#(But August had nothing to do with that decision! He would've supported her in her profession indefinitely;)

[beatingheart-bride]

"Honestly, it was kind of refreshing," Emily admitted with a shrug. "My whole life, people were dreadfully careful with what they said around me. It felt like everyone was perpetually walking on eggshells in my presence, as to not taint my delicate ears with any semblance of profanity. So in a strange way, it was refreshing to hear a swear pass Randall's lips, even if it mortified him in the moment.I can't quite explain it, but it made me feel less like I was put on a pedestal."

She'd felt less like a perfect porcelain doll, or like a child who everyone worked diligently to retain her innocence. She'd always detested being treated differently because of who she was, and thus Randall's slip-up was a nice change of pace. In hindsight, Emily couldn't help but wonder if it had helped to break the ice, and showed Randall that he was truly free to be himself around her.

"A swear slipping out every now and then never hurt my feelings, but it isn't a habit I want the children to pick up. Thankfully, no one's had much trouble holding their tongues around them, even some of our sharper-tongued housemates. And thank goodness for that: I don't know what I'd do if they started parroting some of the things I've heard some of our housemates say in the past!"

@beatingheart-bride

"I felt like I had sworn in front of a princess!" Randall admitted with a shy laugh, the rest of his family laughing along as he rubbed the back of his neck: Though he would freely admit he could cuss a blue streak with the best of 'em, he tried to keep his mouth clean in public, and certainly keep it extra-clean in the presence of an upper-class young woman like Emily. Needless to say, his failing to do so absolutely mortified him in the moment, though he could certainly laugh about it now.

"I, uh...I didn't want to sound like I had no manners," he continued sheepishly, adding, "It, uh...it did take a while for her to convince me that she wasn't offended by my cursing-I felt awful, I really did, in the moment, though, I felt like it made it seem like I was born in a barn..."

"Awww, reminds me of when August and I first started getting to know each other," Josephine giggled amusedly, seeing a lot of similarities between her husband and grandson in the moment as she went on to explain just how nervous her future spouse was in the early days, very flustered being around such a confident, forward, and scantily clad woman (which quite flattered her, honestly).

"I used to have him over for coffee after performances, and bless his heart, he was so nervous-the only thing louder than his racing heartbeat was the way his cup used to clatter against his saucer! Well, one day, he got so wound up that he dropped his cup and spilled coffee all over the rug (which didn't bother me much; if anything, the coffee stain made that cheap ol' thing look better), and between his very rapid-fire apologies, I could hear him cursing under his breath, and that only made him apologize even more!"

"I'm not usually one for vulgarity," August admitted bashfully. "But I was just so frustrated and embarrassed by my inability to sit still that it just...slipped out, and I felt awful, just awful, swearing in the presence of a lady!"

Most people wouldn't bat an eye at swearing around someone in her profession, but he was a consummate gentleman to everyone he met, and so he didn't think twice about apologizing to her (even though, as she told him, she'd heard worse).

[sunnyelfs]

Heyyy @coffeeandsadbooks, remember how I said I want to write something regarding the “love vs duty” conflict? Well, I did. 

It started as sort of “fix-it” thoughts on s3, Wilhelm's path to renounce in particular. I was thinking about how the plot would have evolved so his final decision was more significant. And every time I thought of another option, I came back to a thought shared by many viewers who were left unsatisfied with the ending. It seemed unearned. And I think that's partly because the conflict that seemed like it would be central to the series didn't work.

What makes a good “love vs duty” conflict? When it's a hard choice for the character to make. When they value their duty, would it be something they were told to do or something they choose to do. During the third season, the creators made sure that this choice is not a difficult one. 

From s1 and s2 we know that the main struggle for Wilhelm is the fact that he can't separate the Royal Family as an institution and his family… as simply a family. This is especially reinforced after Erik's death, but Wille seems to have always felt indebted. In episode 2.05 he says to Boris, "I know I've been lucky, and I should be grateful". So, Wilhelm realizes his privilege, good for him. What about the sense of duty? Again, I'm reminded of his dialog with Boris in the same episode. When he says that "they" are counting on him, he's referring to his mom. Later in the episode, when he goes to see Simon, he says that if he gives up his place to August without scandals, that way he can free himself and not let his family and Erik down. Memorized. 

