#━━ ♡ the princess and the skater [ v22 ]

[inspotlight]

❝     this     is     such     a     wonderful     thing     you're     doing     for     me,     my     love.     ❞     nini     says     as     she     slides     into     the     passenger     seat     of     the     car.     she's     gotten     used     to     the     car     over     the     past     few     weeks,     but     when     he'd     explained     airplanes     to     her,     she     was     completely     against     that.     so,     they     would     be     driving     to     see     her     family.     the     skater's     family.     he'd     even     gotten     her     some     things     to     make     the     trip     more     comfortable.     she     wouldn't     be     able     to     help     with     the     driving,     but     he     didn't     seem     to     care.     he'd     gotten     her     a     few     snacks,     a     water     bottle,     and     a     cozy     blanket.     he'd     said     it     was     called     being     a     passenger     princess,     and     she     thought     that     was     so     fitting.     ❝     are     you     sure     you     don't     mind     taking     such     a     long     trip?     ❞     she     buckled     the     seatbelt     and     pulled     her     blanket     over     her     lap,     settling     in     for     the     journey     ahead.     she     was     so     happy     that     at     the     end     of     their     drive,     she'd     get     to     see     her     moms.

@melodyplucked

[inspotlight]

❝     your     mother     deserves     to     be     yelled     at     for     ever     making     you     believe     you     don't     deserve     to     be     loved.     i've     never     been     a     violent     person,     but     i     could     hurt     her.     ❞     it     broke     her     heart     to     think     that     the     woman     who     was     supposed     to     love     ricky     the     most     had     made     him     feel     he     was     undeserving     of     love.     nini     loved     him     more     than     anything.     ❝     there     were     so     many     times     i     thought     how     nice     it     would     be     to     kiss     him,     but     i     am     happy     with     how     things     happened     for     us.     that     we     were     able     to     have     our     first     kiss     privately     after     we     were     wed.     it     was     lovely.     ❞     

❝     if     she     is     anything     like     me,     and     i     know     she     is,     because     she     is     me,     then     i     know     she     does     love     you.     i     just     know     it.     ❞     she     knew     her     own     heart     and     she     felt     confident     that     she     knew     the     other     version     of     her     heart,     too.     ❝     i     suppose     we     could     say     it     was     more     something     along     the     lines     of     a     concussion     or     an     illness     preventing     me     from     skating?     something     with     the     lungs,     maybe?     then     i     have     an     out,     you     have     a     reason     to     choreograph,     and     she     can     bounce     back     from     it.     and     if     we     never     switch     back,     we     just     say     that     after     a     few     months     of     recovering     from     an     illness,     i     feel     better     not     starting     over     after     taking     several     steps     back?     ❞     she     knew     she     could     train     with     ricky's     coach     and     at     least     get     better,     work     on     the     muscle     memory     this     body     knew,     but     she     didn't     want     to     hold     ricky     back.     

❝     nothing     to     apologize     for,     my     heart.     i'm     a     big     girl,     if     i     were     starving     earlier,     i     would     have     told     you.     i've     been     enjoying     just     snuggling     and     being     warm.     ❞     she     says,     pressing     a     kiss     to     the     tip     of     his     nose.     he's     so     sweet;     he     takes     such     good     care     of     her.     she     stands     to     get     out,     pouting     slightly     that     she's     no     longer     in     his     arms,     but     she     reaches     for     a     towel     and     wraps     herself     in     it     quickly     so     she's     not     cold     for     too     long.     ❝     perhaps     we     could     order     in?     a     nice     dinner     out     would     be     lovely,     but     i     don't     think     i     have     it     in     me     to     find     a     pretty     outfit     and     get     ready     and     be     presentable.     ❞

    ❝    you really do… you really do make me feel loved- it's the deserving it part that's been harder since everything with my mom but... you honestly- there's something about you... that makes me feel like maybe i do deserve it.    ❞    he confesses, gentle, soft voice, a bit quieter than usual as she wraps her arms around him so kindly. his arms wrap around her too, holding her close, and steady as they embrace like this. ricky, despite their different circumstances, really appreciates her perspective honestly.    ❝    it is lovely isn't it?    ❞    head tilted to the side.    ❝    it is really sweet i think- that you waited. i can't really like- imagine that for myself, but- it seems really meaningful for you and i like that part. but yeah- being free to express yourself however you'd like with him now that you're married must be a really good feeling.    ❞    the affection he shares with her now is really nice after all.

he shakes his head    ❝    i know what you mean, i promise my love. don't worry. but yeah- i hope they're happy, too. i'm sure it's been overwhelming, in a different but similar way to your adjustments here… but- i'm sure she's been good to him. at least largely. deep down she's still that girl i fell for at 16...    ❞    soft, somewhat sad smile on his face. but he lightens up at her remarks.    ❝    i would really love that too… and i know how much you'd love to be a mom, and i think you would be absolutely amazing at it... your heart is just- beautiful, nini. i think i would be so lucky to raise a baby with you...    ❞    to the questions of skating though, there's a bit of a shrug of his shoulders.    ❝    you know i have thought about this a bit… what the best thing to do would be... i mean we told them we were taking a step back for personal reasons... we could say you've had an injury- come up with something she could conceivably recover from... i don't know if i'm at that point of giving up this partnership yet, but- i would skate with someone else if we got there... maybe even if it's someone temporary... though that's not ideal obviously... i've still been training just... yeah. i um- i was also thinking about if it comes to it i could coach- that's the eventual plan for me anyway. coaching and choreography...    ❞    

he nods at her question.    ❝    oh god- yeah i'm sorry, my love… let's get out of this bathtub and get you some dinner. we can go somewhere if you'd like, otherwise i could just make some chicken or some soup or something-    ❞    

