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stop-breaking-my-heart-telltale · 3 years

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I might be back on my bullshit thinking about Louis [as if I ever stopped] and episode 2 again. Like... there are a lot of things that could’ve been handled better when it comes to ep2, but can we just appreciate his apology to Clementine during the archery scene?

[note: this turned into a bit of a rant, and for that, I apologize]

It still baffles me that he gets dismissed as a shitbird by portions of the fandom to this day for being upset with Clem and AJ when he just found out his best friend gave away the twins, murdered Brody and tried to pin it on Clementine to cover his tracks... only to then be murdered by AJ after he already gave up, shot him in the back of the head right in front of everyone and left Louis heartbroken and traumatized.

Like I understand that some of y’all think Clementine and AJ should never be held accountable for anything they do and they’re always right, even when they’re in the wrong because you’re the player projecting yourself onto them and everyone who is mean to you is a stupid head unless they’re mean in the right way.

Or you’re one of those violentine stans who feels like the only way to validate your ship is to create this narrative that Louis is a traitor and Clementine would never love him after he voted for them to leave as if the only way you know how to make Violet look good is to make Louis bad by comparison instead of like... y’know, being one of the decent stans who explain and gush about the positives of the ship itself and why they love it rather obsessing over the other ship.

Either way, you’re really gonna look at that situation of Louis reacting to his best friend’s death after what just went down and be like “calm down, Louis, you’re being a jerk :/” like.... I’m sorry?

Aren’t you the same people who complained about Luke not giving a shit about Nick’s death back in s2? how he didn’t have a reaction? In fact, aren’t you also the same people who vigorously defended Kenny for his reaction to Sarita’s death after he lashed out at Clementine? Remember? When he yelled at her and called her a stupid fucking kid who thinks she can just get anyone killed and it’s okay because she said sorry? but it’s fine because Kenny’s reacting in a realistic way that makes sense for his character and he later apologizes for it?

but now here you are, getting a realistic reaction out of Louis that makes sense with his character and all of a sudden, you don’t like it? You want him to just be like “Oh no, Marlon.... anyway.” Really?

Louis is hurt, he’s pissed and he doesn’t know what to do. He’s so shaken by what the hell just happened, Marlon’s dead body is bleeding out on the ground, Ruby’s talking about getting fucking medicine as if that’s gonna do anything, Violet waving her cleaver around at them even though literally none of them were looking at AJ they were all looking at Clementine, Violet you are not helping anyone in this situation, you’re only making it worse and adding to the aggression... but no, Louis shouldn’t be a fucking mess right now. He should just shrug his shoulders and be like “Welp, this is fine.”

Then there’s the damn funeral. Look, Clementine and AJ shouldn’t have been there. I know they had to be for story purposes, but it’s such a bad idea that it makes Violet, the one who wanted them there, look like an ass who has no regard for anyone other than herself, Clementine and AJ, and those who agree with her... which is only Tenn and I guess everyone else sucks and their feelings are invalid because no one else wanted them there since it’s not a good idea to have Marlon’s murderer attend his funeral and if you believe that isn’t going to piss people off or make them uncomfortable, then either you don’t care or you don’t know how to read a room.

And by the way, Louis wasn’t the one who suggested voting them out. He wasn’t even there when MITCH said they should take a vote and everyone agreed to it. So why is it that Louis gets all this blame for how the vote turned out? Oh, Louis is such a traitor because he’s the reason they got kicked out.... except no?

First of all, if you’re so mad at Louis then how come you’re not mad at Ruby? She voted them out, too. So did Omar. They contributed to kicking them out. How come no one else talks about how much they hate them after they said having the vote was a fair idea and then voted them out? Oh, and Willy, too. Willy voted them out. The only other person who gets heat for the vote is Mitch, and he was the one who came up with the idea in the first place... but no one else, huh?

Also, how come only Violet gets praise for wanting Clementine and AJ to stay? Never see anyone talk about how amazing Aasim is after he was the third vote for them. He has legit reasons for wanting them around, too, but he didn’t want them at the funeral either so what, does that cancel out his vote for you? Where is the Aasim love?

Then we got the dorms where Louis and Violet come to escort them away, and once again, I have to mention that both of them are wrong in this situation. They’re on the extreme opposites where Violet thinks they should stay because they didn’t do anything wrong, and Louis thinks they should leave because AJ’s dangerous. Both of these view points make sense with their characters.

However, I guess some conveniently ignore how conflicted Louis is about the whole thing and how he’s feeling about it because it doesn’t fit with the narrative they’re trying to push about his character.

