#lavender marriage spouses comforting each other <3< /div> Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[sachingja]

"It's okay if you fall asleep." glinda for fiyero!

he watches her, always watches her — doesn't have much else to look at all day long, the hours dwindling away one clock-tick at a time, drawing him in restless shades until, finally, he will be dismissed and given the freedom to pursue whatever he desires / as carefully as he could be, on the lookout for her, or for whatever he craves that particular day. this night, he found it in the chambers of a young tailor, who caught his eyes weeks ago on a stroll through the emerald paved city. these encounters, however rare they are, might satiate a physical need but never give him what he is really looking for, that empty space in the concave between his ribs impossible to ever be filled. he found it once, almost had it, and then it flew off into the skies towards greener pastures and left the both of them behind.

glinda understands, he knows as much. she understands better than most, than anyone else perhaps, and they understand each other. it's all they have inside the stifling palace walls, where the hallways, doorways, and floors have eyes and ears.

fiyero is slow as he strips off his uniform, the buckles coming apart slowly beneath his clumsy fingers. his bones ache but it is what they do these days, not enough rest in between frequent trips into the desert and further out; he has been to kiamo ko on the off chance elphaba might be hiding there. the only friend he has ever really known to see beneath the shallow into the depths of him, where unhappiness seemed to encapsulate every inch of him. steadfast, endless. another yearning ache. he is exhausted, but they both know he won't stop until he finds her — glinda, for as much as she loves to claim otherwise in the public eye, would never let him cease before they would have a definite answer. and in the meantime, he will keep his ear to the ground, on the off-chance that, perhaps, their alliances might be closer than they'd think.

now, though, he is too tired to resist her. it happens like this always, their bed a little too inviting, the sweet promise of sleep beckoning him closer. " i will have to wake early for the shift change, anyway, " he murmurs, but sinks into the soft mattress besides her, his head coming to rest on her thigh. she smells familiar, like home. " the new recruits would be sad to miss their captain of the guard, i am sure, " he says, a yawn stretching his jaw unattractively wide. years ago, he would have never done this in front of anyone, not even his own mirror. " you know, you do not need to wait up for me, right? " but a smile steals past his lips anyway; it is sort of nice to know there is at least someone waiting for him to come home.

⋆ . · * ·✵ · ✹ · ✹ *  gentle care / accepting.

[invsiblestrings]

midnights plot ideas

in honor of dr. swift's latest drop, here are *13* plot ideas based off midnights - 3 a.m. edition. there are some common themes from this album (imo) like learning to love again after heartache, maturing in relationships, wondering "what if?", and manipulating people & situations for better or worse. message me if you'd like to try any of these plots & feel free to reblog.

lavender haze: muse a has always put relationships and domesticity on the backburner, feeling torn between wanting a life partner and wanting to retain their own sense of self. muse b has always loved freely and never felt that happiness and connection were mutually exclusive. when they end up together, muse a has to figure out how to not get caught up in societal labels, timelines, and expectations - while muse b never had any expectations to begin with.

maroon: muse a and muse b met when life seemed simpler - shitty apartments & cheap wine in overcrowded big city apartments. it felt inevitable & easy falling in love then. but when muse a leaves the city & muse b can't (won't?) follow, it's time to see if their connection can survive distance, timing, sobriety, growing up, real life.

you're on your own kid: coming of age in the same small town, it seemed like muse a would always be around, so muse b never thought twice about getting around to finally acting on the simmering hot & cold connection they'd harbored for years. but muse a is getting older now, finding their footing in the world, and no longer content with always coming in last. will muse b ever get it together, or will they get left behind like their hometown?

midnight rain: the golden retriever/black cat trope. muse and muse b were so different, but they always said opposites attract, right? that is, until muse a got it in their mind to propose & muse b said... no. (champagne problems?..) just like that, it was over. and now muse b gets to watch muse a move on - new spouse, new life, and they try to believe they made the right choice all those years ago, but do the "what ifs" keep muse a up at night, too?

question...?: muse a and muse b had one chaotic, silly, perfect night together. for muse a, it felt like they'd finally made it out of the friendzone, like it was really the start of something. but then muse a learned that muse b had a partner all along, and maybe that night didn't mean to muse b what it meant to muse a after all, though they've never actually talked about it.

bejeweled: muse and muse b have been together for awhile now. they've traded the honeymoon phase and butterflies for contentment and routine. but muse a is getting a little too comfortable, and muse b feels forgotten and unappreciated, unsure if they can ever get back to that initial spark. maybe muse a just needs to be reminded of what they have - that muse b has options and can still command attention.

sweet nothing: after years of heartache & insecurity & betrayal, what muse a and muse b have found feels like home & safety & peace. it's the kind of connection that defies definition and makes no sense to the rest of the world and becomes the one thing muse a and b would do anything to defend. it's sacred.

mastermind: muse a and muse b are the ultimate "meet cute" success story. everyone says so. except that it wasn't divine coincidence after all - muse a had their sights on muse b for a long time, planned it all out in painstaking detail, and didn't give up until they could call muse b theirs. and the best part? muse b knew all along - let it happen - because they wanted it just as much.

high infidelity: muse a didn't realize that none of it - the house, the marriage, the picket fence - wasn't what they wanted until it was too late. or was it? now muse a is dipping dangerously into cheating territory and muse b is growing increasingly resentful as the gulf between them grows and grows.

glitch: muse a and b met and quickly became best friends, understanding each other in a way they hadn't found with anyone else. and muse b even became a sounding board for muse a's disastrous dating life horror stories. it worked because muse b was so totally not muse a's type. except one day, it's like a switch flipped & muse b is all muse a can think about, all they want. but how do they explain that to muse b, who so clearly wants to be just friends & has had to listen to all of muse a's flaws and failures?

would've, could've, should've: would it all have been different if muse a and muse b never met? could all the heartache have been spared? and if they could go back, would they even choose to do anything differently? because for all the tears and ghosts of memories and hitting each other where it hurts, there was no other love quite like it.

[bushcloverprincess]

Let me explain Sai and Ino's love life to everyone who is still saying "I don't know how they ended up together": 💜

People really be jumping to Boruto series without knowing what has happened in the Naruto series after the war arc. So here is Sai and Ino's relationship throughout the entire Naruto canon timeline.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN MANGA

First and foremost, Sai and Ino met in the very early episodes of Naruto Shippuden. Ino immediately had a crush on him because he was handsome, also noting that he looked like Sasuke. That is basically Ino, the flirty girl as we know. Having a crush and falling in love are two very different things.

Sai was introduced as a character with no emotions and feelings whatsoever. The reason why he thought Ino is "ugly" in their first interaction was because he didn't know what a real beauty is. He had no emotions/feelings, how do u expect him to understand beauty? Ironically, despite this, he called the opposite of what he thought at her, "Mrs. Beautiful" - building the foundation of SaiIno (Also Ino being the only person who didnt get insulted by Sai's nicknames.)

