#still our mission focused moiraine but in those 20 years there was more room for happiness

[aflawedfashion]

#69 "You do know that we're in public, right?" for our gorgeous Siuan/Moiraine, please dear?

This is set at least two years pre-season 1

——

“I could sleep for two days straight,” Moiraine said to Lan as she shook the snow out of her cloak before entering the small inn where they planned to eat and spend the night.

Lan followed close behind, surveying the inn for threats. “You’re the one who insisted on traveling in the snow.”

“This is the nicest inn for miles. If we had stayed in the last town, we’d be sleeping on a pile of hay and bathing in a bucket.”

“You will hear no complaints from me.” Lan smiled. “I simply wish to eat.”

As they chose their table, Moiraine signaled for the woman behind the bar to bring them drinks while Lan continued to survey the room, taking in every detail of their surroundings.

“We should-” Moiraine began to say before noticing that Lan’s attention was focused over her shoulder. She turned to see what had distracted him, expecting to find a villager gawking at the sight of an Aes Sedai but was completely shocked by what she saw. “Siuan?”

“Hi,” Siuan said with a relaxed smile on her face, the kind she rarely displayed when surrounded by a crowd.

“What are you doing here?” Moiraine asked.

“I needed a place to sleep, same as you.” She pressed a quick kiss to Moiraine’s lips, a casual greeting between two lovers. A moment of normalcy the two rarely experienced.

“We’re in public,” Moiraine whispered, her brow furrowed and her gaze darting around the inn, searching for anyone who might have noticed them.

“No need for concern,” Siuan said, taking a seat at the table beside Moiraine. “I was separated from my traveling companions by the snowstorm, and no one here has any idea who I am.”

“You’re certain?” Moiraine asked.

“Absolutely,” Siuan said.

Moiraine looked to Lan for confirmation, hardly believing they could be so lucky.

“Nothing out of the ordinary here,” he said. “Just villagers. Not even a sign of a petty thief.”

“See,” Siuan said. “We’re perfectly safe to behave as we choose tonight.”

“As we choose,” Moiraine echoed, her disbelief quickly giving way to a smile. “That means I can do this.” She reached her hand across the table to hold Siuan’s. That simple gesture of intimacy, something they had taken for granted in their youth, had become something precious to be treasured.

Siuan’s smile grew as she gently squeezed Moiraine’s fingertips. They stared into each other’s eyes a moment, appreciating every second they had together. Then Siuan turned to Lan, her smile never wavering. “I apologize for behaving in such a nauseatingly sweet manner in front of you.”

“You don’t have to apologize for that,” he said. “Everything that brings Moiraine happiness brings me happiness.”

“Literally,” Moiraine added as their drinks arrived.

Lan wasted no time in picking up his drink, the mug nearly at his lips before Moiraine stopped him.

“Wait,” she said. “I want to propose a toast - a toast to the snowstorm for giving us this night together.”

“So sentimental,” Siuan teased. “You haven’t already been drinking, have you?” 

“No.” Moiraine playfully rolled her eyes. “I’m happy. That’s all.” 

“And possibly slightly delirious from too much time in the cold without food,” Lan added. 

Moiraine tried to disagree with him, but the words refused to come. “Fine. Alright,” she reluctantly admitted with a sigh. “I’m starving and delirious from the cold, but don’t you think that’s all the more reason to indulge me?” 

Siuan and Lan shared an amused look before picking up their mugs and saying, “to the snowstorm” in unison.

“To the snowstorm,” Moraine repeated. “Now, let’s eat.”

AO3