#drake trh fanfic

[txemrn]

Déjà Vu

Chapter 1

Series Summary: After an unforgettable night with a stranger, Princess Eleanor finds herself caught in a secret love triangle between a noble and a commoner.

Chapter Summary: Eleanor prepares for a night out with her best friends despite her mother's wishes for her to attend a special family dinner.

Pairing(s): Liam x Riley (in discussion); more to be revealed

Word Count: ~2740

Warning: 🔞 Mature Audiences Only 🔞 this chapter references drinking; brief language

A/N: Welcome to my Crack Fic! No one asked for this... at least no one of sound mind, and if you're a big fan of TRR, you might actually hate this (no, I'm not killing Liam!). When I pitched this idea (half-joking, half-serious) to some buddies after reading the book Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas, the eager encouragement I normally receive was met with (what's that TikTok trend with that T Swift song?) "horrified looks from everyone in the room". But... I could not get this idea out of my head. So, here we are! I have a general idea of where this story is going... but I'm actually leaving myself open to possibilities. No matter how the road twists and turns, I would be honored if you join me!

A/N 2: This story takes place approximately 2 decades after TRR/TRH. I have made some canonical changes (they will be mentioned). Characters and some plots belong to our friends at Pixelberry! Huge thank you to @charlotteg234 for looking over this for me (and laughing like a maniac with me)! This was not Beta'd; please excuse my errors.

~🖤~

Eleanor

Tapping my newly manicured nails against the glass topper to my vanity, my gaze nervously shifts back and forth between my choices for the evening. I don’t know why this is so hard–or why it’s taking me this long to decide–but somehow, here I am in quite the conundrum.

Perversion or Temptress: that’s it. But, when it came to darkening the outer-corner of my eyelid, picking the right hue of eyeshadow matters. Yes, yes, they’re both a deep black; one is a dark matte that has the potential to smudge all over my porcelain face, but the other one, while dark, has little flecks of silver.

Biting my lip, I look at myself in the mirror before looking back at the YouTube tutorial I was following.  I feel silly making such a big deal over the color; afterall, this is supposed to be fun. Normally, for me, it is.  I’m actually really good at doing my own make-up, thanks to the internet and to my mother who convinced my father when I was fourteen that mascara and lipstick would not lead me down the path of destruction and eternal damnation.

Well, I guess I should clarify: I do a great job on my make-up, my everyday natural, diplomatically poised look. Think lots of pinks and taupes. It’s the latest trend for crown princesses; I should know.

But tonight, I wouldn’t be Princess Eleanor. I didn’t want to be Princess Eleanor. 

Dangit, that came out wrong. I don’t mean to sound like some stereotypical spoiled brat that is born into money and power, who craves freedom from her poor little privileged life.  I am content–actually, very grateful for the life I have been born into. I have been given incredible opportunities and experiences because of it. But, I’m not naive; I know I have a high-calling, one filled with much responsibility and dedication. Someday I will be queen of Cordonia.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves... 

Tonight, I’m just Nora–at least that’s what my friends call me, and since I’m turning twenty this coming Tuesday, they wanted to take me out over the weekend. This weekend. See? Responsible. But, there is just one problem…

There’s a sudden knock on my door, my mother instantly inviting herself in.  “Dinner’s in thirty Eleanor–”  she freezes as her eyes grow wide. “Y–you’re make-up… don’t you think it’s a bit on the, um… heavy-side?”

“Mom,” I singsong, "it's supposed to be. This is how all the celebrities and models wear their make-up when they hit the town." 

"Hit the town?" My mother gave me that eyebrow, the one that gives away her true unspoken feelings. "You're going out tonight?"

"Mhmm. To dinner." I settle on Urban Decay's Perversion, and start tapping the color against my eyelid. "I told you and Daddy that Josie and Beth were taking me out–"

"Eleanor," my mom shot her first warning signal with her tone. "We discussed that tonight wasn't a good night. And if you ladies could do things tomorrow–"

"It's just a family dinner," I continue to work on my look. "Daddy said it was fine–"

"But you know how important this dinner is. We have a special guest."

Yes, yes. We know.

His name is Drake Walker, and he is–well, was, my parent's best friend back in the day before I was born. He actually grew up with my dad, Drake's father serving as my Grandpa Rys's royal guard when he was king of Cordonia.

But, then there was a falling out of some sort…well, that's according to my Uncle Leo. He means well, but I'm fairly certain the truth has been stretched.

Anyway, I'm not too clear on what happened, but shortly after my parents got married, Drake moved back to his home in America to start a normal life. He never settled down with a wife, but he kept busy with his construction company.

That is until four months ago when he discovered his business partner had been siphoning company funds into off-shore accounts. Now he spends his days laid up on the couch with a fifth of whiskey. And broke as a joke.

Drake's brother-in-law Bertrand Beaumont, the Duke of Ramsford, serves on the royal council with my parents, and after a late meeting one night, he shared the truth about their former best friend. 

Daddy and his bleeding heart… sure, he can see fiery red from time to time and his temper can bubble over, but my father is known for his grace, forgiveness, and charity towards others. He contacted his old friend… which then led to an invitation back to Cordonia.

'It's only for a little while, until he gets back on his feet,' Daddy assured my mom.  'We'll give him tasks around the palace until then.'

Mom called it a 'midlife crisis'. I don't think I was supposed to hear the latter part.

I began to draw on my eyeliner as my mother crossed her arms, glowering at me. Feeling the disappointment radiate from her glare, I stop, shrugging my shoulders. "What?"

"Part of being royal is posing as a unified front as a family."

"You act like this is some official business or a press event–"

"Our closest friends are going to be here, Elle, and–" she stops, her eyes playfully smoldering as her voice becomes angelically romantic. "--I think even Bartie is coming." 

"Mom!" I chuckle, my cheeks pinking in embarrassment from her inflection. "It's not like that with him."

Oh, but it was…

Bartie Beaumont is one of my closest friends. He's a few years older than me and well… I really enjoy spending time with him.  He's incredibly kind and charming in and out of social situations. He's quite handsome with his dark, well-kept hair and deep chestnut eyes. And smart–goodness, he's smart. He can keep up with my father, round-for-round in debating politics and foreign policies.

He's always been fiercely protective of me, even when I was a little girl. But he was always just Bartie, my honorary older brother… that is until he asked me to dance at a charity gala when I was sixteen. I had never been asked to dance by a boy before; I was normally paired with other noble children, usually from the suggestion made by their mothers. But this? It was different… and special. Someone chose to dance with me because they wanted to. And until that moment, I never understood what it meant to let a partner 'lead you', and well… I digress. It was nice. Bartie… he's just nice.

"But seriously, Mom," I continue, "the girls have already set everything up for tonight, and I'm the guest of honor for that. I can't just stand them up."

My mom gives me a long sigh. She's having that internal argument with herself where she compares her younger years as a commoner versus her younger years as a royal. "I guess I was hoping you'd get to meet your Uncle Drake tonight–"

I couldn't control my giggles. Growing up, Mom and Dad always referred to their close friends as 'Aunt' or 'Uncle', like my Uncle Max and Aunt Livvy. But they were also active members in my life that I saw frequently. 'Uncle Drake'? I don't even know the guy. 

"Isn't he living on our couch for a while? I'm sure I'll meet him at breakfast sometime." 

My mom pursed her lips. I think she realizes she has no other reasons to keep me home. Thank goodness.

"Is Lars going with you, or is one of the other guards?"

"Mom," I whine.

"Eleanor, you know the rules–"

"But I just want to be a normal twenty-year-old for the night–"

"Almost twenty-year-old," she smirks, stepping forward to fidget with my wavy, honey-brunette hair. "It's just not safe, baby. People know who you are–good people… and bad people. Even under all of this make-up, people will still recognize you."

I give a little huff, but she was right. I once dyed my hair purple and wore thick-rimmed frames to a show for a local punk band, and I'm pretty sure I posed for more photos with fans than the musicians.

"Fine, I'll ask Lars," I give my mother a half smile. "Anything else, your majesty?"

"One more thing," she twirls me around to face my reflection in the mirror. I'm keeping it pretty casual tonight with a white shirt and black ripped skinny jeans. I am pairing my black moto jacket with some gold accessories and my red Jimmy Choo pumps. Surely the woman doesn't think I'm showing off too much skin. 

Suddenly, she raises my shirt in the back and unclips my white bra.

"Mom!" 

"Eleanor," she snickers, shaking her head at me. "We've been over and over this ever since you got boobs: white shirt, nude undergarments."

I whip off my bra, quickly grabbing a skin-tone t-shirt bra. "No one's going to be looking."

"Someone is always looking." 

After hooking my bra and smoothing out my tee, Mom gave me an approving nod. And then she put her arms around me, pulling me into a hug. "Have a good time tonight. I love you, my twenty-year-old baby."

"Almost twenty-year-old baby." We both fall into titters as we squeeze each other closer. "I love you too, Mommy."

------

I text my bodyguard Lars to let him know about the evening, and as expected, he'll be ready with the car in ten minutes. 

Poor guy was ball-and-chained to me when I got my driver's license. I'm sure when he signed up for the guard, he pictured himself traveling around the world, looking like a badass with my dad. Instead, he got me, and the only traveling he normally does is to gather my morning espresso and cronut. He's made more trips to Sephora than any man should ever make in his lifetime–even more than my Uncle Max.

He's a good guy… if you like the serious, never-crack-a-smile type. He looks like John Cena with a permanent angry expression, complete with a single bulging vein in the center of his forehead. He's a man of few words despite my attempts to make him laugh, but underneath all the brawn and muscle, he has a big heart. He has literally given me his coat so that I wouldn't have to walk through a puddle of half-melted snow. And to think, he has sworn to give so much more for my own life… 

My phone abruptly pings. Beth.

>>> "Hey, bday bish! R U ready for the nite of ur life?"

I chuckle under my breath after reading the text. Night of my life… She always has a flare for the dramatics, but then again Beth has always been the life of the party. She has more personality in her pinkie finger than all of the citizens of Cordonia combined. Her mother is the Countess of Fydelia, and ever since Beth's father left, she's been indisposed.  Mom says that's a more tactful way of saying, 'alcoholic'. 

Beth walks more on the wild side, a real risk-taker. When I get in trouble, chances are she is somehow involved, like the time I got caught with a bottle of Smirnoff Ice at the Baron's Ball. Ugh, talk about the hangover from hell… and that wasn't even my punishment…

But she, along with Josie, are my ride-or-die. My BFFs. My "You jump, I jump, right?". We've grown up together, became women together, and nothing was about to ruin that bond.

I fire a text back to Beth. 

>>> "Can't wait! My car will be ready in a few. What restaurant are we meeting at?"

My phone instantly dings, catching me off guard in my attempts to glide on some lipstick. That was fast. I tap on the message.

>>> "We're coming 4 u! Be ready!"

My face falls. I know it's probably hard to believe, but my friends often forget that I'm a princess. Like, the legit crown princess of Cordonia, and because of that, I need a bodyguard present during all activities outside of the palace that have not otherwise been secured by the royal guard. As you can imagine, that rule made me so popular in grade school when my parents tried giving me a 'normal life'.

In retrospect, I'm quite grateful for the security through the years, especially when I hear about plots made by secret coups against my dad. But still, it would be nice to get my own darn breakfast. And I'm sure Lars would love to sleep in for once.

I text back.

>>> "And Lars"

>>> "R U kidding me? Ur shadow has 2 come?"

I let out a defeated exhale.  She knows this. My phone suddenly rings, her picture lighting up the screen. "Hey–"

"Are you fucking kidding me?" She sounds irritated, as if I did this maliciously to her.

"Beth, you know my parents won't allow me out without him or any other–"

"He can't come with us," she interrupts. I can hear Josie in the back, trying to calm Beth down. 

"And do tell–" I cross an arm over my chest, raising an eyebrow, "--why is that?"

She lets out a huge sigh. "Fine. It was supposed to be a surprise for your birthday, but–" she hesitates, sucking on her front teeth.  "I got us three VIP passes into Core!"

I blink a few times, racking my brain for this to somehow trip a memory. "Core?" Nope. No tripping. "What's Core?"

"Nora!" She scoffs in disbelief. "It's only the newest and hottest club in town. Tonight is opening night. Half price shots–"

"Uh, Beth–?" I could feel my stomach sinking under the weight of her excitement. And Josie wasn't any better, squealing over the line. 

A club? Like, with dancing and drinking? I had never been to one before. And something tells me that the king wouldn't be too approving of his nineteen-year-old daughter partying with half-drunk strangers, groping her in the name of dancing. Still, it sounds like so much fun.

"--and we have a VIP table with bottle service until midnight!"

"Beth!" I call out to get her attention again. "There… there's just no way I can do that. Especially without Lars."

"C'mon, Nora. It's your freaking birthday. You're supposed to let loose–"

I hang my head into my hands. "You know I want to, but… I–I can't do that. My parents–"

"--don't have to know."

That silenced me real quickly into deep thought. I might not be the world's most perfect child, but I have learned never to hide things from Liam and Riley Rys. Never. 

But I'd be lying if a glimmer of hope and excitement didn't blossom in my chest at the thought of going out despite my parent's knowledge. Besides, I am an adult; I'm almost twenty for crying out loud. If anything, I've shown them how responsible I am, and that I can be trusted. Plus, Aunt Livvy has taught me more than enough self-defense maneuvers that I could probably take a second job as a spy with her wife.

Okay. Maybe Beth has a plan.

"And how won't they find out? Lars has to give a detailed report–"

"We won't bring him."

That's the plan? I snicker under my breath, chewing on the inside of my cheek. "And… how do you suggest I get rid of him?"

"Why not a sleepover?" I hear Josie suggest in the background.

A sleepover. That could work. There were few places I could go where security didn't have to be right beside me once a building was given the all clear. Beth's house happened to be one of them. 

"But I'm already dressed up. And–and I told my mom we were going out–"

"So?" Beth interjects. "We changed our minds. We'll have dinner catered."

Crap. Am I really considering this? I look at my reflection in the mirror as I twist my lips. Dangit. And I'm having a really good hair day.

"What's it gonna be, Nora?"

I take a few cleansing breaths. I can feel my pulse, galloping like a racehorse in my ears. Could I actually get away with this? I've been to Beth's house thousands of times. The guard comes in, does a quick sweep, and then keeps watch outside, never to return until it's time for me to leave. We could sneak out the back through the guest house. He would never know.

I swallow thickly, adrenaline pouring into my veins.

"Okay. Let me make a call."

~🖤~

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------

Thank you so much for your support! Every like, comment and reblog means the world to me! 🖤

[angelasscribbles]

Heir Apparent Chapter 15: Homecoming

Series: Heir Apparent.

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings: Drake x Riley, Liam x Riley (past)

Word Count: 1,776

Rating: R

Warnings: Mature themes, language, Depression, self-harm mentioned, I should tag as infidelity (even though it arguably wasn't, as she had her fiancée's permission for what happened in Vegas, but some people have gotten very upset with me about it, so I'm tagging it as such just to be on the safe side)

A/N: Yes, you guys, it's back! I'm sorry it's been so long since the last update. Other things got in the way, but I do have so many more ideas for this one.

A/N2: My original idea for this was just simply that it never made sense that Drake would agree for his child to be the heir. Under what other circumstances would Riley marry Drake but be mother to the heir? Well....if she were actually pregnant with the heir. The Vegas fling was the perfect vehicle to drive that. Since Drake gave permission for the fling, I didn't anticipate the trauma that ended up happening, but once I started writing, that's what happened. This story went to some much darker places than I ever imagined or planned. Hopefully they are back on solid ground now. We'll see. As I write by the seat of my pants, I often don't know what's coming any more than the readers do! 🤣

Everything else: Master List.

On the ride back to Valtoria, they kept sneaking glances at each other. As if they were both afraid the other was going to disappear. They drove mostly in silence, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable one, like the ride to the palace had been. Both were lost in their own thoughts, the events of the last few days, the last few weeks, had been heavy, there was an overwhelming tiredness mingled with the relief. Now that the gripping fear of losing each other had abated, emotional exhaustion set in.

“I feel like I could sleep for a week.” Riley said. All she’d done in her time at the palace was toss and turn, fall into a fitful sleep, jerk awake, then fight the panic in her chest until she could fall into a restless sleep. Repeat, on loop. Nothing about those three days had been restful.

“Me too.” Drake had no idea how much sleep he’d gotten, but passed out drunk wasn’t exactly the same as restorative sleep. He didn’t sleep well without her next to him anyway. He snuck a quick glance at her as he reached for her hand, “There’s nothing stopping us from climbing into bed and doing exactly that.”

She smiled at him as she took his hand and tears pricked his eyes. He’d had no idea just how tight the vise around his heart had been until it loosened. There was the smile he’d fallen in love with, there was that light in her eyes, there was the expression of love shining from them. He had missed those things so much, had missed her. He’d missed those million little ways she showed she loved him, like the way he’d catch her staring at him from across the room or the way she cut his sandwiches into heart shapes. He grumbled about it. “I’m a grown ass man, Riley.” But secretly it made his stupid heart feel all warm and fuzzy. He squeezed her hand as he forced his attention back to the road.

