Work Text:
With quick steps, Aleksander made his way back to the war room, anxious to return to Alina’s to make sure she was okay. There had been an attack on her in his palace - the place that was supposed to keep her safe - and, although he had left his guards outside, he was worrying for her safety now more than ever.
He knocked once and said, “It’s me,” before opening the door.
His heart stopped beating for a second when he found the room to be empty. The blue irises he had brought her were still lying where she had left them, and an unsettling silence filled the room. “Alina,” he said, panic slowly rising inside of him. He knocked rapidly on the table. “Alina,” repeated, a little louder this time, yet still no response.
His heart hammering against his ribcage, he rushed to his bedroom, the only adjacent room, hoping to find her there.
Aleksander let out a sigh of relief, followed by a short laugh. His heartbeat returned to its normal pace, and his rage and worry from earlier faded it into the background. There on his bed lay Alina, curled up on her side, her kefta discarded and hanging over a chair, and her hair loose. Her chest rose and fell slowly as she slept, and he couldn’t help but think how peaceful and content she looked.
As quietly as possible, Aleksander closed the door. He shrugged off his kefta and changed into his nightshirt and pants. Without taking his eyes off of Alina, he lifted the blanket and pulled it over her before crawling into bed beside her. Alina stirred. For a moment, he feared that he might have woken her up, but she only turned around and snuggled up close against his chest.
His lips curved up into a smile, and he put his arms around her, holding her close as if he might protect her from any danger that way. For a moment, he remained like this, his gaze resting on her. A part of him couldn’t believe that she was here at his side, that she wanted him, and it all felt like a dream. A cruel and bitter part inside of him had doubted that she would be there when he returned. Alina had said that she would be waiting, but that part of him had made him wonder if she perhaps had changed her mind and left. But she didn’t leave, she stayed. And as he looked at Alina, a warm and strange feeling bloomed inside his chest, one that he couldn’t name. A feeling long forgotten that has been growing ever since she had come into his life.
Sleep overtook him at last. And for the first time in a while, Aleksander Morozova fell asleep with a smile on his face.
***
“What is it?”
Ivan blinked and looked at his husband. “What?”
“The crease in your forehead is even deeper than usual,” Fedyor replied. “What’s worrying you?”
“The general isn’t up yet,” Ivan told him. “Or had breakfast.”
Fedyor gave him a gentle warm. “Vanya, you know how it is the day after the winter fete.” He let his gaze wander through the dining hall. Despite it being almost noon, people were having breakfast, and more than a few of them had a headache from the day before while others were still in bed sleeping off their hangover. “He’s probably sleeping in.”
Ivan’s lips thinned. “The general never sleeps in,” he mumbled. “And he still has to deal with the assassin.”
“The assassin won’t run away,” Fedyor joked but his husband wasn’t in the mood for jokes. “If it makes you feel better, go and check on him.”
Ivan hummed in agreement. He wasted no time and instantly made his way to the general’s quarters.
The door was closed and no sound came from the room. “Has he left his room yet?” he asked the oprichniki who were keeping guard, and they both shook their heads.
Ivan knocked. “Sir?” he said, yet received no answer. He let out a frustrated sigh before entering the room.
The war room was empty, and the curtains were still drawn. The documents Ivan had left on the table earlier in the morning had remained untouched. The door to the general’s bedroom was closed, and again, Ivan knocked without receiving a response.
Ivan let out yet another frustrated sigh and reached for the door handle but stilled when he sensed not one but two heartbeats in the room behind the door. He began to suspect why the general hadn’t shown up yet, and his suspicions were confirmed when he entered the room.
There was General Kirigan, the notorious black general, still fast asleep and embracing the sun summoner, who lay in bed beside him with her head resting on his chest as if she was listening to his heartbeat. They were both smiling as they slept, and Ivan couldn’t help but think that it was a strange sight. It must have been the first time he saw a full smile on his general’s face.
Slowly, he backed away and closed the door. He shook his head and squeezed his eyes shut, an attempt to get rid of the image of what he had just witnessed, before returning to the dining hall.
“So?” Fedyor asked after Ivan sat down beside him.
“He’s still asleep,” he grumbled.
***
The bright light streaming through the narrow gap between the curtains told Aleksander that it was already far later than he thought. He couldn’t remember the last time he had woken up after sunrise, and for a moment, Aleksander thought he must be still dreaming. In his arms lay Alina, still sound asleep. A smile graced her lips, and her head rested on his chest. At the sight of her, he couldn’t help but smile himself and wish he could wake up like this every morning from now on.
Alina moved in his arms, and her eyes fluttered open. She lifted her head, and their eyes locked. She planted a quick kiss on his cheek, making his heart leap. “Good morning,” she said and smiled.
“Morning,” he said softly. “Did you sleep well?”
Alina’s smile grew. “I did.” As it dawned upon her where she was, her cheeks flushed crimson, and she hastily sat up. “I’m sorry,” she stammered. “You didn’t come back, and I got tired and-”
Aleksander interrupted her by pressing his lips to hers. He pulled away, and rested his forehead against hers. “You don’t have to apologise, Alinochka,” he said. “I quite liked it. In fact, I've never slept as peacefully as I did tonight.”
“So did I.”
They leaned in for another kiss when Alina’s belly grumbled, and they both laughed.
“Right,” she chuckled. “We didn’t attend dinner last night.”
At the thought of last night, Aleksander smirked. “No, we did not.” He rose to his feet and put on his kefta.
“Where are you going?” Alina asked, her smile fading.
“Getting you breakfast,” Aleksander replied and hesitated at the door. Like the day before, he walked back to her, took her face into his hands and kissed her fiercely. After breaking apart, his hands lingered on her cheek a little longer - as if she might slip out of his reach the moment he let go. “I’ll be right back.”
Her smile - a smile that could light up the darkest night - returned. “I’ll be waiting,” she said, and not a single part of him doubted it.