Again, he’s dealing with a lot of shit right now only to be constantly invalidated by Violet, who keeps telling him what a shithead he is for hurting about this, how he’s just burying his head in the sand again and all this other shit, and he eventually snaps at her and says AJ’s dangerous, which hurts AJ and it’s all over Louis’ face that he realizes he snapped and he feels bad about it.

But Louis never got aggressive with them, he never laid a hand on them, and he was there to escort them out in the woods. And that argument of “he sent them out there to die therefore Clementine and AJ should hate him, Clem shouldn’t want any friendly/romantic relationship with him because he put AJ at risk and got him shot” is.... I dunno, ugh? It’s ugh. You act like Louis did this to intentionally get them hurt when that’s not true.

Clementine and AJ have survived on their own for years, so it makes sense that Louis would try to justify this to himself like “they’ll make it out there, they’ll survive because they’ve done this before... this is for the best for everyone” and no, him telling them that this is probably like going home for them isn’t okay, but it makes sense for his character because he doesn’t actually know how bad it is out there.

None of them know, they’ve all lived in walls their whole lives. It’s naïve of him, yes, but it makes sense and he didn’t do this with shitty intentions of wanting them to get hurt. He didn’t know that Lilly and Abel would be out there, he didn’t know AJ would get shot, he didn’t know any of it. He didn’t think that if they voted them out, this would happen. He was struggling with his feelings about them and saying goodbye to someone he was starting to feel a connection with.

And he let them back in. Hell, he carried AJ into the school himself when they showed up wounded and you still wanna call him an asshole and a traitor? He could’ve said nope, get the hell out. We kicked you out, you’re not welcome here.

He didn’t do that, he ran to them to see if they’re okay, he brought AJ to Ruby and stayed with him the entire time Clem was in the office with Violet.... AND he apologized to AJ, quietly begging for him to be okay... and when he’s faced with Clementine after what happened, he doesn’t know what to say to her. He can’t even look at her because he feels so ashamed of himself and feels all the blame for this.

This is a moment that ties back to backstory. Louis’ emotions overpowered him, he made a decision and now AJ is shot and bleeding on the couch.... when he came to the school, they [the staff, I assume] said these kids were bad people, they told Louis that he was bad after what he did to his parents and he internalized that, and this whole this just reaffirms that idea “I am bad, I hurt people, this is my fault.” He blames himself for everything even though there’s no way he could’ve known. You can feel Louis’ genuine concern for AJ and how he’s doing, but at the same time, he’s trying to distance himself from Clementine… and well, sorta failing since he brings her clothes and they have the conversation in the dorms.

Then the archery scene.... y’know, the scene I was gonna make a simple little post about that somehow turned into this.

Once again we have Louis and Violet arguing because that’s what they do now, and Violet continues to tell him to get over himself without listening to anything he says, and he goes to practice archery so that y’know... when the raiders come he can use a weapon to help defend them since he’s not very good with it and needs practice.

Clem goes to check on him, and Louis apologizes for voting them out, explains that when AJ shot Marlon, he blamed Clementine when that wasn’t the right thing to do. He had a lot going on emotionally on top of what was happening around him, but after having two weeks to work through things alone, even though he’ll never be happy Marlon died, he can understand why AJ thought it was the right thing to do... and if he could take everything back, he would. He knew that the moment they came back, and he still does.

I just.... how often does Clementine ever get an actual apology from anyone who has hurt her? A real apology from someone who means it and then doesn’t just turn around and repeat the same hurtful actions? Like... it baffles me that people will look at this genuine apology and tell him to fuck off, but will accept and continue to adore someone like Kenny who will apologize for hurting Clem, only to never try to be better and ends up hurting her even more next time.

Or they’ll accept and justify Violet’s last minute apology for punching Clementine in the face on the boat and putting everyone [including AJ, rememeber?] at risk of either dying or being made into brainwashed soldiers by the delta.

They both have reasons for their behaviors and you’ll work your ass off to justify them, and I’m not saying your points are wrong or invalid, but you seriously won’t even try to extend that same thing to Louis? Why?

Well, jokes on you because I too will work my ass of to talk about Louis and what he’s going through and that’s how posts like this get made. I know not everyone is going to feel that connection to him that I have, and you’re allowed to not like him as a character, but realize that I’m also allowed to give my perspective on his character and why I disagree with points posed by those who don’t like him.

The archery scene is one of my favorites. It’s Louis and Clementine proving that they’re able to open up to one another and say they’re sorry, to forgive the other without being petty or holding it over the other to throw back at them the next time they argue. It proves that Louis wants to put in the effort to repair their relationship and atone for the mistakes he made, to step up and not be “bad” anymore.

