feel your pulse, you're human

[quillantheyounger]

cheltochtli‌:

“I take it you were expected to be more proper and do more gentlemanly things than just manly things, huh?” she mused.  She supposed that made sense.  “I never did drugs, but I did have very sticky fingers,” she admitted, brushing her hair out of her face.  She’d been wild too, just in a different way.  Closer to the way he’d said he wasn’t, but El Dorado was a bit more of a free world than the one he seemed to have come from.  “So even if you had met someone you fell in love with, you wouldn’t have been able to be with her?  What if the girl you were promised to sucked?” she wondered, shaking her head in disbelief.  She’d heard of people who married for alliances like that, but she knew plenty more who married for love.  She had never been interested in marrying, but if she did, she would want it to be her choice.

“At least here, you have more freedom in that sense.  You know, if you were interested in that sort of thing,” she pointed out with a small smile.  “You’re at FU?  What are you studying?” she wondered.  Sometimes she considered doing the whole college thing herself, but she had no idea what she would even go for.  Besides, she had a pretty sweet gig at Tiana’s, and anything worth learning could be learned from the woman herself, in Chel’s opinion.  “I’ll take your word for it.  I just know a dog as big as her probably wouldn’t work in my place,” she nodded.  “Who’s next?”

“Some.  I was expected to lead and participate in battle, but it was a time of peace, which rendered me essentially useless.” He shrugged.  “I... don’t know.  The girl I was promised to did not suck, so I didn’t have to find out.  My parents seemed to love each other well enough and my brother.... well, I’m not sure if he was ever promised to anyone.  Not that I am aware of, and certainly not anything that stuck.” 

He smiled.  “Right.  And that is good.  I’m studying to be a doctor, though, so that takes plenty of my time.” He led her to the next kennel.  “This is Koty.  She’s very fluffy and a little smaller than our last friend.” 

[quillantheyounger]

cheltochtli‌:

“You?  A wild child?  I think you and I might have very different definitions of that label,” she joked.  “I’m sure you still had a little fan club of your own.  Every girl secretly dreams of marrying a prince.  Well, most girls at least,” she shrugged.  She had been more focused on finding the next best adventure, and El Dorado didn’t have any princes.  “Oh I never even thought about that,” she muttered.  She couldn’t imagine expecting to get something like a crown and a kingdom only to have them stripped away when you’re thrown into a completely different world.  “So not being the heir gave you a certain amount of freedom, let you explore things you might not have been able to in your world.  Like working with dogs,” she mused, nodding with a small smile.  It sounded like a pretty good life, but she had a feeling there was still a lot about him she didn’t know yet.

Chel’s smile grew a bit when Charlie trotted around a bit.  Yeah, she would get swept up soon enough, she was sure of it.  And there was only room for one HBIC in her apartment, and that role had to be her.  She had to find something smaller, and maybe a little less obviously adorable.  “Do you have anything smaller?  I’m trying to imagine bathing a dog in my apartment and I’ll probably need something I can pick up.”

Philip shook his head.  “Yeah, we might.  I was more like... athletic I guess.  I liked getting lost in the woods and not wearing shoes or being proper in any way.  Not ‘wild’ like having sex and doing drugs.”  He shrugged.  “The problem is most princes, even number twos or whatever, are promised at a pretty early age, and I was, too.  Even if I had a fan club, I couldn’t have done that and honored the alliance or whatever.”  When he put it that way, it sounded stupid and it undercut so much of what he and Aurora had actually shared before she died.  He let the implication stand that it was in the past, that it maybe hadn’t followed him to Fableton, and moved on. 

He nodded.  “Yeah, maybe.  I mean, we had instructors on some subjects, and I always found them boring.  Now I’m at the university and I’m taking pretty heavy schooling.  It’s not boring now.  But this kind of work didn’t exist.” 

Once he’d returned, he listened to her requests and the details involved, and then nodded as he thought.  “Yeah, that sounds good.  To be fair, you look strong enough for something medium sized,” he pointed out.  “But an apartment limits things.  Come this way.” 

Originally posted by lovingpostit

[quillantheyounger]

quillantheelder‌:

“That involves way too many variables for me to ever feel comfortable.  Why enter into something that could go wrong in so many different ways?” he asked, shaking his head in disbelief.  Of course, he knew the answer: because love was worth the struggles that came with it.  He truly believed that, even if he was started to lose hope that true love was something he would ever actually find.  “We’ll see about that,” he remarked jovially before chuckling at his brother’s reply.  “Probably for the best.”

