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lene-loki · 3 years ago

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Parallel Universe

Summary: Accidentally, Doctor Strange reveals (Y/N) an information he shouldn't have told her. That out there in the multiverse exists a reality where (Y/N) and Loki are living happily married together on Midgard. It makes (Y/N) question everything. Because she is madly in love with Loki but he does abhor her only because she's a human being. She takes a risk to look into what her life is in another universe and starts to crave the love Loki is able to give her. And wonders what went different in that reality that Loki loves her too. [Song Imagine - Alaina Castillo "Parallel Universe"]

Pairing: Loki x Female!Reader

Warnings: Angst, fluff, spoiler for Thor Ragnarok, swearing, heartbreak, sad

Word Count: 2,292

A/N: This wasn't requested from my Song's Imagines list but I had this idea the other day and just had to write it! You really need to listen to this song, it's so beautiful 🥺 This is again inspired by the scene where Thor and Loki are in New York searching for Odin - and YES I KNOW that it's unrealistic that Doctor Strange can look into the multiverse but has trouble finding Odin but I needed this for my story so pleaseee go with that little detail 😁 With Love, Léne xx

Here's the song ❤

youtube

Y/N = Your Name

And again I'm sitting alone at the table, offside from everyone else. Watching the blackhaired prince which stole my heart a long time ago but wouldn't notice me like always. Only a few minutes ago Thor and Loki arrived in New York in search of their father Odin before they got immediately snapped by Doctor Strange - since it's always a danger for humanity when the god of mischief wanders on earth. I wouldn't describe myself as Stephen's sidekick but I work in the Sanctum Sanctorum and I'm something like an assistant. He never calls me his assistant but his friend, because he's way too nice. I already met Loki a few times but he wouldn't even shake my hand, to disgusted by me being a worthless human. "(Y/N), can I speak to you shortly?" Doctor Strange wakes me out of my daydream and I nod, standing up. I follow him into the library where he immediately sighs. "Loki is so exhausting. I can't believe you two got married." He says, visibly too annoyed by the asgardian prince to process what he just told me. "What?" I ask, losing all my breath. Stephen swallows hard as he realizes that he shouldn't have told me that. "(Y/N), I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. Please, can you just forget that?" His eyes are pleading but we both know that it's impossible to forget what he said. "What do you mean we got married? Does it happen in the future?" I can't help but tear up in pure hope. He sighs. "I can't tell you." "Don't give me that bullshit!" I get louder and satrtle the Doctor with my sudden outburst. "You know that I'm in love with him. And you know how much it hurts that he doesn't even see me as an equivalent to him and literally abhores me. You can't just say that we're getting married and then asking me to forget it!" I lose a few tears because I'm too upset. Stephen looks from side to side, knowing that it'd be better if he wouldn't tell me but he just can't see me being hurt - so he speaks. "Not in this reality." He says softly and I furrow my brows in confusion. "What does that mean?" He sighs. "There is a reality in the multiverse where you two are living married here on Midgard - much to my dismay." "B-But... How?" I want to know every detail. "I already said enough, (Y/N). I'm sorry but I can't tell you more." He wants to leave the library but I grab his arm, knowing very well how disrespectful I'm behaving towards my boss today. "Let me see it." He shakes his head without hesitation and I lose a few more tears as I whisper: "Please." Stephen really wrestles with himself inside of him. I mean so much to him and he cares about me like no one else, so he loses all his sanity and does what I asked for. He opens a fiery portal with his hands. I look insecurely first at him and then inside the dimension he opened.

"I'm looking through a bookshelf To an alternate reality See ya standing right in front of me Seeing everything I wanna see I'm alone with all the mess I made Hope the other me in outer space Didn't go and make the same mistakes"

I can see myself standing inside of a little kitchen. I'm smiling, wearing a yellow dress, something that I never do and look as happy as never before. I'm humming to a song and dance around the little space while cooking something. The sight makes me cry again and I watch with my heart aching in my chest - feel Stephen's eyes on me. Loki enters the kitchen with a smile as bright as my own. He wears colorful clothes, clothes that Midgardians wear instead of black and green colored leather. He presses a kiss onto my neck and I start to squeal, wrapping both arms around his neck. "It smells delicious, darling." He whispers and I can't stop snickering because I am so happy that I can't contain it inside myself. "Thank you." I smile and harvest a kiss from him on my lips.

"I just wanna be the one you hold at night I want you to hold me tight, I wanna be by your side"

Doctor Strange closes the portal as soon as I start sobbing. I press my hand in front of my mouth to quiten down the noise but it doesn't help. "Why?" I ask Stephen with a broken voice. "Why does he love me in this universe? What went different? Why isn't he loving me in this one?" I sob again, wiping my tears away from my cheeks. He smiles sadly at me to show me that he isn't going to tell me. We go back to Thor and Loki after I calmed down enough. "Can we go now?" Thor pleads but Stephen says no. "I want to know the reason why you brought him here." Doctor Strange asks, pointing at Loki. I can't stop thinking about what I've seen. Somewhere in this multiverse Loki is mine. He loves me, he treats me well, he lives with me on Midgard even though he hates humanity. I just have to know what happened that Loki started to see me as the love of his life. The more I think about it the more desperate I get which leads to me developing a dangerous idea.

