*-*-*-*-*-*-*-Multiverse Mysteries-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*Slightly Evil Magnus Universe*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Chapter 11:
Misunderstandings and Mysterious Strangers
Chapter Complete!Oh my goodness, SO sorry for the wait guys! Works been crazy- I work at a Pharmacy so while everyone else is supposed to be sheltering at home I'm working more hours than ever.
Can't believe it's taken me this long to get back to this story…I started it before the beginning of all the others and here it is the very last one for this round.
We're really close to complete on this- I'm close to done on chapter 12, just a bit more to go, should have it up sometime next week.
Thanks so much for being patient with this- I really was going as fast as I could on these.
{*~********~*~********~*} *-Other-*-Other-*-Other-*-Other-*-Other-* *-Kasey-* {*~********~*~********~*}God he was such an idiot…what was he thinking?
A Fairy Changeling…seriously? What, just because the dudes kinda over the top flashy and annoyingly pretty- THAT'S what he's basing this on?
God…moron…
He sighed faintly, moving around the art room, absentmindedly putting everything back, moving their new props into the corner, ensuring he got everything back where it was supposed to be. Miss Young had been nice enough to let the LARP club use her room today to make some new props provided they cleaned up their mess. Lilly, Windy and the others had been more than willing to clean everything up but he offered to handle it. He'd just not been feeling it today, really didn't contribute much of anything to the prop production- his heart just wasn't in it.
Figured to make up for his lack of enthusiasm he'd stay after the others and get everything sorted. They'd said he didn't have to but he'd been pretty insistent…besides he kinda wanted the time to himself. He really did have a lot on his mind.
He's never seen Isaac so mad at him. Isaac never got mad at him about stuff like this. Yeah he'd get exasperated, roll his eyes, chuckle and call him ridiculous but he never got out and out mad about it…he never shouted at him or looked borderline scared about the outcome.
Of course up till now he hadn't randomly threw a net and bucket of ice water over a guy he's semi-crushing on.
He really was just trying to help. He wanted to look out for Isaac.
I mean it was pretty obvious He and Marcus were growing close really quickly. REALLY quickly…like supernaturally quick. He'd seen them together a couple times today whispering about something, Isaac looking near nervous around the other boy, almost like he was afraid or didn't really know how to act. It was weird, totally unlike him. Kasey was sure it had to be some kind of spell or enchantment or something- that's why he acted so quickly…he thought he had to.
I mean obviously it had to be a different one than the other spell type thing going around the school. He wasn't acting all moony and sappy with the guy thankfully…er…um…but at the same time he most definitely wasn't acting in any way 'normal' around the guy. I mean, yeah Isaac was a really nice guy and would totally go out of his way for people but this really was different. He seemed way closer to the guy than was possible for them knowing each other barely a day.
He even showed Marcus their secret route through the steam tunnels! They didn't do that! Not with some dude they've known less than a week- yet Isaac seemed like it was nothing taking the new guy through it, showing off that cool lock picking thing and everything.
Like…what?
Y-you don't do that with just any dude.
Though maybe to Isaac this Marcus guy wasn't just 'any' dude.
I mean…yeah…that might explain the closeness…and the awkwardness…and the kinda nervousness. A-and okay devil's advocate he guesses he can see why Isaac might find the guy interesting. He definitely had a look that'd be interesting to Isaac. He always appreciated a bit of flash and style and people who weren't afraid to stand out (that definitely fit this 'Marcus' to a tee). T-though he hadn't really thought Isaac found that like, 'attractive'…just aesthetically interesting. He didn't think Isaac really went for the whole flashy, pretty boy thing…
But apparently he read that wrong too…
Just like the stupid 'Fairy Changeling' thing.
Ugh…
God he was a moron.
Really how c-
"Kasey?"
He startles at a faint touch on his shoulder, whirling around at the voice, hand catching the box of decorative stones, marbles, sparkly fish tank pebbles and dollar store gems they'd been using to embellish their props setting on the edge of the table, the container landing on its side, sending the contents spilling out across the floor, errant marbles bouncing off in random directions.
"Crap!" he scrambled down quickly gathering up the various shimmery objects.
"Oh damnit… sorry!" The person exclaimed, hurrying after the runaway marbles, ensuring he got all of them before moving back over by Kasey, stooping down, dropping them in the plastic container along with the rest before glancing over], flashing a faint, sheepish smile, tucking a glossy violet lock of hair behind his ear just behind that weird dragon cuff type thing.
Ugh…damnit…
That really is annoyingly pretty.
"Sorry about that, didn't mean to startle you. I'd been looking for you- Isaac mentioned your club had a meeting -I was hoping I could catch you before you left." He paused, gaze flickering over the room, head tilting curiously.
"Looks like you were quite busy- do hope I didn't interrupt?"
He just barely fought off an agitated sigh.
Ugh…Great…As if today wasn't annoying enough.