So, here Sai thought Ino was ugly and Ino had a crush on Sai solely because he was handsome. Two flaws, alright. Most of the fans know their relationship up to here. But that's not even close to the end of Sai and Ino's relationship before their marriage.

Moving on. As Sai and Ino are both side characters, they had almost no interactions on-screen afterwards in the manga, until the Fourth Shinobi War Arc. In the war, both Ino and Sai had each other in their Infinite Tsukyomi dreams. Ino dreamed of Sasuke and Sai fighting over her and Sai dreamed of Ino, along with his other close friends acknowledging his smile. (Sai's dream was in anime-only).

This proves that both have had interactions off-screen to the point that they were already very close friends before the war began. Morever, their Inifinte Tsukuyomi dreams reveal that by the war arc, Ino likes Sai as much as Sasuke (as she did not choose Sasuke over Sai in her ideal life/dream), and Sai likes Ino complimenting him.

During the long timeskip after the war Ino and Sai eventually starts dating. This was revealed in a spin-off manga chapter written in Akamaru's point of view by Kishimoto, where he spotted Sai and Ino together on a date and described them as "A couple totally on fire".

Around a decade later, in the very last chapter of the Naruto Shippuden manga (Chapter 700), they were shown married with a son together.

That's the end of Naruto manga contents for Sai and Ino's relationship, as expected not much because Naruto manga is NOT a romance manga.

BLANK PERIOD

Now, for those who wanted to know more about Sai and Ino's romance and the ship's further build up during the timeskip between the end of war and Boruto (Blank Period), there was a Novel series called Hiden. (Note: All Blank Period Hiden Novels are approved canon, illustrated and proof-read by Masashi Kishimoto, the author of the Manga himself). The Blank period is a part of the official canon timeline.

As mentioned above Novels are the stories of all the important events that took place during this blank period, including the romance between the characters. Get ready to hear one of the cutest love stories of Naruto series.

1- SHIKAMARU HIDEN NOVEL

Ino lost her crush on Sasuke long back and is pretty much not into any relationship. This was until in Shikamaru Hiden events, Ino read a letter which describes Sai's tragic life. Since then Ino wanted to know even more about him than she already does. Ino was sent on a mission with her fellow ninjas to help Shikamaru and save Sai, who has been caught in a very strong enslaving genjutsu by some enemies. Her top priority after reading the letter was nothing but to save Sai.

As they confronted the genjutsu-controlled Sai, for some reason Ino believed that she is the only person who could save Sai. Ino risked her life and used her Mind Transfer Jutsu on Sai, in other words, Ino's soul entered Sai's body. Ino dived deep into his mind but all she could see was darkness. She didn't give up and tried to find his soul by diving even deeper into his mind despite the fact that it could be a threat to her own soul too. Ino finally found Sai's soul crying deep inside, covered with his memories and darkness. Ino learnt about him (in the novel it says "She knew all about him so much that it hurt her"). Ino called out for him and showed his soul the path out of the darkness. Ino cleared his mind hence saving him from the genjutsu, also giving colors to his colorless soul. Ino's soul then hugged Sai's soul with a heartfelt smile ~ A hug between two souls.

This is the point where both of them fell deeply in love. The point Sai achieved his dream, the point where he got his emotions and feelings completely back. This is the first time he felt this much kindness from someone and learned what a true beauty is. When Sai is successfully saved by her, the two wake from Ino's jutsu and Sai finds himself resting on Ino's laps. Sai instinctively reaches for Ino's hands and he expresses his gratefulness to her, as her eyes begin to tear up, by affectionately calling her "Thankyou, Miss Beautiful". This time, he truly meaning this unlike the first time he called her beautiful. "Idiot" - replied Ino. And this time, Ino fell in love with Sai, not because he resembles Sasuke unlike the first time they met. This interaction was the complete opposite of the first time they met. This is how their love story began ladies and gentlemen. *Tears because how beautiful this is*

2- SAKURA HIDEN NOVEL

Later, while Ino and Sakura was on their way to Sand village to participate in an international Medical Ninja Conference, Ino reveals her love for Sai to Sakura after what happened. She was thinking of confessing her love to him properly but was unsure which flower to give him: Flower Dogwood or Lavender. Ino, the botanist explains that in Flower language, Dogwood means "Accept my feelings" while Lavender means "I'm waiting". Sakura tells that Ino was more of Flower Dogwood type, as she wants a direct answer from Sai. Whilst for Sakura herself, Lavender will be the best because she is willing to wait for Sasuke.

When they returned back to Konoha after the conference, Ino finds out Kakashi has sent Sai alone on a dangerous mission. Ino gets worried and questions his safety, and is angry that Kakashi let him go alone. After Sai returned and Sakura got kidnapped, Ino ran to Sai's place to inform him about Sakura's disappearance. When she arrives, she becomes flustered to see Sai only in his underwear, as he was taking a shower right before she came.

Following the crisis, Sai and Ino together goes on a mission alone to save Sakura upon Hokage's orders. They are the only couple besides Sakura and Sasuke who did a mission together alone in canon. Sai and Ino flew on a Choju Giga Bird, and Sai comforted Ino as she was afraid flying and had a difficulty maintaining the balance, causing her to feel a sweet warm sensation well up within her heart. They both together infiltrated a hideout. The Saiino duo's teamwork was amazing and flawless.

After Sakura is saved, they had to fight the enemies. Ino, who has been usually positioned near the back lines during close ranged combat situations was now instead supporting Sai with her taijutsu and healing Sai's injuries with her medical ninjutsu. Sai and Ino confronted a very powerful enemy, Magire who was drugged with Tailed Beast chakra, but their flawless teamwork and bond strength lead to their victory. Sakura, and Sai himself compliments Ino on how well she works together as a duo with Sai, getting Ino blush even more. Later Sakura prompted Ino and Sai to have a date dinner together, where Ino possibly confessed him with flower Dogwood and that is when they started dating.

3- KONOHA HIDEN NOVEL

As usual, Sakura and Ino keeps on fighting and competing, and now Ino takes a lot of pride with her blossoming relationship with Sai, claiming she has better love life than Sakura and that she will get married before her, much to Sakura's infuriation. After some days, Sai and Ino attended Naruto and Hinata's wedding ceremony as a dating couple holding hands, with everyone around them admiring their relationship. (Bonus: SaiIno is the only couple that was featured in The last opening of Naruto, Opening 20 (Karano Koroko).)

