Here's the 'final' chapter! Since the universe is really fun I may or may not eventually add chapters, more or less in chronological order. There's a lot to explore really, not only between the two of them, but between them and the worlds they work in. So, while I'll mark this as complete, more may be to come!

Thanks to everyone for the reviews and feedback, and thanks to Kokodoru for the beta-reading!

Miku was a good and just ruler, Luka thought to herself. She was fierce, level-headed, open-minded, and determined as can be.

She was also passionate as all hell.

Luka smiled as she listened to her talk; it was a long rant, half of which detailed the steps on how they could implement some kind of pseudo-democracy in their kingdom, the other half going on tangents explaining the various pros and cons to the various levels of democracy they could consider. Miku's main end goal was allowing their citizens to have a say in the way their country was run so that the two of them could better hear and understand what they wanted without Luka having to travel all over the place, and she was really, really resolute, no matter how many obstacles she listed.

It was also humorous, though only very slightly: Miku was wearing a typical shirt and pajama pants combo, like any other young adult would if they did not have to care about going out and being seen. It was still refreshing to see her in 'regular' clothes, and it remained funny when her normal exterior met her motivated, political persona.

"It might make implementing some laws take a bit longer," Luka mused at some point, still smiling as she watched her move her arms and hands as she spoke.

"Sure. But it would be worth it: once they go through, we would be confident that it would be a welcome change; we wouldn't have to wait and see how upset it makes people."

The Princess Consort hummed in agreement. She was also out of her official garb, back into her beloved jeans and snug-fitting tank top. Without the weight of a thousand layers of clothes, and without the constant stare of the outside world, she was free to lounge and lean into the armrest of their couch, sat in the middle of their 'movie night' room. The curtains were drawn and opaque, the couch well-loved and comfortable, the television hi-res, and the DVD collection admirable.

It had stopped being just 'movie night' months prior, but they still met up every week just to talk and bond; it was their time together, and they intended to spend it in any way they saw fit, whether it be watching their favorite childhood cartoons or debating the newest politics, all for fun of course.

"What if they disagree with us on something, though?" Luka asked. "Say we're damn sure something needs to be implemented, and we can't convince the people on that?"

Miku pondered that for a second. "If we are so sure and they are not, either we are failing to empathize with them, or we are failing them: if all the masses could be wrong, then we have not prioritized their education sufficiently. If anything, installing a democracy would only encourage us to keep our people smart if we want the masses to make smart decisions."

"Hmm, fair point," Luka admitted. She had spent the past four years trying to overhaul two different education systems into something singular and new, but effective: if the people would fail them, it would be because she failed the people first. "Still, I'm sure there are things that we want that people would just not like because of something as stupid as force of habit. Remember how long it took for us to pass all those equal pay laws?"

Miku nodded. "I remember. I suppose we would have to pass any laws we deem important first, then. It is a bit underhanded..."

"Maybe."

"Are you against the idea?"

"Not at all. I think that in the end, it would have an amazing effect on the happiness of our citizens. Many nations that surround ours are democracies, and I've heard all too many times how they envied how much their citizens could participate. We would be giving up some control, though, and we just might have to take advantage of all the power we have while we have it."

The Queen nodded, relaxing back on the couch, deep in thought. On their movie nights, she always wore her hair almost totally loose, without the complex braids and innumerable pins. She usually tied it up in two twintails though, to keep the weight off her neck; the mass of hair was almost too much for a single ponytail.

Luka repressed a sigh as she admired her companion. Even at twenty-one years old, she was still so lithe, the top of her head barely reaching Luka's chin. But she carried herself with such poise and grace, even during these moments when there was nobody else to watch, from her moments of sickness to their evenings together. She was so regal by nature, which Luka could only dream of. The Princess slouched the moment doors closed, undid her buttons and ties once the eyes were gone. She could not keep up with the Queen's baked-in royalty.

It was almost a wonder the teal woman enjoyed her companionship so much.

Luka eyed the stray strand of teal hair that had fallen near her, on the couch. Her hand on the backrest twitched. Even tied up, the teal locks always ended up getting everywhere. Every week, every time they met up, the Princess had to battle with this urge to reach out, play with the strands. She wanted to run her fingers through her hair, bring the other woman closer, hold her.

It was terrifying how much she had grown to love her. She wasn't supposed to. They had gotten married out of obligation. They were women. Sincere love was never part of the plan. They were supposed to be friends until the end.

