#elena of avalor ship week

[dittomander]

Chapters: 4/7 Fandom: Elena of Avalor (Cartoon) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Armando Gutierrez/Marlena, Elena Castillo Flores/Marisa, Mateo de Alva/Naomi Turner, Gabriel "Gabe" Núñez/Rico Villalobos Characters: Marlena (Disney: Elena of Avalor), Elena Castillo Flores, Princess Marisa (Elena of Avalor), Armando Gutierrez (Elena of Avalor), Naomi Turner, Mateo de Alva, Gabriel "Gabe" Núñez, Rico Villalobos Additional Tags: EoA Ship Appreciation Week 2022, Fluff, Romance, Romantic Fluff, each chapter features a different ship, Ships listed in order of appearance, First Date, Artistic License: Marine Biology, Family History, Music, Minor Injuries

Chapter 4: Winds of Change

Summary: Gabe helps Rico to the palace infirmary after a freak accident and comes to a realization. Prompt: injury.

Anyway I wasn’t joking when I said the fic was done lol, here’s chapter 4!!!

This one was fun to write - Rico is excellent for slapstick and I got to reminisce on one of my favorite episodes of the show while doing it - so I don’t know about you guys but I’m having a blast!

[chiscribbs]

So here's something a little off the beaten path from my normal uploads -

Last week was my best friend @koilada's birthday and I held a private art stream for her, during which I sketched some of her (our) favorite ships! Because fwenship💕 Ships and the works that they're from listed below, in order of appearance:

Elena and Mateo (Elena of Avalor)

Koen and Ludwika (OCs from one of our collaborative works)

Cass and Varian (Tangled the Series)*

*The Cassarian sketch is specifically in reference to a post-series spin-off that she and I have been writing together for some time now, which I might post more about in the future, we'll see.

It's been so long since I've attempted to draw most of these characters... My favorite thing in this entire set ended up being that Mateo, because I have not drawn him very much and I was fully anticipating him to come out looking so much worse than he did, LOL. (Side note: please forgive the missing hands, these were not meant to be finished pieces, just some relatively "quick" sketches)

[lostbutterflyutau]

Matters of Care (Part 1/9)

Fandom: Elena of Avalor

Ships: Gabe/Carla with background Elena/Mateo

Characters: Carla, Mateo, Rafa, Gabe, Elena, Naomi

Rating: T

Genre: Mostly gen/sickfic with bits of romance

Summary: When BOTH Carla and Mateo fall ill during the preparations for a diplomatic visit (and while the rest of the royal family is gone!), Elena calls in Mateo's mother to help. Unfortunately for Rafa, Carla isn't an easy patient. But with time, persistence and her motherly instincts, Rafa is sure she can get Carla to come around.

Notes: After a lot of thinking, I've decided to give posting this a go! Note that because this was a story started nearly three years ago, it does have a touch of Gabe/Carla romance. This does not mean I will go back to writing them. Or that I even like them together anymore. It just means I didn't feel like re-writing the whole story to cut these elements out. Also, BIG thank you to @dittomander for being the first audience member for this fic and the one who encouraged me to finish it after three years.

Link: AO3

*The fic is finished and I plan to update weekly. Unless I don't receive any feedback within the week.**

[ograndebatata]

Belated contribution to Elena of Avalor Ship appreciation week - Day 2 - Alonso/Carmen -Adventures in Love - Chapter 001

Well... this was meant to be a contribution to the Elena of Avalor ship week on the Discord server, but it came out far later than I expected due to how much it started growing out of my control.

I even decided to post it in parts eventually because it was just getting so big. I hope you enjoy this first one. The pairing is Alonso x Carmen, and it was meant to be on the ‘Adventure’ day, with the crackship theme.

The usual disclaimers about me not owning anything in the series apply. 

Chapter 1 - Customer Importance

A bit over a week before Avalor's third Navidad after Princess Elena's exit from the Amulet of Avalor...

A growling stomach would usually not be described as something to be proud of, but as Alonso followed Avalor's new magister of trade into Café Angelica, he knew none of his body parts had ever spoken up at a better time.

Yes, Julio Guzman meant well, and it was remarkable he tried so hard to be good at his job, and it was good he had become more confident in his position since they first met at the last Feast of Friendship, and it was true Alonso was still trying to better himself. But there were limits for everything, and while Alonso had learned to be polite enough to not outright say so to the man, he was sick of hearing heaps of proposals that traders, whether Avaloran or not, had regarding partnerships with Cordoba.

Thankfully, his stomach's growl had served as an effective stopper to those, for the time being anyway, and Julio had suggested a meal on the house before he left for Cordoba to spend Navidad with his family.

At first, Alonso had accepted just to have some way of escaping this conversation, but as he smelled the divine whiffs coming from the kitchen even before he entered the place, he knew it had been a good idea for more reasons than one.

As he walked in, he couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort at the soft glow of the lights, the warm golden-orange on the walls, and the blue tables and chairs set about in an organized but not geometric fashion, each of them simple but well-crafted and sturdy.

