#just smiling politely like mmmhm whatever you say!!

[startistdoodles]

I drew this as quick as I could

“I don’t care what you say, I’m not trusting Dark Matter.”

[eadanga]

Royal Love Part 7

Summary: Now 18 Eleanor heads to her first year of college and falls for a handsome musician. Can she keep her royal secret be with her true love?

A/N: This series is for @kingliam2019​​​ one of my 500 followers giveaway winners

Eleanor stands at her mirror doing her hair and makeup. A knock comes at the door and Marissa pokes her head in “Girl you ready?”

“Almost just doing my makeup”

Marissa grins “I love the dress where’d you get it?”

“Oh my aunt made it for me”

“Is she a designer? Can she make me a dress?”

Eleanor giggles “No she’s not a designer she just makes dresses cause she knows how to”

“Still this is amazing work I want a dress from her”

Eleanor smiles “I’ll tell her then now where are going”

“Oh there’s this new club that opened downtown it’s called Gold it’s super hot”

“Well who else besides me and you is coming?”

“Just a few girl friends and some girls annnnnd” Marissa winks “Cole is going to be there”

Eleanor blushes “Really?”

“Awwww you’re blushing you do like him”

Eleanor quickly turns away “We’re just friends”

“Mmmhm”

Eleanor rolls her eyes tries not to smile “Whatever you say”

“Now get your cute butt out the door”

Eleanor laughs as she grabs her purse and heads out

****

They arrive at Gold and Eleanor’s eyes marvel inside the club. The people dancing the music pumping through the speakers

Marissa grabs her arm “Oh there’s everyone let’s go” She pulls her over to where everyone was sitting and chatting

“Hey guys this is my roommate Eleanor. Eleanor this is Josh Randy, Anna, Lacey, Dee Dee and you already know Cole”

Eleanor waves “Hi everyone” Then she turns to Marissa “You haven’t been here long how do you know so many people?”

“I’m sure they love my charming personality”

Lacey giggles “More like annoying”

Everyone laughs as Marissa playfully shoves her

Josh grins “So Eleanor Marissa tells us you’re from Europe” “Oh yeah I’m from Cordonia”

Anna squeals “Oooh have you seen the palace or met the king and queen?”

He’s my father Eleanor takes a deep breath “Uh no not really”

Lacey pouts “Really? Marissa you said her dad is high in politics”

“Oh he is and when I said not really I meant I just greeted him that’s all”

Anna sighs “Boo I was hoping for more”

Randy rolls his eyes “Stop hounding the girl you’re making her nervous”

“Oh no it’s fine Marissa let’s talk” Eleanor pulls her away from everyone else “Please don’t tell anyone else about my family I don’t want people to like me because of that”

“Oh I’m sorry I didn’t know I won’t say anything else swear on everything”

“Thank you and plus my dad told me to keep it private”

Marissa mimes her lips being zipped “My lips are sealed I won’t say anything else”

Eleanor giggles “Thank you” They return back to the group “So are you all up for drinks”

Josh claps his hands “Now you’re speaking my language!”

Cole chuckles “Just take it easy man I’m not hauling your drunk ass home”

Everyone burst out laughing as Josh rolls his eyes

Anna turns to Eleanor “So I’ve been hearing that Alyssa’s been giving you problems”

Eleanor sighs “Yeah she’s been hounding me all cause she’s a jealous bitch”

Lacey scoff “She’s more than that I really wish I can beat her ugly ass”

Randy shakes his head “I really wish you didn’t date that girl man”

“Let’s not talk about her let’s have a good time” Cole downs the last of his drink “Let’s dance guys”

Everyone heads out onto the dance floor. Eleanor dances with the girls till she feels a pair of arms come up behind her she blushes as she hears a familiar voice

“May I have this dance with you?”

Eleanor turns and faces Cole “Yes you may” They dance together “Really don’t do that I thought you were some random guy I was about to knee”

Cole laughs “Sorry about that”

“You were quiet it tonight”

“Well it’s just”

“Just what?”

“I didn’t want to hog all your time I mean everyone deserved to know how great you are”

Eleanor blushes “Oh thank you you’re great too Cole”

“So listen Elle would you like to”

“Cole!”

Cole curses under his breath “Dear God please don’t let that be”

Alyssa storms up to him “What are you doing here dancing with her?!”

“That’s none of your business now can you go away”

“No! I asked you to come here with me and you said you weren’t coming!”

“Did I? Shocker I lied”

Alyssa stomps her foot the glares at Eleanor “This is all your fault! I hate you!” She lunges at Eleanor but she dodges her and she lands flat on her face “Ow!”

Eleanor laughs “You should really learn to stay on your feet” Alyssa quickly gets up and lunges again but Eleanor tackles her and pins her to the ground “You and Cole are over! Get over it and move on!” Eleanor huffs as she releases her

Alyssa snarls “You bitch you’re gonna pay I’m gonna destroy you” She stomps away

Eleanor rolls her eyes “She’s pathetic”

“I know you wanna step outside you probably need air after that” Eleanor nods and they head outside “Those were some moves where did you learn that?”

“Oh dad always thought it was good to learn to protect yourself”

“Can you show me sometime?”

Eleanor smirks “The great football captain wants me to show him some moves?”

Cole chuckles “Very funny how about you come and meet my family for the weekend”

“Really?”

“Yeah they’re throwing a BBQ you can come and experience Texas BBQ”

Eleanor smiles “I love it I’ll be there”

Cole smiles “Great we better get back in before everyone starts wondering where we are”

Eleanor giggles as they walk back in then she sighs Meeting Cole’s family it’s ok no pressure at all

Tags: @indiacater​​ @mfackenthal​​ @the-soot-sprite​​​ @twinkleallnight​​ @gkittylove99​​ @iaminlovewithtrr​​ @princess-geek​​

[jackals-ships]

you come in quick to steal a kiss (my teeth will only cut your lips)

contains: the girls are traumatizeddd but they're also both in love your honor, lotor is absolutely not crying in the bathtub why do you ask, nonsexual and not heavily described nudity, implied/referenced parental neglect /abuse. there is an argument in kinda a looser term of the word towards the end but they make up <3

Jackal forgets sometimes, the ways that Lotor's childhood differed from theirs. Forgets and forgets up until a joke doesn't land quite right, until he looks at them askance after they tell yet another story of them and their siblings being simply horrid little creatures together. (The cult of the ceiling baby story especially had him looking like they had just grown another set of limbs.)

Of course many times they chalk it up to a wide variety of things. He was raised galra. He was raised as a prince. He was raised an only child by a nanny. (Governess he pouting insists and they can't help but to laugh just a little each time. Only he would insist on there being a distinction.)

But sometimes. Sometimes it's things they can't chalk up to all that. (Things that mirror their own hurt. That makes their bones ache with a desire to inflict violence.)

They're working on getting dressed when he comes back to their shared room. He had offered it in an off handed sort of way, leaving plenty of openings to flee if they so desired. There was….they had considered it, skittering off like a feral animal that he would have to tempt with treats once more to allow near enough to touch.

In the end Jackal had agreed. The sheer unfiltered delight on his face more than made up for any instinctive discomfort they had felt. (Attachment issues their therapist had called it. Avoidant. As if it was a terrible thing to desire their own space.)

(Begrudgingly they would later admit that she was right. They hadn't realized how starved they were for connection until they shared a space with him. And gods knew he was the same, he lit up every time they would come back to him.)

