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“What’s that? A present from last night’s friend?” Mal asked in a teasing tone during breakfast.
Alina’s hand clapped on her neck. “None of your business!” She replied, a bit shrilly as she blushed madly.
He chuckled. “No? You forget how thin the walls are here.”
Her eyes grew wide. “You heard?”
He nodded. “While I was getting in from work.”
“Oh God.” She covered her face, mortified.
“Yeah that’s what you said.”
“Mal!” She decked the back of his head.
That made him laugh even more. “It’s okay I used my noise cancelling earphones. No harm. No foul.”
Alina fumed over her cereal and milk. She was loud but she could not help it. Aleksander was pretty thorough.
“So, new friend?”
She nodded. “Yeah. I met somebody a couple of nights ago. He is nice.”
“Really? I don't think I saw him... and I thought I'd see him for breakfast at least."
“Yeah. He had to leave. Business, I suppose.” Aleksander looked like a busy man, though Alina was not sure what he did for a living. “But he left me his card. So I’d contact him again.”
Mal did not look happy about that. “When are you gonna do that?” He made a face. “He could have spoken to you at least. Made you breakfast or something.”
She smiled a little at how protective Mal could be. They were each other’s family. She knew that he got her back. “I’ll contact him when I have time.”
Mal nodded but he looked pensive.
“I can take care of myself, you know?” She said,
“I know but that doesn’t mean I stop worrying or caring.” He pointed out.
She smiled, her chest expanding. “Thank you, Mal. How’s work?”
She noticed the bruise forming just under his jaw. Working in security must be hard, there was not a day that Mal did not sport some kind of injury on his person.
“It’s okay. I got some feisty ones last night but I took care of them.” He said,proudly.
“You be careful, you hear?” Alina said.
“I will, I will. But you too. You’ve seen the news. There’s a lot of crazies out there. Especially at night.”
It’s hard to think about that when the sun was shining so brightly. The mornings were for Mal before he had to go to sleep. She would work on her balcony garden and then she would go to school. Schedules were a blessing. It kept her from going insane, if she was being honest. She tried to cover the hickey up with concealer because she had class with Alexei and she knew how her friend got. She knew he saw her leave with Aleksander. Not once but twice.
“So how was he?” Alexei asked, nudging her. They were eating their lunch together.
She groaned. “No, no I’m not talking about it.”
“Come on, Alina. I would have taken him. But I didn’t, so it’s only proper that you tell me how he performed seeing that I won’t know it for myself.”
She rolled her eyes and kept quiet for a moment. Alexei did his best puppy dog eyes.
“He’s fine!” She exhaled.
“Just fine?”
She snorted at his persistence. “He’s really good. Mind blowing.” Thorough, insatiable. Really there were a lot of words to describe Aleksander in bed in that same vein.
“I knew it! He’s big, right? He just exudes that Big Dick Energy.”
Alina chuckled. She could not believe she was talking to Alexei about this but it was not like she could talk to Mal about it. “I guess he does have that aura.” She agreed. “He’s a little odd though. He did not have a cellphone.”
“What? No cellphone?” Alexei exclaimed.
Alina nodded. “I had to help him get one. And look how he texts!”
She showed him the first text Aleksander sent her himself. It was a legit letter. He even signed it ‘Forever Yours, Aleksander Morozova’ as if she would not know who it was from.
“Oh god! That’s how my Grangran texts! That is odd.” Alexei said then he paused. “Does that mean he doesn’t know about sexting?”
“Alexei!” She hit his arm.
“What? I’m asking the important questions here!”
Alina laughed again. “No, I don’t think he knows about sexting.”
“Then it’s your duty to introduce him!” Alexei exclaimed.
She shook her head.
“Come on! You know you want to. It’s practically criminal not to do it!”
Alina laughed. She might have thought about it but what if he was not into it? Or if he replied in the same letter format. It seemed rather awkward.
“Don’t overthink it. Just send him a nude. That will work him up quite nicely.”
She nodded. But she really did not think she could do it.
“You’ll invite him for your birthday celebration right?” Alexei asked.
“I will.”
“Good. Tell him to bring some of his friends. The more, the merrier.”
*
Alina woke up on the day of her birthday, feeling particularly happy. She texted Aleksander a good morning, though she was sure he would not be answering until later. She was still not sure what he did. Mal made her breakfast and gave her a gift. A silver necklace with a delicate crucifix dangling from it.
"This is so pretty!" She exclaimed, putting it on. "Thank you!"
"I saw it and --" he snapped his fingers "-- thought of you. And I feel bad I can't take you out tonight to celebrate your birthday properly. Have a drink for me."
