Taura

by Ammarantas

It is not because of his own actions that Taura and Alina enter his life.

1. Chapter 1

It is not because of his own actions that Taura and Alina enter his life.

A call from the HR department, his sister and best friend forcing him to take his vacation, someone putting a flier in Luda's pediatric office… If he had a say on anything that happened, his life might've remained the same as it was.

Thank the Saints it didn't.

first week

"Good morning, Sasha!" Alina greets him as he enters the shelter, coffee in hand.

CEO Aleksander Morozov enters Sunshine Paws early in the morning. If this was a regular day, he would be wearing a three piece suit, someone would get his coffee for him and he would be addressed as Mr. Morozov, sir, or boss. Sasha would be off the table.

But for Alina Starkov? Hell, he would even let her call him daddy.

"Good morning, Miss Starkov. How are you?" He asks as she smiles at him from behind her computer.

"I told you, you can call me Alina," she says in that beautiful voice of hers. It's so melodic it makes him want to smile, which is odd because he rarely smiles. Ulla says his muscles must have atrophied and Luda is always looking for ways to get even the faintest of smiles on his face. And yet, there Alina is, doing magic every day.

"You are my boss, it is a sign of respect," Aleksander says, thinking about how he used to be the boss. Technically, he is still the boss but he's a boss forced to take a stupid vacation.

Although, when Alina Starkov smiles at him, he doesn't think it's a stupid idea after all.

He may or may not be an idiot—sue him.

"Well then, as your boss," she says with a cheeky grin, "I should remind you that it's time to feed the kittens."

The kittens, the bane of his existence.

"Maybe I was waiting for you," he says, unable to help himself. There's something about Alina that makes him feel at ease.

She looks at him and smiles. It's like the sun is out, her smile parting the gray clouds of his life. He has never considered himself playful or flirty, as he's a businessman and his life consists of numbers and drinks after work. While he wouldn't say he's unfriendly, he is decidedly very serious, only feeling comfortable around his inner circle.

Even then, it has never been like this.

He feels lighter than he has felt in years, more relaxed, happier. Aleksander foolishly believed he would achieve that while going over reports and examining the company's growth over the year; and while he can't deny he's proud of his company and his success, it doesn't even compare as to the way he has felt these days working with Alina.

"Waiting for me, huh?" Alina's eyebrows raise to her hairline, fake surprise coming out of her pores. "Are you sure you aren't expecting me to do all the work?"

"I would never," he jokes, putting a hand to his chest. He doesn't miss the way her eyes linger on his fingers before shaking her head in disbelief.

"I'll help you, just let me finish this," Alina says. He lingers at the threshold of her office, looking at her as she types an email.

How different they are. Even if they have similarities, the differences are striking and quite difficult to ignore.

His office is clean and neat, impersonal. He doesn't have anything that's not useful or needed. His office is not warm or welcoming. Alina's office is a mess but a beautiful one. She has fresh flowers and pictures of her family mixed with files and so many things his fingers ache to put some order around.

Still, she's able to find anything in the blink of an eye.

"Done! Let's say hello to our kitties," she announces with a smile so big her eyes are almost closed.

"Please lead the way," Aleksander steps aside and watches her stand up and leave her office before he speaks again. "So, how's Tristan?"

Tristan, aka the main reason why he's there helping her, is a three month old baby whose father is Alina's foster brother, Mal. He and Alina decided to take over the refuge once their foster father decided to retire. They made a hell of a team until Mal decided to spend more time at home with his son and wife.

While Alina loved his brother and was happy for his family, the decision left her swamped with work. Thus, why he was there helping her.

"Oh gosh, he's so cute! Ruby sent me a new picture and yesterday I read him a bedtime story and he just…" Alina goes on as they work side by side with the kittens.

Aleksander doesn't particularly care for kids but he loves the way she looks when she talks about her nephew. It should also be noted that he doesn't particularly care for kittens but there he is, cooing at the little animals and feeding them with all the care in the world.

Aleksander is so lost in his world that he doesn't realize he has stopped paying attention to her, completely focused on the kitty he's currently holding.

These animals he wouldn't have even given a second thought before stepping into this place and now his life seems to revolve around them.

He's attentive to their needs and to what they communicate. Some are skittish around him, not trusting very easily, which is something he can understand; others, however, are trusting and feel comfortable in his hands.

Alina taught him all of this, three days ago, when he started. She gave him a tour of the place and explained they were virtually the only two people on the team. He would be the muscle, tending to the cats while she dealt with all the administrative parts of the shelter. It was a brand new thing for her, who always tended to the cats, but she was optimistic he would pick up on what she was teaching him.

His skin still burns from where she touched him, gentle and soothing hands on his, teaching him the correct way to hold the kittens. She didn't ask about personal space, she simply went for it, showing him the right way to do it.

While he wouldn't call himself touch starved, something woke up inside him when Alina touched him. Maybe it was because she didn't see him as a CEO and there was no fear or apprehension in her eyes. Chocolate and warm, just like her hands, Alina dedicated all his first day to make sure he knew what he was doing. She was gentle but firm in her teachings, not hesitating when she saw he wasn't doing something correctly.