Doctor Strange is keeping the asgardian brothers for a while until they have found their father Odin. It's evening now and it's my end of work. I say goodbye to all of the three but only get from two ones a reply. My belly starts to hurt in excitement as I sneak into the library again. I feel bad for what I'm about to do and how I'll betray Stephen's trust with my action but I just have to do it. Earlier Stephen took off his sling ring and left it in the library, which I'm taking to my advantage now. I pull the ring over my fingers. I don't quite know what to do but I've seen Doctor Strange so many times using it, that I give it a chance. I close my eyes and try to concentrate on the universe where I'm happily married with Loki. I don't know where it is and I hope it's enough that I just use my memory to find the location. I take a deep breath before I start to open a fiery portal. I take a look inside and see that I've actually found it. I can't believe it worked! Without thinking I step through the portal into the alternate reality. It closes behind me and I find myself in the middle of the kitchen.

"Make you mine, I just wanna make you I just wanna make you my space and time Separating me from where I wanna be tonight I just wanna make the stars align Right through the sky, to a universe out there where you're still mine"

It's dark outside. I can hear television noises coming from a room so I'm going to avoid it before I cross my other self. Nosy I'm walking up the stairs into a corridor with two doors. I open the first one carefully and it seems to be a bathroom. Thinking that me and Loki are downstairs watching TV, I open with a security the other door, but come to a halt when I see Loki standing beside a bed. I landed in our bedroom - I mean, the bedroom of my other me and Loki. I squeak startled and Loki notices me immediately.

"I'm looking all around you Like I'm standing in your bedroom With a girl who's got a better view Doing everything I used to do And I'm just trying to see my own face See the me who didn't run away The one who didn't make your heart break"

"Honey." He smiles brightly and takes a step towards me. I can't help but to get lost in his smile, the way his eyes shine and the tingling in my stomach that his presence is causing. "Loki." I whisper, not being used to him acknowledging me. A tear escapes the corner of my eye and his smile fades - his features get replaced in worry. He hurries over to me, taking my face into his soft hands. "Darling." He says quietly, his thumbs are rubbing soft circles on my cheeks. "What is wrong?" He is so close to me that I can feel his breath on my skin and the warmth his body radiates. I look mesmerized into his eyes, enjoying his touch - knowing that I'll never feel it again. Only in another universe.

"Parallel universe, be mine I escape to a time when I'm by your side But all the faces realize Like an intimate infinty world where I can Make you mine"

I can't hold back a sob when suddenly a voice behind us startles us both to death. "Loki? What the hell are you doing?" My other me aks stunned. Loki lets go of me, eyeing me up and down in utter confusion and that's when I meet myself. My other me eyes me as irritated as Loki. "Who.. Who are you?" My other me asks me. "I'm sorry." I sob. "This was a huge mistake. I shouldn't have come here." "Wait!" Loki says and grabs my shoulder as I want to turn around to leave. "Are you... (Y/N)?" He asks and I nod. "I'm from a different reality." They look at each other amazed. "Really? But why are you here?" My other self asks excited. "I just..." I have to cry again. "I just wanted a glimpse of how my life could have been." Sobbing into my hand I feel how my other self hugs me. Why is she so different from me? "Sit down and tell us." She says softly and at this point I don't care about the damage I've done anymore. It's too late, so why not just making things worse and tell them everything. "I... I'm in love with Loki." I whimper and they both snicker. "I know." She laughs, blushing furiously while Loki grins at her. "But he hates me. He hates me so much in my universe. Doctor Strange accidentally told me that there is a reality where we are having a life together and I just had to see it for myself and now that I see you both, I just..." Sobbing I close my eyes. "I just want to know what went different here? Why is Loki loving me - us in this reality but not in mine?" Loki takes a seat beside me on their bed. "You know (Y/N), I don't think there is a single universe out there where I don't love you. You know how I can be, but I can change as well. And that you are here from another reality and love me in your universe shows me that we are meant to be together. It doesn't matter which reality, I know we will find our way. I'm completely sure of it." He smiles assuringly and I sniff. "Do you think?" He nods. "But you are so nice to me here why aren't you like this where I come from?" I just can't understand why it is like it is. "It wasn't always like this." My other self smiles softly. "When we met he treated me similiar to your Loki. But then... something changed." She smiles dreamily, looking at Loki. "Let's just say, I learned a valuable lesson that humans are just as worthy as any other species. And I could finally get over my bitterness towards my father and concentrate on just being me and living like I want to. And all I wanted from the beginning was you." My eyes tingle with fresh tears after his words and I smile. "Thank you." It comes out as a whisper but the meaning is so much stronger. "You're welcome, (Y/N). And promise me to not be too upset about something my other me might say to you. I will eventually change." I nod, thanking him and my other self again.