[inspotlight]

the    princess    smiles    so    brightly    at    the    feel    of    the    sweet    skater's    lips    against    her    wrist.    cuddled    next    to    him    on    the    couch    in    their    living    room,    she    feels    so    much    pure    happiness.    ❝    you    are    so    sweet    to    me,    my    love.    ❞    she    tells    him    softly,    reaching    her    other    hand    up    to    caress    his    face.    ❝    what    do    you    think    about    going    on    a    little    trip?    mimi    mentioned    a    beach    and,    well,    i've    never    been    to    a    beach.    ❞    traveling    to    the    seaside    was    something    her    father    had    never    liked,    and    her    moms    had    preferred    the    quiet    of    the    countryside    despite    having    grown    up    closer    to    the    sea.

@melodyplucked

[inspotlight]

nini    isn't    used    to    having    images    of    herself    taken    so    quickly.    she's    had    to    pose    for    portraits    all    her    life,    waiting    to    see    what    the    painter    would    come    up    with,    and    praying    they    made    her    look    nice    after    so    many    hours    spent    sitting.    ❝    i'm    going    to    miss    these.    ❞    nini    says,    looking    at    the    photo    of    herself    on    ricky's    phone,    a    soft    smile    on    her    face    as    she    rests    her    chin    on    his    shoulder.    it    was    nice    to    get    to    spend    this    time    with    him.    she    was    so    used    to    spending    her    days    attending    to    her    own    duties    while    ricky    would    attend    to    his.    getting    to    spend    so    much    time    with    ricky    right    now    definitely    felt    like    being    spoiled,    but    she    loved    it.    she    couldn't    get    enough    of    it,    in    fact.        ❝    it    would    be    so    nice    to    show    these    to    my    prince.    so    he    could    know    i    was    happy...    taken    care    of...    ❞

@melodyplucked

[inspotlight]

❝    oh,    i'm    having    the    best    time,    my    love.    ❞    she    says    with    a    wide,    bright    smile    on    her    face    as    she    holds    herself    to    him.    ❝    this,    us    engaging    in    such    public    displays    of    affection,    won't    make    your    sweet    skater    upset    when    she    gets    back,    will    it?    ❞    she's    hesitant    as    she    asks    the    question,    not    wanting    to    hurt    his    feelings,    but    also    concerned    that    with    what    he's    told    her    about    her    doppelgänger,    she    could    be    upset    by    the    way    princess    nini    is    so    public    with    her    affections.    she    doesn't    want    to    stop    kissing    ricky    whenever    she    feels    like    it    or    skating    up    to    him    and    enveloping    him    in    a    hug,    but    she    also    doesn't    want    to    cause    any    problems    for    him    when    he    gets    his    nini    back.    she    misses    her    prince,    of    course,    but    having    this    skater    to    call    hers    while    she's    with    him    is    so    lovely.    ❝    i    would    hate    to    make    her    upset    with    me,    but    i    do    love    to    kiss    you    and    see    that    gorgeous    smile    light    up    your    face.    ❞

@inspotlight

[  SURPRISE  ]  *  your muse hugs my muse from behind.

she's so precious to him. he loves being able to give her this kind of joy, to put that brilliant smile on her face. she has the same face as his skating partner, but while she is nini, she's so different too. she seems to have kept the same skating abilities as his partner has, but the sparkle in her eyes as he skates up to her and wraps his arms around her waist, it's like when they were young again, but with an added closeness.   ❝    you having fun out here princess?   ❞    he asks with a grin of his own, tilting his head to look at her, and pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. it's nice, skating together and it just being for fun. not worrying over their program for once. not having her go hot and cold when they get off the ice... this is freeing. he knows he misses his nini, but just loving the princess is easy, and it feels so good.

[inspotlight]

❝     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.

    ❝    good, okay. that makes sense. like- you've had some time to adjust to your new life. and now you want to have some more responsibilities again. i get that.    ❞    he wants her to feel heard, and honestly- he really is trying to understand her as best he can, especially the more and more time they spend together. she's his wife after all.    ❝    you've had a lot in your life you've been responsible for. from such a young age too... i hope we can find something that gives you that same satisfaction.    ❞    she's so solid. so sure, in the things she's saying. he always wants to hear what she has to say, but- especially when she's so confident like this, it resonates more.    ❝    yeah it's a ten hour drive, so it's good to be cozy. how far was it to go from your kingdom to your husband's? i know a carriage ride's not the same as a drive, but... i'm curious.    ❞    they're heading onto the highway, and he's ready to just- spend time with her.    ❝    definitely. we'll have to do the grand canyon sometime too, honestly. it's so big... indescribable, honestly.    ❞    and he's not usually short of things to say.

