Post by westernsunset on Jun 26, 2018 5:07:59 GMT 10
Title: This Package Deal
Rating: PG, references death of Buri’s family so better safe than sorry
Prompt: “You’re more trouble than you’re worth!”
Summary: Jon wants to court Thayet, but Buri keeps showing up (am I trying to write a fic inspired by every song on Bruce Springsteen’s album The River using Malorie’s Peak prompts? Maybe... Anyway this title is taken from the song Sherry Darling)
Jon didn’t notice it at first. He was so enraptured by Thayet, her beauty, her intelligence, her kindness, her resilience, that he was just happy to be near her. No matter how many people were around, he felt like it was only the two of them in the room.
It was only as their courtship deepened that Jon realized that it was never just him and Thayet. If he did plan to see Thayet alone, it seemed the Buri always showed up. When the two first arrived in Tortall, Jon assumed that Thayet and Buri spent so much time together because they were strangers in a new place. They helped each other navigate the new customs and kept each other company when they didn’t know anyone else.
But it had been months. Thayet knew other people now. More importantly, Thayet knew Jon. She enjoyed spending time with him. She shouldn’t need a friend as a buffer for their interactions. But every time Jon saw Thayet, he saw Buri too. And it was starting to test his nerves.
“It’s finally starting to warm up,” said Jon one evening when he and Thayet (and Buri) were playing chess in his study. “I’d love to show you the woods in the South of the castle, if you’re interested.”
“Of course,” said Thayet, expertly putting him back in check.
“I can come to your rooms and escort you,” said Jon, trying to find a way for Buri not to follow them.
“Oh, please don’t go to all the trouble. I’ll meet you at the south entrance.”
“And I was hoping it could be just the two of us,” Jon said, trying not to cast a meaningful glance at Buri.
“That sounds wonderful,” Thayet replied with a warm smile.
For awhile the next day, it was just the two of them on the walk. They walked in the patchy sun that filtered through the trees, Jon pointing out some of the birds that took up residence in the royal forest. He was handing a cluster of lilacs to Thayet when he heard Buri’s unmistakable voice.
“Thayet? Fancy stumbling into each other!”
“Buri! Look at these beautiful flowers, can you believe the color?”
It took everything Jon had not to let out a frustrated scream. He’d tried to be polite, but clearly Buri hadn’t picked up on his hints. It’s not that he wanted to be rude but he was at his wit’s end with Buri and her constant presence.
“Since you’re here, would you like to walk with us?” Thayet asked.
“NO!” Jon finally said. Both women looked at him in surprise. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to shout but, Buri! Anytime I want any time with Thayet, you’re here! On our solitary walks! In private meals! Late at night! I can’t have a moment’s peace with just me and Thayet. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were trying to sabotage our relationship. And Buri, you know I care for you, but you’re more trouble than you’re worth!”
Buri turned to him with a cold stare. “You’re frustrated and you clearly didn’t think before you spoke, so I’ll forgive that last hurtful statement.”
Jon opened his mouth to apologize, but Buri cut him off. “I’d hoped you’d realized by now Jon that I’m going to be in Thayet’s life no matter what. I was here long before you, and Goddess willing, I’ll be here long after you.”
“Buri!” Thayet hissed at her friend’s imploite statement.
“My family was protecting Thayet’s family before she was born. This is more than just a friendship, though Thayet is my dearest friend. But it’s deeper than that. You may love Thayet, but you don’t have a duty to her, unless you choose to. I love her like she was my own blood and I have a duty to her that I wouldn’t abandon if I wanted to. And if you want to be with Thayet, you’ll have to realize my involvement in her life will not change, and it won’t just be limited to the occasional run-in when you think you’re on a private walk.”
Jon looked to the two women. Buri’s eyes had a fierce anger, and Thayet was blushing a little. “Thayet?” Jon asked.
“I can’t disagree with her,” said Thayet. “As much as Buri feels she owes her duty to me, I know that she and her family are one of the only reasons I’m alive today. We’re going to be a pair no matter what happens.”
“Is that something you can live with?” Buri asked coldly.
Jon took a deep breath. He did regret speaking to Buri in anger. He liked her company, and he knew that anyone who loved Thayet as much as he did (a different, but no less real, type of love) had to be a good person.
