Fantasy Intertwining Kingdoms (Closed)

[Axty]

Archie stood frozen for a moment, eyes wide with quiet astonishment as his gaze fell upon the charm she handed him. He reached out slowly, as though touching it too quickly might break the spell of the moment. He remembered—vividly—the story he had once mentioned to her in passing, barely thinking she’d remember. And yet, she had. She listened. She remembered. His fingers brushed the charm, and then he gently clasped it, holding it like something sacred before fastening it around his neck.

“Thank you,” he whispered, his voice rough with emotion. His hand lingered on the charm resting just over his heart, and he looked at her with eyes that shone, overwhelmed by the love she had just shown him.

Then, slowly, Archie stepped back.

“But with that…” he said, his voice steadying with purpose, “I should give you something too.”

He knelt.

With a quiet, deliberate motion, he pulled out a small box from the inner pocket of his robe—his fingers shaking only slightly now. As he opened it to reveal the delicate ring nestled inside, the moonlight caught the silver band, making it glimmer like a soft promise.

“Florence,” he began, voice thick with emotion, “I’ve opened up to you more than I’ve opened up to anyone in my life… and even after all of it, you haven’t looked at me with pity or disgust. You’ve never once flinched. You’ve seen me… all of me… and still, you stayed.”

His eyes lifted to meet hers, steady and sincere.

“Your heart is so beautiful—so kind, so gentle. Almost as beautiful as you are. And I don’t want our marriage to be just something arranged. I want it to be something we choose. I want to be with you not as nobles fulfilling a duty, but as two people in love… as us.”

He took a breath, his hand holding the ring out toward her.

“So will you accept me—truly accept me—not just as your husband, but as the man who wants to spend the rest of his life loving you, honestly, completely?”

 

[freakie]

Florence smiled when he seemed to like it and she was glad that she had picked well. She hummed softly “it’s alright. I’m just glad you like it. I”she admitted as she watched it fall to just above his heart and blushed before looking away towards the deep navy of the night sky.

When he mentioned her gift she turned to watch only for him to kneel and she gently moved a hand to her face to cover her shock as the ring glistened right in front of her. She breathed in a little unsteady as she heard his words and a pale pink hue spread across her cheeks.

Her eyes stayed on his as she breathed in and nodded some before thinking of a reply to so many kind words. She had the wedding ring from their ceramony. But it wa basic. And from a stranger. This ring was from his heart. It held more meaning to him than she knew of just yet “Archie…I’ll happily accept…”

“Completely. For I wish to only love you more day by day…forevermore”

 

[Axty]

Archie let her take the ring from his hand, watching as her delicate fingers gently slipped it onto her own. For a moment, time seemed to freeze. The sight of her wearing it made his heart swell with something warm and grounding—like everything in his chaotic world was finally starting to make sense. After a quiet beat, he stood up, a little stiff from being on one knee, and ran his fingers through his damp hair, ruffling it absentmindedly as nerves bubbled beneath the surface.

He glanced at her, then quickly looked away, cheeks tinged with red. The air between them was thick with anticipation, and for once, it wasn’t uncomfortable. It felt… hopeful. Intimate.

“So, Florence,” he said, his voice softer than usual, slightly hesitant. “Could you… close your eyes for me?”

He shifted from one foot to the other, his eyes not quite meeting hers. His fingers fidgeted at his sides, but his gaze held something tender. “I—I promise it won’t take long,” he added with a nervous chuckle, trying to mask the way his heart was practically pounding out of his chest.

But behind that nervous energy, there was something else—genuine affection. Vulnerability. A quiet plea for trust.

This moment wasn’t about obligation, or noble duty, or politics. It was about him finally deciding to take a step forward. To choose her. To allow himself to want something that scared him.

And in that moonlit room, Archie wasn’t a prince or a soldier or someone broken by the past.

He was just a boy falling in love, hoping she’d keep her eyes closed just long enough for him to show it.

 

[freakie]

Florence studied the ring a moment as she gently slid it onto her hand and smiled gently since it felt comfortable. It was sweet in a way that he had chosen to do his own proposal since they never got to do that.

