“You make it sounds so easy,” she scoffed. “How are you so optimistic about everything?”

Was that why he went toward the commotion by the witches and not away? Was that why he let the girl approach him? Or was it because he felt the pull - the tug of her far before her eyes met his? Amias wasn’t sure but he’d been semi-aware during that whole year. He’d sprinted home and had licked his wounds. He listened to awful stories from his heard - of Grisha’s ambition and obsession with power. Of how they did not honor the Old Ways like the other witches did. 

He believed his elders, so why was he here? Why was he watching her from the trees? Why was she kneeling by a frigid river. He hesitated shifting as he stepped forward on the opposite bank. He tapped his foot nervously as he looked at her. He just wanted to make sure she was ok - that was all. That was all it could be right? He didn’t even really know her - he knew he admired her bravery, her commitment to help everyone. Maybe it his instincts then that screamed to rip her lover apart then. It wasn’t any matter - his herd wouldn’t accept her. Not after the violence she’d brought to him unintentionally or otherwise.

She’d wanted to be normal - to be free so why was he here? He should respect her wish and leave her alone. She didn’t seem to have her powers anyway - that was good she could know peace again. 

“You don’t look dressed for the weather."

//for Alina!!//

Sitting on the bank of a frigid river wouldn't appeal to most people but to Alina, the faint idea of retracing the steps that had led to some of her mistakes in hopes of figuring out a way to fix herself had been appealing. She could still remember that day on Nikolai's ship and she remembered the sea serpent, the feel of its scales around her wrist.

It had seemed right at the time, had seemed like the only way she could potentially overcome what Aleksander had revealed himself to be and to save people from him. It had seemed like the only way to save Ravka at the time.

How wrong she had been...and how much her hubris had ultimately cost her in the end.

The part of her that had made her feel whole.

She felt eyes on her before she heard the voice. Rising, she wrapped her arms around herself and turned her attention away from the river.

{spllinters}

“... Robin?”

“No way...” Alina shook her head as she walked over and punched him in the arm not-so-gently. “What the hell are you doing here!?”