With his attention fixed on driving, Riley was able to study his face. She leaned her head back against the headrest as she drank in the curve of his face, the way the setting sun filtered through his hair. She smiled at how he always kept his hands precisely at nine o’clock and three o’clock unless he needed a hand free for something. Like holding hers.

She gripped his hand like it was the only thing holding her above water. His touch calmed and soothed her; she hadn’t realized how much until it had been gone. Even when she had been afraid of losing him, even when she had been sunk in depression, even when she had barely responded to him, his presence had been comforting. His touch, brushing her hair out of her face or rubbing her back, had helped. Without him she’d been set adrift, anchorless. She never wanted to experience it again.

 “Let’s do it then!” She smiled up at him.

He took his eyes off the road long enough to glance at her face, the dazzling smile he found there made all the unhappiness and uncertainty of the last few weeks just wash away. He drug his eyes reluctantly back to the road. His foot pressed down a little heavier on the gas pedal at the thought of cuddling up next to her in their bed, wrapping his arms around her and not having her pull away.

“Do you need anything before we head up to bed?” He asked her as they entered the house.

“Do we have any chocolate cake?” She asked hopefully.

“You want cake?” He asked in pleased surprise. Eating was definitely a good sign.

“I could eat some.” She admitted, “But really what I want is a bath. I haven’t had one in three days. Poor Liam, I hope he changes the sheets before he sleeps in his bed.”

“Yeah…” Drake pushed away the thought of Liam sleeping on sheets that smelled like his wife.

She caught the hesitancy in his tone, “Oh! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean-“

“You did nothing wrong, baby. Come on, I’m going to go draw you a bath then I’ll call down to the kitchen for some chocolate cake…chocolate lava cake, how about that?” Liam being in love with her was just a fact of life. There wasn’t much either of them could do about it. He didn’t see the point of talking about it.

Her face lit up, “Oh, yummmm! Yes, please! With milk!”

“You sure about that?”

She nodded emphatically, “I’m sure!”

“Ok, then.” They climbed up the stairs together and entered the bedroom. He closed his eyes as he inhaled deeply upon entering the room, the familiar smell washing over him. It was a unique mixture of her scent mixed with his own, with a faint whiff of Riley’s favorite fabric softener underlying them both. It smelled like home.

“I’ll…uh…go start you a bath while you pick out some clothes, ok?”

“You don’t have to do that you know.”

“I know. I want to.” He was determined to make sure she never doubted his commitment and devotion again.

When Riley entered the bathroom, she found the tub full of her favorite bubble bath, scented candles flickering on the counter and her favorite bath towel already placed in the warmer. “Wow, this is above and beyond.”

“You deserve above and beyond, Riley.” He told her, “I’m sorry if I ever made you feel like you didn’t.”

“What?” She looked at him in surprise, “Of course you didn’t! I was the one pushing you away. It seems silly, now. Looking back, all you did was try to be there for me, cooking for me, trying to plan the nursery, you literally held my hair while I puked. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.”

“Oh, whatever.” He scoffed, “You patched me up after a gunshot wound then refused to sleep all night so you could watch me breath.”

Her face went completely serious, “I’m not a doctor, Drake. I was afraid that if I fell asleep and you started bleeding again-“ the words choked off in a sob.

“Oh, hey, hey! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to upset you!” He was across the room and at her side in two strides. He wrapped her up in his arms, “It’s ok, I survived, see? I’m right here!”

“Sorry.” She sniffed, “Hormones, I guess.” Or, recent events had stirred up those feelings of helplessness and panic when she’d thought she might lose him.

“Don’t apologize. You’re fine.” He wiped the tears from her cheeks, “You’re just tired and emotionally exhausted. I know the feeling. So, let’s just get you into the bath, ok?”

She nodded as he pulled Liam’s shirt over her head and tossed it into the hamper. His motives for getting her out of those clothes and into the bath might have been at least a little selfish on his part. He knew it was probably petty and stupid, but he didn’t like seeing her in Liam’s clothes.

She slipped into the bath and sighed as she stretched out in the extra large claw footed, cast iron tub. She tipped her head up to find Drake still standing there, “Are you just going to stare at me while I take a bath?”

“Uh…I’m kind of afraid to leave you alone. I don’t want you to fall asleep in the tub.” He admitted.

“You could come in here with me.” She suggested.

“Thought you’d never ask!” He grinned at her as he stripped his own clothes off and climbed into the tub behind her.

She scooted forward to give him room. Once he settled in, he pulled her back, so she was leaning against him. She picked up the bottle of shampoo, but he reached out and took it.

“Here, let me do that.” He squeezed some into his hand and rubbed it into her hair.

He worked the shampoo through her hair, fingers massaging her scalp. He felt her body go limp against his. “Hey, don’t fall asleep, ok?”

“Not.” She mumbled, “Just relaxed.”

“Uh-huh.” He poured water over her hair as he rinsed the soap out. “Hand me the conditioner please.”

She handed it over and he opened it, the familiar lavender scent hitting his nostrils as he poured a generous amount into his hand. He smoothed the conditioner into her hair then poured out a second handful. She had a lot of hair. He took his time, using his fingers to comb out any tangles and making sure every bit of hair was coated.

While Drake focused on her hair, Riley lathered soap onto a loofa and washed the front of her body, leaning forward and tossing it over her shoulder to Drake when she was done, “Do my back?”

He moved her hair, gathering the wet, heavy, freshly conditioned mass in his hands and placing it over one shoulder, out of his way. She shivered as his fingers brushed her bare shoulder. He ran the loofa over her back then used his hands to scoop water over her bare skin, rinsing it clean. “Lean back and I’ll rinse your hair.”

She leaned back into his chest and closed her eyes, the warmth of the water around her and the soothing feel of his hands caressing her scalp combined to bring her to the brink of sleep, heaviness overtaking her drooping eyelids. She must have fallen asleep in the tub after all because the next thing she was aware of was being lifted in Drakes arms and deposited into a chair. “Mmmm, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, here.” A towel fresh out of the warmer wrapped around her as another moved across her body, gently drying her.

When she was dry, Drake gathered her in his arms again and carried her to bed, tucking her under the covers before climbing in next to her and pulling her close against his side.

“I never got my cake.” She mumbled into his chest.

A soft laugh rumbled through him, “You can have it for breakfast.”

Her eyes blinked open and fixed on his, “Drake?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

“For bathing you?” He chuckled again.

“No. I mean, yes, but also….for loving me.”

His arms tightened around her, “Forever, baby, no matter what.”

“Same.” She sighed; her eyes fluttering closed as she lost the fight to stay awake.

Drake buried his nose in her hair and inhaled before kissing the top of her head. Then he held her close as the sound of her breathing lulled him into a contented sleep of his own.

[moodmusicmonday]

I'm sure I sound like a broken record... but this playlist got me in my feels this week! Seriously. Click on the playlist, open up your Spotify, get lost in the music. Fantastic job as usual!

If you see anything below that is underlined, it is a working link and you should TOTALLY click on it. Just sayin'.

Love you all dearly, and we will see you next week! Thank you so much for sharing and following!

~🎵~

@ao719

“Give Me Your Attention” - The Waiting (Candelion);  Vancross, Chapter 5, You’re Looking At Me (Multiple Crossover Series; Liam x f!OC)

“Ghost (Acoustic)” - Ben Woodward; Untitled, a request follow-up to This Isn’t How It Was Supposed To Be (TRR)

@bebepac

“I Love You” - Billie Eilish; The Rotten Apple, Chapter 13: Sincerely, Lady LIberty [TRH & Beyond; Liam x Riley; Eleanor x m!OC (Nico)] 

@charlotteg234

“Wicked Game” - Daisy Gray; Don’t Break, Chapter 2 (TRR; f!OC x ?)

“Elastic Heart (piano version)” - Sia;  Don’t Break, Chapter 3 (TRR, f!OC x ?)

@kat-tia801

“Heart Beat Here” - Dashboard Confessional; Undeniable, Part 10: You Remain My Time and Place (TRR AU; m!OC x f!OC; Drake Walker x MC; Liam Rys x f!OC)

“Closer to You” - Rasmus Hagen; Undeniable, Part 11: Fighting For So Long Against My History (TRR AU; m!OC x f!OC; Drake Walker x MC; Liam Rys x f!OC)

~🎵~

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[bebepac]

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#evil drake - 158 posts

#the rotten apple 🍎 - 137 posts

#choices fanfic - 132 posts

Longest Tag: 55 characters

#the fandom is big enough for us all to do our own thing

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

The Big Apple Dumplin' Festival

This is a one shot from my Fast Forward Universe for @txemrn father's day prompt.

Just imagine: Your TRR LI is at an important public event. The heir (4-5 years old) throws a tantrum.  MC is COMPLETELY out of the picture.  How would your LI (Liam/Drake/Maxwell/Leo) react?

The Book: TRH

The Pairings: Liam x Riley , Maxwell x Taylor (Maxwell x F!OC) , Nico x Angelica (M!OC x F!OC)

Word Count: 2355

Warnings and Ratings: Profanity. / Teen

Original Post: 06/18/22 at 8:50PM EST.

A/N: Do you have to have read Fast Forward to understand this? Nope, but I highly recommend if you are looking for a binge read. But I'm going to give you some things you do need to know. My Riley is married to Liam with four kids: Ellie, (12) Adam (11), Jaiden (5), and Liberty (4). My Riley also has an identical twin sister Taylor that's living in Cordonia now. (They were separated at birth and my Riley was adopted. ) Taylor and Maxwell are married. Other People you will see:

Nico: Riley's Guard married to Angelica (Ana), Riley's assistant. Nico and Ana have one daughter together Iris, (9 months) and Nico has a child from a previous relationship Nicolai (Nic) (age 13).

Taylor and Maxwell have identical twin daughters Lily and Violet (age 2)

A/N2: I had read a few of the father's day fics that have come across my dash, and I just finished mine this afternoon and was starting the proofing process on my own when I found @debramcg1106 had posted her's already and we both have a slightly similar situation with children getting undressed. So I ran my story by her, and she was okay with it.

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"What do you think of the idea Riley? Personally, I like it. It's a play on where you're from, and you get to crown someone Queen for the festival, as you were crowned."

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99 notes - Posted June 18, 2022

#4

A Piece of Heaven on Earth Part 6

This is my second submission for the last @wackydrabbles​​​​ prompt # 145 That was really really good which will appear in bold.

My OG Riley had to be a part of this.  She had to be. She started the wacky drabbles journey with me, it’s only fitting, my final submission is with her.  

This also is a submission for @choicesmonthlychallenge​​​​ for day 3 for paranormal.

The series:  A Piece of Heaven on Earth

The Book:  TRR

The Pairings: Liam x Riley /  Riley x Nico 

Word Count: 4599

Warnings and Ratings:  Profanity, Sexual Situation, 18+

Song Inspiration: When Can I see You by Babyface

Song Inspiration: Come Away With Me by Norah Jones

Song Inspiration Just a Dream by Nelly  

Summary: Riley moves in with Taylor until her apartment is vacated by Liam. Nico and Riley begin an relationship together. Team Liam launches an offensive to help bring Liam and Riley back together.

Original Post: 05/06/22 at 11:24PM  EST

A/N:  This is very special to me.  So please be kind.  I’m writing this as a tribute story to my Riley FC, the late Cheslie Kryst, in a way to deal with my grief which has almost been consuming my life.  I started following her in 2019 when I was watching the Miss USA pageant.  I rooted for her immediately.  Not only was she from my home state, but she was just this bright twinkling light on stage, she was a minority, like me. So when I came to the fandom in January 2020 and started writing stories for TRR I picked her as my Riley FC because she embodied what I wanted my “Riley” character to be.  Even in her untimely passing, I am still finding out more about her life and I have written her pretty accurately, even down to having depression.  So I will say it again.  If you need help please reach out.

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103 notes - Posted May 6, 2022

#3

I don't care what anyone says, words hurt, and can do more damage than a physical bully. The more and more I read about her, the sadder I feel for her, that she really felt alone, her outwardly confident exterior , she had material wealth and appeared to "have it all", she was dealing with and was hiding so much pain and hurt inside.

I can't even begin to formulate words to convey the anger and hurt I feel. I thought she was beautiful, graceful, intelligent, and poised. A true Queen. To see people trolled and talked about her this way makes me sad for humanity. And that she deleted all the negative comments. As an avid follower of hers, for years I never once saw a negative comment. That must have been emotionally exhausting for her.

This world already feels darker without your light Beautiful Queen.

123 notes - Posted January 31, 2022

#2

A Piece of Heaven on Earth: Part 1

The Book:  TRR Pairing:  Liam x Riley (eventually)  Word Count: 2902 Warnings & Ratings:  Sexual Innuendo, mention of character’s perceived death, profanity; Teen Liam and Riley, Chance, Maxwell and Bryce belong to PB, all others are my own characters  to support our story. Summary:  Riley and Liam meet in an odd situation Song Inspiration:  I by Yiruma Story Inspiration: Just Like Heaven -you see similarity to the storyline of the movie but there will be differences I added in as well.

Original Post:  03/08/22 at 8:43PM EST.

A/N:  This is very special to me.  So please be kind.  I’m writing this as a tribute story to my Riley FC, the late Cheslie Kryst, in a way to deal with my grief which has almost been consuming my life.  I started following her in 2019 when I was watching the Miss USA pageant.  I rooted for her immediately.  Not only was she from my home state, but she was just this bright twinkling light on stage, she was a minority, like me. So when I came to the fandom in January 2020 and started writing stories for TRR I picked her as my Riley FC because she embodied what I wanted my “Riley” character to be.  Even in her untimely passing, I am still finding out more about her life and I have written her pretty accurately, even down to having depression.  So I will say it again.  If you need help please reach out. 

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136 notes - Posted March 8, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Rest In Peace Cheslie Kryst

Original Post: 1/30/22  8:39PM EST.

Update 1/31/22

If you have been following me for a bit know that  Cheslie  was my face claim that I used for my original “Riley” character for my TRR writing and series.  Sadly, news reports are coming in from New York, she took her own life today.  And I cried, and I’m still crying. 

Is it silly that part of me feels like I know her, as I’ve been writing about her, in this world for the past two years?  That there are tears in my eyes for her feeling that she had nothing left but to do this final act, you can’t erase, and I feel for her family, and friends, and fans out there, that all feel like the world is a little darker today already without her here. 

Cheslie, even though I didn’t personally know you, I feel like I did because I’ve been writing  you for over two years, of how I perceived you to be.  In all the social media I saw of you, I perceived you to be confident, funny, kind, and a little bit goofy but also goal oriented,  a strong  woman.  My hope for you is that you have finally found peace.  I wish you would have seen yourself, the way I saw you and wrote you. I miss you already and I never met you in real life. 

We have to do better as people, to see the signs and check in on each other, I would have never thought, this would be her fate from her life that she had lived and social media presence.  You never know what people are struggling with under the surface. You think that they have it all, but they feel that they are missing something crucial.

If you are feeling lost or hurt please reach out to your friends or family or someone that can help.  Please get help.   People will miss you if you’re gone, people you might not even realize. I read that 93% of people that survive a suicide attempt say they regret the choice they made, after they made it, but then, it's too late. Please get help if you need it.

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292 notes - Posted January 30, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[dcbbw]

I posted 496 times in 2022

166 posts created (33%)

330 posts reblogged (67%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@citizenscreen

@socalledmixtapelife

@choicesficwriterscreations

@angelasscribbles

@ao719

I tagged 80 of my posts in 2022

#dcbbw writes - 41 posts

#dcbbw answers - 28 posts

#writers of tumblr - 5 posts

#six sentence sunday - 5 posts

#trr fanfiction - 5 posts

#trh fanfiction - 5 posts

#writeblr - 5 posts

#riam - 4 posts

#choicesflashfics - 3 posts

#trr au fanfic - 3 posts

Longest Tag: 36 characters

#dcbbw responds black drake discourse

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

A Trio of Tales

This story is my submission for the @choicesprompts​ exercise, where the prompts are story-starters. I chose to weave three(!) stories that probably don’t interconnect, but that was the goal. At this point, I’m just hoping it all makes sense.

It has come to my attention that @harleybeaumont​ and I share at least one head canon regarding Lucretia Nevrakis, and we both have interactions with the world’s worst aunt in our stories for this exercise, but I believe that is where the similarity ends. If anyone has issues with this story, my DMs are open and I’m a pretty reasonable person most of the time.

THANK YOU to all who read over snippets of this fic and THANK YOU to all who will read it. Your likes, comments, and reblogs are appreciated more than you know.

Please excuse any and all typos, missing/extraneous words, and/or grammatical errors. (I tried to do a decent edit, but you guys know who you’re dealing with) MS Word Editor gives me 98% error-free.

All characters belong to Pixelberry

Song Inspiration: Hearing Damage, Thom Yorke

Word Count: 4,571

Olivia

The cool wind pushes my hair back as I walk along the familiar path, every step taking me deeper into the past. It’s been years since I’ve been here; everything is different.

Everything is the same.

I’m not paying attention to the present as I walk, I’m too lost in memories of long ago. That’s why I don’t notice the person walking towards me until I hear a familiar voice call my name.