The moment that they had started calling each other 'wife', that had changed. But Luka knew she couldn't blame that. If anything, her budding feelings had been the reason why she had initially been so uncomfortable with that. She wasn't supposed to love Miku. Calling the Queen her wife was too much of a guilty pleasure.

She complied either way because it meant Miku continued referring to her as her wife and that always made her heart flutter.

Perhaps, it meant the Queen loved her, too.

Miku turned towards her. "What kind of laws were you thinking of passing, then?"

"Oh. Well. Almost the whole continent has legalized same-sex marriage by now," she said, doing her best to keep a straight face. "Both of our predecessors had done an excellent job of keeping their citizens isolated from that, so there's still some, let's say dislike for the idea around here. Globally, though, we're quite backward in that regard."

"We are," the Queen admitted. "You don't think our people would vote in favor of it?"

"They won't," Luka stated. "And before we even start with that, we would have to implement more safety measures for our concerned citizens: protect their right to work, to have a family, shut down conversion therapy camps, and so on. Starting with the right to marry would be a terrible idea."

"It would. This could take years, though."

Luka nodded. "It would."

"I suppose we best get started," Miku sighed. "I'll pitch the idea to the others tomorrow. See if we can get a few drafts written."

"Democracy will happen sooner or later," the Princess assured her. "We'll make sure of that."

"Provided we don't get assassinated before then," the tealette said. "Sometimes I wonder which of our suggestions will get us shot."

"I'd like to think we care too much for our citizens to invoke such ire."

"You're the one who speaks to them. Do we?"

"There will always be those who are upset," Luka admitted. "They like that I grew up as 'one of them' and are happy to talk to me, and most believe that we do both try our best in our respective roles, but they cannot forget that you are the one in charge, and they have trouble believing that you listen to me, married or not. That just creates tension."

"Hm. Yes, why would I listen to you, after all? Our marriage is nothing more than political."

Luka chuckled at the sarcasm. "What does it matter, that we're great coworkers and fast friends? You don't love me, so why would you listen?"

She didn't expect her last sentence to make any kind of impact, after all their conversations. Love had no place in their bond, really. If neither of them were to squint at it, then all would go on as normal.

Yet, the Queen didn't reply for a moment. Luka glanced at her and realized that she was indeed squinting, mulling that sentence over in her mind. She had even taken one of her outrageously long twintails into her hands and started softly combing through it with her fingers, deep in thought. The Princess could almost see her think, how she was trying to decide whether she wanted to ask or not.

It was like watching somebody run up to the edge of a diving board, and the closer they got to the end, the less likely that they could bail.

Her stomach flipped when she realized that they were going to have this conversation. Miku was taking the jump.

"Do you love me?"

After three consecutively more and more painful heartbeats, Luka followed suit. "I do."

"As a friend? Or as family, surely."

Luka could only go all in. "No. As my wife."

The Queen remained uncertain, gripping her hair tight. "Other Kings and Presidents and Chancellors kiss and hold their spouses. Would you?"

"If you want me to," Luka admitted. "Do... Do you?"

"Yes," Miku whispered. She crept a little closer to her on the couch, her long hair trailing behind. "You don't mind?"

"That we're women? I did. But not anymore."

"And my age?"

"We both outgrew that difference, literally," Luka replied, feeling her palms get somewhat clammy as the reality of the conversation started sinking in. "We can't keep hanging on to four years for much longer, can we."

"I suppose not."

Luka swallowed past the thick lump in her throat, unable to stop staring at the woman in front of her, The Queen, who stared back. With a shaking hand, she reached forward and cupped her cheek.

Since their wedding night, that had rarely touched. They danced, they hooked arms at formal events, but such pointless contact, which served no official purpose, hadn't happened once. Miku still stood above her, after all. She outranked her as Queen and that distinction alone made her untouchable, even in their most casual and relaxed moments. Finally being able, even allowed to break past that was thrilling.

Miku leaned into the touch, her eyes drifting shut. Her cheek was warm and smooth and Luka couldn't help but lean closer. Every detail of the Queen was beautiful, and they only became more visible and splendid as the distance between them shrank. Miku blinked lazily as she reached up to hold her hand against her, the grip firm.

"I love you," she whispered, and it made Luka's heart soar to finally hear it. "I love you to the stars and back."

