#ver-writes

The Grishaverse

Tolya & Tamar

Tagging @katherinedeveraux @daywing and @antinomes

The Os Alta Ballet Company has belonged to the Morozova family for almost a hundred years, and it presently run by Aleksander Morozova, who only occasionally dances. His mother, Baghra, is the current principal dancer, but she’s on the edge of retirement. 

The next recital will be Baghra’s last, and she and her son set out to find a new principal dancer. 

Baghra wants to name Alina Starkov as the new principal. Her technique leaves a bit to be desired, but her passion for dance is unquestionable. She throws herself fully into ever performance. 

Aleksander favors Zoya Nazyalensky. Her technique is absolutely flawless. She’s the most talented dancer he’s ever seen. She’s rather distant, though, and it disconnects the audience. The only thing she shows any passion for, good or bad, is one of the men in the corps.

That would be Nikolai Lantsov. He’s not a particularly good dancer, and claims he only joined the company to have fun. It’s not true, of course. He had been watching Zoya dance through the studio’s front window for weeks before he joined. 

Some wesper fluff today!

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The note Jesper had left was three simple words, and as he sat at the table, Wylan did his best to read it.

The first word was I. Easy enough.

The second word began with an L, then and O. Lo. Lo and behold, Wylan thought. There was a V next, then an E. "Lovey?"

"Silent E," Jesper reminded him as he came into the room. He had gone out to grab breakfast a half-hour ago, and he carried a bag with him that smelled of waffles and syrup. There was steam rising out of the top. "Miss me?"

"Of course." Wylan accepted a kiss, but did not accept the bag, saying, "I need to figure this out."

"You haven't already?" Claiming the seat beside Wylan, Jesper said, "I thought it was so obvious, too!"

There was no irritation in his voice, nor any judgment, just pure affection. Wylan basked in it. The last word started with a Y. You, it said. You. "I love you," he read aloud, and Jesper, who was lying out plates after shooing the servants away, smile.

"That so?" he asked.

Wylan carefully folded the note and tucked it into the inner pocket of his waistcoat, just above his heart. He said again, "Of course."

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Going for the girls today! Zoya x Genya ❤

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"Do they hurt?"

On the edge of the bed, facing away, Zoya tensed. She was bare to the waist, and when Genya reached out to touch the scars across her back, she shivered. "I barely notice them anymore," Zoya said. It wasn't entirely true. When it was as cold as it was now, they ached.

"I could get you a salve," Genya said, pressing herself up against Zoya's back, resting her forehead on her shoulder. "It helps when my scars act up."

"They aren't that bad," Zoya said.

Pulling back, Genya pressed a kiss to the topmost of the scars, and Zoya shuddered hard. "You could talk to one of the healers," Genya said, "if you weren't so stubborn."

"And yet I am," Zoya muttered, then laughed when Genya gave her a playful shove.

Genya wound her arms around Zoya's waist, pressing close again, her soft lips brushing Zoya's neck when she said, "You're lucky I like you."

"I am," Zoya softly agreed, "so lucky."

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