Fantasy Intertwining Kingdoms (Closed)

[Axty]

Time moved quietly in the days that followed, each one slipping by with a stillness that felt almost deliberate. And during those days, something about Archie began to change—subtly at first, like the slow turning of a tide.


He became quieter around her, more reserved. He no longer held her gaze the way he used to, and their conversations, once effortless and stretched long into the afternoon, became shorter, clipped—almost awkward. It wasn’t that he didn’t like her. In fact, it was quite the opposite.


Every time they found themselves alone, a strange flutter stirred in his stomach, like wings beating against the inside of his chest. It made him anxious, unsure of where to put his hands, what words to say, or how long was too long to look at her. He didn’t understand the feeling—only that it was new, powerful, and a little terrifying.


So he did what felt safest: he avoided it. Or tried to. He pulled away, not out of coldness, but out of fear—of vulnerability, of discovery, of what it meant to care more than he’d meant to.

 

[freakie]

Florence had been enjoying the times they were close. But unlike she predicted she started to feel even more alone than she had expected. She had tried her best to keep him engaged with her talks. To joke and tease like they used to but it seemed to her that he was losing interest.

She couldn’t see deep down that he liked her. It was hard for her to read him when they were still new. But she thought they had both said they’d try. And instead it felt like he had let slip his end of the bargain.

Knowing that tonight they’d have to go to the castle meant she was losing hope. They were not going to be left alone always watched and advised. She would have to keep strong and be respectful of her husband but she had to lie. It hurt her somewhat. She believed she had done something wrong.

Heading out to the gardens in a plain embroidered dress she was tearing up. She couldn’t bare to be inside that manor anymore as she hurried; to the wall. The trees on the other side holding something deadly but she did not know of it. She simply paced as she cried. She had to let it out before her mask went up. Yet her loyal guard was nowhere to be seen. His body slumped by the main door after a blow to the head.

 

[Axty]

Archie immediately heard the scream pierce the silence like a dagger to the chest. His heart pounded as instinct overtook thought, his legs already sprinting before he could process what was happening. As he burst into the hallway, the sight of Florence cornered by a masked intruder struck him like a punch to the gut. The guards were down—unconscious or worse—but there was no time to hesitate.


Without thinking, he dove for the nearest fallen guard, grabbing the sword and swinging it in a single, desperate arc. The masked man dodged with the reflexes of someone trained, barely avoiding the strike, but not without leaving his mark—a sharp sting across Archie’s cheek where the attacker’s blade had lashed out in return. Blood dripped slowly, hot against the cool night air. The intruder hissed and spat at the ground before vanishing into the shadows, leaving chaos in his wake.


Panting and shaken, Archie dropped the sword with a metallic clatter, his focus shifting completely to Florence. He rushed to her side, gripping her shoulders gently but firmly, checking her over with frantic eyes. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?” His voice cracked with worry as his hands hovered, unsure of where to touch without hurting her. “Come on—let’s get you to a doctor. We need to make sure you’re alright.” His tone was both commanding and pleading, desperate to make sure she was truly safe in his arms

 

[freakie]

Florence had no time to act. Seeing the man her trauma resurfaced and she felt like the little girl she was when it had happened before. She screamed only for him to push her to a wall and order her silence. Readying to push the blade to her stomach it only left a bruise as he was thrown off her by Archibald. Her body shaking as she tried to duck and crawl to safety. She was a little roughed up but nothing more and when he took the blades next hit she sniffled and her mind screamed out.

Once the attacker was gone she held herself as she cried only for him to fret. “I…I’m okay…I”she barely spoke. Her voice burning from such a scream as she watched him carefully and saw his face “you must get checked too”she whispered some “you didn’t have to take the hit Archibald” this was the closest she’d seen him be. He was actively holding herself gently again and watching her but it was under bad circumstances.

Just before she could respond one guard was awake and walked in “we must leave to the palace now. You are not safe here. We will send your things. The carriage is ready sure”he bowed and Florence sniffled “you can take me to the infirmary there. They have all the best doctors”she agreed. Her head pounding as she gently touched the back of it to see crimson on her fingers.

