(I WAS REREADING THE BEGINNING OF RED QUEEN AND MAVEN REFERS TO MARE AS "HIS BRIDE" AND I WAS LIKE WOAH WHAT THE FUCK OKAY LMAO

DOES RED QUEEN HAVE CARRIAGES/???>???>>L:":>>?"?."

IDK IF THIS COUNTS AS NOT A GOOD ENDING OR NOT BC NOBODY DIES BUT??? IDK IT'S NOT THE SADDEST THING I'VE WRITTEN BUT BE WARNED ANYWAYS.)

Stood proud and tall and watched my dreams as they'd flown

You looked like a soldier during the Queenstrial, lifting the water out of the fountains and letting it drip over you as you make the water form into swords and daggers that cannot pierce. You were having fun, something you hate to admit. Your high expectations for yourself seeped through as you put the water back, bowing before walking off. Your pace is like a gazelle, so delicate and sweet. Leave it to Evangeline to pounce on you, knocking into your shoulder with hers as she passes you up. It's her way of saying that she let the competition get between the two of you, how with her succession, she doesn't want to be your aquintace anymore. She will side with the crown, not your heart. You didn't expect her to say sorry, so she didn't, and went onto her platform to perform. 

Even though, it is clear that I can walk home all alone

You knew you were going to perform to best, you knew how easy it was to wow your elders. You knew you weren't going to win, especially since the long-lost daughter of a Titanos was found. Sure, it was unfair on the behalf of the contestants. But imagine thinking you are a red then finding out you are not only a silver but a princess nonetheless. And then, Evangeline won for the eldest Calore brother. Everybody knew that already. You did, at least. 

You understood the low chances of you winning, you keep telling yourself. Why do you still feel a sense of loss? The tingle of melancholy accessing you, at most. 

What now? The words echo in your head. 

Guess in the end when it's just me, I get tense

After running laps in training you stand back as the teenagers converse with each other. You can see Evangeline with Cal, talking to him like they weren't to get married. It makes your fist clench until you realize how numb your knuckles get. 

How much?

How much do you hate?

Never, you turn your head away from the couple. You see Maven and Mareena standing near each other, Maven whispering to her. Assuring her, you guess. She is new to the art of training, after all.

"(Y/N)," Instructor Arven calls.

Your head twists in his direction as you step in the center of the floor. This has always been your favorite part of training. Even in your home, training with other houses had always been your specialty. You have never lost. And you don't plan to start today. Excitement laces into your gaze as Instructor Arven searches through the crowd, looking for the perfect match to the little champion.

"Prince Maven, if you please."

It's not fair to compare us

Maven nods, taking his place by your side. You remember constantly play fighting with him when you were younger. Everybody would always put you by him, the typical water and fire roulette. You have always won, you wonder now that you're older, has he finally overcome you?

You can feel his heat from where you stand. You think if he can feel how cold you are. Your shoulders calm as Provos uses his telkie ability to shift the structure around you, twisting walls and making space. Making an arena. 

A small smile tugs on your lips as you look at Maven, his fingers twitching in anticipation. The center of the floor parts, making you face Maven from across the arena. 

You can feel the heat from his sparks as you grab onto the moisture in the room, droplets of water twisting around you. You can hear your heartbeat in your ears as you stare at Maven. His eyes are dark, his lips a ghost of a smile. You can't wait. 

All you have to do is wait for the rest of the arena to form. A thick glass grows to separate you and Maven from the rest of the teens.  A thick glass grows to trap Maven with you, making sure his loss is quicker than it would have been.

I hate each and every bit of you

Arven speaks, looking at his class, "who has the advantage?"

You smile, tilting your head in Maven's direction. He ignores you.

"(Y/N) has the advantage," Elane starts, "they are older and more experienced... And water defeats fire." 

You can see Maven's cheeks flushing silver, making your smile widen. How much you'd sacrifice just to stroke your fingers against his sharp face. 

Arven coos out words you don't want to listen to. Your brain is focused on Maven's firey palms as you start collecting more water, somehow only realizing that this battle is actually going to happen. Your heart beat faster, your smile slowly dropping. If battling in the Calore Castle is no different then home, Maven won't live another day the same. 

Arven smiles, "Impress me."

Maven is the first to move, throwing a wave of fire at you. You lift your hands in front of your head and move individually them up and down, creating an impenetrable shield. He tries to get closer and musters up more power with each punch. You twist and turn your shield, having his blows result in nothing but steam and mist. Your body reacts to his attacks in a different way, making you step back with each hit as you slowly get backed into a wall until your back is fully pressed, and you are comfortably trapped between failure and succession.

Don't know where I'm headed to

Like a cat, you grab Maven's arms as swiftly as a flowing river. You take only a second to feel how beautifully his muscles tighten from beneath his clothes. It's almost like slow-motion as you stare at his face, his eyes, so lost yet aware. 

You throw Maven at the wall, locking the water around him. He keeps his eyes on you as he tries to break free, heating up the water as it keeps his heat. A drop of sweat falls from his temple, making you smile. You trap him in it, water seeping through his hair and clothes as he tries to wave his hands around.

