Work Text:
Apple sighed as she pulled her crown from her head, beginning to scratch at her scalp. That thing had been getting on her nerves for hours now, and it was only 2 pm. She leaned back against the bedroom door, resting her aching back. Her eyes fell shut.
No one had told her just how physically exhausting being a Queen was.
"Tired too, honey?"
Apple jumped at the sound of her wife's voice. She opened her eyes, locking them onto Darling standing at the vanity, her helmet resting on it.
"Sorry," Darling smiled sheepishly, that same cuteness in it as when she was a teenager, the same kind as when Darling picked Apple up for their first date and when she got down on one knee to propose. It eased some of the tension in Apple's shoulders.
"It's okay. I suppose I spaced out for a moment," Apple said, still leaning against the door for support, her crown hanging from her fingertips.
"I can tell," Darling walked up to her, the proximity still sent little flecks of magic up Apple's spine, and took the crown from her hand. She went and placed it down on the vanity next to her helmet. "I take it you're having another long day?"
Apple wanted to put her arm over her eyes. "Long doesn't even begin to describe it. I've had what feels like 30 meetings today and I still have 4 more, and then all of the paperwork for the emergency repair of the Well of Wonder."
Darling frowned, she seemed to stare into Apple's eyes as if she could see every stress and worry they held. "I'm sorry, honey."
Apple took a deep breath, tucking her hair behind her ears. "How about you? I haven't seen you this morning." Apple knew it would be one of those days when she woke up to Darling already out of bed, a note saying "I'm sorry, love. I'll see you soon," with a plate of breakfast on her bedside.
Darling looked even less enthusiastic about her day. "Well, I've been training our new recruits, I had to stop one of them from elbowing the other in the neck." Apple winced. "Then the marshal came to me and said he needed approval for some kind of attack plan, why when we aren't at risk of any attacks ourselves I haven't a clue. It was terrible anyway." Apple began to laugh.
"What did you tell him?"
"To go back to his office and think about what he just gave me," Darling said, so effortlessly authoritative it was funny. Apple laughed again, leaving the door to get close to Darling and cup her cheeks in her hands. She knew there was no one better for the job of head knight than her Darling.
"How long until your next meeting?" Darling asked, her hands running up and down Apple's sides before gripping her around the waist, pulling her even closer.
Apple eyed the wooden clock that hung above their bed, a wedding gift from Ashlyn and Hunter. "35 minutes."
Darling tilted her head, she was adorable when she did mental math. "I've got 40."
Apple dropped her head on Darling's shoulder, looking up at her with a lazy smile.
"Wanna take a nap together before we need to go back to being productive members of royal society?" Apple batted her lashes, even though she knew her and Darling were on the same page.
"Obviously," Darling smirked, as though what they were doing was nefarious in some way. She took a step towards the bed, Apple grabbed her by the elbow.
"Take off the armor first," she stated. She didn't exactly fancy cuddling up to a hunk of metal. Darling chuckled.
"Fair request," she said, beginning to remove her armor as Apple kicked off her heels and fell onto their still-made bed. She nestled her cheek into a pillow, almost falling asleep before Darling settled in beside her, now in her under-armor.
"Come here," Darling murmured, pulling Apple to her chest. Her fingers dug into Apple's lower back, massaging out the ache. "I already set the alarm."
Apple pressed her face into Darling's neck, her eyelids half open. "My hero," she hummed, wrapping a strand of Darling's hair around her finger. Darling took her hand in her own, pressing a kiss to the ring on her finger.
"My Queen," she purred, letting Apple's hand rest on her chest. Apple fumbled for a moment, finding Darling's ring around her neck. She wore it that way most days, so that she didn't lose it during training or combat. Apple started to spin it around the chain, the repetitive movement and all the sensations that made up Darling enough to lull her to sleep.
"Apple. Apple, honey. Wake up, babe."
Apple felt soft lips pressing on her forehead before she fathomed the words. Those lips skimmed over her closed eyelids. "it's time to get up, beautiful." The voice was as soft as its owner's kisses, and Apple smiled.
Apple finally opened her eyes, taking in the sight of Darling above her, now re-dressed in her armor and looking far more energized. Apple sat up, stretching her arms as far as they would go.
"I really needed that."
Darling nodded, clearly amused by Apple's freshly awoken state. "Where is your next meeting placed?"
Apple thought for a moment, slipping her feet back into her heels. "My office. Why?" She let Darling place her crown on her head, adjusting her hair around her ears and rearranging her curls. Even with the chunky gauntlets on, she was so gentle.
"I'll walk you there. Come on," Darling offered her open palm to her. Apple took it, standing up from bed. Her legs wobbled slightly, and Darling's other hand went to guard her back. Still so chivalrous, Apple thought.
"You know," Apple started, a chirpy lilt in her voice, Darling raised her eyebrow, "that attack plan has me a little worried. Perhaps you should…stay with me for my meeting?"
Darling nodded her head, amusement danced in her eyes.
"Whatever my Queen asks of."