart, when you hear movement in the next room. Perhaps Aleksander will sit with you, and drink the tea you had requested for the servants to bring. Perhaps he will tell you all about how Alina trusts him enough to not leave the Little Palace. Perhaps that’s all this is.

Then a figure appears in the doorway.

“Alina.” She smiles with uncertainty in her eyes, tucking her hair back as she moves further into the room. The knife twists deeper into your chest, but you force yourself to ask amicably, “Did you sleep well?”

Her face flushes, and she looks hurriedly between you and the door to Aleksander’s bedroom.

“Oh, we didn’t- This isn’t-” She fumbles over her words, cheeks bright with embarrassment before she adds softly, “I get nightmares.”

There’s a pause. Memories of your nightmare return. I need his bones. It’s hard to imagine the young girl in front of you being so vicious. You nod, turning your pen over in your hand, before admitting quietly,

“Me too.”

She’s wearing Aleksander’s robe, and her fingers twirl the belt of the garment in her hand. Before either of you can further the stilted conversation, Aleksander steps into the room.

He sees Alina first.

“Good morning.” Aleksander says, smiling at her before he offers you a nod. His smile falters once your eyes meet, and your jaw clenches as you force yourself to smile at him.

“Good morning.” You echo quietly, nodding towards the tray on the other side of the table. “Your tea is ready.”

“I should go.” Alina says softly, as she edges towards the door. Aleksander shakes his head.

“Stay.” He insists softly, pouring her a cup of tea, and holding it out to her. “Here.”

Scribbling down the last of your writing, you fold up an envelope and press Aleksander’s seal onto the paper. Standing up, your chair scrapes over the floor, and you scoop up the letters you’ve written.

“I’m going to take the post down.” You tell him. He nods, not looking at you, and you immediately turn to leave. Then he calls your name.

Turning back to face him, a tiny spark of hope seizes you, until you see the small clump of letters in his hand.

“Take these as well, will you?” You move towards him, maintaining eye contact as you take them from him.

“Yes, moi soverenyi.”

»»---------------------►

Wrapping your scarf tighter around your neck, you begin to regret the decision to sit outside on the terrace to do your work. The autumn breeze is turning colder as the days go by.

Aleksander was nowhere to be found when you returned to the war room, though you assume he will be with Alina.

Sitting alone in the war room was too oppressive for you, especially with thoughts of this morning’s interaction with Aleksander.

The sound of boots against hardwood attracts your attention and you look over towards the open doorway which leads back into the Little Palace. Then a familiar, yet unexpected figure appears.

“Corporal Ortsev?”

At the sound of surprise in your voice, Mal shrugs slightly with a small smile on his face.

“In the flesh.”

“What are you doing here? The last I heard from you, you were heading into Fjerda.” He nods.

“That’s where I’ve come from.”

There’s a brief pause, and the corner of your mouth lifts in anticipation. There’s only one reason why Mal would have returned.

“You’ve found it, haven’t you?” He nods, a small grin creeping over his face which mirrors yours. “Show me where.”

Standing up, you tug a map out from underneath your papers and gesture towards Fjerda’s place in the landscape. Mal steps forward, his shoulder brushing yours as he leans down over the map.

Taking a pencil, he begins to draw the route he had taken, and where the stag had been sighted. You sit back down in your chair.

Whilst he’s drawing, you begin to draft a list of Grisha and resources needed for the journey north into Fjerda to retrieve the stag. Once Mal is done, he reads over what you’ve written.

“You’re like… smart.” You breathe out a sharp laugh, and the corner of your mouth quirks.

“I should hope so.” His eyes widen slightly, and he shakes his head.

“No, I didn’t mean it like that.” He assures you. “I mean, you’re good at this. It’s impressive.”

Despite his fumbling, it feels nice to be complimented for your work. You may not have earned this position in a conventional way, but you try hard to do things well. Looking up at him, you give Mal a soft smile.

“Thank you.”

A familiar voice interrupts the look shared between you both.

“Mal?”

The two of you turn, and Alina rushes over to him in a blur of blue and gold. Aleksander stands at the doorway watching Alina, and for a moment you feel completely invisible.

If Alina is the Sun, Mal is a bright moon eager to exist in her orbit, and Aleksander is the all encompassing darkness of space. You are a mere grain of cosmic dust, floating further away from them with every passing moment.

A petty feeling fills you, the urge to just walk away and see if any of them would notice. Alina probably wouldn’t. Mal wouldn’t. Would Aleksander?

Shaking yourself, you glance over towards Aleksander.

He’s looking at you. His expression doesn’t change as he strides out onto the terrace. Leaning back in your chair, you allow him space to look down at the map.

“You found the stag.” Aleksander states, his fingers trailing over the pencil markings.

Mal straightens, stepping away from Alina as he addresses Aleksander with a small nod,

“Yes, sir.”

“You’re certain?”

He nods again as he begins to describe it.

“Twice as big as any other deer. All white. Looking head on, it’s antlers…” He falters, and Aleksander lifts a brow.

“Yes?”

“They were like that.”

Mal points down to a piece of paper, tucked between the map and a letter you had written to the Kaptain at Kribirsk. The four of you peer down at the sun symbol scribbled down in pencil. As your mind had drifted, you must have begun to doodle.

You can feel the gaze of each of them, flickering to your face individually. Aleksander’s eyes remain on yours as he asks Mal,

“You’ve marked its tracks?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Thank you.” Aleksander’s gaze falls back to Mal, and you find you can breathe again. “I’ll have you shown to a room here. I’m sure you and Miss Starkov have plenty to catch up on.”

The three of them head inside, though Aleksander does turn back to look at you one final time before he takes the lead and guides the duo towards one of the guest suites.

Gathering your papers together, you head inside.

»»---------------------►

It’s a particularly cold day, and the sharp breeze bites at the skin of your cheeks as you trek over the gravel, back towards the Little Palace. A walk around the lake had eased your frustrations somewhat, and you’re able to feel some concern when you see Alina looking distressed.

You give her a smile as you pass her, and she immediately asks you,

“Have you seen the General?” You shake your head.

“Not since yesterday evening. Why?”

“I think he’s avoiding me, and I’m worried I’ve done something wrong.”

At that, you frown. You can’t think of a single reason why Aleksander would be avoiding her, especially not when he’s been such a constant presence by her side over the last few weeks.

“I’m sure he’s just busy planning our trip north.”

She nods at your assurance, but doesn’t look very comforted.

“If I see him, I can let him know you’re looking for him?” You suggest.

“Would you?” You nod. “Thank you so much.”

Wrapped up in thoughts of Aleksander, you barely even notice that the man himself is sitting on the edge of your bed. It’s only once your door is shut behind you that you finally register his presence.

“This is unexpected.” You remark, unwinding your scarf from around your neck and placing it on the cabinet beside the door. “Alina’s been looking for you.”

“I have a question for you.”

Raising a brow, you step further into your room.

“What is it?”

“In your book, what exactly is my role?”

For a moment, you stop breathing, and you feel exactly as you did when you first met him. That one wrong word will reap disaster. Your steps falter.

“I can’t tell you that.” Aleksander frowns, frustration filling his features.

