(no subject)

[an_evening_star]

Voices.

"She's in love with him."

"Wait - Yvaine is in love with someone?"

Chiming voices.

"Oh, come now. You must be joking."

"Yvaine?"

"No, me. Seriously, Maea, do pay attention."

Tittering, chiming, infuriatingly glittery voices.

He's sleeping - head resting on her stomach - and she has her eyes closed hard enough that it almost hurts and she just wishes she was sleeping too because she can hear them. For so long she has wanted to - has honestly waited for it, oh but now there is nothing she wants more than silence.

Bright, giggling, vapid little voices and she doesn't want to deal with her sisters at all right now.

She doesn't want to deal with herself right now, but that's a different story.

"Just look at her."

"Utterly smitten. It’s charming, Nova."

"Charming? We are still talking about Yvaine, yes?"

Laughter again - like distant bells - and she flushes miserably, growls low in her throat and mentally plans at least five more stick-figure drawings involving her sisters and their elaborately detailed stick-figure deaths.

"I don't think I've ever seen that particular shade of red before."

"Do you think her ears will start steaming?"

"Imogen, be polite. I don't see you falling for anyone, you old maid."

"And just who are you calling old!?"

A soft sigh and Tristran shifts, one hand curling lazily at her waist and she squeaks - eyes flying open to the sound of renewed laughter.

"Told you she was awake."

"No one asked you. Anyway, I think he's cute."

"Oh! Do you think Mother will approve?"

"What's his name, Yvaine?"

She glares upward indiscriminately before throwing an arm across her eyes.

"Do shut up - all of you."




"You don't bleed red."

"Bleed red. Honestly now, you idiot. Red? Ow - ow, laughing hurts."

"And it kind of glows - it's vaguely unsettling."

"All of me kind of glows, Tristran. Strange as it may seem, there are more pressing matters at the moment than my unusual pigmentation."

"I thought we were concentrating on other things - you know, taking your mind off of the injury and all that."

"Were we?"

"I thought so."

"Well, if that pleases you. It is not as though I was using that particular organ, anyway."

"Not funny, Yvaine."

"I rather thought it was."

"You are not coming with me next time."

"You have to be kidding me! I am not some helpless pastry-maiden, I'll have you know."

"Do I look like I am kidding?"

"He would have stabbed you if I was not there, might I remind you."

"Exactly, Yvaine!"

"Your argument is faulty, dear."

"Faulty. Of course. Because I am not particularly fond of you getting impaled."

"Impaled is such a harsh word."

"Hurt then, you stubborn star. I am not fond of it either way."

"I cannot exactly say that I am either. Anyway, you are fragile and mortal -"

"Half-mortal."

"Whatever. We have already established that it is my responsibility to save your ass, have we not?"

"Doing a wonderful job of it, love."

"Why, thank you."

"That was sarcasm, dear."

"Oh? And I was very nearly impressed, I assure you."

"If you weren't busy bleeding all over me at the moment, I'd yell at you. A lot."

"I'll have to keep that in mind the next time I want to get my way."

"Don't be an ass."

"But then however would you recognize me?"

"I'm not even dignifying that with an answer. And stop squirming."

"Must I to go to the doctor, Tristran?"

"What part of 'bleeding all over me' did you fail to understand?"

"Oh. Now that one was impressive. Very angry - biting, even."

"Yvaine."

"Yes, Tristran?"

"You're impossible."

"So I've heard."

"I almost wish you were whimpering uselessly like a normal female."

"Liar."

"Maybe you'd just make my life easier and faint then."

"Would not."

"And you weigh a bloody ton."

"Love you too, dear."




"I'm not going to kneel."

"You're not - wha - why?"

"Kneel. I am not going to, just so you know. Tradition may very well be damned - as it makes my knees hurt."

"A-alright?"

"Good. And now that that's settled, onto business."

"Business?"

"Yes, business. I do not take talk of kneeling lightly, I'll have you know."

"Oh. Of course not. Very serious business."

"I'll not have you mocking me, Tristran Thorn."

"Me? Never."

"Quit that. I'm trying to make a point here."

"There's a point?"

"Yes. And your newfound sarcasm doesn't please me."

"Nothing pleases you, dear."

"If you're going to be miserable about it, I won't do it at all."

"I'm sorry Yvaine. Please, do continue."

"Fine. I am going to say this all in a row and you are not to say a thing or to interrupt me until I am finished, as a great deal of thought went into it. And if you do I might forget what order I'm supposed to say it in."

"Okay?"

"What part of do not interrupt did you fail to understand?"

"..."

"Very good. Okay. I - perhaps I will close my eyes. Yes. Alright, here goes. I - Well, first I was going to say that I love you - in defiance of higher standards and of common sense, might I add, but I do anyway. A great deal. And I did forget what I was supposed to say - fuck. A-and when you love someone you are supposed to stay with them. Not because of some silly obligation or some fancy, silver knot work but because you want to, yes? Wait - don't actually answer that. I mean, it was rhetorical - I'm not finished. Yes. And I suppose that is the point that I am trying to make. Not very well, I will admit, but it is the point nonetheless. That I would like it a great deal if I could stay with you and I would like it even better if you would like to stay with me too."

"Are you -?"

"Do you want to marry me or not? Understand that I do expect you to provide a ring of some sort - I am offering undying love and loyalty here, might I remind you."

"..."

"Will you stop staring at me like that? And close your mouth, it is most unbecoming."

"W-what?"

"Very well then, I am taking your silence and useless sputtering as an enthusiastic yes."




"I want rules."

"Rules?"

"Basic ones. For right now."

"Okay ... I guess."

"No sex."

"O-of course."

"No kissing?"

"Not if you don't want to."

"No touching?"

"Well, I - maybe a little? It is only one bed."

"You do tend to shift."

"Sorry?"

"Not your fault. You're warm, anyhow."

"You too."

"Really?"

"Yes. Soft too."

"Comfortable."

"Mmhmm."

"You taste sweet. Just so you know."

"Oh?"

"Tristran?"

"Yes, Yvaine?"

"I lied."

"Huh?"

"About the rules, I lied."

"You - oh."

"Yeah. J-just a bit."

"Thank God."




"So?"

"Mm, quiet. I'm basking."

"I know I can't sing. Quit teasing. Please?"

"I said that you can - and now I am basking. I would appreciate if you would leave me to it."

"But, Yvaine. It was terrible."

"Don't make me open my eyes. Come over here and be quiet."

"It wasn't anything special."

"Are you calling me a liar, Tristran Thorn?"

"Uh ... no?"

"Ah. Then you are saying that love is deaf?"

"Yvaine?"

"Hmm?"

"Say that again?"

"What - the part where I am supposedly deaf?"

"No. The part where you're in love with me."

"Liked that part, did you?"

"Maybe."

"Maybe?"

"Possibly."

"Possibly?"

"Possibly a lot."

"Good. I liked it too."