narnia au;

[illuminescent]

how did you get here? through a wardrobe, or through death, or maybe a portal gone terribly astray. a ring. the roar of a lion. in the bottom of a cup. because you were looking for something, or missing something. no matter how you got there, this is where you belong.

Comments

[illuminescent]

[She feels the tears, hot and sudden, and is suddenly grateful it is dark and he cannot see. She manages to keep her voice steady, at least.]

Perhaps they do.

And they should miss you still.

[curlytop]

Aye, but they won't be hoping for me to come back. They'll...move on.

[Despite his best efforts, he has thought of this. Of what his family thinks, and his friends. Of what their lives must be like now.]

[illuminescent]

Does that mean you forgive me for my desire to keep you?

[curlytop]

[Now it's George who's grateful for the darkness as his eyes fill with tears. This is something else he's thought about. Would he go home if it meant leaving Lucy. Another pointless question.]

I think I'd forgive you anything at all, majesty.

[illuminescent]

Oh, you should not say such things.

[She says it carefully, and reaches for him, but stops. She does not touch him.]

You will spoil me.

[curlytop]

[It's not so dark he doesn't see her reach for him, and he shifts, moving onto his knees in front of her.]

Can't I spoil you? When you won me from Rabadash, you said I could do whatever I wanted. What if I want to spoil you, majesty?

[illuminescent]

[She smiles in the dark.]

Yes.

Just so, you are right.

If you wish to spoil me, I will be grateful. I would be grateful for anything you gave me, George.

[curlytop]

[George takes her hand, moving cautiously, still a little wary of the divide between them.]

I'm grateful too. I'll always be grateful to you, your majesty.

[He hesitates a moment, just a breath to get up his courage. How this is harder than going into battle is something George will never understand.]

If you'd let me, I'd also like to love you.

[illuminescent]

[He takes her hand, and she tightens her grip.]

Yes.

[There is no hesitation.]

Yes, a million times, yes, by the Lion, yes.

[curlytop]

[George smiles, then laughs in relief.]

I'm still a little worried what your brother will do if he finds me kissing you.

[illuminescent]

Oh, they had no right to opinions.

[She says it and sinks out of her chair, and into his arms, into his lap.]

You are a thousand times the man Susan's choice is, and they are amenable to that.

[curlytop]

Don't bring him up right now. You'll only spoil the mood.

[He curls his arms around her like she's something precious he might accidentally break, and he kisses her.]

[illuminescent]

[She clings to him when they kiss, and holds on so tightly, and loves him. Truly loves him. She thinks that the Lion gave him to her, brought him here for her, like a gift.]

Do you wish to keep this for us? We do not have to tell a soul.

Half the kingdom already thinks you are bedding me. Or me you. I am not quite sure.

[curlytop]

[George shifts to hold her cradled against his chest.]

If you want to keep this private, I will. It would be the wiser course.

[illuminescent]

I do not care-

[And she doesn't.]

The entire world can know we are in love and I will be just as happy for it. But-

[But-]

-I should like to keep you for myself, for a time. If you do not mind.

[curlytop]

[George touches her cheek with his fingertips and smiles.]

I don't mind. I think I'd like that as well. I like being your shadow.

[illuminescent]

Yes?

[She presses her face against his cheek.]

I like you as my shadow.

[She takes his hand and kisses his palm, and then up, to kiss his mouth again.]

But I like this. Being in your arms. I like it far more.

[curlytop]

[George leans into the kiss, pressing his forehead to hers.]

Aye. So do I.

[Another kiss, lingering.]

Can I give you something? Something to wear for me?

[illuminescent]

Yes.

Yes, of course, if I can do the same.

[curlytop]

Of course. Anything you like.

[He reaches for a leather cord that disappears under his breastplate and pulls out a small pouch. He pours the contents into his hand, a small rod of crystal that almost seems to glow in the darkness, containing its own light, and a heavy ring with a Celtic-style knot design. The rod, he puts back, the ring, he holds up for her to see.]

It's my family ring.

[illuminescent]

Oh.

[She holds it close. In the dark, she can just see it, and her fingers trace the shape with her fingers. It's almost too big for her hand, but that is fine, because she can put it on a chain.

She leans against him, and she's smiling.]

A moment, then.

[She gets up, moves through the room and to her bedroom, and comes back a moment later. She has a small locket, and she gives it to him. It's a tiny golden locket in the shape of a lion, and she tucks it in his hand.]

It has a tiny sliver of a star inside of it. I found it, a long time ago, and I have kept it close ever since. I keep it under my pillow.

[curlytop]

[George takes the locket and turns it over in his hand. He looks up at her with wide eyes.]

Sometimes...I'm not sure I haven't fallen into Faerie, but I don't think I care if I have.

[illuminescent]

[She laughs.]

Will you love me just the same?

[curlytop]

[George tucks the locket into his pouch and pushes himself up, still on his knees but nearly face to face with Lucy.]

I thought Calormen was Faerie. The men there were cruel for the sake of cruelty. Not all of them, but enough, and everyone in power. And they talked about the north like it was hell, with a demon lion ruling over it.

[His hands settle at her hips.]

But you're never a faerie. Or if you are, you're the kind mortals never see but always dream about.

[illuminescent]

[She doesn't know what that means, but she's perfectly willing to accept it.]

Do you wish me to wage war for you?