We'll sit on front porches and swing life away

[knights_quill]

Characters: Fakir, Ahiru, Mytho, and Rue!
Where & When: 402 Andersen Street / MASSIVELY BACKDATED
Rating & Why: ...PG? Because of Fakir and Rue bickering?
Summary: Living together. Shenanigans. Arguing. Fluff. Also, Fakir might be sleeping on the couch.

Comments

[swordofswans]

Fakir was somewhat fortunate, because the young man who entered the kitchen shortly after him also happened to be one of the quieter ones in the house. Siegfried had just returned from an excursion for information, though it had been fruitless, as usual. He gave the kitchen a mild examination, a wordless expression of unsettled interest. It was undoubtedly an expression, however, no matter how mild it might have been, and it lifted into a true smile when he saw Fakir.

"Good afternoon," he greeted the writer cheerfully, striding into the room with his characteristic smooth grace. "Rue is here, isn't she?"

He did hope she hadn't thought to go exploring on her own...

[thisfragilelove]

Rue had not been on her own at all. In fact, she hadn't been alone a moment since Siegfried had brought her back to the house. In this particular hour, it was Ahiru who had swept her up into a whirlwind of chatter and shuffling about, pointing out everything to quickly that she doubted a bit of it would stick in her mind. Same old Ahiru, and Rue was both frazzled and glad for it.

They must have just missed one another, for the girls were returning at just that moment, Rue trailing just a bit behind Ahiru, uncertain where the chipper red-head got such stamina.

[cygnet_not]

"--Ahhh, but isn't it really nice here? Even if it's kinda weird... but there are so many neat things that we don't have at home!"

Ahiru was still chattering merrily, a bounce in her step as she made her way into the house. Everyone was here in Splendor now! Mytho wouldn't have to be without his princess, and Ahiru got to see one of her very best friends again! Maybe it wasn't good to be stuck in Splendor, but Ahiru couldn't help but be happy.

"Fakir? Mytho?" she called out, eager to see everyone.

[knights_quill]

Fakir released an exasperated breath. Just as he'd thought. This damn cottage was probably the loudest one in the district now.

He closed the pantry door--unwilling to show anyone that he was actually in the mood to grab one of those jars, open it, and get a large spoonful of that peanut butter.

Especially with Rue here now.

He didn't have to answer Mytho. He rolled his eyes. Of course Rue was there. Undoubtedly going to make things harder than they all ready were.

"It's not nice here, idiot." He knew. This place was dangerous as hell. "None of you should get too comfortable."

[swordofswans]

"Let her enjoy it, Fakir. If we must be here, why must they suffer for it?" He reprimanded lightly. Though he was more inclined to agree with the other young man, he saw no reason to spoil a good time for Ahiru and Rue. He pivoted to greet the pair with a shimmering smile, nodding brightly. "We are all cautious, and it is silly for them to be confined here."

There was, however, no chance of mistaking that he was pleased to see them return. He padded across the room serenely, pressing an arm in a tight motion against his chest as he bowed. As he did so, he used his available hand to take hold of Rue's own and brush a kiss against the back of it.

"Welcome back, my Princess."

[thisfragilelove]

Oh, she never tired of the gestures, the sound of his voice, the way he addressed her as 'my princess'. My princess, and the fact that he said it of his own free will. She smiled, turning her hand so that she could hold his.

"You mustn't expect too much of Fakir..." said Rue, her tone dripping with sweetness, and sarcasm, and she glanced up in the direction of the once self-proclaimed knight. It was obvious that while their feelings for one another were mutual, they were not exactly pleasant. "He always was so over-protective."

[cygnet_not]

Mytho's attentions to Rue were sweet, there was no doubt about that. But Ahiru found she didn't want to watch.

It was good that he'd chosen Rue for his princess, of course. That was the best thing for both of them, and she wanted them to be happy.

It wasn't a bad thing at all, but....

Ahiru hurried over to open the cabinet Fakir had closed, standing beside him. "There are lots of good things here, even if it's not a good place!"

[knights_quill]

Fakir's eyebrow twitched as he took in Mytho's rather obvious display of affection. Was he going to be around that this entire time? He wasn't sure if he could handle much more of this.

And somehow, without even thinking about it, he glanced over to Ahiru. Did she still--?

...She must have. She loved Mytho back then, and now...

He almost wanted to selfishly blame the prince and princess for doing this to her. Ahiru deserved happiness as much--if not more--than all of them.

He needed to stop thinking about this. Ignoring Rue's snide comment, he let Ahiru approach him--anything to help distract her if she needed it--and placed his hand atop her head. He bopped the top of her head lightly. "Peanut butter doesn't make up for all the dangers here."

He lifted his gaze to Mytho and Rue, but he only addressed the prince. He was still so uncomfortable with this arrangement, so he didn't bother to speak to her, himself. "Did she settle in all ready?"

[swordofswans]

"She is to stay with me, of course." Siegfried hesitated before speaking, and though he would not accept anything else, he had a faintly foreboding feeling about what might become of this. His hope was that this could be resolved easily, but from what he recalled of Fakir, and what he knew of his princess, the chances of this being as simple a matter as it should have been worried him.

He delicately took a step forward, inclining his head considerately. "I will... leave you and Duck to decide on your own arrangements."

It was a decisive statement, and one that was obviously intended to put an end to the subject. He cast a quieting glance back at Rue through his lashes, but said nothing else. Whether or not his diplomacy would work would soon become clear.