"I will, I will. And don't worry I have Alexei and some friends to keep me company." She said, "I'll wear your necklace so you'll be there in spirit."
"I'll be thinking of you all night," he nodded with a grin before pulling a cake out of the fridge. "You have to wait until I grab the candles."
"Cake!" She exclaimed, eyeing it with glee. "Did you make this?"
"No, I was going to but I figured if I wanted the happy birthday to be legible I was better off buying it."
Alina snorted. She watched Mal put the candles on it and she smiled as he sang happy birthday. She blew the candles out and they both got big slices of cake to eat. What a great way to start her birthday. So many years she had celebrated with Mal. She was glad she could do it again this year. She had classes so she said goodbye to her oldest friend.
“You be safe out there!” She told him
"You too!" he called after.
Alexei would be taking her out that night. But she was actually looking forward to it. Aleksander said he would be joining and that would mean Alexei would not be setting her up with somebody for the night. As she expected, she did not hear from Aleksander until the sun was down. She snorted at his text. The man texted like he was writing a formal letter. Alina just went with the flow.
K see u in a bit. She texted back.
She picked her outfit for the night. An overly large Sailor Moon shirt over a pair of short shorts. Then over that a mesh shirt. She put on some fishnet stocking, her black socks and then on went her sturdy black Doc Martens. She kept her hair down and did not forget Mal’s gift and paired it with hoop earrings. She was just finishing up when there was a knock on her door. She smiled at Aleksander.
“You’re always here at the right time.” She said.
"I can hardly wait to see you again," he answered, looking over her.
Alina blushed at the open hunger in his eyes. Well, he liked what he saw, until he seemed to spot something that made his eyebrow furrow.
“Why are you wearing that?”
“What?” She asked. She followed his eyes to her necklace. “This?”
“Where did you get it?”
“Mal gave it to me. It’s his birthday present. It’s pretty, no?”
“Yes.” He said after a long moment.
There was a tightness on his jaw. She wondered if he did not like religious things.
He offered his arm like a true gentleman. “Let’s go.”
Outside there were two cars waiting and two very familiar figures.
“Genya! Fedyor!” She exclaimed.
“They wanted to celebrate your day as well.”
“That’s great!” The two moved to embrace her but then they both stopped and their faces contorted into a silent and ugly hiss. The transformation was so intense, Alina almost jumped. “What is it?”
“Is that a crucifix?” Genya asked,
“Yes. My friend gave it to me.”
Aleksander’s hold on her seemed to tighten. “And it is lovely, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. Lovely.” Fedyor said. “And deadly,”
“Okay.” She tucked the necklace under her shirt. A compromise. Both of them were back to their normal and happy selves after, so Alina thought that they might really not like crucifixes. She knew a few people like that. “How are you two?”
Genya gushed about the phones they got. Fedyor said they were the best and much faster than ravens. Alina had to laughed. Were they all part of a club or something? International Raven Writers. They all exchanged numbers.
“Where are the others?” She asked.
"David doesn't like to go out much, and everyone else is busy. Deathly business," Genya explained with a one-shouldered shrug.
She nodded. “Everybody is just so busy these days. Even Mal is always busy.”
When they arrived at the theater, Alexei was already there. He looked starstruck. Alina could not blame him. All three were beautiful beyond belief. Genya and Fedyor sidled up on either side of him immediately.
“Don’t you smell delicious.” Fedyor purred.
“I can just eat you up.” Genya added.
“Children, don’t spoil your dinner.” Aleksander said in a commanding tone.
“Okay, Boss!” The two replied, saluting as they went. But they still fawned over Alexei like he was a new toy. Almost like kittens.
Alina glanced at Aleksander. The whole dynamics of his friend group both intrigued her and confused her to no end. They would be watching a movie. Knives Out. Alina loved Chris Evans. She was pretty excited. The story was amazing and she could not believe the ending. She swooned over Chris Evans with Alexei, Genya and Fedyor. He was particularly exquisite in this movie.
“He’s just blonde.” Aleksander huffed, pulling her close.
She laughed. “What?”
“That Evans you talk of. He’s just blonde.”
“But he’s so handsome. His eyes are so blue.”
He huffed again.
“Oh Aleksander,” she giggled. “I think you’re more handsome.”
"Do you?" he asked a little gruffly.
She hummed as if she was thinking. “Maybe.”
He made a face at her before pretending to bite her.
She laughed and kissed him. They were supposed to go dancing next but if Alina was being honest, she would rather be home kissing Aleksander. “We should have just stayed in.” She said as they pulled apart.
"Don't tell me you're regretting your birthday," he teased.