She swayed side to side as the guards that woke helped them outside with warmer clothes. They had never expected them to be found here or targeted. But it seemed the honeymoon was over

 

[Axty]

“Idiot,” Archie muttered, his voice trembling slightly as he pulled her into a tight, protective hug. His arms wrapped around her like a shield, desperate to ensure she’d never feel that kind of fear again—not while he was around. He didn’t care how undignified or vulnerable it made him seem. “I’m never letting you go anywhere alone again,” he continued, his voice rough with emotion. “I don’t care if you get sick of me.”

The words slipped out without hesitation, raw and unfiltered. It was the truth—he cared. More than he wanted to admit, more than he’d expected to feel so soon. In that moment, all the walls he had spent years building around himself—walls forged from pain, guilt, and loss—cracked. He had let her touch him, hold him, comfort him. And now, without even thinking about it, he was holding her back. Not out of obligation. Not because they were married. But because he wanted to.

He buried his face in her shoulder for a moment, breathing in her presence like it grounded him. For the first time in a long time, he wasn’t just tolerating closeness—he was seeking it. He had accepted her. All of her. And somehow, despite everything, it felt… right.

 

[freakie]

Free eyes were wide from still cowering in fear and she felt her heart racing away from her before he used his arms and hugged her close. She closed her eyes and stayed close to him scared that she wouldn’t get this chance again with how off and on they’d been. “Don’t..”she scolded gently. “I’..feel faint..”she murmured softly to him incase she couldn’t stay upright anymore.

The words landed on her just as his face buried into her shoulder and she breathed out shakily “I was so scared that it would be it…that they had already slain you…”she hadn’t meant to go downstairs so early but due to her own emotions she had been trying to venture to the gardens.

The guards waited patiently as the carriage pulled round to the front now finally ready. “Sire it’s time” he informed the couple. Florence wincing as she slowly moved. Glad he had tried to comfort her and protect her as she touched her stomach where the bruise was forming she felt sick from it. That someone could get so close to taking innocent life. “Let’s go Archie..”she urged feeling unsafe here.

As she went to take a step her body started to fail. Her concussion and unknown injuries causing her to pass out.

 

[Axty]

Archie’s arms instinctively caught her before she could fully collapse, his heart sinking with fear as he looked down at her pale face. “Florence—!” he called out, voice laced with panic. Without wasting a second, he shouted for the staff, his grip tightening protectively around her. Servants and guards rushed to his aid, and within moments, they were all in motion.


The carriage ride was tense, Archie holding her the entire time, silently begging her to stay with him. His mind raced with possibilities, fears clawing at his chest. Had the masked man poisoned her? Was it the shock? The stress? The wound? He didn’t know. He just knew he couldn’t lose her.


Once they arrived at the castle—their permanent home now—Archie wasted no time. He carried Florence up the grand marble steps, through gilded halls, and straight into their chambers. The room was already prepared, and as doctors flooded in, Archie carefully laid her on the massive bed, the silken sheets seemingly too fine for someone in such distress. He stepped back only enough to let the physicians work, his fists clenched at his sides, eyes never leaving her.


Eventually, exhausted and emotionally drained, Archie sat down beside her. The chair creaked softly beneath him, but he didn’t care. He slumped forward, resting his head on his arms which were folded on the edge of the bed, one hand gently placed on hers. When Florence would finally stir from her sleep, she’d find herself in the softest bed in the kingdom… and her husband—normally guarded and proud—asleep beside her, worry etched into every line of his peaceful, tired face.

 

[freakie]

The girl looked peaceful but inside she had a rather nasty concussion and bruising on her stomach from the knife. It luckily hadn’t cut through but it had been pushed so hard to leave an indent on her skin. Her arm was limp and the bruising on her back far worse from where she had been pushed. She was out the entire journey which was rare and worrying.