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t want you to know.”

He stands, picking up a book that had been sitting beside him on your bed. Striding towards you, he places the book down heavily onto the small table in the centre of your room.

“I’m afraid it’s too late for that.”

Your throat tightens as the familiar front cover stares up at you. Brown cloth, with black letters and antlers embossed onto the material.

“You went through my things.”

It isn’t a question, you can both see the truth of what he’s done, sitting there on your table. His shoulders straighten, and he holds himself tall enough to tower over you.

“Why?” You ask quietly.

“You’ve distanced yourself from me.”

Frustration and hurt flares inside you, and you can hear the emotion creeping into your voice as you respond.

“You’ve barely even looked at me over the last week. With Alina around, I thought you’d appreciate some distance.”

A muscle in his jaw tenses, and his right shoulder lifts as he looks away from you, glancing around the room as he continues to justify his snooping.

“Not to mention that, technically, these are all my things. You only have them because of me.”

Your eyes snap to his own, his face a mask of detached indifference, and your annoyance twists.

“Just because you think you’re the villain now doesn’t mean you have to act like one.” His brow lifts.

“Think? It’s printed here in black and white.” Aleksander taps his finger against the cover of the book. “Make me your villain.”

A shiver runs through you as he says that line. But you won’t let him believe it. You won’t let him be the villain. Not after you’ve tried so hard already.

“You of all people know that the world isn’t black and white. You only became exactly what Alina thought you were.” He steps back, gesturing firmly with his hands as he speaks,

“And yet you brought us together. You pushed her to me, knowing full well what she thinks of me. Why?”

“She’s your opposite in power. I thought that, with the right circumstances, she could be your equal. I thought you could be happy.”

There’s a pause. Aleksander stares down at the book with a pensive look on his face, and some of the tension has loosened from his shoulders.

“This book is only the beginning.” He states, but you hear the question in his voice. You nod.

“There’s two more. But, I couldn’t find them anywhere.”

“I doubt either of them feature a heartfelt reunion between myself and Alina.”

You’re quiet for a moment, as he looks at you, waiting for an answer.

“No. They don’t.” Lifting your eyes up, they meet his. “This is why you’ve been avoiding Alina.”

He nods slowly.

“It took me several hours to finish the book, and several more to think about it.”

“And?”

He sits back down on the edge of your bed. Whatever had been fuelling his anger seems to have been resolved, though you don’t understand exactly what you’ve done to appease him.

“I don’t have a happy ending. Do I?” He asks softly, and your heart aches.

“What do you think it is that wakes me in the middle of the night?” His eyes widen in confusion. “You. Dying in countless different ways, whilst I’m helpless to stop it. No matter what I do. Whatever I change. I can’t save you.”

There’s a short pause before he speaks again.

“I apologise.” Frowning, you look over at him. “For how I’ve acted over the past few weeks.”

Shaking your head, you’re about to tell him that it doesn’t matter, that you know he has more important things to think about than your feelings. You were the one who wanted him and Alina to bond. But he had hurt you, all the same, and now he was apologising.

You step closer to him.

“Why did you push me away?” You ask in a small voice. Ducking his head down, he sighs.

“Duke Baranova seemed interested in you. He’s a good man, and was an excellent soldier. You even caught the eye of the Crown Prince.”

“I did?” There’s surprise in your tone. You had barely even noticed Vasily during Alina’s presentation at Court. A thought strikes you, and you tilt your head as you contemplate it.

Aleksander’s lips part and his brows crease.

“You’re considering Vasily.”

You step closer, so that you’re standing directly in front of Aleksander.

“I’m actually considering his murder.” He breathes out a soft laugh. “Don’t laugh. I’m being serious.” His expression shifts as you continue. “If I married Vasily, and a month or so after the coronation he died under mysterious circumstances, would I get the throne?”

He shakes his head, a thoughtful spark in his eyes as if he’s impressed by your idea.

“Royal Consorts have no official claim to the throne. It would pass to Prince Nikolai.”

“It would be a little suspcious if that law was changed the week before Vasily’s death.” You muse, and the corner of Aleksander’s lips quirk with amusement.

“Quite suspicious.”

The two of you share a small smile between one another, until the moment slips away and you say softly,

“I don’t want a Prince, or a Duke, Aleksander.”

“Then what do you want?” You stare at him with a painful look in your eyes as you whisper,

“What I can’t have.”

He shakes his head.

“Why not?”

“I’m not like you, or Alina. I’m not even Grisha. I’m nothing but dust.”

He frowns deeply.

“Don’t quote my mother and expect me to agree with you.”

Breathing out a sharp laugh, you realise he’s right. You had just quoted Baghra.

“But she’s right. In the never ending book of your life, my existence would barely fill a page. I’m nothing.”

“You are remarkable.” You’re about to shake your head again, but Aleksander continues, sliding his arms around your waist as he speaks. “You’ve turned my story from tragedy to triumph. For that alone, you could never be a mere nothing.”

“We’re not finished yet.” You warn him. He tugs you closer, so that you’re standing between his legs.

There’s countless issues to settle. The stag needs to be found. Then the sea whip. You need to decide what to do with the Fold. And Alina. Not to mention the monarchy.

Aleksander doesn’t seem fazed. He smiles softly at you.

“Good. Because I’m not done with you.”

You rest a tentative hand on his shoulder, feeling the comforting texture of his kefta beneath your fingertips.

“You’re not?” He shakes his head.

“Not for an exceptionally long time.”

Despite the smile threatening to break your serious composure, you press your other hand against his chest, pushing away from him briefly. His head cocks to one side.

“Never push me away again.” He nods.

“As long as you always ensure to tell me what I need to know.” At that, you also nod.

“Always.”

»»---------------------►

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

In Another Life Tag List: @parabatai-winchester @dangerousbluebirdpoetry @jambolska-grozdova @mxacegrey @budugu @cynthianokamaria @scarlettqueen190 @aikeia @eloquentree

Aleksander M Tag List: @nyctophiliiiiaaa @jazmin2211

BB Characters Tag List: @rachlovesactors @noortsshift

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

[infin1ty-garden]

GUARDIAN ANGEL

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ ✦ summary: hearing rumors of the fountain of youth and finally finding a heading, nikolai decides to follow the rumors ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ ✦ pairing: nikolai lanstov x gn! siren! reader ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ ✦ warnings: drowing, darkling, a bit of spice ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ ✦ word count: 2k ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ ✦ author note: inspired by this and sorry for not posting in a while I was on vacation

masterlist.

"Are we sure that compass even works?" Asked Tamar swaying from side to side due to the heavy rain and storm they were passing through. "It points to what the holder wants most. I think the instructions are pretty clear," Nikolai's attention only being on the compass. It's arrow spinning from one direction to another.

"You are going to crash the ship," yelled Mal as he fell down sliding to the other end of the ship. "Don't worry we're almost there," and then he let go of the wheel entirely. Tolya grabbed it but as if they'd entered another dimension. The storm was nowhere in site and not that far away, an island.

"See, I was right," as he said that the ship hit something causing him to fall overboard. He tried to swim up but the waves kept crashing in on him. He could hear people yelling for him and orders being thrown around. They turned incoherent as he sunk deeper.

