#the royal romance fanfiction

[sincerelyella]

Last Minute Plans

Book: The Royal Romance (AU)

Pairings: Liam x MC (Ella)

Characters belong to Pixelberry: Ella Brooks belongs to me.

Please note that my stories are not to be stolen or reposted on any other site. Reblogs and notes are welcome and much appreciated.

Summary: An AU based on the show New Girl (my favorite can you tell??) Just a collection of one-shots and shenanigans that allude to the show. This will NOT be canon, that means this won’t be in Cordonia and Liam isn’t a King. If you have watched the show before, you know they are in Los Angeles, California. Catch up on The Loft here

A/N: Finally posting something for @choicesflashfics​ this week and it’s my favorite AU that I’ve written so far. Prompt will be in bold. 

A/N 2: It’s been a very long time since I’ve written anything - mostly because work has been crazy and studying related to work has also taken up a lot of my time. My taglist is very old so feel free to ignore should you not want to read this mess lol

Thank you @deb-1106 for reading through this a bit, I love you!

Ratings/Warnings: M - mature content; adult language; sexual innuendos; some overall inappropriateness because it’s the Loft 🤷🏽‍♀️

Words: 1215

Liam paced back and forth as Drake, Max and Leo followed him, all of their heads going right to left and right to left, and back again.

Leo broke the silence. “Bro, what’s wrong with you?”

Liam stopped and gave his friends and brother a confused look. “When did you guys get here?”

“Are you serious right now?” Drake stood and walked towards his best friend. “Li, why are you pacing the floor?”

“Oh, I …” he looked at the floor and then back up at Drake. “I want to propose to Ella.”

Everyone gasped, while Leo and Max stood from the couch.

Maxwell clapped his hands in excitement. “You are?!”

“How? Where’s the ring? When is this happening?!” Leo yelled as he hopped up and down.

“Relax, relax,” Drake hollered over everyone’s voices as he turned to his best friend. “Do you need help with anything?”

“I got her a ring already,” Liam pulled a black velvet box out of his pocket and opened it. “I’m just not sure when or how to do it. Maybe tomorrow?”

Leo snatched the box out of his brother’s hand. “Whoaaaa, this thing is fat!”

“Real helpful, Leo,” Drake mumbled. “You know Ella is crazy about you. Any way you ask her she’s going to cry.”

Liam ran his hands through his thick blonde hair nervously. “You think?”

“Good tears!” Max interrupted.

Drake nodded. “Really good tears.”

“Remember when we didn’t even think this whole Liam and Ella thing was going to happen?” Leo elbowed Max’s side.

“Yeah, we had our doubts.”

“Wait, what?” Liam’s eyes narrowed.

“You guys just kept breaking up and getting back together!” Max shrugged and looked to Leo for backup.

“I mean, there was the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre-”

“No, no,” Max shook his head. “I think it was the Comic-con Dump-A-Thon.”

“You have names for our breakups?” Liam retorted in annoyance.

Leo nodded. “It would really all blur together if we didn’t.”

A year and a half earlier

“You are so annoying in those little sexy shorts you wear! Just shut up!”

Ella’s hands were on his hips yanking him close to her. “You shut up!”

They began to kiss again, tongues tangling and curling together for a few moments until Liam pulled away. “Shut up and take off your clothes,” he pointed at her. “I mean it, Ella, shut up and take off your clothes right now,” he demanded as he pulled his own shirt off, kicked off his shoes and unbuckled his belt.

She huffed and began to pull off her jacket in purposeful motions. “Why are you so ridiculous and chaotic? You can’t even tell me how you feel!”

Liam’s eyes darkened with desire. “I’ll tell you how I feel right now. I want you,” his mouth collided with hers as he swallowed her moans. “I’ve wanted you from the moment you walked into this loft. Now take off your clothes, Ella.”

Max strolled down the hall eating a banana and stopped short when he saw Liam and Ella getting lost in each other in the living room. Drake, who was walking right behind him, bumped into his back and dropped his phone onto the floor with a clang. “Beaumont!”

“Shhh!” Max flailed his arms and pushed his friend back, shushing him as he went.

“I want my bagel, Beaumont! It just popped up from the toaster and if I wait too long it gets too hard,” Drake whined.

“Drake! It’s 10 at night and you’re eating a bagel?” Max shook his head and pushed him into his bedroom. “Don’t answer that,” he huffed and stuck his ear against the door. “Did you see Liam and Ella?! They were finally getting it on!”

Drake smacked Maxwell in the back of the head. “You’re listening to them fucking? And why are they fucking in our living room?!”

Present day

“Okay, we did not have sex in the living room!”

Drake rolled his eyes. “Well we didn’t know that, Li!”

“You two just went back and forth, kissing and then yelling at each other,” Max casually walked into the kitchen to grab an apple. “Like the time we all went to that speed dating event.”

A year ago

“Why did you bring me here?” Drake hissed as his eyes darted around the room. “I knew this was shady as fuck!”

“Shut up, Walker, all we said was there would be good whiskey and you got in the car,” Leo snickered.

“I need new friends,” Drake mumbled as he wandered off in search of said whiskey.

Max surveyed the room. “Where are Ella and Hana?”

Leo shrugged. “No idea but that blonde over there has me written all over her.”

“That’s not how speed dating works, Leo!” Max grabbed his friend’s arm to keep him in place. “Where did Liam and Ella go?”

Leo turned his head and jutted his chin out. “They’re over there bickering by the entrance.”

Maxwell’s eyes widened. “Shit. If looks could kill-”

“They’d both be dead,” Leo finished as they both made their way to the doors to hear better.

Liam and Ella stood with their arms crossed as they faced each other.

“El, you liked kissing me. It’s totally fine to say that,” Liam whisper yelled. “I’m not on my knees asking you to marry me for God’s sake! It was a nice kiss.”

Ella’s eyes were like daggers as she stared at him. ”You were like a dog and my mouth was full of dog … milk. Don’t start with me William!”

The fact that she said his full name made him snap and forget about the people around them. “It was like a damn fairy tale okay?!” He bellowed. “It was the best kiss of your life! You have to take some responsibility, tarting around in those short shorts!”

Leo and Max snorted.

“Wait a second. Pause and rewind … what did you just say?”

Liam’s nostrils flares. “I am a man, Ella! Short shorts are my catnip.”

Present day

“You heard that?” Liam asked with wide eyes. “So much for privacy,” he grumbled. “It was a frustrating time for me okay?”

“It really doesn’t matter,” Leo waved his hand in the air. “You guys have been strong together and now you want to marry her,” he slapped his hands over his heart. “The real question is … who is going to be your best man?”

“That would be me,” Drake slid his eyes to Liam for confirmation.

“Well I-“

Leo cleared his throat loudly. “Excuse me, but I think it would be me, Walker Whiny Pants. I’m his brother.”

Drake’s face turned slightly red in aggravation at the nickname. “You’re out of your fucking mind, Rys Potato Chips!”

“What’s with the nicknames?” Max piped up from his seat on the couch.

Liam waved his arms in the air. “We have digressed so far down the rabbit hole. I just want to plan how I’m going to propose! Can any of you buffoons help me with that without arguing?”

“Alright, alright,” Leo yanked a large whiteboard out from behind the tv along with a stand and dry erase markers.

Drake’s eyes widened. “Have those been back there the whole time?”

“My room was full,” Leo explained with a large grin. “Let’s plan this shit!”

#The Loft #Liam x Ella #trr #trr fanfic #trr fandom #the royal romance #the royal romance fanfic #the royal romance fanfiction #Liam x MC #choices trr #pixelberry #choices #choices the royal romance

[choicesficwriterscreations]

TRR FotW - April 2-8, 2023

18+ = Adult/Mature Content 🔥 = Explicit Material/NSFW

False Truth Part 2 | Multiple Pairings - @twinkleallnight 18+

The Invitation (Series) | Liam Rys x F!OC - @aussiegurl1234 Run 18+ Terms & Conditions 18+ The Wedding 18+

Midnights Like These (Series) | Leo Rys x F!OC, Liam Rys x MC - @queenrileyrose Part 5: Come Out of the Darkness 18+

Never Have I Ever (Series) | Bertrand Beaumont x MC - @harleybeaumont Chapter 6: Watch & Learn 🔥

Notebook Chapter 3 POV | Maxwell Beaumont x MC - @aesthetic-aag

The Memory of Us (Series) | Drake Walker x MC - @camillemontespan Part 1 Part 2

Savage Love (Series) | Liam Rys x MC, Drake Walker x MC - @angelasscribbles Chapter 30: About Last Night 18+

Smoke & Mirrors (Series) | Liam Rys x MC, Leo Rys x F!OC - @tessa-liam Chapter 6: You Are the Reason 🔥

Vancross (Series) | Liam Rys x F!OC - @ao719 Chapter 13: Show Her What Her Heart is For 18+

CFWC Main FotW Listing

Open Heart FotW Listing

#the royal romance fanfic #the royal romance fanfiction #choices fanfic #playchoices fanfic #choices fic writers creations #cfwc fics of the week #playchoices

[angelasscribbles]

TRR One-Shots

These are all from The Royal Romance/The Royal Heir. For my main master list: click here.

Riley x Multiple LIs

I Do: Riley’s getting married, but someone isn’t happy about it.

Almost: Drake and Riley were always almost something. A Quote me on this prompt story.

Social Climber: Based on the song ‘Fancy’ by Reba McEntire. Riley uses each of the guys as a stepping stone to her true ambitions.

Daylight: Unable to resist his best friend's wife, guilt threatens to take him down.

Drake x Riley

Surprise: My submission for Drakes Birthday Bash hosted by @twinkleallnight

First Date: The night before the Beaumont bash, book one. Drake’s point of view.

Fall(ing) in Love: Drake takes Riley to the Stormholt County Fall Festival. But is it a date?

Winter Wonderland: Max schemes to trap Riley and Drake alone at Christmastime. Will they admit their feelings for each other?

Change of Plans: Drake goes after her the night of the coronation.

The Proposal: Drake’s secrecy around his planned proposal causes some angst.

What Happens in New York: Max talks Riley into getting on that plane.

Still Believe: For choices prompts Rewrite Challenge. Crosses TRR with The Lost Boys.

Chain of Love: For the choices prompts Song Rewrite Challenge.

Drake x F!OC

Summer Vacation

Liam x Riley

Fate: Liam contemplates who he’d like to choose at the end of the social season, though there’s a reason he can’t follow his heart.

Betrayal: Riley encounters Liam four years after the night of his coronation, but everything she thought she knew is wrong.

Mistakes: Liam sleeps with Hana after Riley is drug out of the coronation. She finds out. Can he win her back?

Mother in Law Hell: Regina creates havoc in Riley and Liam’s marriage.

Obsession: Liam and Riley are in love, but someone isn’t happy about it.

King Breaker: Riley isn’t what she seems. Her actions set off a civil war. Launched the series Insurrection.

Single Again: Riley's most recent divorce is finalized and it's just the opportunity Liam has been waiting for.

Max x Riley

Where Have You Been: Riley disappears from Cordonia, leaving Max heartbroken. But why did she leave and is there a way back for them?

Maximum Frustration: Riley pushes Max’s buttons to find out just how far he’s willing to go. 🍋🍋🍋

The Best Christmas Ever: Max’s friends and family embarrass him with childhood stories. Will this be the night he admits his feelings?

Hana x Riley

Probably a Bad Idea: Riley puts forth Liam as a sperm donor. Hana isn’t really on board.

Leo x Riley

Wild Ride: Technically a Bad Romance one-shot but could be a stand alone Leo x Riley fic so linking it here as well. 🍋🍋🍋

Justin/Anton x Riley

Infatuation: Anton is on a mission but his mark is a massive distraction. 🍋🍋🍋

Other Pairings:

Go Your Own Way: Olivia withdraws from the social season just before the ball, but it’s not exactly canon.

Last Hope: Coronation night shatters everything for this couple. Now what? Short drabble.

Friendship and Family

Friendship: The beginning of Liam and Drake’s friendship.

Confrontation: A conversation that could happen if Liam were paying enough attention.

Coronation: Yet another take on Coronation night. One brother contemplates the effects of his decisions.

Series Compliant:

Yoga Pants: Three Weeks in Ramsford

Pride: Lavender and Crimson

Auld Lange Syne: Forbidden Passion

My Lonely Valentine: The Agreement

#trr #oneshots #the royal romance #trr au #trr fanfic #choices trr #trr fandom #playchoices fanfic #the royal romance fanfiction #liam rys #drake walker #riley brooks #maxwell beaumont

[findingdrake]

The Common Romance

I finally landed in Melbourne, Australia. I have worked my ass off to get this dream job as a Software Engineer in this dream city. Getting the job wasn’t as difficult as getting the Visa. Even though my employer has sponsored me, the last formality for the visa is still pending. After landing in Oz, I have to attend an interview and get my visa stamped by the immigration officer. Pheww... "Keep calm, it’s the last step, and there are hardly any rejections at this step... Deep breaths...", keeping my composure, I head to my sister’s place, where I’ll stay for the initial days.

The next morning, I hurriedly collect my documents, and then take a cab to the Immigration office. As I walk across the Immigration Office my clumsy and anxious ass drops a document or my mobile or wallet every few steps.

Drake Walker, Immigration officer, I read the nameplate outside his office. I wait outside in the waiting lobby, impatiently making E-O-E-O faces. It’s been 2 hours, and my name has not been called. Everyone seems to have a prior appointment except me. Waiting... And waiting...

It’s lunchtime now. I know this because I see the immigration officer move out of his office, and yes, also there is a display board that says ‘Office will be closed for a lunch break between 12:30-1:30’. But mostly the immigration officer. I didn’t get a good look but he’s ruggedly handsome. Tall, I guess 6 feet and a good build. I follow him as if I was charmed. “Pss.. stop following the immigration officer you idiot!”, says my rational self. They win this time, but I am already in the canteen following him. I head to the vending machine while he is, well, I lost him. I look around as I get my snack pack. Obviously, he’s eating a salad. “Handsome men don’t eat like pigs and you”, says my critical self.

“How about we sit next to him? He’s eating alone”, says my swooned self.

“Have it occurred to you that maybe he wants to, not like he can’t get a company”, says Miss rational.

“I’ll sit next to him and bring up my visa appointment”, says my smart self. “And we can ogle at his handsomeness”, says Miss Swooned. So after a detailed discussion with myself, I decided to head to him with my snack pack and a water bottle. I hope he’s not done by now.

I am at his table and he’s busy looking at his phone. My tongue seems numb, but somehow I mutter, “I sit here!”. I wanted to make it a question, but it came out as an exclamation in broken English. He looks up. Those gorgeous eyes filled with depth and annoyance? He looks around, and he can see a few empty tables. “Covid protocol, can’t share tables”. “That’s not a covid protocol!”, my ego frowns as I take a seat at the next table.

“Ok! We have lost hope of a romantic relationship because of this pathetic and desperate start. Now, he’s the immigration officer, and you are the applicant. Try it that way”, came Miss Smart for rescue.

“I have an appointment for my 186 application with you. I need to get it stamped before I can join the office, so how long does it generally take”, I am suddenly more confident when I talk professionally, in a totally unprofessional and inappropriate setting.

At first, the handsome officer tries to ignore me and pretend that the question was not directed at him. But taking a quick look at my leaning posture, question mark face and constant stare, he sighs. “It can take 1-46 days.”

“His voice is so raspy and the accent…. Shut up slut!”, fight Miss swooned and Miss rationality.

“46 days?”, I was seriously concerned until I saw him give a sly smile.

“Emm... I can keep coming here for 46 days, no problem. Not like I have a job”, I smile confidently at him. I’m sure he can sense the cockiness in my voice.

“Should I wait the second half of today, Mr Walker?”, I dare to ask him, while this is going in my head, “Mr Walker, that sounds so sexy!”

He finished up, and I think early, because of my irritating presence. “I’m afraid we are all booked today and won’t be able to take any on-spot cases. You got your appointment right? You can come when you get a call”

“I’ll definitely cum when I get your call”, I blurt out.

“I won’t be calling you, my office will”, he said with a straight face.

“Why don’t you just jump into his arms, that will be more desperate and embarrassing”, he leaves with his salad plate while I’m being slut shamed by myself.

…………………………………………………………………………

“Come in!”, Drake tries to stifle a giggle and keep a straight face as he calls in the next applicant. A few routine questions before he stamps the Chinese family’s Visa.

“Come in!” he calls in the next applicant. “Fuck that idiot tiny woman! She ruined come in for me.”, Drake frowns, thinking to himself and the Pakistani applicant gets nervous. “Is anything wrong Sir?”, asked Ahmed. “No, Mr Khan, your papers seem just right. Welcome to Australia”. Drake goes about stamping his Visa.

“Next!”, Drake sighs tiredly as he calls the next applicant. 4 more hours of this before he glides towards his car.

…………………………………………………………………………

He likes taking the scenic route home. It’s long but has no traffic, it does remind him of a far land he once called home. This is a bittersweet path because Home is the beautiful memories, but home is also the pain and the betrayals. Some days, he can’t brace the memories, and either take a sharp u-turn to a different route or speed past this one. Today, was not such a day. Today he tried to distract himself. His hand reaches toward the car radio, but who is he kidding. Australian music doesn’t excite him like the Cordonian classics. It has been almost 2 years in Aussieland, but he still hasn't completely adapted. “Huh.. hmm. Hmm.. hmm..”, he tries to hum, but he knows he can’t do it. He’s clicking his fingers on the steering wheel. “Today was fine, that Syrian family totally deserves to move here. That’s what the humanitarian Visa is for. I’ll speak to Kyle to escalate the process tomorrow.”, he tries to think about something interesting in his day. “What else... the British journalist and that tiny lady can wait a few more days. The tiny lady, she was utterly annoying.”, he involuntarily chuckles at her naiveness. Then he freezes for a second. He clearly remembers how Naive Riley was. That’s exactly how she used to look at him, at Liam. He sharply crams the accelerator and speeds home, to his kids.

