in the naked light I saw | teenhood | for cywyllog

[cadcamlan]

He understands where he's going. It's not reassuring, but it's good to know that there's a purpose to his suffering; that his fate is sealed for a purpose, if not exactly as he had wanted it to be. At least knowing made it easier to bear the visions. Made it easier to take control of his mind in the day like Cywyllog had said he could.

Things can go back to normal. He can enjoy this last bit of childhood with someone who won't leave him for knowing his fate. They can relax away from curses and back into stone-skipping, into fort-building.

So he searches the shores for her. He skirts the woods. He wants to laugh with her today, to squeeze her hand and poke her ribs and tug her hair because everything was under control.

She'd be there, right?

Comments

[cywyllog]

"It's just..." She ducks her head. "I do not know how to keep a house. Or cook."

[cadcamlan]

"...you don't know how to cook?" He doesn't mean to laugh. He can't help it. At least it's affectionate.

[cywyllog]

His arm receives a light smack. "When do you think I've ever had the occasion to cook for anyone?"

[cadcamlan]

"Aren't you always-- learning that sort of thing?" If she could embroider, wouldn't she have been taught something useful?

Clearly someone isn't entirely up on how princesses work.

[cywyllog]

"We have people to cook for us and to clean and light the candles in the halls and everything else." She's been learning how to boss those people around!

[cadcamlan]

"...have we got to?" Lighting their own candles, after all, seemed like the sort of thing a man and wife ought to be able to handle.

[cywyllog]

She has to think about that for a moment. "I expect we would be able to choose our own servants and what their duties are, if we wanted to."

[cadcamlan]

They'll find the balance. They have to. "Sounds not so bad."

[cywyllog]

"You'll adjust."

If it even happens. She can't let herself believe it completely just yet, though.

[cadcamlan]

"I have strong motivation to, at least," he laughs softly, almost surprised by the sound of his own contentment. It's something he barely ever knows, after all.

Except with her.