He'd barely saw Isaac and Max, he was off in the LARP meeting- usually the highlight of his week- and now he's cornered in a room surrounded with LARP props and stacks upon stacks upon stacks of comics, fantasy books, supernatural tabloids and scifi magazines by an annoyingly pretty, probably entirely too-cool-for-this dude in what can only be described as clubware who he just three hours ago threw a bucket of ice water and penny studded net over while crowing idiotically about fairies-
And seriously, what sixteen year old in their right mind wears two necklaces, four rings, a leather wrist cuff, purple snake print boots, shimmery black jeans, and a bright purple shirt with 'Bi The Way' written across it in glitter letters'? And why is his hair dark purple now!? It was red streaked yesterday. Who matches their hair to their outfit? How do you match your hair to your outfit? Is that like a fashion 'thing' he's unaware of? Yeah no doubt there's a lot of fashion-y things he's unaware of but that seems pretty over the top.
But of course for this Marcus dude it works- just looks effortless and perfect…
Ugh…
How much worse could this day get?
Seriously he needs to know- like a numerical value: Four? Two? Negative twenty? Where are we landing here?
Well at least the guy doesn't look especially mad so it's unlikely he's here to fight him about the whole Fairy Trap Attack thing. I mean Isaac told him where he was. If he was looking for him it couldn't be for anything too bad. Even if Isaac was angry at him he wouldn't tell someone where he is just so they could get revenge…even someone he was semi-crushing on…so that's something at least.
Not that whatever this is is likely to be much more pleasant.
The guys had a faintly polite smile on his annoyingly pretty face, sharp brown eyes shifting over the random stacks of 'research' and cheesy props, perfectly sculpted eyebrow raising faintly, a hint of amusement lighting his dark, kohl rimmed eyes. He tries to school his features, shifting back to Kasey, clearly trying to stifle his reaction to the nerdy-ness of their surroundings, trying to look compassionate and slightly apologetic.
Oh...awesome…so a dude he just met yesterday and threw a bucket of water and net over just a few hours ago is actively trying to get on his good side. He really can't think of too many reasons a guy like this Marcus would be so set on getting along with someone like him…
Unless he wants to make nice because he likes Isaac and wants to stay on his best friends good side…which…
Ah crap…
(Yup…negative numbers it is…)
Kasey tried to stifle his reaction as best he can, standing back up, setting the container on one of the desks- well away from the edge this time- giving a faint shrug, tucking an errant lock of coppery brown hair behind his ear.
"Yeah, we were…well the others were- I wasn't really feeling it today."
He smiled, shrugging faintly, standing up as well, giving a little flickering wave, shimmery violet and mirrored black nails catching in the light.
"Well that's the good thing about being in a group, yes? When one person isn't quite on point the others can step up, rally around them as it were. Looks like the group got a lot done…that's the important part."
Ugh…Pretty, fashionable boyband escapee being positive and supportive of LARP? Only one possible explanation for that…
(Yeah Well into the negative numbers now…)
Kasey slumped against the desk, giving a faint nod, folding his arms across his chest, glancing up at the other guy.
"Yeah, usually I'd of been gone by now too but it got a bit out of hand. I offered to stay behind and clean up since I didn't really contribute much else today."
Marcus sighed, giving a faint nod of his own.
"Well I believe I may have to take a bit of the blame for that."
Kasey gave a slightly disbelieving scoff and a flippant little wave.
"Why? You didn't make me act like an idiot-"
Marcus blinked, shaking his head quickly.
"Oh sweetheart don't say that! Y-"
"Dude! I threw a bucket of water and a net over you and called you a fairy!"
He shrugged, flashing a near teasing, playful smirk.
"It's fine, my makeup's waterproof…besides not like I haven't been called far worse."
Kasey couldn't help a bit of a surprised laugh before getting a little twist in his stomach.
Oh great…stupidly pretty, nice and a great sense of humor…
No wonder why Isaac would like him…
Kasey slumped back against the desk, trying to ignore the twisty thing in his stomach, swallowing back his disappointment. Yeah this sucked- no question but it's not like the guy purposefully swooped in on Isaac…and it's not like Kasey had any say in it even if he did. He and Isaac were friends…just friends…
That's just how it is…how it's always been…
And maybe this is why…
I mean if THIS is Isaac's type it's not like he ever had an actual shot anyway. And much as he'd like to blame this Marcus for swooping in and turning Isaac (and like two thirds of the student population's) head he knows it's really crappy to dislike someone just because of their looks or style or whatever. Yeah he has plenty of faults but being petty and looks-obsessed has never been one of them. He knows he's better than that…And…you know…
Fairy Trap…
Stupidly pretty or not he did owe the dude an apology.
Kasey sighed faintly, glancing up, flashing an apologetic look, shaking his head.
"Yeah well even so it was a real jackass move. I kinda get carried away sometimes, think I have too active of imagination. Even so that was way out of line, sorry."
Marcus waved him off, settling in next to him.
"As I said dear it really is fine, no hard feelings. Imagination and creativity are signs of intelligence. It's always good to see the magic and wonder in the mundane, adds a bit more color and excitement to life…definitely nothing wrong with that." He flashed a near teasing, friendly smile, nudging Kasey's shoulder, glancing over catching his eye.
