#gifts in the palace

[personinthepalace]

The Discount Wiggles - Taskmaster Australia Series 2 (Fruit Salad Remix)

for @savemefrommysolitude - Happy Birthday!!

[gabelew]

a quick sketch of sidon's office and the absolute state of his desk

he's doing taxes but like. from the other end i guess. probably. who can tell, really ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ i just know it's something extremely unfun

[cosmicnovaflare]

Cinder again!!!

[angelscometrue]

dead boy detectives big 5 and their love language:

1) Edwin is "Act of service". Charles going to hell to save him means SO MUCH he has to tell Charles he is in love with him. He tells the cat king "all you are to me is THIS" (pointing to the bracelet) and only changes his mind when the cat king gives him a flower and offers his sorrys for nikos death.

2) Charles is "words of affirmation": when he is at his lowest at the end of episode 5 what makses him feel better and gets him out of his head are Edwin words "you Charles Rowland are the best person i know".

3) Crystal is "quality time": ignored by her parents all Crystal wants is people spending time with her, talking with her making her feel part of something special. When she lost her powers she is scared Charles and Edwin wont consider her "helpful" for the agency and stop spend time with her. Chose to stay at the end of the season because spending time with the boys (helping people) makes her feel good.

4) Niko is "gift (receiving / giving)": when she gives the red rock to Edwin to "give him courage". Buys Crystal the token to try and get rid of David. Prepares a whole date for Jenny and Maxime. Niko values gifts with deep meanings... and her "life" is literally saved by the bear figurine that was gifted to her.

5) the cat king is "physical touch": he is a creature of desire, tells Edwin joking if he "Needs a hug?" . In every interaction with Edwin he touches him (fixes Edwin jacket, takes a hold of his wrist, is always in his personal space).

[o3o-lapd-o3o]

DINNER IS (finally) SERVED

3000ish words later and part 8 is here! hope you guys enjoy!

(p.s my headcanons explainations are in the tags if you're curious)

(p.p.s credit also goes to @rin-solo for the first headcanon )

the post/thread that started this whole au

dinner scene: part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7

there's a masterlist now!

*odysseus is making his way to the dining hall, while athena and poseidon are following behind*

poseidon: *looking around at the decorations/tapestry dotted around*

poseidon: *see’s a tapestry of what looks to be a very much younger odysseus in full king & armour attire*

poseidon: *stops walking, and turns to look at the actual odysseus in front of him, then back at the tapestry*

poseidon: *to odysseus with a sardonic tone* do your weavers like making you look like a boy, or was that a decision you made to make yourself look younger?

odysseus: *pauses his walking to see what poseidon is talking about*

athena: *also pauses and turns to poseidon*

odysseus: *sees the tapestry in question*

odysseus: *sighs* of course you point that one out 

athena: *who knew odysseus before he was king*

athena: *glaring at poseidon* uncle, you shouldn’t make assumptions, especially when you don’t know the facts

odysseus: *pats athena on the shoulder as he passes her*

odysseus: it’s fine athena

odysseus: *next to poseidon and looking up at the tapestry* if you must know, that is actually the age i was. 

poseidon: *not believing him* yeah right, you couldn’t be older than fifteen in this

odysseus: *turns to him with a sharp look* you’re correct, i was fifteen

poseidon: *slightly wary of odysseus’ mood* so… you became king at fifteen? isn’t that a little bit young for a mortal to rule a kingdom?

odysseus: *turns back to the tapestry* i was already the king, i was actually crowned when i was thirteen

poseidon: *shocked and confused* why would a child be given a kingdom to run?

odysseus: *looks down with a sad smile, at the memory of his father telling him about him losing his mind, and how sorry he was to place such a huge responsibility on his young son’s shoulders*

odysseus: well, i had no choice, but i would do it again if i had to… 

odysseus: *turns to athena* besides, i had athena to help guide me

athena: *smiles with a nod at odysseus*

odysseus: *starts walking in the direction of the dining hall again* anyway…enough of that, can we please just make our way to the dining hall now

