A loud cry of pride filled the apartment, waking the walls with the sudden vibration of sound.

"I win!"

"Damn it, woman! Get down here!"

Quinn childishly stuck her tongue out at the boy, jumping about the couch. Clutched in her hands was a small, soft, stuffed duck. They'd been wrestling for it for the past ten minutes or so. Well, it had started as Quinn snuggled up in Artie's lap, and Artie tugging at the stuffed animal playfully trying to get her attention. Quinn was the one that had turned it into an all-out war.

Huffing, Artie made a swipe for his too-pleased girlfriend's leg from his chair. The blonde leaped away with a soft squeal. No matter how much he just wanted to cuddle with her, he couldn't help the smile at her playful side. Sure she was a bit insane at times, but it was damn fun.

"Say I win!" Quinn cried, eyes gleaming happily.

"Oh what, you want me to grovel before you?" he teased.

"Yes! I'm a queen! Queen Quinn of Duckland!" She giggled, a sound Artie adored. He knew she was joking about being a queen, but he knew she truly was. A true queen. She was the queen she had always wanted to be. Not "Queen Bee", "Prom Queen", or "Queen of McKinley". But she was a different sort of queen. She had a kind heart and a soft touch. Her tongue had smoothed, taking a gentler tone. She was gracious and beautiful and wise.

Leaning back to gaze up at her fully, he tilted his head to the side, smile turning crooked with gravity. "So I'm your humble and devoted servant?" he questioned, bowing extravagantly a second later.

"No. You're my King Arthur." It was a simple truth to her. He wasn't a knight in shining armor or a prince charming. No. He was much more than that. True, he had started as a knight, became a prince, but now he was settling into his new throne. He had the bravery and strength of a knight, the ambition and intelligence of a prince. He had the patience, kindness, determination, empathy, and humility of a king. All traits had always been his, he simply had to be ready with himself to take each title.

A laugh, formed more from pure happiness than humor, left him and he finally snagged her wrist. A swift tug later, Quinn found herself falling back into his lap with a yelp. She squirmed about, finding a comfortable seat as his arms circled her waist loosely. "A king, hmm?" he hummed, nudging his forehead against hers.

Nodding slightly, Quinn met his gaze. "And you'll have a long and prosperous reign," she promised. Artie smiled.

Together, they took their positions as royalty with no misguided notions of privilege. Responsibilities were taken, wealth known and respected. They were kind and generous to those they reigned over(each others' heart). Balancing one another perfectly, they held a power like no other.

"Long live the king," Quinn murmured as she leaned in to capture royal lips.