will-never-be-a-swan:

wrapped-in-shadows:

will-never-be-a-swan:

“O-Oh my..” she whispered as he kissed up her arm, unable to stop her second blush of the night. He really was going all out on being romantic. It felt slightly strange as she wasn’t used to it but was definitely enjoying it.

“There’s cake? How about we have that and watch a movie together.” She had looked up online date ideas to get them out of the apartment though she hadn’t told him yet but there was one they could do inside if he wanted.

Trying to get back into character, she giggled. “If it pleases your grace I mean. It feels like a ball and I am Cinderella being whisked away by the prince. Hopefully the magic doesn’t end at midnight.”

Watching a movie while eating cake didn’t exactly fit the romantic, fairy-tale theme Jack had been trying to set up, but he reminded himself that this was Katelynn’s birthday party – her special day to do what she wanted. If that was what would make her happy, then he was glad to do it. Actually, it was a relief; watching movies together was one of his favorite things, and it would take some of the pressure off keeping up this act. 

“Oh no, I intend to make the m-magic last as long as possible,” he replied, with a faintly teasing grin, still blushing. “Watching a movie sounds wonderful. If you would choose one, Lady Katelynn, your Prince Jackson shall return in but a moment.”

With that, he hurried into the kitchen. The cake, with its beautifully done picture of two butterflies perching on a flower, was waiting where he’d left it, and he quickly set it up on a tray, with a knife, two plates and forks, and a single candle set in the middle. He lit it with a branch of the candelabra, and carefully, at a slow march, carried the cake and tray into the living room. 

It hadn’t felt like a real birthday until she set her eyes on the cake and they began to well up with emotion. How many years had she spent celebrating or even forgetting her own birthdays because she didn’t have anyone to spend them with? How she had looked forward to this one, to finally be with someone and have a good time only to think she had missed out because of what had happened.

Yet here was this wonderful man bringing her a cake and acting like a prince. Cupping her hand over her mouth, she held back a strangled sob as the tears began falling.

“I-It’s beautiful..” she managed to get out, her mouth spread wide into a smile. “Oh Jack..Sir Prince Jackson..”

Oh god, he’d made her cry. Even though Jack could tell they were happy tears, it still wasn’t what he’d wanted, at all. Biting his lip, he carefully set the tray down in Katelynn’s lap, and took a seat close beside her on the couch. 

“It’s what you deserve, my love.” He put his arms around her and hugged her as best he could without upsetting the tray. “Even if it’s l-late, I still wanted you to have something special." 

He nodded toward the single candle. "D-do you want to make a wish?" 

will-never-be-a-swan:

wrapped-in-shadows:

will-never-be-a-swan:

Giggling lightly, she gave him a curtsy now that she had shaken the shock off. “But of course your grace. Give me a moment.” Kissing his cheek, she sprinted off to her room and wondered if this meant she was the princess? Or did he just want to be the prince to spoil her? But her fantasy had included a captured princess so perhaps..

Looking through her dresses, Katelynn decided on a nicely themed one like butterfly wings that she had found on sale in a Goodwill one day. Perhaps because of the print it hadn’t sold well or someone rejected it but it had become a treasured dress to her.

Slipping it on, she was quick to tie her hair and apply lip gloss to look nice before going back into their living room.

“How do I look?” she asked, giving a little spin.

“Like the fairest maiden in the land,” he replied, with a warm, loving smile. The dress was one of his favorites as well, even though she didn’t wear it often. She looks good in bright colors. 

He took her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it. Then, grinning a little, he began kissing his way up her arm, the way he’d seen the love interests sometimes do in old romantic movies. When he reached her shoulder, though, he finally pulled back. 

“My dearest lady Katelynn,” he said, still trying to keep in character (and hoping he didn’t seem too ridiculous), “what is your pleasure? Would you care for a drink? Or perhaps some cake?” 

“O-Oh my..” she whispered as he kissed up her arm, unable to stop her second blush of the night. He really was going all out on being romantic. It felt slightly strange as she wasn’t used to it but was definitely enjoying it.

