Firm knuckles rapped impatiently against the door.

'Hurry up!' called Micha.

Rolling her eyes, Natalya fixed her hair in the hallway mirror before she hurried to the front door.

'Natalya,' heralded Ekaterina from the living room.

Natalya poked her head around the door frame. 'Yes?'

Her grandmother glanced up from her needlework. 'Remember-'

'Not too late. Yes, I know!'

She raised an eyebrow. 'Lip like that, and I won't let you go.'

            Natalya dashed to her grandmother, kissing her head lightly. 'Love you.'

Mumbling something under her breath, Ekaterina waved her hand in acceptance. Natalya threw open the door to be met with Micha, his hands shoved awkwardly in his pockets.

She spun for him, her newly finished skirt creating a delightful swish. 'How do I look?'

'Fine.'

Natalya's face scrunched with annoyance. 'That's it? 'Fine'?'

'Nice?'

'Micha!'

'You're a little overdressed.'

Smoothing the silk of her blouse, the action felt necessary to soothe her nerves. 'Well of course I would be. You haven't even changed from work.'

Micha hushed her hurriedly, silently gesturing to inside her apartment where Ekaterina lurked.

Failing to supress another eye roll, Natalya pushed past him. 'Let's just go.'

They made it to the courtyard, Micha peeking back at the apartments. 'So where did you tell her you were going?' Micha asked as he tucked her arm in the crook of his elbow.

The familiarity pulled a relieved sigh from Natalya. It had always been their way, though it grew increasingly difficult the taller he got. Now nineteen and working at the paper mill, he'd begun to fill out and lose his boyish looks. He'd even started growing a moustache; it suited him.

'Just a small gathering of friends.'

Micha scoffed. 'And she believed that?'

'Yes.'

'But I'm the only friend you've got.'

Natalya gave him a playful shove, eliciting a throaty chuckle from him.

Letting out a long sigh, Micha allowed the tone to sink. 'I can't believe you talked me into this.'

She pinched his arm in deterrence. 'It's just a bar.'

'If you can even call it that.'

'Well, whatever you call it, I'm sure it's harmless.'

'Natalya Dmitryevna, it will be filled with men!'

'That you know.'

'Yes, precisely! I know what they'll all be thinking. They're all far too old to be leering at you.'

Natalya stopped, her grip on him tightening. 'I thought we were meeting your friends from the papermill? The ones your age-'

'They're still older than you.'

'But they'll respect that I'm your friend, won't they?' He pondered the question. 'I thought they liked you?'

'They do!' he insisted, but huffed, his body ridged beside hers. 'They've just known each other longer than me. I'm still getting the measure of them.'

Brow furrowed Natalya squeezed him. 'Are they mean to you?'

Micha snorted. 'No, but if they were, what could you do?'

Standing straight and defiant, Natalya bristled at the implication. 'Sort them out.'

Her sincerity had Micha erupting into full on laughter. 'Of course you would.' He looked down at her, his muddy green eyes filled with warmth. 'I'll look after you. As much as you'll let me, anyway.'

Content, they carried on their journey.

When they reached the bar, Natalya's stomach swirled as she looked up at the hanging sign. The weathered wood carried a faded and fairly crude painting of the paper mill, with no name. The steps beneath led down to what seemed to be an ordinary basement apartment, though the smell that wafted her way seemed too pungent to be from somebody's home. Strong vodka, sweat and grime. Her mind raced to keep up with her pounding heart, the night's possibilities opening up before her.

'Last chance to turn back and go home,' Micha whispered.

'Will you shut up?' she snapped as she barged past him and down the steps. Micha's reluctance wouldn't stop her enjoying herself.

Bursting through the door, Natalya stared wide eyed around the busy room. The ceiling was low and made only of the floorboards above. Dust fell in bursts every so often, unable to make it to the floor and instead covering the shoulders of the patrons. There was very little light, bare bulbs overhanging the bar only. Every other corner relied on candlelight, tables of varying sizes spread across the space as people moved in swarms between them.