#the royal romance #drake walker #trr #drake trr #drake x mc #choices fanfiction #choices drake #choices trr #trr fanfic #the royal romance fanfiction #the royal romance fic #the royal romance au #the royal romance fanfic #drake walker fanfiction #trr drake walker #drake walker fanfic #team drake #drake #drake x oc #drake x riley #liam x mc x drake #liam x riley #oc rp #melbourne #australia

[ao719]

What's Already Mine

A/N: This is a part of my Us Again series. Submission for @choicesflashfics using prompt #2. Not beta’d. Please excuse any errors.

Title Inspiration: Already Mine - Us The Duo

Book/Pairing: TRR; Liam x MC (Katherine)

Rating: G • Warnings: None.

Word count: 2500

Catch up here

Both my suit jacket and arm are draped over Katherine’s shoulders as we walk back towards the hotel from her old bar where I found her. 

We’ve walked in silence for a few blocks and it’s deafening despite the bustling city around us. We’ve seemed to have only a silent understanding of the situation; neither of us has said a word. 

My mind is too muddled to speak. I don’t know what to say because there’s so much to be said but nothing all at once. I don’t want to ask if she’s alright because obviously she isn’t. I don’t need to ask what’s wrong because I know. I know why she was there. I know why she broke down when she saw me. 

Despite knowing, I don’t know what to say … and I hate myself for it. 

I glance down at her when I hear a sniffle; she’s staring at the ground as she walks holding my jacket securely around herself. I watch her hand poke up from beneath the lapels to wipe a tear from her cheek and I feel my heart break a little more. 

I want to tell her it’s ok, that it’ll be ok, that we’ll be ok. I want her to tell me the same. But I know that neither of us can say that right now with certainty. 

So we continue to walk … in silence. 

****

Once back at the hotel, Katherine and I step inside our suite. I shut the door behind me and start to follow her as she walks into the bedroom; now that my arm isn’t around her, I notice that she’s a little wobbly on her feet thanks to her slightly tipsy state. She didn’t have much to drink, only a couple of glasses of wine at the gala, and based on the tab I paid at the bar before leading her out, I’d surmise no more than two drinks there, but I know she’s barely eaten anything today which is doing her no favors and she’s always been a bit of a lightweight as it is. 

When I enter the bedroom steps after Katherine, I see her draping my suit jacket on a chair. She then reaches back, attempting to grab the zipper of her gown, but she can’t quite reach it. When she becomes frustrated, evident by the small huffs of breath she keeps releasing, I step up behind her and gently cover my hand with hers. She goes completely still. After a moment, she glances over her shoulder; her eyes are rimmed red and still misty when she meets my gaze. I give a soft nod, and she slowly lowers her hand as she looks straight ahead again. 

As I lower the zipper of her gown, I let my thumb graze her spine, and I swallow thickly. When was the last time I touched my wife like this? The last time that my fingers brushed against her bare skin? I think back … it’s been a year. We were in Ramsford for the Beaumont Bash and we both had a lot to drink that night. I vaguely remember stumbling into our room, my hands tugging at the fabric of her dress and her arms wrapping around my neck as I kicked the door shut. Before that night, it had been months since we’d last been intimate, and before that, even more months. When we woke the next morning, we showered and dressed without a word, and when we arrived back at the palace, she went to the east wing while I headed to my study. It was awkward in a way and treated like it never happened. I think that’s when the deteriorating state of our marriage started to slowly consume my thoughts. 

Once her zipper is lowered enough, Katherine takes a step away and turns to face me, holding the front of her gown against her chest so it doesn’t fall. I slip my hands into my pockets to stop myself from reaching for her because I don’t know if that’s something I’m allowed to do anymore. We stare at one another, and my eyes are silently pleading with her. Talk to me. Please. Talk. To. Me. I can swear I see a similar plea in her own eyes. I open my mouth to speak but quickly snap it shut because I still have no idea what to say. 

“Thank you,” she whispers. 

“Of course,” I nod in reply. After staring at me almost expectantly, she lets out a soft breath and turns. “Katherine, I …” 

She stops and looks back at me; I see a flicker of something … of what I think is hope mixed with desperation and worry. “Yeah …?”

I hold my breath and her gaze for a moment before shaking my head. “Nothing …” 

Her breath subtly hitches in her throat as she drops my gaze and nods. When she disappears into the bathroom, I hang my head, squeezing my eyes shut in disappointment. 

Disappointment with myself, where we are, and my inability to grasp how to fix it. 

I begin to loosen my tie, but I freeze as my eyes shift to the bathroom door when I swear I hear a muffled cry from behind it. 

Where did it go? The love I once knew? It’s lost in the dark The light can’t shine through Where did we go? I can’t see it now I’m fighting the night To find you somehow…

*******

My fingers are steepled over my lips as I stare out the window of my study. My mind is in the same place as it has been for the past week since returning home: my marriage. Hell, my mind was here before our trip, but now, it’s all I can think about morning, noon, and night.

Katherine and I have yet to speak about what happened in New York. The morning after finding her in the bar, we sat through a silent breakfast followed by a few appearances that were scheduled before heading to the airport for our flight home. On the jet, I almost said something but decided against trying to have that conversation 35,000 feet in the air with no escape if we needed one. 

In hindsight … maybe that wouldn’t have been the worst idea. 

Since we’ve returned home, things have gone back to exactly how they’ve been. I work through the day and go to the east wing for our nighttime routine with the children. But instead of leaving the moment they go to sleep to go back to my study or the west wing … I’ve lingered. I think she believes I’m just waiting to be sure the children are asleep before slipping out, not realizing I’m there for her. I’m trying to give myself the courage to bring it up, but I find an excuse every damn time. It’s not good timing. It’s late. The kids are there. Whatever my mind can conjure up, it does. My fight or flight has turned to strictly flight; I flee every time. And either she’s having the same thoughts and coming up with the same excuses to not bring it up herself … or she’s completely given up, which after what happened in New York, it’s plausible. 

The bottom line is this: I know we’ve reached our limit. I know, one way or another, a very difficult conversation is eventually coming. 

At this point, it’s inevitable … and it fucking terrifies me. 

I’m so lost in thought that I don’t even register the knock on my study door. It’s not until I feel a shove against my arm and hear my name that I finally snap out of it and glance up to see Drake staring at me questioningly. 

“I’m sorry,” I say, shaking my head as I straighten in my chair. “I didn’t hear you come in.” 

“No shit,” Drake playfully scoffs. “I knocked a few times … called your name when I came inside, but you were zoned out.” 

I release a breath and nod, rubbing my eyes with the pads of my fingers. “Yeah … sorry. It’s been a long week.” I blink a few times to focus my vision and when I do, I see Drake now sitting across from me. His arms are folded across his chest and his brow is arched. “What?”

“Seriously, Li … what’s been going on with you?”

“What do you mean?”

“This isn’t the first time I’ve caught you like this over the last few months. You seem like you have a lot more than just the stress of running a kingdom on your mind.”

I look away, unable to hold his gaze. Neither Katherine nor I have ever mentioned anything to our friends pertaining to the state of our marriage. We’ve put on the same show in front of them that we have in front of everyone else. 

“Liam … talk to me.” 

I look at my best friend again, trying to rein in the sadness I feel. If I can’t talk to Katherine, maybe talking to someone will help. I clasp my hands together and lean forward against my desk as I let out a heavy sigh.

And I end up breaking down as I tell him everything. 

Drake listens without interruption, but he doesn’t hide the surprise in his expression. When I finish, I can see him still trying to process everything I’ve just told him. 

“I never would have guessed … any of that,” Drake finally says. 

“We’re good at hiding it,” I say. Too good. “It’s just … it’s become our norm. It’s like second nature now … putting on the front.” 

“Why haven’t you guys ever said anything?”

I can hear the hint of hurt in his tone. “I don’t … I don’t know,” I reply truthfully. “I can’t speak for her, but for me … I guess it’s … I feel like I’ve already let her down … and the kids. I didn’t want to let my friends down, too.” 

“Liam, you’re not letting any of us down.” 

“I’m supposed to maintain this image of my life. Acknowledging that my marriage had completely fallen apart to myself was hard enough. Saying it out loud to someone else …” I shake my head. 

“So what the hell are you going to do?” Drake asks. “I mean, you’re going to fix it, right?”

“I don’t know,” I scoff with a shrug. “I don’t know if it can be fixed.” 

Drake’s brow furrows. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that …” I trail off, chewing the inside of my cheek, not wanting to say my next words, but they come anyway. “I’m saying that perhaps this is the end of our story.”

“What the fuck, Li?” Drake barks as he abruptly stands from his chair. The reaction startles me, and I look at him, unable to hide my surprise. “How could you even say that?”

“Do you think that’s what I want?” I snap. “Because it’s not! But I can’t force us to get back to where we once were!”

“That’s bullshit and you know it,” Drake chides, and when I open my mouth to retort, he leans forward, getting right in my face. “It’s bullshit. And. You. Know. It.” He stands upright. “To just accept defeat is not only the easy, coward’s way out, it’s not you!”

“Drake—”

“No, I don’t want to hear it,” Drake interrupts. “What you and Katherine have … it’s the fucking dream, Li. And I’m not talking about the literal fairytale crap,” he says, waving his hands dismissively. “I’m talking about the real shit. I watched you two; I had a front-row fucking seat. I watched your story unfold. I watched you both fight like hell to be together. And here you are now, a decade later, and you’re ready to wave the white flag because you two hit a rough patch that you won’t acknowledge to each other? Fuck. That.”

As I stare up at him, I feel a tear slip down my cheek … because I know he’s right. I clear my throat and snap my gaze toward the window, trying to fight back my emotions.

“I know you both, Li, and neither of you would keep putting yourself through this if you truly wanted to walk away. That’s gotta stand for something.” 

My gaze shifts up to his again. “I don’t want to walk away,” I say through a cracked whisper.

“Then you fight.”

Where did it go? The passionate fire? We can’t find the flame And now we’re both tired What do we do When all we have left Is dying for life But on its last breath?

****

That evening, as I’m finishing up my work for the day and finalizing some plans I’ve set into motion, I hear a knock on my study door and call for them to enter. When I look up, Katherine steps inside. “Hi,” I greet her as I rise from my chair.

“Hello,” Katherine responds. She quietly closes the door behind her. “I’m sorry to bother—”

“You’re not bothering me,” I interrupt as I walk around my desk. 

Katherine swallows, holding my gaze as she subtly nods. “I, uh … I was just trying to get things in order with my schedule for next week, but it’s … did you have it cleared?”

“I did,” I answer, and my heart is pounding in my chest as I watch the confusion fill her expression while I try to keep mine impassive. 

“Why?”

“Because we’re going on a trip.”

Katherine’s brows raise. “We?”

“Yes,” I nod. “We … as in you and me.” 

“A trip for what?”

“That’s still to be determined,” I say cryptically. 

Katherine furrows her brow. “Is it a work-related thing?” 

Even though I expected her to think that, it still hurts when she asks. “No,” I shake my head. “It’s not.”

“I’m confused …” 

“About?”

“We … we haven’t gone on a trip that wasn’t duty-related in a long time,” Katherine says. “At least … not together.”

“I think it’s safe to say we’re a bit overdue,” I quip. 

“But what about—”

“Eleanor and Lucas are going to have some quality time with their Uncle Drake,” I interrupt again, knowing what she’s wondering. “I spoke with him and made all of the arrangements already.” 

Katherine lets out a sigh as she continues to stare at me. “I …” She trails off, shaking her head. “I don’t understand …”

My impassive wall drops and I sigh as I let the emotion I’ve been trying to conceal fill my features. “Katherine …” I speak just above a whisper. “You and I … we’re lost.” 

I see her eyes slightly widen as she lets out a breath before she drops my gaze, but not before I see the pain fill her expression. It’s as if hearing me finally acknowledge the truth we’ve both known but have remained silent about out loud has gravely wounded her. 

“We’re lost and we both know it. And we can’t keep running from it. We need to face it. We need to … to talk about it and figure out if we’re going to find ourselves again — find us again — or …” I trail off, struggling to say the next words out loud. “Or if we’re going to walk away from this … from each other … because we can’t keep living this way.” 

When Katherine looks back up at me, tears trickle down her cheeks. She parts her lips to speak but stops as she lifts a hand and rests it against her throat to where I assume the lump is that’s stolen her voice. More tears fall and more confusion crosses her expression as she continues to hold my gaze. 

“I cleared both of our schedules for the next two weeks,” I continue to explain, “and made arrangements for this trip … just for us.” 

Katherine’s breath hitches. “Where … where are we going?”

“To the private island …” 

I hear the soft breath of acknowledgment Katherine releases. 

We can’t run there; we can’t hide or avoid each other. And she knows it. We’ll be left with no other choice but to face this … to face one another. 

We stare at each other, and I’m certain the worry and fear of the unknown of what this trip will bring that I’m feeling is the same thing she’s feeling. 

We both know we’re going into this completely broken. And we both know that we’re either going to come out pieced back together and on the mend to being whole again … or we’re going to come out irreparably shattered.

I can’t control you Or what your heart will decide But I’ll never stop Trying to fall back in love with what’s already mine…

***************************************

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#the royal romance #trr #choices the royal romance #choices trr #liam rys #king liam rys #trr liam #trr king liam #king liam #liam x mc #trr liam x mc #choices liam x mc #king liam x mc #trr king liam x mc #trr fanfic #trr fanfiction #trr fan fic #trr au #trr au fanfic #choicesflashfics #cfwc fics of the week

[ponderingmoonlight]

Chapter 3: Entangled Ambitions - A Pact Sealed in Royal Halls

Pairing: Gojo x fem!reader

Warnings: reader's death, language

Genre: Isekai, Romance, Fantasy

Synopsis: Your life takes a tragic turn as you perish in a car crash, only to awaken in a whimsical world of fantasy with none other than Jujustu Kaisen characters as its main protagonists. But as if that wasn't enough, you're about to marry the prince version of Gojo Satoru. How will you navigate through this world of history and fantasy? Does your life take the same sudden twist of fate as that of your favorite characters?

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Satoru’s heart stops beating for a moment, eyes widen at the harsh words you just spit at him. How would someone like you know about his powers? He was always keen to hide them, never used his abilities in the presence of someone apart from Suguru and his family. He doesn’t even know you that well. You, the daughter of Naobito Zenin. How on earth did you find out?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

You clear your throat, nerves threatening to fail you. This is the only chance you have left. If Gojo Satoru doesn’t rethink his decision…No, there is no way you’ll die again.

“I am talking about your ability to manipulate the area around you freely, the fact that you can distort space. You are also able to create barriers and voids that nullify any incoming attacks, which makes you almost invincible in battle and is responsible for your great reputation as a fighter. But if your followers get to know about the real reason behind your skills…You know how great the fear of people with special powers is in this country, that all of them get executed. Not even Your Majesty will be spared from this.”

You are walking on thin ice. He is the prince, after all. So much higher in his rank that it would be easy for him to get you executed due to false accusations. But this might be the only card you have left, your last spark of hope. If Gojo Satoru won’t marry you, your father will let you get killed. And apart from that, this might be the only chance you’ll get to meet your favourite characters. What about Geto and Nanami? If Naoya and Gojo exist, they are definitely somewhere in this world as well. You are literally living the dream of every anmie and manga fan.

Well, except for the stinging fact that you call Naobito your father and Naoya your stinky brother.

“That are some heavy accusations you’re throwing at me, Lady (y/n). You know as well as I do that I could get you executed right on the sport for your unwise words despite the fact that you are a daughter of the Zenin family”, he replies.

The way he crosses his legs while smiling down at you arrogantly makes the urge to fall onto your knees and beg him for forgiveness grow louder and louder. But no, this is exactly what he wants. At the moment, all Prince Satoru does is playing and testing you. You can’t allow yourself to be messed with. After all, he has absolutely zero clue about what he is in your old world, that you actually died and reincarnated here. He definitely does know that your life depends on his mercy, though. And that your proposal benefits both of you.

“Why did you decide on marrying me in the first place? Was it because you fell in love with my portrait or rather because your family forced you to choose a wife and you thought I wouldn’t cause trouble because I’m a Zenin, because you considered I would urge to get away from my possessing family as soon as possible?”

Threatening him any further has no use. After all, Gojo is aware of the fact that you know about his hidden talent. Instead, you should focus on things you can actually prove, things that are obvious.

“You are a very loudmouthed young lady. I expected you to be more sublime. As a member of the famous Zenin family, you sure got taught etiquette and obedience from a young age, didn’t you?”

He can’t help himself. Just one look into your glimmering lavender eyes makes him provocative you even further. Of course, every little thing you said is true. Yes, your words are a serious threat on his way to the throne. Yes, his family does in fact urge him every single day to decide on a wife. Your proposal is the best solution for both of you, allows him to carry on with his unbothered life without the responsibility to satisfy his finance’s needs. But still…

“I couldn’t care less about my ancestry, Prince Satoru. All I care about is my own freedom”, you clarify, determination dripping from each and every pore of your face.

“And if you don’t decide on helping me, I have to find another gentleman who suits my requirements better.”

“Another gentleman? You are aware of the fact that I’m the prince, right?”

Out of all the arguments you brought up in this conversation, this one is the one that bugs him the most. Out of some strange reason, the sheer thought of you getting promised to another man doesn’t sit right with Satoru.

“As a prince, you are far above my status anyway. If it weren’t for politics and the reliability when it comes to the advanced weapon technology of my family, I wouldn’t even be considered as your fiancé”, you argue in all seriousness.

“What if I don’t allow you to marry another man?”

“Then I will find my ways to do so.”

“Fine, I will propose to you at the ball this weekend.”

Wait…what? After all the arguments, the discussions and the stinging fact that he stares at you with narrowed eyes, he actually agreed on it? Just when you’re about to thank him and leave, he gets up and opens his full mouth.

“But I want to re-arrange the conditions to suit my needs as well.”

Your pounding heart almost stops inside of your chest. For a moment, you just sit there and stare at him plainly like an idiot. Gojo Satoru, having conditions? This definitely doesn’t sound appealing at all. But do you really have another chance? It might be true that you are able to find another gentleman, the anger of your father will carry on, though. And who knows if he wouldn’t kill you even if you marry another wealthy man. No, this engagement is your best and eventually only option.

“What conditions are we talking about, precisely?”

