Drabble #106: Break

[jalenstrix]

...we had a quieter response to the drabble prompt of Drabble 105, with an entry by me (your intrepid drabble proposer jalenstrix).




For this prompt, we continue with our one-word/phrase drabble roots:

Break

What broke? Who broke it? Or is someone hoping to catch a break, or perhaps someone needs a break? From who or what? (Or all of the above?) Tell us all about it. Labyfic-style, of course.



Given our entries from recent months, let's continue with the suggested limit for this month of 500 words. Though remember that shorter pieces are most definitely welcome!

Your entry should take the following format, posted as a comment on this entry:
Word count: # of words
Drabble: $your_beautiful_drabble


I'll aim to get the next drabble challenge out on the first Friday of next month (August 6).

I'm also very happy to take suggestions if something in particular strikes your fancy -- comment on this post or PM me with your suggestions. You can see our current collected suggestions here.


Remember: Feedback is LOVE. So do reply to your fellow labyficcers' drabbles if so inclined. (Though be careful of concrit unless specifically okayed by the author beforehand.)

Comments

Yay!

[orcamun]

I just found this from visiting the old livejournal. I'm so happy this group still exists!!

I will definitely join in next month!

Re: Yay!

[jalenstrix]

Hurrah! Be very glad to have you! :)

[jalenstrix]

Word count: 344
Drabble:

I turned quickly, trying to make it back around the corner to Feanor before he—

Something crashed just out of sight, ending with a shatter that could only be caused by a very delicate something smashing into a zillion jagged little pieces.

I closed my eyes, lowered my head to the wall, and exhaled slowly.

"You should take a break more often." Jareth's voice slid down my skin.

I held up a finger. It wasn't the index finger.

"Feisty. Was that a suggestion for how you'd like to spend your break? I'm more than happy to oblige."

I tapped my forehead against the wall again, though my lips twitched.

The familiar scent of nighttime forests, frost, and cardamom settled over me as Jareth rested his chin on my shoulder and nibbled my ear.

I batted at him half-heartedly. "I don't suppose we could revisit the idea of wrapping our active toddler son in bubble wrap?"

"Tsk, he doesn't need it."

"But I do. As do many highly-breakable things in this castle."

Heated breath caressed my neck. "Let them break."

"You say that now. You don't even know what just crashed around the corner."

"I don't. Nor do I care. I advise you to do the same."

"Easier said than done."

"I'm sure I can help." Dextrous fingers were working their way down my back in just the right spots, causing little flurries of sensation to zip right down my spine into places much more exciting. "Shall I help?"

"Tempting…"

"Papa?" Feanor's voice had just a tinge of uncertainty. "Mama okay?"

And just like that, dextrous fingers were back in child-appropriate places along the tops of my shoulders. "She'll be right as rain, my little lad. She just needs a hug."

"Oh." I felt the sudden pressure of tiny hands and legs wrapped around my leg. "Here, Mama."

"Oh sweetheart...I love you, too." I turned my head to brush Jareth's fingers gently with a kiss. "I love both of you." I caught Jareth's eye and mouthed, Raincheck for tonight?

He winked. Wouldn't miss it.

[3iggy]

That was very sweet, in the best way ❤️

[jalenstrix]

Hurrah -- thank you so much! :)

[redwolf]

Those times when you start to contemplate that some mammals eat their own young... and they do something that makes you forget. Sweetness! 🦊🧡

Intensity

[redwolf]

Word count: 500
Drabble:

After confirming that none of the goblins in attendance had been injured, Sarah quietly ushering them out of the throne room, then sent a breakdown of the incident to Jareth and left a pair of guardsmen to secure the room until her husband’s return.

Once the scene of crime was locked down her next task was to deal with puppies who were in need of a bath. Flanked by a pair of large canines, she escorted them to her chambers where she made the executive decision of spot cleaning the blood from their muzzles over the logistical problem of getting wolves into her tub. She was fairly certain they would be accommodating in indulging her, and the size of the tub would not present an issue, but they had incredibly thick coats that once wet would retain water, so when they shook, the entire bathroom and anyone in it would be soaked. That prospect was not something she was prepared to deal with at the present.

With her guards clean, the gravity of the situation hit Sarah and she started to crash. One of her lupine companions gently nudged her towards the bath, so taking the hint, she divested herself of her goblin armour in an untidy pile and sunk into the steaming water. When the shakes hit, Sarah wasn’t sure if it was the heat of the water or the wolf who had nosed its head under her hand at the side of the tub that eased her nerves. When she finally got out, she had to ungainly step over another wolf lying in the doorway and was pleasantly surprised to see that a meal had been left for the three of them. She pulled on a shirt, climbed into bed and held the tray up until the wolves settled themselves beside her to dine.

Sarah didn’t expect that she’d be able to sleep and was quite surprised to blink awake to see Jareth standing beside the bed watching her with a fond expression. “I see I’ve been usurped in my own bed.” The wolves both nuzzled into Sarah before standing and repeating the action with Jareth, who wrapped his arms around them and kissed each one on the snout. “Fuck off to your own bed, the pair of you.”

“Oh.” Sarah looked at Jareth in shock. She’d seen that greeting before, but the participants had been people. “My puppies are the chess set? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I thought you knew.”

“Are all the guardsmen shapeshifters?”

“That’s why the Labyrinth chose them.”

“I just shared our bed with Rook and Bishop?” She wasn’t sure if it was worse that she’d been naked in their presence or that she was extremely comfortable in their company. Maybe it was just that she had a soft spot for dogs and her brain happily defaulted to them meaning that everything was right in her world.

Jareth grinned. “I did tell you they’d warm up to you after your first assassination attempt.”

[jalenstrix]

Heh, so very true! Clearly it's a well-honed survival instinct. ;)

Re: Intensity

[jalenstrix]

Heh, shapeshifting subterfuge, for the win! I love how this vignette picks up from where another left off, and fills in more of the universe you're painting involving Rook and Bishop.

Re: Intensity

[redwolf]

Thank you! There's another chunk of this story to come, then I have to figure out where to go next. 🦊🧡