#blows kisses up to heaven to philip and liz

[aimeedaisies]

🥳 Happy new year 🥳

i hope everyone has a lovely, safe and prosperous 2024 💞 and also a big fat fuck you to 2023

[the-everlasting-dream]

The Way To Love Me (Part 1/2) - Elizabeth

A/N: After careful consultation with Captain of the Drake x Liz ship @ooo-barff-ooo, we have figured out Drake and Elizabeth’s love languages and before the Dralizabeth ship docks for the rest of Jan, I had to get this one request out first. Drake’s part will be posted eventually. I think...  

Word Count: 2150+

Warnings: None, pure fluff ahead

Permatags:  @chantelle-x0x , @choicessa, @meeraaverywalker , @drakewalkerwhipped , @quartzandarrow ,  @mfackenthal , @srawesleyghuewrites , @topsyturvy-dream , @enmchoices , @gardeningourmet @debramcg1106 , @alesana45 , @meladoridarcy, @blackcatkita , @tmarie82 , @annekebbphotography , @lizk77 , @jayjay879 , @tornbetween2loves , @akrenich , @theroyalweisme , @likethetailofacomet , @sleepwalkingelite , @littleblossom-18 , @ooo-barff-ooo TRR only: @speedyoperarascalparty , @carabeth , Drake: @fairydustandsarcasm , @drakewalkerisreal

‘Please welcome Duke Drake and Duchess Elizabeth Walker.’ 

The herald’s announcement from a couple of hours ago still echoed in Elizabeth’s mind as she raised her flute of champagne to her lips. The clear bubbly liquid had long since warmed up from the heat of her skin pressed anxiously against the glass. Not for the first time that night, the drink halted, inches away from her lips before she lowered it back down to the table again. 

All around her the charity ball was in full swing, music playing, couples dancing, drinks flowing, sounds of laughter and enjoyment ringing out around her. It was her and Drake’s first official appearance back at court after their month long honeymoon, their first big event together as husband and wife and yet she found herself alone in a corner, listlessly observing the festivities. Her sharp dark eyes widened for a minute as the subject of her focus disappeared for a moment and she craned her neck to find him amongst the dancing couples. Her brow creased into a tiny frown as she searched the floor only to find him, broad back to her, still locked in conversation with another council member. 

She let out a slight huff at the sight, the older gentlemen had been holding her husband’s attention for most of the night no doubt to talk about the recent developments of their meetings. She knew she shouldn’t begrudge him, it was definitely important work and she should have been glad that Drake had found good people who were willing to work with him for the betterment of Cordonia but she couldn’t help feeling a slight sense of annoyance directed at Lords Jamison and Philip for hogging Drake now. 

 Elizabeth Walker liked to think she wasn’t a jealous woman and right now it wasn’t exactly jealousy rippling through her but a strange sense of…neglect. She shook her head at the thought, perishing it from her mind but it refused to budge and, with eyes still trained on Drake who from his posture seemed very concentrated on what his companions were saying. 

Leaning forward, her eyes narrowed trying to make out the conversation from across the room. 

‘Blah, blah very important council work.’ She imagined Lord Jamison’s voice in her head. 

 ‘Yes yes so important that we need your attention for the whole night Duke Walker.’ That was Lord Philip, his thick moustache bobbing as she pictured him harrumphing and humming. ‘Don’t worry about your wife, the ole ball n chain will be fine in the corner by herself.’ 

Drake was nodding now. ‘Of course please continue. It doesn’t matter that I have barely touched her this whole night, my aim is to completely ignore her so could you please repeat that long winded and unnecessary explanation aga-‘ 

‘Could I clear that Your Grace?’ 

 Elizabeth was pulled out of her reverie when a server carrying a tray of dishes bound for the kitchen appeared in her line of vision, motioning to the untouched champagne glass on the table before her. She blushed at being caught so blatantly bad mouthing her colleagues and husband even if it was in her head and in her embarrassment, gulped down the entire glass before handing it to the server. She winced as the now warm liquid trickled down her throat, further souring her mood as she threw another glance back at Drake who had barely moved from his place next to the two men and giving them one last wistful look, she slipped out the side door onto the adjoining balcony.

-

The night air felt calming against her skin, air from the gentle breeze caressing her cheeks as Elizabeth closed her eyes, leaning back against the cool stone wall. 

 She knew the whole thing was stupid. It really was. Stop making a big deal out of it, she chastised herself. You've just been together for a whole month straight. He's probably enjoying the bit freedom from the ole ball and chain right now..

Deep down she knew it was a big deal, to her at least. The last month had been bliss, pure heaven on earth to have Drake fully to herself, to touch him, to kiss him, to love him so freely and unashamedly. At first she’d surprised him by planning the entire month of travelling and adventuring together, doing all the things and visiting all the placed they’d talked about before but after a week of that neither of their hearts seemed into the fast paced option and eventually together they decided to ditch the plan and return home early to Atlantea and just be together. 

 Those three weeks had been the best of her life, Elizabeth reflected, the memory bringing a smile to her face for the first time all night. She never knew she’d enjoy the simple life so much, that the mundane action of waking up with the person she loved with all her heart would bring her so much joy. With the servants absent and the entire manor to themselves, Drake and her had spent many of those days sans clothing, making it their personal mission to christen every room in the house personally. She herself was a physical touch person, though only to those closest to her and while Elizabeth had always known he was a marshmallow at heart but she’d been pleasantly surprised by how tender and affectionate she’d discovered her husband to be. She’d felt it in the way his arms would accidentally on purpose brush hers as he walked past, how her legs always seems to be tangled with his as they had breakfast at 2pm in the afternoon, in the way he’d make love to her each day, sometimes more than once a day, kissing her with so much passion and devotion that she might have exploded from too much exposure.

