Weeks went by, Amelia allowed herself to be busy and distracted. Tending to her people’s issues as she saw more folks sail away to war in Troy, meanwhile she answered scrollings, attending meetings, and tending to the garden.
When she had time, she would particularly taking time to practice her swordsmanship. But most all, carefully taking care of her 5 month old son Joshua, as she’d carry him on her hip while checking on the halls.
Rochelle was at Troy with Nikolai and Amelia assumed that Michelle would be there too. But she was wrong.
One afternoon, Amelia put 7 months old Joshua on the floor and let him crawl around. She turn her back around for a minute and then he was gone! But the only thing she heard were giggles along with a voice from the dining hall, it was too early for lunch, as she grabbed her sword and entered.
To her surprise, she saw Michelle bouncing her son on her leg while eating a piece of ham. Amelia lowered her sword and squeaked, “Michelle?! What the-how the-?”
Michell looked unfazed and waved her piece of ham, “Hungry?”
Amelia blinked, “No! What are you doing here? Should you be at war or something?”
Michelle raise an eyebrow and giving Joshua a piece of ham to chew on, despite the baby not having any teeth yet, as she answered, “Am I? I don’t remember any war in my schedule—OHH right, Troy! Nahh, I can watch from afar, besides everyone knows i did not start that fight.”
Amelia blinked, “I know Helen and Paris started the war because of a love affair but still. Shouldn’t you be there in support?”
Michelle rolled her eyes, “My dear friend, someone needs to keep you company and protect you. And that person is me! Besides, I don’t trust these men…”
Amelia raise an eyebrow, “But aren’t you the goddess of war?! You’re literally pissed off every single week.”
Michelle grumbles, “Don’t start.”
—
—
Year 3-5 — 🍋
Joshua is 4 years old today, babbling out phrases and chowing on whatever his little teeth can dig into, unless it’s vegetables then he’s spitting it out. His curls were looking more like a golden brown, looking blonde in the sunlight, according to Nikolai’s mother who would oftentimes visit the palace. Amelia’s little boy was being treated like the prince he’s always been.
His eyes filled of wonder and a sense of humor, along with strength that reminded Amelia so much like his father. Amelia sighed, thinking about the weight and pressure of not having her husband home. Waking up some mornings without him were tough rolling over to not see Nikolai fast asleep beside her, but other times she would feel alright to start her day.
She figured that the war in Troy would end soon, she hoped.
At least she had Michelle who would stop by with a firey laugh and a couple of words to keep her spirits high. Even updating her on things have been, as Hermes—Cole—would accomplish a little more detail with messages from what he could overhear from the front lines.
“Dawling! Look who’s here, it’s me.” He’ll say giggling pulling out a scroll and reading it, “It’s from Nik. It says ‘Hello love, I apologize I can’t be there but, blah, blah I miss you and blah blah blah I hope you’re having a nice day. We’re planning on having a meeting this afternoon, my love’—man, he writes a lot.”
Amelia would snicker, rolling her eyes at Cole’s words. Other days, Amelia found Michelle enjoying her time in the dining hall, teaching Joshua little moves—more like Michelle will sing but deny it saying Apollo’s new stupid song is stuck in her head—as the boy will giggles and ask her questions.
—
—
Year 6-7 — 🍴
To say Amelia was still holding onto the ball was an absolute, ridiculous understatement. 7 year of war, waiting, meetings, waking up alone and tending to her world. There were weeks and even months where she would not see Michelle, as she went off to watch over the war, accompanying soldiers and making twists in the direction of the people.
Even joining Rochelle, her beloved lady of Wisdom, in the fight as they watched over Nikolai if they weren’t somewhere else. Meanwhile at home — sailors, vendors, royals, politicians would arrive at the island to speak to Amelia on matters, as she’ll hold up meetings with them.
Sometimes—if not, she’ll usually leave it up to the captain and councilman of the court to deal with it, then report back to her later.
Instead, Amelia would find herself reading in bed to her boy, Joshua. Eating lunch with him, watching him playing with their dog in the yard, and joining him in his studies as well. Sometimes she’d find Joshua writing away in scrolls and crafting sketches filled by ideas of him own.
One afternoon, she got the question she was dreading to answer.
“Mama..” Joshua started, midway through eating dinner.
Amelia was chewing on a piece of chicken as she answered, “Yes, baby?”
“Is father ever going to come back?”
Amelia froze—yes, her now almost 7 year old son would ask for stories about his dad, pondering how he’s like, and listen to messages Hermes would send—but that question hasn’t truly been raise yet.
She took a breath and swallowed the piece of chicken before answer, “Bug, I like to believe that he will. It’s just taking longer than expected.”
“Why? Auntie Michy says they just fight all week.” Joshua asked in confusion, referring to Michelle.
“Well, yes, they do. But it’s more than that, it’s a fight between love and hate…Papa is on the front lines of that battle helping to sort everything out.” She explained, “So it takes time.”
Joshua nods and sighed before mumbling, “Does Papa think about us? I don’t even remember him…”
Amelia cupped his cheek and rubbed his cheekbone with her thumb as she said, “Of course he does, baby. I’m pretty sure you’re father is wondering if you’re doing okay.”
—+—
Years 8-10 — 🏹
Rumors we’re flying over the borders of the war would someday, somehow come to an abrupt ending. But then again, they were rumors. Amelia likes to say how this felt like the homestretch of it all.
She was considerably older now and grimace at the thought of getting older with the side of the bed remaining empty. There were days where she’d awakened to the sound of birds and servants voices, realizing that she on Nikolai’s side of the bed instead of her own. She will never admit it, because it felt wrong to say it, but having a bed all to herself felt pretty good sometimes. She was used to it by now, despite the odd feeling of not having a proper pair of arms wrapped around her in the morning.
Things had their routine by now.
Wake up at a later hour, lying in bed for a bit before crawling out of the bedroom to greet her son and mother in law at the breakfast table. Reading, doing some simple chores—yes, they had servants in the palace but she liked putting her clothes away as well—actives such as darts, entering the garden and taking her time to get her hair done. At some stage in the week, she’ll have a few meetings, taking time to enter the town, participate in a small event of training and greetings folks at the docks.
Sadly, her mother in law, Nikolai’s mother, passed away one night, peacefully in her sleep. Amelia sighed and sniffled, wiping away young Joshua’s tears at his grandmother being gone.
However one afternoon, during year 10, changed things.
Amelia was in the throne room painting, it was a rather strange scene, quiet but pleasant among the chaos of it all. She heard the sound of boots clapping the floor and smiled to see Michelle playfully sitting in her throne, keeping a watchful eye on everything that Amelia didn’t see.
Suddenly the sounds of screams, chatter and the noise of sails came into view—as Amelia put her brush down and gazed out the window. Her eyes doubled in size, seeing the docking of ships slowly approaching the shore. It wasn’t uncommon to have visitors but still.
“Michelle. What’s going on?” Amelia asked, looking between the window and her goddess friend.
Michelle snapped her fingers in realization before saying, “Ah! I knew I needed to tell you something.”
Amelia gestured for her to continue, “Tell me what?”
“That the war ended yesterday afternoon. People are packing up their weapons and crewmen to come back soon.” Michelle explained then pause, “Why are you looking me like that?”
“Because you didn’t say a word.”
“Ohhh right. Well, now you know..”
Michelle stay quietly grumbling about the stupid fact Nikolai and the other soldiers hid in a wooden horse to get the job done. She rolled her eyes in anger and annoyances, knowing she would’ve went in slashing mortals with her sword instead.
Amelia grinned in hope then rushed off to tell Joshua, who was climbing a tree with a few children of servants, in the garden as guards stood by watching the sight. Amelia chuckled at the sight of her son climbing, screaming and laughing with other children his ages.
“Darling, can you come over here for a moment?” She called out, as her gaze followed him jumping down from the branches.
Joshua jumped down and slide over catching him breath, “Yeah, ma?”
Amelia the moment to tell him the news that she just heard, seeing the young boy’s eyes lit up in awe and excitement. He asked if his father was on one of those ships, ready to rush off to the docks to find him.
“Well I don’t know yet but Michelle is here and-”, Amelia started but was cut off rather quickly.
Joshua gasped, “Aunt Michy?!”
Without a second chance to continue her sentence, her son ran off inside to greet the goddess of war, also known as his aunt Michelle.
Amelia smiled to herself that week in anticipation for her husband’s return, only for her smile to slowly fade away as time progressed. It’s been 9 days and he’s still not home?!
“I’mma kill him..” She muttered once in the war room, by Sunday afternoon.
Michelle looked up from chatting with someone when she heard her. She smirked, “You’ll what?”
“What are they doing? Having a party with the people in Troy who didn’t try to kill ‘em?!” Amelia remarked clearly not happy.
Michelle snickered, “Maybe. I usually don’t get to see this side of you. I like it.”
—
—
—
Ahhh I added more! ☺️ Let me know what you think 💭
I’m interested in see what yall come up with hehehe 🎭
Side-note — Hmm I wonder where they could be? 🙄👀
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IB: Daylight by Taylor Swift, Into The Woods, Once Upon A Time and Cinderella (2015)
"How- how could you even-"
"Because I love her, mother! Because- Because when I'm around her I forget how to speak coherently, I forget I'm a princess, I lose my mind!"
"Why her!"
"I was never going to love a Prince, Mother. If I were to follow tradition I wouldn't be happy until my dying day. Surely if I'm going to rule this kingdom someday I should be allowed to have agency over whom I choose to spend my life with!"
Queen Caroline's lips tightened but she knew what Michelle said was right. The kingdom wasn't going to be hers forever. And Michelle seemed to be completely besotted with this person. With a sigh, Caroline looked at her wily daughter with sympathy.
"Alright. I give you permission to seek out this Ella who has turned your head. Take whatever guards and men you require, but if your quest proves fruitless you must return to the palace and choose a suitor that I approve of. Is that understood?"
"Yes Mother." Michelle nudged Nicholas who seemed to be falling asleep at her side, sharply digging her elbow into his ribs.
"Ow! I mean, yes Your Highness."
"Good. Now I need to ask my Lady in Waiting about a certain suit being made without my permission..."
Michelle grinned, grabbing Nik's hands and squealing. He smiled tiredly but he was clearly still very inebriated from the party which had only ended last night. But Michelle had never felt more alive. She was going to find the girl of her dreams and nothing was standing in her way. Except for the fact she only knew her first name, had only ever met her in a mask and her only clue was a shoe she had discovered liked to maim false wearers.
