kit-itskit

[kit-itskit]

Kit held still as she used him to stand, and once she had let go and sat back down, he stood up straight again. He sighed, and turned to leave. “You should lay down. I’ll be right back, I’m just going to grab you some water,” he told her.

He left the room, heading to the kitchen and pausing at the counter. He placed his hands on the counter, taking a deep breath and trying to calm down. It wasn’t easy, being this close to her and not being able to do anything - not joke with her, touch her, do anything that they used to.

He pulled a glass from the cabinet, filling it with water from the sink and heading back to his room. He paused in the doorway, looking at her.

Alone Together ฯKIT & ELLAฯ

[kit-itskit]

Kit still wasn’t sure if he believed it. He hadn’t been when he received the letter from the prince and his betrothed, nor when he made the decision to go, or any time after. He had no reason to doubt Derek - their kingdoms were on good terms, and he had known the prince since they were young, but he had long since resigned himself to the fact that the girl would never be found - even if he still found himself wondering why.

Even as he waited on the balcony, where the princess told him he would meet her, he doubted it. He clutched at the railing, looking out at the grounds as he waited impatiently, before he heard footsteps approaching, and turned to face the source. 

The princess was there, and at her side was the woman he had met all those years ago. He couldn’t find the words for a moment, and when she spoke, it reminded him of the words that he had spoken, when she came to his ball.

“Just so,” he said quietly, repeating her words back at her. He was too shocked to smile, or do anything besides take a slight step closer to her. He barely noticed as Odette backed away to give them some space.

He knew her name now, from the letter that he had gotten, but he still had yet to hear it from her. “Who are you, really?” he asked gently. There was no judgement in his voice, nothing but a desire to hear from her who she was.

Conquers All ฯElla & Kitฯ

@kit-itskit

The wedding had been beautiful, and Ella couldn’t be happier for Odette. At least one of them found their happy ending, and Ella was glad that it was her friend. Odette had suffered so much in the years that they had known each other, and she was very relieved that Derek would take care of her now. 

There was no doubt in Ella’s mind of that. After all, the way he’d cradled her so gently, and the way he’d wept over her death proved that. The soft tone in his voice as he whispered to her had broken not only Ella’s heart, but the hearts of all the Swan Maidens. 

But that was all in the past now. Odette’s trials were over, and Ella could only hope that her friend would allow her to stay on as lady in waiting. It wasn’t like she had anywhere else to go after all… She couldn’t return home, even with the spell broken. 

“Ella?” A voice called, pulling her from her thoughts. 

“Your highness.” She curtsied, seeing the princess standing before her. “Are you all right?”

“Come with me. Derek and I have a present for you.” Odette beamed brightly. 

“For me?” The girl repeated, confused. But all the same, when Odette took her hand, she let the princess lead her to one of the balconies where she could just barely make out Derek’s form behind the curtain. 

The two women stepped through, and Ella’s heart jumped to her throat. No… It… It couldn’t be… 

“It’s you, isn’t it?” Ella gasped, her voice so soft it could scarcely close the distance between them. 

[kit-itskit]

Kit was excited to hear his name called for the mail again, hoping it was that girl writing back to him. Frederick laughed at him, saying, “Haven’t you only had one exchange with this girl?”

“Shove off,” Kit replied, already grinning when he saw the return address was indeed hers. He opened the letter and began to read, laying back on his bunk and getting comfortable.

It was incredible, the way this girl spoke, and had no doubt in anything she said. Knowing he had no work for the next few hours, he grabbed a pen and paper and began writing.

Dear Miss Ella,

It’s not unusual for people to call me by my full name at first, but I usually just prefer that people call me by my nickname. It’s been almost two years since anybody actually called me Christopher, as all the soldiers here know me by now as Kit - I think some of the newer recruits don’t even know my name is Christopher.

I’m glad that you aren’t bothered by my responding, because like I said, it’s nice to write letters. It has a certain charm to it, and I feel like seeing somebody’s handwriting is as distinct as hearing their voice.

Frederick would certainly be glad to receive anything, but if you can’t find his address I’m more than happy to share anything with him - most of your last package was split between us anyway.

Reading what you wrote in the last letter - it’s exactly how I feel. People are working hard to help, no matter what that level of help is. Be it a billionaire or a social worker, all of them are doing their best to make a difference. It’s important to keep that in mind.

As for people finding glamour in war - you’d be surprised about the backwards thoughts people have. My job isn’t even to fight (unless absolutely necessary), but to monitor, and still when I find myself on leave, I get asked ridiculous questions about the firefights or if I’ve had to do anything extreme to ‘keep the peace.’ They don’t even see the irony in what they’re saying. I have nothing against the soldiers who are fighting battles like this every day, but the attitude of the general population can be more than a little ignorant at times.