“Once a week, I am allowed to present you as my fiancée in a way I will decide on my own. As the prince and future ruler of this country, I need to reflect a strong relationship with my future queen to the outside. It has to be credible. Everyone must think that we are deeply in love with each other, Lady (y/n).”

Shivers run down your spine before you’re able to stop them. Just one look into his blue thirsty eyes…This man won’t touch you even in your sleep. Doesn’t he have multiple young women just waiting for a chance to hit on him? Playing his wife for an additional day of the week. How wasteful, considering that you’ll never be more than his fiancée, that this engagement will get cancelled the minute it doesn’t benefit both of you anymore.

“I will fulfil my role over the span our engagement last and accept your addition, Prince Satoru.”

“Great! Now that this is out of the way, let me tell you one last thing.”

Before you’re even able to react any further, he grabs your arm and pulls you close. For a moment, you forget how to breathe, your nose tingling by the exquisite scent that radiates from him. You actually never wondered about the way he smells. But now that he is so close you would be able to touch him, so close that you can feel his breath brushing over the bare skin of your face, heat begins to crawl up your spine. Suddenly you feel like fainting, the immense presence of him standing this closely to you simply taking your breath away.

“If you decide on betraying me by telling anyone about my secret, I will execute you. There are no real feelings between us, I won’t even bat an eyelash.”

“First, make sure you keep your end of the bargain, Prince”, you bite back out of instinct, holding his gaze without any mercy.

Does he really think you’re scared of him? He might be Gojo Satoru, the honoured one, the strongest, the prince of this country. You might have been surprised by the way he grabbed you out of thin air. You are still (y/n), still you.

Instead of backing up, you take another step towards him and grab the collar of his elegant jacket. But you know all of his dirty little secrets, parts of his past and future. You are definitely no one to be messed with as well.

“And make sure you don’t disappoint me.”

You let go of him as sudden as you grabbed him, creating a safe distance between both of you by crossing the room and coming to a stand in front of the exit.

“Send me an invitation to the ball along with a pricy bouquet of lavender flowers. It was an honour to visit you, Your Majesty. I am looking forward to our next meeting.”

One last polite curtsy, one last elegant smile. But just when you’re about to call the waiter in order to open the door for you, it swings open by itself.

And your cheek clashes into something particularly hard.

“Oh no, I am beyond sorry My Lady! I wasn’t aware of your presence!”

That voice…You get greeted by a pair of the manliest hands you’ve ever seen, hands gliding up his definitely toned arms. He lifts you off the ground as fast as you stumbled onto his, arms holding you into place tightly.

“You must be Lady (y/n), what a pleasure to finally meet you. I am Sir Geto Suguru, the steward of Your Majesty.”

“S-Suguru?”

Your widen eyes focus on his face in an instant, heart almost beating out of your chest. All those times you admired his drawing, the way he acted so elegantly. The countless fanfictions you’ve read with this exact first meeting.

Only to end up with him in bed later on.

“That is my name”, the man in front of you replies along with a small laughter.

That smile. That oh so charismatic smile. And that manly smell, a mix of mint and leather. You force yourself to gift him with a smile and create a safe distance between both of you. So this is him, the best friend of Gojo Satoru. Even in this world, you can tell how close they are to each other.

Will it stay like this, though?

“I’m sorry, I must have hit my head a little too heart”, you comment, finally ripping your eyes away from his brown ones.

“Do you know each other?”, the firm voice of Prince Satoru interrupts.

A look into his face tells you that he isn’t amused by this sudden meeting at all.

“I’ve never seen Lady (y/n) apart from the portrait that was sent to you, Prince Satoru. But may I say, you look even more mesmerising in person.”

“Weren’t you about to leave when Sir Geto arrived, Lady (y/n)?”

Gojo smiles at you without his eyes, a cold glare decorating his face that is definitely supposed to intimidate you.

But instead of backing up, you take a risky step towards Geto Suguru and bow oh so sweetly.

“Oh Sir Geto, I don’t deserve your kind words. After all, it is you who is a feast for my eyes. No excuse me gentlemen, I still have lessons to attend. I hope we’ll meet each other again this weekend, Sir Geto. Have a nice week, Prince Satoru.”

Without gifting him another single look, you turn on your heel and walk out the door.

You did it. You convinced him to propose to you. But…is this really what you want? Is Gojo Satoru really what you want? Just the way he stared at you with arrogance dripping from each and every poor. Urgh, you fucking hate him. There’s no way to deny that he’s driving you over the edge. Why on earth does it have to be him? Why not Geto, what about Nanami?

Why does it have to be Gojo Satoru?

“She seems like a really nice young lady”, Suguru comments visibly amused while sitting in your former place.

“What your tongue, Suguru. She will me my fiancé after this week is over.”

Tags: @m0k0k0 @lees-chaotic-brain @sanicsmut @risuola @fire-loving-siren

@sunshine7queen @gatitam @kentocalls @hellkaiserinphoenix @skylarlyn823

@livmarauder @nothisispatrick300 @haileycannotcometothephonern @xstom @byakuya61085

#jjk #jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu kaisen x reader #jjk x reader #jujutsu gojo #gojo saturo #gojo satoru #gojo x reader #jjk gojo #gojou satoru x reader #isekai fanfic #isekai #isekai reader #jjk fantasy au! #jjk romance #jjk fanworks #jjk fanfic #romance fanfiction #fantasy romance #fantasy #fantasy royalty #jjk royal #gojo satoru x reader #gojo x you #geto suguru #satosugu #geto fluff #satoru #gojo #suguru

[simsim54]

if my boyfriend doesn’t treat me with the same love and devotion that alexander gabriel claremont-diaz showers upon his boyfriend, prince henry george edward james fox mountchristen windsor, then i don’t want him

#red white and royal blue #rwrb #rwrb film #alex claremont diaz #prince henry of wales #alexander gabriel claremont diaz #prince henry george edward james hanover stuart fox #firstprince #gay prince #gay #bisexual #alex x henry #henry x alex #casey mcquiston #biblophile #true facts #quotes #romance #love story #rwrb fanfiction #lgbtq

[kristinamae093]

Ghosted

Ghosted - Two Steps Back (Chapter Ten)

Series Summary - Prince Liam fell for Riley Brooks hard and fast. A marriage filled with love and devotion was within his reach. But everything changed when she vanished just before the end of the social season. As everyone voices their concerns regarding her scandalous departure, a confession from an unlikely source turns Liam's world upside down and makes him question everything around him.

Book/Pairing - TRR - Liam x MC (Riley Brooks)

A/N 1 - This AU starts right before the beginning of the engagement tour. There is a two-month lapse between the coronation and where we pick up, but we will stray from canon. Please excuse any errors found.

Characters belong to Pixelberry.

After the Regatta

Penelope hobbled to her room on a sore foot and a painfully bruised ego. This wasn’t going as expected; advisors told her toward the beginning of the season she might stand a chance, but after only the first few events, they hastily changed their tone. Between Madeleine, Riley, and Olivia, they knew Penelope would not be the new king’s choice.  

Regardless, Penelope was enjoying her time away. The friends she’d made were irreplaceable; she and Kiara formed an everlasting bond. Even Riley was incredibly friendly, despite her commoner status. Penelope was rooting for Riley to win it all because she was genuinely a nice person, and Penelope was looking forward to what Cordonia could look like with her as queen. 

Penelope approached her door whilst humming to herself. The day was long, and she was relieved to be in the comfortable solace of her own space. She planned on calling her parents for their daily video chat, and to get some doggy face time to tide her over while away. Her anxiety was through the roof without having them close, but the friendships she’d made were a momentary distraction. She was glad the ladies were nice enough; otherwise, this experience would’ve been a nightmare. 

Penelope entered and made a bee-line for the bathroom. She did her business, washed her hands, and bounced her way over to the dresser to get more comfortable for the evening. Just as she opened the drawer, a stern knock sounded on her door. Penelope scrunched her face; she was expecting no visitors but thought perhaps Kiara wanted to hang out. 

As Penelope opened the structure, a thunderous force shoved through her and entered, slamming the door shut. Penelope stumbled backward but caught her footing. She could only stare at the person in front of her as panic flourished through her body. She didn't recognize them, but the death glare plastered on their face told her that notion was not applied on both ends. Her instinct told her to scream for help, but the visitor addressed her before she was given the chance.

They spoke in a low, raspy voice. “Have a seat, Lady Penelope. We have a lot to discuss.” 

“W–who are you?” 

“You need not worry about who I am, only what I know.” 

“What do you mean?” 

The person clasped their hands behind their back and stalked around Penelope; like a vulture circles its prey. “Everyone around you thinks you're the sweet, poodle-obsessed Penny, but I see otherwise. I know all about you… The things you’ve done… What your daddy tries his damndest to hide…” 

Penelope’s already increasing heart rate spiked. “I don’t understand.” 

“Of course you don’t. It’s alright, I wouldn’t want anyone to know, either.” They dismissively shrugged.

“Know what?” 

The person snickered at her attempts to deflect, but they could see the panic rising in her eyes. “It’s quite a common expression — young and dumb. But, when you’re in the nobility, there are no secrets unless you know the right people.” 

Penelope thickly swallowed. “I don’t – I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

“Really? So, then you’ve never been — joined in holy matrimony, right?”

Penelope’s eyes widened. “I–” 

“Enough with your attempts to feign confusion; that will only prolong this process and I am not in the mood to play games. I know of your estranged marriage; how your father pays plenty of hush money per month to keep his mouth shut. I imagine it would be fairly difficult to talk yourself out of that situation if the press were to catch wind; considering Portavira continuously requests the Crown’s compensation. And I do believe the monarch would not be happy to learn your family has developed a slush fund, either.” 

The intruder gave Penelope a wicked smile and added, “Not to mention the — fatality that was caught amid your poor life choices…”

Penelope visibly tensed. “That’s not – I didn’t–” she stammered before snapping her mouth closed; her flustered state prohibited her from forming an argument.

“It’s a matter of opinion, I suppose. Regardless, I attained the records from your procedure.” They waved a piece of paper in Penelope’s face, and recognition swept over her instantly. She released a shuddered breath as the document came to a stop, her tearful eyes centering on the text. 

Despite Penelope’s panicked state, the aggressor continued, “Tell me, do your parents know of your aborted fetus? I mean, I saw you on security cameras entering the clinic alone. It was smart of you to use a fake name, but unfortunately, that was not enough to cover up your mistakes.” 

Penelope never answered, but the assailant watched her swallow thickly with shame etched in her features. She couldn’t fathom how this stranger had found her deepest secrets that she was certain would never see the light of day. 

Penelope found out she was pregnant the day after her annulment was discreetly settled. Terrified wasn’t a strong enough word to describe how she felt, as she stared down at the positive test; she went to the clinic in disguise to find out about her options and decided abortion would be the best solution. Being only nineteen years old, Penelope was practically a child herself and didn’t believe she was at a point to care for a baby like they deserved. And she was alone; when she dreamt of this moment, it happened completely differently in her head. She longed for the fairytale love, where they would start a family together; not single and inevitably disgraced.

Her parents didn’t know, she was too afraid to tell them — especially after her father agreed to pay a continuous hefty fee for Guy’s silence. Penelope was always well-behaved; the perfect trophy daughter. The look of pure disappointment held in their eyes when they found out about her marriage haunted her; she never wanted to do anything out of line again. All Penelope desired was to move on from her mistake, but life had other plans.

Panicked and ashamed, Penelope made the impossible decision alone, not wanting anyone to know of the stupid decisions that led her there. Her fear and guilt only increased after the procedure, but she grieved what could have been and pushed it into the deepest pit of her mind.

She never told a soul – nobody knew – or so she thought.

“All it would take is a small whisper to the press and it would destroy not only you, but your fraudulent parents as well…” 

Penelope gasped as her tears freely flowed. “No! P–please, don’t!” 

The person laughed; the sound sending an involuntary chill down Penelope’s spine. They stalked forward until her back hit the wall and they breathed over her. Penelope squeezed her eyes closed, but felt them draw nearer. The tangy scent of alcohol mixed with cigar smoke filled her nostrils, as they whispered in her ear, “If you want my silence, you’re going to have to earn it.” 

Penelope’s eyes shot open as she frantically nodded her head. “Okay, j–just tell me what you need, and I’ll do it.” 

“I knew you’d see reason,” the unknown presence spoke while taking a small step away. They produced an envelope from their jacket and handed it to her. 

Penelope opened it and started skimming over the information; it was an email address with a set of instructions and a few other notes. She didn’t understand what it all meant; the main thing that stuck out was the location of where they wanted the photographer to be. 

“Why are they going to be outside Riley’s room?” 

“The less you know, the better.” They once again reached into their jacket, this time pulling out a small vial and handing it to her. “You need to give this to her beforehand. I do not care how it happens, just make sure it gets in her system; the earlier, the better.” 

“W–what is this? Is this a drug?” Penelope stammered as she stared down at the bottle in her trembling hands. 

The person smiled; a dark, wicked smile. “You don’t need to worry about that; just make sure she ingests it at an early enough hour.”

Tears once again streamed down Penelope’s cheeks as she frantically shook her head and tried to hand the items back. “N–no. I can’t do that, and I won’t. I would rather disgrace myself than–”

“You’re going to do it.”  

Penelope stood a little taller and yelled, “No, I won’t! I–”

Penelope received a sudden, sharp backhand to her cheek. She fell to the floor cradling her face but was soon flipped over onto her back, her aggressor pinning her to the ground. She opened her mouth to scream, but quickly closed it as she saw the gleam of a blade in the light right in front of her face. 

“Make a sound and I’ll kill you right here, right now.” The attacker moved the knife to hover over Penelope’s throat, applying just enough pressure to keep her subdued. “You have two options — you either comply and do as you’re told, or this is where your life will end. If you refuse to cooperate, you already know too much, and I will ensure you don’t live to tell the tale personally. But I won’t stop there, no – I’ll ruin your parents as well; the entire world will know what a fraud you and your family are.” 

“No… P–please. I – I can’t – I –” Penelope frantically stammered, trying to develop a coherent sentence. 

“You can, and you will. Otherwise,” they leaned forward, close enough to touch noses with Penelope. “I’ll dig your grave myself and throw those mangy mutts in with you after. Perhaps we can make it a family affair and shove your parents inside, too. After all, being exposed to the world and losing their only disappointment of a child would leave them with nothing left to live for; especially once they know of your treacherous sins.” They sat back with a vile chortle, letting the words linger.

Penelope cried harder, her breathing rapid and erratic as her panic boiled over. She opened her mouth to shout for help despite the blade at her throat, but a firm hand abruptly pressed against her lips. “I think I’m being very understanding, actually. I could just end you and move on to the next useless suitor, but I’m allowing you to make the correct choice; to answer the call of service for your country. That commoner has no business being here; you know it, I know it, everyone knows it! We have to deal with her!” 

After a tense moment of silence, her intruder grew restless. They rolled their eyes and huffed, “You’re running out of time. I’ll gift you ten seconds; agree, or...” The blade on Penelope’s throat suddenly held more force; hard enough she could feel her skin being lightly pierced. “I don’t think I really need to finish that sentence, do I?”

Penelope subtly nodded her head, afraid to move too much. Although she didn’t want to betray Riley in that way, she saw no other way out. Not only was her own life being threatened, but her parents as well; she was not willing to let them die because of her secrets they knew nothing about.

Her attacker soon chortled and sat up. “I had a feeling you would see it my way.” They patted her cheek, hard, before they stood and adjusted their clothing.

The intruder walked to the door and turned back around to address a whimpering Penelope. “As a reward for your service, I will make you a lady-in-waiting for the soon-to-be queen. I’d suggest you take the position and use discretion whenever necessary from here on out. If you do anything to compromise this operation, you will be sorry. Am I clear?“

The following afternoon, Olivia met with Liam, Leo, and Ray as they discussed the events of the night prior. The court just arrived in Portavira, although there was a break in events until the polo match in a few days. They gathered in Olivia’s room, as that’s where Ray set up his equipment and continuously ensured the area remained free of compromises. 

Olivia told them about Penelope’s involvement, and Liam was certain Olivia was lying or playing some kind of sick joke. However, after seeing the proof himself, he knew it had to be true. He wasn’t close with Penelope by any means, but still felt betrayed. Riley was kind and warm to those around her, not a malicious bone in her body; what made Penelope want to get rid of her?

“We have to question her. I can’t be sure, but she might know we’re onto her. The look in her eyes –” Olivia shook her head with a heavy sigh. ”– I can’t explain it, but I don’t like it.”  

“I agree,” Leo interjected. “We need to know why she did it, man, because this makes absolutely no sense. I mean, Penelope – of all people? Did she accidentally eat some dog food or something, and it made her go kookoo?” 

Despite his overflowing anxiety, Liam laughed. “I really don't know. But we’re not all going to question her. I think it’s best if myself and Leo did this, so we don’t overwhelm her.” He spoke to the entire group. 

“Are you… okay to do that?” Leo tentatively asked. “I can take Olivia — or hell, even Maxwell or Drake, if you don’t think you can keep your cool. We can’t really risk her shutting down and withholding anything important...” 

Liam remained silent for a long moment. Honestly, he didn’t know if he could control himself. The selfish side of him wanted to confront Penelope face-to-face and demand answers. However, he knew he was teetering on a dangerous ledge, and her confession could provoke several different reactions. 

He didn’t remember the last time he’d slept or ate a full meal. Days were molding together, and he had no sense of time unless it pertained to the tour. Liam was simply muttering through, doing the dutiful checklist a monarch should on the daily and trying his hardest to stay afloat; even though in all reality, he felt like he was drowning in a sea of uncertainty. No amount of training could prepare him for something like this; he was simply in limbo until one of the many open ends finally led them to something of importance. As the King he held mighty authority; yet, he’d never felt so powerless. Every second of not knowing something was torture; he just wanted to see Riley with his own two eyes. 

“I… don’t think I can, actually. If you wouldn’t mind questioning her, I would very much appreciate it, Leo.” 

Leo patted Liam on the back with a reassuring smile. “No problem. Care to accompany me, Livvie?” 

“I suppose if we want some kind of answer, I’ll have to, won’t I?” Olivia smirked. 

