thanks to anyone who reviewed! i appreciate knowing that you have read and more if you enjoyed. This drabble had absolutely no plan I just sat down and wrote ... writing is funny like that.

"Are you looking forward to a London season? It has been years," Cora asked Robert needlessly as he shut the dressing room door and sat down in the arm chair near her vanity. She knew what his answer would be.

"I can't pretend to be but it will probably be our last."

"Unless you have another young rebellious niece I don't know about. It's about time Rose is presented," Cora snickered as she finished applying the creams to her hands.

"She certainly has had no trouble presenting herself in the past," Robert added. She noticed a glint of amusement in his eyes, giving away the disapproval in his voice.

"She has always been a bit of a wild child," Cora laughed as she stood from her chair and walked behind were he sat. "Though I don't think being presented will stop that. I do look forward to meeting the man who is her match."

Robert hummed in consideration as he felt Cora's hands on his shoulders. He could smell the cream she just applied, as she did every night. The smell was so familiarly Cora – but more than anything it always brought to mind moments like these spent together in their room – the calm at the end of a day. She kneaded into the skin at his collarbone, across his neck and across his shoulder blades. Every once in a while, her fingers would comb through his hair before returning their attention to rubbing away any tension she felt under his coarse skin.

He sighed in appreciation. It wasn't rare that Cora did this, but Robert couldn't help but suspect she had some ulterior motive. He craned his neck backward until she came into view behind him, causing her hands to slide forward across his chest.

"Yes?" she simpered down and pressed her lips against his now-exposed neck. "What is it?" she whispered innocently.

Robert circled his fingers around her wrist, drawing her hands off his chest and kissed one. "I could ask you the same question. There's something you need."

Cora pulled back, releasing his hold on her. She chuckled.

"You know me so well."

"I like to think so," he boasted and tapped on his shoulder expectantly. Cora rolled her eyes and continued massaging him. "So, are you going to tell me what it is?"

"I just don't want there to be any upset over the Teapot Dome scandal when mother and Harold arrive."

"Why should there be?" he asked. "It was a while ago and he only got a reprimand."

"I know but Harold won't be too pleased to be here and he is likely being dragged here by mother to get away from all the consequences of it all. It's a sore spot and even though you went there to help, they likely won't remember that they should appreciate what you did."

"I still don't think I made a difference in the outcome," he groaned as her fingers worked the muscles in his neck.

"You travelled across the ocean at a moment's notice because they needed you to be there and all because of Harold's mistake. You went for an undetermined amount of time and you did it all without complaint even though you didn't want to go. I think that deserves appreciation."

"Well, I did get your appreciation when I returned," Robert looked up at her, unable to hide his mirth.

"Yes," she bit down on the skin of her cheek, trying to remain serious as memories of his homecoming came to her mind. "But I'm not expecting them to acknowledge that you sacrificed weeks of your time for them."

"For you," he corrected. "And I think they know that."

"That doesn't make a difference."

"It does to me," he insisted. Robert rose from the chair, feeling the loss of her touch as her hands feel from his shoulders. He grabbed her hands once again when he was face to face with her. "The only reason I went was for you. I know it sounds like I don't care about your family which isn't true but I would not have done it if I knew you didn't need me to go. I went because of my love for you and your love for me was what got me through it. So please, the only appreciation I need is yours," he declared as he rubbed her cheek with his thumb.

"So it will be a peaceful London season then?" she hoped.

"Well, you know as well as I do that I can't promise that but I do promise not to mention the other thing."

"Thank you," she tiptoed up to kiss him briefly on the lips.

"At least not to them," he said mischievously.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, as ghastly as the whole scandal was, I would be lying if I said I didn't like how it has brought us together. Aside from those weeks apart, it lead to some unforgettable time spent together when I got back. And now, months later, it still results in my beautiful giving me a back rubs. So while I won't mention it to your mother or brother, I don't want you to forget."

Cora gave him an incredulous look as he approached their bed. "So this is emotional blackmail?"

"Blackmail is such an ugly word. I prefer 'new found opportunity'."

"Robert!" she scolded as she climbed into bed. "I'm tempted to make you sleep in your dressing room."

"I know you're not."

"Oh? And how can you be sure?"

"You just climbed into bed with me," he pointed out. "And I know you. I know your dressing room tone and believe me, that was not it."

"I know. Besides you can't blackmail someone into doing something they already want to do, can you?"

"Exactly," Robert said smugly. He shuffled to her side of the bed and kissed her cheek.

"I won't be able to resist you in uniform anyway," she giggled as he trailed ardent kisses across her neck.

"I knew I liked the London season for a reason."

"And if you do as I asked," Cora said, "You may discover a couple more."

"Well, if that's the case, I can pretend to be excited."

Cora giggled and climbed on to him. "You don't have to pretend," she giggled. Her hand reached into his trousers. "I know you are."


I want to write more. I need ideas :) xoxo have a great day/night!