#true love's kiss belongs to Aurora and Ariel

[prosebushpatch]

In my humble opinion, the successful retellings of Snow White take the relationship between Snow and the Wicked Queen and really dig into why the queen is so desperate to be beautiful and why Snow is still the fairest because of her kindness.

My favorite examples of this are Gail Carson Levine's Fairest, and the movie Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarves. In both of these retellings, Snow White is conventionally unattractive. And how society views Snow White in these stories is drastically different from how they view the Wicked Queen. There is a privilege to being beautiful. Both Snow White and the Wicked Queen know this. But the Wicked Queen will do anything to have that privilege--that power--over her subjects. Whether it's to use her beauty to manipulate people or because she's desperate for love is what makes her such an interesting character. Snow White, on the other hand, gets a taste of how people would treat her if she was conventionally attractive, at least in these stories. And when she realizes that people are finally able to appreciate her or praise her or HELP HER because of her looks, she's forced to ask herself the question whether she'll choose to keep being "beautiful" or if she'll go back to being herself because society's definition of beauty isn't worth the cost.

Snow White and the Wicked Queen are foils. They represent how conventional beauty standards can pressure woman and pit them against each other. They represent how a mother, related by blood or not, can become jealous because the simple act of growing older makes her less attractive than her daughter in society's eyes and that means she's going to be treated differently as a result.

All this to say, if you turn Snow White's story into Snow White becomes a "Strong Independent Female Who Doesn't Need Any Prince And Is Growing Into the Leader She was Born to Be" then you lose that commentary about what true beauty is. You lose the chance to ask what makes someone the fairest and why. If you aren't asking why the Wicked Queen wants to be the fairest to the point of having a huntsman cut out a child's heart, then you're missing out on the entire point of the fairy tale.

[shuinami]

At this point I think Disney barely knows how to represent female characters with goals and ambitions outside of love and with no male love interest, because time and time again with their single female characters they were still meant to have love interests before it got scrapped. Merida, Elsa, Mirabel, Isabela, and probably some others I’m forgetting.

Personally, I am and always have been a big fan of romance in stories when it's important to a character and not shoe-horned in just to propagate heteronormativity. I guess my personal viewing history of Disney movies skews my view a bit, but I feel that there a decent number of well-done main female characters without love interests, and a decent number with them.

In terms of princess movies, I think Moana was a solid go of it; she's a girl who stood against idolatry, who dared to set sail and there wasn't a drop of romance in her story at all. That being said, I'm not sure if she was supposed to have a love interest originally or not. There's also Raya but that movie was mid af.

I feel like beyond that set of movies, there are a few within the Disney-verse: Alice from 'Alice in Wonderland', Joy & Sadness from 'Inside Out', Vanellope from 'Wreck it Ralph', 22 from 'Soul' and, although a ridiculous amount of people like to ship her with the fox, Judy from 'Zootopia' doesn't have a story arc that revolves around love.

I think writing idyllic love stories comes first before other ideas to a lot of people for princesses because that's a fantasy escape for many. It fulfils that need to belong with fairy dust and riches rather than through trial, error and heartbreak like in real life for alloromantics. I think leaving romances on the cutting room floor for some characters is a fair play and having the initial idea for them to have a male love interest in the first mock-ups doesn't mean they don't know how. It's really not difficult and they have done it before, although, that's just my opinion on the matter.

When it comes to the Princesses, specifically, I don't think Disney have always done a good job with representing female characters WITH ambitions of love and a male love interest, even, here are a few:

Snow White, Aurora: comatose when they have their first kiss

Cinderella: hunted down after a few hours of partying at most.

Belle: having to turn a beast into a man with emotional labour, something that women are often encouraged to do in hetero relationships

Pocahontas: ... 😐🤨

Ariel: literally has no voice in her relationship and her prince is fine with that

Snow White, Aurora, Ariel, Beast: unappealing message of 'one true love/('s kiss) will save your life and is the magical end goal of a relationship that leads to marriage'

I feel like the actual dynamics of the relationships in most of these stories are glossed over or ignored, because the romances are shallow, just a cherry on top, or have some glaring issue within them. The draw of the Princess characters as icons for most people, I believe, lies elsewhere, perhaps everywhere, outside of their relationships.

For some others, however, I do think romance adds something to their character arcs.

Furthermore, when it comes to Asha, the upcoming afrolatina princess, I'm hoping that she has a love interest because the representation of black women as attractive within PG content, I feel, is not where it should be. Anything where a black feminine character gets romantically doted on as a main character is welcome to me.

I specify feminine because I don't think black girl characters as masculine or 'don't need no man/relationship' needs an influx of representation as of now, not when we're still slick excluded from mainstream ideas of beauty and femininity, which is what the majority seek to be included in.

But yeah, anyways, I have to disagree there. I think Disney's creative teams are more than capable of creating and have successfully created female characters that don't dream of love or have male love interests. They just need to put in the effort and strike a better balance.