But, I can assure you I will do my best to stay out of trouble. I have made it two years with no serious injuries, and I plan to keep it that way. I’m even knocking on wood as I write this in hopes of not jinxing that. 

It will be nice to have something to look forward to - somebody I can call a friend and have as many meaningless conversations with as we want. Maybe not meaningless, but relaxed. I know we hadn’t spoken beyond a single letter apiece, but I was still excited to receive your letter and read it, even more so to write back. I’m glad that you’re willing to keep writing, and I’ll gladly keep it up as long as you’re willing.

Yours truly,

Kit

Solace ฯKit & Ellaฯ

[kit-itskit]

Kit brought his eyes up to her face, and a sad smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “I know.  The - I grabbed your favorite pants, too,” he told her nodded slightly towards them. Maybe he should have pretended it was just a coincidence, but he knew they were beyond lying at this point.

He was grateful that she did that much herself, because he wasn’t sure how he would react to having his hands around her waist, doing something he had done many times in a very different context. He worked the skirt the rest of the way down her legs, and held out the pajama pants for her to step into.

Alone Together ฯKIT & ELLAฯ

[kit-itskit]

Kit nodded, and set the clothes down on the bed next to her. “Tell me if I move you too fast, alright?” He forced himself to focus on the fact that she was drunk, not that she was in his bed again. His bed that always seemed too big without her. 

He gently pulled the hem of her shirt up, tugging it until he had to lift her arms to get it over her head, looking very pointedly at a spot past her shoulder once it was off.

He picked up his shirt then, shifting it and holding it so she could put her arms through it herself. His eyes remained locked on that spot. He knew if he let his eyes wander the tiniest bit, he would regret it.

Alone Together ฯKIT & ELLAฯ

[kit-itskit]

Kit managed a smile, looking around the garden. “Helpless doesn’t feel like a strong enough word,” she said. She turned slightly to look at him. “I’m sorry to hear about your mother. It’s hard, when the ones who always cared for us leave so suddenly.”

She resumed walking, slower than before, but now with a destination in mind.

“The gardens, they were my father’s favorite place in the castle. My mother can’t bear to come anymore, because they remind her too much of him.” She had tried and tried to get her mother to join her in the gardens, but never succeeded, no matter how many years passed.

Follow That Star ฯElias & Kitฯ

[kit-itskit]

“You would never disappoint me,” he told her firmly. Once she had kissed his hand, he gave her a gentle squeeze. “You could give birth to a child with three heads and I would still be ecstatic because that’s out child. Who I know you will care wonderfully for.”

He squeezed her hand again. “It’s alright if you worry. That’s what I’m here for, to help your worry a little less.”

Fears ฯOpen to shipsฯ

[kit-itskit]

ashencreature:

“What, you mean to tell me I can’t appreciate how gorgeous my wife is, and make sure she knows it?” Elias teased back, taking her face in his hands gently. 

“You really do look breath-taking, Kit.” He told her tenderly, brushing a strand of hair from her eyes. “As you always do.” 

Checking his watch, he sighed. “The babysitter should be here in about ten minutes. I suppose we should round up the kids and make sure they’re all occupied with something before she gets here. You know Jane will throw a fit if we try to leave and she’s not already busy.”

“You certainly have a roundabout way of telling her that,” she replied. “It’s a good thing your wife knows your antics.” She smiled up at him, her hands flattening on his chest.

Her smile softened at his words, and her head tilted slightly. “I could say the same about you,” she said. “I already know I’m going to have a hard time taking my eyes off of you tonight.”

She smiled, and nodded. “She’s been really fascinated by that piano toy recently. I think we can get her going on that before we leave. You want to take her or Meg?”

ฯElias & Kitฯ

[kit-itskit]

Kit hesitated again. The slightest bit of doubt rose up as she considered if she should tell him what he was afraid of, seeing as he was a stranger. The hesitation only lasted for a moment, and she took a deep breath.

“I fear she hasn’t much time left to do so,” she said. She hadn’t said anything to anybody, not wanting to speak the words out loud. She hadn’t even spoken of it with Frederick, though she was sure he suspected.

Follow That Star ฯElias & Kitฯ

[kit-itskit]

Kit didn’t make her get off, and when she said she should go, he shook his head. “You’re not making it worse,” he assured her. ‘I just - I don’t want to kiss you now and have you hate me for it in the morning.” Carefully, he shifted her from his lap so he could stand, and picked her up in his arms again once he was on his feet.

“You’re not going anywhere. You’re in no state to get home by yourself,” he said. “You can sleep in my bed tonight, and we’ll talk about this when you aren’t drunk. Everything that’s happened.”