So, the first thing season three does: shatters Erik's perfect image. Which is kind of weird, considering that Wille said back in season two that "there was Crown Prince Erik, and there was just Erik," meaning he kind of already realized that the public persona of the perfect prince and his brother are not the same thing. Perhaps that's why the homophobic initiation story was chosen, as it was the only thing that would affect Wille. We know it wasn't intended from the beginning. This can be seen in the way Ivar and Lisa herself talked about Erik after the first season (check this post if you missed that). Obviously, it was a late decision. So, we get a breaking point for Wille where he doubts his brother would have supported him. What does this have to do with the monarchy? Well, I'm sure some people will connect it, but my opinion: nothing. Once again, Wilhelm already knew that Erik wasn't perfect, that he separated his personality and his public persona. Plus, after all, August tells him "Erik loved you more than anything and would certainly support you." Thus the sheep are intact, the wolves are fed - Wilhelm still hears assurances that Erik would have supported him, but it takes away the fear of letting Erik down.

The next thing is making sure Wilhelm doesn't see any value of his role. That's a whole separate topic that I delved into while thinking about two possible ways in which the plot could have led him to renouncing (that would've worked better than that we got). First: actually trying to be the Crown Prince. This would have worked well alongside the plot of Kristina's illness. Wilhelm is so afraid of letting his mom down that he takes on more responsibilities because of her illness. He wants to support her and reassure her that she can count on him. Along the way, he's starting to skip school and neglect his own needs in order to fulfill his duties as Crown Prince. Eventually this obviously leads to a point where it becomes clear that it can't go on like this. He either stays Crown Prince and loses his love (and friends, if he had any besides Felice, who is too patient with him to give up), or he gives up trying to please the Court and decides that being a normal person is more important to him. And there's no way you're going to convince me that the plot of season three showed exactly that. 

The other option would have been to protest. Throw in Kristina's illness storyline, it's only needed anyway to raise the stakes. Showing Wilhelm's attempts to make a real difference. Choosing mental health issues or lgbtq+ community as his charity and defending that decision to the Court. Actively participate in how students defend the school. Sign a bloody petition, thus breaking a few royal rules. Openly support Simon on May 1 and maybe separately speak out against bullying (oh that would be awesome, his single post asking for his privacy and his partner's to be respected would be enough to give Jan-Olof a heart attack). The plot with the attack on Simon's house would play well here, add to that threats, condemnation and maybe a conversation with Kristina about how this is exactly what she wanted to avoid. Besides that, Wilhelm does not separate his family and the Court. For him, fighting with the Court = fighting with his family. In case you want to say “but they wouldn't let him-” oh but they WOULD. Wilhelm is well aware of that. He's aware that his renounce will be worse than anything else for The Court, so they will tolerate his rebellion, they would even have to play along. They would even make Simon play a bigger role – and this is the moment to talk about how this “support” from The Court, e.g using them for “creating new royals” is much worse. It would turn Simon into another puppet of the court, which no doubt he wouldn't like. Even if for a good cause, he's hardly ready for that. They would talk about it with Wilhelm – all of it, how it doesn't work, how it hurts them both. And so the need to make a choice is with us again, but this time Wilhelm first tries to use his privileges for good, and then gets completely frustrated with it and gives up. 

The last part is Wilhelm's family. We know he doesn't want to let them down. Their final conversation in the car makes it look like the moment Kristina stops being his boss and his mom, their relationship will get better, so it's another point for renouncing. Except it won't be that easy. Their problems lay deeper than than, it will take a lot of effort to fix that. And that given the fact that we don't know if she was actually willing to let him go or it was just a petty, something like “let him have it one last time, we will work on that later”. That's why this last-minute decision doesn't work for me, because I'm not sure if it was the final one. 

Let's summarize. By the end of the season, Wilhelm had literally nothing that made the choice even remotely significant. He doesn't initially value his so-called duty, and the connection between that duty and his feelings towards his family is broken during the season. This choice at the end costs him literally nothing. I would also like to address the issue with him making all the important decisions based on his emotions. It was discussed here. For one, it's the fact that Lisa herself is sure that Wilhelm did understand his position but chose to refuse it. I feel like it's the pretty common thing for a writer, because in your head the story have much more details and everything seems perfect. But as we can see from the viewers reactions, it's not the case here, as the show never actually showed this. The fact that Wilhelm putting his emotions first is not a problem as such, but you can't pretend this is equal to the path of growing and actually understanding what you have, what you want, and why those things are incompatible.

This conflict only works well when the choice remains difficult and unobvious to the character, even at the end. Leaving the character with only one option is very cheap and lazy. It literally kills the whole conflict as such. 

It's for that very reason that the “love vs duty” conflict didn't work. 

[irepookie]

Infinity Chapter 4-

Meet The Family (PT.1)

Summary: QUEEN AU where Rog (aka Rowan Queen) is a young single dad struggling to make it into music industry.

Warnings: not really. Just fluff, sappiness and swearwords here and there

Disclaimer: I don't own the pictures. The boys are based on Queen, but Piper, Gina and Callie are mine

John: Rick Lincoln (Cause he is John Richard Deacon born on August 19th 1951™™™™™)

Brian: Terry Garrett (Cause my uncle used to have a black puddle named Terry and I had no choice)

Freddie: Len Mars (Yea I couldn't help myself)

Chapter 4- Row opens up with the boys about the raisin.

