#domestic zoyalai

[dhampiravidi]

For a moment, he hesitated, but that only made sense. If Aleksander had surged forward suddenly, Jayn would have only remembered Alina & how eagerly he'd thrown himself into her arms. As much as she had hated seeing him with other people, hated waiting for him to untangle the love in his heart from all the hate...Jayn knew that their love was a steady one, built on years of trust, respect & real friendship. Maybe that was how it was destined to be for war-torn, stubborn people like themselves.

He was there, finally.

"Aleks," she answered, reassuring him with a small smile. Then she met him where he was, kissing Aleksander firmly. Her other hand tugged on the buttons of his kefta, pulling him closer so even the wind couldn't push them apart.

Eya fyela chi, moya ten' [I love you, my shadow].

[romantichopelessly]

Shadow and Bone Season 2 Final Thoughts

I am going to split this into a SaB section and a SoC section, since I have very different thoughts on them.

Shadow and Bone

The Malina this season was EXCELLENT. Good stuff, excellent changes made on the front of Mal’s insane jealousy and miscommunication.

Gibson’s Nikolai was. So perfect?? I loved so much about him. He was just the right amount of dutiful and roguish, and I loved him.

Genya carried this season. The acting was so well done and always moving. She got the most tears out of me this season. Her confrontation with the queen & that scene in the last episode really got me.

No “I am not ruined. I am ruination.” Which was severely disappointing. I’m genuinely surprised it wasn’t there, because they kept in characters calling her ruined.

Tamar/Nadia were in just the perfect amount. They got crumbs in the book so I’m glad they at least got something here.

GenyaDavid was CARRYING this season. Every scene with those two was so heartachy. I cannot believe they moved up David’s death. But I’m not mad at it.

No “I am become a blade”. Honestly kind of glad for this kind of disappointed. It was funny as hell but also it would have been out of place so.

No Oncat???? Unforgivable omission.

Zoya deserved a bit more this season. Part of me felt like they shouldn’t have brought her in on the Shu Han side quest because she did so little there. She just felt like another body. Which she didn’t deserve.

The ending. Was so much and so much change that I have mixed feelings about. But props on them for taking the initiative to change that much.

Alina’s ending. I’m glad she didn’t have to lose her powers. While the epilogue with her running her fingers through sunlight she cannot bend is heartbreakingly good, I always disliked that ending for her. She deserved more than just a powerless domestic life because she wanted more. Yes she wanted to be able to be with Mal and be free, and I want that for her, but it shouldn’t have been at the cost of her powers.

Mal becoming a privateer is. I’m unsure of how I feel about it right now. It feels odd, because Mal has always said he only wants a calm life with Alina. But I get why they’re giving him this open ending, so they can continue. Which, by the last scene, they obviously plan to continue the SaB side of things into a King of Scars type story.

Nikolai’s ending. I am SO glad they went ahead and showed signs of his demon side. It honestly was good that they didn’t have him turn earlier in the season, because it would have felt cramped with everything else, especially when we just met him.

I do think Alina and Nikolai continuing the engagement is weird though. Why would they do that? How will it affect any possible future next season, especially if they’re going in KoS territory, with Zoyalai?

Six of Crows

Starting with the positives here: Nina CARRIED the crows this season. She was perfect. Annoyed with Kaz from the start. EXCELLENT with Inej and with Jesper a bit.

Similarly, the Helnik was perfect and heartbreaking. Just the right pacing even with the changes. They broke me. And the last scene of them actually killed me, I think.

For episodes 1&2 all I could think about with Wylan was how well they were capturing him. Just the right amount of genuine kindness and naïveté and snark.

I liked how they upped the violence for the crows. Everyone got to get a hit in. Kaz was a great step up in ruthlessness. Inej grew, and Nina actually got to use her powers effectively. And Wylan got some good shots in.

Episode 4 really threw me off with the crows though. I cannot believe that they added a scene from the last 100 pages of Crooked Kingdom to this season. Before the Ice Court. Kaz finishing off Pekka is the end of his arc. How on earth are they going to have him do the actions that it takes to get through the Ice Court Heist if he isn’t working to gain power and tear down Rollins?

Obviously they’re setting up Rollins to come back and be a threat again but how will that work?? He knows who Nina is. The CK heist hinges on Van Eck and Rollins not knowing who Nina is.

