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ao719 · 4 months

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What's Already Mine

A/N: This is a part of my Us Again series. Submission for @choicesflashfics using prompt #2. Not beta’d. Please excuse any errors.

Title Inspiration: Already Mine - Us The Duo

Book/Pairing: TRR; Liam x MC (Katherine)

Rating: G • Warnings: None.

Word count: 2500

Catch up here

Both my suit jacket and arm are draped over Katherine’s shoulders as we walk back towards the hotel from her old bar where I found her.

We’ve walked in silence for a few blocks and it’s deafening despite the bustling city around us. We’ve seemed to have only a silent understanding of the situation; neither of us has said a word.

My mind is too muddled to speak. I don’t know what to say because there’s so much to be said but nothing all at once. I don’t want to ask if she’s alright because obviously she isn’t. I don’t need to ask what’s wrong because I know. I know why she was there. I know why she broke down when she saw me.

Despite knowing, I don’t know what to say … and I hate myself for it.

I glance down at her when I hear a sniffle; she’s staring at the ground as she walks holding my jacket securely around herself. I watch her hand poke up from beneath the lapels to wipe a tear from her cheek and I feel my heart break a little more.

I want to tell her it’s ok, that it’ll be ok, that we’ll be ok. I want her to tell me the same. But I know that neither of us can say that right now with certainty.

So we continue to walk … in silence.

****

Once back at the hotel, Katherine and I step inside our suite. I shut the door behind me and start to follow her as she walks into the bedroom; now that my arm isn’t around her, I notice that she’s a little wobbly on her feet thanks to her slightly tipsy state. She didn’t have much to drink, only a couple of glasses of wine at the gala, and based on the tab I paid at the bar before leading her out, I’d surmise no more than two drinks there, but I know she’s barely eaten anything today which is doing her no favors and she’s always been a bit of a lightweight as it is.

When I enter the bedroom steps after Katherine, I see her draping my suit jacket on a chair. She then reaches back, attempting to grab the zipper of her gown, but she can’t quite reach it. When she becomes frustrated, evident by the small huffs of breath she keeps releasing, I step up behind her and gently cover my hand with hers. She goes completely still. After a moment, she glances over her shoulder; her eyes are rimmed red and still misty when she meets my gaze. I give a soft nod, and she slowly lowers her hand as she looks straight ahead again.

As I lower the zipper of her gown, I let my thumb graze her spine, and I swallow thickly. When was the last time I touched my wife like this? The last time that my fingers brushed against her bare skin? I think back … it’s been a year. We were in Ramsford for the Beaumont Bash and we both had a lot to drink that night. I vaguely remember stumbling into our room, my hands tugging at the fabric of her dress and her arms wrapping around my neck as I kicked the door shut. Before that night, it had been months since we’d last been intimate, and before that, even more months. When we woke the next morning, we showered and dressed without a word, and when we arrived back at the palace, she went to the east wing while I headed to my study. It was awkward in a way and treated like it never happened. I think that’s when the deteriorating state of our marriage started to slowly consume my thoughts.

Once her zipper is lowered enough, Katherine takes a step away and turns to face me, holding the front of her gown against her chest so it doesn’t fall. I slip my hands into my pockets to stop myself from reaching for her because I don’t know if that’s something I’m allowed to do anymore. We stare at one another, and my eyes are silently pleading with her. Talk to me. Please. Talk. To. Me. I can swear I see a similar plea in her own eyes. I open my mouth to speak but quickly snap it shut because I still have no idea what to say.

“Thank you,” she whispers.

“Of course,” I nod in reply. After staring at me almost expectantly, she lets out a soft breath and turns. “Katherine, I …”

She stops and looks back at me; I see a flicker of something … of what I think is hope mixed with desperation and worry. “Yeah …?”

I hold my breath and her gaze for a moment before shaking my head. “Nothing …”

Her breath subtly hitches in her throat as she drops my gaze and nods. When she disappears into the bathroom, I hang my head, squeezing my eyes shut in disappointment.

Disappointment with myself, where we are, and my inability to grasp how to fix it.

I begin to loosen my tie, but I freeze as my eyes shift to the bathroom door when I swear I hear a muffled cry from behind it.

Where did it go? The love I once knew? It’s lost in the dark The light can’t shine through Where did we go? I can’t see it now I’m fighting the night To find you somehow…

*******

My fingers are steepled over my lips as I stare out the window of my study. My mind is in the same place as it has been for the past week since returning home: my marriage. Hell, my mind was here before our trip, but now, it’s all I can think about morning, noon, and night.

Katherine and I have yet to speak about what happened in New York. The morning after finding her in the bar, we sat through a silent breakfast followed by a few appearances that were scheduled before heading to the airport for our flight home. On the jet, I almost said something but decided against trying to have that conversation 35,000 feet in the air with no escape if we needed one.

In hindsight … maybe that wouldn’t have been the worst idea.

Since we’ve returned home, things have gone back to exactly how they’ve been. I work through the day and go to the east wing for our nighttime routine with the children. But instead of leaving the moment they go to sleep to go back to my study or the west wing … I’ve lingered. I think she believes I’m just waiting to be sure the children are asleep before slipping out, not realizing I’m there for her. I’m trying to give myself the courage to bring it up, but I find an excuse every damn time. It’s not good timing. It’s late. The kids are there. Whatever my mind can conjure up, it does. My fight or flight has turned to strictly flight; I flee every time. And either she’s having the same thoughts and coming up with the same excuses to not bring it up herself … or she’s completely given up, which after what happened in New York, it’s plausible.

The bottom line is this: I know we’ve reached our limit. I know, one way or another, a very difficult conversation is eventually coming.

At this point, it’s inevitable … and it fucking terrifies me.

I’m so lost in thought that I don’t even register the knock on my study door. It’s not until I feel a shove against my arm and hear my name that I finally snap out of it and glance up to see Drake staring at me questioningly.

“I’m sorry,” I say, shaking my head as I straighten in my chair. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

“No shit,” Drake playfully scoffs. “I knocked a few times … called your name when I came inside, but you were zoned out.”

I release a breath and nod, rubbing my eyes with the pads of my fingers. “Yeah … sorry. It’s been a long week.” I blink a few times to focus my vision and when I do, I see Drake now sitting across from me. His arms are folded across his chest and his brow is arched. “What?”

“Seriously, Li … what’s been going on with you?”

“What do you mean?”

“This isn’t the first time I’ve caught you like this over the last few months. You seem like you have a lot more than just the stress of running a kingdom on your mind.”

I look away, unable to hold his gaze. Neither Katherine nor I have ever mentioned anything to our friends pertaining to the state of our marriage. We’ve put on the same show in front of them that we have in front of everyone else.

“Liam … talk to me.”

I look at my best friend again, trying to rein in the sadness I feel. If I can’t talk to Katherine, maybe talking to someone will help. I clasp my hands together and lean forward against my desk as I let out a heavy sigh.

And I end up breaking down as I tell him everything.

Drake listens without interruption, but he doesn’t hide the surprise in his expression. When I finish, I can see him still trying to process everything I’ve just told him.

“I never would have guessed … any of that,” Drake finally says.

“We’re good at hiding it,” I say. Too good. “It’s just … it’s become our norm. It’s like second nature now … putting on the front.”

“Why haven’t you guys ever said anything?”

I can hear the hint of hurt in his tone. “I don’t … I don’t know,” I reply truthfully. “I can’t speak for her, but for me … I guess it’s … I feel like I’ve already let her down … and the kids. I didn’t want to let my friends down, too.”

“Liam, you’re not letting any of us down.”

“I’m supposed to maintain this image of my life. Acknowledging that my marriage had completely fallen apart to myself was hard enough. Saying it out loud to someone else …” I shake my head.

“So what the hell are you going to do?” Drake asks. “I mean, you’re going to fix it, right?”

“I don’t know,” I scoff with a shrug. “I don’t know if it can be fixed.”

Drake’s brow furrows. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that …” I trail off, chewing the inside of my cheek, not wanting to say my next words, but they come anyway. “I’m saying that perhaps this is the end of our story.”

“What the fuck, Li?” Drake barks as he abruptly stands from his chair. The reaction startles me, and I look at him, unable to hide my surprise. “How could you even say that?”

“Do you think that’s what I want?” I snap. “Because it’s not! But I can’t force us to get back to where we once were!”

“That’s bullshit and you know it,” Drake chides, and when I open my mouth to retort, he leans forward, getting right in my face. “It’s bullshit. And. You. Know. It.” He stands upright. “To just accept defeat is not only the easy, coward’s way out, it’s not you!”

“Drake—”

“No, I don’t want to hear it,” Drake interrupts. “What you and Katherine have … it’s the fucking dream, Li. And I’m not talking about the literal fairytale crap,” he says, waving his hands dismissively. “I’m talking about the real shit. I watched you two; I had a front-row fucking seat. I watched your story unfold. I watched you both fight like hell to be together. And here you are now, a decade later, and you’re ready to wave the white flag because you two hit a rough patch that you won’t acknowledge to each other? Fuck. That.”

As I stare up at him, I feel a tear slip down my cheek … because I know he’s right. I clear my throat and snap my gaze toward the window, trying to fight back my emotions.

“I know you both, Li, and neither of you would keep putting yourself through this if you truly wanted to walk away. That’s gotta stand for something.”

My gaze shifts up to his again. “I don’t want to walk away,” I say through a cracked whisper.

“Then you fight.”

Where did it go? The passionate fire? We can’t find the flame And now we’re both tired What do we do When all we have left Is dying for life But on its last breath?

****

That evening, as I’m finishing up my work for the day and finalizing some plans I’ve set into motion, I hear a knock on my study door and call for them to enter. When I look up, Katherine steps inside. “Hi,” I greet her as I rise from my chair.

“Hello,” Katherine responds. She quietly closes the door behind her. “I’m sorry to bother—”

“You’re not bothering me,” I interrupt as I walk around my desk.

Katherine swallows, holding my gaze as she subtly nods. “I, uh … I was just trying to get things in order with my schedule for next week, but it’s … did you have it cleared?”

“I did,” I answer, and my heart is pounding in my chest as I watch the confusion fill her expression while I try to keep mine impassive.

“Why?”

“Because we’re going on a trip.”

Katherine’s brows raise. “We?”

“Yes,” I nod. “We … as in you and me.”

“A trip for what?”

“That’s still to be determined,” I say cryptically.

Katherine furrows her brow. “Is it a work-related thing?”

Even though I expected her to think that, it still hurts when she asks. “No,” I shake my head. “It’s not.”

“I’m confused …”

“About?”

“We … we haven’t gone on a trip that wasn’t duty-related in a long time,” Katherine says. “At least … not together.”

“I think it’s safe to say we’re a bit overdue,” I quip.

“But what about—”

“Eleanor and Lucas are going to have some quality time with their Uncle Drake,” I interrupt again, knowing what she’s wondering. “I spoke with him and made all of the arrangements already.”

Katherine lets out a sigh as she continues to stare at me. “I …” She trails off, shaking her head. “I don’t understand …”

My impassive wall drops and I sigh as I let the emotion I’ve been trying to conceal fill my features. “Katherine …” I speak just above a whisper. “You and I … we’re lost.”

I see her eyes slightly widen as she lets out a breath before she drops my gaze, but not before I see the pain fill her expression. It’s as if hearing me finally acknowledge the truth we’ve both known but have remained silent about out loud has gravely wounded her.

“We’re lost and we both know it. And we can’t keep running from it. We need to face it. We need to … to talk about it and figure out if we’re going to find ourselves again — find us again — or …” I trail off, struggling to say the next words out loud. “Or if we’re going to walk away from this … from each other … because we can’t keep living this way.”

When Katherine looks back up at me, tears trickle down her cheeks. She parts her lips to speak but stops as she lifts a hand and rests it against her throat to where I assume the lump is that’s stolen her voice. More tears fall and more confusion crosses her expression as she continues to hold my gaze.

“I cleared both of our schedules for the next two weeks,” I continue to explain, “and made arrangements for this trip … just for us.”

Katherine’s breath hitches. “Where … where are we going?”

“To the private island …”

I hear the soft breath of acknowledgment Katherine releases.

We can’t run there; we can’t hide or avoid each other. And she knows it. We’ll be left with no other choice but to face this … to face one another.

We stare at each other, and I’m certain the worry and fear of the unknown of what this trip will bring that I’m feeling is the same thing she’s feeling.

We both know we’re going into this completely broken. And we both know that we’re either going to come out pieced back together and on the mend to being whole again … or we’re going to come out irreparably shattered.

I can’t control you Or what your heart will decide But I’ll never stop Trying to fall back in love with what’s already mine…

***************************************

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ragingadhd · 16 days

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I too am very excited for when Maddie or Will or any ranger finally get to declare themself “Queen’s Ranger”, but knowing Flanagan, he’s probably not going to just let that powerful moment be. It’ll probably go like

a) a ranger stumbles over their words since it’s force of habit to say “King’s Ranger”, and Flanagan is going to make it a weird “not that there’s anything wrong with a female ruler!!” type of moment

b) the corps is still going to be called “King’s Rangers” because that’s their legal title

c) we are all going to die long before Flanagan gets the balls to kill off Duncan and let Cassandra be queen

#I think option a is the lesser of three evils #b is the worst #c is most likely #rangers apprentice #will treaty #maddie altman #Ranger’s apprentice #the royal ranger #trr

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tessa-liam · 1 month

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Turning the Page

A Step Back in Time, chapter 11

Choices, The Royal Romance, AU

Series Premise: As Riley Brooks journeys through life as a single parent in New York City, an epiphany strikes as she contemplates the future for herself and her two-year-old son.

Turning the Page Series Masterlist

Main Pairing: Liam Rys x F!OC Riley Brooks

All characters belong to Pixelberry Studios, except William Brooks (Rys) and Matteo Magro, who belongs to this series.

Category: On-going series, contains angst/fluff/depression. Cross-over fic with Choices, Perfect Match.

Rating: M🔞 - Warnings - Series will contain crude language, weapons, NSFW material – not Beta’d - please excuse all errors.

Words: 3268

A Step Back in Time, Chapter 11

Chapter Summary: Liam, Riley and William arrive for a weeklong retreat in Lythikos. Olivia takes Riley ‘under her wing’ to mentor and to offer advice for her return to court. Olivia was determined to get her friend into the right frame of mind and to ultimately get the sparkle back in her eyes.

Music Inspiration: What Was I Made for? Billie Eilish ; Lose Control, Teddy Swims

A/N1: In this alternate universe, after King Constantine orchestrates two individual scandals to humiliate and entrap Riley Brooks and Olivia Nevrakis in shame, Madeleine Amaranth secures her position as the Queen of Cordonia. Riley, as the King’s mistress and Olivia, in self-imposed exile. Tariq is never found.

A/N2: Damien Nazario has been assigned as William’s personal bodyguard. (Series cross-over with ‘Perfect Match’)

‘Cause I, ‘cause I

I don’t know how to feel

But I wanna try

I don’t know how to feel

But someday I might

Someday I might

Think I forgot how to be happy

Something I’m not, but something I can be

Something I wait for

Something I’m made for

Something I’m made for’

Cordonian Royal Palace, Capital

If you told Riley Brooks that she would be living in Cordonia, in the Royal palace, with the King of Cordonia just last summer ... she would not believe you. She would tell you that ‘once upon a time’, she fell in love with that King and competed for his hand in marriage in his social season. By reason of the cruelty of fate, and the callousness of the Royal court, that dream would be ripped away from her by a world that was foreign to her. Where outsiders, or commoners, were frowned upon and/or deemed lesser than the noble class. She would be relegated to be the other woman, the mistress to that immensely powerful man whose duty to his country dictated that he must marry a ‘chosen’ woman, even though he did not love her.

...and she had to watch that man she loved, marry another.

...because she loved him, she remained. Confiding to him, ‘I’ve made my decision ... I want to be with you. I don’t care what it looks like.’

...and it broke her.

In the Royal east wing, inside William’s bedroom, Riley meticulously packed his clothing into a large suitcase. Carefully selecting each item with love and care for their winter vacation in the Alps of Lythikos, she folded his small woolen sweaters with matching pants and jeans. Soft mittens and a woolen cap were nestled next to his favorite plushie, Scooby; ready to go with him on his snowy adventures.

"Li Li, sweetheart, come here please," Riley called out, her voice echoing through the spacious room. William bounded towards her; his eyes wide as he watched his mother pack his belongings.

"We go away, Mama?" William asked, his voice filled with wonder.

"Yes, my sweet boy," Riley replied with a smile, scooping him up into her arms and placing him down on his bed. "We're going to the mountains with your father to visit a good friend of ours. It's going to be so much fun."

William's eyes sparkled with delight at the mention of his father. In the five short months since he met his father for the first time, the bond between father and son had grown stronger exponentially. William adored Liam, who always had time for his son's playful antics in New York and now, here in Cordonia, as well. Despite his Royal duties, Liam made the point to spend as much time with William as possible. Riley was not surprised. Liam often spoke about what kind of father he wanted himself to be. The exact opposite of his own father. She could tell that Liam was trying his best to make up for all the time they had lost. And she could not be happier.

Riley continued to pack, tucking away William's favorite books and toys to keep him entertained during their trip in Lythikos. She had already arranged for snacks with the kitchens, ensuring they would have everything they needed for the long drive to the northern chateau.

Riley looked up, catching Liam's gaze.

Liam stood and silently watched, leaning against the doorframe with his arms folded. A gentle smile played on his lips as he watched Riley packing their son's belongings for their trip, while William happily tried to help his mother.

"Come, my King," Riley softly spoke and smiled with a playful glint in her eyes. "Help me double-check if we have everything for our little adventurer."

Liam pushed himself away from the doorframe and strolled over to Riley; he crouched down beside William, who was wide-eyed with anticipation.

“Daddy, look.” William pointed to the large suitcase, smiling happily at his father.

"Hello, my little prince," Liam greeted, ruffling William's hair. "Are you ready for an adventure?"

William giggled and nodded his head vigorously, his eyes reflecting the admiration and adoration he held for his father. Liam chuckled, “I see you have lots of toys packed.”

William climbed over to the suitcase and plucked his favorite plush to show his father.

“Ah, I see you packed your little dog. Is he your special friend?”

“Yes, Daddy. I love puppies.” William grinned, squeezing his toy.

“You do? That is good to know,” Liam winked at Riley as William returned his toy to be packed.

“I will meet you two in an hour. All right, love?” Liam asked Riley.

“Okay, Daddy,” William answered as Liam and Riley chuckled together at his response.

As Liam left to go to his study, Damien entered, bowing to Liam, “Your Majesty”.

Liam smiled and nodded 'hello' in response as he walked towards his assistant waiting in the hall followed by his security detail.

Nevrakis Chateau, Lythikos, Cordonia

Driving through the majestic mountains, Riley stared at the vista overlooking the Nevrakis chateau. Memories flooded her mind as they passed the frozen lake below. The lake where she, along with the other suitors skated on, with Liam during his social season years ago.

Riley shivered. Was it from seeing the beautiful winter landscape or from those memories of past competitions for the man she loved? Riley’s thoughts were interrupted by the happy sound of her son’s voice.

William giggled; totally enthralled by Liam’s storytelling of his past adventures in the snow. The sight of father and son was precious to Riley, as she softly smiled at the two of them. William was sitting on Liam’s lap as he pointed to the large chateau coming into view ahead.

The escalade stopped at the grand entrance of the Nevrakis chateau as members of the royal guard went into formation and opened the vehicle doors.

As they made their way toward the entrance, a flurry of snowflakes fell from the sky, adding a layer of white powder to the ground.

"Wow, this is beautiful.” Riley raised her arms to the sky. “I remember my first visit here during your social season.”

"It is. If I remember correctly, it was just as cold." Liam quipped adjusting William’s scarf.

Members of Olivia’s waitstaff greeted the party as they entered the lavish and grand estate. Standing at the base of the grand staircase, Olivia grinned as William squealed at the pair of Alaskan malamutes sitting inside the foyer.

“King Liam, Lady Riley and Prince William ... welcome to my quaint northern lodge. I am delighted to host the three of you.”

Liam approached Olivia and kissed her cheek, then gestured to Riley and William to join them.

"Olivia, it's been far too long since I last visited. The grounds are magnificent.”

"Indeed, thank you, Liam.” Olivia beamed with pride.

"Thank you for hosting us. Your hospitality is greatly appreciated.” Riley added.

"Anything for my dear friends."