I mean, Louis says it best himself. Everyone heard the jokes and the piano, after that, they stop listening... a lot of people just boil him down to a funny man who never takes anything seriously and the only thing he could ever bring to Clementine’s life is a good laugh, but those who stuck with him and put an effort into building his and Clementine’s relationship know better than that. They know how much this apology in ep2 means even with the downer that the timeline of events rushes everything a bit.

The fact that Louis doesn’t have this big ego that prevents him from apologizes, that he can forgive AJ for what he did and still build a strong relationship with both him and Clementine, that if you earn his trust he will follow you to hell and back, that he isn’t afraid to call Clementine out on her bullshit and doesn’t have a come apart when she does the same to him, that with her and AJ by his side he finally doesn’t feel alone anymore.... it’s all just so fucking good.

I dunno, maybe you can understand why I get so ugh whenever I still see these same arguments about him being made with this double standard that doesn’t apply to other characters.

#twdg louis #twdg clementine #twdg aj #twdg marlon #twdg violet #twdg aasim #twdg ruby #twdg willy #twdg mitch #twdg omar #twdg tenn #twdg brody #twdg clouis

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broadwaycantdie · 5 years

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Drag Race! - Newsies (Pride) Month . Day 13

( buttons ) + ( drag queens )

a/n: i had this idea a while ago but i didn’t know how to do it so let’s see how it goes // also FUCK i love drag race

warnings: none

background: A few of the newsies LOVE Rupaul’s Drag Race. They’ve seen every season and rewatch old seasons when waiting for new episodes. Buttons has never seen the show despite his friends asking him to. He finally sits down with them to watch a previous season of their choice and begins to learn what it’s all about. The boys realize something they never have before and decide to run with it.

( this story only really works if you picture Damon J. Gillespie’s version of Buttons btw )

——————————————————————————

“Buttons! We’re gonna rewatch a season. You wanna watch finally? This one’s a good one, trust me.”

“Hmm...okay why not. But if it’s not good you owe me.”

“And if you like it, you owe us.”

Race slid over and made room for Buttons on the already full couch.

“I didn’t know all you guys liked Drag Race”, Buttons asked semi-shocked.

“Of course! You’ve never seen a competition like this, B, trust me. It’s got it all! Drama, beauty, friendship, iconic quotes, fights...man you don’t know what you’re missing!” Mush called out from the armchair.

“Well stop telling me and put it on so I can see for myself!” Buttons replied, ready to see what all the hype was about.

Race turned on the TV and opened up his purchased shows. He bought every season, no matter what.

“This is the best All Stars season”, he said, hovering the section over All Stars 3.

“Uh? Race?” Davey called out from the opposite armchair of Mush.

“Yeah?”

“Don’t you mean All Stars 2 is the best?”

“No? What are you on, Dave? Crack!?”

“Are you? Clearly All Stars 2 is the best!”

Buttons could see how serious the boys were about their show.

“Okay, okay, okay. Let’s settle this”, Davey said, getting up from his chair, “Raise your hand if you think All Stars 2 is the best.”

Davey, Jack, Mush, Kid Blink, Albert, Specs, Tommy Boy, and Jojo all raised their hands.

“Guys!” Race yelled, distressed.

“Alright hold up. Now raise your hand for season 3.”

Race’s hand shot up, along with Kenny, Smalls, Romeo, Elmer, and Henry.

“Thank you guys! At least I know a few of you have taste.”

“Crutchie, why didn’t you raise your hand?” Davey asked.

“Cause I like All Stars 1”, he replied.

Both Davey and Race stopped to look at him and couldn’t help but laugh.

“Who likes season 1?” Race joked.

“I do! I love Jujubee okay! She was robbed!”, he retorted defensively.

“You think everyone was robbed”, Jack butted in.

Buttons just sat and listened, more confused than ever.

There was a pause and then Race couldn’t help but speak back up.

“But like, tell me, how, HOW is season 2 better than season 3?” Race argued.

“Do you want it in a list or a paragraph cause we’re gonna be here for a while”, Albert quickly snapped back.

“List them off, let’s see what you got, Dasilva!”

“Bet! Hmm, where to start...” Albert began sarcastically, “Oh yeah! KATYA! ALASKA! ALYSSA! PHI PHI! ADORE! Must I continue?”

“Be my guest.”

“The entirety of ‘Read U Wrote U’—“

“Even Roxxy’s verse?” Race butted in.

“We don’t talk about that one and you know that”, Albert said very quickly and even more defensive than before.

“Alright, alright! Well based off majority, All Stars season 2 is the best”, Davey spoke up, trying to regain order.

“Well based off who bought every season, All Stars 3 is the best and that’s what we’re watching so sit down or don’t”, Race ended, pouting like a child having a tantrum.

