ohnofeelstho | next is hamlet, which is about a whiny prince from denmark. what does that have to do with reality?

Cassian laughs, and though he has no idea what the throne room actually looks like, it's a mental image he can't help but conjure. Even if they still have yet to have any kind of real sex.

He leans in to kiss her temple. "I can think of no better way to show how little I value monarchies versus how much I value you."

He respects her! He does not respect the crown! It's honestly perfect.

He frowns a little at the visual of her nerves. Any urge to tease her to lighten the mood dissipates and he turns his attention entirely on her.

She'd idly mentioned her parents being very into the sciences in the past, that much isn't a surprise, but it's what she tells Siri to google for her that seems to rip the air right out of the room. He was expecting something like a famous scientist duke cousin, but no.

Galen I, King of Denmark. Her father is the King of Denmark. Jyn's father is a king which makes her -

"You are a princess?"

An actual, honest to god princess?? He just. Needs to ask, because even though the implication is there, he's kind of floored by the concept and needs that confirmation.

He is shocked, she can tell, but she doesn't know if he's too shocked. Should she gather her shoes and leave? Should she start processing her transfer to University of Copenhagen? If this blows up there is no way she could stay knowing that Cassian hates her because she is part of something he loathes.

She is waiting for him to tell her to get out. Despite him tightening their handhold earlier, this is different.

"Yes," she admits quietly, feeling suddenly so foolish. Of course this was never going to last. "I'm their only Danish child, so. Crown Princess."

She looks like she's about to burst into tears over admitting it, and Cassian's heart hurts for how upset she is. He reaches out and cups her cheek, because he's trying to process this information while simultaneously wanting to wipe that expression off her face.

Jyn is a princess. His girlfriend, his best friend, is the crown princess of Denmark, meaning one day she is going to be a literal queen.

He feels a little dizzy, honestly, but he doesn't let go of her hand or her face, even if his mouth opens and closes in the shock of it. He bursts out a nervous laugh. "How long have you known?"

There, he can make a joke in his attempts to diffuse this tension, because he doesn't want her to flee and he needs to give himself a few more moments for this reality to continue to sink in.

She hums happily at the press of his lips against her forehead, smiling a little because a. she loves his laugh, b. she loves his kisses, and c. she is very happy to be spending Christmas with this beautiful wonderful man.

Maybe it'll even snow for him.

It's only a few minutes later that the car pulls in and Jyn reluctantly pulls away. Not because she wants to be away from Cassian but because she is a stubborn cow and wants to open her own car door. She is lucky that Denmark's royals aren't all that famous because there are no paparazzi to snap her leaping out of the car in leggings and a sweatshirt she stole out of Cassian's carry on during the flight to cover her thin long sleeves.

"Come on, Chantico. Let's get those paws on the ground again!"

They've stopped in front of one of actually four identical palaces set around a courtyard. The blue green main doors are open and a tall man is silhouetted against the light spilling out from inside, along with a number of windows. It's not late enough that the other palaces are blackened, but two of them do look as if they are closed for the night. "Hi Bodhi! You look like a serial killer looming there!"

"Oh, shut up, I'd be less nervous if I was coming out or pregnant!" She gives him a little shove with her free hand but joking is good, isn't it? He wouldn't be teasing her if he wanted her to leave.

Bodhi had cautioned her about getting involved but Cassian was honestly meant to be something light and fun and easy at first, it was only once they both got back to school that it stumbled into something more. She hadn't expected to care so much, despite Cassian being her best friend, so she never thought she'd have to go through what he'd gone through with boyfriends and girlfriends leaving him or using him or, the absolute worst, being disappointed he wasn't better. As if her big brother weren't the best thing in the world.

Chantico pads in and shoves her huge head into Jyn's lap, jostling their clasped hands and immediately drawing Jyn's attention from the elephant in the room. "Oh, I'm sorry we haven't pet you in two minutes, you must have been so forlorn."

She seems in much better spirits after that, so hopefully it will keep up!! Cassian never lets go of her hand for the rest of the car ride, only letting go when she does as they pull up to her very large home.

Well. At least it doesn't look much like a palace? It just looks like four large buildings with a very large courtyard.