The doctors worked hard to get the room ready. A guard had travelled ahead and sent word. And once the prince rushed in with her they were almost stunned at such an act. They were used to him being cold and strict. They changed her clothes so they could examine her and got her to lay on her side so they could test how bad the damage was to her head and back.

After many hours they had checked everything “concussion…broken forearm. Bruising no signs of any other injuries. The concussion and shock was possibly enough to keep her from waking. She needs rest and we’ve wrapped the arm tightly to aid its healing”they bowed to the prince before leaving them alone. Going forward to patch up the guards that were struck.

Florence would slowly wake and she felt something sharp on her arm and winced softly. Her mouth felt dry and it took a while for her to open her eyes to see him. This time he didn’t look so peaceful and it worried her before she remembered what just happened. She felt his fingers locked with hers and huffed weakly.

The trauma from childhood now matching adulthood had sent her anxiety through the roof and she realised her head was still sore and tender.

“Archie..”she asked softly wandering if he was okay as well. Seeing the cut on his cheek bandaged. “Where…”she didn’t know where they were. The doctors had warned she may not remember the events of the attack. She glanced at her arm and frowned some before wincing as she tried to move to her back but couldn’t.

 

[Axty]

Archie’s half-lidded, sleep-heavy eyes slowly blinked open as he felt the slight movement beside him. The moment his gaze landed on Florence, awake and breathing, a heavy sigh of relief escaped him—one he hadn’t realized he’d been holding in for hours.


“Thank god,” he whispered, his voice thick with exhaustion and emotion, “you’re awake…”


He sat up straighter, brushing a hand through his unruly hair, his every movement sluggish but careful. The dark circles beneath his eyes hinted at how long he’d stayed by her side, refusing to leave even for a moment. He leaned closer, his tone soft but firm, almost instinctively slipping into a protective mode.


“Don’t move,” he said gently but seriously, placing a hand lightly over hers to keep her grounded. “Pretty much your entire body’s going to be in pain for a while… The doctor said it’ll take at least a day before it eases up, and even then, you’ll need time to heal properly.”


His blue eyes met hers with unspoken guilt and worry, lingering on the bruises and exhaustion written across her face.


“I should’ve been faster. I should’ve been there sooner.”

 

[freakie]

Her body felt tense and heavy and she didn’t feel much. But if she moved it burned and ached and she knew she had to be careful now that she was hurt. She bit her lip as she saw the pure dread on his face and the tiredness and she felt awful that she couldn’t comfort him or make it easier.

Her green eyes searched his as he spoke and she breathed out some scared that he was worried over her death and how little time they’d had. She breathed out slowly as she tried to keep still when he told her “it wasn’t your fault…”she whispered quietly “I was…up and about restless because I was worried about us. And what may happen when we got here. I didn’t hear him attack the guards. I didn’t protect myself like I was taught..”she was too weak to cry but she breathed out shakily “it wasn’t your fault” she reassured.

She squeezed his hand and tried to relax “this bed. It’s far too fancy for a sick person..”she joked lightly to try and lighten the gloom.

 

[Axty]

Archie’s tense expression finally softened, the weight of the night seeming to melt off his shoulders as they slumped forward. His hand still gently clasped hers, grounding both of them in the quiet truth of the moment.


“I’m never, ever going to leave you alone again,” he said, voice low but steady—more promise than simple statement. His eyes lingered on her face, taking in every sign of life with reverent gratitude, like she was a miracle he’d almost lost.


“You scared me more than I’ve ever been scared in my life,” he admitted, barely above a whisper. “I thought… I thought I’d failed you.”


He leaned in slightly, resting his forehead carefully against the back of her hand, as if just feeling her warmth could convince him this wasn’t another nightmare.

 

[freakie]

The quiet inhale and exhale of her breath and the soft thumping of her heart was all Florence could hear for a few moments. Did I really escape death again? She frowned softly as she let the silence allow her time to think. Slowly feeling the pain in her back and arm spread and she tried to ignore it. The bandage was wrapped tight to help her not move it too much but she hadn’t had any pain relief just yet. I’m in rough shape. I can’t believe I scared him that much

the normal sparkling green orbs were dull as she dealt with the pains that arised within her and she huffed as she stretched her leg slowly and gently to not move to much. “Archie…”she spoke softly hiding any sense of how she felt in her voice. She didn’t wish to worry him more than she already had.