Wesper getting together actually made me feel dread as I watched it. I view the show and books as very separate, that’s how I enjoy them, but I couldn’t wrap my head around how they thought this was a good idea beyond fan service. Having Wesper together right off the bat ruins both of their character arcs. If they’re together before their growth, none of it means anything. Even in the show, to make it work, they had to fast track two very important reveals for them.

I was fine with Jesper’s Durast powers being revealed this season. I even expected it. I thought Inej and Kaz would find out, or say they knew this season. And maybe Jesper would use his powers in secret. But no. Everyone knew by the end of the season, and he barreled through self acceptance in like 3 episodes. WITHOUT A SINGLE COLM APPEARANCE. Do you get how bad that is?? Colm is integral to Jesper’s shame, and he didn’t even show up, and though I like the scene with his mom in theory, how will Jesper and Colm have any good tension now? How will SoC and CK even work if Jesper has already solved the biggest source of his self esteem issues AND his gambling problem?

Which, by the way, insanely weird his addiction didn’t really come up this season. It was mentioned once or twice but really had no effect on his character. Which. Addiction doesn’t turn on and off.

Wylan’s illiteracy came out way too soon as well. He didn’t really get a chance to prove himself before Jesper found out, which. I can’t even articulate now why I hate that so much. I’ll have to make a separate post.

Back to Wesper speedrun. We can’t have so many critical Wesper scenes because of this. No “not just girls”. No Kuwei kiss, unless it’s a huge stretch in miscommunication when they’re already dating. No “I was paying attention��� when Genya tailors Wylan because of course it’s not a surprise he knows his face if they’re dating.

Another one of my favorite scenes that won’t work now: The Kaz and Jesper Big Fight. Jesper knows who Jordie is already. It loses all tension.

Inej’s ending also really bothered me. Her having freedom and starting her hunt for slavers BEFORE the Ice Court? I genuinely don’t see how they can make the ICH work at this point. How will these characters ever come back together? Why would Inej come back? Just because Jurda Parem was an issue? Because if so, I feel they’ll be leaning too much into the Crows being pawns of the crown, which ultimately destroys their purpose. They aren’t chosen ones in ANY CAPACITY. Yes, Inej may do things for more moral reasons, but in the end she doesn’t work for the crown. Because of how they treat the Suli, especially.

[blues-valentine]

they really went with the girlboss ending for alina this season…. despite the books making it really clear she has not desire to be a queen or rules of the first army and suggest zoya for the role.

As I said before, I don’t think this is Alina’s planned “endgame” this was just done to extend her storyline in the show for both her and Mal. The creator of the show confirmed it. Yeah, it feels bittersweet because it feels like they cave in into the whole “Alina having a domestic ending isn’t feminist” but I still believe Alina will have her R&R ending just not now, maybe for Season 3 if it gets renewed.

They’re definitely planning on Alina dealing with her dark powers, which is something they skipped a bit this season due to them rushing through the plot to get the KOS plots set in stone. Zoyalai were hinted at the whole season. They hinted at Zoya and her commitment to Ravka, which we know it’s the reason she becomes the queen. Nina telling her how one day she’ll be falling in love without noticing it (Nikolai), the bee landing on her shoulder, the Nikolai infection with Merzost. The “I’ll fix him” line and also, Nikolai is not really in love with Alina, which he later explains on KOS. Zoya showed him what falling in love really means.

Like, I get people is upset, I am too. But I definitely think the books ending/plots will pretty much still exist just not at the passing it was supposed to. Both to extend the characters journey as I explained earlier. Also, I don’t think Alina was a queen in that ending scene which I feel people are confused about. I think her and Nikolai were still engaged and she was there as an important figure as fiancé and symbol.

[korydarling]

headcanons // zoyalai babies

hi, i just finished row, and all i want is some domestic zoyalai & some zoyalai bbs, so have some of my headcanons that i have to just to satisfy myself

i like to think that when zoyalai has kids (bc they totally will), they’ll only have girls. like, nik would be such a good girl dad imo???

nikolai & zoya have three daughters.

the oldest is named inessa liliyana

her middle name is after zoya’s aunt (obvs), and her first name, inessa, was a name nikolai had loved since he was a child & had always been set on naming his daughter

inessa is beautiful. like drop dead gorgeous. but what else would you you expect with such hot parents?!

