Here ye are, Fluffy. Enjoy yerself, lassy!
Mina's POVThe first thing I see in the new plane is an unearthly and beautiful hue purple in the sky. Logic tells me that it's just the sun set, seeing that the sun is nearing the horizon, but the rest of me is screaming 'it's magic!'. I look over to Teague to see if he's as astounded by the sight to see him smirking. I mentally thump myself on the forehead. Of course he's not awestricken; he's seen this sight thousands of times. Though I don't see how anyone can get sick of it. I chuckle a bit. It's not even sunset yet and I'm gushing over the scenery.
"Convinced to stay yet?"
I give him a sharp look, "you know that I won't make such a superficial decision. I'm here for Charlie's sake."
He arches an eyebrow, "and?"
"And to see if this is where we're going to start our happily ever after," I say with a roll of my eyes. A smile tugs my lips and I try to fight it. I've fallen for a cocky guy and, in all honesty, his ego is almost too easy to fluff. I've worked too hard deflating that thing to puff it back up all at once just because I'm already impressed with the simplest thing about his home plane.
Teague takes my hand in his and laces our fingers together, "let's get going, then. Your story has already had its once upon a time, now let's prepare for the perfect 'the end.'"
I nod and let him lead the way. I have no idea why I love hearing him talk like that. When I was a kid I used to flinch at the word 'story' and now the word makes me melt in my shoes—well at least when he says it. I have a pretty valid reason, though, to be afraid of the word.
Stories have always had double-meanings to me since I was told about the curse. I never let myself love one wholeheartedly because there was always the possibility that that would be the one that'd take my father's life. It's funny how I've fallen in love with the Story, a title and job of Teague's, in the end. I guess it helps that I'm a Grimm, we're known for our plot twists.
…
It doesn't take all that long for us to get to the gate surrounding the city and the entire trip is spent in a comfortable silence. Here and there Teague would sneak a kiss on my cheek and give my hand a squeeze just to be sweet. He really is too good to me.
The gates slowly swing open and I'm left breathless by something that aren't Teague's lips for the second time today.
"Welcome to the heart of my kingdom," Teague chirps. "How do you like it?"
It takes a second for me to fully take in the view and it's absolutely beautiful. The houses by the gates look like they're cottages from story-books—wait a minute, they actually might be—and look simply adorable. The houses' range from a red to tan and each door has a customized design that undoubtedly has to do with the personalities of the family living there. The farther into the city I can see larger houses with business signs in front of them. Aww, they're mom and pop shops! People must live above them too! There aren't all that many places like that on my plane, so it's so cool to see them here.
The further we walk into town, the more decorations and cheer I see. Little children are running up and down the streets, mothers are chasing them down, and people are having a good time playing games and talking.
"Is there something special going on right now, or are people always like this," I ask, watching the bustling town.
"This week is the annual carnival," he answers. "Tomorrow is the last day with the fireworks and kids performances. If you want, we can take Charlie here to see how he likes it. There's a little girl in the castle I think he'd get along with rather well, we can have her tag along and make it a play date. If he doesn't like it, we can always go to the castle and cause a bit of mischief. Oh! We can see how many pies we can sneak from the kitchen. Our head baker makes something similar to his favorite concoction. I'm positive he's going to love it."
I tip toe and give him a kiss on the cheek, "you'd make a really good dad, you know?"
"Give us a few years and I'm pretty sure we'll find out," he grins devilishly.
"I need that royal ring first, hot stuff," I say, swatting his chest playfully. I shoot him a wolfish grin similar to his own, "besides, knowing you, it'll probably end up being sooner than later."
He gives me a look of fiend shock, "my, my, Mina, someone's feeling feisty. I like what this plane does to you."
"Oh honey it's not this plane," I wave him off dismissively, "you just don't say things the right way to get the right response. Now, let's go get some of those cupcakes over there, they're calling my name and it's rude to ignore them."