Listening to him admitting how he felt she very gently ran her thumb over his knuckles as she focused on the texture of his skin and she almost teared up “I..you didn’t fail me…please stop blaming yourself..”she whispered softly. Not wanting him to deal with the mental torment “we are safe now. You got me help..and I’ll be okay..”she tried to give him reasons to calm.

“I was scared that. Our time would be cut short. And then everything we’ve worked for was lost. I was lost and you would maybe be lost. If we swapped places..”she muttered some. She knew she was getting lost in his eyes and she tried to relax some. She knew getting worked up about it would be awful and she didn’t want to keep the gloom up but she felt sick almost.

“Can you get the doctors…the pain is returning..”she murmured softly as she finally admitted she couldn’t relax without some sort of help.

When he got them for her the main palace doctor walked in with him “milk of the poppy. Small doses for now. And you need to keep on your side until the pain passes.” He grabbed some pillows and gently put them behind her to keep her balanced “anything else..just ask” he bowed and left.

 

[Axty]

Archie took her hand gently in his own, guiding it to rest against his cheek as if it were the only thing tethering him to reality. He leaned into the touch, eyes fluttering closed, the warmth of her skin grounding him more than she could possibly know. His breath trembled in his throat, and for a moment, he didn’t speak—he simply let the silence say what he couldn’t yet form into words.


“What if you had died?” he finally whispered, his voice cracking beneath the weight of his emotions. “What if—just like my father—you slipped away in my arms? What would I have done?” His chest rose and fell shakily, the image of that horrible night with his father flashing behind his eyes. The helplessness. The blood. The silence that followed. It had haunted him ever since, and now, faced with the idea of losing Florence the same way, the fear clawed at him like it was trying to drag him back into the past.


He opened his eyes slowly, looking at her with an expression stripped of pride or restraint—just raw, aching sorrow. “God, I was so stupid,” he murmured, his voice heavy with guilt. “So damn stupid for leaving you alone. For keeping my distance. For avoiding you because I was scared of what I was starting to feel. I told myself it was easier that way… that pretending we were just strangers would protect me.” He paused, his grip on her hand tightening slightly. “But now I know that fear nearly cost me everything.”


A tear slipped down his cheek as he looked at her, overwhelmed by a truth he had spent so long trying to ignore.

 

[freakie]

After drinking the small cup of medicine from the doctor she knew soon she would feel rather tired so she kept herself awake by focusing on him and how he was doing. The room thick with something indescribable Like it was going to tip over the edge at any moment. She felt his face on her hand and she closed her eyes a moment trying to keep herself together because she was afraid to show more weakness in case his guilt only grew from the past events.

What if you had died?

Those words broke through to her and she tensed up slightly before shaking her head gently and her eyes opened only to be glassier than normal. The whites tinging pink as tears threatened their release. It seemed like long ago they were on that hill…speaking memories to one another to find more strings to attach. Hoping to weave them together to form a resemblance of a marriage. But this was different. Raw. She sniffled gently as he spoke of his father, feeling his pain and realising how serious this was that she was compared to such a tragic wound he still had.

The words continued to spill and she slowly moved her hand to cup his cheek to be able to offer some sort of comfort. It dawning on her that after he had warned her about touching him, he hadn’t let go of her hand and seemed to use it to soothe him. Things felt like they were clicking into place and she only wished it didn’t take such a violent moment to do so. She wanted to scold him, to tell him to hush and that he wasn’t an idiot. The words getting stuck in her throat as she finally cried with him and sniffled some more.

The disbelief that he was starting to grow some feelings for her and that it was all being told now was overwhelming for her. She breathed out shakily “That’s why you were busying yourself so much..? Because of me…“ From his words alone it was easy for her to put together the pieces of what deep down he was trying to say. “We promised we wouldn’t lie…so you avoided me so that you would never have to speak those words into existence…“It was a lot to take in but in this moment she wanted to reassure him that it wasn’t a mistake.

