ficlet: Wedding Night, Tortall, PG-13

[peroxidepirate]

Guys, I wrote a fic! *flails* It's 300 words -- barely worth putting under a cut -- but still. *flails moar* Will crosspost tomorrow, after I'm sure I'm done tweaking. For now, here, have a ficlet. (Also, does Shinko have the gift? I don't think she does..)

Title: Wedding Night
Fandom: Tortall (Tamora Pierce)
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Roald & Shinkokami
Summary: It doesn't go the way she expected.


“Do you not want me?” Shinkokami whispered, when she’d refastened her dressing gown and settled on the edge of the bed, face turned away from her husband. Over the years of their courtship he’d become very good at reading the emotion in her eyes, even when she kept still. She didn’t want him to see her feelings now — not when their wedding night had failed to take the expected turn.

“Shinko.” Roald came to sit beside her, one warm, familiar hand grasping her shoulder. “I want you beside me every day — on the throne, at the dinner table, in this bed.” He reached up, fingers mapping the contours of her face, and she turned into his caress in spite of herself. His eyes were gentle, their sadness apology enough. He looked away. “But no, I don’t want you the way you mean.”

It was all she could do not to reach for the fan on the bedside table and snap it open to hide her face. His hand still rested against her cheek. “Do you prefer men?” she asked, staring at her clenched hands in her lap.

He laughed dryly. “Everyone asks that.” His hand slipped down to her neck, thumb tracing the line of her jaw. “There is no one I could prefer over you. I hoped that would be enough, but-” he shrugged. “I’m not made the same as most people. I don’t feel that kind of desire — anymore than you can work magic. The capacity just isn’t there.”

They looked at each other for long moments, Roald worried, Shinko trying to understand. At last she covered his hand with hers, weaving their fingers together. Her eyes crinkled with amusement. “At least I know you won’t be unfaithful.”

“Never,” he promised, and drew her into an embrace.

Comments

[littlemissgriff.livejournal.com]

I want to hug them both so hard. I really appreciate how it's not easy for either of them, but they still talk. It didn't dissolve into 'PERFECT HAPPY LAND' where Shinko just smiles and go 'OH, OK!' or into bitter finger pointing, either. They care about each other, they really do.

[peroxidepirate.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm so glad you like it, especially since yours was one of the comments that inspired it. :D

[littlemissgriff.livejournal.com]

I'm really flattered that I could help inspire this! Asexuality is rarely ever handled in fandom and you did it so well.

[kitty-ryan.livejournal.com]

this is brilliant--I was wondering if you'd do something like this, after all the discussion, and what you've just made is perfect. I love their affection, and ache for the hurt, and also feel sure that they'll BE ALL RIGHT. I love that such a short piece can provoke this response

[peroxidepirate.livejournal.com]

Wow! Thank you. I had no idea that I'd do something like this, but here it is. My subconscious must have been working on it.

[opalgirl28.livejournal.com]

<3.

Also, as far as we know, no Gift for Shinko.

(Not a criticism of your ficlet, but more of a "my thoughts jumped here": it'll be... interesting when they have to produce an heir).

[peroxidepirate.livejournal.com]

:D

it'll be... interesting when they have to produce an heir

My thoughts went there, as well. I.... don't know the subject well enough to handle that part, so I left it alone for now.

There's a possibility that once Shinko knows where Roald's coming from and the pressure of "omigod how do I tell her?" is off, sex occasionally-for-the-good-of-the-realm might be doable.

And there are crack!fic bunnies where someone else (ideally another Conte) is actually Lianokami's father. BUT THAT would be another fic entirely.

[boosette.livejournal.com]

I love this so much I can't even say, because "life is hard" is one of my favorite themes to see grappled with in Tortall.

[peroxidepirate.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Life is hard in Tortall (er... and everywhere), and that's a theme that certainly deserves more grappling.

[ceridweyn-lin.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I really like this. You've written their emotions so beautifully and tangibly. And it's making me think about Roald in a new and interesting way!

[peroxidepirate.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[veras1.livejournal.com]

This is simply so beautiful. And in so little words. In many ways, it's just the beginning for them, and I love the way you have now kick-started the cogs in my head about them.

[peroxidepirate.livejournal.com]

Awesome, thank you!

[elsceetaria.livejournal.com]

This was wonderful. You wrote this situation in a way that is both painful and sweet, because it seems very true. This conversation is very, very possible in my head. You handled the issue with a maturity and beauty that is rarely seen in fandom. I applaud you.

[peroxidepirate.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much.

[q-sama.livejournal.com]

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥


I love asexual Roald *so much* and this discussion is beautiful. I love her inklings of hurt, his incredible amount of affection. Knowing someone who's had a conversation like this with someone, it's absolutely wonderful to read it here (with love clearly in the picture) and have it so relatable and understandable. It's very real, in a sense.

I do worry about heirs, I'll admit...

[peroxidepirate.livejournal.com]

Thank you! As I said in another comment, I don't feel capable of dealing with the question of heirs (even though it would make sense for them to have that conversation right after this one).

[coldthermistor.livejournal.com]

OMG I love this. You've packed a lot into so few words, and I actually like the take on asexual Roald a lot :D

[peroxidepirate.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :D