melodyplucked

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    ❝    we were always going to be together-    ❞    he says with a grin. they were best friends as kids- got playground married when they were little... and then now- he really does feel like he's going to marry this girl one day. it's nini- his best friend- the girl he's loved for years... there's no way he's going to lose her.    ❝    i'm really, really happy i have you, nini. my girlfriend and my best friend. i don't have any doubt in my mind... this is forever now. we're gonna have the best life together and you're gonna do everything you've ever dreamed of    ❞    he tells her, so assured in every word as he holds her hands in his, squeezing gently. he knows she means it, when she says she's sure about him. he has no concerns.    ❝    we're going to get married- that's pretty amazing, huh?    ❞    

❝     see?     we     knew     even     back     then     that     we     would     end     up     together.     ❞     she     says,     happy     smile     on     her     face.     she     feels     so     content     in     his     arms,     feeling     them     wrap     around     her     waist     and     hold     her     close,     too.     it     was     so     nice.     maybe     their     names     in     a     heart     in     the     treehouse     had     been     a     prophecy     they     didn't     even     know     would     come     true     one     day.     she     liked     the     idea     of     that.     ❝     i     love     you,     and     i     love     us,     too.     happy,     together,     dating     my     best     friend     in     the     entire     world.     ❞     she     couldn't     believe     that     this     was     really     her     life.     she     was     she     happy.     things     had     been     crazy     trying     to     get     to     this     point,     but     they'd     made     it     through     and     finally     made     the     realization     that     they     belonged     together. ❝     i'm     so     sure     about     you.     it     took     us     this     long     to     get     together,     i     know     it's     forever.     i'm     going     to     be     your     wife     one     day     and     we're     gonna     have     kids     and     we're     going     to     have     the     best     life     together.     ❞     she's     only     ever     needed     him;     she     knows     that     more     clearly     now.

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    ❝    i really do want you- i'm just- still nervous...    ❞    he hates to admit it, but... this is nini. he has to be honest and open with her now. she's someone he can be vulnerable with. his arm curls tighter around her waist and he cups her face with his other hand, he really does crave that feeling of closeness. especially as they get emotionally closer again. she's touching him so gently, and they are finding their footing together. the kiss is slow, soft, so sweet. it all feels good. there's a real connection, one he's hoping they can continue.    ❝    i really do like you, nini. more than like you    ❞    he whispers, pulling away slightly to lean his forehead against hers.

❝     i     get     it...     ❞     she     says,     nodding     her     head.     she's     the     one     that's     put     them     into     this     position     in     the     first     place.     of     course     she     understands     that     it's     her     fault.     she     knows     she     has     to     be     the     one     to     do     the     fixing     here.     she's     the     one     that     messed     everything     up     and     made     him     nervous     to     accept     her     affection.     she     had     stopped     giving     it     so     freely,     after     all.     still,     he     leans     down     to     kiss     her     and     she     can't     help     but     smile     up     at     him.     she     wraps     her     arms     around     his     neck     and     kisses     him     back,     lips     moving     against     his     slowly     as     they     find     their     footing     here.     her     fingers     move     up     to     tangle     in     his     hair,     thumb     stroking     the     back     of     his     head     gently.

[melodyplucked]

RIVERDALE — “Chapter Seventy-Five: Lynchian” S04E18

[melodyplucked]

he nods at her words. she likes it- and now, she's wearing his. they've shared so much... it's really a shame they lost out on that for two years... but he doesn't want to dwell on bad feelings right now.    ❝    same, actually. and not just because it's proof we got where we did- even though that's pretty awesome too.    ❞    he may struggle sometimes with the worthiness part, but... he loves what they do, what they've done... and he's proud of that as well as grateful. holding onto nini again, he lets out a sigh, pressing a kiss to her head as she cuddles into him. this is pure happiness.    ❝    anything else? or are we good with the popcorn and candy    ❞    he asks her softly. ricky doesn't want to pop the bubble. not one bit.