[asexualone]

(pls take the time to read)

Signs I should have known I was aro: Disney edition

I think this topic has been stressed a lot already. But here is my take, anyway.

Of course, romantic love had been, is and will always be one of the main themes in kids' movies. Why, I can never fully understand. I'll explain below how I like other themes more.

Some time ago, I did a post on the kiss/hug scenes in Rapunzel which depicts how much more I value acts of showing love that don't include kissing.

Not only those two. I have a history of hating Disney on-screen smooches. As a kid, I thought, "Well, maybe, I don't like seeing these characters kiss because it's a grownup thing."

Could you blame me? When my parents were in the room and a kissing scene appeared on the screen, they changed the channel. So my toddler brain concluded that the reason I didn't like watching kisses was because I wasn't of age to like it. Or something.

At the time, I had no idea that I was hand-picking my favorite movies by the level of romance they had in. Or lack thereof. And I was a very judgemental kid. Let's go through my original thoughts on some Disney classics.

Snow White — No. Just no. She's a child, fourteen. Marrying an older guy she doesn't even know. After he kisses her corpse. NO.

Cinderella — The age difference is a little better, I guess. So is the age of consent. But they only talked one (1) night and he relied on that slipper to find her instead of asking to meet all women and see for himself. Fairytale logic I guess. I didn't like how she called it love immediately and kissed the prince at least once that same night. Or how they got married immediately.

The Sleeping Beauty — Must I even explain? Aurora didn't even know Philip that much, had only met him once (if you exclude the "dreams"). And yet, he's her true love, the only one who can revive her corpse. Ridiculous. And yes, kissing a comatose body, ew. Also, the arranged marriage trope pisses me off, royalty or not. Aurora was engaged as a newborn baby, come on.

Mulan — Cinematic gold. I didn't know it back then, but the fact that romantic love is such a pushed-aside aspect in this movie gives me life. The songs give me life. Especially when the trio dresses as concubines and "Be a Man" plays in the background. An absolute gem, lmao. The sequel however ruined the story somewhat for me, too much lovey-dovey stuff. I like Mulan more when she's fighting than when she's acting all sappy towards Shang, sorry not sorry.

Peter Pan — Loved it, still do. But I did dislike the mermaids, the image of fangirls who are petty towards other girls. And Pan's brief "relationship" with Tiger Lily was nauseating to me. I couldn't explain it but when Pan blushed at her nose-nuzzling thing, I always pulled a face.

The Princess and the Frog — In my opinion, (remember, always my opinion): Tiana, this hard-working girl who doesn't belong to anyone, was lost to love. Well, not lost. But falling for Naveen in the course of three days? Unrealistic and kinda unnecessary. Sweet, but still. I adored the "relationship" between Ray and Evangeline more. Either way, it's a movie that I enjoyed when love wasn't that prominent on screen.

Aladdin — I love this movie because of the Genie. The relationship between Jasmine and Aladdin is meh. She forgot his face and didn't recognize him until later. Their coming together is a lot like that trope "first guy who treats her right sets the expectations and wins her heart". Usually that's a thing, not only in Disney movies but media in general. The female lead settles for the first guy that treats her right because the bar is that low. A good movie, all in all. Love how Jasmine stands up for herself at least. Not a lot of princesses fight against the objectification of women.

Pocahontas — I used to hate this movie. I didn't sit right with me: the racism in it, the manipulation, the murders. And the romance, yes. Pocahontas fell for the strange man who tickled her curiosity in the span of two days. I also hated how her father just sold her to marry Kocoum like that. I know it's tradition. Heck, that's a tradition that still goes on in my country. Maybe that's why I didn't like seeing it on screen. And Pocahontas doesn't even end up with John Smith. The second movie definitely ruined the story. So yes, she's the first princess who fell for a man in three days, TWICE. Needless to say, only the songs kept me from blacklisting the movie entirely.

The Little Mermaid — I actually loved this movie for some reason. I can't explain why, maybe it was my obsession with mermaids. Yeah, that was probably it. But I was pissed when Ariel exchanged her tail for legs. Not to mention human periods and overall, all the bad in the world, for a man she'd only seen once. As I grew up I realized just how f*cked up that story was: Ariel giving her entire lifestyle, family and identity up for a guy she hadn't even spoken to. I don't know why I loved that movie, alright? Hell I still do a little. The sequel too. Say what you want.

Brave — (I know this is technically Pixar, shut up) Much like the paradox with Ariel, I didn't like this movie. I can't explain it. Maybe because Merida wasn't the typical Disney princess I had been used to seeing. Now though, I ADORE that story. No, it's not because Merida knows archery... Okay, yes maybe a little. I love the aro-arrow word play, alright? Anyway, the way Merida fights against being shipped to a husband like the "tradition" I aforementioned asks her to, has always had my heart, even when I didn't like the movie. The focus on the mother-daughter relationship is special, I love it. Stellar movie.

