on guard
Posting this here since I also put it on tumblr, a rough drabble inspired by the description of the Third Cetagandan War from GJRQ.
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Sending Aral off to lead the Home Fleet felt odd. Simon was supposed to be there, a half-step behind his left shoulder for his every waking hour. Instead, he was left holding the baby. And the wife. And the planet. And, of course, the Emperor. Aral hadn’t even said goodbye, just deposited that pile of valuables on Simon’s lap and soared off to make sure there would still be an Empire. Simon hadn’t been mistaken about the look on his face: it was joy. Given a straight choice between leading a space fleet into a wormhole slugging match, or staying at his post here on Barrayar, Aral hadn’t taken more than thirty seconds to make up his mind.
It made sense. Of course you left your guard dog at home when you went away. Simon supposed he couldn’t, in all decency, lie down on his stomach at the spaceport and howl until Aral returned.
Crossposted at https://philomytha.dreamwidth.org/159816.html. There are
comments there.
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Sending Aral off to lead the Home Fleet felt odd. Simon was supposed to be there, a half-step behind his left shoulder for his every waking hour. Instead, he was left holding the baby. And the wife. And the planet. And, of course, the Emperor. Aral hadn’t even said goodbye, just deposited that pile of valuables on Simon’s lap and soared off to make sure there would still be an Empire. Simon hadn’t been mistaken about the look on his face: it was joy. Given a straight choice between leading a space fleet into a wormhole slugging match, or staying at his post here on Barrayar, Aral hadn’t taken more than thirty seconds to make up his mind.
It made sense. Of course you left your guard dog at home when you went away. Simon supposed he couldn’t, in all decency, lie down on his stomach at the spaceport and howl until Aral returned.
Crossposted at https://philomytha.dreamwidth.org/159816.html. There are