It all seemed to give a feeling of being part of the family, like he heard Elena said she wanted her guests to feel, although this café looked far too old to have been set up by her.

"Here, Prince Alonso," the man instructed, pointing at a table for two right in front of the door. Alonso circled it so he could face the door and sat down as he removed his messenger bag from his shoulder. "Do you have anything in mind, or would you like to read the menu?"

Alonso picked up the list before him. "I think I'll read the menu. I don't know enough about Avaloran cuisine to ask for anything beforehand."

Julio nodded, standing at attention by his table like a soldier, his hands behind his back.

Trying to keep a calm expression, Alonso said, "Relax, will you? I won't terminate the alliance with Avalor if you just sit down for a bit."

The magister of trade did not sit down, but at least did stand in a more relaxed fashion, his arms now falling alongside his body.

Not as far as Alonso had suggested, but maybe it was better not to be too pushy, he decided as he started looking at the menu.

He recognized some dishes in it, like locro and guacamole and paella and enchiladas and tacos, but there were others which he had never heard of, like morisqueta and aguachile and puntas and milanesa and chicharron.

It might be interesting to try some of those out, but given it would be quite some time before he could eat again, and he might end up being accidentally rude by conveying through his expression that any given dish would be bad, perhaps he should go for something a bit more familiar.

Sounds like you're not trying all that hard to be better, after all. A reproachful voice pointed out at him.

Alonso suppressed a frown. He had been trying hard. The fact he still remembered all the proposals Julio Guzman had conveyed to him proved it, he thought.

But maybe he could try even harder. After all, his father went through even worse ordeals during his rule. If Alonso couldn't even be trusted to show gratitude for food he didn't like, he could hardly hope to be the kind of king who'd be a good ruler.

Not that he could hope that anyway, but he could still try his best.

Just pick something! Alonso told himself as he willed his eyes to pick something out from the list.

They landed on a dish at random, and he voiced his request to Julio.

"I'd like some rissoles with arroz rojo," he said. "Please." he added at the very last minute as he remembered his manners.

"I'll ask my sister to make some right away," Julio replied.

Saying so, he jogged someplace behind him, probably the kitchen to tell his sister. Interesting. Alonso would have thought the man would have called out the order rather than leave his guest alone, but perhaps he also felt the talk of trade matters had run its course and didn't feel comfortable around Alonso without it.

Shrugging to himself, Alonso settled more comfortably into his chair. He wouldn't say that to the man's face either, but he could do with some peace and quiet for a bit.

///

Sitting at the kitchen table, Carmen looked up as she heard the kitchen's double doors creaking open. Normally she barely blinked at the noise, but something about it was different enough this time that she raised her eyes from the new recipe she was outlining on paper before trying out for real.

Indeed, Julio had a rather strange halted skip to his step as he approached, his eyes glowing with eagerness and yet the rest of his posture strangely tense.

"You'll never guess who agreed to come to the café!" he whispered at her like an excited kid who'd gotten a toy he'd been wanting for months.

Carmen set down her pencil. "Hello to you too."

Julio stopped as if trying not to stumble on a sudden obstacle.

"Yes, yes, hello." he conceded. "Did you have a good day?"

"It was quiet. Enough people came here to turn in profit, but not enough to overwhelm the staff." She could see from the way he was tensing up that he was just dying to keep talking about his topic, so she added "I'm guessing you had a pretty great one. Who came here with you?"

"One of the best guests we could have!" Julio leaned forward and 'loud whispered'. "Prince Alonso of Cordoba!"

Carmen could actually feel her eyes widening.

"You mean he stayed with you all day long to listen to everything you wanted to tell him?"

Even without knowing him, she was impressed. Julio had had quite a lot of proposals to share, even though he had spent the better part of two days discarding lots of suggestions whether because they were repeated, too impractical to implement, or, in some rare cases, so asinine that they didn't deserve to be taken into consideration.

"I was impressed as well," Julio remarked. "Especially after Princess Elena's warnings about him."

Carmen shrugged. "Maybe he's trying to change?"

Julio nodded. "Maybe, but from how he acted with me, he either really changed a lot or wasn't that bad to begin with." Before Carmen could reply, her brother made a gesture as if pushing a heavy burden to the side. "Point is, he's here! And he's going to eat your food!" In a more normal tone, he finished. "He asked for rissoles with arroz rojo. Let's get them done."

Carmen narrowed her eyes. "We're almost closed. I'm not sure I can have those ready before then. Can't you ask him to order anything simpler?"

"We could close a bit later, can't we? This is an important customer, after all." He looked like he was ready to throw his arms up from the grandeur of his following statement. "And if he likes it, maybe word will spread to Cordoba, and other visitors from there will come here, and we'll get more money!"

Carmen tried not to frown.

"I think we're good on the money front for a while."

Julio folded his arms. "That's why we need to have enough to save up in case we ever end up on the wrong side of poverty again."