“So are we watching the best one or Race’s favorite?” Buttons spoke up, still confused on what just happened.

At the same time Race said “the best” and Albert said “Race’s favorite”.

They looked at each other with angry eyebrows and continued on.

“Sorry I asked”, Buttons replied, trying to stop the tension.

“Look what you guys did! Buttons is scared and probably doesn’t even want to watch anymore!” Elmer called out.

They all looked at Buttons who wouldn’t admit it, but was a bit more nervous than before.

“Am I gonna get this heated when I watch?” He asked.

“Honestly...yeah. But it gets less scary when you know what to argue with and when it’s a valid argument”, Jack answered.

“Can we just put it on! Damn guys”, Mush yelled, hushing everyone up.

Race was still lowkey mad but continued on—for Buttons’ sake.

He started the first episode up and they all paid attention, watching like they haven’t seen it before. Acting like if they rewatch it they’ll be a different winner or someone won’t go home as early this time around.

They watched as the queens entered the workroom.

Until they got to the one, the only...

Kennedy Davenport.

She announced herself and Buttons’ eyes went wide.

“Davenport?”

This was the first time he spoke up since the episode started.

“Yeah! Most drag queens are part of a larger drag family and they have a drag mom. So Kennedy is in the house of Davenport and—“ Race started.

“How do they get that last name?” Buttons interrupted.

“Well it just depends, some people got it from just being friends with other drag queens but now usually it’s whoever ‘adopts’ you and kinda take you under their wing in the drag community. Your drag mom helps you out and usually has a family resemblance or a similar style yanno. Like any family!” Race explained.

“But the last name? And resemblance?” Buttons insisted.

“Geez Buttons, you’re admit aren’t you? At least you wanna learn.”

“No. Race...what’s my last name?”

“Uh?”

Race thought for a moment but couldn’t come up with anything.

“Wow. What a friend you are?” Buttons said, semi-sarcastically.

“Davenport”, Albert spoke up.

All eyes turned to Buttons.

Race’s eyes widened and you could practically see the light bulb pop over his head.

“Oh my god, B. You know what we have to do, right?”

“Uh...continue with the episode and act like nothing happened?”

“Nope! We have to put you in drag!”

“I was hoping you’d say anything besides that.”

“Oh come on, B! You’ll be perfect! You already have the Davenport resemblance—“

“—That’s racist.”

“Not racist. Anyway, your family is from Texas, and you have a gorgeous face. You’ll be a perfect Davenport!”

Something inside Buttons made him want to do it. Maybe it was seeing how excited his friends were. Maybe it was the fact that after only watching the first 2 minutes of the show he could already tell it was special. Maybe it was his own curiosity. But he couldn’t say no, his heart wasn’t letting him.

He was quite. Thinking real hard. But he just couldn’t make out the word ‘no’.

“So? What do you say, B?” Race asked, flashing his most persuasive puppy dog eyes.

Buttons let out a heavy breath.

“I mean...what‘s the worst that could happen? Right?”

Race’s face lit up and he immediately jumped out of his seat. He squealed with joy like a little girl.

“Okay Davey, call Sarah and have her bring over all her makeup and some of her nicest dresses, I’m sure they’ll be around the same size, B’s pretty thin and feminine—“

“—Hey!” Buttons butted in.

Race ignored him and kept going.

“Say it’s an emergency. I have heels he can wear so just get the rest, asap. In the meantime, B, you need to come up with your drag name.”

Davey followed instructions while everyone else got to work trying to find a good name for Buttons.

“Guys why don’t—“

“Hold on, B. I’m thinking.”

Buttons kept trying to butt in but with everyone “thinking” they wouldn’t listen.

Finally he just shouted it out.

“Guys! I already have a nickname! Can’t I just keep ‘Buttons’?”

Everyone looked at each other dumbfounded.

Why didn’t they think of that?

After all the chaos of name picking, Sarah arrived with everything Davey asked for. So they immediately got to work.

Buttons had 4 people working on his face almost at the same time. One person would start and then another would pick up where they left off; using their strengths.

After what felt like the longest and most painful thing to happen to his face, he was done...with that part.

Buttons wasn’t allowed to look in a mirror until they were all done. Race wanted something of a “big reveal”.

Race went into a room with Buttons and helped him finish getting ready.

“I don’t have any padding so we’re just gonna have to work with what you got...which ain’t a lot—“

“Hey!”

“I’m being honest! You ain’t got the proportions but we’ll just try to emph up your silhouette.”

He picked out the best dress Sarah brought—and the only one he thought would fit Buttons. It was long, gold, and fully sparkly from the neck to the floor.