It was a breath of fresh air, to be treated normally, not with fear of retaliation or under the pretense that he was perfect and made no mistakes. He also enjoyed seeing Alina so in her element, so confident and commanding. He knew for all she was soft and gentle, there was a certain fire within her, a determination to keep the shelter afloat and care for everyone.

He was in awe of her when he met her, and the feeling had yet to go away.

Aleksander is patient and careful with all of them, whispering sweet nothings as he feeds them. If anyone from his work could see him now, they would be shocked and he could understand why.

While he doesn't consider himself a bad boss, there has always been a barrier between him and his employees. Honestly, there has always existed a barrier between him and the rest of the world. Aleksander was an active participant of the experiences he went through in life, but never fully. Parts of him were always hidden, always protected from others. He never allowed himself to be truly free.

He was never allowed to be himself.

The root of everything could be found, like most things, in his childhood. His mother was cold and unloving. Moving them from place to place and never allowing their personalities to grow and develop. Never nurturing them or giving them the love he and Ulla deserved as kids.

For so many years, the loneliness and darkness have eaten him alive without him being able to stop them.

He has his friends and his work, he plays the roles he is meant to, but it is never enough.

The idea of his life changing seems impossible to him. He has accepted this is the way to be and is okay with it. At the end of the day, it isn't like it is all awful, his life could really be a horrible thing. But he has a successful company he built from the ground up and he has friends that love him nonetheless.

"You're really good at this, you know?" Alina's voice cuts right through his thoughts, making him freeze.

"What?" He asks, feeling his cheeks warm and trying to avoid her gaze.

"At first you seemed unsure but it's been four days and now you're a natural." Alina comes closer to him and her small hand rests on his bicep while she pets the kitty he's holding. Aleksander feels like he might combust. "You don't have to pretend you don't like this, Sasha."

He knows his cheeks are bright red right now, such is the effect Alina Starkov has on him.

"I don't know what you're talking about." He feigns ignorance, but it doesn't faze her. Instead, she looks up at him and smiles. "But I will admit I had a pretty good teacher to help me." He winks at her, enjoying how her cheeks blush.

Aleksander is good with words but that doesn't mean he's someone to wax poetic beauty about things. He doesn't think, though, that in Alina's case it would be a ridiculous thing to say her smile can put the sun to shame.

Because when she smiles, Aleksander is willing to believe the sun is not out there in the galaxy, but there in front of him.

"I'll leave you to it," she says, patting his bicep before dropping his hand.

"You don't have to leave," he says, and it's funny because he's standing up but he might as well be on his knees praying.

"I have a million things to do," she tells him before her mouth turns into a grin. "And I don't want to disturb your time with your favorite."

"She's not my favorite," he explains, putting the kitten he just fed back in its place.

"Don't even try it, Sasha. She's your favorite," Alina points out and Aleksander has to admit she got him. "It's okay, your secret is safe with me."

She stands on her toes and presses a kiss to his beard before leaving him alone.

He takes a second to gather his thoughts before grabbing the little gray kitten, his absolute favorite.

"Hey little one," he says with a soft voice as he pets her before feeding her.

He focuses on the task as his skin burns in the exact spot where Alina kissed him.

One thing is certain, though. If Alina is the sun then that means he's a planet, and he's happy to orbit her for as long as she lets him.

It's easy, working at Sunshine Paws.

He gets there early and feeds the kittens before going over and checking on the adults, changing the sand and everything they might need. While Alina is dealing with donors and visitors and numbers, he's in charge of playing with the cats and talking about them to possible adopters.

He's used to board meetings that should've been emails and emails that should've been meetings. He's not used to having cat hair everywhere and having to clean vomit.

"I know it might sound gross, but I miss this," Alina says with a smile as she helps him clean his back shoulders. Something tells him his shirt is ruined beyond reason, but she insists and he won't complain because her fingers are soft and he is weak for her. "I hate being behind the computer all day."

He can hear it in her voice, how miserable she is with the changes caused by her brother's absence. Alina does not belong behind a computer. Greeting people and having fun with the cats is where she belongs.

She's a nurturer, someone who gets her energy from people, not from emails and endless phone calls.

"If you want we could…" he turns around to see her. She's so tiny she barely reaches his shoulders. It's quite adorable.

She shakes her head, scrunching her nose a little. Aleksander knows that although impossible, all he wants to do is keep her safe in his pocket.

"It's okay. I need to learn how to do these things anyway," Alina comments as she shrugs. "Besides, Luda told me you are not very good with technology." Aleksander almost winces at the nonsense he's hearing. It's not Alina's fault, though. His friend came up with that excuse so that he really took his holiday. "I appreciate your offer, though."

She smiles at him and he's unable to keep a smile from appearing on his face. Alina is beautiful and kind and he finds that he wants to make her happy. She deserves absolutely everything.

They just stand here, looking at each other in the barely lit bathroom in the back of the shelter. Words make themselves scarce and unnecessary. This moment goes beyond them.

