constellates | ic inbox.

[It's easy for her to read.

However, for someone who had no knowledge of Russian even a day before, she can't imagine it was even half as easy to write.

Still, Anya finds herself enthralled by the book as she goes through it, flipping through the page and letting her fingers touch over the sketches with almost reverent caution, as if she wouldn't be able to forgive herself if she smudged even a single line. The stories make her laugh, make her smile even in the earliness of the morning before she even gets ready for school. She might be late. But she's never late - so it'll be okay just this once, right?

Since she doesn't think she can pull herself away from this. Especially as she spends a long minute looking at the last detailed picture of the warmth of her home, of what Yato thinks of their little makeshift family, and -

It doesn't hit her that she's crying until teardrops fall on her own wrists - and then she's scrambling to make sure she doesn't cry onto the storybook, holding it further out from her with one hand as the other touches her face in confusion as she blinks through the tears. It only confuses her when more come, when her fingers tremble and her nose sniffs as she frets in soft, confused Russian over the state of her own emotions.

Who knew feeling so loved could make her cry?

It's only when she's walking to school that she sees him - and to be honest, it takes less than a second for Anya to make the decision that she'll just miss her first class entirely - because then she's exclaiming:]

Yato!

[Please wake up.

Please wake up and don't be mad when she throws herself at him for a hug that almost makes her tear up all over again.]

[ Yato wakes to Anya's voice and sits up quickly, confused but alert. And then she's bowling him back over, and he's struggling to look around for whoever it is that brought her to him in such a panic. He'll fight the jerk right here, right now!!

But it looks like it's just the two of them, so he slowly sits back up before putting a hand on her head. He knew she felt down yesterday, but this still seems like a bit much... His brow creases with worry. ]

Anya... what happened?

[ He isn't sure how much time has passed since he fell asleep. Did something happen at school...? ]

[Anya would be worried that when Yato wakes up he's so ready to fight someone.

Except she's rather preoccupied with just giving him this hug? It's very important, she thinks. Even as he sits up, she moves with him and keeps her face buried in his shoulder until she's absolutely sure that she's not going to cry again. Even if she sort of wants to cry again a little bit?]

Ah... Well - [It's slow to start, as she's still working on trusting the words that come out of her mouth and the corrections that she has to make.] I feel... Смущенный? Mm. Embarrassed? But happy.

[Okay no, she might need to explain a little bit more than that. She finally lifts her head and looks him in the eye and - she's not crying, ok, it's fine.]

I found your gift.

спасибо... Thank you.

[ There's Anya's new accent... But Yato's known her for long enough that the intent behind her stumbling vocabulary is still crystal clear. He squeezes her into a hug with as much warmth as he can manage, which may just involve a lot of gentle smothering. ]

You're welcome... Нé за что. Sorry, that probably sounded awful.

[ He didn't have much time to practice his oral Russian beyond a few key phrases. And Russian pronunciation is... really hard?? ]

Are you okay?

[Gentle smothering is okay. Anya is happy with this as she smiles and relaxes against him, cuddling happily. Is he sweaty or smelly? Anya doesn't care regardless (please let her shower after this)]

It is okay. If you want to learn, I can teach.

[As for whether or not she's okay... she does take a moment to breathe before giving another little nod and answering sincerely.]

Да. Anya is okay. Maybe... even much better now? Because of Yato.

[ He smells a little but at least he isn't sweaty... small blessings...

Was he really able to make her feel that much better? He brightens and swells a little. He was worried that he took too long to finish, but it looks like he wasn't too late... ]

Really? Everything made sense? Good!

[ Still squeezing her with one arm, he pokes a finger into her cheek. ]

Teach me everything, хозя́йка!

[ That was how the wolves in the comic addressed the masked girl... He uses it now to call her a master of Russian, but is the connotation right here, he just doesn't know. ]

[ . . . . . it's cute that he's trying. It manages to make her smile, but even as he misspeaks, though she definitely knows better than to giggle, even if she finds it endearing. Even as he squeezes her with one arm she's happy to let her head rest on his shoulder.

Yato has acquired one (1) Anya.]

Everything was very good... Yato is very умный. Skilled and smart. You learned so fast... I would like to learn that fast too.

Mm, but - still call me Anya? [It's odd, she thinks. She's not sure why she chooses Anya even though she knows the proper nickname for her would be 'Nastya' or something else.] I am... still the same, yes?

Of course! No, wait -- I didn't think it was possible, but you might be even cuter than before!

[ Yes!! There is a silver lining here, he sees it. ]

Accents always make people more lovable and charming. I love fluent Anya, but accented Anya has a niche too!

"Cuter"? Really?

[IF SHE SOUNDS LIKE SHE FINDS IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THEN WELL.

Well.]

Yato always manages to find the good in Anya...

[it's pretty amazing]

It's like finding hay in a haystack! But more importantly, your accent will help you stand out when you're marketing yourself down the line. No one could resist that language moe!

[ Is language moe even a thing...? If it wasn't before, then Anya is defining it now. ]

Language moe...? [Weirdly enough.

Weirdly enough she can actually manage to fill in what that means even though she's never heard the word before.]

What people find cute?

I still do not know much about marketing... but I believe you.

As you should! If you ever need to know about marketing, come to me. My resumé's as long as the coastline of Japan!

[ Speaking of work, what time is it... He checks his phone. ]

... Um. Shouldn't you be in class, Anya?

[CAUGHT.]

Um... I never miss class....

[So being late to one is.

Okay?

She smiles a little sheepishly.]

But - присутствовать. I will still go. I had to find Yato first.

Awww! Anya, you shouldn't have!

[ Making a detour for little old him?! He gives her a loving noogie, giving her hair no quarter. ]

I'll walk with you to school! You can say I got hit by a car and you just had to assist!

[why does everyone ruin anya's hair like this

still she just giggles even as she adjusts her hair and moves to stand up then. ok time for school]

A ложь? I do not want to lie...

And it is scary to imagine Yato getting hurt. Please do not say things like that.

[ hmmm ]

Then I'll say thaaat my dog ate your homework and I had to redo it for you.

[Okay no, now she's laughing.]

Silly Yato. I would get in... беда? Problem... Mad... Ah! Trouble -

If you said that you did my homework.

If your teachers give you trouble, then I'll set 'em straight! Inflexible teachers are the worst...

[ He stands and off they go to school... he'll complain about school all the way... ]

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