"Can I at least have a nap first?"
"No time! For all I know if her awful family have discovered her secret she could be sent away, or being impersonated, or being locked away in a disgusting tower away from all hopes of love and freedom!"
"Why are you so awake?"
"Because some of us didn't drink wine."
"There are so many lines that I've crossed, unforgiven
I'll tell you truth, but never 'Goodbye'."
Ella was in a daydream as she swept the floors, pretending the broom was a dance partner and danced around the kitchen humming to herself before clocking the entrance of her step-sisters and stepmother, quickly resuming sweeping.
"Ella I have a headache like no other and the girls are exhausted. I'll need you to wash all of our clothes from the last three nights, change our beds, sweep every room, beat the rugs and dust all the furniture down."
"Yes Stepmother!" Ella replied cheerily, sweeping past them happily, still in a daze from her nights of freedom. As she went to collect the post, she hummed a tune, not realising her Stepmother had followed her out, watching her like a hawk.
"There was a strange woman at the festivals you know.."
"Oh really?"
"Yes, long red hair, piercing green eyes, a new dress every night and swept a young Prince off his feet."
"How sweet."
"And she always ran out of the place on the stroke of Midnight."
"Strange thing.." Ella mused, not saying much at all as her Stepmother suddenly grabbed her wrist sharply.
"Do you think I'm a fool, Cinderella?"
"N-not at all, Stepmother."
"Don't try to act innocent then, I know you were there!"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"I know that face even behind a mask!"
"Stepmother please-"
But before Ella could protest she was dragged up the staircase to her attic room harshly, her Stepmother's nails digging into her pale freckled arm as she was flung through the door to her room and saw her produce a key that fit her lock.
"Stepmother no!"
"You will stay here until you learn your lesson about following my rules!" She hissed, slamming the door tightly, the key turning in the lock as Ella cried out, wrenching on the door in vain. She was stuck. And knowing her 'family' that door would never open again.
"I don't wanna look at anything else now that I saw you,
I don't wanna think of anything else now that I thought of you."
"We've been to nearly every house now, can't we go home?"
"Nik! No! I know she's here somewhere..." Michelle urged, sending her horse forward after Nicholas' horse.
"I haven't eaten yet this morning..."
"Here." Michelle retorted, throwing an apple at his head, almost knocking him off his horse.
"Ow!"
"Eat that and quit whining. We're here."
Nicholas bit the fruit begrudgingly as they approached the home. Felton Manor. It was the final house within the town to visit. Michelle's last hope. She dismounted her horse, fixing her hair again. A girl had tugged on it harshly after being attacked by the shoe and Michelle had almost had her ruse ruined. Time to be Michael.
"Come on Nik, I have a good feeling about this one."
"I'm having deja vu..."
"Nik! Just..."
But before Michelle could finish she was hastily greeted by an imposing woman with dark hair, flanked by two less then appealing young ladies who were practically salivating at both herself and Nicholas.
"Your Highness, Prince Michael, its an honour to welcome you to our estate."
"You must be Lady Felton. This is my associate, Sir Nicholas."
Nicholas bowed politely before frowning at 'Michael' privately about the added title. 'Michael' simply smiled and continued on, skirting over that minor detail very neatly.
"I am hoping to find the girl who fits this shoe as I am hoping to make her my bride."
"Oh my! Well my daughters attended the festivals each night, perhaps one of them are your beloved!"
"Well we shall see. May we step inside?"
Lady Felton led them inside and as they were entering the soft sound of a song was hears floating through an open window high up in the house. 'Michael' raised an eyebrow.
"Are there any other family members in this house who attended the festival?"
"No, just myself and my daughters."
"So who up there is singing?"
"What singing?"
Lady Felton proffered, feigning innocence. Nicholas narrowed his eyes and spotted an imposing chatelaine on the woman's skirt with a large key attached to it. As soon as their backs were turned, Michelle signaled to Nicholas to find the source of the noise by stealing that key. Nik nodded, immediately working to slip that key from Lady Felton's possession.
"Here we are, so, about that shoe?"
"Luck of the draw only draws the unlucky,
So I became the butt of the joke."
There were tears in Ella's eyes as she sang, cradling her lone glass slipper in her hand as she danced around her dirty, cramped attic room, accepting her fate. Then she heard the screams. Screams of pure agony as if someone was being attacked violently. Ella paused her singing and could swear she heard malevolent laughter on the wind. She ran to the door, banging on it loudly, crying to be let out.
Just as she was about to give up she heard a voice.
"Ella?"
"Who is it?"
"It's Nicholas, I'm here to save you?"
"Nicholas!" She was crying tears of joy as the door opened and she wrapped her arms around him, crying.
"Michelle is downstairs you-"
Another scream tore through the house.
"She's downstairs?"
"Yes! She's here for you...and you have the other shoe!"
"She has it?"
"Yes, you're the only one who fits it! Quickly before your sister slices her toes off." Nicholas muttered, leading her down the spiral staircase back to the others.
"And I can still see it all (in my mind)
All of you, all of me (intertwined)"
There was spit in Michael's eye. It was vile. These girls weren't just cruel, they were vicious. As she took back the slipper and lifted her head she saw Nicholas descending the grand staircase holding a girl's hand. A girl with flaming red hair, piercing green eyes and a ragged dress, holding the slipper's pair. Michelle lit up.
"Ella!"
"Michelle.."
Michelle tugged on the velvet ribbon in her hair, her curls falling down her back and ran to sweep up Ella in an embrace. Nicholas stepped back and handed the key back to Lady Felton who was stood there in horror.
"You dropped this, by the way."
Michelle teased, leading Ella to the chair. Ella took a seat in the chair as Michelle knelt to put the slipper on her grubby foot. Her foot slid into the slipper with ease and fit like a glove. She very carefully slipped the second shoe onto her other foot and helped her stand, smiling.
"I once believed love would be (burnin' red)
But it's golden
Like daylight."
"I told you I'd find you one day."
"You did...didn't you."
"Ella, will you do me the honour of being my wife?"
Ella was tearful and overcome with emotion as Michelle knelt in front of her, producing a ring with a sapphire set into it. Ella nodded fervently, smiling.
"Yes! Yes I will marry you Michelle!"
Michelle stood and placed the ring on her finger, pulling her into an intimate kiss as they both embraced for as long as they pleased, Nicholas watching from aside smirking, the Felton step-daughters and Lady Felton watching on in horror.
"Now if you don't mind, I'd like you to meet my Mother."
"I'd be delighted, Michelle."
Michelle carried her future wife out of her old home and towards her horse, still kissing her fervently as a less tired Nicholas followed, gesturing rudely at the step family as they made their escape.
A figure watched from the shadows, a grin on his lips. He'd let the happy couple have their fun. For now...he wasn't a monster. Just a trickster that came with a price. And watching the sisters be tortured by his cursed slippers was plenty entertainment for one day.
"I wanna be defined by the things that I love
Not the things I hate
Not the things I'm afraid of, I'm afraid of
The things that haunt me in the middle of the night, I
Pairing: Mia x Nikolai, Liane x Ethan, Rick x Luna, Cole x Jeremy
Friendship pair: Josh & Bella
Summary: Moments like this the universe just wants to make it harder on us. In other words, they should’ve just called Cole…
Other characters included/mentioned: Rochelle, Michelle, Cole, Rick and Luna
~~
Warning: Slight small mention of labor, but it is mostly comedic relief to move the story forward more than anything else. Nothing graphic or informative or insane. So you’re fine. ANYWAYs, please chaos from the young avengers and family members enjoy 😉
Note: Sorta OUAT but also could be Marvel fic haha (depending on how you look at it 😊)
A/N: This was a fun idea that could be seen as crack too, due to how much going on in the fanfic. Please enjoy!
~~~~~
It was supposed to be a simple afternoon—well simple for the average group, due to them all hunting down the potions and stuff to stop the tide coming their way. A wicked protection spell.
You know save the day and explore that kinda thing?
So in response they were all sent a little goose chase and hunt for it at the docks.
It was good, they found the hidden gems and a piece of the puzzle to make the potion for later. Even broke half of the curse, destroying the spell, thanks to Liane, Joshua and Bella—restoring memories back for everyone. Yay, everything is safe and sound.
Just as things were going well at the docks with everyone talking and deciding to go back to the town square, Mia felt something off. She gripped Nikolai’s bicep and winced slightly.
“Love, are you alright?” He asked softly placing a hand on her lower back for support.
Mia chuckled awkwardly, “Eh, he he, well, either that was a Braxton Hick or a real one…”
“You’re a two weeks early, t-that’s not possible.” He replied in surprise, his tone sounding calm despite him internally freaking out.
“Yeah, well, since when have your children ever been one to surprise us by coming late?” She added jokingly.
Ethan, who was walking with Liane, looked up noticing his friends in distress. He knew his question would sound stupid, yet he still asked, “Are you guys alright?”
“You’re about to be an uncle again.” Mia murmured before clearing her throat once the contractions left and smiled in relief.
“Oh shit! I’mma be uncle again, I wasn’t there the first time around and now I am! This is exciting news—”
He was swiftly cut off by Nikolai who chuckled, “Uh Ethan, buddy, can you help me get everyone in the cars? Mia, where are the keys?”
Liane gasped, “You let her pregnant ass drive us to the docks?! Have you no shame?!”
“No! We took her car and I drove us here, I gave her the keys for safe keeping afterwards!”
“That still doesn’t make sense to me! You got magic and you couldn’t drive yourself!?”
“My car is getting fixed at Tony’s shop! We did needed another form of transportation here, and I will have you know I drive pretty well.”
Liane grinned, “Well in that case I’m driving! Me and the kids in one car. Ethan, Nik and Mia in the other. To the hospital people! Chop chop!”
The blonde sounded way too confident and overly proud of herself with that statement.
Everyone else looked at her like she was nuts. Yes, they were all vastly skilled in their respective fields but they all had their weaknesses. Everyone and their mother knew that Liane wasn’t the best driver per se.
Ethan loved his wife too much to say anything about it, as he was too busy in shock that Liane snatch the keys out of his hand. Joshua rolled his eyes and groaned at the idea, rubbing his mother’s shoulder in comfort. Even he was a better player in driving someone around.
Nikolai whined knowing it wasn’t the best idea to have the blonde drive both teenagers around to the hospital.