"Yield?"

Bubbles escape between Maven's lips as he repeats your words.

You drop the water, almost jealous that it clasped so tightly around his figure. You look upon your classmates, their applause making your shoulders square. You bow, as dry as a bone, as Maven sulks off as a soggy mess. You can't help but follow him down. 

"Hey," your hand brushes against his forearm, the same place it did when you confirmed his failure. He looks at you, eyes piercing. They soften once he looks at your kind gaze. He doesn't say anything, so you don't either as you trail your hands up and down his arm. You stuck out all of the moisture out of his clothes, leaving his body almost dry as you look at the water that now floats in the air. His hair is still wet, and so is the skin of his face, but you give him the release of heavy, moist clothes.

You drop the water with a plop, the liquid splashing against your feet. 

"You're welcome," you coo lovingly before rolling your eyes, stepping away from Mareena once she approaches. 

You try to walk away, try to stand alone like you are so used to doing. But Maven grabs your hand, his fingers tingling with heat as he pulls you towards them. 

Side by side, you're asking, "Had enough?"

"Was that fun for you?" He asks. You can't stop your eyes from widening, wondering why he would even ask a question like that.

"Of course."

He looks at his brother, smiling only barely. 

You grab the hand that was holding yours, putting his fingers around your neck, "You shouldn't ever corner anybody during battle. It's almost like wrapping their hands on your throat."

I'm taking little breaths of air although it's kinda' tough

He listens to you, staring at his hand for a little too long before taking it back. Your heart jumps in your chest but you remain calm, steadying your breaths as you muster another smile. He is completely hypnotizing.

You find yourself looking down at the puddle of water, swirling it with your mind. Mareena stares at you, her brown eyes dulling as she looks at you. You can feel her gaze, hating it. She is judging you, not understanding how stupid she looks. 

You glance up at her, your nymph eyes sending her retreating. Cal goes to her side, almost blocking her from you. Like you're a threat.

You roll your eyes, giving Maven a backward glance before going to stand by your own. He doesn't stop you this time.

My heart is playing hide-and-seek and peeking every time

Later that day, you see Maven walking by himself in the hall. Sentinels surround almost around him, almost blocking him from you. You don't care as you skip your way by them.

"Hello, there," you greet with a small smile. He looks down at you, his eyes sparkling slowly. 

"Have you been enjoying your stay?" He asks, ignoring the sentinels that began to inch closer.

"It's been quite lovely since our little duel."

"You make it a bother by reminding me."

You chuckle, cheeks flushing silver. He almost makes you feel guilty, but you push past those feelings.

You smile, "I was really looking forward to it."

"And so was I. I have heard so much about you."

Your heartbeat quickens and you try to slow it down. Something about the way his words release from his lips just makes you shake with pleasure. You clasp your hands together, squeezing them to maintain your feelings.

You don't respond so he turns his head towards you, whispering so only you can hear, "Yet I have picked my bride solely in guilt. If she had not become uncovered, I would have picked you."

I should've known that girl has been on your mind

The moon brushes against your hair as you sit across the room, staring at Maven and Mareena as they sit next to each other. An uneasy sense of rage rings throughout your body, rippling like a wave. He smiles as he leans in, his body language giving away his in-depth feelings towards this girl. You grimace, turning your body away. You can't stop staring.

You almost start to imagine yourself in her place, wondering what it would be like to sit so close to the youngest Calore prince. Do his eyes sparkle when he looks at her? Does he smile the way you smile at him?

And when your thoughts are showing clear on your face

Evangeline watches you from across the room, noticing your obvious frown. She glances at Mare and Maven, seeing the blush that crept across his face. She smiles to herself, fingers dancing with the metal in Mareena's earrings as they suddenly tug, making her whine in pain. 

You look over to Mareena, wondering why she suddenly made such a treacherous noise. She was clutching her ear slightly, trying to seem unphased. Evangeline gets up, walking away before she could be accused. She didn't even get to see the red blood that stained Mareena's fingers. 

Your eyes widen as you dart your look away, turning your head as you try to ignore Maven's concern. Does he know he's getting married to an ugly Red? You regret all the sympathy you gave Mareena Titanos, or whatever her real name shall be revealed to be. 

But how is this possible? You were there when she shot lightning out of her fingers. If she is a Red...

You clench your fist, eyes threatening to show tears. He chose a Red over you. A disgusting, horrible red. 

Right inside, hard to hide, is a pain so very great

You get up, seat flowing back from your strength as you stomp your way out of the room. You put your hands over your eyes, trying to hold the tears before anyone can see them. You feel so useless, you feel so unwanted. A Red. A disgusting, ugly, dirty Red over somebody as charming as you. 

By the time you make it to your guest room, your cheeks are moist, the water staining your fingers with sorrow. You lift your hand, raising the water in the mini fountain you have on your dresser and spray it across the room, letting out a war cry as you do. You throw away the drops of tears that were held in your palms, the liquid splatting across the walls and dripping down.