4- SASUKE SHINDEN: BOOK OF SUNRISE NOVEL

Later, after Ino was hospitalized due to the injuries she had after stopping an invasion, Sai was with her at the hospital all the time. Shikamaru and Chōji decide to visit Ino at the hospital and find that Sai is watching over her whilst she sleeps as he sketches a flower that Ino's mother brought her. Shikamaru and Chōji asks Sai to come with them for some investigation, but Sai remains, claiming that he will leave as soon as he has completed his drawing, however, Shikamaru notices several of Sai's already near-completed sketches in the trash as he exits. Sai intentionally made many half-complete drawings and discarded them before completion because he doesn't want to leave Ino. Shikamaru and Chōji realize that Sai did not want to leave Ino's side and begin discussing how much he has changed from the emotionless man he used to be after he met Ino.

Ino and Sai then got married, and had a wonderful wedding ceremony where Shikamaru and Choji were both so happy for Ino that they cried and wished their sensei, Asuma was there to see Ino. Sai and Ino's wedding ceremony is the only ceremony to have been mentioned after Hinata and Naruto's wedding. Well, that's the end of their relationship's details in the Blank Period Novels. Sweet, right?

NEW ERA: BORUTO ANIME, MANGA AND NOVELS

Sai, now married to Ino is the only male known to have taken his spouse's surname upon marriage, being now a part of the great Yamanaka Clan, finally having a family of his own. This family confronted gossips and prejudice from the villagers, and Ino's relationship with Sai was not well received by the Yamanaka Clan, all due to Sai's dark past in the currently disbanded Anbu Root. Despite all this, they managed to be as happy as ever. It is when he married to Ino and got to hold Inojin in his arms, Sai finally felt free and got control over his own life after years of being a puppet to Danzo.

As Boruto series is the story of the new generation, it's main focus from the Yamanaka Family is obviously Ino and Sai's son, Inojin Yamanaka. (Trivia: It is believed that Inojin's name is a mixture of Yamanaka Clan's customary name prefix "Ino" and the suffix "jin" is reference to Sai's late brother Shin). Sai has already told his son Inojin how his mother, Ino saved him with her shintenshin and how they fell in love, and Sai uses the same method (a hug or an affection) to calm Ino down when she gets upset or angry now. Boruto notes that Sai's only weakness is when it comes to Aunt Ino. According to Ino, Sai has never forgotten their anniversary throughout more than a decade they have been together. Although Ino remains as boisterous as ever, Sai is the sole person that gets Ino to fluster despite how angry or upset she is since beginning and even now.

According to Kakashi, Sai and Ino is the most beautiful couple he could imagine, and they both are so close that it seems they are glued to each other, noting that they are like a peculiar picture. Sai and Ino also often gets teased by their friends because how close and affectionate they are even in the public. Ino takes pride in Sai's ninja abilities and Sai takes pride and is proud of Ino's abilities. Ino is thankful that she moved on from Sasuke (Her childhood crush), because according to Boruto Manga, Ino now she feels bad for Sakura, whose husband, Sasuke visits her only very rarely, noting that she has been living such a perfect love-life that she cannot even imagine having a husband who is hardly at home. She is thankful for Sai, so is Sai for Ino. In one of the Boruto Novel it is stated about Ino:

"Because her husband was the one she knew was the best in the world" ~ 💜

SO,

I do not think this much of content, especially for a side-couple is less at all. It's more than enough, It's explained perfectly well. Only people who aren't having an idea on Naruto complete series will question or doubt SaiIno's relationship. So "Random couple", "Ino likes Sasuke because he looks like Sasuke", "Sai is a Sasuke rebound", "Ino lost to Sakura in love-life becuase she couldn't marry Sasuke" arguments are all total crap ~ 💕

AND FOR THOSE WHO SAYS SAI AND INO DOESN'T HAVE CHEMISTRY...

Sai was an emotionless and socially awkward boy who worked for the Root Section, meanwhile Ino was an emotional and lively sociable girl who works at a flower Shop, what else do you see other than the raging chemistry between this root and flower? The flower that baths in sunlight and the roots that grow in the dark! It has everything. They perfectly fits into the Yin (Sai) and Yang (Ino) philosophy Kishimoto seems to have considered when making the couples and friendships. As mentioned above Sai is the only man who can make Ino blush since beginning and even now! Ino had no problem with glomping on Sasuke and hugging him, but Sai calling her "Beautiful" makes her blush - See the difference? They both are perfect for each other. Ino gave colours to Sai's black & white life. Ino was a rainbow when Sai was colour blind. Not to mention they both wear crop-tops with exposed midriff. In addition Sai and Ino is the most affectionate couple who has shown most PDA (Public Display of Affection) content and closest moments together so far. I'd argue they have the most chemistry and couple symbolisms.

There, its done.

I hope its clear how they ended up together now 💕 So again, saying SaiIno is forced or random / Calling Sai a Sasuke Rebound / Saying Ino settled for Sai because she didn't get Sasuke as a plan B / Ino lost to Sakura in love life / Sai and Ino don't have chemistry- is making yourself a huge 🤡, actually an entire 🎪

Thankyou 💜

[thiswasinevitableid]

The Bachelor

A birthday gift for @bellafarallones. Part 3 of the TAZ Amnesty Bachelor AU (sternclay and indruck were the first two) AKA what Vincent was up to. Apollo is from my Amnesty Super Hero fic

The entire United States to choose from and this is the best the producers could find? He’s going to win this thing with his eyes closed. Then it’s a hop, skip, and jump to some endorsement deals, his own spin-off, and then a prime time hosting slot. 

Oh, and a marriage. But that should be easy; any guy would count themselves lucky to have him.

God, that pool will be great for Instagram shots. Luckily the producers knew their biggest draw when they saw him and agreed to let Indrid continue his work as Apollo’s personal photographer and assistant. He may be a disappointment to the Cold name, but he’s good with a camera and has no interest in being recorded for the show. And if, god forbid, Apollo comes down with a cold during filming, someone will be there to bring him Day-Quil. After all, if he lets anyone see Apollo in a vulnerable state, Apollo will just have to send their father an email about Indrid’s latest failure. 

“It’s times like this we should be grateful for our genes. I know I am.” He glances at his twin, pausing his gaze on his silver hair and tattoos.

“You dye yours too. And I think there are more than a few handsome men here, so don’t get cocky.” His attention shifts for a moment as a man dressed like Smokey the Bear passes them.

“Oh come on, even with those pretentious glasses you can see I’m a cut above.”

“If you say so. And if you want to do shots of you in your suit, we need to start soon, so kindly find your room so we can get on with it.”

--------------------------------------------------

Not only is this easy, it’s fun. The cameras love him, and most of his fellow contestants yield to him after one remark. He’s been watching Vincent, the bachelor for this season, closely during group interactions, and it’s clear he’s already developing favorites. Annoyingly, two in particular--Joseph and Duck--are more inclined to push back at him. But it doesn’t matter; everyone has weaknesses. He’ll find theirs soon. 

Tonight is his first formal date with Vincent. They’re at an Italian place with good lighting, and Vincent is perfectly nice to look at in his lavender dress shirt and silver tie. Apollo’s done his research; Vincent is ten years his senior, took an early retirement from a position in the department of defense and now runs two consulting businesses; one for banks and museums and one for domestic violence shelters, health clinics, and other places where doing good draws enemies. The first business subsidizes the second. Vincent enjoys tennis and running, has no Instagram presence, and is an only child. 