I freeze. It can’t be. What are the odds?

I lift my head as my eyes dart wildly around before finally landing on a face I’d recognize anywhere, even now.

“It’s you.”

I pull my open cardigan tightly across my chest as my left arm reflexively covers my swollen belly. The temperature of my blood drops, rivaling the chilly air. Three feet opposite me, my Aunt Lucretia pulls the hood of her woolen cloak away from her face and hair. Her tall frame is thinner than I remember. Her face, though gaunt, remains unlined. Her eyes are brown flint as they appraise me critically.

My mind races; no one had informed me that she was free. I wonder if she has been released or managed to escape.

“Where are you going, girl?” she demands as if she hasn’t spent the last seven years of her life in a Cordonian prison cell.

I stand straighter, my expression indifferent. “You are on private property. I suggest you leave.”

She smirks at me as she pushes her hands into her coat pockets. “I’m still a Nevrakis. I’m still your blood.”

“When did you get out?” I hear the tremble in my voice, and mentally berate myself for showing fear.

I should have brought Misha with me.

“One week ago. I would have arrived sooner, but I had … business to tend to.”

“You are unwelcome here,” I reply coldly as I resume my walk, sidestepping around her.

She ignores my response and falls into step with me. “You never came to visit me,” she says quietly.

I abruptly halt my steps to look at her incredulously. “You REALLY expected me to VISIT you? You abandoned me as a child, and when you do return, it’s to overthrow the Crown! With me as your pawn!”

“I told you to study your history! You refused to do so. YOU could have stopped everything, but you were too busy chasing after a King who couldn’t be bothered to give a rat’s ass about you! In the end, you had to be a casualty.”

Tears sting the corners of my eyes. “I have had to rebuild the Nevrakis name, ALONE! Our history, my parents …” My voice breaks off as a sob fills my throat.

I convince myself it’s hormones.

Silence, except the occasional chirping of birds and rustling of unseen wildlife hidden in the surrounding brush as we continue our trek to the Nevrakis family cemetery. I am going to visit my parents’ unmarked graves, a journey I haven’t made in years.

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61 notes - Posted September 1, 2022

#4

Late Night Drink

I have no idea what this is (you’ll be hearing that a LOT this year!), so just gonna drop it here and beat feet quicker than Leo running out of Cordonia to return to a cruise ship.

If you read this, I hope you enjoy it. Please excuse any typos, missing/extraneous words, and/or any grammatical errors.

THANK YOU to everyone who saw this in its rough draft stages.

THANK YOU to all who will read, like, comment, and/or reblog. Your feedback is appreciated far more than you will ever know.

Characters belong to Pixelberry.

Song Inspiration: Lonely After Curfew, Sophia Bel: https://open.spotify.com/track/4ErvUEwmVOhidQ8wKgvHtt?si=202598a670574960

Word Count: 2,954

“Your drink, my lady,” the King’s smooth baritone fills my ears as I accept the black Waterford goblet from him.

My fingertips run along the base of the glass, where fleur-de-lis are etched in crystal relief before I stare dubiously at its contents.

“It’s your favorite, and I promise nothing additional has been added,” Liam assures me as he carries his glass of scotch and soda with him to an armchair with a high back. “I know your trust in me is not what it once was, to say the least.”

I refrain from looking around his rail car which can only be described as opulent. It’s almost as if someone had removed a fully furnished bedroom from the Palace and placed it here.

He settles back, crossing a pant-clad calf over his thigh. There is a slight smile on his lips, but the tapping of his shoe against the carpet tells his nervousness. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me.”

I am an international scandal and a pariah amongst European nobility.

I nod my head curtly. “Of course, Your Majesty.”

He’s a liar.

I decide not to make it easy for Liam. I have questions that deserve answers.

I haven’t forgiven him.

“Why did you wish to see me?” I inquire, my eyes meeting his over the rim of my glass.

His smile drops; his expression fills with concern. “Ahhh, yes. I wanted to check in with you to ensure you are faring well.” His eyes drop in either guilt or shame, I can’t tell. “Or as well as you can be, given your … status at the present.”

My lips purse and I feel heat as my cheeks color. I remember the morning in Fydelia: The beseeching in his eyes as words of apology and half-assed explanations spilled from his lips before he ran away not five minutes later to be by her side.

“Why did you do it?” There is a bite to my tone which catches him unawares. He slowly lowers the goblet from his lips and looks at me sharply.

“Are you accusing me of doing this purposely? I was caught unawares, more so than you or Drake who knew the actual story behind the photographs. You told me about the mysterious communication, why not about that night in Applewood?”

Now I am the one on unsure footing. I sip my drink as he continues.

“Photographs I knew nothing about, related to an incident I was never informed of, are being plastered all over Cordonia … no, the WORLD, of the woman I love. I panicked, my Lady. I’ve grown up surrounded by assassination attempts of various kinds. All I knew in that moment was that you, by some wild stretch, had made at least one enemy. So, I did what I thought best to protect you.”

His voice hasn’t risen, but it has become tight, each word enunciated clearly. I notice his jaw has clenched. I set the goblet on a nearby coaster before rising and making my way to the rail car’s window, pushing velvet drapes aside to stare at white moon and dark water.

“And choosing Madeleine was the best way to protect me? Despite your promises?”

“Whoever is behind this has access to the highest echelons of Court; I felt it behooved me to … play along with public opinion. It was also apparent that this person or persons was adamant the Countess assume the Crown. Which makes her suspect number one in my book. I felt that it was best to have her where I can keep eyes on her at all times.”

“At my expense,” I counter. “Do you have any idea how seeing you with her makes me feel? That you would not only leave me out to dry, but would actually wish to flaunt your decision in my face?”

“I never asked you to join the Tour. You are here at the behest of House Beaumont as their sponsee.”

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62 notes - Posted January 29, 2022

#3

Walk of Shame

The story below is my submission for #WackyDrabbles (if it isn’t too late). The prompt is “tell me you changed your mind” and will appear in bold.

It is yet another take on the Vegas fling; this is my third time exploring it, but hopefully this story stands out from my previous two attempts.

I’m just tossing this into the void; it has not been read over, so please excuse any and all typos, missing/extraneous words, and/or grammatical errors.

To all who will read this story, THANK YOU! Your likes, comments, reblogs are appreciated more than you know.

All characters belong to Pixelberry.

Song Inspiration: Heart of Glass (Crabtree Remix), Blondie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_FD21CyxeE

Word Count: 2,000

Parts of this post are lemon-scented

Him

The hotel suite is the same as many others I’ve been in; nothing makes it stand out from any other temporary housing I’ve stayed in except for the view. Despite the late hour, the Las Vegas is lit up brighter than noon-day sun. Flashing lights and colors spill through the balcony window to splash against the walls.

One hand is curled around a tumbler of brown liquor, which I sip slowly. My eyes are fixed on her body as she sits on the bar stool. The floor lamp is a spotlight, illuminating her every move: Her feet, which slipped out of her Christian Louboutin stilettos ever so tantalizingly; the sexy smirk curving a corner of her mouth as she slides fishnet stockings down her smooth legs.

She stands, giving me a pirouette before winking flirtatiously; her hips undulate while her palms run down the front of her pinstriped pencil skirt. I swallow visibly, my Adam apple bobbing as her clothing falls to the floor; she isn’t wearing any underwear.

My cock, already at half-mast, rises majestically at the sight.

Her shoulders roll as she unbuttons her white silk blouse; she shrugs out of it, her eyes locked on mine; I see my lust and desire reflected in hers.

“Christ,” I mutter as I swallow more alcohol.

I’m not drunk. Yet.

I have an irrational desire to see her bachelorette party through: Watching her hold hands with the man she chose as they accept congratulations and good wishes. His palms splayed across her hips as they dance to music only they can hear. Watching him fetch her drinks and her feeding him fried foods.  

It’s her wedding day I’ll need to erase from my memory.

She’s now naked and straddling my lap. My only concession to her invitation for one last night together besides obviously taking her up on the offer, was to unbutton my shirt, kick off my shoes, and pour myself a drink.

I’m afraid to do much more; she has me under a spell I don’t want to break free from.

But I have to ask.

My head tilts back against the tufted armchair. “What does this mean?” I whisper.

Her fingertips are quick and light as they flutter against and touch fabric and flesh. Her eyes flicker to meet mine. “I can’t let things between us end without you knowing that you aren’t second best. I don’t ever want you to think you weren’t good enough.”

I draw a perverse satisfaction knowing I’ll be fucking his fiancée. She wears his ring, but I have her. For now, at least. I feel the cool air of the air conditioning blow across my newly exposed skin, and I see goosebumps erupt along her arms; her nipples stiffen. I tilt my glass, splashing her areola with my drink. My head dips; my tongue licks brown droplets from her breast. Her moan fills my ears and my cock strains against my underwear.

“Where’s your bed?” I growl against her earlobe.

The bedroom is dark, curtains drawn against the lone floor to ceiling window. But neither of us need light; our movements have always been guided by instinct and chemistry. Our warm bodies wrap together as we roll across cool sheets; our tongues tangle, our breaths mingle. The pads of her fingers press into my shoulders, and it is my turn to cradle her hips in my hands.

I overpower her, trapping her body beneath mine while I pin her arms above her head; one hand easily holds her wrists together while my lips and tongue suckle a trail down the column of her neck. She’s wearing pearls; my teeth tug at them, pulling them from their tether. Smooth, cream-colored gemstones roll off her body to nestle amongst the sheets.

The scent of her arousal draws me further south along her body, my lips tasting scented skin until I reach her center. I release her wrists to spread her lips apart. My mouth closes over her clit as I slide fingers inside her. Her walls are soft, tight, slick. We both moan.

I need to feel her. I don’t want to, not so soon, but it’s been too long since I have felt her wrapped around my cock. My body shifts and I raise myself slightly; one hand grasps the base of my shaft, and I rub it along her slit. Her hips rub impatiently against mine and I slide myself into her. A groan falls from lips as I do; it feels as if I am falling into satin pillows. Her walls fold around me, imprisoning me in a most exquisite fashion.

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66 notes - Posted April 10, 2022

#2

Black Drake Discourse

I am writing this in response to this post: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/aussiegurl1234/686447532178538496?source=share

Unlike the OP, who feels that not one WOC who commented on the original ask was a “constructive commenter”, I am going to tag her so she can read first-hand why this person at least has an issue with changing Drake Walker’s race/ethnicity.

I stated that the author has essentially put Drake in blackface, which has a horribly racist history within the black community.

Blackface is used to denigrate people of African descent; it is an assertion of power and control and perpetuates long-held stereotypical beliefs.

Why did I say that?

Let’s look at Drake’s background (and let me state that I feel Drake got the shit end of the PB stick):

·         His father was killed

·         His mother abandoned him

·         His sister is a runaway and (was) a single mom

·         He lives off the Crown/State (welfare, foster home)

·         HE was shot

·         Numbs feelings/emotions with a mood-altering substance (as a woman with 20 years of recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, yes I believe alcohol is a drug)

And OP makes him black. I’m going with black because even if she states that he’s biracial, his skin is black. He will be viewed as black.

These circumstances are problematic for any race but are rampant within the black community.

Then, OP only makes him black with a (Lily) white MC, which again is a source of contention within the black community. Some black men feel that being with a white woman is a status symbol of sorts, and dating/marrying one tells the world he’s “made it.”

As a black female writer of fanfic whose LI is Asian Liam and MC is black  (clutch your pearls), I don’t have an issue with Drake being in an interracial relationship, but to make him black to put him with a white MC? WHY do you have to change his ethnicity? Why perpetuate negative black stereotypes?

I have put the TRR gang in all types of AUs and changed their sexualities and tweaked their backgrounds to suit my story, but I have never thought to change their race, or hair/eye color, or stand out traits that make them … them.

I thought I was stating my opinion within the ask thread respectfully, but was told I had an “attitude”, which again is another stereotype: the angry black woman. But when OP answers with: “Because I can” and “Why are only Liam and MC customizable? Drake should be customizable too!

Well, that screams privilege and entitlement to me.

The homophobia: You don’t have to like ANY ship, but to call Driam horrid and that you don't CONDONE them (not you don't suport it, you don't condone it), and want to stand on perceived canon assumptions there, but be okay (and expect others to be as well) with changing a core canon trait of a character (his race) comes across as double-standard and hypocrisy.

PS- it's LGBTQIA+

 And OP, please know that I thought about you yesterday, worried about your well-being and how you were faring after such fallout but decided to give you a day to process and decompress. I will be reaching out to you later this week because I would like to hear your thoughts and reasonings on the matter.

I promise to bring an open mind and my listening ears. I hope you would do the same.

Okay, it is now 3:30am and I need to be back up at 6am to go make the doughnuts (I really don’t make doughnuts for a living). Unsure if this post makes any sense (seriously, woke up for other reasons and came across the Long Post in my feed and inboxes), but hopefully MY reasons for responding to the ask are valid, respectful, and make sense to more than just me.

Or maybe it’s just a Robin problem?

Tagging:  @sirbeepsalot @jared2612 @ao719 @burnsoslow @marietrinmimi @merridithsmiscellany-blog @queenjilian @texaskitten30 @glaimtruelovealways @indiacater @kingliam2019 @bebepac @liamxs-world @ac27dj @the-soot-sprite @hopelessromanticmonie @amandablink @mom2000aggie @cmestrella @iaminlovewithtrr @liamrhysstalker2020 @ladyangel70 @gkittylove99 @neotericthemis @twinkleallnight @umccall71 @superharriet  @busywoman @gabesmommie1130 @tessa-liam @phoenixrising308 @beezm @gardeningourmet @lovingchoices14 @foreverethereal123 @janezillow @mainstreetreader @angelasscribbles @lady-calypso @emkay512 @jovialyouthmusic @21-wishes @princessleac1 @charlotteg234 @bbrandy2002 @aussiegurl1234

71 notes - Posted June 8, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Acquittal

This story has taken almost two years to complete and has gone through several revisions and edits; I can only hope that this final product makes sense, isn’t too boring or wordy, and that folks enjoy it.

The premise is simple: What if Maxwell is MC’s husband when Barthelemy invokes the Coventus Noblis? It’s a slap in the face regardless of who your chosen LI is, but it’s got to hit differently when it’s your father declaring you incompetent and kidnapping your child.

Also, I head canon Maxwell differently than most, and especially PB; I don’t see him as the Court Jester, but rather the guy who uses humor and feigns ignorance to deflect attention away from himself, particularly when he was younger and chubbier. He’d rather make you laugh than be laughed at.

THANK YOU to all who read over pieces and parts of this fic.

THANK YOU to all who will read it; your comments, likes, and reblogs are appreciated far more than you know.

Please forgive any and all typos, missing/extraneous words, and/or grammatical mistakes. Word Editor only gave me 92% this time around.

All characters belong to Pixelberry. (Rebecca McKenzie is from PB’s Most Wanted)

Song Inspiration: Way Down We Go, Kaleo

Word Count: 4,895

The prisoner sits on the side of the unmade cot, his hair wet; a damp towel is slung loosely about his waist. His feet are pushed into worn bedroom slippers. With a sigh, he rises stiffly from sheets and mattress, slowly making his way to the mirror; he frowns at his reflection. The hot water and steam have done little to mask the fact he slept poorly the night before.

And the nights before that.

He picks up a comb and begins to pull from front to back, the teeth leaving behind lines throughout his thick brown locks. The silence is a tad too tense to be soothing as he awaits his visitor. His head lifts almost eagerly at the soft shuffling of her house slippers against the stone floor.

There is a clanking of keys before she rolls the breakfast trolley into the cell; she nods gratefully to the guard. Her smell seeps into the dank prison, filling his nostrils with aromas of sleep, neroli, and rosewater. He inhales greedily as their eyes meet in the mirror, but it’s her mouth that he focuses on; the plump pink of her lips currently curved upward in a soft smile. He flashes her his signature grin in return before asking, “Annabelle?” in a hopeful voice.

His wife begins lifting silver cloches before preparing mugs of coffee. “Brought to me last night, just as we were promised. She has a bad case of croup, and a slight fever. I gave her some of the elixir the doctor prescribed, and she’s been asleep since.”

Worry fills his sapphire-blue eyes. “How bad? How long has she been sick?” His body turns so he is facing the Duchess of Valtoria; his lower back presses against the metal basin, a narrow hip jutted to the left. He outstretches his arms, fingers beckoning his wife to him.

Riley leaves the cart to step into Maxwell’s waiting embrace. “Shush,” she soothes. “She’ll be fine. I promise.”

Maxwell shifts uncomfortably at the thought of his baby daughter being ill, at being powerless in the situation … but he recovers quickly. “Well, you haven’t broken a promise yet,” he quips.

Riley kisses him deeply yet briefly, her tongue rolling against his before pulling away to pour them both cups of coffee. “And I never will,” she vows.

Barthelemy Beaumont sat behind his mahogany desk, the lamplight dispelling only a few of the study’s shadows brought on by dusk; his steely gray eyes glared at his visitor in disdain. Unperturbed, the visitor returned the gaze with unwavering eyes. With a sinister smirk, the elder Beaumont pushed his chair closer to the bureau and placed the heels of his hands on polished wood before steepling his fingers.