*they all continue making their way down the hall*

poseidon: *notices a stain on the floor tiles not far in front of them*

poseidon: *points* i think your servants missed a spot

athena & odysseus: *both look to where he’s pointing*

athena: *chuckles to herself in knowing*

odysseus: *smirks* 

poseidon: *sees both their expressions, and is confused* 

odysseus: oh that..oh don’t worry it’s clean

odysseus: *shrugs* it’s just so hard to get bloodstains out of white titles

poseidon: *wide eyed* blood?

odysseus: yeah.. not long after i finished with you, i arrived back on my island to find my palace overrun with 108…mutts… all vying for my wife’s hand. 

odysseus: *waving his hand like it was a simple issue* so i made sure to deal with them all myself… unfortunately one of them left a stain.

odysseus: -oh look we’ve made it

odysseus: hope we haven’t kept them too long

poseidon: *shocked at all the new odysseus lore he’s unlocked*

athena: *laughing at poseidon’s expression*

odysseus: *opening the door* come on let’s head in

poseidon: *shakes away the shock*

odysseus: *to poseidon* i guess it’s time to introduce you to my wife

*they all walk through the doorway into the dining hall*

*there penelope and telemachus both stand not too far from the dining table; which has quite the feast laid out, and from the steam coming off of it, it had not long be put there*

odysseus: *heads over to his son & wife*

odysseus: *looks at poseidon* poseidon, you’ve met my son telemachus before.

telemachus: *can barely keep in his excitement* 

telemachus: hi- i mean good evening lord poseidon, i’m so happ- grateful you accepted my father's invitation for dinner. 

telemachus: *puts his arm on his chest, and leans forward in a  bow of respect* i hope you enjoy the evening.

odysseus: *narrows his eyes at poseidon, silently threatening him to not be rude to his son*

telemachus: *looks back up at poseidon, smile on his face*

poseidon: *quickly nods his head in greeting to telemachus* good evening prince, your father tells me that this was all your idea 

telemachus: *raises a hand to nervously scratch under his chin* um… yes i guess it was

poseidon: well then, thank you for the idea to invite me.

telemachus: *hand leaves his chin and a big smile breaks out* well of course! you are my father’s friend after all!

poseidon: *eye twitches before he quickly composes himself* 

poseidon: yes… friend.

odysseus: *coughs* yes and now that you’ve both reacquainted yourselves again… telemachus why don’t you go speak with athena for a moment

telemachus: sure!

*telemachus makes his way to athena, and they start talking amongst themselves*

odysseus: *puts his arm around penelope’s waist* now, please let me introduce you to my wife; the queen of ithaca, penelope. 

penelope: *doesn’t bow like telemachus, but nods in greeting* welcome to our palace lord poseidon

poseidon: *nods back* thank you for having me queen penelope

penelope: *smiles but her eyes have a certain glint to them* 

penelope: my husband has told me all about your part in his journey home to us

poseidon: *totally not panicking a little* uh-

penelope: *glint leaves her eyes, but her smile remains*

penelope: -and also how you have helped out on his and my son’s fishing trips lately.

penelope: of course, i would also like thank you for taking the time to attend tonight

poseidon: sure… no problem?

odysseus: great, everyone has met everyone! 

odysseus: *to everyone* now, shall we sit down and eat the lovely feast the cooks have made us, before it gets cold?

odysseus: *moves to pull out one of the chairs at the head of the table for penelope as he normally does, when he notices that, there is only one chair instead of two*

odysseus: *looks up at the table and sees a piece of parchment with ‘mother’ written on it* 

odysseus: huh?

telemachus: *makes his way over to his father* oh! there’s a different than usual seating plan for tonight! i’ve put everyone's names where they should sit.

odysseus: *smiles at telemachus* oh ok, sure!

odysseus: well, i guess i should look for mine then, hey?

telemachus: yes, and please everyone else too!

*everyone makes their way to the table to see where they’re sitting (even though three of them already know)*

odysseus: *sees the parchment with ‘father’ on it* 

odysseus: *expecting to have either athena or telemachus next to him*

odysseus: *watches as athena stands in front of the seat opposite him*

odysseus: *thinks it’s weird to put athena & poseidon together, but thinks telemachus has done is as they are uncle & niece*

odysseus: *then sees telemachus stood in front of the seat next to athena*

odysseus: wait-

poseidon: *sees his name and heads towards it, only to look up and see odysseus standing in front of the seat next to him*

poseidon: wait-

poseidon & odysseus: *both look at each other in horror that they're stuck next to each other all evening*

telemachus: *not noticing the looks of doom on their faces* isn’t this great? it’s a family dinner, so what better than friends sitting together? 

telemachus: *turning to penelope* sorry you’re by yourself at the head of the table though mother

penelope: *smiles and waves her hand* i don’t mind

penelope: anyway, let's sit and eat!

