Hey, people :)
I was so delighted when I saw your respond to Boys' smiles. I intended it to be just a one-shot, but your lovely reviews inspired me to write some more. Thank you :D
Since all we've got in promo for 2x16 was Mary/ Conde ( and one scene of Francis being in danger of getting wrinkles ;) ), I decided to kill the time until March 12 by writing few scenes of what I think it might happen next on Reign. It will focus on those who remained in French court ( again, all we've seen in promo are Mary and Conde and I can't trust myself I'd write them objectively ), and probably a little bit on Greer ( I can't wait to see where they'll take her story, she and Lola are my favourites :) ).
I'd like to thank you all who reviewed Boys' smiles:
LadyLola: Thank you for your compliments, I'm really glad you liked it :) My absolutely favourite Lola/Narcisse scene was 'archery lesson'. They had chemistry in all of their scenes, but that was the first moment I was like: 'Yes, I totally ship it!' Though, I must admit their interaction from 2x15 ( even though Lola wasn't herself ) isn't far behind. *He didn't even offer me a bath. And he always offers a bath.* :D
rachana: Thank you for your review, I'm glad you liked it :)
Guest: Thank you for the review :) I was kind of worried what Frary shippers would say about my story, especially because it leans towards Frola ( though, I was aiming only at Frola friendship - Lorcisse is my Reign OTP :) ). I know how it feels when your OTP falls apart after all the videos and fics you've spent your precious time watching and reading, so I totally sympathize with you. Still, it remains in our hearts and it's hard to get rid of it :)
Guest: Thank you for the review, I'm glad you liked it :) I'm aware many people still have hope for Frary and it wasn't my intention to change your mind about who to ship. It was just an attempt of showing what I thought was going through Francis' mind after the events in 2x15. I see Francis and Lola as good friends because, not only that they share a child, but that child also makes both of them happy in an unique way nobody else does. Family fluff has always been my weak spot :)
So, since most of you asked for it, here it is; my little idea of next Lola/Narcisse scene. I hope you'll like it :)
Lola glanced over her shoulder one more time before closing the door of the nursery. Francis didn't look back, focused solely on their son.
She didn't hold it against him. There was so much darkness in Francis' life now and she had recognized how much he needed this smallest glimpse of light that was their son. Still, she had left them alone, unexplainably sure that its power would somehow be lost should it be shared between them. Francis needed their son more, to take his mind of all the things that slowly drained him. It was almost unbelievable that the crown wasn't the heaviest of Francis' burdens.
As her steps echoed the corridors, she thought about everything he had told her.
We should have been there for Mary more than Conde was. she had noticed before Mary and Conde were close, but how had it come to the Queen being closer to him than to her own ladies-in-waiting and husband? Pricks of conscience reminded her that it wasn't that much of a mystery. I was busy with Jean-Philippe, Greer with her wedding, Kenna with Bash's constant working and Francis with fighting off Narcisse's blackmailing. We have all failed her down, each in our own way. Now we have to pay the price. If only ...
Her thought was left unfinished as she made a turn to the left and bumped into someone.
"Lady Lola." she froze at the sound of Narcisse's voice, feeling his hands on her upper arms as he steadied them both.
"Lord Narcisse." she mumbled a greeting.
Against her will and better judgement, her eyes looked for his. Impish spark she found there didn't surprise her at all.
Of all people in the palace ... she barely restrained herself from snorting in annoyance, but she did rouse out of his grip as soon as she was sure her knees would hold her up straight. Why couldn't she have run into Marie de Guise or Catherine? Everything - everyone - was better than Narcisse.
"Do I find you in good health this morning?" his smirk infuriated her, but she was determined not to show it. "You didn't seem quite yourself yesterday."
Lola bit her lip, knowing blood was rushing to her cheeks. Of all the stupid things she had said and done yesterday, falling into Narcisse's arms, asking him of his activities in bed, kissing him had been the lowest point she could have fallen to. Marie de Guise had chosen the drug well; it hadn't even been strong enough to take away her memories along with her dignity.