“You didn’t disappoint,” he observed. “I knew someone would show up, pleading that jackass’ case.”

“You took away his child. You broke up his family. You went too far, too quickly.”

“I am King Regent, in addition to being his parent. He put hands on me in violence; that is treason, and punishable by death.”

The visitor raised an eyebrow as a sardonic giggle escaped their throat. “He kicked.your.ass. and the entire country knows it.” A pause. “How’s your nose?” Sarcasm infused their tone.

Barthelemy’s face hardened; when he spoke, his tone was cold. “He BROKE IT! It’s still healing. And you’d best remember that you need me and show both restraint and respect when addressing me.”

The visitor’s hand slipped inside their pocket. “I’m here to neither grovel nor apologize. I am here for the child and to demand the release of Duke Beaumont.” The hand came back into view; it held a pistol. “Or you die tonight. Your choice.”

The meal between the couple is quiet; Maxwell isn’t hungry, but Riley convinces him to drink some coffee, and nibble on toast and fruit. His blue eyes, filled with questions and uncertainty, search her brown ones. She frowns slightly.

“What?” she asks as she pulls her fingers through her chestnut-colored mane.

She knows the question he’s going to ask, and she doesn’t have a definitive answer.

“What’s going to happen today?” His voice is soft, yet firm. He has neither fear nor remorse for his actions.

See the full post

75 notes - Posted May 30, 2022

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[lorirwritesfanfic]

Re: the memorable scenes in fanfic, I did want to point out one of yours! I think these were three of the most memorable ones:

1. The final scene in "Heavy" where Liam remembers Jade speaking about how heavy the Crown seems and contemplating how it didn't truly hit him until the moment he was actually crowned, without her by his side.

2. In "Fate/Coincidences" when Hayden and Natasha are teasing each other over birthmarks being places where lovers from a past life kissed them 🥺

3. In "In Bloom", undoubtedly the scene where Hana comes out to Leo. I don't mind fics where she is paired up with a guy as long as there is acknowledgment and preferably exploration of her being queer and you made that an integral part of that fic, with such lovely support from Leo.

So glad to see you keeping on writing and thank you so much for telling me what was your fave scene!!

Thank you so much! I didn't reblog the memorable scene post because I wasn't so active this year (and 95% of followers are either inactive or follow me for the stuff I reblog), but thank you so much for sharing these.

It's kinda ironic Liam deserved better from writers given that TRR/TRH/TRF series only exists because of Liam, but we never get to see those moments of vulnerability from him. And when we do, it's always through someone's perspective (Drake, Leo and even Eleanor through a freaking letter from the beyond 🤦🏻‍♀️). It was heartbreaking for me that he was only allowed to shed one single tear once. The dude has been through so much, but he has to pretend he's fine even to his wife?! I love Liam dearly and whenever I have the chance, I will write a more realistic version of him.

I saw this thing about birthmarks here on Tumblr and I found it adorable. Choosing Hayden for this may have looked odd for anyone who didn't pay close attention to the story, buy who is to say matches don't have souls and past lives? His creators didn't even expect his personality to evolve the way it did, so I thought "why not?" 💕

Oh, my dear Hana... She's adorable as friend and as LI and everyone who says she's meh or weak is just heartless lol. I can't even begin to say how much I wish she had a decent character development (because she deserved it), but anyway... If only fanfic writers can do justice for her, I'll gladly be among them 💕 Hana's sexuality is still unclear to me and there are so many nuances that could be considered. I like to go for bi because the bisexual spectrum includes so much than attraction to men and women (no one ever thought she could be bisexual but not biromantic, or demisexual, etc). It's a fun subject for me.

Btw, I still don't know what the hell I had the night I thought Leo and Hana would make a good ship (... 😂), but I like building their relationship from scratch.

Thank you once again for this and I wish you a wonderful new year!

[jlpplays1]

~Drake- “You’ll See, Walker..” He says with sweet smile and a kiss. ❤️ Part 1

Find Part 2 coming soon :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Book: The Royal Heir

~~all characters belong to pixelberry

Summary: Drake has planned a day of special surprises

(Both Parts =3,728 words)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author’s note: hi guys!! this is a first for me, writing with my friend @justdani14 has inspired me to write a piece with drake, ‘do you want to dance?’ and it’s become this really super sweet, fun, silly (thanks to Maxwell's mention 😂) and a little bit of a long story that i built up from that. i wrote it a long time ago, around the time when the chapters still took place in our new duchy. but haven't posted it. i hope you like it. there are a lot of fun surprises in it and i had a lot of fun writing it. i wasn’t going to post it, but caved lol..so here you go ;) hopefully it gives you some smiles :) please be kind <3 i’d love to know your favorite part :)

I had to break it up into two parts because it was too long lol

Tagging-i don’t know who to tag, but i pulled a few of you from my collages tag list whom I think might like this <3 let me know if you would like to be added or removed x

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You’ll see, Walker,” He says chuckling a little bit.

“I know we’ve been on many adventures together, but this is a new one. We’ve never dragged around the basement of our duchy before.” I chuckle too.

We keep on walking. The hallways down here are really dark and he’s got a flashlight. I keep on expecting to feel something furry run over my foot.

“Did you hear that?” We both look at each other at the same time. It was like a loud scurrying noise.

“I don’t know what that was, but why do I feel like something’s gonna pop up any minute making us spend more diamonds.”

“What-?”

“Oh nothing..”

. .

We continue climbing and walking through the hidden tunnels. They are dimly lit and it honestly smells a little funky in here.

“We’re almost there.”

“Where exactly are we going anyways?” I say, almost loosing my footing.

“I found this the other day, and I just couldn’t wait to show you..” He gently grabs my hand as we continue walking. The ground evening out.

“Drake seriously. I think I just saw a spider over there,” He can’t help but laugh a little and in turn, so do I. “Don’t laugh, Drake” I say pushing him a little “- it was a big one!”

“I’m sure it was, Walker.”

“That’s not funny, Drake.”

“No seriously- I bet it was a big one! I saw one the other day too.”

“Ew-"

“Let’s just say that when it’s crawling on the back of your neck,” He shutters “I learned that a shout really carries down these halls.. echos, I guess you could say.”

I can’t help but chuckle.. “A shout, huh?” I say looking at him. “Yeah,” He says with a laugh. “sound carried the same way Maxwell’s did when he screamed across the hall for us to get him some food from the kitchen while we’re up.”

“Bahaha that’s not where we were headed.”

“We certainly were not.” He says with a smile, kissing the top of my head, holding me close.

“Really though, these hidden halls are even more dusty with spiderwebs than the ones back at Liam’s place.” We continue walking.

“Heh, I know. All part of the ambiance and we are almost there I think. Brings back good memories though.”

We take one more turn around the corner.

“Ok, we’re here.”

He stands in front of me, putting both of his hands on my upper arms, looking into my eyes.

“Now, listen- I know that we are new here, but this is like it was made just for us.”

“What do you mean..?” He steps aside and pushes the back door open.

No. Way.

“It’s -"

“Our very own pool room. Just like the one back when we are traveling for the tour!” He says as we step in, closing the secret door completely. I make my way over to the beautiful pool table, it’s practically shining.

He moves to the front of the room, opening up the real door. Chance and Lady Lucky come prancing in. “Hey guys!”

I bend down giving them each a little pet as they dance around my feet, clearly happy to see us.

I look around again. It’s even more beautiful than I first thought it was going to be with the lights on. ‘Wow. He really worked hard on this.’ I think to myself, beaming with pride.

The door that we came through blends in seamlessly with the wall once it’s closed.

“Drake?”

“Huh?”

“Why didn’t we just take that door to get here?” I say pointing to the obvious door to the right, past the pool table- the one that he just opened for the pups to come through.

“What’s the fun in that? “I told you I am the master of scouting out castles and all of their secrets.” He says with a smirk.

“Besides, it gives us another way to sneak off from all of the fancy dinners that we have coming our way.” He says pulling my side into his and giving me a little peck on the cheek. I will never get tired of his kisses.

“You are so right. That’s one of things I love so much about you, we even make the most boring of times fun.” I wrap my arms around his neck.

“We sure do.” He says giving me another kiss.

I take another look around the room.

“Drake this is so awesome!”

“I know, right!? I thought so too! This room even has a movie projector in the back over here, so we can sneak away and watch movies whenever we want too.”

“It’s like our very own home theater!” I say walking around the room, taking it all in. It really is beautiful in here.

“I request Princess Diaries.” I say propping myself up on the edge of the pool table.

“That’s what I figured, I know it’s your favorite, I have a few of my favorites in here too.” he says pulling out the dvd cases from next to the tv. “I also got us the day off from Royal Duties.”

“You are seriously the best, Drake Walker. How did you manage to pull this off anyways? I’ve been trying to take a day off for weeks now!”

“I just told them that we had some business to take care of and not to be disturbed for the rest of the day. But they do know where we are, for security reasons. But hey, I’ll take it!” He says chuckling. “So who cares if Mara knows where to find us..” he says rubbing the back of his neck, looking sheepishly at the floor.

“Drake!” I say getting a closer look, “This pool table looks so much like ours- well, that hotel’s that you found by the train, I mean. But I kind of think of it as ‘ours.’ You know what I mean.” I say.

“Exactly the one.” He says with a big grin.

“Turns out when you are a Duke in Cordonia you get put to the top of the call-back list. And I’ve got to say- there’s something special about it being the same one.” A huge smile lighting up his face.

“Aw Drake that is so sweet! And I totally agree. We have had some good memories with this pool table. It looks like it’s in great condition!” I say running my hands over the velvet upholstery and gold trim. Adding with a chuckle, “See there are some perks to being a fancy Duke!” nudging him. We both laugh.

“Yeah, and you.” He says. “You are the best perk of all and I’d take that title any day if it meant being with you.”

He rests his forehead on mine. I love him so much.

“I had it refurbished by a carpenter friend of mine, we worked together on it. You really like it?”

“I love it, thank you. And I love you.” I give him another kiss and lean into his embrace. He’s still got his arm around me.

“Is that a mini fridge!” I say hopping off.

“Yeah, but I haven’t stocked it yet..”

“Drake this is amazing.”

“You’re amazing.” He says right away.

“This was just a little something I could do for you after all that you do for me, for us.. I wanted to make it special for you. So once I found this place, I cleaned it up and brought it back to its former glory.”

“Thank you, Drake. This is one of the sweetest things you have ever done.” I say giving him another quick kiss. “You’ve succeeded in making your wife swoon yet again and we haven’t even played any pool yet.” I say with a smirk.

“I’m definitely glad you like it, Walker. And I definitely like hearing you be called my wife. I can see us spending a lot of time in here.”

I look around at our little family that will soon hopefully be growing. Drake has his arm around my waist. Chance and Lady Lucky have made themselves comfortable on the humongous couch. It brings a little tear to my eye. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Walker..so so much.” He says with a kiss.

“Plenty of room to spread out!” I say joining the pups, holding his hand. “This couch is seriously huge! Once our friends find out about this place, we won’t be able to get a moment alone.”

“Believe me, we’ll make the time.” He says, holding my hand.

“I’ve always liked pool, you know that,” he says rubbing the back of his neck “but playing pool with you is definitely-"

“A challenge?” I say cutting him off, leaning back a little bit to look him back up into his face, wiggling my eyebrows.

“Better. I was going to say better.”

“But you are pretty good at pool when you try.” He says laughing.

“Oh you know I’m better than ok!”

“You’re right, you kinda are.”

“Drake Walker I’ll have you know we tied on that faithful night of our pool game.”

“That’s just because you distracted me.” He says teasing with a deep but light chuckle, rubbing his chin and groaning a little.

“What was the word that you used- temptress?”

“Oh god, don’t remind me.”

“Why not, I thought it was cute.”

“Why not? Because that was one the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, to stay away from you.” I wrap my arms around his neck and straddle his lap. “Second hardest was having to sit through Maxwell’s one man show of ‘I’m a breakdancing machine: the 3 1/2 hour story of a Cordonia man’s rise to fame.’”

“No. Way. That sounds awful.” I say with a giggle. “Well you have me now so.. and oh god, please don’t let him know that I know about that. I don’t want to watch that for four hours.” I say climbing next to him and snuggling into his side, laughing a bit.

“See-second hardest thing.” He says laughing. “It started out with ‘When I was a young’n..’”

“No it didn’t!”

“I swear to god it did, longest 2 hours of my life.”

“I thought you said it was 3 1/2 hours?”

“I did, I didn’t say I lasted that long though. I told him I wasn’t feeling great and got the heck out of there!” He says rubbing his face.

“Drake!”

“What! We were like 8 and I couldn’t take another minute of those moves!”

“And get this- He reenacted the whole thing at my 23rd birthday party. Hopped up on the bar top and everything.”

“No way!!” I say sitting up and laughing a bit.

“I kid you not. Thought I’d never see that whole dreadful thing again, but there he was on the bar top doing the sprinkler. You better watch out he’s got that dance routine locked and loaded.”

We both burst out laughing.

“Omg I can just imagine him trying to do it at our baby shower or something!?”

“The things you missed, Walker- the things you missed..”

He tells me little bits and pieces of Maxwell’s one man show, that I can’t even imagine seeing in person. We both laugh pretty hard and by the time we get our breath back we sit in comfortable silence.

He tells me more stories from when he was younger. From when before I met him. I really love hearing those stories from my husband, hearing more about his childhood. We snuggle on the couch for a while swapping stories and holding hands.

My head is on his chest and my hand over his heart, gently rubbing circles on his belly and chest. It’s warm and I love feeling it beat beneath my hand in a steady rhythm while he talks to me. He’s gently rubbing his hand that’s around me in my hair. I’m snuggled into his side. We talk for hours, I could stay here like this all week.

~~

“I remember you saying how you and your mom used to sing this song to you, so I found it on a cd..” he pulls output a shiny copy of a cd with the words “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with you- Elvis Presley ” written across the disc.

..“Do you want to dance?”

...

. Part 2 . Coming soon .

[argylemnwrites]

Fight or Flight - Chapter 25: Parting

Pairing: Drake Walker x MC (Riley Liu)

Book: The Royal Heir (canon divergent from the end of book 2)

Word Count: ~3300

Rating: R (language only)

Summary: Two months since The Walker Absconding

Author’s Note: Different perspective than I’ve written before, but an important character for us to check in with at this point, I feel. This series follows the Walkers, their friends, and Cordonia as a whole after they flee the country with their daughter during Barthelemy Beaumont’s attempted coup. To catch up on this series, check out it’s masterlist. (link can be found via my bio - sorry, Tumblr is once again not putting my posts with links in tag searches)

Bertrand heard many voices around him, but he honestly couldn’t begin to process a single word that was being uttered. People were moving about the courtroom, everyone seemed to be talking at once, but he couldn’t hear anything in particular. All he could do was sit there in shock.

This was a disaster. An unmitigated, complete, and horrifying disaster. He’d lost his title. He’d failed, not only in protecting the good name of House Beaumont, but in preventing his father’s machinations to wrest power for himself.

He knew his father was a harsh man, a man who prided himself on the reputation of House Beaumont, even if he did expect others to carry the burden of maintaining that reputation more than he would ever be willing to do. And Bertrand knew he wasn’t a loving or caring man at the end of the day. But still, there were things you simply did not do as a gentleman. Lines that should never be crossed. And staging a coup for the sole purpose of gaining more control and influence was not the action of a gentleman.

Liam had been a good king - a man who cared about his citizens. And while yes, his actions in regards to the Auvernese king and queen had been probably too passive given what was at stake for Cordonia, the fact remained that his motives were just and appropriate. Same with Lady Riley and her family. While Bertrand would never understand some of the choices she made, both as a duchess and as a parent, he knew that both her and Drake had no self-serving ambitions politically, and that they’d only agreed to raise Her Regency as heir to help out not only their friend, but their country.

What was Father’s goal here in the long term? While his thirst for power was apparent, Bertrand couldn’t fathom how he saw it ending. Even if Father won the Conclave and managed to install himself as Cordonia’s king, he would likely face significant opposition. A civil war, headed by Lady Olivia and the citizens of Lythikos, would not be outside the realms of possibility. Was the mere allure of the potential power worth that gamble? That seemed inconceivable, but if the past weeks had shown him anything, it was that plenty of situations he would have never predicted as possible could come to fruition.

He felt a hand on his shoulder, drawing him out of his spiraling thoughts. Savannah had moved from the first row of seats to stand next to him. She looked concerned, her brow furrowed and her lips pressed tightly together. He glanced at her delicate hand on his shoulder, her nails perfectly manicured, the same pale pink as the tweed suit she was wearing. She looked perfect, the way a duchess should at a legal battle, but that title was no longer hers.

Looking down, he took in her other hand, clutching Bartie’s hand tightly. All he’d wanted was the chance to spend more time with his family, but he’d gotten complacent. He’d given his father an apple, and he’d taken the whole apple tree. How had they gotten here, to this point, where everything felt like it was falling apart?

“I’m so sorry.” He shook his head as he glanced up to look Savannah in the eye.

She gave his shoulder a squeeze. “You have nothing to be sorry for. I know you fought as hard as you could. But, we should probably get going before…” Savannah trailed off, looking over his head.