Carmen held back her remarks. She could see where Julio was coming from. Even with the café's success, it had taken over a year to pay off all the bills and debts that had built up during the dark period in their lives. Still, she didn't exactly like Julio's excessive concerns with money. They were well off by now, at least enough that she didn't see the need to seek for a source of profit everywhere.

"I'll help you." Julio added, opening his eyes wider and pouting like a puppy.

Carmen sighed. "I think you're overdoing it." She took a deep breath to gather herself. "But let's make the rissoles with arroz rojo."

Julio broke into a relieved smile. "Thank you, Carmen."

Despite herself, Carmen spared him a smile of her own before she put away her pencil and the book she had been writing on.

Here's to hoping he can appreciate good food. She thought as she picked up a piece of bread to be turned into crumbs. She knew some royals could be really picky about what they ate. Granted, that might be undeserved reputation in some cases. She didn't have motives to complain about any of those she had actually met, and no one had ever disliked any of her abuela's dishes.

Carmen closed her eyes, a jolt of pain cutting through her heart. Even years later, she could get bouts of sadness when thinking about abuelita. And she had been getting a lot of those lately with the approaching Navidad.

She willed the thought to leave her brain as she set the bread down on the table and went to get the onion. Her point was, Prince Alonso sounded like he would be the first royal she served who was a picky eater. Though Julio's words had hinted he was trying to be better, it was hard to say if he had become good enough to be polite about food he didn't like. Doña Paloma had spoken of his comments on single lettuce leaves after all.

Well, let him think whatever he thought. Carmen would do the dish he had requested, and would do her best job, like her professional and personal pride always compelled her to.

And if Prince Alonso didn't like it, all the worse for him.

[cartoonfangirl1218]

EoA Ship Appreciation Week 2022: Sweetheart’s Day/Anniversary

Juro por la luna y las estrellas en el cielo Y juro como la sombra que se encuentra a tu lado

Veo las preguntas en tus ojos Sé que pesan en tu cabeza Puedes estar segura de que reconozco mi parte

Porque estaré a tu lado a través de los años Solo llorarás lágrimas de felicidad E incluso si cometiera errores, nunca romperé tu corazón

Y juro por la luna y las estrellas en el cielo Que allí estaré Juro como una sombra que se encuentra a tu lado Que allí estaré

Para bien o para mal hasta que la muerte nos separe Te amaré con cada latido de mi corazón Y juro

Que te daré todo lo que pueda Construiré tus sueños con estas dos manos Colgaremos algunos recuerdos en la pared

Y cuando (y cuando) Los dos estemos allí No tendrás que preguntarte si aún me importas

Porque a medida que el tiempo pase de pagina Mi amor no envejecerá ni un poco

Y juro (y juro) Por la luna y las estrellas en el cielo Que allí estaré (Allí estaré)

Juro (y juro) Como la sombra que se encuentra a tu lado Que allí estaré (Allí estaré)

Para bien o para mal hasta que la muerte nos separe Te amaré con cada latido de mi corazón (Latido de mi corazón) Y juro

Juro (juro) Por la luna y las estrellas en el cielo Que allí estaré (Allí estaré)

(Juro) Juro como la sombra que se encuentra a tu lado Que allí estaré (Allí estaré)

Para bien o para mal (bien o mal) Hasta que la muerte nos separe (Oh no)

(Te amaré con cada) Con cada latido de mi corazón (Juro) Juro (Juro) Oh, te lo juro

[ameliathefatcat]

I lowkey want to do a Jasabel week, would anyone help me with that?

[lieutenant-amuel]

hehe u know me if u make me an elenaomi edit i would forever be grateful <3

Thank you so much for the request, Annie!! I'm really sorry for making you wait! It's been a very long time since you requested it! Anyway, I hope that's okay and you like it!!

[disneymiraculousefandomsblog]

“Love is friendship that has caught fire”~Ann Landers

Hi! I’m sorry it took so long to make your request, it’s been a very eventful week for me. I’m glad I could finally make your request💛 I really like the Gabaomi ship, i always mostly canon them together in the show lol✨ I hope it turned out how you wanted it✨thanks for the request!✨

[okaysimones]

happy late sweethearts day!

[laprincesaelena]

EOA Discord Server Ship Appreciation Week Day 4: Writing

a/n: hi everyone! you may notice today’s entry looks a bit different, and that’s because it is! for day 4, i was simply stuck on an idea for a fic, and to be honest, i was a bit worried i would never figure out an idea! i was determined to contribute something for each day, though, and on the first night of the week, an idea suddenly came to mind!

so, without further ado, introducing a Ship Appreciation Week poem of sorts! in my family, my aunt has made a mini tradition for important anniversaries where she writes a poem all about the couple, and over the past couple months, i’ve picked up her skill, which is what inspired this! a very special thank you to all who told me a bit about their favorite ships after seeing my post about this the other day, if you are among this group, i made sure your ship was included :)

i know i didn’t mention every single eoa ship out there, if i did, i’m sure i’d be writing a novel! but, if anyone would ever like a part two with more ships, well, my dms and inbox are always open for info about your faves..👀 anyways, another thank you to all who have been supporting my work so far this week, your support truly means the world to me!! now, on to day 4!

poem is below the cut!

