prismatica | First Incantation: un: fox🦊

Mmm.

( thankfully, he doesn't get sick. instead, he just gives one firm shake of his head, eyes screwed shut as he steadies his labored breathing. it must've been — imaginary. something. he can feel fox's arm on him right now.

even trying to logic through it, he knows it isn't the case. mingyu's memories, however brief or startling, were as sincere as his smile wasn't. perhaps it was a snapshot of fox's death he'd seen, and he's glad for the lack of detail ... no matter how disturbing a motionless, severed arm is, it's nothing like an unresponsive body. harry knows this painfully well. )

Is your arm — alright?

Uh- yeah? [ He furrowed his brow in confusion, rubbing his thumb gently into Harry’s shoulder. ]

You’re the one who got hurt, remember? I’m fine.

[ He kept his fingers against Harry’s brow for a moment, but there was no fever. ]

I’ll make you some clarity tea. You’ve got tea, right?

( he turns a little suddenly before giving fox a proper answer, grabbing his hand and pulling it away, turning to examine the wrist. looking for joints like a doll, anything that doesn't quite match the organic flow of skin. )

I thought — ( his hand slides up the length of his arm, maintaining contact for chroma purposes, fingers delicately mapping out the jagged edge he'd seen through mingyu's mind's eye. harry frowns, brows knotted. there isn't even a scar. ) ... Never mind.

I'm from England, of course I have tea.

( with a vague gesture to the kitchen — for the moment, harry is checked out of moving. not only does he have tea, he has a cupboard full, with about four boxes of the same exact kind. oops.

... he does have a thought, after fox goes to collect it, perking up from his slouched seat and turning to watch him, carefully. )

How come Mingyu thinks you're dead?

( is what he saw a vision of the future? has fox simply ... not experienced it, yet? )

[ He frowns, watching Harry, but eventually he nods and goes to get the tea. It’s a couple minutes and another spell later (he’s already forgot about the chroma requirements) before he brings back the tea. Regardless of what it was before, in now smells gently of peppermint, and is the perfect temperature.

He sets it down and then his face falls a little at the question. A second later, he’s pushing through it with a smile, though it doesn’t reach his eyes. ]

Ah... that’s because for him, I am. He’s from about six years in my future, and I disappeared a year ago for him. So I’ve got about five years, I guess.

[ He sits down and then smiles a little more warmly at Harry. ]

Try it. It clears the mind and calms the soul, as they say.

Ah.

( he sips dutifully, not really tasting it. harry handles shell shock the way he handles most things — deliberately tepid, emotionless, stagnant. the tea helps. it clears up the fog of the memory still etched into the forefront of his brain, helps put names to the emotions he felt as if they were his own, from mingyu's heart. grief, anguish ... heartbreak. his throat feels hoarse, like he's been screaming.

he shakes his head. )

Can you stop spending your Chroma recklessly? I'm fine.

( he reaches out and takes fox by the hand, although his gaze still falls forward, somewhat distant. )

I do think I might've seen you die, though. It — ( he shudders ) Your arm.

Ah— sorry. Still not used to that.

[ He grimaces a little and then lets Harry take his hand, a trickle of moonlacing curling under his fingers.

He glances away. ]

... Ah. He didn’t tell me that he’d seen any of it. My body, I mean. [ His voice got a little quiet, his expression distant. ]

... Sorry. You shouldn’t have had to see that.

I'm going to put a curse on you that makes you vomit slugs every time you apologize for no reason from here on out.

( holding fox's hand still, he leans his opposing elbow on his knee, bringing himself forward and basically as far away from fox as possible, without dropping that small bit of contact. it's a little too close for comfort, is all — all this talk of death and dying. harry used to reflect on it frequently, for however many minutes in a day there are.

now? he's found something special to live for, so he presses the inevitability of his death deep, deep down, where he can almost forget. he cannot forget the sight of mingyu's arm, though, or all the memories it stirs. )

He did. It was a little disturbing.

( "a little", and harry tosses his gaze back to fox, sharply. )

So, how're we going to fix it?