“Hmm. How familiar are you with tucking?” Race asked.

“Uh?”

“I forgot this was your first time watching drag race. Uh, okay so what you do is...”

While Race explained the process of tucking, Buttons’ eyes grew wide and concerned. All Race had to do was look at the expression on Buttons’ face to know it wasn’t gonna happen.

“Alright, no tucking...got it. Okay so just put the dress on and I’ll get the heels and the wig.”

“Why do you just have a wig?”

“Why don’t you?”

Race left the room and returned—heels and wig in hand—to see a very confused Buttons trying to zip up the back of the dress.

Race couldn’t help but laugh and walked over to help him. He pulled the dress down, walking circles around his friend fixing everything into place.

He squeezed all Buttons’ curly hair under a wig cap and placed the new hair on just right. Race styled it to perfection—big, blonde, and beautiful—fit for any Davenport. Buttons had never smelt—or tasted—that much hairspray in his life.

“Step into these heels and come out when you’re ready. Give us a little runaway walk. The biggest thing about being a drag queen is confidence!”

Race left the room and went out to the living room with everyone else. They all waited anxiously to see the newest daughter in the Davenport family.

Coming out the door, Buttons was a whole new person. He switched from being the shy, nervous, and quiet Buttons all his friends knew, to a confident, flirtatious, and gorgeous drag queen that they want to know. He had his own drag persona and she was gonna live in this moment.

“Look at her though!” Race called out.

Buttons walked through the living room like she was on the main stage of Rupaul’s Drag Race.

Jack put on some runway music and Buttons owned the room.

She swayed her hips, gave some turns, and smiled her gorgeous smile. She looked like a whole pageant queen and the boys were living for it.

She was giving them body. She was giving them smile. She was giving them personality. She was giving them everything they didn’t know she had in her.

Everyone clapped, snapped, laughed, and shouted.

“You’re beautiful! You’re perfect! You look like Linda Evangelista!” Mush called out.

“You’re a model!” Jack continued.

“Buttons! Your smile is gorgeous!” Kid Blink finished.

“She’s a woman!” Kenny yelled.

“She is what?” Specs started.

“Sickening!” Romeo finished.

“Yas gawd!” Elmer called out.

“Shantay you stay, sweetheart!” Davey laughed.

Buttons finished her little walk around and couldn’t help but smile her widest smile. She still hadn’t seen what she looked like but damn she was feeling herself.

“Someone call the Davenports, they’ve got a new family member!” Albert joked.

Buttons finally looked in the mirror and couldn’t even recognize herself. She looked like a whole woman.

“You guys really went all out...I look gorgeous, henny!”

Everyone laughed.

“Am I doing this right?” Buttons asked, trying to pick up drag language and culture by just what the boys have been saying.

They all took pictures and let Buttons feel herself a little longer.

“Okay, I don’t know how much longer I can wear all this. How do they do it for so long? It’s only been 15 minutes and I’m dying!” Buttons said.

“Alright, sweetheart. Let’s bring you back down to Earth”, Race joker, walking Buttons back to the room.

While helping Buttons de-drag, Race couldn’t help but have a heart full of joy.

“Hey, B?”

“Yeah, Race?”

“Thanks for agreeing to do all this. I know it’s not really your thing but it meant a lot to us. And you looked absolutely stunning! I couldn’t believe it!”

“You know, I’m not ugly, Race”, Buttons joked.

“I know, I know. But still...thanks.”

“It was fun. I had a good time. Maybe we can do it again at some point? Maybe next time we’ll put you in drag along with me.”

“You don’t even know how long I’ve wanted to do that, B. You got yourself a deal.”

“Next time.”

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paisleywraith · 6 years

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Dawn of the Queen Chapter 2

Lady McCormick has handed herself over to Elvenkind to ensure the safe return of her younger sister. The Elven King requests her hand in marriage for reasons unknown, but Kenny is willing to pay any price without question as long as it saves Karen.

Kenny checked the bar that locked her bathroom door before sighing. Okay, good. A moment at last. She loosened her dress laces, shimmying out of it and letting the worn fabric pool on the floor. The water for the bath was already hot, making her hair feel heavy as it retained the water in the air. She pulled the twine holding her braids in, letting long golden hair fall in tangled heaps.

God, the water was heavenly. Kenny sighed as she stepped into the tub, which was deep enough to nearly reach her waist. The stone was cut so you could sit while you bathed, and was at least longer than she was tall.

She shivered happily as the water soaked into her stiff muscles and chilled skin. Though it was shockingly warm down here underground. She had an idea it had something to do with those white lights…she felt warmer for being closer to them. One twinkled happily at her from the wall above the bath.

