*Edited: Proofreading*
Word count: 2866
Once again, big thank you to my best friend sskmskksksksksmsks for helping me with these last three chapters!^°^
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~~~ October 9, 1777 ~~~
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The warmth of the fire hit my right side as I sat in front of it, on my knees as I leaned forward slightly with my hands on the floor in front of me, the white cuffs covering my knuckles while the king's jacket sat draped over my shoulders, keeping me warm along with the fire.
The soft glow illuminated the left side of the dark room, making it feel cozy and relaxing along with the gentle crackles of the thin pieces of wood within it.
My hair was still slightly damp from the bath Marion had helped me with not too long ago and two small cups of tea sat on a silver tray to the side of us from our 'tea party' on the floor.
A focused, and slightly puzzled look sat on my features as my gaze remained on the dark, chocolate brown and cream colored checkerboard that sat between the male and I, more so the small, thin, circle shaped pieces that were arranged all over the wooden surface.
"You know my dear..." George starts, tilting his head as I furrow my brow in thought.
"if you want to admit defeat, you can. I won't hold it against you." He says with a innocently mocking tone and I flick my gaze up to the blue eyed male as I tap my pointer finger on the floor.
"Oh no." I chuckle dryly, tilting and resting my head on my right shoulder. "I've already lost to you plenty, and I'd like to hold on to my dignity, thank you." I say in a determined and slightly matter of fact tone.
"So if I'm going down, I'm going down with at least somewhat of a fight."
The male chuckles, "You don't sound too confident love."
"Oh I'm plenty confident." I respond as I rest the tips of my fingers on one of the small, lighter colored pieces, picking it up and moving it diagonally two spaces before humming in small victory as I pick up the dark piece and hold it between my pointer and middle finger.
"See, there goes your last king." I smile innocently, only to hear George hum in response and move one of his pieces before he picks up the lighter colored piece and my smile falters as he holds it in between his thumb and middle finger.
"Last I checked my sweet angel, I have more pieces than you do, and I'm closer to winning yet again." He says with confidence and I look back at the board as I furrow my brow.
"Well I-" my voice falters as I bite the inside of my cheek, moving another one of my pieces.
"Cat got your tongue?" George teases and I playfully scoff as I lightly shake my head.
We play in vocal silence for a few minutes, George casually moving his darker pieces as I tried to concentrate and outsmart him.
But alas my attempts were futile, and soon I added another figurative tally to my losing streak as I stare in irritated disbelief at the lack of light colored pieces on the board, my gaze flicking to the small stack of circular pieces on the floor by the corner of the board.
"I...don't understand how I've yet to beat you- and at checkers? We've played almost twenty-five games..." I mumble under my breath as I straighten, carefully picking up the small teacup.
"It's really quite simple." George chuckles softly, watching with proud eyes as I slowly bring the cup to my lips.
"You see love, you're too easy to read, you show too much false confidence or not enough, you falter easily at certain points during the game and you fail to think ahead." He starts and I look at him as I pause, holding the cup by my mouth.
"You don't plan out your moves ahead of time or look for possible consequences, you just move your piece where you think is best because it looks good in the moment and gives you that quick sense of having the upper hand against your opponent. You're also not good at hiding your emotions my dear, which makes you predictable." He states in a matter a fact tone and I swallow the small sip of tea before lowering the cup down to my chest, a slightly concerned look on my face as I raise a brow.
"You- you got all that from a few games of checkers?" I say mindlessly and he chuckles as I set the cup down beside me.
"Best out of thirty?" He asks innocently.
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~~~ Small time skip ~~~
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"I give up." I mumble, placing the checkerboard and it's pieces on a small table in the corner of the room before lightly throwing my arms out to the side and a small chuckle reaches my ears as the male shuts the bedroom door.
"Don't be so glum love, at least you can say you tried." He teases, walking over to me as I keep my gaze on the wooden board, seemingly glaring at the inanimate object with narrowed eyes and a furrowed brow.
"That's just it..." I say softly, feeling the male place his hands on my shoulders.
"I tried so hard and I didn't even beat you once." I state and I feel him lightly kiss my cheek.
"And there's nothing wrong with losing. But maybe I'll go easy on you next time." He replies and I turn around, a dry chuckle leaving my lips as I fold my arms and shake my head.
