Post by Rosie on Oct 31, 2016 21:23:20 GMT 10
Title: Home Invasion
Rating: PG-13
Prompt: Tea and Sympathy (#124)
Summary: Kalasin has no patience for unwelcome houseguests.
--
"This should help," Kaddar announced, settling carefully on the edge of the bed, with a steaming cup in his hands.
Kalasin gave him a fulminating glare in response. "Nothing will ease the pain of your mother's visit," she retorted, pleased to see her mood had him retreating a little. This had the unfortunate side effect of taking the tea out of her reach also, but she set her gaze on it and bided her time.
"Mother has come to take care of you." Kaddar evidently judged that his placating tone had soothed her enough that there was no danger of his being splashed with boiling liquid; he placed the cup in her hands, and a kiss on her lips.
"It is most convenient that you will be out of the capital for the next three weeks," Kalasin said sourly, balancing the cup on her stomach. The swelling had to have some uses, after all. He must have come directly from the kitchens, for the tea was still too hot to drink. That, more than anything, brightened her state of mind.
He laughed, now brave enough to climb into bed beside her. She had planted herself square in the middle, so his position was mildly precarious, but she thought that would do him good for the moment. "It is most inconvenient, my lady wife. You know I would rather be here than anywhere else." He threaded his fingers through her free hand, and turned it over, kissing her palm. "I am hoping that the more I travel now, the better foundations I lay, and the more time I have to spend with my family later."
Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. She tried to blink them away, and took a sip of honeyed tea to distract herself. "I'm going to set up a new school," she informed Kaddar, who groaned on cue. "I think this one will have to be close to the palace. It's the best course of action, in my condition."
In her condition, of course, the best thing to do would be to quietly maintain her current projects, but they had now been married long enough that Kaddar - wise through experience - did not mention this. Nor did he reference how they were both aware his mother would react. Instead, he turned onto his back, which could not have been a comfortable position given the lack of space, and held their still-linked hands over his heart. "That seems practical. Who do you have in mind to lead the school?"
Since this was only a recent thought, Kalasin of course did not have anybody specific in mind, but she mentioned Tivon, often her partner in crime in such matters.
"Well, I came to offer what comfort I could, but I believe the real war is going to be waged in Carthak City after all. It seems you will be entirely too busy to note the absence of your undeserving husband."
Kalasin smiled, taking a sip of her tea whilst she still had the opportunity. "Indeed. Only teach somebody the trick you have with my tea, and I may hardly think of you." She leaned over, peering down into his face with mock-contemplation. "Who would have thought the Emperor of Carthak would be so... easy to replace?"
It galvanised him into action, as intended. The teacup went first, left to grow cold by the side of the bed like so many of its predecessors. "Replaceable, is it?" he murmured, his lips inches from hers. "I see that I shall have to endeavour to make an impression so that my lady might think of me across the miles."
Later, in a burst of low-voiced tenderness, she would tell him just how much she expected to miss him, somehow this time more than the rest, but for now, she let him work for every smile and caress, every inch of exposed flesh. He deserved it, after all, for allowing his mother to invade their home.
Rating: PG-13
Prompt: Tea and Sympathy (#124)
Summary: Kalasin has no patience for unwelcome houseguests.
--
"This should help," Kaddar announced, settling carefully on the edge of the bed, with a steaming cup in his hands.
Kalasin gave him a fulminating glare in response. "Nothing will ease the pain of your mother's visit," she retorted, pleased to see her mood had him retreating a little. This had the unfortunate side effect of taking the tea out of her reach also, but she set her gaze on it and bided her time.
"Mother has come to take care of you." Kaddar evidently judged that his placating tone had soothed her enough that there was no danger of his being splashed with boiling liquid; he placed the cup in her hands, and a kiss on her lips.
"It is most convenient that you will be out of the capital for the next three weeks," Kalasin said sourly, balancing the cup on her stomach. The swelling had to have some uses, after all. He must have come directly from the kitchens, for the tea was still too hot to drink. That, more than anything, brightened her state of mind.
He laughed, now brave enough to climb into bed beside her. She had planted herself square in the middle, so his position was mildly precarious, but she thought that would do him good for the moment. "It is most inconvenient, my lady wife. You know I would rather be here than anywhere else." He threaded his fingers through her free hand, and turned it over, kissing her palm. "I am hoping that the more I travel now, the better foundations I lay, and the more time I have to spend with my family later."
Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. She tried to blink them away, and took a sip of honeyed tea to distract herself. "I'm going to set up a new school," she informed Kaddar, who groaned on cue. "I think this one will have to be close to the palace. It's the best course of action, in my condition."
In her condition, of course, the best thing to do would be to quietly maintain her current projects, but they had now been married long enough that Kaddar - wise through experience - did not mention this. Nor did he reference how they were both aware his mother would react. Instead, he turned onto his back, which could not have been a comfortable position given the lack of space, and held their still-linked hands over his heart. "That seems practical. Who do you have in mind to lead the school?"
Since this was only a recent thought, Kalasin of course did not have anybody specific in mind, but she mentioned Tivon, often her partner in crime in such matters.
"Well, I came to offer what comfort I could, but I believe the real war is going to be waged in Carthak City after all. It seems you will be entirely too busy to note the absence of your undeserving husband."
Kalasin smiled, taking a sip of her tea whilst she still had the opportunity. "Indeed. Only teach somebody the trick you have with my tea, and I may hardly think of you." She leaned over, peering down into his face with mock-contemplation. "Who would have thought the Emperor of Carthak would be so... easy to replace?"
It galvanised him into action, as intended. The teacup went first, left to grow cold by the side of the bed like so many of its predecessors. "Replaceable, is it?" he murmured, his lips inches from hers. "I see that I shall have to endeavour to make an impression so that my lady might think of me across the miles."
Later, in a burst of low-voiced tenderness, she would tell him just how much she expected to miss him, somehow this time more than the rest, but for now, she let him work for every smile and caress, every inch of exposed flesh. He deserved it, after all, for allowing his mother to invade their home.
Maybe once we'd have seen it during Smackdown!