Philip rolled his eyes, but not out of sarcasm.  “Because when it’s going right, it’s so good,” was all he could say as supportive reasoning.  All told, though, that had been for two fairly narrow periods of his young life, and he wasn’t sure he had the emotional reserves to do it again.  Not yet. 

He sighed.  “I think maybe a non-adult beverage for now would be best.” 

Originally posted by kaydeesix

[quillantheyounger]

cheltochtli‌:

“Chiseled jaw, perfectly kept hair, and a smile that girls all over your land fawned over.  Am I close?” she asked, brow raised as a small smirk played on her lips.  She found herself actually interested in learning about what his life was like before coming to Fableton.  Partially, it was because she was curious about how the other side lived, but she also found it interesting that, despite having what sounded like a very privileged life, he seemed very normal.  He didn’t see those that had worked for his family as “less”, which wasn’t always the case for royalty.  “Ah, so you weren’t the direct heir.  Did you ever want the crown?”

“Probably for the best,” she decided.  She wasn’t looking to get her heart broken again, and after the nightmare she just couldn’t seem to shake, the idea of getting close to anyone at all was wholly unappealing.  She continued petting Charlie, a few more soft laughs escaping her after more puppy kisses.  “She is cute, but I think I want to keep looking.  I know someone will scoop this one up, and you’re right.  I want to find that thing, and I don’t think I feel that with her,” she decided.  “Maybe if I don’t find one, I can take her out and see if that changes?” she asked, looking up at him.

Philip chuckled a little and shook his head.  “Maybe if you’re describing my brother,” he agreed.  “I was a little more of a wild child.  Not much, but a little bit.” Plus he’d been betrothed to Aurora from a young age, so it wasn’t like he played the field or anything.  He was more of a sportsman/hunter/ride in the woods sort of guy. Had they not lived in mostly peaceful times, he probably would’ve been more of a soldier.  Here and now, that was really difficult to contemplate.  He shrugged.  “Not really.  I guess there were moments when it got a little old feeling like I was the backup replacement or something -- but I don’t think I ever really wanted all the pressure my brother had.  It still kind of defines him here, and I’m pretty glad I haven’t had to worry about it.” 

While Mac had known his history, he hadn’t been able to really talk to her like this.  Being able to with someone, now, was really nice. 

He used the leash to trot the pup in a proud circle, the bounce in her step inordinately pleased.  He was pretty sure she understood cute in terms of the language.  “You bet.”  It only took him a moment to get Charlie settled and then he returned.  “Who’s next?” 

Originally posted by taronunwin

[quillantheyounger]

quillantheelder‌:

“So, what?  You think if I’m just patient, the right woman will come along?  If that’s the case, what am I expected to do in the mean time?” he pointed out.  “I think it’s best I try not to think about it.  It seems every time I think too much, I just create a larger problem for myself,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck before taking a longer pull from his drink.  “I know I should use the calendar on my phone, but I much prefer seeing it written somewhere.  But I suppose, for you, I could make an exception.”

He watched his brother curiously, noting his hesitation with his awful drink.  “Do you want me to order you something else?” he offered, raising a brow.  “Or do you think one awful one has scared you off from them all?”

“Yeah, maybe.  And then maybe she’ll have an early mid-life crisis or something and it won’t be in your control.”  Philip sighed and shot his brother a sideways glance.  “All I’m saying is not one of us has any control.  Either you will or you won’t, it’ll be the right or the wrong time -- it’s whatever.  You can only sort of hope to control so much.” 

He shook his head.  “I’m happy to be the exception.  And once you try it, you’re never gonna go back.”  This was punctuated with a sigh before he rendered something that sounded like an actual answer.  “I haven’t decided yet.  Even a good one might’ve scared me off.”

Originally posted by angelic-breeze

[quillantheyounger]

the only way to really know || mal & philip

[quillantheyounger]

thedarkestfae‌:

She felt her body melt into his, desperate to hold on to the one thing she’d been searching for, waiting for, all this time. It almost felt unreal. Though the warmth of his body and the wet, softness of his lips convinced her otherwise, as she pushed herself deeper into a moment. The hand the was in his hair strayed a little, lowering to cup his cheek and draw his lips closer.

