summerdude | I Lived, Grinch! [open post]

The first thing Magnus does -- with Alex's help -- after fully healing is board up the hole in the side of the greenhouse where the cheetah ran through. The second thing, once he learns the full scope of Dark (it's different at camp; he'd already taken out a ton of camp-appropriate food for when Galahad and Laertes couldn't make it out there, and so he and Alex have been fine on the eating front) is go to the greenhouse again to figure out what plants in there yield edible produce. (Also, he tries to scrub his blood off the table. It... partially works?)

Partly it's that he's still feeling weird after the whole affair. The season doesn't help, but he does feel closer to his own mortality than pretty much any point since he died for real the first time. Being around growing plants helps that. Mostly, though, it's because he doesn't want anyone to get, like, scurvy living on bushels of rice alone.

He doesn't want to overtax any of the plants, but some can be cajoled into fruiting. Right now, he's got his hand on a kumquat tree, and he's trying to convince it that it can speed up the growth process by a few weeks. Drosera is with him, 'helping:' she's found a dead leaf, and she's chasing it down the pathway between some plants. If anyone shows up -- either because they've heard of his near-death experience and want to check in on him, or just to hang out, or even because they're drawn by the way it looks like sunlight is coming from the greenhouse itself -- he'll be glad for the company.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only | Expand All

"Canst always ask for this," says Laertes, low. He's only barely taller than Magnus, and nowhere near as strong, but for a moment it feels like holding Ophelia again--that older brother's urge to shelter and protect. "I'll never say thee nay."

"Oh," says Magnus, shocked into a sudden emotion.

The grief pushes in hard again, that sweep of remembering or realization like a tall wave whelming him over. Magnus knew about Ophelia, and Magnus didn't tell him.

He lets it go.

"In Denmark, I was a brother to the finest sister that ever there was," he says. "Here--I would learn anew what it means to be a brother."

Magnus blinks at Laertes, clearly on the verge of being tremendously moved, but holding himself back so he doesn't get ahead of himself. "You wanna be brothers?"

"I--if thou wouldst have me."

"Um, yeah," Magnus says. He's blushing. He's grinning! He's a little overcome, actually. He's used to being the one who decides, not the one who gets decided about. "I'd love that."

"Then so we shall be." Wryly, "I'll try not to stifle thee too badly."

"Stifle away," Magnus says, gamely. "It's kinda nice being stifled."

At once, Laertes affects a stern, grave tone. "Keep not company with princes," he says, "for though they may flatter and sport, their hearts are not their own to give."

Magnus cackles. "I'm never gonna give my heart to anyone but Alex," he says, impishly, "but you do realize you just gave your little brother so much ammunition to tease you about taking up with I think every prince here, right?"

Laertes pauses. He very visibly does some mental math. He frowns, then raises a hand--then drops it again.

He starts cackling like a hyena.

"This is a house of hypocrisy," Magnus intones, faux-solemnly.

"Even Lancelot is a prince," Laertes manages to gasp. "Hoist by my own petard!"

"Really?" Magnus asks, very specifically vague about what part of that statement has led to his incredulous response.

"I think he was one, once, when he was very small," says Laertes through his laughter.

"Princes Georg..." Magnus whispers, mostly to himself, and then, louder, "Dude."

"I cannot take my own advice."

"We should just rename this place the Hypocrisy Hotel."

"What, just for me?"

"Yes," with an impish grin.

"Then I will take that honor in the spirit in which it's meant."

"Good," Magnus says, his grin softening into a smile. "What other advice do you have for me, bro?"

"Shouldst not come to me for advice," says Laertes. "I've begun to think that I've never given a sound piece of advice in my life."

"I dunno, I think you've given me plenty," Magnus says, an equal split between teasing and earnest. "Mostly when you're not trying, buuuuut..."

"Then wait; it will come again anon," laughs Laertes.

(no subject)

summerdude - 2024-04-20 17:37 (UTC) - Expand