"Besides it really was quite impressive. Not everyone would risk attacking an evil fairy changeling with a penny studded net and ice water just to protect a friend. Misguided though your efforts were your motivation was quite admirable. Can't really fault someone for protecting their intended sweetheart- chivalry is far too rare of quality nowadays if you ask me."
Kasey startled faintly, looking over in confusion.
"What? I-uh-I don't know what you're talking about…like I said I just get carried away sometimes."
Marcus gave a soft chuckle, glancing back, eyebrow quirking near mischievously.
"Oh please."
"What! I do! Ask Max he'll tell you- probably talk your ear off about my crazy theories- I'm surprised they didn't already…at least so far as a heads up or whatever."
He chuckled, head tilting curiously.
"Well in truth they did…it really was quite entertaining. In fact I was rather disappointed I didn't get more of a chance to talk with you during my time here - you seem quite interesting. Though I'm a fair bit deeper than most…have quite the knack for looking past the surface, ferreting out a person true motivation.
You are quite creative, imaginative, passionate- most admirable qualities to be sure…however I get the feeling the 'carried away' part tends to coincide most often with Isaac's proximity, yes?"
Kasey swallowed, fidgeting nervously, shaking his head slightly.
"Umm…I-uh…I don't know what y-"
"Darling, come on… We both know you wouldn't have leapt so quickly from 'the new guys kinda odd' to 'spring fairie trap' if Isaac hadn't been a factor."
"T-that's not…" he sighed, slumping faintly, shrugging.
"I-it's not what you're thinking…he's just a friend. That's all we've ever been…I'm just protective of him…and Max…that's all. He's not my 'sweetheart'-"
"Not yet…"
"Yeah…not ever. Pretty clear I'm definitely not his type."
Marcus blinked in confusion, head tilting.
"Whatever do you mean?"
Kasey swallowed, a faint huff of a self-deprecating laugh slipping out, giving a halfhearted wave towards Marcus.
"Dude…come on…Fairy traps and over active imagination aside I'm not actually stupid...or blind…or delusional. It's pretty clear there's something between you two an-"
Marcus near startled.
"Oh! Darling no! There's nothing between us."
"Not yet…" Kasey nearly scoffed parroting back, it coming out far more sarcastic and mocking than he'd intended.
He sighed, giving a faintly apologetic wave shaking his head.
"Sorry t-"
Marcus reached over, resting his hand on his shoulder, squeezing, catching Kasey's eye, shaking his head, flashing a gentle smile.
"Not ever….and not how you said it- I genuinely do think you two have something, even if I was interested I wouldn't get between that. In any case you are rather confused darling…there's nothing between me and Isaac, there really isn't…not even close."
Kasey tilted his head.
"I…so you're really not interested in him…like at all?"
"No sweetheart; no. I mean he is a lovely person, quite interesting and everything but he's really not my type for a few different reasons…besides…well…" He paused, giving a slight shrug, a bit of a hesitation flitting over his features before it seems to dissipate, replaced by a slightly dreamy smile, a little excited spark lighting up his dark eyes, leaning in near conspiringly.
"Truth be told, I'm actually really quite taken by someone else."
Kasey perked up, leaning in a bit.
"Yeah?"
He gave a slight nod, smile brightening.
"Very much so."
"Yes!" Kasey cheered, before freezing, holding up a finger.
"Oh um…It's not me…right?"
Marcus chuckled, perfectly sculpted eyebrow quirking.
"Darling I've talked to you a grand total of an hour- if that. As charming as you are I'm not actually that easy…no matter what my best friend Raph says."
Kasey blushed brightly, giving a near giddy-giggly laugh, shrugging unconcerned.
"Sorry…just had to be clear."
Marcus smiled, waving him off.
"Quite alright."
Kasey gave another near giggle before faltering.
"Oh…um…well…you may not be interested in him but I'm pretty sure he is with you…"
Marcus near snorted.
"Uh no he's not…he's really, really not. I know that for a fact."
Kasey shook his head.
"I think you're wrong…he's really different around you."
He sighed, head tilting concedingly.
"Yes…but it's not different like you're thinking…he's not 'attracted' nervous around me…he's just 'nervous' nervous around me. He's actually rather frightened of me…even though I have tried to reassure him- repeatedly- that the fear is unfounded as I am no threat to him he's still rather jumpy about the whole thing."
Kasey froze, glancing over, shifting a bit further away, suddenly on high alert.
"Umm…Isaac isn't really 'frightened' of pretty much anything…why would he be of you?"
Marcus sighed again, clearly weighing his words before glancing over, holding his hand up.
"Okay so…he kinda found out something that he wasn't supposed to…like why I just suddenly dropped in at the school…and why I was asking questions, trying to blend in and gain information…and…well…it kinda threw him. That's why he's been so distracted today…and why he reacted so strongly to the whole 'Fairie Trap' fiasco. He wasn't angry you did it, he was fearful there'd be repercussions for your actions- he was worried, trying to protect you, that's all."
Oh, 'that's all'…
Crap…t-this may be worse than he'd thought…
He swallowed, shifting a bit further away, not really sure what to do with his arms, folding and unfolding them, lifting his hand, scratching nervously at his cheek.
"R-repercussions?"
Marcus huffed, rolling his eyes, giving a fluttery little wave.