Bertrand turned, taking in his father walking across the aisle towards them. He stood and spun to face him, shielding his wife and son in the process. He didn’t think that his father would try anything within the confines of the High Court itself, but Kiara’s warning to Savannah about how he was likely scheming and planning around Bartie had him a bit on guard. “What do you want, Father?”

Father raised his hands in a placating gesture. “Come now, Bertrand. I know you must be feeling somewhat burned, but this was for the best.”

“How was this for the best?”

Father shook his head. “Your loyalty is admirable, I suppose. But you shouldn’t let those feelings cloud your vision.”

“Father, if you think for one second-” Bertrand started, but Savannah nudged him in the back, cutting him off.

“Maybe this would be better to discuss at home?’ she asked, nodding towards Adelaide, Madeleine, Hakim, and Kiara, all of whom were standing just a few meters away. “This is a family matter, after all.”

“Of course, my dear!” Father gave a smile to Savannah that made Bertrand’s toes curl in his loafers. He clearly had plans for Bartie, and thought that Savannah might be amenable to that discussion. “In fact, why don’t we ride back to Ramsford together? I would love to spend some time with my grandson. I feel like I barely see him these days.”

“No, that’s quite alright,” said Bertrand, watching Savannah clutch Bartie’s hand a little tighter at that statement. “Maxwell is fetching the car for us.”

“But there is no need to-”

“We’ll continue this conversation at home.” And with that, Bertrand reached back and grabbed Savannah’s hand, tugging her along, out of the courthouse. They needed to get moving, get to the airport, get Bartie to safety. Spending even one more moment with Father seemed too dangerous to risk.

“Slow down, Bert,” Savannah said as they started down the front steps. “He can’t keep up.”

Bertrand paused for just a moment, taking a deep breath. As Savannah scooped Bartie into her arms, reporters swooped in around them. 

“Lord Beaumont, how does it feel to lose a title?”

“Why didn’t you return your father’s title to him once he recovered?”

“Will you still be opposed to Duke Beamont’s bid for the Conclave?”

“What are your thoughts on today’s events when it comes to Mr. Rys’ campaign chances?”

“Why did you think you were entitled to keep your father’s title?”

“Any words for the citizens of Ramsford?”

All Bertrand could do was shake his head, repeating “No comment” over and over as a barrage of questions, ranging from the cruel to the sympathetic, were shouted at him. He wove his way through the throng of journalists, clutching Savannah’s hand as firmly as he could muster, not wanting to be separated in this mass of people. At some point, Bartie started crying, no doubt overwhelmed and overstimulated by the crowd surrounding them, but eventually, they broke free. There was Maxwell, standing next to the car. He raced over to them, helping to shield Bartie from the cameras and microphones. Once they were safely behind the closed doors of the vehicle, Maxwell darted around to the driver’s seat. They’d agreed not to use a driver today, not risking anyone informing Father of their plans to meet Bianca at the airport. 

It was a tense ride. Neither Bertrand or Maxwell said anything. Instead, the car filled with Bartie’s cries from the back seat as Savannah tried to explain to him what was about to happen.

“So, you’re going to take a trip with Grandma, okay?”

“To the ranch?”

“Exactly! And you’re going to get to help her take care of all the animals. Doesn’t that sound fun?”

“And Mommy will help too?”

Bertrand could practically picture the pained expression on Savannah’s face. He couldn’t bear to watch. Hearing this conversation was tortuous enough.

“No, sweetie. Mommy isn’t going on this trip.”

“Daddy?”

“No, this trip will just be for Bartie and Grandma.” Savannah’s voice cracked slightly before she was drowned out by a scream from Bartie.

“No!!!! Mommy come too!”

“Bartie, it’s a special trip for just you and Grandma. Doesn’t that sound fun?”

She was trying so desperately, but Bartie was now in the midst of a full-blown meltdown, screaming “No!” repeatedly at the top of his lungs. Out of the corner of his eye, Bertrand noticed Maxwell wincing, but he said nothing, almost acting as if he was unable to hear the toddler panicking in the backseat.

Bartie just kept sobbing, hiccuping as he struggled to catch his breath, but somehow still finding the air to continue to yell out “No!” by the time they pulled into short-term parking at the airport. As Maxwell went to the trunk to grab Bartie’s bag, Bertrand took a steadying breath, then climbed out of the passenger seat and into the backseat with his wife and son.

“Bartie, look at me. We’re going to see if Mommy can take the trip with you and Grandma. Is that alright, son?”

He watched as his son sucked in a couple shuddering breaths, tears pouring down his face. He opened up his mouth again, presumably to keep screaming, so Bertrand tried again to soothe him.

“We’re going to try and get Mommy a ticket, too. A trip for Bartie, Mommy, and Grandma. Does that sound better?”

Bartie sniffled and tucked his head against Savannah’s shoulder. Bertrand wasn’t sure if he was calmed by the thought of getting to stay with his mother, or if he’d mainly just worn himself out completely during the ride, but at least his son didn’t appear to be miserable anymore. He might have failed in his duty to his country, but providing his child with a chance for happiness had to count for something.

“Bertrand, are you sure?” Savannah asked, drawing his eyes to hers. “I don’t want to leave you here alone.”

Bertrand just nodded. “He needs his mother. You should be with him.”

“But your father-”

He placed a hand on Savannah’s knee, and gave what he hoped was a reassuring squeeze. “He is going to follow whatever course of action he has planned. I’m not sure what else I can do to prevent it at this point. While I will always appreciate your support, dear, I know that our son needs you more than I do.”

Savannah blinked a couple of times before leaning over and kissing his cheek. “Thank you, Bertie.” She smiled at him, then moved as if to exit the car, but as she slid towards the door, she paused suddenly. “Why don’t you come as well?”

“What?”

“Why don’t you come with us to Texas?”

“I… I couldn’t possibly.”

“Why not?”

“I need to stay here and…” Bertrand trailed off, his mind racing as he tried to figure out why Savannah’s suggestion was impossible. But instead of his typical list of duties, his mind remained blank. The truth was, he didn’t have any duties anymore. He wasn’t a duke. He was just the son of a traitor, unlikely to be welcome in his own home once Father learned that he had sent Bartie off to a foreign country for his protection.

Still, it seemed wrong to flee. With all the upheaval and turmoil Cordonia would be facing over the upcoming months, could he really just leave? Would that make him a coward? Didn’t he have a duty to stay?

“I… Cordonia is just… and I need to-”

Savannah placed her hand on top of his on the seat, her touch mercifully interrupting his nonsensical ramblings. “You did all you could for our country, and I know you want to do more. But at the end of the day, I’m not sure what else you can do to fight your father. The High Court ruled in his favor.

“What good is staying here going to do? You don’t have a vote at the Conclave. The social season will be going on hiatus soon anyway - the apple harvest is coming quickly. Why not come with us and be with your family?”

Bertrand swallowed, trying to break up the lump in his throat. “I can’t let anyone else down, Savannah. I just can’t.”

She threaded her fingers through his and gave his hand a tight squeeze. “You aren’t letting anyone down, Bertie. And anyone that thinks that putting your family first is a problem can go pound sand, alright?”

All Bertrand could do was nod. Maybe she was right, or maybe he was just too spent and run ragged to fight her on this. The one thing he knew, though, was that her suggestion sounded more appealing than anything had in weeks, even if he would be spending the upcoming months trying to avoid upsetting Leona.

They climbed out of the car together and moved around to the rear. “So, a bit of a change of plans,” said Savannah, reclaiming his hand.

Maxwell glanced up from the trunk. “Did I make the right call in packing for three?”

Savannah let out a chuckle and nodded, leaving Bertrand wondering how Maxwell could have possibly predicted that they would make this decision. 

As if he could read his mind, Maxwell said, “By the time this is over, I’m gonna be the expert at knowing when my siblings are making a run for it with their kids. I had a bit more warning this time, so I have everyone’s passports and some basics all packed.”

Savannah dropped his hand and stepped forward, giving Maxwell a hug with one arm, Bartie still wrapped up in her other. “Thank you.”

“Yes, thank you, Maxwell.”

Maxwell glanced over Savannah’s shoulder at Bertrand, so he gave his brother a nod. He hoped that Maxwell knew that his gratitude was genuine. Bertrand knew he was hard on him at times, but Maxwell had an uncanny ability to come through for those he loved in the end. Maxwell just nodded back, his gaze steady and sure.

“Alright, my man. Are you ready to take a trip with Mommy and Daddy?” Maxwell asked Bartie as Savannah pulled back, reaching up to give him a high five. Bartie nodded, but clung to Savannah tightly, clearly still upset about the earlier conversation. After a few seconds, Maxwell just ruffled his hair before he turned and started pulling bags out of the trunk.

“Okay, here’s your luggage, and here are your passports,” he said, passing Bertrand a stack of three blue passports with the Cordonian crest. “Now technically, you guys aren’t breaking any laws, but…”

“But what?” asked Savannah, swinging one of the bags over her free shoulder.

“Well, I wouldn’t put it past Dad to try and track you guys down, harass you, that sort of thing. Realistically, he’s gonna know where you're heading, but he has no legal authority to follow you or anything. Still, it probably isn’t wise to stick with the family cell plan, you know?”

Bertrand snorted. “Are you suggesting that we purchase burner phones like we’re drug dealers or common criminals?”

Maxwell just shrugged, then pulled two cell phones out of his pocket. “I dunno if those are the only types of people who need burners. I’ve found having one pretty handy over the past couple of months.”

The implications of his statement, the impact of seeing his brother holding one cell phone he’d seen countless times and one he’d never seen washed over him. He’d been so caught up in everything unfolding with Father, he’d never stopped to wonder if Maxwell had been in contact with Lady Riley and her family.

“You have been in touch with them! How are they? Are they okay?” The questions spilled from Savannah, her eyes wide and desperate.

“They’re as okay as they can be, given the whole, you know, fugitive thing. I’ve got them staying somewhere safe. I wanted to tell you but I-”

“No, I get it. I’m just glad to hear they’re okay.” Savannah gave Maxwell another hug, her eyes glistening just slightly in the setting sun.

“They are. Bridget even took her first steps two days ago.”

Savannah let out a sigh as she brought her hand to her mouth. “Can I… I mean, if we get burners, would it be okay for us-”

“-to call them? Yeah, I think it would be. Just text me your new numbers to my burner so I can warn them to expect your calls. They don’t answer for unknown numbers in case it’s someone trying to track them.” With that, Maxwell handed Bertrand a piece of paper with three phone numbers on it. “Top one’s my burner, next is Drake’s, then Riley’s. Only use these numbers from your new phones, though. We can’t risk any overlap, okay?”

Savannah nodded aggressively, and Bertrand tucked the sheet of paper carefully into his wallet. He’d been so focused on his legal fight with Father, he’d never even thought to ask Savannah how she felt about her brother or how she was holding up. Based on her reaction, it had clearly been weighing on her, but she’d never let him see it, probably not wanting to add to his burdens. He would have to make sure she had as much of a chance to talk to Drake as she wanted once they got settled in Texas. He could help her mother and aunt around the ranch, take care of Bartie, do everything he could to give her that uninterrupted time. It was the least he could do, after all she had done for him.

He helped Maxwell unload the last of the suitcases, but Maxwell stopped him from pulling out the final bag. “Actually, that one’s mine.”

Bertrand frowned. “Are you joining us?”

Maxwell shook his head. “Nah, I’m gonna stay in Cordonia. But I don’t really feel like Dad’s gonna be super welcoming when I roll in all by myself, so I’m gonna go crash with Hana at Valtoria, at least for a little bit. Leave on my own terms before he banishes me or something.”

“You can come with us, Maxwell. I’m sure Mom and Aunt Lee won’t mind.”

He just continued to shake his head. “Thanks, but I’m good. I want to be there for Liam when it all unfolds.”

A wave of guilt started to crest in Bertrand’s stomach, which Maxwell must have sensed, because he spun to face him fully. “Just as a friend. We’ve both done what we can as members of the nobility. That’s all out of our hands now, okay? You are fine going to Texas.”

Bertrand paused for a moment, then nodded, wrapping his brother in a tight hug. “Thank you, Maxwell. I truly mean it,” he muttered before pulling back and clearing his throat.

Maxwell gave him a warm smile. “I know you do. Now go, Bianca should be waiting for you inside. I warned her last week that she might have some company on the flight, so go get your tickets!”

A few last hugs were exchanged, but all too soon, it was time to head in. It was strange. Just a couple of months ago, Bertrand was planning on making this trip for leisure  not worried at all that he was leaving his father to carry on the duties of the Duke of Ramsford while he partook in a family vacation. Now, he was in a similar position, except the fear and anxiety over the circumstances had increased exponentially.

Was he really making the right call, fleeing to the United States in the midst of everything? As they walked toward the departures entrance, he glanced back, wondering if he should send Savannah and Bartie on their own. But he saw Maxwell still standing there, and when he caught sight of him glancing back, Maxwell nodded deeply and mouthed, “Go.”

Bertrand didn’t know if this was the proper and honorable course of action or not. Maybe a better gentleman would stay and see things through to the end. But for all his failures as a duke, he knew that he could at least do right by his wife and child. And if that was the only solace he could take at this point, he knew that leaving with them might be his only chance to do right. He couldn’t serve his king or his country the way he wanted, but at least he could serve his family.

Perma: @mom2000aggie @octobereighth @kingliam2019 @lovingchoices14

TRR/TRH: @iplaydrake @princessleac1 @twinkleallnight @gkittylove99 @ladyangel70 @marshmallowsandfire @axwalker @sirbeepsalot @iaminlovewithtrr @forallthatitsworth @marshmallowsaremyfavorite @hedgehogs-dilemmas

Drake/MC: @debramcg1106 @walkerdrakewalker @petiteboheme @mskaneko

FoF: @burnsoslow​

[anjanettexcordonia]

Living Proof AU

Prologue: Heartbreak Hotel 

Book: The Royal Romance A/U

Masterlist

Rating/Triggers: Mature (18+); NSFW; some language; some suggestive content; infidelity 

Synopsis: Liam is the powerful, smooth, move heaven and earth for your happiness type of man. Drake is the brooding, mysterious, sweep you off your feet type of man. Opposites but best friends. Two sides of the same coin. 

What happens when two opposites fall in love with the same woman? 

Pairings: MC x Drake; MC x Liam; Drake x OC

Word count: 964 (+/-)

Song Inspiration: lie to me (feat. Ali Gatie) Tate McRae

A/N: Please excuse any grammatical errors. 

Disclaimer: Some characters & some scenes belong to Pixelberry. 

Tags: If you would like to be added or removed please let me know. 

PermaTags:  @yourmajesty09​ @gkittylove99​ @kingliam2019​ @texaskitten30​

Liam was the golden boy. The prince. Everyone loves him. Everyone cares about his happiness. He had it all. He lives in a god damn palace for crying out loud. A hair never out of place, custom designed Italian suits and every super car known to man, that was Prince Liam. Women batted their eyelashes and threw themselves at his Italian wingtips daily but Liam never looked at them twice. Growing up in the palace with torturous lessons and absentee parents would have hardened even the softest of hearts, but not Liam. Liam was kind and down to the Earth. He was trusting and hopeful. He was a double whammy. He could give you the world but also make you feel like you’re the only one in his world. 

Drake was the best friend. Professional best friend as the press liked to call him. He grew up alongside Liam but without the dripping opulence and the Aston Martins. His hair was disbelieved, denim button ups and manure caked boots were the limits to his fashion sense. He had faced the pointed fingers and the sneers from others at court. He was the hated commoner. The commoner who drank too much whiskey and rode on Liam’s shirt tails. Women didn’t throw themselves at him. Not the women he knew. He had a commoner education, the misplaced American. The misunderstood American. He was broody and angry never for any reason in particular, it was just who he was. He kept himself isolated from most people other than his close circle of friends. That’s the thing about Drake, he was a mystery. He would take a bullet for you and make you believe it was his fault. 

With Liam, the world was mine. With Drake, my feet never touched the ground.

Liam was a chance meeting. Serendipitous meet cute. We spent a night exploring New York City and falling in love. I fell fast and hard. I flew to a foreign country on the side of the world for a “maybe”. The landing was a soft fall from the heavens into the arms of a Cordonian God. 

Drake was a chance meeting too. He was with Liam that night in New York. It wasn’t serendipitous. He greeted me with annoyance and misunderstanding. I was a crown chaser like all the other women before me. We bonded over time. He was there when Liam wasn’t. I fell slow. Before I realized I was falling, I had already fell. It was too late. 

But they are best friends. Best friends since childhood. Bonded through their mutual experiences in their families. They were bonded over deaths of parents and attacks on their lives. Drake gave his future and life up to protect Liam. They were brothers, not by blood but by eternal friendship. A bond that could bend but never break. 

And then there is me. The lowly American. The girl that stole the princes’ heart. The girl with the shady past. The crown-chaser, the American harlot, the girl whose quick wit took his country by storm. The girl that the Prince offered that country too. The girl that watched her Prince become her King with another woman on his arm. The girl that fell into the arms of his best friend. That was the day my heart was torn in half.