He felt two hands taking hold of his arms as he was lifted out of the water in seconds. Once he managed to open his eyes, he was miles from the ship. He wanted to turn and see his saviour. "Don't strain your body too much, just relax your safe," he heard the most angelic voice say.

In a blink of an eye his feet met the sand. He coughed up what felt like half the ocean. When he turned to thank his saviour they were nowhere to be seen. Had he imagined it? Then he saw it, his ship being attacked by sire

But he could not help his crew. If he even attempted to swim to them, he would be instantly attacked. His gun was wet, so it was useless, and what could he do with a sword. All he could do was watch and hope they make it.

Most of the crew was alright. No deaths but they had to dry dock the ship, as going in the row boats would have been a death wish. Now, they had to find the chalices. "Captain," Tamar handed him a spyglass. Looking through it he saw Second Army flags. The Darkling was here or his grisha were.

"How did they get here before us?" Alina asked bewildered. "It doesn't matter we just need to get the chalices before them," he really should have better timing. "Hand over the map," the Darkling appeared, along with his forces. "There's no map," Nikolai replied, confidence radiating off of him in waves.

Then one by one his grisha disappeared until he was the only one left standing. "You and what army," Kirigan looks behind himself. Worry coating his face but then he smirked. "I don't need an army," as he raised his hands the sand beneath his feet disappeared. He dropped down into the newly formed puddle like it was a slide.

"Well, that happened," all anyone could do was nod along to Mal's statement. As they continued on following the compass, it seemed to lead them in circles. "I think your magic compass stopped working," Alina gave him a sympathetic look. "We have more company. Tamar reported seeing Fjerdan and Shu ships," great just what they needed.

"We still need the two chalices. Let me give that map a try," Mal took the map from Nikolai. The map was written in a language no one could understand. It wasn't in Fjerdan, Kerch, Ravkan, Shu, Zemeni, Suli, or even Old Ravkan. But now that they were actually on the island, they could at least recognise the landmarks drawn. Mal's tracking skill would finally come in handy.

After spending hours walking, they've decided to make camp and rest for a bit. They couldn't let the Fjerdans or the Shu be the first to discover the secret to the fountain. As Nikolai was starting to close his eyes, he heard a splash of water near him. He looked to where he assumed the sound came from and was met with the most beautiful pair of eyes.

Was this the person that saved him? He couldn't be sure. He slowly moved towards the person, worried that any sudden movement might scare them away. "I am not some kind of rabid animal," that voice, his guardian angel. "Your friends are on the west side," you could mean the Fjerdans or the Shu.

"They're not our friends," you sent him a sceptical look. He suddenly remembered why they were on this island in the first place. "You wouldn't know where someone could leave two chalices around here, would you?" At this point Nikolai was fully laying down in the mud that surrounded the pot of water.

His face inches away from it. "Hypothetically, I would know where something like that could be hidden." He smiled and then asked. "Hypothetically, could you show me?" You disappeared, only to emerge a few seconds later. Slowly moving closer to him as he had done only minutes ago.

What you did next was a surprise but not an unwelcome one. You kissed him. It was slow at first, as if giving him the chance to pull away if he so wishes. Instead he placed his palm on the back of your head. Pulling you as close as he can and uped the ferocity of the kiss. You placed your fingers at the bottom of his chin.

Putting slight pressure on it, due to this he opened his mouth. You quickly slipped your tongue in. He felt something foreign enter his system. You quickly pulled away and submerged yourself, only the top part of your face could be seen. Watched him swallow whatever you had just given him. I really hope I don't die from this.

You made a motion with your hand for him to enter the water. Waited for him, as he took off his jacket and shoes. His feet were searching for the bottom of the pond or whatever it was. He felt a hand grab his foot and pull him into the water. "You're taking too long," he realised he could breathe underwater. You gently grabbed his waist and he placed his arm around your neck.

He finally saw your tail. You were a siren. He was so gonna die but why had you saved him and why were you helping him now. He had too many questions. None of which he could ask. As soon as he had entered the water he was out of it. In Front of him was a ship, but none of the text in any language he knew. It did match the art on the map.

"Thank you," you nodded with a smile on your face. He walked closer to the ship. It was suspended in mid air. Wedged in between two huge pieces of stone. How could he get up there?

He finally entered the ship with your help and a lot of trial and error. Each step on the deck was taken with extreme consideration as one wrong move could send the ship falling. Even if the ship seemed to have been here for years with the plants that have taken over the deck. Nikolai didn't want to take any chances.

As he descended down to the lower levels of the ship, he was greeted with copious amount of dust and rot....and gold? But he had little care for it. Maybe after they find the fountain of youth, he could bring some of that gold back to Ravka. One room in the ship was clearly meant for dining. The table comfortably fit nine people.

The seats were filled with skeletons. The stench of the rotten food and empty glasses of wine could signify that these people were poisoned. The ship without a crew was probably left to roam the sea and had met its journey's end. Crashing into the rocks. Or maybe all of them have been stabbed, who knows.

The chalices were nowhere to be found. He went searching different rooms until he reached the captain's quarters. In the middle of the room the captain was sitting a skeleton like the rest of the crew but on the bed next to him a chest. Nikolai made his way to the bed as he did the ship swinged and then the voices came.

He wasn't alone anymore but he recognised one of them as Zoya. He needed to work faster. He got to the chest but it was locked. Nikolai could hear the voices getting closer. The key was laying on the chain around the captain's neck. Unlocking the chest and...nothing, just some documents. Where could the chalises be? He looked in the drawers, desk and finally under the bed.

There was another chest, this one without a lock in it, the chalices inside. Then the door burst open. "Hand them over," before he could think or even form a plan the ship was falling. When he awoke he was tied up, next to him, Zoya. The flags were the first thing he'd recognised, Shu. The second one, that they were tied to a tree. "Finally, the sleeping beauty's awake," one of the guards said.

Whatever they'd done to Zoya, she'd seen better days. Cuts were littering her face and bruises were starting to form. "The others," he'd simply asked. "Probably dead." The guards had left their posts to fetch their superior. In the corner of his eye, Nikolai could see something being thrown next to his feet. A knife, he quickly picked it up and placed it near his hands. Cutting himself and Zoya lose.

"We need to plan our next steps carefully since we don't have our weapons," just as he said that his and what he assumes is Zoya's sword were thrown out of the water. If she had found the ordeal weird, she didn't mention it, just grabbed her sword. "This way, I saw them place the rest of the weapons there."

They managed to escape the camp unseen. "I will let you go but the next time we meet, you won't be given the same courtesy," with that she disappeared in the forest.

The chalices weren't with the weapons. The Shu must have taken them. Then out of nowhere Tamar, Alina, Mal and Tolya come charging past Nikolai. Tamar carrying one chalice while Mal carries the other. "Sturmhond," Alina says just realising he was even there. "Run," yells Tamar as she grabs him.

Then he sees it, the Darkling and his volcra. His feet do the rest as he joins the group running. Hoping to lose him in the woods. "What happened?"

"What happened? Where were you? You left and didn't even tell anyone," Alina retorts.