[inspotlight]

❝     no     pressure     whatsoever.     i     enjoy     getting     out     of     the     house     and     doing     something     with     my     day.     it's     been     nice     to     not     have     any     responsibilities,     but     i     wasn't     raised     to     live     life     like     that.     i     had     a     lot     of     people     counting     on     me     as     a     princess     and     i     do     miss     having     something     to     do.     ❞     she     tells     him,     clear     conviction     in     her     words.     she     liked     working.     being     a     princess,     the     only     heir     to     a     kingdom,     and     the     wife     of     the     future     king,     she     had     always     had     some     level     of     responsibility,     whether     before     courting     her     prince     or     after.     ❝     wonderful.     then     i     suppose     we're     ready     to     go.     ❞     she     smiles     against     his     lips,     the     kiss     so     sweet     before     they     start     driving.     ❝     they     looked     cozy     for     the     trip.     you     said     it's     going     to     be     a     long     one     and     i     can     put     my     boots     back     on     when     we     get     out.     ❞     it     feels     good     to     settle     into     her     seat,     hear     the     music     playing     softly,     and     have     her     hand     holding     ricky's.     ❝     i     used     the     internet     on     the     phone     to     look     up     some     things     and     we     could     stop     at     any     number     of     places     for     some     pretty     scenery.     the     desert     has     some     really     interesting     things.     ❞

he smiles over at her as she speaks and squeezes her hand now that she's taken his. he's interested to see what she has to say.    ❝    if you want to- i think that sounds nice. i don't want you to feel any pressure to have to work or anything, but- if that's something that interests you, of course i'm all for it. you can do whatever you'd like. whether that's at the rink or if there's anything else you'd like to do.    ❞    she doesn't need his permission, really. he hopes she knows that. but- he sees the way she does sort of- want his approval generally speaking anyway. regardless of what he expects from her. he knows the way things are for her back home are so different.    ❝    i'm all good, my princess.    ❞    he beams at her, leaning over to peck her on the lips.    ❝    your cow slippers! that's adorable, nini.    ❞    he grins, looking at her with amusement as he turns to finally actually get moving. her music playing through the stereo, they've got a long drive ahead of them, but... she's perfect company. and he'd love to talk with her more, about this life and her other one.

[inspotlight]

❝     i'm     excited     just     to     see     what     we     drive     past.     nothing     has     to     be     overly     exciting     to     be     fun.     it     can     just     be     pretty.     ❞     she     says,     reaching     over     to     hold     his     hand.     it's     nice     that     they'll     get     to     have     this     time     together.     she     loves     just     getting     to     be     with     him.     ❝     i've     actually     been     thinking     about     that.     i     love     going     to     the     rink     with     you     and     reading     and     just     being     in     the     same     place     you     are,     but     i     was     wondering     if     they     needed     help     anywhere     at     the     rink?     perhaps     at     the     front     desk     or     in     the     daycare?     i     hate     that     i'm     not     pulling     my     weight     and     i'd     love     to     be     able     to     get     out     and     do     something     and     be     more     productive.     if     you     think     it's     a     good     idea,     that     is.     ❞     she     knew     he     had     a     lot     of     expenses     and     it     was     good     that     he     was     able     to     afford     his     apartment     and     the     groceries,     but     there     was     also     the     matter     of     his     skater's     apartment     and     her     bills.     the     phone     she     was     using     couldn't     be     cheap.     she     wanted     to     be     able     to     provide     for     herself,     or     at     the     very     least,     help     with     some     of     the     bills.     ❝     do     you     have     everything     you     need?     i'm     comfortable     and     cozy     right     here.     look,     i     even     grabbed     slippers.     ❞     she     says,     lifting     a     foot     to     show     him     that     she'd     kicked     off     the     booties     she'd     been     wearing     in     favor     of     the     little     cow     slippers     she'd     found     amongst     the     skater's     things.

    ❝    you make me really happy too, princess    ❞    they're gonna have a really nice time. he has no doubt about that. it might be complicated in some ways, since she doesn't know this version of her family. doesn't know the house they're going to... but- he's eager to share her life with her. and take her to the ocean, he's heard she does enjoy that.    ❝    can't promise all of it will be, but- there'll be some things to look at, definitely. it'll be fun to see the sights, you can read the signs like when we cross into nevada and california, all of that.    ❞    it's going to be a bit of a journey, but he's eager to enjoy just spending the time alone together too, out on the road. no need to worry about any of the adjustments or anyone else.    ❝    i get that you want to spend more time with me though. i feel bad leaving you sometimes when i go to the rink or the gym. i know you don't have too big of a life here the way you did at home. especially when mimi's not around.    ❞    he's really appreciative for mimi. her friendship with nini, and now the princess too, is really nice.    ❝    i'm happy to have this time with you. you've got your tea and your water, so we should be all set.    ❞    it's fairly early in the morning, so they're not out too late, but... he's not tired. he's just eager to get going.

