Secrets
"You know this is completely confidential, King Arthur," the man spoke evenly from across the table, "I am sworn to keep everything you tell me to myself."
Artie continued to stare out the window for a moment. Finally, he dragged his reluctant gaze back to the man talking to him. He nodded, "I know."
"How has your sleep been?" his quill was poised over the paper sat in front of him.
Artie shrugged, "Not great," he admitted. His lips felt like they were sewn shut. He looked down to the bandage on his arm, picking subconsciously at the slightly frayed edge, wanting to look at anything that wasn't the person questioning him.
"I understand being king must give you a lot to think about," the man observed, it was true, "But this hasn't happened before," also true, "What's keeping you up?" the questions continued.
A wiry smile crossed his lips, "I was almost killed by a witch," Artie repeated what he had been telling the well-dressed man for the past hour. It wasn't a lie. His dreams were clouded by oceans, and ships, and magic, none of the good kind. But it wasn't the whole truth either.
"Of course, that takes a lot of time to heal from," the man's steady voice replied. There was silence. Artie couldn't find words to make it go away. The man eventually spoke up, "What else is going on?"
His mind was telling him to say it, to just spill everything to this stranger with a soothing voice. He didn't like the girl he was being forced to marry. His best friends were servants the castle employed. He was in love with one of them but only realised it when their connection had been threatened by the person he was supposed to marry. He then kissed the girl he loved and then proposed to the girl he was supposed to marry. And couldn't figure a way out of this mess, because he was ironically the biggest idiot in the entire kingdom.
Artie opened his mouth to speak, he hesitated, the man seemed to urge him on with his eyes, "The witch is still out there," he said. He could figure out taxes, and markets, and negotiations, and money... and yet, no matter how much his brain tried to figure this out, it went blank.
"That's a big worry, you feel a lot of responsibility. I hear you've been in a lot of meetings about this..." the man looked at him, brows raised. Artie nodded, it had been the main priority over the past couple of days. "What else do you have to do?"
"Wait," Artie replied simply. It was the hardest part. "I've done everything I can."
The man wrote something down quickly before settling his quiet gaze back upon the royal. He creased his brow a little, "You just proposed to the princess," he paused, waiting to see if Artie would willingly add anything. He didn't. "How were you feeling?" The event just before he passed out. The man wasn't stupid. Well, of course he wasn't, he was a highly sought out therapist who dropped everything to come and have a therapy session with the king.
"Uh-nervous," he forced a laugh. Artie didn't know how to be a king in that particular situation, so he didn't bother.
"That's understandable," the man smiled with him. Again, he paused. "What answer where you hoping for?"
The question caught Artie by surprise, he looked, wide-eyed at the person before him. The man didn't respond to his gaze. He looked down and dipped the quill into the ink pot.
"I-uh-I'm sorry, what?" Artie stuttered out.
"How were you feeling when she answered your proposal?" he rephrased the question.
Artie watched him for a moment. The man had figured something out, whatever it was it definitely wasn't the truth. But it frightened him a little to think that anyone could guess that he didn't want to marry Elena. "Um... I was..." Artie stared at the table. Terrible, sick, terrified. "I was... nervous." It was a safe answer.
The man scribbled something into the paper in front of him. Artie stared at it apprehensively. He couldn't read the scrawled writing upside down.
"Mm," the man nodded, continuing to write.
"There were people watching, that was unexpected," Artie found the logical explanation he had been searching for.
The therapist made a final note then looked up at him again. "Yes, it didn't go how you had planned. That does sound stressful."
It really hadn't gone how Artie had planned at all, the proposal, the passing out, the subsequent rush to the hospital. The doctor had recommended Artie to temporarily step down from his duties. It was so he could relax and recover, his health was important, of course. But while the doctor had say over physical injury, fainting for no apparent physical reason made the therapist Artie's current gatekeeper. He could feel the hope of him maintaining his duties slipping away.
"If I'm away from my duties that makes me uncomfortable. The witch is still out there," Artie tried to bring the conversation back to a point he was comfortable with. Also, addressing the main issue at hand. Artie hadn't even been allowed to leave the hospital before he was ushered into a cushy looking room with this man warmly greeting him. That was the most stressful thing on his mind.
