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It’s late and you know very well you ought to get yourself to bed, except you have an uncontrollable craving for a warm cup of tea. The air feels chilly and you’re sure the temperature just dropped a little lower than usual.
“Must be Winter saying hello.” You tell yourself, sheepishly hiding the stupid smile that crawled over your face.
The cold always reminded you of him, a habit you developed the more time you spend with him. That warm smile, strong shoulders and golden locks. Those big, rugged hands that are definitely skilled. The warm reverberation of his low voice welcoming you in, the twinkle in his sweet brown and blue eyes that say you’re the reason he’s smiling right now…
You sigh at the bittersweet memory of when you last saw the gentle hunter. Truth be told, it’s been a few weeks and you miss him so much. You muse at the thought of him as you saunter off to the kitchen to get yourself your tea. Maybe even the emergency biscuits for a late-night treat.
Soon the soothing sound of bubbling water brings a smile to your face. You prepare the teapot with care, arranging your cup, saucer and biscuit plate aesthetically on your mini tray.
You fiddle with the biscuit packaging, huffing in frustration at how needlessly difficult they are to open, when you hear a knock on your door. Soft enough not to disturb the peace, loud enough for you to hear. Rhythmically controlled and firm with intent.
There's only one man who knocks on your door like that.
Alexander Novikov
Under any other circumstances you would have pretended not to be home or asleep, but you will always open the door for him. After all, that’s why he taught you to listen for the secret safe knock.
"Sasha! I wasn't expecting you." you smile, practically running into his arms as soon as you open the door. Seeing the handsome blonde-haired archer always brought out the happiest in you.
Sova immediately reciprocates, wrapping his arms tightly around your body, breathing you in. “Evening” he says softly, his voice a tender whisper to your ear.
“It’s been a while.” He releases the hug to sneak a quick peak at your smile, only to wrap his arms around you once again.
You immediately notice the pained undertones of his voice, of course he’s trying to hide it from you, but you know him. You know Sasha, this doesn’t sound like his usual self.
“Sasha?” you question, looking up at him with concern.
"I went for a walk." He tries to divert your attention, softly tugging a rogue strand of hair back behind your ear. “I know it's late, but um, may I come in?”
"Of course!" you step aside allowing him to step through the threshold with a welcoming him, "I was just making some tea.”
You curl your arm around his leading him to the lounge, “You up for some?” you look up treating him to your sweetest smile.
He nods silently in agreement and appreciation. Sometimes he was a man of few words, but you learned to read the sentiment in his quiet expressions.
Luckily you didn’t need to prepare much more except for an extra cup and saucer. You clearly caught him by surprised when you returned to the lounge, just in time to see him rake a rough hand through his blonde tresses. The deeps sighs, something he was clearly doing trying to spare you and calm him.
Whatever he was staring at through the window wasn’t related at all because he barely registered your return to the lounge.
“Sasha?” you query in concern. This was very unlike him on his visits. Pained, distracted almost annoyed with himself for some reason.
"Hm?"
As soon as he notices you, the pained expression from his face vanishes and is replaced with a kind smile.
Gentlemanly as ever, Sova hurries over to help you with the tray. His Grandma taught him so well.
"Is everything okay?"
“Uh, yea. It’s…uh…-“ he sighs heavily, placing the tray down smiling sheepishly to you. He gestures for you to come and join him on the sofa.
You plop down next to him, uncertain how to proceed. Sometimes he can seem a world away and yet right there next to you.
"Come on, Sash, tell me what happened?" You say sweetly leaning against his shoulder trying to sooth him.
He inhales softly, averting his gaze but you see a comforting smile form around his lips. That's all you need to confirm why he ended up at your apartment tonight.
Something happened on the mission.
"It was hard mission." His expression pains as you feel his hand cup yours near his thigh. The pain in his voice sounds so heavy that you immediately worry if you missed an injury.
"Did you get injured?" You quickly give him a once over.
His grammar always slipped revealing more distress than probably intended. This wouldn’t be the first time he hid an injury from you and certainly not the last.