she’s got zoya’s dark hair and her skin is a little darker than nikolai’s, but in all other aspects, she’s his doppelgänger

they call her “nessa” or “nessie for short

as she gets older, she hates being called nessie, so nikolai does it even more just to get on her nerves

she’s firey like zoya, and she has nikolai’s sense of humor, so she’s def a handful as a child

their second daughter is named eleonora alina

eleonora was a name they stumbled upon whilst searching for a name for inessa. it was zoya’s top choice for inessa, but ultimately, they decided against it. when eleonora was born, they knew that it was perfect

alina was honored when she found out that eleonora was named after her. she may have even shed a few tears upon being told

she looks just like zoya, except for her hazel eyes, which she got from nikolai.

nikolai calls her elly, and her sisters & zoya call her nora. she loves both of her nickname, and prefers being called either over being called eleonora.

she’s sweet and shy, but sarcastic when you get to know her. eleonora rarely gets angry, but when she does you’d better watch out

the youngest daughter is alyona genya

nikolai and zoya knew that if they had a third daughter, they would make her middle name genya. and genya even picked out alyona’s first name without even knowing it

zoya and genya came across it when the pair were looking for names, whilst zoya was pregnant, and genya pointed the name alyona out to zoya, who immediately fell in love with it

alyona is the only lantsov daughter with blonde hair. she has zoya’s brilliant blue eyes. everyone says she looks just like a blonde zoya, but both nikolai and zoya herself say she looks just like nikolai.

nikolai and zoya call her ona, while her sisters call her aly. she is indifferent to her nicknames and is fine with being called whatever

personality wise, she is almost just like nikolai. she was a tornado on wheels when she was a kid, but mellowed out a little as she got older, even though she was still a tad snarky

i just really love the idea of nik as a girl dad. i think nikolai having sons just feels weird and wrong. i might make a separate post about him as a dad/ him & zoya as parents, so look out for that!

these are just my personal headcanons that make me feel all warm in the inside, but if you have a q or two, feel free to ask & i will be sure to elaborate ;)

[acourtofquestions]

Finished all three + the bonus Rowaelin HoF chapter (that I genuinely don’t know why it was left out if not for the matter that it does say SO MUCH)

I really love Dorian & Chaol’s friendship, & also the small tie in’s; like them all having met at the ball years ago, on accident, (that they don’t even know now)… it’s fun! A good bonus snippet scene for funsies!

The Assassin and the Captain makes sense if it was deleted as it doesn’t quite align & feels like an alternative to the “sewer reunion” in the first chapters of Crown of Midnight… still it was nice to see them again… it’s a bit bitter to reflect on but I & she did love him back then. It’s just different now & that’s the problem, she grew stronger greater better bigger than just “of Adarlan” or that girl to settle down with, and he grew but only worse as of right now… I miss them… but it wouldn’t have worked out. Not if the world is gonna be saved.

Nehemia & Celaena (I get why it was a bonus, but did really love it as an after book read) it had more little tie ins like the red dress, and barbs like her thinking of Endovier’s people every single day (it makes losing them in HoF even more heavy), and giving them a moment to say what they are to each other before the end “a chosen sister” a “not normal friend” and the beauty in that… I miss them… I loved this

I LITERALLY DON’T KNOW WHY THE ROWAN CHAPTER IS CUT!!! Especially since it’s referenced in Queen of Shadows; the only thing I can say is if I had read it in HoF they would’ve made a LOT more sense REAL fast & I would’ve gotten on board the ship faster (so maybe if that was the point to detour?) still… it was wonderful. Down to the last crumb of chocolate hazelnut cake (which lol reading it where I did in QoS made the next pages of her & Aedion cooking VERY funny; I don’t know if her making breakfast was a sign of forgiveness lol) also I know it’s not the same but from what I know in ACOTAR her cooking for him meant a LOT more… soooooo… oh and Lorcan just gets more concerning *not yay* but my goodness I LOVE ROWAN AND AELIN🥹😭 & since I did have parallels the difference in how they live is big; like right now he won’t sleep in her room cause things are different and there is no way that’s just because he’s in her court no it’s because they aren’t “just friends” anymore and they both know it NOW JUST SAY IT ALREADY but fine I’ll take the morsels like him eating the entire cake😅🥹😂 like the gift & miracle they are to each other🫶

Back to Queen of Shadows…

Just finished up the:

“Who’s your dad” bomb drop, ensuing “blood oath” debate with Aedion, & the following “let me show you how improper I can be” Aelin 1, Rowan 0 start of shenanigans (this is giving Zoyalai ribbon vibes on steroids🤣)

Whatever is going on with “shadow fire” & poor Kaltain (really of everything going on she did not deserve this (not that anyone does) but looking at her as a character; even with her mean girl cattiness, jealous/petty “claim” to Dorian, & albeit attempted murder/problematic poisoning of Celaena; she is just a girl who was stolen by the crown & a woman who has been continuously twisted & abused by greater evils) the whole “character that deserved a hero or at least villain arc” is accurate & if she wants to join Aelin & Lysandra’s “destroy the men that destroyed us” vigilante club I’m all for it.