“Are we doing this now, or?” 

“Yes. The sooner, the better.” 

“And we’re certain she’s here?” Liam asked. 

“She was out earlier with her dogs,” Olivia answered with an eye roll. 

Liam nodded as he rubbed his palms together. “This is a decent plan. I have a good feeling about this, guys.” 

For the first time since he opened his eyes to the truth about the narrative against Riley, Liam felt like this could take them somewhere relevant. This was a solid lead and although he knew it probably wouldn’t provide him with all the answers he was seeking, it was a damn good start. 

Liam spoke again, “Any other updates?” 

“I received the diagnostic report on Lady Riley’s dress on the way here." Ray explained. "The blood was mostly Riley’s, but traces from Tariq were present as well. There were a few hairs and skin cells noted, but the DNA only registers those two.”

“Oh… okay…” Liam quietly responded. He hoped deep down the mess was from someone else, but immediately felt foolish to let himself believe such a thing. Hearing it confirmed out loud made his stomach burn with anxiety; this is what he blinded himself to, this is what he ignored. The overwhelming guilt Liam was fighting momentarily took his breath away. 

“Otherwise, there are no new leads.” Ray briefly met eyes with Olivia, the both of them having a silent conversation; unbeknownst to Liam. It wasn’t technically a lie, but not the entire truth. Ray found something — interesting, but Olivia decided now was not the time to bring it up to Liam, at least until after they learned what exactly Penelope knew. “Where Tariq is concerned, I’ve hit a complete brick wall; there’s absolutely nothing.” 

“Nothing?” 

Ray shook his head. “Not a trace. His accounts show no transactions, and his family has not heard from him in months. I’ve checked every mode of transportation available to leave the country and he wasn’t on any of their databases.” 

“How is that even possible? There has to be something, somewhere. Seriously – Tariq has the IQ of a fucking peanut.” Leo interjected. 

“It could be a collection of reasons,” Ray answered. He suddenly stopped typing on his keyboard and took in everyone’s curious expressions. “Either he’s just incredibly clever and has an immaculate ability to cover his tracks, has hired someone to do that for him, or…” 

“He’s dead…” Liam quietly inserted, just above a whisper. His palms started trembling in his lap, and the only thing he could feel was his heart erratically thumping.

The deeper this web went, the further Liam felt himself slipping from reality. All he wanted was a sign, a concrete clue, anything to put him one step closer to finding Riley. The longer that time passed, the more he believed there was a grim reason they couldn’t find them. Just when the light at the end shined brighter, Liam was suddenly drug further down into the abyss of questions, making him doubt everything. 

“We can’t confirm that right now, Your Majesty. I’ve searched hospital records and there are no reports of him checking in at any of them and nothing solid to point to that conclusion. There are a lot of open ends regarding his whereabouts, but I have a couple more places to look before we should start truly discussing that possibility.” 

“Right…” Liam quietly responded as his mind raced. If Tariq’s DNA was on her dress, does that mean he’s the one who injured her? They already knew he was close to Riley; the pictures obviously showcased them together, but was Tariq responsible for attacking her, too? Those thoughts created a storm of rage he’d never felt before; just when he thought the fire had sizzled out, another splash of gasoline was poured onto the diminishing coals. Liam may not have felt a lot of hope, but he sure as hell felt the rage consuming his entire being. 

Leo noticed Liam's forelorn expression and reassuringly gripped his shoulder. “Don’t worry, man. We’re going to get an answer — soon.”

A short while later, Olivia, Leo, and ‘Harold’ walked the halls of the Portavirian estate, searching for Penelope’s room. Liam opted to have a drink with Drake instead of being alone, as his already overflowing anxiety seemed to increase with every passing second. 

They rounded the corner and Olivia tapped on Penelope’s door, but received near silence; muffled barks rang out beyond the structure, although seemingly at a distance. After a few moments, she stepped forward and repeated the process, but again, no answer. Leo knocked a few times a little louder, but heard nothing — aside from the dogs. He reached for the handle and tried to turn it, just to see, only to find it locked.

“What should we do?” Leo asked Olivia. 

Olivia tapped her index finger against her chin. “I don’t know…” She furrowed her brow and stared at the door in front of her. “The poodles are inside, so she shouldn’t be far… Maybe we search around and see if we spot her anywhere? It’s still relatively early; she could have stepped out for a moment.” 

Leo and Ray both agreed, and the trio began their trek. They started outside by the pool and checked the lounge area, but Penelope wasn't located anywhere. They searched nearly every floor, even the roof, but found no signs of her. Everyone else was already in their room for the night, the estate nearly deserted as they scoured the abandoned hallways. After a while, everyone agreed to take their chances and return to Penelope’s door, as a good hour passed since they last attempted. 

A voice called out to them as they made their way up the grand staircase. They turned around to see Landon making his way to them with a grin on his face. “Good evening, Your Majesty, Duchess, a pleasure to see you both. Are the two of you just strolling, or have you been out on the town?” He chuckled with a playful side eye directed at Leo. 

“You know me,” Leo smirked, “but actually, we’ve been looking for your daughter.” 

Landon’s smile faded, instead replaced with a perplexed expression. “What do you need from Penelope?”

Leo and Olivia shared a hesitant look. “Actually, it’s confidential… Do you know where she is?” 

“She said she was retiring to her room earlier.” 

Olivia spoke next. “We checked there. We checked everywhere and we have no clue where she’s at.” 

“Perhaps she’s already in slumber; she is quite the heavy sleeper. How about I come with you? I was headed there anyway, as she was acting fairly strange earlier.” 

“Strange how?” Leo asked. 

“She kept hugging her mother and me, and told us how much she loved us. She just seemed — sad, as if she would burst into tears at any moment. And she asked me to ensure Merlin and Morgana get plenty of treats.” Landon furrowed his brows and shook his head. “I asked her what she meant, and she just gave me another hug. Emmaline thinks she’s getting ready for her time of the month, which is why I came prepared.” He held up a wad of chocolate bars and laughed.

“I take it Merlin and Morgana are the poodles?”

“Oh, yes. They’re practically her children. It’s been hard on her to leave them at home, but she’s done fairly well. The unexpected route changes actually ended up being very beneficial to her, since she gets to be with them for a few days. I’m certain she’s going to have a hard time leaving again, but I know she appreciates getting to see them. When it was time to leave for the engagement tour, she was practically inconsolable; she didn’t want to leave, to the point we weren’t sure she would attend at all.” 

“So, she didn’t want to return, then?” Olivia inquired, hanging on his every word. 

Landon sighed and looked away. “I don’t believe so, no. But we made sure she knew how much of a tremendous opportunity this was for her. She was incredibly reluctant, but finally agreed. In all honesty, I think most of her reservations were regarding the fact that she was going so far away. Penelope is a very timid girl; she doesn’t particularly enjoy the crowds or being away from home. I’m confident staying in Cordonia where things are a little more familiar will turn things around for her; perhaps she will enjoy herself a bit.” 

“Right…” Olivia trailed off, as her mind swirled around these new little bits of information. She questioned if Penelope's reluctance to come back had to do with Riley's disappearance. The haunting look in Penelope’s eyes as that cab drove away told Olivia she could be correct. 

“Lead the way, then,” Leo inserted with a forced smile, as uneasiness crept into the pit of his stomach. The hair on the back of his neck suddenly stood at attention, an involuntary shudder traveling through his body; he shook it off and politely smiled at Landon, who returned the gesture before starting the journey.

Everyone strolled through the halls together and within a short time, they were nearing Penelope’s room once again. Leo and Landon made small talk along the way, but Olivia didn’t listen most of the time. A bad feeling rapidly grew as they walked; why, she wasn’t sure, but it was becoming impossible to ignore. As they got closer, the air suddenly felt cold, raising goosebumps on her skin and sending a shiver down her spine. The hallway had an eerie aura to it that was beyond explanation; judging from the cautious expressions of everyone around, Olivia knew her feelings were not in her head. Landon appeared to be the only one who didn’t notice the atmosphere shift, although he hadn’t stopped talking long enough to take in the environment. 

Just as they were about to arrive, they heard muffled voices speaking not far away. Olivia furrowed her brows and started walking faster, practically running, with Ray and Leo not far behind. 

She came to an abrupt stop as she saw a litter of guards standing outside of Penelope’s room; dressed in full riot gear with what she assumed to be loaded assault rifles, all appearing to be awaiting instructions. Standing toward the back of the mass of people was Liam, who was speaking with Bastien in hushed tones. She could tell even from afar he was talking sternly; his angry demeanor instantly drew Olivia to him. Drake lingered close-by, wearing an expression of pure confusion.

Olivia approached them and inquired, “What’s going on?” 

“There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you,” Liam replied. “Did you question Penelope?”

“We were looking for her, that’s why we’re here, now.”

“But you didn’t find her?” Liam snapped, not even trying to hide the annoyance in his tone. 

“Not yet…” Leo answered as he took in Liam’s tense shoulders and ticking jaw. “Liam, what is going on?” 

Before Liam could respond, Landon interjected himself. “What is the meaning of this?!” 

Liam took a deep breath to calm himself and spoke in a calm, yet authoritative voice. “Duke Landon, I understand this may be hard for you to hear, but we have to take Penelope into custody.”

“Custody?! On what grounds?!” Landon hollered. 

Liam swallowed down the ball of anger and agitation lodged in his throat and spoke in a flat voice. “She is the prime suspect in the murder of Rhonda Floros.” Everyone’s eyes widened as their jaws hit the floor. “We will investigate further, but she has to be detained until we can–” 

“I – what?! You have no proof! This – this is an injustice!” Landon yelled as he frantically paced in front of Penelope’s door. 

Leo hesitantly spoke in a hushed manner. “Li, all we knew about was the photographer. How can you jump to that conclusion?” 

“The forensics came back and Penelope’s prints were all over the murder weapon. Her DNA was on everything else as well, but I’m focused on that knife.”

“Impossible! There has to be some kind of mistake!” Landon pleaded. 

“I’m sorry Landon, but the forensics does not lie,” Liam replied with a sad smile. “Trust me, I don’t want to believe she could have done something like this and I intend to figure it out, but we have to locate her first!"

Landon quickly stepped toward Penelope’s room and pulled a set of keys from his pocket. “She is in here — I know she is; she’s sleeping. I’ll wake her up and we can figure out this mess together, because I know for certain she is innocent.” He spoke as he unlocked the door and turned the handle. He entered and flipped the switch on the wall, the area becoming illuminated. 

Liam motioned for the guards to stay outside and followed closely behind. Olivia entered next, followed by Ray. However, a stern hand on Ray’s chest halted him in the doorway. 

“You are unauthorized personnel,” Bastien snapped.  

Liam quickly intervened. “No, he’s not.” 

“Your Majesty, with all due respect, I entered his credentials myself. I know for a fact what clearances he has and doesn’t.” 

Liam stepped up to Bastien with narrowed eyes. “Poof.” He snapped his fingers. “I just gave him access. Now, step aside.” He growled through clenched teeth, the vein in his neck profusely popping out.  

To be honest, Liam was stalling until he found Ray and Olivia; the three of them were going to question Penelope together. His earlier worries about keeping his cool were well out the window; now he was simply confused. Why did she hire the photographer? Did she really kill that maid? Did Penelope know they had spoken to her? Every piece of random evidence found had Penelope’s DNA – and only hers – on it in some fashion. Although the legitimacy of the scene was still in question, her fingerprints on the murder weapon were more than enough to detain her for questioning. 

Bastien never once took his eyes off Ray during the entire interaction. Ray observed Bastien's face crack slightly and saw him swallow and clench his jaw when Liam commanded him to stop. He finally moved his hand to allow Ray entrance, but held his intent gaze for just a moment too long. Olivia watched and noted how she wasn’t stopped, nor Drake or Leo — only Ray. She couldn’t help but wonder why Bastien didn’t want him specifically there. 

Liam glanced around as he entered and saw no signs of Penelope and nothing raising any kind of alarm. He’d never been inside this room before, but to the naked eye, not a thing was out of place. However, Liam couldn’t deny the sudden chill he felt as he stepped over the threshold. His skin instantly clammed up, and his heart rate increased substantially with every tense second that passed. 

Everyone else followed behind and did the same, but Landon circled the room while frantically calling Penelope’s name, only to get no response. He ducked into the bathroom to check there, but saw no traces of his daughter. Everything appeared just as it was earlier that morning when he personally prepared everything for Penelope’s arrival.

“This doesn’t make sense,” Landon huffed as he reemerged. “She said she was coming to bed. Where else would she go? Should we contact Lady Kiara? They had grown quite close.”

Liam sighed and ran a hand down his face. “Bastien, send someone to Lady Kiara’s room to check.” His patience with this situation was dissipating. An answer was right there dangling in front of his face; he could practically taste it. Even if he had to turn the entire continent upside down, Liam was going to find Penelope and make her answer for her part in this mess — whatever that could have been. 

“Yes, sir.”

Olivia glanced at the dresser and saw a jewelry box. Something on top of it quickly caught her attention; it was a piece of paper neatly folded with the words read me written on it in red ink. Her breaths immediately stopped as she stared at it for a long moment. Goosebumps raised on her skin as she realized the penmanship was strikingly familiar.  

She slowly reached out and brought it closer; Ray noticed and came to stand beside her to see what she had found. Liam and Landon continued to speak on the other side of the room, completely unaware of their discovery. Olivia carefully unfolded the sheet and quickly scanned over the contents. As she started reading, the color suddenly drained from her face, her hands trembling, and even tears were forming in the corners of her eyes. Her mind instantly started spiraling, trying to decipher what this meant.

Olivia and Ray stood gawking at the paper in a trance for an unidentified amount of time. The sound of Landon’s thunderous voice suddenly brought both out of their dazes. “This is absurd! She did nothing wrong!” 

“I understand your frustrations but as I said before, the forensics does not lie,” Liam answered in the calmest tone he could muster. “I have questions about all of this, Landon! But one way or another her DNA was littered–”

“Bullshit! Run the tests again! Something is going on here!” 

Liam winced at Landon’s volume, but shook it off and stood to his full height. “Duke Ebrim, you’d do well to remember who you’re speaking to and watch your tone. While I understand why you’re upset, I’m only here to figure this out. If you want to clear her name, help us find her so we can speak to her!” 

Landon frantically looked throughout the room, desperately trying to make sense of what was happening. At that moment, they heard a bark, followed by another softer cry; everyone suddenly stilled and an eerie silence took over, as they glanced at one another with furrowed brows. It sounded undeniably close, but there were obviously no dogs in the area. The silence in the air was deafening, but then it happened again and Landon finally pinpointed the location — the closet. It would make sense; Penelope heard the commotion and retreated in there with her poodles to hide because she was afraid. 

Landon made a bee-line for the door and wildly swung it open. He took a step back and two fluffy dogs slowly came out with their heads down, causing Landon to take a few steps back; they laid at Landon’s feet and whimpered. 

“What is it, Merlie?” Landon asked as he rubbed one of the dogs’ heads, their howls intensifying. 

The room’s air suddenly felt incredibly thick at the interaction. Liam felt physically sick to his stomach as recognition swept over him from head to toe — something was waiting for them in that closet. His hands shook at his sides, his breathing shaky and uneven as he stared into the dark, open doorway. 

Landon stepped over the poodles, who went and lay on the bed, but continued whining. As he entered, he ran a hand along the wall until he found the switch. The small area came to light, and his worst nightmare suddenly became reality right in front of his face. 

“NO!” Landon wailed at an ear-piercing volume as he dropped to his knees near the doorway. 

“What’s wrong?” Liam sought, but Landon broke into a fit of sobs and crumpled to the floor. 

Liam swallowed thickly and took a couple of cautious steps forward. Olivia suddenly appeared and tried to redirect him, but Liam was steadfast; whatever it was, he needed to see it for himself. As he got closer, he could see a chair lying on its side. His eyesight started on the floor and slowly traveled upward. He hadn’t made it very far before the color drained from his face with sweat immediately beading his brow at seeing a pair of dainty feet dangling in the air; one heel on, the other nowhere to be seen. 

Liam looked away but with a shuddered breath followed the body back up to the face, and sure enough, it was Penelope.

Landon suddenly shoved Liam out of the way. “MOVE!” He rushed over and held Penelope’s lifeless form, lifting her easily with one hand; the other quickly moving to remove the belt from around her severely bruised neck. Her limp body dropped into his arms and he cradled her to his chest as he rocked back and forth, making cries that would haunt Liam until the day he died. 

Liam regained his footing but remained cemented in place. This was it; this was their big break, but they only received more unanswered questions. Hopelessness flourished, as he saw no other solutions in sight. He felt like a mouse, mindlessly running through a maze just trying to reach the end for the reward. Penelope's testimony was that reward, but instead of finding the end of the maze, he encountered a sudden, abrupt wall.

Regardless of their actions, they faced a grim reality where a devastating setback countered every advance they made; one step forward, only to be met with two deadly steps back.

Liam suddenly couldn’t breathe; his lungs felt like fire with every rapid, hollow breath. The room started spinning, his vision hazing at a rapid rate. His heart pounded mercilessly, the sound overpowering Landon’s continuous wails filling the room. His hands flew to his chest and he stumbled backward, Leo and Drake quickly moving to catch him before he hit the floor. 

They lowered him to the ground and sat over him as Liam’s vision slowly faded out, their faces disintegrating into a pixelated, blurry image. He blinked his eyes a few times to regain himself, but found the rapidly spinning room made him nauseous. He felt Leo lightly tapping his cheeks, but when he tried to open his mouth, only an anguished cry escaped. 

Liam stared at the ceiling until the bright lights suddenly dimmed. His eyelids grew incredibly heavy until he succumbed to the weight of the world forcing them down. Darkness consumed him as he slipped into unconsciousness, a still silence overcoming his being. 

"Goddamn it," Leo grumbled to himself, as he watched Liam’s body relax. "Get a fucking ambulance! Now!" He hollered over his shoulder before his teary vision centered on his brother again. "Cummon, Li..."