“I’m sorry for how I spoke Buri. It was wrong, and I hope my actions will prove that I don’t consider you trouble. I’m glad to have you in Thayet’s life, and in mine, and I hope you’ll be in our life together for many years.”
Thayet looked satisfied, and some of the anger drained out of Buri’s face as her eyes softened.
“That being said,” Jon continued. “Do you think sometimes you could just let me and Thayet have an afternoon alone? You do tend to pop up a lot.”
“It’s a small palace.”
“It really isn’t,” Jon said. Thayet laughed, and even Buri smiled.
“You do tend to meddle, Buri,” Thayet said.
“Fine, fine! If I happen to see the two of you while I’m going about my own business in your puny castle, I’ll keep to myself. Unless you’re endangering Thayet. Or hurting her. Or annoying her.”
“I promise you I’ll never endanger or hurt Thayet. I guess I can’t promise I’ll never annoy her.”
“You’re annoying me right now,” said Thayet. “You didn’t warn me how rugged this path was. Had I known there were so many thorns, I would’ve worn boots instead of these,” she said, holding up a ragged slipper. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to sit and rest my feet. But I would like to continue our walk,” she said to Jon as she walked a little way down the path to a flat stone.
“I can take a hint,” Buri said, before Jon had another chance to apologize. “Enjoy your walk. And--” here she lowered her voice to a whisper, “I was following you. And I may leave you alone with her but I’ll always be watching you.”
“So you were always popping up on purpose?” Jon asked, though he wasn’t very surprised.
“Of course.”
“I’ll tell Thayet you were meddling.”
“And I’ll deny it. Who do you think she’ll believe? And remember, I’ve known her since she was born.”
Jon held up his hands in defeat. “All right, all right. Watch all you like, but maybe leave us alone a little more! You may play tough, but I know you like me and I know you like us together.”
“I’ll neither confirm nor deny that,” Buri said, but she smiled. “I’ll leave you to your walk.”
Jon turned back to Thayet and offered his arm like any gentleman would, knowing Buri was lovingly scrutinizing his every move.
Rating: PG, references death of Buri’s family so better safe than sorry
Prompt: “You’re more trouble than you’re worth!”
Summary: Jon wants to court Thayet, but Buri keeps showing up (am I trying to write a fic inspired by every song on Bruce Springsteen’s album The River using Malorie’s Peak prompts? Maybe... Anyway this title is taken from the song Sherry Darling)
Jon didn’t notice it at first. He was so enraptured by Thayet, her beauty, her intelligence, her kindness, her resilience, that he was just happy to be near her. No matter how many people were around, he felt like it was only the two of them in the room.
It was only as their courtship deepened that Jon realized that it was never just him and Thayet. If he did plan to see Thayet alone, it seemed the Buri always showed up. When the two first arrived in Tortall, Jon assumed that Thayet and Buri spent so much time together because they were strangers in a new place. They helped each other navigate the new customs and kept each other company when they didn’t know anyone else.
But it had been months. Thayet knew other people now. More importantly, Thayet knew Jon. She enjoyed spending time with him. She shouldn’t need a friend as a buffer for their interactions. But every time Jon saw Thayet, he saw Buri too. And it was starting to test his nerves.
“It’s finally starting to warm up,” said Jon one evening when he and Thayet (and Buri) were playing chess in his study. “I’d love to show you the woods in the South of the castle, if you’re interested.”
“Of course,” said Thayet, expertly putting him back in check.
“I can come to your rooms and escort you,” said Jon, trying to find a way for Buri not to follow them.
“Oh, please don’t go to all the trouble. I’ll meet you at the south entrance.”
“And I was hoping it could be just the two of us,” Jon said, trying not to cast a meaningful glance at Buri.
“That sounds wonderful,” Thayet replied with a warm smile.
For awhile the next day, it was just the two of them on the walk. They walked in the patchy sun that filtered through the trees, Jon pointing out some of the birds that took up residence in the royal forest. He was handing a cluster of lilacs to Thayet when he heard Buri’s unmistakable voice.
“Thayet? Fancy stumbling into each other!”