Chantico zooms out of the car before Cassian, ready to move and prance, because it has been a very long day of keeping still! She's practically dancing in place while she waits for Cassian to climb out after her, because as excited as she is to be outside, she won't go far in this strange place without him. She whines, nudging his leg. He feels very underdressed before this palace in his jeans and hoodie (he brought more than one knowing Jyn would steal one), but at least Jyn is matched up.

God, he barely even recognized Bodhi at first. Maybe he's still just in a state of quiet awe about everything. "I am beginning to think you are an expert at looming."

But now that he knows Jyn is a princess, it certainly explains a lot about Bodhi's odd behavior when it comes to his sister.

Joking is very good! He can still joke with his girlfriend, who is a princess! His girlfriend is a princess.

Chantico comes to life as an intrusive thought, but he has to admit he's a little grateful for the interruption. She whines as Jyn pets her, and Cassian reaches over to do the same.

"We would have needed to have sex for you to be pregnant." Okay, so she's a princess, that's a new thing, but he's not about to pretend they're suddenly not dating anymore, that they haven't been trying to get laid for weeks to no avail. His dog is a good distraction though; it gives them both a different focal point while her admission fills the room. "I hope you are not expecting me to call you your highness."

Except with sarcasm, obviously. Will he ever actually address any of this for real?? Yes, eventually. Maybe in another minute.

"I'm not looming," Bodhi complains from the door, stepping out so he is under the lights finally and they can see the Danish prince in his jeans and pullover jumper. "Welcome home, jerks."

If they're gonna make fun of him, he's going to be rude right back. That is how siblings work!

The driver grabs Jyn and Cassian's bags and brings them inside with ease since neither of them actually packed all that much because Jyn assured Cassian he could borrow anything from Bodhi, including a coat so they didn't have to pack their winter coats and suffer on the plane in puffy jackets. That would have been torture. Luckily the night is pretty temperate considering it is December, but Jyn is just happy to be out of the stuffy car and in the fresh sea air. She's practically dancing around the courtyard too so Chantico isn't alone.

Seeing Bodhi so casual makes him feel better. They're all a bunch of casual twenty-somethings! Two of which are part of the Danish royal family. He'll stop repeating that, maybe once he gets used to being in a palace for the next week or so.

Cassian nearly grabs his bag from the driver, simply because his first though his someone is trying to steal it not carry it for him. He's so baffled by the concept of it that he watches the driver take his bag away until they disappear inside.

He turns back to his dog, who zips around in circles, whining out a song before she just... squats over and starts to pee in the courtyard. There's no grass or trees, and she really has to go!

"Chantico!" he scolds, but nature is calling and his dog can't hold it back anymore. Excellent first impression all around! His fluff monster pissing in the royal courtyard!

Jyn snorts but brushes Cassian's concerns off. "Dogs pee here all the time. Two of the buildings are open for tours so trust me, she is not the first pupperino to pee here." A beat. "Plus Farfar pissed in the fountain at his and Farmor's engagement party."

Bodhi helpfully adds, smirking: "Jyn puked on the steps the night before we went back for fall semester."

"I was ill," Jyn protests even as she leaps out of the way of Chantico's puddle. She was not ill, she was drunk. "There is a garden out back she is welcome to fertilize with her blessings, she is not the only dog so there will be plenty for her to sniff out and explore."

That's easy for her to say! It's fine, he'll be fine. Chantico finishes her business and perks up again, tail wagging as she trots over to say hello to Bodhi. The talk of the other dogs, of relatives also pissing and Jyn herself puking does quell some of his anxieties.

"Alcohol related illness?" he teases, because that's more familiar to tease her for than the giant palaces around him. "She will be happy to meet your dogs too though, especially in the garden."

Chantico is enormous but she's a big softie who loves... everyone, humans and animals alike.

"Loki is not low key, he is going to test her patience." Jyn's puppy is an old man at this point and a bully, but Jyn loves him so much, letting the dog sleep on her bed and eat her table scraps. And he is tiny, the smallest of the castle dogs so Chantico could sit on him to make him to make him leave her alone.

But he is Jyn's baby child.

"Come on, let's go inside so we can sleep." Stepping over to Cassian, she takes his hand. Time to step into the fire. The fire of her parents and probably tea and cookies, honestly. "Ready, babe?"

