#jokes aside it was a lovely walk beautiful scenery and air so clean my allergies disappeared hay fever who

[banana-milk-enthusiast]

Mono Cliffs Provincial Park

[dcbbw]

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words....Together

This is my submission for the Choices Fandom Game: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words. My picture was given to me by the very awesome @blackcatkita and is below. This is a one-off taking place at the end of TRR Book 3. I went way over a thousand words. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please excuse any typos and/or grammatical errors.

All characters belong to Pixelberry.

Song Inspiration: Why, Annie Lennox:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG7I4oniOyA

Word Count: 2311

Madeleine x Hana, Hana Lee

Writer Tags: @speedyoperarascalparty @ao719 @leelee10898 @riseandshinelittleblossom @zaffrenotes @drakewalkerwhipped @stopforamoment @annekebbphotography @lizeboredom @boneandfur @mind-reader1 @jovialyouthmusic @ooo-barff-ooo @bobasheebaby @ownworldresident @hopefulmoonobject @sleepwalkingelite @likethetailofacomet @silviasutton1989 @blackcatkita @blackcoffee85 @kennaxval @andy-loves-corgis @callmetippytumbles @iplaydrake @the-everlastingdreams @brightpinkpeppercorn @agent-bossypants @tornbetween2loves @jlouise88 @choicesbyjade @breaumonts @thehonorarybeaumont @pixelsandkink @innerpostmentality @katedrakeohd @darley1101 @carabeth @sirbeepsalot

Reader Tags: @cocomaxley @mfackenthal @moneyfordiamonds @romanticatheart-posts @choicesarehard @gibbles82

My tag list: @gennesaret @aworldoffandoms @sirbeepsalot @katedrakeohd @hopefulmoonobject @simsvetements @cora-nova @carabeth @custaroonie @liamxs-world @lauradowning29 @speedyoperarascalparty @thequeenofcronuts @wickedgypsymoon @timmagicktoad

“So where are we headed?” Hana’s hair blew around her face as she stared out the passenger window at the passing scenery. The rolling green hills were beautiful to watch as the car zipped along the road. The day was warm, but not warm enough for air conditioning, so she had let her window down. The smell of nature filled her nostrils.

Madeleine turned her head briefly to look at Hana. God, she is so beautiful. “It isn’t far from here. We’re staying on the grounds, just on the outskirts.”

“I had no idea your estate was this huge.”

“One of the oldest and largest in Cordonia. I think only Duchy Krona and the Palace grounds rival it.” There was unmistakable pride in Madeleine’s voice.

“And why are we going to wherever it is we’re headed?”

“Can’t a girl want a weekend away with her favorite person?” Madeleine grinned at Hana. She wanted to take a hand off the wheel to stroke Hana’s cheek, but the careful driver in her wouldn’t allow it. She settled for saying, “You are so beautiful, Hana. Maybe the most beautiful person I have ever seen.”

Hana was uncomfortable with compliments. She never knew what to say, so she gave Madeleine her default response. “No, my dear, you are the most beautiful.”

“Stop that!” Madeleine’s voice frustrated. “I do not compliment you looking for one in return. Hell, I am not even complimenting you.” Madeleine shook her head as she took a deep breath. “Hana, when I tell you these things, it is what I see in you. What I notice about you. I offer you these observations for you to accept them, that’s all.”

Even after months of dating, Hana still got wary of Madeleine when she was too nice for too long. She was used to the Madeleine of the social season and the engagement tour. That Madeleine she could handle, and she broke out her trusty argument yet again to goad that Madeleine into making an appearance.

“I hope your surprise has no chocolate, you know given your allergy and all.”

Madeleine smacked the steering wheel in anger. “How many times are you going to bring up the chocolate allergy thing? Look, it was wrong. I know you put a lot of thought and effort into the event. But I was insecure, and trying to wield as much of the little power I had while I could. I can’t keep on apologizing for that.”

“You can and you will!” You know why I keep bringing it up? Because I have no idea when this Madeleine”, she gestured to Madeleine, “will leave and that one will show up. A snake without fangs is still a snake.”

Madeleine pulled the car over and looked at her stunned. “So you think I am a snake?” She asked the question slowly.

Hana continued to stare at Madeleine, the resolve in her eyes wavering. “Sometimes.”