After that I open the portal to the Sanctum Sanctorum and leave. My eyes are still wet and glossy from all the crying and I already miss the other Loki. Why can't it be like that in my universe? The moment I set foot inside the building I get grabbed by my arm, shrieking in surprise I stumble. Doctor Strange's eyes are looking furiously at me, his grip tight around my wrist. "Where were you?" He asks angrily while I shudder in fear. I notice Loki and Thor standing behind Stephen, looking as uncomfortable as I feel. I whimper guiltily. "I'm sorry." Furious he pulls the sling ring from my fingers. "I'm so dissapointed in you, (Y/N)." He simply says but that's enough for my eyes to water again. I look down as the tears start to roll over my cheeks, feeling humiliated in front of Loki and I'm hurt that Stephen is so angry with me now. "Go home, (Y/N)." He says without emotion and leaves me in the library with Thor and Loki. Thor follows Stephen soon after but Loki doesn't. "I didn't know that there are Midgardians out there which are violating the rules." And for the first time since I know him he smiles. It reminds me immediately of the changed, sweet Loki and I feel hope rising in my stomach. I smile back.

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foreverethereal123 · 3 years ago

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HI!! I LOVE YOUU! I’M LATE AND I’M SO SO SORRY!! PLEASE FORGIVE MEEE!!🥺🥺🥺

I jdshgfjhdgfskjdhsj loved this!! This was so adorable and a perfect, sweet gift for our sfb 😍😍💕I remember you added this song in your MMM post and I saw this song and it was a “mermaid” song, I knew it would be a birthday fic, lolol!

Liam is such a great dad and it will never not make me - 🥺🥺 His bond with Eleanor is everything that he should’ve had with Connie. The way he tries to make up for all the paternal parental love he didn’t get is so emotional and loving! 😭😭😭❤❤❤

Eleanor is such a smart kid! Liam = Tritan and Riley = Ursula. Her analogy isn’t really wrong just very...hurtful to the parties involved😂😂 And I’m sdhfskjdh every time she calls Liam ‘dude’! IT’S SO CUTEEE

Riley squeals as she motions for a group hug around her good friends Hana, her new girlfriend, the Beaumont brothers with their wives, and Drake with his wife Alaina.

ALAINA!!! I LOVE YOU, BABE!!😍😍😍😍

“I talked with some of the producers for Cordonia’s the Masked Singer, told them what a big fan you were… yeah, well, one thing led to another and–well, um, the producers in America loved the idea of having the Queen of Cordonia as a guest judge–”

“Oh. My. God!” Riley shifts her gaze to Liam before shifting it back to Drake. “You’re kidding me–” her breath hitches in her chest. “I’m going to be a judge? On the Masked Singer?”

I got so excited when I read that! It was as if someone has invited me to be a guest judge😍😂

I loved the way you introduced everyone. I went dfhgskjhfgds when I read Gwen! She’s iconic🥺🥺💕

But the one guess she would put money on was the contestant in the juicy riblet costume; that had to be Armie Hammer.

I AM DEAD!! FREAKING DIED. WKDGFKHAGDFKHAGDFKAJ😂😂😂😂😂

“I thought maybe the waddle would make you think of me,” his voice darkens, “since I seem to have that effect on you.”

Mm-Hmm!

Oh god! This was absolutely amazing. You did such a great job!! I know that birthday girl loved it❤❤

Again. I’m sorry I’m this late but at least I’m here....? Hahahahah

Book: The Royal Romance/ The Royal Heir (and beyond)

Pairing: Liam Rys x Riley Rys

Word Count: ~4500 (+/-)

Warning: Fairly fluffy; a few sexual references

Song: "Kiss the Girl" - Brent Morgan (okay, so it didn't really "inspire" but you'll know why I wanted to post it along with this fic)

A/N: Happy (belated) birthday, @sfb123! Here is a goofy little fic with some of your favorite people! I hope you enjoy it! There are literally no words--NO WORDS--to describe how I treasure you and our friendship! From some deep, dark moments to ridiculous, TMI, hilarious moments, you've been my partner-in-crime... and gosh, how richly I am blessed to call you my friend! I hope you had an incredible birthday, and I look forward to celebrating with you soon! Love you, sweet friend!