She's shown him pictures of her tiny dog before, along with all the horror stories and tales of cuteness. Chantico is great with other dogs and with people, but just like her owner, she needs her alone time. Maybe she will just sit on Loki for some personal space. "We will find out her limits."

When Jyn takes his hand, Cassian winds their fingers together instantly, squeezing it. It is definitely for his own nerves more than hers. He is probably not very ready at all to meet the king and queen, but he doubts he'll ever really be ready. This whole trip is just continuously tripping him up, but hopes he'll get used to it. He has to.

"Ready enough," he says, offering her a small grin before he briefly lifts up their hands to kiss her knuckles. "Lead the way."

"That isn't how I'm styled, so no."

She is a royal highness, get it right.

Running her fingers through the dog's fur as she puts her paws in Jyn's lap to stretch up as if that will make it easier for Jyn to pet her. It does not, but that doesn't mean Jyn stops petting her, just leans back further on the couch so she has space to breathe without dog in her face. "I'll get you a tiara, mija."

A dog tiara.

She glances at Cassian, still nervous. "Invitation still stands."

She grins at his soft affection, feeling warm and tremendously happy that Cassian is here with her for winter break. Bodhi claps him on the back once they reach the steps, letting Jyn lead Cassian inside before he brings up the rear, petting the dog and closing the door behind them.

The inside of the palace has a very Downton Abbey feel, fancy and modest at once, walls of honey colored wood paneling and soft carpet in delicate gold and blue medallion-like designs that run down the long halls. Hung along the hall are portraits of kings and queens of old, the odd royal dog or horse, and Jyn only takes the time to point out and name the dogs, Bodhi names the horses but it is really only Christian X's horse Jubilee, the most famous of all the royal horses.

Bodhi is in the middle of telling Cassian about Jubilee, because Jyn loves the story of their great-grandfather, when their father steps out of a room down the hall and looks around, seemingly having heard his daughter's voice.

"Papa!" Jyn releases Cassian, sorry bro, and races down the hall to leap into her father's arms. She hasn't seen him in months, okay.

This is definitely the fanciest goddamn building Cassian thinks he's ever been in, or maybe he just can't quite think about the others because he is a little overwhelmed by this one. Fortunately, Bodhi and Jyn pick the best parts to tell him about, and his nerves fade as the animal stories continue. He likes this part! He pretends Chantico does too, simply because she stops and wags her tail every time Jyn points to a dog.

Down the hall the door opens, and Cassian's gaze slides over; as soon as Jyn lets go of his hand, he knows immediately that this is her father. Her father, the King of Denmark. She takes a flying leap into his arms and he happily wraps her up in a hug.

He doesn't particularly care about propriety, so standing still until Bodhi gestures at him to move forward is moreso out of trying to give Jyn a moment of privacy with her father. As soon as she realizes the direction they're going, Chantico prances onward, nosing at the strange man's legs in hello because she is truly a dog who loves people and gives zero ducks about where she is. King Galen is simply a new friend!

King Galen does not mind this impertinent dog, crouching down to better ruffle the fur at her neck once Jyn releases him. As Cassian approaches, it becomes clear Jyn is introducing her father to the dog because through all the Danish, the name 'Chantico' is quite clear.

Her father dead ass says "nice to meet you, Chantico". To the dog.

He is still crouched down when Cassian is close enough for Jyn to also introduce her boyfriend, stepping away from dad and dog to put her hand on his arm. "Papa, this is Cassian. Cassian, this is my dad, Galen, you don't need call him anything but Galen."

"I liked Dr Erso. No one calls me Dr Erso anymore," Galen complains idly as he stands up to his full height -- which towers over his diminutive daughter -- and holds out his hand to shake Cassian's. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Cassian. Jyn tells me you're a teacher?"

"Dad. Give him like five seconds."

King Galen has already left a good impression, at least as being Jyn's father, because he is very taken in with Chantico and vise versa. While his dog loves most everyone, it's still nice when people do the same in return.

He's only a little bit taller than Cassian, which just makes Jyn seem small all over again, but he does hold out his hand to shake his girlfriend's father's hand, trying to approach it that way instead of thinking about all the royal stuff. It's easier, it's what he wants, and he's pretty sure it's what Jyn wants too.

