Post by Alliecat on Apr 14, 2013 7:05:48 GMT 10
Title: Back and Breaking
Rating: PG
Word Count: 593
Pairing: Alanna/Jonathan
Round/Fight: 1/A
Summary: Alanna returns after a long journey to friends and food. Set in a reality where Alanna and Jon’s engagement had lasted longer.
:::
Alanna sinks into her bed slowly, her spine unfurling against the mattress and a soft sigh escaping her lips. There is nothing better than a warm bed after a long journey.
“It’s good to be back,” she murmurs to herself, but she can feel a small knot at the back of her mind tugging. “Isn’t it?”
:::
“To Alanna’s safe return,” Jon had announced merrily only three hours before, his drink held high and grin stretched across his face. Gary returned in kind and Raoul thumped her solidly across her back. “The Lionness lives to tell the tale—again,” he said, winking.
Alanna ducked her head, then directed the conversation away from herself. “So tell me. What’s the latest gossip?”
Jon grinned, widely, and launched into a story in which Duke Turomont nearly pitched himself off the castle wall. “You should’ve seen his face!” Jon said, his shoulders shaking with laughter. “I didn’t think he’d survive the humiliation of being held up by two pages.”
“Don’t forget to tell her about what everyone’s been saying about Gary,” Raoul said, smirking.
“Don’t you dare,” Gary warned, eyes narrowed. “None of that is happening. They’re all rumors, probably started by you.”
“What?” Alanna asked, curiosity perked. “Did you mess with the pages’ weapons again?”
“That wasn’t me!” Gary said, arm raised in protest. “But I wish it had. Replacing the real weapons with rubber ones was a fantastic idea. Father was so mad. It was hilarious.”
“I remember.” Alanna leaned back in her chair, her glass carefully held in both hands. “So, what is it this time?”
Jon grinned, even before he began to speak. “There’s a tally going on with how many girls Gary has managed to kiss this month. Everyone’s taking bets, and at the end of October Raoul and I are going to give out a prize to the closest guess.”
Alanna laughed, a short high noise, as Gary scowled. “I don’t know,” he muttered, eyes drawn close together, “How you intend to pick a winner when whom I kiss is my private business.” He paused to deepen his grimace. “And you’re implying that I have been kissing people, which I definitely haven’t.”
“Privacy is something that doesn’t exist here. And besides, you don’t have to lie to us,” Jon said, winking. “Lady Cythera seemed very happy yesterday.”
“I’m sure that was a result of the excellent pudding for dessert,” Gary retorted. He looked back at Alanna. “You haven’t told us anything about you. Don’t let Jon blather on anymore. How was the South?”
“Warm,” Alanna said, “And sunny. Much nicer than here, actually.”
They sat and talked for another hour before Jon rose, stretching. “Well, this has been fun, but I have to be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow. I’ll see you all tomorrow.”
Gary and Alanna walked side by side through the castle walls, seeking out their rooms. “It must be strange to see Jon,” he said, breaking the silence.
“Strange?” Alanna echoed, her forehead contorted. “Why?”
“Well,” he said, shrugging, “Last time you were together you were engaged.”
Alanna paused, the rhythm of footsteps faltering slightly. “I suppose. But that was a long time ago. Things are different. I’m different.”
“If you say so,” Gary said. “Just know that I’m not so sure that he’s over you.” They came to a stop before Alanna’s door. “Just be careful around him. For his sake, and for yours.”
Fumbling with her thoughts, Alanna watched him pad away silently. “I will,” she says finally, but he’s too far away to hear.
Rating: PG
Word Count: 593
Pairing: Alanna/Jonathan
Round/Fight: 1/A
Summary: Alanna returns after a long journey to friends and food. Set in a reality where Alanna and Jon’s engagement had lasted longer.
:::
Alanna sinks into her bed slowly, her spine unfurling against the mattress and a soft sigh escaping her lips. There is nothing better than a warm bed after a long journey.
“It’s good to be back,” she murmurs to herself, but she can feel a small knot at the back of her mind tugging. “Isn’t it?”
:::
“To Alanna’s safe return,” Jon had announced merrily only three hours before, his drink held high and grin stretched across his face. Gary returned in kind and Raoul thumped her solidly across her back. “The Lionness lives to tell the tale—again,” he said, winking.
Alanna ducked her head, then directed the conversation away from herself. “So tell me. What’s the latest gossip?”
Jon grinned, widely, and launched into a story in which Duke Turomont nearly pitched himself off the castle wall. “You should’ve seen his face!” Jon said, his shoulders shaking with laughter. “I didn’t think he’d survive the humiliation of being held up by two pages.”
“Don’t forget to tell her about what everyone’s been saying about Gary,” Raoul said, smirking.
“Don’t you dare,” Gary warned, eyes narrowed. “None of that is happening. They’re all rumors, probably started by you.”
“What?” Alanna asked, curiosity perked. “Did you mess with the pages’ weapons again?”
“That wasn’t me!” Gary said, arm raised in protest. “But I wish it had. Replacing the real weapons with rubber ones was a fantastic idea. Father was so mad. It was hilarious.”
“I remember.” Alanna leaned back in her chair, her glass carefully held in both hands. “So, what is it this time?”
Jon grinned, even before he began to speak. “There’s a tally going on with how many girls Gary has managed to kiss this month. Everyone’s taking bets, and at the end of October Raoul and I are going to give out a prize to the closest guess.”
Alanna laughed, a short high noise, as Gary scowled. “I don’t know,” he muttered, eyes drawn close together, “How you intend to pick a winner when whom I kiss is my private business.” He paused to deepen his grimace. “And you’re implying that I have been kissing people, which I definitely haven’t.”
“Privacy is something that doesn’t exist here. And besides, you don’t have to lie to us,” Jon said, winking. “Lady Cythera seemed very happy yesterday.”
“I’m sure that was a result of the excellent pudding for dessert,” Gary retorted. He looked back at Alanna. “You haven’t told us anything about you. Don’t let Jon blather on anymore. How was the South?”
“Warm,” Alanna said, “And sunny. Much nicer than here, actually.”
They sat and talked for another hour before Jon rose, stretching. “Well, this has been fun, but I have to be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow. I’ll see you all tomorrow.”
Gary and Alanna walked side by side through the castle walls, seeking out their rooms. “It must be strange to see Jon,” he said, breaking the silence.
“Strange?” Alanna echoed, her forehead contorted. “Why?”
“Well,” he said, shrugging, “Last time you were together you were engaged.”
Alanna paused, the rhythm of footsteps faltering slightly. “I suppose. But that was a long time ago. Things are different. I’m different.”
“If you say so,” Gary said. “Just know that I’m not so sure that he’s over you.” They came to a stop before Alanna’s door. “Just be careful around him. For his sake, and for yours.”
Fumbling with her thoughts, Alanna watched him pad away silently. “I will,” she says finally, but he’s too far away to hear.