“There’s cake? How about we have that and watch a movie together.” She had looked up online date ideas to get them out of the apartment though she hadn’t told him yet but there was one they could do inside if he wanted.

Trying to get back into character, she giggled. “If it pleases your grace I mean. It feels like a ball and I am Cinderella being whisked away by the prince. Hopefully the magic doesn’t end at midnight.”

Watching a movie while eating cake didn’t exactly fit the romantic, fairy-tale theme Jack had been trying to set up, but he reminded himself that this was Katelynn’s birthday party – her special day to do what she wanted. If that was what would make her happy, then he was glad to do it. Actually, it was a relief; watching movies together was one of his favorite things, and it would take some of the pressure off keeping up this act. 

“Oh no, I intend to make the m-magic last as long as possible,” he replied, with a faintly teasing grin, still blushing. “Watching a movie sounds wonderful. If you would choose one, Lady Katelynn, your Prince Jackson shall return in but a moment.”

With that, he hurried into the kitchen. The cake, with its beautifully done picture of two butterflies perching on a flower, was waiting where he’d left it, and he quickly set it up on a tray, with a knife, two plates and forks, and a single candle set in the middle. He lit it with a branch of the candelabra, and carefully, at a slow march, carried the cake and tray into the living room. 

will-never-be-a-swan:

wrapped-in-shadows:

will-never-be-a-swan:

That had been a silly little notion she had shared, to tease him and watch him blush though it had been while they were snuggling in bed one day. She recalled it well and now here it was in real life just for her. Her blush intensified.

Putting the groceries and her camera down and not even noticing the dogs sniffing around the bags, she leaned in to wrap her arms around his shoulders and pull him down for a gentle but loving kiss.

All of this just for her? She couldn’t believe he had done this. Pulling away from his lips, she smiled shyly, face radiating her gratitude. “I love it..! It just shocked me is all. I didn’t expect it at all.” Her thumbs stroked his cheeks gently as she closed her eyes and leaned into him. “Thank you…It’s all so beautiful and you look so handsome.”

The candelabra and his costume had to be her favorite part so far.

Jack hugged her back tightly as she embraced him, so relieved that she liked it and that he hadn’t made a complete fool of himself. When she kissed him, he leaned into it tenderly. 

“Thank you,” he murmured. “Um … if you like, maybe you could put on one of your dresses too? N-not that you don’t already look lovely,” he reassured her, “but just to make this more special?” 

Giggling lightly, she gave him a curtsy now that she had shaken the shock off. “But of course your grace. Give me a moment.” Kissing his cheek, she sprinted off to her room and wondered if this meant she was the princess? Or did he just want to be the prince to spoil her? But her fantasy had included a captured princess so perhaps..

Looking through her dresses, Katelynn decided on a nicely themed one like butterfly wings that she had found on sale in a Goodwill one day. Perhaps because of the print it hadn’t sold well or someone rejected it but it had become a treasured dress to her.

Slipping it on, she was quick to tie her hair and apply lip gloss to look nice before going back into their living room.

“How do I look?” she asked, giving a little spin.

“Like the fairest maiden in the land,” he replied, with a warm, loving smile. The dress was one of his favorites as well, even though she didn’t wear it often. She looks good in bright colors. 

He took her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it. Then, grinning a little, he began kissing his way up her arm, the way he’d seen the love interests sometimes do in old romantic movies. When he reached her shoulder, though, he finally pulled back. 

“My dearest lady Katelynn,” he said, still trying to keep in character (and hoping he didn’t seem too ridiculous), “what is your pleasure? Would you care for a drink? Or perhaps some cake?" 

will-never-be-a-swan:

wrapped-in-shadows:

will-never-be-a-swan:

Stunned.

He had left her completely stunned as she stood there, her eyes blinking at his appearance. She could already feel the blood rushing up her neck to color her face into that of a pink rose, eyes traveling from Jack to the roam around the decorations before returning to him. It was all she could do in her shock.