Olivia's attention was drawn to William, who was petting the dogs and giggling.

"Well, hello again, prince William." Olivia walked over and knelt beside and offered treats to her two canine companions.

William looked up at her and smiled.

"Hewwo."

"He's even cuter than I remember," Olivia grinned. “This one,” she motioned to the brown tipped dog, is ‘Mischa’. And this big guy is ‘Zeus’, "she cooed.

"Now, Riley." Olivia stood and walked forward slowly, looping her arm through Riley's arm and leading her inside. "We have lots to catch up on. Liam, make yourself at home. Your Royal suite is ready for you. Gustav will be your personal attendant for your stay."

"Thank you, Liv. That is much appreciated."

"You are quite welcome. Now, Riley, let us get started on our girl time.” Liam winked at Riley, his shoulders shaking as he chuckled at Riley’s faux scared expression.

"Okay, sounds good." Riley shook her head grinning as she walked by Liam.

Olivia and Riley climbed the grand staircase and disappeared around a corner while William sat on the floor playing with the dogs.

"William, let's get you changed and settled." Liam extended his hand down for his son to take.

"Okay, Daddy."

“Bye bye puppies.” William exuberantly spoke to the large dogs.

***

Riley and Olivia sat on a plush sofa in front of a large window overlooking the mountains. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the snowy landscape.

"It's so beautiful here." Riley marveled at the picturesque view.

"I'm glad you like it.” Olivia proudly acknowledged as she handed a large glass filled with chardonnay to Riley.

Olivia sat back and watched Riley; her expression turning serious.

"Riley, I know that things have been difficult for you since you've come back, but you have to remember, you're a force of nature. You are stronger than you think.” Olivia was continuing the conversation of their last visit at the palace.

Riley looked down at her hands, which held onto the wine glass with a death grip. She knew the invitation to spend the week in Olivia's duchy was not just a holiday for her, Liam and William. Her once adversarial friend, and now, her good friend, wanted to assist her with reuniting with Liam.

"I can see the pain and sadness in your eyes." Olivia continued.

"Oh... "

"How is it really going? Riley, how is everything between you and Liam?"

Riley sighed and set her wine glass on the table.

"I'm...I'm not sure."

"Do you still love him?"

"Yes, of course. I have never stopped loving him.”

"Do you think he loves you?"

"Yes.” There was a small smile followed by biting her top lip.

"Then what's the problem?"

"I'm not sure."

Olivia shook her head and sighed.

"You have to trust him, Riley. He loves you. And I can see how happy William makes him.”

"I know that.”

"But there's something else, isn't there?" Olivia eyed her friend for clues.

"It's just that... we've spent so much time apart. And now that we are back together, things feel different.”

"I think I understand. That is quite normal, all things considered."

"And I'm worried that he'll eventually resent me for leaving him while I was pregnant with William."

"He could never resent you, Riley. You are the mother of his child. It'# not in his DNA.”

“I keep thinking that that there will be another scandal around the corner. That something or someone will tear us apart.”

"What happened to that confident and free spirited American girl? The one who turned the court on its' head. Where did she go?"

"I know what you are asking. I feel scared; waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

"Scared of what? And why?"

"That he won't forgive me."

"Riley, listen to me. That is your guilt talking.”

Olivia reached over and grabbed Riley's hands, looking her in the eye.

"Liam loves you. He will always love you. You and William are his world. And I know that he wants nothing more than to make you happy.”

"But..."

"But, nothing. There is no 'but'.”

"Okay." Riley was not convinced. "But, Madeleine ..."

"Is out of the picture; where Liam is concerned. You have the power of position now, make Madeleine feel it."

Riley looked at her friend and took a staggered breath.

"Most importantly, you hold the King’s heart...show the world, show Cordonia, show Madeleine what that means...you will bring her to her knees." Olivia sneered.

"This is why I wanted you to come for a visit. To remind you of who you are and what you are capable of.”

“Olivia ...” Riley sighed, shaking her head, ‘no’.

"Now. Come with me."

Olivia stood and motioned for Riley to follow.

Olivia took her down to an armory in the bowels of the chateau.

"Here we are." Olivia turned and motioned to a wall of weapons.

"What are we doing down here?" Riley asked, eyeing the collection of weapons displayed on the wall.

"We're going to do some training.”

"Training? For what?" Riley questioned, perplexed.

"For the press."

"Why do I need training for the press? With weapons?"

"Because they're vultures. They will try to get a rise out of you. They will ask rude and invasive questions. They will try to trip you up.”

"But why do you think I need training? I know you haven’t forgotten that I was subjected to them during Liam’s social season."

"Because they're relentless idiots.” Olivia sneered.

"Okay, but ...”

“Now that you are back in Cordonia, the mother of the crown prince, no less ...they want to find out your intentions with their king.”

Riley took a deep breath, closing her eyes.

"Don't worry. I'm going to teach you how to handle them.” Olivia confidently proclaimed with a smirk.

"Thank you, Olivia.” Riley sighed as she eyed the collection of pointy weaponry again.

"Of course. Now, let us get started.”

Riley was grateful for Olivia's help and advice. She knew that she was right about the press, having dealt with them through the engagement tour, after the scandal was brought to light.

Riley didn't have to know that. At least, not yet.

And she knew that she needed to be prepared. Riley understood the extent to which the press would dig and manipulate information to get a juicy soundbite. But she was not aware that Madeleine would have her own agenda to discredit and sabotage her at every chance she got, all the way from Morocco. However, Olivia was well aware of Madeleine’s spite and her bitterness over losing the crown.

"First off. I want you to choose a weapon." Olivia pointed to her collection of weaponry mounted on the wall.

"A weapon?" Riley’s eyes were wide looking at the selection before her.

"Yes. You cannot fight the press with words alone.”

"Um...okay." Riley answered sceptically.

Riley looked at each weapon closely. There were swords, halberds, axes and daggers, among others.

She picked up a sword.

"Hmm...a sword? Interesting choice."

"It's light and I can move fast.”

"Good. Particularly good.” Olivia nodded approvingly. “That would be a weapon that Liam would choose.”

“Really?” Riley admonished.

"Now, we'll practice some moves.”

"Moves?"

"Yes. Maneuvers. Stances. Blocking and parrying.”

"Wow. This is serious.”

"Indeed. I'll start slow, but don't let your guard down.”

"I won't.” Riley responded warily.

"Good. Now, attack me."

"What?" Riley looked aghast.

"Attack me."

"Oh, um ... okay."

Riley raised the sword and ran at Olivia, who easily dodged the blow.

"Is that the best you've got?"

"No.”

Riley lunged at her again, and again, Olivia sidestepped each attack.

"You're leaving yourself open.” Olivia challenged.

"I am?"

"Yes. If this was a real fight, I would have cut you down by now." Olivia chirped.

"Oh.” Riley let out a large breath, wondering to herself how this lesson was going to end.

"Here. Let me show you."

Olivia demonstrated a series of moves, her sword flashing and swooshing in the air.

"Now, you try.”

Riley imitated the movements, her sword swishing through the air.

"Better.” Olivia critiqued.

"Thanks." Riley answered questionably.

"Again.” Olivia commanded with Riley going on the defensive.

They continued to spar, their swords clashing together. Riley was impressed with Olivia's skills and ability to read her opponent and react accordingly.

As they continued to fight, Riley became more comfortable with the sword, her moves becoming more fluid and graceful. Liam slipped into the back of the room, quietly watching the sparring.

"Excellent.” Olivia praised.

"Thanks.” Riley smiled at the compliment, picking up a bottle of water.

"Now we need a target." Olivia led her to a stuffed, practice dummy.

Riley chuckled as she watched her friend attach a large face photo of Madeleine onto the head with a dagger.

"Here, let me help you." Olivia handed her an assortment of knives, before she expertly threw her dagger.

Riley's first few throws landed wide, but she quickly found her mark, sinking several blades into the center of the picture.

"Nicely done.”

"Thanks."

"Feel better?" Olivia snickered as Riley laughed.

“Yes! Yes, actually I do. But I don't understand. How is this going to help me?”

"When the press asks you questions, you need to stay calm and confident. If they try to rattle you, throw them off balance. Focus on your target.” Olivia pointed to the picture.

"Let's practice."

"All right."

"Imagine I'm a member of the press. And I ask you, 'Lady Riley, where have you been all these years?'"

Riley cleared her throat and straightened her posture.

"I've been raising my son in New York. It's where he was born and raised.”

"Why did you leave Cordonia?"

"I left to protect my child. And because I knew that King Liam had an obligation to the Queen.”

"What are your intentions now that you've returned?”

"I'm here to support my son and to be a part of his life.”

"Do you still love the King?”

"Yes, of course."

“No! STOP!!!”

Olivia moved assertively towards Riley. "This is where you say, 'that's all the questions for today’ and then you walk away from the microphones. Show confidence. Show determination. Show stoicism. Control the narrative.”

Riley raised her eyebrow. "How did you get so good at this, Olivia?"

Olivia shrugged, her shoulders rising slightly. "I'm the duchess of Lythikos. People talk. And sometimes they don't realize I'm listening."

Riley nodded, a new respect for Olivia blossoming in her heart with a renewed sense of determination in her step.

Feeling his arms, Riley giggled and leaned back against him with a content smile.

Liam sauntered up to Riley from behind, wrapping his arms around Riley’s waist.

Riley turned around to look at Liam, her eyes filled with love.

“The Royal guard will then lead you away from the gathering,” Liam interjected. “You will never be left without protection.”

"Thank you, Liam.” Riley tearfully smiled.

"I want you to know that while I am alive, you will always have a home in Cordonia. And I will never let anyone threaten that ... or you ... ever again.”

Riley felt a warm feeling in her chest and a sense of calm.

Maybe everything was going to be all right, after all. As long as she had Liam and William, she knew she could face anything.

"Liam, I love you."

"I love you, too, Riley."

Liam pressed his lips to hers, and Riley melted into his embrace. They kissed for a long moment, savoring the feel of each other's bodies.

"Come, let's go get some sleep. We have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow."

"I'm ready.*

"Pleasant dreams you two. Good night."

"Olivia, thank you for your expertise. It is much appreciated.

"Your welcome, Liam. It's my pleasure."

Good night." Riley called out.

Riley followed Liam out of the room, her hand firmly grasped in his.

And for the first time since she had come back to Cordonia, she truly felt like she was home.

"Thank you, Olivia," she whispered as she lay in Liam's arms, his steady heartbeat lulling her to sleep.

Thanks for reading; please let me know if you would like to be added or removed from this series.

My current tag list:

Perma tags: @ao719 @queenmiarys @sfb123 @twinkleallnight @alj4890 @differenttyphoonwerewolf @harleybeaumont @busywoman @karahalloway @kingliam2019 @imjusthereforliam @lovingchoices14 @kyra75 @tinkie1973 @emkay512 @malblk21 @kristinamae093 @charlotteg234

TRR Liam & Riley TTP: @emersyn-in-cordonia @mainstreetreader @belencha77 @walkerdrakewalker @iluaaa @mysticalfangirl @queenwalton @bascmve01 @umccall71 @choicesfrog @amandablink @ownworldresident

Submissions:@choicesficwriterscreations

#tessa liam writes #the royal romance #liam rys #trr #riley brooks #trr fanfic #choices fic writers creations #king liam #king liam rys #choices liam x oc #turning the page

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gaiuskamilah · 4 months

Text

for @choicesfandomappreciation's secret pal event, i got @tessa-liam! here's a liam and riley (and chance the corgi) for you, i hope you like it and happy holidays!! ❤️

bg & silver medal from pb official art bc i was too tired to draw it by hand lol

#playchoices #choicessecretpal23 #the royal romance #trr #liam rys #liam x mc #riley brooks #my art

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masked-alien-lesbian · 16 days

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Saw this on IG,

Thought I make it sapphic, because we deserve nice things too lol

If it's not obvious by now, I'd choose Hana Lee from TRR. It be the best 48 hours of my life, ngl. Who would you choose?

#choices #pixelberry #playchoices #hana lee #trr #the royal romance #Hana

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kristinamae093 · 7 months

Text

Ghosted

Ghosted - Two Steps Back (Chapter Ten)

Series Summary - Prince Liam fell for Riley Brooks hard and fast. A marriage filled with love and devotion was within his reach. But everything changed when she vanished just before the end of the social season. As everyone voices their concerns regarding her scandalous departure, a confession from an unlikely source turns Liam's world upside down and makes him question everything around him.

Book/Pairing - TRR - Liam x MC (Riley Brooks)

A/N 1 - This AU starts right before the beginning of the engagement tour. There is a two-month lapse between the coronation and where we pick up, but we will stray from canon. Please excuse any errors found.

Characters belong to Pixelberry.

After the Regatta

Penelope hobbled to her room on a sore foot and a painfully bruised ego. This wasn’t going as expected; advisors told her toward the beginning of the season she might stand a chance, but after only the first few events, they hastily changed their tone. Between Madeleine, Riley, and Olivia, they knew Penelope would not be the new king’s choice.

Regardless, Penelope was enjoying her time away. The friends she’d made were irreplaceable; she and Kiara formed an everlasting bond. Even Riley was incredibly friendly, despite her commoner status. Penelope was rooting for Riley to win it all because she was genuinely a nice person, and Penelope was looking forward to what Cordonia could look like with her as queen.

Penelope approached her door whilst humming to herself. The day was long, and she was relieved to be in the comfortable solace of her own space. She planned on calling her parents for their daily video chat, and to get some doggy face time to tide her over while away. Her anxiety was through the roof without having them close, but the friendships she’d made were a momentary distraction. She was glad the ladies were nice enough; otherwise, this experience would’ve been a nightmare.

Penelope entered and made a bee-line for the bathroom. She did her business, washed her hands, and bounced her way over to the dresser to get more comfortable for the evening. Just as she opened the drawer, a stern knock sounded on her door. Penelope scrunched her face; she was expecting no visitors but thought perhaps Kiara wanted to hang out.

As Penelope opened the structure, a thunderous force shoved through her and entered, slamming the door shut. Penelope stumbled backward but caught her footing. She could only stare at the person in front of her as panic flourished through her body. She didn't recognize them, but the death glare plastered on their face told her that notion was not applied on both ends. Her instinct told her to scream for help, but the visitor addressed her before she was given the chance.

They spoke in a low, raspy voice. “Have a seat, Lady Penelope. We have a lot to discuss.”

“W–who are you?”

“You need not worry about who I am, only what I know.”

“What do you mean?”

The person clasped their hands behind their back and stalked around Penelope; like a vulture circles its prey. “Everyone around you thinks you're the sweet, poodle-obsessed Penny, but I see otherwise. I know all about you… The things you’ve done… What your daddy tries his damndest to hide…”

Penelope’s already increasing heart rate spiked. “I don’t understand.”

“Of course you don’t. It’s alright, I wouldn’t want anyone to know, either.” They dismissively shrugged.

“Know what?”

The person snickered at her attempts to deflect, but they could see the panic rising in her eyes. “It’s quite a common expression — young and dumb. But, when you’re in the nobility, there are no secrets unless you know the right people.”

Penelope thickly swallowed. “I don’t – I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Really? So, then you’ve never been — joined in holy matrimony, right?”

Penelope’s eyes widened. “I–”

“Enough with your attempts to feign confusion; that will only prolong this process and I am not in the mood to play games. I know of your estranged marriage; how your father pays plenty of hush money per month to keep his mouth shut. I imagine it would be fairly difficult to talk yourself out of that situation if the press were to catch wind; considering Portavira continuously requests the Crown’s compensation. And I do believe the monarch would not be happy to learn your family has developed a slush fund, either.”

The intruder gave Penelope a wicked smile and added, “Not to mention the — fatality that was caught amid your poor life choices…”

Penelope visibly tensed. “That’s not – I didn’t–” she stammered before snapping her mouth closed; her flustered state prohibited her from forming an argument.

“It’s a matter of opinion, I suppose. Regardless, I attained the records from your procedure.” They waved a piece of paper in Penelope’s face, and recognition swept over her instantly. She released a shuddered breath as the document came to a stop, her tearful eyes centering on the text.

Despite Penelope’s panicked state, the aggressor continued, “Tell me, do your parents know of your aborted fetus? I mean, I saw you on security cameras entering the clinic alone. It was smart of you to use a fake name, but unfortunately, that was not enough to cover up your mistakes.”

Penelope never answered, but the assailant watched her swallow thickly with shame etched in her features. She couldn’t fathom how this stranger had found her deepest secrets that she was certain would never see the light of day.

Penelope found out she was pregnant the day after her annulment was discreetly settled. Terrified wasn’t a strong enough word to describe how she felt, as she stared down at the positive test; she went to the clinic in disguise to find out about her options and decided abortion would be the best solution. Being only nineteen years old, Penelope was practically a child herself and didn’t believe she was at a point to care for a baby like they deserved. And she was alone; when she dreamt of this moment, it happened completely differently in her head. She longed for the fairytale love, where they would start a family together; not single and inevitably disgraced.

Her parents didn’t know, she was too afraid to tell them — especially after her father agreed to pay a continuous hefty fee for Guy’s silence. Penelope was always well-behaved; the perfect trophy daughter. The look of pure disappointment held in their eyes when they found out about her marriage haunted her; she never wanted to do anything out of line again. All Penelope desired was to move on from her mistake, but life had other plans.

Panicked and ashamed, Penelope made the impossible decision alone, not wanting anyone to know of the stupid decisions that led her there. Her fear and guilt only increased after the procedure, but she grieved what could have been and pushed it into the deepest pit of her mind.

She never told a soul – nobody knew – or so she thought.

“All it would take is a small whisper to the press and it would destroy not only you, but your fraudulent parents as well…”

Penelope gasped as her tears freely flowed. “No! P–please, don’t!”

The person laughed; the sound sending an involuntary chill down Penelope’s spine. They stalked forward until her back hit the wall and they breathed over her. Penelope squeezed her eyes closed, but felt them draw nearer. The tangy scent of alcohol mixed with cigar smoke filled her nostrils, as they whispered in her ear, “If you want my silence, you’re going to have to earn it.”

Penelope’s eyes shot open as she frantically nodded her head. “Okay, j–just tell me what you need, and I’ll do it.”

“I knew you’d see reason,” the unknown presence spoke while taking a small step away. They produced an envelope from their jacket and handed it to her.

Penelope opened it and started skimming over the information; it was an email address with a set of instructions and a few other notes. She didn’t understand what it all meant; the main thing that stuck out was the location of where they wanted the photographer to be.

“Why are they going to be outside Riley’s room?”

“The less you know, the better.” They once again reached into their jacket, this time pulling out a small vial and handing it to her. “You need to give this to her beforehand. I do not care how it happens, just make sure it gets in her system; the earlier, the better.”

“W–what is this? Is this a drug?” Penelope stammered as she stared down at the bottle in her trembling hands.

The person smiled; a dark, wicked smile. “You don’t need to worry about that; just make sure she ingests it at an early enough hour.”

Tears once again streamed down Penelope’s cheeks as she frantically shook her head and tried to hand the items back. “N–no. I can’t do that, and I won’t. I would rather disgrace myself than–”

“You’re going to do it.”

Penelope stood a little taller and yelled, “No, I won’t! I–”

Penelope received a sudden, sharp backhand to her cheek. She fell to the floor cradling her face but was soon flipped over onto her back, her aggressor pinning her to the ground. She opened her mouth to scream, but quickly closed it as she saw the gleam of a blade in the light right in front of her face.

“Make a sound and I’ll kill you right here, right now.” The attacker moved the knife to hover over Penelope’s throat, applying just enough pressure to keep her subdued. “You have two options — you either comply and do as you’re told, or this is where your life will end. If you refuse to cooperate, you already know too much, and I will ensure you don’t live to tell the tale personally. But I won’t stop there, no – I’ll ruin your parents as well; the entire world will know what a fraud you and your family are.”

“No… P–please. I – I can’t – I –” Penelope frantically stammered, trying to develop a coherent sentence.

“You can, and you will. Otherwise,” they leaned forward, close enough to touch noses with Penelope. “I’ll dig your grave myself and throw those mangy mutts in with you after. Perhaps we can make it a family affair and shove your parents inside, too. After all, being exposed to the world and losing their only disappointment of a child would leave them with nothing left to live for; especially once they know of your treacherous sins.” They sat back with a vile chortle, letting the words linger.