"I got a lead to where the chalices might be."

"But WE found the chalices."

"And WE are going to lose them if you two don't shut it," Toyla interrupted, silencing them both as they hid. Once they saw the Darkling walk pass. They slowly walk in the other direction. "Where did you find them?"

"Near the entrance to some caves but that was nowhere close to where it had been marked on the map," Mal said in disbelief.

"Let me guess there was a river or some pond close by," Nikolai asked. Mal nodded. "But how could you know, it wasn't marked on the map." Nikolai shrugged. You must have taken them and brought them to his crew. "Now, we just need to find the entrance to the fountain," water splashed nearby. "Give me one moment," he said to the rest of them as he took the map and walked towards the water.

Tamar and Alina followed him. He kneeled down. "Yes," he asked, looking at the water. You slowly lifted your head and swam to where he was kneeling. He held up the map. Mal and Toyla joined the rest. Alina lifted her palms up as Toyla readied his weapon. "You are here and the entrance is here," now they could see the scales coating your arms, along with the tail.

All of them were thinking the same. You're a siren and you're helping them.

Thanks for reading! If you want a part 2 leave a like or comment

#shadow and bone #nikolai lantsov #nikolai lanstov x reader #s&b netflix #s&b show #shadow and bone netflix #shadow and bone s2 #shadow and bone x reader #the darkling #aleksander morozova #alina starkov #alina shadow and bone #mal oretsev #malyen oretsev #mal shadow and bone #tamar kir bataar #tolya yul bataar #tolya and tamar #zoya nazyalensky #shadow & bone #grishaverse #sturmhond #sturmhond x reader #sturmhond x you #nikolai lanstov x y/n #siren au #pirates of the caribbean #fountain of youth

[mixed-imagination]

don't you worry you're pretty little minds

recently, i've gotten a lot of shadow and bone requests in my messages. i may take a while to respond, but its only cuz i'm writing all yall's fantasies 🥸

i will fulfill ur request soon! promise! xxx

#mixed-imagination #shadow and bone s2 #mal oretsev x reader #tolya x reader #kaz brekker x reader #alina starkov x reader

[blues-valentine]

the Alina debate going on reminds me of the Katniss debate even years later. there’s people that in this date and age think Gale was a better choice …..some people hate to see girls that went through imaginable levels of trauma find themselves a calm and quiet life with a man that brings them safety and peace.

These two cases are pretty similar and with THG renaissance on social media lately the discussions about this subject are getting wildly inaccurate and lacking media literacy.

Alina and Katniss are similar in how they were just kids that had to grow up in a mess up world and take care of themselves alone. They both were thrown into a role way bigger than them. Deemed as holy and untouchable. Prayed as the sole savior of a nation, painted as a symbol. A role they’ve never felt prepared for and during all of that trauma and grief they just hoped for some normalcy beyond that chaos. Mal and Peeta represent comfort and security for each of them but still the choice to seek that peace creates controversy. I saw this amazing post (X) about how thinking Gale and Katniss should’ve ended up together is simply incorrect and a terrible interpretation of what the books and movies are telling you and similarly goes with Alina’s ending being sadly misunderstood.

People don’t get that Gale became everything he was fighting against. The thing Katniss was trying to run from. In his search to destroy the Capitol and eradicate the games he became too blinded by hatred and started justifying all that violence with the idea of revenge. He would easily switch off his humanity to justify the means in which he achieved those goals. He would’ve never been able to provide Katniss with the peace, safety and the healing she was searching. Peeta and Katniss both understood the trauma lived in the games and ultimately wanted the same thing: peace, get a hold to their humanity, move on from the pain. I still cannot comprended how people think Peeta is “boring” because he is by far one of the most complex characters but also, doesn’t Katniss deserve a mundane or “boring” life? One that isn’t pledge by chaos and trials? One that feels like a routine in the most full-filling way? Katniss getting that plus allowing herself to have kids — because she never said she didn’t want kids, she just didn’t want them to exist in a world in which the games existed, and she fought so it won’t ever happen again. Katniss deserves to have a peaceful life instead of feeling the burden of a role she has to play.

THG is still one of the most complex trilogies I’ve ever read. Katniss and Peeta’s love story isn’t typical but it’s true in its essence. Both were thrown into circumstances that only them would be able to understand and managed to find peace within each other. Their love was born from being able to give each other mutual understanding and comfort. Katniss is able to share her real feelings with Peeta, who sees her as Katniss and not as the symbol of rebellion. That guy, a kid himself too, who’s been used as a weapon to torment Katniss would give his life for her in a heart beat. His love for her is pure.

For Alina, her powers while they made her feel powerful at times, they were also a burden. They made her feel lost, confused, scared of herself and suicidal. Alina’s powers didn’t develop normally because she wasn’t raised as a normal Grisha. There’s a reason why the amplifiers are called a fetter and a collar. They were never meant to be seem as a positive thing. Alina’s whole journey has been filled with trauma and with the imposition of a role she had to play that went against her own freedom. Her powers made her a pawn. The title of the savior, the sun summoner, the queen, the Saint; those all were titles she did not ask for and she found a tremendous burden to perform. She said it herself multiple times. She felt like a fraud and people worshipping her made her feel like she was bigger than herself. Alina would’ve never been able to achieve her peace if she still had those powers and therefore would’ve never been truly free. I’m sorry, no one will ever convince me that Alina making the choice to remove herself from a world that has brought her so much trauma in exchange for a peaceful, mundane life in which she’s able to provide orphan kids just like her the love and security she didn’t get for herself (or for Mal) is not empowering. Her choice IS empowerment.

Mal, who was also a kid himself, had to deal with trauma, with the idea of being disposable and insignificant in a world that only valued those with powers or status. He was used as a weapon against Alina so he swears himself to be a weapon for Alina, because ultimately she is the only person he’ll fight and give his life for.

A thing that it’s similar to Katniss and Alina is that people are so convinced they should’ve healed from their trauma alone to be deemed more empowering. Why should they not be in the company of someone that brings them peace? Someone that makes them feel loved and comforted? Women are allowed to have character developed while also being with a love interest. Not all women have to stick to Hollywood’s propaganda of empowerment.

If you don’t understand why Alina and Katniss endings and the fundamental nature of their choices being about healing, and for Alina about the promise that her power lies in herself, on her own value, then you simply didn’t get it.

And no one can convince me this wasn’t a good, bittersweet but fulfilling ending for Alina:

#shadow and bone #shadow and bone netflix #the hunger games #alina starkov #katniss everdeen #malina #mal oretsev #peeta mellark #everlark #the grisha trilogy #the hunger games trilogy #grishaverse #asks

[omgkatherine01]

Creatures of the Night - Prologue

Series Masterlist

Chapter 1

Pairing: Kaz Brekker x female reader

Warning: cruel treatment

Who am I?

Where did I come from?

Where did I belong?

My parents... why didn't they kept me?

Why did they left me here when I was a baby and let me suffer?

"No! Please, not again!" the four year old you begged Sister Madelyn as she pulled you harshly to the door that led to the basement. You cried as you were pulled down the stairs in the now lighted area.