Apollo has his plan of attack; the trouble is, Vincent isn’t interested in sitting there and being flattered (though he does blush when Apollo says the tie makes the grey in his hair look all the more distinguished). He wants to know about Apollo. 

“When you’re not taking photos, what do you like to do?”

He doesn’t correct him about who takes the pictures, smiles, “I, ah, I go to the gym.”

“I have to say it shows.” Vincent winks. It’s so corny, but Apollo can’t find it in him to hate it, “any sports, or just things like weights and cardio?”

‘

“No, but I played football in high school. I was star running back.”

“I played my freshman year, but baseball suited me better. So when you're not ‘pumping iron’, what do you do for fun?”

There is no answer that won’t make him look too shallow or too...no, he can’t even think about that option. Damn it, he must have a normal hobby. He hedges with the truth and hopes the editors cut it for time. 

“I like movies. I, ah, I’ve been working my way through the Criterion Collection of the birth of cinema  and it’s fascinating. Did you know there was a silent film heartthrob who predates Valentino?”

“Sessue Hayakawa?” 

“You know about him?” He leans forward.

“I read a biography of him last year that was riveting. I still have it if you’d like to borrow it.”

“Yes, yes absolutely. We, we could even watch some of his films together, and the ones they inspired, you know they, they…” 

Fuck, he’s acting like Indrid, bumping the table and yammering about things that will get him nowhere. He sits back, grabs his wine and sips to cover his error. 

“I’d like that.” Is all Vincent says as they’re entrees arrive. 

“Enough about me. I was reading about your business and, ah, well, how do you even do something like that?”

Vincent describes his process, how he picks clients and what he considers when evaluating a space. Apollo fully intends to zone out with a smile. 

He hangs on every word. All too soon, Vincent is asking for dessert. 

“Is your meal okay?”

Apollo looks at the plate of spaghetti carbonara he’s been poking at, not wanting to be caught in an ugly expression while eating, “Yes, it’s delicious.”

Dessert arrives in the shape of a chocolate lava cake with sparklers, a detail which delights Vincent. It’s such a ridiculous thing to smile over. Apollo smiles back, and let’s his date feed him a bite of cake. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Was the beach trip self-serving on Vincent’s part? Indeed. Has it also given him valuable intel? Yes, yes it has.

He now knows who’s going home next; Nico is such a fraternity-bred asshole that he should have sent him packing weeks ago. Honestly, all his comments about Barclay this morning were awful. Barclay is masculine and sweet in a way Vincent adores. He even helped Joseph during the cliff dive, which bumps him even higher in Vincent’s eyes. 

Joseph stealthily knocking Nico’s hat from his head with a frisbee was also a high point; goodness, Joseph reminds him of men he used to work with who he never, ever, admitted his feelings for (they were often his subordinates, and he prided himself on keeping a safe department). 

Then there’s Duck. Vincent would like an award for not spending the morning asking to rub sunblock on those arms. He’s been treated to a closer view of them the last half-hour, Duck sitting next to him in a Hawaiin shirt that shows off his biceps. The ranger just now excused himself (“gotta give the other fellas a chance to impress”) to go keep Indrid company during dinner. Polite and friendly to the core, that’s his favorite bear. 

And then there’s-

“Hiiii Vincent.” Apollo slides into the spot closest to him on the restaurant deck. 

Were Vincent choosing for an evening, Apollo would edge out even Duck. He suspects getting the younger man under some comfortable sheets to praise and fuss over him would be very nice indeed. Apollo may posture and insist to the others that he’s the dominant one in the bedroom, but this isn’t Vincent’s first go around; he knows someone who longs to be spoiled and submissive when he sees one.

But he’s here to choose his husband, not a hook-up. 

He initially assumed he’d send Apollo home after their first formal date. He knows these shows sometimes attract people who want their fifteen minutes of fame, and Apollo is one of them. But then his meticulously built image cracked, just a little, as they talked, and Vincent is so taken by what he saw that he can’t bring himself to send him home yet.

The older man slides the younger one an oyster, “try one, they’re local.”

There’s no appealing way to eat an oyster on camera, but Apollo lifts a shell and downs one. He does an excellent job masking his grimace.

“Another? Or would you like one of the grilled scallops instead?”

He watches him run a calculus. Then he slides his sunglasses down, “Scallop, please.”

Maybe there’s hope for him yet.

-------------------------

“Indrid, Vincent hates me!”

Indrid blinks at him.

“One of the other contestants got them to show him a bunch of footage of me putting the other men in their place and now he hates me.” Genuine panic rises in his chest as Indrid gives him absolutely no expression to work from. 

“What do you want me to do?”

“Talk to him, tell him that I’m not-”

“What you actually are? Vincent is here to choose a spouse; he has a right to not choose you.”

“Fix. It.” Apollo snarls.

His twin stands, regarding him from across the rug, “I will speak to Vincent, on one condition; you do not go after Duck ever again.”

“Traitor, you should be on my side, not his.”

Indrid shrugs, sits back down and picks up his book. 

“I’ll, I’ll tell father you’re sabotaging me.”

“You think he’ll like to hear you’re being out done by his inferior son?”

“....Damn it. Fine, fine. I’ll leave Newton alone. Now go.”

His brother has the audacity to grin at him, “I will, right after I finish this chapter.”

---------------------------------------------

He’s sitting with Duck and Joseph, asking their opinion, when Indrid enters the living room.

“Did Apollo send you?” Vincent picks lint from his cardigan. 

“Yes. He’s asking me to intercede on his behalf since he thinks you hate him.”

“Oh dear, I don’t hate him. I just said I was disappointed in him.”

“Ah” Indrid perches on the arm of Duck’s chair, “That’s our father’s code for ‘I hate you.”

“Jesus.” Duck mutters.

“I suspected he was exaggerating. That’s why I agreed to talk to you; I’ve learned it’s best to verify anything  he tells me. In truth, I can’t do much for him.  If it’s not obvious, he takes after our father and our father is...not a good man. We each survive him in our own way; Apollo chose to mold himself into what he demanded we be. That does not excuse him. But perhaps it puts him into perspective.”

Vincent knows he’s not sending Apollo home this week; it’s still Nico’s turn. And his heart that taps his chest to ask, “Do you think he could change?”

Indrid says nothing. Duck is keeping his mouth shut, but his frown suggests his answer.

“This is not to defend him but” Joseph looks at Indrid, “you grew up under the same conditions and chose not to replicate them. That suggests it’s possible.”

“I just didn’t want to end up like him.” Indrid murmurs.

“And ‘possible’ don’t mean probable.” Duck adds.

