Across the Table, chapter 2

As of this post this is all I've written for this, if I continue it I shall post it. This chapter wasn't part of the original dream/inspiration, I came up with it afterwards, but I almost like this part best. Enjoy!

5 years later.

As expected Kaz and I fit right in. We both excelled at learning but in different ways and areas. Soon enough we had found our group of friends and the subjects we liked the best.

Kaz did exactly as he stated on our first day there, he excelled at cartography, diagram making, even astrology and star charting. He was calculating and detailed oriented, so the tasks suited him perfectly. He soon surpassed his fellow students and they often came to him for help with homework or a particular subject that was hard for him. He gladly helped, happy to flex his knowledge and help someone new. I never fully got the hang of understanding what he did, but I was fascinated nonetheless and even I could tell his work was good. His diagrams were incredible, so detailed with such straight lines. He seemed to be a well of knowledge but always said he had so much more to learn, which I believed because I felt the same way.

As for me I started with the basics of magic and worked my way out. I found I particularly enjoyed fire, projectile and cosmic magic. Once I had my feet under me I ended up joining the “Self defense, weapons and magic” class, which combined fighting with magic. You learned hand to hand combat, every kind of weapon you could think of, combat magic and how to mix your magic with your fighting. I learned to throw orbs at enemies, set my sword on fire (and not burn myself in the process), turn the floor into ice so your opponent would slip, ect. And soon I found myself learning more advanced techniques while my fellow students were still on easy mode. I already had a natural talent for fighting, I had been beating up school yard bullies and any Nazi I came across sense I was little, so I fit right in.

A few years passed and both Kaz and I had found we had advanced  so far our teachers approached us (individually) and asked if we’d like to become their apprentice. We could help teach others, especially the First Years, but had far less duties and sway of an actual Teacher. We would be allowed access to advanced knowledge and techniques, thus furthering us along even more. Our Teachers had great faith in us and even said there was a strong possibility we could become Teachers ourselves one day (if not here, anywhere else out in the world).

After some discussion we both accepted with enthusiasm! This is what we have come here for, to learn as much as we could and if possible and help others along the way. To spread knowledge to those just starting out, just as we had years ago.

And thus we because Apprentice Pró̱ta (Greek for First). And how we soared!

I was so blessed to watch Kaz blossom into a talented, confident man. He’s always been talented, but seeing him in his element and comfortable was a true joy. I remember when I first knew him he was a gangly teen, more shy and soft spoken, not daring to raise his voice for fear of reprimanding (he told me his parents weren’t the kindest and that’s the most he would usually say, and I wouldn’t push him for more). But now he spoke loudly, with confidence (he was still a soft spoken person, but he wasn’t afraid of his voice anymore). He taught with a kind of grace and confidence some would take for pride or arrogance, but those who actually knew him knew it was because he was confident in what he spoke on and valued his talents. I often find him hunched over his work table or desk, surrounded by paper and pen in hand. Sometimes I had to physically pull him away from his work, he would get so caught up in the details he wouldn’t realize the sun had been down for hours and it was long past the time most students were asleep. But it was his drive that kept him going, his passion for more knowledge and better work (I told him again and again he had nothing to prove, but he could be thick headed at times).

As for me you could say I grew from a cub into a lioness. I was still chubby but I put on more bulk, even got a bit taller (I could look Kaz in the eye now without craning my neck), and had a fire in my eyes one could see across the room. If any first year whippersnappers mouthed off in class they would get thrown in the ring with me, they behaved themselves after that. Students began to know me as the “Great Protector”, even those in other groups would flock to my side if they felt unsafe or someone was bothering them. And I collected them like a mother hen gathers her young to her side. 

I looked out for them, the ones too young to stand up for themselves, the ones scared of confrontation. My other nickname was “Mama Hen” and I gladly accepted the name. I would push my students towards their best potential, slowly learning if they needed a more gentle hand or a hard push. I watched many grow and learn and it brought me much joy and pride. But I also took pride in my own work, I soon became skilled with most weapons (there were a few odd ones that gave me trouble, but I’m working on that) and could use most fighting methods. Some said I could probably lead armies one day, which is a nice thought but not what I want. I want to protect myself and those I love, and to help others protect themselves. No go to war, unless I had no choice. Hopefully that won't happen for a very long time.

It was our 5th year, we had settled into a comfortable rhythm and routine. We’d wake up, have breakfast then go to classes, teach if it was on the schedule, take lunch at some point then practice or work on our own projects until dinner, then often work some more into the evening (sometimes hang out with our friends or attend a party. Kaz didn’t always care for parties, but sometimes he’d be in the mood to socialize). At some point in the afternoon Kaz would take a break and walk around the campus, usually ending up at the training hall and would watch me work for a while (I’d try to find an excuse to take a break as well so the two of us could chat) before heading back. The evenings are when I would check on him, because he would usually get lost in his work and forget what time it was (“you’re not a robot, you need sleep” I would tell him. He would huff and puff but usually follow my orders). When he visited me in the training hall it was loud and busy, but when I visited him in the office he was allowed to use it was quiet and calm. A time to relax, share a pot of tea and discuss the day, we’d talk about everything and anything. What’s bothering us, something good that happened that day, often one of us would launch off into an explanation of a project we’re working on or a problem we’re having with it while the other quietly listens (often not fully understanding, but caring anyways). Or sometimes we’d sit in silence, content with just each other's presence.