The only one truly brave enough in the chaos at the moment, despite being awakened by the curse to speak up was youngest lady there.
“Absolutely not!” Belladonna exclaimed snatching the keys out of her mom’s hands. “Are we really going to listen to her? Josh back me up here!”
Liane gasped in offensive frustration, “Um excuse you, young lady, but who do you think you’re talking to, sweetie?”
“Mom, I love you, but unfortunately you’re not the best driver.”
“I’m an experienced and excellent driver, sweetie.”
Bella muttered under her breath, “Yeah, when we were cursed and under that damn spell…”
“BELLA?!” Liane screamed in shock and gasped. “My own daughter this is—”
Joshua sighed speaking up, “Aunt Lia, she’s got a point. Last week you decided to give an another driving lesson and crash into a mailbox.”
Liane eyes widen and scoffed, “Well if I ever…it was one time!”
Joshua smirked, “It happened more than once. Also I think I should drive.”
“Him?!” Ethan yelled putting stuff in the car and bumping his head against the trunk.
“You?!” Liane added dramatically, “You’re both children you don’t even have you—”
Bella smirked as well nudging for Joshua to pull out his drivers permit, as he showed it to the others. Liane’s jaw dropped as Ethan blinked. Nikolai was rubbing his wife’s back and snickered at their reactions. He was proud.
“Since when did you-?!” Liane yelled breaking the silence.
“Back in New York, I got it.” Joshua added simply, a hint of confidence in his tone.
Bella couldn’t help but crack a smile and tease him, “Yeah, sure, it took him almost 6 months but he got it..”
Soon enough, different set of bickering broke out between the 5 of them.
“They are both babies they aren’t drive!”
“Liane not the time!”
“I can’t believe you decided to tell us now, Ethan?!”
“What you yelling at me for?!”
“I don’t know, it just feels right to yell.”
“Oh my god..”
“Are you sure we can’t all just drive together in one car?”
“Not a bad idea…out of both of us, who was the biggest space?”
“Idiot, how would that work, Nikolai?”
“I’m brainstorming, shut up.”
“Cause you guys stop fighting please? It’s not helping. I can take us three there, while Ethan gets there first.”
“Joshua, you’re a child!”
“I’m 17!”
“It was worth a shot, Bella…”
“Just let me drive!”
“Mom no!”
“Bella, please, the adults are talking.”
“You don’t even the slightest directions to the hospital!”
“THERE IS GPS FOR A REASON!”
“Shouldn’t we just call an ambulance?”
“That would take too long, Ethan!”
“Oh my goodness my nieces are gonna be born on a dock!?”
“No they ain’t!”
Mia finally shouted over everyone, “GUYS!”
“What?!” They all yelled back.
She sighed pointing to herself in a sing song tone, as if stating the obvious. “Hello.” She added hands on her hips for added effect.
The group was silent before getting the hint all making “ohhh!” and “ah, oh yeah, right.”, along with a bunch of apologies being given by the others. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes and smile despite the mild pain she felt, coming and going.
Ethan spoke up as they followed the lead to the cars and asked, “Wait, wait, who’s driving?”
“I am!” Liane added, as if it was obvious.
She quickly got a bunch of objections and heads being shook in disagreement over her statement. Some rapidly shouted, “NO!”
Nikolai put a hand on his wife’s shoulder in silent support and turn to the group firmly, “Ethan’s driving us, Joshua’s driving you guys.”
“Yes!” Joshua exclaimed happily as him and Bella fist bumped.
Bella called shotgun and scurried over to the car.
Liane opened her mouth to speak wondering if Nikolai was serious or not, but one firm look from the brunette and she shut up completely.
——
———
Soon enough they all arrive to the hospital, Joshua was left to park both cars as Ethan and Liane helped Mia into a wheelchair.
Nikolai was filling out forms when he noticed their friends all there. He stood there in shock, “What hell-? How did you guys—when did you guys get here?”
Michelle smiled sitting in one of the waiting chairs, “You really think we would miss this? Dude, it’s my nieces being born. Plus it’s gives me a chance to give Alexander the middle finger if he arrives.”
“I—But I didn’t call you! No one texted you.”
Bella smirked looking up from her phone, “Oh, when Josh was driving I texted Michelle. Figured she would like to know, but I didn’t expect her to come.”
Rochelle rushed in from one of the hospital rooms and smiled, “Oh hey! You’re here, that’s great, well me and Luna were already here anyway when Michelle called me.”
Mia, who was sitting in the wheelchair rubbing her backside, was about to ask what happened when the loud screams were heard down the hall. They belonged to Rick. Along with the insults.
“Long story short, Ricky got hurt earlier while experimenting on something with the kids..” Rochelle added, “He’ll be fine.”
Bella and Mia both rolled their eyes as Nikolai stayed quiet shaking his head.
Just before anyone could anything a cloud of magical thick smoke appeared. As the smoke cleared away, it showed Cole looking annoyed, angry and worried. The man was enjoying a peaceful afternoon in his shop, with his husband Jeremy while babysitting the children, when he got the damn news. He was in the middle of teaching one of his nephews, George, some cool spells! So he wasn’t happy.
Liane froze meanwhile Ethan signed looking at his brother.
“You should’ve call me!” Cole exclaimed loudly rushing over to the group. “Why did I just get a damn text from Bella that my angels are coming?! You idiots, you could’ve just call me instead of arguing over who gets the bloody keys?! UGH!”
“Cole, we can explain.” Liane started but was cut off.
“Ha! Please tell you didn’t drive, last week you hit my mailbox.”
“THAT WAS YOURS?!”
Ethan and Michelle snorted loudly but was stopped short by a glare from Cole.
Rochelle stay quiet running away to go check on Rick and Luna, not wanting to feel Cole’s wrath today. The redhead almost bumped into a wall rushing away from the group.
Besides Rick yelled, “WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON OUT THERE?!”
Luna shouted over him, “Ricky stay still! The doctor is trying to remove the nails and splinters!”
Cole looked at Nikolai and pointed, “And you! What were you thinking?! As her husband I would believe you would have some sense to inform me or not waste time—”
Nikolai raised both eyebrows and furrow his eyebrows, “Don’t even start with me! I was more focused on my wife than calling anyone. None of us expected this to happen and we would’ve gotten here sooner, if it wasn’t for Liane’s performance.”
Liane gasped, “Me?! I offered to drive but you all refused to take me seriously.”
Bella and Ethan shared a look, slowly wheeling Mia away from the group and into her hospital room. Michelle got the hint, scurry off to follow them into the hallway as well, not without snapping pictures for blackmail later.
Joshua walked in a few minutes later, after successfully parking both cars, seeing his father, aunt and uncle Cole fighting.
“What did..?” He started before being dragged away by his best friend, “Gah, son of—!”
“Come on I’ll explain later.” Bella remarked ushering him into the room.
Are you ready for another adventure? | Marvel x OUAT Blurb 🎈
Pairing: Nikolai x Mia, Ethan x Liane, Cole x Jeremy, Rick x Luna etc
Established friendship: Joshua & Bella
Summary: Babies are born, chaos is inevitable, family is growing more than ever before, romance is in the air and well..Joshua can’t catch a break.
—
The next couple of hours were spent at the hospital with everyone. Screams, shouting, crying and throwing items.
Mainly from Cole and Liane—
Rick and Mia weren’t far behind due to extremely different circumstances, of course.
Ethan, Luna, Nikolai and Michelle wanted to have everyone shut up.
Rochelle got lucky as she was given the opportunity to just watch the kids are her house with Jeremy instead.
—
At 11am in the mist of the chaos the twins were born and Rick was healing, which reduced some of the chaos. It also helped that some of their friends and family members were asleep.
Nikolai was holding Darlene as he sat down next to his wife on the bed, he looked up at her with a smile. “You did amazing, love.” He whispered softly and kissed her forehead.
Mia weakly chuckled holding Margot carefully shifting her into her arms. She leaned into his touch and replied, “I couldn’t do it without you.”
“Oh, love, I didn’t do anything, you did all the work.”
“Thanks, baby. Honestly between both experiences, I think this was a bit better.”
“Yeah, cause last time my brother was causing trouble and Joshua came early.”
The two chuckled nuzzling each other as they watched their daughters cooing asleep. They were gonna have another adventure as a couple now. The hospital fell silent in comfortable solitude as the machines were smoothly running and the only sounds were murmured from outside.
It was moments like this, the couple felt blessed and at ease for a while.
However the silence didn’t last long enough because half an hour later, in came Michelle carrying balloons and Cole yelling, “Where are my little angels?!”
“Shh!” Rick hushed him as Ethan wheeled the blonde man in.
“Oh shh yourself my nieces are born, Banner, now which baby am I holding first?”
Mia shook her head chuckling handing Margot over to Cole as Nikolai gave the other to Ethan, holding Darlene carefully. Both brothers were in awe. Cole refused to share Margot claiming dibs, meanwhile Rick, Michelle and Ethan admired little Darlene together.
“How are you feeling?” Rick asked looking at Mia and Nikolai smiling, “Both of you, I mean.”
The couple exchanged looks chuckled before responding, “Tired.”
“Um, where is Liane and Luna? I could’ve sworn they were both here hours ago.” Nikolai asked recalling how both girls was here earlier, as she was supporting hours, before nurse kicked Liane out for freaking out.
Before Ethan can answer the door was busted open with Liane and Luna carrying a bunch of plushies and blankets. Luna was holding a bag of plushies and outfits grinning excitedly.
“I’M HERE! WE’RE HERE! Did we miss it?!” Liane exclaimed out of breath, dramatically turning around frantically.
“Bitch, your gonna wake the babies!” Cole exclaimed whisper yell and looked down at Margot, “Don’t worry, angel, I’m the good uncle. Your auntie is just nuts.”
“I heard that!” Liane remarked and huffed, “Now, let me hold the baby.”
“Hands off she’s mine!”
Luna grinned, “We brought so much stuff and food for everyone! I even got myself some few plushies too.”
Rick opened his mouth to argue that they have millions of plushies at home, but then shook his head.
Mia chuckled tiredly and smiled, “I see you guys brought the whole store, huh?”
Luna nodded giggling, “Oh yeah! So many things to consider but I got mainly crocodile and bumblebee plushies.”
“Well, I just hope we have enough room for them in the car.” Nikolai added chuckling.”
Luna gasped and smirked, “Well if you don’t I can always bring them home with me.”