Vincent rubs his temples, “You’re right. All of you. I...I think I need some time to decide how many chances to be the person I think he can be I ought to give him.”

---------------------------------------

Apollo isn’t sure what to expect. The last time Vincent asked to see him, it was to scold him. Three guys have gone home since then, and he’s been fighting back his impulses to torment and gloat, focusing instead on  making Vincent like him instead of undermining the competition. 

The door opens on a room with a bed, lots of candles, and…

“Is that whale song?”

“Yes. I picked a ‘soothing’ playlist to fit the mood.” Vincent is in linen pants and a button up short sleeve, pats the bed with a smile, “I thought a nice massage might do you good. Non-sexual, of course” he tips his head at the camera.

Apollo isn’t shy. His thirst traps are legendary. But he lays on his stomach the instant he’s down to his underwear. Vincent hums as he starts on his shoulders, checking in now and then about pressure. It would be nice if Apollo’s skin weren’t starving for gentle touches. He keeps letting out pathetic sounds, almost like chirps, as Vincent rubs him down. 

Then the worst thing happens; he gets hard. At first he tries just keeping his hips still but no, just Vincent’s touch is enough. So he tenses in hopes of not giving it away.

“Is it too hard?”

“No, I’m fine.”

The hands leave his skin and he whines like a kicked dog. 

“Would you gentlemen let us do the rest in private? I’m sure the viewers get the point.”

There’s shuffling feet and shutting doors, and then a gentle hand rolling him onto his back.

“Apollo, what’s really--oh. That explains it.” 

He scrambles to sit up, tucking his knees to his chest, “I’m sorry, you said you didn’t want it to be sexual, I didn’t do this on purpose, I swear-”

The bed squeaks along with him as Vincent sits, “Sweetheart, I’m not going to get angry with you for this. If, um, if it helps to know, the feeling is very much mutual.”

It should feel like a triumph, but his cheeks burn and he hides his face against his knees. 

“Does that bother you?”

“No! No, not at all. I wouldn’t be wooing you on T.V if I didn’t think you were attractive. Blech, I sound like one of Indrid’s romance novels. Not, not that there’s anything wrong with Indrid...liking...silly things.”

Vincent cups his face and he leans into it, wants to glue his cheek there, “Apollo, I’ve noticed you’re trying to be less...unkind since our little talk.”

“I’m trying. It’s just so very, very hard.”

“I’ve also noticed you’re letting your persona go now and then. That means a lot to me. I’m not interested in the man you think you should be; I’m interested in the man you might become, the man you are when you stop trying to be better than everyone. I like that man, I’d like to get to know him more.”

Apollo shivers as Vincent kisses his forehead, “I’ll do my best.”

-----------------------

“The nerve of Joseph to say things like that to me!”

Indrid doesn’t look up, “It’s a genuine concern; Vincent is older, there will likely come a time when you’ll be the one caring for him. Are you certain you’ll have the patience for that? Be willing to put your needs and wants on hold for the sake of someone else?”

That’s really what would happen? He, he could do it for Vincent, he’s certain. But could he? What if it’s hard, without glory or gain, does that make it foolish?

He chases those thoughts in dizzying circles for fifteen minutes until they crash into the solution.

“I solved it! I don't have to worry about taking care of Vincent as he ages because he'll divorce me once I reach thirty-two.”

“That is the bleakest possible conclusion.” Indrid flips his sketchbook closed. 

“Just let me have this!”

“I hate that I even have to say this but Vincent is not our father.”

“Father said he was doing what any sensible man would do.”

Indrid levels him with an unusually firm stare, “Do you not want Vincent just because he’s over thirty-two?”

“Of course not! He’s great! I, brother for goodness sake just tell me how to care for him.”

“I literally cannot do that. You have to figure it out for yourself what care looks like for you.”

He’s about to repeat his demand when his phone rings. 

“Hi, Vincent.”

“I'm so sorry, but I have to break our date tonight. I was out for a run and twisted my ankle. I just got back from the doctor; he says I sprained it, so I might be on bed rest a few days.”

Perfect. 

“Oh no, I’m glad it’s not too serious. Would, ah, would it be alright if I came to see you?”

They agree on a time. Then he remembers the problem that preceded the phone call.

“What do I do?”

“What do you want to do for him? Or, if your positions were reversed, him to do for you?” Indrid asks flatly. 

“Call you so he doesn’t see me looking frail.”

“assume I am dead and thus no longer dealing with your nonsense”

“That’s not fair.”

Indrid flops on the bed, “I'm dead, Vincent is the only one who is coming to take care of you, what do you want him to do?”

“Tell me it’s okay and spend time with me and…”

Indrid grins, “And?”

“And watch PBS in bed.”

“It’s a start. Now please get out of my room.”

An hour later he pokes his head into Vincent’s bedroom; the older man is reclining, reading a John Grisham paperback in a robe that makes him look very suave

“How are you feeling?” He sits next to him, rubs his knee. .

 “Oh, I'm fine, just feel a little silly. It used to be I could twist an ankle and come up fine. Aging is quite the adventure.”

“I, um, I'm glad it wasn't too bad. I, I don't like the thought of you getting hurt. Bot that you'd be bad if you did! I accept that we are all very fragile beings trying not to die.

(Too dark, Cold,  pull it back).

“I mean, um, is there anything I can do to help?”

“I'd be happy to have you stay awhile.” Vincent takes his hand, let’s him lean on his shoulder as they talk. They’re midway through a discussion of famous film disasters when a small burst of black and red lands on the windowsill. He doesn’t catch his excitement in time and Vincent asks him what made him perk up. 

With a courage he did not know he possessed, he points to the bird.

“Oh! How beautiful. What kind is it?”

“Scarlet Tanager” he mumbles, “they’re not common here.”

“Do you know a lot about birds?”

He nods. 

“There are some feeders just on that balcony. And I think the binoculars a friend gave me last Christmas are still in the closet, if you’d like to use them.”

“I would” he stands, heart bubbling with terrifying warmth, “thank you, da--ah, dear.”

Mischief sweeps across Vincent’s face, “Is this where you tell me you’ve had lots of older boyfriends?”

“No. I, ah, I’ve made out some but I never dated.”

“Not even a highschool sweetheart?”

“My father made it so no teenager wanted to go near our house. Or us.” The binoculars are magnificent, the best money can buy, “I always wished I had a date to homecoming. It looked so fun, asking someone or getting asked and then having matching outfits and going out to dinner and taking pictures together. I even picked out an outfit just in case someone asked.  I think Indrid snuck out to meet his burnout--, um, meet his friends. I just sat in my room.”

“You could have asked someone yourself, couldn’t you?” Vincent makes room for him on the bed once more. 

 “And risk getting rejected in front of the whole school? No thank you.” He stares at the binoculars, afraid of what he might see if he turns, “I'm sorry, you don't need to hear all this. I’m supposed to be here taking care of you.”