Each Valentine's Day, a very special date,

Elena of Avalor fans can't wait to create,

Fan art, fanfics, edits and more,

During Ship Appreciation Week, who knows what's in store?

Whether by writing, drawing, liking or sharing,

All get the chance to appreciate a favorite pairing!

Through great works of art and writing so sweet,

Here are a few couples you'll be destined to meet!

When this royal guard and crown princess met,

It was a first day of rule that neither would forget

Gabe and Elena had quite the start, it's true,

But from knowing each other, their personalities grew.

As a royal guard, Gabe's instinct was to protect,

But Elena was resistant, she didn't need his assistance yet!

Once Gabe witnessed all she could do on her own,

He was confident she'd be ready to one day take the throne.

Through good times and bad, they've got each other's backs,

Especially in battle, when Elena's impulse control lacks.

Though it can be difficult when Elena doesn't think things through,

Gabe forever keeps his promise of, "I'm always with you".

This next pair possesses a close emotional bond,

Of Crown Princess Elena is Mateo quite fond.

A magical dream team in battle or as friends,

To their support for each other there is no end.

Even with magical threats on the run,

You can always find these two laughing at a pun!

A dorky sense of humor this couple does share,

It's simple to see that they're a perfect pair!

Together on adventures, royal outings and quests,

Mateo and Elena were prepared for any test.

Through all they encountered, from malvagos to spirit guides,

No matter what, they'd always be by each other's side.

Whether on land or sailing the sea,

Gabe and Naomi were meant to be.

Their persistence brought them to the ends of the earth,

In order to somehow prove their worth.

On the battlefield the two are an unstoppable pair,

To defend Elena and the kingdom, they'd always be there.

Their weapons may not be magical, but never underestimate them, though,

For they wield great power with their sword and lasso!

Their comments to each other could leave one astonished,

That's just Gabe and Naomi, they're brutally honest!

But their snark towards each other is all in good fun, 

These two have a soft side, and would never hurt anyone.

Next are James and Isabel, a young romance,

Elena's coronation is where they shared their first dance

Both second born royals with bright futures ahead,

Uniting Avalor and Enchancia if they were to wed.

Speaking of dancing, this couple cannot,

A talent for wizardry is what they’ve got.

Mateo and Carla’s dance moves are simply quite tragic,

It’d probably be best if they just stuck to magic.

Moments with this couple can be surprisingly rare,

Naomi and Mateo are a possible pair.

Naomi could learn magic, Mateo could sail the seas,

These two amigos bring up endless possibilities!

Only a portion of these ships it’s possible to mention,

And there’s always the option for a ship of your own invention!

It shouldn’t matter if your ship is canon, or if you believe it to have ‘won’,

The most important part of shipping is just having fun!

Though we each have our opinions on which connections we see,

There’s one statement on which all of us can agree.

The Elena of Avalor fandom’s shipping is truly second to none,

Happy Ship Appreciation Week, everyone! ❤️

[dittomander]

Chapters: 5/7 Fandom: Elena of Avalor (Cartoon) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Armando Gutierrez/Marlena, Elena Castillo Flores/Marisa, Mateo de Alva/Naomi Turner, Gabriel "Gabe" Núñez/Rico Villalobos, Alonso of Cordoba/Elena Castillo Flores Characters: Marlena (Disney: Elena of Avalor), Elena Castillo Flores, Princess Marisa (Elena of Avalor), Armando Gutierrez (Elena of Avalor), Naomi Turner, Mateo de Alva, Gabriel "Gabe" Núñez, Rico Villalobos, Alonso of Cordoba Additional Tags: EoA Ship Appreciation Week 2022, Fluff, Romance, Romantic Fluff, each chapter features a different ship, Ships listed in order of appearance, First Date, Artistic License: Marine Biology, Family History, Music, Minor Injuries, Gardens & Gardening

Chapter 5: Overwatered

Summary: After failing to woo Elena with gifts of expensive jewels, Alonso turns to gardening, instead. Prompt(s): jewels/flowers.

This chapter popped into my head fully formed the moment I saw the prompts and honestly is the one I think I’m most proud of. Alternate summary: Alonso gets a new hobby and Elena sees him in a new light.

[a-lilacsong]

I just think Francisco and Luisa are such a cute couple. 

I originally drew this picture for early 2020’s EOA shipweek, but completed it late and decided not to post it back then. I recently colored it and so I can finally post it for this year's ship week. 

[Image ID: A pencil crayon and ink drawing of Francisco and Luisa when they were young adults. Francisco is playing a guitar, and Luisa is sitting on a chair listening to him and holding a flower he gave her. End ID]

[lostbutterflyutau]

Parting Gift

Note: I did not intend to write more than the one piece for ship week due to lack of time, but got inspired and managed to squeeze in some time for this short ficlet.