Rick’s eyes widen and shook his head, “Oh no you don’t!”
“Guys! Cole won’t let me hold the baby…” Liane replied pouting.
“You do realize there are two babies right?” Michelle responded chuckling pointing the other baby, as Rick was holding Darlene now.
“Oh, right, I almost forgot. I’m tired from running around the store…oops!”
“Also, Cole, let someone else hold the baby, please.”
Liane walked over taking Margot carefully from Rick’s arms and coo at the baby girl. Cole glared at Michelle’s response and scoffed, until Mia gave him a little nod as he released the baby from his arms handing her to Michelle.
“If you drop her I swear—” Cole started but was cut off.
Michelle roll her eyes rocking the baby with such ease and remarked, “Did you forget I am a mother of two children myself, dummy?”
————
Nikolai and Mia waited for others to get here later on to tell them the twins names.
Joshua was holding Darlene and Bella cooing at the baby girl when they heard the names. Rochelle, who was carrying Margot despite Cole’s annoyance, melted at the news.
“They’re beautiful names!” Rochelle says grinning as she tease. “Is there a chance that we have a middle name be after me?”
Liane smirked, “Obviously their middle names should be after mine and Luna, duh! We spent hours together shopping for them.”
Joshua chuckled rolling his eyes, “Shouldn’t mom and dad decide on that part?”
Bella agrees but she was too busy watching baby Darlene to remark on the matter.
Nikolai chuckled speaking for Mia and himself, when he said that the matter on middle names will be dealt with later on. Even though he had a pretty good idea on who to name their twins after.
Joshua full name was Joshua Christopher Morozov, having been inspired by the ‘J’ and ‘C’ in both Cole and Jeremy’s names.
“Oh any update of the chaos outside?” Ethan asked respectfully, as he remembered that before the insane shift in agenda, they were hunting down items for a magic potion and protection spells, knowing that it won’t be peaceful for long.
Michelle was eating a sandwich when she looked up, “Uhh shit I knew I forgot something!…we have to get on that. Family first and tracking later, I got Cassie on standby.”
“Uh should I be worried?” Mia asked resting her head on the pillow.
“No, of course not! It’s not like we got giants running around again or Loki causing chaos. Besides everyone is safe.” Michelle replied with a mouthful of PB&J sandwiches. “Just rest I got this!”
————
Later on, it was the afternoon and everyone was resting either in Mia’s hospital room or in the waiting area. Bella was texting on her cell phone and hearing her parents talking, George and Gia gushing over the babies and the others being overwhelmed by it all, honestly it was adorable to her. But she won’t admit it of course.
“What do you think babies dream about?” Joshua asked curiously as he smiled.
Jeremy grins as he remarked, “Bullfighting.”
“Laser-tag!” Nikolai responded smirked.
“Uh, I don’t even think that’s remotely true.” Mia replied confused yet assuming.
Cole was sitting beside her and smirked laughing at her inability to comprehend the jokes. They all laughed at the brunette finding it rather cute.
“I think Mia’s still hop up on the drugs from earlier.” Liane joked giggling.
When Bella least expected it, a certain blonde tapped her shoulder, as she turned around to see Alice. The two were still in a will they-won’t they stage of their relationship.
The young Latina began to rub off her smile and blush slightly, “Oh um, hey..”
Alice caught her smiled and smiled back, “Hey. I see you got two new cousins.”
“They’re cute or whatever..w-what are you doing here?” Bella asked, acting nonchalant and shrugging.
“I came to check up on you. After yesterday you kinda left me on read, saying you had to go somewhere.”
“Oh right..look, I’m sorry, with the spell breaking, my parents having been a bit all over the place and my memories coming back…”
“And when I kissed you—”
“Yeah that..it’s been a lot.”
Alice and Bella stood there awkwardly until Rochelle called Alice over to come hang out with them. Bella covered her face in embarrassment when the blonde left, she was better at solving cases and family drama than stupidity confessing her feelings to somebody. She thought with all the love in the air and new things going on, she could get the courage to do something about this.
She suddenly got an alert of her phone talking about magic alert and she smirked thinking that a walk in the woods would be good for her. She swiftly walked over to Joshua.
“Hey.” She greeted him softly.
He smiled looking at her, “What’s up?”
“How do you feel about going for a walk and grabbing some ice cream?”
He raised an eyebrow, “Seriously? Bella, you know whenever you go I follow, but ice cream?”
She shrugged, “What? Ice cream would be good for us. Besides your sisters will be here.”
“I’m a big brother I have to be responsible here.”
“Josh, I know, but before we know we will have more responsibilities on our plates and uh…relationships to worry about.”
“What about relationships?”
“Nothing! Let’s go get some food, come on. And a walk.”
————
Thankfully their parents and aunts let them go out to get some fresh air. As being stuck in a hospital for so long was tiring enough. So the friends were off to enjoy themselves.
It was probably Joshua’s ability to see past the surface but he could tell something was off with Bella after they went for ice cream. He knew ever seen they got back from New York and before that, she has been lighter but after the spell broke she been slightly more unbalanced.
They were in the other side of town, near the docks, cabins, warehouses and other buildings.
He knew he had to ask her, “Belladonna, you doing okay?”
“Never better.” She replied way too quickly, moments like this you can tell she’s Liane’s daughter 100%.
“Bella.”
“I’m fine! I’m just tired that’s all..”
“Then we should go back to the hospital and rest.”
She grab his arm, “No! I mean..not yet. It’s a lot, okay? We’re both in a good place, handling threats, solving problems, being with family and friends..”
“But..?” He replied, knowing her too well.
“…ugh, but what if it’s too much? We have it good..then we will fall back into being screwed up again…you can’t honestly not think about that, right?”
Joshua paused, knowing what she meant. Despite all the chaos, twists, turns and misfortunes—their lives are weird enough with evil people and tragedy coming along the way at times—they were finding themselves and becoming young adults soon. If anyone should have doubts, it’s him, but Josh decided to look towards the light and be a good man, even if it’s all insane in the world.
“I know what you mean. But hey you have me.” Joshua responded lightly, his voice filled with warmth and strength. “Now, what is there all about?”
“…Alice.” Bella mumbled.
“Oh…”
“Look, we’ll figure out. Now let’s go back to my house and then we can—what’s that?”
Bella noticed the direction he was looking towards and smirked remembering about the alert about magic being near theses parts. It’s one of the reasons she wanted to go outdoors, to check it out and store it for later. Without a second later, she dragged Joshua with her to the warehouse as the doors sway up suddenly and it realized a magical ball of energy that grew.
“Wait we gotta call for backup.” Joshua stated pulling Bella back securely.
“Until we see what it is.” She asked holding his hand and glanced at the energy, “Especially a way to close it.”
“Do you have any magic that could be helpful right now?”
“That I know of, no.”
“Exactly let’s go.”
Suddenly the ball of energy grew and turned into a portal of light, causing the two of them to fall back, being dragged towards it. The two screamed and shouted, as Joshua grabbed onto the poll and gripped Bella’s hand tightly.
“I got you.” He exclaimed as they both marched backwards trying to get to the door.
Just as they were almost there, the portal swung out in a gush of wind pulling them back. “I wanted an adventure, but not like this!” Bella shouted, before being sucked into the portal followed by Josh.
The two were sliding through the portal as Joshua yelled, “One of theses days I gotta stop chasing her..”
“Oh shut up!” Bella yelled back flying into the portal with them.
Pairing: Snow!Amelia x Charming!Nikolai, Nicholas and Amara
Extra characters/mentioned: The Dark Prince!Alexander, Rumple!Cole, Captain Hook!Jeremy, Charming!Michelle, Mal!Liane, Prince!Ethan and etc
Click here for Part 2
Note: This fic leds into two other tales hehe
———
—————
In the lower left corner of dungeons within castle held a dimly shaped cell surrounded by rock, dust and debris. On the walls held starching marks made with a small dagger counting the hours spent inside each and how many more days until release. On the ground of that very cell held Snow White in her dusty white dress, slightly knotted hair and shoes that used to be as white as snow now a cover in a light brown.
Her body was laying peacefully or so it seemed, deeply unconscious from eating the very apple set up for her that very night.
Hovering over her body from the other end of the cell held a man dressed in black, smirking as he said, “No wonder why they say your one of the fairest of the land..makes sense my brother likes you. Your disobedient little pest like him, yet again he could never get a woman long enough to stay for him. The real question let’s see if he can get here in time before that poison reaches the rest of your body and never wake up.”
Alexander got a fierce tip from his soldiers and other royals that his brother has been wondering around the woods like a hopeless dog running away like a coward trying to protect himself from him. In response, he made sure to keep an eye on that particular spot of his brother’s heart. He knew death was too easy of an excuse for him, but then he wondered, what’s worse than death? Suffering that feeling of loss and the pain that comes with it!
And then little Snow White walked into his heart. His smirk only grew, if Nicholas truly wanted and loved this woman he will have to prove it himself. He may hate his brothers guts, but it doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to see him put up a fight and see if there is still something there.
If he’s really willing to go the distance for something as stupid as love..
~~~~
As Charming prepared for battle that morning come, his mind raced with millions thoughts of a millisecond ranging from blaming himself for losing her to the fire that boil at that mere thought of her suffering by King Midas men.
His sword in hand burned at how tight his grip was held, placing it into it’s rightful spot by his side. He sniffled glaring remembering the arguments held with Michelle and Hook at how he should go in with back up. He didn’t want to put any more people in danger than he already had, he couldn’t live with himself if Cole or Queen Caroline lost their loved ones because of him.
However he did proclaim if he needed an additional crew member, they would know. His turned around and swiftly left his small home within the woods, riding his horse racing towards the castle sneaking past the guards and stabbing a few knights to do so. A part of him felt like it was too easy this time, his chest tighten racing towards the cells to find Snow.
He only found pieces of fabric from her wedding dress within the cell as he gasp, feeling his heart sadness then release allowing him to breath. He sighed releasing she wasn’t here but her dresses fabric felt thicken than the material he grabbed earlier, a laced coat dust particles that belonged to the a certain type of magic.
His brother’s magic.
He groaned, realizing he had something to do with this. He looked over his shoulder to see incoming guards, swiftly masking a turn escaping Midas castle and returning to the woods gripping onto the frabic of the dress halting for his horse, Maximus, to stop and rest. He climbed down for the horse and kneeled wiping his finger across the fabric of the dress as the black particles rises onto his fingers and into the air.
