Divinity
“Alyosha?”
Rakitin peeked her head through the doorway, looking into Alyosha’s room. It was a quiet, dark corner of the house, the staircase to the second floor above it giving it a cramped angle, with only a small window to allow natural daylight. Alyosha lay curled up on the bed, facing the wall, her back to the door. Rakitin saw her shoulders shake, small sobs escaping into the room.
Rakitin sighed, and knelt beside the bed, laying a hand on Alyosha’s shoulder.
“Hey,” she murmured softly. At last, Alyosha turned to face her lover. Her damp eyes were red and puffy, her cheeks blushing in pink patches across her skin, like flower fields. Rakitin beamed. “You’re so beautiful right now.” She reached her hand up to stroke Alyosha’s hair.
Alyosha scoffed, turning her head away. “Please, Misha, don’t torment me with flirts, I don’t believe it.”
“Believe what?”
“That I’m a beautiful person.”
“Oh Alyshka,” Rakitin sighed, rubbing her back, “What do you mean by this?”
“I-” Alyosha hiccuped. “It’s not a thought of physical appearance, vanity, that sort of beauty. I mind not what I look like to others…” she sniffled looking down at her body at this, “but a different kind of beauty. The beauty of my soul.”
Rakitin hummed in response, an affirmation. “Go on, " she continued, laying her head on the bed next to Alyosha’s back. Alyosha sighed, but Rakitin shared the peace in her voice.
“Misha? Can I ask something first?”
“Of course.”
“Could you… hold me, for a while?”
Rakitin blinked at this, but said nothing for a moment. Finally after some thinking, she came to a decision.
“Sure.” She rose to her feet, then paused. “Just give me a moment…'' She went over to Alyosha’s dresser and knelt down, opening the bottom drawer. She heard Alyosha shift behind her, watching her in curiosity. Alyosha’s eyes widened as Rakitin pulled out her duck stuffed toy, her favorite as a child.
“I still have that old thing? How did you know exactly where it was?”
Rakitin, facing away from her, broke into a wide grin, hidden.
“I’m a divinity student.”
“A what… OH! Hahahaha! ” Alyosha’s laugh was like music to her ears, Rakitin’s cheeks turning red at the sound. She walked back over to where Alyosha lay. Looking up at Rakitin, Alyosha looked happier. Her hair was splayed over the pillow around her head like a halo. The color had returned to her cheeks, the light back in her eyes.
“How are you feeling?”
“Better.” Alyosha’s smile made Rakitin blush in return.
“That’s good. Now scoot over, please.”
Alyosha obediently moved to the side to make room for Rakitin. She settled under the blanket, pulling Alyosha to her chest, wrapping her arms around her in a tight embrace, as Alyosha’s plush duck lay nestled in between them.
“This feels nice,” A giggle rose up in Alyosha’s voice, as she hummed in gentle pleasure. She took the plush and readjusted it so she could bury her face into Rakitin’s neck. She hummed again, the small noise a repetitive comfort. It delighted Rakitin to no end to hear her lover’s birdsong.
“Now, what’s telling you that your soul isn’t the most beautiful star in the sky?”
Rakitin felt Alyosha grow hot in her embrace, and watched her ears grow a bright pink. Finally, Alyosha huffed.
“Fine, I guess I’ll just take your compliments.” With that, she buried her face back into Rakitin’s shirt, snuggling in as close as she could to her. Saying nothing more, Rakitin held Alyosha close and let herself drift off to sleep, her beautiful soul right here in her arms.