As she looked up at him she felt a sense of calm wash over her and she breathed out “thank you. For such a gift”. She smiled and kept herself grounded before he asked her and she blushed before nodding “of course”. She closed her eyes.

“Take all the time needed and if today is not the day we can simply go to bed”she offered since she didn’t want to presssure him. His nature was due to someone giving him no choice before and she hated that someone had hurt him like that. So she gave him all the patience she had since she wanted to be kind.

With her eyes closed her own nerves returned and she did her best to keep still and focus on the sound of the night and her own breathing.

 

[Axty]

Archie gently placed his hands on her waist, as if she were something fragile—something precious. His fingers trembled slightly against the fabric of her dress, betraying the storm of nerves building inside him. His lips quivered, his breath shallow, and for a second he worried that his knees might buckle under the weight of the moment. But he didn’t back away. He didn’t run.


Because he knew—more clearly than he’d ever known anything—that he wanted this.


So, he leaned in, slowly, as if every inch of space between them was sacred. His eyes fluttered shut, and the world around him blurred into nothingness. When his lips finally met hers, it was like everything inside him stilled.


Her lips were soft—so soft, like velvet warmed by sunlight. There was no rush, no fire, just this quiet tenderness that melted into his skin and settled in his chest. Time seemed to hold its breath.


And in that kiss, he poured in every unsaid thought, every fear, every late-night moment of wondering if he was even capable of love. It wasn’t perfect—his hands still trembled, and his heart still raced—but it was real.


Archie had kissed Florence. Not because duty told him to. But because he wanted to.


And in that single, delicate moment, it finally felt like they had stopped surviving and had started living.

 

[freakie]

Florence squeezed her hands as she felt him get closer it was so hard to not open her eyes. She breathed out before she felt like she might fall if she wasn’t careful. Even feeling his body close in she enjoyed the warmth and closeness and tried to keep calm from it.

As he kissed her she didn’t know what she was expecting and so it played with her mind. She was timid at first before she finally let go and kissed back with a small gentleness at first and then she found her hands touching his robe as she kept him close but gentle. As if offering him the space to move away if he wished

Heading into a spiral as her heart sounded like it was bursting through her chest she slowly pulled away but only moved a small distance away from them as she opened her eyes to fully see him in this moment.
“Thank you. Archie..”she whispered softly

 

[Axty]

“No, thank you,” Archie murmured, his voice low but full of warmth as he kept his face close to hers. His forehead nearly touched hers, their breath mingling in the small space between them. A soft, grateful smile curved his lips, one that reached all the way to his eyes.


“You’ve done more for me than I ever thought anyone could,” he continued, his voice gently trembling with sincerity. “You helped me heal, Florence. You picked up the pieces I didn’t even know were broken, and you held them without judgment. That’s not something I’ll ever be able to repay in a day or a moment…”


He paused, his smile growing into something radiant—ear to ear, so full it almost hurt. “But that’s alright,” he said, his tone lightening just a little. “Because thankfully, we have the rest of our lives. And I intend to spend every second of it trying to return even a fraction of what you’ve given me.”

 

[freakie]

Florence had longed to see such a smile from him. He had always been happy with her but it seemed that she was waiting for his real unfiltered joy to show. She breathed out some as she blushed more “I haven’t done anything special. Just tried to learn of you as you learned of me”

She gently lifted a hand to his cheek “the only way to repay me for doing something as easy as loving someone. Is to keep trying your best like you have done”she stroked his skin just below his cheek bone as she searched his eyes.

“And the best bit..” she gently kissed him and closed her eyes. Taking it slow as she pressed gentle for a few seconds before moving away again “is that now we can do that without feeling like our world will turn. We’ve proved it. There’s something more between us.”

 

[Axty]

Archie continued to smile, that same dazed, love-struck expression still painting his face. A laugh bubbled up in his chest—quiet, almost embarrassed—but he didn’t try to hide it. He knew he probably looked like a complete fool, grinning like an idiot with his hair still damp and sticking up in places, his cheeks flushed, his lips trembling from nerves and warmth.


But he didn’t care. Not one bit.