Now was the time for planning, though. Kenny had been adamant that she bathe and put her clothes on herself. Wendy had agreed to let her bathe alone, but pressed impossibly soft undergarments into her hands and told her she had to help with her regular clothing. Kenny really had no choice but to agree, if she put up too much of a protest that wouldn’t do well for her image.

She had to play a part. Make the King like her. Stan seemed sweet and friendly, Wendy was abrupt and direct but still with a kind edge to her. They wouldn’t be hard to win over, maybe, only Stan was apparently friends with the King and that might complicate things. At least she hadn’t said anything to offend him.

Kyle. She hadn’t even heard her future husband’s name before now. She wanted a better look at him. Red hair, dark eyes, pale skin, pointy ears. That didn’t tell him a whole lot. He didn’t really say hello, out the door. She needed to get to know him. Know more about him? What kind of woman did he like? What did he want? He clearly wanted a wife, why?

Kenny shivered again. She couldn’t give him children. She had to approach anything intimate very, very carefully. Definitely had to wait until they were married, but that could be swung easily. Play blushing maiden. Men liked that.

“Lady McCormick?” Wendy called through the heavy door. “I have your dress ready, whenever you’re finished.”

“Thank you, Wendy.” Kenny replied, sliding down further into the water.

Fuck.

“No rush, My Lady,” Wendy told her. “You have time until dinner.”

Kenny closed her eyes. Karen was counting on this performance. Make the Elven King fall in love with a sweet little flower he can parade around or keep to himself or however the hell Elves treated spouses.

Kenny washed her hair and scrubbed her skin pink. Water dripped down to the uneven rock floor, making her splash through small puddles as she moved to put the undergarments on. Soft and warm, she made sure she looked right before throwing on the slip and unlocking the door.

Wendy was reading at the desk, a red book she snapped shut when the door opened. She stood, smiling as she picked up the grey-and-cream satin garment from the bed.

“Now that you’re here, we can get you sized,” Wendy mentioned, pulling it over Kenny’s head where it hung loosely off her frame. “You’re much skinnier than we thought you’d be. Lucky we have dresses that lace so tightly. I’ll get your dresses altered but for now,” She pulled at the back laces with such ferocity Kenny almost thought her ribcage cracked, “This will do fine. I’ll brush your hair in a minute.”

Kenny wanted to protest, but honestly it was kind of nice. Someone to run hot baths and brush her tangled hair seemed like such a luxury. She could giggle over the ridiculousness of it. She let Wendy comb her hair, braiding it to one plait and placing a transparent veil over her head, held with a thin crown. Her sleeves were also see-through and she did worry about showing so much skin. Wendy noticed the ugly frame of hers, validating the concern.

“I’ll get some dresses done tonight, they don’t fit well in the bodice,” Wendy noted with a tsk of her tongue as she tied back the laces.

“I know I’m flat-chested. Thank you.”

“Oh, stop.” Wendy adjusted the crown for probably the fourth time. “You have a cute figure. Willowy. Now, I have a necklace and then you’re done.”

Cute figure. Not alluring or sexy of any sort, very little curve. Willowy was a nice way to put it. Hope Kyle likes willows.

The dress was pretty, and Kenny took a couple of twirls in it before Wendy could turn back around from the jewelry box. So far, bath and clothing are good. Better than expected.

“You’re so cute!” Wendy exclaimed once she stepped back. “I think Kyle will think so, too. Are you ready?”

“Ky- The King saw me already. When I walked in.” Looking like she rolled in the dirt. Kenny enjoyed how to veil fluttered around her ears as she followed Wendy. “Am I always supposed to be at dinner with the King?”

“He’d prefer you to, and we ask you do for your first meal,” Wendy answered, striding through the corridor with such focus guards stepped to the side to let her through. Kenny picked up her pace to try and emulate her. “I’ll let you rest tomorrow morning if you like, though, and bring you breakfast to your room.”

“Please.” Any time she could get to herself. She wasn’t sure when he actually intended to marry her but no time would be enough to prepare.

“Here,” Wendy whirled before Kenny, taking her hands. Bewildered, Kenny tilted her head at her. “Up ahead is the door for the dining room. It’s the entrance Kyle and Stan and those high-ranking use. I’ll be at the same table, just at a different entrance. They won’t announce you, just walk through and head to the table right in front of the door.”

Oh God. Kenny took a breath.

“You’ll be great!” Wendy squeezed her hands and let her go. “Go on! I’ll be right there.”

Wendy fled back down the hall, leaving Kenny alone. She turned, slippered feet making shuffling noises against the rough rock floor. Twinkling white lights illuminated her path. Faintly, she could hear voices. She took it all in. Listened, felt. And then walked.

