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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[illuminescent]

[She looks over at him, her eyes up.]

I am sure they loved you.

[She's absolutely sure.]

[curlytop]

Aye, probably.

[George shrugs. He doesn't really let himself think about it.]

That's what my folks said.

[He smiles down at her, bending to kiss her forehead.]

I'm sure your parents loved you as well. I don't know how anyone could not.

[illuminescent]

[She giggles.]

I know a number of people who do not love me, but it is true that I rarely let them worry me.

[curlytop]

[With a grin, he squeezes her hand and tugs her along as he wades into the surf.]

I think that's why people love you so much. You're always...light.

[illuminescent]

Light?

[She beams at him.]

Perhaps I am.

[curlytop]

Aye.

[He pulls her close, arms around her waist.]

And you lighten the people around you.

[illuminescent]

Well, I am glad to lighten you.

[She beams, and puts her hands on his shoulders.]

I am glad to lighten you most of all.

[curlytop]

You do, my love.

[He holds her around her waist and lifts her up to kiss her.]

You make me so much lighter.

[illuminescent]

[She squeals as he picks her up. There is no place in this world she feels safer than here, right there, her arms around his, his biceps holding her up.]

You make me stronger.

[curlytop]

[He kisses her again and spins in a circle, so pleased to have a moment where no one is watching them.]

You're so strong already, my love.

[illuminescent]

[She laughs, and she lets them have this moment, she lets him spin her around, and then she tugs him back up the castle, up to where the rest of her family is. They have a party. Things are lovely, for a time, perfect.

Things are perfect, and then, one morning, the horn for the white stag blows, and Lucy is curled around George when someone comes to the door. Don't get it, she says, stay here.

So they stay.

So they stay, and the day passes, but the rest of her siblings do not return. Their horses do, but they do not. Someone finds Lucy to tell her.

They search.

They search for days. Lucy barely sleeps. She slips out of their bedroom and curls up in the High King's throne in the dark of night; she hears someone move in the darkness, and she knows.]

Hullo, George.

[curlytop]

[It's difficult to watch Lucy as the kingdom searches for her siblings. Not only because it's hard to see her so distressed, also because he thinks of his own family and friends. Did they search for him? Did they think he'd died?

When he wakes to find Lucy gone, he knows where she'll be. He goes straight for the throne room, and crosses to Lucy. He doesn't say anything because he doesn't know what to say, but he sits on the floor in front of Peter's throne and offers his hand.]

[illuminescent]

[She takes his hand, and she is quiet for a moment, and then she slips down to sit in his lap, on the floor.]

They left me.

[She says it quietly, and then presses her head against his shoulder.]

[curlytop]

[George wraps himself around her, his cheek resting on top of her head.]

I am certain they did not wish to.

[He wouldn't believe it of them, and he can't imagine Lucy does either.]

[illuminescent]

[She stays there, and she clutches at his shirt.]

I know.

But they left me.

I do not know how to do it alone.

[curlytop]

[George holds her and rocks her slightly, mostly because he doesn't know what else to do.

His voice is soft, tentative.]

You're not alone.

[He knows it's not the same. He's not a king.]

[illuminescent]

We will be invaded. Calormen will not see me as formidable. They will try and take us. And then the Frost Giants, and-

[Her voice wobbles.]

I am afraid.

[She tries to never admit it.]

[curlytop]

You're allowed to be afraid.

[He strokes her hair and rubs his hand down her back.]

But you needn't worry about Rabadash the Ridiculous? He's not allowed outside Tashbaan. And I reckon the Tisroc's embarrassed enough about their last attempt.

And your brother was not the only thing holding the giants at bay. One man is not an army.

[He holds her closer, kissing her hair.]

You're allowed to be afraid, but you shouldn't be so afraid you stop trusting your friends.

[illuminescent]

I trust you.

[She says it, whimpers a little.]

I trust you the most. But I miss them already. It has only been a few days. I should have-

I should have been with them.

[curlytop]

[Something clenches tight in his chest when she says that. What would he do if Lucy were gone as well?]

You'll miss them a long time. Forever, probably. But...a little less every day.

[He can't say anything to the other.]

[illuminescent]

[She clings to George. She wonders-]

I am glad I was not with them.

I am glad you are not alone.

[She can be happy for that, she really can.]

[curlytop]

[He doesn't want to know what she'd have done if she'd had to choose between going or staying.]

I'm glad I'm not alone as well. I'm...I'm so sorry they're gone.

[He knows what that's like too, losing everyone in one fell swoop.]

[illuminescent]

[She thinks she was allowed to choose. She thinks she chose him.

She's not sorry.

She kisses him on the mouth, then.]

Will you take me to bed?

[curlytop]

Yes, mo chridhe.

[He holds her a moment longer, forehead pressed to hers, and then stands, lifting her as he does. Unless she prefers to walk, he intends to carry her.]

[illuminescent]

[He lets her carry him; the rest of the guard, highly attuned to their remaining queen, is keeping a distant eye on them. But no one would stop George from carrying her, from holding her as she starts to cry, very gently, her hands clasping behind his neck and her mouth pressing to his chest.

Finally.

She feels like she has been a stone, too hard.]

Oh.

George, I am so sorry. I am so sorry.