Summary: Two people from two different worlds, both with a grudge against relationships, cross paths and discover an opportunity to get something they both want.
Title Inspiration: In the Moonlight - Susie Suh
Warning: This series will contain NSFW material and crude language and conversations. If you read, you acknowledge you are 18+
A/N: Thank you to @dcbbw and @burnsoslow for looking over most of this. Please excuse any errors.
Catch Up Here
Perma Tags (if you’d like to be added or removed for this story, please let me know): @zaffrenotes @cocomaxley @gardeningourmet @gibbles82 @annekebbphotography @sweetest-marbear @indiacater @liamxs-world @classylady1234 @texaskitten30 @the-soot-sprite @ladyangel70 @esmckenzie @emichelle @dcbbw @burnsoslow @bbrandy2002 @sirbeepsalot @debramcg1106 @gnatbrain @ofpixelsandscribbles @openheart12 @sincerelyella @superharriet @aestheticartsx @forthebrokenheartedthings @kingliam2019 @indiana-jr @bascmve01 @rainbowsinthestorm @darley1101 @charlotteg234 @alyssalauren @txemrn @neotericthemis @queenrileyrose @emkay512 @kat-tia801 @marshmallowsaremyfavorite @gkittylove99 @choiceskatie @forallthatitsworth @queenjilian @walker7519 @hopelessromanticmonie @iaminlovewithtrr @amandablink @mainstreetreader @mom2000aggie @foreverethereal123
^ accurate representation of my range of feelings while reading this chapter
I feel like your goal at this point is to see how many people you can drive insane. Like… AHHH!! Every time I thought something would happen it didn’t. Gahhhh! I need more! ❤️❤️❤️
Summary: Two people from two different worlds, both with a grudge against relationships, cross paths and discover an opportunity to get something they both want.
Title Inspiration: Maybe - James Arthur
Warning: This series will contain NSFW material and crude language and conversations. If you read, you acknowledge you are 18+
A/N: Thank you to @dcbbw and @burnsoslow for prereading in part and whole, and snippet readers. Please excuse any errors.
Catch Up Here
Perma Tags (if you’d like to be added or removed for this story, please let me know - I’m using my new tag list, so if I’ve missed anyone, I apologize, just let me know): @zaffrenotes @cocomaxley @gardeningourmet @gibbles82 @annekebbphotography @sweetest-marbear @indiacater @liamxs-world @classylady1234 @texaskitten30 @the-soot-sprite @ladyangel70 @esmckenzie @emichelle @dcbbw @burnsoslow @bbrandy2002 @sirbeepsalot @debramcg1106 @gnatbrain @ofpixelsandscribbles @openheart12 @sincerelyella @superharriet @aestheticartsx @forthebrokenheartedthings @kingliam2019 @indiana-jr @bascmve01 @rainbowsinthestorm @darley1101 @charlotteg234 @alyssalauren @txemrn @neotericthemis @queenrileyrose @emkay512 @kat-tia801 @marshmallowsaremyfavorite @gkittylove99 @choiceskatie @forallthatitsworth @queenjilian @walker7519 @hopelessromanticmonie @iaminlovewithtrr @amandablink @mainstreetreader @mom2000aggie @foreverethereal123
Alexandria’s eyes fluttered open as the early morning sun peeked through the curtains of the bedroom she shared with Liam. She softly smiled as her eyes traveled down her body that was currently wrapped and tangled in the bedsheets, landing on her exposed bump. Liam lay at the end of the bed with his hand resting on top of her belly as he softly whispered to it.
“... I know your mommy has done a wonderful job keeping you safe and comfortable in there, but you’re already four days late. We’ll have to work on your punctuality.” Alexandria couldn’t stop the giggle that escaped her. Liam glanced up and smiled sheepishly. “I’m sorry, my love, did I wake you?”
“No,” she chuckled, reaching down and running her fingers through his hair.
Liam crawled up the bed next to her and leaned down, placing a soft kiss on her lips. “Breakfast?”
“Yes … but I need to get up first … they’re sitting right on my bladder.”
Liam chuckled and stood from the bed. He reached down and helped Alexandria up; her large belly made it nearly impossible for her to do it herself, not without a massive struggle that left her out of breath.
Alexandria was now four days past her due date. She and Liam, along with their friends and the rest of the country, were growing restless as they awaited the arrival of the crown prince or princess. The doctor had assured the King and Queen that the baby was perfectly healthy and that going over the due date was normal and nothing to worry about.
In the months since finding out she was pregnant, Liam and Alexandria had spent time preparing for everything that they could. The nursery was put together, they had read all the books, and they had listened to any advice given. And Liam had grown increasingly more protective over his Queen and the precious cargo she was carrying. He frequently checked on her, made sure she was doing nothing that he would consider to be too much, and anything she asked for, she received.
Alexandria didn’t stop Liam. She often smiled and shook her head at how overwhelmingly cautious he had become and at how much he worried over the littlest things. He was utterly endearing, and despite the not-so-pretty side effects of pregnancy, she wouldn’t have traded a single minute of experiencing it with him by her side. Seeing him already a doting father made her heart swell, and even more anxious for their little arrival to finally make their appearance.
During the pregnancy, Liam and Alexandria had continued working through everything that had happened just over a year prior.
