#(Pictured: two famous people who can't publicly date and haven't been physically together for six months)

[more-than-a-princess]

It had been a long six months since he had last been with her in person, it hadn't been an easy relationship for them, not in the slightest. The good thing was that they did love and care for each other deeply, but with him being a famous public figure and her being a noble princess next in line for the throne of Novoselic, it all added up to a special, but very private relationship. Admittedly, Minato was well aware that this wouldn't be simple. Her very strict parents due to her monarchy made things quite complicated, but putting that all aside, the Paranormal Investigator refused to give up on their relationship. Sonia had become his pride and joy, his feelings for her ran as deep as the ocean, and he wanted to make sure she remembered it.

At the very least, the two had been in contact via text messages and occasionally video call, while it wasn't in person, it was still more than enough for the two of them---it had to be. Of course, there was the fact that one day, he would have to meet her family, which would be a whole other kind of challenge in itself, especially considering the fact how much her folks didn't believe in the line of work he was to be an actual profession and more of a very odd and unusual hobby, there would be a lot to weather when that day would come, but he would do it all for her, Minato had dealt with parents that didn't see him as a fitting partner, the Nevermind's would be his greatest challenge yet, but he wouldn't let it stop him. Minato would chase a tornado in a hurricane for Sonia, anything to make their relationship they had so carefully kept private for quite a few years now.

Several months later, luck would finally strike the couple, Sonia had told him that she would be going to England for some kind of meeting with some local regality, at the same time, Minato was heading there for an investigation of the Infamously Haunted Chillingham Castle of Northumberland, a location that the Paranormal Quest crew had been trying to land an investigation at for quite some time--and what perfect timing it had been. Normally, Minato would want it to surprise, but given how private they had to keep their relationship, that was sadly not possible, at the very least, it would give them a chance to be together after far too long.

Minato didn't like to do things typical of any other Celebrity, but in this circumstance, he would do whatever he needed to do just to see her again -- anything just to be next to her, and not through a screen. Minato ordered a limousine ride, the driver was thankfully a friend he had met during an investigation his crew had done two years ago for the fourth season of his show, Hampton Court Palace, this man was the owner of the ground and had a daughter that happened to be a huge fan of his, so in return for a personalized autograph and a photo, he happily took the call of Minato's request, and agreed to drive them around town late at night, and of course he paid him for it, too. Because he was a friend of Minato's, he had promised to keep this trip a secret which provided all the reassurance needed.

After giving her a text that he was outside in the limo, a smile appeared on his face as he saw her tell him she would be out momentarily. After not too long of a wait, the car door opened, and he was graced with her beautiful face as she stepped inside and sat next to him.

[{ 🦋 }] - "Sonia!" He quickly says, not using an honorific, since they were finally past that after being together for a long while now.

Immediately he pulled the blonde into his strong arms, relishing the feeling of her frame against his, savoring the warmth of her body, he gently leaned forward, their forehead resting, a hand reaching up to softly cup her cheek.

[{ 🦋 }] - "I missed you... so much." He says quietly against her lips, moving to lock their lips together in a long overdue kiss.

Unprompted IC asks from mutuals - Accepting!

She'd ordered tea upon her return to her Claridge's suite: nothing out of the ordinary for the Princess of Novoselic after a day's worth of royal visits, meetings, and appearances, particularly when she did not have concrete dinner plans. Her forest green pantsuit she'd worn had been eagerly exchanged for a more comfortable wool skirt and cardigan, though she'd looked appropriately smart and tidy standing beside the Prince and Princess of Wales at Windsor Castle. The castle photos had been a formality, as soon after the necessary interviews, tours, and discussions around charitable endeavors between their two countries, they'd welcomed Sonia to Adelaide Cottage for lunch with the family, where she'd shared her thoughts on Marvel superheroes and a Taylor Swift singalong with their three children (and the Prince of Wales, who was not only a fan but agreed not to divulge just how terrible a singer the Princess of Novoselic was).

But she was thankful to return to her suite at the Novoselic Royal Family's preferred hotel in Mayfair. One, to warm her up after the car ride back from Windsor to central London, and two, to sample some of the treats readied for her by the hotel's head patissier and arranged by her suite's private butler.

And three: because after six months, her schedule and Minato's had, finally, crossed paths. It had been hard on him, hard on them both, when her time in Tokyo had ended and she'd moved back to Novoselic for her family's work. That was how it was supposed to be: her home base as Boudry House with near-daily visits to Novoselic Castle, save for the instances she traveled for work or leisure. After graduating university, multi-week stays anywhere was rather unheard of. Japan was the exception not the norm, and even then there were limits as to what made logical sense for the royal schedule and budget. Besides, it wasn't as if Minato was constantly at home himself: he traveled the world to film his television show, though it was often not the same places she was sent for diplomatic negotiations. He'd wanted to surprise her, she could've guessed that much, but the complex nature of her life and his meant that was a luxury they couldn't afford.

A bit tongue-in-cheek, Sonia thought as she set down the pastel green and white striped teacup, the traditional china pattern of the hotel. If Minato knew she was leaving behind a scone, a thick mousse cake with layers of passion fruit and mango jelly between the chocolate, and a miniature pistachio creme brulee, he'd likely chide her for it if she wasn't planning to either include him or pack it up for him to sample instead. With a deep sigh, she got up and strode to the additional racks of clothes set up in the second bedroom of the suite, plucking both a Burberry trench coat and a wool scarf from a hanger, followed by her top handle bag named after the former Princess of Monaco. Ready for the elements, her security detail followed her down the hall: the Novosonian Royal Family had taken up the entire first floor of the hotel, with the King and Princess in suites at each end of the hallway. The footman in front of the Royal Suite knocked two times on the door before opening it for Sonia: one of the few who didn't require being announced to the King. A perk of being the heir to the throne and his only child.