Being thankful again that Rowan’s back because Chaol is really unhinged right now & Aelin deserves someone who won’t let her believe she’s a monster; honestly Chaol at this point is more likely to become one himself or create one by believing they already are; he’s just so solely focused on his guilt & driven by hatred, misdirection, & fear (it’s infuriating & frankly just sad to listen to his pov).

And now onto Chapter 34 which I think I’m gonna love by the opening paragraph of domesticity alone it’s giving “show boyfriend around hometown” & also somehow “tattooed golden retriever” vibes “who’s gonna know you? — me”

✅ Finally read The Captain and the Prince!!!

☑️ Onto the Princess and the Assassin next!

[dregstrash]

Newly wed domestic Zoyalai like the transition. Because we all know Nikolai is a sap and lives for his and Zoya’s soft domestic husband and wife routine.

I love Domestic Zoyalai a lot. So here are some headcanons

They have a pretty set morning routine

Both of them are early risers because they need all the daylight they can get to accomplish a quarter of all the things they need to do

Zoya is at her vanity while Nikolai bathes and cleans up in the bathroom

Then they switch when he’s dressed and he stands in front of the mirror while Zoya cleans up

They take breakfast in their sitting room

She pours him tea, he arranges a plate of fruit and whatever meat the kitchen sent up

 They go straight into business talk for the day

Arranging an unofficial list of things they both need to do, divvying up the tasks they need to either do, assign someone to do, or need to be put on hold

They then would be interrupted as the rest of the Triumvrate, Tolya, and Tamar walk in ready for whatever the day would hold

And unless there were any necessary public events, arriving visitors, or other duties that required both of them, this would be the last time they would see each other until dinner

So as the rest of their friends filed out of the room, Nikolai would drop a kiss to Zoya’s lips, and make some quip about her beauty

It was a routine that became as easy as breathing

It was a routine that was difficult to establish in the beginning

Because for two independent people who never truly knew what co-habitation was like, those early days were the best and worst days

The best of them being the late nights that spilled into early mornings, where clothes were optional, and the sheets (sometimes the bath) became their entire world

The worst of them when Zoya had to get used to someone else needing the bathroom while she was getting ready. And Nikolai had to consider the fact that he had to share his morning tea.

There were the little tensions when they both had the same agenda on their lists and sent two people to do one job.

Or it was assuming that the other had that particular problem handled, and finding out that it had spiraled out of control

It was understanding that Happily Ever After had addendums to adjust to, and that marriage was just another habit trying to be learned

It took a while

A long while 

Before either of them found a pattern that fit snuggly with both of their lives (you could hardly expect any less, they were two of the most stubborn people you’d ever meet)

But once they found it, they found it. They worked like a machine that only needed the occasional repair or upgrade. 

[serpenteve]

#PolyGoals 😌

[evasjacks]

anyway whatever you do don’t think of Nikolai and Zoya slowly starting to get to know each other again after the war and the revelation of each other’s feelings, don’t think of how they’ll both pretend they’ve got forever when they know Zoya will live a hundred lives after he’s gone, don’t think of the way they’ll be there to help each other through the nightmares and the aftermath of loss and pain. absolutely don’t think of them going back to that garden and adding another plant for David. Just don’t.

[meyhew]

Have you read King of Scars and Rule of Wolves yet? If so, what are you hoping to see most as Leigh writes more within the Grishaverse? ☺️

i have! and i must admit i actually do not want anything more within the grishaverse 😞 i want her to focus on and Give Me the ninth house sequel it's been so long. i truly dont know what else she can do in that universe like she already done so much

[sanktnikolais]

more Captain the good boy content no one wants bc I can ft. some more domestic fluff

Captain is def spoiled by everyone in the Palace. He knows how to use the pleading eyes technique and masters it pretty easily

The pup uses it to his advantage, especially when asking for food. And it works every single time.