"Don't tell Alexei." She said, "I would have liked to just have a cuddle."
"We can still do that," he assured her. "I can give you a proper birthday cuddle.”
Alexei was practically pushing them to go home, winking and waggling his eyebrows suggestively. “A little Netflix and chill…”
Alina laughed. She was not even sure if Aleksander knew what Netflix and chill was.
“Make sure he goes home in one piece and unharmed.” She heard Aleksander tell Genya and Fedyor.
He led her back to the car, opening the door for her. Alina used the drive time back to her apartment to ask him some questions.
“What do you do? Like for a living?”
“I have investments,” he replied.
“Ah.” She nodded. "Is that what you do during the day? Manage your investments?"
“I sleep actually.”
“Sleep? She tilted her head. "Oh! You're a night owl!" She exclaimed, glad that she figured it out. "I am too, to be honest but there are a lot of beautiful things in the daylight."
"What do you like in the daylight?" he asked,
"I garden. Well, as much as I can. You saw my flat. There's not much space for plants. Also I like to draw." She said.
He thought for a moment. "If you would like to garden in our courtyard you may."
She smiled. "I'll take you up on that one of these days. How are you liking your phone?" She asked
"It's fascinating. Like the world's at my fingertips," he smirked at her. "Are you certain you aren't a witch?"
"No. I'm not." She laughed. "You know you don't have to start your text with Dearest Alina all the time. Or end it with yours, forever. Right?"
"That's how you write a letter," he said with the faintest furrow of his brow.
"Okay, whatever. You text how you like." She said with a smile. “So do you like movies?”
"It's been awhile since I've watched one, but I do," he nodded.
"What did you last watch?" She wondered. He was a strange man. No cellphone but expensive cars. He seemed to be existing in this time yet not at all.
"Black Narcissus," he said after a long moment's thought. "It was an interesting film."
She blinked. Black Narcissus. She never heard of it. Maybe it was some kind of indie film. "We should watch it together sometimes."
He glanced at her. "I suspect if it's still available, you'll be able to find it," he said, confidently.
"I'm getting into some nice shows." She said. “"But the last movie I watched was Little Women."
"Oh, yes. I like that one," he said a little brightly.
"You watched it?" She asked. "I like Amy the most but I like all of them to be honest."
"Read it," he corrected. "I like all of them."
"Of course you did. You look like a reader." She said. "You should read to me sometimes." She could just imagine it.
"Bring me your favorite book and I will," he promised. "In fact, if you'd like you can see if we have anything you like in my library."
She smiled. “Your library? We can use my Kindle.” She said,
“Kindle? Like kindling for a fire?”
“You don’t know what an ebook is, do you?” She asked.
"How is it different from a book?"
“I’ll explain when we get to my place.” She said. They were less frenzied when they entered her apartment this time but Alina was still glad he was there with her. She led him to the living room. “Make yourself at home.”
"What is this?" he pointed at the TV.
"A telly. A television. You know what that is right?"
"Oh, they're so much... thinner and wider now."
She laughed again and shook her head. "You're a wonder." She said. "Now I want to see your house. Does it look like the Addams family's?"
"It did... Genya was not pleased," he chuckled. "She does a lot of redecorating."
"So you know who that is..." she trailed."
"The Addams family? Yes. It was better than Dennis the Menace."
"Oh yeah, you're a reader." She said. "Let me just change."
She carefully took off Mal's present and changed into something more comfortable. She eyed the short slip nightdress that she bought a few days ago and decided to put it on. She thought it was both sexy and sweet. Aleksander was looking at her very sparse bookshelf when she came back. But his attention was immediately on her, taking in her new outfit.
“Comfortable?” He asked.
She nodded. “You like it? It’s new.”
"Very much," he stepped closer, finger tracing the line of the strap.
"Good. I bought it for you." She said.
She put on Sabrina which she just started. It was scary but Aleksander was there. She would hide against him when she got too scared.
"What is this?" he asked, brushing her hair and pulling her closer into his side.
"The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina." She said. "Mal said it was good."
"So she is a witch?"
She nodded. "Yes. A witch. And she's going to be baptized in her church."
He hummed.
"What is it? You have that look."
"What look?" he asked, raising his eyebrows
"Like you're one step away from giving a lecture. My professors have the same face." She teased.
He laughed. "I'm not going to lecture. I was just thinking how clever of him to make himself a harem."
"Oh? Is that a professional opinion, Mr. Darkles?"
"Still Darkles?" he laughed.
"I mean I don't think I ever saw you wear anything other than the color black. It seemed to fit."
“It does.”
She nodded. She almost jumped at one scene and hid her face behind her hands.
