Thomas was relieved when his arms went slack as she stood. “Alright.” he nodded, turning slightly so he wouldn't be tempted to… He shook his head to push away such a thought only for another to take its place.
The two of them, alone on his family farm. Happy and together. With simple bands on their fingers. Him working as a farmer and she as the most talented seamstress around. No one to stop them from expressing how they felt. No one to stop them from being together…
(Omg that's the cutest thing I've ever read 🥺😭)
Eleanor slipped her arms through the sleeves and was about to reemerge when she felt a small breeze curl up her back. She realized with wide eyes that the dress she'd chosen had buttons that began at the small of her back and went all the way up to her neck. The queen bit her lip softly before calling out in a quiet voice. "Um… Thomas?"
(😁😁 Just Thomas discovering his romantic side.)
Thomas was jolted back to reality by the soft call and shook his head to further clear away the fantasy. “Uhh… Yes?” he asked, still far to casually for what they were used to.
Eleanor bit her lip. “I-I need your help.” She slowly came around from behind the partition and gestured to the back of her dress. “There a lot of buttons. I can’t reach them.”
Thomas looked over his shoulder as she spoke. “Oh! Al… Alright.” he nodded, standing up and walking over to her.
Eleanor moved her hair aside and held her breath, waiting for his fingers to begin the work. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Thomas nodded again, standing behind her and carefully began doing up the small buttons. Though he couldn't help how his larger hands brushed against her skin.
Eleanor counted the agonizing seconds from when he disappeared from view to when she felt his fingers begin their work. She arched her back a bit when his weathered fingertips brushed over her soft, sensitive skin. “Sorry,” she whispered, straightening and turning bright pink.
Thomas paused at the whisper before trying to finish sooner. “No. I’m sorry.” he whispered, both having meant to make her uncomfortable.
Eleanor shook her head while keeping her mane of dark brown hair tucked over her shoulder. “Don’t be. I just…“ She blushed deeper and recalled his words from earlier. “It felt… very good.”
“Oh!” Thomas flushed brightly, knowing her meaning. “I… I’m nearly done.” he stammered, trying to be assuring as he continued to button up her dress.
Eleanor smiled to herself. She heard the emotion behind his exclamation. She knew that he understood what she meant. "Alright," she murmured back, sucking in a shallow breath.
Thomas let out a shaky breath and moved on to fasten the last few buttons near her neck before sliding a hand down the back of her dress to make sure he hadn't missed any. “There.” he sighed as he took a couple of steps backwards, moving away from his Queen.
"Thank you." Eleanor was both glad and upset when he finished with the buttons on her dress. She made to step away, but his hand slid down her back, over the buttons, and it took every ounce of self-control she possessed not to moan with delight. Instead, she fanned her face lightly in hopes of dispelling some of her blush and turned to him. "How do I look?" she asked quietly, tugging at the sleeves and inspecting her stitching of the ribbons for the hundredth time.
Thomas blushed when he realized his action and took another step back before looking at Eleanor. “You look beautiful.” he smiled softly. “But I believe I may be biased, my Queen.”
Eleanor tilted her head to the side playfully, took a step closer to him, and whispered with a mischievous glint behind her round eyes, "Do I look like I care?"
Thomas froze at the whisper and the look she was giving him. He had to close his eyes for a moment to recompose himself. Upon opening them and looking at Eleanor again, he smiled softly. “No. You don't.”
"Exactly." Eleanor returned his smile and lifted her mouth to his briefly. The kiss was short but meaningful, and as she drew away, the queen inhaled a steadying breath. "Shall we be off?"
Thomas managed to meet her smile this time, but his blush was renewed by the soft sweet kiss. He cleared his throat and nodded. “Yes. Let's… be off.” he agreed.
Eleanor giggled and placed her hand on his arm. “I love you,” she whispered before the door of her room was opened.
Thomas smiled at her laugh. “I love you too,” he whispered back as he opened the door and started walking with her to meet Queen Irene.
Eleanor straightened and took several deep breaths to calm herself and relax. She was going to be meeting with Queen Irene.
Thomas walked as normal for a guard but he gently brushed his thumb against her hand in an attempt to reassure her. He was certain that she would be alright. She was stronger than she gave herself credit for and she had already managed to get a smile out of Queen Irene. Things would be fine.
Eleanor breathed a sigh of relief as they rounded the corner. Irene hadn't arrived yet. It was a tremendous stroke of luck. She didn't want to look like she was running late or anything of the like. "Thank the goddess," she whispered softly enough that Thomas could hear.
Thomas nodded, deciding to be careful and not say anything as he shared her relief in the simple fact that they had arrived first.
