[closed]

[note_atem]

If you'd ask him what his path looked like after retrieving his memories, Atem probably wouldn't have answered in any way that was close to what his life was now. Ruling another country ... the world, even, Neo-Tokyo (Domino? Neo-Earth? Who knows) alongside the new Neo-Queen Serenity had not even been an idea he was aware he'd have at some point.

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[crystalruler]

This was the path she was destined for; to bring peace to the world, to the very universe itself and bring about a new era. Serenity knew what her duties were and rose to them, but for the person who held her heart she was worried. Never did she think she would find him again, but fate granted both of them the chance to be together and they took it

[note_atem]

His fingers brushed down over a set of white roses, careful of the thorns protruding from the stems. His head only turned slightly to greet her approach once he heard her voice. It was unnecessary to look at her full on as he knew that she was going to come right into his personal space regardless of what he would say and hug him.

And he was, as always, happy when she did. His arms came up around her shoulders. "Have I really become so predictable?" He half joked. "It might be a problem."

[crystalruler]

It was a tradition for her, to embrace him whenever she greeted him or brush her hand against his. Touch was important, it showed they were alive and together--living out a life that should've been eons ago. She placed her head on his shoulder.

"Or perhaps I know you too well." Just as well as he knew her. This would be one of the first places she'd go if she wanted to think or get away from meeting rooms and dignitaries.

"Clearing your mind?"

[note_atem]

"You'd make one hell of an opponent in that case." A wry smirk touched at his lips. Knowing his methods was never enough to beat him, though, and perhaps he reminisced too much about his dueling habits. Even a king had his vices. And that was one he would never really be able to be rid of.

His hand reached towards her face, brushing a few of her bangs away from her eyes. "This is a good place for that." His head raised, eyes going skyward. "Or too much thinking when it gets too quiet."

[crystalruler]

"An opponent who'd lose against you." There was no doubt in that. Atem always had a trick or two up his sleeve to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. His vice was one she could understand, after all he was still the King of Games. For her to deny that part of him was to deny a part of herself.

She tilted her head back slightly, feeling the tips of his fingers brush her bangs away.

"Mmm, a place to reminisce and.." Serenity paused to place a sweet kiss to his cheek.

"A place she'll come to love just as much as we do."

[note_atem]

His eyes left the odd shapes of the passing clouds and the blue skies to move back to her own. A soft smile was directed at her at the mention of their child. He was still perhaps a little unsure of his abilities as a father, being new to the feeling, but he would never deny how much he loved that little girl.

"She'll have to be able to navigate it with me before I leave her alone in it." Worried that the little girl might get lost. The hedges were taller than he so it was a valid concern, at least to him. One of the white roses was pulled from its home, twisted to cut the stem, and placed behind her ear. "But knowing her I'll have to come find her in it at some point." Sneaking off and having fun, just like her mother.

[crystalruler]

Another chuckle left her, all ready picturing how Atem would take their daughter out into the gardens, teaching her the differences between each plant and the uses for each of them. She could picture the three of them together in this place, basking under the sun and watching the clouds pass by.

"But knowing her, she would pick all the best hiding spots." Just like he did when he was younger.

Serenity reached back, letting her fingertips brush over the white rose he'd place in her hair. Those simple gestures always made her heart skip a beat even after years of being together.

"She's sleeping right now, though I'm sure when she wakes up she'll be looking for you."

[note_atem]

"You might want to keep an eye on all the large potted plants and vases, in that case." The alluring thing about being the best hider was that being small meant you could fit in the places the adults couldn't. It was a shame he'd never be able to live that out with her .... then again, a supposed King hiding in a vase might have been too silly to save his image from.

His attention shifted yet again as he looked back towards their palace. "Is there anything important we have to accomplish today?" Wondering where his schedule would fit in with their daughter's. He wouldn't promise her time if he didn't have it.

[crystalruler]

Serenity stayed quiet, thinking over their possible schedules or at least she appeared to be. In reality she managed to do away with some meetings, rescheduling them in favor of spending quality family time. Trying to make time for one another was tough, especially when they were in charge of keeping the peace. Today though, she wanted them to be together, all of them.

"Well..." she began, tilting her head to the side as she continued to keep up the facade until a smile came across her lips.

"There's nothing. I've rearranged a few things so that we can enjoy some time with our daughter."

[note_atem]

Atem was fully prepared to be bombarded with this and that and meetings around the clock. He'd gotten used to it, though it was hardly his most favorite activities. If he had thought ruling a single country was hard, he really had no idea about ruling a world.

The surprise was pleasant, however, and he gave her a reprimanding squeeze for leaving him hanging like that. Still, he couldn't entirely give in to that freedom without some careful skepticism. "Are you sure it'll be alright?"

[crystalruler]

The squeeze only made Serenity giggle. She hadn't teased him like this in a while, not since they took the throne. There were days when she wished they could go back to being two ordinary people, but the world needed them.

"Of course, I merely found different days that everyone was more comfortable with." Which usually meant she either forcefully made people change their meeting times or pretended that both of them were sick.

"Would you really pass up the chance to be with both of us?" her smile slowly gave way to a slight pout. There were something about her Royal Highness that never changed.

[note_atem]

"Of course not." He supplied quickly, hoping to at least not have upset her. He meant it, too, but he still couldn't get that more responsible voice out of the back of his head. His eyes remained skyward still as he thought.

"I suppose your and our daughter's tantrums would surpass those of anyone truly upset about rescheduled meetings anyway." A small smirk as he finally teased back.

[crystalruler]

Serenity's pout gave way once Atem started to tease her back. She squeezed him slightly in response.

"I don't throw tantrums anymore, I'm too old for that." the blonde quickly replied, continuing to keep that teasing tone in her voice. A little game of teasing between the two of them never hurt. It was another way of showing her affection towards him, like they did when they were younger.

"Besides, when was the last time the three of us spent time together? Actual time?" Not in between meetings or for lunch or having one on one time with their daughter?

[note_atem]

The realization of her words caused a frown to overtake his other expression and a disappointed tilt of his head downwards. It really must have been a while, and it was his fault for not understanding how much time until just now.

His arms came up around her in a soft apologetic hug. "Too long."

[crystalruler]

Serenity returned the hug and placed a soft kiss to his forehead. She didn't mean for her words to hurt him, but she had to let him know. Their daughter wouldn't be this small forever. Even with their longevity it wouldn't be long before their little girl was fully grown. One hand pulled away from his waist to gently card through his hair.

"Come..." she whispered, pulling away to take her husband by the hand to lead them out of their gardens towards their daughter's room.