( he can't really work up the energy to save himself, but — fox, you're on thin fucking ice for this particular martyr's latest project. )

Ah, s— I mean, uh, it’s a Canadian culture thing. Can’t help it. I’ll try not to indulge in it too much. [ He gave a slightly weak smile, before asking: ] .. can you, uh, actually do that? Transmute something to living slugs inside my mouth? Because you really need to show me that,

[ He doesn’t close the distance, his grip on Harry’s hand light. ]

... Rewrite his timeline, somehow. [ Murmured. ] Time magic is theoretically possible it’s just - insanely difficult and dangerous, because who knows how many parallel timelines there are. And using the magic itself will probably create more. But this place clearly doesn’t follow the rules, so I may be able to access his timeline directly. So, either I fix it so that his Huli was never captured, or I rescue him right before he dies and bring him here where it’s safe.

I’m sure there are other ways, this is just... what I’ve thought of so far.

( he gives fox a look that's half bewildered, half endeared, with a silent shake of his head. for the first time, he cracks a small smile. he really loves magic more than anything, huh? )

I can make you vomit slugs. I can't make it go with a word, though — I was being dramatic.

( the rest of it, and his smile quietly fades back into a determined look of understanding. he thinks through it — time travel is certainly not his forte, and he's only really done it once with hermione's much more talented mind guiding him through the process, but. if they need a split second rewind, in that very moment, then — it'd help, right?

mingyu didn't actually see a body. just an arm. )

I don't — I don't know if it'd help, but. ( he swallows, dryly. ) There's this item, where I'm from. A Time Turner. It lets you go backwards in time a bit ... maybe if you could use it at that point of death, it'd ... help? Rewind your steps and try again? ( harry shakes his head. ) Time magic is not what I'm good at, but if you'd think it would help, I can bring you one. Or else — take preventative measures to keep you from the situation in question. You mentioned kidnapping?

Ah... Well, that would still be something to see.

[ He hummed a little. ]

I mean, honestly, getting my hands on any artifact that used time magic would be helpful. No one's managed it in my world. Or, if they have, they split themselves off into another universe. Quantum theory messes everything up. So if you can get one, yeah, of course I'd take it. Just let me know what you need, I'll pay you properly for it.

[ He frowned at the last. ]

... Yeah. That's what he said. He won't -- he hasn't told me much. So it's hard to estimate exactly where and when I'd need to go, but... It's worth a shot, right?

( he nods, a little. )

It's an item from home, so — I'll have to save up for it. ( leaning in, he gives fox a little rough and tumble shoulder nudge. attempting, a little fruitlessly, to lighten the mood. ) You can help me raise Chroma. Right?

We wring out all the information we can from his neck, and we build from there. ( thinking for a moment ... his mouth settles into a frown, a hand lifting up to rub his raised scar in thought. ) Or ... Last case scenario. One of us could turn his magic back on him.

Go digging for that memory. Find whatever there is to find.

[ He gives a faint apologetic smile at the nudge, and leans against him instead, feeling the warmth of the moonlacing flicker and blossom under his skin. ]

I can pay for it, but yeah, that’s the plan. With all the chroma I need for my magic anyway, I’ll have plenty to spend. Hopefully.

[ He chuckled about wringing his neck, but the chuckle died at the final suggestion. He stopped leaning, the moonlacing ceasing as the contact did, his brows pinched. ]

No.

[ The word had a firm conviction to it, though he looked away. ]

No, even at the last case, we won’t do that. For one... if he had enough information to find Huli, he would have done so. A rescue operation wouldn’t be necessary, it would already be complete. I don’t think Huli even told him where he was going, the night that he got abducted, so we would just be forcing him to relive it for cruelty’s sake.

[ He paused, turning sorrowful eyes on Harry. ]

Two, after seeing what it did to you... It should never be used on a living creature. I’ve seen the spell, now, and it’s... If I have any chance of convincing him to give up the dark magic he’s developed, I can’t use it against him. Or anyone. Ever.

We’ll find another way. No one ever believes me, but there’s always an option that won’t wound.

