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You definitely weren't planning to fall for Mal Oretsev.
Sure you, Alina and Mal had been best friends since childhood, but deeper feelings weren't planned. In its worst, it could mess everything up, destroy your and Mal's friendship.
Alina had tried to get you two together since you were teenagers, but you were reluctant about it, fearing Mal would turn you down. But as you grew and became closer, your feelings were harder to ignore. And Mal being protective of you didn't make it any better.
Like now, when you had been soaked in rain and cold and Mal offered you a cuddle to warm you up, and there you were lying on his chest, taking in all his warmth. It felt like a dream.
"You're so warm..." you muttered.
"You're so cold." he answered with an amused huff.
You grinned. "Mmh, that's why I like your warmth."
You stayed like that for a while in silence, Mal's hand was running up and down your arm and your heartbeat felt like it could be heard around all of Ravka. You were wondering why Mal didn't pay attention to it, if it would have been any louder, it would be shaking the house.
Saints. You had to confess, it began to be unbearable.
"Mal?" you muttered.
He shifted slightly. "Mmh?"
"What are we?"
"Best friends."
You sighed. "I don't think about you as my best friend anymore."
He stopped caressing your arm and slowly sat up. "What?"
"I care about you." you swallowed. "Maybe more than I should. As more than a friend."
You didn't dare to look at him after your confession, but knowing he was frowning. You shook your head, sitting up too. "I know it's going to ruin our friendship as it is, but I couldn't keep it inside me anymore. I have loved you since we were teenagers, Mal Oretsev."
He still was silent, and you stood up from the bed in an attempt to flee the scene, and that seemed to activate Mal, and he lunged for your hand, gripping it tightly in his own.
"You... you love me?" he asked, and you finally looked into his eyes. You swallowed.
"Yes."
His face slowly lit up and now it was your turn to frown. "I have loved you since we were 10. I just... I thought that you see me as your brother or something, like Alina does."
You just stared at him, faintly feeling how he ran his thumbs over your knuckles.
And then you broke into a smile as well. He loved you too.