Several bearded faces stared back at Natalya as the door thud shut. The clientele was mainly men, all still in their fraying suits from their day's work. The majority of their cloth seemed poor, their attempts to remain smartly dressed diminished by various oil stains and rips. It was painfully clear that she was not a regular.

Now she understood why Micha thought her overdressed. She took a wary step back and bumped straight into Micha barring her exit. He was right; no backing out now.

Still, her presence seemed to warrant nothing more than a quick glance before they all returned to their drinks. Instinctively, Natalya's fingers flexed in relief.

'You're going to have to expect some rough behaviour,' Micha warned, moving in front of her. 'This isn't exactly an upscale establishment.'

'I don't care.'

Micha gave her an impressed smile. He glanced up again and waved at a pair over in the corner. 'I'll introduce you, but don't feel like you need to stay-'

'Don't worry Micha, I won't embarrass you.'

He sighed heavily. 'That's not it. They're just very brash.'

'I told you, I don't care.'

'Your grandmother would be appalled.'

'She's not here though is she?'

'Thankfully not. Or she'd kill me.'

They were soon in the corner and the young men welcomed them over. One of them was average height, blonde and moderately handsome, the other far larger with light brown hair and a cocky smirk. Natalya gulped, her fingers dug into Micha's jacket.

The taller one was incredibly handsome. His hazel eyes studied her with interest as they approached. 'Micha,' said the veritable giant, giving a devilish grin, 'I didn't know you were bringing a date.'

'Not a date,' said Micha. 'This is Natalya Morozova. She's practically my sister and about annoying as one.'

'Pleasure to meet you,' said the blonde one as he held out his hand in greeting. 'I'm Andrei, this is Alexander.'

'Sasha, please,' said the taller one. 'Fucking hate formalities.'

Natalya could only respond with 'pleasure.' She couldn't focus all her attention on Sasha or her cheeks would flood pink. Never had she reacted this way to a man, and it was ridiculous.

Sasha poured the newcomers a vodka from their bottle, which was clouded with age and carried no label. 'Za Vstrechu!'

All of them clinked glasses before they shot it back.

Never in her life had she tasted vodka quite so foul before. Stifling her grimace, she set the glass down. Sasha and Andrei exchanged a look, which made Micha clear his throat.

'Aren't you a little young to be out in a bar like this?' Sasha asked, his even more arrogant smile firmly etched on his face.

'I'll be sixteen within the month,' she countered quickly, her tone frosty at any insinuation she was an interloper.

'Fine, unaccompanied then.'

'I have Micha.'

Sasha scoffed as he poured her another vodka, seemingly ignoring the other two. 'He's hardly the most ferocious now, is he?'

'Excuse me-' began Micha.

Andrei laughed over him. 'Come on Micha, let's leave them to it.'

'I don't think so,' protested Micha.

'I'm fine, Micha,' sighed Natalya indignantly. 'You'll only be sitting there.'

'Yeah,' said Sasha, turning Micha away from them. 'Go on, Micha.'

'Fine,' Micha acquiesced, but caught Natalya's eye to check all the same. Her eyes widened imploringly just allow her to be an adult only if for a night! Huffing, he fell into conversation with Andrei. Sasha made a point of turning his back on them, as if to give them privacy.

Natalya steadied herself against the table, desperate to appear at ease. 'So why should I need someone to be ferocious?' she asked as Sasha slid the glass towards her.

'Young pretty girl in a bar with lots of men,' he said, his brow furrowed. 'I think you are naïve to the danger-'

'And you're naïve to me,' she replied curtly. 'I don't need my hand holding.' She swigged from the large glass, deliberate proof of her ability to hold her own.

'Shame,' he sighed. 'I was going to offer mine.'

Natalya was so taken aback that she barely felt the awful vodka burn her insides.

Sasha's eyes glimmered with mischief. The way he looked at her sent flutters through her entire body. 'I have an idea.' He darted off into the crowd, Natalya left entirely confused.