"Hm," the man considered him for a moment, "Yes," he nodded, "You know, this happens to monarchs all the time. All emergencies will come straight to you."
Artie squirmed a little in his seat, the therapist had already made up his mind. He didn't want to think of what he would tell Elena, or his family. Well, his family would be sympathetic, especially his aunt. But he didn't know what Elena would think at all. Elena had stayed by his side in the hospital before they checked him over. She was very concerned for him. Still, it wasn't a good first impression of his abilities as a king. He just hoped she wouldn't tell her father.
"I know but... My duties, they help... they're a routine..." he tried to grasp at anything.
"You need time to process what's happened, and what's currently going on," the man raised his eyebrows a little. Artie gulped, he was starting to believe this man could read his mind. "Your majesty, I don't mean any disrespect, but it's my job to make sure you're mentally healthy enough to look after the kingdom." Artie's eyes trailed back down to the table top. "Orders like this only last for around two weeks, I assure you everything will be fine," he nodded.
Artie's eyes drifted to the clock. It had been so long. He'd already missed a meeting. He looked back down to the table, he'd now miss a lot more.
"We've been here a while," the man noticed his gaze, "I'd recommend you writing your thoughts down," he spoke clearly, Artie looked at him distantly, nodding. "I'll see you in a couple of days, King Arthur."
"Thank you," Artie nodded as they stood. The man bowed as Artie left the room. The door closed behind him. He took a breath, straightening his back, pulling the kingly exterior from wherever it had disappeared to. People nodded, smiled and bowed as he left. Almost as if nothing had happened. He appreciated it. Elena wasn't waiting for him, he was mostly glad about that. It had been awkward when the doctor wasn't there. They didn't really have anything to talk about. He didn't want to talk about the proposal and future plans, and it seemed obvious that she didn't want to either.
There was a carriage waiting to take him back to the castle, his royal guard greeting him with the same respect they always had done. When the carriage doors were opened he was surprised to see his aunt waiting inside. "Arthur, how are you feeling?" she was concerned. He sat beside her and she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
He cringed a little, he was growing sick of the question. "I have to stop my duties for a week or something," he shrugged as if it were nothing. The therapist was right, it did happen a lot. It happened whenever he got sick, whenever he left the kingdom, everything had been fine without him while he had been gone for their trip. He understood that it also happened for the non-physical reasons too, but that hadn't happened to him yet. The emotion of the situation seemed to hit him all at once as he watched his aunt's sympathetic gaze. He blinked it back, glancing out the window.
"It's perfectly fine," she patted his shoulder, "It's for the best."
Artie nodded, looking down to the bandage on his arm. He had been shrugging the injury off to everyone who had asked, but now he wished it was the main focus. It seemed like he had lost his opportunity to complain about it anyway, the doctor had put some cool, soothing paste on the injury and covered it up. Artie had initially wondered why the doctor hadn't done it before. He realised now the professional no longer believed him when he said he was fine.
"Darling, are you okay?" Lillian broke the brief silence.
Artie sniffed quietly, "I'm tired," he was truthful, "When we get back I'll request an emergency meeting to let everyone know what's going on so I can take a nap," he shrugged again, "I guess."
"No," she shook her head, "Leave it to me," she insisted, "I'll see everything runs smoothly." He looked at her suddenly, opening his mouth to protest but she raised a hand, silencing him, "No... I shall do it. You go straight to bed," her voice was firm.
"But you need to spend time with Fiona and the kids while they're here." He both desperately wanted to sleep, but also have the ability to walk into the meeting room and announce the doctor's orders himself. It seemed weak to have his aunt announce it to them on his behalf. Plus, a meeting meant he could avoid both Elena and Abbey for longer, it selfishly lingered on his mind.
"I'm sure Fiona can manage without her mother for a couple of hours," Lillian smiled a little at him, "You need to rest."
Artie looked to the floor of the carriage, nodding like a scolded child. He made sure to spend the rest of the carriage ride telling her details of what should happen in his absence. She was the monarch before him, she already knew most of what he was saying but he said it anyway. He needed to feel in control of something and had an odd desire to prove himself. There was a hint of bemusement in her eye, but she never spoke up, nodding and listening to everything that he said. He appreciated her.