Alexandria worked on letting go of the guilt she was still holding onto. Despite what others told her, Liam included, that was her biggest obstacle to get over. She struggled initially, questioning if there was a way she could have known, if there was something that she missed -- other than the obvious. After months of working through it, she was finally in a place where she was able to say that, no, none of what happened was her fault.
Liam worked through the betrayal of his father and what he had done to his mother. He often wondered how different not only his life would have been, but Seth’s as well had they had a relationship; if they had grown up together instead of being ripped apart at birth. There were a lot of what if’s that he worked to let go of over the past year, knowing that in the end, none of them mattered.
****
After breakfast and showers, Liam headed to his study to do a little work while Alexandria waddled her way through the corridors. She was told walking could help move things along, so walking is what she had been doing the past few days, among other things she and Liam had been trying. On top of the walking, she had more than her fair share of spicy foods, and she and Liam had been more than productive elsewhere.
While walking, Alexandria heard a sound that caught her attention. She glanced up to see Drake down at the end of the hall, making beeping noises as he signaled with his hands as though he was directing her. “You’re such an asshole,” she chuckled as she shook her head.
Drake let out a bark of laughter as he walked up to her. “Feeling ok?”
“As best a beached whale can be expected to feel, I suppose.”
“Stop it,” he chuckled. “Pregnancy looks good on you. What do they always say … you’re simply glowing!” he spoke in a mocking tone.
“Well, thank you,” Alexandria smiled. “What are you up to?”
“Nothing. Just walking around.”
Alexandria stopped and looked up at Drake. “Liam sent you to check on me, didn’t he?”
“Yes, he did,” Drake nodded with a grin.
“He’s such a worrywart,” she shook her head.
“He is, but he’s also so excited that I think he may burst,” Drake chuckled.
Alexandria laughed but then stopped walking. She pressed her hand against her belly while her other hand went to the wall to steady herself as she looked down. “Uh, Drake … I think I just burst …”
Drake’s eyes went wide at the small puddle at Alexandria’s feet. “Holy shit! Uh … ok, ok, ok … um, it’s gonna be ok!”
Alexandria slowly looked up at Drake, seeing the panic in his expression. “Just call Liam.” Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain that started in her lower abdomen and shot right around to her back. She doubled forward, and her face grimaced in pain. “NOWWWWW!” she groaned through gritted teeth.
****
Hours later, Liam sat at Alexandria’s bedside in the hospital, holding her hand as she squeezed it tightly, helping her through another contraction. Because of her low blood pressure, Alexandria had been unable to get an epidural and was going through the labor au naturale. Her hair was matted, and her neck, chest, and forehead were flushed and glistening with sweat.
“You’re doing great, my love. I’m so proud of you …” Liam’s voice trembled as he whispered in her ear once the contraction had subsided.
“Liam, if you cry … I’m going to cry,” her voice cracked. “So, I’m going to need you … to pull yourself together.”
Liam tearfully smiled as he kissed her temple. “I’m sorry … I just don’t like seeing you in pain.”
“Well, this pain is necessary … to get this little one out. So … it’s the good kind of pain,” she replied through gasped breaths. She gripped Liam’s hand and screamed as another contraction ripped through her.
Just then, the doctor came into the room. “How are we doing, Your Majesty?”
“They’re coming closer together,” Liam answered for Alexandria, who was unable to speak at the moment as she caught her breath.
“Let’s check and see how far you’ve progressed.” The doctor gloved up his hand and checked Alexandria. “You’re about … 7 centimeters. Hopefully, it won’t be too much longer, ma’am.”
****
“Liam … I don’t think … I can keep doing this. I’m so tired.” Alexandria had just worked through another contraction. She covered her eyes with her hand as her shoulders began to shake with silent sobs. It had been hours, and she was completely exhausted.
“Hey.” Liam leaned down, removing the cool cloth he had placed on her forehead to press a soft kiss there. “You can do this, Alex. You’re the strongest, most incredible woman I’ve ever known, and you’ve done absolutely amazing so far.”
“Stop sweet-talking me,” she cried.
Liam smiled. “No sweet talk. Just the truth.” Alexandria looked at him with a fatigued expression, and he brushed his hand across her cheek. “If I could trade places with you, I would in a heartbeat, love. But you’re so close … I know you can do this.” Alexandria gave him a determined nod, and he leaned down, pressing a kiss to her lips. Just as they parted, another contraction came. Alexandria cried out as she squeezed Liam’s hand with a crushing grip. “I’m here, love. Breathe …”
As Liam helped Alexandria through her contraction, the doctor came in to recheck her. He smiled at the King and Queen. “10 centimeters. Are you ready to meet your little prince or princess?”
“Yes,” they both replied in unison.
The doctor chuckled. “Alright. Sir, I’m going to have you help her sit up a bit and slide behind her.”
Liam nodded and rose from his chair at her bedside. He helped Alexandria sit up and positioned himself behind her so her back was resting against his chest. Alexandria immediately grabbed hold of Liam’s hands, threading their fingers together and squeezing; he could tell she was nervous. “I’m right here,” he whispered in her ear.
“On your next contraction, I need you to push, ma’am.”
Within moments Alexandria gave her first push.
****
Forty-five minutes later, Alexandria dropped back against Liam’s chest. “They’re never coming out,” she cried, shaking her head as her tears fell; her body was covered in a sheen of sweat as she gasped for breath.
“We’re almost there, love. I know you’re tired, but it’s almost over.”