Charming wasn’t one to use his own magic anymore as he used to, crafting a shadow sword as a replacement as the blade can cut, disappear and reappear to his wish.
But for the circumstances of this mission, he must, with a twist of his wrist a cloud of black appeared from the magic remains of his brother revealing an image to him being a glimpse of his women on the ground of the very dungeon he was trapped in all those years ago as his brother smirked over her.
But the thing was, he knew his brother would not keep her there for long and move Snow somewhere else out of his reach and into the forest. He was smart enough to figure out that his sword to led him to harm his brother as a reward for his crimes, knowing he will find Snow but his brother would want something in return.
“Hello!”
He didn’t flinch once, knowing that voice just as well, turning around he grimaced pinching the bridge of his nose to face Cole. Last he saw of him was on Jeremy’s ship, as Hook gave him the wonderful blue crested ring as promise for their love. Cole stood on a log with a leg crossed over the other with a grinned dress in black as always, but this time with a dark brown coat and the one of many rings on his finger waving.
“What is it that you want?” He asked, titled his head with a old look, couldn’t help but return the grin and rolled his eyes, “I’m kinda busy here.”
Cole grinned and nodded, deciding whether or not to hop off the log as he said, “Oh I know. Busy, busy, busy man! And you don’t have much time to waste.”
“And I am guessing you’re here to help me.”
“Well, you are friends with my favorite Captain and you did help him get my gorgeous new jew, so I believe it’s only fair.”
“What’s your price?”
“Sneak into your brother’s vault and get me a lovely old item that he stole from me.”
“What item?”
“A crested item, a crystal ball that I want to shape into a saber for my collection. The saber allows me to look beyond realms and within this land using blood magic to track it.”
“Who are you tracking?’ “My brother, he left Wonderland not to long along in search of a witchy dragon to slay and he has been blocked out his net for me to find him. God knows my brother isn’t the brightest in the land and as promised, I need to make sure he’s not dead.”
Nicholas nodded knowing Cole isn’t one for plenty of details depending on the person and knows he has beef with his brother beyond his knowledge so he won’t ever question why or what happened between them. But he did question one thing.
“Why are you helping me? Aside from the Hook part.” Charming asked, lifting his sword into place.
Cole just grinned, “Because! You and I both want the same thing, for good things to happen. True love and blah blah blah to win.”
“Hmm.”
“And your princess has grown on me.”
“Snow is..?”
“Yes, yes, yes! Do you want my help or not?”
“I do.”
Within a matter of moments, Charming was given a old tiny hyper crystal that would glow a sharp red when he’s within range of the ball. Cole gave him a light start, pausing the clock then restarting it once Charming reached his old castle.
A shiver went up his spine at returning to the very place he lost his partner and his family turned upside down, there were vines growing up and around the collapsible groups, the carousel he used to play in was damaged to stone and as he entered across the back of the palace where he once used to sneak out of to explore the woods on the backs of horses, the colors that used to bleed with one another..we were sucked out of any brightest light left. The walls used to be a golden brown, turned seemed to be a dull brownish grey, the flowers that belonged to his mother went from daisies to fallen roses.
~~~~
As he went down the steps to the vaults, slaying away guards within the shadows muffling his shouts with a blade to their necks and others knocking out the knights who tried to capture him. However, two came his way dressed in black masks and leather from head to toe, just as he thought they were gonna murder him one twist their sword and the one follow behind him as the other knock a knight out cold.
He knew this place a little too well, so he knew she wasn’t in the dungeons or any an cell within the castle, she must’ve been moved by now. His brother wasn’t gonna make it that easy for him, just yet. It was all a test of some kind.
Charming lifting his sword ready to knock both of skrulls together when the two knights flipped the face guards to reveal his two friends. Jeremy and Michelle smirked having figured it was only fair to help out with the knights meanwhile Charming collected the item for Cole, Nicholas was about to remark them for being so foolish for coming here but he just winked instead thankful for his friends. He rushed off and into the vault, pulling out the tiny crystal waiting waving it around as he searched for the ball in question.
His footsteps creaked as his flinched around swiftly turning his sword instead the person behind him, the blade fell above his older brother’s cheekbone giving him a mere cut. Alexander hissed then scoffed as he rolled his eyes with his hands behind his back, a part of him was impressed at his quick moves but still pathetic as always as he moved away from the blade.
“Cute.” Alexander remarked in a monotone, using two fingers to pushed the sword downstairs, “Yet, never as good as good me. And I thought with the months—ah no, years away you’ll get better. Guess me not.”
“Pardon me for not perfecting my craft, I was too busy trying to get away from you.” Charming muttered with a glare.
“And yet, you come back rushing to the place where it all began?”
“You took something from me.”
Alexander scoffed and playfully gagged walking around, “And did I take from you this time? You’re pride? You’re little toy? Father’s favorite pendent? I wouldn’t have done if it were to listen to good little brat you were and not disrupt me every day.”
“I was young, I didn’t know any better. I grew to understand you never liked me because in your eyes I was always our parents favorite meanwhile you weren’t. If you nicer, it couldn’t been different!” Charming added, as his flickering to the tiny crystal in hand.
“It wasn’t! You were born and took away everything from me. And every time I tried to have you behave, you would act to embarrass me.”
“No wonder why you’re heart is so dark..now like I was saying, I want my things back.”
Nicholas has grown to understand that his older brother was just selfish, mean and cruel only caring about himself in hope to lighten the mere sight of his true feelings. He knew his brother was alone and always will be, as a child he tried to befriend him plenty of times, show him a picture of kindness but he always in response got the cold shoulder.
He stopped trying to save him at this point, the only person who can make that change was himself, not him. They had to make the decision to do that themselves and overturn that choice.
Alexander noticed he was in his vault searching for something wasn’t labeled his and used a shadow to pushed Charming to to his face as he snarled with a smirk. His younger brother will never learn, to disobey, you get hurt in the process. He knew he was here for his preisous little princess, thanks to King Shaw’s tip before his exile, but he was here for cruel stolen item. Not his item but someone else’s he assumed.
Charming and Alexander were in a position to fight within the vault, as darkness filled the room to the Dark Prince’s command.
Charming closed his eyes wilding his sword, it guided him opposing member turning around to feel Alexander behind him popping and out of the shadows summing a sword at his will to fight his brother. The two of them were at it, not like princes, but training knights ready for battle.
Alexander even used one hand to his blade of swords growing bigger with the commsuing darkness above them, mocking his younger brother and yelled, “Tell me when your tired of missing, brother.”
Charming glared and growling twirling his sword summing his shadows at combat, hoping off treasure chests within the vault yelling, “I only have to hit you once.”
The fight went on for a while, neck and neck, things flying across the room, remarks being thrown to one another and be siblings were even tossed across the floor. In the mist of the fight that led them into a hallway, Charming noticed the tiny crystal bringing a low glow as he smirked. It wasn’t in the vault but in another room. With his confidence returning, just as Alexander was about to tower over him and tossing him out a window, he disappeared within a shadow and used another one to kicked him into a separate place within the castle. The Dark Prince was thrown away into the depth of his castle the dungeons knocked out cold.
~~~~
Nicholas run down the hall into the room thinking he found to find said room, following the crystal as it grew in color only for his grin to drop. “Oh come on!” He muttered, due to the moment he enter the room he was found within the chambers was the crystal ball, yes, but what he didn’t expect who guarding it.
Once this is all resolved he is gonna need a strong drink…
“My brother doesn’t need a beast to guard his items, when he already is one himself..” Nicholas said to himself, readying his sword, “At least it’s not the trolls again.”
But to his surprise, just as he moved forward to silently attack the dragon, it didn’t appear as fearful but more like calm. Tired even. It whimper, opening their eyes to showcase purple orbs with pools of tears within. It let out a soft growl that grew as he carried himself over to the said beast. Their leg was chained up to a wall that made them look smaller.
The dragon snarls and whimpered some more, showcasing themselves to be larger than life but they—she wasn’t. His eyes widen, seeing she was missing her—Nicholas has slayed dragons before in one go but this was different, she didn’t want to fight him.
He wasn’t gonna fight another if they weren’t going to themselves, he was in the very castle his parents build him in. If his mother was here, she would be hurt to see him do such as thing. Nor did he think himself as a killer either. He never was a murder.
He rushed over using his blade to cut though the chain releasing the dragon as she transformed from dragon into human. Her horns were still there but they were surrounded by long blonde curls, her dragon like scales were now a dark purple long dress, she held a cape close to her body and her paws were a black almost a deep purple slippers.
“Are you alright, miss?” He asked, helping her stand with one hand and the other still grip his shadow sword.
She hesitated but took his hand as she nodded, “I-I think so..”
“What did my brother did to you?”
“It’s a long story..I’m sorry, did you say brother?”
“Heh, yeah, long story..I apologize for almost hurting you.”
“It’s alright..I’m okay, just uh why didn’t you?”
“I couldn’t. You were a prisoner here, not a helper of his. I’m Prince Nicholas..”
“Liane..t-thank you. You can uh, take your thing..”
Nicholas took the item on the table and stuffed it into his satchel, looking over his shoulder he noticed that he couldn’t escape the same way he came. He glanced over at the stain glass windows of the very room as chaotic yet delicate smirk appeared on his lips.
Liane asked, “Uh, what exactly are you g-?”
But she didn’t get a second to finished her sentence, as she grip tightly around his neck as he held onto her waist telling her to brace for impacted. All from Liane could be heard was a sequence of ‘Oh my god!’ repeated over and over again, as Nicholas launched them from the ground flooring through the glass window shatter around them as the two right into landed in the ocean waves surrounding the castle.
The two clawed onto the shore near the woods, Nicholas helped Liane up asking if she’s doing alright as she yelled if he was crazy or just plain dumb. The prince just shrugged and snorted a smile.
“W-we could have died!” Liane whisper yelled, sighing at how soaking wet her dress was.
“But we’re safe and sound from him!” Nicholas replied with smile still on his face.
“We jumped into the water we could hav..”
“We survived that’s what matters.”
“Huh? Wait, no your right. You didn’t plan that, did you?”
“Nope. Call it pure luck and last time I checked my brother won’t after us a while.”
Liane broke into a small smile and thanked him once again for helping her back there saying she can now return home safely, hoping he found her princess. Nicholas smiled telling her to keep hope alive and her prince might have to save her soon enough. The two paired aways afterward.
