am i making something worthwhile // general action

[adamantined]

Comments

I drive a Rolls Royce cause it's good for my voice but you won't fool the children of the revolution

[treadingdawn]

Caspian has learned that even the softest whisper can travel far within castle walls. It's the way of the court and often it's a way that leaves a sour taste in one's mouth. Those who speak too freely are no more to blame than those who keep their ears too open, too eager to have the tools for social or political manipulation. While the familial bonds within a bakery don't quite parallel court conspiracies, the dynamic is roughly the same. Trays can clang against tables, ovens can rumble with the sound of a stoking fire, and wood can ply dough until it's malleable, someone will hear them if that person tries hard enough. In Claire's case it's or her and her mother's sake, as well as Peter's who indeed deserves to hear these words too. Caspian doesn't oppose being her confidant, not for even the briefest moment, but those other thoughts aside there is now something he needs to sort for himself.

Her gesture is appreciated, enough that his brows knit again for feeling a bit shameful that he would take an abrupt leave. Needs must. He will apologize to Claire later.

How much time does Caspian X have left in this place? Not enough, he tells himself. Not enough to hold truth, beauty, freedom, and love in his hands before they're able to slip out. It's an unfortunate luxury to believe one can have everything if they just try. That isn't the case at all.

"...Thank you," Caspian says belatedly, taking those quick extra steps forward to catch Claire in a brief but firm embrace. The release follows just as quickly then he's ready to depart, as invisibly as he did his castle.

I drive a Rolls Royce cause it's good for my voice but you won't fool the children of the revolution

[backbefore]

"You're welcome," she says, low and quiet, close to his ear. Her arms go around him automatically, squeezing him tightly across the shoulders, the same way that she might embrace an uncle or a brother. Claire doesn't want to rush him off, would ask him to stay if she thought that he might, but the unspoken understanding between them is there, and Claire has wasted too much time sitting down and talking - about things that should be talked about and things that shouldn't - to be doing anymore of it.

When she lets him go, she manages to tuck a piece of hair away from his face before he pulls back to leave, and she's left standing next to the cooling cup of coffee with the fingers of one hand wrapped around the opposite elbow, only letting go to wave as the door opens and closes after him. She hopes that smile that she sends his way follows him further than just the streets outside, but doesn't spend too long lingering on the thought, turning to collect the dishes off of the table, get back to work.