Maven X Reader One Shots (2)

One Shot: First Meeting

It's not that you felt unsafe. It was just a delicate feeling of doom that lingered in your gut. It's almost like hunger, growing as you near his manor. And suddenly you're starving. He's the prince, so it doesn't matter. This is a simple greeting so he can know your name. But it feels different. It cannot be that simple. You figdit, pulling at your gloves that end at your wrists. You wish they were higher. But you're not at that level yet. You're just a teenager. And so is he. So why are you so scared?

Short sleeves make you cold. You are freezing as you step out of the carriage. Freezing and starving, how nice. You still manage to smile. Your mother, shoulders squared and eyes firm, and she doesn't address you as she heads to the door. Typical. You follow along with your sister. You dare not to say a word. Don't speak to him unless he speaks to you. They have sentinels to open their doors. You want sentinels. 

And their house makes you realize how small and alone you truly are. Perhaps that was the intention. The room is huge, holding you close like a mouse in a mousetrap. The room is dark, light like a candle but colored in a variety of gothic shades. You and your green and gold clothes don't stand a chance. You feel out of place. But you are the first one he notices. And you both realize that right away.

You stand alone. He stands by his brother. You feel childish in your short-sleeved clothes and with that golden ribbon tied around your waist. His clothes are ironed and solid, black and red that spot him the enemy. But an enemy wouldn't approach you, right? Yet he still makes his way to right in front of you, holding out his hand. 

Do you bow? 

You hope your mother isn't watching.

You shake his hand. He's warm. You can feel it through the gloves. And he's definitely a man of eye contact. Why is he looking at you? No speaking until he speaks.

Unless he is... testing you?

"I am (Y/N) Welle," you say with a stern voice. Practiced? Briefly. It puts a smile on his face.

"I am Maven Calore, a pleasure to meet you."

What now? You force down the corners of your lips. You don't like your smile. You want to look professional, like an oak tree in the woods of birches. But you're only a flower. Delicate and small. He seems to notice that. He leans in.

"Did your mother tell you not to smile?"

"You're testing a lot of the things she told me not to do already." 

"So you noticed." He smiles. His teeth are white. His eyes are blue, you notice now. They sparkle. He's complimenting you.

"Thank you," you bow and it comes off sarcastic. Intended? Possibly. He licks his lips.

"Oh? Rebelling? Interesting for a Welle." Your heart flickers.

"So you know about Welle's?"

His eyes dance around the room, it was only for a second. You could almost see his brain working. He looks at your mother, your sister, and then you.

"I can tell a lot of things."

You laugh. A laugh? You cover your mouth with a jolt of shock. It only makes him smile widen. Damnit.

He blinks slowly, "This conversation with you is quite fun, (Y/N) Welle." And then he glances at his mother, who is speaking to yours at the moment. You can tell things, too. He needs his mother. Or this is all for her. No, there's a glitter in his eye. He needs her.

You open your mouth to say something but decide not to. One wrong word and he won't like you anymore. You don't like analyzing. Now you're anxious. But he's still smiling.

"(Y/N) Welle, let us both walk over with our chins high. Second children must impress." He reaches his bicep out, and you wrap your arms around it. He holds your hand through that.

"We shall." You say.

You both walk in sync, his touch warming your body and filling you with hope. You don't feel cold anymore, yet you still shiver as he runs his thumb up and down your hand. You look at his mouth, noticing his smile starting to twitch. Is he forcing it? Or does he genuinely enjoy your presence?

"My smile isn't forced."

You blush, quietly looking away. He squeezes your hand. "I saw you staring."

"I apologize."

"I didn't say I didn't like it, hello mother."

Elara gazes down at you, her eyes igniting into blue flames. You shrink into your place. Maven doesn't release his grip on you. You notice, your mother notices, Elara notices. Maven doesn't stop smiling. And neither do you.