So, someone on Tumblr suggested I use a verse of this Taylor song for a prompt and here it is.
Also, if you're interested, I'm planning an AU where we'll get Dark power evil couple Darklina. So, like, if you're interested in that, i'll let you guys know when the first chapter is up
"Your Midas touch on the Chevy door
November flush and your flannel cure"
Champagne problems -Taylor Swift
Alina treaded carefully through the dark. Night seemed to be abandoning its deepest cycle, but there was yet time before the sun arose. Everyone at the Little Palace slept, even Baghra in her hut -she suspected the woman slept, at least-, and Alina had begun to take advantage of such lonely hours to practice.
She walked around first, rounding part of the lake before taking a turn into a maze.
She liked the place. The polished bushes bloomed with flowers of various colors carefully planted within by the gardeners, and there were stone benches here and there.
A part of her wanted to get lost in there and never be found.
She shuddered and rubbed her arms, wishing she had taken a thicker kefta with her instead of the one currently upon her more rounded figure.
It was still strange, looking in the mirror and no longer seeing the bones of the ribs through the soft skin, or seeing her cheekbones softer and pink and full.
Her hands went up. She liked her new cheekbones. She felt pretty.
Deep into the maze, she shook her head to rid it of such frivolous thoughts and took a firm stand.
She closed her eyes and called the power inside of her. She had been able to summon after letting it all go at Baghras hut, but her progress was slow.
She supposed once couldn't heal a lifetime wound in a few weeks, but everyone had their eyes on her now, so maybe she'd have to suck it up.
A small bulb of light appeared in her hand, taking the shape of a sphere. She smiled softly, feeling its warmth.
Gently, she disentangled a hand and created another sphere of light.
Doing her best to ignore the cold and the sleepiness, she willed the spheres to stretch and join.
Trembling, they did.
It's a start.
She then forced them to unify into one long stick of light, flexible like a whip, and then she stretched her arms, elongating the light.
Next, she tried to grab a solid hold of the light with one hand and let the other drop.
To her surprise, it didn't burn her; it just filled her with a sense of power and surety.
Hesitant, lifted her arm, the light going with her, and slashed.
The flowers on a big stone vase banished as if they had never existed, yet the stone remained practically untouched; a black, long spot its only scar.
"Impressive."
She jumped, turning to see The Darkling stepping forward, that blank expression on his face making it hard for her to believe him.
"I thought it wasn't enough." She said, remembering his words.
"It's not." He said, matter-of-factly, and Alina felt a small sting on her chest. "But you managed to get a solid, physical hold of your power already, however short lived it was, and that was impressive. It should have taken you more time."
She felt herself blushing under his praise.
"How did you find me?"
He remained silent for a moment or two, calculating probably as he always seemed to do. She couldn't really distinguish his features that well in the dark.
"Sometimes I like to sit at the edge of the lake to think. I find the still water most calming."
"You have a lot on your plate, don't you?" She asked, genuinely concerned.
He seemed to have huffed a laugh.
"You don't have to worry about me. Your only job is to strengthen your power."
"But I do!" She hurried to say,cheeks red. "I-I mean, I worry about you."
She looked down, and barely felt him approach as his boots stepped on the grass.
"You do?" She wasn't sure what to make of his tone, but Alina felt the need to reach out and take his hand.
Instead, she took a step forward and summoned her light, delicately running it over his face. He looked perfect, as usual, yet she wondered…
"When was the last time you slept?"
He chuckled, not turning away from her light.
"Do I look tired to you, Summoner?"
"No, but Genya is a miracle worker."
His lips quirked up.
"She is, indeed."
"A pity her talents are wasted on the queen and king." Alina said before she could even think of holding her tongue.
She tensed, but The Darkling nodded slowly, a shadow passing over his face.
"It is. She looks like a candle with her white kefta, but she'd be a walking flame in red."
Alina couldn't hide her surprise. Would he dare to promote her?
The Darkling stretched his arm out.
"But no more talk about that. Come, I shall teach you something."
Learning from The Darkling himself? Alina would never miss the chance.
She eagerly followed him deeper into the maze, into a spacious area occupied only by grass.
Gracefully, he sat down.
"Next to me."
Much less gracefully, she did as he commanded, trying not to get grass or mud on her kefta. She placed her legs underneath her body and her hands on her lap, more than ready to soak in all the information he had to give.
She looked at his profile and felt her breath caught. Even in the dark, his pale face seemed perfectly clear to her.
