InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "captain astro"

Lucius Malfoy (in_deep) wrote in wished,
@ 2010-06-26 16:46:00

Entry tags:

!2003: 06, !incomplete, lucius malfoy, narcissa malfoy

Who: Lucius & Narcissa Malfoy
What: Impromptu trip to the country
When: Saturday evening
Where: Property at Ranmore Forest
Rating/Warnings: TBA

It was the first time in far too long that Lucius actually had something that required his attention - and yet here he was, deferring all the little chores that Draco's engagement had presented in favor of doing nothing. It felt natural here, at least, to be without something that needed accomplished; at home it was strange and unpleasant not to have an agenda. This had always been a place for retreat. As he walked slowly through the gardens behind the house, a little more wild than those back at the Manor, he tried not to let his mind wander back to business.

But business now was so closely tied to the personal that it was a futile endeavor. With Narcissa on his arm it was difficult to think of much else, and he knew for a fact it weighed even more heavily upon her. He meant to try to distract her from it for at least a couple of days, but it was possible that simply letting it run its course would be better. She would have to come to terms with it - they both would - in short order. Something about the thought of moving out here permanently made his fingers itch, the beginnings of a deep-seated restlessness, but - there it was. He had always been pragmatic, had always worked with exactly what he had, and it wasn't as if this was any sort of end to his -

That was a dangerous line of thought, and one he'd been avoiding. "Someone will have to cut this back," he drawled, looking out over the landscaping to the forest. "It's all well and good to have a little wilderness over the holidays, but I doubt if I could look at it every day with breakfast."

(Read comments) - (Post a new comment)

in_deep
2010-06-29 02:33 am UTC (link)

He let the evasion pass without comment, though it dulled his spirits a little. She was in no hurry to go anywhere, he supposed, and she wouldn't be pleased, try as he might to convince her. When she declined to discuss something, he knew it was better to let it be. He moved along, taking a slow sip of his wine before answering. He was fairly certain of his answer, but it wasn't something he thought she'd appreciate being taken lightly.

"Yes," he said. "It's a little strange, of course, that she insist on working, but I hardly think that will be a lasting problem. Once they take over the Manor - well, she simply won't have the time, as you know better than anyone." It seemed like the sort of thing one might have to grow out of. "Aside from that, I have no objections. Draco does seem very happy, and as far as I can see, they care for one another." He gave her a faint smile. "Both very nice things to have in place before the wedding, if at all possible."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

porcelain_doll
2010-06-29 04:33 am UTC (link)

It really was odd that Draco's future bride was choosing to work, but that was not really her concern. As long as she upheld the traditions of the family and kept the Manor running properly, and above all else made Draco happy, she would be content.

"If she has the time to work once they're married, then she is not spending enough time tending to the Manor," she said, flatly. She did smirk a little at his comment. "I take it that's a lesson learned," she said. She and Lucius had gotten off to a bit of a shaky start, but the outcome was a strong marriage. "You're right though. He does seem happy, which he deserves. I just worry for him so.. No matter how old he gets, the worry never goes away. I hope this girl can uphold our standards."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

in_deep
2010-06-29 10:23 pm UTC (link)

"Oh, very well learned - it's so much more pleasant, this way." He kissed her temple and then settled back again, unable to refrain from mentally marking the hedges that needed clipping. "I know it's difficult to stop - impossible, perhaps. But - until she gives you some cause for concern, I hope you'll try. There's so much less to worry about." She deserved a break from it, and he was sure they both should have been able to breathe easier now that the stakes were less life and limb than they had been. Fretting over moving house or wedding arrangements, as important as they were, seemed like a luxury. ... Although not so much of a luxury that he couldn't think of other ways he'd rather be spending his time away. "He'll do very well. He could hardly do otherwise - I'm certain he's inherited his mother's excellent taste in partners."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

porcelain_doll
2010-07-01 04:09 pm UTC (link)

"I quite agree," she said with a knowing smirk. She and Lucius had not started off exactly thrilled to be spouses, but over time they grew to know and love each other. At least Draco seemed to already have that part taken care of. The thought only brought her minimal comfort. Lucius was right; she ought to stop worrying for the time being, but this was her baby.

Having mere wedding plans to focus on really ought to have been a luxury compared to worrying about how she was going to get the family back to the top of the social hierarchy, or worrying about keeping Draco alive, her husband sane, and her home intact. Taking a step back and putting things into proper perspective made her relax a little more against Lucius.

She was not entirely convinced with the idea of someone else running the Manor, but it wasn't as if it was happening that day. "How is it that you manage to pay yourself a compliment while speaking of me and your son?" She asked, turning her head up to look at him with a raised brow.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

in_deep
2010-07-02 12:12 am UTC (link)

"Is it not deserved?" He smiled down at her, pleased to see her looking a little less troubled, at least. "Very well - your taste is second only to my own, which I don't mind saying is undeniably exquisite. Satisfied?" He kissed her jaw, drawing her a little closer to him. He had no difficulty at all in shifting his concern from Draco to himself, not now, when there was so little he could do for the one and so much for the other. At the top of his list was convincing Narcissa that a semi-retirement wouldn't be the end of the world. Passing the family home and all of its attendant responsibilities to his son was a success, and one that left him free to pursue other things - not that he knew what they were to be, of course. Not many of them, anyhow. "You know me; I'm not one to sing my own praises."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

porcelain_doll
2010-07-02 06:06 pm UTC (link)

Stroking her ego while simultaneously giving her kisses was one way to calm her down. Lucius knew her well, without question, but she hoped that he was being genuine with her and not just avoiding the reality of the situation. Though perhaps past behavior did not excuse him or warrant it, she decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. Loving him as she did, she had to.

