I'm About As Organized As Ran, I Guess? [closed post]

[summerdude]

"And then we realized Frigg was knitting with clouds. Actual factual clouds," Magnus says, passing another box that, as it turns out, holds nothing useful down to Galahad. He climbs up another rung on the little stepladder and starts in on the next shelf. "How many boxes of Legos do we have so far?" He knows it's certainly not enough for a bachelorette party yet, but surely there's something they can go on. He'd kind of tonight that this far after Dark, there would be... more? "Do you think we should find another room to look in? Maybe the game room isn't the best choice."

Comments

[onthewillowsthere]

"I have to be able to protect him."

[summerdude]

"Hence the new sword." Magnus nods, but he's a little sad for Galahad. Still, he rallies. "Gotcha. Okay. Let's find you a scabbard and a belt."

[onthewillowsthere]

Galahad nods. He's a little sad about it too, but this is important. "And keep it a secret from Jack."

[summerdude]

"Why?"

[onthewillowsthere]

"I gave up my sword."

[summerdude]

"Oh." A lot of things click for Magnus in an instant. "Yeah, of course. He actually might not mind so much, since you didn't give Red Hilt away to somebody else?" It sounds flimsy to his ears, too. "We'll give him a cover story. She's on a quest, and you're trying to train with, uh. Someone less distractingly... sexy?... for a time. Jack will buy it, he always used to make me practice with regular swords so I could fight without relying on him and so that he could train me more easily."

[onthewillowsthere]

"Thank you." He pauses. "I'm sorry for asking you to lie."

[summerdude]

Magnus shrugs. "It's fine," he says. He has no huge compunctions about being dishonest when there's a need. He does tug Galahad in for a hug, though.

[onthewillowsthere]

Galahad presses close, wrapping his arms around Magnus.

[summerdude]

"When you say you 'lost your power,'" Magnus says, words partially muffled against Galahad's hair. "What does that mean?"

[onthewillowsthere]

"I'm not strong." His fingers flutter against Magnus' back. "I can't fight. The fire is gone." Although he hasn't tested it, he feels certain that he also cannot give rest to the dead or perform any healings.

[summerdude]

Wow! Okay, that's a lot. Magnus squeezes Galahad. Not full-strength. "So you're learning to fight all over again?"

[onthewillowsthere]

"Yes."

[summerdude]

"You should use Jack."

[onthewillowsthere]

"How?"

[summerdude]

"He's actually a really good teacher. He taught me at least 70% of what I know. He could fight with you and talk you through it." Magnus hesitates, then plows on ahead. His non-fighty best friend has to fight again even though he doesn't want to. Magnus can help him, even though it would mean practicing again -- he could deal with that, for Galahad. Plus, it might mollify Jack, who's been increasingly persistent about how long it's been since Magnus has trained. "I could help, too."

[onthewillowsthere]

Galahad pulls back to look at him. "No. You don't want to be Fighting Guy any more."

[summerdude]

"You didn't, either."

[onthewillowsthere]

"This time I'm choosing."

[summerdude]

"Why?"

[onthewillowsthere]

"Because of him." He knows Magnus knows who he means.

[summerdude]

And Magnus can't tell him that Claudius won't need the protection, because Magnus -- probably the most resilient semi-human dude in this world -- nearly died. "I'm sorry," he say, fervently, giving Galahad another squeeze. "I'm so sorry."

[onthewillowsthere]

With everyone else, Galahad has been composed about this change to his life -- but it's different with Magnus. Magnus understands. He holds back as tightly as he can, burying his face in Magnus' hair, and just lets himself be sad.

[summerdude]

"I love you," Magnus murmurs, stroking from Galahad's hair down to his back again and again. "Anything you need, okay, buddy? Anything at all."

[onthewillowsthere]

"Thank you," closer to a whisper.