“I love it.” Alexei breathed, he closed his eyes a moment to compose himself. He quickly placed a quick peck at the corner of her mouth before releasing her gently. “We should say goodnight to mama before we go.” He said then, pausing only to run a finger along the flaxen braid that crowned her head.
“You can go do that, I’ll join you in a second. I want to put these in a vase.” Polina explained, holding up the bouquet, still smiling at him. _________________ Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.
“Don’t be too long.” Alexei said with a smile before stepping around her and into the apartment. Once in the home, there was an utterance for Diana, a quick greeting before being passed over for the other lady in his life.
“Mama,” Alexei called to Marina, arms outstretched for an expected embrace. “How are you tonight?” He asked her.
While Alexei would’ve tried hard to impress anyone who was Polina’s parent. He was sweet on Marina for sure, her softness reminded him of Polina. She had a maternal energy that was not like Fauna’s, but in its otherness, Alexei found it pleasant. He often reflected on that night he came to save Marina, but she had already saved herself. He could acknowledge the unbridled terror she had experienced, that her actions were driven by primal fear. But bloodied with a knife still clutched in her palms, he could only view it with admiration. Being raised in a family that is very much a matriarchy, Marina validated those Nikitin values. There is nothing and no one stronger, than a woman.
“What have you eaten today? I brought flowers.” He continued to sort of rattle off. When Alexei was around Marina, he always made an effort to talk to her, to dote on her. It was important to him that she felt cared for by him.
Marina was smiling quietly to herself, having listened in on the two young lovebirds in the entryway, when Alexei approached her. She looked up at him and smiled even wider, standing up with her own arms outstretched to meet him.
"мой мальчик, look at how handsome you look!" She complimented with an enthused laugh as she embraced Alexei. Despite his stature dwarfing her own, she gave him a fierce, maternal squeeze, the kind of embrace only a mother could give. When she pulled away, she reached up to cup at his face, affectionately patting his cheeks. "You've kept her waiting, you know? She's been acting like she has ants in her pants." She teased.
"I have not." Polina gave a lighthearted protest as she reappeared with the flowers still in hand, but now situated in a vase that she promptly placed on the dining table just adjacent from the living room. _________________ Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.
Alexei smiled and sort of bowed his head in apology, though he laughed a little at Marina's teasing. Alexei liked to hear that she was anxiously waiting to see him, just as he was eager to get to her.
"I'm sorry, I had to wash up after work, and then get flowers of course." Alexei offered in explanation, though Marina probably wasn't expecting one in earnest.
Polina was fussing at the bouquet, attempting to sort the arrangement back out, when she glanced up at Alexei and her mama and took a pause. She smiled fondly at the two of them as Marina gave Alexei’s cheeks another set of a pats and Alexei gave her a lighthearted apology. There was nothing more satisfying to her than seeing the two people she cherished most in the world getting on as Alexei and her mama did, each holding a certain level of tenderness for the other. She knew that Alexei was at least in some way partial to Marina simply because she was Polina’s mama, but she also knew that there was more to his affection for her. It was genuine admiration. Polina was also aware that her mama liked Alexei in part because he was the boy who was dating her daughter, but she also knew that Marina appreciated him like a son, her affection for him much like the affection she had for her daughters.
It warmed Polina’s heart.
“Marina, dinner is just about ready.” Diana called out from the kitchen.
Marina looked over her shoulder and then back to Alexei.
“You two better get going to your dinner.” She smiled.
Polina approached Marina and Alexei, reaching out to collect her mama’s hand.
“Call if you need anything, Mama.” She nodded, earning a “tsk” and a flap of Marina’s hand.
“I won’t do that. You two just enjoy your night.” She said, moving to cup at Polina’s face then. “I love you, маленькая жемчужина.” She smooshed her nose into Polina’s and smiled. _________________ Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.
Alexei smiled contentedly, observing as Marina fawned over Polina affectionately. It was good to see her being loved so tenderly.
"Goodnight, mama." Alexei bid Marina goodnight, issuing his own peck at her temple.
He straightened out his jacket and smoothed his hand through his dark hair before offering his arm out to Polina to take. She looked amazing, even before exiting the threshold of the apartment, it was hard to even think about returning her. But he would be good, and gentle, and patient. He would escort and deliver her always, and one day the gaps when they were apart, would close.