[inspotlight]

she    frowns    at    his    sigh.    she    feels    bad    that    he    and    his    nini    are    on    such    bad    terms.    that    those    soft,    sad    sighs    fall    from    his    lips    when    she    says    something.    she    won't    judge,    she    doesn't    know    the    extent    of    what    the    skater    has    gone    through,    but    her    love    for    ricky    makes    her    more    inclined    to    take    his    side.    ❝    i'm    glad    i    can    make    you    feel    lucky.    make    you    feel    loved    like    you    deserve.    ❞    she    gives    him    a    smile,    her    arms    wrapping    around    him    as    she    gets    comfortable.    it's    a    bit    difficult    given    that    they're    in    water,    but    it's    nice    to    be    snuggled    with    him,    nice    and    warm.    ❝    oh,    well,    that's    just    lovely.    i    love    that    we    were    all    each    other's    first    kiss,    even    if    the    circumstances    are    a    bit    different.    i    wanted    to    steal    a    kiss    so    desperately    before    my    wedding    day,    but    i    love    that    our    first    kiss    was    as    husband    and    wife,    and    on    the    day    of    our    wedding.    it's    not    to    be    able    to    show    him    affection    as    i    please    now.    ❞    and    it's    definitely    nice    to    shower    her    skater    affection    here,    whenever    she    wants.    

it    scares    her    just    a    bit    to    think    what    the    other    her    might    be    teaching    her    sweet    husband.    they're    probably    fine,    falling    into    a    rhythm    of    their    own,    but    she    worries.    ❝    i    hope    that    they're    having    a    wonderful    time    together    and    are    happy.    i    hope    she's    not    been    awful    to    him...    not    that    i    think    she's    awful,    but    he    doesn't    have    anything    to    do    with    whatever    upset    her    so.    ❞    she    sighs,    pressing    a    kiss    to    his    shoulder.    ❝    i    hope    one    day,    if    we    find    it's    been    long    enough,    that    we    aren't    scared    of    what    could    be...    i    would    love    to    have    a    child    with    you.    i    love    you,    i    love    being    married    to    you,    i    think    you    would    be    a    fantastic    father    and    i'd    love    to    have    that    with    you    one    day.    but    as    to    your    career...    do    you    suppose    i    should    step    back    and    let    you    find    someone    to    skate    with?    at    least    so    you    can    still    practice?    fake    an    injury    or    something.    i    don't    want    to    ruin    things    for    your    skater    who    loves    this,    but    i    just    don't    have    her    talent    here.    ❞

❝    i'm    getting    sort    of    hungry.    what    do    you    say    we    get    dressed    and    go    find    something    to    eat?    ❞    she    asks,    batting    her    eyes    at    him.

    ❝    yeah… must be...    ❞    ricky sighs.    ❝    i really love it… really love you... i feel really lucky too    ❞    he murmurs, smiling down at her. as she carefully rolls over, ricky holds onto her, keeping her close as well as steady in the warm water.    ❝    good… i'm glad you do.    ❞    he can't help his grin as she asks about his first kiss.    ❝    i don't mind at all. nini was- my skater. she was my first kiss, when we were kids... i suppose it is personal, but- you're you? but um- yeah... we've got a long history.    ❞    he blushes a bit, smiling at her sheepishly, but then enjoying her own story.    ❝    well that is lovely… i know how nice it feels to just- be close to someone. it's a really wonderful thing.    ❞    he replies gently.    ❝    but i'm sure it's definitely extra nice to have the freedom to be as close as you want… especially after not having so much as kissed before your wedding. must've been a lot- but- in a good way?    ❞    

he chuckles at her words, but nods once he's more composed.    ❝    i think she probably has, yeah. but- i think you're right too. that they'll teach each other... like we're teaching each other here too. growing together in our own ways. i really love this life we have. i know i would want to skate for a while longer, if i have that opportunity, but i honestly am really loving just- this bliss with you. marriage... i've always wanted children... this is sort of a look into that future in a way. even though we don't have a child of course now...    ❞    

[inspotlight]

❝     you     make     me     so     happy.     ❞     she     says,     aiming     a     beaming     smile     his     way.     the     kiss     is     sweet     and     she     can't     believe     how     lucky     she     is.     she's     so     excited     to     get     to     see     her     moms     when     they     get     to     california,     and     he'd     said     they     could     go     to     the     beach,     too.     the     trip     would     be     absolutely     lovely.     ❝     you     said     the     drive     would     be     pretty,     right?     i'm     excited     to     see     all     the     pretty     things.     lunch     will     be     lovely,     i'm     sure,     and     i'll     let     you     know     if     i     need     to     get     up     and     walk     around.     i     think     you've     made     this     seat     about     as     comfortable     as     possible,     though,     so     i     think     i'll     be     okay,     love.     ❞     ricky     had     been     working     at     the     rink     so     much     lately     that     nini     was     excited     to     just     get     to     spend     some     quality,     one-on-one     time     with     him     for     the     drive,     and     then     get     a     few     days     with     him     and     her     family.     she     wanted     to     start     doing     something     at     the     rink,     if     she     could,     but     she     hadn't     really     broached     the     subject     yet.     so,     getting     to     spend     this     time     together     was     going     to     be     lovely.     ❝     i     would     love     to     talk.     ❞     she     says,     fumbling     with     the     phone     that     he'd     been     showing     her     how     to     use.     she'd     gotten     most     of     it     figured     out     and     within     a     few     seconds,     one     of     her     favorite     artists     was     playing     softly     through     the     speakers.     she'd     really     come     to     love     this     taylor     swift     girl,     and     she     knew     the     other     version     of     her     did,     too.     ❝     i     know     we     already     spend     quite     a     lot     of     time     together,     but     i'm     excited     to     have     a     little     getaway     with     you     where     you     don't     have     to     go     to     work     or     go     train.     ❞     she'd     never     want     him     to     feel     bad     about     not     being     able     to     spend     all     his     time     with     her,     but     she     couldn't     not     tell     him     how     excited     she     was     for     this     extra     time     together.