"No no, I'm fine." He smiles and pulls you back into his chest for a hug, "you worry too much." He speaks into your hair, breathing in the fresh hues of your shampoo. A soothing scent he's been yearning the smell for weeks since he last saw you.
"I worry just enough." Your voice muffled as you speak into his shirt. The low vibration of his chuckle against your face leaves you content. Especially when his hand softly pauses over the back of your head and then tenderly glides down your hair.
You feel heated by his touch but try your best to ignore the devious urges. He obviously came to confide in you, and in a way, that validates your hidden feelings too. Maybe you could be more than just a friend and body to work out some frustrations.
Sova mumbles something under his breath. You’re not sure if he was praying or swearing, because he buried his mouth tightly into your shoulder, wrapping his arms tighter around your body.
"Come on now, tell me what happened.” You whisper with concern, breathing his tempting scent, “maybe I can help?” you look up at him with concern. His frown returned and his mouth pouts slightly, but he gives in to your request. He could never quite say ‘no’ to you anyway.
Softly he helps you upright and you make yourself comfortable in his lap, legs dangling over his. Fingers carefully snaking between his, eyes and ears attentive to his plight.
"A junior agent wouldn't follow orders today.” He laments, “They just kept rushing in, wouldn't listen, wouldn't wait for intel.”
You can tell he is exhausted by their behaviour by his tone. It’s clearly been weighing heavily on him to get to this point. His eyes both troubled, sad and frustrated.
"Then I am told babysit!" he shrugs raking a rough hand through his hair once again, "Of all things, and still!!!"
"Oof" you bite your lip; you feel sorry for his suffering. All you can do is attempt to provide comfort, carefully examining his expressions to make sure you’re doing the right thing.
"A Commanding Officer almost died because of them. It takes one shot! One single shot and everything we worked for is compromised.”
Sova closes his eyes in frustration fighting for composure. You know him well; he doesn't like to raise his voice around you. Even now, it feels wrong to him.
"Is the CO okay?"
"Yea" he takes a deep breath, leaving a pained expression on his face. You can tell he wants to smile to make it seem like less of an issue, but it’s simply cannot be. "The CO was lucky, the junior, I had to pull from heavy fire."
"Sash..." your fingers press into his muscular arm in worry, maybe an attempt to soothe him or more so yourself at the fear brewing in your chest.
What if he got shot trying to protect some rogue rebellious agent? Or worse- You shudder at the thought, holding on to him tighter.
"I don't understand why it should take getting someone injured for agents to take this more seriously!”
“True…-" you try to agree, but he accidentality interrupts you.
"What use am I if my intel is ignored!?" He belts out in frustration, "What use am I..."
You flinch at the sudden increase in tone, fearing you failed him. He immediately notices, taking your hand and cupping it tenderly against his mouth.
"Sorry" he looks down in shame.
"It's okay,” you curl your fingers tighter around his reassuring him, “I understand why you would feel so frustrated. Tell me what happened next?"
"I barely pull agent from fire. We're pinned down, bullets flying everywhere, outranged, outnumbered, outgunned.”
You can see the focus in his eyes as he recollects the moment everything went to shit.
"I had to think on my feet. Made new plan, called it and by some miracle it worked. Imagine if the junior had just listened in the first place!"
You realise what you hear in his voice is fear. Fear of maybe the possibility of not making it home tonight?
Is that why he really ended up here tonight? Could it be true?
"I can imagine."
You press your fingers into his tense shoulders trying to relieve some pressure. Judging from his expression it’s a welcome sensation to his body.
"Surely they get reprimanded for insubordination?"
"I doubt that. As much as I hate to admit it, that last plan worked well and it semi relied on their rash style of operating."
"Hm"
“The agent has everything suited to become a very effective leader, except for the impulsive and reckless behaviour time and time again.”
“That’s the tragic part, isn’t it?”
"At first I thought I was fine with it, but the more I think, the more it annoys me.”
