Chapter Text
Mitya eyed the boy next to him, who’d been following him quietly. Alyosha had said he was easy to talk to, but in all fairness, he struggled a bit when it came to getting to know the other at a more personal level. He still had so many questions, he just had no idea how to ask them.
“I can hear you thinking. Something on your mind?” Alyosha asked, likely sensing his discomfort.
“What do you mean?” he feigned ignorance.
“You keep looking at me.”
Ah, that. He sighed and played with the hem of his cape.
“Sorry, I’m just– I’ve never actually been in a relationship before. I guess I’m at a bit of a loss; I want to get closer to you, but I don’t know where to start,” he lamented.
“Is that why you keep tracking me down and suggesting modifications for my rifle? To get to know me?”
“Was it that obvious?”
Alyosha chuckled slightly and scooted closer to the other. “You just had to ask. There’s no need to butter me up, Mitya. I prefer honesty.”
Mitya nodded. “Noted. Then can I ask you something?” His cheeks felt slightly warmer when he noticed their shoulders brushed as they walked.
“Shoot.”
“Do you actually want to date me? I could see you had doubts, and not all people in a polycule need to date each other–!"
Alyosha reached for his hand and intertwined their fingers.
“I like you.”
Simple and straight to the point, but it still made his stomach flip hearing it so plainly.
“Can I ask a question back?”
Mitya nodded, not trusting his voice yet.
“It’s about when you confessed to all of us. How sure were you that it would work out like this?”
“I really wasn’t. But I did believe that most of us are close enough to each other that it wouldn’t do permanent damage, even if things did get awkward for a bit. Truth be told, you were the greatest flight risk. I’m really glad I didn’t scare you away.”
Alyosha hummed. “I’m glad you went with it anyway. I really didn’t think any of you would… feel that way. Towards me,” he sighed, still unable to bring himself to say it out loud. “I guess I just really can’t stand the idea of a rift forming between us. Vodya and Odette feel like my second home, and being around you is always so freeing.”
“I don’t think there’s a single thing you could do that would make any of us think less of you,” Mitya said casually, as if those words didn’t just make Alyosha’s heart stop for a second.
“You still don’t know me that well,” he said under his breath.
“True. But I love what I’ve seen so far, and it’s only made me want to know more,” he stopped briefly by the front steps of the apartment complex he currently lived in. Alyosha looked behind him curiously, a little shocked to see Mitya’s cheeks slightly pink. He probably looked even more embarrassed, but he just tilted his head at the other.
“Sorry, it’s just. You really like me?” the researcher asked, just to hear it again.
“I do.”
Mitya laughed breathlessly. “Wow,” he held the other’s hand a little tighter. Alyosha smiled and pulled him closer, kissing his cheek.
“Don’t believe me, do you?” he teased.
“That’s not it! It just feels too good to be true. I didn’t think I’d had enough time to romance you.”
“Calling me easy now?” he kissed Mitya’s cheek again, this time harder, and the scientist couldn’t help but grin.
“God, how are you always so warm,” he wrapped his arms around the other’s waist, slightly shorter because of the front steps the hunter was currently standing on.
“What happened to keeping a low profile?” Odette suddenly called from behind them, making them both jump and Alyosha go beet red.
“Who cares about that! They were hugging without us,” she pouted.
“Unbelivable,” she whispered to herself, sliding a bobby pin out of her hair and making quick work of the building’s front door. Mitya still couldn’t help but be slightly afraid of her.
“It’s so hot to see how easily she could hurt me," he whispered under his breath, making Alyosha burst out laughing before quickly getting muffled by Vodyanitsa and Mitya alike. Odette looked back at them and sighed, making her way to Mitya’s floor. Which he’d never shown her, but whatever.
“Mitya,” Alyosha whispered against his ear, “podkabluchnik,” he teased, and Mitya shoved him against Vodyanitsa with his scarf.
“What is wrong with you two?!” She whisper-yelled, earning another muffled chuckle from Alyosha.
“I’ve never seen him laugh this much, I’m scared,” said the singer, and Mitya just walked up next to Odette to avoid the conversation.
