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1. Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times... by xxawalkinwonderlandxx

   Fandoms: Shadow and Bone (TV), The Grisha Trilogy - Leigh Bardugo  

   • Explicit
   • No Archive Warnings Apply
   • F/M
   • Work in Progress

   28 Aug 2025

   Tags

   • No Archive Warnings Apply
   • The Darkling | Aleksander Morozova/Alina Starkov
   • General Kirigan/Alina Starkov
   • Alina Starkov
   • The Darkling | Aleksander Morozova
   • Nikolai Lantsov
   • Tamar Kir-Bataar
   • Tolya Yul-Bataar
   • Nadia Zhabin
   • Genya Safin
   • Ivan (The Grisha Trilogy)
   • Fedyor Kaminsky
   • Inej Ghafa
   • Kaz Brekker
   • David Kostyk
   • Ana Kuya
   • Zoya Nazyalensky
   • past references to Mal
   • Modern AU
   • Alina helps Nikolai by being his date
   • Nikolai helps Alina by giving her money
   • Aleksander Morozova wonders what’s going on between the two of them
   • Aleksander is captivated by Alina (obviously) lol
   • he can’t seem to get enough of her
   • Sugar Baby
   • Alina makes him work for it
   • Aleksander helps Alina by also giving her money - but not platonically
   • Explicit content in later chapters
   • slow burn? I'm guessing
   • definitely slow burn
   • Alina Starkov in a power suit? Yes? Yes.
   • the slowest burn I’ve ever done I think I’m driving myself insane
   • Drunk Aleksander lol
   • Roommates
   • Fake Dating
   • oh my god they’re holding hands
   • Drunken Love Confessions
   • a lot of smut once we get there
   • Zoya and Aleksander are exes
   • (I’m not nice to Zoya in this jsyk)

   Summary

   Alina and Nikolai have been friends for years. Of course, there have been speculations about the two of them being a thing, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. They’re friends, and friends help friends. But, one night at a banquet Alina meets Aleksander Morozova and, well, Aleksander can’t seem to keep himself from showing up at every event she thinks she might accompany Nikolai to. But, what happens when he finds out Nikolai is paying her? Well, he has an offer for her.

   Series

   • Part 1 of The problem with wanting

   Language:

   English

   Words:

   206,056

   Chapters:

   68/70

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   2

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