Penelope cried harder, her breathing rapid and erratic as her panic boiled over. She opened her mouth to shout for help despite the blade at her throat, but a firm hand abruptly pressed against her lips. “I think I’m being very understanding, actually. I could just end you and move on to the next useless suitor, but I’m allowing you to make the correct choice; to answer the call of service for your country. That commoner has no business being here; you know it, I know it, everyone knows it! We have to deal with her!”

After a tense moment of silence, her intruder grew restless. They rolled their eyes and huffed, “You’re running out of time. I’ll gift you ten seconds; agree, or...” The blade on Penelope’s throat suddenly held more force; hard enough she could feel her skin being lightly pierced. “I don’t think I really need to finish that sentence, do I?”

Penelope subtly nodded her head, afraid to move too much. Although she didn’t want to betray Riley in that way, she saw no other way out. Not only was her own life being threatened, but her parents as well; she was not willing to let them die because of her secrets they knew nothing about.

Her attacker soon chortled and sat up. “I had a feeling you would see it my way.” They patted her cheek, hard, before they stood and adjusted their clothing.

The intruder walked to the door and turned back around to address a whimpering Penelope. “As a reward for your service, I will make you a lady-in-waiting for the soon-to-be queen. I’d suggest you take the position and use discretion whenever necessary from here on out. If you do anything to compromise this operation, you will be sorry. Am I clear?“

The following afternoon, Olivia met with Liam, Leo, and Ray as they discussed the events of the night prior. The court just arrived in Portavira, although there was a break in events until the polo match in a few days. They gathered in Olivia’s room, as that’s where Ray set up his equipment and continuously ensured the area remained free of compromises.

Olivia told them about Penelope’s involvement, and Liam was certain Olivia was lying or playing some kind of sick joke. However, after seeing the proof himself, he knew it had to be true. He wasn’t close with Penelope by any means, but still felt betrayed. Riley was kind and warm to those around her, not a malicious bone in her body; what made Penelope want to get rid of her?

“We have to question her. I can’t be sure, but she might know we’re onto her. The look in her eyes –” Olivia shook her head with a heavy sigh. ”– I can’t explain it, but I don’t like it.”

“I agree,” Leo interjected. “We need to know why she did it, man, because this makes absolutely no sense. I mean, Penelope – of all people? Did she accidentally eat some dog food or something, and it made her go kookoo?”

Despite his overflowing anxiety, Liam laughed. “I really don't know. But we’re not all going to question her. I think it’s best if myself and Leo did this, so we don’t overwhelm her.” He spoke to the entire group.

“Are you… okay to do that?” Leo tentatively asked. “I can take Olivia — or hell, even Maxwell or Drake, if you don’t think you can keep your cool. We can’t really risk her shutting down and withholding anything important...”

Liam remained silent for a long moment. Honestly, he didn’t know if he could control himself. The selfish side of him wanted to confront Penelope face-to-face and demand answers. However, he knew he was teetering on a dangerous ledge, and her confession could provoke several different reactions.

He didn’t remember the last time he’d slept or ate a full meal. Days were molding together, and he had no sense of time unless it pertained to the tour. Liam was simply muttering through, doing the dutiful checklist a monarch should on the daily and trying his hardest to stay afloat; even though in all reality, he felt like he was drowning in a sea of uncertainty. No amount of training could prepare him for something like this; he was simply in limbo until one of the many open ends finally led them to something of importance. As the King he held mighty authority; yet, he’d never felt so powerless. Every second of not knowing something was torture; he just wanted to see Riley with his own two eyes.

“I… don’t think I can, actually. If you wouldn’t mind questioning her, I would very much appreciate it, Leo.”

Leo patted Liam on the back with a reassuring smile. “No problem. Care to accompany me, Livvie?”

“I suppose if we want some kind of answer, I’ll have to, won’t I?” Olivia smirked.

“Are we doing this now, or?”

“Yes. The sooner, the better.”

“And we’re certain she’s here?” Liam asked.

“She was out earlier with her dogs,” Olivia answered with an eye roll.

Liam nodded as he rubbed his palms together. “This is a decent plan. I have a good feeling about this, guys.”

For the first time since he opened his eyes to the truth about the narrative against Riley, Liam felt like this could take them somewhere relevant. This was a solid lead and although he knew it probably wouldn’t provide him with all the answers he was seeking, it was a damn good start.

Liam spoke again, “Any other updates?”

“I received the diagnostic report on Lady Riley’s dress on the way here." Ray explained. "The blood was mostly Riley’s, but traces from Tariq were present as well. There were a few hairs and skin cells noted, but the DNA only registers those two.”

“Oh… okay…” Liam quietly responded. He hoped deep down the mess was from someone else, but immediately felt foolish to let himself believe such a thing. Hearing it confirmed out loud made his stomach burn with anxiety; this is what he blinded himself to, this is what he ignored. The overwhelming guilt Liam was fighting momentarily took his breath away.

“Otherwise, there are no new leads.” Ray briefly met eyes with Olivia, the both of them having a silent conversation; unbeknownst to Liam. It wasn’t technically a lie, but not the entire truth. Ray found something — interesting, but Olivia decided now was not the time to bring it up to Liam, at least until after they learned what exactly Penelope knew. “Where Tariq is concerned, I’ve hit a complete brick wall; there’s absolutely nothing.”

“Nothing?”

Ray shook his head. “Not a trace. His accounts show no transactions, and his family has not heard from him in months. I’ve checked every mode of transportation available to leave the country and he wasn’t on any of their databases.”

“How is that even possible? There has to be something, somewhere. Seriously – Tariq has the IQ of a fucking peanut.” Leo interjected.

“It could be a collection of reasons,” Ray answered. He suddenly stopped typing on his keyboard and took in everyone’s curious expressions. “Either he’s just incredibly clever and has an immaculate ability to cover his tracks, has hired someone to do that for him, or…”

“He’s dead…” Liam quietly inserted, just above a whisper. His palms started trembling in his lap, and the only thing he could feel was his heart erratically thumping.

The deeper this web went, the further Liam felt himself slipping from reality. All he wanted was a sign, a concrete clue, anything to put him one step closer to finding Riley. The longer that time passed, the more he believed there was a grim reason they couldn’t find them. Just when the light at the end shined brighter, Liam was suddenly drug further down into the abyss of questions, making him doubt everything.

“We can’t confirm that right now, Your Majesty. I’ve searched hospital records and there are no reports of him checking in at any of them and nothing solid to point to that conclusion. There are a lot of open ends regarding his whereabouts, but I have a couple more places to look before we should start truly discussing that possibility.”

“Right…” Liam quietly responded as his mind raced. If Tariq’s DNA was on her dress, does that mean he’s the one who injured her? They already knew he was close to Riley; the pictures obviously showcased them together, but was Tariq responsible for attacking her, too? Those thoughts created a storm of rage he’d never felt before; just when he thought the fire had sizzled out, another splash of gasoline was poured onto the diminishing coals. Liam may not have felt a lot of hope, but he sure as hell felt the rage consuming his entire being.

Leo noticed Liam's forelorn expression and reassuringly gripped his shoulder. “Don’t worry, man. We’re going to get an answer — soon.”

A short while later, Olivia, Leo, and ‘Harold’ walked the halls of the Portavirian estate, searching for Penelope’s room. Liam opted to have a drink with Drake instead of being alone, as his already overflowing anxiety seemed to increase with every passing second.

They rounded the corner and Olivia tapped on Penelope’s door, but received near silence; muffled barks rang out beyond the structure, although seemingly at a distance. After a few moments, she stepped forward and repeated the process, but again, no answer. Leo knocked a few times a little louder, but heard nothing — aside from the dogs. He reached for the handle and tried to turn it, just to see, only to find it locked.

“What should we do?” Leo asked Olivia.

Olivia tapped her index finger against her chin. “I don’t know…” She furrowed her brow and stared at the door in front of her. “The poodles are inside, so she shouldn’t be far… Maybe we search around and see if we spot her anywhere? It’s still relatively early; she could have stepped out for a moment.”

Leo and Ray both agreed, and the trio began their trek. They started outside by the pool and checked the lounge area, but Penelope wasn't located anywhere. They searched nearly every floor, even the roof, but found no signs of her. Everyone else was already in their room for the night, the estate nearly deserted as they scoured the abandoned hallways. After a while, everyone agreed to take their chances and return to Penelope’s door, as a good hour passed since they last attempted.

A voice called out to them as they made their way up the grand staircase. They turned around to see Landon making his way to them with a grin on his face. “Good evening, Your Majesty, Duchess, a pleasure to see you both. Are the two of you just strolling, or have you been out on the town?” He chuckled with a playful side eye directed at Leo.

“You know me,” Leo smirked, “but actually, we’ve been looking for your daughter.”

Landon’s smile faded, instead replaced with a perplexed expression. “What do you need from Penelope?”

Leo and Olivia shared a hesitant look. “Actually, it’s confidential… Do you know where she is?”

“She said she was retiring to her room earlier.”

Olivia spoke next. “We checked there. We checked everywhere and we have no clue where she’s at.”

“Perhaps she’s already in slumber; she is quite the heavy sleeper. How about I come with you? I was headed there anyway, as she was acting fairly strange earlier.”

“Strange how?” Leo asked.

“She kept hugging her mother and me, and told us how much she loved us. She just seemed — sad, as if she would burst into tears at any moment. And she asked me to ensure Merlin and Morgana get plenty of treats.” Landon furrowed his brows and shook his head. “I asked her what she meant, and she just gave me another hug. Emmaline thinks she’s getting ready for her time of the month, which is why I came prepared.” He held up a wad of chocolate bars and laughed.

“I take it Merlin and Morgana are the poodles?”

“Oh, yes. They’re practically her children. It’s been hard on her to leave them at home, but she’s done fairly well. The unexpected route changes actually ended up being very beneficial to her, since she gets to be with them for a few days. I’m certain she’s going to have a hard time leaving again, but I know she appreciates getting to see them. When it was time to leave for the engagement tour, she was practically inconsolable; she didn’t want to leave, to the point we weren’t sure she would attend at all.”

“So, she didn’t want to return, then?” Olivia inquired, hanging on his every word.

Landon sighed and looked away. “I don’t believe so, no. But we made sure she knew how much of a tremendous opportunity this was for her. She was incredibly reluctant, but finally agreed. In all honesty, I think most of her reservations were regarding the fact that she was going so far away. Penelope is a very timid girl; she doesn’t particularly enjoy the crowds or being away from home. I’m confident staying in Cordonia where things are a little more familiar will turn things around for her; perhaps she will enjoy herself a bit.”

“Right…” Olivia trailed off, as her mind swirled around these new little bits of information. She questioned if Penelope's reluctance to come back had to do with Riley's disappearance. The haunting look in Penelope’s eyes as that cab drove away told Olivia she could be correct.

“Lead the way, then,” Leo inserted with a forced smile, as uneasiness crept into the pit of his stomach. The hair on the back of his neck suddenly stood at attention, an involuntary shudder traveling through his body; he shook it off and politely smiled at Landon, who returned the gesture before starting the journey.

Everyone strolled through the halls together and within a short time, they were nearing Penelope’s room once again. Leo and Landon made small talk along the way, but Olivia didn’t listen most of the time. A bad feeling rapidly grew as they walked; why, she wasn’t sure, but it was becoming impossible to ignore. As they got closer, the air suddenly felt cold, raising goosebumps on her skin and sending a shiver down her spine. The hallway had an eerie aura to it that was beyond explanation; judging from the cautious expressions of everyone around, Olivia knew her feelings were not in her head. Landon appeared to be the only one who didn’t notice the atmosphere shift, although he hadn’t stopped talking long enough to take in the environment.

Just as they were about to arrive, they heard muffled voices speaking not far away. Olivia furrowed her brows and started walking faster, practically running, with Ray and Leo not far behind.

She came to an abrupt stop as she saw a litter of guards standing outside of Penelope’s room; dressed in full riot gear with what she assumed to be loaded assault rifles, all appearing to be awaiting instructions. Standing toward the back of the mass of people was Liam, who was speaking with Bastien in hushed tones. She could tell even from afar he was talking sternly; his angry demeanor instantly drew Olivia to him. Drake lingered close-by, wearing an expression of pure confusion.

Olivia approached them and inquired, “What’s going on?”

“There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you,” Liam replied. “Did you question Penelope?”

“We were looking for her, that’s why we’re here, now.”

“But you didn’t find her?” Liam snapped, not even trying to hide the annoyance in his tone.

“Not yet…” Leo answered as he took in Liam’s tense shoulders and ticking jaw. “Liam, what is going on?”

Before Liam could respond, Landon interjected himself. “What is the meaning of this?!”

Liam took a deep breath to calm himself and spoke in a calm, yet authoritative voice. “Duke Landon, I understand this may be hard for you to hear, but we have to take Penelope into custody.”

“Custody?! On what grounds?!” Landon hollered.

Liam swallowed down the ball of anger and agitation lodged in his throat and spoke in a flat voice. “She is the prime suspect in the murder of Rhonda Floros.” Everyone’s eyes widened as their jaws hit the floor. “We will investigate further, but she has to be detained until we can–”

“I – what?! You have no proof! This – this is an injustice!” Landon yelled as he frantically paced in front of Penelope’s door.

Leo hesitantly spoke in a hushed manner. “Li, all we knew about was the photographer. How can you jump to that conclusion?”

“The forensics came back and Penelope’s prints were all over the murder weapon. Her DNA was on everything else as well, but I’m focused on that knife.”

“Impossible! There has to be some kind of mistake!” Landon pleaded.

“I’m sorry Landon, but the forensics does not lie,” Liam replied with a sad smile. “Trust me, I don’t want to believe she could have done something like this and I intend to figure it out, but we have to locate her first!"

Landon quickly stepped toward Penelope’s room and pulled a set of keys from his pocket. “She is in here — I know she is; she’s sleeping. I’ll wake her up and we can figure out this mess together, because I know for certain she is innocent.” He spoke as he unlocked the door and turned the handle. He entered and flipped the switch on the wall, the area becoming illuminated.

Liam motioned for the guards to stay outside and followed closely behind. Olivia entered next, followed by Ray. However, a stern hand on Ray’s chest halted him in the doorway.

“You are unauthorized personnel,” Bastien snapped.

Liam quickly intervened. “No, he’s not.”

“Your Majesty, with all due respect, I entered his credentials myself. I know for a fact what clearances he has and doesn’t.”

Liam stepped up to Bastien with narrowed eyes. “Poof.” He snapped his fingers. “I just gave him access. Now, step aside.” He growled through clenched teeth, the vein in his neck profusely popping out.

To be honest, Liam was stalling until he found Ray and Olivia; the three of them were going to question Penelope together. His earlier worries about keeping his cool were well out the window; now he was simply confused. Why did she hire the photographer? Did she really kill that maid? Did Penelope know they had spoken to her? Every piece of random evidence found had Penelope’s DNA – and only hers – on it in some fashion. Although the legitimacy of the scene was still in question, her fingerprints on the murder weapon were more than enough to detain her for questioning.

Bastien never once took his eyes off Ray during the entire interaction. Ray observed Bastien's face crack slightly and saw him swallow and clench his jaw when Liam commanded him to stop. He finally moved his hand to allow Ray entrance, but held his intent gaze for just a moment too long. Olivia watched and noted how she wasn’t stopped, nor Drake or Leo — only Ray. She couldn’t help but wonder why Bastien didn’t want him specifically there.

Liam glanced around as he entered and saw no signs of Penelope and nothing raising any kind of alarm. He’d never been inside this room before, but to the naked eye, not a thing was out of place. However, Liam couldn’t deny the sudden chill he felt as he stepped over the threshold. His skin instantly clammed up, and his heart rate increased substantially with every tense second that passed.

Everyone else followed behind and did the same, but Landon circled the room while frantically calling Penelope’s name, only to get no response. He ducked into the bathroom to check there, but saw no traces of his daughter. Everything appeared just as it was earlier that morning when he personally prepared everything for Penelope’s arrival.

“This doesn’t make sense,” Landon huffed as he reemerged. “She said she was coming to bed. Where else would she go? Should we contact Lady Kiara? They had grown quite close.”

Liam sighed and ran a hand down his face. “Bastien, send someone to Lady Kiara’s room to check.” His patience with this situation was dissipating. An answer was right there dangling in front of his face; he could practically taste it. Even if he had to turn the entire continent upside down, Liam was going to find Penelope and make her answer for her part in this mess — whatever that could have been.

“Yes, sir.”

Olivia glanced at the dresser and saw a jewelry box. Something on top of it quickly caught her attention; it was a piece of paper neatly folded with the words read me written on it in red ink. Her breaths immediately stopped as she stared at it for a long moment. Goosebumps raised on her skin as she realized the penmanship was strikingly familiar.

She slowly reached out and brought it closer; Ray noticed and came to stand beside her to see what she had found. Liam and Landon continued to speak on the other side of the room, completely unaware of their discovery. Olivia carefully unfolded the sheet and quickly scanned over the contents. As she started reading, the color suddenly drained from her face, her hands trembling, and even tears were forming in the corners of her eyes. Her mind instantly started spiraling, trying to decipher what this meant.

Olivia and Ray stood gawking at the paper in a trance for an unidentified amount of time. The sound of Landon’s thunderous voice suddenly brought both out of their dazes. “This is absurd! She did nothing wrong!”

“I understand your frustrations but as I said before, the forensics does not lie,” Liam answered in the calmest tone he could muster. “I have questions about all of this, Landon! But one way or another her DNA was littered–”

“Bullshit! Run the tests again! Something is going on here!”

Liam winced at Landon’s volume, but shook it off and stood to his full height. “Duke Ebrim, you’d do well to remember who you’re speaking to and watch your tone. While I understand why you’re upset, I’m only here to figure this out. If you want to clear her name, help us find her so we can speak to her!”

Landon frantically looked throughout the room, desperately trying to make sense of what was happening. At that moment, they heard a bark, followed by another softer cry; everyone suddenly stilled and an eerie silence took over, as they glanced at one another with furrowed brows. It sounded undeniably close, but there were obviously no dogs in the area. The silence in the air was deafening, but then it happened again and Landon finally pinpointed the location — the closet. It would make sense; Penelope heard the commotion and retreated in there with her poodles to hide because she was afraid.

Landon made a bee-line for the door and wildly swung it open. He took a step back and two fluffy dogs slowly came out with their heads down, causing Landon to take a few steps back; they laid at Landon’s feet and whimpered.

“What is it, Merlie?” Landon asked as he rubbed one of the dogs’ heads, their howls intensifying.

The room’s air suddenly felt incredibly thick at the interaction. Liam felt physically sick to his stomach as recognition swept over him from head to toe — something was waiting for them in that closet. His hands shook at his sides, his breathing shaky and uneven as he stared into the dark, open doorway.

Landon stepped over the poodles, who went and lay on the bed, but continued whining. As he entered, he ran a hand along the wall until he found the switch. The small area came to light, and his worst nightmare suddenly became reality right in front of his face.

“NO!” Landon wailed at an ear-piercing volume as he dropped to his knees near the doorway.

“What’s wrong?” Liam sought, but Landon broke into a fit of sobs and crumpled to the floor.

Liam swallowed thickly and took a couple of cautious steps forward. Olivia suddenly appeared and tried to redirect him, but Liam was steadfast; whatever it was, he needed to see it for himself. As he got closer, he could see a chair lying on its side. His eyesight started on the floor and slowly traveled upward. He hadn’t made it very far before the color drained from his face with sweat immediately beading his brow at seeing a pair of dainty feet dangling in the air; one heel on, the other nowhere to be seen.

Liam looked away but with a shuddered breath followed the body back up to the face, and sure enough, it was Penelope.

Landon suddenly shoved Liam out of the way. “MOVE!” He rushed over and held Penelope’s lifeless form, lifting her easily with one hand; the other quickly moving to remove the belt from around her severely bruised neck. Her limp body dropped into his arms and he cradled her to his chest as he rocked back and forth, making cries that would haunt Liam until the day he died.

Liam regained his footing but remained cemented in place. This was it; this was their big break, but they only received more unanswered questions. Hopelessness flourished, as he saw no other solutions in sight. He felt like a mouse, mindlessly running through a maze just trying to reach the end for the reward. Penelope's testimony was that reward, but instead of finding the end of the maze, he encountered a sudden, abrupt wall.

Regardless of their actions, they faced a grim reality where a devastating setback countered every advance they made; one step forward, only to be met with two deadly steps back.