The atmosphere is charged and his skin tingles from a moment that seems so simple yet so significant. Ever since they introduced themselves they have developed a camaraderie and a flirty banter that seems organic, something he has never felt with anyone before. He entertains the thought of everything being a product of his imagination, aided by the fact that they spend a lot of time alone, but he also knows deep down that that's not true.

Aleksander has dated many people, gone on dates with beautiful women and handsome men. He has gone home with them and fucked them, he has tried to date, have interesting conversations and have a relationship and yet, it has never worked. Even with Luda, whom he adores, it hadn't worked. Because even at 15, Aleksander knew his loneliness would be too much for people to handle.

But Alina is a supernova, and if anyone could get past every dark part of him, it was her.

They gravitate towards each other, their faces get closer and closer and…

Meow!

"Oh, shit!" Alina steps away from him. Her cheeks are red and she's avoiding his eyes, looking at the door and looking slightly worried. "I think Mal left a shirt somewhere. I'll be back after I check on the cats."

She's gone before he can even reply and by the time she comes back she simply hands him the shirt without saying anything.

He fools himself into believing her eyes linger on his naked chest.

It takes them a day and a half and a massive disaster with a toddler who refused to let go of Darkling—Alina's cat who is not for adoption but she brings everyday to work—for things to go back to normal.

Still, Aleksander can't deny that every day, when they look at each other for a little too long, he wishes to close the distance between them and simply kiss her until they are both out of breath.

second week

Aleksander learned a lot about Alina during his first week at Sunshine Paws.

He learned that she's beautiful and smart, made out of sugar, spice and everything nice. But he also learned that for all the soft, delicate parts that make her her, Alina is also sharp and clever, with hidden weapons she has perfectly mastered.

She makes herself big, dealing with vendors and suppliers over the phone and projecting her voice in a way that leaves no room for doubts or arguments. Alina demands and orders what she considers fair, what was decided previously. She leaves the arguments victorious, with a smile that lights up the whole building.

Alina, like the cats, also has claws. They remain hidden, only to be used when necessary. She puts them on display on Monday, just starting his second week of volunteering.

A man named Vasily enters the shelter and even before he opens his mouth Aleksander already knows he's a fucking idiot—he simply reeks of it—but he confirms it when, completely ignoring Alina, introduces himself to Aleksander and assumes he's the owner of the shelter.

Alina takes it in stride, not openly showing her annoyance although Aleksander can see how her smile never reaches her eyes. She lets Vasily talk all over her and ignore her but when push comes to shove, the silly man leaves the shelter without a cat—which he wanted for his girlfriend— and instead with empty pockets, having donated a hefty sum to Sunshine Paws.

She looks smug which is a new look on her, but Aleksander thinks it suits her.

"What?" She asks when he has clearly spent too long watching her.

"Nothing just…" He licks his lips, her eyes do not miss that little detail. "You're smiling like the cat that got the canary."

She doesn't seem a bit bothered by his statement. "I have my way of dealing with assholes. And don't you forget that, Sasha," she says before winking at him.

"Hey little one. Hi beautiful," he coos when he picks her up and brings her closer to his chest. "Yes, I missed you too."

Alina wasn't lying when she mentioned he has favorites. Well, favorite, singular. A little gray kitten who came to the shelter three days before he did. She's the runt of the litter and while he hasn't awarded names to the rest, he named her because she stole his heart.

Feisty and adorable, Aleksander loves spending time with her.

He runs a finger through her fur, amazed at how small she is compared to the size of his hand.

"Here you go, little one," he says, pressing a kiss to her fur before settling her with the rest of her brothers and sisters so they can have a little play time.

Sitting on the floor and watching these little balls of fur play with each other, Aleksander realizes he hasn't taken a minute to enjoy life in a really long time. His life goes by in a daze, always forward, forward. He never gets a minute to himself, to enjoy things. Even when he's spending time with his sister or his friends his mind is not really there, he isn't fully present.

But now, as he watches her play with the rest of the cats, Aleksander feels at peace.

Said peace gets interrupted the second he hears a couple of female voices from the front desk. One belongs to Alina's but the other one…

"Shit!" He utters as he stands up and tries his best to power walk to the reception and not look like a mad man.

"Oh, Sasha!" Luda greets him with a happy smile that doesn't match Alina's fidgety hands and uneasy smile. "I came to invite you to lunch and I met the amazing Alina. We were talking about how great you are doing here."

"Yeah, I was telling Luda how grateful I am for help," Alina says, not meeting his eyes.

"Isn't he the best?" Luda gushes and kisses his cheek. "I knew he would fit in perfectly here."

Aleksander is blushing hard because Luda is praising him all while being completely unaware that Alina is clearly feeling uncomfortable.

It's pretty easy to put two and two together, especially because he knows Alina and how prone she is to jumping to conclusions. He and Luda have always been friendly which leads people to make assumptions and although he knows Luda is just trying to pimp him, for Alina it must look quite different.

"You should get going. Wouldn't want you to be late," Alina says. "Luda mentioned she has reservations at The Fold."