Oftentimes when he's off before they're awake he's doing….whatever important things Emperor's do. Quite frankly it made their head spin any time they tried to make heads or tails of his paperwork. But sometimes, the times they enjoy most, he spars in the morning.

Occasionally they will join him, half grumbling about the fact that being up at such an unholy hour should be illegal. Even more illegal the way he has a bounce in his step while they're busy trying to remember how to pretend to be a person. But watching him always perks them up.

They are perfectly adult enough to admit they've always been attracted to danger. To people that could, but never would, harm them. They're sure their therapist would have Something to say about it, but they would just counter he's fucking hot when he's using a sword okay. They're a simple man, they see a pretty boy with a sword and they go feral.

He's hot after as well.

The flush in his cheeks brings out the constellations of stars on his face. His hair, normally so controlled, is slicked back with sweat in some spots and fluffing out in others. And he smiles more after. less of the polite, controlled smile they've seen him give visiting dignitaries more…actually happy. All bright bouncy energy.

He shoots them one of those smiles now, all sharp fox teeth and bright eyes crinkling at the corners. "Good morning starlight. did you sleep well?"

"Mmmhm. Had some weird dreams I can't quite remember but ehh. Par, par for the course y'know?"

They can feel him watching as they dress, the first few times it had made them uncomfortable. (He's so beautiful and yet he looks at them like they're the most stunning thing he's ever laid eyes on. He touches them so gently, as if they're so precious they might just break under his rough hands.) Now it makes you feel warm and soft.

It also makes them laugh a little when they turn, wearing one of the shirts with the arm holes cut very large, and watch him quickly avert his gaze. He always tells them he's being polite and they remind him, in total deadpan, that they wear hardly any clothes to bed. It is not the first or the last time he's seen part of their boobs.

"Ah, good, good I'm glad. I'll be heading to shower and then I was thinking about breakfast? There's a new cafe just opened if you're feeling comfortable trying something new?"

They hum and feel even warmer at the care he takes with his suggestion. Another way in which the two of them are similar, but he's still a bit more adventurous than they are. "Oh yeah totally. you uhh," they click your tongue as they fight their brain to find the words, "Want….help? Help with the shower? Like with your hair? God knows when mine was long it took ages and I hated doing it."

He doesn't immediately reply and that makes them look up from where they're locating their collar, they were thinking one of the newer ones he'd gotten for them, and he's wearing such a strange look.

His brow is furrowed, not in anger like they'd seen before rarely, but not quite in confusion either? Although it seems to be edging into that territory as he speaks again. "Help…with my hair?"

"Uhm. Yeah, s. Sorry was that, was that weird? To like ask? I uh help my siblings with their hair sometimes and like they're mostly grown now but like it's still. Uh habit I think? To offer? Cuz like I love you and wanna help and. Y'know. You're always takin care of me so. Yeeeaah." They are getting the nervous rambling at perceived irritation under control but sometimes, sometimes bits still slip out.

Whatever emotion he's feeling seems to have softened under the blow of their casual declaration of affection so he gives them a softer smile now. "I. Yes. I think I would like that very much actually."

—

His bathroom is, and they say it as lovingly as possible, absolutely rich person ridiculous nonsense. All marble and precious stones, with a bathtub large enough you think you could drown a man in it. (Which, they will concede makes sense considering how fuck off huge Zarkon was.)

The first time they'd entered behind lotor they had frozen in the doorway. He had been concerned up until their, "Am I allowed to like fucking touch anything in here? Jesus?" And then he'd started laughing. It would have bothered them except for how ridiculous it absolutely was.

Now they enter with, slightly, less terror. and they've gotten used to the bathtub enough that they can turn it on with only minimal swearing, setting the water just shy of "actually going to boil someone." (While they both enjoy the water so terribly hot their body objects to it, leading to a rather awkward conversation post almost fainting of "Yeah, no, that happens sometimes. Usually I get out before it does but uhhh. The water felt nice.")

(They were then temporarily banned from setting the temperature after that.)

They've also gotten used to the sheer amount of little satchels and aromatics to put into the water. He doesn't say it, not outright, but they think being in exile did something rough to him. So he revels in the little things like this.

They choose the one that smells similar to vanilla and something sharp that they can't put their finger on, before getting comfortable on the side of the tub and turning to watch their girlfriend undress. While they certainly enjoy the idea of helping him, they've both learned rather quickly that his armor is a confusing devil to remove.

And yet, he makes it look so easy every time.

Deft fingers find almost invisible latches, letting him shuck various pieces to be briefly buffed later. They don't entirely understand the insistence to wear full armor when just sparring, but they'll admit it does make it better to watch him.

His undersuit goes next, peeled down to reveal the expanse of his shoulders. He is, by galra standards, a rather small fellow. Tall and lean, all whipcord muscle that manages to, despite appearances, carry them around like they weigh barely more than a kit.

The scars that appear as he removes the suit further always make them frown for a moment. There is something deliberately messy about them, but he doesn't tell them and they don't press. Instead they allow their eyes to wander over the curve of his waist. (They don't experience or understand attraction the way most do, but they think the first time they saw him in a corset they came very close to it.)

His tail swishes as he looks over his shoulder to see them watching him, giving them a very pleased smirk. "Enjoying the view, my love?"

"I am, I am looking very politely. I'll have you know."

There is the edge of a laugh in his voice when he responds, "Oh? Is that what humans consider polite these days?"

"Hey now, you only. You barely know any humans. I might be havin, all my polite little eyeballs in."

His undersuit is folded and set aside before he comes to stand in front of them, stealing their hands to give them kisses that fluster them more than anything else somehow. "Hm, I suppose I'll have to allow it then. besides, I do enjoy the attention."

"Gonna, gonna start calling you Narcissus." They turn as he steps into the bath, having him settle against the side with their legs dangling in the water on either side of him. He lets out a sound between a purr and indulgent moan at the warmth, letting them know they got it just perfect.

"That's one of your…little human story fellows?"

He presses into their hands as they undo his braid, gently finger combing through the scant tangles as they do. "Yeah he uh. he's Greek? He's the son of uhh, a couple dudes, couple little guys. River god and a nymph. And he's like, Super beautiful right? Just the prettiest little guy ever. and he ends up fallin in love with his reflection because he's so pretty. Except he like dies if i recall right? Because he was super super into his reflection?"

His hair is even longer out of his braid, pooling around him in the water and they wonder briefly if he could pull a Lady Godiva. He could at the very least probably cover his breasts with it, they'd have to ask later. See if he'd allow them to draw him like that. Hm. "Alright, tilt your, tilt your head back."

He adjusts and then does so, giving them a little upside smile and wrinkling his nose after they boop it. He closes his eyes after they cup the warm water in their hands, slowly melting as they get his hair wet.

They love it when he's relaxed like this, when some of the tension he carries bleeds out of him and the tight lines slacken. "Mkay, gonna. Uhhh the hair stuff. Shampoo." It's cold in their hands, warming up quickly with little bubbles as they rub them together.

Despite the warning he flinches, almost imperceptibly, as their hands come to rest on his hair. They frown, open their mouth to ask, then close it again. They are unsure many times, at the fine line between pressing too hard and not pressing hard enough. But they would rather press too soft than hard enough to hurt.