"You can come closer, if you get cold." Alexei offered to Polina. He loved the dress, even more so on her. But it did expose pale skin, and the fabric hugged tightly around the body, no bulk of cotton to hide behind for modesty or warmth. He would undoubtedly offer his jacket to her, but it would be nice if he could aspire for some physical contact.
Polina took Alexei's arm and, at his offer, her cheeks flushed pink and she settled in close to him. She neatly fit against his side like she was always meant to be there. She tilted her head up to him and smiled bashfully.
"It is a bit chilly, isn't it?" She said, even though they hadn't been outside long enough for her to be remotely cold. _________________ Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.
“I think so.” Alexei smiled to himself as Polina had nestled into his side. It was almost as good as heroine, or what Alexei thought heroine might feel like.
He held the door open for her, making sure she was comfortable before jogging around to the driver side door. He was thankful that his aunt let him borrow her car, while Alexei could afford to buy his own vehicle, he didn’t want the responsibility of owning one. Vania liked it because it was fast, as she made a lot of speedy getaways. She also liked the freedom it provided her, not needing to rely on a driver or waiting on a car. That didn’t really apply anymore though since Alexei borrowed it often. He didn’t mind that it was fast, and that it had many safety features. He liked that it was luxurious. Girl like cars right? Fast ones, ones with leather interiors and seats with adjustable temperatures. If he thought about it too long, he would realize that Polina didn’t long for extravagance. But trying to impress her was half the fun.
“This restaurant is a little bit far. But that just means I get more time with you.” Alexei said with a mild smile, plugging the address into the gps on his phone.
(Small FF)
It was good that Alexei had the connections that he did. The restaurant was busy even though it was only soft opening week. They did maintain Alexei’s reservation, for valet as well as for a semi private section for the two of them. The interior design of the restaurant could definitely be described as high class. The floor was a concrete, a mixed cast with a flower design stamped across in eight by eight blocks. The walls were a beige Venetian plaster, the trowel giving it a natural texture that was symmetrical from the walls to the ceiling. The chairs were a luxury brand that Alexei recognized, because Fauna liked this particular brand. They were a Fyrn, made with multigrain leather that looked black but was actually espresso colored under the light. The tables were made from a black limestone, with yellow gold marbling that swirled throughout, following the curves of the large oval table. It was all sort of plain and minimalist, even with the most expensive of furnishings. But the lightfixtures were uniquely Russian. The lights were made to look like bochka roofs, the type of roofing sort of specific to Russia, they were a half-cylinder with an elevated and pointed upper part, resembling a pointed kokoshnik. The seams where the frame intersected, were dotted richly with jewels; rubies and sapphires, pearls and topaz. The sibling lamps reflected their lights off of each other, creating a cascade of saturated color.
As Alexei escorted Polina to their table, he kept his gaze low, studying her face for a reaction to their environment. He really did want to impress her.
There was a Quartet playing delicately on a stage, violin’s plucked and vibrated with jubilance, bright and happy. But there was still a sort of quiet hum, the kind of white noise that you get from restaurants and cafes. There was faint clinking of ceramic dishes and people chatting amongst themselves without worry. Even if they weren’t, Polina and Alexei’s table was situated in the back, in a private little corner with two chairs pushed closely to be side by side. He pulled one out for her, his dark eyes observing her curiously as the colors moved across his face. Combined with the sharp edges of his face, he looked statuesque, carved from the crystal heart of a geode.
Polina had lived what she considered to simply be a modest life up until this point. She had worn well worn and lovingly mended hand-me-downs her whole life, she shared a small but cozy bed with her sisters who she idolized and adored, she could count on one hand all the times her parents had taken them out to eat at a restaurant as a treat. She never really minded living such a simple lifestyle, but as much as she loved her modest life from before, she had grown a fondness for the luxuries that Alexei had shown her. While she still had yet to let him spoil her the way he so desperately wanted to, she had a deep appreciation for the occasional grandiose gift and extravagant gesture, this visit to such a fancy new restaurant included.
