Work Text:
“Enough. This ends now, iubirea mea.”
You blink at your lover’s unexpected words. The two of you were lounging in your personal office in the castle. A few hours ago, Alcina had knocked on your door and asked if she could stay with you for a while. You were working on some important paperworks through your laptop—a modern technology that annoys your lover to no end, but out of affection, she has let you keep it in her castle (as if you would ever let it go)—and while you normally don’t appreciate anyone invading your work space, you have given her permission and let her stay with you.
Knowing your work habits, Alcina had only laid on the chaise and kept herself busy with a book she had brought, along with the tea and assortment of pastries she ordered a maid to bring for the two of you to enjoy in silence as you go through your work—something you really appreciated, for being taken care of plus snacks does wonders to your mood.
“Sorry?”
You meet her gaze from across the room. There is the unexpected steel in her gaze and your lips pull into a deeper frown. Your mind had been frazzled with your workload, and the shift in your lover’s mood is a new weight on your mind.
True to her words earlier, Alcina had been quiet. Her presence melted into the office and you quickly sank back into your work space once you adjusted. You have the tendency to mutter to yourself aloud, reprimanding mistakes (whether or not your own) and voicing out your frustrations into the air. You couldn’t exactly filter yourself while working in Alcina’s presence, as your energy was already running dangerously low due to paperworks.
At your surprised reaction, Alcina purses her lips. The past hour, she had been focused on you instead of her book—an excuse she had brought to be with you. The Lady had noticed you’ve been busy with your work the past week. It wasn’t like she was desperate for your time (although she does admit she has begun to miss that all of your free time together was spent with each other), but Alcina had noticed the change in your demeanor and was displeased with it.
You have been discontent and stressed beyond belief. It was clear as day how much your work has taken a toll on you, and you often groan aloud at your anxiety from your workload. It was making her worry with how prominent the bags under your eyes had become and how you always seem fatigued whenever she sees you. This afternoon, Alcina had decided to visit and keep an eye on you while you do your work. Hearing your constant berate to yourself and pained groans made her snap.
“Come sit with me, my darling.”
A heavy weariness fills your insides at her words. You reluctantly look at her making space on the chaise lounge for you before answering with an uncertain tone, “Alcina, I… I still have a lot to do.”
The Lady of the castle was patient with the people she loves, but still, a tick of irritation made its way on her face at your answer. She sees the exhaustion etched on your face and makes sure her voice won’t come off as anything belligerent, “I know you do, but you’ve been working for hours now. Sit with me, will you?”
With that, you’re thrown into a dilemma. You look back at your laptop with pinched brows and your bottom lip tucked before your mouth as you contemplate between your lover and your responsibilities—it was a look that Alcina certainly did not miss. Inhaling sharply, the noble says, “We need to talk.”
Again, you look back to her with alarm. “Ah? Is everything okay, Alcina?”
Seeing her pat the space beside her, you finally acquiesce. If Alcina needs to talk to you about something, it must be important. You take one last look at your document—thankfully, you weren’t in the middle of a thought while writing and checking—and slowly walk towards your lover.
As you sit down beside her, Alcina takes your hand between hers. “We need to discuss your work, my dearest. I fear that it’s causing you too much distress, and frankly, hearing you say ‘I want to die’ every five minutes is alarming.”
Spots of red appear on your cheeks at Alcina recalling your unfiltered habits. It’s a bit embarrassing to be rehashed like that, you muse to yourself. How long has Alcina been listening in? You hoped you weren’t too loud the past few hours.
Against her will, Alcina can feel her lips twitching at the sight of your blush. Still, she presses on, “We haven’t been spending much time together, have we? Now, I understand you’re busy with your responsibilities, but you’ve been working non-stop this week. Can’t you take a break for the day? If not for me, at least for yourself. You are stressing yourself far too much, draga.”
Ah. You lick your lips at Alcina’s response, that’s what she wants to talk about. You get that your lover is concerned with you, but there’s not much that you can do in this situation. “I know, my love, but I need to work on this more so I can make some progress. I’m nearly done with this one… I think. Anyway, I understand your concern, but I have to be consistent so as to not fall behind. I just… I just have to do this.”
Even in your ears, you can hear the exhaustion from your voice. You wince internally when you see the burning worry on Alcina’s eyes. A gloved hand comes close to tuck a wayward lock behind your ears, “It’s not a matter of progress. Darling, I have been here for hours and I’ve witnessed how much you agonize over that damn work of yours. To think that for days you have been like this on your own…”
Alcina shakes her head with her brows furrowed before continuing, “You worry me. I understand this is important to you but you need to take a break from this. The way you obsess over your work is in no way beneficial to your health. Black God, you need to slow down lest you catch your death over paperworks.”
You know her words come from a good place, you know that; and yet, a deep sadness unfurls within you and your face drops. Your eyes fall at your connected hands and your words come out on a despondent note, “You think I don’t want to get this over with? I’m so tired, Alcina. But I have so much work to do. I just… I don’t know how to finish all of this. I need — I don’t — ha, I have no idea what to do. So I just throw myself into my work and… hope I can do it. Because what else can I do?”
With that, you turn to your side. Now that you’ve shared your feelings to your lover, an unimaginable tiredness weighs on your chest, leaving you morose and empty, and you just stare at the floor absentmindedly.