Without thinking—without overanalyzing like he normally would—he leaned in again, closing the small gap between them. His lips found hers once more, soft and lingering, not rushed but full of something deep and new. The kind of affection that didn’t need words. When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against hers, eyes half-lidded with a joy so sincere it was almost childlike.


“Sorry,” he whispered, smiling so hard his cheeks ached. “I’m just… really happy. Like, embarrassingly happy. I didn’t know I could feel this kind of peace.”


He brushed his thumb across the side of her face, as if still grounding himself in the fact that she was real. That this was real.


“Is it weird I kinda want to keep kissing you until we forget dinner even exists?”

 

[freakie]

Florence was glad she didn’t make a fool of herself as she grinned gently when he had kissed back she hummed gently as she watched him in awe at how lucky she was to find some love just like she had hoped in her younger years.

When he kissed her unprompted she felt secure that they weren’t going to move backwards form this point. She kissed back a new sort of feeling taking over her in such intimate air. A hunger she hadn’t felt before and it confused her but she knew somehow somewhere it was connected to him.

“We’ve unleashed some new power Hm?”she rested her forehead against his before she blushed more at his words “I belive the food is going cold anyway…”she had eaten some of it but wasn’t worried she just wanted all of him. To be fully enveloped and held. She was charmed into loving the man she thought she’d hate forever

 

[Axty]

He chuckled softly, the sound low and warm between them as their faces stayed just inches apart. There was something different in the way he looked at her now—softer, lighter, like a burden had finally been lifted. It wasn’t just relief or affection—it was trust. The kind of trust that didn’t need to be spoken aloud anymore.

It was as if every wall they had so carefully built, all the hesitation and fear that had once lived between them, had crumbled. And in its place, something stronger had started to form—a foundation not built on duty or obligation, but on choice. On shared vulnerability.

“You’re lucky I’m not exceptionally hungry,” he said with a smile that reached all the way to his eyes. “Otherwise I might’ve had to make a very dramatic exit, and ruin this perfect moment with a grumbling stomach.”

He let his fingers trail gently along her side, grounding himself in her warmth.

“But… I think I’m full on just being near you.”

Then he paused, his grin turning a little more playful.

 

[freakie]

Florence wa still stunned by it all as she tried to think on what to do next she was getting flustered by all his attention now. Her resolve of being calm and strong. Grounding was slipping as she blushed and breathed heavier. She was doing her best to try and keep under control “Archie when you talk to me like this…what we just did…”

“It does something to me”

She replied as she admitted her feelings “and I know we’ve done one big thing. But it’s opened that door and I don’t wish to close it. But I..need you to know…” she breathed out some feeling her body tense as she felt hot despite the balcony being open and cool air coming in.

“I love you…Archie..”she uttered those three words as if she had been holding them in for too long already.

“My husband..”

 

[Axty]

Archie held her close, his right hand gently cupping her cheek as he leaned in, resting his forehead against hers. The world around them seemed to quiet, everything else fading into a soft, breathless stillness.

A faint blush colored his cheeks as her words echoed in his mind—words he’d never dared to dream of hearing, not like this. But now that she’d said them, he knew there was no hiding how he felt.

“I love you too, Florence,” he whispered, his voice steady, warm, and full of feeling. “My beautiful wife.”

His thumb brushed along her cheekbone, reverent and slow, as if he still couldn’t believe she was real, here, his.

 

[freakie]

Florence breathed out shakily as she kept still and let her forehead rest against his “this is surreal” she whispered as she tried to take it in “you’re here and flesh and bone and you. Actually want me”she almost teared up some at the realisation of it all.

“Kiss me…kiss me until the sun rises and we cannot breathe” she said in a hushed whisper as if she was finally able to say her wishes without the fear of rejection. She wanted to be close to him.

She slowly wrapped her arms around his neck. Her actions more urgent to try and calm this fire burning within her as she pressed her lips to his but this was less gentle more passionate.

As if for once she was free because she was loved.

 

[Axty]

Archie was caught completely off guard by the sudden wave of passion. For a moment—just a breath—his body reacted on instinct, muscles tensing and his mind reeling, flooded with those old, unwanted memories. Those nights where touch wasn’t affection but something stolen. Moments where all he had wanted was to be left alone, to be safe, to disappear.


