I humbly request something with Saville and Galen because my beloveds 🤲
I DID and took so long to respond to this lol. But! Since you didn't specify an AU I decided to explore a concept I came up with in the shower the other day: Valiant Cinderella au (featuring Ever After vibes, The Flight Of Swan characters, and one subtle reference to my liveblog)
I’d only taken my eyes off of Will for a second. We were in the market— he and I and Corbin, my stepbrother who hadn’t been convinced to hate me, despite my stepmother’s best efforts.
Will was family too, after a fashion. I’d found him, just a street urchin fighting dogs for food, and brought him home under the guise of a servant. Really, I’d just wanted to keep him safe, even if I couldn’t protect myself.
He was a hard worker, but too eager to rush ahead. I’d only looked away to barter for bread for a minute— one minute! And then I heard his voice shouting my name, and turned to see soldiers dragging him away.
King Eldin was supposedly a weak king, weaker than his hard-headed brother had been. He wasn’t a bad man— but he was easily manipulated, a fact that had been taken advantage of by Lord Leymonn, one of the top advisors in the castle. And Lord Leymonn had little tolerance for the parentless urchins wandering the streets. Which Will wasn’t— but clearly the soldiers didn’t know that.
Dropping my basket, I bolted towards the soldiers, ignoring Corbin shouting for me to be careful. I couldn’t let them take Will. I couldn’t.
The soldiers were shoving him into a cart as I approached, heart pounding with terror. I hated being scared, and that fueled me enough to shout, “Stop! What are you doing?”
The two soldiers paused, one still keeping a firm grasp on Will’s arm as the two of them looked at me. The older of the two, brown eyed with a beard, lifted an eyebrow at me. “Arresting this thief.”
“He is not a thief,” I protested, glaring at them. “Do you arrest all children you see because you suspect they may be thieves? He’s a servant in my stepmother’s household. Let him go.”
“Lord Leymonn has ordered that street urchins—”
“Hang your Lord Leymonn,” I spat out, and was surprised to see a look of amusement cross the older man’s face. The younger looked affronted, and was opening his mouth to respond when a third voice cut through our conversation.
“Orion, Hayden, what’s going on here?”
I turned, ready to fight— and the words shriveled up in my mouth.
Fine Coat. Sky above, it was Fine Coat— the noble who I’d met six months earlier on the road to Reggen, traveling back home with my father. Before he’d remarried a witch woman and then fallen ill, leaving me in her hands.
He wouldn’t remember me. He couldn’t. No matter how much I may have annoyed him at the time.
“Lord Verras,” the younger man said, straightening a little. “We’re arresting this street urchin. Lord Leymonn’s orders— we’re to keep the streets as free of thieves as possible, sir.”
“He’s not a thief,” I broke in, my fear for Will overwhelming my fear that Fine Coat would know who I was. “He’s a servant in my stepmother’s household, and he wouldn’t steal anything.”
“He’s a street rat,” the younger guard said.
“He’s a child,” I snapped, glaring at him. “Or is that an instant sign of guilt in the eyes of your precious Lord Leymonn?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lord Verras and the older man exchange a look that I couldn’t read. Hardening my heart against fear, I turned towards him. “He’s just a child. He hasn’t done anything, you can’t arrest him. Or have the nobles already forgotten what justice is?”
The younger guard gaped at me, as shocked by my audacity as my pounding heart was. Lord Verras regarded me, with eyes that almost seemed to look through me. I held myself straight, refusing to look away. I wouldn’t back down.
“You have such a low opinion of our royalty?” His voice was calm, curious.
“I have a low opinion of anyone who would lock up a child,” I told him, and he nodded.
“Fair enough. Release the boy.”
“But Lord Leymonn will—”
“I will deal with Leymonn,” Lord Verras said, and I didn’t miss the look the two guards exchanged. The older one nodded to his companion, who let go of Will’s arm.
He scrambled free, tumbling into my arms, and I pulled him close, trying to hide my trembling. “Thank you,” I told Lord Verras.
“You were right,” he said simply. “If the boy hasn’t done anything wrong, he deserves to go free.” He paused, frowning a little. “It’s rare to see someone around these days who’s so willing to speak up against one of the king’s advisors. Particularly among the nobility.”
I almost snorted. “I’m no noble.”
He didn’t seem surprised, just curious. “Really? You mentioned your stepmother’s household.”
Internally, I cursed. I was supposed to be a nameless servant, not the daughter that witch didn’t want. If I let anything slip about her, or her plan, Will and I were done for, to say nothing of my father. And despite our differences, it was my responsibility to protect him.
Though if it came down between him and Will, I’d hand him over in a heartbeat.
Lord Verras was still watching me with those keen eyes, waiting for an answer I didn’t know how to give. “Um. I—”
“Saville!”
Corbin was heading my way, holding the basket I’d dropped, his frown deep. For a brother who wasn’t blood, he was plenty protective, and his scowl deepened at the sight of Lord Verras. Glancing between me, him, the guards, and Will, he seemed to put together the pieces. “We should get home,” he told me. “Mother won’t be pleased if we’re out too late.”
“Saville?” Lord Verras’s voice was quizzical, and I saw a furrow appear between his brows. He’d realized something was off, or familiar, and my heart lurched.