"Until you learn to behave, you will stay inside!" she hissed at you and opened the door that hold a small space, fit enough to held a small child.

"I will behave! I will!" you cried, "Please no!" She ignored your plea and shoved you inside the small space room. You looked up at her with teary eyes but Sister Madelyn gave you a harsh look, "Now, think of what you did--"

"I didn't do anything!" you finally screamed and she slapped you across your cheek. You cried silently as you held into your cheek. "I will come to see you in the evening," she said after a moment.

But it was only 11 am, you wanted to say but couldn't.

With your silent, she closed the door, keeping you in the small space and in the dark. You closed your eyes, more tears slipped down your cheeks.

Deep breath. In and out, slowly. In and out, slowly. In and out, slowly... In and--

Deep--

"I can't," you whimpered, breathing heavily. You tried to control your breathing but it was hard in a tiny space. You felt you were suffocating.

You needed out!

"Let me out!" you cried, trying to open the door but found it locked. "No! Please! I can't--I can't stay here! Help! Someone help me!"

You cried quietly and closed your eyes as you sunked to the floor, pressing your back against the hard wall behind you and your knees bend and pressed to your front.

"I want my mommy and daddy," you cried quietly. After a moment, you moved your teary eyes from your knees to look under the door. You saw the lights from the other side flickering and it dimmed. You heard some movements and sniffed.

"Sister Jane?" you called softly, hoping it was the nice new Sister of the house that came back and came to help you.

Nothing.

You sniffed and a few more tears slipped down your eyes.

Click!

You looked at the door handle in surprise but quickly stood up. You turned on the handle and opened the door. You looked out but there was no one around. The single light in the middle was the only one that was now on and darkness surrounding the area. You sniffed and tried to clear you eyes from your tears as you approached to the light.

You looked at the darkness and thought you saw something for a second but...

Fog was all you can see.

"Hello?" you asked in a soft voice, "Sister Madelyn?" You were scared to go up the stairs just in case you will have to face the mean woman, you didn't want to go back to the closet. You looked at the fog in the dark and thought you saw something again.

Your little legs carried you forward slowly and stopped. You reached your hand to the fog, and felt it brushing on your small fingers. The fog moved closer, and you felt it brushing softly on your cheeks, as if cleaning your tears away.

Who am I?

Where did I come from?

Where did I belong?

The door to the basement opened and you jumped back. Sister Madelyn walked down the stairs, her face showed she was surprised and angry to see you, "How did you got out?"

You didn't answer and simply walked backward until your back hit the wall. She walked toward you angrily, walking by the fog, "You little--" Her words were cut off and she gasped when she suddenly fell to the floor on her front.

You jumped slightly in surprise, watching now the fog had spread to her legs. She looked behind her in confusion, and suddenly two pale of long hands grabbed her ankles and immediately pulled her to the darkness, leaving her screams echoing in the basement room. You stared at the spot she was a second ago blankly before you let out a soft shaky breath.

The door to the basement opened again and you jumped. You looked up to the stairs and Sister Jane walked down. She frowned, surprised to see you down there, "Y/n? What are you doing here?" You didn't say anything and looked from the fog to her. "I heard a scream, are you alright?"

"Yes," you answered quietly. "Where's Sister Madelyn?" she asked. You hesitated but then slowly pointed to the dark. She followed your finger and stare. She frowned and switched on the other lights. You jumped a little, not knowing what you would find, but there was nothing in front of you anymore.

"Where is she, sweetie?" Sister Jane asked, looking at you. You looked up at her and shrugged, "She's gone," you muttered. Sister Jane frowned a little and looked back to the middle of the empty room. Then she turned to you and held out her hand, giving you a small smile, "Come, let's go upstairs."

You nodded and took her hand, letting her led you to the stairs.

Whatever you saw...

Whatever took Sister Madelyn...

She was never seen again.

The talk of Sister Madelyn's mysterious disappearance was spoken over the years. No one saw her since that day, when the fog and whatever that creature you saw protected you from her.

Over the years, you discovered that your fear and anxiety of been in small spaces caused you to develop claustrophobia because of Sister Madelyn's punishments. For years you kept yourself from the other children around, and stayed clear from the other Sisters except Sister Jane and Sister Elizabeth, who like Jane, cared for you.

You didn't really felt alone, you had the shadows' protection, if anyone to try to harm you like Sister Madelyn did, they would get attack, and some of the children apparently got missing.

Despite part of you were worried about what happened to them and Sister Madelyn, another part of you were happy they were gone.

No one will miss them, you thought darkly.

You mostly insulated yourself from others. The only company you truly liked around were Sister Jane, Sister Elizabeth, and the shadows.

You were fine with that.

Until the night all Hell broke loose, and the shadows helped you escape.

Taglist:

@lyria-skyfall, @myheartfollower, @cleverzonkwombatsludge, @mjlock

#shadow and bone #kaz brekker x you #kaz brekker imagine #kaz brekker x y/n #kaz brekker x reader #kaz brekker #inej ghafa #jesper fahey #the darkling imagine #mal x alina #the darkling x alina #the crows x reader #netflix series

[raparopa]

a/n: @mischiefmanaged71 @crazyhorseforgot

warnings: Language, Squaller!OC

pairing: Nikolai Lantsov x OC!Dasha Romanov

summary: There is clearly an understatement between Nikolai and his childhood friend. But who knew that things could get even worse when the sun shines on the horizon?

gold and silver

part one. about meetings

I looked at the stars. Silver jewels scattered over the blue velvet of the night sky - this was the sky above the sea, in which I spent almost all my time. And yet, accepting Nikolai's invitation was one of the best decisions of my life.

I have found a new family. Tolya and Tamar turned out to be some of the most incredible people I have ever met. Such a connection was for me...not new... The fact is that I myself experience such a connection, the only thing I do not know for one hundred percent is whether it is mutual.

During the time spent side by side on the ship, next to Sturmhond, I realized that I love Nikolai. And every day this feeling only intensified. I looked at him and tried to figure out if his feelings were similar to mine, or if Nikolai was acting like a little stinging fox as usual. But there was something in his actions, looks, words that made me suspect that we had a good chance.

We became much closer than in our youth, we were two parts of one whole, we were those who cannot live without each other. We never said anything that could indicate our feelings for each other. I don't know if it was necessary at this time? I did not want to destroy that wonderful peace between me and Nikolai, which we have been building and restoring for many years, and now we support it.

Each time, Tamar said with a cheerful smile how Nikolai's heart was beating, as soon as he thought of me. But how was I to know if she was joking or not? You can't tell these twins.

A cool sea breeze blew into my face. I smiled, twisting it with my fingers into a small whirlwind and letting it float through the water. But from the other side of the ship there were conversations. And several voices were clearly unfamiliar to me. I frowned and pushed off the deck with my hands, striding confidently there to understand what was happening. I don’t know what was going on, but my gut told me that something was going on that I obviously didn’t like. Because of this, the wind increased, rose, crashing into the sails.

I went to the other side of the deck and saw Tolya, Tamar and two strangers at the gangway. One of them was a tall, strong guy, next to him was a short girl with long, black hair. They talked about something very tensely.