Vincent opens his arms, pulling Apollo into a hug, “You know care can go two ways at once, right?”

“Not really” he mumbles into silver silk.

“Oh, sweetheart.” A kiss on his cheek, hands running soothingly up his sides, and those weak, silly noises slipping from his mouth. 

“I want it to be, I’ll be so good, I’ll take care of you, just please...please say you’d do the same?”

“Of course. That’s what love is.”

He tucks his face against Vincent’s neck, “Will you make fun of me if I say I’m frightened?”

“Never.”

“I don’t know how to do so much of this. I don’t know how much of me can change.”

“Are you willing to try?” Vincent kisses the shell of his ear.

“For you? Yes.”

-------------------------------------------

“I choose…” Vincent looks between Apollo and Jonathan. Apollo cannot wait to spring into his arms. 

“I choose neither.”

“What!” Ned yells off camera.

“I’m sorry to both of you but I simply can’t. Jonathan, you’re a very nice man, but our connection is ultimately lacking. Apollo” Vincent meets his eyes and he forces his gaze to stay placid, “I care for you more than words can say. I know you’ve worked so very hard to change. I also know that people can easily revert to their old, cruel ways under pressure or difficulty. Marriage often involves those things, and I’m not sure you can be the man I need you to be. With those misgivings,  it wouldn’t be fair to propose to either of you. I hope you understand.”

They both say the do, shake hands, give hugs. And he does, he truly does understand. He understands that Vincent made the choice he had to, that even though he got better he is still a rotten, cruel creature who doesn’t deserve him. He was taught he deserved the world; some good that did him. It lost him the only person who might make the world a less miserable place. 

“Apollo!” Vincent jogs after him, catches up to him in an empty hall, “Apollo I-”

His heart is breaking; his old ways twine like vipers around it, “I, I’m glad you didn’t choose me you, you boring, pathetic man. No wonder you have to pay people to go on dates with you! I don’t need anyone, least of all you!”

Vincent steps back, face falling as Apollo storms off. The last thing he hears is, “And here I thought I made the wrong choice.”

---------------------

He deletes his Instagram. Gets a job as a personal shopper. Goes to therapy because he will not let Indrid outshine him when it comes to unlearning how they were raised. 

It helps. Three months after the disastrous finale (for him, not for the network) he’s feeling, if not better, like he might actually try dating someone soon. He also writes two apology letters; one to Indrid and one to Vincent. Then he tears them both up and just tells Indrid that he’s trying to be less of an asshole and that he’s sorry for all the time he was one. He leaves Vincent alone; if he doesn’t want to see him, the least he can do is respect that.

It’s migration season, so he’s hiding in his favorite, super-secret birdwatching spot. It’s near a pond, so lots of birds come to drink and bathe, and he’s seen several on his list. 

Branches crack, sending nearby jays into a flap. Damn it, he’s never seen someone else here; the only person he ever told about it was-

“Hi, Apollo.”

“Vincent!” He almost falls off his stump, “how, why?”

“I’d been meaning to explore this spot ever since you spoke about it. But I, um, was also hoping I might see you in the process. Pathetic, as you might say.”

“I did, didn’t I.” Apollo stares up at him, clutching his binoculars so hard they might become disparate spyglasses, “Vincent, I am so, so, so very sorry for how I acted when we last saw each other. I was hurt, all I want is to make someone else hurt more so I stop feeling so vulnerable and powerless. I, I’ve been working on it in, in” he winces “therapy. You said once that you wanted to meet the man I might be. I realized I wanted to meet him to, to be him, not to win some show or even to get you to like me but just because I don’t want to be the other Apollo anymore.”

Vincent sits next to him, “You don’t give up, do you?”

“I, I just want to un-fuck what I can. I, how have you been?”

“Doing lots of thinking. I still know I made the right call not proposing during the finale. And that I’m ready to start dating again.”

“I hope whoever you go out with knows how lucky they are.” He says without any motive but the truth.

Vincent plucks a late-blooming wildflower and offers it to him, “It’s not a rose, but then again, this isn’t a proposal. It’s just a date, if you still want one.”

“So badly.” 

The older man leans in, kissing him softly as his spine turns to soup, “I’m looking forward to meeting the, um, latest version of you.” He snickers at his own phrasing.

Apollo pulls him into a second kiss, “Me too.”

[madlori]

Unveiled - Chapter 9

Chapter 1 || Chapter 2 || Chapter 3 || Chapter 4 || Chapter 5 || Chapter 6 || Chapter 7 || Chapter 8 || Chapter 9 || Chapter 10 || Chapter 11 || Chapter 12 || Chapter 13 || Epilogue

by MadLori Word Count: 3000 Fandom: Men’s Hockey RPF Pairing: Sidney Crosby/Evgeni Malkin Rating: NC-17 (like, heed this, please) Tags: Arranged Marriage, Modern Royalty AU, Mpreg, Not Omegaverse, No Consent Issues, Veiled Sex, Weird Traditions, Don’t Think Too Hard, Handwavey Biology

Mildish sex in this one.

CONTENT WARNING: This chapter contains some miscarriage-adjacent content. Please scroll to the bottom of the chapter if you would like to know the details before reading.

Read it on AO3

Six weeks had passed since their wedding, and Zhenya was beginning to feel settled. He hadn’t expected to be comfortably sharing a bedroom with his embargoed spouse; such an arrangement was not forbidden, as long as the embargo was respected, but was extremely unusual as it only made the embargo more difficult. He wouldn’t have held it against his consort if he’d wanted to keep to his own bedroom -- where he didn’t have to sleep in veils -- but as far as Zhenya could tell, his husband seemed content, even happy, to share his bed. What was now beginning to feel odd was that after rising in the morning, his consort bid him good day and left fairly early, and he often didn’t see him again until returning to his quarters for bed. Being so close to him overnight while maintaining such rigid distance in daylight was annoying. He understood why -- keeping embargo while in one another’s company during normal daytime activities would be impossible and would severely limit both of their abilities to get anything done if they couldn’t speak aloud. 

Still, after lunch with his mother on a bright, sunny Tuesday, Zhenya found himself wanting to see his husband. Surely a brief walk on the grounds would be acceptable. They could do that in silence, after all. This resolution formed, he crossed the palace to the consort’s private offices. Letang and Crosby were stationed outside the door; they looked mildly surprised to see him but snapped to attention. “Um...I was wondering if his Highness would be agreeable to a walk on the grounds with me?”

Letang blinked. “Please come in, sir. I’ll ask him for you,” he said, after a brief hesitation. He opened the door. “His Royal Highness for you, sir,” he announced. He seemed to receive a signal from inside, then he stepped out of the way and held the door for Zhenya to enter.

His consort was sitting behind his desk, veiled in navy blue today. Sidney was standing at his side, holding a tablet -- probably the dispatches from Seryozha -- his eyes wide as he looked at Zhenya. Zhenya tried to ignore him and focus on his husband.