Written for the “Farewell” prompt.

***

It was rare that Carla got up before the sun did. In fact, she was sure she could count on one hand the number of times it happened in her whole life, but this morning was different than those other times that were usually before a big move or to complete homework assignments back in the Mirror World.

She sighed to herself, toyed with ribbon in her hands as she looked down into the garden where Gabe and his newest group of recruits were preparing to take off on their weeklong survival training mission. But it wasn’t him leaving that had thrown off her sleeping schedule. She’d accepted that they’d have periods of separation. That came with being the girlfriend of any royal guard. As stupid as she knew it was, it was the unique tradition that came with this kind of trip that nagged at her.

She leaned over, rested her arms on the balcony railing with a frown and leaned her head against her hand. All of the other guards going on this trip – new recruits and trainers alike – had gotten some sort of token from their partners if they had one. She’d heard it was to spread good luck and thoughts while they were in the wilderness and had been eager to find something to give Gabe despite him being the Captain. Maybe he didn’t necessarily need it, but she thought it was a cute gesture. A tiny show of affection and luck for a usually miserable type of experience.

Unfortunately, nothing seemed good enough, especially after she learned that some of the other men had gotten things like heirloom watches and jewelled brooches, neither of which seemed right for Gabe. The only thing she could think to offer was a purple hair ribbon. It was small, easy to hide and would serve as a cute reminder that she was thinking about him without getting in the way. And, in case it got lost, neither would be particularly heartbroken or out a precious gift. But practicality didn’t equal quality and a flimsy ribbon would never seem as important or meaningful as a hand-me-down pocket watch or well-kept piece of jewellery.

‘This is stupid. It’s not even that big of a deal,’ Carla thought to herself, glancing back down to see Gabe walking up along the row of new guards, presumably doing some form of attendance check or rundown of the rules while Rico and Miguel stood next to a pile of survival packs.

She then frowned as she was struck with the thought that she hadn’t given him a proper goodbye. He’d been so busy preparing that she’d barely seen him for a few days. Then again, they’d only been dating for four months. Did saying goodbye really matter that much?  And what if he thought she was being stupidly clingy because of it?

‘But if you don’t at least say goodbye, he might think you don’t care about him leaving,’ The other side of her remarked, the thought making the knot in her stomach twist even tighter. She would hate for him to think she didn’t care about him or the fact he was going away. The truth was that, as much as she hid it, she knew she would miss him terribly, because even though it was part of his job, this would be their first big separation since they became a couple. Abuela had said that the first time was always the hardest but knowing the reason for her feelings didn’t change them.

‘Don’t be dumb,’ She scolded herself and stood straight. ‘He’s not going to think you decided to break up with him just because you didn’t give him a trinket.’

Still, she wasn’t sure she wanted to take that chance. Maybe Gabe wasn’t insecure enough to think that, but she also didn’t want to hurt him. She watched him head over to Rico and Miguel, clutched the ribbon with both hands. Since she was up anyway, she figured the least she could do was see him off. And that, even if it was somewhat corny, a ribbon was better than letting him think she had forgotten.

***

“Alright men,” Gabe said, his commanding tone making the line of recruits in front of him immediately straighten up. “For the next week, you can only rely on what’s inside these backpacks and your own survival training. The goal is to make your way from the Moonshadow Jungle to – ”

“Gabe!” A familiar voice called, halting both his words and train of thought as he whipped around to see Carla making her way down the path in her nightgown and flats he assumed she hastily grabbed. She hated to be mismatched and the black didn’t go with the cream and purple colour scheme at all.

“Carla? What are you doing out here?” He asked, stepping forward to meet her and hoping that her sudden appearance didn’t indicate some kind of emergency.

“I…” She trailed off for a minute, suddenly shy when she glanced up and caught the eyes of the nosy squad behind him. She flicked her eyes downward, toyed with her bracelet as she confessed, “I needed to see you before you left.”

Gabe smiled, reached up to put his hands on her shoulders and opened his mouth to speak. But, before he could even get a word out, someone spoke up from behind him.

“Nice nightie, Princess,” One of the recruits called, giving a satisfied smirk at his own comment, the way the other men snickered and Carla’s glare.

“Mendes!” Gabe snapped, turning back to face him, and noting the way the younger man’s expression immediately shifted as he pointed to the ground. “Fifteen. Now.”

“Yes Captain,” Mendes sighed, moved to do as he was told just as Gabe turned back to Carla.

“Come on,” He said, first motioning slightly with his hand and then setting in on her back when she took the hint and stepped over. “Let’s go somewhere private.”

He gave her a soft nudge and they headed down the path together, found an open spot away from the others’ prying eyes and ears.

“I’m happy you came to say goodbye,” Gabe said when they stopped. He set his hands on her shoulders again, teased, “You even got up early to do it.”

