I meant to post this and an intro a while back but sorry, RL is evil and I didn't get a chance to till now. This is a slashy fic, so be warned if that is not your cup of tea :)
Title: Warm Comfort
Author: (V) Lucas
Fandom: Temeraire (by Naomi Novik)
Pairings: Granby with reference to past Laurence/Granby
Rating: G
Genres: Slash
Disclaimer: Don't own them, no matter how much I wish I had my own dragon (or my own Granby)
Author's Notes: Please be advised SPOILERS for Empire of Ivory.
Author's Notes2: This story takes place after Empire of Ivory, assuming Laurence is brought back to England and imprisoned at the Dover covert (at least temporarily). Temeraire has already been brought to the breeding grounds.
Captain John Granby walked out of the Dover covert and realised thankfully that he was only stumbling a little, his eyes just barely misted as he walked away from the small cell in the back of the main building. He was also ridiculously glad no one stopped him as he passed the large front gate, knowing he was quite not ready for any type of conversation after his encounter.
He hesitated for a moment at the foot of the small rise leading to Iskierka’s pavilion and decided that, even though he knew she would fuss to see him in such a state, he was also too sick at heart not to search for her company.
As he came close to the entrance of the black stone building he stopped and looked out to the unobstructed view of the Channel. The day was cold but clear, the wind having chased away the clouds from the previous night’s storm. He was thinking how much more fitting it would have been to have some rain when Iskierka’s head poked out of the entrance, still blinking and half asleep after her nap. Granby took advantage of the unusually quiet moment and leaned heavily against her muzzle, arms wrapping almost instinctively around as much of her neck as he could reach.
Unfortunately that was all Iskierka needed to wake up fully. “John? What is wrong? Just tell me and I shall make everything right.” If I have to burn Dover to the ground to do so.
The young dragon didn’t have to say it out loud, but her Captain heard it just the same.
Granby waited a moment before answering, his voice steady if a little low when he finally spoke and told her about his morning visit. In moments he found himself wrapped in coils of steaming hot dragon, Iskierka’s bright hide surrounding him as she offered him her support. Her voice now deeper than the high squeak from when she burst out of her egg, trying to comfort him as she could.
“Do not worry, I shan’t let it happen. I will bring the covert down and we’ll take him away, even though I cannot understand why Temeraire won’t do it himself. I guess they must have him very far or under chain because I know nothing else would stop me from coming to find you. Even though I would fly fast no matter where they took me and I could melt the chains which he can’t do.” John smiled, if not for her intentions but for her enthusiasm. It had not decreased an inch since, only a day old, she had to be chained to Temeraire’s harness to be stopped from joining a fight with dragons many times her tiny size.
After trying to talk Laurence in to the same idea for over half an hour though Granby did not think he was in the right position to reprimand Iskierka for the mutinous ideas. He was also too tired to explain to the young dragon why exactly they could not rescue Temeraire’s captain, John’s own ex lover, from the hangman’s noose. John leaned fully against Iskierka’s side and just let her talk, taking comfort in her voice and nearness and trying to forget for a few minutes about the man sitting alone in the dark cell no more than a few hundred feet away from them.