Title: another point in their timeline
Rating: G
Fandom: even if TEMPEST
Relationship: Anastasia Lynzel/Lucien Neuschburn
Wordcount: 370
Short summary: Lucien had plans with Anastasia to celebrate his birthday but unfortunately comes down with a fever.
“I was really looking forward to tonight.”
“I know.”
Lying in bed with just a thin blanket on top, the pouting Lucien looks more like the young man he is physically than the king of Historia that the public is familiar with now. The wet cloth on his forehead only emphasizes his vulnerable constitution; Lucien’s tendency for developing fevers from psychological excitement has unfortunately remained despite the physical maturity of his body otherwise. Of course Anastasia doesn’t blame Lucien for it; even if she would have been perfectly fine with a lowkey celebration of Lucien’s birthday, she knows Lucien had wanted to do something special. But combined with the stressful past week at court, Anastasia had a suspicion that this outcome was likely and had asked Maya to make some hearty soup in advance.
“I was going to take you up… And see stars… And…”
Anastasia takes Lucien’s left hand and squeezes it gently. “It’s alright.”
Lucien shakes his head. “With the big public celebration in a few days…”
“It’s alright.”
She leans over to press a light kiss to his lips. She knows Lucien’s upset because they won’t likely have free time like tonight for another few weeks. She knows his plans would be perfectly romantic and the view would have been spectacular from up there on the ship, but for her… Spending time with Lucien alone is a wonderful thing. Being the one at his side, to take care of him, to watch over him…
“We can always try another time,” Anastasia says with a smile. Events and dates are important, yes…
“But…”
“I’ll be here. Any time.” But more importantly, they still have a lifetime to spend together. Celebrating Lucien’s birthday just marks another point in their timeline.
“Anastasia…”
“Sleep well, Lucien.”
She gives him another kiss to the lips before using her left hand to gently close his eyelids. She stays by his bedside until she hears the sounds of sleep from her husband, then prepares herself to join him in the bed. When he wakes up tomorrow, he’ll turn to her with a smile brighter than the sun…
And she’ll look forward to that, meeting the next morning with her husband on his 24th birthday.