; Love Hidden In Castle Walls - Tumblr Posts

She didn’t know she could sleep this long. Ever since their return to Tir Asleen, all Jade wants to do is sleep. It didn’t help that it had taken forever for them to finally settle, what with having to debrief the queen on their casualties and losses and future threats to the realm. Things that need attention later. Right now, Jade wants to rest.

Her entire body goes stiff, feeling the warmth and embrace of another body. Fight or flight kicks in at first, but then she recognizes the feel of those hands as they wrap around her. This is a much better greeting than the way Kit went about it last time. She feels the other woman rest her head between her shoulder blades and smiles softly. It’s only been a few hours since they saw each other. Jade reaches for one of Kit’s hands, kissing her wrist before lacing their fingers together and tucking her hand against her. “To what do I owe the pleasure, Princess?”

life seems so odd now that they're stationary. there's no looking over your shoulder or fearing what the dawn could bring. one thing kit has learned, however, is that she can't settle without @dutyxbound present.

the feeling of something missing draws kit to jade's quarters - this time entering through the door instead of the window - and pulls her towards the other's bed. climbing in, kit's arms immediately wrap around the knight's torso and forehead falls between her shoulder blades.

Her “missed you” is so soft. Most people would never believe this is the person Kit is. She’s always so rough and abrasive with people, but the girl holding Jade right now? That’s the person Jade has always known, always been friends with, always loved. This side of Kit is for her and her alone.

A gentle moan leaves her throat at the touch of Kit’s lips to her back. Will she ever grow used to the feel of her kiss? She hopes not. She inhales heavily as Kit presses tighter against her. Jade’s free hand moves behind her to her partner’s thigh, gently stroking, holding her there. This bed doesn’t provide much in terms of space, but maybe they prefer it that way. “You should also be sleeping. What time is it?”

all the stress and all the strain that kit didn't realise she was holding onto seems to dissipate as jade takes her hand. they've spent who knows how long together ( time truly ceased to make sense upon the shattered sea ) and kit has come to accept this... expect this. a night with jade is unfathomable at this point.

❛ missed you, ❜ kit replies, quietly. it's easy to tell from her voice that she's tired. there's probably marks on the floor of her room from late night pacing, unable to settle without what's become her comfort blanket. returning jade's kiss on the redhead's back, kit then lets out a sigh of contentedness. this is home to the princess. not some castle, but a person. tightening her fingers through jade's, she shuffles as close as she can get. it's not a big bed, but for now it doesn't matter. ❛ go back to sleep. ❜

A breathy chuckle escapes her lips, feeling Kit's chin on her shoulder. She opens her eyes for the first time and glances at Kit. Her Kit. So many days and nights spent trekking home, every single one spent next to each other. And still, neither of them had grown tired of the proximity. Even with Kit pressed completely against her, Jade can't help the desire to be even closer.

She considers Kit's words. It's definitely still dark out. No light coming through the window, no noise from the horses down in the stables. Jade lets go of Kit's thigh, fully aware of the small fight she's going to get out of it. She turns over, holding onto the princess' hand and pulling it around her shoulders. Her other arm moves to drape over Kit's waist. "You know I can't lie to your mother. She's literally the queen."

kit adjusts so that her torso is raised, allowing her to comfortably rest chin atop of jade's shoulder, giving her a glimpse of the other's face. lifting the corner of her lips into a lazy smile, chin nuzzles against skin. this feels comfortable. safe, even. it's what they've needed after so long, though the lack of adrenaline pushing her from one day to another is sorely missed. kit's exhausted.

❛ it's dark, i'm guessing... late, ❜ there's a slight shift of her shoulder before stilling once more. ❛ apparently it's a busy day tomorrow so, if my mom asks where i am, you haven't seen me. ❜ kit has no intention of leaving jade's bed any time soon.