“I'm a dad”........

"Okay, let's... let's get over this again: A daughter?" Terry, the band's guitarist couldn't believe his ears.

"Yes, Terry. A daughter" Row repeated for the 19th time from the other side of the phone.

"A baby." Len said, taking another sip of his tequila.

"No, a 30 year old alpaca." Row said sarcastically. "Yes, a goddamn baby. Fucking gorgeous, just so you know"

"And you're gonna keep her." Rick, who had been quietly plunking his bass' strings, added. "Are you sure?"

"It's done. I've already kept her. And it's not like I'm rescuing a shelter dog. She's mine. Period."

"Sorry, was just trying to... Wrap my head around it"

To be honest, Row still couldn't quite believe it (that he was a father). Not even now, as he tried to convince his best friends while holding his girl with the other arm.

"And is your mom okay with it?" Terry asked

He scoffed, clutching his Lil raisin close at the thought "My mom has no say in this".

"But she knows" Rick said.

He sighed "Yes, she knows. And she was a bitch about it, okay? She can disown me for all I care". It's not like there was much to inherit, anyway.

There was a general sigh from his three best friends.

"And what are you gonna do?"

" 'bout what?"

"Um, I don't know, man. About School? Maybe about your life in general?"

"School ain't something I'm worrying about".

"What a surprise" Rick rolled his eyes.

"But you're still in the band right?" Len said

"Oh, of course. Of course. You guys are gonna be the only ones keeping me sane"

They chuckled

"But we ain't gonna babysit for you, huh?"

"As if you knew anything about babies"

"Well, the same as you." Terry said

"Just what I was saying: nothing at all" Row grinned

"Her future looks bright, then" Len half teased.

"Incandescent, in fact" Row could pretty much hear Terry's arched eyebrow.

The youngest member could only roll his eyes and try not to take it as an insult. He knew this was a lot to process all of a sudden and that in the inside, beyond the sarcasm and teasing, they were happy for him.

"Whatever, guys" he replied, as Pips began to frown. He sighed, knowing that meant smelly treat was on its way "Gotta go. By the way, she just told me she thinks you guys stink" he grinned, before hanging up.

The other three men exchanged a confused glance, and stayed in silence for a minute, until Len broke it:

"I say he'll go completely nuts in seven days".

"That long? Nah, I think less than 24 hours after they leave the hospital." Terry said

Len smirked "Bet?"

"I'm a bit tight at the moment, pal"

"Then not money. If I win, you'll be my model for the midterm design project. It's 30's fashion. For ladies, of course".

"Ok. But if I win you'll do my chores for a whole weeks."

"A whole week?!"

"Seven days, if you prefer it."

They shook hands "Deal. Rick? Join us?"

"I actually rather believe that they'll be alright" Rick got up and stretched.

"Well of course they will. Eventually. Row always figures things out." T said

"The fun part is to watch him go crazy in the meantime" Len chuckled "Like when he first moved in and left a fork in the plate when first using the microwave"

They laughed, remembering how their friend had called them at 9 PM in panic, screaming the microwave had exploded.

"Let's just hope for the best. I mean he seemed quite sure of himself this time. And who knows, maybe being a dad is the best way to grow up." Rick defended

"Yea, well a bit radical, don't you think?" Len said

"Like sock therapy. If smokers quit when diagnosed with lung cancer, maybe Row settles down now he has a baby"

"I just still don't get why he didn't just put her in adoption" T said

Rick shrugged "Would you if you were in his shoes?"

"Absolutely"

"That's exactly how Row would've answered, say, a week ago. That's what we all answer. Until it really happens. I think it's one of those situations where you can't really picture until you live it."

"But this is Rowan Queen we're talking about. Rowan <<Made out with both Jones Twins at the same party Cause I didn't remember which was which>> Queen. I mean, he does know that a kid is gonna freeze his sex life for indefinite time, right? What the hell was going through his head?" Terry said

"I can't believe you think that." Len interjected "I mean, I'm the one who's never gonna be a dad here, and the one who failed biology, but even I get it. He met her right? Before any decision was made, he met her. Once you meet your kid, you're tangled up forever. And you might think you're not but if you give them away you'll never get rid of a feeling of remorse."

"Wow, Lenny, that was deep"

"Yea, where'd you get that from?"

"Just common sense."

"Funny, considering you're the one who's started the bet" Rick grinned

"One thing doesn't prevent the other. And out of the two of us, I'm the optimistic! He gave him one day, I gave him seven! I trust him"

"Well I'm not sure if I do. I mean, I love him, he's a great guy, a great musician, and everything else, but he's not reliable. Remember his first job as a waiter? I'm still waiting for the fish and chips I ordered last April"

The other two chuckled "I once lent him a t-shirt, and I swear I saw Liz Michael's wearing it" Len said

"See what I mean?"