Tucking her into his side, he kissed the top of her head.
“Is it done?” She asked, peeking between her fingers. It was good but also scary. “I think I like Ambrose the most.” She said.
"I thought you might," he smiled, petting her hair. "Do you want to watch this? It seems to scare you.”
"But, see I am thinking if I watch things like these enough. I won't be so scared."
He nodded. "And I would protect you from any of these things."
"And besides, things like that are not real." She said.
"You think so?"
She looked at him. “I mean, could it be? Witches, zombies, werewolves and vampires?” She tilted her head. “They all seemed very fantastical.”
"It's a very big, very old world," he shrugged. "You shouldn't discount everything."
“Well, if I ever meet one, I’ll tell you okay? Unless they make me dinner or maul me or turn me into a frog or something.” She shivered. “Do you know stories about witches? Or vampires?”
"Witches are all talk, for the most part," he said dismissively. "Fedyor angered one once but the curse ended eventually."
“Yeah, Fedyor seemed like the type to anger a witch. But really I’m more worried about Ivan.” She smiled, getting into it.
He laughed. "He was fine, Ivan was the one who got rid of the cursed hat."
“Oh.” She smiled. “You’re funny.” She said, shaking her head. “What fantastical creature would you be then?”
"Vampire," he answered
“Yeah, you got that down.” She said with a nod. “You got the dark menacing vibe.”
"I'm much more menacing than Dracula," he chuckled.
Somehow Alina had a feeling that there was some truth to that statement.
“Yeah? Hey, we should watch that movie! Gary Oldman was there. He was Sirius Black. He’s my favorite Marauder.”
"Your what?" he asked, once again looking completely confused by her.
“Marauder? You know? Harry Potter?” She looked at him. “I solemnly swear I’m up to no good?”
He just shook his head.
“Mischief managed? Oh god, you don’t know Harry Potter?” She opened her mouth in disbelief. “I don’t think we can continue seeing each other.”
"What? Why? Because I don't know about some potter?" His brow furrowed. He looked pretty fierce.
She laughed at his expression and at the way he seemed ready to find this potter. “I guess that is too much. We’re putting that in our reading and watching list.” She said. “You do know Lord of the Rings right? Chronicles of Narnia?”
He nodded, relaxing. "I do."
She hummed. “I love those…” she said. “When I was a kid, I’d always imagine finding the closet to Narnia…”
"I have a copy of the series in my library," he offered.
“I have them on my Kindle. Do you think I’ll be a good queen of Narnia?” She asked,
"Just like Susan," he nodded.
She laughed. “You think so?” She asked, sweetly. “I’ve never been quite feminine when I was a kid. So I always thought I’ll be like Lucy,” she said. “Are you Edmund? Well you can’t be Edmund when I’m Lucy.”
"If you're Lucy, I suppose I'd be Tumnus."
She laughed. “Yes. Poor Mr. Tumnus though,”
"He was fine in the end," he murmured
“I know. But still.” She said, cuddling against him. “What are your other favorite stories?”
"I have always been fond of the story of the huntsman who caught the firebird," he said after a moment. "And married the beautiful princess Vasilisa."
“Oh? Like a folktale?” She asked. She smiled. “That’s really sweet. Is Princess Vasilisa beautiful?”
"She is... I always liked the stories of her and the hunter the best," he mused.
“I don’t know them. You should tell me, sometimes…” she said,
"I have a few volumes of stories. I'll bring one to read to you," he nodded
She smiled. “Perfect.” She looked at him and kissed him. “This is turning out to be a great birthday.”
"I'm glad. What do you normally do for it?"
“Well I celebrate with Mal. Which I did and Alexei would drag me out to dance and try to get me laid.” She laughed. “He means well. But I like this better.”
"I like this too," he squeezed her. "This is nice."
She smiled and shifted so she could slide on his lap and kiss him. She nuzzled against him, happy that he was not in one of those suits he seemed to prefer. She sighed as he traced the hems of her shift, the soft ruffles and sweet embroidery. She bit her lip when he slid his fingers along her thighs, under her skirt. She pulled away just enough to remove his shirt. Then he kissed down her chest but his lips but he touched a spot that made her squirm.
“That tickles!” She exclaimed.
It was the wrong thing to say.
"Oh, you're ticklish?" he smirked, running his fingers along her sides.
She laughed and tried to get away. “No! Aleksander!” She snorted.
"Yes?" he teased, still tickling.
She laughed pushing him away. She was soon breathless. When they had sex that night, it was sweet and slow. It was the best birthday by far. She slept easily as he held her and she felt safe and full.
So it was doubly disappointing when she woke up and he was gone again.