And You My Friend Are No Player

Not sure if self discipline plays a part in your fairy tale, but it is the single most important skill a sentient being masters, if for no other reason than without it all your other powers will be commandeered by The Game Of Life, e.g. breeding like rats. Technically The Game is not procreation. If you believe that, you misunderstand who the players are. You are not playing the game of life, you are being played. You're not a player; you're a pawn.

This is freeing in one way. You and your mate need never be enemies. Being pawns of enemies is not the same. Discipline yourself to conspire. There is no interesting escape from The Game Of Life. All thoughts and acts are part of it. But there are thriving treasonous discussions.