( he takes that answer with the level of severity fox pushes into it, gaze serious and sharp, but. he'll find agreeable, nonetheless.

it's an easy argument to make, justifying the means to an end, but. harry comes to a rather deep conclusion, that this particular decision does not revolve around him — that this is fox's story to write, not his own. there's something oddly satisfying in that. accepting that it's someone else's responsibility to keep them on a narrow path, and then listening to that instruction. following, instead of leading.

despite the heaviness on fox's tongue, harry smiles at him, small and warm. )

You're the boss.

( and even though he pulled away, harry reaches out again, hand on his arm. )

And I believe you. For whatever it's worth.

[ He couldn’t help the quiet chuckle. ]

I’m the boss, huh?

[ That sounded like a joke and a half. Even Queen West knew better than to run him as gang leader. He turned to look at Harry and then reached out and ruffled his messy hair fondly. ]

You always this eager to sign up for a hopeless cause, or did you take pity on him in the end after all?

But thanks. It actually does mean something, weirdly enough. It’s a hard sell to most magic users, when the violent option is usually the faster and easier one anyway. Makes it hard to be a pacifist.

Edited 2020-05-29 04:12 (UTC)

( folding his legs up on the sofa, harry turns to better face him — a lanky arm reaches past to plant his hand down on the other side of fox's thigh, effectively boxing him in. )

Bit of an expert on hopeless causes, actually. ( he shrugs ) And Gabriel is downright fowl, but I don't believe he's a bad person. Corrupted, maybe. In need of guidance. But not evil.

I think being a powerful wizard means you have to hold yourself accountable for your actions. Of course you can — do things. Sometimes unspeakable, horrible things. But should you? That's the question, isn't it. When does the end justify the means?

But — that's your own journey to go on. You're a far better person than me, actually. I'm a little envious.

He’s not fowl! [ A low whine of a protest. ] He did very wrong by you but I promise he’s not fowl, he just... needs our help.

[ He gave a bit of a hopeless shrug before putting his hand onto of Harry’s and giving it a squeeze, his other hand resting on Harry’s thigh in turn, the gentle hum of moonlacing vibrating in his blood. ]

Mm, we’ll see if I can actually keep to it if I’m tested the way Mingyu was. Considering that I’m dead, maybe I stick to my morals and it gets me killed. Who knows.

[ He’s talking in a very detached way about it, and a second later he offers Harry a smile. ]

You’re kidding, right? You get assaulted by someone and now you’re going to help me save him? Ah, you’re right, you must be an awful, terrible person, how did I not see it...

( he accepts the smile, and with it takes the hand on his thigh up, not kissing it per se, but pulling it close to his mouth, looking at him a little poutily through the inky brush of full lashes. )

Got you killed. ( he corrects. harry's thumb runs across his knuckles. ) We're going to fix it.

Help is given to those who deserve it. And you deserve it, Foxy.

( a brow arches onto his forehead — he does, finally, press a kiss on the back on fox's hand, comfortable with him despite the ups and downs of their conversation. he's glad he's here. he's kind of shocked he came at all, but he's. grateful. friends really are a valuable asset to have. )

I don't know. I was alright with turning his magic on him. ( the smile on his mouth twists, wolfish. ) You're the one with all the morals, all these better notions of right and wrong. I can feel my hero kink growing just looking at you.

Ah, well, you know what I mean. I think most people deserve help.

[ He felt his chest flutter a little as Harry’s lips brushed his skin, though he couldn’t tell if it was attraction or relief. He’d been a bit worried that Harry would get distant with him, after all this. He wouldn’t blame him. ]

I’m not so sure pacifism is a moral standing. You’d be surprised just how many people think that not wanting people killed for their crimes is a moral failing. So I don’t know if I’d really call myself a hero.

[ He smiled, though, looking more fond than he actually meant to let slip into his expression, and turned his hand a little in Harry’s grip so he could run the pad of his thumb over Harry’s lip. ]

Oh is that what you have a kink for? [ He teased. ] I should probably get you to make me a list.

I disagree. So there's another reason, why you're a better person than me.