It was like walking to a guillotine. Kenny kept her back straight. If they didn’t like her, if they sent her back, what then? Karen, Karen, Karen. She had to keep her safe.

The door was open, and as Wendy said, guards stood at the side and nodded her through. Elves as well, still much more human than she imagined. Book illustrations were apparently misleading.

Kenny could see the table she mentioned. Kyle was already there, with Stan, and bizarrely, Wendy had somehow beaten her there.

Kyle sat in the middle of the table, looking over the dining room. Their table was elevated slightly, with stairs leading down to at least ten other tables full of chattering Elves. The noise was incredible.

Kenny approached her husband-to-be. The seat next to him was empty, and as Wendy sat next to it, she assumed it was hers.

The entire table rose as she approached, including the King, making Kenny stop dead in her tracks and look over her shoulder for whatever must have come through the door to make them all decide to flee.

“My Lady,” Stan’s voice brought her back. “It’s good to see you again.”

The Barbarian was there as well, on the other side of Wendy. He stood when the others did, but only spared her a glance before sitting back down before the others.

“Come sit here,” Wendy spoke quietly, and Kenny stood with a steel spine (mostly great help of tightened corset) to walk around the table.

Everyone else was sitting, except the King. She expected him to tower over her, but as she stood next to him, she doubted they were even an inch apart. She could look him straight in the eyes.

Green. His eyes were green, with flecks of brown. They darted between her own, openly staring. His ears were pointed, but otherwise he didn’t look different. From a human, she meant. His hair curled around his ears almost adorably and he had faint freckles. He didn’t look very old at all. Kenny was dumbstruck. She wasn’t expecting him to be cute.

Stan’s hand reached out to grab a handful of Kyle’s robes and yank him down to sit. He did, still staring, and Kenny sat down slowly as well.

Kenny directed her attention to the table. Nothing was set but plates and cutlery, which were both metal and surprisingly heavy. She lifted her gaze to the rest of the room, which was massive and housed too many Elves to count, many of them staring back at her table. Different clothing, appearances, she wished she could ask about why so many were eating in the same hall as a King, but her mouth stayed shut.

“Do you like your room?”

She wasn’t expecting his voice to be so light, either. Far from the burly, growling beast she expected, Kyle was subverting each of her expectations. She didn’t know why it surprised her so much, she had heard him speak before, but the gentle tone he took was probably part of it.

“It’s very nice,” She offered. Nope, not good enough. Play a part. It was harder with Kyle staring at her with branches twined around his fiery locks and eyes burning greenish-brown into her soul. “I love it.” Charm, Kenny. Turn up the charm. Her voice became sweet. “Thank you for the tapestry. It was nice to see something familiar.”

Kyle’s cheeks turned pink, but his gaze didn’t falter. “Good.”

Satisfaction wasn’t exactly what she’d been hoping for. She wanted him a little more flustered. He looked too serious.

Kyle looked back towards the table.

“I’m not sure what food you’re used to, back in the Keep,” Kyle watched the Elves out on floor, chattering until their voices rang off the walls. “But ours doesn’t have much variance from human cuisine.”

“True,” Stan cheerfully spoke. “I’ve been to some nearby human villages and there’s not too much different. Barbarians, though, that’s an interesting diet.”

Tweek glanced over, a twitch seeming to form in his right hand. That and his shoulder would jerk once in a while, like he couldn’t help himself. Kenny found it odd but avoided looking. She wasn’t sure how to address it.

She wasn’t sure how to address the whole situation. She was supposed to be charming, but she was finding herself actually intimidated. Poor Karen, she probably wasn’t even treated a quarter as well. She hoped the wedding was over quick and she’d get to see her. Let her live in her big room and she’d live with Kyle, she didn’t care as long as Karen was happy, warm, and safe.

Elves walked up to offer them food. Courses kept arriving. Meat of all kinds, but also greens and more vegetables than Kenny ever thought existed. Fish, soups, potatoes cooked in different ways, many different kinds of breads, it was almost overwhelming.

“It’s a bigger dinner than normal, but it’s due to a celebration,” Wendy had whispered as she handed Kenny a cold cup of something sweet and light. “Everyone knows you’re here now.”

Sure, she’ll take a feast in her honor. Awesome.

Dessert consisted of cups of sweet berries and cream in layers. Kenny was almost afraid she’d be sick but it was worth it. She could just bathe herself in the cream, it was so rich and smooth and she didn’t even know she liked raspberries until now.