❝     thanks.     i've     always     liked     this     one.     ❞     her     own     hoodie     like     this     one     had     a     hole     rubbed     into     the     cuff     of     her     sleeve     from     her     little     habit     while     she's     thinking.     she     was     warm     now,     though,     and     she     smelled     like     ricky,     which     was     always     a     plus.     she     liked     stealing     his     clothes     for     that     reason.     ❝     i'll     be     comfier     and     cozier     once     we     sit     down,     but     this     is     really     nice.     ❞     she     was     excited     to     get     back     in     bed     and     snuggle     while     they     watch     a     movie.     she     cuddles     closer     to     him,     sighing     contentedly     as     she     sinks     into     his     embrace     once     again.     it     feels     so     good     to     be     this     happy.     sometimes     she     can't     remember     if     she     was     ever     this     happy.

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    ❝    you have more than proven your strength, my sweet love.    ❞    ricky shakes his head, words gentle but firm. there's indeed much for her to be proud of. when he was kidnapped and his father gravely injured, presumed dead... she'd faced the task of leadership in a time of deep uncertainty and her own pain.    ❝    your stress is not lessened by your own condition, my beloved princess. you were safe in the palace, yes, but- your heart...    ❞    she was worried about him- about their child... growing up without a father. she worried about losing her husband- no one could deny her the pain and trauma of such circumstances.    ❝    no one laid a hand on you, i know, nini...    ❞    sweet pet name as he hopes to soothe her.    ❝    that hardly erases your own internal turmoil at the situation. and with your carrying our baby on top of it all... it was not easy. no one could say it was.    ❞    

❝     i     should     strive     to     be     stronger,     i     suppose.     ❞     she     says,     words     as     teasing     and     light     as     she     can     make     them,     though     the     events     of     the     last     few     weeks     still     hang     like     a     dark     cloud     above     her     had.     ❝     you     are     such     a     good     listener.     i     am     the     luckiest     girl     in     the     world     to     be     your     wife.     i     suppose     i     feel     as     though     i     shouldn't     be     so     worked     up.     all     i've     done     is     sat     in     the     castle     and     eaten     saltines     to     keep     the     morning     sickness     at     bay.     you     were     taken,     they     hurt     you.     i     did     not     have     it     so     bad     here.     ❞     sure,     it     had     been     difficult     to     keep     the     secret     of     their     baby     on     the     way     while     she     was     handling     her     husband     and     father-in-law's     kidnapping,     but     at     least     she     was     home,     with     her     family,     safe     in     the     castle.

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@inspotlight

    ❝    can we just go get ice cream with the others another time?    ❞    he finds himself asking, hopeful smile on his face with sparkling eyes as he debates his next move.    ❝    it's below freezing outside neens-    ❞    it's... technically not. but it is cold. that's just- not why ricky doesn't want to go. it's not even that he doesn't want to go, more just... he doesn't want to leave their happy little bubble.    ❝    besides- your book's getting good...    ❞    her legs are draped over his as they cuddle on the couch, her reading and him admittedly reading along over her shoulder.

[melodyplucked]

what is your muse’s eye color?

put it in the tags!

[melodyplucked]

    ❝    of course nini    ❞    he nods, smiling at her softly. he can tell how sleepy she is, so he's speaking softly. he scoops her up as she wraps her arms around his neck, leaning into him. it really does feel good to have her close like this. carrying her into the bedroom, it's so nice to know they can just cuddle all night, get some sleep next to each other. they'd argued in the car over it, but... she actually wants his company. that's pretty special.    ❝    you should get some sleep, princess    ❞    he murmurs. she's sweet like this, as he brings her to lay down on the bed again. it'll be nice, for neither of them to sleep alone.

the     couch     is     a     nice     place     to     cuddle     most     of     the     time,     on     those     days     she     ends     up     at     his     house     when     he's     taking     care     of     her,     like     they'd     snuggled     that     day     she'd     had     cramps.     trying     to     sleep,     though?     she     knew     that     would     never     work.     she     liked     to     be     cozy,     even     if     she     was     going     to     end     up     wrapping     herself     around     ricky     like     a     koala.     she     giggles     as     he     moves     to     sit     up,     liking     being     in     his     arms     a     lot     more     than     she     wanted     to     admit     to.     ❝     okay...     thanks,     ricky.     ❞     she     hated     the     way     him     being     so     nice     to     her     made     her     feel     sometimes.     like     she     didn't     deserve     his     kindness,     but     still     craved     it     all     the     same.     ❝     i     would     love     to     be     carried.     ❞     she     says,     wrapping     her     arms     around     his     neck     and     leaning     her     head     on     his     shoulder.