    ❝    i'm happy to, nini, seriously. i want to take you.    ❞    he leans over and presses a kiss to her head, smiling at her as she settles into her seat. he'd known that a flight would be completely out of the question for his sweet princess. she simply wouldn't be able to handle something like that. so this was going to be a road trip. besides, the drive is less than a day. it really wouldn't be an issue for him.    ❝    and we'll stop and get lunch later too. or if you ever want to just stop and stretch your legs, you just let me know. i don't want you to be uncomfortable.    ❞    she's not used to being in a car like this. especially not such a long drive. he'd imagine a carriage is pretty different, if more bumpy than riding in the car. she's so sweet, wanting to make sure he doesn't mind taking her, but- he wants to. he wants her to see her family, and just- to do anything he can to make her happy.    ❝    i don't mind at all. it'll be fun. you can play some music from your phone or the radio, and we can talk, or you can have a nap, it'll be a good trip. besides, we get to see your family at the end, and i can take you to the beach, so that's gonna be really nice.    ❞    

[inspotlight]

❝    this    might    be    a    dumb    question,    but    have    you    told    her    it's    not    true?    or    told    her    who    you    have    been    with?    ❞    she    asks,    brows    knitting    together.    her    heart    aches    for    him.    that    he's    put    up    with    all    of    these    rumors    for    so    long    despite    not    liking    how    he's    perceived    because    of    them.    she    wishes    so    desperately    that    she    could    make    it    all    better.    ❝    you    don't    have    to    let    them    talk    about    you    like    that.    they're    playing    with    your    life.    ❞    he    was    so    kind,    but    she    wondered    how    often    he    extended    that    kindness    to    himself.    if    he    wouldn't    give    himself    the    same    consideration    he    seems    to    give    everyone    else,    she'll    give    it    to    him.    

❝    that    would    be    so    frowned    upon    where    i'm    from.    it    must    be    so    freeing    to    be    able    to    show    your    affection    for    someone    like    that    before    marriage.    my    husband    and    i    had    our    first    kiss    after    we    were    wed.    we    elected    to    do    so    privately,    too.    ❞    she    had    loved    their    choice    to    keep    their    first    kiss    private,    something    between    just    them.    their    love    had    always    been    something    they    wanted    to    keep    between    just    them.    as    much    as    their    wedding    was    a    political    alliance,    she    truly    loved    him,    her    childhood    friend,    and    nobody    needed    to    be    witness    to    their    affection.    ❝    there    were    so    many    times    during    our    courtship    i    wanted    to    be    affectionate    and    while    we    did    often    sneak    away    and    have    private    conversations,    we    never    crossed    any    lines.    it    felt    so    scandalous    to    just    sneak    out    to    the    garden    and    sit    with    him,    let    alone    resting    my    head    on    his    shoulder    because    it    was    so    late    and    i    was    so    tired,    but    not    ready    to    part    yet.    ❞    

she    gives    him    a    smile    as    her    eyes    open    back    up,    tilting    her    head    up    to    press    a    kiss    to    the    underside    of    his    jaw.    ❝    thank    you    for    loving    me...    i'm    happy    i    could    bring    you    the    happiness    and    love    you    deserve.    i    think    one    day,    probably    sooner    rather    than    later,    your    skater    will    be    able    to    return    your    love    and    give    you    what    you    need.    i    think    once    she's    spent    time    with    my    prince,    she'll    understand    her    feelings    better,    much    like    how    i've    realized    the    depths    of    mine    by    getting    to    love    you.    ❞