*everyone but odysseus and poseidon sit down. both who have a death grip on the back of their seats*

penelope: *clears her throat* odysseus, lord poseidon… would you both please sit down.

odysseus: *snaps out of his staring at poseidon* 

odysseus: uh sure…

odysseus: *sits down and look back to poseidon, nodding his head at poseidon’s seat in the motion for him to also sit down*

poseidon: *still doesn’t sit*

odysseus: *a millisecond of a flash of red eyes* 

poseidon: *sits*

odysseus: *internally to himself* oh this is gonna be a long evening

odysseus: *to everyone* ok, everyone dig in!

odysseus: *to poseidon* can you get what you want for yourself, mighty sea god? or do you need a mortal’s help?

poseidon: *grabbing a lamb chop off a platter and tearing into it savagely in defiance*

odysseus: *rolls his eyes at poseidon, but goes to place a filet of fish on his plate*

*everyone has been eating and talking*

poseidon: *looks at penelope (who is talking to telemachus & athena) and then looks at odysseus*

poseidon: *thinking and then looks back to penelope*

odysseus: *to poseidon* is there a reason you keep looking at my wife?

poseidon: *jumps at little at being caught looking* 

poseidon: *turns to odysseus* oh do not worry yourself, i have no interest in your wife

odysseus: *unimpressed* why do you keep looking at her then?

poseidon: im..curious 

odysseus: *narrowing his eyes* about?

poseidon: normally you mortal men choose women younger than them for their wives… yet clearly your wife is; from my estimates… about a decade older than you

poseidon: *now with his hand under his chin, leaning on the table* 

poseidon: do you perhaps…prefer older women odysseus?

odysseus: *hands tighten in grip around his cutlery*

poseidon: *notices odysseus hasn’t responded yet*

poseidon: i’m right aren’t -

odysseus: no.

odysseus: *his eyes may not be red, but are clearly full of anger*

poseidon: *eyes widen in worry* whoa whoa! no need to get angry, it’s just a simple observation…. anyone if they pay attention can see the age difference

poseidon: *moves his hand to flick his hair back over his shoulder* it’s not a bad thing

odysseus: *takes a breath in to calm down and then slowly releases it*

odysseus: we are- were the same age… physically at least

poseidon: *confused* i don’t follow

odysseus: *looks at poseidon* during the 10 years it took for me to get home… i found myself stuck on a goddess’ island for 7 of them…

poseidon: ok…

odysseus: *closes his eyes* caly- the goddess had full control over everything on the island… her magic influenced everything… including a mortal's ability to age.

poseidon: so you didn’t-

odysseus: -age? yeah

odysseus: *sighs and opens his eyes* when i realised i wasn’t… i- i- 

odysseus: lets just say i didn’t handle it well

poseidon: *blinks at this new information* oh

odysseus: yep ‘oh’ indeed… 

odysseus: *looks back at poseidon*

odysseus: didn’t you think it was odd that i looked exactly the same when we met again, almost 10 years after our first meeting?

poseidon: in my defence… i was angry and trying to kill you, i wasn’t really paying attention to how you looked

odysseus: *rolls his eyes* i guess that's true

telemachus: uh lord poseidon? may i ask you a question?

poseidon: *happy to not continue his conversation with odysseus*

poseidon: *to telemachus* ask away prince of ithaca

telemachus: is it true that you gave achilles his horses balius & xanthus?

poseidon: *amazed at telemachus’ knowledge* 

poseidon: not directly… but yes i am the reason he came to acquire them. you see i gave them to his father peleus, as a wedding gift for his wife thetis…

*poseidon continues to tell the tale, and odysseus speaks with athena and penelope while more time passes*

*the meal is continuing smoothly as can be*

poseidon: *notices that odysseus has only been eating the fish. not touching a single bit of pork, beef or lamb that's also on the table* 

poseidon: *who has continuously eaten all meats available*

poseidon: *to odysseus* is there something i should know about the meat?