Sonia found him looking rather un-kingly, something she preferred. He'd made the best of the few hours he had that afternoon after meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla, as evident by the carefully-packed shopping bags full of vintage records that had been left upon the coffee table in favor of live music instead. His, as King Alexandre of Novoselic had taken his seat at the piano in the Royal Suite and had begun to play an Elton John tune on it.

"I see you did a tour of the best vintage record shops in London," Sonia smiled as she entered, coat in hand.

"Ah well, it is nice to have a respite from various appointments with the Windsors," Her father replied, returning her smile as he closed the cover on the piano. "Speaking of, did you get on well with the Waleses? And you look like you are intending to go out, the night before the State Dinner."

"I did, they invited me to lunch at Adelaide so they could re-introduce the children," She replied carefully. Neither of them were done with their work in the UK for that particular visit, but she had a narrow window of opportunity that would slip away if she didn't take it. "And yes, a friend from university invited me out to dine tonight. But not to worry, she has a private car and has arranged plans of discretion."

"Very good," He nodded before giving the sort of heavy sigh only a parent could use to show their wistful disappointment that their child was getting too old for them to be their best friend. "A pity, though: I was hoping we could listen to these, maybe send out the butler to get a chippy for us. I doubt they'll give us anything quite so indulgent at Buckingham Palace." He had a point: they'd be served food created by one of the finest chefs in the world, but fish n chips wrapped in newsprint, or any sort of kebab, curry, or even pizza with fried potatoes was, frankly, a delicacy for the Novoselic Royal Family who often kept to a strict diet. 

"Another time," Sonia promised. She despised doing two things: turning down fried food and lying to her father. But the change in gender was important: if she'd mentioned that 'she' was a 'he,' there would certainly be more questions. Not to mention what he really was to her, and the fact that through various bribes and deals, she'd managed to keep her staff who knew quiet about the fact she'd been in a secret romantic relationship for years, even going so far as to planting stories with the press that Sonia was dating other people. Minato had to understand, she'd explained: if they didn't give the media something to chew on, they'd uncover the truth and break it to her family before she could.

How to do the latter had been on her mind for the past few years, something more difficult to negotiate than trade or support for charities helping disadvantaged children.

After assuring she'd be back by an appointed hour and that her security detail would follow behind the entire time, she'd been dismissed and stepped out of her father's suite, only then donning her coat and scarf.

"You're taking a risk, you know. A big one, to go out in public with him like this."

Sonia paused in front of the private elevator that had opened to let her on. Cecily, her chestnut-bobbed, bespectacled personal secretary knew all, of course. It was impossible not to: the woman's entire career revolved around managing the Princess of Novoselic in every possible way, from ensuring her household was run just the way Sonia wanted it, to briefing the press secretary and PR teams, to managing Sonia's schedule, to holding her when she cried, to offering words of advice and support.

This time, her words of advice were ones Sonia wasn't particularly keen to heed. 

"I know. But it's been six months, Cecily: do you know what it is like to go without affection for six months?"

The woman, still in her usual black suit, pressed her lips into a thin line of disapproval before exhaling deeply, as if predicting the long night ahead. "I am just saying that you need to be careful. The last thing you need to do is feed the press anything beyond your official schedule here, or at least do anything that will look unfavorably upon the family. A secret date falls into the latter category."

It was Sonia's turn to sigh before stepping into the elevator. "Since when have I done what I was told? And besides, I told his car to use the side entrance." The wink that accompanied her descent likely didn't settle her secretary's nerves, but that wasn't her concern as she was escorted to the hidden exit, away from the main lobby, and upon opening the door to the limo was immediately pulled inside by her boyfriend. Sonia let out a squeal, her purse tumbling in beside her as after a quick struggle to get her feet and coat in, the door was swiftly closed.

"Minato!" She replied with the same lack of honorifics, replacing the etiquette with enthusiasm. "This could qualify as a kidnapping you know, and-"

Whatever she intended to say was cut off by his arms around her and his lips pressed against hers, a pause to tell her how much he missed her before kissing her again: deeper, enough that he could likely taste the tea and shortbread that likely still lingered on her tongue. The driver was, thankfully, discreet and kind enough to raise the retractable shield that separated the front and back seats. Combined with the tinted windows and the sounds of honking London traffic, it was enough to hide how she wrapped her arms around him in return, her hands grasping his shoulders as she whimpered in delight into his mouth.

"I missed you too..." She breathed once he'd relinquished her lips enough for her to speak, the rest of her still blissfully pressed against his chest, seatbelts be damned. His lap was the preferred seat right now. "Did you have a specific plan for a date tonight?" Because she really didn't mind if he didn't, she'd just need to make herself more comfortable if they stayed like that for hours and hope there weren't any sudden turns or stops: it would be both painful and embarrassing to be jostled to the floor of the limo, likely in some state of desire and dishabille. 

Maybe the seatbelts, despite how cumbersome they were and how they forced a physical separation that she was not inclined to have, were a good idea.