onthewillowsthere | [closed post -- a readiness of things]

Galahad has assumed a regular schedule of checking on Magnus -- the protein bars were dire, and Magnus deserves better food, to say nothing of the other pleasures of indoor life (changes of clothes, Ticket to Ride (the Europe version), updates from Claudius' Mansion gossip that seem like they're be interesting to Magnus and not so personal that Galahad would feel bad sharing them). He comes out to the woods daily now.

It's one of the coolest days they've had at the Mansion so far, and he has a long coat on over his clothes. Today's collection of needful things includes a book full of different waffle recipes, the spicy lamb Magnus conjured from the refrigerator on his first day, two bottles of Mountain Dew Code Red, and an assortment of jeweled barrettes that immediately made him think of Magnus' overlong hair.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

summerdude

"I mean, I guess I was still disoriented when I met him," he says. "And then there was a huge series of misunderstandings. Mostly on my part. He had a magical flying sword and Jack was Frey's magical flying sword before I got him; he had a lot of power and gods have a lot of power; I healed him and saw something divine. Luo Binghe did also, like, straight up tell me he was a god, too, basically, so that didn't help." He laughs again. It's funny now, with distance from the whole situation. "There was also a day or two when I thought he might be Shen Yuan's deadbeat dad? More misunderstandings."

From:

onthewillowsthere

He frowns at the back of Magnus' head at the mention of Luo Binghe, but he doesn't want to involve Magnus in anything he plans to do in that regard. He says nothing, but continues combing.

From:

summerdude

"Hanguang-jun was so confused when I confronted him..." Magnus says. He's leaning back into Galahad's touch, now; it's light enough that it's giving him some fun little goosebumps. "This feels good."

From:

onthewillowsthere

It feels nice to do, too, a meditative act of care. The teeth of the comb part Magnus' fine blond hair and then disappear into it, over and over; and Magnus talks, and Galahad listens.

From:

summerdude

Magnus's thoughts, meanwhile, are drifting: he's once more glad that Lan Wangji isn't Shen Yuan's deadbeat dad. He really, really likes the guy. There's this quality both Lan Wangji and Galahad have in common: he can be quiet around them, and feel at peace. He's been trying to envision the shape of his afterlife if he just stays here, keeping Jack well out of the way of the Nine Worlds. Moments like this make it feel really, really possible.

From:

onthewillowsthere

Eventually he puts down the comb and begins clipping back Magnus' hair from his face with the barrettes, pulling it back just enough that it won't get in his eyes, alternating the pink and green ones.

"Nina misses waffles," he says. "She says the ones here aren't fluffy. I thought since you know about food you could look at the book I brought and tell me--"

From:

summerdude

"Waffles," Magnus says, reverently. "Love a good waffle. Yeah, I can take a look." He still knows next to nothing about cooking, but he knows a lot about waffles.

From:

onthewillowsthere

"It's in my bag," which is lying beside them.

From:

summerdude

Magnus reaches for the bag, and then hesitates. "Mind if I rummage?"

From:

onthewillowsthere

He shakes his head, then remembers Magnus can't see him, and says, "It's fine."

From:

summerdude

So Magnus pulls the bag closer, flipping it open and taking the book out. "Wow," he says, as he thumbs through the pages. "There are so many types of waffles out there?"

From:

onthewillowsthere

The book is thorough -- it includes everything from Belgian waffles to ebelskiver -- which is frankly why Galahad got a little overwhelmed and decided to bring it to Magnus. I know! he signs, momentarily pausing in his task.

From:

summerdude

Magnus pauses on the page for pizzelles, which he's never even heard of before. "You said she liked fluffy?"

From:

onthewillowsthere

"That's what she said. As fluffy as the ones in Ketterdam."

From:

summerdude

"I wonder if that's more like, Belgian waffle vibe or diner at 3 am waffle vibe," Magnus muses, flipping further on through the book.

From:

onthewillowsthere

"What's the difference?" He gives Magnus' hair a once-over and decides that it's finished.

From:

summerdude

"From what I understand? Diner waffles are squishier. Belgian ones have more structural integrity. They're both on the thicker side, though."

From:

onthewillowsthere

Galahad makes a face at the word squishy. "We should try Belgian first."

From:

summerdude

Galahad has stopped touching his hair, so Magnus reaches up and gently, lightly runs the palm of his hand over the barrettes. It feels cool. "All done, man?"

From:

onthewillowsthere

"Done." He leans over Magnus' shoulder to look at the book.

From:

summerdude

"Thanks," Magnus says, happily. He kind of wishes he had a mirror, or, like, a phone, so he could see what it looks like. He leans against Galahad, holding the book up higher so he can see better. "Are you thinking of trying to make them?"

From:

onthewillowsthere

"I want to try," settling one arm around Magnus' waist. "She likes sweet things."

From:

summerdude

That makes sense; she's very good at flirting. Surely those things go hand in hand? "She talked me into her talent show," Magnus says, by which he means she asked, like, once, and he agreed. "I have no idea what to do, though."