~~~~
He arrived still soaking wet to the place where Cole requested to met him. At docks near the huge pirate ships, and as always he found him curled up against a few barrels on the ground comfortably with his man. Nicholas couldn’t help but smile at the two, the way his friend returned from the castle before him with grinned at his dinner.
Jeremy was grinning and laughing trying to hush Cole who was playing with his short blonde hair telling a joke stealing a piece of chicken from his plate.
“Who made this?” Cole said chew the chicken with a snarky smirk.
“Mr. Smee did it.” He replied taking a bite of the bread being presented on the plate.
“Tell the chief he desires a raise!”
“Don’t push my crew, babe. They hear that and they would all want one.”
“Ah pishy caca, love.”
“No he’s right.” Said a voice.
Both men looked up to find Nicholas soaking wet holding up the promised crystal ball but no princess, yet. Jeremy snorted seeing his friend’s face as Cole bit back some laughter of his own, eating some more chicken for himself.
He stole a kiss from his man before standing up taking the crystal ball from Nicholas’s hand nodding with appreciation for the task being complete. Jeremy kept snorting explains that Michelle returned home safe and sound as Nicholas sent him a playful glare.
“I’m guessing your lady is miles away from the castle too? I didn’t see her in there.” Jeremy exclaimed after coming down from his effective snorting.
“Nope. He is hiding her somewhere else and I won’t rest until I find her.”
“Aw my boys in love!”
“Shut up. It’s a test to see how hard am I willing to work for this.”
“I say you worked hard enough. Babe, help him!”
Cole sassed him with a smirked, “I’m getting to it! But i need that.”
Nicholas heart pinged again as over his chest lay his gifted chain and asked, “My chain from Snow?”
“Mhmm that lovely little gift from her mother, that now belongs to you will guide you to her.”
“A location spell? Smart.”
“I know I’m genius.”
Jeremy slapped his arm playfully and chuckled watching Nicholas pass the chain over to him. He asked why his heart felt like it was bruised during the beginning of this mission, Cole was doing the locator spell on the chain as he explained how the heart feels like it’s lost when a loved ones is gone.
Cole knew that well after his father Erik and stepfather Charles broken up years ago when he was a child before getting back together, it felt like their bodies were sometimes in pain because they were apart for so long.
True Love, as he called it. A connection between two people whether they believed it or not, as opposite a pairing may seem, if they are somehow meant to be, fate has its ways to pulling them together.
Once Cole was done, he smiled saying depending on the next favor was, Nicholas might own him by collecting whatever another item was. He rolled his eyes and chuckled lightly telling Jeremy to keep his man under control as the pirate captain just winked in return.
Before Nicholas could go, Cole yelled, “Ah! Wait a minute stupid. You’re gonna find your girl dressed like you went swimming with the fishes?”
With a flick of his wrist Nicholas was dried up with his hair freshly swept back, a white collared shirt with a long elegant leather coat, dark brown pants and boots that fit him perfectly. For added measure, Cole added a nicely tailored hat that seemly fitting his more pirate side. It made him look rather dashing and distinguished from the other men in the crowd.
“Much better.” Cole added as he looked over at his shoulder to see the sun almost laying down to rest and huffed, “Go before your time runs out!”
He thanked both of them before swinging onto his horse riding Maximus across the docks into the woods allowing the chain with the small hoop to guide him through the forest. He could see the sun going down as he approached Max to hurry in which the horse speed riding like the wind.
“Woah boy! What did I feed you today?!” He muttered jokingly.
Max followed his direction going past the trees in vintage and entryway into the lower ends of the valley sliding into the ground path of the woods. His hat almost flew off completely a couple of times messing around his hair a bit. The chain kept glowing brighter and brighter than ever before as they moved through the forest reaching the edge of the plantation then began to slow down as they landed int the exact spot she was placed in.
Nicholas hoped off his horse, patting his head with a soft smile pacing himself over to find a bed in the middle of the woods surrounded by dwarfs. He heard stories around him being great hard working men, he looked over to see it was Snow asleep. Her skin looked paler, her were a blushing pink instead of their usual light red color and her body looked cold despite being dressed in long sleeves.
One of the Dwarfs, Grumpy gave him a once over and raised an eyebrow before noticing that he held a chain similar to the jewelry Snow was wearing.
He gave him a small smile and said, “You better do something or sister is gone forever. At least say goodbye.”
Nicholas smiled softly and walked across placing his hand over Snow’s very own as he leaned over to capture her lips against his. He muttered a small glimpse of hope that she’ll wake up as his heart started to settle into a nice flow. As he did, a small wave that would’ve felt like blast pushed through them and across the landscape of the woods. He pulled away to be met with the sound of gasping coming from the woman he loved dearly.
She opened her eyes as color started to return to her cheeks and looked over to see who woke her up, her lips slowly growing into a smile. Her voice was a little horse as she said, “Y-you found me..”
He smiled softly in return blinked as tears slowly appeared thanking the heavens it worked as he nodded placed a hand on his across her face. He replied, “Did you ever doubt I would?”
“The sleep gave me a pause..truly, I was afraid you wouldn’t come..”
“I came, it took me a while but I made it. I will always find you.”
She smiled chuckling, as he helped her stand up from the bed thanking the Dwarfs for watching over her. Grumpy just winked saying that him and his brother are here to help the good guys just say the word as the prince chuckled in return respecting them.
~~~~
Snow and Charming walked alongside each other letting Max relax from carrying the weight of things all day, especially after his thick run across the land. Nicholas finally took a breath getting his girl back and foremost by the end of day, wrapping an arm around her shoulder rested his head on top of hers. Snow hummed at his touch as she wrapped both around his middle playing with the layer hair at the back of neck that flipped up, instead of flipping downward.
“Hey no touchy!” He joked nuzzling his head against hers.
“You ruined your hair earlier.” She hummed in response giggling.
“Uh excuse you? I’ll have you know i was racing against time, m’lady! You try running across the woods and trying to look perfect while doing it. It ain’t easy, I’ll tell you that much!”
“Okay, okay you win! Whatever you say, princey. I do have two questions for you.”
“Which are?”
“How did you get here so fast?”
“I had help from Cole. I went on a few trials to get him an item but then he came through with a location spell.”
“Location spell?”
He nodded pulling out the chain that relaxed its glow having done its job eariler, as he explained it led him right to her. She giggled seeing how her mother’s jewelry saved them after all.
Nicholas joked as he moved away for a moment, “You know I’ll have to meet your mother after this to thank her.”
“Thank her? For that little thing?” She asked with a teasing tone.
“Yes ma’am. You’re mama will be having a son in law real soon.”
“She’ll have a field day, never wanting us to leave hearing—wait, did you say son in law?”
She didn’t have a moment to finish her sentence as he grinned widely enough removing the hoop off the chain. She was about to joke about something than decide to let him figure it out himself.
He tried to kneeled down properly but the pants Cole gave him were a little too tight, for his liking and he usually doesn’t mind tight fitted leather as he decided to stand instead.
The noise and incoming jokes he made resulted in Snow to laugh looking away snorting as he told her to be quiet he was trying to be romantic here.
“Shut up, you’re ruining my moment!” He remarked breaking into laughter himself biting his bottom lip.
“Your moment?” She exclaimed softly giggling trying to stop herself from falling into more laughter.
“You done?”
“Mhm hmm.”
“Good. As i was trying to say, Amara Snow, will you marry me?”
She made a face as if she’s thinking about her answer and playfully said, “Hmm i don’t know.”
His face playfully dropped giving her a look that said ‘seriously women?’ As he smirked and added, “May I also remind you that I jumped into a freezing cold ocean today? I think my butt cheeks were chattering on my way to the docks.”
“You jumped into the ocean?”
“Yes ma’am, but it was for a stupidly good reason.”
“In that case, yes.”
“A ‘yes’ as in you’ll marry me or ‘yes’ as in you will give me well deserved massage after risking ass today?”
“Yes to both!”
“Good answer.”
“Shut up.”
She rolled her eyes chuckling realizing she got work to do tonight after his glorious save as he ran the hoop nicely onto her finger then bringing a couple of kiss onto her face. She pressed a few of kisses wanting to hear all about his day and where they were heading next.
But before Snow can say another word, he lift her into his arms as she wrapped her arms sound his neck as Nicholas requested he take them to their home within the forest where he would tell her everything that happened. He leaned forward to press another small yet warm kiss onto her face as she closed the space between them with a smile asking for him to lead the way.
~~~~
The two made their way to the small house within their own hundred acres woods, finally after all the hassle back in each other’s arm once and for good. Nicholas released Max to go to stretch his legs and rest before dinner, as he followed Snow up the steps to find a note stuck on the door.
She plucked it gently off the door and opened it to read an invitation for Princess Michelle’s ball in 3 weeks, due time to prepare for the festival of riches, everyone in the land was to be invited.
Nicholas smirked, “Three nights, free drinks and food to die for.”
“I guess we’re going to a ball.” She replied returning the smirk.
The two chuckled and entered their home, locking the door behind them as they lit the fireplace to flop onto the couch in glee. Nicholas sat on the couch as dinner was being cooked on the stove as Snow sat behind him to rub whatever knots that landed in between his shoulders blades. To say he was satisfied was an understatement.
He hummed and softly grinned, “If this is the treatment I get, I should risk my ass more often.”
“Shut up, charming.” She replied jokingly holing back her giggled.
He looked over his shoulder for a split second and smirked saying, “Hush, you’ll ruin the moment.”
“I can’t with you sometimes.” She added rolled her eyes returning the same smirk.
The future spouses stayed cuddling in the comfort of the living room til dawn, for as long as they were together all was fine in the world.
~~~~
And that’s it! Tell me what did you think about it in the comments below. Any thoughts you had? Any ideas for future fics?
Click here to see what happened to Ethan and Liane tale
Click here to see Michelle’s 3 night festival and the lovely tale about that couple
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Characters: CindeRoch, Rumple!Cole, Snow!Mia, Charming!Nikolai and Charming!Michelle/Michael
Ships: MichRoch, Mikolai
IB: Once Upon A Time, Cinderella (2015), Into The Woods and ivy by Taylor Swift
The final night, Ella was hurrying to clean so there was less work for Cole to do tonight. Her hope was that if there were fewer chores to do for him, her debt wouldn't be as great in the end. Unfortunately that wasn't exactly what the deal meant but Ella wasn't really educated in the ways of magic and such.