[melodyplucked]

y'all i have felt like garbage All Day but i'm gonna make brownies ... because i have not been functional at all but i have a box of mix and i Need chocolate

[melodyplucked]

@inspotlight

you didn't ask for this but! have a bachelor au starter!

    ❝    so- were you excited when you got the date card?    ❞    he asks her with a grin, reaching out and taking nini's hand in his to help her out of the car. he'd been standing there with a stupid smile on his face, waiting for them to bring her here.    ❝    it might sound a little crazy, but- i've missed you.    ❞    and it'll be even crazier to her than the viewer, nini being the only one here who knows it's been less than 24 hours since he last saw her. not the several days of shooting it would appear.

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    ❝    i could be down with that.    ❞    he grins. ricky is very easily convinced to stop studying. even if he didn't mean to cause her to do so for her end. he's not going to turn down a cookie. or time spent just... with nini. not worrying about a test or any of that kind of thing he only somewhat cares about. but then he knows she does care.    ❝    i know kourtney would kill me if i somehow tanked your grade though. so post cookie i'll let you focus.    ❞    maybe less of a joke than you might think, but he really is trying to lighten the mood a bit too. he can't help that.    ❝    i um- i don't want to mess up your life    ❞    and that right there is a lot bigger than a grade on a chemistry quiz. but then... he also doesn't think her boyfriend is good for her future anyway, with all they've talked about.

❝     it     all     feels     fucked     up.     ❞     she     agrees,     closing     her     own     textbook     in     response     to     him     closing     his.     maybe     she     shouldn't     encourage     putting     an     end     to     their     study     session     when     they     need     to     prepare     for     a     test,     but     she     can't     help     but     want     to     just     talk     to     him     instead.          ❝     maybe     we     need     a     cookie     break.     ❞     she     knows     what     else     his     words     imply,     the     deeper     meaning     behind     them,     and     her     accompanying     nod     speaks     to     that.     ❝     we     can     get     back     to     the     textbooks     in     an     hour.     figure     out     how     to     sort     out     all     the     messes.     ❞     and     there     were     so     many     messes     to     be     sorted.

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@inspotlight | royal starters

"That's a question rarely asked here at court."

    ❝    well perhaps it is rare, my love-    ❞    ricky pauses at her words, reaching up to brush her cheek with his hand lightly.    ❝    but that hardly means it isn't worth asking, does it?    ❞    she is the princess after all. her thoughts, her feelings are as important as his own.    ❝    how do you feel, following these recent events?    ❞    the prince knows she's not so fragile, like a sheet of that thin tissue paper that wraps the sweets brought in from the village surrounding her mother's summer cottage. but that does not change the fact that he worries about her, especially with what's happened.    ❝    if you ever long to be heard, know i always wish to listen to you    ❞    

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𝐑𝐎𝐘𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐔𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐐𝐔𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒. all these sentences come from a search on goodread's keywords for royal court, intrigue, arranged marriages and politics. please change names, locations and pronouns as you see fit.some of these might be suggestive.

“Ten years of shadows, but no longer. Light up the darkness, Majesty.”

“You don't know a woman until you've met her in court.”

“A queen keeps a court that is spoken about. A goddess keeps a court that is never forgotten.”

"And you, lady? Are you a woman of conscience or of ambition?"

"That's a question rarely asked here at court."

“Some people will hate you for not loving them.”

“Court games aren't fair. They don't judge men by their worth, and they aren't about what's just. Guilty men can hold power their whole lives and be wept for when they pass. Innocent men can be spent like coins because it's convenient.”

“I hated him but I ached for him. I hated him in the way that you could only hate someone you had loved.”

“I think there’s a part of me that calls to you. And a part of you that calls back.”

“Now the Court's heart is yours and yours alone. Let's break it.”

“People can't be changed by writ or transformed by court decree.”

“There is no playacting in this court. If you stay your hand, they will cut it off.”

“He was a man with a vision- and an extraordinary vision it was..”

“I'll never miss a chance to remind you of what a brat you were. A gloriously beautiful and very spoiled brat. I was utterly charmed by your complete self-absorption. It was rather like courting a cat.”