Hearing your admissions and witnessing you just fall into a desolate state breaks Alcina’s heart. Without any word, the countess pulls you in her grasp, her arms wrapping around your form and pushing your head to rest against her chest. Your eyes close and you take a slow breath, taking your time to imbibe the tranquility and comfort from your lover’s embrace, slowly dispelling the heaviness weighing in your heart and mind.
After several moments, your lover speaks again.
“I’m sorry, dearest,” Alcina whispers in your ear and her embrace tightens, “I was caught up with thinking what’s best for your welfare, that I have completely forgotten to comfort and encourage you. I should’ve been a source of strength as your partner… instead I only looked at my own perspective. I promise I’ll be better.”
You murmur something in defense to her, but Alcina ignores it with a shake of her head. Then, she said, “Look at me?”
Slowly, you lift your head and pull away from her arms. It shouldn’t have been a surprise to see that Alcina was affected by your emotional struggles, but seeing heartbreak written across her face as she looks at you made you moan in pain. You reach for her, and she sighs in contentment as you press kiss upon kisses on her jawline.
When she gently holds you by the shoulders, you pull back with the knowledge that she wants to say something. “I understand your commitment to your responsibilities, and I admire how hard you work even when the time is difficult — very difficult.” Her golden eyes focus on you, “I know you can do it. I believe in you, alright? You can do this, draga mea.”
The tense on her forehead slowly unfurls, not completely, but it was enough to paint her face soft again. Your lady love looks at you with adoration in her eyes and her hands reach to cup your cheeks. Alcina assures you again, “Everything will be alright, and… I love you. Remember that, okay?”
You can feel your throat closing in at your lover’s words. It was a tremendous help to your self-esteem to be assured like this. With Alcina, you know that she would never judge you. Letting your insecurities and doubts spill, there was that certainty in your heart that your lover will ease your pain and bring you hope.
“Do you still love me even though I struggle with things that others don’t? Or even when I fuck up?”
Her lips form into a heartening smile, “Oh, darling, of course. I love you with all your beauty, your flaws or mistakes.”
“Even if I’m dealing with the consequences of my terrible decisions? Ones that could have been avoided, if only I made smart choices?”
She nods to you, her eyes still holding the same intensity earlier as she assures you again and again, “Yes. I don’t care about any of those things, dragostea. I won’t love you any less even if you feel like you don’t deserve it. Whatever you may do, whatever happens, I’m here for you; with all my love, with all my heart.”
Alcina leans close, her lips pressing against your temple before saying, “You’ve got nothing to fear, my darling. I’m here.”
Pressing a kiss on your forehead this time, she repeats herself, “This will pass, because I know you can do this. I’m here for you.”
There’s nothing in this world that can compare to your love for Alcina right now. Your heart is filled with gratitude, happiness, determination—you feel as if you were floating on cloud nine, so much that you come up empty-handed for words to say to her.
Finally, you murmur, “Thank you.”
It was a simple sentence that you hoped was able to convey all that you feel for the love of your life. You look into Alcina’s eyes, and your heart swells because she knows. A smile tugs at your lips.
“Now… when is that due?” She nudges in the direction of your laptop. Taking a moment to think of the schedule you had created for yourself, you answer, “The one I’m working with, I should be done in two days for it.”
Alcina nods, “Alright. When was the last time you took a breather, love?”
You can see where she’s heading to with her question, “I haven’t had that kind of break since, erm, last night.”
Her gloved hand finds your jaw again, and you can feel the leather of her thumb stroking your cheek, “That isn’t good, is it?”
Cracking a tiny sheepish smile, you agreed in a murmur.
“What was that thing you always tell me when I hole up in my office to take care of business? Ah, a vehicle cannot run on empty gas.” She pauses to find your gaze. There, you find an ocean of love in her eyes and a fond smile on her lips. Your heart could barely keep up with the emotions you have for this woman. “I won’t get in your way and force you to take the day off, iubirea mea, but I’d prefer to avoid you burning out. How about we take a stroll in the garden and have an early dinner, just the two of us, to replenish your energy and get you away from that infernal device for a while? I promise to let you work in peace later.”
Her unoccupied hand runs through your hair and your eyes momentarily flutter shut at the pleasant sensation, “Run away with me just for a little while, dragostea mea. Please?”
You take a moment to lean into the hand holding you, a content sigh leaving your lips at the utter peace and warmth this woman has brought you. Oh, she had changed your life the moment you laid eyes on her. There is nothing in this world that could touch you with her in your heart, “As if I could deny you. As if you have to ask me like this. Yes, Alcina, a thousand yes.”
And as her lips curl up to a brilliant smile, you push into her space and close the distance between your lips. It was an act of your passion for her, of the love thrumming in your veins for this magnificent woman. And when you feel her lips respond to yours in equal hunger, you feel as though everything in your life has fallen into place, leaving nothing but you and Alcina wrapped in an eternal embrace of love. You kiss her again and again, murmuring sweet words against her mouth whenever you can. At your last peck on those beautiful ruby lips, you look into her eyes and profess, “I love you, Alcina.”
Your problems still exist. When you come back to your office after your dinner, you’ll still have to pour yourself into your work and finish your papers. Your anxiety may slither in again and fatigue may catch up as well even after your break. But with Alcina’s love, you know that you could face your challenges with a renewed strength and a better outlook. There is nothing in this world you cannot conquer with her by your side.
This, too, shall pass.