“Ma’am, give me everything you’ve got on this next push, and it should be your last. One big one. Ready …”
Alexandria gripped Liam’s hands and lurched forward as she pushed. After a moment, instant relief suddenly filled her body, and she fell back against Liam’s chest. A few seconds later, they heard the tiny cry for the first time.
“Congratulations, Your Majesties. It’s a girl.” The doctor held up the baby -- their baby -- and Liam and Alexandria both stared at her in astonishment.
Alexandria turned her head back to look at Liam; she reached her hand up and wiped the tears from his cheek as her own fell. Liam leaned down and kissed her softly. “I love you so much,” he whispered against her lips. “I’m so proud of you. You were incredible, Alex.”
The doctor finished up with Alexandria, and a moment later, the nurse came over with the baby, laying her down against her chest. “We’ll give you two some time with her before we move you to your room in the maternity unit.” The doctor and nurse stepped out, leaving them alone with the baby.
“Liam …” Alexandria choked out as they both stared down at her in awe.
Liam couldn’t wipe the smile from his face, feeling his heart swell with more pride than he thought possible. “Hello, princess,” he tearfully whispered as he stroked her cheek with his finger. “I’m your daddy.” She was perfect and already had him wrapped around her tiny finger.
Alexandria brushed her thumb across her forehead before gently pushing up the tiny pink hat that she wore. She had a full head of dark hair. “Look at all of her hair,” she tearfully chuckled, and Liam grinned. “She’s beautiful,” Alexandria smiled, wiping the tears from her eyes with the back of her one hand while the other rested against the baby’s back.
“Just like her mother.” Liam kissed Alexandria’s cheek before she rested her head against him; her body was feeling the effects of the hours and hours of labor. The two sat in silence as they stared at the baby, both feeling an overwhelming sense of love. “We need to choose a name for our princess,” Liam broke the silence.
Alexandria gently shifted the baby from her chest to cradle her in her arms, and she stared thoughtfully down at their daughter. Only one name came to mind, and she smiled. “Eleanor.” She heard Liam let out a soft breath, and she turned her head back to look at him.
Even more emotion filled his eyes as they looked down at the little girl in his wife’s arms before moving to meet her gaze. “That would be a great honor to my mother.”
“I think it suits her.”
“Me too.” Liam reached his hand up and wiped his cheeks before resting it down on top of Alexandria’s. “It’s perfect. She’s perfect.”
****
Alexandria had been moved to a private room in the maternity unit. Drake, Olivia, and Maxwell all stopped by to meet Eleanor. Even Uncle Leo even made a surprise visit. Before heading to the palace, he offered to take on some of Liam’s workload during his visit to allow him time to spend with the newest addition to their family.
Now it was just Liam and Alexandria alone with Eleanor, marveling at her as they took turns holding her.
Liam couldn’t get enough. He couldn’t stop looking at her, memorizing every little detail from her small button nose, her full head of hair, down to her tiny fingers and toes. He had heard of the term “over the moon” and was feeling exactly that.
Bastien, who had come in to meet the newest member of the royal family, watched Liam fawn over his daughter. He held her in his arms as he walked around the room with the tiny bundle in his arms, unable to wipe the smile from his face.
Shortly after Liam had laid Eleanor down in her cot, a knock came on their door. Bastien opened it and the nurse stepped inside. “We’re going to take the princess to the nursery to do her hearing screening,” she smiled.
Liam and Alexandria both nodded. “Liam, go with her.”
“Ok,” he smiled. He rose from the edge of the bed and turned, pressing a kiss to Alexandria’s forehead. “We’ll be right back. Try and get a little rest, my love.”
Liam pushed the small cot holding Eleanor down the hall as he walked with the nurse and Bastien to the nursery. “We’re going to take her right in here.” The nurse took the cot, pushing it through the left side of the large nursery to another nurse who was waiting inside before stepping back out. “The doctor will be here in just a moment, sir.” She curtsied and stepped away.
“How are you feeling, dad?” Bastien smiled as he clapped Liam on the shoulder.
Liam couldn’t contain his proud grin as he shook his head. “We’ve wanted this for so long … it’s kind of surreal. I’m just … I’m so in love with her I already.”
“Regina has been calling to check on you all.”
“Dammit,” Liam grumbled. “I forgot to call her in the midst of everything going on.” He pulled his phone from his pocket, and he and Bastien stepped away from the door for a moment while he called Regina.
Inside the nursery, the nurse stood and smiled down at the small princess while continuing to wait for the doctor. The other nursery door on the right side of the room opened a few moments later, and she looked up, curtsying to the King as he stepped inside.
“How is my little girl?” he asked.
“We’re still waiting for the doctor, Your Majesty.”
He nodded and stepped over to the cot; the nurse noticed a limp as he walked. “Is your leg ok, sir?”
“Yes, it’s fine. It just has a kink in it from sitting with Her Majesty.” He looked down at Eleanor and scooped her up into his arms. “I’ve been looking forward to having this first moment alone with her,” he smiled.
“She’s quite perfect, sir.”
He looked her over and nodded. “That she is.”
“Let me go see where the doctor is.”
The nurse stepped out of the room just as Eleanor began to fuss a little. He gently rocked her in his arms, brushing his thumb across her tiny cheek.
Summary: Two people from two different worlds, both with a grudge against relationships, cross paths and discover an opportunity to get something they both want.