Her eyes glittered like the gems dotting the architecture, like moon bright sapphires, as she admired the restaurant. With Alexei guiding her, she hardly had to watch her step, allowing her to crane her neck up and up and up towards the high arched ceilings. In a way, it almost reminded her of a church, though this place lacked the distinct quiet needed for religious reverie with it's gentle murmurs and light clattering of dishes. When she looked forward, she was only slightly surprised to see that Alexei was guiding them to a less occupied section of the restaurant, surely made so on purpose. Alexei, if anything, was thoughtful in all matters revolving around Polina. She had never dated anyone before, but she didn't think all boyfriends put as much effort into dates as Alexei did.
"How did you find this place?" She asked, looking up at Alexei very much impressed. _________________ Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.
Alexei had to bite back a satisfied grin, reading Polina's energy as very much impressed. Alexei didn't have a preference for fine dining, it was just what he knew. The Nikitin's specialized in organized crime, gun trafficking, and opulence. While neither the family's patriarch or matriarch came from money to begin with. But they cultivated their wealth with gritty immigrant work ethics so their future generations may reap the benefits. More than reaping, they indulged with delight; expensive clothes and rare jewels, a fully staffed penthouses and private drivers. All that was fine, Alexei like those things too. But he was not above a fast food meal, generic brands; the kind of minimalism achieved through being too dumb to care. He only knew of this place, because his sister had come recently with Spider.
"My sister recommended it. She said I should bring you here." Alexei said. Stasi did no such thing, but it was nice to think about his sister taking such a shine to Polina, that she would suggest things like that. He was manifesting in a way. He pushed in Polina's chair before sliding into his own beside her. Most couples were seated across from their respective partners, Alexei preferred to be closer. Other couples sat across from each other in order to maintain polite eye contact while eating and conversing. As much as Alexei loved Polina's light blue eyes, he cared more about the outside of their knees touching each other.
"Really? You should ask her to come over some time then so I can cook her something as a thank you for such a good suggestion." Polina smiled as she took her perch, turning in the chair to face Alexei's before he could even sit. She had learned more about Stasi through Alexei than she had been able to firsthand. She'd only spoken to Alexei's sister twice, both times brief as she had come by to pick Alexei up for some jobs. She didn't come off as stony as their mama, who Polina was still certain did not like her, but she also didn't come off as someone who was easily impressed and Polina wanted nothing more than to impress Alexei's beloved sister. _________________ Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.
“I’ll tell her.” Alexei continued to smile, pleased as punch with the point of his canine’s poking out. “She likes cabbage rolls.” Alexei added as a suggestion.
They didn’t wait long before a server came to their table, pouring them waters with ice, and lemon, and cucumber. The waiter also explained the fixed menu and how the courses would be served. He asked about food allergies and left a wine and cocktail menu. Since Alexei did not drink, he deferred the menu to Polina. He didn’t mind if she drank, Polina could do whatever she wanted and Alexei was not likely to speak an ill word against it.
Polina adored Alexei’s smile, especially when he did so in earnest and his canine stuck out just so. Before, she could only admire its charm all to herself, but since becoming official, it wasn’t unusual for her to reach out to cup his face, her thumb brushing over its point. She did so upon seeing the sharp edge of it against his lip, her thumb delicately touching it before she leaned in to softly kiss at his lips.
“Then I’ll make cabbage rolls and the solyanka that you like.” She all but giggled against his mouth.
She pulled back when the waiter arrived and explained the menu to them. Alexei edged the alcohol menu towards her and she picked it up from the table out of courtesy, but promptly flushed as she set it back down and leaned over, hand cupped conspiratorially.
“I don’t know any drinks.” She admitted. _________________ Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.
The small and quick gesture of affection was enough to make Alexei’s head spin. Polina had gotten braver too, since becoming an official couple. This of course was celebrated by Alexei. It was a pleasant surprise every time Polina took advantage, sneaking a delicate touch. It made him buzz with electricity, smiling contentedly to himself.
when Polina whispered in his ear, he listened carefully and nodded in understanding.
“I don’t either.” He said with a little shrug. “But if you want to try one tonight, you could just pick whatever sounds good. My тетя likes martini’s, my бабушка likes red wine. I don’t know the difference.” He explained with his own sheepish grin.
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