-What's going on?-I shouted to be heard. All pairs of eyes immediately stared at me and at my menacing face.

-Dasha!- Tolya greeted joyfully, waving his hand to me. -We have unexpected passengers here,-he pointed to a couple of strangers.

-Yes, they want to charter our ship,- Tamar continued, showing me a gold hairpin that sparkled in the moonlight. -We need to take them to the captain. How is he? In what mood? - She smiled strangely at me.

I was embarrassed, but did not show it, only raising my eyebrows.

-As usual, in good health,-I said, folding my arms over my chest and carefully looking at the strangers. -Good, -I nodded. -Tolya?

He nodded to me.

-Take them to the captain.

It seemed to me that the issue was resolved, but then soldiers of the First Army appeared from the darkness.

-You! Stop!- the old man in military uniform croaked.

- Do you want a fight? Huh?-Tamar said menacingly, pulling out her axe.

-This man is a deserter, he must be with us!- the old man continued.

-Is that so?- Tamar continued caustically. I rolled my eyes, rubbing the bridge of my nose. -They want a fight!- she roared, causing everyone who was carrying bags on deck to grab their weapons.

-Oh, Saints, help me...- I said to myself, mentally dreaming how I would conduct a conversation with them, and how I would ask Nikolai to give them a couple of diplomacy lessons.

-I don't want to aggravate the conflict with Shu Han...

It was a mistake. Mistake old man in uniform. Tolya took up the sword.

-We are not Shu Han,-Yul-Bataar said, approaching his sister. -We are on our own.

-Save your bullets for the war, and tell your soldiers to know their place.- I barked belligerently, stepping onto the gangplank. I was rather tired of this situation, and I wanted to exhale as soon as possible and calmly sail away. Both my words and my old caftan, with which I did not dare to part after the Second Army, were clearly a weighty argument. Ravka's soldiers retreated.

Strangers boarded.

They looked rumpled, but they were very smart. I slowly examined them from head to toe, trying to isolate at least something that could help me find out more information about them, but I did not find anything strange or unusual.

-We’ll go to the captain,- I said slowly and low, when Tolya and Tamar appeared behind me. - He will give his final verdict.

The guy jerked his shoulder in annoyance, glaring at me angrily, but I didn't care.

-Let's go. -I passed by, heading straight into the hall to Nikolai.

I physically felt the tension that was in the air. No one dared to utter a word, I think the twins and I looked menacing, so the strangers were silent.

Nobody ever tried to charter our ship, it was the first time, but it was...interesting.

We approached the doors when Tolya opened them.

-Captain,- he turned to Nikolai, going inside. -They want to charter our ship.

- And immediately. - Some unprecedented courage suddenly woke up in the boy. We were also in the room.

-We need to sail now!- the girl also flushed, stubbornly following her companion.

Nikolai chuckled.

-Let's get two things straight,- he braced his hands on the table. -I'm not given orders on my own ship.- His face immediately became tense.

It was always amazing how he switched from one state to another so quickly.

- And we're already sailing. Glad you joined. And now, maybe add some light to the cabin, - I frowned, not understanding what he was talking about. - Since you, Alina Starkov. Saint on twenty million kruge.

These words hung in the air like a thick fog. My face stretched in surprise, I felt something rising in my stomach. That was the last thing I expected to hear tonight, I would have been prepared for anything but this. I looked first at Alina, then at her companion, and in the end my eyes fixed on Nikolai, as if demanding an answer from him.

How did he know? How does he know the price for this girl? Why didn't he say anything to me... That is, to us.

Lantsov quickly shot his eyes in my direction, and again turned to the newcomers. He pulled a revolver out of its holster and placed it meaningfully on the table.

-Alive or dead.- His voice became low and almost menacing as she looked at Alina.

What the hell...

-It’s silly to play up, Starkov, you are a Sun Summoner,-Nikolai continued.

In surprise, I even had to lean my hand against the wall as thoughts raced feverishly through my aching head. I looked at Tolya, but judging by his expression, he was also, to put it mildly, shocked. We both stood with him, behind Alina Starkov's back, like fools, the only ones who didn't understand what the hell was going on.

-Yes, you are right,- Alina threw belligerently, throwing up her hands, from which light immediately escaped.

Nikolai whistled.

-Not bad,- he shook his head, with a meaningful smile. - I'm hard to impress.

But Sun Summoner clearly did not share Nikolai's fun.

-Let us go,- she hissed, -Or lose twenty million kruge and the ship. Her threats looked a little funny. No matter how saintly Alina was, she did not seem to me an experienced fighter, rather a chaotic bundle of energy.

The light burned in Alina's hands, like a real, living flame of light. I myself did not understand how I took a step forward, how my fingers froze in signs that they could summon a hurricane. But I was gently pulled by the shoulder.

-Don’t, Dasha,- Tolya whispered to me. -Don’t jump to conclusions, Romanov. We can always get into a fight. Where is your diplomacy?

I glared at him, reluctantly admitting that he was right.

-Let you,- Nikolai got up from his chair at the table. -You can sentence us to death in the sea desert,- he went to the table, pouring some amber alcohol into a crystal glass. - Please note that we are already far from the shore. Besides, I won't hand you over to the Fjordans.

-Really? -Alina immediately stopped releasing light from her palms.

-Yes, Saints forbid,- Nikolai simply threw, realizing in a moment that he had blurted out. -Or is it indecent to say this in front of a living saint?- He turned to me in a rhetorical question. I tilted my head, pursing my lips.

They continued talking, but the words slipped past me. The only thing I heard was Nikolai's cute tone when he spoke to Alina. I still tried furiously to grab at least one word of their conversation, but I couldn't. For some reason, I felt betrayed. Did Nikolai not trust me so much that he could not devote to his ingenious plan to "capture" the Sun Summoner? Am I not the kind of person he can share everything with? He knows that I will always be by his side.

I looked at Nicholai. I felt offended. I felt selfish. Why was my chest so empty? Why, as soon as Alina Starkov stepped on board, did it hurt so much?

Maybe I did something wrong, since Nikolai no longer trusts me? Did I say something that made him doubt me?

Someone touched my shoulder, and only then did I wake up.

Tolya looked at me with regret, nodding in the direction of the exit. Of course, damn it, he heard my heart. I quickly gathered myself together, gave him a forced smile and nodded, following him and our "guests" to show them their sleeping quarters.

-No, no, no,- we were all immediately interrupted by the voice of Nikolai. We turned to look at him at once. - You, - he pointed to me. - Dasha, stay for a minute. -he asked, trying not to smile.

Tolya smiled slyly at me and led the passengers out of the cabin. I carefully closed the door, turning to look at him.

- Nikolai. - I said evenly, straightening my back, and folding my hands behind my back, raising my eyes with an effort to look at him...

He finally allowed himself a wide smile as he walked up to me, taking my hand and leading me forward through the cabin.

- Nikolai, if you want to talk, then speak. - Sharper than you wanted, I said.

-What's the matter?- he asked softly, his blue eyes sparkling charmingly, the way he always did when he wanted to get something.

I exhaled heavily, disengaging from his grip and rubbing my wrists.

This gesture obviously did not please him. He stopped smiling.