“Buri! Look at these beautiful flowers, can you believe the color?”
It took everything Jon had not to let out a frustrated scream. He’d tried to be polite, but clearly Buri hadn’t picked up on his hints. It’s not that he wanted to be rude but he was at his wit’s end with Buri and her constant presence.
“Since you’re here, would you like to walk with us?” Thayet asked.
“NO!” Jon finally said. Both women looked at him in surprise. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to shout but, Buri! Anytime I want any time with Thayet, you’re here! On our solitary walks! In private meals! Late at night! I can’t have a moment’s peace with just me and Thayet. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were trying to sabotage our relationship. And Buri, you know I care for you, but you’re more trouble than you’re worth!”
Buri turned to him with a cold stare. “You’re frustrated and you clearly didn’t think before you spoke, so I’ll forgive that last hurtful statement.”
Jon opened his mouth to apologize, but Buri cut him off. “I’d hoped you’d realized by now Jon that I’m going to be in Thayet’s life no matter what. I was here long before you, and Goddess willing, I’ll be here long after you.”
“Buri!” Thayet hissed at her friend’s imploite statement.
“My family was protecting Thayet’s family before she was born. This is more than just a friendship, though Thayet is my dearest friend. But it’s deeper than that. You may love Thayet, but you don’t have a duty to her, unless you choose to. I love her like she was my own blood and I have a duty to her that I wouldn’t abandon if I wanted to. And if you want to be with Thayet, you’ll have to realize my involvement in her life will not change, and it won’t just be limited to the occasional run-in when you think you’re on a private walk.”
Jon looked to the two women. Buri’s eyes had a fierce anger, and Thayet was blushing a little. “Thayet?” Jon asked.
“I can’t disagree with her,” said Thayet. “As much as Buri feels she owes her duty to me, I know that she and her family are one of the only reasons I’m alive today. We’re going to be a pair no matter what happens.”
“Is that something you can live with?” Buri asked coldly.
Jon took a deep breath. He did regret speaking to Buri in anger. He liked her company, and he knew that anyone who loved Thayet as much as he did (a different, but no less real, type of love) had to be a good person.
“I’m sorry for how I spoke Buri. It was wrong, and I hope my actions will prove that I don’t consider you trouble. I’m glad to have you in Thayet’s life, and in mine, and I hope you’ll be in our life together for many years.”
Thayet looked satisfied, and some of the anger drained out of Buri’s face as her eyes softened.
“That being said,” Jon continued. “Do you think sometimes you could just let me and Thayet have an afternoon alone? You do tend to pop up a lot.”
“It’s a small palace.”
“It really isn’t,” Jon said. Thayet laughed, and even Buri smiled.
“You do tend to meddle, Buri,” Thayet said.
“Fine, fine! If I happen to see the two of you while I’m going about my own business in your puny castle, I’ll keep to myself. Unless you’re endangering Thayet. Or hurting her. Or annoying her.”
“I promise you I’ll never endanger or hurt Thayet. I guess I can’t promise I’ll never annoy her.”
“You’re annoying me right now,” said Thayet. “You didn’t warn me how rugged this path was. Had I known there were so many thorns, I would’ve worn boots instead of these,” she said, holding up a ragged slipper. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to sit and rest my feet. But I would like to continue our walk,” she said to Jon as she walked a little way down the path to a flat stone.
“I can take a hint,” Buri said, before Jon had another chance to apologize. “Enjoy your walk. And--” here she lowered her voice to a whisper, “I was following you. And I may leave you alone with her but I’ll always be watching you.”
“So you were always popping up on purpose?” Jon asked, though he wasn’t very surprised.
“Of course.”
“I’ll tell Thayet you were meddling.”
“And I’ll deny it. Who do you think she’ll believe? And remember, I’ve known her since she was born.”
Jon held up his hands in defeat. “All right, all right. Watch all you like, but maybe leave us alone a little more! You may play tough, but I know you like me and I know you like us together.”
“I’ll neither confirm nor deny that,” Buri said, but she smiled. “I’ll leave you to your walk.”
Jon turned back to Thayet and offered his arm like any gentleman would, knowing Buri was lovingly scrutinizing his every move.
Maybe once we'd have seen it during Smackdown!