Tangled — One of my favorite Disney movies, my favorite princess. But her relationship with Eugene.... Well. Again, three days. That's all it takes to fall in love. Classic of Disney. Not only that, but Eugene is literally the first man person Raps has ever since, besides Gothel. The bar is nonexistent for her, she would have fallen for anyone. He lied to her and she still... Well, I won't stress that any longer. Their relationship in the end is sweet, one of the few cases where we are actually shown that they would risk their lives to save each other. Respect that. Mostly, I love her magical hair and Pascal. And the guys of Snuggly Duckling.

Moana — EPIC MOVIE. The story, the culture, the character growth, the plot twist, everything! Loved it at first sight, at second and forever. Even more when I became aware that there's no romance in it. I don't think I need to say more.

Frozen — My opinions on this movie have always been changing, accompanied by mixed feelings. So the relationship between sisters was cute, but Lilo and Stitch made that more realistic. Anna's relationship with Hans, ugh. I think that for a long time I used the fact that he was the antagonist to justify my absolute hate for the way Anna "fell" for him in one evening. Again, Anna sweetheart. This is the first man you've met. The bar is nonexistent for you too. God bless Elsa for forbidding her to marry Hans. And while it's cute to think Elsa as a lesbian, she has aromantic vibes. Sorry not sorry, but she's also a God by the end of Frozen 2. Gods are beyond attraction, I said what I said.

Raya and the Last Dragon — Loved it, still do. Say what you will about "dragon Elsa". Sisu is her own character, and I adore her. And yes, I love the lack of romance in the movie. Make no mistake, I shipped Raya and Namaari from the first moment they smiled at each other. I swear on my name that I paused the movie and screamed, GAYYYY, at the top of my lungs. Luckily, I was home alone. If only Disney directors would do the right fcking thing and give me a queer main couple!! I swear I wouldn't mind the lovey-dovey romance one bit.

Of course, I've left dozens of movies out. This post is already way longer than I wanted it to be. But I think that was enough to make a point.

While I'm not romance-repulsed, seeing animated kisses (and unnecessary relationships) on screen makes me uncomfortable. As a child and as a grownup. It just doesn't sit right with me. Not to mention all these princesses who identify with their princes and specifically their relationships with said princes when they're perfect on their. Wreck it Ralph 2 made them a favor, I think, by making them work together and showing their strengths. Another movie I love.

Friendship just makes an overall better theme to apply to kids shows, my opinion. Family, work, self-discovery, mental health, happiness. These are all better themes to portray in media dedicated for children. Which is, again, my opinion.

And yes, Disney has been getting better. They've fixed the age difference and the age of consent. The female characters no longer depend on the male ones, at least not as often. They understand the assignment, alright. There are still many questionable things about Disney's reputation though, things we all choose to overlook for the sake of the good movies. But who knows? They might change. Hopefully soon we'll also have an obviously queer couple in a movie. Hope dies last.

[carolinasousawrites]

Keira Knightley has recently criticized Disney's potrayal of women in their animated films.

"What would Elsa say about Ariel giving up her voice for a man?"

Let's talk about Frozen before we get back to the other films.

Elsa was originally the film's antagonist. Once "Let it Go" was written and deemed catchy (which it is), the movie was rewritten to accommodate Elsa's new role. This left Hans to be the villain of the film without any build-up or foreshadowing, just a cheap pull of a rug.

The same film that criticizes Anna's instant engagement to someone she has just met pairs her up with a man she has known for three days.

Please notice, Frozen establishes no internal logic when it comes to Elsa's powers. She can create whatever structures she desires, life, outfits (and create braids out of nowhere, but I blame that on animators and those in charge of continuity, not writers). Anna states after mere hours or days, at best, that it is an eternal winter. Quoting Inigo Montoya, "You keep using this word, but I don't think it means what you think it means".

Now, Elsa. The newly crowned queen who questions her sister's engagement to a total stranger is the very same person who runs away and abandon her people on the very first challenge. "Let it Go", catchy as it is (I've downloaded it too), isn't only a song of Elsa declaring her freedom from fear and her self-empowerment. It also is Elsa declaring her effective immediate abdication of her queenly duties, skirting her responsibilities. It's the new "Hakuna Matata", which in turn is a newer "Bare Necessities".

In The Lion King, Simba is a child when he runs away. Elsa is 21. Nala and Rafiki call him out on it and Simba decides to go back. Elsa is dragged back as a prisoner by Hans. She doesn't do a single thing to help her people until the very end when she is able to thaw Arendelle, past the movie’s climax. Elsa is a damsel in distress rescued by her sister, rather than by a love interest. In 2013.

Now, let's talk about the old classics. Snow White and the Seven Dwarves was released in 1937 and, naturally, it reflects how women were seen in society at that moment. Every movie reflects the culture in which it was created.