His hand trembled slightly at his side.


But then… there was her. Florence.


Her touch, though intense, wasn’t invasive. It wasn’t demanding. It was full of warmth, of longing, of something gentle and real. And in that fragile moment of hesitation, Archie felt it—something different. Something safe.


Even though he flinched at first, his instincts faltering between past trauma and present love, he didn’t pull away. Instead, he leaned in.


He kissed her back.


And not just out of obligation or curiosity, but with a spark he hadn’t known was waiting to be lit. A fire flickered to life inside him—burning hot and unfamiliar—but he didn’t shrink from it. For once, he didn’t want to smother it out of fear. He wanted to feel it. To let it grow.


Because he did truly love her. More than he had realized. And for the first time, he let himself believe that maybe—just maybe—he was allowed to love and be loved without pain chasing after it.


His hand found her waist again, this time steadier. He pulled her closer, letting the kiss deepen slowly, naturally, his heart racing not from fear… but from exhilaration.


He wasn’t running anymore.

 

[freakie]

Florence hadn’t meant to overstep like that but she just felt the urge and had to act now before she would regret it and when she felt him tense and flinch her heart stopped a second.

Oh no. I’ve gone too far.

She hadn’t meant to cross the line and hurt him with her actions. She was just so enamoured by him that she was caught up in the very heated moment.

To her surprise he kissed back and she felt his arms on her waist to pull her in as she kept her hands around his neck to keep him close. She didn’t want to let go she simply kissed him until she almost felt like she’d run out of air.

She pulled away a split second to catch her breath as she watched him a small smile on her flustered face her golden hair curling around her face to frame it. She was simply taking a minute to breathe. She had never expected to feel so needed and need another so desperately.

(Will they only kiss or go further just so I know when to fade)

 

[Axty]

(How about just kiss for now?)

Archie smiled like a fool, warmth blooming across his face as she pulled back to catch her breath. His heart was still racing, and his cheeks were dusted pink—but he didn’t care. Not one bit.

With a crooked grin, he tilted his head slightly and asked, playful and hopeful all at once, “So… am I a good kisser?”

His eyes sparkled, waiting for her answer—not out of arrogance, but like a boy asking for a secret he’s been dying to hear.

 

[freakie]

Sure))

Florence breathed out a small chuckle as she nodded “you could say that. But I haven’t much to go off”she replied gently “I’m sorry if I was tok head strung. I didn’t mean to overstep”she slowly moved to the bed “I feel like we’ve had enough fun for tonight. We need our sleep for tomorrow..”

She was trying to calm herself as she pulled the covers over her and laid back with a small content sigh. “I couldn’t have imagined a nicer night. Before we become king and queen” she glanced at him before yawning softly as she tried to stop her heart racing. She got comfortable and closed her eyes “Will you cuddle me?”she fake pouted. Her own childishness showing now.


(Do you mind skipping to a couple weeks later once they are in the swing of things. We can have it that the rebels are starting to form and I can add more drama )

 

[Axty]

(Sure want me to write the time skip?)

 

[freakie]

Yes please

 

[Axty]

Weeks passed, and Archie found it utterly impossible to hide his affection for his wife—not that he ever tried. He kissed Florence at every chance he got, hugged her whenever she was near, and finished his duties with a speed and precision that would impress even the most hardened bureaucrats—all just to curl up beside her before bed.

Their love had settled into something warm and constant, like sunlight through palace windows. It wasn’t just passion anymore; it was comfort, closeness, and the deep satisfaction of finally being home.

That morning, Archie had risen early, slipping out quietly to his study to handle a new batch of letters from foreign leaders. His absence was temporary, a quiet part of the rhythm they’d developed.

Not long after Florence finished her usual morning routine, a knock came at her chamber doors.

“Queen Valentine,” came Connor’s voice, steady but unusually formal. “May we have a word?”

 

[freakie]

Florence had grown used to the affection and it settled well within her. She was glowing most days and sharing in his love. They still had their ritual of breakfast or dinner together so they could catch up on their days.