“I didn’t sleep. Not really,” Carla admitted, kicked one of her feet.

His expression shifted, the smile in his eyes turning to concern. “Is something wrong?”

“What? No! I mean –” She stopped, sighed. She couldn’t lie to him, even if it was such a little one. “Kind of.”  

He tilted his head slightly, waited for her to continue.

She took in a breath, shuffled her feet as her hand returned to her bracelet. “I know it’s tradition for you guys to take trinkets on this trip and I didn’t want you to be left out but –”

“But what?” He pressed gently as he brushed a piece of hair out of her face, tucked it behind her ear.  

“Nothing I found was good enough.”

“What do you mean by ‘good enough?’”

Carla sighed. “Well, it’s just – ” She paused, considered her words as she glanced down a her hands, gave her bracelet another tug. “I heard some of the other men talking about their trinkets and I – well – I just knew I wouldn’t be able to find anything as meaningful as a gold watch or a ruby brooch.” She paused a second time, reached into her nightgown pocket. “All I could think of was this.”

Gabe stared down at the purple ribbon in her hand, immediately recognised it as one of her spare hair ribbons. He didn’t respond, only reached out and gently took it.

“I know it’s lame and this is going to sound really stupid, but I got the idea from a book. I just thought that maybe –”

“It’s not lame,” Gabe interrupted, closed his hand around the ribbon. “It’s well…” He trailed off, took a minute to search for the right word. “You.”

Carla glanced up, met his reassuring gaze with her eager one. “You mean… You like it?”

“Of course I do,” He smiled, took one of her hands. “Carla, you know that I don’t need anything extravagant.”  

She squeezed his hand. “But what if they think it’s not good enough? Just like they think I’m not good enough. You remember how much of a mess the guards’ ball was.”

“That doesn’t matter, and you know it,” He said, reached for her other hand. “The fact that you cared so much and tried so hard to find something says more than any fancy watch. It’s enough. You are enough.”  

Unsure of what else to say, Carla merely stepped forward, keeping her eyes on his and hoping he took the hint as she leaned up.

He met her in the middle and together they fell into a soft, deep kiss that they both hoped said everything they couldn’t with words. Faint voices in the back of their minds tried to remind them that Gabe had a mission to get back to, but neither bothered to hasten the kiss, wanting to take their time in the moment.

When they broke apart, he smiled, held out the ribbon to her. “Put it on for me?”

Returning the smile, Carla took the ribbon, waited while he held his arm out to her and then carefully tied it around his wrist.

“It looks good on you,” She teased.

He laughed. “I’m glad you think so because I don’t plan to hide it.”

Carla giggled, moved to take his hand again. “Good luck on the trip.”

“I know it’ll feel like forever, but a week really isn’t that long,” He reassured. “And when I get back, we can have that beach picnic you’ve been talking about.”

“I’d like that,” She gave him a sincere smile, giggled again when he kissed her head.

“Now you go back upstairs and get some proper rest. I know you have a busy day too.”

She gave an exaggerated sigh. “Yes, Captain.”

“Cutie,” He replied and gently flicked her nose, biting back another laugh when her face scrunched up at the slight tickle, her expression reminding him of exactly why he’d started using that pet name. Then, her lips shook as if she was trying to suppress something, only to let out a soft yawn that she instinctively covered.

She pouted as she put her hand down, seemingly annoyed at the way it confirmed his command. If she had her way, they’d stay there for much longer. But he was right. She needed rest and he had a squad to return to.

Her eyes then narrowed in seriousness as she squeezed his hand and whispered, “Stay safe.”

“I’ll do my best,” He promised, gripped her hands in a tight affirmation of his words as the smile returned to her face.

Though it took all her willpower to do so, Carla turned around and headed back down the path, with him following until she turned up the path leading to palace. Once she reached the door, she stopped, looked back at him as he continued towards the fountain area, pausing to meet her gaze one last time.

He waved to her, the loose ends of the ribbon she had gifted him fluttering with the movement of his wrist.

Smiling at her again, he whispered mostly to himself, “See you soon, Cutie.”  

[ograndebatata]

Adventures in Love - Chapter 002

So... here is chapter 2 of my Day 2 contribution for Elena of Avalor ship week. 

An important warning note: I mentioned in a previous chapter that these stories take place in my AU. Well, said AU includes some behind the scenes stuff that hasn't been shown yet in the form of my fics, but which I plan to do at some point in the future. I tried to make the references to the 'relevant events' strong enough to stand on their own, but you'll be the judges on whether I succeeded.

Thanks to @lostbutterflyutau for taking a look at two scenes on this chapter and giving me her thoughts on them.

I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 2 - Gorgeous Eyes

All too late, Alonso realized he should have been careful with what he wished for. Without the magister of trade's company, his stomach's protests were much more difficult to ignore, and even the other things he had to keep himself busy with in his messenger bag did not help much there.