Snow White is a 13 year-old girl. She runs away when the Huntsman tells her to, because he had orders to kill her. Snow finds the Dwarves' house a complete mess. She first believes the smaller scale objects belong to children. Upon seeing the mess, she stops mid-sentence to consider those boys are likely to be orphans. Snow White is kind and compassionate, despite her abusive upbringing (and I say the same about Cinderella). She uses her skills to find means of survival. She is outnumbered by seven strong man (they are miners), but she doesn't allow herself to be intimidated by them and she is the one calling the shots and the true mistress of the household.

As a film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves was the first feature animated film. Without it, none of the others would exist. But let's focus on a kiss without consent on a woman that was deemed dead, therefore he couldn't have asked for her permission.

Cinderella didn't sit around waiting for a prince. Firstly, what she truly asked for was a night off. She spends time with the man without knowing he is the prince. When she hears of it, she prepares to leave her abusive family behind. When she is locked up to prevent that, she does the best she can with the resources available to her - her animal friends. She instructs them to get the key, to get the dog. Cinderella doesn't need a man to save her, she does it herself. She happens to find one she considers a worthy partner, and he happens to be the prince.

Prince Philip, from Sleeping Beauty, is the first love interest to have a significant role and a name in these films. A movie with a majority of female characters and that has most of its dialogue uttered by them. Unlike Frozen.

Aurora is often criticized for being a passive protagonist, one who reacts to the plot rather than make it happen through her actions. The exact same thing could be said about Elsa. Each one of these blonde, beautiful, first in line for the crown women make one choice in their stories. Briar Rose chooses to accept her royal duties and follow through with it even though it costs her dearly. Elsa chooses to run away and abandon her people to fend for themselves without a second glance even to the only family she has left.

Ariel is passionate and curious about the landfolk, their culture and their ways long before she even set eyes on Eric. She didn't trade her voice for a man. She traded her voice for a chance to experience a life she'd always wanted: the one of a human. She saves his life three times. From drowning, from marrying a witch, from being killed by the witch.

Beauty and the Beast shows Belle calling the Beast out on his behavior while tending his wounds. Aladdin shows Jasmine calling her father (the Sultan), his Royal Vizier (Jafar) and Prince Ali (Aladdin), three powerful men, on their treatment of her and she declares "I am not a prize to be won". Megara does her best to scape the clutches of Hades after selling her soul to save her (ungrateful) boyfriend and to save Hercules. Mulan runs away and joins the army to save her father and ends up saving all of China. Sarabi holds her head high and shows true majesty while dealing with Scar, Nala calls Simba out on his attitude and fights alongside him. Nani, an overwhelmed orphan, is doing her best to care for her younger sister, Lilo shows compassion for the one who is expected to be irredeemable. Tangled shows Rapunzel defying her abusive mother to eventually learn the truth about herself. Moana shows strength of character, understanding, compassion and bravery in the face of adversity.

But sure, let's call Frozen a feminist icon and good representation.

[lilacmoon83]

The Convenience of Love

Prompt from @loboselinaistrash. She asked for Snowing and a marriage of convenience. In a world where Leopold lived and Regina escaped, Snow becomes her father's victim in Regina's place. Escaping to George's Kingdom, she requests asylum. But George proposes something else. A union between her and his son Prince James. But could this marriage of convenience become more? Snowing.

There is eluding to past sexual abuse, but nothing graphic. It's implied though, so you've been warned. This can be stand-alone, but there are a lot of possibilities here so I will accept prompts for this new verse. Review or PM me if you have one!

Also, this is VERY anti-Leopold. You've been warned again.

Enjoy and please reblog and share!

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03: 

"So...I plead for asylum from you, Your Majesty. You have my word that I will not be a burden or inconvenience on your Kingdom. I just need a little time to acquire what I need to leave this realm," Princess Snow White pleaded, as she stood before the Throne of King George. She didn't expect much, for she had heard he was a ruthless man. But she had to try...she had to get away from her father. Standing beside the Throne was his son, Prince James, looking at her with disdain and sporting a cut on his chin. He had caught her sneaking into the castle and she had belted him with a rock. She allowed herself a small smug smile at that.

"Yes...I've heard of your plight. I have to say, though I am more than willing to admit that while I am a ruthless man, I do not think I would ever touch my child in such a manner," he said bluntly. Snow stood frozen by his words and felt the weight of the horrors she had experienced threaten to suffocate her.

"By the look on your face it would seem the whispers and rumors about the kind of man Leopold really is are true," George added.