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[star-wars-writing]

The Twilight Prophecy

Summary: In a world where the Sun Court reigns in perpetual daylight and the Moon Court thrives under starlit night, an ancient prophecy emerges to challenge the status quo. Crown Princes Cody and Obi-Wan, heirs to their respective thrones, find their destinies intertwined when a mysterious sorceress delivers a cryptic warning

A/N: So this one might be a bit different, once again it started with a prompt for the Codywan bingo @codywanbingo with theme Romance. but things might have gotten out of hand. @swfandomevents

The prompt for this was sharing armour. for now this is a one shot, but if you guys, the readers are open to it. depending on your reactions to the one shot I might be convinced to make it a series.

In the Moon Court, nestled in the heart of a kingdom where night reigned supreme and the stars whispered ancient secrets, life unfolded like a perpetual dance under the celestial dome. The court, an architectural marvel of pale stones and silver spires, mirrored the tranquil beauty of the moon it revered. At its center was the royal family, presided over by King Qui-gon, a ruler as enigmatic as the moon's hidden face, with Crown Prince Obi-Wan Kenobi, his eldest son, at his side.

Crown Prince Obi-Wan, with hair as fiery as a comet's tail, stood in stark contrast to the cool, muted hues of the court. His red locks, a rarity in the realm, were often likened to a stray strand of the sun caught in the lunar embrace. His presence in the court was like a steady flame; warm, illuminating, but never consuming. His eyes, a deep blue reminiscent of the twilight sky, held the calmness of the moonlit night and the intensity of a thousand stars.

King Qui-gon, a figure both respected and slightly feared, ruled with a wisdom that seemed to flow from the moon itself. His silver hair and beard, like the frosted edges of the moon, framed a face etched with the lines of time and responsibility. He was a king who spoke little, but when he did, his words held the weight of the night sky.

Anakin, Obi-Wan's younger brother, was the court's untamed storm. With hair as dark as the space between stars and eyes that sparkled with unbridled energy, he was a stark contrast to Obi-Wan's composed demeanor. Anakin's restless spirit often led him to the court's training grounds, where his prowess with the sword was as renowned as his impulsive nature.

Ahsoka, the youngest, was the court's dawn. Her laughter brought light to the dimmest corners, and her curiosity was as boundless as the night sky. Her presence was a gentle reminder of the dawn that followed every night, a symbol of hope and renewal in the Moon Court's often somber ambiance.

Life in the Moon Court was a delicate balance of tradition and the subtle magic that permeated the air. The nights were filled with quiet conversations, the rustle of silk robes, and the soft clinking of teacups. Scholars and astronomers were as revered as knights, their knowledge of the stars and the moon considered essential to the kingdom's wellbeing.

Music was the soul of the court, with melodies often drifting through the corridors like a soft breeze. Instruments that mimicked the sound of the night—gentle flutes, stringed instruments, and soft drums—created an ambiance that was both soothing and enigmatic.

The courtiers moved with a grace that mirrored the phases of the moon, their robes flowing in silvery and blue hues, adorned with motifs of stars and celestial bodies. In this court, every gesture, every word spoken, was as measured and deliberate as the lunar cycle.

In the heart of it all was Obi-Wan, a prince not only of blood but of the people. His days were spent in council meetings, where he listened more than he spoke, his judgments always fair and thoughtful. His nights were dedicated to the study of ancient texts and star charts, seeking wisdom in the patterns of the cosmos.

Yet, beneath the calm surface, there was a current of anticipation, a sense of a destiny not yet fulfilled. Obi-Wan, more than anyone, felt this unspoken promise that hung in the air like a pending eclipse. It was a feeling that whispered of changes to come, of paths yet to be walked, and of a bond that would define not only his fate but that of the Moon Court itself.

**** 

In the resplendent Sun Court, where day held sway and golden light bathed the land in warmth and vitality, the rhythm of life pulsated with a vibrancy befitting its celestial patron. The court itself was an architectural splendor, its walls and towers crafted from sun-kissed stone that shimmered like the surface of a star. At its heart was the royal family, led by King Jango, a monarch whose presence was as commanding as the sun in the zenith sky, with Crown Prince Cody, his eldest son, shining brightly by his side.

Crown Prince Cody was the embodiment of the Sun Court's ideals – his bearing noble and his gaze as piercing as the midday sun. His hair, a rich brown, like the fertile earth nourished by sunlight, complemented his sturdy, yet graceful demeanor. Cody's presence in the court was like a steady beacon; guiding, assuring, but always approachable. His eyes, reflecting the clear blue of a cloudless sky, held the promise of endless horizons and the resolve of daylight.

King Jango, a ruler whose reign was marked by prosperity and strength, led with a firm but fair hand. His hair and beard, peppered with strands of gray, spoke of years under the sun, commanding battles and councils alike. His decision to ascend the throne after King Jaster, his father and the former king, abdicated, was accepted with reverence by the court. Jaster, still a respected figure, remained a guiding star in the court's firmament, his wisdom as perennial as the sun itself.

The younger princes, Rex, Wolffe, Fives, and Echo, were like rays of the same sun, each unique in their brilliance. Rex, with his sharp mind and tactical acumen, was often found in the company of the court's strategists, his keen insights as valuable as any seasoned general's. Wolffe, more reserved, shared a deep interest in the court's engineering feats, his innovative ideas reflecting the Sun Court's continuous quest for progress. Fives and Echo, inseparable in their mischief and mirth, brought a spirited energy to the court, their laughter echoing through the halls like the playful dance of sunbeams.

Life in the Sun Court was a grand tapestry of color and celebration, where the arts flourished under the generous patronage of the royal family. The days were filled with lively debates in the council chambers, the clanging of swords in the training yards, and the hustle of trade in the bustling marketplaces. Knights and scholars alike were esteemed, their roles pivotal in upholding the court's glory.

Music in the Sun Court was a bold symphony, with brass and percussion leading the charge, their sounds evoking the power and majesty of the sun. The courtiers, adorned in vibrant colors – oranges, reds, and yellows – moved with a confidence that mirrored the court's solar inspiration. In this court, every action, every word resonated with the intensity of the sun's rays.

At the center was Cody, a prince whose responsibilities encompassed not just royal duties but the aspirations of his people. He was often seen engaging with his subjects, his approachability as a leader as cherished as his strategic mind. His evenings, though less public, were spent in deep study and contemplation, his gaze often turning skyward, where the setting sun met the rising moon, a silent acknowledgment of a world beyond his own.

Yet, beneath the Sun Court's radiant facade, there was an undercurrent of expectation, a sense of a destiny intertwined with that of another realm. Cody, more than anyone, felt this looming promise, a sense that his path was not his alone to tread. It was a feeling that hinted at a convergence of day and night, of a bond that would bridge the gap between the Sun Court and a kingdom not of light, but of moonlit shadows.

*** 

In the twilight-kissed ruins of the abandoned castle, where history whispered from every stone, the annual council of the Moon and Sun Courts convened. This year's gathering was marked by a significant change – for the first time, Kings Qui-gon and Jango had brought their sons, introducing the next generation to the intricate dance of diplomacy and trade.

The castle, a relic of a forgotten time, stood at the very edge where day melted into night, its once proud walls now softened by age and draped in ivy. Its grand hall, though worn by years, echoed with renewed life as the delegations of both courts assembled, their robes fluttering like banners of night and day.

Crown Prince Obi-Wan of the Moon Court, his fiery red hair a vivid contrast against his silver-hued attire, stepped into the hall with a quiet confidence. His gaze, curious and observant, swept over the Sun Court's delegation, taking in the bright colors and bold patterns that seemed to capture the essence of sunlight.

Across the room, Crown Prince Cody of the Sun Court, his stature both noble and approachable, mirrored Obi-Wan's curiosity. His hair, the color of fertile earth, was complemented by the golden embroidery of his attire, reminiscent of the rays of the midday sun.

As the council commenced, King Qui-gon, his voice as serene as a moonlit night, spoke of the Moon Court's rich deposits of moonstone and star silver, precious materials sought after by the Sun Court. King Jango, his tone warm and commanding, offered in exchange the Sun Court's abundant harvests and solar-infused elixirs, items of great value to the Moon Court.

The discussion of trade routes, quantities, and protections unfolded with a practiced rhythm, the two kings negotiating with a mutual respect forged over years of such meetings. Amidst the bartering and agreements, Obi-Wan and Cody's eyes met, a silent acknowledgment passing between them.

During a recess, the princes found themselves standing near an ancient, vine-covered balcony. "First council?" Cody inquired, his voice casual but friendly.

"Yes," Obi-Wan replied, a slight smile on his lips. "It's more... vibrant than I expected. The exchange of goods, it's like a dance of resources and needs."

Cody nodded. "It's the rhythm of our courts, isn't it? Day and night, each providing what the other lacks. Balance."

Their conversation, initially revolving around the intricacies of the council, gradually became more personal, veering towards their lives within their respective courts. Obi-Wan spoke of the tranquil nights and starlit ceremonies of the Moon Court, while Cody shared tales of sun-drenched fields and lively festivals under the sun.

As the meeting resumed, and they returned to their delegations, there was a mutual sense of understanding, a recognition that they were not just princes of opposing realms, but custodians of a delicate balance.

Throughout the rest of the council, as their fathers deliberated over the final details of the trade agreement, Obi-Wan and Cody exchanged occasional glances and subtle nods. In those brief moments, a foundation was laid for a relationship that would, in time, transcend the mere exchange of goods and speak to the deeper bond between day and night, sun and moon.

During a lull in the council proceedings, as the courtiers mingled and the kings conferred in hushed tones, Crown Princes Cody and Obi-Wan found themselves gravitating towards each other, away from the throng. They walked side by side towards one of the castle's ancient archways, which framed the setting sun on one side and the rising moon on the other, a perfect intersection of their two worlds.

Cody's gaze lingered on the horizon, where the sun's fiery farewell kissed the moon's cool greeting. "It's quite something, isn't it? The sun and moon, always chasing, never meeting."

Obi-Wan nodded, his eyes reflecting the twilight hues. "Yet, here we are, standing where they converge. It's poetic in a way."

Their conversation, initially a shared admiration for the celestial dance, slowly turned towards the more personal. Cody's posture, relaxed yet attentive, and Obi-Wan's thoughtful demeanor, created an atmosphere of ease and openness.

"You know," Cody began, his tone carrying a hint of curiosity, "I've always wondered what it's like in the Moon Court. Is it as tranquil as they say?"

Obi-Wan's lips curved into a soft smile. "Tranquility is one word for it. It's a world of introspection, of seeking wisdom in the stars. But it can also be... isolating. The night is beautiful, but it's also vast and endless."

Cody's eyes met Obi-Wan's, a spark of understanding in their depths. "I suppose the Sun Court is its opposite then. It's always bustling, always bright. Sometimes it feels like there's no space to breathe, to think. The sun can be overbearing at its zenith."

Their shared laughter at Cody's words was a brief, harmonious note that seemed to bridge their contrasting worlds.

"I imagine that's why these councils are important," Obi-Wan mused, his gaze returning to the horizon. "They're not just about trade and politics. They're about understanding, about seeing the world through each other's eyes."

Cody nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Do you think we'll ever achieve that? True understanding between our courts?"

"I believe so," Obi-Wan replied, his voice carrying a quiet conviction. "Understanding begins with individuals. It starts with conversations like this."

Their dialogue was interrupted as the council bell tolled, signaling the end of the break. As they turned to rejoin the others, their steps synchronized, there was an unspoken agreement between them – a commitment to bridge the gap between day and night, sun and moon, one conversation at a time.

As they parted ways at the archway, the brief contact of their hands was like a spark – fleeting, but potent enough to kindle a connection that promised to grow stronger with each passing council. In that moment, unnoticed by the busy courtiers, a seed of change was planted, watered by the hope of understanding and the possibility of unity in a world divided by light and shadow.

On the third evening of the council, as the twilight sky melted into a tapestry of stars and the crescent moon, a grand dinner was held in the castle's ancient dining hall. The long tables were adorned with candles that flickered like distant stars, casting a warm glow over the assembled nobility of the Sun and Moon Courts. At the center of this constellation of courtiers sat Kings Qui-gon and Jango, their presence commanding yet genial, a testament to years of leadership and diplomacy.

Opposite their fathers, Crown Princes Cody and Obi-Wan were seated beside each other, the candlelight playing across their features, softening the lines of their royal bearing. As the dinner progressed, the hum of conversation filled the hall, a blend of laughter, clinking silverware, and the subtle rustling of fine garments.

Cody turned towards Obi-Wan, his expression open and curious. "Prince Obi-Wan, I've been meaning to ask – what is it like to train in the ways of your court's mystic arts? I've heard tales of the Moon Court's connection to the stars."

Obi-Wan's eyes lit up, a spark of enthusiasm breaking through his usual composure. "It's a lifelong journey of learning, Prince Cody. The stars and the moon guide us, teaching us about balance and the flow of the cosmos. It's more than just training; it's a way of understanding our place in the universe."

Cody's interest was palpable, his gaze intent. "That sounds... profound. In the Sun Court, our focus is often on the tangible – the strength of the body, the mastery of combat, the art of governance. I wonder what it would be like to look beyond, to see the world as you do."

Their conversation, rich with the exchange of ideas and perspectives, continued seamlessly, almost as if the crowded hall around them had faded into the background. As they spoke, their fathers occasionally glanced their way, noting the ease of their interaction with a mixture of surprise and quiet approval.

Obi-Wan, usually reserved, found himself intrigued by Cody's genuine curiosity and the earnestness with which he spoke of his own experiences. "Your world sounds fascinating, Cody. There's a certain... vitality to the way you describe it. I admit, there are times I wish the Moon Court had a bit more of the Sun Court's vigor."

Cody smiled, a warm, inviting expression that seemed to reflect the very essence of his court. "And I sometimes long for the tranquility and depth of yours. Perhaps that's the key, isn't it? Learning from each other, finding harmony between day and night."

Their dialogue, rich and engaging, continued throughout the dinner, touching upon topics from the philosophical to the mundane. It was a conversation that wove a thread between them, a connection that went beyond their titles and responsibilities. In the shared laughter, the exchange of insights, and the subtle understanding that passed between them, a foundation was being laid – the first stepping stone in a journey that would redefine not only their relationship but potentially the future of their courts.

As the final day of the council dawned, the ancient castle found itself enveloped in the soft, ethereal light of twilight, where night gently handed over the reins to day. It was in this tranquil hour that Crown Princes Cody and Obi-Wan, drawn by a shared sense of purpose and curiosity, found themselves atop the highest tower of the castle.

Standing side by side, they watched in silence as the horizon blurred the lines between their two worlds, the night's darkness fading into the warm embrace of the morning light. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the scent of dew and ancient stone.

Cody broke the silence, his voice soft yet clear in the quiet of the morning. "I often stand on the battlements of the Sun Court at dawn, watching the world awaken. There's a sense of endless possibilities with each new day, a new beginning."

Obi-Wan turned to face him, the first light of dawn casting a golden glow on his red hair. "In the Moon Court, we watch the stars fade into morning. It's a reminder that even the longest night has an end, that there's a rhythm and cycle to everything."

Their eyes met, a mutual understanding flickering between them. They were princes of different realms, yet in this moment, they were simply two individuals, sharing their hopes and dreams.

"What do you dream of for your future, Cody?" Obi-Wan asked, his gaze returning to the horizon.

Cody's eyes reflected the sky's changing colors. "I dream of a kingdom that thrives, not just in strength and prosperity, but in wisdom and understanding. A kingdom that looks beyond the horizon, that learns from others."

"And you, Obi-Wan? What are your dreams?" Cody's question was tinged with genuine interest.

Obi-Wan's response was thoughtful, his words measured. "I dream of balance. A balance between tradition and progress, between the mystic and the tangible. I want to lead the Moon Court into a future where we are not just observers of the night but active participants in the world's tapestry."

Their conversation flowed naturally, as if the barriers of their titles and duties had been left at the foot of the tower. They spoke of their aspirations for their people, their personal hopes, and the challenges they anticipated. In the shared confidences and laughter, a bond was being forged, strengthened by the understanding that their dreams were not so different after all.

As the sun fully broke the horizon, bathing the world in its light, they stood in a companionable silence, each lost in thoughts of the future and the role they would play in it.

It was Cody who finally spoke, his voice carrying a newfound resolve. "Perhaps our courts are more alike than we thought. Maybe this is just the beginning, Obi-Wan. A beginning of something greater than just trade and alliances."

Obi-Wan nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I believe you're right, Cody. This is a beginning. And it's one we can shape together."

As they descended from the tower, the first rays of the sun meeting the last whispers of the night, there was a sense of promise in the air, a feeling that this meeting was the first step in a journey that would bridge the gap between their worlds, guided by their shared dreams and visions for the future.

As the final day of the council waned, a serene twilight enveloped the ancient castle, softening the edges of shadows and light. The grand hall, alive with the closure of the five-day meeting between the Sun and Moon Courts, was suddenly hushed as an unexpected figure appeared at the entrance. A sorceress, clad in robes that shimmered like the starlit sky, stood with an air of enigmatic power.

The hall fell into a deep silence, the bustling energy of the courtiers replaced by a palpable sense of anticipation and unease. King Jango of the Sun Court and King Qui-gon of the Moon Court, their expressions shifting from surprise to guarded wariness, stood to confront this unforeseen visitor.

Crown Prince Cody and Crown Prince Obi-Wan exchanged a tense glance, both aware of the potential gravity of this moment. They stood alert, their attention fixed on the mysterious sorceress.

She stepped gracefully into the room, her presence commanding the attention of all present. Her voice, clear and resonant, echoed through the hall, her words weaving a rhyme that carried the weight of prophecy:

"In twilight's embrace, where night greets the day,

A trial looms near, a path shadowed and gray.

Heart and armor must meet, in a bond forged anew,

Uniting sun's blaze with the moon's silver hue.

Together, two realms must face a dark hour,

A union of souls, their greatest power.

Should this bond break, or fail to be found,

Both sun and moon shall lose their crown."

The sorceress's words, cryptic yet haunting, resonated through the hall, leaving a ripple of whispered speculation and concern. The courtiers and delegates exchanged uneasy glances, pondering the ominous implications of her message.

