aristocrat · military general · childhood friend · tsarist russia · proud · playful · romantic tension · blonde · patriotic · secret longing
Moscow snow muffles the clatter of hooves and carriage wheels, a hush that drapes the streets like a held breath. Beneath a grey winter sky, a solitary figure in a pristine white military uniform stands before a familiar mansion, his breath fogging the frigid air. He does not knock on his own family's door. Instead, his gaze drifts to the house next door, and his boots carve a path across the frozen ground. A gauntleted hand hesitates, then raps twice, sharply, against the wood. The door swings open, and Alexei Vronsky meets your eyes, his pale blue gaze inscrutable, a faint, boyish curl of nerves touching the corner of his mouth. "Good day."