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.

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[curlytop]

[He kisses his way across her shoulder and up her neck.]

And I think I can live without a sister.

[illuminescent]

Could you live without a wife?

[An important question, as she raises her chin so he can kiss her throat.]

[curlytop]

[His lips trail lazily over her skin.]

Yes.

[He lifts his head to look at her.]

But I couldn't live without you.

[illuminescent]

[She rests her head against his shoulder.]

You could.

But please-

You can hold me, we can sleep.

[curlytop]

[He kisses her forehead.]

Aye, if you'd like.

[He slides back on the bed with her still in his lap, one arm around her to keep her steady.]

[illuminescent]

[She moves with ease, he's on the mattress and she's on top of him, and she feels whole. Complete.]

When we return home, I will make a fuss. I promise. I wish for you to be able to sleep in my bed always.

[They still do, now, but sometimes they can't. George has to be somewhere else, for one reason, or another.]

[curlytop]

[He tugs a blanket over them but makes no move to dislodge her.]

I would like that. Not to be secreted from your chambers before dawn each morning.

[illuminescent]

But you are so charming, half awake, your curls all in a disarray.

[She's teasing; she doesn't actually think it's all that charming. She hates it more than he does, she thinks.

They're coiled together now, tightly as can be.]

[curlytop]

And now when you see me that way, you'll have the time to enjoy it.

[He nuzzles her hair, smiling into it. He's not optimistic about their return to Narnia, but he does, at least, have some hope.]

[illuminescent]

Mm.

[She says it and presses her nose to his shoulder.]

Just so. But I still feel bereft.

[curlytop]

Bereft of what, mo chridhe?

[He tucks his arm under his head, stroking his other hand over her back.]

[illuminescent]

We shall have to lie in tomorrow.

[curlytop]

[He laughs softly.]

Is that right? Are you expecting to need the extra sleep?

[illuminescent]

You always wake too early!

[He lives to wake up before Lucy.]

[curlytop]

[He laughs softly.]

Everyone wakes before you, mo chridhe.

[illuminescent]

No, not everyone-

[She shakes her head a little, but she pillows her head against his chest, and then she does fall asleep, comforted by the constant thud of his heartbeat.

The next day she wakes up before he does, somehow. She gets up and makes friends with the owner of the tavern's wife, and suddenly the news of the nuptials is echoing through town, and everything is being arranged; flowers are brought out from farmhouses and someone finds a lamb for a feast, and Lucy is laughing because everyone is so generous to these strangers who just came here to get married.

She comes to wake up George a little while later.]

George!

[She's laughing.]

[curlytop]

[It's a testament to how on alert George has been since leaving Cair Paravel that he sleeps through Lucy waking and the beginning of preparations. When she wakes him, laughing, he sits upright, surprised by how light it is already.]

You're awake.

[His voice is sleepy and amused.]

[illuminescent]

I was alone!

[She laughs, because she's almost never alone anymore, she almost always has someone with her. But there is almost no danger here, she thinks. No one here knows who she is.]

I have arranged so much, come look, look!

[She tugs him to the window.]

[curlytop]

[A rush of adrenaline floods George's system at the thought of having left Lucy alone. But she's here and safe, so clearly nothing happened. He lets himself be tugged to the window, snagging his breeches on the way.]

What in the Angel's name did you tell them?

[He's not sure if he should be delighted or terrified.]

[illuminescent]

[She holds his hand, and the town looks like it's ready for a wedding for a favorite child, not a stranger.]

I told them that we were getting married, and I told them a bit how we met, and a bit how you and I are, and I do not know! The next thing I knew, they were preparing a wedding feast and a party, and I think they are just very happy to have an excuse.

[It is not that at all. Lucy is just infinitely and completely loveable.]

[curlytop]

[George doubts very much that they're happy for the excuse. He's seen how people react to Lucy; he knows she smiled and laughed and charmed the entire village without realizing it.]

Oh they are, are they? Is Telmar peopled only with romantics?

[illuminescent]

[She looks at him, her eyes wide.]

However should I know? The queen is famous for being scandalous, but even I have not met her.

I did offer to pay but I was told to not be silly, for they would be more than glad to give us this.

[curlytop]

[Stepping away from the window so he can clothe himself, George laughs quietly.]

Well, whatever their reasons, I'm grateful. You shouldn't be married in a dreary ceremony with no one to celebrate it.

[illuminescent]

George-

[He's dressed, and she's reaching for him, almost flinging herself onto him, beaming, smiling, happy.]

How lucky am I?

[curlytop]

[He catches her, wrapping his arms around her and lifting her from her feet. When they get back to Narnia, he knows there will be complications, consequences, but for now, Lucy is happy, and that's enough.]

You? I think you've got that the wrong way round, lassie.