Her eyes flutter closed as Kit's fingers move at the back of her neck. Jade has never been more aware of the mark beneath her fingers. It had once been a mark representing Jade's motivation towards revenge, a vow to destroy the Bone Reavers that had stolen her family from her. Now it's been reinterpreted, the mark of her father, of her sister, of her family. A reminder that she was stolen from them by the kingdom who held her loyalty, whose princess was the greatest love of her life. She pushes the thought aside. It's her usual method until she can find the right time to confront that complexity... if there were ever a right time.

Jade opens her eyes again, reaching up to grab Kit's face. "Then stay with me until the rest of the guard finds you in my bed. No politics here." Jade knows they can't hide forever and she covers it with a smile. Soon enough, they will have to face their responsibilities, Jade as knight and Kit as princess and Elora's protector. For now, though, she leans in to kiss her stressed lover, fingers tangling in Kit's messy hair. "I think the guards might be rather scandalized if they do find you, though."

head turns and she stares at the ceiling for a moment. a part of her worries about this, that jade would return to her duties and this - their relationship - would go back to being nothing more than confusion and duty. taking a deep breath, eyes shift back to jade and lips press together.

with her arm now around the other's shoulders, kit's fingers begin to play with the hair on the nape of her neck, an unconscious habit that's been picked up throughout their journey home. there's something just so soothing about threading fingers through her love's hair. ❛ i know, ❜ she admits, quietly. jade's loyalty is one of the things that kit loves most about her, but that doesn't make it any less frustrating. ❛ you don't have to lie, just... don't say anything. i'm... not ready to get political. ❜ lifting her free hand as she speaks, kit makes a face. ❛ i just want to stay here, sleep and, like, be with you. everything else can wait. ❜

The outside world is completely forgotten. All that exists in this moment is her and Kit. Jade has never known a greater sensation than kissing Kit. To finally give into the desire she's buried for so long is liberating. And Kit always returns the affection as if it might be the last, reveling in every intimate moment they have. Jade has never felt more... wanted.

A heavy breath escapes her as Kit's lips find her ear, one of the princess' new favorite pastimes. The tattoo on Jade's ear is almost like a target and Kit always finds her mark. "Yeah, but everyone knows what your brother's like." Lips trail further down, finding her jaw. Finding her breath becomes difficult, but she embraces it, her fingers digging into Kit's back. They couldn't do this on the quest home. Too many people, too many eyes, too many opportunities to get caught. Her bed was the first place where they'd be completely free and Jade gives into it completely. "Trust me, they'll definitely be jealous." How many of the guards and knights her age had she turned down? Too many to count by this point.

a glint appears in kit's eyes and her smirk stretches into a genuine smile. the brunette knows exactly wait awaits them both as soon as dawn passes. with graydon gone and the fate of tir asleen waiting with baited breath for the retaliation of galladoorn, kit knows that the appearance of strength and unity is required now more than ever. she just wishes the world would wait a few more days before it asks more of the weary travellers.

nuzzling nose against nose, kit leans heavily into the touch, free hand now flat against the bed for support. the kiss is returned eagerly, slowly, as if savouring every taste and touch that jade's soft lips could offer. breaking the connection, kit moves mouth to ear and playfully nips. ❛ considering what they've seen with my brother, i highly doubt they'd give a shit. ❜ nose nudges the curve of jade's cheek to give her more space to pepper kisses along the knight's jawline. ❛ maybe they're just jealous that they can't have you. ❜

Dawn’s gray light is starting to filter through the window across the room, but hazel eyes are closed to the growing glare. She’ll complain about getting up later when she has to block the light. For now, even if her eyes weren’t closed, her face is buried in her lover’s neck, taking her in with every breath. Her arm is draped over Kit, thumb grazing circles on the bare skin of her hip. She knows they absolutely need to sleep and she’s comfortable enough to eventually get there, but she doesn’t want to. She wants to savor every waking moment with her Princess, especially with the night they’ve just had.