Cody, his expression a mix of skepticism and contemplation, turned to Obi-Wan. "Hearts and armor... Could she be speaking of us, of our courts?"

Obi-Wan, his eyes thoughtful, nodded slowly. "It seems so. This prophecy... it suggests a unity deeper than mere alliances. Something more personal, perhaps."

King Qui-gon and King Jango shared a concerned look, the implications of the prophecy not lost on them. The sorceress's mention of hearts and armor hinted at a bond beyond political ties, suggesting a personal connection that could hold the key to their realms' futures.

As the sorceress turned, her cloak billowing around her like a dark cloud, she vanished into the twilight as mysteriously as she had appeared. Her departure left a trail of questions and a sense of foreboding that lingered in the air.

The council, now officially concluded, left the members of both courts with more than just diplomatic resolutions; they carried with them the weight of a prophetic warning. As they began to depart, Cody and Obi-Wan remained, their shared glance one of determination and newfound understanding.

As the sorceress's enigmatic presence faded into the twilight, a restless energy began to stir in the grand hall. The initial shock of her visit slowly gave way to a flurry of conversations among the courtiers and delegates of the Sun and Moon Courts. The once orderly gathering turned into a mosaic of hushed debates and speculative discussions, with the sorceress's prophecy at the heart of it all.

In one corner, a group of Moon Court scholars huddled together, their brows furrowed in concentration. "Hearts and armor, sun and moon... It's as if she speaks of a union, a convergence of our realms," one mused, his fingers tracing the patterns on his star-embroidered robe.

Nearby, a cluster of Sun Court knights speculated with a mix of skepticism and concern. "Could it be a ploy? Another kingdom sowing seeds of fear and discord?" a knight questioned, his hand unconsciously resting on the pommel of his sword.

At the center of the hall, Kings Qui-gon and Jango convened in a quiet, intense discussion. Their expressions were a study in contemplation, weighing the potential meanings and implications of the prophecy. They were leaders seasoned by years of rule, accustomed to navigating the murky waters of political intrigue and veiled threats.

Cody and Obi-Wan, standing a short distance away from their fathers, exchanged their thoughts in a low, earnest conversation. "It's hard to dismiss her words as mere madness," Cody said, his gaze lingering on the spot where the sorceress had stood. "The prophecy... it felt charged with truth, or at least with purpose."

Obi-Wan nodded in agreement, his eyes reflecting a deep introspection. "Indeed. And the reference to hearts and armor... it implies a personal sacrifice or a personal bond. It's not something we can ignore."

Their dialogue was interrupted as Anakin and Ahsoka approached, their youthful curiosity evident. "Do you really think there's something to her words?" Anakin asked, his tone a mix of excitement and skepticism.

Ahsoka, her eyes wide with a blend of worry and wonder, added, "It felt like she was speaking directly to you, Cody, and to you, Obi-Wan. Like you're a part of this prophecy."

The conversation was cut short as King Qui-gon addressed the room, his voice carrying a calm authority that quieted the murmurs. "We will consider the sorceress's words with the seriousness they deserve. For now, let us not jump to conclusions or let fear guide our actions."

King Jango nodded in agreement. "We have always stood strong, united in our differences. This will not change. Let us return to our courts and contemplate our next steps with wisdom and caution."

As the delegates began to disperse, the air still tinged with uncertainty, Cody and Obi-Wan lingered, their thoughts lingering on the enigmatic prophecy. There was a sense of an invisible thread weaving through their conversation, tying their fates to the words of the sorceress.

*** 

As the Moon Court delegation embarked on their nocturnal journey back to their realm, they traversed under a star-studded sky, where the cosmos painted stories in the vastness above. The soft sounds of the night were punctuated by the rhythmic canter of horses, their hooves gently tapping the earth, harmonizing with the nocturnal symphony of the wilderness.

Crown Prince Obi-Wan, astride a graceful steed that moved with an almost ethereal grace, led the procession. The horse, a magnificent creature with a coat as dark as the night sky and eyes that reflected the moon's glow, seemed an extension of Obi-Wan himself, moving with a quiet dignity that mirrored his rider's temperament.

Obi-Wan's posture was relaxed yet alert, his eyes occasionally lifting to gaze at the celestial tapestry above. The cool night air brushed against his skin, carrying whispers of the forest and the secrets of the night. His mind, however, was far from at ease, troubled by the words of the sorceress. "A union of hearts and armor..." he whispered to himself, the prophecy resonating within him, a puzzle waiting to be unraveled.

The thought of Prince Cody surfaced unbidden in his mind – their recent conversations, the shared looks, the subtle but unmistakable connection that had begun to form between them. Could this enigmatic prophecy be alluding to something beyond the political, something personal that tied them together?

Lost in thought, Obi-Wan hardly noticed when his younger brother, Anakin, rode up alongside him, breaking his contemplation. Anakin's horse, a spirited animal with a fiery mane, matched his rider's energetic and bold spirit.

"Lost in the stars, brother?" Anakin asked, his voice carrying a light, teasing tone, yet tinged with concern.

Obi-Wan smiled faintly, acknowledging Anakin's attempt to lighten his mood. "Just pondering the sorceress's words. They hint at something deeper than alliances – a bond of a more personal nature."

Riding on his other side, Ahsoka joined the conversation, her horse a dappled gray that moved with a lively step. "It does sound daunting, but we've faced challenges before. And we'll face this one together, whatever it may be."

The siblings continued their journey under the night sky, the conversation veering between light-hearted banter and thoughtful discussions about the future. Despite the uncertainty of the prophecy, their bond as a family offered a comforting sense of solidity against the unknown.

Upon reaching the Moon Court's castle, a silhouette of spires and turrets that seemed to rise out of the darkness itself, Obi-Wan dismounted his horse, his gaze lingering on the stars above. Though the path ahead was shrouded in mystery, he felt a renewed sense of purpose, fortified by the support of his family and the intriguing possibility of the bond foretold in the prophecy. In the quiet assurance of the night, Obi-Wan found a silent resolve, a determination to face whatever challenges lay ahead, guided by the light of the stars and the strength of newfound connections.

As the Sun Court delegation made their way back to their kingdom, the journey was bathed in the brilliant light of the sun, casting long, golden shadows across the land. The entourage moved with a steady rhythm, the sound of hooves and the occasional clink of armor punctuating the air, resonating with the vibrant energy of the day.

At the forefront, Crown Prince Cody rode a majestic horse, its coat a lustrous golden hue that seemed to capture and reflect the sunlight. The horse moved with a proud, assertive gait, mirroring Cody's own confident and resolute nature. Cody sat tall in the saddle, his posture embodying the strength and poise of the Sun Court.

The warm sunlight played across his face, highlighting a thoughtful expression that seemed uncharacteristic of his usually decisive demeanor. Cody's mind was preoccupied with the sorceress's enigmatic prophecy, her words echoing in his head like a distant drumbeat. "Hearts and armor... a union beyond our courts," he mused, the idea both intriguing and unsettling.

Cody's contemplation was noticed by his younger brother, Rex, who rode up beside him. Rex's horse, a sturdy and reliable steed, matched his rider's practical and steadfast spirit.

"Something on your mind, Cody?" Rex inquired, his tone casual but perceptive.

Cody glanced at his brother, his expression softening. "Just thinking about the sorceress's warning. It suggests a bond that goes deeper than mere alliances. I wonder if it's pointing to something... or someone."

Rex nodded, understanding the weight of such thoughts. "Do you think it has to do with the Moon Court? With Prince Obi-Wan, perhaps?"

Cody's gaze drifted to the horizon, where the sun continued its relentless journey across the sky. "It's possible. Our interactions have been... different. There's an understanding there that I can't quite explain."

As they continued their ride, the conversation turned to the implications of the prophecy and what it might mean for the future of their court. Despite the uncertainty, Rex's presence and pragmatic insights offered Cody a sense of groundedness, a reminder that he wasn't alone in facing the challenges ahead.

Upon arriving at the Sun Court's castle, a magnificent structure that seemed to rise like a phoenix from the land, bathed in perpetual sunlight, Cody dismounted his horse. He stood for a moment, taking in the sight of his home, the walls glowing as if lit from within by the sun's eternal fire.

The journey back had left him with more questions than answers, but in the bright light of day, Cody found a sense of clarity and resolve. Whatever the prophecy entailed, whatever trials lay ahead, he knew that the strength of his court and the potential of the bond foretold would guide them through. The sun's unwavering journey across the sky was a reminder that even in the face of uncertainty, the light would always find a way to shine through.

****

As I said at the beginning, depending on your reactions, I might make this a series, but I would love to hear if that was something you wanted or not? If this one shot has satisfied your curiosity or not.

#commander cody #obi wan kenobi #captain rex #jango fett #jaster mereel #royal au #Star Wars au #star wars fanfiction #star wars fandom #obi wan fanfiction #commander cody fanfiction #adventure #romance #prophecy #anakin #ahsoka #codywanbingo #codywan

[sincerelyella]

Hello friend, it is I, @promptnonny

I have come bearing a gift for you 💗

Character A: “You’re mad.”

Character B: “No, I’m not mad. I’m happy, thrilled. I love looking like an idiot.”

Character A: “That explains your shoes.”

Have fun ❤️

Please tag me in what you come up with for this prompt 😘

Broken Toy

Book: The Royal Romance (AU)

Characters belong to Pixelberry; Ella Brooks belongs to me. Please note that my stories are not to be stolen and or reposted on any other site. Reblogs are welcome and much appreciated.

Summary: An AU based on the show New Girl (my favorite can you tell??) Just a collection of one-shots and shenanigans that allude to the show. This will NOT be canon, that means this won’t be in Cordonia and Liam isn’t a King. If you have watched the show before, you know they are in Los Angeles, California.

The Loft masterlist

A/N: This is legit so dumb lol just pure shenanigans and I apologize in advance.

A/N2: I know I pop up every now and then, I’m so sorry for that. Aaaand I also know my taglist is OLD. So please please PLEASE let me know if you want off. I promise, my shit isn’t all that important and I won’t be offended. Love y’all!

Thank you @promptnonny for sending me this, I absolutely loved the prompt!

Also participating in @choicesflashfics with two prompts in bold.

Love you @ao719 thanks for reading this and encouraging me to post this craziness that may or may not make sense LOL

Warnings: Adult language; sexual innuendos; Loft shenanigans

Words: 979

Leo sighed as he took another long swig of his beer. The loft was empty and quiet that Friday night, save for the television playing some rerun of the news from earlier. He had a rough day at work, traffic was horrendous coming home, and trying to get used to the painful and swollen manhood in his pants was proving to be a difficult task. 

The cell phone that lay on the coffee table in front of him suddenly rang, and a picture of Ella popped up on the screen. Leo’s brow raised in question as he picked up the phone and swiped to answer. 

“Yello?”

“Leo!” Ella’s frantic tone caused Leo to sit up on the couch, then immediately grimace and grab his crotch in pain. 

“What? What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“I need you to come and get me! You gave my number to the wrong guy!”

“Wrong guy?” Leo’s brain was half-buzzed and he had no idea what she was talking about. “You just don’t seem like yourself tonight, El, are you good?”

Ella let out an exasperated sigh. “I told you I liked Chad! And you gave my number to Beaver instead! And it turns out, that’s his government name! Not a nickname!”

The lightbulb finally flashed. “Oh! Chad? He’s boring as fuck! Beaver is so hilarious! What did he do?”

He heard Ella lower her voice, and there was a slight echo as if she was hiding in a bathroom. “He just told me a 10-minute joke about a squirrel with the punchline ‘eat these nuts.'"

Leo let out a loud rumble of laughter. “You’re gonna end up having sex missionary with a lot of eye contact.”

“Come pick me up now!” Ella hissed. “This is your fault!”

The next day 

Leo sat at the kitchen island, a large bag of ice over his crotch as he thumbed through a new issue of Better Homes & Gardens while sipping his coffee. Ella slammed a drawer shut and it made Leo jump. “What is wrong with you?”

“I can’t believe you did that to me, Leo,” Ella snarled as she stirred her coffee and creamer. “What did I ever do to you?”

“Firstly,” Leo stuck a finger in the air. “I did nothing to you. If anything, I was trying to help a friend. Second,” he stuck another finger up. “You set me up with that model and now my whole penis is broken! You had this coming.”

Ella raised a brow. “Aw, so sad that your toy is broken. That’s a little melodramatic, don’t you think?”

“No, what’s melodramatic is me not being able to get something going with myself! It’s like a taffy pull on a hot summer’s day!”

“Ewwww!” Ella screamed as she covered her ears. 

Drake and Maxwell walked into the kitchen, Drake with his normal scowl, Max with his cheerful smile. 

“Good morning everyone!”

“What did Rys do now?” Drake asked upon seeing Ella with her hands over her ears.

Ella let out a frustrated sigh. “I can’t even repeat it, I can still see the visual in my retinas!” She stomped off to her room in a huff.

“She left her coffee,” Max quipped. “Let me bring it to her before she short circuits.” He grabbed the mug and high-tailed after her.

Drake took the first sip of his black coffee and sighed happily. “Hey, how long are you gonna ice that thing?”

Leo shook his head sadly. “Eight weeks. Any excitement is excruciating pain.”

Drake nodded in response; then his mouth curled into a mischievous smirk. “Boobies.”

“What?”

He hid his growing smile behind his mug as he took another sip of coffee, then repeated himself a little louder than before. “Boobies.”

Leo sat up in his seat, a broad smile on his face. “Oh I love boobies … ow!”

Drake couldn’t contain his grin as he continued. “Girls with clean hair.”

Leo’s smile had faded and his face contorted into a grimace as he groaned in pain. “This is the least funny game we’ve ever played.”

“Models eating sliders.”

“What the fuck, Walker? Stop!” 

“Bernadette Peters on a high beam.”

Leo pressed his forehead against the kitchen island as he squirmed and continued to grab himself to lessen the pain.

“Freshly baked bread,” Drake gleefully continued his word torment.

“Why do you hate me?” Leo yelled.

Drake cackled. “Leo, this is just your hypochondria.” 

“No, when I sat on the mute button and thought I’d gone deaf, that was my hypochondria!” He slowly slid off of the bar stool and hobbled to his room. “I need a fucking cast on this!”

“You’re mad.”

“No, I’m not mad,” Leo hollered from his room. “I’m happy, thrilled. I love when you make me look like an idiot.”

Drake wandered to the open door and smirked at his friend laying face down on his bed. “That explains your shoes,” he snorted. “I kid, I kid. But really, they’re ridiculous.”

Leo’s head flung up and glared; he had his fluffy dinosaur house shoes on. “It’s cold and comfortable!”

“It’s 68 degrees, Rys!”

“What are you wearing? Like I’m the one wearing stupid shit!” Leo gestured to Drake’s pants. “Are those your girlfriend’s pajama bottoms?”

Drake awkwardly looked down at himself, forgetting he threw it on and pulled his shirt down over his crotch. “It’s uh … football pants for breast cancer awareness.”

“It’s pink with 'juicy' written on your ass, you freaking weirdo.”

Throwing back the last of his coffee, Drake grimaced and released an exasperated breath. “I like how it hugs my junk okay?”

A door opened down the hall and a female voice echoed down the hallway. “Drake, where are my pants?”

Drake’s eyes widened and he turned and ran back to his bedroom. Leo let out a hoot of laughter, then grunted and grabbed his crotch in pain. “Busted!”

#Broken Toy #The Loft #trr #trr choices #trr fandom #trr fanfic #choices fanfic #choices #play choices #choicesflashfics #prompt nonny #the royal romance #the royal romance fandom #the royal romance fanfic #the royal romance fanfiction #young adult

[choicesficwriterscreations]

TRR FotW - May 28 - Jun 3, 2023

18+ = Adult/Mature Content 🔥 = Explicit Material/NSFW

All Is Fair in Court & Dance Offs (Series) | Maxwell Beaumont, Liam Rys - @executivenerd Chapter 1

Best Kept Secrets (Series) | Liam Rys x F!OC - @ao719 Chapter 14: Everything Will Change 18+

Cinderfella's Adventures in Cordonia (Series) | Liam Rys x M!MC - @justcallmefox89 Chapter 15

First Kiss | Drake Walker x Olivia Nevrakis - @twinkleallnight

First Love | Maxwell Beaumont - @fictionangyl

Forever and Eternity | Drake Walker x MC - @camillemontespan

Ghosted (Series) | Liam Rys x MC - @kristinamae093 Chapter 3: Let You Go

Hands Down (Series) | Liam Rys x MC - @sfb123 Chapter 2: Waves

In Your Room (Series) | Leo Rys x Drake Walker - @angelasscribbles Chapter 10: Let's Get Married Chapter 11: Oh Mother

Law's End (Series) | TBA - @angelasscribbles Chapter 1: Murder at Vista Heights 18+

Never Have I Ever (Series) | Bertrand Beaumont x MC - @harleybeaumont Chapter 15: The Beaumont Bash - Part 2 18+

One Night in Cordonia (Series) | Various Pairings Chapter 4: No Retreat, No Surrender 18+ - @alj4890 Chapter 5: Bad Moon Rising 🔥 18+ - @karahalloway

The Proposal | Drake Walker x F!MC - @angelasscribbles

Time to Say Goodbye | Maxwell Beaumont x OC - @alj4890

Victim of Love (Series) | Drake Walker x MC - @angelasscribbles Chapter 6: Quagmire 18+

CFWC Main FotW List Open Heart FotW List

#the royal romance #the royal romance fanfic #the royal romance fanfiction #choices fanfi #playchoices fanfic #playchoices #chocies fic writers creations #cfwc fics of the week

[writersloveroe]

flirty royal x flustered knight dialogue prompts

this is kinda specific but who cares…

♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎

from the royal

•”are you too shy to flirt with a princess/prince?”

•”loosen up sometimes and have fun with me,”

•”if i order you to kiss me you technically can’t refuse,”

•”how often do you have a prince/princess flirting with you?”

•”you don’t have to be so uptight with me,”

•”no one has to know,”

♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎

from the knight

•”this isn’t allowed,”

•”my duty as your appointed guard is to protect you, not to flirt,”

•”if i get caught i can be in serious trouble,”

•”c’mon, you know we can’t do this,”

•”all i do is become red around you,”

•”why do you flirt so heavily with me?”