"I assured him multiple times there wouldn't be any…even so he's still rather jumpy …I supposed it is rather understandable given the situation."
Kasey gulped.
"Wha-um…what situation?"
"Darling breathe…"
Kasey flailed, eyes kinda wide.
"I'll breathe when I know what Isaac found out, what the 'situation' is and why he's so worried about me facing repercussions! And What do you mean he found out 'who you are?' Are you In Witness Protection? A Conman? A legit Criminal on the run from the law, like hiding in a school? Cause seriously who'd think to look for a criminal in a high school? Oh my god that's it- isn't it!? Oh god, right now it's seeming like my Fairie Changeling theory was the less crazy option!"
Marcus chuckled, shaking his head, holding his hands up placatingly.
"Darling nothing that dramatic. I'm not 'on the run from the law'…I am the law."
Kasey swallowed, flashing a totally disbelieving smile, nodding quickly, sliding a bit further away from the crazy guy, really wishing their positions were swapped and he wasn't standing directly between Kasey and the door.
"Oh…umm…good…that's uh-"
Marcus chuckled again, rolling his eyes faintly, reaching into the front pocket of his bag. Kasey startled, kind of scrambling back, grabbing his backpack off the table, holding it up like a sheild. Marcus turned back to him, quirking his eyebrow, holding up a beat up brown billfold, flipping it open.
Kasey hesitantly stepped closer, slowly lowering his backpack, looking over the ID and badge. He blinked in surprise, moving a little closer, slowly reaching up, taking the Identification, turning it over, inspecting it before glancing up, looking over the guy in surprise.
"Why is there a DEA agent at my school…" He froze, paling, eyes going wide.
"Oh my god…I threw a bucket of Ice water and a penny studded net over a government agent and called him a fairy! I'm going to jail aren't I? Or like prison or some weird black opts type government hole where they put people who attack government agents! Oh god this is s-"
"Kasey Breathe." Marcus huffed, waving him off, shaking his head.
"Like I said you're fine! Just breathe…and give me my badge back, I lose it it's my ass."
Kasey startled, scrambling to hand it back.
"Yeah, sorry I j-"
He slipped the badge back in his bag, again waving him off, brushing his hair back, giving a faint shrug.
"Again you're fine…and to answer your question I was working a case…well solving a case. There's been reports of odd behavior in some of the local high schools, it was our belief it was drug related. I look young enough for the most part and I really do have a knack with makeup so I went in undercover, been working this one for a few months at other schools but it moved rather abruptly to Suncrest High.
I just kinda had to wing it- my cover wasn't nearly as in-depth here as the others but that's fine…we figured it out, case is solved I'm onto my next case…actually I'm catching a flight in a few hours, I really do have to get going. I just wanted to pop in on you and be sure I didn't cause any issues…that really was the furthest thing from my intentions. It really should be good now though, everything should go back to normal here." He shrugged, giving a faint chuckle.
"Well as 'normal' as things get around here- from Max and Isaac's stories it seems 'normal' is rather relative with you guys."
Kasey couldn't help a bit of a laugh at that, nodding.
"That's true…pretty crazy place."
Marcus shrugged, flashing a bit of a smirk.
"Nothing wrong with that- keeps life interesting..." He paused, glancing up, catching Kasey's eye.
"Though on this one crazy escapade it'd really be best if you kept it to yourself. This op was classified and I was undercover. My identity getting out would pretty much mean the end of my career…so…"
Kasey nodded quickly, waving him off.
"No of course I understand…totally…secret's safe with me."
He smiled gratefully.
"Thank you dear- I really do appreciate it."
Kasey shrugged, smiling back.
"Hey I really appreciate you not holding the whole 'Fairie Trap Fiasco' thing against me."
Marcus chuckled, shaking his head.
"Of course darling, as I said no hard feelings… it was actually kind of cute…though for future reference that is NOT a very effective fairy trap."
Kasey huffed, giving a slight nod, waving him off.
"Okay I know it was stupid…like I said, sorry I j-"
"It's not that, just in my experience copper and ice water does not make a net fairie proof. You wouldn't end up with a trapped fairie- just a very wet, very cold, likely very pissed off magical being who's likely not nearly as magnanimous in the face of such a perceived slight as I am."
Kasey huffed out a faint laugh, shaking his head, glancing up, not above having a bit of a laugh at his own expense. Yeah okay the guy was teasing him but…hell, giving him a hard time about his crazy theories is a hell of a lot better than arresting him for assaulting an officer or whatever…
At least the Fed he accidently (on purpose) attacked had a sense of humor about it.
"In your experience huh- You have a lot of experience with magical beings? The DEA have a mystical creatures task force I'm not aware of?"
Marcus gave a surprised laugh, flashing an odd, knowing little smirk, and a playful wink.
"You'd be surprised…maybe that's how I look so young…Magic."
Kasey snorted, shaking his head, shrugging.
"Well guess it's a good thing I used it on a magical undercover DEA agent with a decent sense of humor rather than some super scary, super powerful, super uptight, magical being, huh?"
He chuckled.
"No worries there darling- I'm about as uptight as I am shy or meek."