"Maybe you should bring it up again, surely they can't tolerate this?"
"Maybe"
“It’s just, someone could have died… what if, what if I didn’t make it back here to you tonight?” the distress in his voice rings out loud. His eyes full of worry and emotion looking back into yours.
“Sasha… you’re here now.” You touch him softly, grazing a caring finger down his jawline and lips, “That’s all that matters.” You smile.
“For now, yes.” He pulls you closer bringing your forehead to his. Heat seers up your body rouging your cheeks as a silent pause hang in the atmosphere.
He softly nuzzles your nose with his and you hear a satisfying murmur from his lips.
“What?” you whisper with a smile pushing back against his shoulders.
“Nothing” he whispers smiling looking at you.
His body heat burns under your palms, and you realise just how much you’ve been touching him. Feeling self-conscious you decide to try and divert his attention to the biscuits.
“Try one, maybe it’ll make you feel better.” You attempt to change the subject and hopefully distract him enough to get rid of heat you feel burning on your cheeks.
You pour the tea handing him a cup and biscuits.
“Sharing your favourites with a grumpy man this late at night?” he teases.
“It’s the best way to share.”
“It should be illegal.”
All you can do is laugh before helping yourself to your favourite biscuit Of course it’s even better as you watch him delight in every morsel. With each sip and bite, every ounce of frustration turns him back into a more authentic him.
“These are too good!” he declares, yoinking another from the plate, “no wonder you like them so much.”
“Glad they finally get the appreciation they deserve!”
“And what if I eat them all?”
“Then maybe you can’t visit this late anymore!” you pretend to pout and turn away from him. Sova simply starts poking you on your waist, a light-hearted threat to hit your ticklish spot again and again.
“Hey! No!” You giggle trying to fight off his hand. He pretends to try again, but you’re ready, veering him off skilfully.
“Ouchhh” he shakes out his hand as if you caused him pain, a reuse of course, a ploy to get pity sympathy and undeserved care for a troll.
You try to poke him, but he pulls you back into his lap, tickling you softly. You help out loud. you laugh a little louder than you anticipated, immediately covering your hand with your mouth in shock. Your neighbours definitely heard that one for sure.
He laughs at the display, pulling you in closer for a hug. You snuggle into his chest and shoulder once more.
“Sasha” you whisper.
“Hm?” he says softly as you enjoy soothing sound of his steady heartbeat.
“Promise you’ll always be extra careful?” you whisper.
“You have my word.” He whispers, softly pulling you up to examining your worried expression.
“I…” you hide your gaze, but he guides your chin back up towards him.
“Talk to me?” he begs. Who could say no to his beautiful eyes?
“I…I fear that you’ll get hurt, especially with a rebellious agent on your team.” You fight away the tears.
“Hey now,” he says lovingly, rubbing his hands over your shoulders and arms. “I told you before, you got me, and I promise to give my very best to complete the mission. I want you to be safe.”
His lips softly brush against yours, affectionately conveying how serious he is about soothing your worries.
“There’s no place I’d rather be, than right here with you.” He wraps his arms around your body in a solemn embrace, pulling you down to cuddle with him on the sofa. You smile at his claiming words as he plants soft kisses on your hair.
“Then don’t go,” you plead, “stay here tonight. Stay with me.” You mumble nuzzling into his warmth.
This man has already claimed your heart, and you know he’ll easily claim your soul too. Maybe he already has.
“Anything you need, Y/n. It’s yours, even me.”
"Even you?"
"It's obvious something more is going on between us, no?" Sova smiles hugging you tighter.
"I...yes." you blush hiding your face into his comforting scent.
"Be mine?" he asks whispering into your ear, "Be my girl, my woman?"
"Sash, are you officially asking me out?"
"Without a single doubt in my mind, Y/n!" he softly lifts your chin towards him. "I don't want to take another risk without you knowing what I really want."
You smile brightly looking up into his loving eyes.
"What do you say, hm?"
"Yes! Absolutely yes!!"