Liam suddenly couldn’t breathe; his lungs felt like fire with every rapid, hollow breath. The room started spinning, his vision hazing at a rapid rate. His heart pounded mercilessly, the sound overpowering Landon’s continuous wails filling the room. His hands flew to his chest and he stumbled backward, Leo and Drake quickly moving to catch him before he hit the floor.

They lowered him to the ground and sat over him as Liam’s vision slowly faded out, their faces disintegrating into a pixelated, blurry image. He blinked his eyes a few times to regain himself, but found the rapidly spinning room made him nauseous. He felt Leo lightly tapping his cheeks, but when he tried to open his mouth, only an anguished cry escaped.

Liam stared at the ceiling until the bright lights suddenly dimmed. His eyelids grew incredibly heavy until he succumbed to the weight of the world forcing them down. Darkness consumed him as he slipped into unconsciousness, a still silence overcoming his being.

"Goddamn it," Leo grumbled to himself, as he watched Liam’s body relax. "Get a fucking ambulance! Now!" He hollered over his shoulder before his teary vision centered on his brother again. "Cummon, Li..."

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playchoicesconfessions · 8 months

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Sent by anonymous

‘The romance routes in Guinevere remind me of a lot of The Royal Romance. King Arthur = Liam. Lancelot = Drake, if he had a job.’

POST/CONFESSIONS DO NOT REFLECT THE MOD’S PERSONAL OPINIONS!

#choices guinevere #guinevere #choices the royal romance #the royal romance #choices trr #trr #king liam #liam rys #drake walker #king arthur #lancelot du lac #playchoices #choices #choices stories you play #confessions #mod bruffle

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anyon-else · 5 months

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Yes, These New Walls Are Pretty Hard to Crack (The Red Room pt.13) | Despite Ino's reassurances, believing that Kakashi is good is easier said than done. However, he's making it very hard for you to be afraid of him. (Marvel AU) – spotify playlist | read on ao3

Pairings | Kakashi Hatake x Black Widow!Reader + Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, Asuma Sarutobi, Orochimaru, Kabuto Yakushi

Warnings | female!reader, angst, hurt/comfort, paranoia, nightmare, violence, degrading language (non-sexual), weapons, dissociation

Word count | 9.9k

(previous chapter) | (next chapter) | (series masterlist)

"Don't run."

Your eyes were wide as you backed a safe distance away from Kakashi. He sat up, paying no mind to his already bruising neck and kicking your knife to the opposite side of the room.

You hadn't meant to drop it. You were so stupid to slip up like that, but your mind was racing. Your heart was pounding, and your body hadn't responded correctly to your fear. You'd relaxed almost on instinct at the familiar touch on your cheek. A turmoil of emotions and what had to be false memories were clashing with the rage festering in your mind, and Kakashi was the cause of it. You needed to get away from him

You needed to get out.

"Wait," Kakashi said when he saw the sudden resolve overtake your clouded gaze. He got back on his feet slowly, though his eyes were wide as he watched your movements carefully. He looked frantic. Scared, even. "Wait here, and I'll go get Ino–"

"Shut up," you spit, considering the exits on either side of you and wondering if it was worth it to try and fight past him to the door at his back.

That's the side closest to the main exit.

Your head was splitting. You pictured the man who had tortured you and tried to reconcile the image of his sadistic grin and cold eyes with the one standing in front of you. They were supposed to be the same person. They were the same person.

You couldn't breath. You needed to get out of this room. You needed to run until you couldn't move.

He must've seen it on your face the moment you decided to turn on your heel and bolt towards the door behind you. The moment you turned away from him, you heard him turn in the opposite direction to intercept you at the exit.

The windows on this floor open from the inside.

Your body was moving before your mind had time to catch up with it. Your feet carried you down halls and past rooms that you didn't recognize despite how easily you seemed to be navigating them. Your mind easily supplied you with directions as you ran through corriders and dimly lit hallways towards an unknown destination.

When you finally stopped in front of a closed door, something like awareness tugged at your mind. It shouted and screamed and made the ache in your skull grow worse until you finally shut it out with a shake of your head.

You pushed the door open and strode through the room, ignoring the unmade bed and full bookshelf and picture frames on your way to the door of the balcony on the far wall. It was cracked open, letting in a cool breeze that pushed the curtains into the room and made the fresh air mix with the distinct, pleasant scent of the room.

The air was choking you. Familiarity pushed past the barriers you'd surrounded your mind with and began shouting at you once again. It begged and pleaded with you to stop for just a moment. It told you to think about why the smell of this room was so naturally comforting, or how you'd so easily navigated the building and found yourself here.

You paused with a hand on the handle of the balcony door, staring at the field below it blankly.

Instead of pushing the door open, you turned and looked around the room again. In spite of your best efforts to remain unaffected, anger surge through you as tears formed in your eyes again. You felt lost—like this room was an endless, infinite space that you'd never escape from. It made you feel helpless.

It made you feel weak.

Next to the bed was a small table that held a few books, a lamp, and two framed pictures. The first was of three kids all huddled together with Kakashi towering over them. The man's eyes were closed and his smile was obvious behind his mask, a hand resting on the heads of two boys on either end of the girl in the middle.

You covered your mouth with a trembling hand, crouching to the floor and hugging your knees close to your chest.

The other picture was of the same pink haired girl who stood in the middle of the first picture. She was laughing, eyes squeezed shut and mouth open in what had probably been a delighted laugh. Next to her was a woman with a fond smile on her face and so much warmth in her gaze that it made your chest ache.

It took you a moment to realize that the woman in that picture was you.

You picked the framed photo up carefully, studying the familiar faces of two strangers.

You imagined the rest of the scene playing out after the photo had been taken. The girl reaching a hand to your shoulder as her laughter died down, then seeing that Kakashi had taken a picture and demanding that he show her. She wanted to make sure that she still looked cute mid-laugh. Watching as she tried to snatch his phone from him, hanging off of his arm and demanding that the photo be deleted as Kakashi grinned and held it above his head.

He showed you the photo later. You thought laughter suited Sakura far more than the tears you were accustomed to seeing in the Red Room

"What is this?" you whispered to yourself, choked and strained. You remembered her name. It disappeared from your mind just as fast as it had appeared, slipping away before you had a chance to hold onto it, but it had been there. You knew this girl. You knew this room and this building. You'd been here before.

You'd smiled here. You'd been happy.

It was a trick. This was all just another way for Kakashi to manipulate you—soon enough things would go back to the way they were. Kakashi would reveal his true nature to you, and you'd be right back where you started.

You rocked forward and let your knees hit the hard floor beneath you. The picture hung loosely in your hand, and you leaned wide eyed and reeling against the bed as memories passed through your mind faster than you could catch sight of them. They swirled in a raging tempest that you couldn't possibly breach. They were in dangerous territory that you didn't feel equipped to search through.

The blankets on the bed had the same, distinct scent as the room. They smelled like a forest.

It reminded you of safety. You wanted to bury yourself in it.

It was making you dizzy.

You flinched when you heard the quiet creak of a floorboard on the other side of the room, pushing away from the bed and backing into a wall.

Kakashi froze when your eyes landed on him. You watched him glance around the room and spot the missing picture on his bedside table, then scan your surroundings until he saw it clutched in your shaking hand.

Tears were slipping down your cheeks despite your best efforts to keep them at bay, but you found yourself unable to move your arms to wipe them away. Your body wouldn't respond to you, just like your mind was moving at an uncontrollable pace. You were completely helpless.

It should've been terrifying, but when you searched for the familiar fear that always appeared with when you were in Kakashi's presence, you found that you couldn't feel a thing.

Kakashi took a small step into the room, then another when you only watched him. You kept the picture clutched tightly in your hand like it was a weapon, but you didn't move until he was kneeling in front of you.

"Who are you?" you whispered when he was at your level.

He paused, then he lifted his hand slowly, letting you follow the movement until his fingers stopped at the edge of his mask. He hooked one over the cloth and slid it from his face until you could see his features clearly. The moonlight was shining into the room from the windows, illuminating his lips and his cheeks and his nose—all parts of him that you had never seen before.

"Are you real?"

This was not Kakashi Hatake. Perhaps you were dreaming. Hallucinating, even.

You felt him pulling the frame gently from your tight grip and relented with little fight despite a desperate part of you begging your body to move. It screamed danger as Kakashi's fingers brushed yours when he took the picture, but you just watched him numbly.

He reached towards your empty hand slowly. You watched him very carefully, scrutinizing every movement and waiting for some kind of attack. When he finally brushed his fingers against your palm, you noted that his skin was much softer than before. The hands that you remembered had been rough and unforgiving, always causing pain and inducing fear.

But you felt more relaxed now than you had in a long time. You looked at the features on his face that had been missing when he tortured you and saw a completely different person.

He guided your hand to his chest, then pressed it to his heart and held it there so you could feel the steady beat.

"I'm real," he whispered, threading his fingers through yours and keeping your locked hands pressed to his heart.

He felt real. He looked more real than he ever had.

Kakashi's eyes held yours until they flickered down to your chest. When they widened in alarm, you followed his gaze and studied the red patch steadily growing as it dampened your shirt. You hadn't felt any pain before, but now as you searched for it, you felt the low, dull throb where your stitches had likely ripped.

Your vision was beginning to darken. Staying awake felt safer with Kakashi so close, but the throbbing was spreading to your limbs and your vision was fading at an alarming rate. You'd let your guard down, and now you were paying the price for it.

Kakashi cursed as you slumped forward, but he caught you against his chest and shifted so that you were leaning back against him. Your chest was wet, and you understood how vulnerable this made you, but as you searched for the familiar fear that always seemed to appear when Kakashi was touching you, you found nothing but emptiness.

"I don't understand," you muttered, staring at his shirt when you couldn't bear to look at his face any longer. He was looking down at you as you spoke, but you knew that meeting his eyes would only make the pain in your chest worse, "I don't know what's happening to me."

"I know," he whispered, supporting your head when it began to fall to the side. He adjusted so that you could lean it back on his shoulder, bending his knees so that you were caged in and supported on all sides. You let yourself sink into him like like it was a natural response to his shift in position.

His arms were around you, holding you steady as your body went limp. You'd exhausted yourself completely, and now you were paying the price for being so careless with your injuries. You'd just wanted to get out—to go back to where they'd found you and stay in that room until you slowly faded from existence.

Instead, you were in the arms of the person you feared most in the world, and as darkness dominated your vision, you found that some part of you didn't want him to let you go.

"Asuma," Kakashi blinked, stopping in his yard and watching his friend stroke Bull's back and take a long drag of his cigarette, "I didn't think you'd still be here."

"Well," the man shrugged, tapping his cigarette into an empty cup, "you've got a nice place here, Kakashi."

"It's not a hotel, you know."

"Your mutts are lonely," Asuma said with a grin, petting Bull on the head and watching amusedly as the rest of the dogs ran through the open front door and began competing for Kakashi's divided attention, "and I'm still recovering."

Asuma clapped his casted leg heavily, giving a chuckle when Bull nudged the injury with his nose.

"You're a lucky bastard," Kakashi muttered as he studied the newly-replaced cast. The side that was in his view had a giant signature taking up most of the space that vaguely resembled Guy's name, "if anyone else had taken a hit like that, they'd be six-feet under."

"And you're oh-so kind to help a poor cripple like me by giving me unpaid labor."

"You offered," Kakashi grumbled, sliding past Asuma to get into the house, "and you told me that letting you stay here was payment enough."

"Yeah, but when people say that, they don't actually mean it."

There was a silence as Kakashi looked the living room. The rest of the pack were settling back into their respective beds since the excitement of Kakashi's return had died down. He let out a sigh and strode further into the house.

"So...I know you don't like when people pry into your business," Asuma began from the porch. Kakashi heard him grunt pushed himself up on his good leg and turned to hand him his crutches, "and I know the question about why you got a new place is off-limits–"

"Correct."

"But why the extra room? You really need five beds for just you and the kiddos?"

Kakashi paused, glancing down the hall at the open door at the end. The bed inside was made and untouched, and it lacked any substantial decor aside from a spare painting that Kakashi hadn't really known what to do with. He looked away.

"I didn't pick the place," Kakashi shrugged, "I told Guy to find me something. He must've wanted a bedroom for himself."

"Hm. Sounds like something Guy would do," Asuma chuckled, "but I know when you're lying. I also know Guy's taste in real estate, and this ain't it. But I'll let you off the hook this time."

Kakashi ignored Asuma and rummaged through his kitchen cabinets for one of the instant-ramen cups that Naruto liked. The boy had come back to the compound that morning distraught because the grocery store was sold out, and Kakashi would rather not have another sulking child to look after tomorrow morning when there was no instant-ramen to have for lunch.

"That really all you came for?" Asuma questioned behind him.

"And the dogs. They're coming back to the compound with me."

Pakkun perked up at this, trotting over to Kakashi and pawing at his leg as if he'd understood the statement. Kakashi bent down and stroked a hand over his head.

Asuma was scrutinizing him, looking close to breaking and asking more question about the house. Kakashi ignored him and went back to rummaging through the cabinets for any more instant ramen cups he had buried behind cereal and loose spices.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

Kakashi sighed, heavy and deep so that Asuma would hear. He knew he looked like shit—he'd been up all night while Ino stitched you up, then couldn't bring himself to leave your room no matter how many times he told himself that he needed to go before you woke up. He found that convincing himself to leave you was much harder after he'd spent so long wondering if you were even still alive.

So he wasn't at his best this morning. But he also hadn't expected to still have company.

"I'm fine," he said, though he could still feel Asuma's scrutinizing gaze, "just tired."

Asuma was silent for a long moment, and Kakashi did his best to look focused on the task at hand to keep himself from turning and seeing Asuma's concerned glances.

"If you say so."

"Usually the pawn moves first. You can use the knight if you want to, but I'd stick with pawns until you get the hang of it–"

"I'll move the knight first!"

Shikamaru sighed, nodding at Naruto to go ahead and watching his friend move the knight forward triumphantly.

"Ok, what next?"

"I can't walk you through it step by step. Each game is different, so you have to learn what the pieces do and then decide the strategies yourself–"

"Pakkun!"

Sakura snickered at Shikamaru's unimpressed expression as Pakkun came bursting through the door, knocking the pieces off of the Shogi board and leaping into Naruto's arms.

Naruto let out a laugh, pushing Pakkun away as the pug licked his face and sat on Naruto's chest, tail wagging despite the perpetual frown on his face.

"Shikamaru?"

Naruto looked up at Kakashi standing in the doorway, but he was quickly distracted by the rest of the pack following Pakkun's lead and piling on top of the boy—who accepted them joyfully. Sakura sighed as laughter filled the room, then pulled Bull away as he began wandering towards where you were laying in your hospital bed.

"What are you guys doing in here?" Kakashi asked quietly, looking around at the scattered Shogi pieces, then looking at where you were still unconscious from your injury the night before. You hadn't moved since he left that morning, but part of him kept expecting you to just shoot up from bed and run at the first opportunity.

"Well, you said that you and Y/N had a...conversation," Sakura said sheepishly, avoiding Kakashi's eyes in favor of looking at Urushi as she scratched behind his ear, "and we wanted to be here when she woke up. We thought maybe she'd remember things faster that way."

"I didn't say 'conversation,' I said fight. She attacked me, then she ripped her stitches and passed out on me."

"But something happened in between! You told me!"

"Which I regret now," Kakashi grumbled. He let out a long, frustrated sigh, then sat in an empty chair at your bedside.

"Hey Kakashi."

"Hello Shikamaru," Kakashi deadpanned, then looked at his suspiciously quiet student on the opposite side of the bed, "Sasuke, I thought we talked about the whole 'discretion' issue."

"Yeah, but..." Sasuke looked at Kakashi, then winced and shrugged, "it's Shikamaru. Plus, we didn't tell him anything important. In fact, we brought him here to help."

Kakashi sighed again, pinching the bridge of his nose and thinking through this new development. He knew they had good intentions. They wanted you to heal as much as he did, but including more people in the mess that things had become was reckless.

He couldn't risk losing you. Not again. And if SHIELD found out about you now, when things were still so delicate, he knew what would happen.

Looking at the situation objectively, it wasn't safe to have you in the compound. You'd clearly gotten out of your restraints the first time you'd woken up, and he still had no idea how you'd done it. Telling SHIELD was probably the best way to go about this as a way of ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

But his students would never forgive him if he did that. And he knew that he wouldn't see you again if SHIELD got their hands on you.

He was being selfish, but he couldn't let that happen.

"Shikamaru," he said carefully, looking down at the boy sitting next to the Shogi board, "I know this isn't the most...conventional situation, but please don't say anything about her."

"Don't worry," Shikamaru said, "I have no interest in who she is or where she came from. I'm just here to play Shogi."

"To play...what?"

"We were doing some research," Sakura interjected before Naruto or Sasuke could, "and it turns out that strategy games can help improve memory. We thought that it might help."

"I don't think there have been any studies about this particular issue."

"Yeah, but we might as well try, right?" Sakura asked hopefully. "I mean, we can't just sit back and watch her suffer."

Kakashi opened his mouth with no real response formulated, but the door clicked open before he could speak. Kakashi sighed when Ino froze in the doorway and took in the scene before her.

"Guys, there are way too many people in here. If she wakes up, she's going to be too overwhelmed, and—who is that?"

Ino narrowed her eyes at Shikamaru. Her gaze shifted to Sakura, then to you, and then back to Shikamara still sorting through his Shogi pieces.

"I'm Shikamaru," he said dully, "I'm just here to play Shogi."

"Well, can you do it outside of the hospital room? There are seven people and—jesus—eight dogs in this room."

"Aw," Naruto groaned, hugging Bull as he strode to the boy's side and gaze him a slobbery kiss on the cheek. Ino cringed, "but we want to make sure Y/N's okay when she wakes up!"

"You do realize that she was holding a gun to your head not even a week ago."

"Ino," Sakura hissed, eyes wide with worry as she glanced down at Naruto, but the boy just shook his head and smiled.

"It's okay," he said softly, "I forgive her. Actually, no, there's nothing to forgive in the first place."

Ino stopped, staring at Naruto like he was speaking another language. It took a moment, and it looked like it had been years to Ino, but she finally shook her head and turned towards you.

"Okay, fine, just...go wait outside. This won't take long."

Ino glanced at Kakashi with a look that told him to stay where he was. They waited as the other four filed out, ushering the dogs along with them, then shut the door. Silence filled the room, and Kakashi took a deep breath in an attempt to regain some form of composure.

"The Shikamaru guy won't be a problem, right?"

"No, he'll be fine."

"I hope you're right," Ino said gravely, "because if he is—"

"He'll be fine," Kakashi repeated, glaring at Ino until she shrugged and looked away from him.

Sometimes he forgot that Ino was a Widow. It was moments like this that gave him a harsh reminder.

"Everything seems fine," Ino muttered as she lifted your hospital gown and poked at your wound, restitched but still irritated and swollen from the previous night. "It'll take longer for it to heal, obviously, so we have to figure out some way to keep her from exerting herself again."

Kakashi sighed, head dropping into his hands as he thought through their options. It seemed wrong to put you into a medically-induced coma without at least asking you first, but in your current state, you would never let that happen, even if it was Ino who was overseeing your medical care.

But the alternative was to let you wake up again, and there was no telling what kind of damage you'd cause to your body if that happened.

"So," Ino sighed, sitting in the chair on the other side of your bed and resting her elbows on her knees. Her eyes were narrowed—scrutinizing. Kakashi prepared for the incoming interrogation, "are you going to tell me what happened after you fought her last night?"

He'd been dodging Ino's questions all morning. He had no idea how to explain what last night had been like, and Ino was not the person he wanted to share it with.

But he supposed that she wasn't going to let him leave unless he gave some answers, and he really didn't have the energy to argue with her.

"She went to my room and found the photos I keep displayed. I guess they must've brought something back."

"What were the photos of?"

Kakashi grimaced, cheeks reddening as he tried to come up with a believable lie. It was one thing to have the picture. He never really invited people to his room anyways, so he hadn't thought it mattered.

Well, he usually never invited people to his room.

"One was of me and the kids," he said, leaning back in his chair and looking at the wall above Ino. He tried to steady his voice as much as possible and feigned a casualness that he knew sounded fake, "the other was of Y/N and Sakura."

Silence filled the room, and Kakashi let himself bask in it for a few moments before he glanced back down at Ino. Her eyebrows were raised to her hairline, mouth pursed in a tight line and hands clenched tightly together like she was trying not to jump out of her seat and hit something.

"Okay," she said cooly, "and then what happened?"

"She asked me if I was real, and I showed her...I showed her my face. And then she passed out."