"Father…" James hissed. She was surprised by the look on the Prince's face. Usually she received disgust or pity from those who found out what her father had done to her and his secret attempt to change the law. A law that would force her to wed her own father. Leopold was a sick man and wanted her to replace his beloved Eva. Regina had escaped him long ago and for that, Snow was happy. She had heard that she found love with an outlaw in Sherwood Forest. But her escape had been the turning point for her father. Once he lost Regina, Snow had become his new victim in a frightening way. Now she was just a broken princess looking for a way out of the nightmare that was her life. She only hoped George would take pity on her, as much as she hated it. Prince James' expression was one of sympathy, but not pity and horror. Not at her, but what he had just surmised was done to her. It took her aback from a moment and it made her curious about him. She swallowed thickly.

"Then if you know the rumors are true, then you know why I must escape," she stated bravely.

"Yes...but perhaps there is another option," George stated.

"I'm not sure I understand, Your Majesty," she responded.

"You are the sole heir to your Kingdom's Throne. It is a rich Kingdom with vast resources, while our Kingdom is struggling. We are in need of a merger," he stated.

"We had a merger in place, until my foolish son and his big heart freed Princess Abigail's true love from the trappings of being turned to gold," George spat, casting a glance at his own heir.

"You're just mad, because I refuse to give up on true love," James retorted.

"True love is for children," George hissed, but Snow was intrigued by this Prince. Royals did not entertain thoughts of true love and such idealistic fodder. But this one was different, so unlike any other Prince she had ever met. So charming to a level that she would swear was fraudulent if she could not see the sincerity in his blue eyes.

"But if we were to arrange a marriage for you and my son...then we would have what we need to overthrow your father," George stated.

"What?" James asked in shock and Snow, too, looked flabbergasted.

"That's...ambitious. Our army is not large, but well equipped," Snow replied.

"But mine is large and with the right dealings, we can become equipped enough to seize your Kingdom. You would be saving your people from an unfit King and mine from starvation," he proposed. James still stood in shock and normally Snow would refuse to married off to a Prince for political or monetary gain. But her situation was dire and it wasn't like James was a cruel man. Just being in the room with him right now, she could tell by his eyes. He wore his emotions on his sleeve like no royal she had ever met. It both intrigued and fascinated her. Okay...and it helped that she was attracted to him, not that she wanted to ever admit it.

"Father…" James started to protest.

"Come now, son...you'll be marrying the fairest of them all. And I can already see by the look on her face that she knows your soft heart will see that she is never harmed again," George stated. James swallowed and looked at her. He would have been lying if he said he didn't think she was beautiful. The truth was he hadn't been able to take his eyes off her since she hit in the face. Then when he learned just a vague description of the horror she had been through, it cut him deeply, so deeply it shocked him to his very core. The thought of someone hurting her made him want to hunt them down and make them pay. He didn't know what it was he was feeling for her exactly, but he also knew his father was going to see him married off to a Princess. And so far, she was definitely the least objectionable choice.

"You really think we can overthrow my father and lock him away, Your Majesty?" she questioned. George smirked.

"I wouldn't have proposed such if I wasn't assured of victory, Snow White," he responded. She took a deep breath and nodded.

"Then I accept your offer," Snow said bravely. George looked to his son and he stepped down, walking slowly toward her. Inside his pocket, he clutched his mother's ring.

"True love follows this ring," Ruth had told him and he had never quite been able to bring himself to offer it to Abigail during their brief engagement. But with Snow...he found that he wanted to see it on her finger. Snow's surprise showed, as he got down on one knee. If he was going to do this, then he was going to do it right.

"Will you accept my ring and marry me, Princess Snow White?" he asked. She actually smiled. This one was just full of surprises.

"What do you think?" she asked coyly. He smirked and slipped it on her finger. She lifted her hand to examine it, as he rose to his feet. It wasn't exactly what she expected of a typical royal engagement ring and that's why she found that instantly loved it. In a gentlemanly manner, he raised her hand and kissed the back of it, never mind that he was wondering what it would be like to kiss her. And unbeknownst to him, she was wondering the same. It would come in due time and far more willingly than either of them would expect…

When Leopold learned that his daughter was engaged to King George's son, Prince James, to say he was livid was an understatement. He had immediately ordered a conference with King George, asking him to call off the engagement and return his wayward daughter to him. But the other King refused and the eve of their engagement ball arrived.

In the weeks prior, they had spent them getting to know each other. There was official picnics and outings on horseback, as well as meetings with many of the nobles. During that time, Snow and James talked extensively, usually settling into amiable conversation and playful banter. It was growing difficult for them to hide that their obvious genuine care for each other might be becoming something more. It was not lost on those around them either, especially with Snow's instance on calling him Charming. Prince Charming was quickly becoming a moniker that was sticking with Prince James.

But the night of their engagement ball would be a true turning point in their relationship.

Snow actually found herself enjoying the ball and she hadn't enjoyed one since her mother was alive, for they had all been spent with her father's firm hand on her. But at Charming's side, she felt free and had made new friends in Princess Aurora, Princess Ariel, Princess Abigail, and Princess Ella. But her happiness would be interrupted when the ballroom doors burst open and King Leopold strode in with a purposeful stride. She gasped and all the memories of what he had done came rushing back. She felt Charming's protective arm go around her and pull her close.