But now that they were back at court, it seemed like a switch had been flipped and he suddenly didn’t want to be near her. Other than their official entrance and the obligatory first Cordonian Waltz, she had barely seen Drake all night. She understood that resuming their new titles meant a drop in time spent together and that was okay with her. Throughout the night both of them had been busy catching up with old friends and new fellow court members so it had been tough to find a moment alone but she hadn’t expected a total loss of contact. Elizabeth noted how when she’d walked up beside him earlier to check in, slipping her hand into his just to remind him quietly that she was there but he’d barely retained the contact for few seconds before breaking off to speak to someone else, leaving her confused and a little hurt. Surely he could have taken a moment to hold her hand for a bit right? 

Now Elizabeth wrung her hands, frowning in the face of the breeze as her train of thought spiralled into doubt. Maybe I’m just blowing this out of proportion, she thought to herself, attempting to be rational but some part of her resisted, thinking that terrible thought of What if he wasn’t interested in her anymore? Could he have gotten bored so quickly? Again she chased the thought from her mind, feeling angry at how childish she was being. Drake loved her, they’d just gotten married, this was the beginning of their forever, she shouldn’t be feeling this way. And yet she was.. 

 The swell of the party filtered back to her, reminding her of her obligation to return but Elizabeth couldn’t find it in her to plaster even a fake smile onto her face for the rest of the night. Walking back inside, she grabbed her purse and slipped out the door, fingers already tapping out a text message to Drake as her feet carried her towards the exit. 

 Not feeling too good. I’ll see you at home. Have a good time. 

 She’d scarcely hit send before footsteps sounded out from behind her. 

‘Walker? I got your message. Everything alright?’ 

 Elizabeth winced at the sound of her husband’s voice, she’d been hoping to leave undetected. 

 ‘Yeah, everything’s fine,’ she lied, turning around to face Drake. ‘I’m just a little tired is all.’ 

 He studied her for a moment and she felt her poorly constructed facade start to crumble. 

 ‘I know tired Elizabeth, this isn’t that. What’s wrong?’ He approached her, standing a few feet away but she could still feel the warmth radiating off his figure. 

She knew she should just come clean and tell him but her pride wouldn’t have it. ‘Nothing Drake. I’m fine.’ 

His lips twisted up to the side. ‘I may have only been married to you for a couple of months but I know that’s girl speak for something’s definitely wrong,’ he replied, gently lacing his fingers through hers, the sensation warming her skin. ‘What’s wrong Liz?’ 

 She swallowed at his use of her nickname. Usually he’d call her by her new last name — the name they both shared now — or when his memory lapsed it went back to Richmond while Elizabeth was usually reserved for formal occasions. But Liz was for when it was just the two of them, tender and more intimate than usual, when he really wanted to get her. Elizabeth looked up into his dark eyes, earnest and open only for her, ready to listen to whatever she had to say. 

‘Its nothing, its stupid.. you’re gonna laugh,’ she mumbled, still embarrassed that she’d been so obvious about it, gaze drifting down to where their hands were intertwined.   

‘I promise I won’t.’

His honest tone encouraged her and she laced her fingers tighter into his, still not looking him in the eyes. 

‘I guess I was just feeling a little.. uh… neglected I guess,’ Elizabeth mumbled awkwardly. ‘Last month was amazing and almost too good to be true. It seemed like a dream to be able to touch you and kiss you whenever I wanted but now that we’re back to reality… uh… it feels like the polar opposite now. You didn't even want to hold my hand today when you were talking to Leo and… I just thought you… you didn’t love me as much…' 

A chuckling sound brought her gaze back up and she frowned at his mirth. 

‘You said you wouldn’t laugh.’ 

 ‘Sorry,’ Drake replied, composing himself, though the corner of his lips tweaked up a little. ‘You’re adorable Liz.’ 

She frowned, mouth beginning too open with an annoyed reply when he suddenly stepped forward and planted a deep kiss on her lips. Elizabeth moaned in response, body reacting immediately to his touch as her hands came up to rest on his chest, eyes sliding shut as he wove his unspoken declaration of love across her skin in a way that took her breath away. His own hands circled her waist, pulling her in flush against him before one slid up to cup her jaw, gently guiding her to him. When he finally pulled away for air, her eyes remained fastened shut, heavy under the reinforced weight of his passion and love for her. 

 ‘Better?’ 

 Elizabeth nodded before her eyelids flickered open and she saw Drake smiling tenderly down at her. 

‘Much.’ 

 He kissed her again, slow and sweet this time and she happily responded, having craved this exact thing all night, melting into his touch. His grounding presence had such an effect on her, immediately dispelling her doubts . He’d told her before how she always seemed to stabilise him when things got rough but she’d never really noticed how he was her anchor until now when she was drifting away 

‘You’re right,’ he whispered back, lips brushing against hers as he spoke. ‘I did neglect you tonight. I didn't mean to.’ 

‘It’s okay,’ Elizabeth was already saying, wanting to forget the whole incident ever existed and get back to kissing him some more but he continued on. 

‘I’m still learning Liz. This whole marriage thing, its not something I saw for myself for a long time before you came around. I thought I’d live out the rest of my days sulking in the back of ballrooms and definitely not in a suit and married to the most amazing woman on earth. Its gonna take some practice but I promise I’ll get the hang of this PDA thing. I’ll hug you and kiss you all you want and I’m never gonna neglect you again.’ 

 Elizabeth couldn’t help her face from breaking into a grin. ‘I love you.’ 

‘I love you too.’ He dropped another kiss onto her lips before tugging her hand a little back in the direction of the ballroom. ‘And I’ve got a whole room full of people I need to show it to.’