What was all this? Jack didn’t tend to be the romantic type and she had come to appreciate every little touch and word of affection so this was definitely something that had robbed the words from her lips. Good thing her camera was hanging around her neck or she might have dropped it. As it was she barely had a grip on the grocery bags.

Watching her gape at him, Jack could feel his own face grow hot as a purple blush tinted his cheeks. For a long moment, he was afraid he’d made a terrible mistake, one she might never let him forget. 

“Um …” he stammered, “s-since we missed your birthday, I, uh, I w-wanted to do something special for you.” He gulped nervously. “Do you like it? I r-remember you said once that you’d like it if I dressed up as a prince …”  

That had been a silly little notion she had shared, to tease him and watch him blush though it had been while they were snuggling in bed one day. She recalled it well and now here it was in real life just for her. Her blush intensified.

Putting the groceries and her camera down and not even noticing the dogs sniffing around the bags, she leaned in to wrap her arms around his shoulders and pull him down for a gentle but loving kiss.

All of this just for her? She couldn’t believe he had done this. Pulling away from his lips, she smiled shyly, face radiating her gratitude. “I love it..! It just shocked me is all. I didn’t expect it at all.” Her thumbs stroked his cheeks gently as she closed her eyes and leaned into him. “Thank you…It’s all so beautiful and you look so handsome.”

The candelabra and his costume had to be her favorite part so far.

Jack hugged her back tightly as she embraced him, so relieved that she liked it and that he hadn’t made a complete fool of himself. When she kissed him, he leaned into it tenderly. 

“Thank you,” he murmured. “Um … if you like, maybe you could put on one of your dresses too? N-not that you don’t already look lovely,” he reassured her, “but just to make this more special?" 

will-never-be-a-swan:

wrapped-in-shadows:

will-never-be-a-swan:

It had all started out with just a simple trip to the grocery store to restock on a few items they were missing which had quickly turned into many detours: stopping at every little corner to get back into her hobby and hiding behind her camera, debating on contacting some friends in case they didn’t wish to speak to her and just enjoying the falling leaves. She didn’t want to leave Jack’s side so soon after returning to his side but she didn’t want to overcrowd him either.

Sitting on a bench near the park and watching the golden leaved trees as each one fell to the ground like snowflakes, Katelynn couldn’t help but smile. It had been a year since she had moved to Metro City – already her one year anniversary – and soon it would be many more one year anniversary’s. Autumn had reminded her that winter was coming and with that Jack’s birthday, the one year since their first meeting, date, first time they had made love; all of it in one month.

How quickly they had fallen in love and yet she had not regretted it. In Jack she had found the happiness she had missed out on for so many years. He made her happier than anyone else could.

Thinking of her beau made her want to return to his side already, standing up from the bench, she sighed happily and enjoyed the trek back home, just deciding that even though her relationships with her friends needed to be improved upon, she had Jack to rely on, to love her no matter what and who would never leave her.

“Love?” she called softly as she stepped into the apartment some time later, looking around for him.

The lights inside the apartment were dimmed, only a couple of lamps left on. Instead, it was lit by the soft, warm glow of candles: some on a plate near the door, others in rows on the coffee table and on top of the television. There was even a (fake) candelabra in sight on the kitchen table.

“I hear and answer, m-my lady.” Jack’s voice came from the kitchen. As soon as he’d heard Katelynn outside the door, he’d gotten up and hidden himself, so as to make the proper entrance. 

Now, he walked out to greet her, dressed in the elegant navy-blue uniform of a royal prince. A red silk sash was tied across his front, and golden epaulets rested on his skinny shoulders. High, polished black boots, and a heavy blue-velvet cloak trimmed with gold, completed the look. 

He made a courtly bow in front of Katelynn, sweeping his cape in what he hoped was a graceful, gentlemanly gesture. “Welcome.” 

Stunned.

He had left her completely stunned as she stood there, her eyes blinking at his appearance. She could already feel the blood rushing up her neck to color her face into that of a pink rose, eyes traveling from Jack to the roam around the decorations before returning to him. It was all she could do in her shock.

