Ghostly Hijinks

[faithfulclub]

The hardest thing is watching and being unable to do anything. Seeing Eileen hurting, seeing Argine ill, seeing Rachel broken-- it stings more deeply than almost anything in life did.

It helps that he's not alone, that he has his oldest and dearest and most eternal friend to turn to in moments when the aching gets to be too much and smile sadly at him.

He doesn't need words to tell Edgar how much this is both a curse and blessing, does he?

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[ofthelions.livejournal.com]

Had, in their own way, maintained it even in those eight years 'apart,' Edgar's hands reaching to clutch at his best friend's shoulder and falling completely through, separated by a plane of existence he didn't bother trying to understand. It makes him wonder, sometimes, what will happen when--hopefully years from now--the girls join them here as well.

Until then, he'll pull his face into a slight wrinkle, one his daughter mimics without really remembering where the expression came from.

"Can't let me have even a little bit of glory."

[faithfulclub.livejournal.com]

He'd felt it, at times. Knew Argine had, as well. He thinks Rachel might have, if she let herself, but they'd only know for sure when they were reunited however far down the road.

And until then, they'd be able to lean on each other like they always had. Andrew nudges an elbow lightly Edgar's direction.

"Do too. I knew how to be a good King by watching you, remember?" And he'd told as many people that would listen as much, when he'd taken on the position, "Got to be some glory in that."

[ofthelions.livejournal.com]

"Some, maybe." Not as good as hoping he'd had some influence in the amazing father Andrew had been to his daughter, of course--the much more important role his friend had filled in those eight lonely years. "I suppose it's as good as I'm going to get out of you."

[faithfulclub.livejournal.com]

But there was absolutely no doubt in Andrew's mind that Edgar had-- it just hadn't been something expressed as openly, even in the moments when he'd thought he was alone.

Although there had been hints of it, when he'd been standing at his best friend's grave once or twice over the years. When he had hoped aloud that Edgar approved of all he had done in Eileen's life, in Argine's. The choices he had made or hadn't, the guilts that would rest quietly on his soul.

"Hm. We'll see. We've time, after all."

They've forever, really, to work out the emotions and say all that needs to be said. No more missed chances, here.