Finally they stepped into the castle, Artie had to fight the urge to run to his room and hide from everything. As he steadily climbed the steps away from his aunt, he realised he didn't need to hurry. Abbey wasn't due to finish any of her work until later and Elena was probably already hiding from him. His eyes felt heavy as walked along the corridor that lead to his room. Sleep seemed like the best option he had.
"Hey Romeo."
Artie yelped in surprise as he opened his bedroom door to find Donkey and Puss staring at him.
"We need to talk," Donkey finished, his voice serious.
"Now?" Artie looked longingly at his bed.
"Sí," Puss nodded, jumping up onto the bed himself.
Artie bit his lip, trying to be nonchalant, "What's going on guys?" he asked them, removing the crown from his head, raising a questioning brow.
"Two ladies at the same time, señor?" Puss fiddled with his whiskers, "A fantastic lifestyle choice, I must say, but for a person like you... a little risky?"
Artie didn't even find himself surprised at their knowledge. He only sighed, slumping onto the bed, putting his head into his hands, "It's not like that," he mumbled, shaking his head. Within the safety of his bedroom, in the company of trusted friends, he could finally let everything crumble, and he intended to do so.
"It certainly looks like that," Donkey interjected, "When I saw you lip locking with that maid girl – which I totally called by the way –" he looked exaggeratedly at Puss who rolled his eyes, "I was surprised to hear about the engagement..." he paused, though Artie had nothing to say, "What are you doing, Artie?"
Artie peeked between his fingers, they looked concerned. "I was trying to tell Elena we couldn't be together when she dropped that stupid flower and I picked it up for her and people thought... you know..." he sighed again, wiping his hands down his face.
"So why'd you go along with it?" the question was rapid.
"I'm an idiot," he fell backwards onto the bed from where he sat, "I stupidly thought liking Abbey was okay... But the kingdom, and everything, is complicated and I'll be kicked out of being king so I have to marry Elena, and now everyone thinks I'm having some kind of mental break down, which, I guess I am... and they've temporarily kicked me out anyway until I'm better, but I guess I should get used to it because this is how it will be forever when I don't marry Elena, screw everything up, and Abbey disappears too and..." he stopped talking, sighing, "I don't know what to do."
There was uncharacteristic silence between them. There was a small part of Artie that was panicking that they knew so much, but the majority of him didn't care. They knew enough. Clearly people thought he needed counselling, he just had to find the right people to talk to.
Donkey spoke first, ending the silence, "We'll figure it out, when we tell-"
"No," Artie sprung up onto his feet again, startling the animal, "No you can't tell anyone." Of course, there was a limit to the trusted pseudo-counsellors he could tell. The sudden surge of anxious energy put the worries back in his head. "You shouldn't even know... No one should."
"Well, we've at least gotta tell Shrek!" Donkey protested, Puss nodding.
"No!" Artie paused, "He'll just tell Fiona, and she'll tell Aunt Lillian and then everyone knows," he looked at them, "This stays between us, okay?"
The animals went silent again. Artie knew they'd agree eventually, he wouldn't let them leave until they swore themselves to secrecy. They all kept the real heir to the throne quiet enough when they first met him, they could keep a secret for him in return. The pair looked at each other when a loud knock startled everyone in the room. The exhaustion swept over the young king once again, as much as he was fighting to keep his duties, now they were gone he wasn't sure he wanted them back... at least until he'd taken that nap. Though the visitor didn't even wait for an answer, the door opened quickly.
"What's going o-ah!" Abbey flew into the room but stopped in her tracks, throwing her hands over her mouth, staring in horror at Artie's guests. She looked between them all, eyes growing wide, cheeks reddening, "Oh my goodness," she choked out, "I'm so sorry."
"Cut it," Donkey's voice was flat, "We know everything."
Abbey relaxed, peering out into the hallway before closing the door behind her. She hovered against the door uncomfortably, but her gaze landed on Artie. "I'd quite like to know too," there was obvious hurt in her voice.
Artie fought the urge to run away and hide. "Abbey..." he wasn't prepared, he had no idea what to say, "I didn't mean to..."