On one such night I went to check on him as always. It had been a boring day with nothing much of note happening, aside from the cold of fall starting to steep into your bones and if you were outside your breath would turn into puff clouds of white like a Dragon. Despite the mediocre day I was feeling good and almost skipped to the office, looking forward to seeing him. I was just about to knock to announce my presence when I heard the sound of things falling, a thud and a low voice grunting and cursing. Worriedly I threw open the door.

Kaz was on the floor in front of the big work table that sat in the middle of the room, his cane fallen out of reach, laying on his right side and clutching his left leg. Paper and instruments were scattered around him, even a (thankfully sealed) bottle of ink slowly rolling across the floor towards me. Kaz didn’t look up at first, I don’t think he realized I was there at first. I quietly closed the door, which alerted him to my presence. He looked up, a dark angry look in his eyes which softened slightly at seeing it was me. He pushed up on his right arm, trying to get up and failing. I stopped just short of him, looking down.

“Ah Willow you’re… *grunt* here earlier than usual”

“Is it your leg?” I asked softly, setting the ink bottle on the table and kneeling down. He took a deep breath, then let out a long sigh.

“The cold… you know how I get with the weather changes”.

“I do indeed. Here, let me help you”. I started to take his left arm, to move it so I could wrap an arm around him.

“No I can…” He tried to push up again and faltered, falling forward, his hair covering his eyes.

“I can do it. I’m not weak”.

“I know that, but please let me help you. You clearly can’t get up on your own. Please”.

He turned his head to look at me, his dark eyes framed by the hair falling across his face. He stared for a moment then his expression softened. He looked both younger and older at the same time.

“I can’t say no when you look at me like that. Fine”.

I smiled as I began to snake my arm around his torso, bracing my legs to lift him up.

“You know better than to argue with me”.

Kaz let me lift him up, supporting his left side so he could stand on his right leg. He grunted with the effort but let me move him around. He huffed out a laugh.

“Yeah yeah, don’t remind me. You give me that cute look and I have no choice but to agree to whatever you’re saying”.

I looked at him, feeling heat in my face at him calling me cute but kept a straight face (at least I hope I did).

“You’re a bastard, you know that?” I smirked at him, the sarcasm clearly showing.

I helped him walk over to the plush armchair by a large fireplace, thread worn with years of use but it was still comfy. As we hobbled over, me acting as his left leg and letting him lean his weight on me (he was warm against my side), he chuckled again.

“I know. Don’t you forget it”.

I guided him into the chair until he was able to sit and situate himself in a way which was most comfortable. I grabbed the stool and held it still as he grabbed his left leg and rested the foot on it. I made sure he was comfortable, he leaned back in the chair, eyes closed and tried to relax his breathing. I walked back to the table and gathered up the things on the floor, disposing of them on the table (they could be organized later). Lastly I picked up his cane, holding it like it was the most precious thing in the world (which it was) and walked back over to Kaz. I held it out to him like I was presenting him with a sword. 

He cracked one eye open, looked at it then took it, letting the end hit the floor with his arm across the armrest (even when he didn’t need it, it brought him comfort).

I brought over another chair and sat next to him.

“Let me look at it, just to make sure”

“It’s fine, stop fussing”.

Stubborn man,

“I want to make sure, you haven’t fallen like that in a while, *whispering* unless you haven’t told me about an incident, *normal voice* so we should make sure. Please”.

He didn’t look at me, but sighed then waved with one hand.

“Go ahead then, not like you haven’t seen it before”.

My hands hovered over his pant leg.

“Do I have permission to touch you?”

At his he opened his eyes, his head still sitting against the back of the chair, the fire dancing in his eyes so I couldn’t quite read them.

“Yes, of course”. His voice was slightly raspy and deep.

Was it really warm in here? Was it the fireplace? I couldn’t think about it right now. I gently rolled up his pant leg and took a look at his leg. He had a long, and some would say ugly, scar running from just above his ankle to just below his knee, whoever did this surgery didn’t do the greatest job cutting into him (possibly one reason why he never fully healed) and it was a darker pink against the pale of his skin. It reminded me of my scar, it was beautiful. Being very gentle and careful, I squeezed his calf and leg, inspecting to make sure nothing felt out of place. I’ve done this many a times before, helped him when he fell many times, so I knew if something would feel off. He was cold, he was often cold (although his hands sometimes seemed warmer than the rest of him) but otherwise everything felt normal.

“Well… I give you a clean bill of health” I rolled down his pant leg and sat back in my chair.

He huffed a laugh.

“As healthy as to be expected?”

“Pretty much”.

He sat there with his eyes closed, his chest slowly rising and falling. He was quiet.