“Power does not pardon, power punishes.”

“Listen! The court jester's cap and bells. The King is coming!”

“They all come innocent in court.”

“Is that how you get propositioned at the court? 'Mylady, would you be so kind as to allow me to put my manhood in your vagina'?”

"When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground."

"A lion does not concern himself with the opinion of sheep."

"The crown must always outweigh the heart."

"Heavy is the head that wears the crown."

"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future."

"A wise king never seeks out war, but he must always be ready for it."

"The council exists to serve the realm, not the other way around."

"True power lies not in who wields the sword, but in who commands it to be drawn."

"A king is not his crown, nor his throne, but the strength of his people."

"A court full of whispers is more dangerous than a battlefield of swords."

"Loyalty in politics is a fleeting mirage, shimmering brightest when least sincere."

"A ruler's greatest enemy is not the assassin’s blade, but the silence of their allies."

"Do not mistake a bowed head for submission; it often conceals sharpened fangs."

"To rule is to lie as artfully as one builds castles."

"A crown’s weight is not measured in gold, but in the decisions that haunt the wearer."

"The wolf who thrives in the court learns to hunt without claws."

"Victory in politics is not in silencing enemies, but in convincing them to cheer your name."

"A kingdom divided by ambition is a kingdom that bleeds."

"Every courtier is an actor; every throne room, a stage. Trust no applause."

"The dragon chooses the ruler, not the other way around."

"Only a fool thinks the crown is the prize; the crown is merely the burden."

"The gods grant kings their thrones, but it is their people who keep them seated."

"Beware the court jester; behind his laughter hides the sharpest dagger."

"The council meets not for the king’s wisdom, but to manipulate his ignorance."

"A queen with no enemies is either very cunning or already a pawn."

"The throne does not demand blood; it demands souls."

"A mage’s loyalty is never to the crown, only to the power it promises."

"The crown’s shadow stretches far, but it is often the brightest light that blinds the ruler."

"Kings die, queens fade, but the spider’s web of politics endures."

"A court without ambition is a garden without weeds—an illusion of peace."

"The strongest alliances are forged not in loyalty, but in shared hatred."

"A ruler’s greatest ally is their enemy, for it is they who sharpen the blade of ambition."

"Never trust the man who smiles too much; his tongue is as sharp as his knife."

"A kingdom ruled by fear is a kingdom waiting for rebellion."

"The moment a ruler ceases to listen is the moment they begin to fall."

"In the court, truth is a rare currency, spent only when lies will not suffice."

"The scepter may command armies, but it is the ink of treaties that conquers kingdoms."

"A wise ruler keeps their enemies closer not out of trust, but out of necessity."

"The court is a sea of masks; those who wear none are either the wisest or the most foolish."

Arranged Marriages and Political Unions

"Marriages are not made in hearts but in treaties."

"A wedding is but a battlefield draped in silk and flowers."

"To wed for love is folly; to wed for power is survival."

"The altar is the throne’s crueler cousin, binding hearts to duty, not desire."

"They said 'I do' with chains in their eyes and kingdoms on their lips."

"A marriage forged in politics is stronger than any love match, for ambition is eternal."

"She was a queen in name, but a pawn in her husband’s game."

"A crown weighs heavier when shared with someone you cannot love."

"A union of kingdoms is worth a thousand broken hearts."

"The dowry may buy the match, but it cannot buy loyalty."

Tournaments and Honor

"In the lists, honor gleams as brightly as gold, but only blood wins the crowd."

"A knight who rides for glory often finds himself galloping toward ruin."

"The tilt is not for love or honor, but for whispers in the court that outlive the day."

"His lance shattered in her name, but his heart broke for another."

"Tournaments are not won in the lists but in the favors of those who watch."

"Every lance broken in the tourney echoes as a promise in the court."

"The champion wears the laurel, but the king claims the victory."

"He fought for her token, but she gave her heart to another."

"Beneath the clash of swords lies the unspoken battle of alliances."

"The arena smells of sweat and steel, but the court reeks of treachery and roses."

Arranged Marriages and Political Unions

"Marriages are not made in hearts but in treaties."

"A wedding is but a battlefield draped in silk and flowers."

