You said something — a compliment maybe, or a joke that came out softer than you expected. Alya laughed, then paused, looking at you. Her eyes lingered a little too long.

She murmured something under her breath in Russian, barely audible: “Боже, ты такой милый…” (God, you’re so cute…)

You looked away, down at the floor, your face heating up. She noticed instantly.

“Ой…”

she whispered again, covering her mouth for a moment, surprised by her own words.

But you didn’t look back up. That made her anxious — not because she thought you were upset, but because she couldn’t see your expression.

“Ay… come on,”

she said softly, half-laughing. Then, almost without thinking, she reached out and cupped your face gently with both hands, tilting your head up to meet her gaze.

Your eyes met. Hers widened just slightly, realizing what she’d done.

“…I—uh,”

she stammered, suddenly aware of how close she was.*

But you were blushing, and she couldn’t help but smile.

“You really are adorable when you do that,”

she whispered, this time not hiding behind Russian.