Never had Luka wanted to kiss her more; the desire, which had once been repressed and stomped out like a flame in dry brush, now burned her alive.

"May I..."

"Yes."

Timid, almost cautious, she leaned forward. Miku met her halfway, her eyes already closed and a smile already on her lips.

Luka had always worried that her love for the Queen would have been too engineered, forced out of their bond and circumstance. That her feelings would be skin-deep, perhaps illusory. She had never desired to kiss a woman before, after all. It was almost suspect. Convenient. She feared that the moment she would try to pursue her feelings, they would shatter and fall apart and leave her stuck in a purely pragmatic marriage once again.

Instead, only her fears shattered. There was no magic or fireworks like all their favorite romance movies showed, no stars or banners with 'Happily Ever After' written on them appearing out of thin air. But she loved it, loved the feeling, the hum of happiness that bubbled from Miku's chest, the way the shorter woman pressed up against her.

It was everything she had ever dreamt of and so much more.

Miku drew back first, a silly grin on her face, her arms still around Luka's neck. The Princess felt like she was on fire, energized beyond belief, adrenaline pouring through her veins. She could have jumped through the roof.

"I can't believe that just happened," the Queen said with a giggle.

"I certainly can," Luka shot back, pulling her closer to pepper her face with kisses. Luka refused to contain herself, her happiness, her affection which she could finally express and share. Miku laughed at the attention, still somewhat disbelieving yet positively bubbling with joy. Her delight was contagious, and Luka couldn't help but chuckle as well, saying between kisses, "If this is just a dream, I pray that I might never wake up."

"It isn't a dream," Miku assured her, burying her hands in the Princess's hair. "Thank the stars it isn't a dream."

Luka hummed, the hands steadying her. She held the woman close, pressing their foreheads together. "I don't think I would have ever imagined that I would fall in love with you. After our wedding night, I thought that being friends with my spouse would be as good as it was going to get."

"To think that I love my wife, and my wife loves me..." Miku said with a sigh. "I could not be more happy. I've waited so long to see if such a future was possible for me. All my life, I wondered time and time again if at least I could find some semblance of love. And then you came in, promising me friendship instead of everything else everybody had promised me." After a moment, she added, "I think that was when I first loved you. On our wedding night."

"So soon?"

"I had such a terrible, terrible future ahead of me for so long. To be blessed with a friend instead of that fate? To say that I was thankful would be an understatement."

Luka hummed. "I can only imagine."

"When did you first love me?"

"Hard to say. I repressed it for a long time."

Miku chuckled. "I'm not too surprised."

"I first knew for sure, at least to some degree, shortly after our two-year anniversary. I had so much trouble calling you my wife because it made me too happy."

"Oh, is that so?" the Queen teased.

"I wouldn't have ever admitted it."

"Of course not. Don't worry, I understand. Neither would I."

"It was still too strange of a concept, wasn't it?"

"To love a woman? To love you? Far too bizarre," Miku admitted. "I'm glad we have outgrown that, too."

"As am I."

The Queen chuckled. "According to all our movies, this is the part that we ask each other if we want to go out. However, we are already beyond that."

"Aren't we?" Luka agreed with a laugh. "Still, even if our official status hasn't changed, our personal one has."

"That is true," Miku said, moving to get a little closer to the other woman. "I would like for us to be a little more open about our emotions."

"How open do you think we can be?"

Miku grinned. "As open as we would like."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"I'm the Queen, I'll do what I please," the tealette joked, and to prove her point, she kissed Luka firmly, making sure to not let a breath of space come between them.

Only their second kiss, it once again sent liquid fire in Luka's veins, and she couldn't help but reciprocate with a low groan.

"Weren't you the one who was wondering what would get us shot?" Luka managed after a minute, most of her sentence disappearing against Miku's lips.

This did make the Queen chuckle and pull back just a bit. "Is this why you wanted to legalize same-sex marriage?" she asked smugly. "To make the public perception of us a little more positive?"

"Well, it would certainly be a bonus."

"Certainly," Miku conceded. "Here's another bonus: as the literal rulers of our Kingdom, we can do anything we wish."

After another kiss, Luka joked, "I guess our people are lucky we're exploiting our legal immunity of anything by kissing each other instead of torturing and abusing them."

"Exactly," the tealette said. "They ought to be grateful."

