a/n: this is a story that diverges from canon, and is technically a/u. mary grows up in france.

it's definitely francis/mary, i'm not a fan of love triangles, i love bash but can't he and mary be friends? and only friends? i don't know, i know a lot of people like them, francis isn't perfect, and i'm afraid what next week's episode will contain because of that, although no one's perfect. i plan to write a fallout fic soon.

this chapter isn't very long, i have more trouble writing the childhood things.

this is my first reign fic, so i'd appreciate feedback

what a way to love

part 1

six and seven

Queen Mary of Scotland comes to France when she is only six years old.

Francis is seven at the time, all blond curls and bright blue eyes, curious and somewhat reserved he doesn't get why exactly she's coming to the palace. A girl named Mary. His father says he'll marry her one day, and that she's a queen, his mother says she'll be his new playmate. Regardless she's all skinny legs and wide eyes and he thinks it's wrong she's all alone. None of her family comes with her to France.

He guesses his only choice is to become her family.

So when her boat lands on the shore, he doesn't hesitate to take a step forward and take her hand, give her a smile, and watch one similar spread across her face. His parents look shocked, but all he can do is look at is her smile.

He doesn't know what love is but he knows that he'll love her.

Despite their warm first encounter it doesn't take long for the two to butt heads.

She's bold and determined. He's easygoing and wants his freedom.

She wants him to play. He's content to read in the corner.

By the second day she's at the castle she's already holding him to some silent fury, he only wanted some time to himself, he didn't see the problem.

But it isn't until she cries on her fourth day at the castle when Francis wants to simply spend the day alone that Francis feels bad.

So sighing he shuts his book, leaving the vibrant pictures hidden in the leather-bound book all alone, without a friend to glance at it's pages, and goes to comfort her.

"Is me not playing with you making you so sad? What's really wrong? " he asks her, only becoming more concerned when she starts to cry harder. He decides to let her cry a little longer, until her sniffles become subdued "I thought you'd be my best friend." She murmured "I've never really had a friend, Mommy never even wants to see me, I just want to not be alone." Mary finishes, letting Francis wrap his arms around her.

"Don't worry, you won't be alone anymore" Francis assures her, he'll be there for her from now on, he swears he will.

The next Tuesday Queen Catherine is shocked, and secretly thrilled to see her son bonding with his future fiancé.

Francis and Mary eagerly sampled the cupcakes made for them at the ball which took place in the palace, in celebration of France's alliance with Scotland.

"Come on Francis, let's go dance!" Mary encouraged, her pink gown flouncing around her as she jumped up and down, grabbing onto Francis' hand, her crooked front teeth showing in her smile. Her always shy son blushed pink "I'm not a dancer Mary, you know that!" he argued, but eventually he gave in.

The two twirled in circles in the ballroom until they fell over, would it last for them? Would Mary get the full commitment of her husband?

Catherine supposed that she would be the one to help influence him in that area, she wanted him to be a faithful man, unlike his father.

She could feel his presence behind her "You aren't going to reprimand them?" his deep voice muttered in her ear, the voice that had once told her he loved her.

Laughing slightly she watched Francis mock bow and grab Mary's hand. He deserved a chance "They might get a chance at what I never had Henry, I want that to happen" she muttered.

Catherine could feel his sigh on her neck, and then he was gone, most likely off to find Diane.

At least she had her son, and now she supposed she had Mary too.

When they turn seven Queen Catherine begins to give Francis and Mary etiquette lessons along with their tutoring. Unlike the others though his mother runs these lessons, some days she's strict and makes the two practice dancing until his feet hurt horribly. But sometimes Mary encourages her to dance with them, and the three of them spin in circles and his mother looks happier than he's ever seen her, and that makes him happy.

Francis quickly discovers that he loves science. His tutor tells him that he is fourty-two years old and tells him just how cool science is, Francis thinks he's his second best friend after Mary. When he tells his tutor this he gives him a wrinkly smile and gives Francis a telescope the next time he comes to tutor.

Him and Mary love to use the telescope

The world is fascinating, sometimes Mary explores with him and they catch frogs. But then one day Mary gets her dress all muddy and she gets in trouble with his mother, who tells them no more exploring near the pond.

But still they run along the ground and explore the secret passageways. He loves the castle more when he's exploring with Mary.

"Do you know how lucky we are?" Mary asks him one day while they copy lines on pieces of parchment while their tutor goes to talk to his mother.

Francis shrugs "What do you mean?"

Mary sighs giving a firm look "Well, for one we live in the castle, and we never really want for anything. We will rule one day, it'll be like a fairytale Francis, with a wedding, and then we'll receive our own baby! You'll be my King! I mean, I'm already the Queen of Scotland, then when we marry I'll be the Queen of Scotland and France, and you'll be the king of France and Scotland, we'll rule two countries!"

Francis' mouth forms and 'o' "When you say it that way it sounds so... scary!"

"We'll be fine, of course. We'll have each other." Mary says in response.

She leans her head close to his and whispers in his ear "And when we get married, we'll kiss Francis! It will be magical!" she giggles, to which he laughs in response, both their cheeks pink.

He doesn't really know what kissing is, but he wants to kiss Mary.

thanks for reading, please leave a review!

i'm also on tumblr at stilescavanaugh, come check me out :)