Bullying
"Your master must have been a terrible man, to make you hate mages so," Merrill said.
"He is a terrible man, and he's not dead," Fenris said shortly.
"We're not all like him," she said, coaxingly.
Fenris didn't even look at her. "How often I hear that, and yet, how often I find it's not true.
"The Keepers are different. They exist to preserve the old ways, and to protect our people."
His glower deepened. "And none of them would ever fall prey to a demon. Or perform blood magic."
"It's impossible to talk to you," Merrill said, and though she tried to laugh, there were tears in her voice.
"Fenris!" Reid snapped. "Stop bullying Merrill."
Fenris stopped short, a little shocked. "But..."
"You've made your feelings clear, it's been six fucking years, now let it go."
Fenris glared. "Let it go? This isn't buying wine, Reid. All mages are dangerous."
Reid physically interposed himself between Merrill and Fenris. "Yes, we're dangerous! And Merrill and I understand that, and only use our dangerousness to defend ourselves!"
"She doesn't!" Fenris snapped back. "She uses blood magic when she thinks she can get away with it! And I know you did too before things happened! After what I went through, how can you say I'm the one doing the bullying?"
"Okay." Reid took a breath. "I know what you've told me, and I remember. That doesn't mean you're not still capable of turning right around and being pointlessly cruel to someone who doesn't deserve it."
"Strong words," Fenris muttered.
"Reid," Merrill plucked up the courage to say, "it's okay. I understand. He doesn't have to like it. Or me."
"Come on," Reid said, and put an arm around her shoulders. "Let's go get lunch."
Fenris watched them go, confused and... and hurt, if he dared admit it to himself. Of course Reid would side with his fellow mage, but... Saying that he was the one bullying was going too far. Mages only had power over him as far as he would let them, and he was determined that the only mage who would ever have power over him was Reid.
There's always an excuse...