When two violins began to play, she was even more so. The crowd cheered and began to clear the floor for dancing. A hand clasped hers and tugged her into the centre of the circle, Micha unable to catch her as she disappeared. Sasha grinned down at her.

'What are you doing?' she snapped. One large hand gripped her waist and the other her free hand. His touch was warm and rough and sent a delicious spark across her skin.

'Dancing with you, ' he replied, then added. 'If you'll have me, that is.'

The crowd clapped to the beat, Natalya's heart keeping time in her chest. 'Fine,' she managed haughtily.

Unaffected by her tone, he pulled her closer. Natalya couldn't stop a gasp escaping, as if his body had pressed it from her. Sasha cocked an eyebrow, his tongue darting across the seam of his mouth to stay a laugh. He remained smug as he began to spin Natalya with him, his bouncing steps so large she could barely keep up. She squealed, so he held her tighter.

'We'll find our feet, don't worry,' he promised.

Relaxing into his jaunty rhythm, Natalya finally smiled back at him. The exhilaration of dancing this fast was such a wonderful rush. She had always watched the couples dance like this at parties when she was young, so jealous of them and the fun they were having. That was when she was young enough to still be with her father. By the time she was old enough for dancing, she had moved in with her grandmother, and the parties she attended were always more sedate affairs. But spinning here, with Sasha, she felt truly alive. Her head and heart felt so light, the feel of his palm on her waist exciting her as much as the dancing.

He let her go briefly to spin her under his arm, then lifted her high in the air so that her hands clutched his shoulders, his arms wrapped around her thighs. That smile he had was utterly divine and she simply couldn't stop staring at it. This man, who she barely knew, felt like true, unimpeded freedom.

When the music stopped, he held her there as the crowd around them whistled and cheered. Her hands dug eagerly into his impressive shoulders, kneading the muscles to further stir her racing heart. The grin on her face spread gleefully wide to match his, giggling delightedly for what felt like perhaps the first time in her life. She was breathing heavily, as was Sasha, who finally let her sink to the ground.

'See? Hand holding isn't so bad,' he panted.

'Certainly not like that,' she returned, still breathless.

They walked back to their little corner of the bar, others now dancing to the duelling violinists.

'Thank you,' she said finally.

'No need to thank me. It was my pleasure.' 

Andrei shot Sasha an amused look.

Micha looked at her with exasperation. 'Are you trying to get Ekaterina to scalp me?' he asked as Andrei poured more drinks.

'I was just dancing!' she retaliated, almost wincing at the impetuous tone. She just resented being scolded.

It clearly cemented Micha's beliefs. 'With a man five years your senior!'

'Only four really,' said Sasha. 'She'll be sixteen soon.' He shot her a wink. Scoundrel.

Her rosy cheeks deepened their excited flush, Natalya's beaming smile now a near permanent fixture.

Looked between them, Micha clearly realised his efforts futile. 'On your own heads be it.'

Natalya spent the rest of the night talking to Sasha. Andrei and Micha too, but not as much as Sasha. The alcohol had made her even bolder than usual. It pleased her greatly that Sasha seemed just as enamoured by her. He was impressed by her reputation as a seamstress, saying that one of his previous flames had been enamoured by her designs so had assumed her older and far more experienced. She was convinced he had only mentioned another woman to gauge her reaction, which worked better than she wanted it to. Seeing her jealousy though, Sasha had begun to sidle closer to her, Natalya eager to do the same with him.

As the night drew on, she couldn't help but glance at Sasha's watch. She had promised her grandmother she would be home soon, and she knew there would be all hell to pay if she didn't.

Sasha took her hand. 'Do you need to go?'

Natalya fell glum. 'Yes. I have a very important fitting tomorrow morning.'

'Can I walk you home?'

Ever on watch, Micha looked up. 'Perhaps I should-'

He was cut off as Natalya shot to her feet. 'Sasha will do a fine job, thank you.'

Grinning from ear to ear, Sasha did the same.

Micha caught his arm. 'Straight home, yes?'

Wrenching her arm free, Natalya tsked him. 'Worry about getting yourself home.'

