lucasquinn (lucasquinn) wrote in celestialdragon, @ 2008-01-23 12:40:00 |
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Current location: | Work |
Current mood: | lazy |
FIC: Falling - Temeraire Books - Granby/Laurence
Author: Lucas Quinn
Fandom: Temeraire (by Naomi Novik)
Pairings: Granby/Laurence
Genres: Slash (not your cup of tea, don't read it)
Author’s Notes: I had the feeling Granby was so set against Laurence at the beginning for a slightly more personal reason. So in my twisted little mind Granby and Dayes (who I also gave the name Peter) had a Jlittle something going
Author’s Notes 2: This takes place during Black Powder War, when Granby gets thrown off Temeraire by two French officers who had boarded him.
Wicked grins and a sharp tug on my carabineer and then I’m flying; for the first time without the safe bulk of muscles underneath me. Free flying, limbs spread wide as I fall, the wind rushing past me, turning me deaf to everything but its roar. I can’t see the ground far below rapidly coming closer, only the expanse of Temeraire’s black hide shrinking away and then I close my eyes, not wanting that to be the last thing I see.
I think back, remember the day I first saw a dragon, as a skinny boy of seven. I wasn’t sure what was stronger inside of me; the fear of the unknown, the fact that I was going to leave my mother and brothers, or the excitement at the knowledge that I’d be flying high in the skies one day. I caught sight of one of them, even if just a little Greyling, but to my child’s eyes he looked enormous and perfect. His bright blue eyes looked at me and I was lost.
I don’t know how long I have; before the French party jumped over I didn’t have a chance to check our altitude but I know it can’t be long. The images now flow freely through my mind. Everything I hold dear and wish I could keep with me forever.
The first time on board of Actionis, her muscles coiling together before springing and boosting us into the air; the exhilaration as the earth shrunk away under us and there was nothing left but the wind.
The little French officer I pushed off Laet’s back before he could hook himself up. His face surprised and mouth open in a perfect O as he fell for what felt like forever; my first blood.
Peter’s laugh one night in the officers’ barracks, eyes hungry and saying so many things our voices couldn’t.
The wonder and pride on the entire crew’s face at the battle of Dover, as Temeraire turned the tides of the fighting and showed everyone else how special he was.
The surprised smile on Laurence’s lips just before I kissed him for the first time, the light of the campfire reflecting in his eyes and glowing over his skin.
That’s the image I hold closer to my breast as I squeeze my eyes even closer, fear gripping me for a moment. Not for me but for the men and beast I left behind. I wish I would have fought harder, wish I could have kept my Captain safe but I know someone else will take my place. Every single crew member would step between him and a French sword to protect him and Temeraire.
I spare one brief thought to the dragonet lying sleeping in his egg in our camp, knowing it had never been mine but wishing now he’ll have a good Captain to watch over him once he hatches.
One last breath, I’m sure that is all that is left. I open my mouth and fill my lungs, for a moment wishing it was the crisp Scottish air I’ve been longing for during our travels but it’s the acrid taste of gunpowder and smoke that feels my mouth instead. And then talons close around my body and with a jerk the air is pushed out of my lungs.
We are raising again, the pressure so strong my nose is bleeding and my head pounding. I’m laughing as I staunch the flow with my sleeve, one hand holding tightly to Temeraire’s claw, the fright and sudden relief too much to keep my composure.
Things become muddled after that and the next thing I know is that I’m warm and snuggled comfortably against a well known black hide. Temeraire’s warmth chasing the chill of the late November night. I can hear him snoring softly but as soon as I move another familiar face comes close. The smile is the same I saw in my mind while falling, only this time not so surprised but rather please, I hope, to see me awake.
“You gave us all a real fright there today.” His voice is soft and the hand gently gripping my shoulder speaks of real worry. “If you have to jump in front of a French officer or two again try to keep your carabineers latched on next time.” Laurence’s smile turns down a little. He knows I’d do it again in a heartbeat if faced with the same situation and he’s finally learning to accept it. He doesn’t have to like it though.
I still feel like I’ve fallen off a dragon mid-flight in the mist of a battle though and all the answer I can bring myself to give him is a tight squeeze of the hand I find laying close to mine on Temeraire’s forearm. As I fall into a more restful sleep his hand doesn’t move away and I know the warmth I feel is not coming just from the powerful body under me.