I Deliberately Misinterpret The Nature Of An Agreement

[summerdude]

Galahad probably didn't expect Magnus to come pounding on his door in the middle of the day when they agreed Magnus would try sleeping on his own, especially since Magnus decided pretty quickly that he wanted to sleep outside again (but on purpose because he prefers it, not because it feels like the only option that doesn't end with the walls closing in on him). But here Magnus is, anyway, in the middle of the day, knocking loud enough that he has to force himself to take a step back so he doesn't break the door down.

"Dude, it's me, I need you," he calls, just so Galahad knows for sure it's him, or whatever. "You're in there, right? Galahad?"

Comments

[onthewillowsthere]

"It's all right." He's wearing an oversized sweater and leggings, so he hasn't got pockets, or he'd have a handkerchief.

[summerdude]

Magnus finds one, blows his nose, and shoves it back in his pocket. Then he sits on the floor, almost like a puppet with its strings cut. "I think today is the happiest I've been in months," he says, and then his eyes, still shining and damp, grow wide. "We can have our double date now!!"

[onthewillowsthere]

Galahad's own eyes widen at the realization as he sinks down slowly across from Magnus.

[summerdude]

"And real charades, and oh, hey, maybe I can make out with him for two straight hours while you and Claudius clean up next to us, and--" Magnus pauses to take a shuddery little breath and then flops over, wiggling until he can put his head in Galahad's lap and look up at him, upside-down. "Dude." He sniffles again.

[onthewillowsthere]

He starts to protest that it wasn't actually two hours before he realizes that Magnus is exaggerating on purpose. Instead he combs his fingers through Magnus' hair, looking down at him. Then he signs overwhelmed?

[summerdude]

An emphatic nod.

[onthewillowsthere]

That makes perfect sense. Galahad goes back to combing through his hair, saying nothing, but ready to listen if Magnus decides to speak further.

[summerdude]

Magnus's words have fully escaped him; he used them all on Alex. He can't stop smiling, though, and sniffling. In a shockingly Claudius-like move, he raises his hands to try to sign something, but they flutter around his chest, and all he gets out is love, love, love.

[onthewillowsthere]

It's so Claudius-like that for a moment something in Galahad aches. He signs back Alex, Alex, fingers flying through the letters.

[summerdude]

Eventually, fumbling, fingers feeling thick and stiff, Magnus gets it together enough to sign, Alex is getting settled right now -- an explanation for why he's here with Galahad, instead of following Alex to make sure she doesn't disappear again. Of course, what he means is that Alex is likely off wrecking havoc in all corners of this weird little world, and another blissful smile settles over his features at the thought.

[onthewillowsthere]

Your vision. It was a portent.

[summerdude]

Magnus blinks. He'd nearly forgotten about that. "Well, fuck me," he says.

[onthewillowsthere]

Right?

[summerdude]

"Gods."

[onthewillowsthere]

I'm glad.

[summerdude]

Magnus is quiet again for a long few moments, just relishing the feelings of Galahad's fingers in his hair. He's pretty sure it'll be short again within the next twenty-four hours or so, so he's happy for this final hurrah. Finally: "I've been so focused on what if Alex were here that I'm kind of like, now what?" Besides overwhelming relief and contented happiness, of course.

[onthewillowsthere]

"What would you like to do?"

[summerdude]

"Kiss her face?"

[onthewillowsthere]

A slight smile. "That's what."

[summerdude]

"Huh," says Magnus, considering this. It does sound appealing, and it's enough to nudge him out of the peak of his overwhelm. "Wow." He squints up at Galahad. "I get to learn what we're like when we're not fighting for our lives every day," wonderingly.

[onthewillowsthere]

"It will be good."

[summerdude]

He sure hopes so! In a leap of logic and association that Magnus will not be examining, he says, "By the way, dude, we have to plan your bachelorette party."

[onthewillowsthere]

"What?"

[summerdude]

"For your wedding," because that's obviously the only additional context Galahad might possibly need.

[onthewillowsthere]

"What is it?"