"It seems this is quite a party. My invitation must have gotten lost in transit," Leopold griped.

"You know damn well that you're not invited," Charming growled.

"Insolent boy...you may be a Prince, but I am King. A King that you have stolen from. I am here to take back what belongs to me," he hissed, as several of his men surrounded him. Charming was about to unsheathe his sword, but Snow beat him to it, as she drew the weapon and pointed it at her father.

"I do not belong to you or anyone. I am not an object you can own," Snow refuted.

"Oh, I believe we both know that I do own you daughter. I proved that," he retorted.

"Guards!" Charming bellowed, as his own men encircled Leopold's.

"I shall leave for now, but this is far from over. You may marry my daughter, Prince Charming, but I will one day regain what you have taken from me," Leopold promised, as he strode out with his guards behind him. Snow couldn't take all the eyes on her any longer and fled the ballroom for her chambers.

"Snow!" he called, as he hurried after her and leaned against her door.

"Snow...please talk to me. You have to know that I'll never let him touch you again. I'd rather die," he pleaded through the door. It opened and he found her there, shoulders racking with sobs and he immediately took her in his arms. He didn't give a damn how improper it might have been to enter her bedchambers and close the door, for he did it anyway. He hugged her fiercely and let her cry against him.

"He's evil...he'll never stop until he takes me back," she sobbed.

"I will never let him do that. I will keep you safe," he promised and she looked up at him, once again witnessing nothing but sincerity in his eyes. There was something else in his eyes as well, but she didn't dare entertain what that might mean.

"He didn't just threaten me this time...he threatened you," she warned. But he shook his head.

"He can level all the threats he wants, but I will never leave your side," he promised.

"Why? There are a dozen other royals you could marry and gain riches for your Kingdom. What if your father decides that I'm too much trouble?" she asked.

"Then I'll piss him off and marry you anyway, And I will die for you if it means protecting you from Leopold," he said boldly. Her eyes widened in surprise and she looked into his eyes. There was no denying what was there anymore.

"You'd die for me?" she asked in disbelief.

"Well, I'd rather not resort to anything too drastic, but I'll go take an arrow for you if you think I'm making it up," he replied.

"No one's ever been willing to die for me," she realized.

"Until now," he corrected.

"Why?" she asked.

"I think you know," he replied.

"But...this is a marriage of convenience," she protested, though halfheartedly.

"And now it's more…" he added. With that statement, they stared at each other until the tension between them could be ignored no longer and their lips came crashing together for the first time. She slid her arms around his neck, trying to get as close to him as possible, as he kissed her with such passion that it made her head swim and her knees weak. As their lips parted, they stared at each other again.

"I love you…" he confessed.

"And...I love you…" she realized, surprising herself. She never expected to fall in love. It hadn't been a possibility or so she thought. But now that it had happened, she felt herself clinging to it with everything she had.

"There's something I must tell you though...but it has to remain a secret. Can you do that?" he asked. She nodded.

"When I was a little girl, I told a secret that I shouldn't have. It got someone killed," she said sadly.

"I didn't understand then...but I do now. Whatever we speak of will be between us," she promised.

"I'm not the real James," he confessed. She looked at him oddly.

"What does that mean?" she asked.

"I'm his twin. James is dead. He was raised by George and I was raised on a farm with my mother. When James was killed, I replaced him to keep up the ruse with King Midas and the rest...you know," he confessed. She looked at him with scrutiny for several beats and he felt his heart sink.

"I'll...understand if you don't want to marry me now…" he fretted, but she put her hand to his mouth.

"It finally makes sense," she confessed. His brow furrowed in confusion.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"I could never figure out why you're so different from other royals...and in a very good way. Now I know," she said, smiling fondly at him.

"So...you still want to marry me?" he asked. She grinned.

"What do you think?" she asked coyly. He smiled and kissed her again, this time lifting her off her feet and spinning her around. Truly what had began as a marriage of convenience had become one of true love...

What should have been smooth sailing from there to their wedding day turned out to be anything but. Even after being overthrown and losing his Kingdom, Leopold had escaped with a handful of loyal soldiers. And he had revenge on his mind. No one was quite sure how he had done it, but he managed to acquire a magical item to aid him in his revenge. A poison apple that would invoke a sleeping curse upon its victim. To get his daughter to eat the apple, he had managed to capture her Prince Charming when he was away on a hunting trip. In exchange for his life, she bit into the apple for him. After all, if he could not have her, then no one would. His plan then had been to execute the Prince, before George's forces could save his son. But what Leopold didn't count on was Charming's escape.

The Prince rode his horse with an incredible urgency, as if his very life depended upon him getting to his destination. But truthfully, it was not his life that was in peril, but rather the woman he loved. She had eaten a poison apple, willingly sacrificing herself to spare his life...from none other than her own evil father.

