florian charmont

“Wow, okay, that’s probably accurate. I haven’t been around long enough to disagree.” He never really cared about what the higher ups were doing in life. “I don’t know about an adventure. I just want to try new foods.” 

👑

“hey, not with that attitude. with enough confidence you can disagree with anything,” he replied, sliding towards a more joking tone. there was a ghost of a glint in his eye that usually meant he was going to give kit a headache - he’d learned that particular bit of wisdom pretty early on. “ah, but isn’t that an adventure of it’s own?” did he sound like philip talking like that? it felt like he sounded like philip. “i think they have some weird deep fried foods there, at least. if that helps with the new foods thing.”

“Huh. This Mayor guys sounds like a comic book villain. Yeah, that’s true but it’s not as fun if I have to go hunting for it.”

👑  

“i don’t know if he’s a villain. but he’s definitely a dick, no matter how many festivals or galas or whatever he throws to make up for it.” he shrugged. and wondered if his father and the mayor would get along - though that would require either of them actually get out for once. “you could try the boardwalk, if you haven’t already. or just go wandering through the side streets and whatnot, if the adventure is what you’re after.”

        ❛ you’d be impressed by how the littlest things  can  have  the  most  damning  consequences .  me ?  oh , ❜  victoria  paused ,  only  to  find  herself  nodding  after  a  moment .  ❛ i  believe  everything  happens  for  a  reason ,  though  we  might  not  understand  it .  whether  those  actions  must  be  big ,  if  that  even  matters  is …  it's  beyond  me ,  i  fear .  maybe  we're  not  even  entitled  to  that  knowledge . ❜

👑  

“everything happens for a reason? really?” he replies, transforming his bitterness for that sentiment into nothing more than lilting disbelief. “it seems more like things happen and we assign meaning in retrospect, because that’s preferable to the idea of things happening without some higher purpose.” he paused, then added, “i always thought the butterfly effect was more a matter of cause-and-effect, rather than meaning, anyway. though, i’ll admit i haven’t brushed up on my chaos theory in while.”

“Yes, I’ve heard of that!” She’d heard it mentioned in passing once or twice but still had no idea where it was. “Oh. Well, yes that would be nice. I can appreciate a proper gentleman. Who couldn’t, right?” She smiled as she took his arm. It wasn’t the most normal thing in the world but Daphne had always been treated like a princess. “Where did you learn to be a gentleman?”

👑 

“oh, you know. mother, father, older brother. almost everyone was quite insistent about it, actually. and apparently i absorbed more from that lecturing than anyone ever thought i would.” himself included, though his bitterness at the subject wasn’t one he publicly expressed. he was certain that, even now, his father and tutors would be disappointed. alas, so it goes. disappointment would do them good. “why do you ask? am i doing a good job?” he asked, raised eyebrow matching the playful glint in his eye as he began walking with her.

            PEOPLE DON’T WAKE UP THANKS TO WISHING ALONE .  whatever  tiny  part  of  aurora  thought  she  could  get  away  without  mentioning  her  deal  with  maleficent  was  quickly  shut  down  by  that  single  statement .  it  wasn't  that  she'd  taken  florian  or  kit  for  fools  —  on  the  contrary ,  they  were  incredibly  inteligent .  it  was  only  that  she'd  been  too  blinded  by  the  thought  of  having  philip  back ,  and  that  was  more  than  enough  to  cloud  her  judgment .  a  long  pause  stands  between  them  as  she  contemplates  just  how  much  she  is  willing  to  share ,  how  much  she  should  share .  this  didn't  have  to  be  a  huge  deal ;  it  shouldn't  be .  ❛ i  made  a  deal  with  maleficent ,  that's  all . ❜  the  princess  stated  simply ,  easily .  her  violet  gaze  wandered  for  a  moment ,  ❛ i  had  something  of  interest  to  her ,  so  i  let  her  take  it .  not  all  of  it ,  just  a  small  bit .  just  enough  to  bring  him  back , ❜  and  enough  to  leave  aurora  feeling  like  a  lesser  version  of  herself .  as  her  attention  returns  to  florian ,  she  lets  out  a  deep  breath .  ❛ and  i  would  really ,  truly  appreciate  it  if  you  could  keep  this  between  us ,  florian .  please . ❜

👑  

there’s a pause. it’s not that long, but definitely noticeable. especially with how much time they’ve been spending together since losing philip. florian’s mind whirs, taking in the information. he can’t begrudge her actions. not when he’d have done the same in a heartbeat. he’s never been one to lecture, anyway. he lets out a long sigh, mind calming once more as he does. “okay. i trust you. i won’t tell anyone,” he says, simple as that. he keeps plenty close to his chest anyway - what’s one more thing?