Letang cleared his throat. “His Royal Highness requests the consort’s company on a walk on the grounds,” he said. There was an undercurrent to his voice that Zhenya didn’t really understand, like they were all communicating in a way he couldn’t hear.

The consort looked up at Sidney, who shrugged. The consort made a gesture to his papers, then lifted a finger in Sidney’s direction. “His Highness would like to finish his work first,” Sidney said. “Would a delay of one hour be acceptable?”

Zhenya almost answered aloud, as he was accustomed to doing when speaking to Sidney. He caught himself in time and nodded. This felt -- odd. Awkward, in a way that he hadn’t been with his consort in weeks.

“He will come to your office in one hour,” Sidney said. The consort bowed his head slightly; Zhenya returned the bow and left.

In one hour, on the dot, Sasha opened Zhenya’s office door and the consort entered. Zhenya smiled and put his work aside. He offered him tea, but the consort declined, just stepped to his side and put his gloved hand on Zhenya’s elbow. He relaxed -- this felt normal now; the warmth of the consort’s body heat felt familiar.

They walked to the gardens, the easiest place for a casual afternoon stroll. Once they left the palace, the consort let go of Zhenya’s elbow and took his hand, interlacing their fingers; Zhenya noticed that he had removed his gloves.

It was a beautiful afternoon, and late enough in the season that the gardens -- his mother’s pride and joy -- were in full bloom. As they approached, the consort held up a finger and released Zhenya’s hand to reach under his veils and into his breast pocket...to pull out a small book. He held it up, and Zhenya could all but see the cheeky grin he must have been wearing, because it was Zhenya’s mother’s book. The Queen had written a small directory of the flowers and trees in the gardens, meant as a guide for visitors, and the consort had obtained a copy. Zhenya almost laughed, and moved to put his arm around his husband’s back, but he drew away with an ‘oh no you don’t’ finger. With a flourish, he pulled a pen out of his other coat pocket, firmly clicked it open, and turned to the page in the garden book that bore a checklist of the major flowers and plantings, brandishing his pen at it and somehow managing to communicate both enthusiasm and ironic bemusement.

Zhenya followed him as he made his way through the gardens, bending to read the small printed signs identifying the flowers and checking them off his list, pointing in excitement as he spied one he was missing, and tapping his pen against his veiled lips. Zhenya had expected him to check a few off and then abandon the task, but instead he watched as the consort methodically worked his way down the list, darting between the flowerbeds and, at one point, jumping up and down when he found one that was listed in the guide as “hard to spot.” Zhenya chuckled, utterly charmed, as he was by nearly everything his husband did.

Zhenya joined him before a trellis wall of climbing roses, his mother’s prizewinning blooms. The consort was looking at a particularly lush section of deep coral roses, shot through with lavender streaks. He glanced up at Zhenya, pointed to the roses and then put a hand on his chest...I love these. Zhenya nodded, making the same gesture. He did, too. The consort showed Zhenya his completed checklist then, nodding as if acknowledging a job well done. He held up his pen and dramatically clicked it shut, replacing it, along with the book, in his coat pockets. Zhenya smiled down at him and slid his arm around the consort’s waist. He felt his husband’s arm go around him in return, and was glad he’d had this idea. They turned around and walked back to the palace, keeping each other close.

That night Zhenya was rather late coming to his bedroom, as he’d been attending a musical performance with his brother. He couldn’t wait to get out of his cumbersome royal formalwear and maybe get to sleep with his husband, but when he entered the room the lights were low and the consort seemed to be asleep, curled on his side in bed. Zhenya smiled down at his veiled face, drew the covers up over his shoulder a bit, then went to the bathroom to undress and wash.

He tried to be silent and not disturb his sleeping partner when he got into bed, but he was barely settled before the consort turned over and tucked close to him. He kissed the man’s veiled forehead and felt him waking up. The consort’s hand slipped over his chest, then down his stomach to grasp his cock. With his other hand the consort tapped at Zhenya’s temple; this was the signal he’d come to use when he wanted Zhenya to close his eyes. He did so now, felt the fabric move as the consort lifted his veils, and then his soft lips against Zhenya’s.

They kissed gently, thoroughly, while his consort stroked him. Zhenya’s hand slipped down and cupped the consort’s ass while Zhenya’s hips made shallow thrusts into his hand, his mouth opening to his husband’s tongue. Zhenya sighed when he came over the consort’s hand, their kisses turning quiet and drowsy. He heard the consort pull a tissue out of the box on the nighttable, presumably to wipe off his hand, placing a kiss on Zhenya’s chest as he did so. Zhenya felt the brush of fabric again as his husband replaced his veils, then he tapped Zhenya’s forehead. Zhenya opened his eyes; his hand strayed down his husband’s taut stomach to his cock but he got the thumbs-down and a gentle pat on the hand, so he knew it was nothing personal, his consort just wasn’t in the mood.

Zhenya pulled him close and reveled in his warmth, the softness of his skin where he could feel it, and the quiet intimacy of their bed.

When he woke, he was alone, but he could hear movement in the bathroom so he knew his consort hadn’t yet left him for the day. He turned over and stretched, hugging a pillow and hoping for a few more minutes of sleep. It was not to be.

He heard hurrying footsteps, but before he even got his eyes open, the consort was shaking his shoulder, hard. He sat up, snapping fully awake; his husband was standing over him, his chest heaving in fast, scared breaths. He held out a hand -- there was blood on his fingers. He put his other hand low on his belly and then suddenly he hunched over, making a low grunt of pain.

Panic slammed into Zhenya’s half-asleep mind. He got up and pulled his husband close; the consort was shaking and staring at his bloody fingers. Zhenya picked up his phone and fired off a text to a pre-set group of emergency contacts including the doctor, Fleury, and Sasha. He sat back down, drawing the consort over his lap and tucking him close, pressing his head to Zhenya’s shoulder. The consort clutched at him, fear radiating off him in palpable waves. Zhenya went cold when he saw that there were a few streaks of blood on the consort’s bare inner thighs, as well. 

Dr. Rjskov, Fleury, and Letang were at the door faster than Zhenya would have believed possible. The guards were pushing a gurney. Dr. Rjskov took only seconds to assess the situation; once he saw the blood on the consort’s fingers and also on his legss, he sprang into action. “Come, your Highness, get up here,” he said, patting the gurney.

Zhenya grabbed the consort’s dressing gown and wrapped it around him so he wouldn’t be rolling down the corridor naked but for his veils. He helped him climb onto the stretcher, the consort hanging on to Zhenya’s hand for dear life.

Dr. Rjskov put a hand on Zhenya’s arm. “Sir, you need to stay here. I need to be able to talk to him. I can’t do that if you’re there.”

Zhenya gaped at him. “Fuck the embargo!” he exclaimed. Both the doctor and his consort visibly flinched upon hearing his forbidden voice. “I’m not leaving my husband!”