odysseus: huh?

poseidon: *points at the selection of meat in question* what's wrong with the meat? you’ve only touched the fish.

poseidon: if i hadn’t seen the others eat it, i’d worry you’d asked your cooks to poison it or something. 

odysseus: *raised eyebrow* poison won’t hurt you though? 

odysseus: *pointing a fork at him* also, why do you care about my eating habits?

poseidon: *frowning at the fork* i don’t, i’m just-

odysseus: curious? poseidon, i thought you were the god of the sea, not curiosity…

poseidon: *huffs* forget it-

odysseus: i can’t

poseidon: *now his eyebrow is raised* you…can’t?

odysseus: *now using the fork to push the food on his plate around* i can’t stomach eating lamb, pork or beef anymore

poseidon: *forever confused by odysseus* uh why?

odysseus: *gives poseidon a ‘do i really have to explain everything?’ look*

poseidon: *just stares*

odysseus: *once again sighing because of poseidon* well i thought you’d understand lamb… after the whole sheep incident with… your son.

odysseus: then after i escaped you with the wind bag-

poseidon: *rolls his eyes at the memory*

odysseus: we wound up on the sorceress circe’s island… where she turned my men to pigs. 

odysseus: i managed to convince her to turn them back, but it now feels weird to eat pork

odysseus: as for beef, short story is my men ignored my warnings and killed the sacred cattle of the sun god… so yeah beef is a no go for me also. 

poseidon: *wondering how one mortal managed to interact with so many gods on a journey to get home*

poseidon: *laughs at odysseus* and you’re letting that affect your eating habits? i expected you to be stronger than that odysseus

odysseus: *narrows his eyes at poseidon* oh just like how you let my handling of your trident, affect you into doing as i say?

poseidon: *now glaring back* 

poseidon: *turns away from odysseus* whatever, more meat for me

*dinner continues, with telemachus asking poseidon more questions. poseidon loving the interest in him and telelmachus’ knowledge, answers the all the questions with surprising enthusiasm*

*eventually what was once a giant feast of food has nearly been cleared from the table, thanks to having two gods eating most of it*

telemachus: have you enjoyed yourself so far lord poseidon? 

telemachus: *smiling* it’s been really fascinating and fun to learn so much more about you

poseidon: *almost letting a small smile appear on his face in return*

poseidon: *instead just nods* yes, it certainly has been an interesting & knowledgeable evening

telemachus: what about the seating, was it a good idea to put you with my father?

poseidon: *wants to answer no, but feels a kick from under the table. clearly from odysseus*

poseidon: yes, you came up with an ok-

odysseus: *gives another kick* 

poseidon: -great idea

telemachus: *laughs in happiness* 

telemachus: oh but i can’t take all the credit

odysseus: *raises an eyebrow in curiosity* 

athena: *who is sipping wine next to him*

athena: *slightly chokes* wai-

odysseus: *suspicious* son, you must make sure to tell us who else to thank for this

telemachus: *not understanding the bombshell he’s about to drop* oh athena actually came up with the idea!

athena: *suddenly nervous with the two very intense stares directed at her*

athena: w-well it was just a suggestion really…

telemachus: no ‘thena! remember you said as it’s a family dinner, friends should sit with friends!

odysseus: *to athena with the fakest smile* oh athena, how considerate!

penelope: *who has been quiet this whole exchange*

telemachus: *as if he hasn’t already unknowingly thrown one person to the wolves* but i of course had to run it by mother first, as she was helping me with all the planning!

penelope: *eyes have totally not widened*

telemachus: she said it was a great idea!

odysseus: *now to penelope* oh my dear wife, a great idea eh?

poseidon: *just chugs back his cup of wine at the revelations*

*after a awkward moment (at least for 4 of them) they continue on finishing the meal*

*eventually the food is finished and the dinner has come to an end, everyone has moved away from the dinner table and are now sitting on cushion chairs or standing around them talking amongst themselves*

poseidon: *looking out the window seeing just how dark the night sky now is* 

poseidon: well this has been a lovely evening, but it is getting late and i have been away from the sea for as long as i can.

poseidon: *turning to penelope and nodding his head in actual respect* queen penelope, thank you for your hosting

poseidon: *without nodding at them* athena, odysseus… good night.