His former self would have had less than exemplary attitudes - to say the least - but his current one thought he might as well do something productive while he waited. And even if said productive thing was difficult to focus on when he was so hungry, he knew from personal experience that hunger wouldn't be his biggest problem if he really needed to use it.

So, he grabbed his tamborita by its golden handle with black swirls and aimed it at his messenger bag, which lay on the floor by the door.

"Canaza!" he said as he tapped the tamborita's drum right over the silver horseshoe with red dots on it.

A pale yellow glow erupted around the messenger bag and it shot toward him so fast that Alonso could barely throw up the hand he'd tapped the tamborita with to grab it.

He frowned. He still had to practice to not put more magic than required into a given object. But at least it was a step up from the days he had problems moving anything heavier than a napkin even if it was only two feet from his tamborita.

Let's try again, then. He thought.

Those plans came to an end a moment afterwards, as the kitchen's doors creaked open behind him. Alonso turned behind and saw Julio Guzman approaching him with a plate in his hands and a rather surprised look on his face.

"Something wrong?" Alonso asked.

The man composed a neutral expression, which would have succeeded if not for his wide eyes. "I didn't know you could do magic, your highness."

Alonso frowned. Perhaps he shouldn't have started practicing magic in a place where anyone could stumble in at any time. But magic was something he had good reasons to get better at, and both Elena and Mateo had told him it took plenty of practice, which he had already learned from experience.

But he couldn't very well give the man all the details, even if he had to say something.

"Cordoba doesn't have a royal wizard," he explained. "And recent events made me realize what a gap that was. Avalor's royal wizard was kind enough to get me started on it a few months ago, and I was taking some time to practice."

That was all he dared to say. It was vague, but he didn't know the magister of trade well enough to bare his personal failures. The most he'd tell if pressed was about the incident where he couldn't do more about Victor and Carla Delgado than give them Pedro in an effort to slow them down while he sent Princess Elena a warning of their arrival - a warning she had never received, no thanks to her treacherous cousin.

It wasn't his most important reason to learn magic, but it was the only one he would dare to voice.

To his relief, Alonso didn't have to tell even that. Julio Guzman just nodded in acceptance as he approached the table, and Alonso held back a relieved sigh as he set the messenger bag on the floor and put the tamborita on his lap, on time for the other man to put his plate at the spot he had vacated.

"Here are the rissoles, Prince Alonso. My sister will bring the arroz rojo shortly."

"Thanks." Alonso replied before he turned to look at the dish that had been set down and the five snacks shaped like a half moon in it.

These rissoles' shape vaguely looked like that of the spinach puffs his grandfather loved to cook, and the deep friend exterior also was vaguely similar. But Alonso had eaten those countless times since he could remember, and could tell from the smell alone that these rissoles were nothing like his family's spinach puffs.

But they did smell delicious, and Alonso couldn't wait to try them.

"Is there any problem, Your Highness"

Julio's voice brought him back to reality, right on time for him to hear the kitchen's doors creaking again, presumably as Julio's sister walked out of it. Meanwhile, the man himself looked rather apprehensive. Apparently he hadn't liked that Alonso had decided to survey the rissoles before starting to eat them.

Well, there was no way out of it other than lying or being honest, and he was trying not to do the former, but he didn't really know how to do the latter without sounding offensive. Elena was right about the virtues of telling the truth, but it was difficult sometimes.

After some thinking, he settled on, "I was just thinking that these rissoles look like another snack I know, but I can tell from the smell alone they are clearly quite different."

Julio made a face as if he'd just spotted a plate of weird-looking food but was trying to hold back any honest comments on how it looked. Then, his eyes widened in very clear alarm, as Alonso could swear he felt a chill running down his back.

After a few seconds, there was a dull thud as something ceramic was set on a table, and then a female voice asked in a voice that sent a new chill down Alonso's back, "What is that supposed to mean?"

Alonso gulped at both the words and the question, as mortified as a child who'd said a swear word by accident. He might not be very bright, but he knew his attempt at politeness had been taken very wrongly.

Torn between his fear and what he would see and his fear at giving whoever had spoken another reason to be angry, Alonso slowly turned back to look at the woman.

And then all breath left his lungs for a different reason entirely.

///

A moment ago, Carmen's blood had been boiling.

Now a different kind of heat spread through her body.

The moment the prince turned to look at her and their eyes met, it was like a spark falling on kindling covered in alcohol. What she could only describe as liquid glow rushed through her body from the end of her braid to the tips of her toes. The rest of the world vanished even more thoroughly than when she lost herself in her cooking. She only knew his gaze, and she could only stare into his gorgeous eyes, as sweet and warm as melted chocolate, and somehow more like windows to his soul than an actual window would be even if it didn't have glass panes or curtains behind it. Her whole being tingled with fuzziness from eye contact alone, and she just wanted to keep staring and staring, to get to know the gaze's owner as deeply as she could stare into it, and pour herself out to him at the same time.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, a voice shouted at her what a load of nonsense it was for reasons she knew far too well.

Carmen ignored it.

///

An instant before, Alonso had shivered in fear.