"It's okay," she looked down, holding onto her apron, "It was stupid for me to even agree." She gave small, self-conscious glances to the animals every now and again. "We're not even allowed to be friends, how could we ever be more than that?" she was as defeated as he was, "You can't send her home. You can't be with me."
There was more silence. Artie wanted to reassure her, he wanted the animals to leave so he could hug her. As her tearful eyes met his, the butterflies in his stomach jumped back to life, just like they had that morning. He bit his lip.
"Hey, hey, señorita," Puss stepped in, "Don't give up hope."
"No, you neither, Artie," Donkey added, "Crazier things have happened!"
They picked up quickly what was going on. They sympathised with the couple, though Artie wasn't sure that was the right side to be on. He shook his head. "I don't think anyone understands," Artie felt something snap inside of him, "I will lose the kingdom if I don't marry a princess," he paused, "Soon."
Abbey's face creased up, she leant back against the door. Artie watched her, he was breaking her heart and he hated himself for it. He let out a sigh, slumping back down onto the bed. They met each other's gaze again. Seeing her only made everything seem more overwhelming. He briefly acknowledged the fantasies that had run through his mind earlier. Them running away to be together, or having her sat by his side in the royal meetings. Either one seemed pretty good to him. But they kept melting away. "It's not possible," he finally added. Abbey's gaze dropped to the ground.
"Where there is a will, there is a way, guys," Donkey smiled despite everything, "We don't have a way right now, but we'll get one."
Fiona hurried down the hallway, looking behind her. There weren't many times in her life where she ran away from her husband and children. There had been a couple times when the triplets were little and she desperately needed a break. But this was very different. Shrek was taking them outside, she claimed she needed to do something with her mother. She was very much hoping not to bump into Lillian on her journey through the castle. She had to be careful. She had one very specific destination. Often, it was the place she was looking for whenever she ran off on her own. It had been a while though, the last time she'd headed up that same staircase was in the middle of the night, over five years ago, accompanied only by a candle and a book, a page corner carefully turned at the chapter detailing the early signs of pregnancy. It was the place she fled to whenever she needed to think.
Fiona carefully pushed open the tower door, feeling a little breathless from the long climb up on weaker, human legs. It was quiet, she'd always liked that. She looked around the room, there was nothing new, dust covering everything. She realised she could ask to turn the room into something of her own, but then maids would constantly be fussing over it and she couldn't be guaranteed solitude. Well, that wasn't completely guaranteed now... someone could figure it out if they decided to look for her, her memory drifted back to her father. Still, she had tried her best to ensure no one would. She peered down the stairwell one last time before gently closing the door.
Contemplating her idea, she felt a little silly, doubts running through her mind. She looked out the window, no one would be able to hear her. She sighed, that's why she picked this room. It was perfect. She closed her eyes, trying to clear her mind. She took a moment more than she was sure she needed, the peaceful feeling far more relaxing than she had first thought. The princess finally sucked in a breath and shouted, "Merlin!"
Tentatively, she opened her eyes, and immediately frowned. The room remained empty. She folded her arms, impatiently huffing a little. Glancing again to the door and the window, she decided it was worth one more try. "Merlin!" she shouted louder than before, "I need your help!"
The silence didn't change. Fiona could feel her cheeks flush a little. She shook her head. Of course things weren't that simple. She took another look around the room, finding herself a little reluctant to return to her lively family. She trailed back to the door, shoulders slumping, opened the door to exit-
"Ah!" she startled backwards as she almost collided with the elderly wizard.
"Give me a second," he grumbled, pushing past her into the room, "You know, this doesn't happen in a snap."
She stared at him, gawping a little. Though the corners of her lips turned upwards, her idea worked! She took another look down the empty stairwell before quietly closing the door again. If it was important to her before than no one entered, it was more important now. She was too far ahead in her plan for someone to step in and try to stop her. She turned, he was searching the room, he swiped some dust off of a sheet and began coughing. Her expressed dampened a little, but she brightened again, "I'm glad you could make it!"
He turned to her, opened his mouth to speak but paused. He adjusted his glasses, squinting at her, "Well, what happened to you?"
She looked down at herself, "I jumped in front of a pretty dangerous bolt of magic," she shrugged. The pride of saving the day was starting to spark within her. It hadn't yet. Being physically and mentally drained, and a little haunted, the victory had taken a while to catch up with her.
