BR R1: Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien, PG (2)

[wordy]

Title: Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien
Rating: PG
Word Count: 237
Pairing: Buri/Raoul
Round/Fight: 1D
Summary: A rocky start.

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The heat of the crowd and the flickering candlelight make her palms sweat, and she’s always been honest enough with herself that she can admit that part of it may be nervousness as well. Her dress will stain easily, so she wipes her hands against each other, and when a passing page offers her his tray she carefully accepts a glass, which does nothing to hide the way her hand trembles and slips against the condensation.

“You look like you’re enjoying yourself,” says a voice at her shoulder, dryly, and she turns to find Raoul of Goldenlake looking awkward in velvety green and gold. His eyes meet hers and glance away again, but not before they detour quickly past her dress and bare shoulders.

Buri feels her cheeks grow warm, and wishes herself a world away, where she can feel miserable in privacy. But she had promised Thayet, and there is nothing she will not do for her princess, her queen, her friend.

The night drags on slowly, horribly, and it isn’t until later—years later—that she will remember how awkward she felt, and how young. She will remember that russet dress with fondness, and Raoul’s attempts at conversation, the two of them alone, alone, and if either one of them had been braver, perhaps they would have found happiness sooner.

But she would not change any of it, for all the love in the world.

[ubiquitous]

Aww. This is just so sad and sweet. ♥

[Seek]

I agree. I really love this one! Particularly the last line, which is especially interesting; seems that Buri doesn't actually regret any of it at all.

P.S. I must admit I'd almost thought this was an Inception AU at first! I blame the title.

[wordy]

Thanks guys.

May 4, 2013 0:59:29 GMT 10 Seek said:

P.S. I must admit I'd almost thought this was an Inception AU at first! I blame the title.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.
EDIT: OHMYGOSH SO MUCH REGRET.

[Muse]

What really stood out to me, out of everything about this fic, was this one line:

She will remember that russet dress with fondness, and Raoul’s attempts at conversation, the two of them alone, alone, and if either one of them had been braver, perhaps they would have found happiness sooner

And specifically in that line, the repeat of "alone, alone". To me, reading it, it felt like a sinking, spiraling feeling that's a little claustrophobic, and I feel like it just highlights the atmosphere of the setting and encapsulates Buri and Raoul's emotions over the fic.

...it's a lot of explanation about two words, but I really liked it.