"Luna!"
"I don't what to hear it! You're insufferable!"
"Insufferable? Oh, and I suppose Theta isn't!"
"This is exactly what I'm talking about!"
Aliya and Koschei were fighting again. The other few students nearby gave them curious and disapproving looks as they went past. Aliya was striding through the corridors towards the direction of the room, while Koschei was some distance behind and yelling after her. Aliya spotted Theta talking to an older and similarly dark haired man up ahead and quickly stopped next to them.
"Hello," she said with a nervous smile, and resisted the urge to look over her shoulder. The older man gave Theta a curious look.
Theta coughed. "Yes, right. Aliyanadevoralundar of Arpexia, meet my older brother, Irving Braxiatel."
Braxiatel bowed to her formally and she was quick to do the same back.
"Nice to meet you. Good to see that my brother has finally made an honourable friend. Don't let him lead you astray," he said seriously, but with a charming smile. She laughed.
"I shall be sure to rebuke him grandly next time he tries, my Lord." She gave a smile of her own.
"Luna!" Koschei was approaching them with an angry look on his face. Braxiatel raised an eyebrow in a very disapproving manner and scratched his beard contemplatively.
"Does he mean you?" He asked Aliya. She nodded. The Time Lord rose to his full height as the blond Time Lord-to-be arrived at their small group. "Young man, what is your name?" He asked with an authority filled voice.
The youngster looked taken aback. "Koschei of Oakdown, my Lord." He said with a reluctant – and almost definitely false – air of respect.
"Koschei, when talking to one of your peers, you will address her by her full name, and treat her with the respect and courtesy she deserves, is that understood?" Braxiatel said firmly. The young blond man nodded.
Braxiatel turned to his brother. "Goodbye Theta. I have places to be." The Time Lord left the students alone, and sure enough, Koschei barely waited until Braxiatel was out of earshot before turning on both of his friends.
"Hiding behind higher members of authority, are we now, Luna?" Koschei mocked.
"Go away, Koschei," Aliya said as coldly as she could.
"No. We need to talk," he hissed.
"Oh? If we need to talk so badly, then why is it when we're finally alone so we can 'talk', we never actually do much talking?" she asked angrily. Theta felt his fists clench at her implications.
"Because my way seems to get the message through better," Koschei seethed.
"Leave her alone," Theta said, narrowing his eyes at his friend.
"Stay out of this, Theta." Koschei grabbed Aliya's wrist with painful force and kissed her, forcing himself against her. His hand flew up to run through her hair, and her head piece clattered to the ground. She placed her hands on his chest and tried to push him away.
It wasn't until Theta forced them apart that she was free.
"How dare you," Aliya said, mortified and enraged, head darting around to check they hadn't been seen. "How dare you kiss me in public, you might not have any shame left but I will not let you damage my reputation or my house's reputation like that."
Koschei sneered. "Maybe I should write to your dear old father, tell him in great detail what we've been getting up to-"
"Don't even joke about that, Koschei, that isn't funny, that's disgusting, not even you would sink that low," Theta said to Koschei, glaring. "Get out of here and cool down. I don't know what the hell you're trying to achieve here, but you'd better know that it is doing the opposite of any good."
Koschei scowled and turned tail, disappearing around a corner.
"Come on," Theta said, automatically reaching for Aliya's hand only to hesitate. Even that was too much affection for out in the school corridors, really. He kept his hand to himself and instead just guided Aliya with a few light touches to her arm and back until they reached the dormitory area and went into his room, locking the door behind them.
He was quick to hug her tightly the moment they had privacy, and she let out a little sob of relief against his chest.
When they pulled apart, Theta began looking her over. He noted the slightly swollen lips, but he could see nothing else wrong with her. He took her face gently in his hands and rubbed his thumb over her cheek.
"Are you okay?" he asked. She nodded.
"Yes, he just… scares me sometimes. I'm afraid of going back to my room," she said sheepishly, and let out a tired yawn.
"You could stay in here. I don't mind," Theta suggested.
Aliya frowned. "But wouldn't that be…I don't know…"
"No, you're my best friend. It's not weird, or wrong, unless you make it like that."
Theta smiled at her, to reassure her, and it seemed to work. Aliya had once said that she loved Theta's smiles. That they were so happy and full of warmth, and when he was happy it was just infectious, that one couldn't help but mirror his mood. It was one of the things that had pulled her to him so quickly, apparently.
