#crowline

11 - Midnight

original image and closeup ↓

I got the idea for this fanfic after Ice posted this art for the Ranger Gathering. Seeing today's post, I decided to write a scene around the art.

“What will you be wearing to the party?”

It was a casual question, meant well and with no hidden message. Yet it took Caroline a long time to answer it.

Caroline was sitting on the extra bed that Pauline had placed in her bedroom. It had been a last minute change of plans that the Ranger slept there.

“Probably that gala uniform,” Caroline answered softly. It was a uniform that the whole Corps had to wear for Halt and Pauline’s wedding. At that time, she had been Crowley. “Not sure if it still fits.”

Pauline had been washing her hair and was about to start putting it up nicely when she had asked the question. She stopped in her tracks, the towel in her hands.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Caro. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

She laid the towel aside and sat down next to her. She sometimes still needed to remind herself that a lot of things were a first time for Caroline.

“I know,” Caroline replied. She blinked away a few tears that had been forming in the corner of her eyes. “It’s also my own fault. I should have taken it out sooner and had it altered. I did want to do that for our wedding, but I was afraid of other people’s reactions.”

After Pauline and Halt got married, Caroline had told them that she was rather a woman than a man. She knew that it was safe to tell them; from a young age, she knew that Halt was attracted to men and Pauline to women. They only got married to make people stop talking behind their backs.

At first, Halt and Crowley had been dating in secret. They knew each other like themselves, always the same way of thinking. When Halt got married, Crowley thought that he started to keep distance because of that. The more time he spent with Pauline, the more he started to realise that he wasn’t a man.

“Don’t say that. Although not fitting anymore for you as person, it still holds warm memories to that moment.” Pauline’s word pulled her out of the thought. “And maybe it’s a good thing that you didn’t alter it. That way, you can see to start fresh. As Caroline and not like it’s an alternation of who you once were.”

Caroline wasn’t sure what Pauline was trying to say, but she did perk up when her wife walked to the wardrobe.

“There is one dress that I bought some time ago. Thinking back, I have no idea why I even got it. Although it fits me well, it doesn’t really match me. But perhaps I bought it because it could be worn by someone else.”

Pauline let out a soft ‘Ah!’ when she found the dress she was looking for. She pulled it out of the wardrobe and held it in front of Caroline.

“It’s a spare one, but what do you think? Would this be to your liking?”

Caroline’s eyes opened wide, a hand placed on her mouth. She slowly got up, walking over to Pauline. Her fingers touched the fabric; the satin was soft and smooth, sliding easily through her fingers.

“Can I try it on?”

Halt took a sip from the glass of red wine that he was holding in his hand. He had agreed to wait for his wives, as he affectionally called Pauline and Caroline. The ball room was slowly becoming crowded the more people arrived.

“They’re taking their time, don’t you think?”

Halt turned around to see Baron Arald heading his way. The man was wearing a rather tight suit; blue with a touch of gold, representing the colours of his department.

“Unlike me, they like to dress well and give the impression they’re not raised by raccoons.”

Halt acted as if he meant it, but the truth was that he himself wasn’t that bad in dressing nicely. He had gone to the hairdresser and barber, making sure that his hair and beard were neat instead of what he usually looked like.

His hair was now moved back, kept in place with gel and a touch of hairspray. He was wearing a light grey suit, with underneath a light tan gilet and a broken white blouse. The finishing touch was a red and blue handkerchief in the pocket on his chest and his flat shoes.

Baron Arald wanted to comment on the man’s sense of style when his attention was taken by something else. Or more precise, someone else.

They had been standing near the staircase. It was one that had a big middle part and would then divide into two; one to the left, one to the right. The staircase went up a little higher than the platform they were standing on. At the top of the stairs, one had to descend a few steps to be at the same level the two men were.

“It’s almost a pity you’re not attracted to women,” Baron Arald said, his eyes focused on the women that were walking there.

“One doesn’t have to be into women in the way you’re hinting at,” Halt replied, following his friend’s gaze. “Even I can see that they’re two very fine ladies.”

On the left side of the staircase, was Pauline. She was wearing a light blue dress, without sleeves. The dress was cut low on her back, showing her skin until around her waist. The fabric was tightfitting, showing her elegant figure. She had braided her hair and then rolled it up into a bun, using pins to keep it in place. She had finished her look by putting in golden drop shaped earrings with a blue gemstone in the middle and a golden bracelet on her left wrist; a nice addition to her golden wedding band on her left ring finger.

Next to her, Caroline had one arm locked in. Her dress was a deep wine-red, had an open back as well, but hers had sleeves that connected at the top of her shoulders. On the left side, there was a high leg slit, revealing the lace pantyhose she was wearing underneath. On her lower back were also two lace parts visible. Just like Pauline’s, her dress was also showing her fine figure. Her long, curly red hair was hanging down over her shoulders.

Several people had stopped talking to look at the women as they ascended the stairs. Some whispered to each other, pointing at who was the best looking.

Caroline looked over her shoulder, spotted Halt and moved her hand to place it on Pauline’s shoulder. She laid her head on top of it, sending her friend a warm smile. Her golden wedding band seemed to shine bright on her left ring finger.

For a moment, Halt felt a fire lit in his chest, but it had a very different meaning than it used to have.

As the two women made her way to the platform, a few men offered them their hand or arm. It was almost amusing to see their faces the moment Pauline and Caroline turned them down. Halt had finished his glass and placed it on a table nearby.

“I hope we didn’t let you wait for a long time,” Pauline said, stopping in front of him.

“Not at all.” Halt took her hand, planting a soft kiss on it. “One should never tell a lady to hurry up, especially when she is preparing herself for a party.”

He then looked at Caroline, who was standing a bit hesitantly next to Pauline. Halt took her hands in his and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

“You look absolutely wonderful, Caro. That dress really brings out your hazel coloured eyes.”

She didn’t know why she had been nervous to show up in front of Halt, but when she looked in his eyes, she only felt calmness.

“If you excuse me, Arald, I have two ladies to accompany.” Halt offered his arms to both of them. “Ladies.”

I feel like a lot of depictions of Craltine is: Crowley 🤝Halt 🤝Pauline but actually they all are holding eachothers hands and spinning