#aiden threads.

[valcntinos]

can you hold me, nf + britt nicole — if i ain't got you, i ain't got nothing at all

“ listen, i... know this probably isn’t a good time... ” was it ever? “ but i had one of the most challenging days in my life yet and i just— needed to see you. ” before it all blew up in his face.  he knew he was making the right decision, but he also knew there was only one door he would get support from, only one person.  @atlcswrites​

[valcntinos]

aiden was upstairs, taking a small breather from socialising that was taking place on the ground floor. it was not as though he had a particular dislike for wedding celebrations, but his preference was not to attend unless it was of vital importance— which was definitely not the case where this event was concerned. his family shared business ties with the crawfords, but his own personal association with jasper was limited to the point of exchanging pleasantries. anything more than that was his brother theo’s responsibly. 

thus he was completely unprepared when he spotted malika from afar. a small crowd was surrounding her, but aiden could see her face clearly. he hadn’t, since they left things and to say it had been in a bad state would be a vast understatement. if the need were to arise, he was sure the two could at least greet each-other cordially when downstairs. though it wasn’t likely, for nobody was aware that the two knew each-other. or rather, did know.

if he was surprised to catch a glimpse of her, watching as the few people around her began to disperse and give her room felt like a punch to the gut. she looked spectacular—in bridal finery. 

he looked away from her before training his eyes on the ground. malika was marrying jasper? and he was none the wiser? the possibility of that was... extremely high, due to the little contact he had with jasper. but theo would have known who he was seeing, engaged to and marrying. why did it never occur to aiden to ask theo who the unlucky bride was?

none of this was going to change the fact that malika was marrying jasper. and mulling over it wasn’t going to do him any good. it was her life, her choice and none of his business. he had no right to cast a sour disposition even if the very thought of it rendered him utterly baffled. jealous. which lead him to feel angry over feeling the cocktail of emotions he was going through. and yet he was still doing his utmost to mask them, even if there were only a small amount of people on the floor and none of them were anywhere near him. 

trying resist the urge to look in her direction again was futile. he failed, and ended up locking eyes with her, instead. @saavcns

[valcntinos]

aiden had first noticed her just over half-way during his meeting which was taking place a little too publicly for his taste, despite the exclusivity of the venue. he didn’t blame ambassador yakovenko for wanting a slightly populated area, for the russians were even less welcome in the united kingdom post the salisbury incident. though that didn’t apply to several who had heavily invested in london and engaged in profuse illicit donations to the conservative party. the politics of selectivity were shameful but he chose not to focus on the hypocrisy or he would have to come to terms with several other morally disgraceful things he was okay condoning.

when the ambassador left ( first, and in a slight bit of a hurry ), aiden gave his security detail the go-ahead to relax. it was ridiculous that he had to have the two in the vicinity after the the meeting had come to a close, to follow him around even if he were to merely run an errand or two— he didn’t, but that was besides the point.

though foreign secretary or not, he knew his life wasn’t that of a average person and he had never protested against the fact that he and his siblings had their own personal guards. he understood the importance that came from being part of the rothschild family, and didn’t take it lightly. still, there were times like this, where he couldn’t help but take a seat at the bar at a small distance away from someone he most definitely should not be interacting with.

looking over at her, he nodded in acknowledgement. the consequences of getting involved with a woman like valeria were fatal, but one couldn’t fault a harmless conversation. @amoroxs​

[impcrsonatcr]

“ — so should i just keep my mouth shut? is that what you’re saying? “  // @bittcrsuite

[impcrsonatcr]

“ you know — i don’t need you to hold my hand through this. “ // @etvdes

[valcntinos]

to say that he was taken aback by the comment was putting it lightly. “ you’re not serious, are you? ” he frowns, not particularly wanting to dignify the query with a proper response. there were times xavier’s words were too much for aiden. that, and the fact that he was more than sure his actions spoke for themselves. “ —and don’t come in here trying to goad me into attending when i’ve made my stance perfectly clear. especially when its not out of brotherly love, but the desire to see something kick off like you’re still in school. ” 

he chuckles, before taking a rather liberal swig from his drink. aiden couldn’t be faulted for his taste in wine. nor women. but xavier knew how to get a rise out of his older brother. “ calm down, poirot. but for the record, no, i wasn’t being serious. ” that’d get him to wind his neck in a bit. “ and hey, what’s wrong in wanting a little entertainment to liven things up? ” he smirked. “ besides, it’s a chance for you to reinforce just how little you care what people think... not to mention malika’s quite capable of taking care of herself. ” @saavcns​

[valcntinos]

“ secretary holt, ” he greeted his counterpart with a firm handshake and small smile. “ it’s a pleasure to be in your company for the afternoon, and i look forward to furthering the special relationship our countries share through increased cooperation. ” though what that was going to look like away from the eyes of the public was yet to be determined. aiden was made well aware of her standings on issues thus far, just as she would have been briefed about him by her staff prior to the meeting.

while the center-right party he was a member of shared many similarities with the moderates that filled the current american administration, certain personalities in his government ( including the prime minister ) looked to be more morally-aligned with the opposition. hence why aiden, as secretary of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs, was chosen to be shipped out to smooth things over after recent comments of johnson didn’t go down particularly well with the american media and people. it was done under the guise of a confidential pressing matter.

one thing was certain, though, he was thankful for the way these meetings were conducted: behind closed doors with a press briefing taking place afterwards.

it was certainly favourable for both parties involved, so the other wasn’t caught off guard or subject to an attempt to embarrass. but aiden was especially grateful for the protocol in place, considering the climate he was to be handling. “ shall we? ” he offered, not wanting to waste time that could be spent discussing what was of greater importance to their countries’ bilateral ties. that, and reduce opportunities for any... awkward moments. @floralege​