"Alina, I…"

"I should tend to the kittens. Enjoy your lunch!"

Alina practically bolts before Aleksander can say anything that might explain the situation.

"Shall we?" Luda asks, completely unaware of all the words that die in his throat.

It is not what you think. Luda is just a friend. I just want you. Would you even let me take you out for dinner? For lunch? For a cup of coffee at least?

He says none of that, and instead, leads him and Luda out of the shelter.

Alina stays in his mind nonetheless.

Aleksander lets Luda talk his ear off during lunch, replying as if he is on auto-pilot. Replying as he normally would, instead of sharing with her how happy he is and how he has found fulfillment in a little underfunded shelter with a bunch of cats and the sunny smile of Alina's.

The only reason why he doesn't share any of that is because all he can think about is Alina's face and her discomfort. She has always seemed like a happy, sunny person even in her most stressful moments. Her peppy disposition was something that attracted him to no end, not only because it was so foreign to him, but also because he wanted that. He wanted to have her in his life.

The woman they left in the shelter seemed sad, betrayed and Aleksander knows it is his fault.

Maybe he was wrong and Alina is not safe from his darkness. Maybe he got it all wrong.

"You should invite Alina to one of our poker nights," Luda says when they are driving back to the shelter.

He answers with a noncommittal noise that masks how painful he finds that. Because he's not sure Alina would want that.

It's not like he gets to talk to Alina, clear the air or extend an invitation because the second he goes back to the shelter he finds her in the front door, worry written all over her face.

"What…"

"We got a call. A mama and her babies on Keramzin street." She grabs his arm, directing him to her car. While her touch would usually make him shiver, this time he can only focus on how much she's trembling. "The babies are down a pipe and the mama is up in a tree and we need to do something!"

Aleksander nods. They definitely need to do something.

"Okay, okay," he says, calmly. Not because he doesn't understand the urgency of the situation but because she needs a grounding force. "I will drive."

She nods, giving him her keys without a second thought.

He makes sure she's sitting and wearing her safety belt before starting the car, and making their way towards Keramzin street.

Even if his eyes are glued to his front—he is, after all, driving above the speed limit in order to get there faster—he still notices how scared she is. He can hear Alina's leg bouncing up and down, and the noise she makes when biting her black-painted nails.

"Tell me more about your childhood," he says, in a soft voice. Years of helping Ulla through her most stressful moments have left him with an arsenal of techniques to help. He just picks this one because he also wants to know more about her.

"Oh, I…" He feels her eyes on him and he sends a smile her way, trying his best to be comforting. "Me and Mal weren't allowed to have animals at the orphanage. I always wanted one, even if it was a silly fish but, you know…" She sighs and as he stops at a red light he's able to look at her.

Her hair is messy, probably from all the times she ran a hand through it, and her leg is still bouncing up and down up and down… Aleksander takes the liberty to put his hand on it, squeezing a bit. It's just a reassuring gesture, nothing more. Still, it is a gesture that can be misinterpreted and also make her incredibly uncomfortable which is the opposite of what he wants.

He lets go immediately, only to be surprised when Alina takes his hand in hers, lacing their fingers together.

"When we discovered Botkin ran the shelter we were so happy. It seemed like an amazing coincidence that we were fostered by a man that was perfect for us. Like it was meant to be, you know?" She says, voice stronger, less nervous. He starts the car when the light changes but doesn't let go of Alina. "It wasn't easy, all those years at the orphanage, with Mal as my only family. But now I wake up and there's messages from my dad on my phone and Mal sends me pictures of Tristan every day and I get to help, Sasha. I always wanted to help." He nods, because that's not a surprise to him. "When I was younger, all I wished was for someone to hold me and tell me it was okay, that I was safe. Botkin did that for me and now I get to do it for cats."

"You do a wonderful job, Alina. I think your younger self would be very proud of you," he says, squeezing her hand and running his thumb up and down in a soothing manner.

"Thank you, Sasha," she answers, bringing their joined hands to her chest. He can feel her finger outlining the veins on his arm and he lets her. Aleksander knows there's few things he wouldn't let her do and this isn't one of them. "Tell me something about your childhood."

He takes a turn and thinks about how Keramzin street is close, yet so far away.

"It wasn't unlike yours. My mother is a very cold woman who used to move around a lot. Me and my sister didn't have a place to call home because we knew that as soon as the school year was over we would be on the road." It was hard, not having friends because he was perpetually the new kid, and only having Ulla to tether him to his world. "I guess I also wanted someone to hold me and tell me it was okay, that I was safe."

Unlike Alina, he still doesn't have that person.

They spend the rest of the way in silence, but when Aleksander pulls over at the direction she told him, Alina tugs on their joined hands, forcing him to look at her.

"You're okay Sasha, you're safe," she says in a soft voice.

He believes her.

The neighbor who made the call, a young woman by the name of Nadia, helps them find their way to the cats.

They start with the mother. Nadia goes to look for a latter and while she does, Alina gives him instructions, as it's his first rescue.

