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Jude held Cardan's hand when they walked into Heather's apartment. It would be nice to let go and be a bit more calm for one night, but Jude Duarte wasn't one to be calm. She looked around, trying to spot folks in disguise, until Cardan put a drink in her hand. She turned to him, ready to snap at him...

Until he chuckled. "Jude, my darling Queen," he started. "You are always working yourself to the ground. How about, for one night, we reverse our roles? I'll be sober and make sure to return you home safe and sound, and you'll have a few drinks and... let a little loose?"

Jude looked at the drink in her hand, thinking, for a moment as long as eternity. She still had this fear that Cardan would burn down Elfhame if she wasn't focused for a whole night. But... after working together for so long, Jude learned to trust Cardan. And she knew he'll take care of the kingdom and make sure she didn't do anything stupid while she wasn't in control.

With a small nod, Jude lifted the cup to her lips and started drinking. It was a clear liquid, but it burnt it's way down her throat. For the first time, she understood why Cardan loved to drink.

After a few more drinks, she felt lightheaded, dizzy, and dragged Cardan to the dance floor. He's never seen her like this, so carefree and laid back. Jude was usually the responsibile one in the relationship, and he wasn't used to their roles being reversed... but seeing thay Jude was dancing and having a good time, it was all worth it.

They were dancing together as if they were a normal, mortal, happy couple, until they heard the countdown from ten. Cardan leaned in to whisper in Jude's ear, "why are everyone counting down?". Jude chuckled and leaned onto him drunkenly, explaining this was a human tradition.

"Every year, when it turns midnight between December 31st and January 1st, humans count down and kiss at midnight" she explained, her eyes flattering closed every two seconds.

Cardan nodded slowly. "Alright. I know midnight. And I know kissing," she winked at her. "I can definitely handle this one. You, on the other hand..." Cardan looked over her exhausted form, how she was barely even able to hold herself upright. Without saying another word, he wrapped an arm around her waist and gently guided her to sit on a couch.

Jude fell to the couch with a thud, her limbs spread out on the pillows. Cardan helped her sit up straight and sat next to her just as the countdown came to an end.

"...Four... Three...  Two... One... Happy new year!" When the countdown ended, Cardan leaned in and gently kissed Jude's lips, ignoring the taste of alcohol. She kissed him back, her hand moving to hold the back of his neck as his hands pulled her closer by the waist. They stayed in the kiss for two minutes, forgetting everything other than each other.

Being the High King and Queen, it wasn't easy for them to find moments for themselves and each other. So now, when they could finally do it, they took the opportunity with both hands, completely losing themselves in each other.

Eventually they pulled away, Cardan leaned his forehead against Jude's, and both of them having the biggest smiled on their faces. Despite their disagreements, Jude and Cardan loved each other, and at the end of the day, this was what mattered.

"Happy new year, my Queen" Cardan whispered. "Happy new year, my King" Jude whispered back and kissed him one last time before she passed out on the couch.

Cardan chuckled and shook his head. "You really shouldn't drink often, my sweet nemesis" he said and carefully stopped her up into his arms, leaning her head on his shoulder and holding her tightly against his chest. He quickly said his goodbyes and "Happy new year"s and left the apartment to return to Faerie.

~~~

The next morning, Jude woke up feeling like ten tiny folks were hitting her skull with the handle of Nightfell. She sat up and held her head in her hands, letting out a long groan.

The door opened and closed quietly, and someone stepped carefully towards the bed. When he laid a hand on her shoulder, Jude recognized Cardan's touch and looked up. There he was, with a soft smile, a glass of water and two pills from the human world.

Jude smiled thankfully and took the pills, swallowing them with the water. "Ugh..." She groaned when she rested her hand on her forehead again. "How much did I drink last night?" She asked quietly, peaking at her husband through her fingers.

Cardan chuckled softly and reached out to stroke her hair. "You had quite a few cups, my dear" he told her quietly, knowing how much loud noise can hurt when you're hungover. "You kissed me at midnight and passed out"

Jude groaned again and buried her face in her hands. He felt Cardan's weight lifting from the mattress next to her, and a moment later, the room was darker, all the lights put away and the sun blocked by the curtains. "Thanks" she murmured when he sat next to her again and wrapped an arm around her, letting her lean on him.

This was the most vulnerable he ever saw Jude, hungover and in pain, but he was more than willing to take care of her. Cardan slowly stood up and helped her do the same, taking her to brush her teeth, get soem strong tea and help her freshen up. It didn't take long, and the two returned to their chambers soon, Jude letting Cardan fully support her weight.

"Wait here, alright?" He whispered after he helped her sit on the bed. He returned with two breakfast sandwiches for her, the same ones he would have his servants make for him when he was hungover. After another glass of water, Jude ate one of them, savoring the taste.

For the next few hours, Cardan didn't leave Jude's side unless she asked him to bring her something. Jude tried to tell him to go work, saying she'll be fine, but he dismissed her worries easily. "I already told everyone that we're taking a day off today" he told her, leaning back against the bed frame. "Besides, taking a day off isn't a crime," he said more softly, resting a hand on her knee. "You deserve it."

Jude sighed. "Fine. But just today. Tomorrow I'm going back to regular work." Despite it, Jude leaned against Cardan's chest, trying to suppress a smile. She wasn't usually this touching- Cardan was always the one who showed more physical affection in their relationship- but being this vulnerable, and knowing that Cardan was there when she was as drunk as she was and took care of her, made her want to show him this physical affection.

With a smile, Cardan wrapped an arm around Jude's shoulders and kissed her head softly, taking in her scent and the feeling of her in his arms like this. Everything was so peaceful and quietly in this moment, he wanted to stay in it forever... with Jude calm and laying against him, knowing they have no duties other than being with each other until the sun went up again.

"I love you, my sweet villain" he whispered and kissed her forehead. Jude smiled and turned her face up to him, intertwining her fingers with his. "I love you too, my greatest enemy" she whispered back and kissed his lips.

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I just wanted to say THANK YOU SO MUCH for 116 kudos😭 it's absolutely crazy to me that so many people like my writing and I'm just so amazed at that. sorry it took me so long, I just... God, idk what to say, it's so crazy😭