So... much... to do...

[spadeking]

I... Yes, we know you've been through a lot this past month. You still have a lot on your mind and no one blames you for a day or two spent too distracted to get anything done, so you should stop beating yourself up over that. Everyone has told you that they don't mind waiting, so listen to them. Just because some people haven't been so patient in the past doesn't mean everyone is like them. Some people actually do mean what they say, of course. And you have done a pretty good job at getting back on track, even after all this— probably a better one than most in your situation would have been able to.

That's why I'm very grateful you've been allowing me more time and attention lately. Thank you for that. I'm sure the queen is also very glad too. From both of us: thank you. I know you'll get to starting that post eventually, so don't let it add to your stress right now. I'm liking the spontaneous moments with Arthur and the others that we have, and we have so much to plan for now that we've decided on the family matter! That'll keep us all plenty busy while you take a little more time to get your head screwed back on straight! (And, obviously, I'd appreciate any spare moments you can spend on listening to me tell you more about the kingdom, in case you were wondering about that. Seriously, who wouldn't?)

Oh, and, uh, lastly, we're all proud of you for dealing with that too; it had its moments, but running yourself ragged over something like that was not worth it. It's about time you accepted it. One day at a time with the more important and serious things now, right? Right!

Comments

[spadeking]

[ The King isn't daunted; he ran his hand over one red cheek, letting his fingertips soak up the heat from Arthur's flushed skin. Once again, he's very tempted to kiss his lips. ]

You're blushing, Your Grace...

[unluckyinhearts]

Shut up. [pushes the King away, finally, freely being himself. it's affectionate, in his own way, because he was trying so hard to keep a calm head in front of this new face. though now he's finally opening up]

[spadeking]

[ The King allows himself to be pushed away, but he's grinning even as he's forced to backpedal from the other man, obviously neither offended nor put out by the sharpness of the command. A moment later, he's casually invading Arthur's personal space again. ]

What? I was just making an observation...

[unluckyinhearts]

[that cheeky grin! it's mocking him! the Queen puffs out his cheeks before reaching up and yanking on the King's nose]

[spadeking]

[ Mocking?! The King only mocks Clubs and some of the Hearts, for goodness' sake! He was more like... laughing with the queen— not at! So suffice to say that he's genuinely shocked by what happens next. ]

Ow!

[ He can't help but laugh, but this time he's laughing more with disbelief than anything else. His poor nose! Ouch... That smarts. He's more used to verbal abuse! That said, he's not going to let Arthur get away with that, of course, so quickly, he leans down to pinch the queen's neck with his teeth— gently! Well, at least not hard enough to leave any marks. He's flirting a little, yes. ]

[unluckyinhearts]

[hgfjkdghd his neck is a weak spot though! the bite forces him to let go before practically melting into the King's arms. darn you, King!]

Ow, yourself.

[spadeking]

[ Well, he'd be flat-out lying if he said he hadn't been hoping it was, heh, but he didn't expect to not get slapped or something! Nonetheless, he catches the queen with practiced ease and decides that he just may want to take advantage of this moment. He only hesitates briefly before warmly kissing the spot where he bit the other man, soothing over the redness left behind from his little assault by softly mouthing the skin. He only kisses once, though, uncomfortable with doing anything else without some sort of sign that he's being allowed to do so from the queen himself. ]

[unluckyinhearts]

[it's probably for the best. he's confused enough already. he's sort of known as the Melancholy Queen because he's tormented by his thoughts and never smiles. though he's had a lot of fun meeting this King, he's not sure it's helped him come to anymore conclusions. if anything, it's made him even more puzzled.

he does sigh at the kiss, because it feels nice and warm. but when he gets his bearings, he practically shoves the King away from him. it's not that he's mad at the King, because that would be silly. the Queen's more trying to get his own thoughts together]

...You have others. [two other Queens that love him, right? damn playboy... or lucky bastard... the Queen isn't sure which]

[spadeking]

[ Two, yes; he was created for the one down-thread, but the one up-thread is the one he sees more often. If one were to ask him, the King would say he is lucky, because he never expected either of them, yet they exist, and he surely did not expect to see them, but here they are.

He does his best not to frown when he's pushed away, but, yes, it still does hurt. Rejection, especially from someone he loves, is by no means anything the King is very keen on receiving. Still, he tells himself that meeting this queen went much better than he ever dreamed it would, and that is enough for now. ]

And? You say that like you're all interchangeable. Like you are expendable because of them. It doesn't work that way. You aren't kidneys or fingers or legs. I don't have them. You're not things to collect and I don't care for one less because another exists.

