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Spring was Alina’s favorite season: dull ache of gray and sun setting early changing for something new. Colors blooming, sun warm on her face, people switching their heavy winter jackets for the coats and thinner sweaters. Though she personally didn’t get much time to walk the streets that often: mornings spent at university, days and evenings at work – cozy coffee shop, coming along with energetic and doting Botkin as an owner. The man was almost seventy, but he could easily manage the place and make the best coffee Alina has ever tried.
Working as a barista was nice on most days: rush hours flowing into stale time with barely anyone coming in. Rewarding in a way, a small smile from the latte art, small tip in the can. It wasn’t much, but she always tried to find joy in every detail of her hard and lonely life.
Today Alina was tired, it’s like everyone decided to have the most ridiculous orders. Moods matching the brewing storm outside, faces gloomy as the sky above, and not even a simple thank yous thrown her way, not a tip in sight. Yet she still tried to lift everyone up, a smile printed on her face.
Sometimes she didn't even need to try, always fascinated to see couples at the first stages of soulbond development, little red string connecting their wrists, so thin yet so strong that nothing could destroy it, until the bond is complete and string is not necessary.
Alina always dreamed for soulmate of her own. Someone to be completely hers, not able to leave her all alone in the cold world. Are they gonna be tall or short? Maybe they live in one of the houses nearby? How old are they? Does she even have one? So many questions! In twenty years Alina hasn't touched enough people to discover what fate has set out for her. Not much people wanted anything to do with half-shu orphan anyway.
She wondered if there's no one out there for her, maybe half-breeds don't deserve the happiness of feeling complete. It was too early to judge the universe. Some soul find each other way later in life. Fate works in it's own set ways, not yet known to the mere mortals.
The bell ringing by the door, chiming brightly in the white noise of generic pop playlist put on the speakers. Her eyes connect with much darker ones right away. So much depth in the black pools, she feels sinking deeper in the abyss, her chest heavy and suddenly it's so much harder to breath.
"Hi. Can you recommend me something sweet?"
His voice like honey muffles her ears to the point where it's so hard to understand what he wants.
"Hello?"
Puts so much effort to break the stupor this hypnotizing gaze put her in, shakes her head to get back to her senses. Puts her usual smile back on before looking at the man again.
"Yeah, sorry... Something sweet? Can I surprise you?"
He looks a little older than sounds, little wrinkles around his eyes, a few hard lines on his forehead - evidences of a life lived. Wonders, how his soulmate might look.
"Okay, sweetheart, surprise me." He says and a little smirk bloom on his plush lips - beard framing them as an exquisite painting. Quickly banishes the thought of how it would leave burns on her face if he kisses her right now. Surely the man so fine is already taken. Gets to work on the order. The drink isn't even on the menu, but she wants to do something for him. If he likes the drink, maybe he'll come back again?
Gets lost to the familiar routine of barista magic, pouring milk, pressing coffee, squeezing out whipping cream, caramel and chocolate. Sees him in the corner of her eye, feels his eyes following her every move and wants him to watch her all the time.
Puts the order on the counter as soon as she is done, so eager to please this unknown man, to see a full smile on his perfectly sculptured face. She is a little bit slow to take away her hand before his fingers just barely brush her skin, connection so short, yet she feels pleasant tingling spreading through her body. Watches him take a small sip, smile lighting up her face as if the sun broke through all the clouds.
"Very good. How much?"
"It's on me."
Smiles shyly at him, simple thank you her only answer and he turns away, watches him as if in the slow motion, burns holes in his back, wants him to stay, words getting stuck in her throat. Her right wrist moving in his direction and the realization comes slowly, eyes landing on the red string right away. The tugging gets a little stronger. This can't be? But as she lifts her head back up, she sees the man stumble right before the door, mere 3 meters from her, his head turning to her, confusion written all over his face. This can't be...
"What have you done?"
He strides back to her, his lips moving, but she can't hear anything. Her soulmate doesn’t like her? Why is she so unlucky? Of course! Why would anyone want her? Tears clouding her vision, spilling out on her cheeks. Not even her soulmate, the one meant for her...
There is a hand on her back and she gets enveloped in warmth of arms, her head resting against solid chest, smell of expensive parfumé filling her lungs. And she feels like home, here in the arms of a complete stranger, that is set to be her other half, the one who completes her.
"You are perfect. I am sorry, solnyshko, I didn't want go scare you. I was just shocked, it's okay."
A hand on her hair strocking gently, sweet words letting her breath. Her mind clears enough to form words in the cotton candy brain of hers.
"What is your name, little girl?"
"I'm Alina, and you?"
"I'm Aleksander.” His name so simple and so common, yet it feels so special, burning it’s own place in her heart.
“Alinochka, can you finish your shift earlier?"
Loves the rumble of the voice vibrating through his chest. So nice and warm, feels so tired, all the power spent on crying. Nods her head into his soft sweater.
"Come on then, we have places to go."
Doesn't really understand what he means, but takes off her apron slowly, looks at the small mirror in the breakroom, wipes away the tear tracks left by her mascara. Didn’t even realize she looked this bad. Takes her coat and tote bag hastily, closing every door and turning off every light.
“I’ve been waiting a long time for you, Alina. We’re gonna figure this out together.”
He says into cold evening air, his hand tugging her closer to him, lips finding the crown of her head. And isn’t it true? They are no longer alone, not two wandering souls anymore, but something one. She knows it’s not going to be easy, but she trusts fate has a plan for them, and a red string between them is only a start of happily ever after. But right now she wants to know every single detail about her soulmate: is he as pretty when he’s asleep, what he looks like in the bright sunlight and does he know that he feels like home?
She doesn’t know everything yet, but she has a whole life to know him better.