heart full of glass

artem: albie

artem: albie

artem: ALBERT

artem: i need advice on things.... romantic things and you’re the only one i can ask

“Don’t you think they get bored?” Vivienne spoke aloud, from where she sat on the window seat looking out onto the crowds of people in the mall. Not bothering to turn to see who was behind her yet, she hummed messing with the lock of the window over and over again. “I mean it’s just looking at a palace and certainly not even the prettiest of palaces. It’s just taking a picture of a big building, seems like it’s a waste of time, most definitely boring, but I’ve watched and there are families and tour groups who have been outside for at least an hour just looking at it. I’d lose my mind.” Smirking a bit she let the window creak open not even a centimeter, finally looking back at the person she’d been speaking to. “Should I give them a show?” 

Anastasia’s time in London had been… rather uneventful, more-so than she had thought it would be when she arrived at the summit. With all the royals around it seemed unlikely that anyone would notice if she snuck away to have a glass of wine or two and read her novel, a perfect opportunity to revel in what seemed to be the closest to anonymity she would ever get. 

She sat in a small corner booth as she waited for her drink, only looking up when her light was blocked by an approaching figure, one who did not hold a glass of wine in their hand, much to her dissatisfaction. “Can I help you?” 

artem wasn’t really quite sure what to make of all the summit. on one hand, he felt it was quite simply bullshit, but on the other, it seemed to have worked. but there was still something picking at his mind — his whole marriage with lachlan. it wasn’t that he didn’t want to do his duty to his country, but rather that he knew that the new zealander hated his guts. he just hoped he could get some advice from his sister. as he approached her, he got cold feet and almost turned around... but artem desperately needed her opinion on the matter. her cold welcome didn’t help his nerves, but nevertheless, he still spoke, “ i hope so... i, uh, wanted to get your opinion on something. ”

     Desmond hadn’t been sober since the news broke out, he managed to make it through the Summit without a drink in his hand for about three and a half weeks before reaching to the liquor bottles. After the secret reveal, he hadn’t been able to have a moment to himself. He hated the idea of some of the royals at Buckingham only knowing him by the Red Queen reveal. “Fuck,” he muttered as he finished another glass of whiskey, reaching to poor another. He managed to sneak out to an empty room with a bottle in hand, hoping no one would find him. 

in an attempt to sneak away from all the commotion that surrounded him, artem snuck off into a room, in hopes of getting some time to bury himself in a book. he usually tried not to pay too much attention to all the gossip going around the palace, but it had gotten to him that someone wanted to abdicate from the throne — he wasn’t paying much attention, though, and couldn’t name them if you asked him to. as he made his way into the room, he quickly realized the room was already preoccupied. “ my apologies, ” he muttered, gnawing on his bottom lip. artem eyes drifted to the bottle in the other’s hand, and he couldn’t help but blurt out, “ a-are you okay ?? do you need someone to, uh, talk to ?? ”

     the door opens and he’s momentarily taken aback by how good the other prince looks. he doesn’t remark on it, merely blinks the once and forces a smile onto his features. he hopes this goes without a hitch, as much as it can when you’re forced into a scenario with someone you do not know and do not want to know, either. truth be told lockie did know artem wasn’t a bad person. the aura that surrounded him was a good one, he felt safe in his presence but he didn’t like it – and he also didn’t trust it. he attributed a lot of his mistakes to his gut instincts. he’d trusted xavier and look how that had turned out. “i haven’t made any concrete plans. i’m thinking we find a good place to eat and you can tell me about your interests that i’m sure the people of ukraine will know something about and we’ll do something in regards to them. so i look like i know you, and – you’ll definitely have some semblance of fun.” he cocks a brow, before gesturing with his head for the boy to follow his lead. 

     the sooner they got this date with disaster over and done with the better. whilst he could say until he’s blue in the face that appearances didn’t matter to him, they did to a certain extent. the people of new zealand’s impression of him was paramount to his personal happiness and even if he was sure, certain that the other boy wasn’t someone he’d ever like, let alone love enough for their marriage to be anything but a necessary nuisance, he’d play a long to prove his worth to those that mattered. he knocks on his door and he had made a genuine effort with his appearance. not for artem, but for the paparazzi that would surely catch them on the way out of the palace. “are you ready to get this show on the road, rurik?” he’ll ask then, patience was a virtue sure – but one lachlan now severely lacked, despite how he’d once been. / @ruriks 

artem was utterly lost on what to make of the whole summit ordeal. while he very much loved his country and wanted to make the ukranian people proud, he knew lachlan didn’t, or wouldn’t, love him, and he didn’t want to take someone’s chance at happiness away from them. that, in addition to the now ever-present fear of the red queen tearing his life apart, was keeping him up at night constantly. thankfully, he’d managed to get just enough sleep to look presentable for his date with lachlan, which he assumed his parents were making him go on for appearances. he’d spent the whole morning getting ready, though why? he wasn’t sure. maybe a part of him hoped it help the day go by smoothly. hearing the knock on the door, artem jumps out from his place in the chair, casting his book aside. soon, he’s standing before the new zealander, a smile on his face. “ yes, of course, martin,” he teases playfully, hoping to lighten the mood. “ where are we going ?? ” art asks.