“Sorry, sorry,” he said through ragged breathing, getting an unamused glare from Mitya and a confused look from Odette. “I’m just learning so much about you guys today,” he shot them a warm smile. They both immediately had to look away, the sight of him smiling so openly making breathing a bit too difficult.
“Odette, we’ve gotta have a talk about boundaries,” Mitya sighed, trying to change the subject.
“I agree,” she said, unlocking his door with the same bobby pin she’d used earlier. “You really have to invest in better locks, Mitya,” she turned the pin calmly, and Mitya swears he saw her smile before the door finally clicked open.
“Not what I meant, but sure,” he sighed, defeated, and kicked his boots off as he followed Odette into his own home. It was a relatively large apartment, arguably too large for one person. There was marble counters and a small kitchen island, and in front of the kitchen, a soft-looking couch over some carpets. There was a hallway that seemed to lead to a bathroom and the main room, and a smaller office off to the side. It was much warmer than the outside despite no visible fire. Alyosha bit his lip, slightly overwhelmed as he looked around.
“Hey,” Vodyanitsa called, intertwining their hands. “What’s up?”
“Sorry, it’s nothing,” he smiled at her. “Just not used to sleeping in places like this. I’m so accustomed to seeing people half-frozen in their small cabins…” he looked around, unsure of how to feel.
“It makes you angry, doesn’t it,” Odette chimed in. She was quite a distance away, but her hearing was sharp. Mitya eyed her curiously as he looked around the kitchen for something edible.
“This country’s wealth distribution, I mean,” she spoke directly to Mitya, and he stopped what he was doing to listen.
“Odette, you don’t have to–” Alyosha tried to stop her, but she shot him a cold look.
“I agreed to this on the condition that we'd be honest with each other. This falls apart if we let resentment build up.”
“She doesn’t mince her words, does she?” Vodyanitsa smiled, dragging Alyosha to the kitchen island. “C’mon, Alyosha, now’s your chance to topple Snezhnaya’s bourgeoisie!” She pushed him towards Mitya, who caught him and chuckled warmly..
“Not what I meant,” Odette massaged her temples.
Alyosha was suddenly very stuck between a rock and a hard place. He stared up at Mitya, who in many ways, represented the system that had forced him to watch so many people freeze. He’d always been open about his ideologies with him; he hated to see people spend wealth carelessly while so many didn’t know where their next meal was coming from. He was constantly fighting for a day their country would be run with the slightest semblance of care for the poorest among them.
“I can’t blame one person for all of this country’s faults, Vodya,” he sighed, but smiled at her. “It’d be counterintuitive when I can just get him to donate all his mora to the Rokot.”
“Who says I wouldn’t,” Mitya defended, his voice light. “Just let me know what needs a little extra funding. I’ve always meant it, you’re the one constantly trying to do everything yourself,” he teased him.
“It’s not my place to tell you what to do with your money,” Alyosha sighed. “Unfortunately, you’re actually worth your weight in gold.”
“So you’re okay?” Vodyanitsa took his earmuffs off, placing them around his neck. He gave her a small smile and nodded, pulling her close. “It’ll take some getting used to, but I’m okay. Sorry for ruining the atmosphere,” he nuzzled against her. He opened one eye to see Odette staring at them, twirling a loose strand of hair repeatedly. He recognized the gesture as unease.
Alyosha stretched out an arm and smiled, which she cautiously took.
“I’m sorry too,” she said gently. “It wasn’t my place. I just meant–”
“Trust me, I hate it too,” Mitya reassured, voice stern. “I hate that there’s no immediate solution. Her majesty has good reasons, but no one’s life should be sacrificed in the process. None of them asked for this.”
“All we can do is work from the shadows,” Vodyanitsa chimed in. “We’re all on the same side here, we want to make Shneznaya a safer place. But tonight, let’s focus on each other?”
They all agreed, finally separating.
“I’m thinking Pierogi,” Mitya suggested, and was met with two hums of approval and a nod.
“Great! Odette, I usually stuff them with ground meat, but I could do yours with spinach?”