So they run their hands through his hair, giving the ends the lightest soaping before they move to the places he sweat most. Temples, nape of his neck. It becomes hypnotic almost, gently scratching at his scalp and neck. Giving his ears a little stroke when they're near them. (They entrance them in the way a cat's ears do, making them want to reach out and stroke them.)

It's hypnotic enough that they miss at first the way he trembles. It's a slight thing, but full body, and it's not until he shakes harder that they snap back to themself with concern. "Lotor?" When they quickly rinse their hands to gently take his chin, have him turn to face them as they tilt their own head down, they can see the tears at his waterline. "Oh, oh shit babes did I hurt you? Are you-?"

He shoves his face further into their hand before giving it a sharp shake and taking in a shuddering breath. "No I'm. This is. This is nice." His eyes squeeze shut as they make a soothing little sound.

"Hey it's. It's okay lotor. You can, you can tell me what's wrong."

"It's." another shuddering breath that has them frowning with concern, "I've never. It's so nice, it's. It overwhelmed me, I'm sorry love-"

"Hey, hey, no apologies. It's okay." They duck down to give his forehead a kiss before their frown comes back, deeper this time. "Is that. You uh, you looked confused earlier when I suggested it. Is this why? No one's ever just…helped you wash your hair? Not your..not your parents? Not your nanny?"

"Governess," he mumbles with an attempt at an indignant pout, "But. No. My parents were…distant. Which quite frankly I preferred as I got older as my father could be..angered easily. And dayak, well. You've met her."

"Yeah but. Not even as like a kit?" The silence is all the answer they need, "Oh Lotor."

That seems to be what breaks him, as he hides his face in their hands to cry. It's not something he allows anyone to see often, and never to this degree. Great shuddering sobs that wrack his whole body, that make them gently take one of their hands back to stroke his back and make soft shushing noises to him. "Oh Lotor, oh sweetheart. It's okay now, it's okay, I'm right here."

It takes some time for him to come back into himself, having gone boneless with the release of emotions. They don't think it's good per se but. Holding onto that must have been painful. So they gently smooth the hair that's fallen slightly into his face back off of it. "Do you. Is it okay if I help you finish? Then we can talk if you want? Or y'know just cuddle?"

"I." He swallows thickly around the lump in his throat. "I would appreciate the help. please."

"Yeah, of course sweetheart."

The rest of the bath is a quiet affair, he still shakes slightly as they run their hands through his hair, but less so now. He also makes the occasional halting purr, as if he's not quite allowing himself to make the noises but they're coming out anyways.

They gently insist on helping him dry after too, having him sit down on the side of the tub so they can reach his torso and hair easier. He makes a little confused mrrp? as they tell him to tilt his head down and flip his hair. With moves that have become second nature by this point they wrap his hair in the towel, gently tilt his head back up and make sure that it's not going to go anywhere. "....another human thing?"

"Mhm. I don't, I don't do it super often anymore cuz uh. My hair is short so I just let it air dry? But I always, I always did this. and I help mom with it sometimes, womans' like you. Got hair for fucking days man."

He huffs enough of a laugh that they consider it a success as they find the fluffiest robe he owns. It's a pale pink thing, absolutely drowned you the first time they grabbed it by accident after a shower. It drowns him only marginally less, all bundled up and cozy as they steal him back to bed. "....You know I do. There are things I need to do."

The protest is weak and they both know it, as they lay him on your back and proceed to act like a weighted blanket, earning a very loud purr. "Mmmhm. And that's why you have advisors. If they, if they can't handle you taking a day off or like. Coming in late. What, what the fuck is the point? To stand around and act like assholes?"

"They're not that bad-"

"They are just. The worst. Awful vibes. Terrible." they feel more than hear his laughter, this one of many light hearted arguments they've had about his advisors. Bunch of stuck up pricks.

His laughter trails off into contemplative silence as they idly stroke him, running your fingers up and down the long planes of his throat, over his collarbones, rubbing at a particularly stubborn knot where his shoulder and neck meet. Once they reach up and give his ear a slight tweak, making him squeak and attempt to pout at them before he breaks into a slight smile. It is simply impossible to even pretend to be annoyed with them.

"..you uh. Are you feeling better? Wanna talk about it?"

His arms tense where they ended up around them at some point, before loosening again. "I don't see what there is to talk about."

He does that sometimes, deflects like there's absolutely nothing wrong. (They hate the fact sometimes the two of them are the same person in that regard.) So they sit up, and fix him with just a little bit of a Look. It has him glaring for several heartbeats before he breaks first and looks away. "We don't. We don't have to talk about it but. I just. I just want to make sure you know that that. Sucks, like a lot. And I'm sorry for you."

"What exactly is there to be sorry about? That I wasn't coddled as a kit? That I wasn't treated like a fragile breakable thing? That I was given the chance to mature faster than my peers? So that I could become a better ruler?"

"Yeah actually." He freezes, all of the snark knocked out of him temporarily as they sit up to look down at him, not upset but. sad they think? They're sad for him. "That's. That's like all kids are for dude. Like kids are. Kids are small, you're supposed to coddle them sometimes. It's good for, good for development and shit."

"Oh yes and I'm sure you of all people know all about developing correctly."

It hurts. But not as bad as it could, because the moment the words leave his mouth he looks horrified. So they can only fault him so much, knowing they've done the exact same thing. (Knowing they've chased people off because it's easier. It hurts less, when they shatter the relationship before anyone else has a chance to.)

"I'm-"

"Upset. I know, trust me I do. So it's, it's not okay, that was definitely kinda a shitty thing to say. But I get it so it's, okay in that regard." They reach to cup his face, slowly, both of them conscious of the way he still flinches back for a moment before he allows it. "It's okay. I'm not like, mad at you for that. Especially because I've heard some of the shit you've said when you're really mad at someone that's like, that's like. Baby stuff for you 'Tor." And he cannot help the little laugh at that, so they smile at him all gently. "I love you. And I wanna. Take care of you. Make sure you're, you're all okay y'know?"

"I…I know. I love that you do. And I am sorry for what it's worth. It's just….mm."

"Easier to get angry at whatever's nearby than look at the fucked up shit in the eye?"

"Yes, that." his hands resettle on their waist and they smile down at him. "Can I. May I kiss you my love?"

"Trying to bribe me back into your good graces huh?" They layer on the teasing tone to make it obvious to him that all is good as they duck down for a kiss. It's a chaste thing, all soft sweetness. And when they break it they flop off of him to curl into his side, wrapping their arms around him to hold him hostage. "I think. You should take the day off now, definitely."

"......Are you going to give me an option here starlight?"

"Hm. Yes. You can stay here willingly. Or I can I dunno tie you to the bed and tell your advisors to fuck off."

He fixes them with a look, like he's debating internally what he's willing to chance. "...........You would, wouldn't you." a sharp grin is all the reply he gets and he returns it with a dramatic put upon moan. "I'm making you help me make up for all the paperwork I'll have missed tomorrow."

"I shall, at the very least, be there for emotional support, sure."

The two of them do end up drifting off back to sleep at some point in between silly little talks, Lotor being the first to succumb to his tiredness. They just watch him for a little while, stroke his still drying hair that he took down a little while ago.

There is a part of them that wants to rage on his behalf. They feel their anger in their teeth. In their bones. But they settle for this, for stroking his hair and gently mending the places that should never have broken in the first place.

(and they hold true to your promise of being emotional support, although it mostly contains you sitting in his lap and making him explain all the words they don't understand. which is quite frankly, most of them.)

