After the feast

[the_lioness]

After the feast, Alanna turns quiet. Sounds of celebration will echo through the palace until the early hours of the morning, but right now all she wants are the comforts of cool sheets and Adam's arms.

She stumbles and decides not to wait, wrapping her arms around his waist as they approach their quarters.

Comments

[last_adam]

His own arms are around her in a flash and he only stumbles once or twice, trying to make his way awkwardly towards the door.

"It was lovely."

He says, lighthearted, a sly grin on his face.

[the_lioness]

"It was," she agrees without any real enthusiasm. "Lovely."

Closing her eyes as she walks, she takes a deep breath.

"The great hall was unusually stuffy."

[last_adam]

"All the people, out to see their new queen."

His hand comes up to run over her hair, and he lays a kiss under her ear.

"Didn't you like it?"

[the_lioness]

Stretching up, she kisses his cheek as she opens the door and slips inside, letting her hair fall forward to hide her face.

"I loved it. Everything went just as it should, and although I never would've survived such an affair in my honor, it was what they both wanted and deserved."

She sits down in a chair near the window, half-heartedly pulling off her boot.

"I just don't feel very well," she admits, scowling at the floor.

[last_adam]

He stands behind her, hands on her shoulders, rubbing absent-mindedly.

"No."

He tries to act surprised.

[the_lioness]

"No."

One boot off, she forgets about the second and leans back in the chair, into his hands.

"Is it hot in here?"

She's flushed and looks distinctly uncomfortable.

[last_adam]

He leans forward and places a light kiss on the top of her head.

"It's not."

And he moves around to work off her other boot.

[the_lioness]

Quietly, "oh."

Biting her thumb, she watches, reaching out with her other hand to stroke his hair. The boot slides off easily enough, and she leans forward, practically hanging her head between her knees.

"Thanks. Goddess, I'm glad that's over."

[last_adam]

"Why's that?"

His arm lifts, and he runs light fingers over the skin of her arm.

[the_lioness]

She mumbles something under her breath about needing air.

"I didn't want to embarrass Jon."

[last_adam]

He raises an eyebrow, but leans forward to place another kiss on her forehead.

"Did you have reason to believe you would?"

[the_lioness]

Nodding miserably, she lifts her head and stares at him.

She's not quite sure how to say she was afraid of throwing up on her overlord's boots.

Luckily, that's not all she was afraid would happen.

"I was convinced I would trip or fumble my part somehow. I just wanted everything to go smoothly for him, given what took place at his coronation."

[last_adam]

There's a long moment of silence, and Adam moves up to sit next to her.

"But everything went fine."

[the_lioness]

She smiles and says, "it did. I hope you had fun. As they are your rulers now as well."

Snickering just a little, she kisses the corner of his mouth.

[last_adam]

Adam brings a hand up to salute, and collapses into a fit of laughter before falling forward into her kiss.

"Law abiding, upstanding citizen is me."

[the_lioness]

Giggling, she clutches him briefly before tickling his side.

"I should hope so. I've no wish to be married to a hooligan."

[last_adam]

He squirms and shrieks out.

"HOOLigan!?"

[the_lioness]

"Aye," she insists, tickling a particularly sensitive spot without mercy. "Hooligan."

She stops abruptly, an odd look crossing her face.

[last_adam]

He pulls back, breathing heavy, trying to catch his breath.

"Are you okay?"

[the_lioness]

Alanna shakes her head, looks stubborn -- nods.

"Fine."

[last_adam]

Adam narrows his eyes and purses his lips.

"Somehow, I'm not quite buying that."

[the_lioness]

Shaking her arm free, Alanna pulls herself upright, eyes squeezed closed.

She's not fine, and she knows it.

With a quick curse, she bolts for the bedroom.

[last_adam]

There's not such a quick and more of a prolonged curse as Adam stands slowly and follows after her. He shuts the door quietly and moves to sit on the bed, watching her.

[the_lioness]

It's not the first time this has happened, even if it's the first time it has happened quite so openly, and Alanna looks almost resigned as she shoves the basin away. Quite unable to meet his eyes, she crosses to the bowl of fresh water always kept at hand, soaks a small towel and wipes her face.

[last_adam]

He sits, quiet, hands folded, and waits for her to finish.

"I'm worried about you."