"Okay. But what will I wear?"
Theta frowned momentarily. "Um… you've got an underdress on or something, don't you?"
She nodded. "It's a bit small though. It only comes up to my knees."
"Well it's a good thing I'm not trying to seduce you, then," Theta joked with a grin. He went to get changed in his bathroom. Aliya sat down on the edge of his bed. "Wouldn't even know how to seduce anybody, me."
"Do you have an extra blanket or something I can use to make the floor more comfortable?" She asked him through the door.
"Floor? I'm not letting you sleep on the floor, Ali!" He argued. "We can sleep in the same bed."
"But that's so…" Aliya trailed off.
"So what?"
"So… improper."
"Improper?" Theta couldn't help but be slightly bitter. "From what I hear, improper hasn't stopped you and Koschei."
He came through the door in a light cotton shirt and long baggy pants. His brown hair was slightly shaggy and passed his collar, out of the little ponytail he often pulled it back into in labs or when teachers got strict.
He liked the look a lot, because it was softer and more feminine, and while he certainly didn't feel like a girl, he never tended to feel like much of a man, either. Gender was weird, and dumb. He was glad to live on a planet that never put much stock in it, and didn't much care what you identified as so long as you were polite and halfway decent at your job.
Aliya, meanwhile, had blushed profusely at his statement. "That's different."
"How?"
"It…just is!"
"Well, for us it is not improper, because we're not doing anything. We're just sleeping," Theta reminded her. She nodded reluctantly and reached behind to undo the knot at the back of her dress, but she had done it too tightly and she could not do it.
She cursed, and looked surprised at herself when she did so.
"Here, let me help." Theta offered in good natured exasperation. Despite her weak protests, he came behind her and undid the knot deftly. He loosened the laces doing up the back and she slipped out of the dress easily.
Aliya looked nervous as she slowly turned around to face Theta. The underdress was white and sleeveless with a low neck. The light bodice and skirt were white and frilly, coming to her knees.
He smiled gently, and she just blushed.
"Shut up."
"Did I say something?" He teased.
"No, but you didn't need to. Stop looking at me like that."
"Sorry." He smiled again. He went over to the bed and pulled back the covers so she could slide in. He then got in on the other side.
"Thank you," Aliya said again as he turned the light out. He knew that she had always liked the dark. It's mysterious and strangely comforting in the way it the way it seems to wrap around everything, she had once said.
"Good night, Ali," Theta said gently.
"Good night, Theta." Aliya reached her hand back until it brushed his. He grabbed it and held onto it comfortingly, slowly stroking her fingers with his own. The tiny rhythm sent her to sleep.
Theta felt Ali's breathing steady out, and knew she was asleep. He kept a grip on her hand as he too fell asleep.
In a few moments of being half-awake throughout the night, he became aware of having gotten closer to her, her back against his front while his arms were around her small form, his nose half buried in her long curly hair. She smelled sweet, like the golden flowers that grew on his family's lands. And her skin was there before him, more of it than he had ever seen before.
He wanted to touch her, ached to touch her in a way he'd only ever known for fleeting moments with Koschei before he'd even known her. It was a new feeling and a scary one when he wasn't even fully awake to comprehend it.
But he knew one thing, which was that in these moments, these precious moments, she was safe in his arms.
In the morning Theta Sigma woke to find his arms empty of the golden haired young woman who had once been between them. Cracking his eyelids open to investigate further, he found a note on the pillow next to him.
He ran his eyes over the swirling symbols etched into the paper.
Theta,
Had to leave before everyone woke up. Didn't want to get caught leaving your room. See you later.
Ali
He made a noise that was a strange mix between a yawn and a groan before rolling over and going back to sleep.
Meanwhile, now back in her own room, Aliya had been spending the idle hours of the morning reading more of the Agatha Christie books, something she was thoroughly enjoying.
There was a knock at the door. Four beats sounded harshly against the wood, and it was as if they had yelled out their name; the rhythm said it all. She ignored it while trying to also disregard the fear stirring in her stomach.
"Luna! Let me in!" An angry voice yelled.
"I see no way it would benefit me," she replied flatly, in another rare moment of sarcasm.
"You have to open that door sometime. I can wait if necessary."