Tolya doesn't even fight it and just gives him food from his plate the moment he sees Captain approaching him.

David isn't any different either, and he's also the one to remind them of what Captain is allowed to eat

Genya is the one who tries to resist at times, but always ends up giving Captain what he wants because "he's too adorable not to" and David has to chuckle at her for even resisting

Tamar, who is usually the fastest one to finish a meal to avoid getting scammed by the sunshine dog, is still duped by the mischievous Captain by trying to distract her by being cute and dumb, and when he gets close enough to the plate, he just snatches whatever he can and zooms away before Tamar could even blink

Nadia has a good laugh over it, but is also getting tricked by Captain so she stopped trying to resist and just give the pup what he wants

Even Nikolai, who's the one who taught him the technique and confident that he would not get deceived by his own dog, still falls for the pleading eyes every time

Captain's favorite food to snatch from his dad is none other than herring

The only person able to resist the dog is Zoya, who only feeds Captain at his actual eating time, saying that it's beneficial for the dog to learn discipline when it comes to getting what he wants

But she totally emptied Nikolai’s plate and gave it to the dog when he wasn't looking one time and got away with it but we're not going to talk about that

They don't let him anywhere near other meat bc ✨ expensive ✨ but there was one time when he was able to snatch a big part of the turkey in the kitchen and that tragic incident involved like the half of the palace guards chasing him around and trying to catch him

Long story short, Captain has everyone's hearts tho he's totally dumbTM and def takes after his dad

He falls asleep literally everywhere. Guards aren't even surprised when they see a mess of fur dosing off at the gardens or at one corner in the kitchen, even in the training grounds where it's usually so loud he still falls asleep peacefully

But he's also an early bird. He's Zoya and Nikolai’s alarm clock, waking up around like five or six in the morning and starting to run around their room barking and just being dumb

He crashes on the balcony door once with a loud thump and it wakes the both of them completely, with Zoya already ready to attack in thought of an assassination attempt only to find Captain lying belly up on the floor near tye door looking like 😀❓

Zoya finds it adoringly strange and says, "Nikolai, our dog is a huge idiot."

Nikolai, having selective hearing, only heats the word "our" and replies, "I knew you'd fall in love with him like you did with me"

He gets another gust of wind blasted to his face and effectively ruins his hair, but the flushed look on her face is enough to make him laugh lightly and press a chastr kiss to her lips.

"My ruthless Zoya, I know we both have your heart."

Zoya laughs back, knowing that she doesn't need to hide anymore. "I guess you really do."

[ilovefredjones]

i fucking hateeeee the malina tag on ao3 i just saw a s&b/twilight au where alina was bella and the d*rkling was carlisle 😐 keep your gross shit out of the tag!!!!!!!!!

[titsthedamnseason]

i kept thinking id seen the worst row had to offer but then it kept going progressively downhill

[wafflesandkruge]

Nikolai abdicates, Ravka becomes a democracy and he and Zoya become pirates privateers and just sail around the seas forever

yes 🥺 just them and their dumb dog and snooty kitty 🥺

i feel like they’d eventually settle down in the ravkan countryside or maybe udova tho bc the triumvirate keeps calling on them for help 😭

[grishaverseficlibrary]

Not Even the Stars by WraithWriter

I wasn’t looking to dance, but your soul sang a song I couldn’t resist.

[thecrxwclub]

zoyalai fic rec list because i’m always in my brainrot era for these two and there aren’t enough fics about them 

i will continue to update this because i’m always finding new fics that i want to tattoo in my brain

dedicated to feentanz for making up like 80% of the ao3 zoyalai tag i’m your biggest fan

CANON-COMPLIANT

Ocean Eyes by feentanz (T) 2.6k

“You know,” he said into the silence. “With all those suitors now asking for your attention, I could begin to feel slightly neglected.” Zoya raised her head, narrowing her eyes ever so slightly. “I think your ego can handle it.” “My ego perhaps, but what about my poor heart?” She smiled at that, brushing some hair back from her eyes while she approached him. He still hadn’t quite gotten used to this version of Zoya, the version who wasn’t hiding from him, who didn’t have to pretend.

wondering if you knew by tsaritsas (NR) 1.5k

Zoya tells Nik how she knew she loved him.