- Dasha, what happened? Any problems?

I looked at him from under my brows.

-Well,- I began hard. -Tell me, Nikolai, do you trust me?- I decided to come from afar.

He opened his eyes in surprise.

-Of course I trust you. More than anyone, you know it дорогая. Ever since you didn't tell your nanny my name as a kid when she asked about the stolen cakes. -he said, grabbing my hand again. Those words made me smile faintly.

-Remember that?- he chuckled. -I remember well how you…

-...Saved your ass for the first time? Yes, such things are not forgotten, Nikolai. - I continued for him, forcing the prince to roll his eyes jokingly. -But... It's different. Why didn't you tell me about Alina Starkov? - I finally asked. -Do you think, - I swallowed a lump in my throat from the weight of my own words. - Do you think that I cannot help you? It was possible to devote, at least in general, to your incredible plan. - I turned up my nose.

Nicholai sighed softly.

-Everything had to be as natural as possible. No one should have suspected anything, Alina Starkov in particular. No, of course, I don’t doubt your acting skills, Romanov, but I already walked on the edge of a knife.- He said as his hands let go of my palms, gently wrapping around my waist. - I didn't know it would hurt you so much. I didn't think about your feelings, my mistake.

He shook her head. - Excuse me. - He looked into my eyes, and some mischievous sparks sparkled in his eyes. - Can you forgive me?- he smiled.

I closed my eyes.

-Promise to continue to share such things with me, Nikolai.- I asked quietly, blowing off the hair that had fallen on my face.

-I promise if you let me offer you a worthy apology. -He ran his fingers along my cheek.

Saints. Are my assumptions correct? Could it be that the connection I felt was shared by Nikolai?

-Watching what you mean? -Oh, dear Nikolai, don't think that I'll give you up so easily. - Everyone can say big words.

If I don't drive you crazy, Nikolai Lantsov, no one can do it.

#shadow and bone x reader #shadow and bone imagine #shadow and bone #shadow and bone season two #nikolai lantsov x oc #nikolai lantsov x reader #nikolai lantsov #alina starkov #mal oretsev #tamar kir bataar #tolya yul bataar

[wh0refornikolailantsov]

Prompt: “I feel like I can breathe better with you around.”

Song: I’ll Keep You Safe – Sleeping At Last

For Reader x Tolya please?

So, I'm a /little/ obsessed with TMA, and honestly that might show a little in this one because I just had THOUGHTS and I went okay let's apply that to Tolya for bestie.

If It's You Or The World, I Am Still Choosing You - Tolya Yul Bataar

Content Warnings: Canon Compliant Threat And Violence. Discussions Of Sacrifice, Death, Bereavement And Loss. Not Beta/Proof Read.

The look on Alina's face says more than you ever wanted to know. To Alina, Mal is the only consistent, the only thing that kept her moving when she felt she could not go on, they were each other's home, each others compass, the place the other was only ever trying to come back to. And now Alina was faced with the most awful choice, the place she had sworn to protect, the people she had sworn to protect, the fight she has been fighting day and night, the justice and the revenge she sought, it came at a price. She knew it would. Baghra had always said it would. But this price, this price was steeper than she thought it would ever be. She was willing to die for her cause, but Mal's life being held as the cost of winning, the cost of survival against the evil she wanted gone, that had her doing something she hadn't thought she was still able to do until now: she is hesitating.

The words that everyone is saying aren't passing into your mind, you're overwhelmed, and if you feel like this you can only imagine how Alina is feeling, and that dread wraps its way around your throat and you feel like the life is being choked right out of you. Tolya's hand gently taps against your arm and you don't even look at him to nod, and he is walking beside you gently, as you both exist the room.

The air is cold, and the brisk nature of it all starts a reset. "Can I help?" Tolya asks.

“I feel like I can breathe better with you around.” It's not a new admission, you're sure you've told him this a million times, and you will tell him a million more, more than likely. For everything in your life can be chaos, and Tolya he is always your north star. Has been from the day you met.

You sink into the stone floor and lean your back against the outer wall, and Tolya leans down and sits beside you, not saying a word, but those golden eyes watching you reminds you of what knocked you breathless to begin with. That price.

Any other price, you would pay it. The only cost that would be too much, is him. If you could never see him again, but you knew he was alive and well, you could live with that, you could make peace with that. But to know the only way to save everyone, was for him to die. That's too much for most, and it would be too much for you. So no, not any small part of you envied Alina and the bargain she has to strike with the Saints. If you still believed it was between her and the Saints. The amplifiers makes things muddy, they're creations from true magic, not the Small Science and true magic... it's wild, and the price is always too high. This price feels too high.

"Nothing is fair," you say, just above the sounds of your heavy breathing, "not even in love and war. Especially in love and war."

"Your empathy," he says, offering a hand, "that's what's caused this?"

"I couldn't," you tell him honestly, "I could not do what is needed of Alina, to part with the person who means the most to me, for the sake of everything, I know that is selfish, but I couldn't do it."

"It's a tall ask," Tolya admits, you do not ask him where he stands, you shy away from too much analysis of faith when it comes to the Saints. Not because you're scared of the answers Tolya might give you, but because you're scared to put him on the spot, and to see what answers he might give himself.

"I would choose you," you admit, knowing he probably already knows it, but knowing you need to tell him anyway. "I would choose you and I wouldn't even allow myself a moments doubt in the matter. How could I? Because this war, this fight, it's for freedom, it's for love and life and what is right, and my life is better for you being in it. This place is better for the moments you spend in it, and I could not take you out of this world in the name of saving it, that would not be saving this place, it would be worse for the loss of you."

"And you are willing to die for it," Tolya states.

"Aren't you?"

"I am," he says. "We all are."

"But death and sacrifice are not the same," you say, "I would not choose to die, but to die I am willing, and yet to lose you is to lose something bigger than the war."

"You may value me too highly," Tolya says, wrapping an arm around you. "But I guess that makes us both fools. For if I lose you to win the war, the war would not have been won for me."

#shadow and bone #grishaverse #tolya yul bataar #tolya #tolya x reader #tolya my darling i adore you

[bi-bard]

Impressive - Nikolai Lantsov Imagine [Shadow & Bone]

Title: Impressive

Pairing: Nikolai Lantsov X Reader

Word Count: 1,760 words

Warning(s): canon-typical violence

Summary: The four times Nikolai was desperate to impress (Y/n). And the one time that they could admit that he succeeded.

Author's Note: Kinda hate how much he grew on me so quickly.

---------------------

Number One:

I knew that one day I would have to cross the Fold again.

That did nothing to change how much I dreaded it. I was terrified of being stuck or killed. I could put on a brave enough face, but all I could think about when I thought of the Fold was all of the tragedy that accompanied it. The pain and death and misery. Not just my own, but the world around it.

That was enough to scare me to my core.

And then, Nikolai let us in on his method of getting across the fold.

Well, he didn't tell us anything. He showed us.

I watched as the ship shifted into a different machine that then separated from the rest of the ship. The sound of engines starting was accompanied by shaking and very little explanation.