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

admittedly, part of the reason she’d stared so much was because she was trying to place him in her memory. (he didn’t need to know that). his face was very familiar — but distantly so, as if she’d only come to know him through images. and then finally, when he spoke, she remembered who he was. prince florian charmont. 

at his smile, belle’s first instinct was to tilt her head in confusion —  oh, he thought she was looking because of his face. 

she nodded slowly, still a little perplexed. “right. well … i’m still sorry, because i can’t think of anything worse than to have to get used to being stared at.” she shook her head. then belle peered at the spine of the book. “but, yes, i was meaning to ask about which edition you have there. which english translator? i have the one by p.w. stone but i thought i’d try the helen constantine version to see what she does different,” she explained, without even pausing for breath.

👑

“right.” there was probably a better way to respond to the sympathy - something more princely or charming or whatever - but he found he didn’t really care for that all too much. too much effort for the corner of a bookstore.

he lifted an eyebrow, parsing the shift his expectations as the girl spoke at light speed. “this is...” he double-checked quickly before continuing, “helen constantine. i couldn’t tell you how it compares, though. i think we had the p.w. stone translation back home, but i’ve only read the french version. got curious how it translates, and here we are.” he answered, holding up the book to demonstrate the here in question. “how’d you like stone’s?”

❄️ ⠀  ⠀ ⠀  ⠀ ───────────    elsa   blushed   with   embarrassment   as   she   looked   at   florian.      “   only   a   little.   ”      she   replied   with   an   apologetic   smile.      “   have   you   been   sleeping   well,   florian   ?   ”      there   was   concern   to   her   question.   she   knew   that   all   wasn’t   well   in   the   charmont   realm.   to   get   an   honest   answer   out   of   florian   was   a   long   shot   but   she’d   still   try.      “    a   divorce   !   now   you   wound   me,   florian.   i   believe   i   would   have   made   a   decent   wife.   ”

👑

he shrugged in response to the question. "no worse than usual," florian replied, the words flippant - though not so much as to be dismissive. this was elsa, after all. and it was as truthful an answer as he could probably give - what did sleeping well really mean to florian charmont, anyway? (he knew why she was asking, what she was asking. maybe if he had more practice with it, he'd be able to spill his guts - talk about bad dreams and sleepless nights and old habits that had formed years ago and longed to drag him into another downward spiral. but it had been too long since he'd had that kind of vulnerability - with sorrel as the notable exception - and... he could still be helpful, if he was needed. what really mattered, beyond that?) "is this a ploy to get me to compliment you? because that might also be grounds for divorce," he replied, narrowing his eyes with faux suspicion, though the amusement in his tone was undeniable. "you would've made a wonderful wife," he added only a moment later, the same gentleness he'd spoken to her with when they were young seeping in. there was nothing romantic behind the words - not anymore, if there ever really had been - but that didn't make them any less genuine.

♡ ·      xkitcharmont

♛･*˚

seeing his brother so still and lifeless … kit would never be used to the feeling. he could barely walk further into the room, having hovered near the doorway for so long, worrying that he would further disturb his little brother. “ hello, pip, ” he said softly, unable to look at him for very long. he could already hear florian and aurora further away, settling into a conversation. perhaps it was best to let them be with each other a while before he came in and changed the mood, as he often felt he did whenever he entered a room.

later, as he finally came downstairs, he paused a few steps from the doorway, taking a deep breathe in and out. he had to be put together, he had to be calm. overhearing their talk about taking action and magic, he had the courage to step in.