A/N2: HUGE thank you to my brain-stormers and to @kat-tia801 for pre-reading and encouraging me to NOT TO KILL ANYONE (@sfb123, girl, the topic of killing Liam and/or Riley came up more than enough times... but I figured I can't kill either of them on your birthday)

A/N3: I gave our sweet 5-year-old heir rhoticism (speech impediment where someone has a difficult time pronouncing Rs correctly), so some of her dialogue is spelled in a peculiar way; this was added to add more to her character; it was not intended to harass or bully

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The late morning sunshine pours sweet warmth over Riley's exposed skin. Buried under a sea of her tousled raven waves, she lets out a guttural groan before smacking her dry lips together. Not ready to face the bright light of the morning, she reaches her arm across the bed in hopes of finding him, the one who was charmingly insistent that they start celebrating her birthday early with a bottle of champagne last night. But, as she tiptoes her hungry fingers for more of her husband, she discovers one big problem: he's missing.

Instantly sitting up in a panic, Riley surveys her bedroom, her tired eyes adjusting to the light as she rubs her aching head. She finger-combs her tangles out of her face while wrapping a sheet around her naked body.

"Liam?" Her voice gravelly croaks. Clearing her throat, she calls out louder. "Liam?" She hastily shifts to the side of the bed, but as she stands up, a sudden soreness throbs between her thighs. Catching her off guard, her clumsy feet catch on her bedding, tripping her to the ground with a loud thud.

What the hell did we do last night? Whimpering in defeat to herself, she slumps her head back into the heap of sheets around her. Taking a moment to collect herself, she suddenly smells a heavenly waft of chocolate followed by two distinct laughs that warm her heart instantly.

Pulling herself from the ground, Riley grabs her purple silk robe, and carefully waddles her sore body through the royal quarters. Having to stop every few limps, she finally sneaks up onto a handsome sight: her husband wearing an apron while baking in the kitchen.

Riley finally cinches her robe close, crossing her arms as she leans against the entryway. A flirty smirk crawls onto her face; her eyes attend to Liam's plump, rounded rear in his well-tailored slacks. With the sleeves of his maroon sweater rolled up to his elbows, she admires the flexion of the muscles in his forearms as he begins to stir baking goods in a bowl.

Feeling her heart ferally racing, her hunger is interrupted by the precious pitter-patter of a certain five-year-old's bare feet against the wooden floor.

"I did it! I did it, Daddy!" Eleanor beams, holding out her palms for Liam. "I washed my hands!"

"That's my princess," chuckles Liam as he helps her slip her apron back over her head. "Do you remember what's next in our recipe?"

"Hmmm," she taps a finger to her lips, the spitting image of her mother. "Choc’wate?" She softly suggests with a mischievous grin.

"Chocolate?" Liam feigns disgust, placing his hands on his hips and playfully lowering his scowled face into her innocent, chubby face. "You think it needs more chocolate?" He whines.

Eleanor giggles brightly, a toothy grin spreading across her lips. "Uh-huh!" She nods enthusiastically.

Liam tauntingly leans closer into his daughter's face as her giggles grow louder, more uncontrollable. "More chocolate? More chocolate?" He playfully shrieks, enveloping her securely in his arm, bringing her close to his chest as he tickles her belly. Liam finally sits her on the counter, placing a loving kiss along her hairline.

Liam measures out another cup of chocolate chips, and hands the filled measuring utensil to his daughter. "Will you do the honors--?" His words melt into silence as he catches her sneaking a morsel into her mouth. "Hey! I saw that, you little chocolate thief!"

Eleanor quickly grabs another chocolate chip and holds it out in her palm. "Fo’ you, Daddy," she smiles sweetly. Liam shakes his head, hiding his smile. He knew he was whipped, perfectly wrapped around Eleanor's finger since the moment Riley announced they were expecting.

"Oh, my little princess, Cordonia is in some big trouble," he exhales deeply, bending over to match his crystal blue eyes with her gold-flecked chestnut browns. "You are just like your mother," he chuckles. He combs several dark wisps out of her eyes, reclipping them with a Bobby pin. "Let's put the chocolate in the pancake batter this time. Deal?"

Eleanor holds out a thumbs-up. "You got it, dude." Liam smirks at the expression as he reaches for a whisk. Eleanor often tags along with her mom when she wants to enjoy various American past-times, such as old 90s sitcoms like Full House and Family Matters. Liam still doesn't fully understand the reference, but after last year's fiasco of Eleanor giving Xinghai Lee a thumbs up, Liam and Riley agreed that the gesture was for Americans only.

Eleanor dumps the mound of chocolate chips into the bowl while Liam begins to stir the concoction together. Liam checks on his griddle, noting that it's the perfect temperature.

"Daddy?"

"What is it, princess?" He continues to stir as she watches him intently.

"Can you sing the song again?"

Liam snickers. "Aren't you tired of that song--?"

"Uh-uh," she shakes her head. She folds her hands together. "Pwease?" She singsongs.

Liam takes the bowl in one hand while still whisking the batter with his other hand. His voice starts low, almost timid. "Yes, you want her. Look at her, you know you do. Possible she wants you, too. There is one way to ask her."