"Dr. Erso," he says, shaking his hand and offering a polite but easy smile. It's easier than Galen right off the bat, and he refuses to use formalities when it comes to titles, at least as long as it won't get Jyn in trouble. Dr. Erso it is! "It is good to finally meet you too. Jyn has always sounded very fond of you, but she is half wrong. I am more of a teaching assistant while I finish up school."

"Yeah, you teach, so you're a teacher. That is what I said." He teaches entire classes without anyone else's help. He's a teacher, end of story.

Galen looks positively chuffed to be called Dr Erso again and a smile touches his expression, softening the natural solemnity that his daughter had inherited as a resting expression. It's not resting bitch fast, but it's close.

"I trust your flight wasn't too exhausting? Lyra's brought food to your rooms already since Jyn never seems capable of sitting up at the table long enough to finish a meal." Jyn makes a face at her father's teasing, nose wrinkling. He is not wrong but she's been here four minutes and already her jetlag is being dragged.

"Why rooms plural, he's staying with me..?"

"I know, Stardust, but I thought he might like a room to hide in when the jetlag hits you tomorrow."

Wow. Jyn gapes. Dragged twice in thirty seconds. Her mouth shuts. "Valid point. Rude, but valid."

"Technically." He supposes, technically, he is a teacher, even if it's only a temporary place. He's more pleased that Galen seems happy, use of doctor was the right call. Cassian might not actually like people as much as his dog does, but he's very good with them regardless.

"I have flown to California from New York quite a few times, but this one was longer on the plane and in the opposite direction. I am not sure how the jet lag will effect me this time around either." It's a much bigger difference going from New York to Europe than west coast to east. Maybe he too will nap all day!!

Did he furiously google the best methods to get through jet lag the first day? Of course he did. He can still appreciate her own father dragging this travel flaw of hers though. "But she did warn me about her tendency to sleep through it. Good thing I am used to her napping already."

He pauses. "Is it terrible to say I do not really care how you are styled?"

She knows he doesn't give a shit about monarchies, she cannot be surprised that it doesn't matter to him what her proper title is. Besides, maybe it'll help everything feel... normal. He wants to stay normal.

Even though she is petting his dog, he reaches out and puts his hand atop of hers, nudging it so he can wind their fingers together. Chantico can wait.

"I just want to keep calling you Jyn," he says, finally addressing some of it in a less joking way. She's royalty, but they're not in Denmark, and he's not Danish. He can just focus on how much he still adores Jyn and still wants to be with her. "I don't want this to change anything about us. The fact that you have invited me to meet your family is important to me."

"I don't really care either. I mean about calling me anything but Jyn, I care a lot about you coming to Christmas with me and it's starting to freak me out a little that you haven't actually said yes."

Freak out more than she already is, the anxiety still rolling through her, waiting for a hundred shoes to drop. It doesn't matter that he doesn't want it to change anything about them or that he took her hand again. Until he says yes or no she is going to be too nervous to function.

She just wants her parents and grandfather to meet this boy she is probably in love with, it's fine!

"My door back home has a lock and we can have loads of sex finally. No one to interrupt us, not even Bodhi." She is not past bribing him with sex.

"Lyra loves California," Galen mentions, seemingly having forgotten that Jyn has told him multiple times that Shara lives in California. Despite being a monarch, Galen seems much more the absent-minded professor type.

"We went to the redwood forest, she loved the trees. Do you remember, Bodhi?" A beat. "No, neither of you were born, that's right."

Bodhi snorts a laugh. "One time he asked us if we remembered their wedding."

The family that mercilessly drags each other, stays together.

It occurs to him just now, at her note, that she is correct and he has not actually agreed to it yet. He's already been thinking like he's going, sort of mentally planning for what this sort of trip might take out of him, to the concept of meeting her very royal parents. It's already a given in his head, because he adores her, and he wants to spend more time with her, regardless of surprise lineage. But it's a big trip! His thought process, yet again, has gotten away from him.

"Sex in a castle certainly has a lot of appeal." He leans over, reaching out to cradle her face, and when she doesn't reject it, he ducks down to kiss her softly. "Yes, I would like to come with you and meet your family. You will forgive me if I am still a little surprised by a few things. You are always full of distractions."

next is hamlet, which is about a whiny prince from denmark. what does that have to do with reality?

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