"To wed for love is folly; to wed for power is survival."

"The altar is the throne’s crueler cousin, binding hearts to duty, not desire."

"They said 'I do' with chains in their eyes and kingdoms on their lips."

"A marriage forged in politics is stronger than any love match, for ambition is eternal."

"She was a queen in name, but a pawn in her husband’s game."

"A crown weighs heavier when shared with someone you cannot love."

"A union of kingdoms is worth a thousand broken hearts."

"The dowry may buy the match, but it cannot buy loyalty."

Tournaments and Honor

"In the lists, honor gleams as brightly as gold, but only blood wins the crowd."

"A knight who rides for glory often finds himself galloping toward ruin."

"The tilt is not for love or honor, but for whispers in the court that outlive the day."

"His lance shattered in her name, but his heart broke for another."

"Tournaments are not won in the lists but in the favors of those who watch."

"Every lance broken in the tourney echoes as a promise in the court."

"The champion wears the laurel, but the king claims the victory."

"He fought for her token, but she gave her heart to another."

"Beneath the clash of swords lies the unspoken battle of alliances."

"The arena smells of sweat and steel, but the court reeks of treachery and roses."

Forbidden Matches and Love

"Their love was a spark that could burn kingdoms."

"He kissed her in shadows, where neither crowns nor duty could find them."

"Love born in defiance is the most fragile and the most dangerous."

"They spoke vows in secret, knowing their houses spoke oaths of blood."

"Their love was an act of war, their union a rebellion in itself."

"No gate is high enough, no lock strong enough, to keep out a desperate heart."

"She gave him her heart, though her father demanded her hand for another."

"They met under stars they could never share."

"In the court of lies, their love was the only truth."

"He was her greatest sin, and she his only redemption."

Enemies and Betrayals

"She married her enemy, and yet the battlefield never left her mind."

"He took her hand in marriage but held a dagger in the other."

"A kiss from an enemy is sweeter when it hides a blade."

"The wedding feast was a truce; the bridal chamber, a battlefield."

"Two houses united, two hearts divided."

"His bride wore a smile, but her vows spoke treachery."

"They danced at the feast, each step a calculated move in their game of thrones."

"To wed an enemy is to hold a viper to your breast."

"The crown decreed their union; the gods wept in protest."

"She called him ‘husband,’ but he called her ‘traitor.’"

Duty vs. Desire

"A prince must follow duty; a man must follow his heart. Rarely do the two paths meet."

"She wore the crown, but her heart wore chains."

"The court demanded heirs; the heart demanded freedom."

"A ruler has no time for love, only alliances."

"She longed for the knight, but the crown chose the king."

"His heart burned for her, but his hand burned for power."

"To love her was treason; to lose her was death."

"The heart’s rebellion is the crown’s greatest enemy."

"He gave his life for his kingdom, and his heart to the wrong woman."

"Love is the luxury of those who do not rule."

Mystery and Magic in Romance

"Her kiss was a spell that no mage could undo."

"The stars themselves envied their forbidden love."

"The prophecy foretold their love would unite the realm, or destroy it."

"He wore the amulet she gave him, a reminder of what he had lost."

"Their love was cursed by gods and envied by mortals."

"The magic of their love defied the will of kings."

"She dreamed of him every night, though her magic forbade her to touch him."

"Their hearts spoke a language even dragons could not silence."

"In her eyes, he saw the storm that would reshape the realm."

"He was a knight, she a sorceress; their love was as doomed as it was eternal."

[melodyplucked]

    ❝    not bad at all- we weren't exactly looking for perfect, just... some things for a few days...    ❞    especially since her moms are going to bring nini the bag she'd packed for her honeymoon. ricky hates that thought a lot more than he'll say now, but... he's happy that the only honeymoon nini will be having is with him. that the only wedding she'll be having is to him. she'd gotten out of there, left with him today and brody will be out of her life soon enough.    ❝    i'm really excited to be your husband, neens. we're getting married tomorrow!    ❞    he's really eager about this. as much as it's not necessarily what anyone expected for their wedding... who could've anticipated the preceding circumstances either?    ❝    i don't know if it counts, i don't care though. all i care about is that i get to marry my best friend. and that i get to spend the rest of my life with you. and i love that we're going to have your family there. it's what you deserve.    ❞    nini's the love of his life, he's loved her since they were little kids... he wasn't going to let her get married without at least asking her if she still loves him too. and she did, and now here they are...    ❝    this is exactly what was meant to be   ❞    they'll have a wedding reception another time, and a real honeymoon after they settle things with lawyers in a few days time... but for now- he's completely satisfied with this step.