*before poseidon can turn to bid telemachus good night, the prince runs out the room*

telemachus: *yelling before he leaves the room* please lord poseidon, wait a moment! i forgot something!

poseidon: *turns to look at odysseus in confusion* 

odysseus: *just shrugs also confused* 

poseidon: *turns back to the door, telemachus long gone* uh sure.

*not long later telemachus runs back into the room dishevelled but holding something in his hand*

telemachus: *walks up to poseidon* 

telemachus: *bows and holds out something covered in a silk cloth to him*

poseidon: uh-

telemachus: it’s a gift! i’m not expecting anything in return, and i’m sure you have better things… but i saw it and thought you’d like it

poseidon: *blinks, but takes the gift from telemachus’ hands*

poseidon: *carefully unties the silk cloth*

poseidon: *breathes in sharply*

telemachus: *not sure if that's a good or bad reaction* uh if you don’t like it that's fin-

poseidon: *holds his hand to stop telemachus* 

poseidon: prince of ithac-

telemachus: telemachus- sorry for interrupting. please my lord, call me telemachus

poseidon: …telemachus. thank you, this is a very thoughtful gift. 

poseidon: i will cherish it.

penelope & odysseus: *curious over what's got the god of the seas ‘cherishing’ something*

athena: *small smile as she knows*

*penelope & odysseus move closer to poseidon who is still staring down at his gift. once close enough they can see in his hand is a a handcrafted glass/crystal hippocampus*

*poseidon ended up wrapping it back in the silk cloth, and placing it in his chiton. He then thanked telemachus again and bid him good night & farewell. odysseus offered to walk back to the cove with him, but poseidon waved him off and told him to stay with his family*

[littleeliza-lotte]

Morgan Gregory debut as Percy Jackson

*Do not share outside of Tumblr without permission*

I’d like to note, he did this with no rehearsal! He found out at 11 that morning and went on for the 1:30 and 6:00 PM shows (I did actually put 7:30 on the recording though) Very impressive!

[dbdaficexchange]

Dead Boy Detectives Fic Exchange

Welcome to the Dead Boy Detectives Fic Exchange! It is, as the name suggests, a fanfiction exchange for the Dead Boy Detectives fandom.

The minimum word count is just 500 words.

Schedule:

Nominations Open: Open now! Nominations Close: Saturday November 9, 2024 Sign-ups Open: Sunday November 10, 2024 Sign-ups Close: Saturday November 16, 2024 Works due: Wednesday December 18, 2024 Works revealed: Tuesday December 24, 2024

Sign-ups are open now!

Visit the tag set to see which relationships have been nominated. Please visit AO3 to see our rules and FAQs.

Please share to help spread the word.

[mydaylight]

Lan Yingying as Huanbi / Niohuru Yuyin

LEGEND OF ZHEN HUAN (2012), dr. Zheng Xiaolong

Happy birthday @missbrunettebarbie! 🥳🥳🥳

[autisticandhyperfixatingg]

OMG GUYS I'M SITTING IN A FIRST ROW SEAT TO WATCH HAMILTON RIGHT NOW!!!!

This has been a life goal for a while now, and I honestly can't believe I'm actually here

[grits-galraisedinthesouth]

Correction for Anon who wrote about BRF palace GIFT policies as told by Wendy Berry in her book The Housekeeper's Diary.

According to page 182 in Berry's book, that "incinerator purge" only happened on one (1) occasion. Charles was redecorating Highgrove to seemingly erase every trace of his soon to be former life with Diana.

Grief can make people do stupid things...😬

[nocturnalnewsiestrash]

A gift for @gali-in-distress I hope you like it!

Some Hurt/comfort art I made for the Bessoted Little Brats server gift exchange that I thought I would share here too

[personinthepalace]

My Lady Jane - World’s Smallest Violin (AJR)

for @incendiaglacies - Happy Birthday!

[the-wales-5]

"Scene of the crime" ;)

21st November 2023.

William and Catherine were getting ready to leave for a meeting with the President & First Lady of the Republic of Korea.

The prince of Wales approached his wife and said “You look stunning today, especially in this red coat”, then he proceeded to kiss her on the lips.