She chuckles at Kit’s words. Her lips press lightly to the princess’ shoulder. “I’m sure you’d love that, but you know we have that feast to celebrate Airk’s return,” Jade reminds her in a low voice. She’s hesitant to speak any louder after how vocal she’s just been. She’s almost certain Kit will have something to say about that. Jade can feel how relaxed she is next to her, the way her fingers tease at red curls, her steady breathing, even her laugh. They’re so far away from who they were the last time they were in this room and that makes Jade happy.

a hand slips down to jade's side and gently hitches the other's hip to her own, bringing their forms even closer together. fingers work their way under fabric and fingertips press into skin, deepening her hold on the knight. days, months - mercy knows how long they've been on the move for - has left kit with a burning desire to be left alone with only her knight for company, and now that they are... no holding back.

.......................

fingers toy with loose strands of jade's hair as head rests against the headboard, soft blues hidden behind closed lids. she's content, happy even. something that kit hasn't felt in quite some time. the strange yet wonderful effect of jade claymore. ❛❛ i don't think i ever want to leave this bed, ❜❜ she laughs. too comfortable, too satisfied. anything more than this would ruin her life, she thinks. ❛❛ a life spent here doesn't sound too bad. ❜❜

“Nooo, it’s not,” Jade drawls. “But let’s try to get you bathed and dressed at a decent time for this one.” She doesn’t directly specify Kit’s engagement party. It’s not a good memory. She’s also not ready to invoke Graydon’s name or memory without absolute necessity. She quickly pushes those memories aside for the sake of the happiness and comfort in this moment. “Especially since your mother is probably going to honor you.”

She adjusts as Kit moves, letting out a soft groan. She was perfectly comfortable as they were, but it’s not difficult finding a new position that works for her. Eyes open only at the gentle touch on her cheek. Seeing her princess, she smiles. Jade absorbs her words of affection, lets them sink into the very depths of her. Her thumb brushes over her love’s bottom lip before she presses several barely there kisses. “I’m never going to get tired of hearing you say that.” Another kiss. “I love you, too.”

❛❛ that's not till later, ❜❜ kit mumbles in return. her brother is now home, safe and relatively sound, so the attention will be on him. she highly doubts anyone would care if she were a no show. in fact, some would probably prefer it that way.

the princess turns on her side to face the other, hand finding rest against jade's cheek, thumb grazing bone structure as eyes lovingly count the freckles that have become kit's entire world. smiling softly, she finds it hard to believe that they're here, in each other's arms, after everything. if it wasn't for the other's hand on her hip, grounding her to their current reality, kit would think herself dreaming. ❛❛ i'm so in love with you, jade, and... and that's all i'll care about. ❜❜

“When have you ever known me to let you suffer a fancy dinner alone?” Jade teases, nuzzling Kit’s nose. There have been several over the years that she hasn’t gone to, but because she wasn’t allowed. Otherwise, the knight was always at Kit’s side, suffering through formal wear. “Besides, you’re not the only one being celebrated, Princess. You, uh,” her fingers graze up Kit’s side before pulling her even closer, “planning to show off that cuirass you love so much?”

Jade smiles at Kit’s joy. This is what she wants forever. Just to make the woman in front of her smile, to make her happy. “I told you, I’ve loved you for quite some time. So much of what I’ve done, I’ve done for you,” she whispers. “The stupid gowns, all of our training, all of the nightmares, jumping off the edge of the world… even the Shining Legion. It’s because I love you.”

ㅤㅤㅤthe princess' head immediately shakes from side to side. a part of her wishes those days were left in the past. duties, appearances, decorum - she doesn't necessarily care about any of it. it doesn't feel like her life. it's someone else's. kit tanthalos is merely an imposter in her own title. ❛❛ㅤif i am to suffer this, you have to also. you know, solidarity, and mostly because i don't want to go but will if you are there.ㅤ❜❜

ㅤㅤㅤthis happiness, this type of comfort, has kit's heart racing, and it's not a high she ever wants to come down from. smiling widely as jade's thumb touches her lips, she can't help but steal some kisses in return. never going to get bored of that.ㅤ❛❛ㅤi'm holding you to that,ㅤ❜❜ㅤkit laughs. her next thought, however, is swift to sober such a noise. eyes even start to glisten as she locks jade's words in her memory forever.ㅤ❛❛ㅤthat's all i've ever wanted.ㅤ❜❜