[ He sighs softly, again, trying not to frown. He's not smiling anymore, but he doesn't want to look weak or chance causing the other man to feel guilty because of his feelings. ]

If you want to me to leave you alone, you just have to say so. You don't have to bargain with me to stay out of your hair by reminding me of what I already know, and didn't forget.

[unluckyinhearts]

[he didn't mean it that way! now he feels awful. he rubs his arm and looks away]

I... I apologise. It's just... to me... Well, I think having one person whom belongs to you is. Ah. Special. I don't want to share. [how embarrassing to admit! he blushes. he can't say that meeting this King was a bad idea. because it wasn't! he's really happy they got to talk. but also envious]

[spadeking]

[ The King's brows lift sharply as realization dawns on him.

Oh. Oh!

Then he closes his eyes and chuckles under his breath. Well, that's usually where the Queen comes in, when things fly right over his head, so. ]

Listen...

[ He takes a step forward and holds out his hands for Arthur's. ]

...this place is informal. It's different from our homes because more than one of us exists, right? If we shared a world together, nothing that matters here has to matter there. Everything else falls away and it's just be the two of us. In that secret world, I will only belong to you. It's our world and we create it as we perceive it should be— together. I don't like sharing either. I don't think anybody does. But we have to because if we don't, it makes things hard for our muns. And when things are hard for them, we suffer too— maybe more than they do.

[unluckyinhearts]

[he listens carefully before taking Al's hand. the Queen isn't used to this mun and muse stuff yet, so it's a little difficult to think about there being so many different versions and worlds and the like.

he sighs, nods, and finally looks back up at the King]

I suppose I understand. I... Thank you.

[spadeking]

[ Hence why he usually prefers to ignore such things! He doesn't like the idea of sharing this queen with a Joker, but if conceding to do so will please Arthur's mun, then he will, of course. It helps that his own mun doesn't feel very certain about what's going on.

He kisses Arthur's forehead affectionately. ]

I didn't think you'd tolerate me, to be honest.

[unluckyinhearts]

[shhh! no one knows about that! it's a horrible secret, or something. though mun would love to compare worlds someday, if only to generate more ideas, since she's rather alone in her story]

Sometimes you have to tolerate others if you want to learn. [obviously a joke, because he's smirking. but he's pretty happy with this meeting. maybe he should stop thinking so hard about it. he's never been one to relax, though.......]

[spadeking]

Learn?

[ The King smirks back, idly swinging their joined hands a little between them. ]

So, what did you learn, huh? Besides that I'm probably good in bed, I mean.

[ Then he cracks a rather devious grin and gives the queen a wink. He really did think the queen wouldn't like him much, considering what his mun told him about how Arthur's sees him. ]

[unluckyinhearts]

[on the contrary, the Queen loved his own King very much, but not in a romantic way. this King was much more mature than the other, but that didn't mean that this Queen loved him any less. he squeezed Alfred's hand, friendly. but rolled his eyes at the bed comment]

I learned that... You're charming. And that you have a caring heart.

[spadeking]

Is that all?

[ Does he look hopeful? He possibly looks too hopeful. ]

[unluckyinhearts]

[thinking]

...What were you hoping for?

[spadeking]

[ Uh oh! He did look too hopeful! He suddenly has trouble keeping eye contact as he makes a sloppy attempt to cover up his underestimate of how much this queen affects him. ]

Uh, wh-what do you mean? I wasn't... I mean, I didn't ask because I had something in mind. I just wondered if... there was anything else.

[unluckyinhearts]

[his smiles softens a bit. after a moment, he reaches up to press his hand to the King's cheek]

You're lucky. You have everything you could ever want. And I only wish for your happiness.

[spadeking]

[ He hesitates for only a moment before placing his hand over Arthur's as it rests on his cheek. ]

...Are you trying to tell me I won't see you again?

[unluckyinhearts]

What? No! I mean... I'd... [it looks like he's struggling on how to word this. he's horrible at expressing his feelings! good ones, at least] ...Really enjoy... your company... Again.

[bluh! his cheeks redden. but it's true. both he and his silly mun would always like to play. mun enjoys cardverse!]

[spadeking]

[ The King still finds it endearing, cute, that the queen can't quite express his feelings easily and comfortably. He'd probably change his mind about that if subjected to it and Arthur's stubbornness for long periods of time, but for the moment, it's rather harmless. He turns his head to press a kiss to the queen's palm, then arches a brow at him in surprise. ]

Really? Even though I'm not...

[ Oh. He means in that non-romantic way, doesn't he? Well, the King doesn't voice his thoughts; it's one thing to hear it expressly from the source and another to just suspect it. He's not sure why that Joker came to talk to him either... ]

[unluckyinhearts]

...Not...? [headtilt]

[spadeking]

Huh? Oh, nevermind! It's nothing.

[ And he grins, hoping that will make him more convincing. ]