(but he smiles into their shoulder, leaving feather light kisses before correcting their pronunciations and explaining the terms in a way that mostly makes sense.)

(he could die happy like this, he thinks, his little human partner on his lap, nodding along to his words. he will die even happier, when he gets the courage to propose to them properly. soon.)

[katurrade]

Distracted

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of these characters, PB does. I’m just borrowing them ;)

Pairing: Liam x MC

Rating: G. Fluff, I guess?

Summary: Riley hasn’t put her phone down in days, and Liam has started to notice. He confronts her at breakfast and things take an unusual turn, resulting in a pretty eventful morning.

Word count: 2,000 ish.

Side note: I never used to be into writing, until this crazy fandom came along. To say that I was not a writer would have been an understatement. I was, and still am, horrid at all things grammar, spelling and punctuation. This was my first attempt at writing anything since leaving high school, let alone a fanfic. But this popped into my head one morning, and I had to write it down. It originally started off heading in a TOTALLY different direction but somehow ended up here. It’s long, and was written on my phone so hopefully this works! Tagged long post! Hope you enjoy!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Liam liked to believe he was a pretty tech savvy guy. Although, when it came to the endless apps one could get on a smart phone, he was utterly clueless. That much he knew for sure.

He did know what twitter and facebook were, though he didn’t manage his own accounts. There were specific people assigned to update those on his behalf, but he knew the gist about them, having to approve a post, or okay a photo from time to time. However, when it came to Riley and her phone, he swore sometimes that it was glued to her hand. She was forever checking up on her family and friends back home via social media. She did miss New York but couldn’t imagine living anywhere other then Cordonia now. It had become her home and she loved it. And him.

Social media was a way for her to feel connected to New York, Liam knew that, it was the reason he never took offence to the time she spent on her phone. That and the fact that she would never ignore him or her duties for her phone. Normally...

Today was out of the norm though, Riley hadn’t put her phone down all morning. Not once. And as he thought about it more, she had been checking it a far bit the last few days.

All through breakfast it was in front of her, she barely touched her food as she was so engulfed in whatever it was she was looking at.

“My love, we have a meeting with our Advisors in an hour to go over next months calendar” He said as he stared across the table at her waiting for a response but he was met with silence, not even so much as a nod from Riley.

“My love...?” He paused “Riley....?”

“Mmmhm” she murmured, registering that he was speaking to her but eyes still glued to her screen.

Liam was growing more and more curious as to what she was doing. What she was watching. Staring at her now sitting up right in her chair, she had given up entirely on her breakfast to focus on her phones screen.

“Riley....” Liam said slowly, trying to gently pull her out of her concentration.

“Hmmm?” She hummed.

“Have you heard anything I have said?” Growing a little more frustrated the more he tried to get her attention.

“What is going on? What are you watching, my Queen?” He questioned. Still receiving no response.

“Riley!” He said a little louder then he had intended.

“Huh? Oh! I’m sorry Liam, what were you saying?” She finally looked up from her screen. She looked a little shocked to see his concerned expression.

“You didn’t hear anything I just said?” He asked trying to hide the irritation in his voice

“I’m sorry, my love, would you mind repeating your question?” She could tell he was frustrated so she willed herself to focus on him and hear what he had to say.

Even though all she wanted to do was look back down at her screen, she put her phone down on the table beside her plate to focus on him.

“I said, we have a meeting with our Advisors in an hour to go over next months calendar, there have been some changes that need our approval”

“Okay, that sounds good” She nodded, hoping that was all he wanted to discuss.

After a moment “Is that all, my King?” She said as she snuck small glances at her phones screen.

“Riley, what has you so distracted this morning? Is everything okay?”

“Umm. Ahh. Yeah....I’m, I’m not that distracted, am I!?”

“You have barely said a word all morning, you didn’t hear a word I’ve said and your breakfast is untouched” He said as he motioned to the plate of food in front of her. “So yeah, a little distracted I’d say”

“I’m so sorry, my love, I didn’t mean to ignore you! It’s just—“ she trailed off as a blush grew on her cheeks.

“It’s okay, but...is ..is everything alright? What are you watching?” Concern in his voice now.

“You’re going to think it is silly, because, to be honest, it is silly” she said bashfully as she lowered her gaze to her plate.

“Riley, it is clearly important to you, so what is it, my Queen?”

She looked back up at him “....okay, but promise you won’t laugh?!”

Now Liam was even more curious then before. Why would I laugh? What could she possibly be watching?

“I promise”

“You swear?!” A look of embarrassment evident on her face.

“Riley, you have my word” he said sincerely.

“Okay...So there is this giraffe named April, I used to goto the New York Zoo to see her a lot before I moved here” Riley paused.

“Okay?” Liam said as he raised an eyebrow at her.

“Well, you see...she uhh, there’s this video, it’s a live feed actually, and it’s on her at the moment...” She looked back down at her hands as she was fiddling with her wedding rings. He is totally going to laugh ..or maybe he will be upset?! I did ignore him all morning for this.

She decided to just spit it out “She is pregnant and they have a live feed to watch the birth!” she blushed slightly as she said it. Slowly looking up to meet Liams eyes, his expression was unreadable. Maybe ...shocked? Upset? Unsure? She couldn’t tell.

“She is currently in labor, I have been checking in for the last few days as I didn’t want to miss it! It’s finally almost baby time!!” She said with far to much excitement in her voice. Tone it down, Riley, it’s just a giraffe ...having a baby....on a live feed....from the zoo in her hometown! Nope! Far to excited about this!

Finally Liam smirked a little, he was trying so hard not to laugh as he had promised. Gave his word even! He started to slip on that promise as he watched his wife trying and failing to hide her excitement, he broke out in a chuckle but quickly cleared his throat to mask it.

“So...you are ignoring me to watch a live feed of a giraffe in New York giving birth? Do I have that right?” He said as he narrowed his eyes at her but raised his coffee cup to his mouth to cover the smile he couldn’t contain.

“Uhh....Maybe? I mean like, when you put it that way it sounds rather bad, but I didn’t mean to ignore you, it’s just—” Riley looked down at her phone and her eyes widened.

“OH MY GOD! ...IT’S HAPPENING!” Her hand flew to cover her mouth.

Just then the doors to the dining room flung open with a loud bang as someone came barrelling threw the doors. Liam tensed at the intrusion, his mind going straight to defence mode as he quickly stood from his chair.

“RILEY!” The figure screamed as they ran into the dining room, followed closely by another person in a much less frantic hast. “IT’S TIME! ARE YOU WATCHING?!”

Liam relaxed realizing it was just Maxwell and Hana. I should have known they would also be watching this live stream. Why am I just hearing about this all now?

“YES! FINALLY!” Riley said as Maxwell and Hana pulled out the chairs on either side of her and sat down. All clutching their phones and gasping.

Liam sat back down slowly taking in the sight of the three of them. None of them taking any notice of him. A King, being upstaged by a giraffe named ...named April? ...A giraffe on a different continent no less!

The three of them were now sitting in silence, Rileys hand was still over her mouth. Hana’s eyes were wide and her mouth slightly hung open. Maxwell had his head turned slightly to the side, one eye closed and the other barely opened, as he clearly didn’t want to see this but couldn’t miss it either.

