#cinderrose

Cinders is brought to Zantine to move into a guest suite of the Prince family estate, where she’ll live until the wedding in a few months’ time (it takes a while to prepare a celebration befitting the occasion). She’s an anxious wreck– away from home for the first time, stuck in the heart of her enemy’s power, and if she can’t follow through perfectly on this deal her father and all her people will pay the price. At least she’s away from her stepfamily.

The first time she and Rose meet in person is awkward. Rose is determined to be a gentleman about the whole thing, but she doesn’t know this woman or how she’s meant to interact with her in this context. Cinders is approaching it with gritted teeth and a barely-hidden air of self-sacrifice. They make small talk, try to get to know each other.

Both of them are pleasantly surprised by the other. Rose, despite being a tool in Cole’s hands to violently enforce His will, is respectful to Cinders, honest and gentle, and, in a turn of events Cinders has very mixed feelings about, the kind of woman who is exactly her type. Rose appreciates Cinders’ love for her people and her courage in coming here, and is intrigued by the hints of her true personality she lets through under the diplomatic mask. They both have a strong sense of duty and justice, even if it’s to opposite causes, and both have an appreciation for space– Cinders because of her enchantment with the stars and Rose through her hobby of driving and racing ships.

Right off the bat, Rose makes clear that they don’t have to be married in anything but name if Cinders doesn’t want it. They’ll be expected to live together, but Rose won’t touch Cinders without her consent. They quickly establish that they’re on the same page with their union being a business transaction, political theater. They’ll do what they must and try to stand each other in the meantime.

Cinders is still deeply unsure of Rose as a person, especially as she learns more about her career and the atrocities she’s committed in Cole’s name. And Rose remains privately a bit bitter about being pulled into a political scheme. But they get along well enough when they put the issue of the Empire aside (and they have to, both for personal and political reasons. Cinders is marrying into the Empire, and if they want this marriage to work in any way they can’t fight constantly). Rose takes Cinders on day trips in her personal spaceship, and Cinders shares music with Rose. They get closer.

I don’t think they would fall in love by the wedding– I picture this as a slow burn. Before they can fully enter a romantic relationship, Rose needs to learn that the cause she fights for and the tactics she uses aren’t as noble as she thinks, and Cinders needs to figure out how to live with Rose’s past acts and her position in the Empire. They’d need to compromise a great deal. But eventually, of course, they realize they do love each other and become romantic partners as well as wives.

I don’t know what happens next– their relationship would be a bit strained as long as they’re under Cole’s thumb. They also both have a lot of trauma to work through— Cinders from the war and her stepmother’s abuse, and Rose from the army. Rose would have to kick her rapidly-forming dependence on alcohol.

Perhaps Rose quits the army in this AU and Cinders works with Snow in parliament to secretly work against the worst of Cole’s power. Perhaps Cinders and Rose eventually run away together. Whatever happens I think would be delicious– there’s so much you can do with them in this context.