"And you brought her here."

"Yes," Kakashi grumbled, "I brought her here. Then I woke you up."

Ino watched him for another moment. Then she glanced at you, and something in her face shifted.

"During the last month that we were with Orochimaru, I kept asking myself, 'why is it Kakashi Hatake, of all people, who's getting to her? Why is the idea of his betrayal so painful?'"

Kakashi could feel his heart pounding in his chest, just like it did every time he heard that name. He tried not to let it show in his face, but he knew that Ino saw. Saw the twitch of his eye and the clenching of his fists and the tension in his shoulders.

"I don't know what love feels like," Ino continued. "Honestly, I don't really know what a lot of things feel like, but the way that she tried to hold onto your memory..."

"Please stop," he muttered, looking out the window to try and find something to focus on other than the pounding of his heart. Each beat felt like a stab in the chest. He thought it would shatter if he even tried to look at you.

"Why?" Ino asked, and he wondered if there was a point to this or if she just felt like being cruel, "do you not feel the same? Or are you just afraid to face it?"

"I don't want to talk about this with you," Kakashi snapped, finally glancing down from the window and glaring at Ino, "and that's very far from my main concern right now."

Ino sighed. Kakashi took a deep breath to keep himself from saying something out of frustration. When he felt calm enough to look at you again, he felt his racing heart begin to slow.

"We also need to talk about Orochimaru."

Kakashi felt the moment his anger was set ablaze once again. It was a storm inside of him, twisting his insides until all he could feel was that terrible anger that had been building against that monster for six years.

"I don't know what he's planning, but I've known him my whole life. He's not just going to give up," Ino said, observing Kakashi carefully. He tried to calm himself down again, but this time looking at you just made him angrier.

That man had done this to you. He was the one to blame for everything.

"I don't care what he tries. He's not getting anywhere near us again," Kakashi muttered darkly, eyes still on you despite how angry he was on your behalf. He would grab his anger by the throat, and he'd channel it into keeping you and his students safe.

He had already failed to do it once. That wouldn't happen a second time.

"That's a nice thought," Ino hummed. Kakashi glared at her, but she wasn't facing him anymore. Instead she was staring through the window, eyes clouded and very, very far away, "but it's wishful thinking. If he wants to get to you, he'll find a way. He always does."

"Before, he had the Widows."

"It doesn't matter," Ino said, the ghost of a smile still on her lips. Kakashi narrowed his eyes, watching her carefully. She seemed so...resigned. Like she had already accepted whatever fate Orochimaru had in store for her, "he always finds a way."

"How do we find him?"

"We don't," Ino shrugged, "but HYDRA might. In that case, we won't have anything to worry about."

"You don't think HYDRA will come after you too?"

"After me?" Ino laughed, "no, I don't think so. I'm a small fish. They have much bigger issues than a few rogue Widows. Especially ones that are still trainees."

"Trainees?" Kakashi asked, brows furrowed. He finally looked back up at Ino, and he could see her trying to hold back laughter, "what do you mean?"

"I mean me," she said with a cackle, "and Sakura, obviously, but that's because she came in late."

"But you're...is Y/N–"

"Oh, no. She graduated a long time ago," Ino waved the thought away, "but Widows are trainees for a long time. We only rank up once we turn eighteen."

Kakashi blinked at her, and she laughed again.

"I'm younger than Sakura, you know."

"You're...what?"

"Yep," she sighed, "really annoyed me when I found out. I still don't get how she's older than me. It's only by a few months, but man did she seem young when we first met."

Kakashi begged to differ. Sakura had always tried to act older than she was, if only to one-up Naruto and Sasuke. She appointed herself the level-headed one of the group, parading around as the self-appointed leader who could take on any task. She continued to be the brains of their little trio as they got older, and that would likely never change.

But Ino was so young. All four of them were.

"Don't do that."

"Huh?"

"Make that face," Ino grimaced, "like you feel bad for me or something. I know it seems like it to an old man, but we're really not all that young."

Kakashi glanced at her dully, and she laughed again.

"If you keep worrying so much, you actually are going to turn into an old man."

There wasn't really much to do but worry. It had been hard enough knowing that you were with Orochimaru and that he couldn't do anything about it. It was an entirely different type of worry now that you were back, but still trapped in Orochimaru's lies.

"Listen," Ino sighed, "even before you found us, we were making progress. She wasn't as scared, and she was remembering bits and pieces of her past. You just have to give her time to heal."

Kakashi glanced at you, counting each breath as it rose with your chest and finding a relieving calmness in the task.

Your monitor had been a steady, reassuring beat in the background of the room since Kakashi had entered, but both he and Ino perked up when it began to quicken. Kakashi stood, waiting with bated breath for any type of movement. The speed of the monitor wasn't concerning, but it was becoming clear that you were beginning to wake up.

Would you remember him? Would you still hate him?

Would you be afraid of him?

Your wrists were secured to the sides of the hospital bed with leather straps—a precaution that seemed necessary considering what had happened the night before—but it still seemed wrong. He didn't like seeing you strapped down. He didn't like that he was the one who had restrained you.

"Calm down."

Kakashi looked up and saw Ino staring at him, eyes narrowed as she scrutinized his face.

"I am calm."

"You're freaking out," Ino said matter-of-factly as she looked back down at you and checked your IV and heart monitor. Really, it looked like she was doing unnecessary tasks to distract herself from your slow rise from unconsciousness, "you look ready to bolt."

"I don't want to be here if she's afraid of me."

"She's not afraid of you," Ino murmured, "you're not the one who tortured her."

"It doesn't matter," Kakashi shot back, "I was the one she saw."

"It does matter." Ino snapped, "She can already tell that there's a difference, right? That's what you told me. Like I said, you just have to give her time."

Kakashi knew she was right. As painful as this felt, it wouldn't be for

"Help her believe that you're not Orochimaru," Ino said, watching with Kakashi as your hand twitched and your eyes squeezed shut, "Show her that you're different."

"Y/N?"

You were floating. There was nothing beneath you but empty space and nothing above you but darkness. Your arms were spread at your sides, fingers splayed to feel what was holding you up, but all you could do was ball your hands into empty fists in a fruitless attempt to hold onto the nothingness keeping you afloat.

You closed your eyes.

"Please wake up."

Someone was crying. You felt their tears falling onto your face, and your eyes flickered open when a drop of salty water landed on your eyelid. The harsh light above you felt like a stone weighing down your skull. Your head was pounding, but there was solid ground beneath you now. That, at least, brought you some relief.

"Thank God," someone said to your left, and before you could look at them properly, arms were around your waist, squeezing it like you would slip from their grasp the moment they let you go. You stiffened, body tensing the longer they held onto you. When you glanced down, you saw a mess of pink hair on the head of whoever was holding you.

"Let go of her," a new voice snarled, low and dangerous. You reached out instinctively, covering the girl as best as you could and looking up at the man who had spoken.

He didn't look very strong. You gave him a once over and decided with a fairly high level of certainty that you could take him if it came down to a fight. His long, black hair cascaded down his back, and when he turned to face you, you couldn't help but be reminded of a snake. His irises were practically slits, and they narrowed on you when he met your eyes.

You were sure that you could overpower this man, but you still looked at the ground the moment he turned towards you, fear filling your lungs like it was the very air you were breathing.

"I don't understand," the girl said, still holding your waist. Her voice was shaky, and you instinctively gripped her tighter, "we didn't do anything wrong. We did what you said–"

You hadn't registered that there was someone standing behind you until he grabbed the girl by the arm and dragged her towards the opposite side of the room. You opened your mouth, but a sharp glare from the silver-haired man who had just appeared silenced you immediately. Fear rocketed through you, but you didn't understand why you were so afraid. All you knew was that you felt a deep desperation to make sure this girl didn't get hurt.

The silver-haired man pulled the sobbing girl forward until she was at the other's feet, kneeling before him. He threw her down with a sneer, then turned back towards you. He looked disgusted.

"Y/N," the taller man said sharply. You lifted your chin, but your eyes stayed fixed on the wall behind him, "I know you lied to me about this mission."

Your body went taut, tension nearly bursting from you as you searched for some answer to the unspoken question he was asking, but nothing was clear. None of your memories were surfacing no matter how desperately you searched for them.

Yet, despite the information that you were missing, your mouth opened and you began speaking before you even knew what you were going to say.

"Sir," you heard yourself say, the slightest tremor in your voice, "I apologize. There was some information that I didn't believe was relevant."

Silence spread over the room like a thick blanket of fog. You couldn't remember where this was. You had no idea who these people were, but you were speaking like all of this was a memory.

"Sakura," the man said, and you jolted. You knew that name. You knew this girl—it was right there in front of you, if you could only open your eyes and see it.

"Y/N had a different mission than you. She was supposed to tell me whether or not you are a valuable asset to the Red Room."

Sakura's eyes widened, but she didn't take the risk of looking at you. You could see how hard she was shaking at the feet of the black-haired man, and your fingers tightened into fists. You were fighting a battle against your instinct to protect her, but it was losing to the fear that kept crashing into you in waves. There was nothing you could do. Not against them.

You knew, deep down, that anything even resembling rebellion or defiance would end in pain. Pain for both you and Sakura.

"And she left some key information out of her report. One detail being your failure to kill your target. She had to do it for you, correct?"

You scowled at the ground, wracking your brain to try and figure out how he'd known that the mission had gone so wrong so quickly.

The memories were coming back. You could picture the second you pulled the trigger when Sakura hesitated. It was a crucial moment in the mission, and she would've missed it had you not taken the shot for her. At the time, she'd been grateful.

The events were all coming back. But why...why did you risk that for her?

But despite your confusion, overpowering it was fear. Fear for the girl kneeling on the other side of the room.

You knew what was going to happen next.

And that man...you knew his name. And you knew you had good reason to be afraid of him.

"Why did you lie?"

You tensed, wide eyes fixed on the ground as you tried to come up with some excuse that wouldn't end with Sakura getting hurt.

"Sir," you began, the word escaping you in a hushed breath, "I made the decision to kill him. Sakura wold have had the opportunity to do so had I not stepped in. The fault lies with me."

"Y/N–"

Your head shot up at the sound of skin hitting skin, but you only saw the aftermath of Sakura's body hitting the ground with a thud. Your throat dried as you glared at Kabuto's raised hand, and the anger that had been growing in your chest flared.

You were forced to look away when the black-haired man approached you, footsteps echoing off of the sleek, black tile in the silence of the room. His movement made even the other man pause.

You saw his shoes stop in front of you, but you didn't dare lift your head now that he was so close. It was only when he leaned down and gripped the back of your neck in a tight fist that you were forced to look up and finally meet his eyes.

"What do you think you deserve for lying to me?" he asked calmly, though his tightened grip was a stark contrast to his tone. Any tighter, and you wouldn't have been able to speak. You winced when he gave pulled you up from where you were sitting—a warning not to take any longer to answer.

"I will accept any punishment you deem acceptable to give me, sir," you told him, the words automatic and practiced. You allowed yourself a moment to glance behind him and meet Sakura's eyes. She shook her head, eyes wide and frantic, and you gave her the smallest smile you could manage, unsure if she would even see it. "And I will take any further punishment in Sakura's stead."

"I can't allow that."

"May I speak freely?"

There was a pause. That was a risky question to ask. Especially when you were on thin ice already.

"Speak."

"Sakura responds well to my instruction. You've seen the improvement yourself since we've been partnered together. Let me take on her punishment, and I will continue to train her until she is ready to graduate. I promise that I will make your expectations of us very clear to her."

He considered your words, staring at you as he did so. He was scrutinizing every little movement of your body—every shift in your expression, and you practically felt his gaze reaching the depths and recesses of your soul. He knew everything about you. He knew how terrified you were of him.

He also knew that you would do anything to protect Sakura.

"Fine," he relented. You sagged in relief.

Sakura looked devastated. She looked furious.

"Sakura," you whispered, voice hoarse and strained. The girl looked up at you, teeth clenched and eyes full of fire.

"Sakura," you repeated when the man turned towards her, "it's alright. Just let it go."

"How could I—ah!"

"Neither of you were given permission to speak," the silver-haired man hissed, hand raised to strike Sakura once again. You nearly lunged for him, but the other man's fingers tightened on the back of your neck again and you stilled.

"Don't," he said, watching Sakura on the ground blankly, "you're in no position to protect her."

Then he turned towards you again, and you felt the fear that he been a dull ache in your chest up rise into your throat. You pulled back, attempting to get his hand off of your neck, but it only tightened further.

Instead of the black-haired man, it was Kakashi staring you down, silver hair reflecting in the light. Those snake-like eyes were the only things that remained.

"No," you murmured. Kakashi grinned. "This isn't what happened. You weren't here."

"No?" Kakashi mocked. "How would you know? You don't even know who that girl is."

"I do," you croaked, "I do know her."

"You knew her. But you don't know anything anymore, do you?"

You grit your teeth and tried once again to find any relevant memories. The ones that would answer the endless questions that you had about this place. About Sakura and the black-haired man.

About Kakashi.

"You tried to protect her, and you failed," Kakashi said, voice mocking and humored, "and now look at you. You can't even protect yourself. You're useless."

"You're not supposed to be here," you whispered, refusing to look into his eyes, "I know you're not."

"Think, Y/N!"

You looked up at Sakura's voice. Kabuto was gone, and behind her was nothing but that emptiness you'd woken up to.

"You can find your way back! I know you can!"

She looked twice as desperate as she'd been in your memory, but it looked like she was trapped behind a glass wall. She pressed her hands against it, and her shouts began to fade into silence.

When you looked above you again, Kakashi had vanished. You were floating where he had held you, and once Sakura's voice had faded completely, you shifted your gaze back to where she had been standing.

You were alone.

You closed your eyes, curling in on yourself and hugging your knees to your chest in a desperate attempt to keep the emptiness from swallowing you whole. Maybe if you made yourself smaller, it would forget that you were there. Maybe it would leave you alone.

"Let me out," you choked, feeling the silence of the space pressing you in on all sides, making you smaller and smaller until you were just a speck of dust in its infinite vastness.

"No," you choked, "no, I don't want to be here."

No one responded. The silence was suffocating.

"Let me out!" you screamed, voice drifting off into the emptiness that surrounded you. The sound died the moment it left your lips. No one heard you. You wondered if you'd even spoken at all.

"Wake me up," you whispered, voice cracked and so close to shattering. "Please...please let me leave."

The empty space gave an answering shudder that shook you to the bones. Then, in a merciful acceptance of your pleas, it shattered, leaving you with nothing to do but open your eyes.

Regaining consciousness felt similar to clawing at empty air. Like you were trying to grasp at anything to keep you grounded. It quickly became exhausting.

It was unpleasant, and your head was pounding, but relief still overpowered everything else that you were feeling.

Ino was hovering over you, scanning your expression and giving you a forced smile when she met your eyes. You blinked, watching blankly as she felt your forehead, then your pulse, then the probes on your chest attached to your heart monitor.

"How are you feeling?" she asked after a moment, finally sitting in a chair at your side.

"Tired," you muttered. Ino chuckled.

"That's because you're still doped up on pain killers," she shook her head, "I can't believe you. I thought I told you that we were safe here."

You grumbled something that was intended to be an apology, but probably sounded more like inaudible frustration.

When she got no other response, Ino glanced at something above you, and you saw the nervousness that passed over her face before you turned to find out what was causing it.

You cycled through several emotions at once when you met Kakashi's eyes. The image of that familiar man's face was the first thing to appear, and you swallowed against the bile rising in your throat. You'd just barely held onto the image of his face from your dream, but it felt important. Far too important to forget before you understood what was going on.

Kakashi seemed to sense the internal battle that you were fighting and looked at Ino, freeing you from his scrutinizing gaze.

"Y/N," Ino said, voice frustratingly calm. It was like she was talking to a wild animal, afraid that it would bolt at the first sign of a threat.

Though you supposed that you'd done nothing but prove yourself a danger to the people around you. And the straps over your wrists and ankles were a harsh reminder of how recklessly you'd acted the night before.

"Is it alright if I step out for a minute?"

You looked up at Ino indignantly, eyes wide and a very strong "no" involuntarily forming on your lips. For the past seven months, being alone with Kakashi meant pain. It meant that you were doing something wrong.

"Ino, maybe that's not the best–"

"I'm not asking you," Ino interrupted Kakashi firmly, gaze holding yours even as she spoke to the man on your other side. "Y/N?"

Why would she even ask? She knew what he had done to you. She knew how much you feared him.

You risked another glance at Kakashi, and he quickly averted his eyes when you caught him looking at you.

"Actually, I should probably go check on the others–"

"It's fine," you stopped him as he began to stand from his seat. You turned back to Ino and gave her a wobbly smile. She didn't look impressed by your attempt to look calm, "you can go."

Ino gave a nod, then looked up at Kakashi and narrowed her eyes. You couldn't tell what message she was trying to convey, but Kakashi seemed to understand. Then, after glancing at the straps holding you down by your wrists and ankles, she opened the door and left.

Silence swallowed the room, and you kept your head turned towards the door. Then, when your heartbeat had slowed enough that you felt you could move, you turned your head and gazed at the ceiling.

Maybe this wasn't the best idea.

This wasn't the Kakashi you knew. It wasn't the man who tortured you. There were missing pieces, and you were likely in no danger with someone that Ino trusted to be alone with you.

But you still couldn't help the fear that flooded you at the sight of him. Everything else was obscured by his mask, but his eyes...they often haunted you in your nightmares.

And even though they looked different, they were the same eyes you remembered. They were kinder, but looking at them still reminded you of that machine.

You could feel yourself beginning to float again. You didn't want to shut down now—not after you'd just woken up and especially not while you were alone with Kakashi, but that seemed to be where you were heading.

Useless, you heard a voice say in your head. I'm disappointed. I thought you were stronger than this.

It didn't sound like Kakashi. If your very unreliable memory was serving you well, it almost sounded like the black-haired man from your dream.

You risked a glance at Kakashi. He was remaining silent as well, elbows resting on the arms of his chair and hands clasped together. As far as you could tell from his eyes, his expression was tense, but not impatient. Nothing like the expression you remembered from the past seven months.

"Can you," you began shakily, swallowing against your dry throat when the words came out hoarse. You felt pathetic, and you were certain you didn't look any better than you sounded, "can you take off your mask?"

Kakashi looked fairly unsurprised by the request, and he was quick to relent. Just like the night before, he hooked a finger over the black cloth and pulled it down so that it pooled around his neck. And, just like the night before, it triggered something inside you that you'd buried very deep. Something that was too far away for you to identify.

But it was a far cry from the fear that you were accustomed to associating with him.

Now, without the blinding effects of adrenaline and fear, you took the chance to observe him properly. For the longest time, you'd pictured there being something monstrous beneath his mask. Like he was just pretending to be human as a trick, and what lied beneath the black fabric was too horrifying to imagine.

But he was...perfectly normal.

You almost wished he was a monster. That would make all of this less confusing. And it might make you feel less guilty for being afraid of him.

"I had a dream last night," you told Kakashi. "about a man with long, black hair and eyes that reminded me of a snake's. I was...terrified of him."

Kakashi's breath stilled, and you turned your head towards him. He was evidently very good at hiding his emotions, because his expression gave nothing away.

"Do you know who he is?"

Kakashi opened his mouth, then closed it, breaking away from your intense gaze.

"Yes," he finally said, "his name is Orochimaru."

Orochimaru.

The name was like a slap to the face. Hearing it now, you wondered how you'd ever forgotten it. There was so much fear associated with him that feeling it now was like knowing true terror for the first time.

You thought you'd been afraid of Kakashi, but as the image of Orochimaru and his serpentine gaze formed in your mind, you realized that the fear you'd felt then was just a small island compared to the world of hate and pain that was opening up before you.

"Breathe," Kakashi said next to you, hands kept very deliberately at his sides, "he can't get to you here."

Your heart was pounding, and you had no idea why. You didn't know where this fear came from. You just knew that it existed it.

It was consuming you.

All of the images of Kakashi torturing you with that machine became hazy—as if they had sunk to the bottom of a the ocean, only the ghost of them visible through the water. They shifted so quickly and so violently that you thought it would make you sick.

And then, when the waves calmed and you could see the images clearly, Orochimaru had taken Kakashi's place at the center of each memory.

Maybe it had never been Kakashi. Maybe the person you'd been afraid of for as long as you could remember wasn't real. He was just a twisted version of the man sitting here now, seemingly taking care of you despite how violently you'd attacked him.