"So you're just going to wait outside my door? What are you going to do if a Professor asks what you're doing? The doors are named, and I don't think Lord Braxiatel will be pleased to find you outside mine," Aliya said and was surprised at how calm and sophisticated her voice sounded considering she felt the complete opposite.
"Just let me in. We have to settle this sometime." Koschei said.
Aliya sighed. Deep down, she knew he was right. She got up and opened the door.
"Thank you," he said with a charming smile. She could not help but be wary of his cordial behaviour, since it was not consistent with his attitude to date. He strode in with his pride obviously still intact. She shut the door behind him.
"So what do you want?" Aliya asked cautiously.
He laughed, and it sounded too normal. "Do I have to want something?"
"You usually do."
"Well, this time all I want is for us to spend some together." Koschei smiled again. Aliya felt her heart swell as she began to believe he may be telling the truth. He was acting like the old Koschei, the one she had fallen in love with.
"Really?"
"Yes, really. I've been acting terribly, and I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry."
She gave him a huge, happy smile with eyes full of relief and love. He grabbed and pulled her into a hug. She relaxed against his body. Everything was back to the way it should be.
He captured her lips in a surprisingly gentle kiss. It was barely demanding, merely staking his claim and showing his feelings. She kissed back blissfully, winding her fingers through his curls while he placed his hands on her waist.
Suddenly, the door swung open.
Theta stood in the door way with a somewhat bemused expression as he watched his two friends halt their kissing and direct their attention to him. For a moment he looked upset, or disappointed, before the emotion was gone.
"I'll, uh, come back," He said blankly, making to leave when Aliya stopped him.
"No, it's fine, why were you coming to see me?"
Theta held up a small bag in his hand (that like almost everything Gallifreyan was bigger on the inside) and pulled a shining headpiece out of it, one she recognised instantly.
"That's mine," the blonde young woman frowned as she stared at it. "I must have left it behind this morning in my rush, sorry."
"It's fine." Theta shrugged as he reached out and handed it to her. Aliya took it stiffly, as she realised Koschei was still present, and taking in the situation with an ever growing jealous scowl. Aliya did her best to ignore him as she put the headpiece away, but when she turned back, Theta and Koschei had their eyes locked in some sort of confrontation.
"Anything you'd like to explain, Luna?" Koschei asked coldly while not taking his gaze off the other young man.
"No," she said, lifting an eyebrow.
He glared. "Why did you leave your headpiece in his room?"
"Because she slept in there," Theta said with newfound courage.
"Oh really?" Koschei spat. "And why did she do that?"
Theta took a step forward. "She was hiding from you!"
"Oh really?" Koschei sneered, his attractive features twisting into an ugly scowl.
Aliya looked between the two of them, wondering whether she really had the guts to confront the one she loved like this.
"Yes!" She shouted, the words slipping out before her mind could think about it. "You're just wrong, Koschei! What is this?" She gestured to him. "A minute ago you were acting like the person I fell in love with, and now you're back to the horrible person who has taken over the good person who used to be there! Was that all it was? An act?"
"Maybe it was an act," he said coolly. "You would never have let me touch you otherwise."
As he spoke, Aliya felt physically unclean in all the places he had touched her just then. She tentatively stepped towards him.
"You're not this person…" she whispered, reaching up to touch his cheek gently. He laughed without humour and locked his hand around hers, pressing his lips against it possessively. She snatched her hand away. "Stop it."
"This is who I am, and it's never going to change. You'll accept that soon enough," Koschei said coldly. He grabbed her arms and locked eyes with her. "And you'll come to me anyway, you always do."
Feeling sick in her stomach, she pushed him away roughly, tears streaking down her face.
"Get out!" She yelled desperately. "We're finished, I never want to talk to you again!"
He looked furious.
"Fine, if that's the way you want it." Koschei shoved her to the side and pushed past Theta to stalk out of the room.
Theta stared after him before turning his attention to his friend, who was crying on her bed, quickly soaking the sheets with her salty tears.
"Ali…" He began as he slowly approached her.
"Just…go," she said softly into her pillows. "Please."
Theta watched her for a few more moments before reluctantly leaving the room and closing the door behind him.
It had been a year since Aliya had pushed Koschei out of her life, and was well on the way to mending her broken heart. To anyone who knew her, except for Theta, they would think it was already mended.
She knew better, but put on a brave face.