Her own father had cursed her to keep them apart and all because he couldn't have her. They had suspected he had acquired a silent partner in his quest and when he had given Snow the magical poisoned apple, it all but confirmed that he was definitely working with someone with magic. The King's Huntsman had helped him escape execution and Rumpelstiltskin made a deal with him that had helped lead him to Snow after he had done Rumple's favor. And now, he was finally here. He hopped off his horse and hurried to the glass covered coffin where the seven dwarves that Snow had befriended during the war with Leopold, mourned their Princess.

"Open it…" he pleaded.

"You're too late…" Grumpy replied harshly, as it began to snow lightly. He swallowed thickly, with grief threatening to cripple him.

"Then at least let me say goodbye…" he requested. The dwarves hesitated for a moment and then granted his request, as they lifted the glass. He leaned down over her and pressed his lips to hers in a final kiss. But then, in a moment of sheer magic, the light inside him that was slowly dying, the light that was Snow, was lit again, as she took a starved breath. Her emerald eyes flew open and she looked up at him, as she breathed once again.

"You...you found me," she uttered, as he beamed at her and helped her sit up.

"Did you ever doubt I would?" he asked.

"Never...though the glass coffin did give me pause," she teased. He grinned and caressed her beautiful face.

"Well, you never have to worry, because I will always find you," he replied.

"Do you promise?" she asked. He did and they sealed it with with another kiss.

Though Leopold was still a lurking threat, their wedding commenced without a hitch.

"Do you Prince James, take this woman, Snow White, to be your beloved wife?" the Holy man asked, as they held hands at the altar, gazing into each other's eyes.

"I do," he answered without hesitation and an eagerness that spoke of his undying love for her.

"And do you, Princess Snow White, take this man, James, to be your beloved husband?" he asked. She tilted her head, gazing at him dreamily.

"Oh, I do," she answered in a blissful tone.

"There is no truer love than that which has been witnessed by this pair and it is my honor to pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride," the holy man said, as they closed the distance between them and he leaned in to press his lips to hers. There was thundering applause, as their union was sealed.

King George watched on proudly, for he had everything he wanted. Truthfully, he could care less that this was now a union of true love, for it united the Kingdoms and saved both. He had thought long ago that he could not have prosperity for his Kingdom and true love for his son. He had hammered it into James that he would marry for convenience and never love. That was not an option. His twin was harder to convince and he had threatened him at one time. But somehow, he had managed to have both. George would have his riches and this union would most certainly produce at least one heir, if not more by the way they were looking at each other. And that fleeting happiness that George thought to be lost to him long ago suddenly seemed attainable. True, he would have never let it happen if not for gaining a hold on Snow White's Kingdom. But if he could have stability and riches, then he would let David have his true love. And no one would ever be any the wiser that he was not the real James.

Later that evening, after all their things were moved into the joint chamber, they were finally alone. They kissed intensely and passionately, as one would expect of newlyweds. But to Snow's surprise, Charming pulled back suddenly.

"Snow…" he said thickly.

"I know what you went through...and if you're not ready for this, I'll understand. We...we won't do this unless it's really what you want," he replied. She smiled at him and kissed him tenderly again.

"I know...but Charming, I love you and I want this. I want to know what it's like to be with someone you love...someone you want to be with," she said. He gently cupped her face in his hands and kissed her tenderly.

"I want you to make love to me," she uttered, as their lips crashed together again and he swept her into his arms, before carrying her to the bed.

They fell back onto the bed afterward, breathing heavily with skin slick with perspiration. They looked at each other with love and awe in their eyes. Any expectations either of them had about the marriage bed were thoroughly exceeded on that night, for being in love and making love left them breathless and only solidified the undying true love between them. Love that had blossomed from a marriage of convenience and became everything they ever wanted and next expected to have. There was still threats in their future and there would be obstacles as well, but it would be nothing they would face alone. From then on, they would face it all together. And despite any uncertainty in the future, they had managed to forge, not a happy ending, for they were not ending, but a happy beginning...

[megapotatosaurus]

All the Disney asks :D

challenge fucking accepted, friend

Aurora: Story of your first kiss.

All right listen up folks because this is probably gonna be the best story of them all as I’m going to get progressively more tired as this post goes on.  It was a dark and stormy night - actually, it was in the middle of the day, and I was on my first real date.  No, I was not a teenager.  And he couldn’t drive so I’d brought my car to the train station to pick him up before going on.  Anyway so I should point out that this dude was older than me but even less experienced.  Like some painfully shy nerd or something.  Like, I’d never kissed before, but I knew how to kiss, right?

He sure did not know how to kiss.  Like the dude hadn’t even looked at a single youtube tutorial or something.  He was not prepared.  So when the time came to kiss, time kinda slowed down, and I was like, omg, here it comes, me first kiss at last, get ready for the fireworks, here it comes.