( he doesn't say it with any fraction of sincerity or seriousness — just trying to lighten the rather dark topic of fox's death, while making sure to let nothing slip of his own undeniable fate.

he tilts his head into fox's hand. )

You want a list of kinks? ( he, unexpectedly to even himself, lets out a jovial laugh. ) Consider me a blank canvass, for you to paint your worst kinks on. All the dark stuff comes out during Sanguis. My boyfriend Jin Ling would tell you — actually he'd probably blush and get angry, if you asked him. It's really cute.

Yeah, yeah, sure. [ He doesn't seem super put out by it, but also clearly doesn't believe it, and he's happy to let the conversation move on.

He grins when Harry laughs, feeling very relieved, finally convinced that he did the right thing by coming over, if only to see Harry happy. He scrubs the boy's cheek fondly, green eyes meeting green as his grin makes the edges of his eyes crinkle. ]

That would make two of you, then. Though I think I'm going to have to give you a lecture about safe kink exploration, [ He teased, giving that cheek a pinch. ]

Do you have pictures? Show me this boyfriend of yours. He sounds like a Tsundere.

Oh, yes, teach me your kinky ways, Professor.

( he really wishes he didn't say 'professor', but. once it's out of his mouth, there it is. huffing a little laugh, he raises a hand to bat fox's pinch away, settling instead to turn himself, pressing his back to fox's side as he leans over, feet kicked up on the couch. )

I don't know what that is, but yes, I do.

( scrolling through his phone, he picks out an angled shot of jin ling — grass green beneath him, a smile plastered on his face while a very handsome looking dog takes a big lick against his chin. he's dressed in fancy, ancient robes, all white and accented with gold details. harry flickers through to the next picture, this one a candid of jin ling and another boy in fancy robes, blue in place of his yellow. they're both very cute! )

Jin Ling — and that's Lan Sizhui, his boyfriend.

Ahh, teacher-student kink, adding that one to the list, [ He said with a laugh.

He loops an arm easily around Harry's chest as the boy leans against him, and then leans a little himself to better see the images on the phone. Ah, he was cute. He could see them being very cute together. ]

It means someone that acts like they don't like someone or something when they actually really do. They tend to get pretty sappy eventually.

[ He grinned as he watched the next picture flick over, then raised an eyebrow. ]

Your boyfriend's boyfriend?

[ He doesn't sound judgmental, to be clear, but he does sound a little surprised. ]

You guys poly, or...?

Ah — yeah, that does sound like him. Especially the sappy bit.

( a kind of noncommittal sound escapes him at the question and prodding — it's plain to see that harry himself doesn't much understand his own situation, but he also hasn't lingered on it for any extended amount of time. there's too many complications that come along with being in a relationship in the first place — thinking past then just halts his brain entirely.

he shrugs. )

I guess. I'm not sure of labels. ( he closes his phone, lets himself ease closer on fox's chest. ) It'd probably be different if we met at home, but ... ( he waves his hand ) This place. It'll let you have everything you could want, if you know how to take it.

[ Unfortunately for Harry, if there is one driving force behind Fox it is relentless curiosity. ]

This place is definitely something, that’s for sure. But what do you mean it would be different back home? You wouldn’t be together?

[ He just kind of lazily strokes Harry’s chest, letting the moonlacing tingle under his fingertips. ]

I ...

( he wriggles against him, letting himself get more comfortable. sideways, he leans his head back to look at him more directly, a hand floating up to wind around fox's at his chest. )

It's complicated. I mean — we're from different worlds, and he's at least a thousand years in the past, so. Meeting each other would've been impossible. ( he's not too sad about it — it just makes it all the more special that they've met here now. ) Plus, he has a big inheritance, I think, which means he doesn't get to date around. So ...

Plus, I wouldn't exactly say I was interested in dating multiple people back at home. But. ( doesn't matter now! i'm dead! he gives a small smile, that's only sad enough if you stay looking at it for too long. ) This place, that's what I'm saying. You can do what you like, so why wouldn't I? I guess.

First Incantation: un: fox🦊 - text

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