Words that you said in the past, they won't stop spinning fast, going round

"I would have picked you," his words continue to find their way in your head. It's all Mareena's fault, you convince yourself. It's all her fault. 

You rest on the ground, watching the water slowly shrink down. Your eyes scan over the security camera placed on the opposite side of the room. You lift your hand, thinking about destroying it in a second. You squint. Don't be an idiot, you tell yourself before your hand drops back to your side.

One little touch and I will start to break

Walking down the halls early in the morning gives you a bittersweet feeling in your stomach. You can hear people walking around but you don't turn your head to see them. You just walk, brushing the away wrinkles in your blue clothes. 

It wasn't until a familiar shoulder brushes against yours do you look up, staring at Maven's tired eyes. 

I feel like you'll be gone with each and every step you take

Your lips purse together. You can't find any words, lies or not.

He speaks instead, "it is quite early for you to be up." His voice is low, almost questioning.

"I like walking around. It's more peaceful than any other time of day."

"I agree." 

Your gaze falls to the floor, your eyelashes fluttering as everything he says gets lodged in your mind. The conversation is light, very gentle with words. You would kill to have a conversation like this every day.

"Is that why you're up?" You ask.

He pauses only for a second but enough for you to notice. "Yes."

My future and my wishes, both are here to take and hold

You stop walking and he notices immediately. The air is soft against your skin as he turns towards you, taking your hand in his. It doesn't feel right. In any other situation, you'd love his fine touches. But his eyes are glazed over, almost deep in thought. It doesn't rub off right. 

But you still pull him close, wrapping your arms around his neck in a movement too quick for him to process. It was something you couldn't control. It was a desire that has been locked deep inside. He blinks, heat raising. His fingers find their way to your waist and he holds you softly as he waits for you to do something. Would it be a sin to kiss him? Would any action have a consequence at this moment?

La la la...

You capture his lips in yours, goes on the tip of your toes to kiss him deeper. His hair is soft between your fingers as you tug it, earning a groan from him. He pulls you closer to him as he refuses to let you pull away, drowning you in his passion as you relax in his tight grasp. You feel a sense of accomplishment, almost like with every time you have been him in a quarrel you lost a chance to be with him. 

I promise to never win ever again if I can continue to kiss him like this. 

"I like you, yes it's true."

He pulls away, almost guarding himself against you as he removes his touch. You open your eyes widely, heart slowing as he covers his mouth with his hand. Can a Red kiss you like I can? He looks almost embarrassed at how roughly he grabbed you as he smiles behind his hand. You lick your lips, smiling at the silver blush that covers his face. 

You exhale, "Thank you."

He drops his hand, eyes blinking away the twirl of happiness laced in his gaze.

Had enough? Though I always knew

And the rest of the day went on like nothing happened, almost just like you expected. He continued to be around his bride, almost like he was latched to his side. The only thing different from this week than the last ones is how Elara always stares down at you, just like she was judging you. It makes you uneasy. She probably knows everything, you insist. All you can do is shutter under her gaze, knowing exactly what she is judging you for. 

Your friends slowly begin to end their visits, going back to their Houses the same status they were when they left. You almost want to hold onto the crown forever, convinced you deserve to still be there. Convinced you shouldn't leave Maven behind. 

A day like this with you and her it had to be coming true

You could almost feel the silence in the air the day Mareena was charged for disrespecting the throne. Cal was by her side, but that news flew by your head. It was Mareena you were concerned about. You almost feel overly aware of what this could mean. When you first found out she was a Red you described it as a disfigurement, it probably didn't mean anything.

You opened your mind to the world, looking deeper into the situation than you should have. There's no way Cal would kill his father. There's no reason to describe Mareena as a Red now, right after referring to her as Silver. And you know for a fact Elara would have stopped Cal from killing his father if she wasn't the one controlling him.

"(Y/N)," the ghostly voice of the Queen of Norta says from behind you. You slowly spin around, looking at Elara's tall form. Her blue eyes squint, almost looking through you. "I think it's time you take your leave." 

The last remaining failure of the Queenstrial. 

That's enough so let's just say goodbye

The sentinels surrounded you as you made your way towards the exit doors, mini fountain in your hand. You swirl the water around with your finger. Maven almost feels threatened. He stands by the door, Evangeline at his side. You feel relief. It's better than any Red Rat. Your two childhood friends forced to be together, you realize as a servant opens the palace doors for you. Evangeline grins, a sorrowful look flashing in her eyes. Maven just raises his chin.

"Hope you enjoyed your stay," Maven says. You stop the stare at him, fountain tightly in hand. I could do it right now. I could do it.

"Goodbye, Lady Osanos," Elara's voice echoes in your head. You move your gaze to the outside to the servants you recognize from your own estate. You gulp down the lump in your throat, squinting your eyes like the warrior you are known to be. 

I'll give back all these feelings even though I'm bound to cry

(Imagine Reader's reaction when she finds out Maven ends up marrying Iris LMAOOOO)