Liam quietly puts the bowl down, tapping off the excess pancake batter on his utensil. Turning his attention back to Eleanor, he smiles lovingly at her. He begins to sway his hips to the beat of the Disney song in his head, his singing voice becoming louder as he approaches his daughter.

"It don't take a word, not a single word. Go on and--" Liam surprises his daughter with a chaste peck on her cheek, sending her in a tizzy of giggles.

Liam lifts Eleanor into his arms, holding her in the crook of his elbow. He grabs a spatula, handing it to her. He then impersonates his best Caribbean accent as he uses his whisk as a makeshift microphone. "Sing with me now."

Without missing a beat, Eleanor holds her spoon with both hands, squeezing her eyes tight and begins to belt out the tune. "Sha-wa-wa-wa-wa-wa-wa-my, oh, my--!" Her words fade into indiscernible words, Liam picking up where she left off.

"Look like the boy's too shy. Ain't gonna kiss the girl." Keeping Eleanor safe in his embrace, Liam takes her hand with his free hand and pretends to waltz with her as they finish the chorus together. "Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la, ain't that sad? Ain't it a shame? Too bad."

Liam stops dancing, bringing his daughter into a tight hug, resting his lips in her hair. Cherishing the moment, he whispers, "He gonna miss the girl."

“Bravo! Bravo!” Riley saunters into the kitchen, clapping her hands as she interrupts the secret serenade.

Eleanor prompts her father to set her on the ground as she runs to her mother, her arms wrapping around her legs. “Mommy!” She nuzzles her head into Riley’s hip, her mom tenderly rubbing her daughter’s back. “Happy buwf'day! Daddy said, ‘Co'donia is in twouble because of you and me--”

“Oh, did he,” Riley raises an eyebrow at her husband, pursing her lips.

Liam bashfully chuckles, a flash of pink painting across his cheeks. He quickly wraps a comforting arm around her shoulders, tucking her petite frame against his body. “Happy birthday, my love,” he tenderly whispers, brushing a sweet peck on her grimaced cheek. Unable to keep up the façade, she catches his lips again with hers, their mouths savoring the tender moment together.

“Ewww!” Eleanor slaps her hands across her eyes, the royal couple tumbling into laughter.

“Now wait a minute,” Riley jokingly protests, “you don’t say ‘ewww’ when Ariel and Prince Eric kiss--”

The young princess turns her nose in the air, her eyes fluttering shut. “That’s because it’s Awie'lle and Pwince Ewic.”

“You’re daddy was a prince--”

“Nuh-uh,” she sasses with her hands on her hips. “He’s Daddy, and he's a king. Like the white beaw'ded me'maid!”

“Did our five-year-old just compare me to King Tritan?” Liam whispers in Riley’s ear.

"Count your blessings," she giggles back, "she watched me put on my lipstick last weekend, and said that I "wooked just wike U'suwa'."

"Oh, you poor unfortunate soul," jokes Liam, gently guiding Riley's lips to his own for one last quick peck.

"Alright, princess," Liam squats down, grabbing his daughter's attention, “let’s get Mommy ready for her special breakfast.”

With an eager, shining smile, Eleanor gives a knowing look to her father before grabbing her mother's hand, dragging her to the kitchen table. Using both hands and all of her might, she pulls out Riley's chair for her to sit down. The little girl then quickly crawls on to Liam's chair to lean over the table to point out the various items on display, including fresh fruit, bacon, sausage and scrambled eggs.

"Wook, Mommy!" She lifts up a tiny bowl filled with marshmallows. "For you' hot choc'wate." Riley smiles sweetly, noticing her favorite mug is filled with the decadent cocoa. "Aunt Hana taught me ove' the phij."

"Mmmmm, it tastes just like Aunt Hana's," Riley boops Eleanor on the nose. "Good job, baby girl."

Liam calls Eleanor over to the griddle, plating up the chocolate chip pancakes. "Hold the plate with both of your hands, princess. Walk it to Mommy." Liam follows behind her with his own plate along with the young heir's plate.

"Here, Mommy! Pancakes!" Eleanor beams proudly, coyly twirling on her toes.

"Eleanor!" Riley wraps an arm around her daughter's body, tucking Eleanor's head under her chin. "These look delicious! Did you make all of this for me?"

"Well," she starts, "Daddy cooked, too."

"It's all wonderful." Riley smiles appreciatively, tightening her arms around her little girl, planting kisses in her hair. "Thank you." With a sparkle of joy in her eyes, she reaches to her husband. Taking his hand in hers, she intimately squeezes it, tracing soft circle across his knuckles.

"Now Uncle Dwake can come ove'!" Eleanor abruptly announces.

Riley looks inquisitively at absurprsLiam. "And why is Uncle Drake coming over?"