The work was hard for her but she was getting used to what was demanded of her. She was a fine Queen so far. She looked after the people at court despite them whispering about her and Archie in the shadows. All eyes watching her as if they were waiting for her to reveal something.

When she was looking over plans for a ball she heard him talk and she looked up. Seeing him so formal she knew she had to be serious. “Of course. Take a seat Connor. What’s on your mind?”she asked calmly as she sat at her desk. Her loyal guard Luke still standing there with another guard.

Florence sipped her tea and watched him carefully since she was trying to figure him out.

 

[Axty]

Connor stood stiffly just inside the threshold of the Queen’s chamber, his eyes narrowing slightly as they scanned the guards stationed near the doorway. His stare lingered long enough to make his message clear—this wasn’t a conversation meant for anyone but Florence.

With deliberate steps, he crossed the room and took a seat, adjusting the cuffs of his sleeves more out of habit than necessity. Though his voice was steady and friendly when he finally spoke, there was a weight behind it, something guarded, like the tip of a larger truth hidden beneath the surface.

“Queen Valentine,” he began, his tone respectful, though slightly hushed, “I must ask that we speak in private. This is a sensitive matter… one that Archie wanted you to hear from me directly—and without any peeping ears around.”

His attempt at casual charm didn’t quite land. Something in his posture—too composed, too careful—betrayed the fact that this wasn’t just a routine message or a simple request. There was a sliver of something else hiding in the corners of his eyes. Hesitation? Guilt? Worry?

Whatever it was, it was clear this visit was no formality.

 

[freakie]

Florence watched as he sat down and when he started to talk her frown grew deepe. She hadn’t ever gotten a message like this from Connor before so it was starting to worry her. She thought back and forth on if they should be alone.

She finally stood and half smiled trying to hide her worry for what was coming “of course” she murmured before she opened her door “patrol for now until dinner” she ordered and both guards listened as they walked off in sync.

She came back into the room and closed the door “we will be alone for just ten minutes. So be quick with what you must say” she sat back at her desk as she fiddle with the ring he gave her.

 

[Axty]

Connor let out a heavy sigh, the kind that seemed to carry more weight than just air. It was rare to see him like this—uncharacteristically unguarded, his usual sharp wit and polished demeanor slipping away. Florence would notice instantly: this wasn’t the charming, teasing knight who exchanged banter with Archie behind closed doors. This was someone struggling with something deeply troubling.


He ran a hand through his hair, avoiding her eyes at first, as if searching for the right words on the floor between them.


"This isn't about Archie," he said finally, his voice steady but grim. The tone was jarring, unfamiliar. It lacked the lightness he usually carried, and it made the room feel colder somehow. "I needed to speak with you personally… about Luke."


He paused, letting the name hang in the air, waiting for it to land before continuing.


"That night—when you and Archie had dinner in your room—Luke and I had some urgent documents we needed to deliver. Something about the southern borders. I told him we could wait till morning, but he insisted it couldn’t wait. So we went to your room.”


Connor shifted his weight uncomfortably, like he was reliving it in real-time.


“When no one answered, I got worried. Archie doesn’t usually go to bed that early, and with everything going on lately, I thought something might’ve happened. So I opened the door.”


He looked at her now, his eyes heavy with something that looked like guilt.


“And that’s when we saw you two… kissing.”


He paused again, giving her a second to catch up to the weight of it all.


“I turned to Luke right away—I didn’t want to intrude. It was private. It was something special. I knew that. But then I saw his face.”


Connor’s voice dropped slightly, as if he didn’t want to admit what he was about to say out loud.


“He wasn’t embarrassed. Or surprised. He was furious. Like, truly, deeply furious. His jaw was clenched, his fists were balled up at his sides, and his eyes—Florence, I’ve fought beside that man, and I’ve seen him angry before, but this…”


He swallowed, as if the memory left a bad taste in his mouth.


“This was different. He looked like he wanted to kill Archie. Like the sight of you with him—of you happy with him—was some sort of betrayal he couldn’t forgive.”


Connor took a breath, finally stepping forward a little, his voice softening.


“I don’t know what history you and Luke share, and it’s not my place to pry… but you need to be careful. I don’t think he’s moved on. And I don’t think he’s just going to walk away.”