Kasey grinned.
"Well that's a relief."
"As it should be. Anyw-" Marcus startled faintly at a little buzzing noise, pulling out his phone, glancing at the screen before pushing off the desk, tilting the phone, taking a few steps back towards the door.
"It really was lovely getting to meet you darling but I do have to get going."
Kasey nodded, giving a bit of a wave.
"Nice meeting you too Marcus- good luck with the next case…stay safe."
Marcus chuckled leaning back against the wall by the door, shrugging, flashing a playful little smirk.
"Sweetie who needs luck when you have magic?"
Kasey chuckled, rolling his eyes, grinning.
"Yeah, yeah, alright real f-"
He trailed off, totally freezing, catching something in Marcus's eyes. They seemed to glimmer, a little flicker of brilliant, glittering gold brightening up the dark depths. Marcus chuckled softly, the sound was odd, almost melodic, leaning against the wall next to the door, reaching over, resting his hand on the door knob, smirk shifting, taking on a near teasing, knowing little tilt, eyebrow quirking faintly.
"You have very good instincts Kasey- Trust in them, you'll go far." He paused, head tilting, the movement odd, something not quite human to it.
The smirk shifted a bit, eyes glimmering even brighter, nearly seeming to glow, the pupils flickering, shifting into a slit similar to a cat. He held a finger up, the nail looking a bit longer than it had a moment ago, a bit sharper. Kasey gulped, leaning a bit heavier on the desk.
"Though perhaps hold off on actually trying to physically trap 'magical beings' from now on? While I found it quite cute and rather charming many less enlightened in such a position may have taken it as a clear challenge. Trust me that's the last thing you want." He pulled the door open just enough to slip out, glancing back at Kasey once more.
"Stay safe Kasey." He murmured, voice different, soft and rich, tone oddly melodic, flashing a slight smirk and a bit of a wink along with a twinkling little wave, a little shimmer of violet sparkles dancing about his fingers, doing a graceful, effortless little spin type move, practically slinking out the door, pulling it closed silently behind him.
Kasey blinked, frozen in place for a moment, setting down rather heavily on the desk, before breaking out in a brilliant, excited grin, jumping up, rushing over to the door, yanking it open all but tumbling out into the hallway looking for any possible sign of Marcus. The hallway was totally empty, the other classrooms were all locked by now, dark and abandoned the only door out clear on the opposite end of the hallway a good eighty feet away. Unless he was all out sprinting no way he could have made it that far in the couple seconds it took Kasey to snap out of it and cross the eight feet to the classroom door.
Woah…
He full on disappeared!
Dude!
Oh man…Isaac and Max are never gonna believe this!
{*~********~*~********~*} *-Other-*-Other-*-Other-*-Other-*-Other-* *-Raj-* {*~********~*~********~*}"- and that is why I will never again try to fly home after three margaritas." Bryan finished flashing a brilliant grin.
"Y-oh my god…oh j…" Raj tried to respond with something other than near giggles but gave up on the sentence as a lost cause, dissolving back into near uncontrollable laugher, nearly doubling over, leaning against the other man's shoulder, shaking his head, waving his hand animatedly.
He gasped, trying to catch his breath, trying to steady himself as best he could, shaking his head, flashing a bright smile, wiping at his eyes.
"Oh god…wow…that's just…" he shook his head, flashing a warm, grateful smile, reaching over, resting his hand on Bryan's, squeezing lightly.
Bryan smiled back, settling closer, head tilting faintly.
"You have a great laugh Raj."
Raj snorted, before blushing, rolling his eyes at himself, waving animatedly.
"Yeah…clearly that's appealing."
Bryan smiled, nudging his shoulder.
"It really is…you should do it more often."
He huffed, brushing his hair back, giving a slight shrug.
"Well like I said I tend to be more the cause of laughter than the laughter itself. It'd probably be good for me though. Div's always saying I should lighten up, relax a bit…But I don't know."
Bryan shrugged leaning closer.
"What's not to know?"
Raj sighed, giving a faint shrug in return.
"I…it's just hard- I mean just to begin with I'm a worrier- that started long before any of this. Divya was always the outgoing, 'let's see how this adventure takes us' one, I was the 'oh god this is how it ends' one…for family trips she picked a gator farm and white water rafting, I chose a tour of the national archives and trying to visit every one of the Smithsonian museums- except for the museums of medical oddities- that was a bit much for me…it was the only one Divya actually wanted to go to…she insisted…the gator farm was less terrifying."
Bryan chuckled, eyebrow quirking.
"Gator farm?"
Raj huffed, nodding animatedly.
"We had to feed them…oh sorry 'got to' feed them, I had to spend three hours explaining why we couldn't get a baby one as a pet and the only way I talked her out of it was by telling her that we could probably just find on in the sewers…
Which I immediately regretted as she insisted on us searching for them for the final two weeks of our summer vacation before school started."
Bryan shook his head, rolling his eyes exasperatedly.
"I'm not even surprised."
"I know right!? But I mean that's just how it is- she's the wild eyed, exciting, brave, fun one, I'm the level headed one with my feet on the ground and a dozen worst case scenarios running through my head…only now the worst case scenarios have gotten well…worse…SO much worse.