   ❝    well anything you would like to know, i'm happy to tell you. you're basically my wife, you know? you're not my skating partner, but- you're so special and important to me. it just- it all started at a time in my life where i didn't really have the strength to stop it. so i think since i let them talk, they just never stopped. my skater- she believes it too. that i've been with i don't even want to think about how many girls... i haven't. but- i don't enjoy that perception...   ❞    he looks at her with so much softness, so much love, enjoying the way she seems so relaxed with her closed eyes as she lays in his arms in the water.   ❝    no, our friends, hers, or mine... they don't think there is anything wrong with you having been with multiple people. in the course of one's life here, being with one person your whole life is definitely not the norm. speaking romantically, physically, or both. it is perfectly acceptable to explore... and as we've discussed ourselves... to make love before you're married to the person you plan to marry is definitely common, even among those who want to only ever be with one person.   ❞    his princess is from a very different tradition than the cultural norms he's grown up in. her words honestly mean the absolute world to him, that she's happy that she's here with him now... that she'd regret not having met him if she didn't.   ❝    you're the sweetest girl i've ever met, you know that? i'd miss you too if we'd never met. you've brought such beauty, such happiness to my life... you're amazing. your husband is so lucky to get to be with you   ❞    the love in her eyes is reflected back so completely in his as he looks down at her. he presses a soft kiss to her forehead.   ❝    thank you, for letting me love you.   ❞    

[inspotlight]

❝    ahh...    something    really    must    be    hurting    her.    ❞    nini    muses,    fingers    curling    around    his    muscular    thigh    in    a    comforting    gesture.    ❝    you    deserve    to    be    loved    like    this,    my    darling.    i    feel    like    the    luckiest    girl    in    the    world    to    be    the    one    who    gets    to    love    you.    ❞    she    tells    him,    turning    in    his    arms    so    they're    laying    chest    to    chest.    

❝    you    are    very    touchy,    but    i    adore    it    so.    ❞    she    tells    him,    pressing    a    kiss    to    his    cheek.    ❝    who    was    your    first    kiss    with?    if    you    don't    mind    my    asking.    i    know    you    said    i    could    ask    anything    i    wanted    to    know,    but    that's    a    very    personal    thing,    too...    my    prince    and    i    were    adamant    we    wanted    to    keep    that    for    ourselves.    ❞    she    says    to    him    with    a    smile    on    her    lips.    ❝    there    were    a    few    moments    i    was    less    than    proper    with    him,    but    nothing    like...    nothing    like    you    and    i    have    shared    so    publicly    since    i've    been    in    your    world.    i    did    once    lay    my    head    on    his    shoulder    before    we    wed,    and    it    was    lovely.    to    be    close    to    him    like    that.    now    i    can    do    as    i    please    with    my    husband,    and    that    is    so    nice,    too.    ❞    

❝    while    it's    my    assumption    that    she    has    thoroughly    put    my    sweet    prince    in    his    place    and    has    taken    control    in    ways    he    would    never    expect,    i    think    they're    going    to    be    good    for    each    other.    that    they'll    open    each    other    up    to    worlds    of    possibilities.    and    when    we    reunite    with    our    destined    halves,    we'll    all    be    better    for    it.    ❞    she    says    softly,    nuzzling    her    head    into    the    crook    of    his    neck    and    breathing    in    the    subtle    scent    of    his    cologne.

   ❝    well, there are no dumb questions my love, you can ask me anything that comes to your pretty little mind. but i have told her before, yes. she just- doesn’t believe me.   ❞    he wants her to be fully open with him- and letting her know she can ask him anything feels important.   ❝    i honestly just don’t know if i can do anything at this point. i’m really loving being public with you though. it feels more like we’re in control.   ❞    

   ❝    you know- it is freeing, yeah. i’m a very affectionate person, naturally. touching is just- really nice. and getting to connect on that level can be a really special thing.   ❞    he hums, happily curling his fingers through her hair. he really loves hearing her stories about her life, her home…   ❝    i think that’s really sweet- that you wanted to have your first kiss in private when it could be just the two of you. so much of your lives is public… your love and affection being something you keep yours must be really nice.   ❞    though for his part, he couldn’t imagine never so much as kissing someone until you’re married, he definitely appreciates her sentiments.   ❝    you have something special… and that made you want more with him… even though you both wanted to follow the rules at least mostly, besides your private conversations. i’m sure he wanted you to lay your pretty head on his shoulder… i definitely would’ve.   ❞    he tells her with the softest of smiles.

her little kiss under his jaw brightens his face- as she always seems to do with her affection. his sweet princess…   ❝    i hope so. i’ve definitely felt a lot of clarity from my time with you… and i’m sure she will too, being with your sweet prince. i hope they’re both handling things all right.   ❞    he muses, letting a hand slip down into the water to rub her thigh gently. the touch is comforting for him, and he hopes it is for her too.

[inspotlight]

nini     is     used     to     being     pampered.     even     before     she     was     the     princess     to     ricky's     prince,     she     was     a     princess     in     her     own     right     —     a     princess     by     birth.     she     didn't     have     to     marry     to     secure     her     crown     and     so     she     had     always     been     used     to     the     best     of     everything.     nothing     she'd     been     raised     with     could     have     prepared     her     for     the     way     ricky     would     pamper     her     like     it     was     his     only     duty     in     life.     that     didn't     seem     to     change     when     she     slipped     into     this     new     world.     it     was     lovely     to     see     the     proof     that     her     sweet     prince     was     just     as     wonderful     in     every     iteration     of     himself.     she     loved     him     in     every     universe.     ❝     i     do     love     being     taken     care     of     by     you.     ❞     she     tells     him,     smiling     softly.     it     was     nice     to     feel     so     loved,     and     she     could     tell     it     meant     a     lot     to     him     to     be     able     to     get     to     express     his     love     like     this,     too.     