It did mean she would probably get to the ball faster though which made her happy, knowing The Princess wouldn't be waiting all night for her to arrive. As before, Ella waited until her family had left, took her magical slippers out of their hiding place and slipped them onto her grubby feet, waiting for Cole to arrive.
As she stepped into the shoes, Cole appeared in her draughty attic space, grinning as usual.
"One last chance, Ella. One last chance to grab hold of your dreams. And don't be late this time, the magic runs out for good tonight. The shoes are yours, but everything else will be gone by the time the first minute of the hour has passed. No carriage, no dress, no staff. Just a pumpkin, rags and farm animals. So don't let that Princess catch you when it strikes Midnight."
Ella nodded, determined as Cole began to circle her, deciding on a soft grey gown for the final night, another pair of gloves and a half updo in her hair, handing her another mask to conceal her face and getting to work on her carriage after disappearing and reappearing outside with her. The carriage poofed into existence once again and the very tired farm animals transformed once again into staff, helping Ella into the carriage.
"Alright love, there you are. And don't you forget you owe me. Big time. Alright have fun dear, don't fuck it up, ta ta!" He waved, watching as the carriage headed for the palace, solving the rest of the house tasks with a flick of his hand, smirking.
"You'll pay the price one day, Rochelle.."
As Ella stepped out of the carriage, once again feeling that lightness of entering the palace, she was quickly pulled aside by 'Michael', her new friend Snow and a young man dressed in a very smart attire with dark hair.
"Ella! This is Nicholas, a good friend of mine. He is also friends with Snow here..."
"Well more than just friends really," Snow muttered softly, giving Nik a look before smiling at Ella.
"I'll be candid, I did not recognise you yesterday, but I'm very glad Ella did."
"As am I, I hear you two are getting along rather well behind closed doors."
"Nicholas!" Snow gasped, jabbing his arm sharply with her elbow. He just chuckled. Michelle cleared her throat, looking at Ella kindly.
"So what would you like to see?"
"I'm not sure.."
"I can show you my room, or the private gardens, or just the rest of the palace."
"Whatever you want, Your Majesty." Ella smiled, taking her hand.
"You two have fun, we'll be wherever the drinks are if you need us." Nicholas teased, holding Snow's hand gently, kissing the back of it as they headed for the dance floor. Michelle turned to Ella, smirking.
"A tour it is."
In every new room Michelle showed her, Ella felt slightly smaller in stature, realising just how much Michelle had compared to herself. She smiled through it but there was sadness in her eyes as Michelle spoke about each room, a feeling in her gut saying she would never be this happy again.
"And here's the greenhouse where we grow all of our- are you alright?"
"Hmn? I'm fine, don't worry."
"I am worried, you look upset, have I done something wrong?"
"No it's just..."
Michelle took her by the hand, taking her to sit on a stone bench in the greenhouse, looking her in the eye.
"Please. You can trust me."
"Well, this will never work, will it? You're a Princess, I'm a maiden, a working maiden. With no money, no land, nothing to my name. You will need to marry well, and I couldn't ruin your reputation like that."
Michelle looked away, a feeling sitting in her throat now as she remembered her mother's words back in her bedroom from before the party had started.
"Oh goddamn,
My pain fits in the palm of your freezing hand
Taking mine, but it's been promised to another.."
"That is enough, Michelle! I will find you a suitor to marry who is fit to be King and you will marry him and bear children or so help me you won't live to see this kingdom enter your hands!"
"But mother-"
"I'm taking control of this problem right now. And I do not want to hear about this damsel you danced with at the party again! You are a future Queen. You will bring dishonour to the crown. You are no longer a child, you must do what is required, young lady."
"Yes Mother. I will do my duty."
"Oh, I can't
Stop you putting roots in my dreamland
My house of stone, your ivy grows
And now I'm covered in you"
"What you say is true. Mother wants me to marry a man. I'm almost certain she has already found me one. But I can't."
"Why not?"
"I do not love a man, any man! I love you Ella. I love you. I would give it all away if I could have you."
"But I-"
"I love you, Ella."
And before Michelle knew it she had her arms wrapped around Ella's body, kissing her with as much passion and love she had wanted to give her from the second she laid eyes on her. Their lips crashed into each other, the world standing still as they embraced under the night sky in the greenhouse together, Michelle's hands going up into Ella's hair, Ella's going into Michelle's as they kissed in this pure ecstasy and isolation from everything. Nothing could spoil this.
And then the dreaded moment came. The final night. The final time. The clock bell tolling like a death march. Ella disentangled herself from Michelle's arms, running back through the palace towards the exit as 'Michael' pursued her on foot. She could see the carriage outside and ran faster, not feeling the moment her glass slipper was left behind on the steps of the palace.
"Nicholas!" Michelle called. Nicholas swung his head around and saw 'Michael' looking distraught.
"Yes?"
"Follow that carriage!"
Nicholas nodded, running to the doors to go and grab his horse, saddled up and raced off into the night to pursue the escaping carriage. Michelle ran down the stairs with Snow at her heels, finally seeing what Ella had left behind. There on the snowy steps, was a crystalline slipper that shimmered in the moonlight. She picked it up carefully and knew she had to find Ella.
"What's the plan?"
"We find Ella, after all she'll probably want the shoe back."
"Clever. Do you think Nicholas caught her?"
"We'll have to wait and see."
"You think this will fit me?" Snow attempted to try on the slipper but as she slipped her toe in she got a sensation of what felt like shards of glass digging into the sole of her foot.
"Ow! How the Hell did she wear this?"
"Magic?...no wonder she has a curfew."
Snow pursed her lips, recognising the smell on the shoe, knowing who's magic smelled like that.
"Snow?"
"You're right, Michelle. The shoes are magical. They could kill the wrong person."
"So we find Ella then?"
"What? Oh yes, we find Ella."
.......
The carriage tore through the trees with reckless abandon, hurrying to escape Nicholas and his horse as they tried to get home. Ella was distraught, watching the magic fade away fast. Her carriage was starting to look a lot less golden and much more overripe as the horses started struggling to pull the carriage along. Ella called out, tears in her eyes.
"Cole! Help!"
Back at the house, Cole had been rifling through drawers and trunks when he heard her call out. He was confused and then it hit him. Ella was dangerously close to being discovered. With a flash of magic she landed in his arms safely, her animals returning to their homes and the pumpkin being left to rot in the woods. She was clinging to Cole tearfully, sobbing as her dress returned to rags.
"She loved me Cole, but she's betrothed to another!"
"Not necessarily, love."
"Why would she marry me!"
"Because she loves you? I thought we went over this-"
"We can never be together.. "
"Now you're just milking it."
"Cole, please tell me this isn't my ending!"
Cole sighed and put her down. He knew exactly how this was going to end but knew that he couldn't really tell her the truth either. So he settled for a half truth wrapped in a slight lie, knowing it would at least help her calm down.
"Look, when love is.. true and blegh real or whatever, it doesn't die so easily. It might fester sure, or it will keep blooming and one day it won't need to be worried about and waited on. People have a funny way of finding themselves where they want to be. Don't doubt your Love's potential. Besides, she has your other shoe so...a good person would want to return it."
Ella smiled, wiping her tears. Her story wasn't over yet. There was hope for her and Michelle.
The final part is going up this Friday so watch this space! Will love prevail? Will Cole's efforts be in vain? Will Michelle find Ella? Or will it end in Tragedy?
Characters: Cinderella!Roch, Charming!Michelle, Lady in Waiting Maria Rambeau, Snow!Mia
Ship: MichRoch aka Michelle x Rochelle
IB: Love Story (Taylor's Version), Twelfth Night, Into The Woods and Cinderella (2015)
"Romeo take me somewhere
We can be alone,
I'll be waiting
All that's left to do is run."
Michelle was finally ready for the second night of her family's Royal Festival. Her mother's Lady in Waiting Maria had worked to make Michelle look the part for tonight, tying back her hair with a velvet ribbon, helping her appear more masculine and using a little makeup to make her face look less like herself. To Queen Caroline's knowledge, Michelle was in her room studying.
"Remember to be discreet and use your time wisely, Princess."
"I will, Maria. Trust me," She smirked, adjusting her collar in the mirror. Maria rolled her eyes.
"You may be dressed as a man but try not to act in their pig-headed manner."
Maria retorted, flattening down her collar again. Michelle sighed and took a look at her reflection, seeing someone she certainly recognised but one that didn't look like the Princess.
"How do I look?"
"Perfect. The note was sent to the guards as you asked and once your maiden arrives they will let me know of her arrival."
"Good. Don't want to risk entering the ballroom where anyone can try and dance with me." Michelle added, brushing herself down.
"Well then Michael, now we wait."
"I don't suppose you could maybe get Michelle some food to help her 'study'?"
Maria sighed and stood up, heading for downstairs to fetch something for The Princess to eat. 'Michael' stood up from the bed and gazed out the window, willing that fair redheaded maiden to come again.
"I got tired of waiting,
Wondering if you were ever coming around.
My faith in you was fading,
When I met you on the outskirts of town.."
'Michael' had grown so bored waiting for Ella to arrive he had actually started studying, worried about her maiden sweetheart but also concerned she wasn't coming at all. But just outside the window she heard the cantering of horse hooves on the road to the palace, she ran to the balcony and saw that golden carriage travelling down the road towards her.
The carriage came to a halt and a girl with red hair cascading down her back and ringlets stepped out, wearing a deep blue dress this time and longer opera gloves. Michelle nearly squealed with delight, watching her exit the carriage. Then she had a very risky idea. She leaned over the balcony about to call out to Ella but felt Maria pull her back inside sharply.
"Absolutely not. You will stick to the plan. Unless you want to cause a scandal?"
Michelle sighed and headed back inside, ready to enter the party.
"Whatever her family make her do, they must work her terribly hard if it takes her this long to arrive."
"You have no idea, Your Majesty."
Michelle entered the ballroom quietly as she could, slipping into the crowd trying to blend in, waiting to see Ella descend the staircase again, ready to fall head over heels as she did that first night. Ella entered the ballroom and once again took Michelle's breath away, a soft hush falling over the crowd again as a fellow Princess greeted Ella in a friendly manner. Michelle made her way closer to Ella, intent on asking her to dance when the Princess suddenly laid eyes on 'Michael'.
"Don't I know you?"