“Sir!” the doctor said, sharply. “This isn’t helping! He needs to come to the infirmary. I will keep you informed. Please, exercise some restraint.”

Fleury appeared at his side. “Zhenya, we’ll be with him. You trust us, don’t you?”

Zhenya looked down at him and saw the very real concern and love Fleury had for the consort. He nodded, silent, already feeling guilty at his outburst. His priority should be to do what was best for his husband, not what would make himself more comfortable.

They wheeled the consort out of the room; Zhenya saw another cramp hit him and his hands go to his belly just as they passed out of sight. Zhenya’s legs gave out, and he landed on the edge of the bed, bright-edged panic crowding out his thoughts. No, no, no, please no.

Sasha ran in, his eyes wide with concern. “Zhenya!” he said. He was at his side in a flash, one arm around his shoulders. “Come on, get dressed. I’m going to get you some tea.”

“I don’t want tea! I want my husband!”

“We’ll go to the infirmary and wait; you’ll be right there when the doctor has any news.”

He nodded, feeling slow and thick. “Yes. Okay, good. Yes.” He started for the door. 

Sasha steered him back. “Clothes first. Come on, let me get you dressed.”

Zhenya would later have almost no memory of it, but somehow Sasha got him into acceptable clothing. The next thing he knew, they were sitting in the chamber outside the infirmary. Letang was there, along with several of the other guards; all of them looked serious and worried. “The doctor said he’d come talk to you as soon as he could,” Letang said to him.

Zhenya got up, perhaps to retort, but no retort sprang to mind. He paced instead, feeling like a caged animal. He looked around at the guards and took note of a particular absence that made new, fresh anger flush through him. “Where is Sidney?” he said. He saw them exchange glances. “He should be here with the consort! What, is he too busy?”

Letang stepped closer. “Sidney isn’t available right now. He has duties to attend to.”

“Duties! More important than this? I thought he cared about him!”

“He does!”

Zhenya felt Sasha’s hand grab his arm and he reined himself in. He ran a hand through his hair and nodded to Letang. “Of course he does. I’m sorry, Lieutenant. I’m just...very worried, and I’m taking it out on Sidney.”

“It’s normal, sir. We’re all very worried.” Letang moved back to his guards; they  whispered among themselves, but Zhenya could hardly muster the attention to wonder what they were saying. He flopped down in a chair next to Sasha.

“Sasha,” he muttered. “I can’t lose him.”

“You won’t. This happens early in pregnancy, you know this. It’s probably nothing.”

“But what if...what if…”

“If he loses the baby, God forbid, you can try again. I know it’s difficult, but it isn’t the end.”

He looked at his oldest friend, feeling the wetness pooling in his eyelids. “Is it horrible that I’m worried about him more than the child?”

“No. You don’t really know the child. It’s so early, and it’s barely a tiny pea. It’s understandable to think of your husband first.”

“He’ll be devastated. We both will be.”

“And you will be there for him.”

Zhenya nodded. “No matter what.” He took a deep breath. “I won’t have him replaced, Sasha. Even if we lose this child, even if there isn’t another. I’ll carry our child myself if it comes to that. I won’t have him sent away.”

Sasha patted his arm. “Let’s not borrow trouble from tomorrow. We’ve enough on our plates with today’s trouble.”

The door into the infirmary opened and Dr. Rjskov emerged. Zhenya popped to his feet, Sasha rising with him, one hand still on his arm. The doctor looked...relaxed. Not like he was about to share tragic news.

“Your Royal Highness,” he said, approaching him. “Your husband and child are fine.”

Zhenya let out a huge, relieved breath. He was peripherally aware of Letang and the guards doing the same. Sasha nodded and patted his shoulder. “He’s really all right?” Zhenya said.

“He had a little cramping and bleeding. It’s very common in the first trimester. It may happen again or it may not, but for now, your child is doing well and your husband is healthy.”

“Thank you, Doctor. Can I take him back to our room?”

“I’d like him to stay for a few hours. I’ll call you when you can come collect him.”

“Can I stay, too?”

The doctor sighed. “You may see him for a short time if you wish, but...the embargo…”

“Yes, yes, I know. Very well. I can see him now?”

“Yes, come with me.”

Zhenya followed the doctor into the infirmary and then into a private exam room. His consort was reclining on a bed, both hands resting on his belly, dressed in a hospital gown under his veils. He sat up when Zhenya entered and immediately held out his arms. Zhenya rushed to the bed and enfolded him, wrapping him up as tightly as he could. The consort was still shaking a little; his hands clutched big handfuls of Zhenya’s sweater. Zhenya pulled back, then glanced at the doctor, who stepped forward to address the consort.

“Your Highness, I’d like you to stay for a few hours, but the Prince will come for you when you’re released. He wanted to see you, but he can’t stay, as you know.”

The consort heaved a deep sigh -- Zhenya wondered if he were as tired of the embargo as Zhenya was -- and nodded. He grasped Zhenya’s hand and brought it to his belly, covering it with his own. Zhenya smiled and nodded, then kissed his veiled temple. He straightened up to see Dr. Rjskov eyeing him with one eyebrow slightly raised, but he didn’t care what he thought. He squeezed his consort’s hand one last time, then left.

Sasha trailed him back to his rooms. “You need to be careful.”

“Of what?”

“You and the consort have gone way past what the embargo allows.”

“Why, because I’ve become fond of him?”

“You’re in love with him.”

Zhenya stopped short, putting his hands on his hips. “No.”

“You’re not?”

“No. I can’t make that judgment without talking to someone, getting to know them. I know something of his character. I know how we make each other feel, physically. I enjoy the closeness we’ve developed. And I…” He hesitated. “I know he is someone I may be able to love.”

“The whole point of the embargo is so that if he has to leave, it’s not a trauma. You just said yourself that you already can’t tolerate the idea of losing him in a year.”

“That stays between us, understood?”

“You, me, and his guards who heard everything.”

“They won’t say anything. They keep his secrets well.” He resumed his course back to his rooms. He had to shower and dress in appropriate clothes for his day. “The embargo may restrict how we interact, but it has no jurisdiction in my head.”

“What about Sidney?”

Zhenya frowned. “What about him?”

“Is it him you’re in love with?”

“Why are you so determined that I be in love with someone?”

“Because I know you, Zhenya!” Sasha grabbed his arm and spun him around, stopping them again in the deserted corridor. “You don’t see how you’ve been these past weeks. You smile for no reason, you laugh to yourself, you bound around like you’re a kid again. You’re -- lighter.”

“I wasn’t aware I was such a grump before.”

“You weren’t. But you’re different now, and I’m not the only one who’s noticed. So if it isn’t your consort lightening your heart, then who is it?”

---------

Content notes: The consort experiences some cramping and bleeding, causing a miscarriage scare. He is taken to the doctor but there is no miscarriage, all is well.

Next Chapter