As much as he craved his wife, had missed her and would love her always, it turned out it mattered little in the moment who was creating a stir in him.  He longed for the contact, for the touch and the embrace and the warmth.  There was something familiar here, either something about her or something about him being with her -- and in this moment, it was rather enough for him.  He pulled back, feeling scarcely brave enough to ask the question through his pounding heart and unsteady breathing.  “Do you know somewhere we could go?” 

Originally posted by angelic-breeze

[quillantheyounger]

the only way to really know || mal & philip

[quillantheyounger]

thedarkestfae‌:

She felt her heart skip a little his lips pressed softly into hers. With her eyes closed, he’d felt his breath first and the finger on her hair, and even then she hadn’t expected it. It was gentle and loving, almost. And the part of her that had been waiting months for this couldn’t help but raise its foot and trail its fingers into the short hair at the back of his head, pulling him closer. Of course, princesses were supposed to be tame and reserved, but sometimes you just had to, didn’t you?

He still wasn’t sure, even as his lips moved against hers.  It had been long enough since he’d kissed his wife that he couldn’t tell.  On a wave of something like despair, he pressed closer, slipping his hands toward her back and pulling her into him.  She was already working through similar motions, her fingers in his hair drawing out goosebumps.  While his mind was starting to run overtime, analyzing and thinking, the rest of him was more actively engaged, trying with desperation to make sense of what was happening.  He deepened the kiss, held her closer, and tried to find something of Aurora he could hold onto.

Originally posted by fyeahegerton

[quillantheyounger]

what a broken place it’s in || philangel (flashback/retcon)

[quillantheyounger]

abandonedxangel‌:

“I could totally mow the lawn!” she shot back, her mouth falling open.  “Fine.  Whoever tries to get out of this first has to mow the lawn for a whole year,” she decided, nodding excitedly.  She wasn’t worried about having to do it, because she had no intention of losing.  “That’s fine.  You’re entitled to you’re wrong opinion.”

“I know you could,” he agreed.  He waggled his eyebrows.  “But I already have been.”  He knew he should stop talking, because that just pointed out he basically had nothing to lose.  There were only best-case scenario options for him.  “That’s right, I am.  And so are you.” 

[quillantheyounger]

cheltochtli‌:

“Ohhhh so you were one of those rich types.  Or royalty.  I bet you were royalty.  You’ve got one of those faces,” she mused, looking at him carefully.  “I guess it’s nice that you gave people a job.  But wasn’t it weird knowing people were doing things for you that most people do for themselves?” she asked.  She had dreamed about getting rich and living the easy life, but now that she’d been working for so long to support herself, she wasn’t sure how she’d feel if she had servants like that.

Chel had no idea that he was having an emotional dilemma of sorts, and even if she did, she wouldn’t have mentioned it.  She nodded at his suggestion, making a mental note to bring it up to Tiana during her next shift.  “Serial monogamist doesn’t mean celibate,” she pointed out, brows furrowed.  “But I see your point.  Sex complicates things, even if you thinking keeping it just sex will make it simple.  Better to avoid it altogether,” she decided.  She quirked a brow at him at his analogy, but followed his instructions and held her hand out.  Charlie sniffed at it, then moved closer towards her.  She took that opportunity to pet her, a soft, almost peaceful smile gracing her lips when Charlie licked her.  “She’s cute.”

Philip bit his lip and had the decency to look a little ashamed as she filled in the blank he’d left behind.  “One of those faces?” He finally asked, more amused than anything else.  “My father gave them a job.  I didn’t really understand it all like that until I moved here,” he admitted.  “It was a very different place and rich meant something else, you know?  The people who did our cooking and cleaning lived in the house.  I played with their kids and didn’t realize there was a dividing line.  Really, I think the line was thicker for my brother, because he was the older of us.” 

He chuckled and shoved his hands in his pockets.  “Maybe not, but I’m not looking for a relationship, either.  I have plenty of other things going on.”  While his hackles and defenses weren’t exactly up, whatever guard was in place fell when she was kind and adorable with the dog.  “She is.  She’s really sweet, and I think she feels the same about you.  You’re welcome to  take the leash and walk her around a little.  We have a play area just outside you can take her to if you want.  Or, if you’re not feeling that thing, that connection, I’m happy to take her out and run her around later and you can meet some other dogs.  There’s no real rush on  my end.” 

