Royals and Rule-breakers

Validated and Vetoed

With a closer eye on D'Angelo, Y/N was able to take her time with her mural; and only two months after her originally planned due date, she announced,

"It is nearly complete."

Klaus looked up at the artist as he set her dinner down on the scaffolding, then at her expansive painting of Greek goddesses and angels nestled amongst clouds and halos. He had watched her progress daily over the past months, and it was still just as incredible- and to hear her say that she was close to completing her work... Klaus was inordinately proud of her, more than he could manage to express.

"It is absolutely stunning." He gushed, Y/N smiling a bit to herself as she continued detailing the mural.

"You must allow me to skip dinner, just this once." She called back. "I am determined to finish this before the sun rises tomorrow morning. I shall eat when I am done."

Klaus hesitated, but agreed, nodding reassuringly. The excited, confident tone of her voice was more than enough to sway him. "Alright Y/N. You've got this."

"Thank you Klaus."

"Do you mind if I stay and watch you?" He added, sitting himself down in a corner of the ballroom.

Y/N finally pried her eyes from her work to gaze down at Klaus. "Really?"

"I enjoy seeing your progress, and I too would like to see it when it is completed, if that's alright with you."

"Well," Y/N smiled gratefully and nodded a bit, "When are you ever not welcome to stay?"

Klaus chuckled and smiled back as his friend resumed her work. "It looks perfect enough already Y/N."

"Oh, it is far from perfect."

"You mustn't be quite so critical of your work. It really is divine, all of it, even your small sketches that you are convinced are not good enough."

"The flaw of an artist." Y/N mused with a small sigh. "A perfectionist doomed to eternally view their work through a warped lens of self doubt."

"Then I am here to provide you with an outside perspective." Klaus insisted. "And I am telling you, Y/N, that you are, by far, the most talented artist we have ever had the privilege of commissioning."

Y/N blushed a bit. "You are the closest friend I have had in ages, I do not trust your opinion to be unbiased."

"Hm, touché." Klaus chuckled, taking a book out from his jacket pocket. "I suppose I shall give you some quiet to work now."

"Thank you." Y/N nodded, then turned back to the prince before resuming her work, adding, "And t you for keeping me company."

"Of course," Klaus smiled, "The pleasure is all mine." 

***

1:07 am.

Y/N took a step back and sighed with relief before running to gently shake Klaus awake.

"It is finished." She whispered tiredly, and Klaus sat up and grinned. He stood and slowly gazed at the ceiling, taking in every detail, every color and stroke of the brush illuminated by the large chandeliers. He then pulled the artist into a tight hug, smiling wider. "I am so, so proud of you Y/N." He murmured. "It is the most ethereal thing I have ever laid eyes on."

Tears suddenly began to well in the painter's eyes as she began to smile back, burying her face into his chest once more.

"Y/N! Are you alright?"

"It's- it's just been a while since... since anyone's been proud of me." She sniffled, laughing a bit as she pulled away slightly. "And I feel... content with it. It's not perfect, and nothing I make will ever be. But I am happy with it." She smiled, looking up at the ceiling. "I hope Sunny will be happy with it as well."