"Oh, saints!" I wrapped an arm around the main pillar in the hopes of keeping myself steady. I looked over. I could see us moving upward. "Flying? Are you serious?"

"You sound impressed," Nikolai replied, lifting his arm so he could rest his elbow against the pillar next to me.

I glared at him for a moment. "Terrified."

"Oh, don't be," he waved off my worries. "We've made many improvements since the ones that crashed."

"Thank you," I said sarcastically. "The history of you crashing to the ground is unbelievably comforting."

He held his hand out to me. "Come here."

"I'm comfortable here-"

"(Y/n)," he pushed.

I took a deep breath and relented, placing my hand in his.

He pulled me over to the railing. He moved to grab my upper arms, holding me in place so I could look out at the view.

"What do you think," he asked.

"That I may vomit over the edge," I muttered.

"Lovely," he mumbled back before walking away. "Just don't lean too far over. I would hate for you to fall."

I looked at the distance below us before quickly stumbling away from the edge.

I heard a laugh behind me, causing me to glare at Nikolai again. He just smirked at me.

This time together was going to be far too long.

Number Two:

Finding out the truth about Nikolai and his family was a harsh shift for Alina, Mal, and myself.

I didn't get to confront him at first. Alina took that responsibility into her own hands by punching him.

With all of the people and information, I didn't get the chance to say anything until we were riding toward the Spinning Wheel.

"Were you ever going to tell us the truth," I asked as Nikolai moved to ride alongside me. "Or did you hope that it would never be a relevant conversation?"

He chuckled. "I will admit that I hadn't quite planned how I was going to tell you the truth."

I nodded.

"It was all in the hopes of doing good for the people I loved."

"Why would telling the three of us make any difference?"

"Would you have ever trusted me if I told you who my family was?"

"Do you honestly believe that I am inclined to trust you now?"

He paused. We each looked at each other for a few spare moments before I turned my attention back to the path before us.

"I will earn your trust," he said after a while.

"I will be very impressed if you manage that," I replied.

"Even more motivation to do so."

I turned to him again, but he had already started to look straight ahead with a smirk sitting on his lips.

I couldn't tell if I was irritated by his confidence or if I respected it.

Number Three:

Staying at the Spinning Wheel was an interesting experience.

There was no question of the tension in the air. After what the Darkling had done, the royal family and their soldiers weren't exactly supportive of Grisha's being among them.

Nikolai seemed insistent on making peace. Ever the diplomat.

Hence his proposal to Alina.

A move that admittedly caught me off-guard, but I had no comment about it. It wasn't my place to say anything about it.

I was standing off to the side of the feast, taking the time to allow my head to clear from all of the noise.

"I hope you aren't being scared away."

I looked over to see Nikolai walking over to me with a proud grin on his face.

"Not at all," I replied. "Basking in the pride of uniting two feuding people?"

"Oh, we both know Alina will have much more power in that endeavor," he looked down at his drink for a moment. "How are you? How is your stay treating you?"

"I am quite content," I explained. "May I ask why you were wondering? Surely, my comfort isn't at the top of your list of priorities."

"Why would you say that?"

"Well, if I'm not mistaken... shouldn't you be more focused on your engagement," I asked, looking over at Alina.

He chuckled. "I would, but I find you far more interesting."

I looked back at him in shock. I couldn't find a word to say in response to that. I just froze for a moment. No sarcastic remark or insult could find its way to my lips.

"Careful," he mumbled. "You'll catch flies with your mouth hanging open like that."

I quickly closed my mouth and looked away from him.

"Quite impressed that I have the ability to render you speechless."

"Have a good night, Nikolai."

"You too, (Y/n)."

I had never been so embarrassed at how someone saying my name made me feel.

The prince was beginning to feel like a distraction.

Number Four:

I had no real reason for staying with Nikolai when the others went into the Fold.

I had merely held onto the belief that they didn't need me as much as he and his men did.

I was right, but that didn't mean that I had any power that could stand against the shadow monsters that the Darkling had created.

It felt senseless. Over half a dozen fighting one monster and making no progress.

I would have called it hopeless if the creature had pinned Nikolai to one of the pillars. After that, all I could feel was anger. Anger and fear.

Once the monster faded, all I could do was get to him as fast as I could. I had never been susceptible to such tunnel vision, but with Nikolai, it was different.

"Nikolai!"

I helped hold him up, so he was leaning up against the pillar. He was panting, his eyes wide. I had never seen such clear panic written on one person's face.

I grabbed the sides of his face so he would look at me. It took him a moment to recognize me, but when he did, his hands reached up and touched mine, holding them in place.

"Saints, you're alive," I muttered, feeling tears building in my eyes. I leaned my forehead on his, not putting any thought into the action. "You're alive!"

"You sound impressed," he mumbled back, smirking at me.

"You want to make jokes now," I asked, leaning away from him.

He simply shrugged, hissing at the pain in his shoulder.

"Come on," I said. "We need to go find the others."

He nodded, allowing me to help him off the ground.

I caught Tamar giving me a knowing look as I did so. I ignored it.

I had much more important things to worry about than whatever was between Nikolai and me.

And the Time He Succeeded:

I grinned at myself in the mirror.

It had been ages since I had found confidence in my own reflection, but if there were a day to find it, then Nikolai's coronation day was not the worst.

I had been so focused on admiring myself that I barely heard the knock at the door. I called for the guest to come in before my brain had truly recognized the sound.

I turned around the footsteps cut through the silence of the room. Nikolai stood before me. He was dressed for his day. I smiled at him.

"Wow," he mumbled, a smile stretching across his face.

"What," I asked. I chuckled a bit. "Impressed?"

"I'm always impressed by you," he replied. I tilted my head a bit, my eyebrows furrowing for a moment. "Why do you think I spent so long hoping to be in your good graces?"

"I assumed it was a way to hold up your ego-"

"It was because from the moment that I saw you, I knew there was something different about you," he cut me off as he explained, stepping closer to me. "You caught my attention so easily that it was almost unfair. I had no choice but to get you to see me as I saw you."

When he stopped moving, I felt as though my heart were in my throat. He was so close. Too close. It would have been so easy to lean forward and close the pointless distance that separated us.

But I didn't.

Instead, I asked a question, "And how do you see me?"

"Brilliant," he immediately said. His voice was soft. It sounded distracted as if he hadn't meant to say it out loud. "And brave. And strong. And... lovely. And protective. And gentle, even though you don't let that show very often."

I would have chuckled at the final comment if I hadn't been so stunned.

I had been called brave before. I had been called strong before. I had never had someone associate my name with the words lovely or gentle or brilliant. Maybe I had simply never captured someone's attention for long enough for them to find those words.

"I could use a million words to describe you and I would never feel as if I had said enough," he whispered. His hand came up to cup the side of my face.

"Nikolai," I mumbled.

He leaned in and pressed his lips to mine before I could think of what I was going to say beyond his name.

I slowly kissed him back, suddenly becoming aware of just how little experience I had when it came to matters like this. I tried to ignore that nervous feeling in my stomach.

He made it much easier. As he leaned closer and held me just where I was, I found myself with little else to think of beyond him. No fears or simple worries could pull me away from this moment.

Yes, I was definitely impressed.

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