•”i’m not sure i can be professional for much longer,”

#royal au #royalty au #royalty prompts #dialouge #flirty #dialogue inspo #writing dialogue #character dialogue #dialogue inspiration #dialogue prompt #dialogue ideas #write #romantic writer #fanfiction writer #writing #female writers #romance #writing prompt #romantic prompts #romantic writing #romance prompts #romance writing #romancewriters #romantic #romantasy #writers on tumblr

[angelasscribbles]

Savage Love Chapter 37: Gone

Series: Savage Love

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings: Riley x Liam, Riley x Drake

Rating: R         

Warnings: Mature themes, violence, guns

Word Count: 987

A/N: Wow, I can't believe it's been five months since I posted an update for this! I've known since before I started writing it back in December 2021 how it's going to end. This is the downside of having so many ideas.... I can't work on all of them at once.

That said, this is a bit shorter than my regular chapters, but I just needed to see what Drake was doing while Riley was in Hidar in her quest to take down the Via Imperii and Leo was in Rivala getting the shock of his life. The next chapter will bring everyone back together again in Cordonia.

A/N2: I realize it's been a while and readers may be confused with all the OC's in this chapter, so here's a rundown. Nick is Riley's ex-fiance and also another GIA agent. Frederico Sanchez is Nick's informant. Saguaro Laurent is the head of The Gladius Company. Lorenzo is not in this chapter but is mentioned as a loan shark to whom Tariq owed money and who, on Saguaro's orders, leveraged Tariq's gambling debt to get him to abduct Riley (Tariq failed and was murdered for his failure, Lorenzo is in custody at the palace). Rico Mendez is the son of a former mafia don who wants revenge for Riley using him to take down his father's organization.

My other stuff: Master List.

Series Premise: Agent Riley Brooks is undercover on assignment in New York when she has a one-night stand with a handsome, mysterious stranger. Both of them hiding their true identities, names are not exchanged.  After one scorching night, they part ways, both returning to the duties they have pledged their lives to. Fast forward several months later and Agent Brooks is assigned a new case: investigate and infiltrate any Via Imperi influences in the small, Mediterranean country of Cordonia. Her cover? Posing as a suitor competing for the hand of the crown prince. Her way in? Civilian contractor and cyber security expert Maxwell Beaumont.

Drake…..

Nick and I arrived at the warehouse where we were meeting his contact in the Liberation Core. The one that had gotten me a meeting with the head of the Gladius Company.

The air in the dimly lit warehouse was thick with tension as we made our way through the maze of crates toward their rendezvous point. The echo of our footsteps ricocheted off the walls, adding to the sense of foreboding that permeated the atmosphere.

Nick's informant, a wiry man named Frederico Sanchez, stood waiting nervously near the entrance. His eyes darted back and forth, scanning for any signs of danger. As we approached, Sanchez straightened up and extended a shaky hand.

"Drake," Sanchez said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Nice to finally meet you. Nick here has told me a lot about you."

I nodded curtly, assessing Sanchez's demeanor. I could see the fear etched into the man's face, evidence of the high stakes involved in the mission. Time was of the essence; we needed to infiltrate The Gladius Company as quickly as possible.

"Likewise," I replied as I returned the man’s handshake. “Now let’s go over the plan before we meet with your guy.”

Being on the same page was crucial. If any of these guys got a whiff that this was a setup, we were both dead. Nick would stay in the surveillance van, ready as backup if necessary. He couldn’t be seen by Saguaro or any of the men he’d brought with him from New York. They’d recognize the GIA agent that had brought down their last organization in an instant.

We poured over the plan twenty times, looking for inconsistencies, committing our cover story to memory, and working out the kinks. When it was time to go, I waved goodbye to Nick and got in a nondescript sedan with Sanchez. A quick check-in with headquarters told me that they had picked up Lorenzo’s contact, but he wasn’t talking.

With any luck, we wouldn’t need him to. I was hoping to set eyes on Rico when I met with Saguaro. If he was there, I was giving the order to breach. I knew what Nick’s objective was, but I didn’t give two shits about arresting Saguaro Laurent. It was Rico I was after. The man that had sent a kidnapper, albeit a bad one, after the woman I love.

The American justice system had failed and released a known mobster, allowing him to slip through their security net. But he wasn’t in America anymore. He was on my turf, and I had a literal license to kill.

Rico Mendez would spend the rest of his life in a Cordonian prison, or he would die, and it didn’t matter much to me which one it was. All I cared about was getting him off the streets and keeping Riley safe.

We arrived at the rendezvous spot, but nothing went according to plan.

I found myself in another damn warehouse. This one was on the waterfront and, if our intel was correct, not far from the empty factory that was serving as headquarters for The Gladius Company.

We arrived first and waited. Saguaro and his men were late, which only served to ramp up the already rapidly percolating anxiety in the man at my side.

Sanchez was too damn twitchy. Saguaro picked up on it instantly. He barely glanced at me before fixing Sanchez with a piercing stare. “What’s the problem, Freddy?”

“What?” Sanchez tried to laugh it off. “Nothing. What do you mean?”

Saguaro’s flinty eyes squinted at him, then flicked to me as his hand went to his waist. I had my gun in my hand before he could pull his. “Don’t do it! I really don’t want to shoot anyone today, but I will if I have to. What’s the problem?”

Saguaro moved his hand away from his piece and put his arms in the air. A flash of metal in my periphery caught my attention. “Get down!” I hit the ground just a shot rang out. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! This wasn’t how it was supposed to go down.

Men scattered everywhere. We were outnumbered, but not for long. I could hear Nick in my earpiece giving the order to breach. Sanchez was hit. I drug him with me out of the line of fire, ducking behind a stack of metal barrels as the rat-a-tat-tat of machine gun fire spattered all around us.

“Hey, Laurent!” I craned my neck to peek around the barricade.

The only answer I got was more gunfire. I retreated back behind the stack of barrels for safety as my team poured into the building.

Now they were outnumbered, and the warehouse was surrounded. Less than fifteen minutes later, Saguaro and his men were cuffed and being loaded into the back of several guard-issue SUVs.

“Johnson, hold up!” I jogged quickly across the asphalt to intercept the lieutenant escorting the head of Gladius Company to one of the waiting vehicles. I grabbed him by his shirt and shoved him roughly up against the car. “Where’s Mendez? Was he with you?”

“Fuck you!” He lurched forward in an attempt to headbutt me, but this wasn’t my first rodeo. I snapped my head sideways, causing him to stumble forward.

I grabbed his shoulders to steady him, then brought my knee up hard into his gut. “I look forward to interrogating you, asshole.”

I beelined for the tactical van. Bursting into the mobile command center, I demanded, “Did we get Mendez?”

“Sorry, man, no,” Nick shook his head. “No sign of him. But the good news is, we got Saguaro and his second in command. There’s a second team sweeping their headquarters now. We successfully took The Gladius Company down!”

He was far too jubilant for what I considered a botched mission. I slammed out of the van with a huff. Goddamn it!

Rico was in the wind.

#savage love #agent riley brooks #captain drake walker #prince liam rys #trr fanfic #trr au #angelasscribbles #trr poly #the royal romance #the royal romance fanfic #trr #choices #liam rys #drake walker #choices fanfiction #playchoices fanfic #choices stories you play #drake walker x mc #liam rys x mc

[ao719]

Best Kept Secrets

Best Kept Secrets - Maybe We’ll Get It Right (Chapter 18)

Characters belong to Pixelberry.

Summary: An unforeseen encounter with the past proves that even the best-kept secrets eventually make their way into the light. 

Title inspiration: Hold On Tight - Forest Blakk

Book/Pairing: TRR; Liam x F!OC

A/N: Thank you to @burnsoslow for prereading most of this. Please excuse any errors. 

Rating: M • Warning: This series will contain NSFW material. If you read, you acknowledge you are 18+

Catch up here

Standing in her bedroom inside the north wing, Amara stared at her reflection in the floor-length mirror. She scanned over her outfit before meeting her own anxious gaze; she took in a deep breath and slowly let it out, trying to settle her nerves. 

Today would be Amara’s and Liam’s first public outing with Sophia since the statement had been given. It would be the first time the press would not only catch a glimpse of the heir but see the three of them together … as a family. She knew that the purpose behind the outing was to show the public that their King had moved beyond her betrayal and that they were putting the past behind them for the sake of their child. It was all in hopes of shifting the negative attention she was receiving and showing her in a more favorable light. 

Amara was nervous, however. One would think she would find this to be fairly simple; working the press to change public perception was literally her job, but it was much different being the one whose image you’re trying to change their perception of. She wouldn’t be working her PR magic behind the scenes because she was the one under the microscope. She knew her every move was going to be picked apart, questioned, and, at times, manipulated to fit whatever narrative they were attempting to paint of her. Whatever they felt was going to sell a story was what they were going to try and sell, truth or not. 

Despite knowing this was something they needed to try, Amara had second-guessed the decision since Daniel suggested it; they’d given themselves an extra week behind the palace walls to prepare, but she felt anything but because she couldn’t get out of her own head. She didn’t want her presence during these planned outings to make things even more difficult for Liam than she’d already made them. 

However, when Amara subtly brought up the concern, Liam didn’t seem all too phased. They planned to spend the day on the private beach, and he reminded her that while, yes, the press was sure to be camped out nearby, they would still be far enough away so they’d be able to enjoy their day together with Sophia and that he was looking forward to spending the day out … with both of them. He seemed to be treating it as both a casual and normal outing and not one that was planned with a purpose.

Amara wasn’t reading too much into what he’d said, however, seeing his words for exactly what they were. She knew it was nothing more than his way of trying to make her feel more relaxed because he could sense that she was on edge about it. To think he meant anything beyond that was pointless. Despite her feelings for him, she’d forced herself to face reality over the last month and a half, a reality where she knew that any chance she might have had at continuing to rekindle things between them was long gone. After what she’d done, he’d never give her a second chance, and she didn’t deserve one. Her feelings for him didn’t matter and didn’t mean anything to anyone but her, so she shoved them into a box and pushed any notion of them being anything more than co-parents as far down as she could. It hurt, of course, but it was the consequences of her actions. And she’d suffer in silence because she wasn’t going to let those feelings get in the way of his and Sophia’s relationship. 

A knock on the door pulled Amara’s attention, and she gave herself one last glance in the mirror before turning and exiting her bedroom. When she opened the door, she smiled at Sophia, who was giving her signature toothy grin.

“Mama!”

“Hi, baby,” Amara chuckled as she took her from Liam’s arms when she leaned over to her. She kissed her cheek as she ran her hand over her head of blonde hair. 

“Morning,” Liam said. 

Amara offered him a tentative smile. “Morning.” She stepped aside to let him in, closing the door behind her. “I have her stuff ready. I’ll just go get her changed real quick.” 

Liam nodded and watched the two of them disappear down the hall, listening to Sophia babble and Amara laugh, smiling as he sat down in the living area to wait. He drummed his fingers against his thighs, wondering what the day was going to bring.

They would be spending the day at the private beach, and while he knew it would be accessible to the press, it would keep them far enough away so they wouldn’t be too overbearing. They couldn’t go out in public and make it obvious that they were putting on a show for the cameras. 

Truthfully … it wasn’t about the cameras for Liam nor was it a show. Yes, he was doing this as a way to hopefully shift the narrative surrounding Amara, and he was looking forward to finally taking Sophia beyond the palace walls, but it was more than that for him. He wanted to spend the day out with Amara, too. 

Over the last month and a half since everything had happened, one of the things he struggled with most was his feelings for Amara. At first, those feelings were suffocated by anger and resentment, but once he forced himself to let go of those emotions for the sake of moving forward, they came back tenfold. Now that he’d been spending every day with her the past two weeks, practically playing house inside the palace with her and Sophia … the three of them, together, as a family … everything he felt before seemed amplified. His feelings began to consume him, and he wasn’t sure how much longer he’d be able to continue to shove them aside. And maybe he shouldn’t. He’d been trying to do what was best for Sophia, but perhaps what was best for her was the very thing he’d been trying to ignore. 

Liam had a couple of reservations, however, and they seemed to be the one thing holding him back. 

The first reservation was trust. No matter which way Liam looked at the situation, he’d been betrayed. Did he now understand the place in which Amara was coming from? A little. He’d allowed himself to see things from her perspective, and he understood her headspace at the time. It didn’t change the fact that he was still lied to and kept in the dark about something as important as the existence of his child. Were there other secrets she was keeping? He didn’t know. And he didn’t know if he could trust her to not keep more in the future. 

The second reservation was fear. Twice now Liam had tried to make things work between them, and he was left broken both times. They say the third time’s the charm, but this was something that now went beyond just him. If they tried again and they failed a third time, not only would it affect him but Sophia as well. He and Amara had a knack for being unable to get their stars to align. Could he really risk Sophia being collateral damage in a game he wasn’t sure he would ever win?

“Dada!” 

Sophia’s squeal pulled Liam from his thoughts. He glanced over and a laugh bubbled out of him at the sight of her toddling towards him in a white cover-up that concealed her bright pink bathing suit, tiny aviators, and a floppy white sun hat. “Look at you looking like a little beachy princess,” he chuckled as he scooped her into his arms. “Are you ready for our day at the beach?” Sophia nodded with a clap of her hands. “Is mommy ready?”

They both looked at Amara at the same time, and she forced a smile. “I’m ready.”

****

When Bastien pulled into the private parking lot of the beach, Amara turned her face away from the window, shielding her eyes from the flashes of the cameras. The press had been camped outside of the gate when they left the palace and had followed them. Having spent so much time tracking the royal family’s movements, it didn’t take them long to realize where they were headed; they raced ahead so they were there waiting when they arrived. 

When Liam exited the vehicle, the press, who were contained behind another gate where two more guards stood to ensure they didn’t cross, began shouting his name. He turned and tossed his hand up in a wave as they snapped photos before turning back toward the vehicle. 

Liam met Amara’s gaze as she finished unbuckling Sophia from her car seat. “Here we go …” 

Liam lifted Sophia from her seat and into the safety of his arms, and when he pulled her from the vehicle, the frenzy ensued. The press shouted louder as the shutters from their cameras went off. Sophia turned her head toward the clamor as her grip on his shirt tightened. “It’s ok, little love,” he whispered. 

Occupied by their first glimpses of the princess, the press almost missed the moment Amara came into view. Almost. The moment they noticed her, more shouts ensued as their cameras continued to snap photos. 

“Why is she with you, King Liam?”

“Anything to say about your betrayal to the King, Ms. Onasis?”

“Will she be leaving Cordonia soon?”

“Will the Princess be staying?”

Amara turned so her back was toward them and inhaled a deep breath. She felt Liam’s hand on her shoulder a moment later and looked up at him; he gestured toward the path that led to the beach and she nodded before starting toward it. 

Once down on the beach, Amara set the bag she’d packed beside one of the chairs that were set up beneath an umbrella. She glanced around, taking in the silence, feeling a little more at ease, but only for a moment before she saw the press hurrying toward the edge of the barrier. The guards were already in place, ensuring they stayed on the other side, and they were far enough away where they wouldn’t be a bother, but just knowing they were there at all had her right back on edge. 

“Did you hear me?”

Amara snapped her gaze to Liam. “No. I’m sorry … what did you say?”

“Sunscreen?” Liam pointed to Sophia.

“Yeah.” Amara shook her head and crouched down next to the bag, pulling out the sunscreen she’d packed for her.

Liam set Sophia down on the chair, and Amara removed her tiny cover-up before smothering her in sunscreen. Once she was finished, she stood and turned to see a now shirtless Liam setting up the toys he’d brought on the massive beach blanket that was laid out for them; he’d slipped inside the tent just behind their chairs to change. She turned away from him and closed her eyes; between the press and him, her mind was jumbled.

“Ready?” Liam’s voice sounded from behind her, and she turned, but he was speaking to Sophia. He scooped her up and set her on the edge of the blanket so she could reach the sand before laying on his side next to her. 

Amara stood and stared at the two of them as they played. Then her gaze flickered to the edge of the beach where the press remained, continuing to snap photos. She couldn’t help but wonder what story they were going to try and spin from this. 

“Are you going to join us?” Liam asked.

Amara looked back at him. “Uh … yeah.” She kicked off her flip-flops before reaching down and grabbing the hem of her cover-up to remove it but froze as her eyes lifted to the press again. She casually brushed her hand against the fabric of the cover-up as she moved toward the blanket and sat down on the other side of Sophia. 

Liam looked up at her, squinting against the bright sun. “Did you not bring a suit?” he asked, gesturing to her cover-up that was still on. 

“I’m … I’m fine right now,” Amara lied as she looked out at the water. She wasn’t fine. 

Under the heat of the Mediterranean sun and the watchful eyes of the press, Amara was hot and flustered … but she didn’t want to take off the cover-up, afraid of what story the press would spin from it. Would they say she was trying to seduce him into forgiveness by flouncing around in a bikini? Would they criticize her for said bikini because she was the mother of the heir and not setting the example they thought she should? Hell, she was afraid to even look at Liam for a second too long, knowing what type of story one photo of that could paint. 

Liam stared at Amara as she gazed out at the water. He knew something was bothering her and he didn’t have to ask what it was. She’d been on edge the past week since they planned this first outing, and when he saw her this morning, he knew she hadn’t eased up. It was easy for him to ignore the presence of the press because he’d grown up with it and learned to drown them out a long time ago. Amara, however, wasn’t used to being on this side of things. On top of that, she was consumed by how her presence would rub off on him and Sophia and worried what stories would be in the papers the next morning. Because of that, she was being careful. Too careful, considering she wouldn’t even remove her cover-up. 

“Amara,” Liam said, and she glanced at him. “Relax.”

“I am relaxed.”

Liam snorted. “No, you’re not.” She dropped his gaze and bit her lip self-consciously. “Hey, look at me,” he whispered, but she shook her head. “Look at me.” She hesitated another moment before glancing up. “Don’t pay them any mind. It’s just you and me here, ok? Just us.”

Amara held his gaze. He knew exactly what was running through her mind without her having to say a word. And she felt the sincerity behind his words from the way he looked at her. But she needed to defuse the situation before her stupid heart took any of it to mean something more than it really did. “And Soph,” she quipped. 

