the night, she calls me

“You’re right I would probably make it about a year before I reached that point. You’re cheerful personality would distract me at least that long,” He caved slightly knowing that the truth was he’d never be able to raise a hand to her. “I think you met me and know better than to believe that you’re right. Staying up all night? I can handle that about once in awhile.”

“Oh? You’re taunting me.” She knew he would never do anything to hurt her, only push her to be a better woman. It was just his nature. “You should handle it soon, because I need someone to make sure if I drink myself stupid I’m at least going to come back to my bed alone. I can’t justify asking that of my sister-in-laws just yet.”

Carmen always knew just how to calm him down. It was always something small and meaningful that meant the world to him even if he couldn’t figure out just how to word it. He at least hoped that it was something she knew. “No I think I’d kill you by day two of our marriage,” He admitted as he pulled back musing up her hair as he laughed. “I mean after all who sleeps in until well in the afternoon? You literally miss almost the entire day!”

“Kill? Now that’s a strong feeling Aksel. Not exactly the strong feelings I’m used to getting.” Carmen falls back from him, tapping her finger to her lips before she pouts at the mess he makes of her hair. “I just brushed that!” She begins running her nails through the tangles he made. “Don’t knock it till you try it, babe. Plus, the night it where it’s at.”

“There you are! You and that damn cat.” She announced, a glowing smile spreading on her lips. She took little notice of Carmen’s relaxed state as she took a seat right beside her with tablet in hand. “We missed you on the run this morning. Last night I ate an entire pint of ice cream by myself but the extra mile was so worth it.”

Her eyes opened to slits, nearly glaring at the other. “That damn cat,” she repeated back. “is my child.” She couldn’t stand it when people judged her for loving her little Lobo. “Morning runs aren’t really my thing, but I’m up for a late night run.” Carmen commented, shifting to get a better look at the woman. “Ice cream--now you have my attention.”

Gwyn: I think I found something perfect for the three of us, wanna come by and see it?

Gwyn: I need someone else's opinion before I bring it to them, and we can just have a nice wine night or something? It's been awhile since I saw you last.

Carmen: Of course I do!

Carmen rolled over in her bed, tugging the sheets and blankets over her as she desperately tried to block out the threatening sun. If she could have stayed in that bed all day she would have. Stayed with her kitten curled along her side with paws outstretched and kneading at the plush blankets of the bed. A sound at her door made her roll around, but still not peaking up over her blanket as she whined. “Julian or Luis--the sun burns and I am not interested in moving.”

“I think if she could find a new fiance she would within seconds,” He admitted heavily as he lifted his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. “i just want to know if I’m always going to be punished for having a past which I feel like is unfair. It’s not like I’m holdings hers against her. It’s almost bad enough I wish my parents would have gave in and married me off to you.”

Her lips pursed. Maybe she did need that second cup of coffee. “You shouldn’t have to feel that way.” Carmen collects the taller individual into her arms, rubbing his back as close to soothingly as she can manage before she looks up at him. “Your past doesn’t define you. You know this. If she can’t handle that then maybe she should cry home to mommy and daddy.” She smiles as she jokes. “We both know you wouldn’t last a single day waking up next to me.”

Gwyn: Something that shows her that both me and Luis want her in our lives, in our marriage.

Gwyn: Does that make any sense?

Carmen: GWYN!

Aksel didn’t mind allowing her the extra few minutes in order to finish her drink knowing that it was really for the best if he didn’t push his luck. Once he was sure she really was ready for conversation he didn’t know where to start. “I think my betrothed hates me,” he settled on with a heavy sigh as he rubbed the back of his neck.

If she had still been drinking she likely would have spit out the coffee, surprised at his choice in topic, but more surprised that anyone wouldn’t like him. “Woah, babe, hey.” She set the cup down on the counter and rested her hand on his shoulder. Carmen squeezed. “What makes you say that? I mean, any woman would be crazy not to like you at least a little.”

Aksel knew better than to show up anywhere near Carmen first thing in the ‘morning’ (more accurately late afternoon but it was still early for her) without a cup of coffee in his hands. He gave it a week before those in the castle also knew better and started showing up with cups of coffee when they needed the princess before 2 in the afternoon. “I have your coffee here just like you prefer it,” the prince offered as he held the cup out to her. “Once that’s gone you can have mine and then we can talk.”

The familiar voice was enough to settle the mind of the exhausted Princess, even though she had slept longer than anyone else in the castle by that point. It took her no time at all to take the coffee from his hand, nursing it like a college kid with a bottle of vodka. She didn’t say a thing until she had finished the coffee, her eyes settling on his face, now with the slightest hint of a smile on her face. “This is why you’re my best friend, Aks. How’d you sleep?”

“Even your own little brother?” He questioned, while laughter filled dark hues looked at his older sister. Julian pushed his hair back slightly so it was behind his ear, before grabbing the large hot beverage that was resting on the counter. “I actually come baring the first cup, I was on my way to your room, but then I figured you’ll be where the coffee was so I came here.” The younger royal held out the coffee that he picked up on his way back from his run, while a small smile grew on his lips before rolling his eyes. “Consider it a welcome to Athens coffee, Carmen.”

“Even my favorite little brother.” Carmen smiled still at the younger one and rested her head on his shoulder. Her hands immediately took the coffee, humming over the smell. She could have chugged it right then if she weren’t raised to do the complete opposite of that. She took long sips still. “Julian you are possibly my favorite human in the world. How has Athens been treating you?”

Gwyn: Shopping for Luis is easy, but shopping for her is a bit harder.

Carmen: flowers, jewelry?

Vlad was having a hard time ignoring the cat. He was sitting perched in the corner, coffee in hand, one earphone in one ear, listening to Bob Dylan croon away. The Cat was watching him too, meowing softly and padding its paws against the lap of its owner. Vlad smiled and looked away, trying not to appear as creepy as he felt. He focused on the phone but the drumming purr of the cat was hard to ignore.

Lobo’s little paws stretched out on her lap, claws showing before retracting. The kitten’s little rump did a wiggle before she hopped down and padded his way across the floor to the man. Carmen’s eyes opened again, the warmth gone from her lap and watching Lobo leave. A crooked brow met the man in the corner. “Making new friends, I see.”

- ̗̀ (she/her) is that CHRISTIAN SERRATOS coming off the private jet? oh no that’s CARMEN JOSEFINA ITURBIDE the TWENTY-SIX year old PRINCESS of MEXICO. people often say they remind them of SILK SHEETS TOSSED ABOUT, RED LIPSTICK STAINS, STAYING UP LATE AND SLEEPING IN LATER. they are arranged to marry ANY FC (rae has problems) * Luis’s twin