Odette smiled at him, walking up next to him and washing her hands. “That’d be perfect, thank you Mitya. I’ll help you,” she said, walking over to his cabinet and taking out a pan. How did she know where it was?
“We’ll start showering! That way we can get to bed quicker,” Vodyanitsa called out as she pulled Alyosha aside, and the hunter nodded.
“Alright, I’ll wait outside.”
He heard two people stifle their laugh behind him, and looked back in confusion. “What’s so funny?”
“You,” Odette replied warmly. “She wants to shower with you. She enjoys the closeness.”
“You’ve showered together?” Mitya butted in, and Odette just shrugged.
“I was impartial to it. I just thought water fae had special ways of bonding with people.”
“Wow,” Mitya laughed. “And I thought Alyosha was dense.”
“Tell me about it,” Vodyanitsa groaned. “She barely looked at me! Just, ‘oh here’s some soap’ and continued to ignore me! Can you blame me for thinking she didn’t like me?!” the siren rambled, clearly dealing with some strong emotions.
“You didn’t say you liked me outright,” Odette murmured under her breath, whisking a pair of eggs a little more violently. Mitya must’ve laughed a little too loud, because she was digging daggers into him with those eyes.
“Well, you lost your chance! Come on, Alyosha!” she dragged him into the bathroom.
“Wait, my bag–”
The door shut behind them.
…
…
…
…
“You really didn’t realize–”
“Drop it.”
Two hours passed and the newly founded quartet went through their usual nighttime routines: eating, stretching, writing, until eventually Mitya joined them in bed last.
“Hey,” he greeted lightly, sitting criss-cross on the soft sheets. Odette was braiding Vodyanitsa’s hair while Alyosha rested his chin on the dancer’s shoulder and watched attentively. Apparently he’d wanted to try doing Odette’s hair, but had never braided before, so Odette agreed to show him.
“Mitya, perfect!” Vodyanitsa greeted excitedly. “Come here,” she beckoned him over, but since she was sitting on the edge, he was forced to get off the bed, walk around, and get on his knees in front of her. His breath immediately hitched at the sight above him and he bit his tongue, forcing his eyes to lock with hers.
“What is it?”
“You never kissed me,” she smiled, running her hands through his hair. Right, they were dating now. He could do that.
“Oh,” he said dumbly.
“Oh? Nothing you wanna do about that?” She tilted his chin up and he looked at her, his pupils blown wide like they did every time they got too close.
She pushed herself backwards, Odette and Alyosha getting the memo and making room. She giggled as she pulled a stunned Mitya upwards, and he took a seat in front of her. He just sat there, fixed in place as his heart pounded in his chest.
“He wasn’t nearly this nervous to kiss me,” Alyosha whispered in Vodyanitas’s ear. “I wonder why?”
“Why?!” Mitya hissed, his face was bright red. He’d kissed Odette and Alyosha while they’d had clothes on, that’s why.
“Whose to say,” Odette noted casually, tying up the loose ends of the other girl’s hair. Both Alyosha and Odette had known of her little habit; she overheated easily in her sleep, so sometimes she preferred to do so completely naked. It was normal for them at this point, and she’d warned them both beforehand, but Mitya’s reaction reminded them of their respective turns learning this information.
“What’s wrong?” Vodynitsa tilted her head. To her credit, she was wearing shorts. Just not much else. Her hair tended to cover most of her anyway, but Alyosha’s insistence on learning how to braid hair was apparently going to be his downfall.
“Vodya–”
“Do you not want to? Is that it?”
“No, no! It’s just,” he had to calm down, this was clearly not inherently sexual to her. “Aren’t you cold?” he asked, and wanted to cry when he heard both Alyosha and Odette giggle at his stupor. So this is what it felt like. Vodyanitsa was really going to be the death of all three of them.
“Nope. I can put on a shirt if it makes you more comfortable? Is that what this is about?”
He shook his head and sighed. “No, sorry, you just caught me off guard. Stay however you feel best,” he cupped her cheek and she smiled warmly at him, leaning forward and nuzzling his face. He got a good two seconds to reel himself in before she placed a gentle hand on his cheek and cupped it, their breath mixing as he stared at her with wide eyes.
