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

[summerdude]

The only cars Magnus has been in in the past eleven years have been police cars or police car equivalents (i.e., Uncle Randolph's). Perhaps he'd understand better if he wasn't Walking, Goat-Drawn Cart, or World Tree Guy. "Huh," he says, picturing actual testicles hanging down from somewhere on an eighteen-wheeler. His mind's eye supplies hair. He wrinkles his nose.

[onthewillowsthere]

"She tells good jokes," mildly.

[summerdude]

"She has the vibe," Magnus agrees, a little put out that Gideon hasn't ever really told him jokes (but, of course, thrilled that Galahad has gotten some). "I don't think she likes me very much."

[onthewillowsthere]

"Really?" tilting his head in confusion.

[summerdude]

"Really really," Magnus confirms. He's back to being sanguine about it already. He's never been universally liked; he doesn't need to start now.

[onthewillowsthere]

"She grew up in a nunnery. She understands a lot of things."

[summerdude]

"Yeah? Like what?" It's a curious question, not a bitchy one.

[onthewillowsthere]

"She understands what it's like to be meant for something, and to be lost here. To struggle for purpose."

[summerdude]

This quiets Magnus. "Oh, that feeling," he says, and leans against Galahad.

[onthewillowsthere]

"I like her."

[summerdude]

It would be soooo stupid for Magnus to feel any sort of jealousy about that, so he definitely doesn't. Instead, he resolve to give getting to know Gideon better another shot. "Cool," he says, and means it genuinely. "I'll try talking to her again."

[onthewillowsthere]

"When she came she didn't think she was going to stay. I think it's different now."

[summerdude]

"That sucky trajectory," Magnus says, nodding. Then he tilts his head. "Are you saying that maybe her attitude toward me might be different now that she's, like, resigned herself to staying here?"

[onthewillowsthere]

"Towards everyone. Yes."

[summerdude]

Magnus hums, considering this. "Okay. You think I should talk to her?"

[onthewillowsthere]

"If you want to. You don't have to like her because I do."

[summerdude]

"I mean, if she gets trying to figure out a purpose..." Magnus says. "Maybe we can start a club."

[onthewillowsthere]

"A club?" He smiles a little -- it's the sort of thing Magnus likes to say, impulsive and a little strange, and there's something reassuring about that, as though nothing has really changed, even if Magnus' favorite person in all the worlds is here now.

[summerdude]

"Yeah, like how me and Shen Yuan are the 'died on our birthdays in 2015 and then figured out we were into dudes' club," Magnus says, nodding. "We can make the 'looking for a new purpose after some complicated experiences with religion' club, or something." He's assuming that much about Gideon, at least, given Galahad's nunnery comment. "Make t-shirts and everything."

[onthewillowsthere]

"It's a lot of words to fit on a t-shirt."

[summerdude]

"A t-shirt dress, then," says Magnus, and frowns. "Maybe not for Gideon."

[onthewillowsthere]

"A big t-shirt for her, and maybe a little one for her sword."

[summerdude]

"A sword-shirt..." Magnus says, and laughs, picturing it. "Jack would insist on one, too, if he knew."

[onthewillowsthere]

"What would we put on his?"

[summerdude]

"Dude, I have no clue," Magnus says, after a moment of reflection. "What do you think would suit him?"