Title Inspiration: Fallin’ (Adrenaline) - Why Don’t We
Warning: This series will contain NSFW material and crude language and conversations. If you read, you acknowledge you are 18+
A/N: Thank you to those who read snippets and looked most of this over. Please excuse any errors.
Catch Up Here
Perma Tags (if you’d like to be added or removed for this story, please let me know): @leelee10898 @zaffrenotes @cocomaxley @gardeningourmet @gibbles82 @annekebbphotography @sweetest-marbear @indiacater @liamxs-world @classylady1234 @texaskitten30 @moneyfordiamonds @the-soot-sprite @ladyangel70 @esmckenzie @emichelle @dcbbw @burnsoslow @bbrandy2002 @sirbeepsalot @choiceslife @debramcg1106 @gnatbrain @ofpixelsandscribbles @openheart12 @sincerelyella @superharriet @aestheticartsx @forthebrokenheartedthings @kingliam2019 @indiana-jr @bascmve01 @rainbowsinthestorm @darley1101 @charlotteg234 @alyssalauren @txemrn @neotericthemis @queenrileyrose @emkay512 @kat-tia801 @marshmallowsaremyfavorite @gkittylove99 @choiceskatie @forallthatitsworth @queenjilian @walker7519 @speedyoperarascalparty @hopelessromanticmonie @iaminlovewithtrr
I think this was the most rollercoaster chapter you’ve ever written and now I NEED MORE!! Just as Aria is opening up and Liam is showing how his real self… Jacqueline!!! Ughhh
I am participating in @wackydrabbles prompts. This week’s prompt is “You’re gonna get us busted!”
A/N: I saw this post last week and I couldn’t stop thinking about how this was something Liam would do. I have no idea what this is, but here we are. Please excuse any errors.
[image description: a tweet by user @/CHIPANIMUS that reads “What happens in your head when you do 27 + 48? PLEASE respond I’m tryna see something”. end id.]
I am participating in @wackydrabbles prompt #105 “It’s definitely…interesting.” which will appear in bold.
Pairing: Liam x Riley
A/N: When I read chapter 1 yesterday, something hit me and it really kind of bothered me:
He showed Eleanor the bed, got her all amped up about it, then made it our decision whether or not she could get it. Like, how are we supposed to say no right now? (Also, why didn’t he just set up the fancier bed in the first place? And why did he waste the royal carpenters time making two beds for one kid? So many unanswered questions, and I know I’m focusing on the wrong plot points in this chapter, but I’ve already addressed the Via Imperii, so my mind is elsewhere.)
So I wrote a fic that addresses this terrible parenting move, and showed Liam why he shouldn’t set Riley up like that.
Thank you @phoenixrising308, as always for pre-reading, you’re amazing, I love you.
And shout out @bebepac for being so hyped on this idea when it was just a quick comment I made as we were discussing the mistakes PB made in chapter 1 😂
Word Count: 873
Rating: G - Pure wholesome royal family fluff.
All characters belong to Pixelberry.
Tags: Listed below. Let me know if you’d like to be added or removed.
Liam watched in delight as Eleanor jumped up and down on her brand new princess bed. He looked over to Riley when he felt her nudge his shoulder, she tilted her head toward the door, signaling that she wanted to speak with him. He nodded in understanding before turning back to Eleanor. “Now princess, be careful, we don’t need you falling off this brand new bed, okay?”
“Okay daddy.” Eleanor replied dismissively, keeping her focus on the pillow fort she was building on top of her bed.
I have an ask what if Liam found out and how would he feel what Olivia did to Riley,Drake and Hana during the first book in TRR. When they weren’t served food and how Riley had to act sick to get a little something to eat. And by the time they where served it’s was to late for them to eat the food was horrible!
I would have loved to have seen his response. When I first played TRR, I really wanted to tattle on all the rude nobles to Liam 😂 Of course, I grew to adore Olivia and would never do so now. I'm going to combine your request and one that @busywoman gave for Liam and Riley's responses to Olivia kissing him during the waltz at that particular ball for this fic.
"I don't know which is worse. Smelling the food or seeing none of it coming our way." Riley complained.
"The service here is terrible." Hana conceded.
"Typical Olivia." Drake added.
"Typical?" Riley narrowed her eyes. "You mean this is what she normally does?"
"I don't know if she always uses food as a way to punish people, but let's just say she enjoys making her enemies suffer." He explained.
"That does seem to be a norm amongst the nobility." Hana placed her hands over her stomach when it gurgled. A pretty blush spread over her cheeks while she begged their pardon.
"I for one refuse to fall into her plans of torture." Riley noticed a waiter about to pass them by.
"Please!" She jumped out in front of him. "I need food." She lifted her trembling hand to her forehead. "I'm so weak, so..."
Her eyes rolled back as she collapsed into Drake's arms.
"Whoa!" He barely kept her from striking the table.
The waiter quickly deposited a bowl of lobster bisque down then made his escape.
Riley opened one eye. "Is he gone?"
"Yes." Hana beamed at her. "That was a spectacular performance! I really thought you had fainted."
"Give a guy a little warning next time you need him to catch you." Drake grinned at her.
"Hey, it's all worth it if we get to eat." Riley placed the bowl where they could all three reach it. "Let's dig in."
"Oh my goodness." Hana closed her eyes in delight. "This almost makes up for the slow service."
"Only almost?" Riley teased.
"Olivia would have to serve this next to a medium rare steak with a loaded baked potato, a bottle of Macallan, and possibly seeing her on her knees begging for forgiveness."