"Fo' you' but shhh!" She holds her finger to her lips, innocently batting her eyes. "It's a su'pwise!"

Liam hangs his head in defeat, his fingers rubbing his eyes before pinching the bridge of his nose. "Princess, remember? Surprises are secrets--"

Eleanor instantly cups her hand over her mouth as her eyes grow big. "I'm sorry, Daddy," she mumbles under her palm.

Liam reaches across the table, to take her hand. "It's okay. Let's just keep the rest of Mommy's surprises in our heads, okay?"

She holds up her thumb. "You got it, dude."

After the royal family shared their special meal together, there was a strong knock at the door. Just as little Eleanor said, Drake is waiting on the outside of their quarters with Bastien in tow.

"Go ahead get ready, my love," Liam kisses Riley's temple before bounding towards their front door. "Oh, and dress comfortably--"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa--" Riley inquisitively inspects her husband's face. "Comfortably, as in we're going to the zoo? We're going on a picnic? We're going on a boat ride?"

He rests his hands on her shoulders, gently stroking down her arms. He presses a kiss to her forehead. "Something you can sleep in, but you won't mind being photographed in." With a doting smile, he turns back to answer the door.

What the hell, Liam? Riley carefully stands up from her chair, the soreness from the previous night's escapades hitting her like a ton of bricks. "Want to help Mommy get ready?" Eleanor excitedly nods, offering her chubby hand to her mother as they slowly retreat to the bedroom.

With the help of a very opinionated five-year-old, Riley settles on a simple navy blue floral maxi dress with gladiator sandals. As the young mom sits down at her vanity to fix her hair and make-up, Liam bounds through the door.

"Ready, love?"

"Well, I still look like a wet rat," she chuckles as she teases her damp waves with her fingers.

Her husband gingerly sneaks up behind her. He encases her in his arms as he leans against the vanity table. He brushes his pout across the shell of her ear, nuzzling into her hairline. "You are exquisite."

Riley raises an eyebrow, turning around on her tufted stool. She rests a hand on Liam's lightly stumbled cheek. "Although I appreciate your limitless adoration of me, I'm not exactly ready for the possibility of having my picture taken."

"Don't worry," Liam looks forward into the mirror, his eyes sparkling at his bride. She turns her head to meet his dreamy gaze. "Just trust me," he mischievously grins, pressing a kiss against her temple. "C'mon," he grabs her hand, "we're going to be late."

Riley pulls back on her hand, digging her heels. "Now wait a minute," she crosses her arms. "I'm seriously not ready yet--"

"Wil’w the pwane take off without us if we’re wate?" Eleanor asks her father with grave concern in her voice.

"Plane?" Riley slowly shifts her gaze from her daughter to her husband. Liam shares a toothy grin as he snickers. "We're flying somewhere?" Riley anxiously fumbles through her hair products to start an emergency blow-out.

Liam walks over to the vanity, leaning against it as he looks down at her. He gently places his finger under Riley’s chin, guiding her bright eyes to his attention. "Please, love–"

“I can’t go out like this. I–I just can’t–”

"Please." He takes her hand, pressing an endearing kiss on her knuckles. "Trust me," he winks.

Sporting a damp, messy bun and oversized Chanel tortoise-shell sunglasses, Riley avoids any and all reporters while boarding the royal jet. But, once entering the plane, her jaw drops at the sight before her.

"SURPRISE! Happy birthday, Riley!"

"You guys!" Riley squeals as she motions for a group hug around her good friends Hana, her new girlfriend, the Beaumont brothers with their wives, and Drake with his wife Alaina. "I can't believe you all are here, too!" As Riley glances around the jet, taking in all the familiar, beautiful faces, she is relieved to see the other children for Eleanor's sake.

Another jolt of excitement hits Riley when she recognizes Paul and Marco, her make-up and hair duo for whenever she has to make a television appearance. But, normally for public appearances, Riley's got the conservative-beauty-look down on her own; why would they be needed for this trip?

After a few titters and more hugs, a hush falls over the Cordonian travelers as champagne is served. Riley snakes her arm around her husband's waist. "Well, chief, what's next?"

"Well, actually, I'm going to let our good friend Drake explain." Liam guides Riley into a seat. "He's the one that pulled this trip together."

Drake? Riley raises an inquisitive eyebrow to her long-time best friend as he grabs a bright purple gift bag.

"Eleanor?" He joyfully calls out, "come help your moma open this gift." The little princess dutifully jumps up from playing with Bartie and Jackson, swiping the present before crawling into her mom's lap.

Together, they begin pulling out tissue paper until a big, fluffy stuffed animal flops out of the bag. "Can you tell everyone what it is?" Riley whispers, pressing gentle kisses into her daughter's toasted chestnut locks.

"It's a teddy bea'hr."

"That's right, baby," she takes the stuffed animal into her arms, giving it a questioning look before raising an eyebrow to Drake. "It's a teddy bear."