And here we are. I am Queen of Cordonia. Married to my Cordonian God, the love of my life, King Liam. We share two beautiful children together. I am no longer the crown chaser with the shady past. We have a happy marriage and a happy life. I made a choice five years ago. I made a choice to leave the other half of my heart behind with the mysterious brooding best friend, the man now known as Uncle Drake. I made a choice not to destroy my life and Drake’s. But the pull remained between us. 

I couldn’t bear to break Liam’s heart, breaking Drake’s heart was the only solution. It was easier to watch him become a husband to someone else and father someone else’s children than it was to watch Liam ask someone else to marry him. Drake met Lindsay not long after Liam and I married. They married a year later. The smile on Liam’s face when Drake asked him to be his best man  made my heart store. 

Drake and Liam bonded over the birth of our daughter Ellie. And then again over Drake’s first child Jackson. The secrets between me and Drake had become buried so deep we nearly forgot it ever happened. 

                                                    Until now. 

Drake’s heavy breathing next to me makes me shudder and feel the shame I deserve to feel. The betrayal of my husband and his wife nestling deep within me. I shift in the bed of the hotel suite. Drake’s hotel suite. I reach for my dress from the night before from the crumpled heap beside the bed. The moonlight shining through the curtains is my only light as I frantically search for my belongings. 

I reached the door, Drake sat up from the bed as flung I the door open. My eyes widen at the sight before me. Liam sat on the floor. His back against the wall across from the hotel door. His blue eyes meet my brown eyes. Fear, panic, self loathing flash across my face answering every question Liam has. He slowly rose to his feet while I stood frozen in place. Drake reached the door behind me. 

The tears welled in Liam’s eyes. None of us spoke a single word. “Liam.. I…” I finally hear myself speak words. Liam shook his head letting a single run down his cheek. “Don’t Riley.” Liam bolted down the hallway as fast as his feet would carry him. 

[txemrn]

The Royal Romance

This blog and stories are intended for mature readers only. By continuing to read, you agree that you are 18 years of age or older.

✨- recent release

💜- writer favorites

🍋- NSFW/Suggestive Material

🧩 - Crossover

Series

*series being updated regularly will be in purple

Boughs & Mockingbirds   (Masterlist; hiatus) 🍋 King Liam Rys painfully recounts the final week leading up to the birth of the royal heir during Riley’s hospital stay-- in ICU

Deja Vu (Masterlist; in progress) ✨ After an unforgettable night with a stranger, Princess Eleanor finds herself caught in a secret love triangle between a noble and a commoner.

HOLLER (indefinite hiatus)

The Missionary's Daughter (hiatus) Rejected by the woman of his dreams, Drake Walker hits an all-time low, turning to drugs and alcohol to cope with the sins of his past. But then he meets Margot Hughes, the daughter of the minister of a local mission--and she is vastly different from the other girls Drake is used to meeting. Painfully optimistic. Overly-friendly. Self-lessly generous. She just might be his salvation, but what will it cost her?

Pour Two Glasses (Masterlist, in progress) 🍋✨ In the midst of a violent political war, Queen Riley Rys’s life is dismantled overnight, forcing her to flee Cordonia to live in hiding as a commoner with a loyal, best friend

Stay (Masterlist, in progress) 🍋 With her family facing deportation back to Auvernal, fun-spirited Reid Ambrose quits college to support her family. But as fate would have it, she accepts a temporary job as a caregiver for the royal family, an experience that will challenge her, break her, and devastate her world in the most exciting of ways.

One-Shots

A Ballroom Blitz (for MMM Luck of the Draw event)

The MissioInary’s Daughter (hiatus)

More Than Flashing Lights & Sound

Riley’s Baby(a Creepy Campfire Tale) 🍋

Royal Roulette for WackyDrabbles/ChoicesFlashFics

A Bushel and a Peck (follow-up to Wounded) ✨️

Faded 🍋

Keep Your Head Up

The Mirror (Breathe No More)

The Wedding (Watercolor Ponies)

A Day in Bed (When I Look at You) 🍋

What About Us?

When I’m With You… (Thinking of You)

Wounded

~🖤~

[angelasscribbles]

Bad Romance Disney Adventure Epilogue

Miniseries: Bad Romance Disney Adventure

Main Series: Bad Romance

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings for series: Riley x Liam, Liam x Max, Riley x Max, Riley x Drake, Riley x Leo (past)

Rating: MA

Warnings for this chapter: Language

Word Count: 1,153

My other stuff: Master List.

A/N: When I wrote Dads on the Edge, Leo’s oldest son was on stage with him during the ceremony. I pictured this child in my head, he looks a lot like Leo, but I had no idea who his mother was or how many kids Leo had total. I had a vague notion that he would have a lot of kids, all by different women (Because it’s Bad Romance, hello). I wasn’t sure if Leo was single or with Olivia (like I have him in my Hinge Universe and of course the Leo and Liv Universe) or what but I somehow don’t see Olivia having kids. Or wanting any. Anyway, I had some vague ideas about where this child came from and why he’s the only one that was with Leo, and this seemed like the perfect place to explore that a little. I hope you enjoy it! (In my head, he was about 16 in Dads on the Edge, so I’ve adjusted his age downward here to keep the timeline consistent.)

A/N 2: Thanks again to @queen-arabella-of-cordonia for the ask for Jace's birth and @nestledonthaveone for the BR gang at Disneyland ask. They launched this series.

“Calm down, Leo!” Riley said into the phone as she shifted Jace further back on her hip to avoid his chubby little hands that were grabbing for her phone.

She squatted down and slid him gently off her hip and onto the playroom floor then pushed a toy truck at him. He flipped himself onto all fours in order to crawl closer to the bright yellow toy as it rolled toward him.

Riley stood up once she had distracted her son. Jax ran across the room to join him, the light up trucks that made engine sounds and actually rolled across the floor under their own power were his favorite toys in the playroom. Those and the high end Breyer horses that Riley considered more a collectible than a toy but she’d been overruled by all three men. She shook her head as she watched Jax loading a toy horse onto a toy horse trailer. He was his father’s son.

“Take a deep breath and start over.” She told Leo.

In the six months since they’d returned from the states, Leo had fallen into the habit of calling Riley at least once a week to give her updates and to get her input and advice on his foray into fatherhood.

During the two months they had stayed in LA following Jace’s birth, Leo had been as hands on as the rest of them, taking his cues from her, Max, Liam and even Drake. He had been hesitant at first but under their guidance, he’d learned how to change a diaper, rock a baby to sleep, give a bottle of expressed breast milk and even how to bathe him.

Leo had surprised himself at how enraptured he was with his newest nephew. Even the older kids had grown on him once he’d taken the time to get to know them. Jax was a ball of energy that wore him out when he played tickle monster or gave him endless horseback rides. Xander was devious and funny, and Leo was sure that was Rys in him. Ellie shocked him with her intelligence and creativity.

Watching Liam, Drake and Max interact with their children had engendered an ache within him and awakened paternal instincts he hadn’t thought he’d possessed. He’d taken his sister in law’s advice and reached out to the mothers of his children.

Three of the seven women in question had told him to fuck all the way off. Responses varied from, “Too little too late.” To “He already has a father, the man that stepped up when you stepped out.” To “Leo who?” The only thing they wanted from him was the continued child support check.

Out of the other four, one lived in Italy, and one lived in Canada. He’d made several trips to meet and visit them both. Video chats and phone calls had become regular occurrences. The other two were based in California though the oldest attended school out of state.

He got together with the younger one, Clara, along with her mother Emily, stepfather Ralph and assortment of half and step siblings weekly, the family having welcomed him with open arms.

“Hudson’s the oldest, right?” She asked.

“Yes. He has a birthday coming up, he’s going to be thirteen in a few months.”

“He’s the one at that boarding school in Maine? You’ve been there, right?”

“Right. I’ve met him once. His mother says he’s a handful and she can’t handle him. I guess the crown is paying for the expensive ass school she packed him off to?”

“That would be a question for Liam, but if the mom asked, I’m sure he said yes. What’s the problem?”

“The problem is that school is about to be out for the summer, his mother Genevieve is taking off for Europe with her new fiancée, and she wants to send Hudson here!”

“To you?”

“Yes!” Leo’s voice started rising in panic again, “For the whole summer!”

“Leo, calm down, take a deep breath, it’s going to be ok-“

“How, Riley? Huh? How is it going to be ok? I’ve met the kid once! His own mother can’t handle him, I’m pretty sure he hates me, and I know absolute dick about teenagers other than having been one and I was a nightmare, Riley, an absolute fucking nightmare! Ask anyone!” He was on the verge of hyperventilating.

“You just need to call on your village, Leo.”

“My village? What the hell is that?”

“You know, your support system. Close friends, family, people you trust, those that you know will be there for you.”

On the other side of the Atlantic, Leo sat bolt upright, the brilliancy of the idea washing away his reservations and filling him with excitement, “Riley! You’re a genius!”

“Well, thank you. I mean, I’m sure that Clara would love to meet her brother and Emily and Ralph will be-“

“No. I mean, yes, sure, we’ll do that too but Riley, you’re my village! You and Liam and Max, even Drake. Oh my god! Liv! I can’t wait to introduce her to my son!”

“Wait. What? You’re coming here?”

“Yes! Thank you for the invitation! I’m going to book our flight as soon as we get off the phone!”

“That wasn’t exactly what I-“

“I told you, you’re an angel! What would I do without you?”

“Well, I don’t-“

Leo’s words rushed out in an excited tumble, “Maybe he’ll like me more if he meets all of you, at the very least you can help me, you guys know a lot more about kids than I do. Oh! And I can see Jace again, all the other kids too, I mean, but you know he and I really bonded. I’m so excited about this visit, Riley! Thank you! I have to go decide what to pack, find out when the last day of school is. Maybe I’ll fly down and pick him up, rent a car, we can take a little road trip first…but where will we go? Hmm, that will affect the dates I need to book a flight. Wait, what am I thinking? I’ll just ask Liam to send the royal jet! That should impress the kid, right?”

“I’m not sure that’s the thing that you should be focusing on, maybe you should-”

“Oh, yeah, it’ll be great! You’re the best sister in law ever, my brother knew what he was doing when he married you, you’re the best! Can’t wait for you to meet my son and spend the summer with you guys at the palace!” Leo continued to gush.

“The whole summer?” Riley squeaked.

“Yes, the whole summer! Thank you, Riley. Ok, love you, bye!”

Riley blinked at the phone in her hand.

“Who was that?” Liam asked as he entered the playroom.

“Your brother.” She turned toward him with wide eyes, “He’s coming to visit for the summer. And he’s bringing Hudson with him.”

[moodmusicmonday]

Whoop! Whoop! Another amazing mix for y'all to put on as you go about your day! Seriously! Just click on the playlist above, and BAM! Now you have a little part of the FANDOM wherever you go!

Thank you writers for sending in your songs! And as always, your support, both creators and readers, make this blog possible, so thank you so much for interacting with us! We love y'all!

Stay tuned for a special announcement about NEXT week!

~🎵~

@ao719

“Flicker” - Niall Horan; Best Kept Secrets, Chapter 4: It Echoes A Spark (TRR; Liam Rys x f!OC)

“I’m Doing Fine” - Mike Waters; Breaking Point, Chapter 9: I Need Your Hand But I Don’t Want To Burn It (TRR; Liam Rys x MC)

@bebepac

“The Good Part” - AJR; The Rotten Apple, Chapter 14, Finale: The Good Part [TRH & Beyond; Eleanor (Elle) x m!OC (Nico); Liam x Riley]

@kat-tia801

“Night Falls” - Sam Riggs; Written in the Stars, Part 6: The Hole in Your Heart That You Can’t Shake [TRR AU; Drake Walker x f!OC (Zoe Adamos)]

“Wilderness” - Brave Holiday (series inspo); All The Things We Run From ☆NEW☆ mini-series (OPH; Ethan Ramsey x f!MC)

@peonierose

Losing Game one-shot [OPH; Bryce Lahela x f!OC (Luna Auclair)]

- ”Arcade” - Duncan Laurence

- “Back to Back” - Duncan Laurence, Wrabel

~🎵~

@21-wishes @alj4890 @ao719 @atsuinawa @aussiegurl1234 @axwalker @bebepac @burnsoslow @charlotteg234 @chemist-ana @choicesmonthlychallenge @foreverethereal123 @issabees @jerzwriter @karahalloway @kat-tia801 @lovingchoices14 @marshmallowsaremyfavorite @neotericthemis @nestledonthaveone @peonierose @queenrileyrose @quixoticdreamer16 @sfb123 @socalwriterbee @tessa-liam @twinkleallnight @txemrn @walkerdrakewalker @zaffrenotes

[bebepac]

Fall From Grace 🍎

The Series:  The Rotten Apple 🍎 (Click the link if you need to catch up)  The book:  TRH and beyond Pairings: Liam x Riley / Eleanor x Nico  (Eleanor x M!OC) Ratings and Warnings:  Mature, mention of multiple character deaths, profanity mental illness.  Word Count: 3820 Song Inspiration:  All I Wanted by Paramore

Summary:  All of Eleanor’s truths are revealed 

A/N:  Here we are at the reckoning.  I hope that I don’t disappoint.  

Original Post: 04/23/22 at 10:53PM  EST. 

Nico sat back in his seat in shock.

"I felt like something did not make sense about his death."

"Nicolai's primary cause of death was drowning."

"But you said…."

"His secondary cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head."

"I'm still not following."

"Had Nicolai not been pushed into Rys Lake, and  we firmly believe he was pushed, he would have survived the blow to his head. His lungs were full with water. The hit to the head by the object, though strong, was not enough to kill him. Because he was disoriented, he could not swim."

"And my son was a very strong swimmer, he would never drown."

"But I want to talk to you more about the assailant, and the blunt object. Did your son have any enemies at the palace?"

"Nicolai was well loved by everyone."

"And he was following in your footsteps to the guard?"

"Yes, my son was a junior guard, because of his legacy status. One of the top in his class."

"And you trained him along with the others?"

"Yes. My son did not receive special treatment because of my Centurion Guard status. As I said he was one of the top in his class. He did not deserve the top position just because he is my son."

"That's admirable, Mr. Karahalios.  Did he get along with his classmates?"

"He did, I mean sure there was some rivalry between the boys and girls as they all want to be considered for the Kingsguard and those upper level positions, in the future."

"How many left handed junior guards do you have?"

"Four."

"I will need their names."

"Why are you looking for left handed guards in his class?"

"Because the person who hit Nicolai was left handed. Was he in a relationship with anyone?"

Nico thought about Elle. But she had said they weren't together in that way.

"No, not to my knowledge. Why do you ask?"

"The trajectory of the hit Nicolai sustained, has him in a seated position, with his assailant straddling him."

"Like a lover?"

"Precisely. He had no defensive wounds on his hands, so he did not fear his assailant, nor was he expecting the attack."

"And the weapon?"

"Small, bat-like in construction, but jeweled. We found these in his head wound."

A diamond and a ruby were in the small glass specimen jar the officer held up.

Nico jumped up.

"So it's related to the palace? This is a lot to take in."

"I completely understand. If you can get me the names of  your students so we can compile more info and I will contact the King. We need access to the palace to investigate further. The weapon is probably something that was stolen from the Crown's own Jewels collection."

"I will have the names of my students to you  first thing tomorrow."

Nico had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach that the names were not needed.

He sat in his vehicle and pulled out his wallet. He wanted to be wrong. He needed to be wrong.

He pulled out the bills in his wallet.  He had a 50 and on the back of it was the King and Queen of Cordonia. Liam standing regally in the middle, Queen Riley holding the ceremonial Ruby Apple in her hand, and Elle posing with her bejeweled royal scepter….in her LEFT HAND.

Elle was also left handed like her mother and father.

Nico picked up his phone, hesitating a few moments before he sent the text. Sending the text meant he suspected Elle of this crime.

Nico: I know we haven't been on speaking terms in a while, but I really  need a favor.

Alana: Must be huge because you're coming to me, but you know I got you. What do you need, my dear Nico KH?"

Nico: Luminol spray.

Alana: Whaaat? Going all CSI- Cordonia on the palace? Swing by later. I'll hook you up with what you need.

After picking up the spray he went back to the palace to further investigate.

Being a Centurion Guard allowed him access to all the palace keypads.  Nico went to the Crown Jewelry room. It housed all the crown jewels of Cordonia and all the historic ceremonial pieces.

He found Elle's scepter with the ceremonial pieces. He took out his magnifying glass to investigate the jewels on the scepter for missing jewels. It did not take him long to find the empty sockets that at one time held the jewels the investigator had acquired from Nicolai's head wound. He was pretty sure he was holding the item that had been used in conjunction with the fall to end his son's life.

Nico took a deep breath, the last part was only for formality. He dimmed the lights in the room to spray the luminol on the scepter; It immediately lit up blue.  Proof that there was still residual blood on the scepter.

Was anything she said to him even true? Eleanor Rys, his Elle, the woman he loved .....

had murdered his son....

Liam and Tomas 

"King Liam, Just like with your father's rule we have always had friends of the Crown amongst the police. To let the crown know of potential threats….or if a member of the Crown is in a situation in which damage control needs to occur to protect the crown."