She speaks fast, not even breathing, but Aleksander manages to understand her. "No sudden moves, no forcing her, not yelling, not doing anything that might scare the mother, she must come to you Sasha it might take time but don't…" Her voice breaks but she just takes a deep breath before regaining control. "We need her safe and sound, okay? And you as well. Don't take any chances, your safety is important too."

Once they have the ladder Aleksander climbs on top of it without a second thought, being as careful as he can, considering how the whole thing could collapse and take it with him. He looks down and all it takes is one look into Alina's doe eyes and the fear that fills them to know he has to do this.

"Hey girl," he whispers to the white cat, trying to approach her. She's far away and his arm is only so long. "We're here for you, why don't you come?" The cat seems indifferent to him and if he looks down he can see Alina's worry, so he decides to use the trick she taught him that helps with the cats at the shelter.

He starts to hum an old lullaby he used to sing to Ulla when they were little. Alina shared it with her as if she was sharing a treasure—which he realizes it is—and it allowed him to bond with even the most skittish of cats. It works now, catching the attention of the mother and bringing her closer so he can grab her gently.

"It's okay, you're safe now," he whispers into her fur as he goes down the ladder.

Alina is by his side the second he's back on land. She carefully takes the cat from his arms, inspecting her for damage.

Aleksander watches carefully as Alina does a full, but quick, check up of the mother. Paying extra attention to her head and underbelly.

"She's malnourished and her back leg looks to be hurt, but Tolya and Tamar will examine her tomorrow and tell me more," Alina explains to him before pressing a kiss to the cat's head. "You're safe with me and Sasha," Alina says, snuggling to his side. "Now we need to get your kitties so we can go home."

Nadia walks with them to the car, where Alina has a little cage and several blankets to make the mother comfortable before they go and look for the kittens.

It's not easy, getting the kittens to safety. They are far away from his reach, lying helplessly in the pipe while waiting for their mother to come back. Still, neither him nor Alina are afraid of getting dirty and doing everything to ensure they get every single one of them.

She puts herself on the line, since her arms are slender than his.

He watches in awe as she contorts herself and coaxes all the kittens from her place, examining them meticulously before leaving them with him so he can clean each of them.

They rescue eight kittens, all seemingly in good condition. Alina lets go of a couple of tears, smiling from ear to ear when they have them all in the car, reunited with their mama.

"Thank you so much, Sasha," she says, turning to face him with a relieved smile on her face.

He shrugs, trying to downplay it. Aleksander rarely gets a thank you for doing his job. He's the boss. People rely on him, but to get a thank you for doing his responsibilities is something he isn't used to.

"No need to thank me Alina, this is what I'm here for," he says, but it doesn't seem to matter to her because after everyone is secured in the crate, Alina steps closer to him and wraps her arms around his torso, face buried in his chest.

"Thank you, Sasha," she repeats, voice muffled because she doesn't let go of him when speaking.

He looks down at her, at the way her body seems molded to his, at the way her arms look so tiny but hug him tighter nonetheless.

Alina Starkov is a wonder. She's a miracle he encountered and wormed her way into his heart.

A heart that's beating faster because of her.

"You're welcome, Alinochka," he says, wrapping his arms around her and hugging her back.

On the way back to the shelter, Aleksander remembers he wanted to clear things before their rescue mission.

"Luda is not my girlfriend," he says, looking at her through the rearview mirror. Alina looks up from the kittens to lock eyes with him.

"Oh?" She looks so cute, he thinks. It's already dark outside and the only light comes from the one she turned on so she could keep an eye on the cats. It makes her look ethereal, gorgeous.

"We dated when we were teens and she didn't know any better," he explains. "She's my friend and currently she's not so secretly dating my sister."

"Not so secretly?" She asks, a coy smile on her lips.

"They have been together for a year but won't tell me. I guess they are afraid it will hurt me."

"Would it?" She asks, raising one of her perfect eyebrows.

"Of course it wouldn't. I'm happy for them, I wish them all the happiness in the world."

Alina nods before turning her attention to the cats. He thinks it is the end of the conversation, but that night, when he's saying goodbye to her she kisses his cheek and smiles at him.

"Thank you for telling me, Sasha. I really appreciate that."

When he gets home, to a sterile apartment overlooking the Fold, the biggest park in the city, he immediately calls Fedyor and asks him to make a donation to Alina's shelter in the name of the company.

This is his way of letting her know she's okay, she's also safe with him.

third week

Alina welcomes him on Monday with a huge smile and practically jumps into his arms. Joy emanates from every pore of her body as she tells him about the sizable donation his company made to the shelter.

"It's so much, Sasha!" She says, not even making a move to step away from him. Instead, her arms remain on his shoulders and his remain on her waist. She looks so happy she's practically growing. "And like, I don't even know them! Grisha Industries sounds quite fancy to know this place, don't you think? Maybe I should send them flowers as a thank you…"

"I think, Alinochka, that we should order some breakfast. My treat," he says, hoping his attempt to distract her from looking into his company is enough. "We need to celebrate this."

"Oh you're so right Sasha! Can we order from the Little Palace?" She asks and he nods, keeping her close as he takes out his phone and starts to order whatever her heart desires.

