[AU] to find all you seek

[the_seafarer]

It is hardly unusual that the door opens. 

It is slightly unusual, perhaps, that it opens seemingly on its own, onto a warm green land bordered by a calm, gleaming sea that smells of salt and something like lilies.

With such a view, anyone glancing out the door might be forgiven if they did not see the individual for whom it opened – not unless they glanced down.

And then down some more, where a mouse – a Mouse – stands on its back legs, studying the room before it with a soldier's practiced eye. It is about a foot high, darkly furred, and a scarlet feather nods rakishly from a golden circlet it wears about one ear. 

Apparently making up its mind, the Mouse enters, and the door closes. 

(One story ends, and another begins.)

The Mouse scurries – er, climbs – to the top of a seat at the Bar and lifts its small, impatient voice. "Hey there!" it calls. "Who is master of this alehouse?"

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[the_seafarer]

He puts his arms around her as she sets her fingers lightly against his face.

"It's a good saying," he says, wry. "I hope he never finds how accurate it is in truth."

[sai_delgado]

Susan brushes her thumb over his cheekbone. “He won’t, for himself, I wot. And I didn’t - I didn’t tell him.”

Softly, very softly, she adds, “He knew thee eventually, Caspian. He’ll not be lost forever. But oh, I — say sorry, I do.”

[the_seafarer]

He nods, but the few words he can find choke in his throat; he only pulls her a little closer and lowers his head to her shoulder, closing his eyes to take comfort in her sweetness and warmth.

[sai_delgado]

She wraps her arms around him and holds him close, curving one hand around the back of his neck to cradle his head against her.

[the_seafarer]

When he speaks again, it's without letting her go, and with a voice that's level and quiet.

"If he comes in again," he says, finally allowing himself to speak the words he hasn't even wanted to think, "I don't know how I'll bear it."

[sai_delgado]

“Thee won’t have to bear it alone, if he does,” she promises. “And mayhap, if he does, there’ll be something that can be done to help him.”

[the_seafarer]

"Perhaps," he agrees, and holds her a little closer.

"I'll tell 'Bert, Su. I'd not have you worry about keeping my secrets from your friends."

[sai_delgado]

With his head resting against her shoulder, he won’t see the way tears spring to her eyes, and oh, but she’s glad of it.

(no more secrets)

“Only if thee wants,” she whispers. “And if thee want him to, but wouldn’t — I can tell him, if thee’d rather have it so.”

[the_seafarer]

He shakes his head against her shoulder.

"Better it come from me," he says, soft. "And you needn't be there, if you wish. I know it reminds you of a terrible time for you."

[sai_delgado]

She draws her fingers through his hair. “The moon were pink,” she whispers.

Susan presses a gentle kiss to the crown of his head. “Don’t thee worry about that, Caspian, say true.”

[the_seafarer]

He shivers as she runs her fingers through his hair and makes a soft sound at the kiss she places there, his arms tightening around her.

"I ought to have told him just now, I suppose," he murmurs. "But I couldn't bear having to explain it to Reepicheep. He'll be crushed."

[sai_delgado]

“Thee did nothing wrong,” she assures him, carding her fingers through his blond locks. “There’s time to figure out what to tell yer friend, and how, and when.”

“‘Bert kens something’s amiss, aye, but he were only concerned. He’ll not press thee.”

[the_seafarer]

He nods. "So there will."

He flattens his hand against her back, gentle. "Thank you, Su. For giving me a way out. And for coming to see me now."

[sai_delgado]

“Thee are welcome,” she says, gently. “I wanted to.”

[the_seafarer]

He shifts his head on her shoulder and leans up to press a kiss to her neck.

"You are kind," he murmurs.

[sai_delgado]

She shivers and holds him a little closer.

“Thee very dear,” she says, oh, so softly.

[the_seafarer]

Caspian leans back to look up at her, lifting one hand from her back to tuck a lock of golden hair behind her ear.

"Stay a while?"

[sai_delgado]

Susan tips her head into his touch and smiles at him.

“Gladly.”

[the_seafarer]

He leans up to kiss her gently, then pulls away with a small smile.

"Good," he murmurs.

[sai_delgado]

She rests her arm around his shoulders and brings her other hand back up to frame his face again.

“Thee must have been happy to see yer friend here, aye?” she coaxes.

[the_seafarer]

"Very," he says, and there's something approaching a real smile on his face as he looks up at her.

"I've never been so surprised in all my life."

[sai_delgado]

She smiles back. “He thinks the world of thee, it’s plain.”

[the_seafarer]

"My most loyal knight," he murmurs, his smile crooking. He draws his fingers gently through her hair.

"I know he can be a bit... intense. He is very valiant, but doesn't have much of a sense of humor."

[sai_delgado]

“I weren’t expecting him to defend me so,” she admits, tipping her head to let him make free of her hair.

[the_seafarer]

"He cannot abide any insult to a lady, actual or only perceived," he says, a little wry.

"And you were kind to him. He likes you. And he hates teasing, because so many have teased him in the past."