"Very pretty," he nodded at her, cracking a toothy smile, "What an upgrade, wow!"
She put her hands on her hips, expression falling, "Hardly," she rolled her eyes, "I want to change back."
He looked at her in disbelief for a moment, "Back?" he spluttered. She nodded, narrowing her eyes at him. In the success of his final teleportation spell and her guilt for not heeding his warning, she had briefly forgotten how much the wizard irritated her before. He exaggeratedly rolled his eyes, pulling up his sleeves, "Always changing with you, isn't it," he grumbled, "human, ogre, human, ogre... never happy," he tutted.
"Ha," she raised an eyebrow, "I am happy with one, the one I'm not right now," she gestured to herself.
"Well I'll have to look for a spell..." he clapped his hands together.
Taking a soothing breath, she collected herself again, "I already have one," she handed him the piece of paper with the words of the spell written neatly. It was odd to think about something that had once been constantly on her mind, recited every day, only to be forgotten for years.
He raised his eyebrows at it, "This?" he scoffed, "Seems an awful long-winded way to go about it."
"You have a direct spell?" Fiona's interest was captured.
"Hm," he scratched at his beard, getting a finger caught in a knot, tugging and wincing to get it free, "Well... ogres are just a species after all... A simple transformation spell... though it'd have to be permanent..."
"Wait," Fiona halted his muttering, "No," she shook her head, "I want this one. As long as everything would be the same as it was before."
He squinted back at the paper in his hands, adjusting his glasses, "I can do that... I think."
He began mumbling to himself. She watched in silence, giving him the space that was agonising for her days beforehand. She looked out the window, the sun was beginning to lower in the sky. A part of her wanted to nag him to hurry, but she felt a strange sense of comfort being in that room. Her eyes slowly returned to the wizard, soon everything would be back to normal. She'd just have to find someone to watch the kids – the easiest task while at the castle – and surprise her husband. A smile crept upon her lips, that moment in Duloc was one of her most treasured memories, they had the opportunity to do it all over again.
"Oh," her brow creased as she recalled what happened when the spell was broken before, "Is it possible to have less of a magic show when the curse breaks? You know... I don't think people will be happy with a bunch of broken windows..."
"Don't worry about that," he waved her off, "Nothing's a magic show when I cast the spell... Must be a talent or something..." he removed his hat to scratch his head, "Are you ready?" he asked.
She nodded, standing in the middle of the room. Nerves suddenly flooded her body, she tried her best to still her thoughts, looking out to the pretty view of the sunset.
Merlin cleared his throat, "By night one way, by day another," he spoke in a low voice.
Fiona sucked in a breath as she felt the vaguely familiar sparks attach themselves to her. They were so cold it felt like they were pinching her skin. It was a pain that made her cry at first but she soon grew used to it.
"This shall be the norm..."
The princess felt her feet lift off of the ground, her arms were pried away from her sides. She tried to not think about the lack of control she felt in her body. She closed her eyes as sparks got brighter, allowing all of the magic to move her body in the way it wanted to. She knew from experience that trying to fight it made it hurt all the more.
"Until you find true loves first kiss..."
Fiona's mind then went serenely blank. It was completely out of her own control. All the thoughts and feelings were suddenly nothing to her. There was an odd peace she had previously found distressing.
"And then take loves true form."
The pinching seemed to sweep away as her feet lightly touched the ground again. She wasn't as far from the ground as she remembered being before and when she opened her eyes, Merlin was looking directly at her. Only a light breeze tickled the sheets that were draped over things. Fiona paused a moment, blinking, trying to gather her thoughts after her brain had seemingly reset. A grin suddenly spread over her face, she could feel the difference. Where that emptiness had been; the ogress part of her absent, now felt like it was full again.
"Well, you won't have long to wait now, Princess," the wizard observed.
Her eyes were immediately drawn to the window, "I know," she mumbled, "I have to hurry," she began to head for the door but stopped, turning to him, "Thank you, for everything," she smiled.
He cracked a toothy smile at her, "It's nothing..." he waved it off, pausing to think about it, "Well, actually it's a lot of work and magic, but..." he shrugged, smiling at her again.