“Yes,” Liam shook his head with a small smile. “But you know what I meant.” With Sophia occupied with filling her bucket full of sand one small scoop at a time, he laid on his back, tucking his arms under his head as he closed his eyes. “Take off the damn cover-up and enjoy yourself.” 

Liam heard her let out a quiet chuckle, and after another beat of silence, he could hear the quiet shift of the fabric against her skin. He opened one eye and inconspicuously slid it in her direction; his chest tightened at the sight of her body in the navy blue bikini before he quickly snapped the eye shut. 

****

That night, Liam and Amara put Sophia to bed inside her room in the north wing. They’d spent the entire day at the beach, playing in the water and lounging on the shore. Once they returned to the palace, she’d taken a bath, and barely made it through dinner before she passed out in Liam’s arms. 

The press had watched them the entire day, but Amara took Liam’s advice and ignored them as best as she could. She knew she had to come to terms with the fact that they were going to write what they wanted and there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it except suck it up and deal with it. 

They quietly shut Sophia’s door behind them before creeping down the hall, stopping in front of the living area. “She racked out,” Liam quietly chuckled. 

Amara smiled as she leaned against the entryway, crossing her arms and tucking her hands beneath them. “She had fun today.”

“Minus the evil wave,” Liam quietly laughed. 

Amara jutted her lip out in a pout before bowing her head and covering her mouth with her hand to contain her laugh at the memory of the wave that washed away the sandcastle they’d helped Sophia build. She was not happy, and her extreme meltdown over the loss was when they knew it was probably time to pack it up and leave. 

“I thought she was going to try and kick that wave’s ass,” Liam chuckled. 

Amara snorted against her palm before looking back up at him, and when she did, a strand of her hair caught on her eyelashes. Instinctively, Liam reached up to brush it away. 

The air suddenly felt very thick as they stared at each other and both their smiles slowly faded. 

Snapping from his momentary daze, Liam quickly dropped his hand. “Uh … sorry. You had — your hair, I mean … it was …” He trailed off and blew out a breath. 

Amara continued to stare at him, feeling a bit bemused as her heart and mind argued over what just happened and what it meant. Nothing, she told herself. It was nothing. “Yeah … uh, thanks.”

“Well … I should probably …” Liam gestured over his shoulder to the door. “I have sand in places where there shouldn’t be sand and need to shower,” he chuckled, earning a laugh from her. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah. I’ll let you know when she’s up so we can meet for breakfast.” 

“Sounds good.” 

Liam leaned down and kissed her cheek, letting it linger a heartbeat longer than normal before he drew back; he met her gaze for a split second before he turned and opened the door, quickly disappearing into the hall.

*******

Sitting inside his study, Liam read over an article from Trend magazine, detailing his and Amara’s outing over the past weekend in Applewood; he was needed there to go over a proposal to expand the orchids and invited Amara to bring Sophia. The article had several photos printed beside it, each one from a distance; a few of him and Sophia as they walked through the orchids, some of just her, and a few of the three of them together.

It had been nearly a month since that first outing at the beach, and the many they had after seemed to be doing the job they were intended to do. Most of the press — Trend being one — had done exactly what Daniel had said and followed his lead, looking beyond the past and focusing on the here and now. A few remained skeptical, however, questioning Amara’s motives for remaining in Cordonia and her intentions going forward. They didn’t know that she’d already decided to stay because he had yet to make a public statement. He knew he would need to make one soon, though; he’d spoken to Daniel, who told him the next step would be for the people to hear directly from him since they hadn’t at all since Sophia’s existence had been made public nearly two months ago. 

Liam was happy to know that things with the press were starting to settle down. What wasn’t settling down were his feelings for Amara. Each night after they would put Sophia to bed, the length of time they lingered behind got longer. They went from a few moments of simple conversation to now talking over drinks or a late-night snack about their day and making plans for the next. They had gotten closer and had fallen back into a place where things didn’t feel so tense. 

It was comfortable. 

It was familiar. 

Every day they spent together chipped away at those reservations Liam had and drew out his feelings even more. And every day he came closer and closer to throwing caution to the wind and taking that leap. 

Hearing a knock on his study door, Liam called for them to enter; when it opened, he lifted his gaze from the magazine article just as Amara stepped inside with Sophia. 

“Dada!” 

“Hi, little love,” Liam grinned as he stood and walked around his desk; he crouched down as she toddled toward him and he scooped her into his arms, smothering a mix of playful kisses and raspberries against her cheeks as she giggled.

“Hope we’re not interrupting anything,” Amara said.

Liam situated Sophia on his hip. “Not at all,” he replied before leaning forward to kiss her cheek; his hand brushed down the length of her arm as he drew back. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” 

“I wanted to come talk to you.”

“About?”

“I’m going to have to make a trip to New York.” 

Liam looked at her. “Oh?”

“My lease is up at the end of the month,” Amara explained. “I’ve been putting it off, hoping to have found a place beforehand, but that hasn’t happened yet.”

Despite the surprise her words gave him, Liam kept his expression impassive. “I hadn’t realized you’d been looking.” 

“Well, I haven’t … not really, I mean. I’ve perused some listings, but I’m still weighing my options between renting or buying and haven’t made a decision yet. But I can’t put off packing up my apartment any longer since I only have a couple of weeks. And I’ll have to clear out my office space as well.” 

Liam nodded. “Ok. Are you thinking this weekend, or …?”

“I wanted to check with you first,” Amara said. “I didn’t know if you had anything going on, and I figured you’d want Soph to stay here with you.” 

Liam thought for a moment as he glanced at Sophia; he scrunched his nose with a smile when she offered him one of her toothy grins. “How about we go together?” 

Amara’s brows rose in surprise. “You … you want to go?”

“Sure,” Liam shrugged as he looked back at her. “Let Imogen know, and we can leave Friday and take the weekend … get it all done in one shot so you don’t have to worry about going back for anything. There’s plenty of room on the jet to store whatever you need to bring back with you.”

Amara stared at him for a moment. “If you’re sure …” 

“I am,” Liam smiled. “I’ll have Bastien make arrangements.” 

*******

A few mornings later, the SUV pulled up on the tarmac, stopping alongside the waiting jet. Liam glanced out the window at the press that were huddled together on the other side of a barrier.

“How did they know we would be here?” Amara asked.

Liam sighed with a shrug. “They always manage to find things out one way or another.” He looked over to where she sat on the other side of Sophia’s car seat. “Get her on the jet. I’ll handle them.” 

Amara nodded and unbuckled Sophia’s straps before lifting her out of the seat. A guard opened the door and she and Imogen slid out; she ignored the volley of shouted questions from the press as she carried Sophia up the stairs and disappeared inside the jet. 

“Sir?” Bastien said from the driver’s seat.

Liam looked up, meeting his gaze in the rearview mirror as the other two guards took their luggage and Sophia’s car seat to the jet. “I’ll talk to them.” 

Bastien nodded before getting out and opening Liam’s door. When the King came into view, the press shouted at him; he was a picture of calm as he buttoned his suit jacket and made his way toward the crowd. 

“King Liam, where are you headed?” Donnie Brine from the CBC asked as Liam neared. 

“I’ll be in New York for a few days,” Liam answered.

Another slew of shouted questions ensued, and they were all asking the same thing in various ways: is Amara leaving with Sophia? Thinking back on his several conversations with Daniel over the past couple of weeks, and knowing he could use this as an opportunity to put any more doubts about her intentions to rest, he decided to be transparent. 

Liam held up his hand to quiet them, and once he had their attention, he cleared his throat. “We’re headed to New York for the weekend to pack up Ms. Onasis’ belongings as she will be staying in Cordonia permanently so that I may continue to maintain a relationship with our daughter.”

More questions were immediately volleyed, but one in particular had caught his attention.

“Are you concerned she’ll try to leave again with the princess?”

Liam sighed, knowing they were referring to what was mentioned in Daniel’s statement. “The circumstances surrounding Ms. Onasis trying to leave in the past were entirely different.”

“Can you elaborate?” a reporter asked, holding their recorder out in front of him.

Transparency, he reminded himself. “Ms. Onasis had been spooked by the betrothal aspect of the alliance that Auvernal had been pushing for. When she learned of the blackmail threat, she became frightened of what that meant for our daughter, and in a moment of panic, yes, she tried to leave. But as a mother, she was trying to protect her child … and that’s not something I can or will fault her for. As for the move … she’s uprooting her entire life to ensure that the princess and I stay together, and I’m extremely grateful that she’s so willing to do that.” 

The reporters stared at Liam in a bout of awed silence, and a heartbeat later, they were shouting more questions.

“Will they be staying with you at the palace?”

“What’s the status of your relationship with Ms. Onasis?” 

“Are you rekindling your romance?” 

They’d changed their tune so fast, it gave Liam whiplash. He let out a breath, feeling a bit lighter, but decided he wasn’t answering any more questions. He didn’t really have the answers at the moment anyway. He threw his hand up in a wave before turning and heading towards the jet. 

****

After the long flight and traffic-jammed ride from the airport, Liam and Amara arrived at their hotel in New York that afternoon; they’d planned to arrive early enough to leave them time for Sophia to hopefully nap off the jet lag. 

Once Sophia was asleep in the guest room of the suite, Liam sent Imogen to her own room that was situated across the hall to rest. He plopped onto the sofa in the living area while Amara stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, taking in the view. 

“Have you missed it?” Liam asked. 

Amara shrugged. “Certain things, like pizza and breakfast bagels, yes,” she chuckled. “But other than that … not particularly, no.” 

Liam stood and came next to her. “Where’s your apartment from here?”

“About 15 minutes that way,” Amara pointed. “It’s in Tribeca.” They were at the Millennium in lower Manhattan. “And my office is only a block from there.” 

“Have you made any decisions regarding your company and what you plan to do?”

“Not yet,” Amara shook her head. “We’re on a bit of a pause at the moment until I figure things out. Daniel hasn’t decided whether he’s staying yet, but with both Riley and I now there and him not having anything tying him down here …” She shrugged. “But I could still run the company from there and set up an office … or I could sell it …”

“You’d really consider selling it?” 

“If that’s what needs to be done … yes,” Amara answered. And I know a couple of competitors that would probably be more than willing to take it off my hands.”

Liam leaned against the window frame as he crossed his arms over his broad chest. “You seem pretty content for someone giving up so much of themself on a whim.” 

Amara looked back out the window. “I wouldn’t say it’s on a whim.” 

Liam’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“I mean …” Amara paused, taking in a breath and slowly letting it out. “I mean that all of this was stuff I’ve thought about from the moment I found out I was pregnant.” She tucked her hands beneath her arms as she fought against the urge to look at him. “I always thought about the what-ifs … and I planned out all these different scenarios in my head for the day I finally drummed up enough courage to … to tell you. And in all of those scenarios, the outcome was the same … I was leaving New York, and either running the company from where I was or selling it. Now that I think about it … it was never really a what-if, but more of a when.” 

Liam remained silent for a moment before speaking. “I just … I don’t want this move to be something you come to regret later on.” 

“It’s for you and Sophia.” Amara looked up at him again. “I would never regret it.” 

Liam stared at her, not having realized until that moment how close they’d shifted to one another, and he saw the moment she realized it, too. Her gaze was both hesitant and questioning, but then she looked away from him and took a step back. 

“Um … I think I’m going to nap while Sophia is.” 

“Yeah.” Liam cleared his throat as he rubbed the back of his neck. “I, uh … I’m actually not that tired, so I can listen for her if you want to go lay down in the master.” He’d already offered for her to take the bigger of the two rooms. 

“Ok,” Amara nodded.

Liam watched Amara turn and heard her let out a breath as she disappeared inside the room. 

*******

The following morning, Liam and Amara headed over to her apartment while Imogen stayed with Sophia at the hotel. Liam had arranged for a moving company to meet them there to take the boxes she would be bringing back and load them on the jet. From what she’d told him, most of it would consist of her and Sophia’s clothes. Anything she didn’t need, she planned to throw out or donate. 

When they pulled up outside of the tall brick building, Liam slid out before turning to help Amara out. They greeted the staff of the moving company that was already there waiting before heading inside. 

After riding the elevator up to the seventh floor, they stepped out, and Liam followed Amara down the hall. She paused in front of a door and unlocked it, and when she pushed it open and stepped inside, he followed. 

Liam glanced around as he moved further inside. He’d never seen her apartment, but it was exactly what he pictured her having. Casual with a touch of modern sophistication. “This is nice.”

Amara looked around fondly; she’d always loved her apartment. “Thanks.” 

“Where should we start, Miss?” a voice spoke from the doorway. 

Amara turned to the movers lingering in the hall. “Uh …” She glanced around. “Living room and kitchen.” She then looked at Liam. “We can get started on Sophia’s room and then mine.”

“Lead the way,” Liam gestured. 

****

Within a couple of hours, most of the apartment had been boxed up. While the movers carried boxes from the kitchen, living room, and Sophia’s room down to the truck, Liam and Amara finished up in her room. 

“I’m going to take this out,” Amara said when she finished taping the last box of her shoes shut. 

Liam nodded. “I’ll bring the nightstand out for you.”

“Thank you,” Amara replied before pushing the box out the door and down the hall.

Turning to the nightstand next to the bed, Liam reached down and hooked his fingers under the lip of the top. He lifted it, and when he realized it was heavier than he anticipated, he tilted it to adjust his hold; the movement caused the drawer to slide out of it and crash to the floor. 

“Shit.” 

Liam set the nightstand back down before kneeling to pick up the contents from the drawer now scattered on the floor. As he scooped up the items, something caught his eye, and he froze as he stared at it. A photo. He reached down and grabbed it, bringing it closer, only to notice another beneath it. And they weren’t just any photos, but ones of him and Amara. He remembered the night the one he held in his hand was taken. They were watching a movie in his quarters and were on the sofa; she was resting back against his chest with his arms wrapped tightly around her and his face was playfully nuzzling her neck with a grin as she smiled. He picked up the other from the floor. It was of them in the maze; she was on his back with her arms looped around his neck, both of them laughing. 

At that moment, at the sight of those photos, at the realization that she’d kept them all this time, Liam felt the last of the reservations he’d been holding onto crumble. He wanted to be the two people in those photos again. 

Two people who could make each other laugh and smile.

Two people who were better when they were together. 

Two people who were happy and in love.

“Liam?” Amara’s voice carried down the hall. 

Liam snapped from his daze and cleared his throat. “Coming.” He placed the rest of the items back in the drawer but slipped the photos into his back pocket before standing and carrying the nightstand out. 

****

That night, Amara stood out on the balcony of the hotel suite while Liam put Sophia into bed. She stared out at the view of the city she’d called home all her life, but she couldn’t say she’d miss it all that much. 

“Penny for your thoughts?” Liam said behind her.

Amara glanced over her shoulder, and her eyes followed him as he came to stand beside her. “Nothing,” she said, “just … taking in the view. Did she go down ok?”

“Yeah,” Liam nodded as he leaned against the railing. “Out like a light.” He glanced out at the view, staying quiet for a moment before looking over at her. “Are you going to miss it?”

“No … not really,” Amara answered. “I think … I think I’m ready to start over somewhere else.” 

Liam stared at her for a moment before taking her answer for the opening it was. “Speaking of starting over …” He stood upright and reached back, pulling the two photos from his back pocket. “When we were packing … these fell out of your nightstand drawer.” 

Amara focused on the photos in his hand, fighting against looking at him as she blinked away the sting in her eyes. “Yeah …” 

“I didn’t realize you had them.” 

“I …” Amara let out a soft breath and cast her gaze to the ground.

Liam’s thumb slid under her chin and he lifted her eyes to his. “No more secrets.” 

Amara swallowed. “I would look at them … in hopes I could convince myself to reach out to you … to tell you about Sophia.” She fell quiet for a moment before speaking again, her next words coming out just above a whisper. “And on days when I missed you … which was all the time … I’d look at them to remind myself of what it felt like to be whole … because that’s what being with you made me feel. Whole and complete … and happy.”

Liam searched her eyes for a moment, and in the next, he leaned down, capturing her lips in his. Amara stiffened in surprise, needing to rest her hands against his chest to keep herself upright, but when his arm curled around her waist and pulled her closer, she went more than willingly. When her lips parted against his, she felt his tongue softly curl against hers, so slowly at first it was as if he were trying to savor the moment, but then he deepened the kiss, and she gripped his shirt to steady herself.

Forcing himself not to get too caught up, Liam drew back. It took her a moment to open her eyes, and they stared at each other in silence for a few heartbeats before she looked away from him. He could see the self-consciousness fill her expression and realized it was because she determined that he must have thought what just happened was a mistake … but she was wrong. 

“I want to go back to being the two people in these photos. I want this again.” Liam held up the pictures. When she looked at him again, he saw the surprise in her eyes, like she couldn’t believe what he was saying. “I want this … I want us. But I want to slow down because I want us to be sure when we go in, if not for our sakes, then for Sophia’s.” 

At his words, a tear trickled down Amara’s cheek, and he reached up, brushing it away with his thumb. “I didn’t think … after what I’d done—”

“When I told you I was leaving the past in the past, I meant it, Amara,” Liam interrupted. “I just need to know if you want the same … that you’re willing to try.”

Amara took in a shuddered breath as her tear-filled eyes searched his. And then she nodded. “I want the same,” she whispered. 

Liam dropped his hand from her face and curled his fingers around hers. “Then we take it day by day once we get back home … and we’ll see how things go.” 

***************************************

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[lavful]

Bro baby Bentho makes me wanna *squeezes him and shakes him violently* He’s so cuteee

#lego ninjago #ninjago #ninjago benthomaar #benthomaar #ps i am writing bentho/vania fanfiction #and u can’t stop me #sweet fluffy royal romance yay

[england-would-fall]

(AO3 Fic)

#red white and royal blue movie #red white royal blue book #red white and royal blue book #fanfiction #fanfic #prince henry rwrb #rwrb book #rwrb alex #rwrb henry #rwrb movie #rwrb #rwrb thoughts #red white and royal blue #red white royal blue #queer romance #poetrylovers #queer poetry