After their little adventure rescuing cats and the breakfast they share, he and Alina grow closer.

Although, Aleksander wonders how close they can be if he's concealing a part of his identity from her.

Luda never disclosed his information with Alina when she applied for the position for him. And because he's just volunteering and not getting paid they really didn't do a big check on him—something that worries him on a personal level and on a professional one—so that meant she only knew he was Sasha Morozov, spending a few weeks in Os Alta before moving back to Balakirev.

So, not only was the information she had on him not real, but even if they were able to have some sort of relationship, she thought it would have an expiration date.

But, he couldn't deny he thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her better.

"So you scared them with an… umbrella?" He asks in disbelief, one afternoon while they have lunch together and Alina is telling him stories about her time at the orphanage.

"Trust me, it just shows how resourceful I have always been!" She exclaims, gesticulating wildly, eliciting a fond smile from him.

"That I don't doubt, Alinochka," he says before finishing his meal. Hers is almost intact, so he decides to share a story about himself in order to get her to eat instead of talk. "My sister reminds me of you. She used to get in trouble all the time…"

"Excuse me?" She scoffs, but Aleksander can hear she's just exaggerating.

"Don't act so surprised. Apparently I'm very fond of troublemakers…" He says and Alina's eyes glimmer in response.

"Are you saying you're fond of me, Sasha?" She asks, fluttering her eyelashes and grinning at him. He chuckles, because she got him good.

"Don't try to distract me," he says before pointing at her food. "I'm telling you a story so you can focus on eating."

"I think that proves you're fond of me," she sing-songs "But no worries, I'll listen and eat, how about that?"

And they do just that, but Aleksander can feel himself falling a little bit for her.

The kittens they rescued were checked by Tolya and Tamar, the veterinary siblings Alina often worked with, and given the okay to join everyone else in the infirmary. The mother, whom Alina named Sankta, was also sterilized, but after the operation, Darkling seemed to be all over her.

"It's kind of cute, don't you think?" She asks and he finds it amusing, because if she could, she would have hearts for eyes.

They are both standing at the threshold of her office, watching as Darkling and Sankta snuggle with each other. Ever since she appeared, it seems like Alina's cat is smitten, often found by her side in a protective stance.

"I guess," he says, shrugging a bit.

"You guess?" She asks, sounding offended. Before he can defend himself, she elbows him playfully. "You're not fooling anyone, you're a big softie."

"I'm not trying to fool anyone," he fires back, elbowing her as well. This time, instead of separating their bodies, they remained glued, his side to her side. Alina doesn't seem to mind.

"Just admit it, Sasha. It won't kill you," she argues and Aleksander laughs.

He's not acting like this to be annoying, he just thinks she's cute when he messes with her. Is this the adult equivalent of pulling her pigtails? Probably.

"Well, fine. They are very cute, Alinochka," he says and she beams at him before resting her face on his arm. She's wearing platforms and she still doesn't even reach his shoulder.

"I don't think I've ever told you, Sasha, but you remind me of Darkling," she says, eyes glued to the cats, still snuggling on their now shared bed.

He blinks, surprised. "I do?"

She nods with a soft smile.

"When he arrived he was a little older than the rest and because he's black I knew it would be hard for him to get adopted. But all of the sudden we got these two people super interested in him and I was so close to giving him up… I was thinking of keeping him but I thought that he deserved to have a home where he would be loved." She sighs and when he turns to look at her, he can see pain in her eyes. "But they were too eager to a point where it seemed suspicious and we asked a friend to check their socials. They wanted him for a satanic ritual."

Aleksander did not expect that revelation and his heart breaks a little. To know there are people who would want to harm an innocent animal is something he would never understand.

Without thinking, he wraps his arm around Alina's shoulder, pressing her against his body. She briefly looks at him and smiles, leaning into the side hug.

"It's okay, we didn't let them take him and I decided to keep him. He's always been skittish around people, but I think he's incredibly loyal and clever. To think people wanted to hurt him… It kills me, you know?" She grabs his arm, wrapping it around her body. He squeezes her before pressing a kiss to her hair.

It's a lot, what Alina has seen and gone through. Usually people advocating and trying to make a difference tend to witness harder realities. People think it's all fun and games to be with animals all day, Alina has shown him how strong she is and what she has overcome.

He might spend the days fighting with shareholders and keeping his team focused, but it's nothing compared to what she does.

Aleksander is not easily surprised, not anymore, but ever since he met her, he has found himself in a constant state of awe.

"But you protected him and you still do it. I think he knows he will always be safe with you, and now he's letting Sankta know the same."

Alina looks at him and nods before she turns to look at the cats, who are still busy with each other. Aleksander's eyes remain on her, though, completely unaware they are mirroring Sankta and Darkling.

fourth week

"Sasha?"

As he hears Alina's voice get closer and closer, Aleksander is painfully aware of his situation and how he should at least try to salvage himself from the humiliating position he's in. However, he can't deny he's quite comfortable, so he doesn't do anything.