'Such a little fire cracker,' laughed Sasha as they beat a hasty retreat.

Together, the pair stepped out of the busy bar and onto the quiet street. The rush of outside air hit Natalya, her head even more fuzzy than before. It was soothing; something she wanted to sink into.

'Lead the way,' he instructed.

Annoyingly, he didn't reach out to take her hand or offer his arm, so she just fiddled with her fingers instead. They began to walk up the dimly lit streets, Natalya awkwardly avoiding eye contact. It was easier to be bold in the bar when the crowd engulfed them. Outside, it was quiet, and it was just them. It was intimate.

Sasha cleared his throat. 'So, how do you know Micha?'

'Our fathers were close friends. We grew up together.'

'That's nice.'

Another silence.

'Do you have any siblings?' asked Natalya.

'I'm the youngest of eight.'

'Eight!'

'Yeah. But I'm the youngest by quite a way. Everyone had left home by the time I came along.'

'A surprise addition to the family, then?'

'I'll say.'

More silence.

'And your parents?' she pressed, eager to coax more from him.

'Both gone,' said Sasha quickly. 'And I don't really see the rest of the brood. So, it's just me.'

'I'm sorry.'

'Don't be. I'm not. Families aren't the be all and end all.'

The third silence had Natalya staring resolutely at her fingers. She knew Sasha would ask the dreaded question.

'What about your parents?'

Swallowing hard, her hand flexed. 'Mother's dead. I don't see much of my father.'

'Then who is Micha so afraid of?'

She managed a giggle. 'My grandmother.'

'I'll stay on my toes then. Grandmothers are terrifying beasts when they want to be.'

Inching closer to him, Natalya made sure that she bumped against him every so often. Sasha seemed perfectly fine with this arrangement as they continued the rest of the walk exchanging simple pleasantries.

All too soon, they arrived at Natalya's complex.

Natalya studied her apartment above. The light was still on; her grandmother had waited for her. She stood by the front door of her block. 'I should get inside.' Finally, she plucked up the courage to look up at Sasha.

He was far closer than expected, his hands stuffed in his pockets as if to keep control of them.

Her breath caught in her throat, her dark eyes pensive as they moved over him. 'You really are very tall, aren't you?'

Sasha laughed. 'And you really are very small.'

'That makes this more difficult.'

'Makes what more dif-' he began.

But Natalya reached up and ran her hands slowly up his shirt, enjoying the ripple of his chest. She stood up on her toes and pulled him down towards her so that his lips crushed hers.

Sasha's hands left the safety of his pockets, one winding into her hair as the other gripped her waist. Natalya's head grew light as his tongue searched hers, a contented hum dancing on her lips. His hand ran from her hair to wrap around her, lifting her off her feet. Natalya melted into him, her entire body a quivering mess. She had never been kissed like this before. It was adult and exciting, and she desperately didn't want it to stop.

They broke apart for a moment, both of them breathing deeply.

'You really are full of surprises, aren't you?' he said, gleefully smiling again. 'Wouldn't have expected a nice young lady like yourself to be so daring.'

'It just seemed the best way to end the night,' she sighed wistfully. She slid slowly down his body, onto her feet. If she stayed much longer, she would take things much too far. She made to leave.

Sasha caught her. 'Can I see you again?'

Natalya's whole face brightened.

'What? Did you think I wouldn't be interested?'

'I suppose I'm just glad to hear you say it,' she admitted.

'How about tomorrow?' He stepped closer again, his hands now pressing either side of her into the door behind her.

'Sounds perfect.'

'Shall I meet you here or will that get you in trouble?' His eyes shot up to the lit window above them.

She chuckled in response. 'I'll meet you at the bar,' she confirmed and turned to open the door as she pulled out her key. 'Goodnight.'

'Do I not get another kiss, krasotka?'

Natalya looked around at him devilishly. 'Certainly not,' she said with feigned offence. 'What kind of girl do you think I am?'

They smiled at one another one last time, before she left him in the courtyard and closed the door behind her.