AU - MAGNI & LAKSHMI

[mahalakshmi]

if you'll be my light, i'll be your shelter

i. first meeting | a non existent engagement and a hasty marriage ii. a tempertantrum in a thunderstorm | sticks and stones may break my bone but words will leave me with crippling anxiety (and a headcold) iii. a kindness of intimacies | nsfw, sometimes, love is like falling into an icy lake iv. just like the battle of troy, there is nothing subtle here | when the world conspires to consistently make you insecure about your wife.

Comments

[villieldr]

"You forget yourself, sir." Magni's voice is louder, for once, cuts more harshly across the laughter. "Though perhaps that's what passes for manners and good breeding in Millertham."

(Fjorleif listens, watches, makes mental notes on the behaviour of Mr Mortimer Walsham on this occasion. She will have to spend time educating Lakshmi on their network, the understanding and observations she'd made over the years.)

Mr Walsham, faced with the looming giant of a Jarl, blusters a little bit, before he stands down. Doubtless the crassness would not end with that, and Magni sighs internally. What nightmare had they inflicted upon Lakshmi? She looks back to her wife, and doesn't linger on how to break the time of year to her.

"The drawing room, then." Smaller, a good fireplace, a good retreat.

[mahalakshmi]

"That would be lovely, thank you."

Carefully, this time she reaches for her, earnestly. Looking to take her hand so that she could be led away. Stepping in to be close to her, the seeming intimacy for what was supposed to be a newly wed's behaviour with each other.

If things were other than what they are.

[villieldr]

The reach— she responds to, taking Lakshmi's arm in her own, drawing her closer. Stiff, still, shoulders too upright, but she so wants to be protective, doesn't want to give the jackals room to tear pieces off them. Fjorleif must stay with the company, carry on the party, but she speaks softly to Lakshmi - thanks her for quick thinking, touches her back briefly in a gesture of soothing that one might offer to someone not feeling well, and smiles with genuine warmth as they draw away.

She can see to the party. Her daughter is a capable Jarl, but she is not blind to her present struggles.

So they make it to the drawing room, and Magni feels almost shaky as she closes the door behind them and exhales a shuddering breath. Pull it together. Get in control of yourself.

[mahalakshmi]

Lakshmi doesn't linger once they're away from prying eyes. Stepping away from her to stride towards the fire. Her hands lifting as she goes, holding them where they had turned icy to the tips.

Not really sure what to say after - that. But in her best attempt at some humour for both their sakes, she tries: "I am sure we must go back out eventually." Considerate for them to, after all, at least to bid farewell to the guests.