In celebration of a round of exams being completed, the Professors had allowed the students to have one function to relax before continuing on with school work the next day.
The dress code was smart dresses or tunics. Aliya's dress was purple and flowing, and made of such a soft material that it took a lot of her self control to not continuously stroke it while talking to Ushas, who was in a surprisingly good mood.
Ushas had slightly darker skin and more angular features, and had opted for a sari-like dress of a dark red. The theme of the party/ball was clothing of more primitive eras and planets. Because her features were very similar to those of Indian humans, Ushas had dressed accordingly.
Aliya had simply opted for a simple early 19th century Earth gown, and she eyed Theta across the room. He had selected a gown of similar style, unworried about the rules around gender that apparently tended to apply to clothing in that time period, rules which Aliya didn't quite understand and thought sounded all very silly anyway.
She just thought he looked rather lovely. The dress showed off his collarbones.
The music playing in the background was a mix of the music styles of the same places and times the clothing was based around. At the Academy, all students had to learn how to play all the basic instruments of many different planets. Therefore, it was easy for some of them to provide music now.
A slow, pretty song came on, and just as Aliya began to enjoy it she spotted Koschei across the room, skulking around in dark clothing, complete with a black cloak. She felt a dark feeling in her stomach as their eyes locked, and it only grew as he slowly began to make his away around the dancers in an obvious attempt to get to her.
Ushas had spotted him too.
"He's never going to change," the older girl said grimly, eyeing the blonde young man with distaste. "Don't be fooled into thinking he will. You should be smarter than that."
Aliya nodded vaguely and excused herself, hurrying away in Theta's direction.
Ushas found herself being asked to dance by a somewhat wary Magnus (Ushas, after all, had a rather intimidating persona), and while initially sceptical, she accepted and seemed to find it rather enjoyable.
Aliya approached Theta, who became a little alarmed by the fear in her eyes.
"Ali, what's wrong?" He asked worriedly.
"Koschei, he's coming over. I'm afraid he'll try something, like ask me to dance, because he knows I can't make a scene here, or maybe he'll-" Her panicked ramble was cut short by Theta placing his hand gently over her mouth to stop the sound.
"So you need me to save you?" he summarised with a grin. She nodded, rolling her eyes a little. He dipped into a small bow, and held his hand out to her, his eyes twinkling with good-natured mockery. "Aliyanadevoralundar, may I have this dance?"
She giggled and let him lead her onto the dance floor.
Her right hand slipped into his left, while his right rested gently on her waist. Unsure, she placed her other hand on his shoulder. They swayed awkwardly for a few seconds, before laughing at themselves. They did their best to adjust. He wrapped his arm further around her waist and up her back a little, and pulled her closer while she moved her arm so that it was wrapped around his neck instead of sitting on his shoulder.
He brought their still joined hands up closer to their bodies, and they moved gently to the music, more comfortable than before.
After an unceasing amount of stepping on each other's toes they decided to go for the option of her feet resting on top of his own, a safer and less painful option for both of them.
Aliya giggled as his feet moved and hers moved with them. "We can't do anything right," she noted playfully.
"Maybe not…" Theta admitted, and grinned, "But it's more fun this way. We learn from our mistakes, so this is the way that's going to make us both geniuses!"
"You're already a genius, Theta. You just need to find a way to show that to the Professors," Aliya told him. His face fell a little.
"It's not my fault that I can't see things the way they do," he said sadly. "They know of every possible type of thought technique and learning skill, but when it comes to me they can't make me understand, and vice versa."
"I understand," Aliya said quickly. "Your stuff, it took me a while, but I get it now. And it's brilliant, so don't you ever forget that. And now that I understand how you think, together we're going to get you through this, remember? Last week, you got a level above the minimum pass grade for an assignment for the first time ever. Things can only get better, Thete."
"I hope so, Ali."
Aliya let herself sink into the music and enjoy the dance with Theta. For a while, she forgot about Koschei and thought of nothing but the feeling of sharing a dance with her best friend to music that actually had meaning.
Theta made their dance more vigorous and playful during the long instrumental, causing her to laugh at his antics, as he swung her in and out of his hold. But as before, eventually he brought her back and held her delicately, as though she were a precious object.
The two Time Lords-to-be spun around blissfully, laughing as they had no idea of the darkness about to retake their lives once more.
