i think a susan POV of this would be fun to write! what does ed's undoing look like from the outside? what is this farroukh guy like anyway? why the vaguely gratuitous peter/susan-ish flashbacks?

+

after the dance, they bow to the crowd and to each other. edmund offers susan his arm and escorts her back to their seats. "nicely done, ed," she says quietly through a smile at their hosts. "you only messed up twice."


later--
susan laces their fingers together, but edmund soon finds this is a trick for getting them onto the floor one more time. "i've already fulfill my dancing quota," edmund reminds her, but susan just laughs and says, "don't be such a baby." he puts his free hand on her waist, she puts hers on his shoulder, and then she stands on her toes to kiss his cheek. "for luck," she smiles. "thank you," says edmund, and kisses her forehead and adds, "that's for impending revenge." the music starts, and they dance.

"wreak your revenge if it pleases you," says susan. "you don't frighten me, ed."

"i know," edmund replies. "it's frustrating."

+

"peter," says susan, trying to sound collected, "you'll get ink stains on my dress."

"susan," peter murmurs, "you've got dozens of dresses."