What if he's lying? a small, almost silent voice whispered in your ear. How would you possibly be able to tell the difference?

You swallowed, fighting the wave of nausea that made bile rise in your throat. How were you supposed to know what the truth was? How could he prove it? How could you trust him if he did?

Nothing felt real. Every bit of kindness seemed like a trick.

You couldn't even trust yourself anymore.

"Why did I end up like this?" you whispered, trying desperately to keep tears at bay. Letting Kakashi see you cry not once, but two times in the span of twelve hours was humiliating. You felt far too vulnerable as a layer of salty tears blocked your vision despite your best efforts to contain it.

"It's not your fault," Kakashi whispered, though he sounded just as lost as you felt.

It's not yours either.

You couldn't say that to him. You weren't sure you even believed it, but it came to mind as an automatic response to the sadness in his voice and the guilt plaguing his expression. Something in your chest tightened at the look on his face. You turned back to the ceiling.

"You probably know more about me than I do."

In the silence that followed your words, you could hear the faint sound of whispering coming from the other side of the door. After a few moments, a bark made all of the whispering voices pause, then they all began shushing the perpetrator of the noise simultaneously. You glanced towards the door cautiously, counting the different voices and determining that four people sat outside of your room.

That many people could quickly overtake you with your injury hindering you—not to mention the restraints holding you down. Your door wasn't locked, so they could easily come in and ambush you. And you certainly didn't trust Kakashi to come to your aid in the event of an attack—one civil exchange wasn't enough to erase your fear. Not by a long shot.

You tested the restraints again, feeling more desperate to free yourself of them by the second. You were caged in on both sides by people whose intentions were a mystery to you. Kakashi—this version of him at least—hadn't proven himself a threat yet, but the voices outside were unfamiliar. Ino's wasn't among them, meaning she had either left, been attacked, or...

Perhaps she had never been here to begin with. What a sick twist of fate that you were alone in enemy territory after all, and you'd just conjured a hallucination of her as a means of coping.

And there was a dog—not a small one, if that bark was anything to go by.

It didn't matter that, at an instinctual level, you trusted Kakashi. It didn't matter that he seemed to be telling the truth when he said that he was on your side. Trusting him now was a bad idea. You didn't have nearly enough information to believe that all he had were good intentions.

"I'm taking your restraints off."

You looked over at Kakashi, now standing and focused on the leather straps around your wrists. He glanced at you with a raised brow, a silent question in his eyes. You narrowed your own at his seemingly well-intentioned gesture. It was a bit too well intentioned—what reason did he have to believe you wouldn't wring his neck the first chance you got?

He was either very kind, very stupid, or an unhealthy mix of the two.

"Why?" you asked, making Kakashi pause. He shrugged as he reached forward, waiting for your nod of assent before he loosened the strap on your left wrist enough that you could pull your hand through.

"They were mostly a precaution for when you first woke up. We didn't want you to panic and hurt yourself, or..."

He grimaced, neatly avoiding your eyes as he moved to the other side of the bed and undid the right strap. You circled your newly-freed wrists in relief and made a very weak attempt at sitting up. You didn't get very far when pain flared in your chest, and you fell back with a frustrated huff.

"Don't do that," Kakashi shook his head as he took the straps off of your ankles, "you have to give your body a break if you want to heal."

"I got around just fine last night," you muttered. Kakashi huffed

"Well, you're still just as reckless as before."

You furrowed your brow. Before.

The gaping holes in your memory were torturous. Knowing that there was so much missing kept you up at night as you tried desperately to find your way through the haze blocking you from your memories. But everything felt so far away, and you were tired of having to look for things that should have belonged to you.

Your mind should've been your own to control.

"Is there a girl named Sakura here?"

Kakashi's eyes widened, and hope bled into his expression. His lips parted just slightly, then lifted in a happy—albeit small—smile.

"There is," he said with a laugh, "she misses you."

"She was in my dream," you furrowed your brow, "but I don't remember anything about her."

"That's okay," Kakashi shook his head, "anything you remember is progress. Even if it's just a name."

Progress. You almost wanted to laugh. You couldn't even remember what the end goal of that progress was. How were you supposed to find your way back into a mind that seemed lost to you?

"How can I know that you actually mean that?"

"Trust isn't earned over night," Kakashi said, eyes not leaving yours, "it took us both a while to trust one another the first time we met."

The image of a man separated from you by a cell door flashed across your mind, and you stowed it away carefully.

"What changed?"

That gave Kakashi paused. You watched him as he looked down at his clasped hands and pondered on it.

"I can't say what changed for you," he finally answered, "but I knew that I could trust someone who cared as much about my student as I did. You protected Sakura for a long time. That's why..."

The pause that followed was heavy. You shifted in the bed, suddenly unsure whether you wanted him to continue.

"That's why you left. To protect her."

You chose to leave. If what Kakashi was saying was true, it was all because of how much you cared about the girl from your dream.

It was your choice. So why did Kakashi look so guilty?

You replayed your dream again, thinking about the sacrifice you'd made in that one memory to keep Sakura safe. The pain that you were willing to endure to make sure she didn't have to feel it too.

"Will you tell me more?" you asked hesitantly, wondering if it was acceptable to make such a request of someone you still didn't know if you could trust.

"Of course," he said immediately, "anything you want to know."

You weren't sure what you could possibly ask.

"Start from the beginning."

(previous chapter) | (next chapter - coming soon) | (series masterlist)

Author's note | YEESH another long one, hopefully it makes up for the nearly two month long wait. i'm hoping you guys like the direction the story is going. we're (kinda) nearing the end of this particular story, but i have more plans so no worries there.

i'm hoping that the storyline isn't getting too repetitive, and i know that not much is happening in the way of romance, but i PROMISE we're getting there. i tend to say a lot and take a while to get where i'm going but i hope that's something you guys enjoy.

also, if you haven't yet, please check out the playlist for this fic (linked above)! it is very specific to my taste in music but i think it fits the story really well. i tried to order it to fit the order of events in the fic, so maybe listen while you read if that's something you enjoy. i do want to point out one song that i've been listening to non-stop and that has inspired me a lot recently. it's called "take me to war" by the crane wives, and my favorite lyrics are "there are no stones at my disposal / there's no god to award me a crown / but i am always swinging at / somebody i can't knock down." i feel like it fits so well.

anyways, thank you for reading this far and don't forget to leave me some love if you enjoyed!! see y'all in the next chapter!

title is from "Arms Unfolding" by Dodie

#kakashi #kakashi x reader #kakashi x you #kakashi x y/n #kakashi imagine #kakashi hatake #kakashi hatake x reader #kakashi hatake x you #kakashi hatake x y/n #kakashi hatake imagine #naruto #trr #emwrites

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somewillwin · 8 months

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Kofi request by @choicesfrog of Hana x MC ♥️✨

Requests for the kofi event only til august 20th

#playchoices #hana Lee #hana x Mc #trr #the Royal romance #kofi event #myart

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angelasscribbles · 2 months

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My Lonely Valentine (The Agreement) A One-Shot

Series: The Agreement

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings: Riley x Liam, Riley x Drake

Rating: NSFW 🍋🍋🍋

Warnings for this chapter: Lemons, or should I say almost lemons? Lemon adjacent?

Word Count: 3,269

A/N: This is a prequel one-shot. Occurs before the events in the main series.

Submission for the @choicesholidays Valentine's Day prompts.

My other stuff: Master List.

Riley walked into the informal dining room of Balymore, her estate in Valtoria, to find the table draped with a red silk cloth, flames flickering from wrought iron candelabras, and gleaming silver cloches gracing the tabletop.

Her mouth fell open and she turned to her husband in name only in astonishment. “What is all this?”

“Oh…ah…” Drake stuttered over his words as his brain spun frantically trying to find the right thing to say that would make his romantic gesture less romantic and not awkward. “I…um…I know you were disappointed that Liam had to cancel your plans for today, so I just wanted to do something to cheer you up.”

Disappointed was an understatement. It was Valentine’s Day and Liam had cancelled their plans. She shouldn’t be surprised. She should be used to it. But it hurt. A good cry and a hot bath had helped, but after a long nap, she’d found herself ravenous. Her quest for food had led her downstairs where she’d followed her nose to find the source of the delicious aroma wafting up to her.

Confusion pinged through her as she took in his demeanor. “What about your plans? Didn’t you have a date?”

“Yeah, well, that fell through.”

“Oh, Drake, I’m so sorry!” Her voice was full of so much sympathy that he felt like an ass for lying.

“It wasn’t anything serious anyway.” The truth was, he had canceled the date when he’d realized Riley would be left home alone. He had only asked the girl out so that he wouldn’t be home when Liam arrived. Not out of jealousy, but fear of discovery. He was sure his best friend could read his love for his supposedly in-name-only wife all over his face.

It was getting harder to fight his feelings for her. The more Liam fucked up and neglected her, the harder it became.

He wasn’t jealous of Liam per se. He loved the guy, and he was fully aware of the myriad web of circumstances that had led to him having to marry for political alliances and not love.

Still.

The effect it had on Riley was the same and it hurt him to watch her suffer. He had agreed to marry her to keep her at court and near Liam. A marriage of convenience. A favor for his friends. An act of service for the two people he loved most in the world.

The problem was that the longer they lived together, the closer they became and the harder he fell. He had tried to fix it, put distance between them, but his stupid, traitorous heart wouldn’t let him move on. And he had tried.

The first year they were together had been so full of turmoil that he had just focused on getting her through it. Once they had moved to Valtoria and she had settled into her new position as Duchess, she had encouraged him to find a relationship of his own.

“You shouldn’t have to suffer just because I am.”

The full truth of the situation was that he had only half-heartedly dated so that she would stop worrying about him and his happiness. Because he would do anything for her. Even date other women. But his heart had never been in it.

Every relationship he had entered had ended before it really began. Two or three dates at most. Several of the women had dumped him citing with confusion that he seemed to actually love his wife.

Everyone on the planet could see that, apparently. Everyone but her.

Because she was too busy letting Liam break her heart over and over.

“Still. I’m sorry your date canceled. I know what that feels like.”

“I’m fine.” He brushed her concern off with a twinge of guilt but telling her that he had been the one to cancel would just open up questions he wasn’t ready to answer. Or more to the point, questions he wasn’t sure she was ready to hear the answers to.

He would confess his feelings right then and there if he thought she returned them. But she was in love with Liam. He knew that.

“Stop worrying about my love life and come eat before it gets cold.”

She inhaled deeply as she stepped toward the table, “It smells so good! What is it?”

“Deep fried chicken and cheese stuffed avocado.” He told her as he pulled her chair out for her.

Her face lit up as she sat. “Really?”

“Yes,” he affirmed as he took his own seat. “I know it’s your favorite.”

“But…how? I gave the kitchen staff the night off!” Neither of them had planned to be home.

“Oh, ah…” a flush spread across his face as he rubbed the back of his neck, “I made it.”

She pulled the cloche off the plate then turned her head to him in bewilderment, “You made this?”

He scoffed while shaking his head. “Don’t act so surprised. I can cook. You know this.”

“I mean yes but this is next level!” The avocados were browned to perfection and served with a beautifully roasted Mediterranean vegetable medley, garlic mashed potatoes, and piping hot Ciabatta bread.

He tried to lighten the mood. “I’m offended that you’re this impressed, Riley. I have mad kitchen skills.”

“I know. I just can’t believe that you did all this for me.” A single tear slid down her cheek.

He leaned forward in concern, wiping the tear away. “Hey, hey, hey! What’s that about?”

“Nothing,” she smiled at him through the wetness pooling in her eyes. “These are happy tears. I didn’t think this day could be salvaged, but you somehow managed it.”

“Yeah, well, what are husbands for?” He gave her a disarming smile as he sat back in his chair and turned his attention to his plate.

She laughed at their shared joke. He always said that when he did something nice for her. It was funny because he wasn’t really her husband.

But he kind of was, wasn’t he?

She dropped her eyes to her plate to cover her sudden flush. He was always doing sweet things like this. He was always there when she needed someone to talk to. Though she would never tell Max or Hana, Drake had become her best friend.

He had left his job as a member of the King’s Guard to move to Valtoria with her. He had been there for her when her grandmother passed away. The last time Liam had stood her up, Drake was ready with her favorite pizza and a movie she’d been wanting to see.

What are husbands for?

It was beginning to feel less and less like a joke because it had become the truth.

How true?

She suspected Drake’s feelings for her. How could she not? She had pushed him to date others. It wasn’t fair to let him waste his life taking care of her when she was in love with another man.

Yet here he was, on Valentine’s Day, taking care of her once again.

She stole a surreptitious glance at him as they ate. Maybe he had deeper feelings for her than she initially suspected.

No, she was imagining things. He was just being a good friend. Because that is what he was. Her friend. And Liam’s.

Liam.

Guilt swirled through her at the thought of her supposed boyfriend. Annoyance followed the guilt. He had stood her up. Again. Why should she feel guilty for anything? He married another woman for the love of God.

Not because he wanted to.

The guilt was back at the reminder of the impossible situation Liam had been placed in, but it was mingled with hurt, embarrassment, and a fair amount of anger.

She knew everyone thought she was an idiot for waiting around on scraps of the king’s time and affection. For uprooting her entire life to chase after him to Cordonia in the first place, for staying even after his rejection, and for continuing to believe that she was a priority to him.

Everyone but Drake.

He never judged her.

She lifted her eyes to his face as he regaled her with tales of Max’s misadventures from when he had tagged along on Drake’s latest fishing trip with Bastien.

“… And then he tripped over the side of the boat and fell in the water!” Drake shook with laughter at the memory.

Riley forced an obligatory smile, but she had missed most of the story, her mind occupied with an entirely new idea.

Her eyes focused on his mouth hoping he didn’t notice the flush on her face as her mind refused to stray away from imagining what his lips would feel like on her neck, on her mouth…other places….

She forced her eyes down to her plate and focused on eating her dinner. The dinner that her husband in allegedly name only had taken the time to prepare with his own two hands.

When the meal was over, she tried to clear the table, but he wouldn’t let her. “No, no, I’ve got this! I’m just going to clear the table and rinse the plates real quick. Why don’t you go pick something to watch? Whatever you want.”

“You sure? You did all this work. The least I can do is let you pick the movie.”

“Nah.” He waved her offer away. “As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.”

A multitude of emotions swirled through her as she watched him walk out of the room with the dishes. If you’re happy, I’m happy. He meant that. He was always saying things like that. He was always going out of his way to do little things to make her happy.

She made her way to the media room and flipped absently through the streaming selections as a million images of Drake fell through her mind. Drake, making her laugh when she was sad. Drake, holding her when she cried. Drake, always keeping himself between her and the reporters. Drake, scrambling eggs in their kitchen at two a.m. because they’d stayed up late watching stand-up comedy specials again.

When had he become such a huge part of her life? Yes, she had married him, but that had been on paper only, so she could stay near Liam.

And yet it was Drake who had attended her grandmother’s funeral with her. It was Drake who had taken care of her when she had the flu last year. And it was always Drake who picked up the pieces after Liam shattered her heart time and time again.

Why was she keeping him at arm’s length?

He showed up in the media room with her favorite blanket, a steaming cup of hot chocolate, and a small box tucked under his arms.

She accepted the cup and the blanket while trying to peer at the box. “What’s that?”

“Oh, this?” He teased, holding it out toward her but up out of her reach.

Her eyes widened as she glimpsed the label. “Are those dark chocolate truffles?”

“Maybe…”

“Drake!” She laughed as she deposited her cup on the end table and made a grab for the promised treat.

He lifted them easily out of her reach with a teasing smile. “What? Did you want these?”

“You know I do!” She tried to pout but the smile tugging her lips upward made that difficult to maintain.

“I don’t know….” He pretended to think deeply about it. “Maybe I should keep these for myself.”

With a joyful laugh, she launched herself off the couch, her fingers touching, but not completely grasping the elusive chocolates. The impact of her body colliding into his, combined with his misstep as he tried to dodge her, sent him toppling backward onto the couch where he landed in a slightly reclined position. Her momentum carried her forward so that she landed on top of him, laying on his chest, looking up into his face.

They were both laughing as their gazes met. A sudden silence descended on them as they stared into each other’s eyes. The smiles faded as lips parted and breath caught.

She moved first, bringing her lips to his. Her kiss was tentative. His response was not.

His arms went around her, the box of truffles dropped and forgotten on the floor. He pulled her tight against him as his tongue deftly took control of her mouth. One hand tangled in her hair as the other slipped under her shirt to caress the smooth skin of her back. A plaintive whimper escaped him as he pressed his rapidly growing hardness up into her.

Riley responded, melting into his embrace, no longer tentative. She pressed herself against him as their kisses became more passionate, almost frantic.

She broke the kiss to gasp for air. “Drake…should we—"

Drake froze for a moment, and then jolted upright, gently moving her off him. “Shit, Riley!” He raked a hand through his hair as he pushed himself back away from her. “I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry!”

“What are you sorry for? I kissed you!”

“It was just the heat of the moment.”

“Is that all it was?” She asked him softly.

“Yeah…” He responded unconvincingly.

“Are you sure it wasn’t more than that?”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know…” her fingers twisted the hem of her shirt nervously. “You made this whole romantic dinner…”

“I wanted to cheer you up. Because we’re friends and—"

“You went out of your way to get me my favorite candy.”

“No, I didn’t. I just….” He closed his eyes with a shuddering sigh before pushing through with the lie. “I was already in the store, and I saw it…”

“You’re a bad liar.”

His eyes flew open, and he fixed her a look that was almost pleading. “What do you want from me, Riley?”

“I think the question is, what do you want from me, Drake?” She scooted closer to him taking in the way he watched her warily. Like a rabbit watching a coyote approach, his face full of fear, longing, and a guarded passion.

He swallowed thickly and tried for a normal tone of voice. “The movie…”

Her hand slid up his thigh to the bulge in his pants. “A movie? Is that really what you want right now?”

“Fuck…” he breathed out in defeat as a shudder ran through his body. He grabbed her wrist to stop her but instead of pushing her away as he had intended, he found himself pulling her into him as he leaned forward, and then they were kissing again.

Lips and hands explored bodies and pulled at clothing. His heart thundered in his chest as a small part of his mind screamed at him to stop, to put the brakes on this.

That part was overruled as she pulled her top off and dropped it on the floor next to them. He stopped breathing for a moment as he drank in her naked form. He yanked his own shirt off and dove back in.

Riley arched her back as she gave herself over to the sensations cascading through her body. Drake’s hands on her bare skin were calloused, rough. The friction was a sharp contrast to the smoothness of her bare flesh. It felt good, forbidden, delicious. She shivered as goosebumps erupted along her spine.

His hot lips on her throat sent ribbons of white-hot desire shooting through her and coiling in her center.

She cried out in protest when he withdrew that touch. “Why are you stopping?”

“I…we shouldn’t…”

“Don’t you want me?”

A self-deprecating laugh slipped out of him. “I want you so fucking bad….you have no idea….. but not like this.”

“Like what?”

“You’re upset…vulnerable...”

“I was upset.” She drew his hand back to her body; he didn’t resist as she placed it so it was cupping a pert breast. “That’s not what I’m feeling right now.”

He was struggling mightily to keep his voice even as he gasped for breath. “…don’t want you to regret…”

“I won’t…”

“You’re in love with Liam…”

“I am…” She dropped her hand and pulled back a little. “We can stop if you want.”

“If I want?” His gaze searched hers, unsure exactly what he was looking for.

“Yes, you. I don’t want to stop.”

“But Liam—”

“I don’t want to think about Liam right now, Drake. I don’t want to think about tomorrow or what any of this means. But…” She moved away from him reluctantly. “I understand if you do.”

He instantly regretted the distance between them.

Before he could decide how to proceed, there was a knock at the door.

Drake’s eyes closed as frustration, relief and a smidge of anger pinged through him.

There was only one person it could be this late.

Talk about timing.

He quickly pulled his shirt back on and tossed her blouse to her. “I’ll go answer the door. You might want to fix your hair, it’s a little mussed.”

“Drake—”

“No, it’s okay,” he told her as he pulled her to him and dropped a quick kiss on the top of her head before pushing her gently away. “Go make yourself presentable. I’ll show Liam in.”

“Right.” She redressed and hurried over to the closest mirror to smooth her hair back into place.

Drake combed his fingers through his own hair on his way to the front door. Pulling it open, he greeted his best friend with, “Thought you couldn’t get away, Your Majesty?”