What was all this? Jack didn’t tend to be the romantic type and she had come to appreciate every little touch and word of affection so this was definitely something that had robbed the words from her lips. Good thing her camera was hanging around her neck or she might have dropped it. As it was she barely had a grip on the grocery bags.

Watching her gape at him, Jack could feel his own face grow hot as a purple blush tinted his cheeks. For a long moment, he was afraid he’d made a terrible mistake, one she might never let him forget. 

“Um …” he stammered, “s-since we missed your birthday, I, uh, I w-wanted to do something special for you.” He gulped nervously. “Do you like it? I r-remember you said once that you’d like it if I dressed up as a prince …”  

will-never-be-a-swan:

wrapped-in-shadows:

For the hundredth time that day, Jack Maple told himself not to be embarrassed. 

It’s not a stupid idea. You know it isn’t! It’s sweet and romantic and clever and she’ll love it! Stop being such a coward! 

The thoughts didn’t make the nervousness in his guy go away, but they did calm it enough for him to get back to work. 

In the days since Katelynn had finally come home (and since they’d finally broken that horrible anon’s spell!), Jack had been trying to think of something special to do for her. They’d missed celebrating her birthday together, and he’d finally decided that, even if it was a few weeks late, he could throw a little surprise party for just the two of them. If she wanted to invite more people, they could have another party later, but – call him selfish – he wanted her to himself just this once. A day of thinking it over had given him some ideas, a few more days of preparation, and now everything was ready. 

That morning, after Katelynn had gone out for the day, Jack had made his way down to a small bakery in their neighborhood, and picked up a tiny cake with white icing. Instead of asking for it to be decorated, he’d bought some tubes of colored frosting, and drawn a picture himself. Now that it was finally finished, he set it aside in the fridge, finished the last touches on the kitchen decorations, and went to change into the, ahem, costume he’d picked up as well. 

Once he was dressed, he went into the living room to wait for Katelynn. 

Here’s to hoping she likes it. 

It had all started out with just a simple trip to the grocery store to restock on a few items they were missing which had quickly turned into many detours: stopping at every little corner to get back into her hobby and hiding behind her camera, debating on contacting some friends in case they didn’t wish to speak to her and just enjoying the falling leaves. She didn’t want to leave Jack’s side so soon after returning to his side but she didn’t want to overcrowd him either.

Sitting on a bench near the park and watching the golden leaved trees as each one fell to the ground like snowflakes, Katelynn couldn’t help but smile. It had been a year since she had moved to Metro City – already her one year anniversary – and soon it would be many more one year anniversary’s. Autumn had reminded her that winter was coming and with that Jack’s birthday, the one year since their first meeting, date, first time they had made love; all of it in one month.

How quickly they had fallen in love and yet she had not regretted it. In Jack she had found the happiness she had missed out on for so many years. He made her happier than anyone else could.

Thinking of her beau made her want to return to his side already, standing up from the bench, she sighed happily and enjoyed the trek back home, just deciding that even though her relationships with her friends needed to be improved upon, she had Jack to rely on, to love her no matter what and who would never leave her.

“Love?” she called softly as she stepped into the apartment some time later, looking around for him.

The lights inside the apartment were dimmed, only a couple of lamps left on. Instead, it was lit by the soft, warm glow of candles: some on a plate near the door, others in rows on the coffee table and on top of the television. There was even a (fake) candelabra in sight on the kitchen table.

“I hear and answer, m-my lady.” Jack’s voice came from the kitchen. As soon as he’d heard Katelynn outside the door, he’d gotten up and hidden himself, so as to make the proper entrance. 

Now, he walked out to greet her, dressed in the elegant navy-blue uniform of a royal prince. A red silk sash was tied across his front, and golden epaulets rested on his skinny shoulders. High, polished black boots, and a heavy blue-velvet cloak trimmed with gold, completed the look. 

He made a courtly bow in front of Katelynn, sweeping his cape in what he hoped was a graceful, gentlemanly gesture. “Welcome."