As if the usual fears of normal city life and raising a teenager all on my own isn't enough now I'm factoring in telekinesis, pyrokenisis, demons, hell dimensions, magics and about a million other literal living nightmares." He sighed, rolling not only his eyes but his whole head, rubbing his face, pushing his hair back, glancing over, shrugging.
"Like I know it's in no way healthy to stress as much as I do…and I know I should just loosen up a bit, relax and try not to get so caught up with everything but…"
"But how can you not get caught up when you're suddenly tossed into the middle of what seems like a tornado of supernatural chaos?" Bryan finished, giving a slight nod.
Raj startled, near bouncing, pointing animatedly.
"Exactly! See you get it."
Bryan gave a soft huff of a laugh, flashing a warm, dizzyingly beautiful smile, reaching up, resting his hand on Raj's shoulder, squeezing gently.
"Yeah I get it. Even so being that tense all the time really isn't healthy. It sounds like you only see the dangerous, the downside to this, all the negativity …maybe it'd help if you try to look at it another way?"
Raj gave a bit of a shrug, shaking his head.
"I've tried! I really have. Div's trying to get me to see all the cool, amazing parts of this and I do see it but I can't help getting caught up in all the crazy, terrifying parts. I mean we're suddenly surrounded- totally surrounded- by beings that I never imagined in a million years are real. Demons, fairies, vampires, warlocks, werecreatures and so many others and not even all the like human type beings…things like the Rhwystro tân- creatures that are literal monsters and I just…
How do I just relax knowing we're suddenly surrounded by all of that?"
Bryan gave a rather careless shrug.
"Well at least now you know."
Raj blinked, quirking his eyebrow, glancing over.
"And that makes it better?"
Bryan quirked his eyebrow right back.
"Well…doesn't it?"
Raj gave a disbelieving laugh, turning a bit to better face him.
"Umm…no…how would it make it better?"
Bryan shrugged, turning more towards Raj, settling closer, giving a bit of a wave.
"Raj you've always been surrounded. None of us just popped into existence when you found out- just up till now you were in the dark about what was out there. I mean really what's better- a life of blissful ignorance or knowledge with the occasional addition of abject terror?"
Raj snorted, pointing.
"Hey I was perfectly fine balancing both thank you very much."
Bryan chuckled, shaking his head, shifting closer.
"Maybe so but you're not the kind to bury your head in the sand. You may be afraid of the unknown but you don't let the fear get the best of you."
Raj laughed, shaking his head.
"Sure I don't…"
"No, you don't."
Raj sighed faintly, giving a slight shrug.
"Thanks Bryan, that's really sweet of you to say b-"
Bryan reached over, resting his hand on Raj's, squeezing gently. Raj glanced over, head tilting curiously. Bryan flashed a gentle smile, shaking his head.
"It's not a platitude or an empty compliment…it's a fact…a certainty."
"It's n-"
"Raj? It's not…you just don't see it, you're too close- you're looking at it through the same lens as the gator feeding trip. You're seeing you panicking and fumbling and panicking more, acting as if fear, panic, overthinking and stress are markers of whether or not you've faced things properly."
Raj shrugged, looking down, kind of fiddling with his fingers.
"Well…aren't they?"
Bryan gave a soft huff of a laugh, reaching over, thumb lightly brushing against his cheek, tilting his head back up, pretty bright blue eyes locking with his, shimmering warm and so bright, head shaking gently.
"No…
Raj? I think you're way too close to see it but from what you've told me you're kinda a badass."
Raj burst out laughing, rolling his eyes, shaking his head.
"Thanks I needed a laugh…usually I prefer them not to be at my expense but gotta admit that's a pretty good one…even kept a straight face."
Bryan smiled, nudging his shoulder, flashing a bit of a wink.
"Well that's something I guess- straight generally isn't my strong suit-like at all…but I was actually being honest."
Raj snickered at the teasing little word play, flashing a smile.
"Uh huh…course you are."
Bryan shrugged.
"I am."
"Ri-"
"Raj I am.
You don't run away from anything.
You dropped everything to take care of your kid sister when you were still a kid yourself. You went to unbelievable lengths to try to find a way to protect her- protect everyone- you faced a demon, were manipulated by a demon, forced into a world you had no mental preparation for- in a way that by near all logic should have completely broken your mind- left you little more than a blabbering shell of a person…but it didn't…
Because you didn't let it. Because you were strong enough to power through it…to stand up to it.
You stopped a demon from wreaking havoc on the world or a High Warlock from leveling a city block with a freaking shoe! You were nearly dragged into a hell dimension, then drug on a bizarre cover up mission by an alpha werewolf chief of police and two of the most feared supernaturals in the country- one of which set the building you were in on fire and the other who casually semi-enthralled you just for the hell of it.
You angrily lectured the head of the Brooklyn Vampire Clan because you thought he was insulting your little sister. And as if all that wasn't enough you marched into a classroom all on your own confront what you thought was an evil, scheming demon.