And this dude right, this fully grown man, SMASHES his face against mine so that my head slams back against the car seat, LATCHES onto my mouth with his like a vice, our teeth clash and his tongue rams straight down my throat.

So I’m sitting there on the receiving end of this absolutely terrible kiss, this guy’s tongue is waggling wildly against my tonsils, and I just feel so fucking exasperated, like, I feel like in the movie of my life, the camera should have freeze-framed on me at that moment, and a voiceover would’ve come in like “Yep, that’s me there, the girl with the tongue down her throat.  I suppose you’re wondering how I got myself into this situation.  Well…”

Rapunzel: 5 things from your bucket list.

I don’t have one so I’m just gonna make up some things now that sound like they would be pretty awesome: 1. Become proficient at astral projection so I can go on spooky adventures in my sleep, 2. Write a book that gets a movie AND video game adaptation, 3. Set up a charity to help women fleeing from domestic abuse in countries where the law is not on their side, 4. Build my own house, 5. Get married and have an owl fly the rings down the aisle because I love owls.  Ok so that started off silly and gradually turned into things that I ACTUALLY want to do.

Dory: Something someone has told you that you can’t forget.

This one’s easy, I don’t remember fucking anything.

Pocahontas: Something new you taught someone.

To love and accept themselves?  I’m a teacher and a therapist so all I ever do is share my great potatoe wisdom with people young and old

Mulan: Do you trust your gut feeling?

Always!!  My intuition is always good.

Jasmine: The story of when you had to really trust someone.

Ah yes, I remember the last time I fully trusted someone, it was back in 1884, I was but a young potatosaur, I was trapped in the cargo hold of a ship on the way to Newport from Argentina, and the other stowaway was a bearded vagrant who gradually began to starve as the months went by.  I had to trust that man not to peel and eat me in my sleep.  My life was in his hands.

Belle: Is there someone you are close to who no one else likes?

To be honest, years ago I would have had to say yes, but now I’m older and I’ve often found that if nobody likes somebody, there’s a good reason.

Ariel: Where do you think you belong, and why?

Honestly, I have no idea, and just when I think I’ve found somewhere I really belong, as a member of a community or whatever, something always happens to smash it and I have to move on.  So now I try to cultivate my own personal sense of belonging separate from other people, so I belong wherever I am.

Flounder: Something that surprised you and frightened you.

Dump Truck becoming president?  Brexit happening?  The rising tide of racism and intolerance?  The looming threat of nuclear war? Lots of things have surprised and frightened me in the past year.

Eric: Have you ever helped a stranger?  What happened?

Well I remember a couple of months ago a lady’s car broke down and her husband wasn’t picking up his phone so I drove her home.  Tons more vague memories come to mind but that one was pretty recent.

Aladdin: A sacrifice you made for someone.

Back on that Argentinian sailing ship, I allowed my friend the vagrant to cut a few chips out of me to save his life.  I might have a hole in my side, but my heart is full of the joy of true love.

Tiana: A time you tried your hardest for something.

Probably when I was sitting my Chemistry GCSE, I was never much good at it or so I thought, but I had a teacher who really encouraged me, so I studied hard and got an A!!!  Still very proud of that :]

Boo: A childhood hero.

Emmeline Pankhurst, one of the leaders of the Suffragette movement here in the UK!  One badass bitch

Cruella: Something you really want but aren’t allowed to have.

Tbh I mostly just get whatever I want eventually, life’s too short to have regrets :D

Seven Dwarfs: 7 things you like in the people around you.

Alrighty so not directed at anyone in particular, some traits that I value in my friends: Kindness, honesty, sincerity, loyalty, good humour, non-judgemental, an interest and curiosity for many things.

Kronk: What are you best at in the kitchen?

First of all a moment of appreciation for Kronk, the best character.  Secondly I am a rocking cook so basically I’m good at everything in the kitchen.  But u know my microwave skills is off the hoooooook too

Simba: Something a parent has taught you.

How to hold my ground against people who are emotionally manipulative.

Cinderella: “A dream is a wish your heart makes.”  What’s that for you?

My dreams are all dead and buried like so many potato peelings.

Nemo: Your bravest moment.

Maybe when I stood up for one of my friends in school against a thug who was threatening him, there were tons of witnesses but everybody else didn’t move a muscle.

Terk: Are you a big sister figure to anyone?

Nope.

Buzz: Your favourite fantasy world.

Do I hafta pick one?  They’re all so good ;o;  And I like all the ones I make the best because they’re mine and I can do what I want :D

Alice: Done drugs?

Ew, no, never.

Peter Pan: Something from your childhood you still love.

My teddy bear!  And going to feed the swans at the lake near where I grew up.  Been doing that all my life. :]

This was fun and also horrendous, thank you friend shoe, I hope my answers were worth it!!!