"Yes?"

"There is something you really need to see."

Liam looked over the reports the officer had sent over, including the size and shape of the jewels that were pulled from Nicolai's head wounds. He recognized the jewels immediately from Ellie's Royal scepter.  

"This can't be."  

"That's why I brought the information to you, and only to you, Your Majesty.  This has the potential to be quite the scandal for the royal family."

Liam rubbed his forehead and took a deep breath. He had to confirm the jewels were from where he suspected before he would take the next steps.

Elle and Nico

"I have a surprise for you."

Elle's face brightened as she smiled.

"Really?"

"Will you come with me?"

Nico reached out his hand for her to take; Elle immediately took Nico's hand.

"Where are we going?"

"To a place where our lives are going to change forever."  He could tell Elle was excited so he played along.

Nico led her through the passageways.

"The Crown Jewelry  Room?"

"But don't  you understand Elle?"

She shook her head no, and she still had a smile on her face.  

"Let me explain, for you Elle, I became an accessory after the fact to the perfect crime. I corrected your mistakes, so that you would not be pointed to as a person of interest in the death of your professor and because of me, you're not."

Finally, her smile had faded.  

"We were protecting each other, Nico. I protected you, and you protected me."

Nico laughed.

"You were protecting yourself Elle, because that's all that matters to you."

"That's not true. I think of you, I think of others."  

She had been thinking her baby needed its father, they both needed him.  

"Were you thinking of me when you killed my son?"

"What?"

"Don't fucking address me in that shocked voice like you have no clue what I’m talking about.  There are traces of blood on your scepter, and the jewels from it in his head wound."

Elle backed away from Nico.

"Was this just a game to you? To see how much suffering you could inflict on another... on me? Did you do this to hurt me?"

"No……."

“I fell right in your trap, to be seduced and manipulated by you.  I was lonely and hurt, and in pain, and you used that for your benefit. I should have trusted my initial instincts about you. That you were a snake in the grass and could not be trusted.”

“You don’t really mean that Nico.”

“Oh yes I do.”

Nico took steps towards her. Finally Elle's back hit the wall.

"Nico please… there’s something I need to tell you that you really need to know.” 

He closed the distance between them staring deep into her eyes.  

“My God you’re beautiful. Part of me can't even fathom that someone so aesthetically beautiful, can be capable of such heinous crimes.  Even now, there's fire in me that craves to be quenched only by you.

 You’re just like your mother. And I wondered how in the world  King Liam couldn’t see it either.   But I know exactly what you are now. You are a siren, Eleanor Rys.  You know what Sirens do right?  They’re gorgeous, dangerous creatures that  lure men with their enchanting voices and feminine wiles to their demise.  Your father can’t see your mother for  who she really is, because she’s got him enchanted by her song. You lured my son to Rys Lake where you murdered him, and now you’ve captured me in your web to cover up another murder.”

“It wasn’t like that…”  

“IT WAS EXACTLY LIKE THAT.”  Nico screamed.

“Even now you’re protecting your lies, with those crocodile tears falling from your eyes. I’m not falling for it.”

He gently stroked her cheek.

“I am going to give you the opportunity, to come clean, before I expose you for what  you are.  Tell me the truth.  Because I want to hear you say it.  Did you take my son’s life?”

Elle remained silent.  

Nico grabbed her, pushing her to the floor.    

He settled on top of her staring down at her.  

“Tell me the truth Eleanor. Tell me your truth Elle. Don’t you think I deserve that, since I loved you so unconditionally?”  

He stroked her cheek gently again, his hands drifting lower until they rested on her neck, wrapping tightly around it.  

She gasped in shock, her eyes met Nico's, seeing nothing but fury for her in them.

Nico tightened his grip around Ellie's neck.

She clawed at his  hands trying to get him to release her from his grip. She was wounding him and he wasn't even flinching. She could barely breathe or speak.

"Nico, please….. don't kill me. You'll regret it."

"Did you kill Nicolai?"  His eyes filled with tears as he looked down on her. Tears fell down his cheeks as his voice turned into a soft whisper full of disbelief and shock. "Elle tell me….did you kill my son?"

She looked in his eyes, he was begging for the truth and she wanted to be honest with him.

"Yes. I killed him.. I'm sorry… but  I had to find out….."

Finally a sob escaped his lips for a moment when he looked away from her. When he glanced down at her again, rage fueled his glare.

"So what was all of this Elle? You and I? You seduced me to help you when you needed, and I fell right for it. I helped you cover up a murder, and now I'm  finding out, it wasn’t the first one?!?! How could you do this to me, when all I ever wanted to do was love you?"

"No Nico it was more… we were more…. WE ARE MORE.  I love…  "

"LIAR! I don't believe you.  I've seen how well you can lie before." Nico screamed and his grip on her neck became crushing as she continued to try to fight him, her face turning bright red.

"Any last words?"

Ellie nodded.

"Please let me live Nico."

"Why should I, when you didn't give my son that courtesy?"

"Because if you kill me now, you will kill your child."

"What?"

"I'm pregnant Nico, I just found out not long after Christmas. Your mother was the first to suspect, because I got sick while I was there on holiday. I didn't know how to tell you."

He let go of her.

"My mother… You jumped off a damn waterfall pregnant?!?!?"

"I did it for you!! I did it for us! We could still go Nico… We could start over. You love me. You made promises to me."

"You really think…you are sick. I was wrong about you. You are just like your real father. YOU ARE A MONSTER!!!!"

Those words she had thought about herself, hit her differently coming from him. They physically cut through her heart.  Elle burst into tears.

"What the hell is going on in here?!?" King Liam walked into the room staring from Nico to Ellie. But deep down he knew. Nico was confronting Eleanor. Nico released his grip and both stood before the King.

"Tell him the truth or I will."

"This is the only truth you need Nico, is I really love you. We're going to have a baby together. Please let's just leave like we said we would."

"I want a paternity test."

"You were the only one I've ever…."  She stopped talking when she saw the look on her father's face.

“I DON’T BELIEVE YOU!!!!”  Nico screamed at her.

King Liam was staring between the two in shock.

"I trusted you with her!!!!  You've been sleeping with my daughter?!?"

Nico laughed.

"ME FUCKING ELEANOR IS THE LEAST OF YOUR WORRIES, CAN'T YOU TELL, KING LIAM?"

Before Nico could even react, King Liam punched him in the face. 

Liam hit him again and again, and began kicking him when he collapsed. Nico did not strike back, as he knew striking the King meant death. Nico could fight, but he was letting himself get beat to a bloody mess for her.

"Father stop!  Now!!! Stop hurting him Please!!!!  You're going to kill him!!!!"

Elle ran forward grabbing Liam from behind.

"Eleanor what the hell are you doing?"

She jumped onto his back, and wrapped her arm around Liam's neck in a choke hold.

"You will not hurt him anymore!" Elle screamed.

Nico watched from the floor in shock seeing the lack of emotion in Elle's eyes as her grip tightened around Liam's neck, and that she was trying to protect him.

Liam winced in pain, his voice remained calm as he spoke.

"Baby Love, please let go.  You know I could throw you easily, but I don't want to hurt you or your unborn child. And I can tell how important they are to you."

"You have no idea."  Her grip tightened on his throat.

"Yes I do, because I have four children that I witnessed being born into this world."

"You're wrong. You only have three."

"No. YOU’RE WRONG. I have four children. Don't make me do this Baby Love. I don't want to hurt either of you. Because you are my daughter and I love you.  You are MINE!!!!! I have always loved you, regardless of your DNA."

Elle’s grip remained firm around his neck; she was not letting go of him.

Liam began to adjust his stance,  he was preparing to throw her.

When her father spoke again, his voice was full of pain; he sounded on the verge of tears. He was pleading for her to stop.

“Please…..don’t make me do this to you Baby Love.”

Nico, who was barely conscious, sat up trying to talk her down.

"Elle….don't do this. Let go of your father."

"Baby Love please, I don't want to hurt you."

Elle let go of King Liam.

There were tears in his eyes as he rubbed his neck, looking at Eleanor.

“Why?” he asked.

“Why not?”  Eleanor’s voice was cold.  

“I can’t count on anyone. People make promises every day they don’t mean. And leave you alone to pick up the pieces.”

“Don’t make this about you. You know what you did Elle.”  

Nico stood, and his gaze landed on Elle. "Tell him the truth about you, and what you've done."

Elle remained silent.

"TELL HIM!!!!"

"I killed Nicolai Karahalios,  and Professor Anders."

"Why would you do that Ellie?"

"I hear voices telling me to do things. And Professor Anders was going to tell you about Nico and I and I had to protect us."

"You went on that trip with her, did you know what Eleanor did?"

Eleanor answered for Nico.

"No Father, he did not. Nico was not involved in any way. He did nothing wrong or illegal."

Liam stared at his daughter, he could not tell if what she was saying was the truth, or only the truth as she believed it, so he focused his attention on Nico.  Then Liam could clearly see, Nico's eyes were riddled with guilt.

"Be that as it may Nico you’re fired. Effective immediately."

“I still want to press charges against Eleanor for my son’s murder.”  

“She’s not well.”  

“I. DON’T. CARE.”  

“Yes you do Nico you love me."

“I told you Eleanor… I tried to warn you.”  

“Shut up… SHUT UP!!! SHUT UP!!!!”  Elle screamed.  

She collapsed to the floor in front of them. They could tell that she wasn’t screaming at them.  Eleanor was hallucinating.

"Eleanor…" Liam reached out his hand to her.

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" She screamed, recoiling from Liam, knocking his hand away. She curled up in a ball on the floor while she cried.

“Look at her, it's clear some psychotic break has happened. She needs help. She needs to be hospitalized tonight. It’s clear, she’s not in her right mind Nico.  And you know, I believe if someone does something wrong, they should be held accountable for their crimes.  My daughter is mentally ill. Look at her.”  

“She killed my son.”  

“And she needs medical treatment for her mental illness, not a prison. We need to get her to the SUV now.”

“Your Majesty…..”

“Is she right? Do you still love her?”  

“She killed my son…” Nico repeated again.

“That’s not what I asked. If you ever loved my daughter, you will help me now.”  

Nico walked over to Elle and  crouched next to her, wincing in pain. King Liam had definitely broke a rib or two. He gently ran his fingers through Elle's hair. She responded and leaned into his touch.

"Elle, are you ready to go?"

"Nico? You're not mad at me anymore?"

"I'm sorry I yelled at you.  You were right about everything. Are you ready to leave?”  

“Right now? But I haven’t packed anything yet.”  

Nico smiled.  “It’s okay.  We’ll have everything we need when we get there.”  

“And we’ll start over. I knew we could do it.”  

“Yes, we’ll start over Elle.  Let me help you up.”  

He pulled Elle up and she threw her arms around him hugging him.

“I knew it. I knew I could trust you.  I’ll be better. I promise, I’ll try harder for you and the baby.”  

“Don’t worry about that right now.”  

“I’m so tired, Nico.”  Elle leaned into him.  

“I’ll carry you.  You just rest.  I’ll wake you when we get there.”  

Nico picked up Elle and she rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes.

"Just rest Elle." He whispered softly to her.

Liam had made the arrangements, and they left for the psychiatric hospital. Liam wanted to be the one with Ellie. Ellie was his Baby Love, but she wanted nothing to do with him.

Nico sat in back holding Eleanor in his arms; Liam occasionally glanced in the rear view mirror. Nico looked like a truly tortured soul.

She was sleeping peacefully wrapped in his embrace. Tears filled his eyes as he stared down at her. He still felt love in heart for this woman who had committed an absolutely atrocious crime against his son. To add insult to injury, they were forever bound together by a child they had conceived.  Nico had thrown doubt in her face when given the news of the pregnancy, questioning paternity. But deep down he knew. Elle was with child. His child. He gently brushed her curls from her face, her cheeks still wet with tears. Nico wiped her tears away.

There was no doubt Nico still loved her despite everything. One can't just turn off their feelings.

The vehicle slowed to a stop just inside the gates.

"We're here."

He gently shook Elle and she woke. He went to the other side to open the door. She smiled at him, but the moment she saw the medical staff surrounding the vehicle, she looked confused.

"What is this? Why aren't we at the airport Nico?"

"You need help Elle."

She pulled away from him.

"I told you…. he could never see you the same way he did after he found out what you did."

"NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!  I'm not crazy!! I'm not!!! You lied to me Nico! How could you!!!! I promised I'd do better if we started over. You won't give me the chance? Why?? You know how I feel… You're the only one that truly knows me. How could you betray me this way?"

"Let's talk about betrayal… you….."

"Nico don't say it here please."

Nico stopped speaking, staring around seeing the small group of staff that had gathered around them, that also had a gurney.

He was still protecting her. Both him and her father.

"Nico… let's go please. I forgive you. I understand Father is making you do this, of course he would. You can stand up to him. He can't stand in our way.  We can go. Please let’s go."

"No Elle, he's not making me do anything. You're not well. This is where you need to be."

"NO! YOU'RE LYING!! WHY ARE YOU LYING TO ME????”

“I’m not lying to you Elle.  You’re not well. Here they can help you.”    

"You stood up for me. It's supposed to be us. You PROMISED!!!!"

Elle reached in the folds of her dress pulling out a slim stiletto, a gift from Olivia.

She lunged at Nico, but it wasn’t an attack he could tell.

“YOU PROMISED ME……”

“MY GOD ELEANOR STOP!!!” Liam screamed.

Elle’s eyes widened,  and she dropped  the stiletto; the sound of it clinking as it hit the ground.

Her eyes met with Nico.

“Our House….”  Elle whimpered.

Nico gasped remembering their  conversation that night about the little house that Elle wanted to share with him in Greece.  Tears filled his eyes as he caught her as she collapsed; the sedative that the nurse had given Elle in her arm while her back was turned, was very fast acting.  Nico laid Elle onto the gurney; Immediately the nurses locked Elle’s arms and legs in restraints.

“Is that really necessary?”  Liam asked.

“She’s clearly a danger to herself, and to others; it’s proper protocol.  We will search her for other weapons as soon as we get her inside.  We have some questions  to ask you King Liam before you leave, will you come with us?”  

“Yes. Nico, I need you to come with me, as there might be some questions only you can answer.”

Nico nodded, following behind King Liam into the psychiatric hospital.  

[shirebarbie]

Okay not to be okay (Maxwell Beaumont x Riley)

Author’s note: a random little fanfic about my favorite LI from the Royal Romance series on choices. please be kind :’)

Summary: hurt & comfort, Maxwell’s reaction to his father’s plan to take the crown princess away and Riley’s attempts to make him feel better.

After the horrible and shocking meeting, everyone from the friend group slowly started leaving the room, their faces confused and spirits low. The ones who voted in favor of the princess being taken away left quickly, probably in order to avoid more conflict with the ones who opposed the idea. Hana was one of the last people to walk through the door as she cast a sad glance in the direction of the princess Annabelle. Duchess Riley followed everyone out with her dark eyes, but she couldn't oversee the fact that her husband barely moved at all. Maxwell stood up from his chair for a moment, took a few steps, and then sat down heavily again with hanging shoulders on another chair. Olivia was sitting in that one, Riley thought, the only representative of the Great Houses that voted against Barthelemy's horrendous scheme.

Annabelle was sound asleep in her pram, her little face angelic and perfectly calm – she was lucky to be unaware of the recent events and their possible effects on both her childhood and her future. Riley cast a sad but loving look on her daughter as she slowly turned to face Maxwell who was staring blankly ahead with his usually smiling lips in a straight line, and his ocean eyes no longer friendly and mischievous. Riley crouched down so she could meet his face and she raised a hand to gently place on her lover’s shoulder.

“Max, are you alright?” she inquired carefully, although the answer was clearly written on his face. However, in his typical fashion, he quickly put on a braver façade and attempted something similar to a smile.

“Let’s not talk about me right now, we have things to handle and we need to come up with a strategy to get our baby out of this horrible- “

“Darling.” Maxwell’s ramblings were quickly cut off by his wife who knew him well enough to know he would put everyone else’s needs before his own, even when his little family was directly threatened by his own father. That was just the way he was, but Riley didn’t think that was the time to brush off something so serious.

“It’s completely okay to feel betrayed, hurt, or anything else you may be feeling now. He’s your dad, Maxwell, nobody could ever judge you for being upset with this situation.”

Before she even completed what she was saying, Riley saw Maxwell’s eyes fill with tears and his ruse was no longer. He was properly devastated, and he had no clue what to say at all. He knew Riley and Annabelle would support him and love him through everything, as they proved day after day, but he felt like he was failing them and like he could do nothing right, even though he knew nothing about his father’s malicious scheme beforehand. Through his flurry of thoughts Maxwell felt his wife’s warm hand squeeze his own, the wedding band secure on her ring finger, and her other hand reached up to stroke his cheek.

As she was looking at Maxwell, Riley’s heart broke just a little bit. She brushed away a stray tear from his right cheek while he was still staring into space, breathing becoming heavier.