Now he trembled from warmth.

The moment his eyes met hers, a light flared within him like a candle flame that only grew brighter and bigger and yet never burned. Every inch of his whole being seemed to be caressed by warm feathers as the rest of the world vanished much more completely than it ever did when he lost himself in all the horse-racing he did. All he knew was her gaze, and all he wanted to do was to stare into her gorgeous eyes, so much more beautiful than any gemstone he had ever seen, blazing with energy and passion with a softer kindness shining underneath. He remembered the old saying about the eyes being windows to the soul, but her eyes were like windows the Yacali had punched through.

He couldn't put exact words to the feeling, and he didn't want to. He just knew that he wanted to know he wanted to stare on and on, and get to know the woman those eyes belonged to as deeply as he could stare into them, and also let her get to know him just as deeply.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, a voice shouted at him what a terrible idea it was for reasons he knew far too well.

Alonso ignored it.

///

Standing to Prince Alonso's right, Julio could only blink in confusion at what transpired before him. He had thought he would be about to see the heir to Cordoba get chewed out by Carmen over his comment on abuela's recipe, especially when Carmen made it a point to set down the bowl with arroz rojo on the nearest table before putting her hands on her hips.

But before Julio could even try to get ready to prevent what could be a diplomatic catastrophe, both Carmen's fury and Prince Alonso's fear seemed to shatter like crystal as they just started staring into each other's eyes like characters from those cheesy romance novels Julio would sometimes look at, the kind that fell in love at first sight and from that moment on could never be driven apart.

Nonsense, as far as Julio was concerned. Carmen was not celibate by any means, but he couldn't remember her paying much attention to her dates' loks. As for Prince Alonso, Julio knew he had gone out with plenty of girls, and even if it seemed that in his particular case they really were just dates, he still wasn't impressed.

Point was, neither of them seemed the kind to fall in love at first sight. And yet, unless Julio's eyes and other senses were deceiving him, that was happening at this very moment.

Julio snapped out of those thoughts as something seemed to shift in their gazes, but neither of them broke eye contact.

"You have gorgeous eyes," Prince Alonso whispered as if he just couldn't keep that to himself.

"You too," Carmen replied in a matching tone.

As far as eyes went, Julio could swear his own had widened to the size of pumpkins. Really? This had to be beyond any cheesy romance novel he had ever glimpsed!

And yet, from their tones, Julio knew both of them meant every sound they made.

He just hoped he wouldn't actually start to see pink hearts popping out of them.

As if that thought was all it took to break the magic, both Carmen and Prince Alonso jerked as if snapping from a trance, and Carmen even shook her head like a wet dog before putting a fierce glare back on her face and drawing the serving spoon from the bowl of arroz like a sword as she stomped over to Alonso and leaned down so close into his face that their noses were almost touching.

"Just who do you think you are to come here and talk like that?" she demanded. "You may be used to caviar and foie gras and I don't know whatever else you stuck-up fancy royals eat, but that gives you no right to be rude! If you don't like the food, just say so! And if you don't like it, you may as well go hungry! But you're not coming here to throw thinly veiled insults at these recipes!" She raised the serving spoon toward the prince's face so fast he barely managed to lean away from it. "Do you understand?"

Julio gulped as Carmen glared at the wide-eyed prince. He knew Carmen could get touchy when someone disparaged abuelita's cooking, especially when it happened close to sensitive times of the year, but he had never seen her this cross. Thankfully Prince Alonso seemed startled rather than outraged, but Carmen might well be about to ruin the alliance between Avalor and Cordoba. Julio understood where she was coming from, but he had to somehow temper her extreme reaction.

He raised his hand to draw their attention, but then Carmen made it a point to intensify her glare before she straightened herself and turned around to stomp her way back to the kitchen.

She only got halfway there before her foot slid against the floor and her whole body turned upwards as a cry flew from her lips.

[cartoonfangirl1218]

EoA Ship Appreciation Week 2022: Music

Sometimes the snow comes down in June Sometimes the sun goes 'round the moon I see the passion in your eyes Sometimes it's all a big surprise

'Cause there was a time when all I did was wish You'd tell me this was love It's not the way I hoped or how I planned But somehow it's enough

And now we're standing face to face Isn't this world a crazy place? Just when I thought our chance had passed You go and save the best for last

All of the nights you came to me

When some silly girl had set you free You wondered how you'd make it through I wondered what was wrong with you

'Cause how could you give your love to someone else And share your dreams with me Sometimes the very thing you're lookin' for Is the one thing you can't see

But now we're standing face to face Isn't this world a crazy place? Just when I thought our chance had passed You go and save the best for last

Sometimes the very thing you're looking for

Is the one thing you can't see

Sometimes the snow comes down in June Sometimes the sun goes 'round the moon Just when I thought our chance had passed You go and save the best for last

You went and saved the best for last

[ameliathefatcat]

I know ship appreciation doesn’t start for another two days but I’m just so excited so I’m post this right now