Dearly Beloved by storm_dog_pirate (G) 5.1k

So what should he give to a woman who already had everything? He found that it was difficult to answer. Had he still been a king, he would have offered her plenty, and those words and sweet nothings wouldn't have been empty promises. But he was just Nikolai Lantsov now, barely having anything in his name besides the former royal title and the scars and nightmares he bore.

Zu Ende by feentanz (T) 1.9k

And so she rolled her eyes, following the king into the parlor. “You really like losing, don’t you?” Zoya commented, sitting down at the table where Nikolai had already set down the chessboard. She refrained from commenting on that. He was smirking, sitting down across from her. “Only to you, Nazyalensky,” he replied, and Zoya felt a weird sense of hurt at those words. “Then I hope your wife doesn’t know how to play,” she said, already moving her first piece.

The place in our hearts where we hide by disjointed_scribblings (M) 5.5k

"Someday we’ll see an end to war, and then you and I will take a nap together."

In the days after the peace, four beds where Nikolai and Zoya nap (or "nap").

in the tongue and teeth of old by peterpan_in_neverland (E) 1.2k

“I’ve had an illustrious life, Zoya,” she tells her. His hand skates higher, brushing the conclusion of her sternum, and it makes goosebumps break out between her breasts. “I once slept in wildflowers. A whole field of them.”

The thought of it sounds nice, but admitting that to him feels too close to telling a secret, and she is not yet there; he has her heart and her ribbon in wholes, but the rest of her is coming slowly. She is revealing herself in ebbs and flows like the tide.

“I can't imagine the bugs,” she says.

Somehow We’ll Get There by orangeslices4scott (NR) 1.2k

In the aftermath of the civil war, Nikolai’s injuries take their time in healing.

When the Party’s over by feentanz (T) 1.4k

Nikolai still looked unbothered, her words failing their mark once more. His calmness made it even worse. He didn’t even care enough to react. He didn’t even care enough to explain himself to her. “I thought we were a team,” Zoya added under her breath, despising herself for the weakness. For even saying those words out loud. For even bothering. Apparently he didn’t return the sentiment.

mornings like these by noorakviigmohn (G) 1.1k

Nikolai sighed dramatically and rolled over to the side, so that they were laying side by side again. He threw his arm over his face and groaned. "I need a fucking break."

or, a domestic early-morning scene for our favourite royal couple

Emerald by orangeslices4scott (G) 1.5k

Zoya brings Nikolai back after an episode, but the demon doesn’t want to give up his host.

I Do Aim To Please by StripeySocks (E) 1.5k

Zoya tells Nikolai she's had better lovers. He's determined to give his Queen the ride of her life.

ribbons in her hair by bendingwind (T) 4.2k

Nikolai was laying on the floor in a pool of light, face turned to the ceiling and eyes shut against the sudden intrusion of light.

She stepped inside and shut the door.

Zoya's POV of the cargo hold.

as the morning comes by awanderingtortoise (G) 1k

"Nikolai, at this moment, has decided on two things: the first being that he is a hopelessly lost cause for Zoya Nazyalensky, and the second being that he does not think he will ever stop smiling again."

POST-KoS (before the release for RoW)

our first lifetime  by laurore_stormwitch (NR) 1.9k

Nikolai reflects on the aftermath of the war, enjoying a peaceful moment with Zoya, and finds the courage to voice his hopes and dream for the future.

Too Afraid by feentanz (T) 2k

The bed moved as Zoya shifted beside him, some of her hair brushing over Nikolai’s arm. He felt his entire body tense at the touch, not even quite certain why. How had he ended up here? To be precise, he did know how. Nikolai and the Triumvirate had been on a mission to Northern Ravka when a nearby village had been attacked, and his general had very recklessly decided that she should be the one to defend it. Without an army, just her alone. Naturally Nikolai had followed her, and so they had ended up here, in a small cabin in a deserted village, caught up in a snowstorm. And the small room only had one bed, and no heating.

This is me Trying by feentanz (T) 5.2k

“Nikolai-” she began, but the music had stopped, and everyone around them had stopped moving. There was something on his face that she couldn’t quite read, something that looked almost like… longing. But then Ehri was there, and Kirigin was back at her side, and the moment was gone. 