Liam cleared his throat again “Uh...Good Morning Lady Hana. Lord Maxwell”

To which Hana raised her gaze to look at him “Oh! Good Morning King Liam!” She said as she quickly, but politely, nodded then looked back down at her phone.

Maxwell opened both his eyes and nodded his head to Liam “A Good Morning indeed, Your Majesty”

A silence fell over the room, again. Fine. If you can’t beat them, join them. Liam signed as he stood up, walked over to behind Rileys chair, and leaned down to watch over her shoulder.

They all watched in silence as April gave birth to a healthy happy baby boy! Just as everything was wrapping up the dining room doors opened again.

“Ugh, are you all seriously still watching that live feed?” Drake said unenthusiastically as he entered the room running a hand down his face and walking to the buffet to grab food. “It’s been days, how long does it take for a giraffe to push a baby out?”

They all looked at Drake, Riley and Hana had tears in their eyes. Maxwell looked a little sick. And Liam stood up slowly with a blank expression.

“Oh no, Liam they dragged you into this too?” Drake said with a sigh as he stopped and stared at them all “Am I the only one who didn’t want to watch a giraffe give birth?!”

“That was the most intense thing I have ever seen...” Liam said quietly as he walked back to his chair and sat down.

A few silent moments went by.

“Can we just talk about how cute baby giraffes are?!?” Riley said as she looked around at her friends.

“They are so cute!” Hana squealed

“They are! ...but I think I could have lived with still believing a stork brought them..” Maxwell paused, the colour slowly returning to his face “....do you think Bertrand would let me get a baby giraffe?” As he said it he bounced in his seat looking at Riley and Hana. “I feel like with a little persuasion he might let me get one!”

“No!” Bertrand said as he abruptly walked into the room startling everyone.

“You didn’t even hear what I was going to ask for....did you?” Maxwell countered.

“I didn’t, but I can already assure you the answer is a resounding no” he said as he sat down with his news paper and coffee.

“Liam, you’re the King, can’t you overturn Bertrand’s verdict on this?” Maxwells eyes lit up as he looked to Liam. Trying his best to give him the biggest puppy dog eyes he could muster. “Think of the babies, You’re Majesty!! We could get a few! We could race them! ...And we wouldn’t need hedge groomers anymore! Or tree groomers!”

Liam choked on his coffee a little as he put his cup down and looked to Riley for help in letting Maxwell down softly.

Riley giggled quietly at Maxwells attempts to sell them on the idea and at Liams shocked look to being pulled into this conversation. She then winked at Liam and stood up from her chair “On that note, I’m going to my office to prepare for my next meeting, enjoy your breakfast everyone!” She waved over her shoulder as she walked out.

Liam narrowed his eyes at Rileys back as she left. He cleared his throat as he stood up from his chair “My appologies, Maxwell, I also have a meeting to prepare for, if you’ll all excuse me..” he nodded to the group “Drake, I leave you in charge of this decision” he said as he hastily exited the room trying not to make eye contact with anyone.

“What!? Seriously, Liam?” Drakes eyes shot up to watch Liam leave. “Why do I always have to be the bad cop?” He groaned turning to Maxwell as he mumbled curse words under his breath before sternly saying “No, Maxwell, no giraffes!”

Maxwell frowned heavily as his head lowered realizing he wasn’t getting a baby giraffe. Hana stood and walked over to him, she put a hand on his shoulder.

“How about we go to the zoo and look at the giraffes, will that suffice for now?”

Maxwell looked up at her and nodded his head eagerly “It will ....for now”

[charliesparre-blog]

discord log | sparris #1

Alastair ‘There’s so much food!’ If there was one thing Alastair enjoyed, it was a good (and free!) buffet. He wasn’t ashamed to say that he’d piled his plate kind of high, mostly because he ate anything and everything and really, who could say no to shrimp?

Charlie Silence on Charlie's end-- he was too busy loading his plate with proteins (and, like, some buttered vegetables, but come on-- that was an absolute farce). It was only when he finished building his mountain of bacon-wrapped shrimp, stars in his eyes, that he looked back to Alastair with his lips pressed together seriously. "...I think I'm gonna be kicked out."(edited)

Alastair Alastair looked over his shoulder, mouth full of food, and couldn’t stop his smile - thankfully, with a closed mouth. He chewed and swallowed quickly. ‘They can’t kick you out, you’re the entertainment’s date.’ Alastair threw Charlie a wink, feeling more flirtatious than ever thanks to goodness knows how many glasses of wine. He was giddy on his feet.

Charlie "Oh, right." Charlie smirked at that, but there was a bit of pride shining through. "I get to kiss Mr. V.I.P. at the end of the night." He was sitting at Alastair's side then, picking up one of the shrimps and taking a big ol' chomp out of it. "I'm the luckiest man here."

Alastair Alastair laughed at Mr VIP - he wouldn’t go that far. There were a few people entertaining and he was sure Aspen had done something with her influence to get him the gig. It couldn’t be because he was good, could it? Alastair sat, glad to be off his feet for the moment, and chuckled. ‘Sure about that? I’m fairly certain i’m the luckiest man here.’

Charlie "Don't tell me we're gonna be those people who fight over who has it best." Charlie grinned as he said it, though, and then leaned in to kiss the corner of Alastair's mouth. "Especially since I'll win. "I'm the magician's Valentine." This was punctuated with another cheerful bite of shrimp (or at least as cheerful as Charlie could manage, which really just made him look more like a chimp). "What'd you get on your plate?"

Alastair ‘I think we might be.’ Alastair chuckled, leaning forward to press a proper kiss to Charlie’s lips. They tasted of bacon and shrimp. ‘You should tell that to Kath - I’m sure she’ll disagree with you.’ Alastair had bumped into his ex wife earlier on and the tension had been there. She’d made a comment about how he was with Charlie and he’d almost lost his temper. ‘Erm, everything really.’ It was true - Alastair’s plate was filled with a colourful assortment of food, including olives, some weird looking sushi and potatoes.

Charlie The mention of Alastair's ex-wife had Charlie stopping in the middle of biting a piece of bread, teeth still stuck into it. Then he bit it off and swallowed. "She's here?" And while fear might not be the right word to describe whatever it was he felt, it was certainly... something. "You okay?"(edited)

Alastair Alastair shrugged. He didn’t know how he felt. Angry? Probably. It was a shame because he and Kath had once been such good friends. He didn’t know why it’d turned so bitter. They’d even been somewhat amicable through the divorce. ‘I guess.’ Alastair wasn’t intimidated by his ex-wife; they could both hold their own in any situation, at least against each other. Alastair didn’t know how he felt about it. ‘More concerned about how Aspen feels about it.’

Charlie "Mm." That wasn't exactly a reply, but it was all Charlie could muster. The politics of family and divorce and everything in-between was beyond his understanding-- a lot more than most things were already, needless to say. "Guess it's a good thing this place is so big, huh?" It meant plenty of things could happen completely separate from everywhere else. Not... the most comforting sentiment, but it was all he had. "M'sure Aspen'll be fine."

Alastair ‘As long as they don’t bump into each other. Kath’ll try and be nice or something and...’ he sighed. ‘I don’t know.’ Alastair leaned over to kiss Charlie’s cheek, giving him a smile. ‘I don’t need to care about her. I’ve got something better - you.’

Charlie The kiss had him letting out a half-laughing little hm, and he turned to take Alastair's smile in-- cute as all hell, probably illegal in a few countries-- then tapped the edge of his chin. "Your faith in me is unparalleled," he said, and then he picked up a shrimp to offer. "An offering for your kindness, Mr. V.I.P."