“Jesus Christ, Hana! I have been called many a thing: crown chaser, she-devil, bitch even. Never a snake. Wait, that one time Riley said it as a joke, but never by a lover, of all people.” Madeleine exhaled a long sigh. “Think what you will, but since we have been together, I have been nothing but sweet, caring, considerate and accommodating of you, your feelings, your needs. I am trying really hard to be a better person for you. A little acknowledgement would be appreciated.” Madeline pulled back onto the road. As she concentrated on driving, she said evenly, “The devil isn’t as black as you paint her, Hana.”

Hana looked out the window, blinking back tears. Why did I say that? Why do I keep starting that argument?

“I’m sorry”, she said softly. “I just…I just get scared.”

Madeleine was silent the remainder of the trip.

Twenty minutes later, Madeline spoke abruptly, breaking the silence. “We’re here.” The car pulled to a stop in the back of a wooden cabin. Behind the cabin, there were lush woods. The cabin backed onto a lake, and a red canoe sat at the edge of a makeshift deck/dock.

Hana looked around, her eyes wide. “This is amazing, Maddy! Do you come here often?”

Madeleine was busying herself with unloading bags from the car. “I used to when I was younger. I would come here on weekends to escape my parents, and pretend I was an adult, living on my own. I would sit in the canoe in the evenings, and read books.”

“Did you ever bring anyone with you?”

“No. You are the first person I have ever brought here. Well, aside from servants.” She looked over at Hana as she set pieces of luggage on the ground. “Just so you know, no servants this trip, so cooking and cleaning are on us. I had them bring groceries this morning, so we do have food.”

“You can’t cook”, Hana protested.

Madeleine arched an eyebrow, and there was a hint of teasing in her voice. “I pour a mean bowl of cereal, and make excellent sandwiches, thank you very much.”

Each lady grabbed her bags and trudged to the back door. Madeleine unlocked the door, and stepped inside to disarm the alarm system. Hana walked in behind her, eyes wide as she took in the state of the art kitchen. Hana dropped her bags in the kitchen as Madeleine kept going to one of the bedrooms.

Hana was looking in the refrigerator when Madeleine returned. “We have steaks, chicken, fish, potatoes and veggies. Maybe we’ll have steaks, baked potatoes, and salad for dinner?”

“Sounds fine. I’ll check the wine cellar to see if there’s anything that pairs well with rustic.”

Hana shook her head, a small smile spreading across her face at “rustic”. Anything not brought to Madeleine on a platter by a servant was rustic. “Will you make the salad?”

“Sure.” Madeleine’s tone was neutral, but Hana knew she was still hurt.

Hana busied herself cooking dinner, while Madeleine searched the wine cellar. She emerged 30 minutes later with a bottle of Bordeaux. She then rummaged in the fridge for the vegetables to make a salad. She rinsed the ingredients, then grabbed a bowl from one of the cabinets. She did not speak one word to Hana.

After a few minutes, she announced the salad was ready. Hana was removing the potatoes from the oven. “Oh, good! Can I see it?” Madeleine slid the bowl across the counter to her.

Hana looked in the salad bowl and back up at Madeleine, a frown on her face. “That salad is making a pretty passive-aggressive statement.”

Madeleine looked at the bowl of whole lettuce, two whole tomatoes, an uncut cucumber, and a whole, unpeeled onion. “What? I promised cereal and sandwiches only.”

Hana grabbed the bowl. “I’ll wrap it up and make us a proper salad for lunch tomorrow.”

Madeleine shrugged. “Fine with me.”

Hana plated their dinners and brought the food to the table. They ate in near silence as they alternated between gazing at their food and out the window at the peaceful lake. Both wrapped up in memories.

Liam and Riley were away on their honeymoon. Madeleine had just been named the Royal Communications Director, and Hana had been appointed a Guardian of the Realm, as well as a member of the newly formed Royal Council. Hana was still at the Palace while she debated whether to move into Valtoria before or after Riley’s return. She wanted to wait until Riley’s return because Valtoria would be empty, but so was the Palace. Liam and Riley were honeymooning, Drake was splitting time between Lythikos with Olivia and Rashad’s estate working on some public land negotiations, and Maxwell was gearing up for his upcoming book tour.

Madeleine was still at the Palace because her new position would keep her in the Capitol more often than not; until she got a good feel for her duties and time actually needed in the office, it seemed best to stay put for the time being. The two women passed each other nearly every day, Hana avoiding Madeleine’s eyes and speaking only when necessary, and Madeleine gauging when to shoot her shot. Again. Hana had already refused her offer to dance at the bachelorette party, and had barely accepted her apology after the wedding.