”I care for you…deeply Archie. I have since the first day alone on that hill..“She murmured as the medicine began to take hold of her. It was a strong painkiller and it made her feel drowsy. She was going to feel rather weak and tired until she recovered.

 

[Axty]

Archie moved the moment he saw her shift uncomfortably, instincts overriding hesitation. He quickly and carefully slipped his arm behind her back, supporting her as she tried to sit up. His movements were gentle but steady, the kind of care that came from both deep concern and growing affection. He adjusted the pillows behind her, fluffing and stacking them until they could cradle her back properly. Only once everything looked right did he ease her back down, making sure she was comfortable, letting her settle in without rushing her.

As she lay back against the cushions, Archie remained standing beside the bed, hands lingering awkwardly at his sides. He stared at her for a moment—just taking her in. The color in her cheeks was finally starting to return, and her breathing was more even. Relief washed over him again like a tide.

Then, softly, almost nervously, he cleared his throat. “Hey, Florence,” he began, his voice quieter now, the words hesitant like they’d been sitting on his tongue for a while. “Would you… would you mind if I stayed with you tonight? Slept next to you?” He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand, glancing away for just a second before returning his gaze to her. “I promise I won’t cuddle you too tightly… or at all if you’re not up for that. I just… I don’t want to be away from you right now.”

His blue eyes flickered with a mixture of vulnerability and hope, like a child afraid of being turned away but brave enough to ask anyway. “I just sleep better when I know you’re close.”

 

[freakie]

Florence watched him with half lidded eyes as he helped her move a soft thank you was all she could muster. Her hair in a braid to keep it out her face as she glanced over at him and noticed how in tune he was with her. Knowing he was scared of her declining but she knew she had to follow orders and recover well to ease his worry.

She yawned softly but even stretching while doing so hurt so she was limited for her movement.Glancing over at him as he spoke she was a little surprised. In his effort to hide his feelings with her they hadnt cuddled since the night of her terrors. She had missed his embrace, the safety and security of his arms around her and his heart lulling her to sleep.

”I would prefer it…I have missed you since“She admitted to him and she noticed he seemed just as nervous and when they first shared the bed “You’ve been sitting vigil you must be exhausted.”She half smiled some to reassure him “You can put an arm over me but just be careful not to move it too much. I can’t feel anything right now but I don’t want to slow down my healing“She licked her lips some. The bitter taste of the medicine still on her tongue as she tried to think “Please..“

I hope I can get stronger for the both of us

 

[Axty]

“No promises,” Archie murmured with a tired chuckle, his voice low and drowsy as a yawn escaped him. He climbed into the bed with a familiar kind of ease, the softness of the mattress greeting his sore muscles like an old friend. As he settled in beside her, he gently slid closer, his arm looping around her waist in a light but deliberate gesture. He spooned her from behind, his body carefully aligned with hers, his touch gentle, non-intrusive—just warm enough to feel real, to feel safe.

The quiet intimacy of it all washed over him slowly. For so long, physical closeness had meant tension, panic, restraint. But this… this was different. Her presence grounded him, her scent soothing, her warmth a balm to a part of him he hadn't realized was still aching. He could feel the steady rhythm of her breathing, and it calmed him like nothing else could.

He let out a deep breath, his forehead resting lightly against the back of her shoulder. In that moment, everything else—the palace, the politics, the past—faded into the background. All that remained was this fragile peace between them, and he wanted to hold on to it for as long as he could. As his body relaxed and his mind slowly drifted, Archie fell asleep to the feeling of comfort he hadn’t known he’d been craving.

 

[freakie]

The girl was waiting carefully. Trying not to move so that she could let him get comfortable and with him spooning her it would help make sure she didn’t sleep on her back till the swelling went down. She hummed softly when he found his place beside her. They seemed to fit together so well.