When Alina opens the door to the kitten's room the image is quite interesting: she finds him on the floor, almost like Gulliver. Just that, instead of little people, he has cats all over him.

They defeated him and now he's unable to move.

She laughs, a beautiful sound he never gets enough of, before speaking.

"What are you doing?" She asks, disbelief dripping from her voice. He cranes his neck to see her, smiling when their eyes meet.

Alina always looks very beautiful, today is no exception.

The smile becomes a wince when he feels little claws in his arm. "I've been defeated, can't you see?"

She laughs and he sees her momentarily, before one of the cats blocks his vision. While he can't say he hates the creatures, he can confirm he's not happy with them right now.

"Defeated, you say?" She asks, and he hears her walk towards him and remove the cat from his face. "This makes a funny image," she says, keeping the kitten close to her chest, petting it softly. "But are you sure you're okay?"

"No worries, Alinochka. I'm fine, really. It's not half bad…"

She purses her lips before her eyes scan him, laying on the cold floor with around nine cats jumping all over him.

"Your arm says otherwise," she argues, but ends up sitting on the floor. The kitten she was holding now comfortably resting between her legs. "But if you truly don't mind… Do you think we can try something?"

He's not bothered by just laying on the floor, but her new angle forces him to sit up, grabbing as many kittens as possible to keep in his lap. They're a rowdy bunch so many scatter, still using him as an amusement park; however, his favorite kitten remains in his arms.

"What are you thinking?" He asks, looking as she grabs her phone and angles it at him. Oh god, he's never liked being in front of cameras. This is why he hired Fedyor, because he simply couldn't stand the whole circus. He's meant to be behind the scenes. "Alina?"

"I always wanted to do something like the BuzzFeed interviews, maybe this is the time," she says and the cat she has on her lap jumps to join the rest in all the chaos. Aleksander is focused on them, but he still catches Alina's comments.

"Buzzfeed?" He asks and she rolls her eyes.

"Sasha you're not that old, you should know what BuzzFeed is."

He bites his lower lip, looking at her funny faces while she does something on her phone. Alina has a very expressive face and he enjoys watching her, how open and unabashedly herself she is. He's so focused on her face he lets the comment about his age slide, especially because he knows she's just teasing him.

"Well, are you ready?" She asks and he perks up, feeling his cheeks grow hot because she obviously caught him staring at her. He blinks, not knowing how to respond, but she doesn't seem to mind his silence. "I'll record now, so just answer my questions."

"Okay?" Confusion must be written all over his face, but Alina giggles so he doesn't mind.

"Can you please state your name and what you do here at Sunshine Paws?" She asks and he nods.

"Well, my name is Sasha…" He says, looking at the camera while caressing the little kitten on his lap. "And I'm a volunteer here at Sunshine Paws."

"And what does being a volunteer mean?" Alina asks.

"It involves taking care of the kittens, these ones you see here, for example," he uses his free hand to gesture at them before bringing as many as he can back to his lap. "These little ones are the first thing I see in the morning after I say hello to my beautiful boss. I feed them and make sure they are okay before moving to our oldest cats. So, aside from feeding them I change the sand and also ensure they are entertained and their needs are catered. But I would say, mostly being a volunteer means being bossed around by you, Alinochka."

He looks straight at her when she speaks, and if his cheeks were red before, now hers are.

"So, feeding cats, playing with them, and being bossed around. Correct?" She asks and he nods but doesn't add anything else and she just asks another question. "Are you enjoying your work here?"

He nods again, but this time his eyes are not on her, but on the kittens who are playing with his jeans, biting into it.

"I very much enjoy my work here," he answers, still not looking at the camera. "As you can see this is a feisty bunch and they are relentless, like someone I know." He briefly looks at her when he says that, the corner of his mouth up in a playful way. "Yes, I enjoy my time here very much. There isn't a dull day with the kittens or our visitors."

"And yet you seem to find the time to be a flirt," Alina points out. He turns to look at her after breaking a fight between two males. Yes, he does flirt with her, but she isn't far behind. He tells her as much.

"May I remind you that you also flirt with me? Must be breaking a bunch of laws in the employees handbook," he says and she bites her lower lip, fighting a smile.

"Good thing we don't have one of those, right?"

She asks him a couple more questions related to his time at the shelter, all while he flirts with her and also pays attention to the kittens around him. His favorite however, remains safe in his hand, seemingly comfortable to be around him and away from the chaos.

"Your favorite has fallen asleep," Alina points out after a question, making Aleksander lift his hand to his face. Indeed, the little one is sound asleep so he pets her softly and kisses her head before keeping her safely tucked in his hand.

Alina's face is unreadable and for a second he wonders if she's thinking about that time where they almost kissed. If she's thinking about what his lips would feel on hers, because the Saints know he has been thinking about that too, about doing more than that if he's being honest.

But one thing remains, Alina doesn't know him, not completely and he would feel like he's deceiving her. Aleksander already does feel like that now, but now they are just coworkers who flirt. If they were to kiss, then it would be too much.

Too much because he's going back to work in a week.

She clears her throat, ending the moment and forcing him to focus on the here and now.

