#sorry mutuals I’ve decided to be insufferable today don’t worry it will be done at midnight

[its-your-mind]

it’s been three whole entire years

[reyridinghood]

How about 2, Royal AU, & 53, Mutual pining, for Reylo? :)

The Royal Treatment, Part II

No warnings apply! Ao3 Link

Rey adjusted her hat to shield her from the bright Alderaanian sun that was beating down on the bright green fields, the picturesque mountains framing the bright green grass of the polo field as the cluster of horses sped past the tents. Prince Ben - as she now knew him - was deep in concentration as he whacked the ball away from Prince Armitage of Arkanis and to Lord Dameron for a goal that tied up the two teams. Both princes were brilliant strategists and it was a thrilling battle of wits to watch the leaders square off in a game that had been neck and neck the entire time. The match was nearing its end now, and most people’s eyes were glued to the action. Rey’s eyes, however, wouldn’t leave Prince Ben.

He was a fine specimen of a man, finer than she had ever known. Wisps of raven hair peeked out from under his helmet, and the blue and gold colors of the Alderaan Royal House complimented him unbelievably well. She adored watching him play, though she herself had always been more of a show jumper. In addition to the handsome scowl it brought to his face, the way he twisted and turned and commanded his horse showed off every taught muscle in his body - but especially those of his thighs, their thickness and strength only accentuated by the high boots and tight white breeches.

Oh no. She thought to herself. Not staring at him. Not again.

This was a trap she fell into often since commencing a friendship with the Prince of Alderaan. After narrowly avoiding a media circus being brought to her small town of Niima, Ben had wrote to her to thank her for the book and allow him to make it up to her. He had more than done so, inviting her to stay as a guest of the royal family and attend teas, galas, and various other social events. She’d stare at him no matter what he was doing, no matter what he was wearing, no matter who he was with. He was just so handsome, and kind, and generous with people, despite the enormous amount of pressure he was under and the emotional toll it could take on him. Rey would console him through his personal ups and downs, and that made them grow close. Closer than Rey cared to admit.

Ben was her friend. She couldn’t take advantage of him like that. Even if a small kingdom on the French and German border that he was destined to be in charge of wasn’t part of the equation.

She pulled her eyes to Lord Dameron, working hard at trying to score, and Sir Finn, who was an excellent defensive. Yet her eyes kept drifting towards the prince, looking tall and regal and staring right at her as their eyes met. He flashed a smile at her, with a slight nod of the head, and she returned it with a feverish blush that she prayed he couldn’t see from that distance.

It was at that moment that Prince Armitage swooped in and stole the ball away from Ben, whacking it towards Lord Mitaka, who fumbled a bit. The two princes were now engaged in a battle to see who could claim the ball first as the clock ran out, but Ben’s horse wasn’t quite fast enough, allowing his rival to once again pass the ball to Mitaka. Arkanis had scored the winning goal, and Rey and Ben’s moment had just cost Alderaan the match.

She wanted to run and hide knowing her staring had distracted him, that the other nobles would consider her the bane of their existence, that they would shun her from court and convince the prince that she wasn’t worthy of being friends with. But no one seemed to notice as the press and courtiers flooded the field in a jolly manner to have their time of notoriety with His Royal Highness. He seemed to be scanning the crowd, using his height to his advantage as he ignored the groups of people, but what he was searching for, Rey couldn’t tell.

She elected to stay behind under the shadows of the tents in solitude while the disappointment of the loss passed. Her plan would have worked had it not been for one very eager friend of hers seeking her out.

“You should tell him.” Miss Rose Tico, her right-hand woman back on the Tuanal Manor Estate said, with her arms impatiently crossed.

Rey’s expression was blank, but the shakiness of her breath betrayed her true emotion. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh come on. ” Rose rolled her eyes. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Everyone has seen the way he looks at you. I’m surprised there isn’t more gossip about you two in the papers. I know Lord Dameron has a betting pool on when you two will get engaged.”

Rey scoffed. “His Royal Highness isn’t busy wooing the Hapan Chumeda or the Princess of Naboo or the Grand Duchess of Mandalore?”

“Are you daft, Rey?” Rose said, utterly gobsmacked. “Everyone knows those meetings were absolute disasters because the eligible bachelorettes knew about his affection for you.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it.”

“Your moment ten minutes ago wasn’t seeing it enough for you?”

Rey could feel the flush returning again and veered the subject away from that. “I don’t have what they could offer him.”

“Do you forget you have a title?”

“Vicountess of Jakku is a British title. And besides, I don’t have money to go along with that title.”

“Neither do either of them if their country’s treasury doesn’t approve their spending. And they aren’t Alderaanian so you’re even.”

“I don’t speak German.”

