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]

No.

Do not apologize. That was.

[She laughs, and presses her hand against his chest, and kisses him.]

That was lovely.

[curlytop]

I only meant about the hair.

[He reaches up to brush back an errant lock.]

I'm not sorry about any of the rest.

[illuminescent]

No.

Do not apologize for that either.

[She ticks against him.]

Stay with me always. Please? Promise.

[curlytop]

[George curls himself around her, making a nest of their bodies. He kisses Lucy's temple. His voice is quiet and thoughtful.]

In my home...there's this bond that two people can share. It's not marriage, but it's a way for two people to pledge themselves. They're called parabatai, and it's...I don't know how to explain it. Anyway, there's a vow they say to each other, from some holy book.

[George isn't sure which holy book. The Shadowhunters aren't particular about their religious symbolism.]

Entreat me not to leave thee,
Or return from following after thee—
For whither thou goest, I will go,
And where thou lodgest, I will lodge.
Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.
Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried.
The Angel do so to me, and more also,
If aught but death part thee and me.

[illuminescent]

[They’re there, curled together, perfectly bound up in one another. Lucy has not often had moments where she has felt this safe, this loved, and she has always felt both. Her clean hand finds his.]

Yes.

That is just so.

That is what I feel for you.

[She puts her head on his shoulder.]

Here is my promise to you, my love. For as long as you stay I will remain a maiden queen, merry and gay, and refuse all suitors. You will have my heart, and carry it close, and know it is yours in your keeping.

[curlytop]

[He presses his cheek against the top of her head and tightens his arms around her.]

Then I will be content to keep it safe.

[He crooks his finger under her chin and tilts her face up to meet her eyes.]

When we're in court, I'll call you my queen and your highness and be your shadow. And when we're alone, I'll call you Lucy and mo chridhe and tell you that I love you.

[illuminescent]

What does that mean?

I think if I do not know, you can say it in public as well.

[But she thinks that he will still call her majesty and my queen.]

[curlytop]

It means, 'my heart.'

[Even if no one knows what it means, he's too cautious for that. He kisses her softly.]

We should clean you up.

[illuminescent]

Yes.

[She says it, but she gets up carefully, not really wanting to move apart from him. She wants more of his touch.

She stands and she’s not ashamed to have him see her nude. He touched her, kissed her intimately.]

And you, as well.

[curlytop]

[He pushes himself up to watch her, allowing himself a moment of not being her guard, of looking on her as a woman instead of a queen. After a moment, he swings his legs over the edge of the bed.]

I wish I could come to you tonight.

[illuminescent]

[She goes to her pitcher and pours some water out into a bowl, wets a towel, and comes back to him, cleaning him off.]

I know.

[She says it tenderly.]

I would that as well. We will be heading back to Narnia in no time, you will see.

[curlytop]

[It feels so strange to be taken care of like that, and George leans into the touch, his hands resting gently on Lucy's hips. He watches Lucy's face and smiles faintly.]

I can wait. For you, I can always wait.

[illuminescent]

cont.