"No, no. If I beat you I want to do it fair and square. None of this 'easy' nonsense." I say, watching the smile on his face.
"As you wish, my love." He says and I feel a soft heat rush to my cheeks as he fixes the jacket draped over my shoulders before picking me up bridal style.
"But for now, the only thing I want you focusing on is getting some rest." He says, turning on his heel as he walks over to the bed.
He sets me down in the covers, kissing my cheek as he gently takes the jacket from my shoulders and turns back on his heel.
I watch the male's back, my eyes gazing at the short, silver ponytail of his wig tied back with a silky black ribbon before my gaze shifts to his lean, perfect frame-
I quickly look away, my cheeks dusted red as I place my hands in my lap and swallow, playing with my fingers as I take a small breath.
For the next few minutes I keep my gaze on the light colored covers, seemingly studying soft, orange-yellow glow that came from the fireplace and painted the room in a cozy- and comforting light while listening to the sounds of clothes being removed.
But soon my gaze flicks up to the male's frame as he ran his hand through his soft, cocoa brown hair, his fingers tangling themselves as he ruffled the short mixing colored strands of brown.
This was the forth time I had ever seen the male wear something besides his signature outfit and silver curled wig.
Instead of his royal red colored clothing, he wore a soft, cream colored pair of knee length breeches and a frilled, lace cuffed white dress shirt that loosely covered his top half, hugging his frame while the front split halfway down the middle, showing the top of his chest.
I felt kinda guilty as I silently watch him walk over to the long couch in front of the bed, calmly fixing the pillow and soft blanket that lay across the cushions.
The passed three nights the male had chosen to sleep on the couch at night, leaving me to sleep in his bed- and if I was being honest I felt bad, it was because of me he couldn't sleep in his own bed.
The all too familiar feeling of needles prick the corners of my eyes and I let my gaze fall to my hands as I pinch my thumb.
Was I really getting emotional, now?
"George." My voice was timid and the male looks up at me, smiling softly.
"Yes, my love?" He asks, calmly walking over to me as I bite my lip and move to turn and face him before sitting on my knees.
"...you don't have to sleep on the couch." I say in a whisper-like voice and he tilts his head, a calm expression on his face.
"My dear, I don't want to make you uncomfortable. I know how shy you can be and I don't want to intrude in that way." He says softly.
I quickly shake my head, the tears building in my eyes and making my vision blurry.
"Don't say that..." I say quietly, closing my eyes as my head and hair fall, the (h/c) strands covering my face slightly as they fell over my shoulders.
"please don't say that-"
My lip quivers as the taste of salt hits my lips and I choke back a soft sob, pinching my thumb harder as my hands sat between my lap.
"Love?" George asks softly and I feel his hand on my shoulder.
"You shouldn't feel that way-" I say quickly, looking up at the male with a saddened expression. "y-you've been nothing but kind to me- if anything I should b-be the one who made you uncomfortable with all this." I say in an almost sob, gesturing to my lower area before my hands fall to my sides.
I feel my cheeks being painted with the salty tears that left my eyes, my shoulders shaking slightly as I bring my right hand up and wipe my left cheek, holding it there as I seemingly ramble on.
"This should gross you out- yet, you've been nothing but caring and understanding with me these past few days. You've s-set aside things that require your attention- i-important things just so you could take care of me. You've been patient and have done everything for me, you haven't complained or made remarks you just tell me I'll be ok- and it's because of me that you can't even sleep in your own bed at night-"
I was on the verge of balling, yet I feel the male rub my shoulders, his voice gentle as he speaks up.
"(Y/n)." He says simply and I hesitantly open my teary eyes to see him holding his arms out a little ways to the side and I choke.
I sit up on my knees, slowly wrapping my arms around his shoulders in a baby-bear like hug, my frame shaking as he wraps his left arm around my waist, while his right rubbed my back in small circles. He rests his head on mine as I bury my face in his shoulder, biting my lip as I cry into it.
"My sweet angel, don't cry." He soothes.
"You shouldn't be ashamed of something like this, bleeding is completely natural for a woman, something you can't control and I know I may not fully understand the pain you go through during your time of the month, but don't think for a second that I wouldn't enjoy taking care of you, making sure you're ok."
