A better politician

@miacapuletofverona @pan-montague

With all the love we have, Merry Christmas - Vaughan and Diana

“No,” Tristan agreed, “she doesn’t.” He had known Vaughn was courting his sister. Diana hadn’t exactly been close lipped about it. However, Tristan was still of the belief she’d entered into their claim too hastily. Tristan didn’t trust Vaughn. Especially a Capulet. But, unlike Oz, he wasn’t about to forsake his sister. 

She would always be his sister, no matter what surname she carried. 

Tristan stood up taller, taking a step into Vaughns personal space. “All I give a shit about is that Di’s happy. But, if you hurt her Sir, even Di won’t be able to stop me from making your life a living hell.” He smiled meanly here. “Got it?” 

He didn’t give a shit if he was being disrespectful. Let Vaughn request a punishment from Lord Montague. He’d take it with a smile. 

Vaughan couldn’t help himself from rolling his eyes.  “Jesus.  Do you think you’re the first Montague to give me that lecture?  Most of them got it in before we’d claimed.”  He was generally unfazed by such threats, but Tristan’s attitude rankled him.  

“Furthermore,” Vaughan said, narrowing his eyes.  “I was aware that many of the Dominants of your family did not trust any submissives, and Diana in particular, to make a good choice for her own future, as a mature, intelligent woman.  I did not realize that you shared their view.  I would have expected a submissive to have more understanding of Diana’s agency in this situation.  But let me clarify it for you.  I did not trick Diana into claiming with me.  I didn’t coerce her, or manipulate her.  Diana chose to claim with me, of her own free will, based on what she had determined she wanted for her future.  This was not a moment of passion.  This was a clear and level headed decision.  If you think I’m misrepresenting the situation, I encourage you, as I have encouraged all the Montagues who have thought like you, to speak to Diana.  She knows her mind, it’s one of my favorite things about her, and I am unimaginably sick of her friends and family, who all purport to only care about her best interests, completely ignoring her thoughts and feelings.  You think I’m a threat to her happiness?  Talk to her.  Find out why she thinks otherwise.  And then respect your sister enough to support her, rather than threatening her Dominant out of a twisted desire to keep her safe.”

“I’d be delighted to!” Cordelia replied, deflating at the reassurance that her cousin was in fact, at no risk of burning his home down.  “Perhaps at some point this weekend?”

“Yeah, that sounds lovely.  I’m sure you’ve met Diana, but if you haven’t had her cooking, you haven’t really met her.  I can tell you one thing about claiming her, I’m going to get fat.”  He chuckled, thinking about all the cookies she’d been baking lately.  Thank goodness most of them were being given away, or he’d gain twenty pounds over the holidays.

 I’m going to guess Diana’s got you covered for sweets, so here’s a little savoury something for you two to share. 

 Happy Christmas Sir Vaughn. 

 Love Posey. 

“Well, that seems to be the unavoidable truth of this time of the year. Everyone feels like they are obliged to decorate and increase their electricity bills beyond measures. My flatmate is usually the same, but he learned the hard way that Christmas decorations and two 100 pound Rotties aren’t the best of combinations”, she said, watching her dogs running back after they had thrown the ball.

“But the positive side of things is, that this won’t be forever, right?”

Vaughan laughed at that.  “Yeah, I don’t imagine dogs would go well with breakable ornaments.  Di’s cat has a habit of knocking them off the tree to play with them, but she’s only ten pounds, there’s only so much she can do.”

Kassandra chuckled softly with an understanding nod.  “’Tis the season, isn’t it, sir?  Are you and Diana well-prepared for the holidays, then, or is this mostly the work of Diana?”

“Oh, it’s entirely Diana’s work,” Vaughan said with a laugh.  “I mean, I’ve helped a little, but it was mostly putting things where she wanted them.  Especially the the ones she couldn’t reach.  She was mostly using me for my height.”

“That is…an inordinate amount of Christmas decorations, Vaughan.  And probably a fire hazard.”

“I sincerely hope this is a jape.”

Vaughan smiled and waved off his cousin’s concern.  “Nah, it’s not a fire hazard.  There aren’t lights everywhere or anything.  It looks nice, actually, despite being a little bit overboard.  You should come see it sometime.”

“That’s Di for you. What can I say? My sister likes to decorate.” Tristan wasn’t a fan of Vaughn. He’d made it very clear he hadn’t approved of his sister getting hitched so quickly to some asshole he knew nothing about. 

But, the deed was done. There wasn’t much else Tristan could do about it. Except antagonize the guy a little. 

“Why, you complaining?” A grin. “Sir.” He added the title of respect if only for Diana. 

Vaughan’s demeanor dimmed.  So, Tristan still didn’t like him, huh?  It wasn’t surprising, but it was a little disappointing.  Particularly because it was endemic of the Montague clan as a whole, who had as good as disowned Diana when she’d Claimed with Vaughan.  

“Of course I’m not complaining,” he said, a hint of annoyance in his voice, because Tristan was deliberately assuming the worst about Vaughan, and it was just so petty.  “I like how enthusiastic she is.  She doesn’t do things by half measures.”