“Some last-minute things came up, but I finally managed to slip away.”

“It’s a little late. Valentine’s Day is pretty much over.”

Liam glanced at his watch as he stepped through the doorway. “Not really. Where is she? And why are you home? I thought you had a date.”

Drake shrugged. “She canceled on me. Sick pet or something.” He was only a little horrified at how easily the lie rolled off his tongue. “Riley’s in the media room. We were just about to watch a movie.”

Liam started down the hall. Looking over his shoulder, he asked, “Are you coming?”

“No. I’m going to turn in early. You two have fun.”

He needed a shower. A cold one.

He sprinted up the stairs, taking them two at a time. He slammed his bedroom door behind him and then leaned back against it, gently banging his head into it several times before muttering to himself, “The fuck did I just do? Stupid, stupid, stupid!”

He shed his clothes as he walked across to the room and into the ensuite. He needed relief.

The water pounded down on him as he wrapped his hand around himself. His head tipped back and his eyes fell closed as he remembered her half-naked form in front of him, the feel of her skin under his fingers, the taste of her lips…..

He groaned out loud as streams of milky whiteness pulsed out of him and splashed onto the tile. He placed both hands on the wall and leaned forward, letting the water run over the back of his head as he watched the detritus of his desire swirl down the drain.

It wasn’t the first time that his ardor for her had landed him in this position, but he knew it was different this time.

They had crossed a line tonight. A line that couldn’t be uncrossed. Even though they hadn’t done the deed, the genie was out of the bottle-- his feelings for her, their obvious sexual attraction to each other, all of it.

He just had no idea what to do about any of it.

#the royal romance #trr #trr fanfic #drake walker #riley brooks #drake x mc #angelasscribbles #the royal romance fanfic #choices fic writers creations #cfwc fics of the week #choices stories you play #choicesholidays #valentinesday2024

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ao719 · 3 months

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Best Kept Secrets

Best Kept Secrets - Maybe We’ll Get It Right (Chapter 18)

Characters belong to Pixelberry.

Summary: An unforeseen encounter with the past proves that even the best-kept secrets eventually make their way into the light.

Title inspiration: Hold On Tight - Forest Blakk

Book/Pairing: TRR; Liam x F!OC

A/N: Thank you to @burnsoslow for prereading most of this. Please excuse any errors.

Rating: M • Warning: This series will contain NSFW material. If you read, you acknowledge you are 18+

Catch up here

Standing in her bedroom inside the north wing, Amara stared at her reflection in the floor-length mirror. She scanned over her outfit before meeting her own anxious gaze; she took in a deep breath and slowly let it out, trying to settle her nerves.

Today would be Amara’s and Liam’s first public outing with Sophia since the statement had been given. It would be the first time the press would not only catch a glimpse of the heir but see the three of them together … as a family. She knew that the purpose behind the outing was to show the public that their King had moved beyond her betrayal and that they were putting the past behind them for the sake of their child. It was all in hopes of shifting the negative attention she was receiving and showing her in a more favorable light.

Amara was nervous, however. One would think she would find this to be fairly simple; working the press to change public perception was literally her job, but it was much different being the one whose image you’re trying to change their perception of. She wouldn’t be working her PR magic behind the scenes because she was the one under the microscope. She knew her every move was going to be picked apart, questioned, and, at times, manipulated to fit whatever narrative they were attempting to paint of her. Whatever they felt was going to sell a story was what they were going to try and sell, truth or not.

Despite knowing this was something they needed to try, Amara had second-guessed the decision since Daniel suggested it; they’d given themselves an extra week behind the palace walls to prepare, but she felt anything but because she couldn’t get out of her own head. She didn’t want her presence during these planned outings to make things even more difficult for Liam than she’d already made them.

However, when Amara subtly brought up the concern, Liam didn’t seem all too phased. They planned to spend the day on the private beach, and he reminded her that while, yes, the press was sure to be camped out nearby, they would still be far enough away so they’d be able to enjoy their day together with Sophia and that he was looking forward to spending the day out … with both of them. He seemed to be treating it as both a casual and normal outing and not one that was planned with a purpose.

Amara wasn’t reading too much into what he’d said, however, seeing his words for exactly what they were. She knew it was nothing more than his way of trying to make her feel more relaxed because he could sense that she was on edge about it. To think he meant anything beyond that was pointless. Despite her feelings for him, she’d forced herself to face reality over the last month and a half, a reality where she knew that any chance she might have had at continuing to rekindle things between them was long gone. After what she’d done, he’d never give her a second chance, and she didn’t deserve one. Her feelings for him didn’t matter and didn’t mean anything to anyone but her, so she shoved them into a box and pushed any notion of them being anything more than co-parents as far down as she could. It hurt, of course, but it was the consequences of her actions. And she’d suffer in silence because she wasn’t going to let those feelings get in the way of his and Sophia’s relationship.

A knock on the door pulled Amara’s attention, and she gave herself one last glance in the mirror before turning and exiting her bedroom. When she opened the door, she smiled at Sophia, who was giving her signature toothy grin.

“Mama!”

“Hi, baby,” Amara chuckled as she took her from Liam’s arms when she leaned over to her. She kissed her cheek as she ran her hand over her head of blonde hair.

“Morning,” Liam said.

Amara offered him a tentative smile. “Morning.” She stepped aside to let him in, closing the door behind her. “I have her stuff ready. I’ll just go get her changed real quick.”

Liam nodded and watched the two of them disappear down the hall, listening to Sophia babble and Amara laugh, smiling as he sat down in the living area to wait. He drummed his fingers against his thighs, wondering what the day was going to bring.

They would be spending the day at the private beach, and while he knew it would be accessible to the press, it would keep them far enough away so they wouldn’t be too overbearing. They couldn’t go out in public and make it obvious that they were putting on a show for the cameras.

Truthfully … it wasn’t about the cameras for Liam nor was it a show. Yes, he was doing this as a way to hopefully shift the narrative surrounding Amara, and he was looking forward to finally taking Sophia beyond the palace walls, but it was more than that for him. He wanted to spend the day out with Amara, too.

Over the last month and a half since everything had happened, one of the things he struggled with most was his feelings for Amara. At first, those feelings were suffocated by anger and resentment, but once he forced himself to let go of those emotions for the sake of moving forward, they came back tenfold. Now that he’d been spending every day with her the past two weeks, practically playing house inside the palace with her and Sophia … the three of them, together, as a family … everything he felt before seemed amplified. His feelings began to consume him, and he wasn’t sure how much longer he’d be able to continue to shove them aside. And maybe he shouldn’t. He’d been trying to do what was best for Sophia, but perhaps what was best for her was the very thing he’d been trying to ignore.

Liam had a couple of reservations, however, and they seemed to be the one thing holding him back.

The first reservation was trust. No matter which way Liam looked at the situation, he’d been betrayed. Did he now understand the place in which Amara was coming from? A little. He’d allowed himself to see things from her perspective, and he understood her headspace at the time. It didn’t change the fact that he was still lied to and kept in the dark about something as important as the existence of his child. Were there other secrets she was keeping? He didn’t know. And he didn’t know if he could trust her to not keep more in the future.

The second reservation was fear. Twice now Liam had tried to make things work between them, and he was left broken both times. They say the third time’s the charm, but this was something that now went beyond just him. If they tried again and they failed a third time, not only would it affect him but Sophia as well. He and Amara had a knack for being unable to get their stars to align. Could he really risk Sophia being collateral damage in a game he wasn’t sure he would ever win?

“Dada!”

Sophia’s squeal pulled Liam from his thoughts. He glanced over and a laugh bubbled out of him at the sight of her toddling towards him in a white cover-up that concealed her bright pink bathing suit, tiny aviators, and a floppy white sun hat. “Look at you looking like a little beachy princess,” he chuckled as he scooped her into his arms. “Are you ready for our day at the beach?” Sophia nodded with a clap of her hands. “Is mommy ready?”

They both looked at Amara at the same time, and she forced a smile. “I’m ready.”

****

When Bastien pulled into the private parking lot of the beach, Amara turned her face away from the window, shielding her eyes from the flashes of the cameras. The press had been camped outside of the gate when they left the palace and had followed them. Having spent so much time tracking the royal family’s movements, it didn’t take them long to realize where they were headed; they raced ahead so they were there waiting when they arrived.

When Liam exited the vehicle, the press, who were contained behind another gate where two more guards stood to ensure they didn’t cross, began shouting his name. He turned and tossed his hand up in a wave as they snapped photos before turning back toward the vehicle.

Liam met Amara’s gaze as she finished unbuckling Sophia from her car seat. “Here we go …”

Liam lifted Sophia from her seat and into the safety of his arms, and when he pulled her from the vehicle, the frenzy ensued. The press shouted louder as the shutters from their cameras went off. Sophia turned her head toward the clamor as her grip on his shirt tightened. “It’s ok, little love,” he whispered.

Occupied by their first glimpses of the princess, the press almost missed the moment Amara came into view. Almost. The moment they noticed her, more shouts ensued as their cameras continued to snap photos.

“Why is she with you, King Liam?”

“Anything to say about your betrayal to the King, Ms. Onasis?”

“Will she be leaving Cordonia soon?”

“Will the Princess be staying?”

Amara turned so her back was toward them and inhaled a deep breath. She felt Liam’s hand on her shoulder a moment later and looked up at him; he gestured toward the path that led to the beach and she nodded before starting toward it.

Once down on the beach, Amara set the bag she’d packed beside one of the chairs that were set up beneath an umbrella. She glanced around, taking in the silence, feeling a little more at ease, but only for a moment before she saw the press hurrying toward the edge of the barrier. The guards were already in place, ensuring they stayed on the other side, and they were far enough away where they wouldn’t be a bother, but just knowing they were there at all had her right back on edge.

“Did you hear me?”

Amara snapped her gaze to Liam. “No. I’m sorry … what did you say?”

“Sunscreen?” Liam pointed to Sophia.

“Yeah.” Amara shook her head and crouched down next to the bag, pulling out the sunscreen she’d packed for her.

Liam set Sophia down on the chair, and Amara removed her tiny cover-up before smothering her in sunscreen. Once she was finished, she stood and turned to see a now shirtless Liam setting up the toys he’d brought on the massive beach blanket that was laid out for them; he’d slipped inside the tent just behind their chairs to change. She turned away from him and closed her eyes; between the press and him, her mind was jumbled.

“Ready?” Liam’s voice sounded from behind her, and she turned, but he was speaking to Sophia. He scooped her up and set her on the edge of the blanket so she could reach the sand before laying on his side next to her.

Amara stood and stared at the two of them as they played. Then her gaze flickered to the edge of the beach where the press remained, continuing to snap photos. She couldn’t help but wonder what story they were going to try and spin from this.

“Are you going to join us?” Liam asked.

Amara looked back at him. “Uh … yeah.” She kicked off her flip-flops before reaching down and grabbing the hem of her cover-up to remove it but froze as her eyes lifted to the press again. She casually brushed her hand against the fabric of the cover-up as she moved toward the blanket and sat down on the other side of Sophia.

Liam looked up at her, squinting against the bright sun. “Did you not bring a suit?” he asked, gesturing to her cover-up that was still on.

“I’m … I’m fine right now,” Amara lied as she looked out at the water. She wasn’t fine.

Under the heat of the Mediterranean sun and the watchful eyes of the press, Amara was hot and flustered … but she didn’t want to take off the cover-up, afraid of what story the press would spin from it. Would they say she was trying to seduce him into forgiveness by flouncing around in a bikini? Would they criticize her for said bikini because she was the mother of the heir and not setting the example they thought she should? Hell, she was afraid to even look at Liam for a second too long, knowing what type of story one photo of that could paint.

Liam stared at Amara as she gazed out at the water. He knew something was bothering her and he didn’t have to ask what it was. She’d been on edge the past week since they planned this first outing, and when he saw her this morning, he knew she hadn’t eased up. It was easy for him to ignore the presence of the press because he’d grown up with it and learned to drown them out a long time ago. Amara, however, wasn’t used to being on this side of things. On top of that, she was consumed by how her presence would rub off on him and Sophia and worried what stories would be in the papers the next morning. Because of that, she was being careful. Too careful, considering she wouldn’t even remove her cover-up.

“Amara,” Liam said, and she glanced at him. “Relax.”

“I am relaxed.”

Liam snorted. “No, you’re not.” She dropped his gaze and bit her lip self-consciously. “Hey, look at me,” he whispered, but she shook her head. “Look at me.” She hesitated another moment before glancing up. “Don’t pay them any mind. It’s just you and me here, ok? Just us.”

Amara held his gaze. He knew exactly what was running through her mind without her having to say a word. And she felt the sincerity behind his words from the way he looked at her. But she needed to defuse the situation before her stupid heart took any of it to mean something more than it really did. “And Soph,” she quipped.

“Yes,” Liam shook his head with a small smile. “But you know what I meant.” With Sophia occupied with filling her bucket full of sand one small scoop at a time, he laid on his back, tucking his arms under his head as he closed his eyes. “Take off the damn cover-up and enjoy yourself.”

Liam heard her let out a quiet chuckle, and after another beat of silence, he could hear the quiet shift of the fabric against her skin. He opened one eye and inconspicuously slid it in her direction; his chest tightened at the sight of her body in the navy blue bikini before he quickly snapped the eye shut.

****

That night, Liam and Amara put Sophia to bed inside her room in the north wing. They’d spent the entire day at the beach, playing in the water and lounging on the shore. Once they returned to the palace, she’d taken a bath, and barely made it through dinner before she passed out in Liam’s arms.

The press had watched them the entire day, but Amara took Liam’s advice and ignored them as best as she could. She knew she had to come to terms with the fact that they were going to write what they wanted and there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it except suck it up and deal with it.

They quietly shut Sophia’s door behind them before creeping down the hall, stopping in front of the living area. “She racked out,” Liam quietly chuckled.

Amara smiled as she leaned against the entryway, crossing her arms and tucking her hands beneath them. “She had fun today.”

“Minus the evil wave,” Liam quietly laughed.

Amara jutted her lip out in a pout before bowing her head and covering her mouth with her hand to contain her laugh at the memory of the wave that washed away the sandcastle they’d helped Sophia build. She was not happy, and her extreme meltdown over the loss was when they knew it was probably time to pack it up and leave.

“I thought she was going to try and kick that wave’s ass,” Liam chuckled.

Amara snorted against her palm before looking back up at him, and when she did, a strand of her hair caught on her eyelashes. Instinctively, Liam reached up to brush it away.

The air suddenly felt very thick as they stared at each other and both their smiles slowly faded.

Snapping from his momentary daze, Liam quickly dropped his hand. “Uh … sorry. You had — your hair, I mean … it was …” He trailed off and blew out a breath.

Amara continued to stare at him, feeling a bit bemused as her heart and mind argued over what just happened and what it meant. Nothing, she told herself. It was nothing. “Yeah … uh, thanks.”

“Well … I should probably …” Liam gestured over his shoulder to the door. “I have sand in places where there shouldn’t be sand and need to shower,” he chuckled, earning a laugh from her. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah. I’ll let you know when she’s up so we can meet for breakfast.”

“Sounds good.”

Liam leaned down and kissed her cheek, letting it linger a heartbeat longer than normal before he drew back; he met her gaze for a split second before he turned and opened the door, quickly disappearing into the hall.

*******

Sitting inside his study, Liam read over an article from Trend magazine, detailing his and Amara’s outing over the past weekend in Applewood; he was needed there to go over a proposal to expand the orchids and invited Amara to bring Sophia. The article had several photos printed beside it, each one from a distance; a few of him and Sophia as they walked through the orchids, some of just her, and a few of the three of them together.

It had been nearly a month since that first outing at the beach, and the many they had after seemed to be doing the job they were intended to do. Most of the press — Trend being one — had done exactly what Daniel had said and followed his lead, looking beyond the past and focusing on the here and now. A few remained skeptical, however, questioning Amara’s motives for remaining in Cordonia and her intentions going forward. They didn’t know that she’d already decided to stay because he had yet to make a public statement. He knew he would need to make one soon, though; he’d spoken to Daniel, who told him the next step would be for the people to hear directly from him since they hadn’t at all since Sophia’s existence had been made public nearly two months ago.

Liam was happy to know that things with the press were starting to settle down. What wasn’t settling down were his feelings for Amara. Each night after they would put Sophia to bed, the length of time they lingered behind got longer. They went from a few moments of simple conversation to now talking over drinks or a late-night snack about their day and making plans for the next. They had gotten closer and had fallen back into a place where things didn’t feel so tense.

It was comfortable.

It was familiar.

Every day they spent together chipped away at those reservations Liam had and drew out his feelings even more. And every day he came closer and closer to throwing caution to the wind and taking that leap.

Hearing a knock on his study door, Liam called for them to enter; when it opened, he lifted his gaze from the magazine article just as Amara stepped inside with Sophia.

“Dada!”

“Hi, little love,” Liam grinned as he stood and walked around his desk; he crouched down as she toddled toward him and he scooped her into his arms, smothering a mix of playful kisses and raspberries against her cheeks as she giggled.

“Hope we’re not interrupting anything,” Amara said.

Liam situated Sophia on his hip. “Not at all,” he replied before leaning forward to kiss her cheek; his hand brushed down the length of her arm as he drew back. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I wanted to come talk to you.”

“About?”

“I’m going to have to make a trip to New York.”

Liam looked at her. “Oh?”

“My lease is up at the end of the month,” Amara explained. “I’ve been putting it off, hoping to have found a place beforehand, but that hasn’t happened yet.”

Despite the surprise her words gave him, Liam kept his expression impassive. “I hadn’t realized you’d been looking.”

“Well, I haven’t … not really, I mean. I’ve perused some listings, but I’m still weighing my options between renting or buying and haven’t made a decision yet. But I can’t put off packing up my apartment any longer since I only have a couple of weeks. And I’ll have to clear out my office space as well.”

Liam nodded. “Ok. Are you thinking this weekend, or …?”

“I wanted to check with you first,” Amara said. “I didn’t know if you had anything going on, and I figured you’d want Soph to stay here with you.”

Liam thought for a moment as he glanced at Sophia; he scrunched his nose with a smile when she offered him one of her toothy grins. “How about we go together?”

Amara’s brows rose in surprise. “You … you want to go?”

“Sure,” Liam shrugged as he looked back at her. “Let Imogen know, and we can leave Friday and take the weekend … get it all done in one shot so you don’t have to worry about going back for anything. There’s plenty of room on the jet to store whatever you need to bring back with you.”

Amara stared at him for a moment. “If you’re sure …”

“I am,” Liam smiled. “I’ll have Bastien make arrangements.”

*******

A few mornings later, the SUV pulled up on the tarmac, stopping alongside the waiting jet. Liam glanced out the window at the press that were huddled together on the other side of a barrier.

“How did they know we would be here?” Amara asked.

Liam sighed with a shrug. “They always manage to find things out one way or another.” He looked over to where she sat on the other side of Sophia’s car seat. “Get her on the jet. I’ll handle them.”

Amara nodded and unbuckled Sophia’s straps before lifting her out of the seat. A guard opened the door and she and Imogen slid out; she ignored the volley of shouted questions from the press as she carried Sophia up the stairs and disappeared inside the jet.

“Sir?” Bastien said from the driver’s seat.

Liam looked up, meeting his gaze in the rearview mirror as the other two guards took their luggage and Sophia’s car seat to the jet. “I’ll talk to them.”

Bastien nodded before getting out and opening Liam’s door. When the King came into view, the press shouted at him; he was a picture of calm as he buttoned his suit jacket and made his way toward the crowd.

“King Liam, where are you headed?” Donnie Brine from the CBC asked as Liam neared.

“I’ll be in New York for a few days,” Liam answered.

Another slew of shouted questions ensued, and they were all asking the same thing in various ways: is Amara leaving with Sophia? Thinking back on his several conversations with Daniel over the past couple of weeks, and knowing he could use this as an opportunity to put any more doubts about her intentions to rest, he decided to be transparent.

Liam held up his hand to quiet them, and once he had their attention, he cleared his throat. “We’re headed to New York for the weekend to pack up Ms. Onasis’ belongings as she will be staying in Cordonia permanently so that I may continue to maintain a relationship with our daughter.”

More questions were immediately volleyed, but one in particular had caught his attention.

“Are you concerned she’ll try to leave again with the princess?”

Liam sighed, knowing they were referring to what was mentioned in Daniel’s statement. “The circumstances surrounding Ms. Onasis trying to leave in the past were entirely different.”