“Can I?”
“Anything you want,” Mitya sighed against her lips, swooping forward and finally tasting her. He lost himself in the flavors of honey and something faintly salty, groaning against her and whining when she bit his lip before playfully retreating.
Vodyanitsa chuckled at the needy noises he made and pulled him closer. All Mitya could focus on was how unbelievably soft and warm she was. He was hit with the overwhelming desire to be as close to her as humanly possible, tempted to tear off the fabric that kept them half a centimeter apart.
“Archons,” he giggled despite himself, burying his head against her neck and squeezing her.
Vodyanitsa pecked his cheek before she settled in his hold, more than happy to remain where she was.
“How is it?” Odette asked, and in all honesty, he just felt content. Satisfied.
“She’s so warm,” the researcher breathed her in and squeezed her tighter, gently kissing her collarbone.
“It’s nice right? Being so close to someone else?” the siren tilted his head up by the chin, delighted to see his cheeks were a pretty shade of pink.
“Yeah,” he smiled at her in a daze.
“We could all cuddle like this, you know?” her voice got lighter. “We don’t have to do anything. I just want to be closer to you all.”
Mitya’s face felt even warmer, and he looked away. He’d never taken his shirt off in front of anyone, he was so used to being covered. But he wanted feel the rest of them pressed against him so bad— he wanted that soft, all-enveloping warmth.
A movement by his periphery caught his eye, just to see Alyosha casually ripping off the tank top he’d been wearing. He folded it and sat back down, completely impartial to being covered or not.
“You seemed nervous, thought it might help,” he shrugged. Mitya ripped himself away from Vodyanitsa and looked him up and down. He was the complete opposite of the soft, unblemished faerie; he had scars all over his arms and torso, freckles littering his shoulders, clearly defined muscle, and a faint trail of hair underneath his navel. He wanted to kiss him all over and map out every detail on his skin.
“His eyes are up there,” Odette forced him to look back up, and Alyosha had gotten visibly redder while he’d stared. Mitya swallowed dryly.
“This is beyond embarrassing,” the scientist groaned, falling against Odette’s shoulder. Vodyanitsa crawled up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, peppering kisses against his neck.
“Only if you’re comfortable,” she reminded him, and he nodded before sitting up.
He easily tugged off the loose shirt he’d thrown on, immediately cringing as he was exposed to the cold air. Alyosha had moved in front of him as he folded the fabric, kissing his cheeks while Vodyanitsa pressed herself against his back. He couldn't help but hum at the immediate body heat, pulling Alyosha closer and relishing how similarly warm he felt. He kissed the freckles on his shoulders and smiled dumbly when the other man began playing with his hair.
“Thanks, I thought I might freeze to death,” Mitya mumbled, nuzzling Vodyanitsa as she leaned over his shoulder. He straightened back up and eyed Odette, who’d been watching them with a warm smile.
“Is this the day I finally convince you to cuddle with me?” Vodyanitsa asked, crawling in front of her and slipping her hands under the other’s loose shirt. Odette pecked her girlfriend’s cheek quietly.
“Take it off yourself?” she whispered in her ear, and Vodyanitsa didn’t have to be asked twice.
She hooked two fingers on either side of its bottom hem, pulling the shirt over Odette in one gentle swoop before pushing her down on the bed and smashing their lips together.
“Finally,” the siren smiled against the other’s lips, interlocking their fingers and keeping the ballerina pinned under her. Odette let out a soft laugh and melted into her hold, letting their bodies mold into each other. She couldn’t tell where she ended and the gorgeous girl above her began, their heartbeats synching and becoming one.
“Without us?” Alyosha placed a gentle hand on Vodyanitsa’s shoulder, and she softly giggled at his nervous tone.
“You’ll have to rip me away from her,” she challenged, and Alyosha raised an eyebrow at her, smiling slightly.
“You haven’t kissed me yet, you know?” he asked the water imp lightly, cupping her cheek and getting close enough to make her blush. He used the split second her guard was down to swoop in and connect their lips, drinking up the sounds she made like a man dying of thirst.