"Thank you" Catherine said and smiled a little bit "But please stop with these comments now, we're getting late" she added.

William shook head and hugged her from behind. But Catherine was annoyed. She tried not to show it and sighed, but William could feel that she was frustrated so he asked: "What's going on?"

"I already told you that we're getting late" Catherine replied and rolled her eyes a little.

"No, we're not really late. There's still half an hour left for us to leave",William said and again wanted to kiss her but she rejected it once more and sighed as she looked at her reflection in the mirror.

"We'll get late. Are you ready now?",William asked after a few minutes

"Oh, all of a sudden you are worried about us getting late" she shouted, then scoffed and left the room.

*

“I just wanted to kiss you but you're acting like a teenager” William said when they were in the car a few minutes later.

“Just one kiss would turn to something more within seconds and I don't like that when we're about to attend an engagement, you know?” Catherine scoffed

“Recently you are annoyed about everything I see” William rolled his eyes

“What do you mean?” Catherine asked louder

“Absolutely nothing” he said and ignored her.

10 minutes later, Catherine left the car and her pictures made the whole royal side of social media blow. Fans were amazed by one of the pictures and by her outfit too.

But the Princess was far from being happy. She quickly curtsied to the king and then stood next to her husband during the horse guard parade.

He quickly understood his mistake and tried to make her smile by talking to her. Kate hardly tried to ignore it and was not paying attention to William nor his words. Yet, she almost smiled at one point.

He leaned close to her and whispered

“You're smiling, Mrs Wales”.

At last, she turned her head to him and smiled once again. Now it was more visible, but after a second, she looked in front of herself again.

Soon, they were at Buckingham Palace to see the exhibition. It was supposed to begin in the next ten minutes. All of a sudden, Catherine's husband took her hand into his and pulled her toward a quiet and dark corner of the room.

“Forgive me” he said then.

"I already did. By the way, what are you doing? I need to fix my hair now because I don't want to wear this hat inside. And the exhibition starts soon. We can talk later, William" she said.

He looked into her eyes and slowly took off her hat, letting her gorgeous brown hair scattered across her back.

Catherine giggled a little "What are you doing?"

"You said you wanted to take this hat off, right? I helped you” William said.

Kate pretended to be annoyed but he pulled her even closer "It's an official apology.. I am really sorry for annoying you earlier. Please, say we're okay now" he whispered.

Catherine was looking into his eyes for a few seconds. Then she whispered "Yes, I think we are okay now”

William smiled and gently pressed his lips on hers "And let me just repeat, you're stunning today. You always are!" he whispered.

Catherine caressed his cheek "Thank you.. I am sorry for shouting at you" she said.

“Don't be sorry, my wife” William whispered and fixed her hair a little.

One of Buckingham Palace aides cleared his throat “Sir, Ma'am. The exhibition starts soon”.

William put his hand on her back and asked “Ready?”. She nodded and put her hand on his lower back.

During the exhibition, they were caught on camera putting hands on one another's back, at one moment they even wanted to hold hands but then remembered they were on duties and quickly took apart and giggled.

“Thank god, we're going back home soon” William murmured

“What is on your mind, Mr Wales?” Catherine smirked but he didn't reply, decided to tease her and 'ignore' her just like she did at the parade earlier.

On the way home in the car, they were caressing one another's hand. Words were unnecessary between them.

*

As soon as they reached the house, they did not wait even for a second before closing the door. When she noticed that William wanted to say something, Catherine teased him “Don't talk now. You wanted to kiss me, remember?”

William looked at her and smirked a little before passionately pressing his lips on hers and taking off her red coat at the same time.

Catherine was smiling between those kisses.

"How much time we've got until you have to start preparing?" William asked her in a whisper

"A little bit more than 2 hours I think but you know that our children can come here” Catherine said. William locked the door and replied “It's not possible anymore, babe”.

He kissed her under her ear and Kate trembled as she said “It is insane”

“What is insane?” He asked and continued to kiss her

“I'm already not okay after your kisses” she said and tightly closed her eyes.

William chuckled, then lifted her up in his arms and laid her down on the bed.

Catherine smiled at him a little and said “You're wearing too many clothes”

“And you are allowed to take them off” William smirked

His wife took his suit and tie off and then said “Your shirt.. Can I take it off too?”