Alastair ‘Thank you very much, sir,’ Alastair replied politely, leaning over to bite it out of Charlie’s hand rather than take it in his own. What? Charlie couldn’t feed him food? ‘I like being with you,’ Alastair said once he’d swallowed the shrimp. ‘And I like shrimp so that’s two for two.’

Charlie Charlie made a thoughtful little noise. "Is it normal to feel slightly jealous of shrimp?" Joking, of course. Not that he was sure the joke landed properly, but by God, he was going to try anyway. For Alastair, at least. "Come on, come on. What're you gonna feed me in return, huh?"

Alastair ‘Maybe.’ Alastair grinned, giggling and leaned on Charlie a little. Maybe the alcohol had gone to his head. ‘Errrrrrrr...’ Alastair looked down at his plate and picked up a cocktail sausage. ‘Here!’ He handed it towards Charlie’s mouth.

Charlie So he ate it, and-- lips closed proper and all-- moved to touch his mouth to Alastair's fingertips in thanks. "That's good," he said once he swallowed, holding back the specific need to say better that you gave it; there was enough cheese for them already. "After we eat," Charlie murmured, one arm wrapping around Alastair's shoulders as the other worked on eating, "and once they start playing actually good music, I want you on the dance floor."

Alastair ‘Hah - really?’ He raised an eyebrow. Alastair and dancefloor dancing didn’t go well together; his moves were odd,  cheesy, and most likely embarrassing to his children. ‘Y’know when it comes to club dancing, I’m terrible. It’ll make you laugh - I promise.’ Alastair chuckled. He picked up a scallop, and looked at Charlie. ‘You wanna see the best way to eat this without getting your shirt messy?’

Charlie "It's a Valentine's dance," Charlie argued, though the mention of laughing at Alastair's attempts had him smiling as he shook his head. "They're definitely gonna play something slow, sweetheart. "But we can be shit at club dancing together." That was, at least, better than being shit alone. The next question had him meeting Alastair's gaze all the same. His tone was serious as he answered: "Yes."

Alastair ‘Alright alright I’ll do it for you.’ Alastair grinned. He danced like an idiot, so if he was going to do it with anyone he’d do it with Charlie. ‘Okay —‘ he picked up the small paper plate the scallop was on and opened his mouth as wide as he could, an ‘ahh’ leaving his mouth as he tried to fit it in - laughing as he did - and tried a couple more times tilting his head different ways. Then he sucked the scallop into his mouth before snorting and laughing again. ‘Ta da!’

Charlie Charlie was silent all throughout Alastair's decidedly noble attempts to put the scallop in his mouth, but then the giggling started, and-- God, had there even been someone so adorable before, eating some fucking shellfish? His dimple showed in his cheek as Alastair snorted, but the scallop was swallowed and Charlie clapped his hands, nodding agreeably as his mouth stayed curved up. "Amazing," he said, meaning it, some hint of laughter hanging on each syllable. "That was amazing. I could never."

Alastair Alastair laughed again, covering his mouth when he was finished. ‘I can’t believe that was harder than I thought it would be!’ He giggled, ‘I didn’t even practise!’

Charlie "Oh, was it difficult? I couldn't tell." Charlie's elbow was on the table, fist curled lightly so he could rest his cheek on his knuckles as he watched Alastair smile and grin and laugh. "I thought it was graceful." Now he was definitely teasing, and he hid his grin behind another bite of bread.

Alastair ‘Thanks,’ Alastair replied. ‘That’s sweet of you.’ He picked up some more food and ate until he pushed the food away from him. ‘C’mon, I wanna do something fun!’

Charlie Charlie popped the last of his bread in, moving it to one cheek as he furrowed his brows. "Like what?"

Alastair Alastair pretended to think for a moment before grinning. ‘We could find somewhere quieter? Where we... won’t be disturbed... I wanna kiss your face off if I’m honest.’

Charlie Both his brows rose at that. "...do you." And though he picked up another piece of bread, Charlie was giving the people around them a swift look before he leaned in to kiss the smile on Alastair's face. Ever so softly, lips moving against Alastair's, he murmured, "You go, I'll follow."

Alastair ‘Mmmhm.’ He hummed, mischief in his eyes. The comment against his lips had him standing up immediately. ‘Bathroom.’ was all Alastair said before walking off.  

[herenortherenearnorfar]

Pretender to the Throne

(Just a not-so-quick SvtFoE bit because I’m still deep in Medical Terminology work but I love the twists, love me some complicated mother-daughter relationships and family dynasties. I guess the third part of my to-be-jossed, Butterfly centric SvtFoE fics.)

Star had never put much stock by her royal privilege. When you were born with something, you took it for granted; like Tom with fire, or Ponyhead with floating. 

More and more often, Marco was the one who put the pieces together for her. He bothered to learn about royal rules and rights, and how Star could technically skip to the head of any ice cream line in the allied kingdoms of Mewni. He was the one who shook her shoulder on the carriage ride home and whispered, “Hey, if Miss Heinous is a Butterfly, and she was Eclipsa’s daughter, and Eclipsa was queen, does that mean she was supposed to be queen?”

Star’s eyes flew open, and she punched Tom- her makeshift pillow- in the chest instinctively. He flicked the back of her head. “Not full of goose feathers, Star.”

“Sorry,” she said, apologetically. “Marco just said something real whack though. Marco, repeat the whack thing.”

Marco blushed under all the attention. Pony, at least, was still asleep, napping off the punch, but Star was staring blearily and even Tom was paying attention in between tearing strips off his shock blanket and incinerating them. “I mean, Eclipsa was queen, and Miss Heinous was- is, really- her daughter. And the daughter of a queen becomes queen next, right?”

“Normally, yes...” Star was too upset with the night to explain the complexities of Mewni’s succession- and frankly she hadn’t paid enough attention in school. She was next in line and that was all that mattered. “But not if there’s an older daughter, I don’t think. And Eclipsa is my great-whatever grandma, so she must have had an older daughter, right?” 

Suddenly, she felt uncertain of that once sure fact. Maybe Eclipsa was just her aunt, or her cousin. The grandma room couldn’t only be for grandmas. Butterflys charged into battle too often and too recklessly for them to have maintained a single line of descent. 

“Besides,” she said, covering for her sudden confusion with overconfidence, “A monster couldn’t inherit.”

Marco shifted a little on his bench, like he had in class when he knew the right answer but was afraid to say so. “Are you sure?”

Star gaped at him, mouth moving silently as she looked for an explanation she couldn’t provide. Desperately she glanced around the carriage, as if an inheritance lawyer would appear out of nowhere and solve her woes, but there were only the four of them. Ponyhead snored softly and Tom shrugged, as unhelpful as ever. His mother had emerged from lava and primordial evil and his father was the abstract conglomeration of every middle-aged dad who had ever gotten angry at a hardware store. He didn’t have to deal with extended family. 

“It might not be a law,” Star rallied finally, “But you know what mewmans are like; no one would have let her inherit. Especially not if she was a baby.”

“Yeah,” Marco said, “They might, I don’t know, try to kill her? Leave a crazy lady with purple hair outside her bedroom in case she ever tried to come back?”

“It does kind of make sense,” Tom said helpfully, “You don’t leave someone to guard something that isn’t dangerous- I’m just saying!” He held up his hands like he was afraid he’d get punched again. 