“My darling angel,” she began, her soft voice dripping with love and worry, and she knew he would feel it too, “none of this is your fault to any extent. You have never done anything to endanger our family – quite the contrary – and I could never put any blame on you. For any of this,” she gestured vaguely and shook her head. “I love you and Annabelle loves you and we know you love us, which you continue to prove every single day. For goodness’ sake, you literally saved our lives once already, darling. I think that’s all the proof we could ever need about your feelings and intentions towards us.” Riley shuddered at the thought of that overwhelming night when their daughter came into the world, knowing that it wasn’t something any of them would get over anytime soon.

That one tear on Maxwell’s cheek was soon followed by many more, and quiet sobs started to ripple through his body. Riley reacted immediately and pulled him into herself, allowing one of her hands to slide into his soft hair. It was always incredibly hard to see him crying, because he was usually the happy one who saw the good in everything, but even people like that have their breaking points. Considering the overall situation, it was more than understandable that Maxwell happened to face his breaking point at that moment. Initially, when Riley hugged him close he left his arms down, but hesitantly he encircled his wife’s shoulders and waist.

“I’m a-“ he started, but the duchess knew in which direction his thoughts were flowing. “If you dare to say that you’re a royal screw-up, I’m banishing music on our next ball completely!” This made Maxwell stop talking immediately, and Riley thought she heard a faint chuckle cut through the quiet sobs and sniffs. “Good,” she smiled, but the man in her arms still didn’t seem to be doing better. With every little sob of his, her soul began to hurt a little more. Unsure of what to say next to alleviate some of the pain, the duchess settled on a gentle chorus of “it’s alright” and “we’ll be fine”, even though she herself wasn’t sure if she truly believed those words.

Maxwell was simultaneously feeling safe and scared, and after everything he had gone through with his father (and very much his absence, too) he certainly deserved to look after himself a bit, and focus on arranging his own feelings and thoughts first. Riley firmly believed that, but she knew that, no matter how tough the situation was, Maxwell would always put her and Annabelle first. She was extremely grateful for that the whole time, and she made her appreciation clear. However, it was high time for her to give better than her best for her husband now, in spite of the fear that was bubbling up in her heart.

“My sweet, sweet boy,” Riley eventually whispered as she rubbed Maxwell’s back, “if anyone in the world is trying their best for their loved ones, it is you, Max. Our friends would agree too, I’m sure of that. But it’s perfectly normal to take it easy every now and then, and look after yourself, baby. You need it.” Maxwell’s crying died down at least a little by that point, and he pulled away from his wife’s arms just a bit (he still adored her hugs and affection, and was always ready to soak all of it up, any given chance), so he finally attempted looking her in the eyes. The warmth and care that were so blatantly obvious on her lovely features almost made his heart stop for a moment. Even when he was a crying mess, she still looked at him as if he was the most perfect and precious human being in the whole universe. And he was exactly that to her.

Maxwell let out a slow, shaky breath, and he looked away again “I can’t… believe he would do something like that. To his son’s own family.”

“I know, my love, I know.” Riley bit her lip worriedly and rubbed her hands up and down Maxwell’s arms. “And I can’t even imagine how you must be feeling right now. But I do think you’re incredibly brave, unbelievably strong, smart, and loving, and I don’t have a sliver of doubt in my mind that we will manage to figure something out together.”

“You think so?” Her husband wondered out loud, his eyes regaining a slightly more hopeful and joyful look, which Riley grew to love very quickly into their friendship. He always saw so much good, and sometimes she couldn’t even fathom how and where. But that was just Maxwell.

“I know we will, Max. Just look at everything we have managed to accomplish so far, sunshine! What’s another epic fight for our amazing team, huh?” The duchess tried to offer her brightest smile, her hands still on her lover. “It has been scientifically proven that we can do anything.”

Finally, Maxwell cracked a little smile and squeezed his wife’s hands. “We are the world’s greatest superhero team,” he croaked out with a little sniff, and Riley almost melted right then and there. In her eyes, his smile was unmatched, and she wanted to be the reason behind it as much as she could. She was not sure whether she was right about any of the things she said, whether everything will really go the right way or completely awfully, and she didn’t know whether Maxwell believed her encouragements either, but at that moment what mattered was the fact that he seemed to be feeling better, at least momentarily, and that was a small victory she was willing to take.

“Maybe we should take our little sleeping princess to her royal bed,” Maxwell said in a voice that was barely above a whisper, nodding his head in the direction of his beloved daughter.

“Good thinking,” Riley nodded and finally got up from her uncomfortable position on the floor, and she extended a hand towards Maxwell. The second they were both standing up, he pulled her into the tightest hug possible and inhaled her comforting scent. “I love you,” Maxwell exhaled, some of the tension leaving his body, “and I love our little ray of sunshine too.” In return, Riley pressed a loving kiss on his lips which communicated all the love she had for him without having to say a word. They just knew.

Maxwell picked up Annabelle from her pram gently, but securely, and held her little sleeping form close to his body as the family of three exited the meeting room. More than once, as they walked to their private quarters, Riley noticed an unreadable expression on her husband’s face, but every time he glanced at their baby or she fidgeted a little, he seemed to brighten up too. It was normal – one can’t let go so quickly of something so painful and confusing. Maxwell needed time, hell, they both needed time, patience and strength to tackle the newest threat in the kingdom. Riley’s brow furrowed when she started putting the pieces together: after a mysterious coma that lasted for almost two decades, Barthelemy was suddenly perfectly well and had a very elaborate plan put together and already set in motion. Something didn’t seem completely right, but that was a conversation for another day – she couldn’t bear the thought of possibly causing Maxwell more pain and sadness than what he already had to put up with.

While Maxwell put Annabelle to bed, Riley went to change into something less formal and get something from the kitchen. In one of the halls she ran into her friend Drake, who seemed to be in an equally bad mood (to be fair, he often was, but not with that intensity). He looked at her with so much sadness that she felt like someone knocked air out of her lungs when their eyes met. When he spoke up, it was barely audible, as if he was scared of talking about the imminent threat too loudly – maybe it would make everything go down sooner.

“I’m really sorry you’re going through this,” he said. “Both you and Maxwell are really good people, and it’s high time you both got some rest and just, you know, enjoy life.” Drake chuckled humorlessly.

“Oh well, it seems like I am destined for drama. Me, and everyone around me too,” Riley shrugged, trying to stretch her lips out into a smile, at least a small one. “For now, Maxwell seems to be taking it much worse, which makes a lot of sense.”

Drake almost shivered at the mere thought of what his friend must be feeling at the time. “Hell, imagine getting such a horrible surprise from your own, supposedly dead, father.”

Riley just looked down in silence: it was extremely hard to find any appropriate words. Sensing the shift in her mood, Drake just awkwardly squeezed her shoulder as he started to leave.

“I really hope you guys get through this, and we will all help as much as we can. I know I will,” he said in a quiet voice, laden with emotion. Riley offered him a thankful smile and a curt nod before going to her daughter’s nursery. To her surprise, Maxwell was dozing off in the armchair next to Annabelle’s crib. He usually wasn’t the type to take naps – quite the contrary, he was unbelievably energetic half the time, but Riley let him be. There was enough on his plate, and rest was absolutely necessary. The duchess carefully covered him with a blanket that was thrown over the armrest, and after pressing a soft kiss to her husband’s forehead, she quietly exited the room.

[thequeenofpixels]

You didn't ask me

Book: The Royal Heir   Pairing: MC x Drake/Max/Hana Summary: What happens when Liam shows up on Milena (MC)’s honeymoon with a request, but she is not so eager to the idea as much as her spouse? Word count/Warnings/Rating: 1075 / None / G Author’s note: ❥ This is a late submission to @choicesficwriterscreations CFWC Female Characters Week prompt Day 4. Motherhood ❥I had this idea after playing Max and Drake’s route, and how it bothered me Liam’s ask >.< (I know PB is the guilty one, ok? But I had to write it anyway).  ❥Thank you @ladylahela for helping me with review and grammar, and how eager you were when I told you about this idea 💗 ❥I used the pronouns they/them and spouse to indicate the LI instead of use their names, because I think this one fits all of them. ❥ English is not my first language / The characters belong to Pixelberry. / Feedback would be very appreciated.

After a whole day with only one thing on her mind, Milena was leaned on the window of their room, at night, thinking about what happened earlier that day. When she had seen everyone arriving. At first she thought it was only her friends surprising her on the last day of her honeymoon, but it was only Liam throwing cold water on her plans.

She closed her eyes remembering his exact words after everyone had their greetings: “There's something I need to ask the two of you.” He looked between Milena and her spouse seriously before continuing. “I hope you'll consider it an honor, even though it may very well also be a burden.” Liam’s face fell a little. “As you know, I've yet to marry. This flies in the face of Cordonian tradition. At one point, I would have settled for any political marriage that Cordonia required me. But now, I've dared to dream my marriage might also one day be for love... Since I have no potential bride, and yet Cordonia needs an heir, to ensure the stability of Cordonian's future. There's one way around it... I'm allowed to appoint a newborn child of noble lineage as Cordonia's eventual heir, as long as the court approves. But external powers are pressuring Cordonia, and internally, the royal court is pushing for this to be resolved without further delay. This is why I'm here..."

And how eager her spouse quickly answered smiling, "To ask us... if our future baby will rule Cordonia? It would be an incredible honor."

Her fists clenched. How could they? She thought.

She took a deep breath and started packing her things, this was not gonna be something she would accept. A while later, she was lost in her angry thoughts she didn’t even notice when her spouse entered the room, she only felt when their arms came behind her encircling her waist. 

She pulled herself out of the embrace and said in a cold way. “I’m leaving.”

They smiled and added, “Of course we’re leaving, but not until tomorrow, babe. We still have tonight.” 

“No, we don’t.”

Her spouse was clearly alarmed by her tone and short answers, and looked at her with confusion in their eyes

She knew by that look in their face that if she didn’t say the word they would never realize why she was so frustrated and so mad with them. She took a deep breath and tried to say her piece as calmly as she could, “Let me remind you about two things.”

Their spouse waited apprehensively for what she was gonna say. What have they done wrong? So soon? They thought.

“First: do you remember how we used to say we’re going to do everything together?”

They nodded and added. “Always.”

She snorted at that answer but continued. “Secondly, since you forgot, let me remind you that before we married we only had a brief conversation about having kids on the balcony that night in Valtoria, but we have never settled a decision. And today you made a decision. You, and only you.” 

She approached her bag in the bed and when she was almost grabbing it, her spouse asked: “What are you talking about? I don’t understand…” 

Milena looked them in their eyes, anger that could be felt leaving her nostrils, in a way they have never seen before. “Have you thought about asking me, for a second, what I was thinking about Liam’s proposal? He asked and you just accepted it without even blinking! Not even a ‘let US think first’, Liam. You see? US, like you and me, but no, YOU just accepted it! Not for a moment thought about what I thought about the whole situation.” 

Without realizing she was yelling at them, out of breath, but she couldn’t stop now, she had to say everything that was on her mind the whole day, that was the time and she was not going to have a second chance to say it. 

“Milena-”

She kept going and didn’t let them finish. “If you were so eager to accept this proposal, find another woman who’s eager as you are. Because I’m not this woman.”

“Mi, please, I’m so sorry! Please-”

“No, you are not sorry!” She approached the door, put a hand on the door handle and looked back. “You know what?” She said more calm. “Don’t ever think I’m doing this because I don’t love you. Because I do. But I love me more. Have a good night. And in a few days you’ll receive the annulment’s papers.”

“No! Let’s talk about it, don’t leave like this Lena! Come on, we can solve this-”

Before they could finish, someone knocked at the door. “Is everything ok in there? We heard some yellings from downstairs.”

Milena clenched her teeth and opened the door. “No Liam, nothing is ok. And it’s great you’re here, so I’ll let you know already.”

Liam looked at Milena and the bag in her hands and her spouse with shock in his eyes. “What has happened? Where are you going?”

“I’m leaving. And just so you know, Liam, my answer is no. I’m not going to have a baby to be your heir. Maybe they could have accepted.” She pointed towards her spouse inside the room. “But I was never really taken into consideration before they accepted your proposal. I’m not your heir production machine, and my uterus and ovaries are closed to have babies. I have never wanted to be a mom or a parent and this is not going to change now. So, if you want an heir, go and have your own heir or ask some of the other nobles.” 

She left the room and when she was descending the stairs she heard that Liam and her spouse were after her saying things she couldn’t understand, but probably trying to change her mind somehow. 

She looked back again, and there was Liam and her spouse looking at her still not believing she was really leaving them behind. She stated: “Oh and as a matter of fact, I’m also abdicating the duchess title. Give Valtoria to someone who really wants to be a noble, Liam.” 

She didn’t know what they were saying anymore after that, and honestly, she didn’t care, the same way they didn’t care about her opinion earlier. And with those last words, she left the house towards her new and unknown future.

Tagging: @lorirwritesfanfic @missameliep @julia-highstorms  @nanieuniverse @bardiniwalker​ 

[sfb123]

soft ask ….. “ Hey….. you’ve been crying “

asking for any of these pairs : Liam & Riley, Drake & Olivia, Hana & Maxwell

thank you so much

Hey look, I finished another one!

Thanks for this ask @mom2000aggie! The obvious would be a Liam/Riley, but I zigged when you thought I was going to zag, and wrote a platonic Drake/Olivia story. 

(Prompt pulled from this list. Feel free to send me more!)

Broken Hearts Club

Word Count: 716

Warnings: Just a swear word or two. 

A/N: This story goes back to the social season, and the night of the ball in Lythikos. Drake gets stood up by Riley in the wine cellar, and Olivia shows up to drown her sorrows after her kiss with Liam didn’t go as she planned. 

A/N 2: No pre-readers this time, flying solo. Sorry in advance for any mistakes or things that are stupid. 

Disclaimer: I cannot say this enough, this is a platonic story. I am by no means a Drake x Olivia shipper.

Tags: Listed below, if you want to be added or removed just hit me up!

All characters belong to Pixelberry

***

Drake lifted his arm and glanced down at his watch one more time. Hmm, thirty seconds since the last time I checked. I guess I should probably give up and call it a night. He sighed before downing the rest of his whiskey. 

The ball had ended hours ago, and he had spent most of that time waiting for Riley to meet him in the wine cellar. At this point, he was embarrassed for himself. He thought they were having a good time at their table, she had even fallen into his arms. Damn, it felt good to hold her like that, even if it was an act to get us some food.

As he capped the bottle, he heard the click of heels coming down the stairs. His head perked up and his heart started beating faster. He stood still, attempting to steady himself, so he wouldn’t come on too strong. 

“What the hell are you doing in my wine cellar?” He instantly deflated at the sound of Oliva’s voice. 

“I didn’t drink any of your shitty grape juice, I brought my own bottle.” He turned around, showing her his whiskey. 

“That’s not what I asked.”

“I uh… I was supposed to be meeting someone.” He awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, his brow furrowed when he met her gaze. “Hey… you’ve been crying.”

Olivia took a deep breath, puffing her chest and attempting to stand a little taller. “I have not, how dare you even suggest such a thing.”

Drake put his bottle back down on the counter, running a hand through his hair. “Liam must have laid into you pretty good after that stunt at the ball, huh?”

“He may be the crown prince, but nobody lays into Olivia Nevrakis.”

“Right, so he was just totally fine with you kissing him in front of the entire court?” She sighed and he reopened the bottle, placing down two glasses. His, and the one he had brought for Riley. “Come on, you’re going to need something stronger than wine.” 

She nodded, walking toward Drake and hoisting herself onto the counter before taking the offered drink. He held up his, and they clinked their glasses before simultaneously drinking the contents in one gulp. “You know why she didn’t meet you here, right?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Riley, I know that’s who you thought you were meeting here tonight.”

Drake was instantly flustered. “I don’t… what do you… she wasn’t…”

“Relax Walker, I’m not going to tell Liam you’re in love with his future wife.” She took the bottle and prepared her second round. 

He looked down into his empty glass, unable to look Olivia in the eye. “How did you know?” 

“Give me some credit,” she began as she started on his refill, “I may not like you, but we’ve known each other our whole lives. It’s easy to see how you feel about her.”

Drake’s face went pale as he looked up at Olivia. “Oh god, you don’t think Liam…”

She raised a hand to stop him. “He has no idea. She’s all he can see when she’s in the room, and when she’s not she’s all he can think about. Our feelings aren’t even on his radar.” 

They were both silent for a moment, processing that statement, before Drake spoke up to ask a question he was pretty sure he already knew the answer to. “So why didn’t she meet me here?”

“She’s in Liam’s suite. They’re probably all over each other in the hot tub.”

“Of course they are.” He looked up at her. “You know, we’re really not all that different, you and I.”

“Excuse me?” She protested. 

“Think about it, the people that we want are madly in love with each other, and we’re in here drowning the pain.”

She sighed, knowing he was right. “Touché. Just to be clear, that doesn’t mean I’m going to drop my standards to your level.”

“God no!” He replied, just as disgusted in the idea as she was. “But sometimes it’s nice to talk to someone who knows what you’re going through.”

Olivia nodded. “That it is.” She raised her glass to his one more. They spent the rest of the evening finishing the bottle and finding solace in their shared pain.

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One Shots:

@bebepac @darley1101

Uncle Drake (he’s not an uncle yet, but it’s your boy, so I felt like I had to tag you):

@burnsoslow