Then one day, she came across Hana playing a game of ring toss by herself and asked if she could join. That led to having breakfast together, then lunches on a weekly basis, then dinners, and eventually Saturday date nights. The more time they spent together, the more fascinated Madeleine became with Hana; for Hana, she began letting her guard down slowly, and found herself wondering what it would be like to kiss Madeleine. One Saturday night, after too much wine and too much food, Hana found herself stretched out across Madeleine’s bed, watching her undress, preparing for bed..

“I like you. Like the way Liam likes Riley.”

“Liam loves Riley”, Madeleine laughed at Hana.

“I like you and want to kiss you.”

Madeleine looked at her in surprise. She had wanted the same thing for weeks, but wanted to be cautious. She did not want to scare Hana or be rejected again, and being with a woman was uncharted territory for her. But if the lady was asking….

Madeleine walked over to the bed, lying beside Hana. Green eyes met brown eyes and held. Madeleine’s hand reached out to touch Hana’s cheek as she leaned in to kiss her. Soft lips met soft lips, tongues lightly darting before Hana pulled Madeleine in closer, deepening the kiss. Their first time was amazing, wonderful, and for Madeleine, she knew why it never worked out with anyone else. If she was unsure of her feelings for Hana before, she was certain now. She was in love with Hana Lee.

And they had been together ever since…..

They finished dinner, Madeleine offering to do the dishes. “I’ll dry”, Hana said. They quickly tidied the kitchen and Madeleine went into the den to pull a book from the bookshelf.

“Going to the canoe to read.”

Hana looked at her. “May I join you?”

“Do what you want”, Madeleine’s tone was noncommittal.

The two women crossed the yard, headed towards the dock. Hana reached her hand out to grab Madeleine’s; Madeleine immediately took it. They made their way down the stairs, and Madeleine helped Hana into one end of the canoe, then settled herself into the other end.

Hana looked at Madeleine with sad eyes and blurted out, “I’m sorry! I keep pushing your buttons because I just can’t believe you want me, you love me. All my life, no matter how pretty I am, how smart and talented I am…I always lose. And since the wedding, you have been incredible, like a whole different Maddy, and as wonderful as she is, I keep waiting for this to be a cruel joke. I keep waiting to lose again.” Hana’s voice was breaking.

After a few moments of silence, Madeleine spoke. “You’re infuriating.” She scooped a handful of the cool water and flicked it in Hana’s direction.

“I know in my efforts to keep you from leaving, I seem to keep pushing you away. Please…please give me a little more time to trust you. To trust myself.”

“I’m not leaving”, Madeleine said simply. “I know better than most what that feels like. I’m going to stay and fight for us.”

“Are you sure it’s just so you aren’t rejected a third time?” Hana’s hand flew to her mouth.  Oh, crap! That came out all kinds of wrong! “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! It didn’t sound like that in my head.”

Madeleine winced inwardly, but heard the sincerity in Hana’s tone. “Maybe I’m staying because I found someone worth the fight.”

“It’s just that I have never been enough.” Hana looked out at the water.

“You have been giving the right parts of yourself to the wrong people. You will never be enough for the wrong people.”

“Why are you willing to fight for us?”

“You love me.” Madeleine said simply. “I can be a horrible person, I am a difficult person. When we first met, I treated you as less than and that is something I will always regret and will forever be sorry about. But you gave me a chance; a chance for true friendship, and then at true love. I am in love with you Hana, and if it means having the same argument every day for the rest of our lives, then we’re having that argument.”

“Our parents….” Hana’s voice trailed off.

“Screw our parents. We have lived every day for their approval, and die each night from their rejection. I want to live my remaining days for your approval, not theirs.”

A breeze came across the lake, causing Hana to shiver. “You’re cold”, Madeleine observed. “Come here.”

Hana made her way gingerly to Madeleine, and settled against her, her back pressing against Madeleine’s chest. Madeleine wrapped her arms around Hana. “Better?” Hana nodded. Madeleine leaned in to kiss Hana’s neck.

“What are you reading?” Hana snuggled in closer.

Madeleine picked up the well-worn paperback, and read the cover. “Wuthering Heights.”

“Oooohhhh, scandalous!” Hana squealed. “Read it to me?”

Madeleine smiled. “Of course.”

And as the sun set over the lake, the two lovers sat cuddling in the wooden canoe, reading Emily Bronte. Together.