She leaned her back against the wall of bushes, wincing only slightly as some small sticks pinched her back.
"Now what?"
"Are you afraid of your powers?" he asked.
"No." she was too quick to reply.
"Do not lie to me, miss Starkov. I don't take kindly to deceit." he spoke calmly, yet she felt a small flicker of fear roll over her body.
"I am." she muttered, so quietly she herself almost didn't hear the words. She bit down on her lip and then opened her mouth: "I'm scared to not be enough to destroy The Fold. I feel like I'm not advancing fast enough. I'm also scared of how powerful I could get if I,...if I unleash it, and I'm scared it'll consume me and I'll let it."
And that was only part of it. What if she accidentally hurt someone innocent? What if she failed? Why did people keep watching her in such various ways?
"A power, a gift like ours, is not bestowed upon just anyone. We have it because we were meant to wield it; because we are the only ones strong enough." he leaned towards her, his expression almost gentle. "You will be magnificent, miss Starkov. I am well aware of what you could accomplish, and if you do get too lost, I'll be right there to pull you back."
"Do you promise?" she felt silly asking, like a child, but she needed some reassurance.
Everyone was so expectant of her, of great achievements she was terrified of, that having someone who could understand her and seemed to genuinely believe in her capabilities -without making a fuss or calling her a Saint- sent a tidal wave of reassurance that could've dropped her on her ass if she hadn't been already seated.
"I do." he replied, his voice filling the entire space they occupied. He leaned back, face blank again. "Now, close your eyes."
Alina did as he said.
"Deep breaths."
She slowly took in a big gulp of cold, late-autumn air. She shivered.
"Now," he said, and his voice sounded right by her ear, his beard brushing against her soft skin and threatening to ruin the whole process. "Feel the light."
"It's the middle of the night."
"It's inside you, miss Starkov."
"Alina."
He said nothing, but she felt him tense. "Feel it."
She reached down, deep within herself for that almost familiar warmth, and smiled softly when it answered her with an enthusiastic twinkle.
"Now, imagine it all over your body, every inch of it, warm and gold."
That twinkle in her chest seemed to have steadied, and with the utmost focus, Alina began to picture it covering her chest, travelling down her arms and legs, all the way to the tips of her toes.
She shivered again, the sudden change in temperature taking her body by surprise.
She opened her eyes and looked down, and found a faint glow on her hands. She felt the currents of wind but they didn't affect her. She was as warm as if she were well sunked in a hot bath.
She looked up at The Darkling, who almost smirked; she was sure of it!
"Well, now I know I won't freeze to death on the mountains."
"You plan on going to the mountains?" he asked, almost amused.
She flushed.
"N-no, it was,...um, it was a joke."
He chuckled silently, and Alina tilted her head as he shifted in his place.
"You're cold."
"I am perfectly fine; thank you, Alina." he answered, the perfect liar.
The use of her name made her falter, and after a second it made her feel more secure, however odd that may sound. She scooted closer to him and again, bought her hand up to his cheek. It was cold.
The Darkling almost seemed startled for a moment, but then, when Alina thought he might push her away, he slowly lifted his arm, bringing her to his side.
She looked up at the stars shining down on them, at the full moon, so beautiful and unreachable, just, or so she thought, as the man next to her.
"Can you feel the warmth too?" she asked softly.
A moment passed and she felt his lips ghost over her hair.
"I can feel you, Alina."
She couldn't help but smile and cuddle even closer, daring to press her front to his side and take a hold of his dark cloak.
Slowly, he placed his chin atop of her head.
Alina didn't move, enjoying the moment. Cheeks red as they could be and her heart beating faster than a rabbit's. She just enjoyed the silent environment, the quiet rustle of leaves and the voices of night.
Cuddling with the most powerful, dangerous man in all of Ravka, Alina felt the pressure set upon her shoulders since she arrived at the Little Palace fade away, like it didn't matter. Yes, it was a tough task; but just like with anything that proved difficult, she'd advance little by little.
She dared to wrap an arm around his midsection, his own free arm engulfing her as well as he muttered something.
His breathing had slowed and steadied, his heart beat strong inside its cavity.
Carefully, she lifted her eyes as best she could without moving him, and realized he had fallen asleep.
With a contented sigh, she buried her face into his chest and closed her own eyes.
Somehow, the feel of his cloak around her, his frame against her, and her dim light keeping them warm felt far more comfortable than the luxurious bed all but forgotten in her bedroom.