“I’m almost certain Eclipsa is my grandmother,” Star said, “’Cause her tapestry said she was married to a mewman first and you don’t say that unless you- you know.” It felt awkward to explain the basics of royal marriage to a pair of boys, even boys who were her friends, but they both nodded agreeably. 

“Got busy, yeah,” Tom said. “Maybe they were afraid she’d try to inherit anyway. Like, a bunch of monsters would want to make her queen because she’s a monster too.”

There was a long pause. 

“That’s really smart, Tom,” Marco said. 

Tom nodded, “I try.” The ragged remainder of the shock blanket burst into flames in his hands, sending Star scooching down the bench towards Marco. The flames died down quickly, Tom’s fires always burned out fast, but Star elected to stay away. He seemed a little moody, even if he didn’t realize it, and there was still a lot of hairspray in her hair. 

“Even if Miss Heinous- Meteora- was the heir back then, that doesn’t really matter now though, does it?” Star asked, trying to steer the conversation back on track. “There have been lots of queens. Seems like you’ve got a window to grab the throne and after that you’ve lost your chance.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s not how it works legally,” Marco said with a frown.

“Legality, reality. It doesn’t matter what’s legal, Marco!”

There was a long silence. Tom started to gently smoke. Both Marco and Star turned on him, concerned. 

Marco edged around the carriage floor until he was across from Tom, trying not to get jolted into the demon’s personal space. “Hey, Tom, buddy? Is everything okay?” 

“Yeah, it’s fine,” Tom insisted, crossing his arms. Star closed in on him from the side. 

“You smell like brimstone,” she pointed out, with an awkward chuckle, “The driver is going to think we’re up to something in here.”

Tom didn’t respond. Marco reached over and carefully patted his hand, then withdrew with a yelp. “It’s okay to talk to your friends,” he said as he stuck his fingers in his mouth, “Also your skin is really hot and I’d prefer that no one gets second degree burns the next time we go around a bend really fast. We need to cool off.”

The threat of imminent danger to others finally did it. Tom flipped his sunglasses down over his eyes and leaned back against the carriage’s upholstery, ignoring how the leather hissed in protest. “She just looked a lot like me, is all. Looks human with a big red parent, magical powers, royal heritage. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since I realized. You know I don’t usually care about politics but this one feels... strange.”

He wasn’t exactly wrong, Star reflected. Meteora did kind of look like him, if you squinted. The pale hair, the pointed ears, the hint of fangs. 

She hugged Tom, heedless of the way the cushions were melting around him. Sure enough, by the time she touched him he was just uncomfortably warm. “It’s not weird.”

“This doesn’t mean I’m on her side, or anything,” Tom protested, “Just some mildly uncomfortable feelings for me to talk out with my therapist.” “Well, I’m sort of on her side,” Marco said, as Star and Tom pulled apart. “Miss Heinous is terrible, but whatever happened to her sounds worse.”

“I know,” Star agreed, voice feeling too tight in her throat. “And I didn’t mean to say- I mean. We need to focus on what we can do now to fix this. I need to talk to my parents. I just don’t know what I’m going to say.”

A hand rapped on the side of the carriage and a voice full of knightly bluster called, “Five minutes until the Underworld and Cloud Kingdom!”

Tom pressed a little closer to Star’s side. “If anyone can figure it out, it’s you.”

In the corner, Pony abruptly stopped snoring and righted herself in midair, shaking free of the bubble Star had put her in to keep her from sleep goring anyone on the long and bumpy ride. Star brightened. 

“Ponyhead! We were just talking about-”

“Mmmhm,” Pony, never a light sleeper, looked oddly alert. “I heard. I was ignoring you because it was, how can I say this, not very interesting? But it’s clear that you all need my help.” 

Marco, less used to Ponyhead, looked affronted. “We don’t need-”

It was no use, she was on a roll. “It’s not your fault, you’re all only children. Politics don’t come easily to you. But I’ve had to live and breath politics every day or get stabbed in the back. Sibling life, you know. Listen up, because I’m only going to say this once.”

Star leaned in. Marco sighed but dutifully took out his favorite notebook. Tom stared out the window, pretending not to listen. 

“First off, you need to figure out the laws. Loopholes are your friends and everyone else is going try to use them. Learn every last declaration and requirement. And figure out how our girl Heinous really is related to you. Much as I hate to say it, you’re going to have to read some stuff.”

“We can do that,” Marco said slowly,

“I’m not done. Don’t tell your parents. Parents have no sense of humor about this sort of thing. Also if they know you’re looking for the information they might start looking at what you’re checking out of the library and that won’t end well. Do talk to historians though. They love talking, it’s the worst. And see if you can get some information out of our girl Eclipsa.” Ponyhead had the calculating look of someone who dealt with secret evil cousins very week, “Don’t tell her about her kid being alive though, that might upset her.”

“I can’t lie to her!” Star protested. 

“You can and you have to, bestie. She’s dangerous. You should also listen to the monster communities. If someone wants the throne they need co-conspirators, and the first place you look is family. If Heinous can’t get to her mom she’s going to turn to monsters related to her dad, or just monsters in general. Keep your ear to the ground.” 

The carriage started to slow to a halt. 

“That’s our stop,” Ponyhead commented. 

Star gave her a neck crushing hug. “Thank you for the advice,” she whispered.

“Learn how to throw better parties! Love you! Talk to you!” Pony said as she drifted out the door, now being held open by a waiting knight. ‘

Tom lingered. Under the gaze of Mewni’s finest they couldn’t talk freely, but he kissed Star on the cheek and said, “I’m sure you’ll figure... all of this out.”

“Thanks. And Tom? You know if you ever want to talk about feelings we’re here, right?”

“All of us,” Marco confirmed, looking up from his notebook to give Tom an earnest, if bleary smile. 

Tom backed out of the carriage hastily, “I absolutely will not be taking you up on that. Later, babe!”

The door closed, and the carriage started back on it’s way. It wasn’t too far from the outskirts of the city to the castle, and Star already felt dread at the scolding she was about to get slowly bubbling in her stomach. She threw herself across the carriage and stretched out on the unburnt bench so her head was next to Marco’s thigh and her legs were folded up against the wall. Even the sight of her party boots wasn’t enough to soothe her. 

Marco starting taking the pins out of her hair. Half of them had already fallen out, and the removal of just a few more made the entire updo collapse like a souffle. 

After a few minutes of listening to the wheels on the cobbles and the soft bleats of the invisible goat, Star had had enough. 

“It’s just... it’s so messed up!” she said, hand fluttering in frustration. “Mewni was bad to begin with, but I thought I could fix the problems with monsters and mewmans. I thought I could help Eclipsa. I don’t know if I can fix this. It’s so big.”

“Yeah, it is,” Marco agreed. “But I think we have to try.”

They did. As horrible as all the options for action were, inaction was even worse. 

It was only- Star was a royal, born and bred. She didn’t always think about it, or pay attention to it, but it was in her bones. She could disregard the privileges and ignore the customs of her station, but deep within her bones lurked the imperative to protect her birthright, protect her kingdom, protect her magic. It was something her mother had whispered to her when she was too young to fully remember it. 

Helping the monsters hadn’t required disregarding that. Neither had helping Eclipsa, long deposed and with no interest in queendom. But helping Meteora, who was frightening and had been wronged, and whose hurt might have given Star her crown? 