Riley and Hana shared a glance.
"You two really don't like each other.” Riley pointed out.
"Let's just say we have a long history of hurling insults at each other." His eyes narrowed on the duchess when he heard her husky laugh. "After years of that, who in their right mind would like her?"
"Liam likes her." Hana pointed out.
"That's true." Riley took another bite of the bisque. "He told me the other day about her tragic childhood and how their friendship came about."
Drake snorted. "Liam's too nice."
"Is that a bad thing?" Hana asked.
He shrugged.
"That's one thing you'll never have to worry about." Riley teased.
Drake's gaze shot over to her and he couldn't help but grin. "True. I've never been accused of being too nice."
"I doubt you've ever been accused of being nice period." Riley muttered.
He chuckled at that. "I can't deny it."
***************
Nearly an hour later...
"Finally." Riley picked up her spoon and took a bite from her own bowl.
Drake nearly gagged on his before shoving it away.
Hana quickly pressed her napkin to her mouth after her bite. "Oh my! This is ice cold."
Riley stirred hers, a slight frown forming. "No lobster in it either."
"Just another line of attack from a Nevarkis." Drake slumped in his seat.
He folded his arms across his chest while waiters rushed by with finishing up serving the third course to everyone else.
As they sat there in envy of the other guests, they heard the orchestra begin to play.
Olivia stood up and encouraged everyone to choose their partners for the Cordonian Waltz.
"But we haven't had dinner!" Hana exclaimed to the other two.
"Does it look like she cares?" Drake jutted his chin towards the front of the ballroom.
Riley pushed away from the table. "I guess not." She noticed Drake remaining in his seat. "You're not dancing?"
"No thanks. I'll stay here with the," his lip curled in disgust, "food."
"Send up a flare if anything good ever gets brought over." Riley whispered as she left him.
He chuckled once more, finding himself enjoying her quips more so than he thought he would.
***************
"Liam, may I have this dance?" Olivia held her hand out to him.
The prince knew manners dictated that he share his first dance with the hostess.
"Of course." Liam led her out onto the floor. As they lined up with the other couples, his attention was drawn toward Riley.
He felt his breath hitch with how beautiful she looked tonight. The white silk dress with a faux rabbit fur wrap she wore seemed to have been designed with her in mind. The contrast of material set against her black hair and tan skin made it impossible to ignore.
But what really held his attention was her face. The enchanted smile she had while getting into position with Maxwell made him long to switch places with his friend. This dance was one he had hoped to be her partner for the very first time.
As he went through the steps with Olivia, he watched Riley's elegant movements. Her soft laughter when she was spun touched his heart.
He adored hearing that delighted sound and knowing that she was enjoying herself. Liam spent countless hours worrying over the effect these events might have on Riley. He hoped she wouldn't give up or end up disgusted with him and these traditions. He didn't think he could take having to say goodbye to her.
He knew deep down that he had made his choice for the one he wanted to be with. He also knew he should be focusing on the other suitors. But how could he when the very one he dreamed of was participating and trying to win his hand?
"Hello!" Riley greeted when Maxwell spun her into Liam's arms. "Fancy meeting you here."
Liam couldn't stop his smile that she always brought out in him. "My lady. Are you enjoying the dance?"
"I am now." She gently squeezed his hand.
"I wish we could share all our dances together." He admitted.
"Me too. Too bad you can't play favorites."
His bright blue eyes held her rich brown. "You have no idea how I have to fight myself from doing so."
He spun her within his embrace, swaying with her to the music. His lips grazed her ear as he spoke. "But know this Riley, you are incredibly special to me."
Her lips parted as she looked up at him. The few centimeters between them seemed to disappear as they nearly kissed.
"Ahem." Olivia cleared her throat. "Liam is my partner."
Liam reluctantly released Riley, twirling her back into Maxwell's arms.
Olivia's smile returned once she was dancing with her prince.
"It's been wonderful having you back in Lythikos."
He nodded, trying to ignore the stab of disappointment he felt once Riley was gone. "You've always been a gracious hostess."
Olivia puffed up some with pride over his compliment. "It's easy with guests like you." Her sharp gaze settled on Drake glaring daggers at her. "Unlike some people."
He followed her line of sight and chuckled. "As I recall, the four of us used to have a lot of fun playing together."
"Me, you, and Maxwell did." Olivia corrected. "Drake was never fun."
"Come now." He argued. "You and Drake often chose the other to be on your team."
"No, you chose that." She grumbled, refusing to admit to once liking Drake. "I always wanted to be on your team."
"You did?" He smiled over reminiscing of the games they played as children.
Olivia nodded. "You're the only person I've ever wanted to be with."
Before he could respond, she took advantage of the intimate dance and kissed him.
He froze in shock. How had thinking of their childhood turned into a kiss?
Liam could hear the gasps and whispers all around him. He hoped that Riley didn't think he had been the one to kiss Olivia. How was he to explain it to her without bringing shame to one of his oldest friends?
Olivia's face held a dreamy quality when she ended it.
"Liam, I--"
"We need to talk." He abruptly took her hand and led her outside.
*****************
Riley had been able to keep quiet when she saw the pair kiss. Her mind though screamed out a denial.
"Holy..." Maxwell muttered, his own eyes wide at the display.
She knew there was no use asking him what he thought. He was just as shocked as everyone else.