Fiona had barely closed the door behind her before she took off into a careful jog down the stairs. Time was ticking on and the sun wasn't going to wait for her. She began to regret choosing such an awkward room for her little solo adventure, the stairs feeling like they continued on forever. But finally she reached the bottom and flew into a sprint despite her lungs struggling for air already. She held at her ribs as she ran, the healing bruises making themselves noticeable again. Though, she couldn't wipe the smile off her face, the excitement she felt filled her body, but her preparations weren't quite finished yet.
She turned a corner and almost collided with her mother. "Mom! I'm glad you're here!" she could barely contain her excitement, "Are you free?" she doubled over a little, panting.
Lillian stared at her for a moment, brows knitted, "Well, I just finished a meeting to make sure Arthur's break will be okay..." she looked concerned, "I have a brief moment before I have to meet with Elena, darling, what is it?"
Fiona shook away any consideration she had for her mother's free time, "Can you watch the kids?" It wasn't often that she had family around her to look after the children whenever she needed. She intended to take full advantage of it now.
"Well... I was going to see Arthur..." she paused, "But I guess I can for a little while." Fiona grinned. "I do need to go soon though, Fiona," Lillian clarified.
"It's fine!" Fiona wasn't going to let anything get in the way, "Artie's been put on a break right? He can watch them after you."
"He needs to-"
"Thanks mom!" the princess gushed, "The kids are with Shrek in the garden, tell him I need his help, it's urgent." Her mother nodded, blinking in confusion. "I'll send Artie down!"
Fiona then took off again.
"It's okay... you know, if you decide you can't do this."
Artie watched Abbey's fingers playing with the edge of the cushion she held. She wasn't looking at him, a couple of stray locks of hair falling in her face as she looked down at what she was occupying her hands with.
"It's not," he corrected her simply, "Nothing's okay anymore."
She blinked at the cushion, "I guess not. But-" she suddenly looked up to him, blue eyes meeting his, "But if you do decide that... I'll get a different job, I'll leave. It's not like we can do anything behind her back, that's not right."
He nodded slowly, keeping this up might just cause him an early grave. It was odd, he'd heard of so many other kings and noblemen seeing other women behind their wives backs, it was almost normal. He'd always sat upon a high horse and didn't understand why they ever would. He hated that now he had some kind of common understanding with those people. Living in a loveless marriage was a terrible and terrifying thought. But the thought of what those wives and queens went through still made things worse. He couldn't do that to Elena.
"I don't want you to leave," but the thought of not seeing Abbey every day was worse still. He wished he could go back in time and change that moment, that wonderful moment. That way they could just continue as friends, normal friends... with secrets that they hid from each other, about each other.
"I-" Abbey was cut off as a loud knock on the door startled them both.
Without a hesitation the door was opened and his cousin burst in, "Artie?" she asked breathlessly.
Abbey immediately sprung to her feet, throwing the cushion she held onto the bed. Fiona looked between then for a second, face cracking into a smile, "Oh don't worry," she laughed a little, "I know..."
Artie's eyes widened, "W-what?" he stammered. He felt the panic rush over him again.
Though, Fiona narrowed her eyes at him in confusion to his response, "I know you're friends, it's okay," she reassured him, "You told us," she laughed again, "It's great you're friends, I wish I'd had friends like that back when I lived here."
"Oh," Artie felt himself relax, he met Abbey's gaze, they both laughed a little in relief. He almost thought he had two animals to skin... or something.
"Mom has to help Elena with wedding things," she began to explain herself, though it only brought the familiar feeling of sickness back to his stomach, "So I really really need you to watch the kids."
Artie couldn't help but let out a small involuntary sigh. He glanced back towards his pillow for a moment. He couldn't catch a break. "Uh-"
"Mom will be with them in the sitting room, but she needs to go," Fiona continued without a response, "I told her you'd be there," she gave him a smile.
"Um, okay?" he wondered if she knew about what happened to him. Though she was hurriedly glancing to the window, it made him wonder if in that moment she really cared.
"Great, thanks Artie," she gave him a sympathetic gaze before quickly exiting and closing the door behind her.
Artie and Abbey both moved their gazes from the closed door to each other again. Abbey sat back down next to him. He shook his head, "That's just what I need right now."