Nostalgia Cycle by feentanz (T) 2.9k

She raised her head now, seemingly waiting for a reply. Her hand was still resting against his chest, and yet her face was now directly in front of his own, her eyes imploring. “Don’t tell me you don’t have a plan,” Zoya said quietly, voice barely more than a whisper. “I expected better, Your Highness.” A small smirk played around her lips, and she looked so beautiful that Nikolai could barely breathe. “I like to improvise,” he replied, but his voice was raw and didn’t sound like his own. He couldn’t look away, couldn’t break eye contact. He almost wished Zoya would turn away, putting him out of his misery. He didn’t wish to long for something he could never have. 

CANON-DIVERGENT

This is me Trying by feentanz (T) 5.2k

“Nikolai-” she began, but the music had stopped, and everyone around them had stopped moving. There was something on his face that she couldn’t quite read, something that looked almost like… longing. But then Ehri was there, and Kirigin was back at her side, and the moment was gone.

all i ask by awanderingtortoise (T) 2.8k

Bravado comes easier than honesty, though tonight the late hour and glasses of wine make the latter seem far more real a possibility than should be. He suspects he’s had a bit too many drinks; head light and lips loose and an excess of truth brimming in his throat.

Capital Letters by feentanz (T) 3.7k

Genya is doing her very best to bring Nikolai and Zoya together, of course unaware that they are already secretely seeing each other. Until something goes wrong, and the secret dares to be exposed.

Nostalgia Cycle by feentanz (T) 2.9k

She raised her head now, seemingly waiting for a reply. Her hand was still resting against his chest, and yet her face was now directly in front of his own, her eyes imploring. “Don’t tell me you don’t have a plan,” Zoya said quietly, voice barely more than a whisper. “I expected better, Your Highness.” A small smirk played around her lips, and she looked so beautiful that Nikolai could barely breathe. “I like to improvise,” he replied, but his voice was raw and didn’t sound like his own. He couldn’t look away, couldn’t break eye contact. He almost wished Zoya would turn away, putting him out of his misery. He didn’t wish to long for something he could never have. 

AU

How to be a Heartbreaker by feentanz (T) 8k

As Head Girl and Head Boy of Slytherin, Zoya and Nikolai are used to working together - although it is different, once they have to attend the annual Yule Ball together. Although of course, neither of them is interested in the other. Right?

Ne bis in idem by ThisQueenShallConquer (E) 7.3k

Working side by side with him was a difficult thing at the best of times, but there would be moments where he'd roll his sleeves up his toned forearms, or undo the first few buttons of his shirt, and she would find her self-restraint slipping.

Or, a Zoylai Lawyer!AU where everyone's sleep deprived and Zoya really deserves to get laid.

Cruel Intentions by feentanz (E) 8k

Nikolai stopped in front of her, resting his arms on either side of her head. Zoya’s gaze was resting on him, that dangerous spark still in her eyes. “Scared?” she commented, pursing her lips. He couldn’t think straight like this. Nikolai stepped away, already opening the door to the cage. “No one has ever won against me, Nazyalensky.” Zoya rolled her eyes dramatically, slipping into the fighting ring before him. “Always so cocky,” she drawled, turning around to face him again. Some strands of dark hair had fallen into her face, and he fought the urge to tug them behind her ear. 

like real people do by storm_dog_pirate and wafflesandkruge (T) 20.2k (5/15)

Paris, 1961.

Zoya Nazyalensky was left with no choice but to work for the organization that held her family's fate in their hands. Even as she rose through the ranks and gained respect, failure was still inevitable. And when she happens to blow one crucial mission because of her poor judgment, the reputation she’d worked so hard to build crumbles to nothing.

Nikolai Lantsov prided himself as an expert of "complicated acquisition", until he was caught by the CIA and offered an ultimatum: work for them or spend his life behind bars. But after failing the last mission that would have finally let him walk free, his contract with them is extended.

Coffee At Midnight by herewego19 (G) 1.3k

Nikolai takes Zoya on an adventure.

[uitzinnigmp3]

mornings like these

zoyalai | rated g | 1118 words

Nikolai sighed dramatically and rolled over to the side, so that they were laying side by side again. He threw his arm over his face and groaned. "I need a fucking break."

[read on ao3]

HI HELLO i finally wrote something again ??? absolutely wild i know i know zoyalai just Gripped me after i finished row and like. i fell in love and HAD to write something for them. they are domestic they are cute they are in love and it's all very sappy... as they deserve <3 some light row spoilers so be careful, but have fun reading!!