"Of course not. You have me to do that for you," she teased. The painful irony of the whole thing was that this was what she'd been waiting for. Not retiring, but just having carefree moments with Lucius without the threat of impending doom lurking around every corner. She had that now, but could not let herself enjoy it to the fullest. Just let go.. she thought to herself.

She shifted up enough to lightly kiss the corner of his lips. "I thought you knew. The reason I married you was because you were so humble," she said, smirking. "Not for your devastatingly handsome face, your charm, your intellect.. How boring.."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

in_deep
2010-07-03 05:25 pm UTC (link)

"Yes, I've often been told my humility has a certain irresistible appeal - although you may be the first to accuse me of having an intellect, as such." He arched an eyebrow, setting his glass aside, and traced a finger along the side of her face, down to the jewelry lying at her throat. "For my part, I found your frugality inexplicably attractive." He had already let go of the troubles at hand, if they were troubles, and had even managed to tune out many of the minor annoyances scattered throughout the gardens. Not that he would have objected to going inside, of course. If it became absolutely necessary.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

porcelain_doll
2010-07-04 03:06 pm UTC (link)

She laughed softly, her eyes following his finger down to the necklace she wore that clearly stated she was anything but frugal. "How perfectly suited we are," she said before pressing a kiss where his neck and jaw met. She lifted one hand to lightly stroke her fingers against his cheek, and to slowly lure him down for a kiss. Moments such as this, she supposed, would make leaving her Manor more acceptable.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

in_deep
2010-07-07 09:56 pm UTC (link)

"Perfectly." He certainly failed to see any reason why they shouldn't be quite happy. Narcissa would adapt, he had no doubt. She'd made her way in situations far worse than this, and with far more on her shoulders. He was rather tempted, in fact, to offer to take up some of the work she'd been saddled with: this place would be nowhere near as labor-intensive as the Manor, and he rather liked the idea of taking things in hand again. Otherwise he was bound to end up useless and irritable, and neither of them would benefit. He happily allowed himself to be lured, resting his hand at her waist as he returned the kiss. "All the more reason to retire together, hm? No more interruptions."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

porcelain_doll
2010-07-08 08:09 pm UTC (link)

"I suppose, though I detest the word," she said. When she thought of the word 'retire,' it made her feel as though she was old, resting peacefully in the last years of her life. By wizarding standards, she and Lucius were still in their prime. Not exactly young, but definitely not old. Not even middle aged, really. Retiring was a difficult concept to grasp, and she did not think she'd transition well. Still, there was very little she could do about it, if anything at all. That too, did not settle well with her. The only reason she'd stopped talking about it was because his touch and kisses had soothed her.

She leaned into him and sighed softly. This was the part of retirement that she could accept. "I am glad to have this time with you."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

in_deep
2010-07-08 11:55 pm UTC (link)

"I'm willing to adjust the vocabulary, of course. I'll say anything you like." As she knew perfectly well, he never scrupled to sweeten the truth. Retire was imprecise, in any case - although at the moment it pleased him to think of it as a vacation, he had learned that he was terrible at relaxing for more than a week at a time. It had occurred to him that perhaps they could find something to occupy the both of them, although it still grated on his sensibilities to think of her too heavily involved in anything too far outside the home ... even after all this time. "And I have all the time in the world to get it right, too. I promise to try to be a quick study, if you put in the effort."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

porcelain_doll
2010-07-10 09:15 pm UTC (link)

Over-involving herself in anything outside of her home and her family's affairs wasn't something she'd ever been too terribly interested in. She'd stepped in when Lucius was absent to preserve their son's life, and often she demanded the truth of her husband's whereabouts when he was involved in the Dark Lord's missions, but all of that she looped into her family's affairs (if she was going to be widowed and her son fatherless, she wanted to know why). That was was enough for her. Yet now that she had no Manor to run, she seemed to have little else to do but involve herself in matters outside of their home. It was proving useful in getting the Malfoy name more positive recognition, but she wondered what would happen when Lucius resumed that position. Where would that leave her?

"I suppose I'll have little else to do besides put in the effort," she said. "But I've never done anything half-way. You'll be a master at saying what I want to hear in no time." She slid one of her arms around his front to hold onto him and closed her eyes. Count your blessings, Cissa, she told herself. Begrudging as she was to admit it, she was grateful for everything she had.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

in_deep
2010-07-15 06:43 pm UTC (link)

"I rather thought I already was," he muttered. Goodness knew he tried, but she was nothing if not exacting - an invaluable characteristic. "Ah, well. I find I can't bring myself to worry too much about being the only object of your attention." He reached very carefully over her to take up his wineglass again, and decided that he'd done something right, clearly. This was a much better resolution than he'd achieved in most of their other disagreements. It helped that time wasn't working against them in this instance. He didn't mind having a tricky knot to untie with the right tools and a leisurely amount of time to go at it, and in such pleasant - well, very-nearly-pleasant - surroundings. "And what do you want to hear now?"

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(Read comments) -