Time to go.
Grabbing Will’s arm, I said, “Thank you for your help,” and forced myself to walk away, not run. Despite the urge to do so, twisting in my chest. It was time to get away from this nobleman and his eyes that saw far too much.
I didn’t breathe easy until there were several yards and a few turned corners between me and him, and Corbin gave me a confused look. “Who was that?”
“Someone who met me on the way here,” I told him. “Someone who could find out who I am, and destroy your mother’s plan.”
Scowling, Corbin muttered, “If only he would.” A heartbeat later, remorse smoothed away the scowl, and he shot me an apologetic look. “Sorry. I know you’re as stuck as I am.”
“At least I don’t have to marry any princess.” Breathing deeply, I glanced at Will. “Are you alright?”
Nodding, Will said, “Are we in trouble, Sir?”
Shaking my head, I said, “I don’t think so.” As long as we don’t bump into Lord Verras again. With any luck, that would be the last I saw of him.
Can I have a headcanon with Baron comforting the reader during a panic attack? Soft king please 🥺👉🏻👈🏻 Thank you so much, and thank you for all the amazing work 💖
Aww thank you so much, baby 🥰 And of course you can! We love a soft Bear 🐻🥰
The first thing he’ll do is control himself to not freak out
You’re the most important person in his life
And it breaks his heart not being able to completely make the panic attacks disappear
So he always needs a minute to pull himself together before helping you
The second thing he does is pull all of your focus towards him
He will call your name softly a few times, until you’re looking at him
He’ll then make sure to tell you everything he’s going to do because the last thing he wants is scare you
“Baby, I’m going to touch your arms, is that ok?” He asked, oh so softly and you nodded
Once the warmth of his hands get in touch with your skin, he can feel you relax a bit
“Princess” He called, and your eyes stare at him “Can you breath with me? Like this” He inhaled deeply and exhaled softly “It’s ok beautiful, you’re safe, I’m here with you” He cooed
When you began to follow his breathing pace, you could feel yourself getting calmer and calmer
“That’s it, princess. You’re doing so well, I’m so proud of you, baby! You’re so strong”
When Baron saw your breathing was more even he asked
“Baby, can I give you a hug?” And you more than eager for his touch, nodded
His heartbeat combined with his fingers combing through your hair calmed you down even more
When you felt like you could speak again you murmured a “Thank you”
“Shhh, you don’t need to thank me. I love you and I’m always here for you” He cupped your cheeks with his hands “Always” He kissed your forehead
Knowing how much the warm water calms you down, he made sure to take you upstairs and prepare a bath for the both of you
He made sure to add some lavender bath salt in it, to not only relax you even more, but also because he knows the smell is so soothing to you
Baron helped you get in the tub, so you wouldn’t fall and you sat in front of him
You rested your head on his chest and he cradled you in his arms
SmackDown had been going great. I was the first match of the night so I got to spend the rest of the night relaxing.
So far, the only downfall of the night was that the air conditioning in the arena we were at was on full blast. I headed to the locker rooms to try and find a hoodie.
When I passed the men's locker room, I noticed the door was cracked and I could see Corbin's cape.
"Hello?" I called as I knocked on the door.
No one answered so I poked my head in. Since I didn't see anyone I quickly snuck in and took the cape.
Later...
I was sitting on a storage crate scrolling through my phone. I had wrapped myself in Corbin's cape and was hoping he wouldn't find me. Unfortunately, he did.
"Well, aren't you adorable," Corbin said as he came over to me.
"Hey," I said.
"You really need to stop taking people's stuff," Corbin said.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I said.
He sighed.
"I need the cape back," Corbin said.
"But I'm cold and it's warm," I said.
"I promise once I finish this segment I'll bring it back," Corbin said.
"Fine," I said.
I reluctantly handed him the cape.
About twenty minutes passed before Corbin came back.
"I didn't think you'd actually come back," I said.
He took the cape off and draped it over my shoulders.
"A promise is a promise," Corbin said. "Besides, I've been meaning to ask you something."
"What?" I asked.
"Are you busy this weekend?" Corbin asked.
"I don't think so," I said. "Why?"
"Would you like to come over for dinner?" Corbin asked.
"Absolutely, I've seen you cooking on Instagram and I want to try it for myself," I said. "Plus it would be nice to spend some time with you outside of work."
"It's a date then," Corbin said with a smile.
The weekend...
I knocked on the door. I could hear Xander barking inside and within a few moments, Corbin answered the door.
"Come on in," Corbin said.
I followed him inside to the kitchen.
"Xander!" I called as he came running over to me.
I knelt down so I could pet him.
"Dinner smells great," I said.
"That's good to hear," Corbin said. "I hope you like steak."
"I do," I said.
"Want some wine?" Corbin asked.
"Yes please," I said.
He handed me a glass.
"Dinner should be ready in a few minutes," Corbin said.
"Sounds good," I said.
Once dinner was finished we sat down to eat. Corbin even lit candles.
"Thank you for inviting me over and making dinner," I said. "This was so sweet."
"It was my pleasure," Corbin said.
After dinner we spent the rest of the evening on the couch watching movies.