"Keep looking," Drake chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck.

Riley gently toggles the toy in her hands, noticing that the teddy bear is holding a masquerade mask in one hand and a microphone in the other. And suddenly, it hits her. Riley looks back up at Drake, her eyes wide. "No. Way."

Drake ruffles his own hair, stifling a big smile as soon as he sees the understanding on his friend's face. "I talked with some of the producers for Cordonia's the Masked Singer, told them what a big fan you were… yeah, well, one thing led to another and--well, um, the producers in America loved the idea of having the Queen of Cordonia as a guest judge--"

"Oh. My. God!" Riley shifts her gaze to Liam before shifting it back to Drake. "You're kidding me--" her breath hitches in her chest. "I'm going to be a judge? On the Masked Singer?"

"On the Masked Singer," reiterates Maxwell, swiping his hands in the air, imagining the title of the show in bright lights.

"Like--like with Nicole Scherzinger and-and-and Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg?" Her voice trembles.

"That's right, my love," Liam comfortingly strokes her back, sitting on her armrest.

Riley begins to tear up, covering her face immediately from the overwhelming feelings of joy.

"Don't be sad, Mommy!" Eleanor gingerly pats her mom's cheeks.

Riley quickly wraps her arms in a tight embrace around her daughter. "I'm not sad, baby girl!" She presses her lips into Eleanor's chubby cheek. "I am so happy." Riley looks around the room at all of her doting friends. "Thank you all so much. This," she stifles a sob, " this is a dream come true."

"Ordinary girl from New York is whisked away to compete for a prince's hand in marriage, becomes queen and then lives happily ever after," sardonically recounts Drake, "but yes, being on the Masked Singer is a dream come true." The entire cabin falls into a tizzy of laughter as Riley sticks out her tongue.

As the giggles die down, Liam explains that he hired Paul and Marco to come along, and that Maxwell had already pulled a few party dresses for her to wear. But, for now, she was to rest. Next stop: Hollywood.

As soon as the royal jet touched down in Los Angeles, Riley was immediately taken to hair and makeup, escorted by Liam, Maxwell, Marco, and Paul as well as Bastien and a small security team. They styled Riley with a slicked-back high pony-tail. They placed some extensions in her hair to show an ombre effect of platinum blonde on the ends of her dark revenge tresses. At first the queen was unsure of the look, but after being mistaken as Ariana Grande four times, she loved it.

Maxwell styled her in a Givenchy white single strap bodycon dress with iridescent sequins that elegantly shifted from the faintest of purples and greens. And to tie it all together, she rocked a pair of purple stiletto heels.

As the finishing stroke of her deep, oxblood red lip is painted on by Marco, non-crew members were called away from the backstage area. Giving Liam and Eleanor a quick hug, Riley said her 'goodbyes' until after the recording. But even as she watched them walk away, a sudden rush of anxiety floods her veins.

Looking down at her dainty wrist tattoo, she is reminded of her family back in New York. Gosh, she misses them, especially her sister Danielle. She was always good at making Riley relax and calm down.

Suddenly, a mischievous glint twinkled in the young queen's eyes. Riley looks around, noting that no one was even close to her area. She stands up from her director's chair and closes her eyes. She gently shakes her arms and legs, finishing with a delicate head roll.

Standing back up, she begins to make peculiar sounds with her mouth. First, she starts by blowing raspberries with her lips, throwing her voice quickly from a high decibel to the lowest octave she can reach.

"Brrrr! Brrrr! Brrrr!"

While she makes this sound, her hands mimic the pitch of her voice, starting off slightly above her head, and with the flutter of her fingers, her hands float down until they are in front of her chest.

After a few of those, she opens her eyes to stare at herself in the mirror, only to continue the noises. She opens her mouth wide.

"Mah! Mah! Mah!"

With each of these surprising sounds, she bundles her hands into a fist, but then abruptly throws her fingers open into a jazz hand.

"Looks like someone's breaking free."

Riley's cheeks burn red with embarrassment and she twirls around to see her sudden audience. And is once again stunned. "You! Your-your--"

"Nick Cannon," the tall host of the show cheerfully greets her. He reaches to shake her hand, but stops himself. "Oh, I'm sorry, Riley, I mean,, um, your Majesty. I'm unsure of how this works--"

"Please," Riley laughs, reaching out with her hand to shake his hand. "I'm just a girl from New York that wears a new piece of jewelry. And, yeah, well, rules a country," she shrugs as they both fall into titters.

"Well, it is an honor to meet you. Have they already walked you through on what to do?" She nods nervously. "Remember: this isn't live. We get to edit things and make ourselves really sound good. Wait for the signal, and you'll be part of the family in no time."

Just as he said, Riley was signaled to a special holding area where she was given a mask on an ornate stick that matched her outfit. After a final makeup touch up, she was ready.