“Lady McCormick?” Her name sounded awkward on Kyle’s lips, but she looked over halfway into debating a marriage with whatever dessert this was in front of her. Kyle’s face was flushed and his lips were in a tight line. “Will you go on a walk with me after dinner?”

Moving right along, then. She could deal with that.

“Certainly,” She stated in what she hoped was a thoroughly queenly manner. She set her spoon down with more of an awkward clatter than she intended. “I’m ready now.”

Kyle flushed, but stood, stalking off immediately. Stan was watching him like an irritated mother and gestured for her to walk after him.

Really? No goodnights or anything to her table-mates or the room? She awkwardly bobbed a curtsey (Which felt dumb, she’d only ever done that in front of a mirror,) and fled after Kyle, hiking up her skirts and veil floating behind her.

“Your Highness?” Kenny more or less trotted up to him, glad this race liked flat slippers more than heels for fashion.

Kyle slowed down from his pace, watching her approach. His hands were stuck in the pockets of his robes like an unruly child.

“Lady.” Kyle acknowledged her, jaw set. He waited until Kenny was beside him before walking in a slower pace.

“I’m glad your trip went well,” Kyle mentioned, not even looking at her.

Miffed, Kenny went for a jab. “Did you expect it not to?”

“No,” Kyle’s voice took on an edge, just slightly, before struggling. “We don’t have many opponents anymore, you weren’t in any danger.”

Kenny grit her teeth. “No one opposes Elves anymore?”

Kyle looked over, eyes flashing. “I didn’t say that.” He took a breath. “I said you weren’t in danger.”

So the King had a temper. Kenny had to tread carefully if he got pissed off so easily.

“Listen to me,” Kyle said finally, hands jammed further into his pockets. “Our races and Kingdoms didn’t get along, let’s not pretend we both don’t know that.” Kenny glanced over, brushing the veil away from her face, eyes sparking with interests. “You are going to encounter people who won’t like you simply because you’re human.”

“And what’s your opinion?” Kenny asked, squaring her shoulders.

Kyle stopped, in their hallway with the double doors.

“I don’t have a thing against you,” Kyle told her. “Any problem I have are with people you aren’t even close to. That should be true for everyone. If anyone gives you any grief, talk to me, and I will stop it.”

Kenny bit her tongue, wanting so badly to bring up Karen. Should she even allude to it? She didn’t want her punished.

“How so very nice of you,” She managed, voice saccharine sweet. Kyle seemed to twitch, like the Barbarian boy, and she had the idea she’d made him angry anyhow.

“Goodnight, My Lady,” Kyle said, face flushed red and seeming to be biting back words himself. “I’m sure you’re tired after your trip.”

“Oh, physically and emotionally exhausting for sure,” Kenny agreed sweetly, opening her door with one hand. “Goodnight, King Kyle.” Asshole.

“Kenny-”

The use of her name made her stop short, and stare over her shoulder. Kyle looked thoroughly uncomfortable and still pissed off.

“Let me know if you need anything.” He finally said, shoving open his own door and striding out of sight.

Interesting. Kenny slowly closed the door behind herself. Almost like he didn’t want to leave her with harsh words. Why? He clearly was a hothead, what did he care? Unless he was really hoping for a happy wife, here.

Fine. She could work with that.

Kenny let Wendy untie her dress, but remained adamant that she dress herself as much as possible. She remained quiet.

She needed to not say dumb shit like that. Anything she did could be reflected on Karen. She had to be happy, love being here, love what a handsome Elf her husband-to-be was, no matter how her stomach turned, everything counted on her.

“How did you like dinner, My Lady?” Wendy asked as she returned from the bathroom with a soft sleeping gown floating around her feet.

“Oh, it was great,” Kenny simpered sweetly. “And His Royal Highness walked me back to my room.”

“Hmm,” Wendy watched her carefully as she pulled the blankets back on the bed as Kenny stared up at the garden painting. “What do you think about him?”

“I think I’ll grow to like him,” Kenny worded carefully.

Wendy watched as Kenny hopped into bed, not answering to that comment. Kenny was glad. This wasn’t something she wanted to speak about until she had more time to think.

“I know it’s been a long journey, so let me know if you need anything,” Wendy said as Kenny burrowed into the blankets. “Sleep well, I’ll be in with breakfast tomorrow morning.”

Kenny flopped back on the bed as the white lights immediately extinguished. Her jaw was set, and she never felt less like crying in her life. This was fine, even good. She was going to find Karen. Karen was going to be fine. After years, Kenny was finally going to save her.

#sp k2 #k2 #kenny mccormick #kyle x kenny #kyle broflovski #Princess Kenny #PaisleyWrites #wendy testaburger #stan marsh #stan marshwalker

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