His body acted on its own as he crawled forward and pushed her backwards, forcing her to fall next to Odette. The dancer watched in shock as the typically stoic man kissed the siren breathless, dragging nearly silent whines out of her.
Vodyanitsa felt dizzy. All those nights ago when she’d stayed at his cabin, this had been exactly what she craved; the smell of leather and smoke filled her senses as Alyosha finally worked up the nerve to run his hands down every inch of her body, making her writhe shakily.
“Mmgh— took you long enough,” she slurred between kisses as she pulled on his hair and brought him closer. A groan left his lips and he forced her into the bed, deepening the kiss enough to taste her properly.
“They’ve been needing that, huh,” Mitya chuckled, and Odette stayed quiet as she nodded.
“Jealous?” the scientist checked, and Odette eyed him, smiling as if she knew something he didn’t. Her next movement was to turn around and face them, gently pushing away Vodyanitsa’s hair and revealing her neck.
She licked a stripe up her throat and was delighted when she had to break apart from Alyosha to throw her head back and gasp. Odette only continued marking her, planting kisses in between love bites as her lover moaned quietly at Odette’s slow, languid rhythm, like she was trying to make her come undone with just her mouth.
Alyosha stared as Odette made the girl below them fall apart; the noises that escaped her slowly climbed in volume, and he shifted uncomfortably as he felt himself react. Alyosha shook his head and repositioned himself to her opposite side, leaning down and focusing on the untouched side of her neck. He sucked at the skin, pulling a much needier moan from the vocalist, making Odette groan and pull her hair, kissing her deeper.
Mitya watched, rightfully losing his mind. Unsure and unsteady, he put a careful hand on the singer’s knee and worked his way up, waiting for her to give him a sign to stop. She just whined louder and spread her thighs, granting him obvious access. Was he really gonna do this? Now? They’d both been craving it for months, sure, but they’d just barely gotten together—
“Mitya—“ she moaned breathlessly, making Odette separate and look over at him with glazed over eyes. Her hair was messy and her breathing unsteady as she stared at him.
“She wants you, don’t keep her waiting,” she ran a hand down the girls soft stomach and over the loose shorts she’d thrown on, smiling slightly at the way both Vodya and Mitya’s breath hitched when her hand slowly traced the apex between her thighs.
He sat perfectly still as he watched Odette show him what to do and where.
“Go slow,” she said, tracing circles against an area that made the other girl's thighs shake, making her cling to Alyosha as she buried her head in his shoulder. “If she tells you to keep going, don't change your pace.”
Mitya's mind went blank, lowering himself and doing as he was told.
⊹₊‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧₊⊹
Vodyanitsa hummed contently, leaning backwards into Odette as the other held her upright, her arms wrapped around her waist. Odette pecked gently at her shoulder as her girlfriend rested against her.
Beside them, Alyosha rambled about a certain deck and dice game, the scientist occasionally laughing as he lamented his year-long losing streak. The hunter sat between Mitya and Odette, leaning against the headboard.
"There's no way they're all highly skilled, Alyosha," Mitya chuckled, running his hands down the other's arm. His clothes did a fantastic job at hiding the subtle definition, and a part of him was amazed he could even build muscle given his diet.
"That's what I said! But the only other explanation for all of them constantly getting beaten by other players is..."
Mitya kissed his temple. "Sorry, pretty boy. Looks like you’re just bad."
Vodyanitsa giggled off to the side, Odette hiding in her face as she failed to stifle her own laugh. Alyosha melted into the bed and sighed, submitting to the undeniable fact he sucked at Genius Invocation TCG.
"You could always practice against me~" Mitya offered, ruffling seafoam green hair. His heart swelled when Alyosha turned to his side and let his head rest on his lap, groaning in defeat.
"You'll just win the minute you learn the rules."
He couldn't help but smile as Alyosha curled up against him, pressing his head against Mitya's abdomen. Mitya promptly buried his hands in the other's hair, occasionally rubbing his shoulders and bringing him closer.
"I've never seen him this relaxed," Odette noted, using one hand to tuck a strand of hair behind Alyosha's ear.