"... all the way from Cordonia, give up for her majesty, Queen Riley Rys."

Showtime. Riley glides flawlessly across the stage, waving at the audience, and taking in the fact that the judges are standing up--and shocked-- because she's there. Riley quickly finds her seat on the judges panel, and comments about what an honor it is to be there and how much she loves this show.

But, right off the bat, Riley notices something is amiss. There's an empty chair next to her. Is there another secret guest judge? Could it be Liam?

"Now, your Majesty, we were given the opportunity to talk with your husband." A picture flashes up on the big screen of the two of them at Disney World, wearing Mickey Mouse ears. Multiple whistles and awes come from the audience, making Riley blush and smile adoringly. "He caught us up to speed with some of your favorite pop culture icons." Riley playfully covers the embarrassed look on her face before looking back at Nick. "When we heard you loved this 90s band, no doubt we were going to have to have her guest judge with you."

Riley's face falls as her eyes shift anxiously around her.

"Please give it up G-loc, Ms. Harajuku girl herself, Gwen Stefani!"

For Riley, time seemed to stop, moving at a snail's pace as her ultimate idol walked onto the stage. She instantly remembers where she was the moment she first saw No Doubt, the moment she first heard No Doubt. She remembers the late night serenade with her sister and cousins, singing along to Tragic Kingdom.

And now, Gwen Stefani is walking towards her. As she begins to curtsy, the inner eight-year-old Riley threw her arms around the pop icon as she began to cry heavily. Luckily, Paul and Marco are nearby and quickly repair the tearful damages; they were fully aware this would happen.

After the initial shock wore down, it was on with the show. Riley's incredible knowledge of pop culture as well as her voice recognition really shined as a judge. The costumes were stunningly intricate, and the voices were beautiful. Riley's guesses ranged from Coolio to Natalie Imbruglia. But the one guess she would put money on was the contestant in the juicy riblet costume; that had to be Armie Hammer.

In person, she found Ken Jeong to be quite hilarious and Robin Thicke even more handsome. Gwen Stefani is proving to be Riley's long-lost big sister, and has already invited her and Blake Shelton over for dinner at the palace. The other women on the panel were just as the queen expected. What you see on TV is exactly what you get in person: personable, funny with a slight twinge of air-head. Riley was impressed with how open they were about their plastic surgeries, even recommending a few doctors for when the queen is older and ready.

As the filming was coming to an end for this episode, Nick Cannon calls for everyone's attention. "We have a special announcement from our producers. Since this has been a night of surprises, we decided to have just one. More. Surprise." The judges and the audience members begin to murmur amongst each other. "Please welcome the duck!"

Out waddles a tall, yellow duck. A video clip rolls, giving the clue package. The hints include the following: he's performed in front of thousands; he first picked up a guitar at the age of twelve; there was a huge scandal surrounding the start of his relationship with his now wife

Gwen leans over to Riley to whisper. "He's as tall as Blake--!"

"Do you think--?" Riley's eyes light up, excited to possibly be meeting Gwen's husband.

Gwen shrugs her shoulders, but the excitement reads all over her face. Riley sits up in her seat, eager to see the performance. She wasn't the biggest fan of country music, but she was totally thrilled for the experience.

The video stops and the house lights dramatically turn down as the duck waddles to the center of the stage. Tiny twinkling lights appear, mimicking lightning bugs. A single note thrums on the piano until a melodious baritone voice pierces through the darkness.

"There you see her, sitting there across the way."

Riley freezes, slowly bringing her hand to her mouth. Her eyes begin to well with tears as her heart skips a beat. She knows that voice.

"She don't got a lot to say but there's something about her."

Riley stands up, quickly making her way to the stage locking eyes on the duck.

"And you don't know why, but you're dying to try, you wanna kiss the girl."

Riley can't help herself, sliding her fingers under the gigantic duck costume head, ripping it off, prompting Nick Cannon back to the stage.

"Never a dull moment here at the Masked Singer. Please welcome his Majesty, King Liam Rys of Cordonia."

Riley throws her arms around her husband as his lips meet hers. As their kiss deepens, everyone around them continues with the song. Standing front and center holding one another, Liam pulls his wife close to his chest as she plays with the costume feathers.

She finally looks up at him. "The duck?" Liam begins to blush as everyone continues to sing loudly. "Why the duck?"

"I know how much you like them." Riley gives him a suspicious look as he licks his lips seductively.

"I thought maybe the waddle would make you think of me," his voice darkens, "since I seem to have that effect on you."

"William Rys!" She jokingly swats at his chest before he envelopes her tightly to his body. He leans down, placing a kiss on her cheek before his lips find her ear.

"Happy birthday, my love."

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If you have not already read her fic, check out @sfb123 's fic about the Masked Singer right here -> Unmasked

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PERMA

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