As Ponyhead always pointed out when she pushed her sisters around, a princess couldn’t well help her rival to the throne. 

“She’s family,” Star muttered.

Marco patted her head. “Yeah. Your family is super messed up.”

[moricatlibrary]

Hiding Place

In which childhood Armin cries to Eren about his fear that his parents may not love him...

short little blurb. I’ve been depressed, emotionally unavailable, and have had writer’s/creative’s block all week, so this was just something therapeutic to get myself writing something again. I also just find baby Armin dealing with his flighty parents to be a rich unexplored area ;~; enjoy if you can<3

Eren ran through the busy streets of Shiganshina, racing to get to Armin's house before his mother's special freshly baked sugar cookies got cold. With dust clouds kicking in the air from his carefree feet, he finally danced onto the Arlerts’ property, which looked as ordinary as it always did. That boring looking house always amused Eren however because inside lived the most interesting person he'd ever known. Deciding rare freshly made sugar cookies were too urgent to wait for someone to answer the door, Eren took it upon himself to enter directly into Armin's room from the window. He quickly searched his pockets and pulled out his mother's errands list from yesterday and promptly folded it into a sturdy "key" to slip between the cracks of the window, flipping up the lock from the outside. He grinned cheekily to himself before inviting himself in with a swift climb over the windowsill, and glanced around the room for his mate. But before he could even speak Armin's name, he heard a low sobbing sound, oddly coming from the wardrobe by the wall. The worried child ran over and pulled the wooden doors open immediately, revealing the shadowed little blond boy sobbing quietly in its corner. "Armin?"

Armin looked up immediately and met Eren with his big wet doe eyes. "Eren?... I didn't hear you come in." he sniffled as he wiped his flooded eyelid.

Choking up a little himself at the sight of Armin being so upset, Eren took it upon himself to crawl inside the wardrobe too, respectfully closing the doors behind him. The pair were illuminated only by the small crack of light coming in from the seams from the doors, which Eren was grateful for so he could see all the tears he needed to wipe away. "Armin, what's wrong? Why are you upset?" He asked worriedly, with a light tinge of anger for whatever/whoever hurt his best friend...

Armin was silent for a moment, but decided long ago to never lie to Eren. He took a slow breath before saying his fear out loud. "I think... my parents don't love me... I don't think they want me..."

Eren couldn't fathom such a thing. "What? Armin, why on earth would you think that? How could anyone not want you?" he asked, placing a comforting hand on his friend’s shoulder. 

"I just don't think they do... When I tried to recall a time they'd said they love me, I just... couldn't think of one... And they've never said this but... they're always going on about what dreams they had and what plans they'd made in the past, but they couldn't go through with them because they had me... I seem to have ruined their lives..." Armin whimpered with a number of cracks in his voice as he went on. "And I'm not even any good to them... I come home with inconvenient scratches and bruises and scars and wounds every day because people hurt me and I won't fight back or run away. I'm a burden. And nothing more. Even my grandpa has better things he could be doing with what's left of his time but instead he's here taking care of me... I tried to ask my mom for help sewing my pants this morning and she said she's too busy doing everything else around here. Meaning I had no right to ask her for anything when I'm already taking up so much of their time and space..." he wept, brushing his finger over the gaping hole in the knee of his pants. "That's why I asked grandpa how to cut my hair by myself, so I wouldn't have to bother any of them about it anymore." He grit his teeth and brushed an angry hand through his bowl cut bangs, not seeing Eren's ever growing sympathy from beside him. "That's why I never ask them for hugs. I should be able to handle my struggles on my own. For all they've sacrificed I can't ask for anything from anyone because I already owe the world everything.” He clutched himself anxiously. “And yet I still feel like I need more... how selfish, no?" He concluded, clenching his shaking fists over his knees, his knuckles turning bone white in the small beam of light. He finally gazed sorrowfully into Eren's eyes through a curtain of shameful tears. "I'm so sorry, Eren... Forgive me for burdening you with this ugly talk..."

Eren's heart broke and tears of his own poured from his eyelids for the aching sight of Armin hurting like this. He wasted no time taking Armin's anxious hands in his, squeezing them to comfort him as he argued. "No, Armin, stop talking like that! You're not a burden, not in the least! You're smart, and cunning, and so brave! And so fun to talk to! Fuck anyone who says otherwise, you're nothing to throw away!"

Suddenly in a grasp, Armin's eyes widened, realizing Eren pulled him into a warm hug. Eren's little arms always held him so tight whenever Armin gave him the opportunity. He couldn't fully understand it, really. Someone who hadn't even known him that long nor received anything in return for his voluntary protection of him, would hug him so tight any chance he was given. But though it puzzled him, the blushing Armin did hug him back. First gently, and then tightly, pressing his cheeks into Eren's shoulder with a warm snuggle while Eren's soft hushed crying could be heard over his own shoulder.

Eren's quiet anger broke the short silence. "And if anyone says otherwise I'll show ‘em a thing or two. If anyone ever tells you you're a burden, I'll destroy them for you!"

What a promise... Armin blushed even more. What had he ever done to deserve such a caring friend? He held him even tighter.

"And at... at the very least I'll hug you any time you need. If no one else ever will, you can still bet that I'll always have one to give you."

Armin pulled away to look at Eren for a moment, thinking someone like him must've been merely a figure from a dream. But Eren's eyes met his with sincerity and his somewhat ferocious teeth bared a big bright smile for him. Armin's body relaxed. He quickly threw his arms around him again, with his blush returning full swing, and his heart repeatedly screaming the words he just couldn't say out loud yet: I love you, Eren. I love you, Eren. I love you, Eren. I love you, Eren...

"...Don't ever forget what I said, okay?"

"Okay..."

"...I want you in my life." he mumbled into Armin's neck, running his arms soothingly all over his best friend's back. "Forever and ever."

Armin finally smiled again. "...And I want you in mine. Thank you, Eren. I think I'm okay now." He beamed, wiping more of his tears with his sleeve as he pulled away.

"Yeah? You ready to come out then?" Eren asked sweetly, swiping his thumb over Armin's eyelid to wipe away the very last remnants of his tears.

He shook his head. "Mm mm..."

"That's alright. We can stay in here then." Eren grinned, and settled himself beside his buddy.

"Thanks... What did you come here for anyway?"

"Ah!" Eren quickly dug out his pouch of cookies, still warm in his pocket, and pulled one out for Armin right away. "Mom made sugar cookies! They're a special treat, so I wanted you to have one right away!"

Armin was so moved by Eren's kindness, he couldn't help blushing again as he accepted the treat and took a happy bite.

"You like it?" Eren asked, taking a bite of his own cookie.

"Mmmhm! Delicious!" He mumbled, trying to speak as politely as he could with his mouth full. He sniffled again, swallowed with a sigh, and softly crashed his head on Eren's shoulder. In this secret hiding place, away from the cruel world and alone with the warmth and beauty that was Eren, Armin felt truly at peace.

Eren looked down at the blond head resting comfortably in his presence and held him close. This boy was definitely something special. Someone truly and endlessly special... And it was here that he swore to protect him with his life. And then maybe someday he would prove his own worth to Armin, so that Armin might stay with him just like this forever and ever. It was funny to him, honestly. Here this boy was feeling like he was unwanted and unloved in this world, while Eren loved him with all his great young heart. And funnier still, he had only yet to discover just how much he really did.