“Goodnight love”she murmured as she was slipping into the black. She was so comfortable around him. Now he showed he could care for her and be there it only made it harder to keep her feelings down.

I can’t just tell you I love you. It’s too soon. We’re too new.

Florence would sleep on and off the next day. Waking to take her medicine and to eat soft small foods. But once it was the afternoon she woke up and sighed tiredly “I am sick of this bed..”she rubbed her face with her good arm. “I need to walk..” she rang the bell that was sat beside her. A doctor coming in “yes you’re highness”he asked. Florence glanced at him “my back feels okay. I wish to walk to the balcony and breathe in real air”she hoped he would give her the all clear. The doctor was thinking on it. Seeing her so frustrated “if the painkillers have worked. And you are slow then a small walk should be okay. Be careful of your arm. Do not put weight on it”he advised and left.

Don’t put weight on it? Then how am I supposed to get up.

 

[Axty]

Archie’s gaze lingered on her fragile form, a gentle concern etched into every line of his face. There was a softness in his eyes now, something quiet and tender that hadn’t always been there. He stepped a little closer, reaching out without hesitation this time.


“Here,” he said, his voice calm and steady as he extended his hand toward her—palm open, fingers relaxed. “Let me help you.”


The gesture wasn’t rushed or forceful. It was patient, steady, and full of meaning. He remembered what he said—how he promised never to leave her alone again—and he meant every word of it. Offering her his hand wasn’t just about helping her stand. It was a silent vow: that no matter how difficult things became, no matter how scared he might feel, he would be there. Present. Steady. Hers.


His fingers hovered there just a moment longer, waiting—not demanding—ready to support her however she needed.

 

[freakie]

Florence glanced over at him and offered a half smile. She was being brave for him but deep down she was feeling weak still from the medicine but it was better than feeling any pain. She gently took his hand. “Slowly” she murmured some as she was using his hand to pull up before she was finally stood up by the side of her bed.

She took a moment to recover. Breathing a little heavy “in sickness and in health Hm.” She remembered their vows to one another at times like this. They had seemingly made their own behind closed doors. “ the balcony.”she moved slow to not cause herself to be dizzy. Her hand still gripped his while her broken arm was wrapped to her body so she wasn’t able to move it much.

Once the doors opened the spring breeze brought with it the sweet scent of dew and flowers. She closed her eyes a second to breathe it in before she moved out and watched the view. “We are in your castle aren’t we…”she noted some “ to think if things didn’t happen we would be prepping for our coronation. Or perhaps I could have visited your mother..”she rubbed her eyes gently. She hated feeling so useless. So fragile.

 

[Axty]

“We will, eventually,” Archie murmured, his tone somewhere between reassurance and contemplation as he rested his chin lightly in his hand, eyes drifting off in thought.

The idea of Florence meeting his mother brought a tug of emotion to his chest. He couldn’t help but picture the meeting in vivid detail—his mother’s sharp eyes instantly sizing Florence up, the subtle smile of approval that would follow when she realized how radiant and kind-hearted his bride truly was. Archie could already hear his mother’s voice—elegant but mischievous—teasing him without mercy in front of Florence, probably pulling out baby stories or praising his “adorable tantrums” as a child.

He let out a soft huff, half a laugh, half a sigh. She’d adore Florence, he thought, probably more than she adores me. Knowing his mother, she’d take Florence by the arm, drag her off to some private tea, and by the time they returned, they’d be passing notes and smirking at him like co-conspirators. As nerve-wracking as the idea was, Archie couldn’t deny there was something oddly comforting about it—like two parts of his world finally meeting and blending into something whole.

 

[freakie]

Florence let go off his hand gently and rested it on the stone railing. She was nervous about the coronation. She glanced over at her husband and she knew that in the week of preparations they would have to lie. “King Archie and Queen Florence. It is odd to speak it”she rubbed her face some as she kept herself stable and watched the outside. She had never been to his kingdom before. But it was similar slightly to her home. She hoped she wouldn’t miss it too much.