Yeah, you startle easy, may be a little jumpy, a bit panicky in the face of a fright or a little shock or apparently gator feeding, but real- actual danger? You might get scared at first but you overcome it, face it and ultimately do what needs to be done.
I think that's pretty damn impressive."
Raj swallowed, giving a nervous little laugh, blushing brightly.
"W-umm…thanks…that's like one of the nicest things anyone's ever said to me…but It really wasn't being brave... just doing the right thing."
Bryan smiled, nodding.
"Which is very brave…especially when the 'right thing' goes against every self-preservation instinct a person has. You're very brave Raj…very impressive. I'm really glad I finally got to meet you."
Raj blushed faintly, giving a slight nod, sighing faintly.
"Me too…Divya's been talking about you for years- can't believe it took this long for us to meet…and we only did because I thought you were an evil, scheming demon/nightmare type creature."
"Yeah what was the plan there by the way?"
Raj scoffed, shrugging cluelessly.
"Basically just call you out on it and hope that was enough to get you to back down….I'm really glad you're not an evil, scheming demon."
Bryan smirked, flashing a playful wink.
"Nope- just a nice, normal, slightly sarcastic, totally single, totally gay demon with brightly colored, shimmery wings." He paused glancing over, quirking his eyebrow teasingly, nudging his shoulder.
"Kinda hoping I've shook the whole 'nightmare creature' thing too."
Raj chuckled, eyes flickering over him, smiling playfully.
"Uh yeah…pretty sure 'gorgeous shimmery winged model looking gay dudes' only considered a 'nightmare creature' to ultra conservatives and televangelists. Totally different type of dream to the rest of us."
Bryan tilted his head, smirking, eyebrow quirking teasingly, leaning in a bit.
"And what kind of dream is that?"
Raj blushed clear to his ears, just realizing what he said, flailing, eyes going wide.
"Oh god! I so didn't mean that! It ju-"
Bryan grinned, flashing a playful wink.
"Didn't say I minded…I can think of far worse things than a cute badass calling me a fantasy."
Raj somehow blushed even brighter, huffing, giving a slightly annoyed, entirely heatless, very sarcastic glare, not in any way offset by the blush.
"You know you can be a real jerk."
Bryan shrugged carelessly.
"What'd you expect? I am a demon after all."
Raj flailed, waving animatedly.
"Hey! Now you're just screwing with me."
"Maybe…you're pretty fun."
"Oh great…a demon thinks I'm 'fun'."
"Cute too…" Bryan added with an annoyingly pretty smirk and flirty little wink.
Raj rolled his eyes, shaking his head faintly.
"Yeah sure, real f-" He startled, catching sight of the wall clock, jumping up off the desk.
"Crap! Is that time right?"
Bryan startled at the sudden change, glancing over, blinking in surprise.
"Oh wow- it's nearly eight? Man where'd today go?"
Raj huffed, shaking his head, pushing off the edge of his desk, fumbling his phone out, double checking the time just to be sure.
"I really don't know b-ah crap…"
Bryan stood up, moving over by him, head tilting in concern.
"What's wrong?"
Raj shook his head.
"Oh this stupid phone! It got put on 'do not disturb'…I have three missed calls from Divya and like six texts- She's been trying to reach me since about five thirty. I have to go" He paused, glancing up, flashing a grateful smile, shrugging.
"It really was great meeting you though- I'm glad I got to….and really thank you so much for letting me talk-and making me laugh. I really needed that…I don't think I knew just how much I did."
Bryan shrugged, smiling, waving him off.
"No trouble…really none at all…actually, just a sec…" He turned, reaching over, quickly snatching a bright violet pen from his desk, before turning back, catching Raj's hand.
"W-" Raj started, trailing off as Bryan turned his hand palm up, spinning the pen quickly scrawling something on his palm.
Raj swallowed, blushing faintly, glancing at his palm, then back up at Bryan.
"What's um…" He swallowed glancing over at the desk before shifting back to Bryan, gesturing with his free hand towards the desk.
"You know you have like six different types of post-it notes on your desk…right?"
Bryan chuckled, flashing that way too cute, just on the edge of teasing smile, dizzyingly pretty blue eyes glittering bright.
"True…but you did say you can be a bit scatterbrained especially with things like addresses and phone numbers…wanted to be sure you couldn't lose mine. Just if you want to talk more or anything."
Raj blushed faintly, shrugging.
"I…um…well…I mean I really don't like to be a bother."
"You're not."
"W-well I wouldn't want to waste you t-"
"You aren't."
"Yeah but I'm sure you have better th-"
"I don't."
"Well I just-"
Bryan chuckled softly, reaching over, resting his hand on top of Raj's squeezing gently, flashing that dizzyingly pretty smile, brilliant blue eyes shimmering bright, shaking his head.
"Raj I like talking to you- Okay? I just do. It's not like a chore or hassle, I like it. You're smart, and funny and very interesting. You can call or text me anytime you feel like it and we can talk about anything you want. It's not a problem, it's not a bother and I have absolutely no issue whatsoever with making as much time as you need whenever you need it…okay?"