"He deserves it," Vodyanitsa called out, leaving Odette's arms to lay between her and Alyosha. "You enjoy being doted on, don't you," she teased as she whispered in his ear, which only got Alyosha to shove her away playfully. He didn't even bother facing her.
"That's definitely a yes," she joked, earning a chuckle from Mitya. The scientist looked over at Odette, just to see she'd already been staring at him.
"Hi," he said softly, tilting his head. "You look so beautiful right now."
Her cheeks reddened and she smiled fondly at him. "You are such a sweet-talker."
"You're mad because you know I'm right," he reached out to her, and she took his hand in hers. "Say it," he said suddenly.
"Say what?"
"That you're beautiful. Absolutely perfect, utterly stunning, drop-dead gorgeous--"
He was cut off when a pillow hit his face, the culprit of such an action currently glaring at him through flushed cheeks.
"That's enough Mitya," she tried, but Vodyanitsa interrupted her with a kiss.
"I wanna hear it too," the singer smiled against her, abusing her new privileges. "You're a sight to behold you know. Even now," she paused, tucking her hair behind her and cupping both her cheeks, "I can't believe you like me. I can't believe you’re finally mine."
"Like is too weak a word," Odette smiled warmly, melting into the siren's touch and staring at her through lidded eyes.
"Oh yeah? What's the right word then?" Vodyanitsa felt warm all over. Odette had zero clue how long she'd wanted this.
"I love you," she kissed her cheek, whispering softly.
"Again," the water faerie demanded, rewarded with Odette wrapping her arms around her back and bringing them close.
"I love you," she kissed her neck, working her way up to her jaw.
"I love you too," Vodya grinned, bringing their lips together again, because she could do that now. The smell of lavender and mint enveloped her once more, and she didn't think she'd ever get enough of it.
"I'm almost jealous of what they have," Alyosha whispered into Mitya's ear, smiling at how their girls nuzzled each other and laughed into their kiss. He'd sat up and was leaning against the taller man, giving them as much space as he could on a bed designed for two people.
"It's gonna take us a while to melt through Odette's layers the way Vodya has," the researcher said, linking their hands together.
"Told you I'm her favorite," Vodyanitsa responded to them, revealing she'd been listening. Odette pinched her like she had before.
"What are the requirements?" Mitya challenged, looking at Odette.
"Letting me get some sleep is a good one," she joked dryly, settling under the covers. The other three smiled at her, Vodyanitsa sighing in amusement and whispering something in Alyosha's ear. The hunter eyed her curiously but nodded, earning a dizzying kiss on the lips from her as he went to shift.
Mitya watched in confusion as Vodyanitsa switched places with Alyosha, staring silently as she crawled on his lap. He dug his nails into the mattress, a little afraid of her unpredictability.
"How did you get them to confess to me?"
Oh, that. He relaxed and let his hands drop to either side of her waist.
"By telling them that I was going to. Though they were only really convinced once they knew about each other," he spoke, his voice quiet to not disturb them. Alyosha had settled next to Odette, hugging her from behind, which the dancer had easily melted into.
"They're pretty similar aren't they?" he asked. "Defensive and guarded, but still so caring. They're the first on the scene when someone needs help."
"Mhm," she hummed, shifting to wrap her legs around Mitya and hide in the crook of his neck. "This all happened because of you," she noted, and the warmth of her breath made him dizzy.
"I couldn't keep it in anymore," he sighed. "It was driving me crazy knowing this was a possibility, even rejection would've been better than not knowing."
"So this is what you wanted? The four of us together?"
"You wanted the same, no?"
She tucked herself closer into his hold, and he shifted them so they were laying down. She remained wrapped around him, her back pressed against Alyosha's.
"I did," she whispered, smiling at him. "Thank you."
"You're the reason it worked. Getting people to admit they love you is easy," he traced her cheek with his thumb. The room was dark, only soft moonlight pouring through, but it only made her seem more ethereal.
"You love me?" her voice was quiet.
"You know I do."
"Say it anyways?"
Mitya giggled and kissed her; he still couldn't believe he was hers. "I love you," he sighed against her. She grabbed him by the hair and pulled him closer, eyes closing as their breathing synced.
"I love you too."