Norrington/Sands Drabble #3 - Handle with Care

[order_of_chaos]

Title: Handle with Care.
Author: order_of_chaos
Paring: Norrington/Sands
Notes: Third (at least currently, there's no particular order to them) of my Norrington/Sands Drabbles.  #1 - untitled, and #2 - Caution

***

Their conversation is a careful circling of topics, a verbal minefield where one misstep could mean instant death.  Could, but doesn’t.

Sands shot James once – putting the bullet cleanly through his upper arm.  A warning.
“I take it that subject is off limits,” James said dryly.  He tore a strip off the tablecloth to stem the bleeding.  “Hopefully, this won’t get us banned from the restaurant.”
Sands laughed.  “In Mexico?  Not a chance.  We’re much too dangerous for that.  I am, at least.”
“So it would seem.”
They finished dinner, despite the mess; the other diners studiously pretending they don’t exist. 

The two of them aren’t serious - or rather, they aren’t in love - but they know more of each other’s secrets than anyone else in the whole world, and they trust each other, as far as they are capable of trusting anyone.  Not far, but that tiny fraction of distance matters, nonetheless.

They know each other well enough to hurt, and that in itself is a measure of security.

Comments

[elessil.livejournal.com]

They know each other well enough to hurt, and that in itself is a measure of security.

I think that little bit just hurt me. Bloody well-written.

[order_of_chaos]

Delighted to hear it!

[tiggothy.livejournal.com]

*happy-sigh* *glomp*

[order_of_chaos]

Thanks! *settles back in chair, grinning smugly*

[drbillbongo.livejournal.com]

Mmmmmh... They're such an interesting pairing!

[order_of_chaos]

Thankyou!

[smtfhw.livejournal.com]

Again, a terrific last line! And I like the tension, summed up in your opening paragraph:
Their conversation is a careful circling of topics, a verbal minefield where one misstep could mean instant death. Could, but didn’t.

Can I suggest you make one tiny change to the tenses in that first paragraph though? Feel free to tell me to get lost, but I would make it read Could, but doesn't.

[order_of_chaos]

Glad you liked it! And you are quite right about the doesn't - it's obvious now I haven't just written it. *changes* And you are very good at the editing-suggestions-with-tact thing. It's appreciated.

[smtfhw.livejournal.com]

And you are very good at the editing-suggestions-with-tact thing. It's appreciated.

Me? I'm the beta from hell in some respects! Just ask anyone... Actually, because I don't write this stuff, I try to be helpful to those who do. You ever need a beta, feel free to ask...

[order_of_chaos]

Thanks again! I've never had a beta - it could be interesting. Maybe once I've finished one of my current ficlets.