Raj blinked kind of thrown by that…
It almost sounded li-
Nah…that's just wishful thinking…
Still it really would be nice to have someone to talk through all this with…especially someone who genuinely seemed to get where he was coming from…and Divya was always saying what a great, warm, supportive person he was.
He smiled giving a faint nod.
"Yeah…t-that would be really great Bryan…thank you. I'll call you this weekend maybe?"
Bryan flashed a beaming smile, nodding.
"Can't wait."
"Me neither…I umm…I mean…" He rolled his eyes at himself, shrugging, brushing his hair back nervously, gesturing towards the door.
"I really have to go- thanks again though for listening…and being willing to still listen even after I talked your ear off for literal hours. It was really great meeting you, talk to you this weekend."
"Promise?"
Raj rolled his eyes, laughing brightly, nodding.
"Yeah, promise…fair warning though odds are a lot of the talking will be exasperated disbelief or panicked babble…don't know if you've noticed but I kinda have a tendency of getting carried away with things.
Bryan chuckled, shrugging.
"I did…I don't mind- babble as much as you want."
Raj laughed, shaking his head.
"Oh you are so going to regret saying that." He chuckled again, giving a bit of a wave, moving towards the door.
"I really do have to go."
Bryan chuckled, smiling that warm, beautiful smile, pretty blue eyes glimmering bright, flickering over Raj, brightening even more, giving a little bit of a wave.
"Call me!"
He blushed faintly, a slightly giddy little laugh slipping out, nodding animatedly, flashing a bright smile, giving one more slight wave, quickly turning, making his way to the door, pulling the door behind him. He reached in his pocket fishing out his phone, beginning to go for Divya's number before pausing, quickly imputing Bryan's number hesitating for just a moment before typing out a quick message:
Raj: Good Night Bryan
He hit the send button before groaning faintly, rolling his eyes.
Raj: This is Raj.
He heard a slight chuckle from the classroom, behind him his phone chiming near immedatly.
Bryan: Goodnight Raj
Bryan: This is Bryan
Raj couldn't help a bright laugh making his way down the hallway, a slightly dreamy smile stuck on his face. He laughed again softly, shaking his head, brushing his hair back.
Wow…the guy really was something else; gorgeous, smart, funny and probably the best, nicest, most compassionate person he's ever met...
Even if the man was a near irrepressible flirt.
Like every other thing out of his mouth sounded flirty and teasing. It's probably just the way he talks- like a speech quirk- probably doesn't even realize he's doing it. Or maybe he's talking like a totally normal person and Raj's wishful thinking is making it sound flirty…
Not like it'd be the first time THAT happened…hell he's done it already three times this week!
But it's not happening here. I mean he might get a little out of step on this kinda thing but despite ample evidence to the contrary he's not in fact delusional. Yeah it seemed like flirting but it also seemed like a nice, compassionate, helpful guy going out of his way to help another person. Which is exactly what Divya said he did…all the time.
Yeah The guy was sweet, and funny and super complimentary- he even called him a cute badass (Which Raj couldn't help a slightly giddy far too giggly laugh at) but he'd also just sat there while Raj spilled his guts about the worst, craziest, most terrifying month of his life. He was probably just trying to be nice…cheer him up…make him smile…make him laugh.
Damnit…the man really was too good to be true.
He could probably just see Raj needed a boost. Needed a laugh and a smile. That he needed someone he could lean on- that's all he was doing. He was being a good guy…being a friend…giving Raj a shoulder to lean on and a sympathetic ear. It was beyond kind and most definitely exactly what Raj needed but that's all it was.
That's all it could possibly be.
I mean…come on. He may be living in a world where demons, gargoyles, fairies, warlocks, vampires and werecreatures where not just B-movie characters on Scifi channel but rather just another part of his day to day life but even with all that there IS such a thing as an impossibility.
Sure would be nice to have a chance with a guy like that though…
But seriously even though he lived in a world surrounded with fantasy beings, magic, terrifying demonic monsters and portals to hell dimensions there were a few things that were a bit too farfetched even for this crazy, impossible world.
{*~********~*~********~*} ***End Of Chapter Notes*** {*~********~*~********~*}Yay! Another chapter down.
Kay so I know Magnus's little magic blip at the end seems a bit reckless but I'm thinking he's just looking out for the kid- If there's that much magic shenanigans happening at that school it's likely he'll try 'capturing' another dangerous supernatural…and well…like he said not all dangerous beings would be willing to factor in the whole clueless, imaginative teenager thing…
That could get very dangerous.
Also figure he can kinda see how this is most likely to play out. Running with Max and Isaac (and now Billie because I love Billie) he's gonna be encountering a LOT of magic and a lot of supernatural-ness, just a matter of time before he's brought into the know…
Magnus's just testing the waters, making sure the kid can handle it…if he couldn't Magnus's one of the best people to fix it and he could give the other's a heads up…
Clearly that's not gonna be the case-
Kasey will Live for this.
Lol…oh Raj…
I love it when otherwise intelligent characters are so totally clueless to certain things. I'm sure Raj will figure out Bryan's interested eventually.
Just one chapter left- hoping to have the last chapter up early next week (Work permitting).
So what did you think?
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*Slightly Evil Magnus Universe*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
*1*