Perhaps that was proof that Liam wasn't a man who randomly made out with women whenever he had a chance.
If she was honest with herself, she had wondered if he was as good as he appeared. The secret kisses they had shared both thrilled and worried her. Riley knew she was falling hard and fast for Liam. She hoped she wasn't fooling herself into thinking he was falling at the same speed in love with her.
Either the gasps and outrage were because he was secretly doing the same with all the other ladies or he truly was a gentleman and Olivia was at fault.
Maxwell startled her when he pulled her off the dance floor.
"You okay?" He whispered.
"I'm fine." She lied. "What's up?"
"I think now would be a good time to further develop some support from the other ladies." He nodded toward Kiara. "I think Olivia's kiss ruined what they had."
"Yeah, she looks upset." Riley muttered.
But was it because Liam kissed Olivia in front of all of them, or because he was also kissing Kiara in private?
**************
Outside...
"Olivia," Liam began, "You know you are a cherished friend of mine?"
"You are mine too." She reached for his hands. "That's why we are perfect together. We know each other better than anyone."
He bit back the argument that if she truly knew him, then she would know he was in love with Riley.
"We cannot kiss." He didn't want to hurt her, but he also did not want to be subjected to anymore displays of affection. "I must be seen as giving every lady here a fair chance."
"Liam, we both know I'm the perfect candidate to be queen." Olivia argued. "We grew up together. A Nevarkis is known for strength and bravery. My duchy is an old and well established one." Her smile softened. "And I've always cared for you."
He felt a slight panic. "I care about our friendship." He swallowed. "I want nothing to ever destroy that, which is why I need you to maintain a respectful stance throughout this social season."
She rolled her eyes. "Fine. I suppose the ladies are too weak to be able to handle us moving forward just yet."
"Olivia, I have not made my decision regarding you or any of the other suitors." Liam stressed. He inwardly winced at such a lie.
He had already decided on Riley.
Olivia blinked in surprise. "I see."
He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a quick kiss to her knuckles. "I knew I could count on you in this." He opened the door and motioned for her to precede him before she had a chance to argue.
With head held high, she led the way inside.
*****************
A short while later...
"Lady Riley?" Liam gently grasped her arm and tugged her away from some of the ladies.
"I wondered if I would see you anymore tonight." She responded.
"You know I can't stay away from you for long." His smile was warm and full of affection.
She refused to melt from such words. "I bet you have that trouble often."
"With you, always." He admitted.
"And a few others." She bitterly muttered.
His eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"You kissed Oliva." She hissed, unable to keep her anger at bay.
"No, she kissed me." He corrected. "A kiss I didn't ask for or initiate."
She folded her arms. "You certainly weren't ending it."
His earlier panic resurfaced. "Riley," he checked over his shoulder to make certain no one was listening, "I couldn't act repulsed and shame Olivia in her own home. That's why I had a talk with her about boundaries during this social season."
"Maybe you and I need to set some too." Riley narrowed her eyes. "I wouldn't want you to be repulsed by my actions."
His eyes flashed as he gripped her hand. "I've never been repulsed by you." He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a tender kiss to the inside of her wrist. "You have no idea how I long to be with you and you alone ."
Riley stilled at his harsh whispered confession. His lips lingered on her skin as he closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he lowered her hand.
"I wish we had more time together." She whispered.
His eyes lifted to hers once more. "That is my wish also." A slow smile formed on his lips. "I think about it every night in the master suite along the south hallway. There's a hot tub with an unparalleled view of the mountains on my balcony."
"Sounds romantic." Riley grinned at him.
"It would be with the right person." He tugged her a step closer. "I can't think of a more right person than you, my lady."
She bit back a smile as she lowered her eyes. "Perhaps I could help you out tonight."
"Do you think you could?" His voice deepened. "I would be most appreciative."
"Then I will--"
"Your highness?"
The couple turned toward Penelope.
The lady flashed a nervous smile. "We haven't had a chance to talk tonight."
Liam felt the shackles of this farce take hold once more. Something about being around Riley made him forget every plan and promise he had made before meeting her.
"Forgive me Lady Penelope." He automatically replied. "Allow me to remedy that now."
Riley curtsied. Her smile was a touch flirty as she parted from him with wishes for Liam to have a good night.
He bowed to her. His thoughts centered on the fact that if she showed up later in his room, his night would indeed be good.
******************
After midnight...
"You came." Liam whispered as he pulled her inside.
"I couldn't leave you all alone in a hot tub." Riley teased.
She snuggled close when he wrapped his arms around her.
Liam took a deep breath and felt all the stress and frustrations with the social season fall away with simply having the one he loved near.
"I have a surprise for you." He took her hand and led her outside.
Riley gasped at the sight before her.
Candles flickered, lining the path to the hot tub. Some were set along the edges of the tub to create a romantic setting with the snowy mountains in the background.
"Did you do all this?" She asked.
His cheeks flushed as he admitted he did so for her.
"I find myself often trying to think of ways to make you happy." A bashful smile appeared on his lips. "Do you like it?"
"Let me show you how much I do." Riley was surprised at her own boldness as she kissed him.
He softly groaned when she pulled away.
"Aren't we forgetting the hot tub?" She reminded him.
He stepped back and began to undress.
Her eyes remained on him, following his shirt when it dropped to the ground.
"Aren't you a little overdressed?" He asked once he was down to his boxers.