He takes a small breath, "I've told you I'd always be here for you, my love, and I don't tend to break promises. It doesn't matter how many days it takes, all that matters is that you know I'll be doing everything in my power to make sure you're properly cared for and loved. No matter if it's reading books in bed, playing games in front of the fire, or even sitting out on the balcony."
A small, soft chuckle leaves my lips as I move to rest my forehead on his shoulder, sniffling as I soften my brow and take a breath.
"...thank you." I breathe, "Thank you."
My arms tighten around his frame for a moment before I gently fall back down to sit on my legs, looking up at the male as I wipe my left cheek free of tears.
"I'm sorry..."
"Love, you don't have anything to be sorry for." He replies, gently moving my hand before he wipes my wet cheeks with the cuff of his sleeve.
"If it makes you feel better, and if you're completely fine with it, I'll sleep in the bed." He comments as my eyes gaze up at his and I hesitantly nod as I gently place my hand on his wrist.
"Alright." He breathes, "Can I have a smile?" He asks kindly and I couldn't help but chuckle as I look away.
"Please?" He smiles softly.
I dry my eyes with my free hand, a small smile pulling at the corners of my lips as I feel my cheeks warm up.
I look up, chuckling softly once again as I notice the small smile on his face.
"Come on." He teases, placing his hands on the side of the bed as he leans down slightly.
"Where's that breathtaking smile." He says, and as if on cue I softly laugh, smiling as I dry off my other eye before placing my hands in my lap as he brightly smiles back, cupping my cheek.
"There it is." He says sweetly, "A smile that could light up entire kingdoms. Never lose that my love, it's one of the many things that make you utterly amazing."
His sweet voice and words made my heart flutter and I blush a deep red as he leaves a gentle kiss on my forehead and I bite my lip, sliding towards the middle of the bed as he straightens and I move the light colored covers before patting the bed and the male chuckles softly.
My gaze falls to my lap as the bed shifts and I calmly move to lay on my left side, taking a small breath as I prop myself up on my elbow and George moves the covers up to my waist.
"...thank you." I mumble, listening to the male hum in response as I lay my head on the soft pillow, my hands up by my head, the left being tucked by my chest while my right laid on the soft surface by my face.
I feel the male's hand lightly rubbing my shoulder as I lay there, my eyes closed as I sniffle and listen to the sound of an opening book and turning pages.
George had always- at least from the past three nights I had slept in his room, read silently for about a half an hour, and usually I found the soft sounds of his barely noticeable breathing and the turning of pages soothing, something I easily fell asleep to, yet tonight I felt off.
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I lay there silently for about fifteen minutes, trying to get myself to drift off yet I knew for some reason I couldn't.
So eventually I open my eyes, softly sighing as I slowly prop myself up on my elbow, catching the male's attention.
"Everything ok dear?" He asks and I sit up, glancing at him as I play with my fingers and nod slightly.
"Is there something you need? I can go get-"
"No." I cut him off, my voice soft. "No I'm ok. I just..." my voice falters as I pinch my thumb and take a small breath. "I just can't sleep..."
"I'm sorry my love." He says softly and I look at his gentle blue eyes, my cheeks a light red. "Would you like me to hold you?"
My gaze falls and I bite my lip, rubbing my upper arm. "...no, no it's ok." I say and the male tilts his head, looking at my profile.
"Are you sure?" He asks and I take another breath.
"No..." I whisper and he chuckles, lightly patting the bed beside him as I look up.
"Come on."
"I-I don't want to be any trouble." I say quickly yet the male just chuckles.
"Angel, if it was a bother I wouldn't have asked." He says, holding his arm out to the side. "I'd love to hold you, and if it helps you rest then I'd be honored to." He says.
A soft chuckle leaves my lips as I hesitantly slide closer to him, laying down next to him as he wraps his arm around my waist.
"Cuddle close." He chuckles softly, covering my frame with the blankets and I smile as I rest my head by his shoulder, my knees tucked up by my chest and laying by his lap while my right hand was resting by my collarbone, lightly holding onto the white fabric of my temporary night shirt and my left hand laid across the male's chest, my fingers bent into a loose fist.
"Comfortable?" George asks kindly and I close my eyes, sighing softly as I nod and his thumb rubs my side.
"...thank you." I mumble and he smiles.
"Goodnight, my love."