❝     thank     you,     baby.     not     bad     for     grabbing     a     couple     things     without     trying     anything     on.     ❞     they'd     been     in     a     hurry,     and     who     could     blame     them?     the     shit     had     hit     the     proverbial     fan     and     nini     had     needed     an     out.     she'd     been     looking     for     one     for     a     lot     longer     than     just     at     the     altar,     too.     sending     that     invitation     to     ricky     had     been     her     hail     mary.     ❝     i'm     going     to     be     your     wife     tomorrow.     ❞     she     echoes,     so     thrilled     with     the     idea     of     what     they'll     be     doing     in     twenty-four     hours     time.     ❝     i     can't     believe     we     did     this.     ran     away.     we're     going     to     elope.     or     as     close     to     eloping     as     it     can     be,     i     guess?     is     it     still     eloping     if     we     wait     until     my     moms     and     lola     can     get     here?     probably     doesn't     matter.     this     is     what     was     meant     to     be;     you     and     me.     ❞

[melodyplucked]

    ❝    i can tell you do- i know you mean it...    ❞    and he smiles at her more genuinely, even if he's a bit sheepish to be told something like that. she’s certainly right in her assertion. he can be pretty down on himself- though that doesn’t come from nowhere. it’s true, he doesn’t hear much external validation that feels real. or much that matters. her opinion of him matters though, it matters a lot to him.    ❝    thank you, nini    ❞    she wraps her arm around his waist and he rests a hand on her knee.    ❝    i don't know how easy it is to see sometimes- beyond the points-    ❞    

❝     i'm     not     just     saying     it;     i     do     mean     it.     ❞     she     says,     smiling     as     he     shifts     closer.     she     does,     too,     scooting     closer     and     wrapping     an     arm     around     his     waist.     she     shrugs     at     his     question,     though.     she     didn't     feel     like     she     needed     to     tell     herself     that.     ❝     i     am     proud     of     myself,     and     i'm     proud     of     us,     but     i     see     how     you     question     your     own     worth.     someone     should     remind     you     every     now     and     then.     you     deserve     to     hear     it.     ❞     she     says     as     she     leans     her     head     to     rest     against     his     shoulder.

[melodyplucked]

he needed to tell her. of course he did. not because it's anything he should feel bad about, but... because he didn't want her thinking anything of it. she should hear it from him. but when he tells her, and watches her reaction, he's reminded of the fact that she's genuinely the best. a sigh of relief comes from his lips as she rests her hand on his knee and looks at him with that sweet smile of hers, gives that as her initial response.    ❝    god nina you really do make me feel like the luckiest guy in the world. thank you- for understanding.    ❞    he smiles at her a bit sheepishly, leaning over into her to kiss her softly on the cheek as they sit on the couch in his childhood home.

    ❝    i guess i just- didn't want to hold anything back from you? or make it out like it's a secret or anything. i don't- i don't want to keep secrets from you. i really like you. and lily was a big part of my life... so i don't want you to feel like my talking to her now should be anything you need to be worried about.    ❞    he's rambling, but... there's nothing he wants more than to make sure she knows that it's not a big deal. that he cares about lily, she was crying because of everything going on at home, and he wanted her to be okay, but... nini's the one he wants to be with now. he needs her to know that.    ❝    good- because i really am in love with you, nini. you're everything to me.    ❞    