She turned around and presented her back. "I could use some help."
She could feel the warmth from his body as he stepped close behind her. His fingers tugged the zipper down while grazing the smooth skin of her back.
He forced himself to step away and get into the hot tub.
Riley quickly shed her dress and wrap before hurrying in.
"Wooo! It’s cold!." She sighed and sunk further down into the water. "That’s so much better. I love a hot tub in the snow."
"So do I." He relaxed back against a jet.
They each enjoyed the relaxing heat in companionable silence.
"This moment is perfect." He reached for her hand. "I had hoped to share this with you when I first saw it."
She scooted over beside him. "I'm glad you did."
He tilted her face up and pressed a kiss to her lips.
Her arms looped around his neck as she lost herself in the feel of his mouth moving along her skin.
"Now it's even more perfect." He kissed up to her ear.
Her stomach rumbled, causing her to laugh.
"I think the only thing missing is something to eat to make it even better."
He chuckled and held her close. "You mean that five course dinner didn't satisfy you?"
She shook her head. "Not when you're barely given the first course."
His brow furrowed. "You were only given one?'
"Our table was pretty much forgotten tonight." Riley shrugged as she nestled within his embrace. "Hana said she has seen worse and Drake said this was normal for Olivia."
His temper began to build over the insult Riley didn't realize she had been given. For a Cordonian to purposely treat a guest in such a manner...
"Wait here." He told her as he climbed out.
"Where are you going?" Riley watched him quickly dry off.
He bent down and stole another kiss from her. "To find my lady something to eat."
"Liam," she smiled at him. "I'd rather have you back in the hot tub."
He promised he would hurry while assuring her that there was nowhere else he would rather be.
He threw on some clothes and went down the back stairs into the kitchen. Using his memories of times sneaking down here as a child for a late night snack during visits, he found everything he thought could help quench his lady's hunger.
"I can't believe you're still hungry."
He whirled around at Olivia's taunt.
She motioned toward the fridge. "Please get whatever you want."
His eyes narrowed. "I think there are a few people who are going to bed hungry tonight."
She stilled in pouring a glass of milk for herself. "I don't follow."
"I think you do." His voice held an unfamiliar edge. "I think at least three of your guests were ill treated tonight."
Her eyes narrowed. "Is Walker up to his usual complaints? I can't help it if he doesn't care for gourmet food."
"Why would you treat them like that?" Liam asked. "You naming Drake shows this was intentional." He shook his head in disbelief. "I hoped it was simply your staff making a mistake, but I knew deep down that you wouldn't tolerate a servant putting your duchy in an unfavorable light."
Oliva winced at being the cause of his disappointment. "Liam, Hana and Riley are my rivals for you. Drake has been the bane of my existence since he first arrived in Cordonia. Did you actually expect me to actually be warm and welcoming to them?"
"I expect all the nobles of the court to act honorably." He responded. His tone had lost any of the friendliness it usually held when speaking to her. "I see that the one person I thought I could always count on for doing so is not who I thought."
Olivia blanched. "Liam, I'm sorry. I--"
He shook his head. "I'm not the one deserving an apology." He gathered the food and began to leave her. "I hope one day to see the person I became friends with so long ago. She never would have disgraced herself with such a petty, childish action."
Utterly ashamed, Olivia stood there with her jaw dropped and watched the only person whose opinion mattered to her walk back upstairs.
If it isn’t too late, this fic is my submission for this week’s #wackydrabble. The prompt is: I can’t do this anymore and will be bolded.
#WackyDrabbles is a creative exercise started by @emceesynonymroll and is continued by @wackydrabbles. Fun fact: This is Week #104, which means Wacky Drabbles is two years old!
Don’t ask me what this fic is. I had two separate ideas and decided to combine them.
I’m an idiot.
To all who laid eyes on this, both in part and in whole, THANK YOU!
To all who will read this story, THANK YOU! Your time, energy, and efforts with reading, liking, commenting, and/or reblogging are appreciated more than you know.
Please excuse any and all typos, missing/extraneous words, and/or grammatical errors.
All characters (except the Solicitor) belong to Pixelberry.
Song Inspiration: Looking Too Closely, Fink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xffHu0vMP8M
endless summer really was the goat man. unique art style, plot that was actually meaningful even when it was corny, fun plot twists, building/losing character relationships actually meaning something, the MYSTERY, every li actually getting screentime and mattering to the story even if u didnt romance them, getting to pick ur own ending,,,,,,they dont make the girlies like that anymore
For twenty years, my depression and anxiety didn’t critically impede my ability to function. It made my life hell, but I went to class and got good grades and had friends. Sure, I had very odd coping mechanisms - like occasionally sleeping outside instead of going back to my dorm room, because I dreaded being in there; or like crying explosively over nothing; or picking fights with my partner about how they should dump me, because I was worthless and probably not going to live very long anyway. Everyone told me I was fine - maybe a bit dramatic, and a bit negative, but fine.
I think a lot about the tipping point. I graduated. I got married. I moved out. And then, the panic attacks came in earnest. The impulse to hurt myself or force other people to hurt me became louder. Because I had no outlet - no high-intensity job, no school structure to force me to get up, nobody to impress or please. It was just me. And I hated me. So, why would I be able to motivate myself to do anything at all? My whole life, I’d been performing at maximum intensity to please others. And I was tired.