"I'm sure you uh do not, I'm not a regular at these functions, uhm."
"Really? Because you look so familiar to me."
"Couldn't possibly- ahem possibly." Michelle squeaked before clearing her throat and trying to disguise her voice. Behind her mask, Ella was trying not to laugh as her friend stepped away to find a drink and locked eyes with the handsome 'stranger'.
"Well hello sir, I don't think I've had the pleasure yet."
"Michael, madam, and you look exquisite."
"As do you, good sir." Whispered Ella, amused by the situation. The recognition in her eyes confirmed that Michelle had been successful in pulling the wool over everyone else's eyes but hers.
"And you are?"
"You may call me Ella, kind sir."
"Ella, beautiful name."
"Why thank you, Michael."
"Ella, may I have this dance?"
"Oh I couldn't possibly..." Ella teased, taking Michael's hand as the music starts to swell, almost compelling them to take to the floor and dance. 'Michael' smiled and took the lead, holding Ella's waist with one hand and taking her hand with the other as the dance began. The two started to dance along with the many couples on the floor, floating across the ballroom with each step, the dance becoming more intimate the longer it lasted.
As the night wore on, both Ella and her mysterious dance partner had disappeared to the gardens of the palace and were sat under a gnarled tree away from the noise and excitement. Ella hadn't stopped laughing since they had snuck out, her laughter sounding like pure joy and hope as Michelle ran with her to her favourite spot.
"She had no idea who you were!"
"That was the idea, love."
"But still! I knew...from the eyes, and that terrible man voice."
"Terrible?"
"You were hardly trying!"
"You dare insult a future Queen?"
"All I see is a gentle fellow named Michael." Ella giggled, prodding her on the arm.
"Please say there's a good explanation for your lateness."
"There is. My family...are awful. They don't even think of me as their family. I suppose they aren't really."
"Who is your family?"
"My father and mother are dead, my mother died when I was young and my father died not long after her remarried."
"I'm...so sorry Ella."
"Don't be. I still have a family, just not the one I wanted. And apparently they don't want me either."
Michelle's face softened. Ella looked so much smaller and more scared than before, her face lit up in the moonlight and tears starting in her eyes. Michelle took her hands carefully and looked her in the eye.
"They must be crazy then, because I don't see how anyone could resent you or not want you. And well, I know someone who definitely wants you."
"Who's that?"
Michelle smiled, lifting Ella's head up and tilting her chin up gently, their eyes locked onto each other.
"I do. I want to be yours. Ella I know this is sudden and maybe you don't feel the same but I can't stay silent anymore. Ella, I-"
And before Michelle could finish her sentence she heard the dreaded chiming of a certain clock. Midnight had struck once again and Ella pulled away from Michelle's gaze, a look of terror on her face as she gathered herself up, brushing herself down.
"No! Please stay!"
"I really can't, they'll catch me if not, please I'll be here tomorrow night!"
"Ella wait!"
"I'll be back!"
"Ella I-" but she was already gone, running to that carriage all over again. Michelle didn't know much about Ella's family but she knew that whoever was forcing her to keep this curfew was not a kind person. And tomorrow she would save Ella for good. No more clocks interrupting, no more running away, no more words unspoken.
"I'll save you Ella. I promise..."
"Romeo save me,
I've been feeling so alone.
I keep waiting for you
But you never come.
Is this in my head?
I don't know what to think..."
Part 4 coming soon! Thanks Sneef for giving me Michelle's Male FC and for making it so easy to find kissing gifs 😊
Also mentioned: Queen Caroline Danvers, Lady Maria Rambeau
Ship: Rochelle x Michelle aka MichRoch
IB: Enchanted (Taylor's Version)
"This night is flawless,
Don't you let it go.
I'm wonderstruck,
Blushing all the way home."
The palace was like something out of Ella's dreams, a marble structure with huge towering pillars and statues in several shapes of humans and animals, all draped in finery. Tall, imposing guards stood at the doors dressed in shades of silver and gold, stern expressions on their steely faces as they welcomed guests to the ball. The doors were enormous and looked heavy, the warmest light pouring through the doors as they opened as though Ella was stepping through the pearly gates themselves.
The ballroom was alive with faces adorned in masks, necks with bejeweled necklaces, dresses in all shades and the men were dressed in finery as well, the room was full of refined figures and out of the corner of her eye Ella did spy her obnoxious family by the buffet table and chuckled a little, making her way to the long, grand staircase. As she made her way to the floor, every head turned to admire her, causing the disguised redhead to blush.
Ella had never seen such adoration, desire, jealousy, curiosity and intrigue on so many faces at once. But one face stood out of the crowd. Her sunny blonde curls pinned under her crown, her long blue dress with a red sash draped over it and her gold elbow length gloves drew Ella's eye immediately. This had to be the Princess Royal, Princess Michelle. She had heard stories of the wayward Princess from town talk and vendors at the market but Ella's heart did a somersault in her chest as this Royal Princess gave her the softest of smiles, her eyes seeming to light up the room.
Once Ella reached the floor, she was almost too nervous to speak, to move as the music swelled around her. A brunette woman dressed in a red gown took her by the elbow and handed her a drink kindly.
"I'm supposing you don't frequent many parties?"
"Is...is it that obvious?"
"Oh darling, you looked like a deer in a hunter's crosshairs, but you've certainly left a lasting impression on Her Majesty." The girl chuckled, pausing to glance at where the Princess was stood.
"I'm not really supposed to be here, actually."
"Neither am I. But I'll enjoy the drinks and food whilst I can. And so should you. I'm Snow."
"Ella. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Snow looked over her shoulder coyly before taking Ella by the hand and whispering in her ear.
"Go towards the balcony, I have a feeling Her Royal Highness might just follow you if you head there now."
"You think so?"
"Call it intuition. Go on, before you miss your chance!" Snow insisted, gently pushing Ella through the crowd towards a balcony that opened out onto a gorgeous view of the night sky, the deep indigo expanse scattered with tiny shimmering diamonds in the darkness. Ella stopped to admire them, taking in the sight when she heard footsteps behind her.
"You like the view?"
"It does look rather beautiful, at least from here."
"I agree, it's not every night you see them but when you do...they take your breath away."
Ella turned to follow the voice and there, gleaming in the moonlight, was the Princess herself. She smiled ruefully as Ella's eyes widened and she sank into a deep curtsey, bowing her head as the Princess took her by the chin gently with a gloved hand, lifting her gaze to her own. Ella lifted herself from the bow, smiling shyly.
"I've never met someone as beautiful as you before."
"You must be mistaken, Your Majesty, I am no one important at all."
"No one important? In all my years living in this kingdom I have never met anyone who was not important. You, my darling, are mistaken. May I have this dance?"
Ella looked around, worried that others would see her dancing with the Princess Royal of all people. Michelle held her chin again, this time her touch causing Ella to melt instantly.
"There is no one here but us. Just you and I, and the music."
The music swelled from inside and the Princess led the dance the way a man would, taking Ella in her arms and they glided across the balcony under the moon's beams, the shadows concealing their moves as the party wore on inside. The two danced as if they'd never be parted, two whirling visions of beauty and grace to each song until they were wound in each others arms, gazing up at the sky.
"Tell me your name, fair maiden, so I might put a name to the Angel that has changed my heart and mind this night."
"My name is Ella, and I am no angel, believe me. More a humble servant, one who would be scrubbing floors until my fingers bleed were I not here."
"Ella, if you were mine your fingers would never bleed, your back would never strain and no tears of sorrow would leave those eyes. I would make you my muse, my everything, my love for you would transcend authority and reality."
The Princess replied, taking Ella's gloved hand and slowly removed the glove, revealing Ella's roughened hand. Her fingers had tiny cuts along them and they were raw from years of servitude, her hands were that of a working woman. Michelle took Ella's hand in hers and kissed it tenderly, the act causing butterflies to flutter in Ella's stomach as she almost swooned, feeling the Princess wrap a strong arm around to catch her.
"Are you alright, Ella?"
"I've never been happier." Ella smiled, the first time her smile felt good in years. It felt like time stood still as they spoke and danced, as if the world had disappeared and there was only the two of them just floating above it all in pure enchantment and brilliance. Ella never wanted the night to end as she fell deeper in love with Michelle as the hours slipped away.
She had almost lost all sense of time and space when she heard the chiming of the clock. Midnight. Ella snapped back to reality, letting go of the Princess suddenly as she came to her senses sharply.
"Ella?"
"I have to go, I will be back tomorrow night, I promise, we'll meet again, I'm so sorry!"
"But Ella-"
"Tonight's been wonderful, I need to leave, goodbye!" Ella gabbled, picking up her skirts and running towards the carriage away from Michelle into the night.
"But I won't..." Michelle finished, knowing her mother had only permitted her to attend the first night of the festival. She was wounded but knew she couldn't leave this be. Michelle headed back into the ballroom, pushing guests aside to speak to her mother, Queen Caroline.
The Queen was drinking wine carelessly, lounging in her throne and laughing at the goings on without a thought in the world.
"Mother?"
"Yes dear?"
"I wish to attend the festival tomorrow."
"Darling I told you-"
"And I hear you but I...I need more time to choose a suitor. Please."
"Darling rules are rules. You were given tonight and that is all. Your studies are too important to spend every night dancing and..frolicking. My word is final."
There were tears in Michelle's eyes as she ran up the stairs to her room, throwing herself onto her bed passionately.
"Your Majesty?"
"Not now, Maria!"
"Princess. Please."
Michelle lifted her head to see her Mother's lady in waiting, Maria, standing by her bed.
"What is it?"
"Princess, your mother may not have allowed the Princess Royal to attend the festival for another night or two...but what if you were not yourself?"
Michelle frowned, sitting up.
"Explain?"
"Well your Majesty, if you want to see that maiden again in secret, you could arrive as someone else. A Prince perhaps? Or a wandering Duke, or just a mysterious gentleman?"
Maria revealed in Michelle's closet an ornate suit fitted to her measurements, a ribbon for her long hair and bindings to hide her femininity. Michelle grinned, wiping her tears. Perhaps it was time to debut The Wily Young Michael, a character from her childhood, at the festival.
"Your mind is a marvel, Maria."
"I was never here. And do not let your Mother see you in this suit."
Michelle was finally going to get her way. As she gazed up at the night sky, she hoped and prayed that Ella was not promised to anyone else and that she would forgive her for what she was about to do for love.