“Of course, my wife”

“Tear it?” She smirked as she remembered their honeymoon phase in 2011

“You can do everything you want to me now, Catherine Elizabeth. I'm yours” William whispered and kissed her on the lips again.

She smiled lovingly but her facial expression changed to a smirk as she tore his white shirt. Seconds later she pretended to be innocent as she said “I am sorry. I'll have to buy you a new one for Christmas”.

“I don't mind that” William smirked before kissing her on her neck. Catherine gasped and tried to control her breath but it was becoming heavier with each one of the kisses he placed on her skin.

“You are.. insane now” she managed to say and trembled for the thousandth time.

“It is your fault, Mrs Wales. I have been waiting for this moment since I saw you in this” he said and then slowly took off the red dress she was wearing under her coat early in the day “You looked so beautiful and I couldn't resist but wanted to kiss you”.

Catherine was smiling as she tried to focus on listening to his words. She blushed when she heard him say “I barely controlled myself from kissing you earlier at the parade today after noticing your sweet little smile”

“I would reject you. I was angry” Catherine said and winked, then she was finally able to press her lips on his. William cupped her face in his hands and whispered as he looked into her green eyes:

“Don't get angry at me anymore. I can't function properly when you are annoyed toward me, you know?”.

Catherine nodded and kissed him again, this time on his neck too. William deepened another of his lip kisses and then proceeded to kiss both of her flushed cheeks, down her chin, throat and neck again. Within time those kisses turned into little bites.

Catherine's eyes widened and she whispered his name breathlessly.

“Hsshh..” William shushed her with a soft kiss on her forehead and looked into her eyes for a second. He kept kissing her, leaving marks all over her neck and rest of her body. She could not say anything and did not want to.

Both of them were completely lost in one another at that moment and the rest of the two hours they had were spent on making love and telling sweet nothings to each other.

*

“We should get up now and start to prepare for the banquet” Catherine whispered as she caressed her husband’s back.

“I'd rather stay here and continue what we were doing, you know?” He smirked

“We have a reception to attend, my silly William” she said and laughed a little “We can continue that later tonight”.

Then, she wore one of his shirts and sat down in front of the mirror. Next thing he heard was her sigh full of annoyance and her words:

“Look what you've done to my neck, Mr Wales”

“And who's done this to my neck and chest, Mrs Wales?” William pointed at himself and smirked again.

Catherine closed her eyes and tried not to laugh. “I hope I can cover these marks you left on me with make-up” she said and pretended to feel angry.

William kissed her on the forehead and then went to take a quick shower. Catherine looked at the ceiling and sighed happily. “This is unbelievable that we're still in a honeymoon phase sometimes” she whispered and tried not to blush

“Would you like to join?” William asked from the bathroom

“NOO!” Catherine said and laughed “Hurry up, I have to take a shower too!” .

Within the next 20 minutes, Catherine finished her shower time as well and sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror “My hair's a mess right now”.

“May I help you to fix it somehow?” William asked and caressed her shoulder “You know, I help you with your hair often”

“Yes, but only at home”

“Not only there, remember the time before our wedding reception?”

“It was a simple blow dry”

“Come on, it doesn't mean I can't do anything more” he said and took her comb and hair dryer in his hand “Let us try it”.

Catherine smiled a little and again looked at love bites on her neck.

“I wonder how much make-up will I have to put here” she wondered

“It's not my fault” William said innocently and chuckled a little “I am afraid you won't be able to hide it completely” he teased her

“Don't say that!” Catherine sighed “What if they see it?” She blushed then

“You should not be worried about that” William replied

“You don't know what you are saying because your marks will not be seen in pictures” she blushed again.

William chuckled softly and kissed her on the forehead “I am sure you will cover them perfectly. Don't worry. Are you planning to do an updo tonight?I was thinking about an half up and half down just like you did for our wedding”

"It's a perfect idea. And I think it will fit the tiara I want to wear tonight" Catherine said and looked at her husband

"Your wedding one?" William laughed

"No, my wedding one is too significant to wear again" Catherine smiled

"Cambridge Lover's Knot again?” William asked and rolled his eyes a little “Or else the Lotus, right?” He said

"No, something new for me this time" Catherine smiled a little "The Strathmore tiara”

"The Strathmore?” William was quite shocked “Pa gave you the Strathmore? Is it repaired now? It hasn't seen light for like 100 years!”