It took years of floating in that state - nobody forcing me to get a job or get out of bed - before I realized that I’d arrived. I’d hit the “you can’t function anymore” level that all the therapists finally seem to take seriously.
So, I went into my doctor and said, “I can’t live my life anymore. I need help.”
And she said, “But you’re so well-spoken and self-aware!” I could tell that I was fooling her again, by dressing normally and showering that morning and showing up with all my paperwork in order.
We have to stop pushing people past the point where their illness “impedes their ability to function.” Because we can’t always see it clearly. I’m far past my ability to live a complete and happy life, but I don’t look like it all the time. That doesn’t mean I don’t deserve help. Everyone deserves help. No matter where they’re at - bottom or middle or top of their mental health experience. We can’t dictate that to people; it’s harmful.
The symptoms of mental illness are sand in the gears. The gear is can still turn but the effort required is far greater. And the sand and damages the gears overtime.
Just because I did it today doesn’t mean the problem does not exist. Just because I do it tomorrow and the day after doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
Why do we have to push ourselves to the literal breaking point when everything catches fire just to be seen??
Lin-Manuel Miranda is a legend, and he’s absolutely right.
And I really feel like there are parts of fandom that don’t get or don’t believe this, and I think that’s troubling. I’ve seen arguments that people shouldn’t have dark fantasies, or that bad impulses in themselves make a bad person. I’ve seen so much shaming over thoughts.
And if you get to a point where it’s bad to have dark thoughts and it’s bad to wonder what something would be like and it’s bad to put yourself in the shoes of anyone who isn’t “pure”, if fiction is no longer a realm where you can confront and explore, but an ongoing test of moral purity… well, maybe not everyone’s brain works like mine, but I feel like that takes away something incredibly important to being human.
Fiction is a safe place to explore whatever fucked up or dark desire that you have. You can write the most vile and fucked up shit in fiction and it be absolutely nothing you desire in real life. You can write about a serial killer who gets away with it. You can write about someone who goes on moral crusades to purge the world of all evils and still be the protagonist. You can write anything in fiction because that’s what it is meant for.
It isn’t meant to be a social commentary unless you create it to be.
It isn’t meant to be educational unless you create it to be.
Sometimes a story can be just that, a story. Entertainment. Nothing more, nothing less.
Not everything has to be deep, or have meaning, etc. unless the creator wants it to be and a lot of the purity types end up forcing something to have deep meaning or social commentary where it isn’t meant to. Is this inherently bad? No, but these people don’t just say “But this is my interpretation of it.” they go as far as trying to force that interpretation onto everyone else, including the creator, as a means of saying “See? It means that they promote/condone xyz so they’re bad and shitty people who should spend the rest of their life in jail with/are the same as people who’ve actually committed acts of violence against other people.”
@ all the people in the notes saying “yes except u can’t write about (list of immoral things they don’t want to see in fiction)” congrats on missing the point so spectacularly I’m not sure I could create better performance art if I tried
So, I have OCD. Responsibility/harm OCD, in particular. And guys, let me tell you, the hardline stance that having bad thoughts makes you bad is actively harmful to people like me. “Having a thought means you will act on it” goes against everything mental health professionals say and what mental health advocates stand for.
And you know, there are people who have it even worse than me? Religious OCD often focuses on achieving complete moral purity. P-OCD features fears of secretly being a pedophile. Postpartum depression features intrusive, frightening thoughts that sometimes drive new parents to suicide because of the stigma of having those thoughts. There are stories of people actually being investigated by child protective services because they shared their fears with an ignorant health professional who believed thought=action. Many abuse survivors with PTSD live in terror of becoming abusers themselves, and any errant negative thought that floats across their brain can frighten them into thinking they’re becoming monsters.
Perpetuating the idea that thoughts=actions makes it hard for people struggling with intrusive thoughts to reach out for help dealing with them. That makes mentally ill people live in unnecessary misery. It isolates them. Sometimes it even kills them.
Accepting and exploring bad thoughts is actually the basis of exposure and response prevention therapy for OCD. It’s literally part of the treatment for the illness. Discouraging that act, portraying it as evil, can be detrimental to recovery.
“Oh,” you might say if you’re guilty of this, “I don’t mean people like you with bad thoughts, I mean people who write bad thoughts!” Cool. Doesn’t fucking matter. People like me hear and internalize it. People who have these illnesses and don’t yet recognize that hear and internalize it; they may never get help because of it. You can’t lob a bomb at your enemy and un-kill all the bystanders caught in the blast. Not how that works.
Fandom needs to stop being so far up its own ass about fictional content that it’s becoming ableist. There are real world consequences for the ignorant ideas being pushed. Even if you don’t care about fiction as a tool for catharsis, even if you don’t care about the importance of art as free expression, even if you don’t care about censorship, you should still criticize this trend in fandom because it’s ableist as fuck. Thanks for coming to my TED talk.
“I find that, for me, the work is a safe place to put all the stuff you don’t want to put in your real life. I don’t want to be a crazy, manic asshole. I don’t want to have an affair. I don’t want to have a fucking gunfight. But! There’s a part of your brain that wants to experience everything, and so work’s a safe place to explore it all. Both in the writing and in the performing. I get to write about having an affair. I get to have the guilt and the feeling of that without having to fuck my life up. [laughs] Art is the place to safely explore all those other sides of you, because the side you want to bring home is the side that wants to be a good father and be a good husband and be a good son. In art we can be fucking nuts.”