Slowly, as not to make her feel nauseous with the motion, he carried her to his room and set her on the bed, turning away to dig something out of his dresser for her to wear. He turned back to her with a pair of bottoms and a t-shirt, holding them out. He cleared his throat, and a slight blush rose to his cheeks “Can you get changed yourself, or do you need help?”

Alone Together ฯKIT & ELLAฯ

[kit-itskit]

ฯElias & Kitฯ

Kit walked down the hall, looking down to make sure that there wasn’t too much of a mess before the babysitter came. She paused in the doorway of the living room, where Elias was waiting, and spotted him holding his phone towards her. She smiled slightly, giving him a look. “Really?” she asked, before sticking her tongue out at the camera. 

She walked over to him, leaning up to give him a quick kiss. “You aren’t moving on to cinematography now, are you?” she asked teasingly, adjusting his tie.

@ashencreature

[kit-itskit]

“I know that you’re worried. But remember, the doctor said everything looks normal,” he assured her, tucking her hair behind her ear. “There’s no harm in being careful, but look how far you’ve come, and you’re both still safe.” He kissed her temple again, and added, “We can start sneaking you a little farther away from those people at dinners and whatnot. And I’ll make sure to stick around.”

Fears ฯOpen to shipsฯ

[kit-itskit]

“That is a very good question,” she said, laughing a little. She had heard the Duke’s lecture hundreds of times, about how the kingdom needed one of the larger country’s support, especially if there were to be another war. “I must weigh that against the queen’s wishes.”

She managed a slight smile while talking about her mother. “She is a wise ruler, and a loving mother.” Indeed, she had never doubted her mother’s love for her or the kingdom, and she knew her mother wanted her to marry to assure that when she was gone, Kit and the kingdom would be protected.

Follow That Star ฯElias & Kitฯ

[kit-itskit]

“I could have Frederick stand between you and anybody who might try,” Kit suggested. “He’s intimidating enough that most won’t even bother. And if they do, he’ll definitely stop them before they do.” He grinned a little bit, trying to make her feel a little less wound up. He leaned over to press a kiss to her temple, gently wrapping an arm around her waist. “Really though, if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know. I’ll do my best.”

Fears ฯOpen to shipsฯ

“I wish people would stop trying to touch my belly.” Ella sighed tiredly. “Just because I’m pregnant, it doesn’t give strangers the right to put their hands on me… But then they get offended when I ask them to stop, and I don’t even get the chance to say that I was abused and I don’t want to be touched.”

[kit-itskit]

Kit held her tightly, trying to calm her down even as she sobbed. Guilt rose even more in his chest as she listed the people who left her - he was the only one that had a choice in the matter, and he had made the wrong one.Still, he rocked her the tiniest bit as they sat, trying to calm her down. “Ella, I know I made a mistake before, but... I will never leave you again unless you truly want me to. I will never make that mistake again.”

He started to reach up to wipe the tears from her face, wanting to do more than just make promises that she had no reason to believe. Before he was able to, her lips were suddenly on his, and he froze.

Shocked by the kiss, he almost started to kiss her back, before he realized what he was doing. Gently, he pulled away, and pressed a hand to her cheek, wiping away some of the tears that remained. “Ella, as much as I’d like to kiss you, I can’t,” he told her. “Not while you’re drunk, it’s not right.”

He tried to figure out how to stand up without disturbing her too much, wanting to get her into a bed so she could sleep it off. He remembered that the bed in the guest room was still unmade, so he figured he could just put her in his bed and sleep on the couch for the night.

Alone Together ฯKIT & ELLAฯ

[kit-itskit]

Kit held his gaze, surprised as he may have been by the suggestion. She meant it, and didn’t care if it was something too forward to say. But she didn’t hesitate to lead him out to the garden, enjoying the companionable silence that feel between them.

She loved the gardens, more than any spot in the castle. She often came alone, but found herself enjoying it much more with him. She glanced over when he spoke, and told him, “Probably. But - let’s not go back just yet.” She didn’t want to, not when she knew what was waiting if she did.

She had hoped he wouldn’t pick up on her change in mood, but he did and she sighed. She opened her mouth to speak, and closed it again, hesitating “When I go back, they will try to pair me off with a gentleman of their choosing,” she explained. “I’m expected to marry for advantage.”

Follow That Star ฯElias & Kitฯ

[kit-itskit]

Kit looked over at him, her gaze remaining on his face as she replied, “No? Well they should.”

She felt a slight blush rise to her cheeks, and she bit her lips at his words. “You may. And thank you.” She glanced around the portrait gallery once more, and looked back to him. She took a step back, a slight smile rising on her face.

“Would you like to join me for a walk in the garden?” she asked. “They’re rather lovely this time of night.”

Follow That Star ฯElias & Kitฯ