“You could always learn? Always? Plenty of time for that? You have French and English down marvelously, two out of three of the official languages is a good place to start.“

“Well then I’m just not-”

“Enough?” Rose threw her hands up in the air. “Don’t start with that talk, My Lady. Just because you haven’t lived a traditionally royal lifestyle that doesn’t mean you aren’t clever or sophisticated or exceptionally beautiful. I’m sure His Highness thinks you’re refreshing. We all do, but him especially. He cares about you, Rey, and even if he doesn’t have feelings for you, you still should tell him to clear the air - although trust me, he reciprocates.”

Rey loathed to admit it, but Rose was right. She had to tell him, but she could see him be absolutely mobbed by the crowds.

“Rose, how do you think I should go about getting him alone?”

Rey couldn’t help but fidget as she waited in the Royal Stables, pacing back and forth, smoothing the ends of her skirt as she went over what she was going to say in her head over and over again.

“Lady Rey?” A deep baritone inquired as the very object of her affection came up behind her, the clip clop of his horse’s hooves accompanying them.

Alright, maybe they wouldn’t be completely alone, but at least there would be no other humans around.

“I missed you after the match today.” He said with a soft smile, wisps of his dark hair curling down over his forehead and framing his gorgeous golden brown eyes. “Let me just put D’Artagnan in his stall and we can chat, alright?”

She nodded, still unable to find her voice somehow. All she could do was watch as Ben pulled the chocolate brown steed into his quarters, gingerly patting him for a job well done and leaving some fresh treats in his trough before locking up for the night.

“Now, what was it you wanted to discuss?” He leaned on the stable wall to meet her height a little more, but the fact that he still towered over here made Rey want to melt on the spot.

“I-I wanted to apologize for distracting you during the match today. I’m afraid I cost us the win.”

“What?” He chuckled. “No, no. Please don’t worry. It was a charity match, the only winners are those in need who benefit from the proceedings. Though Armitage would tell you otherwise. He is insufferable when he loses, so I would say it worked out the best way possible for everyone.”

Rey giggled at that, and he continued speaking. “Though you are quite the distracting presence…”

His eyes locked with hers, and once again she felt herself entranced by their whiskey brown color. It was hard to decide if the minutes they passed drinking in the sight of each other were agonizing or pleasurable, but Rey had to break the silence all the same.

“I should tell you something.” They said, nearly at the same time, before the Prince deferred to her in a gentlemanly fashion.

She stood up a little straighter. “You’ve been so kind to me in these past few months, Your Highness.”

“Ben.” He corrected. “It’s always Ben to you, My Lady.”

“Right…Ben.” She hadn’t truly called him that since they first met while he was incognito, but she liked the sound of it and how it felt on her tongue, how it sounded in her own voice. “I have come to greatly enjoy our camaraderie, and your hospitality at the palace has been unparalleled to any I’ve known. But I find myself…thinking of you. All the time. Wherever I go, whatever I do. And I can’t stop myself.”

“Really?” He replied. “Do that many things remind you of me?”

“Yes. No. Possibly? I have enjoyed myself immensely in your company, Ben. Yet I can’t help wonder what it would be like if we were to…become…involved… romantically. You see, I’ve developed - mmm!”

She could do nothing but let out a little squeal as Ben’s one hand cradled the back of her neck, the other her waist as he pulled her towards him, sealing their lips in a kiss. One that made her head spin, left her in a dreamlike state with its soft and gentle nature. It was chaste, but comforting and caressing all at the same time.

“I’m sorry.” He said, bashful as he pulled back. “That was um…”

“Perfect.” She finished. “Don’t apologize for giving me what I was hoping for.”

He chuckled. “Good, good. Because this brings me to what I was about to ask you. Lady Rey, you seem to be aware of all that goes with this life, but despite all the trappings and trials of royal life, would you be willing to acknowledge your feelings for me and enter into a courtship?”

She was still a bit breathless from the kiss, but even more so from this proposal. “Of course.” She breathed.

“Excellent. I’ve been wanting to ask you since I first laid eyes on you in the bookshop but…I had no idea if you returned my feelings. Or wanted any of this lifestyle, I know it’s a lot to handle.”

“I don’t care about the lifestyle.” Rey responded, cradling his cheek. “I only want you. And whatever that brings with it I’m willing to brave.”

He gently took her hand off his face and brought it to his lips, kissing it reverently before entwining their fingers together. “Thank you. You’re the strongest person I know, Rey. I wouldn’t be the ruler-to-be I am today were it not for you.”

She snuggled into his side as they began walking. “You’re plenty strong on your own, Solo. Or is it Skywalker? Or Organa? You have so many middle and last names it’s hard to keep track.”

He chuckled. “You can choose whatever combination of names you want. But just know that Benjamin Lucas Anakin Organa Solo, of House Skywalker, is yours completely.”

[mothman-mocha]

I’m crying three years that’s absolutely insane!

it’s been three whole entire years