“ i — hello, ” he cleared his throat lightly. he offered a small smile to both his brother and his sister-in-law. “ i … overheard you discussing magic. i’ve set up a meeting with the mayor tomorrow. hopefully he’ll be able to assist us or at least point us in the right direction. florian, rora, if either of you would like to come, you’re most welcome. ” kit opened and closed his hands, swaying a little on his feet before noticing dishes in the sink. “ rora, would you mind if i … ? ” he gestured to the sink. 

           ❛ PERHAPS NOT JUST ME ,  but  i  am  his  wife .  i  can't  just  stay  here  and  wait  while  either  you  or  kit  or  someone  else  figures  this  out ,  i  don't  want  to . ❜   and  it's  possible  that  it's  because  of  the  guilt  she  feels  for  not  coming  home  early  that  fateful  day .  even  if  it  wasn't  her  fault ,  there  was  a  part  of  aurora  who  felt  she  should  have  seen  this  coming .  she'd  allowed  herself  to  let  her  guard  down ,  even  more  so  with  everything  going  so  well  between  her  and  philip .  just  as  she  was  about  to  voice  her  opinion  on  the  middle  charmont's  suggestion ,  the  eldest  son's  voice  stole  her  attention .  he  seemed  to  handle  the  sight  of  philip's  current  state  much  better  than  her ,  maybe  even  better  than  florian .  yet  deep  down ,  aurora  felt  as  though  kit  was  simply  trying  not  to  give  them  another  reason  to  worry  by  pretending  to  be  okay .  it  was  very  kind  of  him .

       lips  press  together  in  a  small  smile ,  fading  as  her  attention  focus  solemnly  on  kit's  words .  ❛  a  meeting  with  the  mayor …  that's  good ,  isn't  it ?  i've  heard  he's  well  versed  in  magic  himself ,  so ,  that's  a  start !  ❜  she  exclaims ,  unable  to  conceal  the  smidge  of  hope  in  her  voice  and  glancing  at  florian .  he  did  suggest  they  looked  for  someone  who  knows  magic ,  hopefully  the  two  brothers  would  be  in  accordance .  taking  a  sip  from  her  tea ,  the  princess  raised  her  brows  as  kit  motioned  towards  the  sink ,  ❛ of  course !  please ,  make  yourself  at  home …  i  do  apologize  for  not  having  much  to  offer  to  you  both , ❜  she  spoke ,  glancing  between  the  two  of  them .  ❛  i've  had  a  couple  of  friends  help  me  with  cooking  &  cleaning  but ,  to  be  honest ,  i  haven't  had  much  energy  to  do  anything  other  than  look  after  him  and  take  samson  on  the  occasional  walk . ❜  pursing  her  lips ,  she  takes  a  moment  before  speaking  again .  ❛ did– …  does  your  father  know ? ❜ / @prettyboyflorian​ 

👑 

florian frowned, torn between understanding and not being entirely satisfied aurora wasn’t blaming herself for this. kit’s voice rung through the room before he can say anything, however. he spared his brother a quick look, long enough to clock his put-togetherness and bristle at it, before pointedly looking away in time to catch the glance aurora sent his way. he rolled his eyes, no real tension behind it (at least when looking at her), and set aside his frustration. “yeah. sounds good,” he agreed, before adding a little pointedly, “as long as you’re actually going to push him to do something, or get some kind of answers for how this happened in his magically protected city.”

the frustration eased even more as the conversation continued, softening into fondness for his sister-in-law. she was being far too polite, in his opinion, but he could hardly fault her for it. “ror, apologise again and i’ll start taking offense. it’s fine. and i’m sure your friends are happy to help,” he assured, angling for a more light-hearted tone. god knows they needed it. especially when she was going to bring up their father. even more than seeing kit’s unaffected mask (the asshole), mention of their father summoned a surge of bitterness.

“yes. he knows,” florian replied, the words flat. “but i’d wager the most we can expect is throwing dear prince christopher at the problem,” he continued, unable to help the bitterness seeping into his words. florian directed his attention to his older brother again for the first time since he’d entered, raising his eyebrows expectantly. “unless i’m mistaken? kit?” the way his words sharpened with sarcasm made his doubt quite clear. // @xkitcharmont