Luka rolled her eyes with a grin. "We could be sending them to war or something awful, after all."

"I know, right?" Miku teased.

Her smile faded soon after though, and after one last kiss, a little more brief, a little more gentle, she leaned against the taller woman, her head buried in the crook of her neck.

"I want to be close to you."

The Princess nodded, her arms around the smaller woman's frame. "We should probably keep this for behind closed doors for now, though."

"Probably," Miku muttered.

"It would be wise."

"Wise, indeed," the Queen admitted. "At formal events outside of the country, too? When everybody else is being sweet with their spouses, do we still have to be so dry?"

"We can probably kiss each other's hands or something," Luka said.

"Ah, yes. Formal affection," Miku deadpanned, but the Princess could hear that she knew that she was right. "We better make sure that those new laws pass quickly."

"We'll do our best, as we always do."

"As we always do," she parroted. "When nobody is looking, when nobody is there to care, I would like to be like this more often. I would like to be closer to you."

"So do I," Luka said easily. "If our schedules permit, we could spend time together every evening."

"We can make our schedules permit, remember?"

"Then we could also allow ourselves a few days off," the Princess proposed. "Nothing exorbitant: while we did most of the cleaning up from the war, there's still much to do."

"Of course. There's always more." After a moment, the smile on Miku's face grew. "Do you really wish to spend more time with me?"

"Every day, if I may ask for it."

"Of course you may!" Miku teased, holding her tighter.

"Can't be too careful: you're the Queen after all. You outrank me in every way. You are my superior," Luka reminded her with a chuckle.

"Oh, hush. You are my wife and I want you to be my equal. Why else did we pass all those gender equality laws?"

"Those don't apply to royal status, but..." She trailed off and gave her a soft kiss on the temple. "If you want, between us, I could stand to be your equal."

"I'd be glad," Miku said with a hum.

Luka nodded again, yawned, and relaxed. It was getting late, but neither wanted to rise and go to sleep. Neither wanted the day to end. She timidly started running a hand through one of Miku's twintails, which the Queen allowed with a loving hug.

"Luka?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think that, well, sooner or later, we might want to share a bedroom?"

"Sooner or later, yes," Luka muttered.

"There would be no hiding that from our staff," Miku pointed out. "Everybody would know."

After a long moment, the Princess said, "I suppose they would. There isn't much we can do about that."

"No, there isn't. Do you think that it would create an obstacle in regards to adopting an heir? If everybody knew that we were sincerely in love?"

Luka thought about it for a while. "As long as our new laws won't be in effect, it might. People might think that it would be a bad situation for a child."

Miku scoffed. "What good is a loving familial setting if both parents are women who are in love?"

"I know, right?" Luka said with a grin. "It would be best to wait for that a little longer, then."

"I was thinking exactly that, actually."

"Ah?"

"I don't think we should consider heirs for another while," Miku admitted. "Even if we aren't waiting for these laws. There is still so much to do, to prepare for. Plus, our researchers are finally starting to pull their weight on the international playing field, yet there's still some patience required if we are hoping for a genetic heir. Waiting could only be a benefit."

"I agree. We're in no particular rush."

Miku hummed. "It might be strange, in any other relationship, to bring this up so soon. Children."

Luka chuckled, interrupted by a yawn. "We had to bring it up on day one."

"We did, didn't we." Miku mirrored her, covering her yawn with the back of her hand. "I think it might be lovely, though, to have our own children."

"I thought you didn't care so much about descendants."

"I care about that less than I care for my loyalty to you, in the way that my ancestors defined it. I can see why families in your nation accept donors, however, it is still too much for me," Miku mumbled. "Naturally, I do care to some degree. If we could further the lineage for both of our families, that would be ideal."

"Well, then let's hope for an ideal world."

"No, we will have to fight for and make one ourselves," Miku said, determination laced with her fatigue. "We cannot depend on hope. We are beyond that."

Luka laughed sleepily, feeling her eyes droop closed. The weight of the other woman against her, the warmth and comfort, it was all so nice. "We'll fight for the world we want to see, then. Tooth and nail."

"Tooth and nail," Miku echoed, resting her head under Luka's. "We can do it."

"We sure can," Luka said with a sigh. "Two wives against the world... They won't know what hit them."

The tealette chuckled, muttering 'I know, right?' under her breath, just before sleep took them both.