"I don't remember seeing you yesterday." it was the best lie – the only believable lie – she managed to come up with. Maybe it would be enough to fool him and destroy his pleasure in taunting her. She could only hope. "You must be mistaken."
"O, I think I remember quite well." he made a step towards her. It took all of her self-control to remain where she was, standing her ground. It she got scared, he won. "As I always do for you, I offered you a bath."
"You didn't, I even said ..." the moment she spoke, Lola realized she had made a mistake. She clenched her teeth as fast as she could, but the damage had already been made.
"So, you do remember seeing me yesterday?" he grinned victoriously.
In lack of better response, she tried to make his way past him, determined to end the conversation immediately. Unfortunately, she had chosen the wrong path, the path that led between the nearest wall and his body.
He made a step to the left, blocking her way. Before she could try to find another way to bypass him, he caught her hand and pushed it against the wall. She tried to rouse out of his grip, but his body was already pressed against hers and she found herself without an escape.
"Let me go." she demanded, but her tone was far from firm and calm as she wanted it to be. It came out more like a whispered prayer, and not for freedom.
"I would, if I believed it was what you really wanted." his fingers lay on her wrists and she was sure he could feel the increased speed of her heartbeat.
"How do you know what I really want?" she kept trying to fight him off, knowing that if she just took a breath too deep, his scent would overwhelm her and leave her helpless at his mercy. "You don't know me as well as you think you do."
"You were very clear yesterday about what you wanted." he grinned, but it didn't reach his eyes. Their blueness remained clear, as if he was still playing a game. He wanted to win it and she wasn't sure what the prize was. "Your desires were quite simple."
"Nothing is simple with you." she snapped, blushing wildly, but still determined to fight back. She could embarrass him too, if she just remained focused. "I don't believe it, not after seeing you with Claude."
Her attack finally hit its target. Surprise sparked in his eyes and he swallowed hardly, as if ashamed of having been caught. Unfortunately, he composed himself quite fast, too fast for her liking.
"Careful, Lady Lola." he said in a playful tone. "I might think you are jealous."
"I am not." she denied it instantly, too quickly. "I'm just ... wary."
"Yes, that you are." Too wary.
She saw him glance at her lips. Her breath got stuck in her throat. She wanted to run to safety, away from him, but her body refused to obey her commands, as if Narcisse's presence had deafened it.
He let go of one of her hands and reached for a lock of her hair that was falling right next to her cheek. He curled the lock behind her ears, but his thumb remained on her temple.
"In case your memory still doesn't serve you well," blue met blue and she couldn't separate her eyes from his. Her skin burned under his touch; she could barely concentrate on his words. "I told you yesterday that, were we to come together, I'd want it to be the real you."
She did remember. It troubled her still.
"Why?" she breathed. "Most men would have taken advantage of me."
He caressed her temple, still looking her directly in the eyes.
"I told you once; I'm not like most men." her other hand was suddenly free as well, but she didn't try to escape. His words, his eyes, all of him; it captivated her. He still held her tight, even if he didn't know it. "And there is a lesson I've learned recently: taking doesn't guarantee keeping. Things can slip through one's fingers very easily. "
As if proving his point, he moved a step backwards, his hand leaving her face. His gaze still met hers, but then she blinked, breaking the connection.
"Have a nice day, Lady Lola." he bowed in her direction.
In a moment , he was out of her sight.
Lola finally let herself breathe again. She didn't know what to do, where to go, what to think. Narcisse's words echoed in her ears again and again. Had he spoken about the lands and honours he had lost? Or about everything they had lost when he had threatened her son? Or had it been when she had told Francis of his hideout? Why did that man make her question everything she knew about the world, about herself?
She was stuck so deep within her own thoughts that she almost missed another person joining her in the corridor.
"And here I thought I had problems with extremely handsome men who can't be trusted."
It wasn't that much, but I hope you liked it :) I'm sorry for any grammar/spelling mistake.