she     sighs     as     she     settles     against     him,     getting     a     bit     more     comfortable,     happy     to     be     in     his     arms.     she     frowns,     though,     at     the     little     sound     he     makes.     maybe     she     shouldn't     have     asked     that     question.     it     was     too     invasive.     even     if     they     were,     technically,     somewhere,     married,     it     was     still     his     personal     business.     ❝     it's     alright     if     you'd     rather     not     answer.     ❞     she     says     softly,     her     hand     resting     on     his     thigh,     thumb     rubbing     back     and     forth     over     his     skin.     she's     nodding,     though,     as     she     listens     to     him     explain.     ❝     well,     it's     a     bit     more     than     i     can     say     for     myself,     but     we     live     in     vastly     different     worlds.     if     this     is     something     normal     here...     what's     the     issue?     ❞     she     asks,     and     though     he     can't     see     her     face     well     from     the     angle     she's     at,     she     lifts     an     eyebrow.     he's     so     sweet,     his     fingers     working     diligently     to     make     her     feel     so     nice     and     relaxed.     ❝     you     have     brought     me     such     joy,     my     sweet     skater.     i     am     a     very     lucky     girl     that     you're     who     i've     ended     up     with     here.     i'm     thankful     it's     you.     ❞     she     tells     him,     head     tilting     up     just     slightly     to     look     at     him,     smile     on     her     face.

   ❝    it's no trouble, nini...   ❞    he shakes his head, voice soft and sweet as he offers her a smile.   ❝    i enjoy it, really. doing these kinds of things with you, for you.   ❞    because he doesn't really get to have these kinds of moments with the nini he's usually with. and the princess has always been treasured in such a way, it's easier for her to accept his affections it seems.   ❝    i am glad you enjoy it, i really like this, holding you, caring for you. being romantic like this, candlelight, soft music...   ❞    he's sharing new things with her, and she's teaching him things too, giving him opportunities to really love her. he'll be forever grateful, he thinks.

at her words he chuckles at first, then his expression sobers at her question, a soft sigh leaving his lips. he pauses a moment. he's not upset with her. the rumors do bother him still, though he tries not to let them... though he knows that it'd be hard for her to not disapprove of anything of the sort, even knowing it was significantly less than mimi had probably made it out to be.   ❝    well- no. i haven't been intimate with so many girls as i'm sure you've heard. there's nini- my nini. then there were two others, my ex-girlfriends. girls i've dated before nini and i started skating together... things didn't end so well with either of them, but- i've also loved nini since we were sixteen... regardless of my other relationships. and she was my first- like you and your prince.   ❞    he tells her, soft smile as he speaks of nini, loving her so long, and of the princess's marriage too. living with her here had been really the only thing that made sense, she doesn't know a thing of this world, but... it's also been a really wonderful thing. even if he does sort of have a wife now in a way, he kind of enjoys it. he enjoys spending time with her at least. her eyes shut and he beams, admiring her as she relaxes, seeming content to let him stroke her hair gently, massaging her scalp.   ❝    good... i'm so glad you feel so nice. i know this hasn't been so easy for you- i just want to do well by you.   ❞    

[inspotlight]

❝    you    don't    have    to    tell    me    anything    you    don't    want    to    open    up    about,    love.    i'm    sorry    they've    spread    rumors    about    you,    though.    i    would    love    to    listen    if    you    ever    want    to    talk    about    it,    but    i    don't    want    you    to    feel    like    you    have    to    tell    me    just    because    your    skater    knows.    ❞    she    tells    him,    her    head    resting    back    against    his    chest,    eyes    closed    as    she    listens    to    the    sweet    sound    of    his    voice.    she    trusted    ricky    completely.    she    knew    he    would    never    deceive    her.    if    there    were    things    he    wasn't    able    to    speak    of,    she    would    respect    that.    ❝    these    people...    your    friends?    they    don't    think    unkindly    of    me    because    the    version    of    myself    that    they    know    has    been    with    multiple    people?    they    just    accept    it?    ❞    she    asks,    her    brow    furrowing    as    she    asks    the    question,    unsure    how    to    feel    about    that.    in    her    own    world,    it    was    normal    for    a    man    to    take    a    lover,    especially    if    he    were    of    a    higher    station.    the    princess,    on    the    other    hand,    was    expected    to    be    a    loyal    bride    to    her    prince.    of    course,    nini    would    never    be    unfaithful    to    her    husband,    but    the    idea    that    her    husband    could    do    as    he    pleased    was    unsettling,    even    if    she    knew    that    ricky    would    never    take    that    opportunity.    ❝    of    course    i'm    happy    with    you.    you    have    made    this    entire    experience    so    easy    and    so    loving.    i    think,    even    though    i    wouldn't    know,    i    would    have    missed    you    if    i'd    never    come    here    and    met    you.    ❞    she    tells    him,    opening    her    eyes    so    that    she    can    gaze    up    at    him    with    an    expression    full    of    love.