It is for the best to not dwell too much on what their relationship could be because after next Friday. He will go back to his job and this will be in the past, like a fever dream.

"Ok, tell me about your favorite childhood memory," she says, this time avoiding his eyes, which is fine by him because that way he can focus on the kittens.

The questions are simple enough, but then she asks about his first kiss and what he's looking for in a partner and he thinks they are unable to steer clear from dangerous territory.

It seems to him like they are enjoying this dance with fire far too much. They might not be able to do anything—because he refuses, because it would be unfair to her—but their mutual attraction is palpable, almost unbearable to him.

He has never wanted anyone like he wants her. Isn't it almost poetic how he can't have her? And not because the universe won't let him, but because he doesn't let himself have her.

Maybe they are meant to be like this, sun and moon, orbiting each other forever.

"What is your ideal date?" She asks and he has to resist the urge of asking her what she would like to do if they ever go out.

"Is it a cliche if I say that the date doesn't matter as long as I'm with the right person?" Alina raises her eyebrows, surprised by his answer.

"You mean that?" She asks in a soft voice and Aleksander nods.

"I mean, I am partial to lunches rather than dinners as a first date. Mostly because dinner comes with all these expectations and it can be a bit performative… But aside from that I think the date could consist of anything but only matters if it's shared with the right person," he says briefly looking away from her to grab the kitten who's biting his sneaker and keep it in his lap. "We could go to lunch and then the whole afternoon is ours, so we could go to a museum or a park, even a library. I think these days people are so caught up on making everything perfect when really it's just a matter of enjoying each other and spending quality time together."

He uses the word we intentionally, because he knows she would actually like that. A vegan lunch and then to be able to spend the rest of the afternoon at a museum or eating ice cream at a park is something Alina would enjoy very much.

She confirms it when she blushes and he just knows she's thinking about sharing that with him.

Once again, they both act like moths to the flame, dancing around this unspoken thing that won't ever happen.

They look at each other for a while. Him, mourning what could never be and Alina… Alina, probably digesting his words.

They stay silent for a couple of minutes, surrounded by kittens and all the things left unsaid.

"Alina…" He tries, but nothing else comes out of his mouth.

She saves him from embarrassing himself, lowering the phone before speaking.

"Would you mind doing one last bit? I just think, the donation from a couple of weeks ago has been so great but those will eventually end so I wanted for you to ask our followers to donate. Is that okay?"

"Yes, of course Alina. Anything," he says and he means it.

Oh, how he means it.

Aleksander gets home and the first thing he does is make an anonymous donation from his personal account.

Alina and the cats will always be safe if he has a say in it.

fifth week

His last week at the shelter starts like any other, although this time Alina doesn't jump into his arms to celebrate the donation. Which is fine, it is, because he donated not just because he wants to be able to touch her—he donated because he wants her to be happy and for the shelter to do well.

Aleksander just wants to make sure her mission to take care of animals is well funded.

Other than the lack of celebration for his anonymous donation, things remain the same. They have breakfast together every day, crammed in her office, talking about everything and nothing; they feed the cats together, throwing jabs at each other and laughing so hard his belly hurts; they do inventory and greet new visitors who are interested in adopting.

According to Alina, his video did very well and she's very thankful about the influx of new people. While it's hard letting go of the kittens, they are both very happy to find them loving homes. It's also the main reason why she does this and Aleksander cannot help but feel proud and happy to see her practically glowing with each cat they say goodbye to.

He spends his days trying to soak up his experiences in this place that gave him so much in so little time. After so many years just drifting and doing things just for the sake of it, he found himself enjoying his time at the shelter, finally finding some purpose and someone who made him feel truly happy.

Things come to an end, and this holiday he took because HR made him, is ending. Next Monday he'll go back to wearing three piece suits, spending his day immersed in spreadsheets and having endless meetings. He'll say goodbye to Alina and the cats, to the gray little one he favors over the others, to Sankta and Darkling who seem completely smitten with each other, to all of them.

"I made you this, as a thank you for your hard work," Alina says during Friday afternoon, once he has said goodbye to his favorite kitten and everyone else. Desperately trying to delay saying goodbye to Alina. One of the impossible things he wants to achieve. "I know it's not much and we weren't even able to pay you, but I wanted you to know how much it means to me that you were here, even if it was for a short time."

She hands him a charcoal drawing of him and his favorite kitten. It's a beautiful, wonderful thing to look at the art made by Alina Starkov. She captured his likeness and the fondness that overcomes him when he looks at the kitten with such master it makes his heart swoon.

What an amazing person she is.

"I know you have to go, but I wanted you to know our doors are always open," Alina says and her eyes are so expressive he can see how sad she is, but also how much she means the words she's telling him. "Sunshine Paws will always be your home."

She has no idea of how her words are true and what it means to him to hear her say that.

"I'll miss you, Sasha," she says, before hugging him. "I wish you didn't have to leave."

Aleksander wraps his arms around her, resting his head on top of hers.

"You mean so much to me, Alina. You have no idea."

And they stay there, unwilling to let go, even after the night falls.