[quillantheyounger]

what a broken place it’s in || philangel (flashback/retcon)

[quillantheyounger]

abandonedxangel‌:

“Household chores?” she asked over a mouthful.  Once she swallowed and took a swig from her beer, she added, “What did you have in mind?”  There were plenty of chores she hated, but she was sure whatever Philip didn’t like was something she could handle if she lost.  “Stubborn, yes.  Asshole, never.”

“I dunno,” he said around his pizza, taking another bite when the words were out.  His cooking wasn’t five star, but he was pretty sure it wouldn’t kill them, either.   “I mean I won’t make you do anything big, like mow the grass, unless you really need to come down a notch.”  He winked at her.  He sighed.  “We might have to agree to disagree on that.”

[quillantheyounger]

cheltochtli‌:

“I’m more than okay with that order,” she decided with a gentle smile.  “‘Letting you do things’?  What, were you a prisoner or something?” she asked, not really sure why he wouldn’t be able to do something as simple as cook.  “You know, I should talk to Tiana about teaching a cooking class.  Maybe let people come in and watch her make some of the basics at the restaurant.  None of the special recipes, but stuff that people could easily make for themselves if they wanted.  I know I’d be interested in something like that,” she admitted.  She was lucky enough to be able to watch Tiana at work every once in a while, but it wasn’t quite the same thing.

“Well, that’s admirable, I guess.  Not sure I see the appeal when sex is so fun, but all the power to ya,” she replied, her smile a bit more awkward than before.  It turned more genuine when the dog was brought out, her body crouching down like he was so the dog could come to her.  “Hi Charlie,” she replied, feeling a bit silly talking to a dog like this, but if she was going to get one of her own, she should probably get used to it.  “Would she be okay with me petting her..?”

Philip just gave her a small grin when she said she was cool with the priorities he’d made up on the fly.  He shook his head.  “No.  Kind of the opposite.  There were people who worked for us, for my family, and it was their livelihood, so it would’ve been irresponsible of me to take it from them when I was already...” 

... already what, Philip?  You pompous asshole. 

He cleared his throat only to feel like he might choke again.  He hadn’t set foot in Tiana’s since Aurora died, the place thick with memories for him, even if he had genuinely liked the food and the vibe.  Hell, he even liked the memories. “Yeah, that’d be cool.  Maybe since you know her better than I do, you could ask her.”

He shrugged.  “I guess I’m just kind of a serial monogamist.”  And my heart is fucked five ways from Sunday.  “And I’ve got a lot of other stuff to focus on.  I think focusing on sex is a better distraction than anything else.”  He was more than happy to divert the conversation to the  adorable dog at their feet.  “Probably.  Just hold your hand out and let her sniff at it for a second.  She’ll let you know what to do.  Sex is about body language -- and so is reading a dog.”

  Originally posted by lookinggoodeggsy

[quillantheyounger]

what a broken place it’s in || philangel (flashback/retcon)

[quillantheyounger]

abandonedxangel‌:

She gave him a look when he ate around his bite of food, her eyes rolling as she shook her head.  “I bet you five bucks, if anyone’s gonna get tired of and try to end this little arrangement, it’ll be you, not me,” she declared, smirking proudly before eating her pizza.  She also didn’t wait until she swallowed before talking, “You’re going down, chump.”

Philip shook his head and finished his bite quickly, the smirk never leaving his face.  “Oh, no.  I’ll bet household chores, but not five bucks,” he said.  Honestly, he kind of hated cleaning out the fridge with a passion.  “But otherwise, you’re on.  I think you may have forgotten that I’m a stubborn asshole.” 

Originally posted by fyeahegerton

[quillantheyounger]

quillantheelder‌:

“Others seem to be able to make it work.  I think that’s what makes it so frustrating.  There are plenty of examples I know of successful relationships, but I have never had one of my own.  Surely it must partially be my fault,” he mused, taking another sip of her drink.  He was relieved when Philip didn’t force him to talk about it, giving him a little more time to make sense of it all himself first.  “I’m sure there’s a book or article out there somewhere that can help me,” he pointed out.  “As long as I have your schedule, I can do some actual planning.”

“Ah, I see,” he nodded.  “Well, with her in college, I’m sure she’ll need a cheap place for a little while longer.  And I’m rather sure I read somewhere that it’s far more common for college graduates to stay at home for a few years to save money.  Angel seems logical enough to follow that route.  I don’t think you’ll have to worry about her leaving any time soon.”