"Yes, well, we can't do anything about it, T. It's his life"

"But this affects us too, one way or another. This affects the band. And he didn't even consult us"

"Well what did you expect him to do? Call and go <<Hey guys, are you fine with me having a daughter? No? Okay, just checking. Bye>>?" Rick imitated a phone with his hand, doing a decent impression of their friend's high voice.

"A head's up would have been nice"

"Terry, just chill for fucks shake. I mean, this is unexpected, but Row's our best friend, our brother, and we have to support him. Because, if he's a dad, that's makes us her uncle's. And it'll be fun having a little niece we can spoil" Len smiled at the idea.

"Spoil? With what money?" Terry, always realistic, put his hands on his hips

"With the upcoming tour's, of course darlings" he twirled majestically around the room

"First, that's in four months" Rick reminded

"If it does happen at all"

They still had one last song to arrange And record. Plus, they didn't know how Row was gonna make it work now he had a baby. But nobody addressed that concern out loud.

"Oh don't be so goddamn negative, fellas! C'mon! We're uncle's! Row's made a very important, life-changing, mature decision, and we should be proud of him. So" he went to the fridge and returned with three beers "I say we toast for him and the lil Queenie"

The other two grinned and accepted the cans, opening them.

"Oh, I say we Split a fourth beer in his behalf, cause parents shouldn't drink while breastfeeding" Terry mocked, earning a laugh

"To the Queens" Rick raised his can "For our little bro to take this seriously and not fuck this kid up"

"To the Queens" Terry and Len crashed theirs as well.

🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁

Meanwhile, in the hospital...

"Goddamn it, raisin! How can someone so small produce so many colors of something so stinky?" Row exclaimed, holding his breath as he clipped the fresh nappy on his daughter "We only feed you milk! Like... Like white milk! How can you turn a white liquid into rainbow pudding? Holy shit" he held the dirty one at arms length and threw it in the bin "It's a damn good thing I love you, cause I won't do this for anyone else" he told her, lifting her up to his chest again before walking around the room

"You gonna be a good girl for me for the next eighteen years? Huh?" He kissed her chubby cheek "What am I saying? You're my daughter, of course you're gonna be a trouble maker. But we'll get along, you'll see. I ain't gonna be like my parents. Don't worry. I won't be a bloody pain in the ass like mom, and I will never ever do anything my old man did. That I can promise. But I gotta admit I do want you to be like Gina. Yea, she's a control freak sometimes, but let's face it: she's gotta be the strongest person I've ever met. You should've seen her kicking the bastard out the house. She took no shit."

He smiled somewhat proudly at the memory, and for a second forgot how mad he was at her for turning her back on them.

"You wanna be a badass gurl like her? Huh? Yes you do. Yes you do" he cooed, craning his neck so he could brush his nose with her little button one. Her fist chose to close around the nearest strands of blond hair on reach, which he found secretly adorable.

But a part of him did wish he had mom's support. After all, despite the rough patches through his teens, they had always had each other's back; through thick and thin. She had have to raise him all alone, and although he hadn't even begun with Pips, he already knew it hadn't been easy. She may be stern, and a bit inflexible when it came to negotiating allowance. She could come across as rude if you caught her in the wrong mood (which many neighbors had) but above all she was a good person and a good mother.

And looking back, he hadn't been such a great son. He could have been more responsible, less handful and more obedient. Less rebellious, too. He could have thanked her more often for the thousand things she did everyday. For the meals. For all the jobs she had taken to provide for the two of them. For the surprise birthday gift she had got him with the money she had been saving: a real drum kit. For helping him move out her house into that one room crappy appartement which would be Pip's home.

But still she had rejected Piper without a second thought, regardless of her anger towards him; Pips was her granddaughter, she had done nothing wrong and as her father, Row doubted he would ever forgive Gina.

He sighed, untangling the hand of his hair and bringing it to his lips "But you don't have to worry about all that. Just concentrate on staying strong and growing up. And I promise I'll focus all of me on being the best dad. That you'll never miss a mom cause you don't need one. You've got me and I swear I'll be enough. Even if I'm still young: I'll have it all more fresh won't I?" He grinned "You're the one person who's never judged me yet, and I don't wanna let you down"

That a was vow. And he was determined to keep it.

🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁

This one goes to my mega-paragraphist @definitely-darcy who's got my engine going through the usual inspiration blocks, and who's reviews help me improve. She's made me believe in this fic, and encouraged me to keep going despite the one digit notes.

Xx- Pookie