"I can see if people will allow me to do it for you... if you wanted?" Abbey ventured, "I'm not sure how I'd swing that though. They were suspicious when I said I had to check up on your injury."
"No," he smiled appreciatively at her, "I'll be fine. It gives me an excuse to stay away from everything," he nodded. Clearly being in his room wasn't deterrent enough, perhaps being the only one responsible for young children might make everyone decide to come back tomorrow.
Abbey looked back down at her hands, "I would miss you if I had to leave," she brought the conversation back to their original topic. Artie had to quickly search his exhausted mind for what they had said. She touched his hand with her own, her skin warm, it brought butterflies to his stomach. Though she gingerly pulled her hand away quickly, "But if you chose... her, I'd have to go. We'd both have to accept it."
Artie scooted a little closer to her, "But I don't want to choose her," as much as he knew the decision would be the hardest he'd ever have to decide, he desperately wanted her to know that she was his real choice. The one he would make selfishly. The one that was important... at least important to him.
"You can't leave your kingdom for me," she was the voice of reason he needed to hear amongst the fluttering in his stomach. The crucial argument that was slipping away in his mind.
"...I could..." he put the idea out there. He gently took her hand.
"No," she was quick to reject the idea, pulling her arm away, "If you ever did something that stupid I'd leave and never return," she was serious, but there was a twinkle in her eye.
He sat back, laughing a little, "But then I'd have done it for nothing!"
"That's what you get for making such a stupid decision," she smirked at him, giggling. Their laughter faded into silence. She quietly scooted closer, sitting against him. She blinked up at him. The nerves spread over him again, but he couldn't resist it this time. He carefully lifted a hand, touching her cheek, he swept the stray locks of hair behind her ear like he had before. She briefly looked down, but returned her hopeful gaze. He entwined his fingers into her hair and they drew themselves together, kissing once again. They were less nervous this time around. Artie felt his heart beating so hard it felt like it was going to bounce right out of his chest. She ended the kiss, sitting back a little, "We shouldn't..."
"Just today," he reasoned with her quietly, "We already slipped up today anyway."
"Just today," she confirmed, leaning closer to renew their kiss. He wrapped his arm around her as she held onto him. The logic was incredibly flawed, Artie found himself a little surprised she didn't protest further, though as the kiss drew on longer he realised her judgement was a little skewed too.
Finally, she pulled away again. Her cheeks were flushed red, she bit her lip, self-consciously stroking her hair back towards her pony tail. Artie found himself a little breathless, his mind couldn't grasp hold of anything to say. He stared at her as she met his gaze again. "Also," she began, clearing her throat, "You might have to look after the children a lot more if their parents become king and queen."
The disappointment of reality seemed to wash over him. How much he longed to run away with her in that moment. But the crown was shining in the sunlight that filtered through the window behind the maid. It wasn't as simple as that. "Yeah..." he sighed, "I guess I've gotta go."
Abbey took hold of his hand again, suddenly, "Just today," her tone was serious.
He nodded reluctantly, standing with her, "Today, until I can figure this mess out."
AN: These chapters are getting longer and longer and I give up trying to split them up, oops. Still, I got to 100,000 words! That's exciting! And a lot! Crazy. Wow I'm sad I can't really brag about this to people irl, because wow do I want to. Congrats to you guys also, you've read a lot of words!
Fun fact #4 (wait is this 4? *Gets out mouse to scroll through fic because the laptop tracker pad is useless now* Oh wait I can just ctrl f, ugh) I'm writing this in one word doc. It's 188 pages long right now and really difficult to navigate, but surprisingly not the worst. 4.8/10 would not recommend.
Oh, *context* I'm writing all of this before I post it. I think this is what I'm going to do forever now with multi-chap stories like this. Ideas evolve over time and I often will go back and change things or I'll realise I totally forgot to add something in. Felix was actually supposed to live right up until I got to the end of that chapter, I even had stuff written for him later on in Far Far Away (I'm so upset), but I decided to change it and had to redo a lot of things. (For newcomers: in the previous version Felix got away with his life intact, I'm sorry you couldn't experience that, but it wasn't meant to be).
Wow this is 200 words of just an author's note. I'll leave. Happy reading! I am ever ever grateful for you all!