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

[curlytop]

[He holds her just the same, like if he lets her go, everything might crumble.]

I don't want a normal girl, mo chridhe. I don't love a normal girl. I don't think I could.

[illuminescent]

[She bursts into tears again, and holds him, and shakes her head.]

I am so sorry, my love.

[She knows he said it was okay, but she's curled up against him, whimpering just a little bit.]

Perhaps you should bathe. And change. And we can go to bed, after such a heavy day.

[curlytop]

I should.

[But he doesn't move, not ready to let go yet.]

Will you come with me?

[That seems like the best solution just now.]

[illuminescent]

[She nods, and reaches for his hand as she gets up, untangling herself from his lap a little but continuing to touch him, because she does not have the will stop.]

[curlytop]

[George wouldn't let her go far if she tried. Once he's on his feet, he dips to pick her up, bridal style, knowing she might protest but also that it will be easier for both of them than trying to shuffle along without letting go. He carries her to the bath before he sets her down again.]

[illuminescent]

[She does not fuss. It is quiet in her rooms; she's asked all her maids to go, and the water is still warm from her own bath, just a little while ago. She waits, until he sets her down, and without much else to say, she begins to undress him. It's not fast. She does not have to rush.

It's also not sexual. For a moment, it's as though they are normal. As if there aren't servants or anyone else in the world. She does it with slightly unsure hands, even though mens clothes are far easier. And when he's undressed, she sits next to him, because she does not want to be far away from him.]

[curlytop]

[George watches her as she undresses him, moving to help her as needed, touching her on occasion, but no more than tucking her hair behind her ear or letting his hand rest at her waist. When she's finished, he climbs into the bath, grateful it's still warm, and exhales in relief. He reaches for her hand and brings it to his lips, kissing the palm.]

You don't regret it, do you?

[illuminescent]

Regret you?

[She shakes her head.]

No, my love. I do not regret anything.

You are the best thing I could have done.

[curlytop]

[He smiles and leans over the edge of the tub to kiss her.]

I don't regret it either.

[He's not much looking forward to how difficult this may make things for him, but he doesn't regret it.]

[illuminescent]

[She smiles, gentle, and kisses him back.]

I am most glad for that.

It would hurt, too much, if you did.

[curlytop]

[He lingers a bit, kissing her once more, and then pulls back to clean himself.]

I've not regretted anything we've done together, mo chridhe.

[illuminescent]

Do you regret I am not with child?

[They haven't really talked about it, have they?]

[curlytop]

[George lowers his head, hesitant. He isn't sure how he feels about it. There'd barely been time to get used to the idea, and it was such a fraught situation.

He's silent as he thinks it through, washing himself methodically so he has something to do with his hands. Eventually, very softly,]

Yes.

[illuminescent]

[She goes very quiet.]

I am sorry, my love.

I am.

[As though she is at fault for it. She's not, but-]

[curlytop]

[George moves immediately to take her hand, splashing a little over the side of the tub.]

No, mo chridhe. You have nothing to be sorry for. Don't...I'm sorry.

[illuminescent]

[She laughs just a little, but she's so close to crying that it's clear that she's trying to keep herself together. She kisses him on the mouth, and presses their foreheads together.]

I think we are both tired, and too terribly stressed for this. Can we-

-finish here, and come to bed. All right?

[curlytop]

[He closes his eyes a moment as she presses against him.]

Aye. Do you want to go on, and I'll be in when I've finished?

[He doesn't want her to go, but he only needs to rinse his hair.]

[illuminescent]

[She gets up, and she nods. She undresses and curls in her bed, and knows he won't be long.

When he gets there, her hands reach out for him, first.]

George.

[She smiles just a little.]

[curlytop]

[He slides into bed with her, wrapping his arms around her. When she's so close to him, the rest of it doesn't matter so much.]

Lucy. I'm sorry, love. I hope you know I don't blame you. I don't...none of this was your fault.

[illuminescent]

I do know that.

[She tangles close to him, her head against his chest, so that she can hear his heartbeat.]

It has been a very tiring day. It is a miracle that we did not say a word that we could use to harm each other.

[curlytop]

Aye. I think you're right about that.

[He holds her close against him, one hand curled around the back of her head.]

I love you, and I'm so happy to have married you. Whatever else comes with it.

[illuminescent]

I love you.

[She says it, and she smiles just against his chest.]

I love you, and I do not regret that I love you. You are meant for me.

[curlytop]

[He smiles as well, into her hair, and relaxes a little.]

And you are meant for me.

[He's quiet a moment.]

Do you know what I think? I think Aslan brought me here for you.

[Or the Angel sent him, but he's been in Narnia too long not to have realized who it was who found him in that cave.]

[illuminescent]

[She smiles.]

You do not oft speak of the Lion, my love.

[She keeps her body pressed up against his.]

I think so too. I think you were lost, and only I could find you.

[curlytop]

It feels...strange to talk about him.

[People don't talk about Raziel at home. Not like he's real. Not like they talk about Aslan here.]

I'm so glad you found me.