Title: a moment in war
Day/Theme: Moan
Series: Chronicles of Narnia
Character/Pairing: Susan/Caspian
Rating: PG13



Susan drew the bandage tight and grimaced at the choked-off moan the faun gave, his teeth bared and eyes glittering. Blood was dried on her hands; she flexed her fingers, gave a curt and sympathetic nod, and gestured for the next patient.

This one she knew.

"Caspian," she said, startled. "You're--"

He shook his head. "It is inconsequential." But he didn't protest when she pushed him down, and the hiss she gave when she peeled his fingers away from his upper arms was mingled concern and disgust.

"Inconsequential. It's ugly."

He managed a one shouldered shrug and a pale, brave smile. "There are others worse off."

"Men," she muttered between her teeth, a familiar lament, and reached for bandages. She was no more rough than she had been with the faun, and maybe a little more gentle; she certainly had not paused after tending to the faun, her hand on the warm curve of his shoulder, and said softly, "are you well enough for battle?"

He looked up at her, eyes dark, mouth implacable, every inch a prince and unyielding. "It does not truly matter," he said, and then he caught her hand and pressed his mouth to her knuckles, a soft and tender kiss.

Susan nearly stopped breathing.

And then he was gone, and she was turning away, her eyes prickling with hot tears and worry, as she gestured for the next of the wounded.