when     ricky     had     said     he     needed     to     tell     her     something,     nini     had     been     nervous.     he     didn't     usually     start     things     like     that.     like     something     had     happened     that     needed     to     be     confessed.     but,     as     nini     sits     by     him,     listening,     she     can't     be     mad.     she     lets     out     a     breath,     one     hand     resting     on     his     knee,     and     gives     him     a     smile.     ❝     you     are     a     really     good     guy,     ricky     bowen.     ❞     is     the     first     thing     she     says,     expression     soft     as     she     gazes     at     him.     he's     more     than     shown     her     how     true     his     words     are.     she     can't     fault     him     for     comforting     his     ex-girlfriend.     if     she     had     been     crying,     the     last     thing     nini     would     want     is     for     her     boyfriend     to     not     be     a     good     person,     a     good     friend,     and     comfort     her.     she     knew     the     smallest     bits     and     pieces     of     what     lily     dealt     with     in     her     home     life.     it     was     why     she'd     been     at     the     christmas     party     at     slices     in     the     first     place     —     a     courtesy     invite,     a     soft     place     to     land     if     she     needed     it,     people     who,     regardless     of     anything     else     that     had     gone     on,     had     known     her     for     the     multiple     years     she     and     ricky     were     together.     nini     had     been     glad     to     meet     her,     and     she     was     glad     to     know     ricky     didn't     give     anyone     that     upset     the     cold     shoulder.     ❝     of     course     i     know     you     mean     that,     my     love.     i     love     you     so     much     and     i'm     so     proud     of     the     man     you     are.     i'm     a     lucky     girl     to     be     the     one     you     love.     ❞

[melodyplucked]

    ❝    right. of course. that's like- you've always had a job to do. some way or another. just hanging out and adjusting and learning how to interact with this world isn't filling your time and your brain anymore. i'd love for you to do something that makes you happy and keeps you motivated.    ❞    she's not so nervous and timid about the world like she was to start. he can imagine that makes it easier now to tell him she would like to get a job.    ❝    even if it is just at the rink, we're probably going to have to ask your moms if they know where your social security card is.    ❞    he chuckles, smiling at her softly.    ❝    but hey, we're going to visit anyway, so maybe they've got it.    ❞    

    ❝    i'm always going to be around if you need me. even if we're not in the same place. just call me and i'll come running. you're my wife. i have to work, but- they know me here. they'll get over it if i need to go take care of you.    ❞    she's not just anyone. she's everything. and especially now... she really does need him. this isn't the life she's used to. and frankly, even if it was- he'd still drop everything for her in an instant. what's really nice is how easy it is to talk with her, they're just getting on the road together, and it all feels really comfortable. he hardly minds taking the wheel to get her off to see her family again. he's sure it's been really hard for her.    ❝    right- that's kind of crazy to me. especially since we can go so far so fast... i mean- i can only imagine how you'd feel about being on an airplane...    ❞    he chuckles, smiling at her affectionately.    ❝    i know obviously you wouldn't be riding a horse that far. you're a princess... but do you like riding horses? i don't think i've ever been on a horse, but i've heard there are places in california we can ride on the beach-    ❞    

❝     i     would     like     that,     definitely.     especially     just     so     that     i     could     have     something     to     do     when     you've     got     to     tend     to     your     own     responsibilities.          ❞     she     says,     nodding     her     head.     ❝     i     enjoy     keeping     busy.     it     feels     nice     to     have     some     sort     of     structure.     probably     much     like     your     practices     and     training.     i     just     don't     have     that     like     your     skater     would     and     i'm     starting     to     feel     more     comfortable     here,     like     i     could     go     out     and     spend     a     few     hours     on     my     own     working     at     the     rink.     and     you'd     be     there     if     something     were     to     go     wrong.     ❞     it     feels     good     to     talk     like     this.     whether     her     prince     or     her     skater,     she     loves     that     she     always     feels     heard     with     him.     ❝     considering     what     i've     seen     since     being     here     with     you,     we     didn't     actually     live     all     that     far     from     each     other,     but     it     would     still     take     a     week     or     so.     there's     a     lot     of     stopping     at     inns     for     the     night     so     we     can     exchange     horses     so     they     can     rest.     it's     time     consuming.     ten     hours     will     feel     like     minutes     compared     to     that.     ❞     she     was     excited     to     settle     in     for     the     duration     of     the     trip     and     just     enjoy     getting     to     spend     this     much     time     with     ricky.     by     nighttime,     she     would     be     getting     to     see     her     moms.     it     was     early     enough     that     they     could     make     it     there     today,     though     she'd     be     just     fine     to     stay     the     night     somewhere     if     he     needed     a     break.     she     hated     that     she     couldn't     help     him     with     the     drive.