[She stands, and there's anger there, but not at him, not really.]
Even the largest creature, the fiercest lion will take time to recover if cut to the skin, and you were sliced to the heart and the marrow. Do you think that you do not deserve such care and thought? Do you think that you do not deserve such love as mine for something that was not your doing?
[She is not as delicate as all that, not anymore.]
You do not have to return. But you should have sent word to me. I would have kept your secret, and kept it well.
[ There is no emotion there. ] To the people of Pinon. They own the land now. There is no Comte de la Fére. Not any more. [ Because of course he's foolishly thinking of himself as having a title and then not. ] I am a commoner now, Lucy.
[ And he's more content in it than he thought he would be, but there is that. ]
[ He runs a hand wearily over his brow. He isn't good at loving emotion any more. Not now that his heart was so thoroughly burnt to a cinder. ] Tell me of this boy you are to marry. Is he a good man?
[She looks down, and presses her hands to her mouth, unsure for a long moment.]
I have not met him, yet. He is my age, and his portrait is handsome, but one cannot judge a man by his face or his age. I am afraid he will be cruel, or he will not love me. I could not bear a man who takes mistresses.
I would not be the best councillor in favour of it, Lucy. I do not believe in it any longer. [ He'd lived five years believing his wife dead by his own hand. And now he knows she's still alive. ]
I should never have married. But do not let your hand be forced by anyone.
You know as well as I do that there are matters in which young women such as I are bound by what is expected, and not what we desire.
[She curls her hands into small fists, and shakes her head.]
You should have married, to a woman who was kind and good, who would have loved you well. What you did not deserve was to find a snake where there should never have been one.
It's wrong. [ His opinions have changed. He's long lived a life among both the noble and the poor. He does not believe in duty being forced by blood. ] You should marry because it is what you want, not because it is expected.
[ He does not respond to the rest of it. Anne loves him still, and he --. Well. ]
[Part of her finds so much relief in that, and she finally, finally, reaches for him, to truly embrace him. He smells different now, like gunpowder and worn leather, and alcohol and smoke, not like he used to, but it doesn't matter, it doesn't.]
[ He's clearly surprised by it, his body stiffening for a moment before he finally relaxes. His arms curl around her to hold her to him, his chin resting at the top of her head. ]
[ He almost says no, has to swallow it down immediately. She is not asking him to be a noble again, she is asking a friend to join her and to vouch for her. He could still accompany her as Athos of the Musketeers and the only people who would know otherwise would keep his secret.
He squeezes her hand, his own touch now rough and calloused with years of fighting. ]
Of course. But I will have to speak to Captain Treville first.
[ He is so unused to such displays of affection that it shows in his face and the hesitant way he squeezes her fingers in return. For while his friends care for him they do not know the man he used to be and therefore do not feel as much sorrow for it. Lucy being here and expressing herself in such a way is strange. But it reminds him more of the young man he used to be and had lost. ]
I used to believe it better were I not to be. [ He's not saying it to shock her or upset her, his voice has the edge of honesty to it that means he only wants her to know the truth. ] But this new life has allowed me the ability to do good. And it means I can still do right by you too.
[ He straightens up, every bit a Musketeer in that moment. His hand moves to open the door once more, his posture full of patience but quiet servitude too. ]
Of course. I imagine your guards are wondering who's head will be lost first. [ He watches her with his vivid blue eyes, the vaguest hint of amusement inside of them. ] You'll have to hire better ones.
[The Captain of her guard is known as the Minotaur, for all he's an enormous man, and terrifying. He is likely beginning to issue quiet, sincere threats.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[She hopes he is finding something, that he has someone to keep him company.]
I know it is a small thing, but I came because I love you still, and still, even hearing all this.
no subject
[ He says it vehemently and then winces, his inward anger too much for someone he sees as delicate. ]
I have missed you, Lucy. Do not think that I forgot you. But I could not return. Not to that life, not after everything. I am making amends here.
no subject
[She stands, and there's anger there, but not at him, not really.]
Even the largest creature, the fiercest lion will take time to recover if cut to the skin, and you were sliced to the heart and the marrow. Do you think that you do not deserve such care and thought? Do you think that you do not deserve such love as mine for something that was not your doing?
[She is not as delicate as all that, not anymore.]
You do not have to return. But you should have sent word to me. I would have kept your secret, and kept it well.
no subject
[ There is no emotion there. ] To the people of Pinon. They own the land now. There is no Comte de la Fére. Not any more. [ Because of course he's foolishly thinking of himself as having a title and then not. ] I am a commoner now, Lucy.
[ And he's more content in it than he thought he would be, but there is that. ]
no subject
[She is almost yelling it.]
It was not your title I loved, Olivier!
no subject
I am sorry.
[ He runs a hand wearily over his brow. He isn't good at loving emotion any more. Not now that his heart was so thoroughly burnt to a cinder. ] Tell me of this boy you are to marry. Is he a good man?
no subject
[She looks down, and presses her hands to her mouth, unsure for a long moment.]
I have not met him, yet. He is my age, and his portrait is handsome, but one cannot judge a man by his face or his age. I am afraid he will be cruel, or he will not love me. I could not bear a man who takes mistresses.
no subject
I would not be the best councillor in favour of it, Lucy. I do not believe in it any longer. [ He'd lived five years believing his wife dead by his own hand. And now he knows she's still alive. ]
I should never have married. But do not let your hand be forced by anyone.
no subject
[She curls her hands into small fists, and shakes her head.]
You should have married, to a woman who was kind and good, who would have loved you well. What you did not deserve was to find a snake where there should never have been one.
I would have wished that for you.
no subject
[ He does not respond to the rest of it. Anne loves him still, and he --. Well. ]
no subject
[She looks at the door, and then at Athos.]
Do you wish me to leave?
no subject
No, I do not wish it.
[ He has missed her. ] Can you not speak with your brother about this? Would he not listen?
no subject
Oh.
Oh, I missed you.
no subject
Oh, Lucy. I am sorry.
I never meant for any of this to happen.
no subject
[She says it into his chest, and feels like she is a little girl again. He could fix all her ailments, then, with a word or a sweet or his presence.]
I wanted to have back what I felt I lost.
no subject
It is not difficult to miss our youth.
no subject
[She looks up at him, and her hand finds his free one.]
Please come with me, please meet this man with me, what if he is cruel, I would think you could help me.
no subject
He squeezes her hand, his own touch now rough and calloused with years of fighting. ]
Of course. But I will have to speak to Captain Treville first.
no subject
[A pause, then.]
I could ask, you know. As a favor, from your king, to give me a set of musketeers, for a period, to go with me. Would you-
[She doesn't know why this is so hard to ask.]
Would that suffice?
no subject
[ He touches her arm carefully, trying to be as gentle as he can. ] I think he would allow that.
no subject
I am glad you are alive. For all that I am heartbroken, and ruined by your sorrow, I am so glad you are alive.
no subject
I used to believe it better were I not to be. [ He's not saying it to shock her or upset her, his voice has the edge of honesty to it that means he only wants her to know the truth. ] But this new life has allowed me the ability to do good. And it means I can still do right by you too.
no subject
You should guide me back.
[She is blushing a but, pleased.]
Someone is likely already frantic.
no subject
Of course. I imagine your guards are wondering who's head will be lost first. [ He watches her with his vivid blue eyes, the vaguest hint of amusement inside of them. ] You'll have to hire better ones.
no subject
[The Captain of her guard is known as the Minotaur, for all he's an enormous man, and terrifying. He is likely beginning to issue quiet, sincere threats.]
You should recommend them to me.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)