“Can you elaborate?” a reporter asked, holding their recorder out in front of him.

Transparency, he reminded himself. “Ms. Onasis had been spooked by the betrothal aspect of the alliance that Auvernal had been pushing for. When she learned of the blackmail threat, she became frightened of what that meant for our daughter, and in a moment of panic, yes, she tried to leave. But as a mother, she was trying to protect her child … and that’s not something I can or will fault her for. As for the move … she’s uprooting her entire life to ensure that the princess and I stay together, and I’m extremely grateful that she’s so willing to do that.”

The reporters stared at Liam in a bout of awed silence, and a heartbeat later, they were shouting more questions.

“Will they be staying with you at the palace?”

“What’s the status of your relationship with Ms. Onasis?”

“Are you rekindling your romance?”

They’d changed their tune so fast, it gave Liam whiplash. He let out a breath, feeling a bit lighter, but decided he wasn’t answering any more questions. He didn’t really have the answers at the moment anyway. He threw his hand up in a wave before turning and heading towards the jet.

****

After the long flight and traffic-jammed ride from the airport, Liam and Amara arrived at their hotel in New York that afternoon; they’d planned to arrive early enough to leave them time for Sophia to hopefully nap off the jet lag.

Once Sophia was asleep in the guest room of the suite, Liam sent Imogen to her own room that was situated across the hall to rest. He plopped onto the sofa in the living area while Amara stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, taking in the view.

“Have you missed it?” Liam asked.

Amara shrugged. “Certain things, like pizza and breakfast bagels, yes,” she chuckled. “But other than that … not particularly, no.”

Liam stood and came next to her. “Where’s your apartment from here?”

“About 15 minutes that way,” Amara pointed. “It’s in Tribeca.” They were at the Millennium in lower Manhattan. “And my office is only a block from there.”

“Have you made any decisions regarding your company and what you plan to do?”

“Not yet,” Amara shook her head. “We’re on a bit of a pause at the moment until I figure things out. Daniel hasn’t decided whether he’s staying yet, but with both Riley and I now there and him not having anything tying him down here …” She shrugged. “But I could still run the company from there and set up an office … or I could sell it …”

“You’d really consider selling it?”

“If that’s what needs to be done … yes,” Amara answered. And I know a couple of competitors that would probably be more than willing to take it off my hands.”

Liam leaned against the window frame as he crossed his arms over his broad chest. “You seem pretty content for someone giving up so much of themself on a whim.”

Amara looked back out the window. “I wouldn’t say it’s on a whim.”

Liam’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“I mean …” Amara paused, taking in a breath and slowly letting it out. “I mean that all of this was stuff I’ve thought about from the moment I found out I was pregnant.” She tucked her hands beneath her arms as she fought against the urge to look at him. “I always thought about the what-ifs … and I planned out all these different scenarios in my head for the day I finally drummed up enough courage to … to tell you. And in all of those scenarios, the outcome was the same … I was leaving New York, and either running the company from where I was or selling it. Now that I think about it … it was never really a what-if, but more of a when.”

Liam remained silent for a moment before speaking. “I just … I don’t want this move to be something you come to regret later on.”

“It’s for you and Sophia.” Amara looked up at him again. “I would never regret it.”

Liam stared at her, not having realized until that moment how close they’d shifted to one another, and he saw the moment she realized it, too. Her gaze was both hesitant and questioning, but then she looked away from him and took a step back.

“Um … I think I’m going to nap while Sophia is.”

“Yeah.” Liam cleared his throat as he rubbed the back of his neck. “I, uh … I’m actually not that tired, so I can listen for her if you want to go lay down in the master.” He’d already offered for her to take the bigger of the two rooms.

“Ok,” Amara nodded.

Liam watched Amara turn and heard her let out a breath as she disappeared inside the room.

*******

The following morning, Liam and Amara headed over to her apartment while Imogen stayed with Sophia at the hotel. Liam had arranged for a moving company to meet them there to take the boxes she would be bringing back and load them on the jet. From what she’d told him, most of it would consist of her and Sophia’s clothes. Anything she didn’t need, she planned to throw out or donate.

When they pulled up outside of the tall brick building, Liam slid out before turning to help Amara out. They greeted the staff of the moving company that was already there waiting before heading inside.

After riding the elevator up to the seventh floor, they stepped out, and Liam followed Amara down the hall. She paused in front of a door and unlocked it, and when she pushed it open and stepped inside, he followed.

Liam glanced around as he moved further inside. He’d never seen her apartment, but it was exactly what he pictured her having. Casual with a touch of modern sophistication. “This is nice.”

Amara looked around fondly; she’d always loved her apartment. “Thanks.”

“Where should we start, Miss?” a voice spoke from the doorway.

Amara turned to the movers lingering in the hall. “Uh …” She glanced around. “Living room and kitchen.” She then looked at Liam. “We can get started on Sophia’s room and then mine.”

“Lead the way,” Liam gestured.

****

Within a couple of hours, most of the apartment had been boxed up. While the movers carried boxes from the kitchen, living room, and Sophia’s room down to the truck, Liam and Amara finished up in her room.

“I’m going to take this out,” Amara said when she finished taping the last box of her shoes shut.

Liam nodded. “I’ll bring the nightstand out for you.”

“Thank you,” Amara replied before pushing the box out the door and down the hall.

Turning to the nightstand next to the bed, Liam reached down and hooked his fingers under the lip of the top. He lifted it, and when he realized it was heavier than he anticipated, he tilted it to adjust his hold; the movement caused the drawer to slide out of it and crash to the floor.

“Shit.”

Liam set the nightstand back down before kneeling to pick up the contents from the drawer now scattered on the floor. As he scooped up the items, something caught his eye, and he froze as he stared at it. A photo. He reached down and grabbed it, bringing it closer, only to notice another beneath it. And they weren’t just any photos, but ones of him and Amara. He remembered the night the one he held in his hand was taken. They were watching a movie in his quarters and were on the sofa; she was resting back against his chest with his arms wrapped tightly around her and his face was playfully nuzzling her neck with a grin as she smiled. He picked up the other from the floor. It was of them in the maze; she was on his back with her arms looped around his neck, both of them laughing.

At that moment, at the sight of those photos, at the realization that she’d kept them all this time, Liam felt the last of the reservations he’d been holding onto crumble. He wanted to be the two people in those photos again.

Two people who could make each other laugh and smile.

Two people who were better when they were together.

Two people who were happy and in love.

“Liam?” Amara’s voice carried down the hall.

Liam snapped from his daze and cleared his throat. “Coming.” He placed the rest of the items back in the drawer but slipped the photos into his back pocket before standing and carrying the nightstand out.

****

That night, Amara stood out on the balcony of the hotel suite while Liam put Sophia into bed. She stared out at the view of the city she’d called home all her life, but she couldn’t say she’d miss it all that much.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Liam said behind her.

Amara glanced over her shoulder, and her eyes followed him as he came to stand beside her. “Nothing,” she said, “just … taking in the view. Did she go down ok?”

“Yeah,” Liam nodded as he leaned against the railing. “Out like a light.” He glanced out at the view, staying quiet for a moment before looking over at her. “Are you going to miss it?”

“No … not really,” Amara answered. “I think … I think I’m ready to start over somewhere else.”

Liam stared at her for a moment before taking her answer for the opening it was. “Speaking of starting over …” He stood upright and reached back, pulling the two photos from his back pocket. “When we were packing … these fell out of your nightstand drawer.”

Amara focused on the photos in his hand, fighting against looking at him as she blinked away the sting in her eyes. “Yeah …”

“I didn’t realize you had them.”

“I …” Amara let out a soft breath and cast her gaze to the ground.

Liam’s thumb slid under her chin and he lifted her eyes to his. “No more secrets.”

Amara swallowed. “I would look at them … in hopes I could convince myself to reach out to you … to tell you about Sophia.” She fell quiet for a moment before speaking again, her next words coming out just above a whisper. “And on days when I missed you … which was all the time … I’d look at them to remind myself of what it felt like to be whole … because that’s what being with you made me feel. Whole and complete … and happy.”

Liam searched her eyes for a moment, and in the next, he leaned down, capturing her lips in his. Amara stiffened in surprise, needing to rest her hands against his chest to keep herself upright, but when his arm curled around her waist and pulled her closer, she went more than willingly. When her lips parted against his, she felt his tongue softly curl against hers, so slowly at first it was as if he were trying to savor the moment, but then he deepened the kiss, and she gripped his shirt to steady herself.

Forcing himself not to get too caught up, Liam drew back. It took her a moment to open her eyes, and they stared at each other in silence for a few heartbeats before she looked away from him. He could see the self-consciousness fill her expression and realized it was because she determined that he must have thought what just happened was a mistake … but she was wrong.

“I want to go back to being the two people in these photos. I want this again.” Liam held up the pictures. When she looked at him again, he saw the surprise in her eyes, like she couldn’t believe what he was saying. “I want this … I want us. But I want to slow down because I want us to be sure when we go in, if not for our sakes, then for Sophia’s.”

At his words, a tear trickled down Amara’s cheek, and he reached up, brushing it away with his thumb. “I didn’t think … after what I’d done—”

“When I told you I was leaving the past in the past, I meant it, Amara,” Liam interrupted. “I just need to know if you want the same … that you’re willing to try.”

Amara took in a shuddered breath as her tear-filled eyes searched his. And then she nodded. “I want the same,” she whispered.

Liam dropped his hand from her face and curled his fingers around hers. “Then we take it day by day once we get back home … and we’ll see how things go.”

***************************************

#the royal romance #trr #choices trr #choices the royal romance #liam rys #king liam rys #king liam #trr liam #liam x oc #trr liam x oc #choices liam x oc #king liam x oc #trr fanfic #trr fanfiction #trr fan fic #trr au #trr au fanfic #cfwc fics of the week

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ragingadhd · 4 months

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MADDIE ALTMAN NEEDS FRIENDS HER AGE IN TRR ISTG WHY DOES SHE ONLY SEEM TO HANG OUT WITH PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 40 I WANT TO SEE HER GO ON WILD ADVENTURES WITH SOMEONE HER AGE

#PLEASE #FLANAGAN I BEG OF YOU #GIVE HER A FRIEND #rangers apprentice #maddie altman #trr #the royal ranger

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tessa-liam · 4 months

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Turning the Page

Now and Then

- Chapter 9-

Choices, The Royal Romance, AU

Series Premise: As Riley Brooks journeys through life as a single parent in New York City, an epiphany strikes as she contemplates the future for herself and her two-year-old son.

Turning the Page Series Masterlist

Main Pairing: Liam Rys x F!OC Riley Brooks

All characters belong to Pixelberry Studios, except William Brooks (Rys) and Matteo Magro, who belongs to this series.

Category: On-going series, contains angst/fluff/depression. Cross-over fic with Choices, Perfect Match.

Rating: M🔞Warnings - Series will contain crude language, NSFW material – not Beta’d - please excuse all errors.

Words: 2498

Now and Then – 9

Chapter Summary: Riley and William arrive in Cordonia

Title & Music Inspiration:

Now and Then, The Beatles

When You Love Someone, Gretchen Peters, Bryan Adams

Wherever You Will Go, The Calling

A/N2: My submission for @choicesflashfics, Week#67, prompt #1 - “Nothing could ever change how I feel about you.”

A/N3: My submission for @choicesjanuary2024, prompt Day 25 - ‘Remembrance’ #choices monthly challenge @lilyoffandoms #choicesjanuary2024

A/N4: Damien Nazario has been assigned as William’s personal bodyguard.

In Flight, Cordonian Royal Jet, above the Mediterranean Sea

Looking out over the vast expanse of water below her, and under the clear blue skies above the Mediterranean Sea, no clouds were in sight ... not a white cloud, nor a black cloud.

Riley gazed out the large passenger window of the private jet, in solace, with her memories. Everything felt calm; almost too calm. The flight from New York to Cordonia was eight hours in duration, and even though they left early in the morning, they would not arrive at the palace until late in the evening with the change in time zones.

Trying to and not getting any rest, her thoughts returned to the events over the holidays.

...Remembering when Liam arrived at her door, in New York on Christmas Eve, a short week ago. The expression of elation on his face as she opened the door for him...

[‘Hello, my love,’ he tenderly smiled; He was standing there with an exquisite bouquet of long-stemmed red roses, as uniformed delivery drivers from the toy store waited patiently at a distance behind him, as the Royal guard performed a security check.

Liam stepped over the threshold, leaning down to draw her in for a kiss on the cheek, as she accepted his gift. ‘Oh Li, these are gorgeous; thank you so much.’

At Bastien’s prompt, the delivery people entered the brownstone with prewrapped gifts and placed them under the Christmas tree, also filling the extra space in the living room very quickly.

Chuckling, Riley watched as Liam thanked them with a generous tip, as he closed the door after them.

“Our son will be so thrilled at what Santa brought him; wait till he wakes up tomorrow.”

Liam laughed, moving quickly to put his arm around her, pulling her to his side. “Who says all these gifts are just for him? Hmmm?” Riley turned her head towards him, as Liam bent to capture her lips in a passion-fueled kiss.

“Ah yes, your gift is right here.” Liam slipped his hand inside his coat to reveal a small box, wrapped in gold with a red ribbon. “This is for you.”}

Riley breathed out, shaking her head.

...Remembering wanting him so badly that evening ...as he kissed her forehead to say ‘good night’ before turning to the guest room; Leaving her feeling so confused, once again.

...Remembering how excited LiLi was when he saw his father again Christmas morning ... and the look of pure joy in Liam’s expression as he watched his son blissfully playing with his new toys.

...Remembering the look of adoration between Liam and his son; a private and sacred bond established between the two ... a bond only meant for them.

Riley looked down at her phone and smiled fondly at the picture of William. He was proudly standing beside his gingerbread house gift for Liam, alongside Daniel and Matteo, to smile at the camera. Riley marveled at how unequivocally her son loved his father, so quickly. As if two loose puzzle pieces finally clicked into place. There was never a doubt in her mind that William needed to be wherever his father was. The connection between father and son was undeniable.

...and with those thoughts, she agreed to return to Cordonia.

And now, she found herself on the Royal jet headed back, leaving behind her New York world for the place that shattered her ‘happily ever after,’ again.

Liam, being the new, ever-doting father was pointing out to his son the shores of Cordonia through the window. She saw the look of marvel in Liam’s eyes, as he watched his son’s reaction to seeing Cordonia for the very first time. They were sitting in seats across the aisle from her as she glanced over.

Catching Riley’s eye, Liam responded with a wink and a smile.

"Welcome home, love."

Riley smiled in return, as her heart skipped a beat.

Home...

It had been a while since she had felt this way about Cordonia. Another lifetime; so much has changed, and yet remained the same.

***

Damien Nazario, the Interpol agent who was now permanently assigned to be William Rys's personal bodyguard, was reviewing the Crown prince's dossier, and his duties to the Cordonian crown, his new employer. Bastien took a seat beside the young agent to answer any questions he may have, as head of the Royal guard, at the rear of the plane's cabin.

"So, Damien, any questions for me?"

"No, sir. I believe I have a handle on the situation.”

"Good, because you are now the official head of the security detail for Prince William, the future king of Cordonia."

"Understood, sir.” Damien was well aware of the complexity of a constitutional monarchy.

"Now, there's one more thing I need to discuss with you,” Bastien eyed the young agent.

"Yes, sir?"

"Madeleine Amaranth, the former queen of Cordonia. I have forwarded her updated dossier to you."

"Yes, I've read it through.” Damien paused, waiting for more information.

"Good, because she has expressed malicious intent towards Prince William and Lady Riley, should they return to Cordonia."

"Understood. I'll ensure her movements are tracked and reported inside and out of the country, sir."

"Thank you, Damien.”

"My pleasure, sir.”

Bastien, looking pleased, leaned back in his chair, checking the time on his watch, as he felt the plane begin its descent.

Cordonia, Capital

The jet touched down smoothly on the tarmac, as the engines powered down. The cabin door opened, and the stairs were lowered.

Riley could feel the warm breeze blow past her as she stepped off the plane.

Taking a deep breath, Riley looked around. The air was different here. It was fresh and clean. She closed her eyes and let the wind brush her cheeks.

Liam followed, with William sleeping in his arms.

"Is everything alright, love?" Liam’s brows were raised in concern, noticing her hesitation.

"Yes, I'm just taking it all in." Riley, looked down, unable to keep eye contact.

"Are you sure, Riley? You've been very quiet throughout the entire flight home."

"I'm fine, Liam. It is just a lot to process. I'm just a little overwhelmed."

"All right, I understand. Let us get to the palace, so you and William can get settled and rest ... okay?"

"Yes, thank you, Liam."

Liam glanced over at Riley with concern as he personally buckled his son into the car seat. It was quite easy for him to see and feel the apprehension in her mood. She could not hide her emotions from him as well as she always thought she could.

Riley had remained noticeably quiet during the ride to the palace as well, looking out at the passing countryside. Liam could not help but wonder if she was having second thoughts about returning to Cordonia, and/or to him.

As they pulled up to the palace gates, Liam looked over at Riley, noticing a small smile on her face.

"What is it, love?" Liam spoke softly, reaching for her hand.

Riley returned his touch with a squeeze. "This place...it's beautiful."

"Thank you, that, it is. Welcome home."

“William will be so excited when he wakes up.” Riley glanced at a still sleeping William as the SUV slowed to a stop.

"I can't begin to tell you how much it means to me.... to have you both here." Liam confessed.

"You're welcome, Liam. It's the least I can do."

Liam's heart sank at her words. He hated the distance between them. He wanted to take her in his arms and make everything right, but, for right now, he knew that was not the best strategy.

He had to accept that things had changed, and their relationship was different now. He had to be patient and give Riley the space she needed.

But he also had to make her see how important she was to him. He had to show her how much he had missed her ... that he wanted a future with her and William in Cordonia.

As the SUV door opened for her, Riley felt a sense of Deja vu. This was where she had started her journey with Liam in Cordonia all those years ago. And now, here she was, back again.

"Do you want me to take you and William to the guest wing, or do you want to stay in my chambers?"

"I would like to stay with you, if that's okay."

"Of course, Riley. I would love that."

It was surreal for Riley as she walked the pristine palace halls towards the Royal Chambers. Liam carried William, who was fast asleep in his arms beside her.

The memories of the past times she was here flooded her mind and her heart ached as she pushed the painful memories aside. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves.

As they reached the large double doors of the entrance to the Royal east wing, the guards opened the doors for Liam and Riley to enter.

Riley stepped inside; the same chambers where she had spent so much time before. The familiar scent of Liam's cologne filled the air, sending a wave of longing for a past time through her mind.

Walking into her room ... it was exactly as she remembered it. Everything was in its place, from the elegant chandelier hanging above the bed, to the intricate paintings adorning the walls.

Riley took a deep breath and sat down on the edge of the bed. She looked around the room, taking in every detail.

She felt a pang of sadness as she remembered those past times.

After tucking William into his bed in the adjacent room, Liam came in and sat down next to her. He gently placed his hand on hers, and she looked up at him, their eyes meeting.

"What are you thinking about Riley?"

"I'm okay, Liam. I was just thinking about how much things have changed since I was here last."

He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and held her close. "I know it's a lot, but I'm here for you, and I'll help you in any way I can," Liam whispered.

"Thank you, Liam."

He pulled away and cupped her face in his hands, staring into her eyes intently. "You're welcome, Riley. Always. Nothing could ever change how I feel about you.”

He moved in to press his lips to hers, and she melted into his kiss.

It was soft and gentle, and full of longing.

He broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers, breathing heavily. "God, Riley, I've missed you."

"I've missed you, Li."

He leaned down and kissed her again, deeper this time.

His tongue swept across her bottom lip, and she opened her mouth to him.

Their tongues tangled together in a dance that was familiar and yet new.

They were no longer the same people they were when they had last been together. They were both older and wiser, and the passion between them burned even brighter.

Riley pulled away and put her hand on his chest, feeling his heart beating beneath her palm.

"Liam, I..."

"Shhh."

He placed a finger over her lips. "Don't say anything, Riley. Just feel."

His lips found hers again, and the world disappeared. There was nothing but the two of them, lost in each other.

She kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck.

She moaned into his mouth as he slid his hands down her back and pulled her closer.

He broke the kiss and buried his face in her neck, inhaling her scent.

"Riley," he breathed. "God, I want you so much."

“Liam, I ...”

Liam pulled back and looked into her eyes, “stay with me tonight.”

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