She thought back to her parents and only hoped that they were okay. She hadn’t been apart from them for this long and was unsure how to set up visits. She glanced over at him and offered a half smile “thank you” she murmured to him finally.

She had not let his actions go unnoticed “thank you for staying with me through this..”she murmured “It is nice to be looked after. And one day I hope to do the same for you but only under better circumstances “she nodded softly as she tried to hide how the pain was returning. She was defiant and showing her rebellious nature. She wanted to be able to walk around and do stuff but it was hard.

Her mind wandered some “to think the last time I saw you so dressed up was our wedding. It was impressive. You were so handsome and I was so nervous..”she let him through. She had never shared her thoughts about that day before. But she wanted him to be close. She needed him close to her “I was so worried that I wouldn’t be pleasing to look at. Our stumble over my dress and mess up my words..”

 

[Axty]

Archie let out a soft chuckle, the kind that barely touched his lips but lingered in the air like a quiet sigh. He kept his gaze on the horizon, the golden light of the setting sun casting long shadows over the landscape, painting the world in warm hues. His eyes, usually sharp with observation or dulled by exhaustion, held a kind of wistfulness now—one born from the swirl of thoughts he didn’t often give voice to.


“As if,” he murmured, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He didn’t look at her when he spoke, as if saying the words out loud would make them too real. “If you hadn’t been forced into this... if none of this arrangement had happened the way it did, you probably would’ve ended up with someone else. Someone better than me. Someone who actually deserved you.”


The words weren’t bitter, but there was a quiet ache behind them—an admission that had been building inside him for a while. It was the kind of vulnerability he rarely showed, but with Florence, it slipped through in moments like this, honest and unguarded.


He meant it too. In his mind, he was still the boy who had made one mistake too many, the one who carried guilt like a second skin. He didn’t see the way she looked at him when he wasn’t watching. He didn’t realize that in choosing to be by her side, he had already given her something more valuable than perfection—he had given her truth, pain, and tenderness, all tangled up in the quiet bravery of someone trying to love despite the fear of it.

 

[freakie]

She stayed looking out over his land. The light catching her at certain points giving a lovely glow to her hair making her look almost better than how awful she felt now. She hummed as he spoke and she laughed gently “it’s true. I didnt anything but your beautiful eyes poking through your hair”

The silence didn’t last long as he spoke more and she gently traced the stone wall to focus on before she frowned gently. She had to take a while to realise why he may feel that way and she shook her head softly “It could have been worse. There are many cruel husbands out there. Ones that would not allow me to be so honest. Ones that would only seek me for pleasure and heirs and take other women when I become too ugly or old”she turned to him and moved her hand closer to his. Making sure he knew she was there when he was ready and not to touch him unannounced.

“You have treated me much better Archie. You have been a gentleman and not even kissed me let alone the rest without us being ready. The only thing you’ve done is hide away when it got too much. And even that I understand..”

“Maybe if you were allowed to marry who you wanted. You could have done whatever you pleased instead of having to tip toe around or protect me when I’m fragile..”she looked away again. Her own bitterness of her injuries showing as she tried to think more.

 

[Axty]

Archie turned his head sharply, surprise flashing across his features as he looked at her. His blue eyes widened with a mix of disbelief and heartfelt conviction. “You're not fragile though,” he said firmly, almost as if the very idea offended him. “Not in the slightest.”


He stepped a little closer, his voice softening but still holding that passionate edge. “I don’t know many people who could walk out of what you went through without worse injuries. You faced something terrifying, and you’re still here, still fighting—don’t ever downplay that.”


His expression gentled, and a small, almost boyish smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he rubbed the back of his neck. “And besides... taking care of you, it’s not a chore. It’s not some duty I begrudgingly picked up. It’s something I enjoy. I want to be here. So don’t dare worry about being a burden or inconvenience again, alright?”


He gently tapped his chest with a thumb, that smile turning into a mock-serious pout. “Worrying? That’s my job now. I’ve got that role on lockdown, so you just focus on resting and healing.”