Philip shrugged.  “I think there’s a third option you’re not giving enough credit, because timing is just as important as the people.”  And really, to Philip, there wasn’t a more maddening component to any of it, because timing was one-hundred-fucking-percent beyond his control.  “I’m sure there is.  And I’ll invite you to the calendar on my phone.  That’ll probably be the easiest.  It’s color coded so that’ll be fun.” 

After toying with the duck a few more times, he decided he needed to order a real drink or head home.  It was more approaching a decision than anything, because he didn’t move one way or the other.  “I hope not.” 

Originally posted by lovingpostit

[quillantheyounger]

cheltochtli‌:

“My landlord and my security deposit appreciate that,” she replied, laughing softly.  “I know a few dishes I learned back home, but I feel like I should learn some things that are from here,” she admitted.  “Yeah, I’m not really interested in men right now, so even if you were, I wouldn’t follow it,” she told him.  Until she found a way to properly connect with someone beyond the physical, she was just going to focus on making friendships to avoid being alone forever.  “That’s sad.  Yeah, I’m ready,” she nodded, recalling his instructions for what to do.

“Well, your happiness was my primary concern, but those definitely took spots two and three,” he joked lightly.  He nodded.  “Back home wasn’t much for letting me do things like that, exactly, but I’ve learned a bit here.  Not really even enough to get by.”  He hadn’t needed to learn more because he’d been married, and he’d had Mac to cook with/distract while she cooked before.  That thought was still resonating a bit when she said she wasn’t interested in men at the moment.  So they were on similar pages -- it was good to know.  “I’m... um.  Sort of saving myself for marriage, and I’m not dating anyone.  So same.” It was a bit stilted, and he hadn’t really thought about it until it was out of  his mouth.  It seemed as good an excuse as any.  

He went through the motions of opening the door, crouching  down in front, and clipping the leash onto the dog who approached.  She was trained enough not to jump him, which he appreciated, and after a little bit of a scratch behind the ears, she let him lead her out.  “Charlie, sit,” he murmured, prepared to tug on the leash if necessary, but she obeyed and sat next to him.  “Charlie, this is Chel.  Chel, Charlie.” 

Originally posted by anantheminmyheart22

[quillantheyounger]

[quillantheyounger]

what a broken place it’s in || philangel (flashback/retcon)

[quillantheyounger]

abandonedxangel‌:

“Ooooh that sounds like the kind of threat I can deal with,” she replied with a mischievous smirk.  Philip might not be as much of a prankster as she was, but she knew he was a goof that could be just as annoying as she could.  “I look forward to your reactions and retribution.”

Philip chuckled.  It was sort of a relief that, at times, he could sink to her expectations instead of rising to them.  Really, though, he was glad their conversation had devolved from the serious and heavy to this.  He could count on Angel to be the bright spot in his life no matter what else failed him.  He wouldn’t dare get maudlin enough to tell her how much he appreciated that, so instead he just chuckled and shoved a huge bite of pizza into his mouth.  Then he naturally decided to talk around it instead of chewing before he spoke.  “I hope you do, it’s gonna be bad.” 

Originally posted by taronfanfic

[quillantheyounger]

cheltochtli‌:

She nodded once at his agreement, then listened closely as he explained how this would work.  It sounded simple enough, and she trusted that she would just know when she found the dog that was right for her.  “I assume you’d tell me if one did have a major behavior problem?” she asked, slipping her hands into her front pockets as she walked.  “Yeah, I do.  I get decent tips, and I get to try some of Tiana’s specials before she lets the public have them.  Money and good food has been a pretty good way of living so far,” she shrugged.  “I’m looking into other ways to make it better though.  Like a pet.”

Philip gave an easy chuckle.  “Well, yeah, but I’m not going to let you meet anyone with those.  I might be wrong, but I think you’d be a little happier with someone who’s ready to go home now and fit in instead of chewing up your walls or something.”  He stopped in front of the first door he intended to open.  “I don’t see anything wrong with good food and money.  Someday, I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to cook adequate food at least, and I bet it’ll be great.” He nodded once.  “Smart.  Makes sense.  Some people would say to date, but.... I’m not one of them.  So on that note, are you ready to meet Charlie?  She’s a 3-year old Norwegian Elkhound.  She’s caught up on her vaccinations and her last home had to give her up because their daughter was allergic to her, but she’s pretty sweet.”