Post by wordy on Nov 14, 2011 21:04:54 GMT 10
Title: Someone Like You
Rating: PG
Prompt: #55 Remembrance
Summary: George remembers a man he knew, one he didn't know at all.
It hadn't been his first journey to the City of the Gods. Withholding information wasn't the same as lying, exactly, but he had felt that that's what he had done, all the same.
Since Alan, since Alanna, the idea of Thom had lingered in his thoughts; complement or contrast, his very existence had been tempting.
George didn't try to stay away.
---
"My sister will soon have her shield."
The candlelight was unforgiving on his pale skin. George sat back in his chair, wondering if he was truly as bitter as he sounded. Once, he had thought that Alanna was a mystery; Thom was something else entirely.
"And will you be staying in Corus, or returning to your studies?" George had felt compelled to ask. For a brief moment, it was impossible to decipher the young mage's expression; his Sight was next to useless on those who were Gifted.
But then Thom laughed, and shook his head, the downturn of his mouth betraying what George would have taken for amusement. "I don't think I shall stay for much longer."
They had fallen into silence. Years later, George remembered that conversation, and felt for the first time that he understood. Thom must have suspected Roger: they had all suspected Roger. It tore at George's heart, realising that Thom had known the terrible path that he was on and that he had felt unable to divert it.
---
It was difficult to think of Thom the way he had been before his death. Yet the Thom he had known first was, somehow, even more difficult to remember. He had been vain, though rightly so, and possessed a temperament that would try even the most gentle of priests.
George could still recall that first time, the press of the young man's lips against his, dry and hesitant; or perhaps that had been George's own hesitance, with young Alanna already on his mind and his thoughts heavy with consequences. Thom had always been second best, to his father and to Smythesson, and now to George.
---
At the birth of his son, George had excused his tears as those of happiness.
They had decided on the name long, long ago.
Rating: PG
Prompt: #55 Remembrance
Summary: George remembers a man he knew, one he didn't know at all.
It hadn't been his first journey to the City of the Gods. Withholding information wasn't the same as lying, exactly, but he had felt that that's what he had done, all the same.
Since Alan, since Alanna, the idea of Thom had lingered in his thoughts; complement or contrast, his very existence had been tempting.
George didn't try to stay away.
---
"My sister will soon have her shield."
The candlelight was unforgiving on his pale skin. George sat back in his chair, wondering if he was truly as bitter as he sounded. Once, he had thought that Alanna was a mystery; Thom was something else entirely.
"And will you be staying in Corus, or returning to your studies?" George had felt compelled to ask. For a brief moment, it was impossible to decipher the young mage's expression; his Sight was next to useless on those who were Gifted.
But then Thom laughed, and shook his head, the downturn of his mouth betraying what George would have taken for amusement. "I don't think I shall stay for much longer."
They had fallen into silence. Years later, George remembered that conversation, and felt for the first time that he understood. Thom must have suspected Roger: they had all suspected Roger. It tore at George's heart, realising that Thom had known the terrible path that he was on and that he had felt unable to divert it.
---
It was difficult to think of Thom the way he had been before his death. Yet the Thom he had known first was, somehow, even more difficult to remember. He had been vain, though rightly so, and possessed a temperament that would try even the most gentle of priests.
George could still recall that first time, the press of the young man's lips against his, dry and hesitant; or perhaps that had been George's own hesitance, with young Alanna already on his mind and his thoughts heavy with consequences. Thom had always been second best, to his father and to Smythesson, and now to George.
---
At the birth of his son, George had excused his tears as those of happiness.
They had decided on the name long, long ago.
This is so sweet, yet so so so sad. Poor Thom. Poor George.
Maybe once we'd have seen it during Smackdown!