genya and alina are playing dress up with the queens things when things take an unexpected turn. This is a rewrite of that scene in the book that I just kinda redid and made it heckin gay
Alina had been alone for most of her life. She had never been one to have many friends so nothing would surprise her more than to find herself in the Queens rooms with the most beautiful girl in Ravka playing dress up in the gowns. Genya picked up another ring, she was running out of fingers to put them all on. “Alina help my poor hand can’t hold up all my jewels.” Genya said with a laugh. Alina couldn’t help but return the energy from the red haired girl. This was silly, it was fun, and in a way Alina felt like she was more connected than she had ever been before. Genya was different from all other people Alina had ever met. She was beautiful, that was true, but her confidence and her ability to be so strong and so delicate all at the same time enchanted Alina beyond words. Alina thought back to the stories of her childhood and how the girls in the stories were always so beautiful and strong. Just like Genya. Alina thought to herself.
“Alina dear, you're staring at me. Now I know that I look better than any stuffy queen but you should also try on a gown or two.” Genya shoved a royal blue gown at Alina and found that she was wishing she could have handed it to her more gently. Then their hands would brush as they did when Genya was tailoring her. No. Genya had to push those thoughts from her mind. This was about friendship not gentle touches. “Sorry I was in awe of your beauty” Alina said with a snort. Though Genya hoped there was an element of truth to it. “As everyone should be she retorted.
Alina stepped behind the screen to change into the gown. It was heavy from all the small jewels sewn into it. Being in something so grand felt out of place but she knew Genya would want to see her in it all the same. “Come out, come out wherever you are,” Genya teased in a sing song voice. As Alina stepped out in the gown her cheeks were already flushed, but the smile on the tailor’s face made her feel even more embarrassed. “This is stupid I don’t belong in this stuff. I’m going to change”
''Alina, wait. You look better than anyone has any right to look in a gown like that. The dress is too gaudy it's true but still you look amazing, you would look amazing in a potato sack.” Genya reassured. Though it was all true. There was no one else that would make that bedazzled mess of a gown look halfway decent. Alina always looked so beautiful and as Genya looked at the small girl she found that she could not pull her golden eyes from Alina’s dark brown ones. They were like nothing else. The color was stunning but there is more to eyes than color.
“You're staring at me funny…” Alina started though she didn’t know where her comment was going to go. But Alina never broke eye contact. Instead she found herself transfixed.
“Alina you have beautiful eyes, beauty is my main priority in this life; I can admire it when I see it” the tailor said with a weak laugh. They both knew it was only partially true.
“They are nothing special but if it fancies you then I guess you can look” Alina quipped with a crooked smile.
“They are stunning. I can see so much of you through your eyes; your strength and your humor and your beauty are all there” Genya mused.
“Well maybe if my power was in there more people would like them” Alina said as she looked back at the floor. She suddenly felt very insecure about her entire appearance. No one ever called her beautiful. Genya might be the only person who likes Alina for any more than her powers now that Alina thought about it.
“No I like them just as they are, you know you don’t need to be the Sun Summoner to be my friend right? Please tell me you know that.” With the last line Genya put a hand under Alina’s chin and raised her face back to eye level. “There, you know confidence makes everyone more beautiful.” Genya paused for a moment and the next words came out of her mouth before she could stop them. “May I kiss you Alina?” Genya was as surprised as the other girl at the words she had said, but even more shocking was the feeling of Alina’s lips on hers in response. Then all at once Genya felt a fear in her stomach. She felt the phantom of hands on her throat. She couldn’t breath and not in a good way. Pulling away with tears in her eyes Genya quickly tore all the rings off her hand and ran for the door. “I am sorry Alina but we just, we can never speak of this. Promise me you will keep this secret, please.”
“I promise,” Alina croaked out, in shock from the response she had gotten from Genya. With that the door shut behind the most beautiful girl in Ravka, Alina felt the door close in her heart. Alone with her thoughts Alina quietly changed back into her kefta and put the queen’s jewelry back in the proper place before leaving the room. Her and Genya would never discuss the kiss they shared. Alina would never get to tell her how she made Alina feel like she was flying when they were together. And she would never tell Genya that she just might be in love with her.