“I always knew a wedding was coming, but I didn’t think it would be this soon,” Mateo mumbles fixing his suit. “Be honest with me, is my tie crooked?” He fiddles with his outfit some more. “I’ve always hated these things.”

“ i have to agree with you there... i didn’t think there’d be a wedding this early in the summit, ” artem speaks, nodding along. “ uh... i do think your tie is crooked, yes... let me fix it for you, ” he says quietly before centering the tie. “ i think you’re good... am i ?? ”

this entire summit was a joke in lachlan’s opinion. he couldn’t take it seriously, even if he wanted to. in an ideal world, he wouldn’t be here. he’d be anywhere else at all. he’d be engaged or married to who he’d wanted to be, not betrothed to somebody he didn’t even know. it frustrated him, angered him, made him desperate to act out against it. the respect he felt for his parents had in one way or another influenced his actions, however, which is why he’d gone to find the other male in the first place. eyes wander towards the familiar figure and whilst he’d never admit it, he had looked into the other prince. in a scenario different to this, artem was someone he’d probably quite like, but his principles and pride were making him bias, were making artem the last person he wanted to be around. whilst it was unfair, he’d become the face of this entire summit for him, something he wasn’t even trying to change presently. “surprised? your parents aren’t forcing you to speak to me, then, huh? don’t know whether to be envious or offended.” brows furrow as his gaze drifts around the room and towards the book in his hand. “disturbing something, am i?” he asks then, licking at his lips, gesturing towards the book by his side.

artem isn’t quite sure what to do. his whole life had been preparing for this very moment—speaking to his betrothed—and now that it was here, all of his systems are on overload. he feels like he’s malfunctioning in lachlan’s presence, but he doesn’t want to let that show, though his grip on the sofa arm to keep his hand from shaking surely would give him away. he gnaws on his bottom lip before he even says anything again, trying to piece what an acceptable response should be. “ no, they are... i just... you’ll have to forgive me, i’m not too good with being social, ” artem admits awkwardly, a hand brushing across his neck. “ i’ve only heard good things about you, though, so... i guess i should be the envious one, ” he tries to save face, a laugh falling from his lips. “ oh, um, this old thing ?? ” artem questions, raising the leatherbound book. “ just doing some reading. it’s, um, edgar allan poe... have you ever read any of his work ?? it’s really good, especially if you’re into the supernatural or the dark side of humanity kind of stuff, ” the ukranian prince explains, accent seeping through with every syllable that rolls off his tongue.

artem’s snuggled up under a blanket, attempting to get lost in the world of edgar allan poe. he wasn’t usually keen to american literature, but poe had earned a special place in his heart when he’d finally given him the chance. besides, he’d much rather be in his own neck of the woods with a book than go out and deal with the other royals. artem wasn’t too sure how he felt about the summit. on one hand, he felt it could actually make an impact on the world, but on the other, it only complicated things for him more—what would happen if the red queen ever leaked his secret ?? he couldn’t help but ponder the though... and he’d never really event spoken to his fiance, which frightened him even more. his mindless page turning was brought to an abrupt end as he hears the door swing open. setting his book aside, artem turns to see the new zealand prince enter the room. he’s a bit confused a first, but he figures he should welcome the company. “ lachlan... surprised to see you here, but welcome to my... corner, i guess ?? ” artem speaks apprehensively. he’s never been apt at dealing with others, but he knows he can’t mess this up.

“Wait.” Gareth exclaimed looking up from his phone. “Did you know that July 27th is take your houseplants for a walk day? What a weird day, I mean I’ll definitely be doing it but still. Weird.”

“ how are you going to participate in that ?? ” artem questioned, eyebrow raised. “ you’re just going to... carry it around all day ?? ”

- ̗̀✰ •【 ANSEL ELGORT / CISMALE / 22 】announcing the arrival of his royal highness, ( ARTEM RURIK ), the ( PRINCE ) of ( UKRAINE ). I’ve heard that he is ( TIMID ) & ( PESSIMISTIC ) but can also be ( INTELLIGENT ) & ( OBSERVANT ). ( ARTEM ) is arranged to marry ( KEIYNAN LONSDALE ). Rumor has it ( HE WAS SWITCHED AT BIRTH AND ISN'T REALLY ROYAL ). We hope you enjoy your stay at London!【 OOC: christian, 18, cst, he/him 】