SIX OF CROWS X READER

Part 9B

"I'd love to," you reply.

Together you run off, everybody pushes you into a seat and they all begin fussing around you, painting your nails, doing your makeup and hair and tying you into a dress. Surprisingly it takes past noon and then you all talk tactics until it's time to go. You race out to the forest next to the lake, admiring the stunning dress Genya picked out. It's a light (F/C), with a jewelled neck line and flowing sleeves embroidered with diamonds. You'll probably be cold but you know Nikolai will love it. When you reach the lake, you find nothing but after a while, you spot a ribbon tied to one of the trees, there's a lantern hanging in in the branches above it. Following it into the woodland, you spot another and another. You must have walked half way round the lake until you spot a jetty covered in lanterns and food. Nikolai approaches you from the shadows.

"I'm glad you made it," he says, extending an arm and leading you onto the jetty. For the next hour, you eat and chat. At some point, you start shivering and Nikolai sweeps his cloak over your shoulders and you settle closer to him. You're falling asleep when the sun starts setting. For a while, you both sit in peaceful silence until eventually it's time to go.

"So, I hope you had a nice time," he finishes. You get up, accepting  his offer to walk you back even though you know the girls will be waiting to ask you questions. You reach the room where you had breakfast and find them waiting inside. 

"Aaaaaaaaah," Nina squeals. "How was it?"

"Great," you reply, settling down for a long conversation. Eventually, they let you go and you collapse into bed for the second time.

***

Over the next week of your stay, you and Nikolai share several moments. He takes you on tours to snowy cliffs, one time, he even brings a sledge and you spend an hour flying down the hills, screaming and clutching Nikolai's arms as they hold you stable. Another time, you go to the Grishaverse workshops and spend an afternoon looking through designs and fiddling with gears. He seems so impressed that at the end, he lets one of the fabricators craft you a necklace with a (F/C) jewel hanging on the gold chain. By the time, you have to leave, you have had the most incredible day five times seven times over. At the foot of the marble steps, Inej and Nina climb into the carriage that will take you back to The Wraith, strategically giving you time alone with Nikolai.

"Thank you," you say. "I've had the most amazing time, I just wish I didn't have to go."

"You don't," he blurts. "Please, stay longer. Will you?"

Sorry but you've got work with the Crows= PAFT 9A1

Yes, you'd love to= PART 9A2