"Yes but it's beautiful and I can't wait to wear it" Catherine said

"You will look drop dead gorgeous with it" William said and smiled “Let's try make your hair perfect for it”

"Okay" Catherine smiled and tried not to blush again. She was relaxed now and completely forgot about that pointless fight with William.

The Prince of Wales was not skilled at hairdressing but he did the draft very well and Catherine was impressed.

"Do you like it?" He asked after seeing a little smile on her face

"Yes, it reminds me of my wedding hair a little bit. Thank you" she said.

"You're welcome, but I think Natalie will have to fix it a bit and then you'll be perfect to go" William said and kissed her on hand “I'll wait downstairs” he added. Catherine smiled at his way and called Natalie to help her.

*

They were in the car a few minutes later on the way to Buckingham Palace. William was looking at his wife almost all the time, feeling mesmerised by her beauty. Catherine knew about looks he was sending her and squeezed his hand a few times throughout the way. Before they arrived in front of the palace, the princess checked herself in the mirror and said quietly “Oh no.. Why didn't I notice it earlier? It is too late now to fix it”

“What?” William asked as he looked at her

Catherine did not reply but pointed at her neck and sighed.

“It is not that dark or visible if one would not look too closely” William said

“I should have noticed it before” Kate closed her eyes, feeling embarrassed and angry too.

“They will not notice it, Catherine”

“How can you be so sure?” she sighed “It is rather easy to see it, especially with the cameras nowadays, you know?” she scoffed

“Stop worrying, please. Everything will be okay”

Catherine rolled her eyes a little and then sighed "Well.. I hope you are right because now I can't fix it anymore”

"I am right. Let's get inside now" William whispered and gently kissed her on cheek before leaving the car.

They were photographed at the door and those photos went viral on social media. Eagle-eyed followers noticed a bite mark on Catherine's neck.

William's wife was smiling, but in the back of her mind, she still had these thoughts full of annoyance at herself. However, she started to feel more relaxed when Princess Anne approached her.

"Someone's left a mark of his crime!" Anne teased Catherine at some point of their conversation. Kate didn't know what to say, she just blushed a little and then looked away.

Anne chuckled and looked at William who mouthed from afar: "Is everything alright?”.

"Yes" Catherine mouthed too and then chuckled. She looked at Anne and said "You should tease him, not me”

"He's tensed enough already" Anne said and laughed a little,"I didn't want to embarrass him even more”

"But you had to embarrass me, yes?" Catherine rolled her eyes a little but then laughed too.

"You are my favourite, you know that” Anne said and winked.

They continued their talk, and Catherine finally could feel relaxed.

When the banquet ended and they were in the car, William asked his wife about her conversation with his aunt.

"Among other things, we talked about a love bite, thanks to you" Catherine replied and rolled her eyes a little.

William sighed and said "I thought nobody would notice"

"Your aunt has an eagle eye, unfortunately," Catherine replied

"I'm sorry, Kate..” William whispered.

Catherine looked at him and smiled a little."Why are you being sorry? It's not anything serious, Wills” she said quietly.

"But she embarrassed you" William said

"She is my family and one of the best people for us at the moment, and she made me laugh anyway, so I don't see a problem" Catherine said quietly and smiled.

“So, you are okay?”

Catherine nodded and caressed his cheek,"I haven't been happier like today for a long time" she whispered and placed her head on his shoulder as hugging his arm "Kiss my forehead now” she whispered again.

William smiled at her lovingly, then gently kissed her on the forehead and told her that he loved her. The night outside the car window was a beautiful one, but for Catherine's husband, she was the most important at that particular moment.

The end ♡

[7pleiades7]

Juno Showering Gifts on Venetia (1554-1556) by Paolo Veronese (1528–1588), oil on canvas, 365 × 147 cm, Doge's Palace, Palazzo Ducale, Venice

[felixravinstills]

inspired by @persephoneprice's post

(each answer comes with a free lab rat)

[ereborne]

Song of the Day: December 18

“On the Steps of the Palace" from Stephen Sondheim's best musical "Into the Woods" (I'm partial to the original Broadway cast recording, but the 2002 revival is also good)