he shakes his head at her soft words. he doesn't want to make her feel badly for asking, no, that's not right.   ❝    it's not that, my love... i don't mind telling you. not at all. i always want you to be able to ask me anything, okay? i care about you- about your thoughts... everything. people just... they like to talk, here. though i'm guessing that's probably the case everywhere? rumors, that sort of thing. i just don't enjoy people making up stories about me all the time. though i know mimi just doesn't know better- that's not her fault.   ❞    he hums, explaining his reaction to her in that gentle tone as she rubs her thumb against his skin. he really enjoys this sweet, gentle touch from her. at her words he nods, smiling at her gently, though he's not quite thinking she can see his face now, she can hear it in his voice he would believe.   ❝    you’re so sweet. i know this is a very different world to your own. and i know that's complicated at times... but it is normal here. that i've been with more than one person. i don't think about anyone else but nini now. whether that be you or my skating partner. that's what's important to me.   ❞    she means the world to him, so completely. and this princess has been nothing less than wonderful. her words make him smile so much more and he tilts his head down to look at her as she lifts her chin to look up at him better.   ❝    well i am very thankful to be here with you too, my wonderful princess. i'm happy that i can make you so happy. i love this- us... i love you so much, thank you, for being so good to me. i know this new life is nothing like your own. you were raised a princess- every possible luxury... and yet you seem to be happy with me... i'm so lucky   ❞    he caresses her upper arm, wanting her to feel his touch, though this isn't exactly a good angle to be able to kiss her.

[inspotlight]

❝   this   is   really   very   nice,   ricky.   you   don't   have   to   go   to   all   this   trouble   for   me,   you   know.   ❞   she   tells   him,   leaning   back   against   him.   though,   she   knew   that   he   didn't   get   to   give   her   this   kind   of   affection   when   he   was   with   his   real   nini   —   the   figure   skating   version   of   herself   whose   body   she   had   somehow   swapped   into.   she   still   didn't   quite   know   how   this   all   was   possible,   but   she   was   content,   knowing   that   she   still   had   ricky   in   this   universe.   ❝   i   do   enjoy   it,   though.   ❞   she   adds,   reassuring   him   that   his   efforts   are   not   in   vain.   she   adores   that   she   still   has   the   love   and   care   of   her   beautiful   prince,   even   in   this   world   she's   been   thrust   into.   though,   it   had   seemed   from   what   her   —er,   rather,   skater   nini's—   friend   had   said   that   the   two   skaters   had   not   been   getting   along   for   very   long.   she   was   glad   she   hadn't   had   to   endure   that.   she'd   never   be   able   to   cope   with   being   antagonistic   with   her   ricky.   

❝   mimi   was   very   nice!   although,   she   was   a   bit   wild   for   my   taste.   not   in   anything   we   did,   but   the   things   she   was   saying...   is   it   true   you   were   intimate   with   all   those   girls?   ❞   she   asks,   her   expression   softening   as   concern   clouds   her   eyes.   she   was   learning   not   to   judge,   that   this   world   was   much   different   from   hers,   and   that   women   were   not   so   harshly   judged   anymore   for   attending   to   their   desires.   nini   herself   was   coming   to   terms   with   this   in   her   own   life,   what   with   the   fact   that   she   and   ricky   were   practically   living   together   here   in   his   apartment,   and   they   weren't   so   much   as   courting.   she   had   to   keep   telling   herself   that   it   was   okay   and   that   she   was   married   to   him   in   her   own   universe.   ❝   that   feels   wonderful,   my   love.   ❞   eyes   slip   closed   as   she   focuses   on   the   feeling   of   his   hands   in   her   hair.   he'd   washed   her   hair   for   her   a   few   nights   ago   and   it   was   the   most   caring   thing   she   thinks   she'd   ever   experienced.   his   fingers   grazing   her   scalp   felt   like   the   best   massage.

@inspotlight

[ bubble bath ]  to soak in a warm bubble bath with my muse

❝   so what do you think princess? am i spoiling you enough just yet?   ❞  ricky is no prince, though he calls his girl princess, but the figure skater is somehow with a real genuine princess these days. so he's really getting the opportunity to absolutely spoil nini with romance and affection... the kinds of things she doesn't usually indulge him with. well- the nini he knows won't let him. this nini is so used to being treasured and loved and cherished, and well- considering how much he's wanted to give that for so long, it's been rather fulfilling to do these things for her. they're in the bathtub now, him having run a nice hot bath for her while she finished the dinner he'd made them. nini had been out with a friend of hers today- a plan his nini had made a few months ago, and this one had kept because well- it is nice to have a friend. even if not the same friends she has back home the same way.

he runs his fingers gently through her wet hair, enjoying cradling her against his chest as they relax in the bubbles. candles burn beside the tub, creating a soft glow. true romance... he likes to think he's satisfying her quite nicely that way, even if he's not her husband in much more ways than also being ricky bowen.   ❝   mimi was nice to you today i hope? you enjoyed her company? if you like her enough to see her again, i think she'll be here another week or two   ❞  he speaks oh so gently with the princess in his arms, she seems to require that sort of thing, but it also just feels nice to be sweet this way. he kisses her shoulder ever so softly, wanting her to feel his presence even as they talk about something else.