"As you wish, my lady," he says, leading me to the cart. He asks for two of the heavenly smelling baked goods and the lady hands them over with a smile.
"How much do these cost?" I ask after taking a bite. "I kinda want to just take them all and overdose on these bites of heaven."
The lady shakes her head at me and smiles, "you must be new here, dearie. The prince and the rest of the Royals pay us for the entire kingdom to eat free. If anything, they over pay us!"
"Here," I start, casting a loving glance up to Teague, "sounds like a wonderful place to live."
"It hasn't always been that way, but now it is," the older woman smiles. "And we have the prince's change of heart to thank for that. He was a very dark boy, but now things seem to have changed, right, laddie?"
Teague quickly bids the woman a goodbye and leads me away from her. I furrow my brows in confusion, "why'd we leave so abruptly?"
"I'm pretty sure she was going to tell you about my past…misdeeds."
"So? I already know about all of that. My dad told me and you have, too."
"Well I haven't been fully honest about all of my endeavors," he admits with a sigh. "There are a lot of things that I've done that I haven't told you about."
"Well there's no time like the present," I tell him with an encouraging smile.
"And scare you off?" He shakes his head, "no thanks. We have a good thing going here. I like when you're not afraid of me. It's nice."
"How bout this," I propose, "for everything you feel guilty about, I'll tell you something I regret doing, too."
"I doubt we're on the same level, Mina," he deadpans.
"True, but if we're starting our Happily Ever After, we're going to have to be honest with each other, right?"
He sighs in defeat, "fine we can play your little confession game, but let's continue the tour."
I smirk, looks like I already have a victory against my dashing prince on this plane. Ah, it's the first of many to come.
…
"I'm kinda bummed to go home now," I admit. Teague and I have spent all day together and it was amazing. After we got past our list of misdeeds, there was a huge weight off of our shoulders. We went on rides, participated in contests, and even danced together.
"I would ask you to stay the night at the castle, but you need to get back to Charlie."
"I'd ask you to stay the night at my house, but my father would try to slit your throat with a broken beer bottle."
He gives me an over-exaggerated offended look, "I could take him!"
"I know. It's just that if he tried to hurt you I'd wrench the bottle from his hands and stab him to death with it."
"Aww," he coos, giving me a kiss, "you'd do that for me?"
"Anytime," I grin, giving him a peck. "I could kiss you all night, but I really need to get going."
Teague groans in complaint, but rips a seam for me anyway. I give him one last peck before hopping through to my room. I watch the rip close then seek out Charlie.
"Hey sport," I say, opening his bedroom door. "Do you have any plans tomorrow?"
"No," he responds. I smile, I love hearing his voice. Ever since the curse was broken, he voice was restored. Granted, he doesn't speak all that much, but when he does it always brings a smile to my face.
"My boyfriend, maybe soon to be fiancé, by the hints he's been dropping, wants to take us to a carnival. You up for it?"
"If it's important to you, I'm up for it."
"Thanks, sweetie," I say, kissing his forehead.
"Stop that!"
"You know you love me," I coo, ruffling his hair.
"I do not!"
"You have to do what I say, I'm your older sister," I say wagging my finger at him, "and I'm telling you that you have to love me! End of discussion. We're the best of friends, siblings who may as well be one because we're so close, got it? Good. I'm going to bed now. Niiiiight!"
I bolt out of his room before he can say anything. I love harassing Charlie, especially now that he can voice his displeasure.
I flop on my bed with a smile. I love spending time with my favorite boys in the world. Tomorrow is going to be amazing with the two of them and, if Charlie likes it there, every day after that will be just as great.
Well there y'all go. One more chapter is guaranteed and after that it's up to you. If any of you have any tips to give me on my technique on displaying affection, feel free to tell me via review. I'm not all that…affectionate. I'll give people hugs here and there, but for the most part I prefer not to be too close to other people unless I'm using them for a pillow in (theatre) class.
Feel free to check out my other fanfic for this fandom. It's called "Happily Never After."
Sorry for any and all typos
-K.