“What’s wrong?”

“I… hate feeling weak. I’ve worked too hard to be where I’m at, to be as strong as I am. And yet something as simple as a cold front undoes me”.

I reached out and placed my hand on the arm holding his cane.

“No one thinks you are weak Kaz. You are one of the strongest people I know, and coming from me that’s saying something”.

There was a twitch of a smile.

“Have I ever told you that your scar reminds me of mine?”

His eyes opened at that, automatically lowering his gaze. It didn’t bother me, my scar ran up the middle of my chest, it was kind of hard to look at it and not look at my boobs at the same time. But I could feel his gaze along my skin and it burned, like it always does. He looked up again and met my eyes, a range of emotions playing across his face.

“Do you think I'm weak? That I’m weak when my heart bothers me?”

“... no. Never.”

“We’re the same, you and I. We have struggles most people don’t have. We’ve overcome them, but that doesn’t mean they don’t cause trouble now and then. And there is no shame in that. You are not less for this, not now not never”.

A tear slipped from his eye and ran down his cheek, I wanted to reach out and wipe it away. I wanted to cradle his face and tell him how wonderful a man he is, how beautiful he is and that I’ll always be here to support him. Instead I let him cry, my hand moving from his arm to rest atop the hand now clutching his cane like a lifeline. He quietly cried, rubbing the heel of his hand into his eyes. I held his hand and smiled softly.

Soon his tears seemed to slow and he started taking long, deep breaths. After collecting himself he looked at me with wet eyes.

“You always see the good in me, have always seen me as a whole. I don’t know where I’d be without you”.

My hand tightened around his and to my surprise he let go of his cane, letting it fall gently to the carpet, and turned his hand palm up so he could slide his fingers in between mine. His eyes shined at me with warmth and I felt my tummy do flip flops.

“Whatever did I do to deserve you…?”

Tears were welling up in my own eyes, a broad smile breaking across my face.

“You didn’t have to do anything to deserve me, I chose to be here. Because I care about you. And I’m with you to the end of time”.

His grip on my hand grew tighter.

“To the end of time”.

Then in a move that still leaves my head reeling just thinking about it, he pulled my hand up to his face and pressed his lips against the knuckles, his lips were plush and warm. His eyes never left mine. I froze, heat spreading from my hand through my whole body. For a moment I wasn’t sure I was breathing, I couldn’t think to breathe. 

There were many things I wanted to do at that moment, but I chose one. As soon as he pulled away and started to let go of my hand I tightened my grip and pulled his hand close, copying him. I pressed my own lips to the back of his hand, the skin warm and soft. He must not have expected that because he startled in surprise. I looked at him through my lashes, everything feeling hot and tight. I let my lips linger there longer than necessary, then pulled away and let his hand go which idly fell into his lap. I learned back in my chair and stretched, rolling my shoulders.

“Shall I make a pot of tea? You should have some water as well”.

Kaz lightly shook his head, as if coming back to himself. He pulled a hanky out of his vest pocket and began whipping off his face.

“That sounds lovely Willow”.

I smiled, then stood and walked over to the drink station. I filled an etched glass with water, brought it over to Kaz then went back to start the kettle.

“Does a nice chamomile sound good?” I called over my shoulder.

“Perfect”. The soft voice said from the chair.

I went about filling the pot, gathering the mugs, humming softly. Once the water was poured and the tea steeping, I took the tray and brought it back to the fireplace, setting it on the side table we usually used when sitting here. Kaz had calmed down, the way he was sitting showed me he was relaxed and comfortable (at least as best he could with his leg still hurting a bit). I sat down and with a magical flourish produced a plate of cookies. Kaz shook his head but smiled.

I had once asked him, many years ago, why he didn’t get his leg fixed with magic (I didn’t understand it as much back then) and he said magic has its limits and there were some things you couldn’t do. I guess fixing a lame leg was one of them. But then again I’ve never been able to correct my heart with magic so here we are.

I poured us tea and divided up the cookies, setting Kaz’s plate in his lap and balancing mine on my knees. He held his cup in both hands, letting the warmth seep in.

“Tell me about your day” He spoke after a moment of quiet.

“Nothing of note, a normal boring day. I guess all the excitement was saved for the evening”.

At that he did laugh, a deep chuckle that rattled the plate in his lap.

“I guess so, I do try to be entertaining”.

“You always are”. I took a sip of tea and over the rim of the mug wiggled my eyebrows a bit, making him laugh again.

“You’re impossible you know”.

“Oh I know. I suppose that’s why we get along so well”. I pointed to him, then me.

“Bastard. Impossible”.

He smiled warmly.

“We do indeed”.

The night continued without incident. We sat mostly in silence, one of those evenings where not much needed to be said. I ended up walking with him to his dorm room, walking as slow as was needed. He stood in the doorway to his room, leaning on the frame.

“I think I can take it from here. Thank you Willow, for everything”. He looked tired but had a lopsided smile that made my heart do strange things (and not its usual strange things).

“To the end of time, remember?” I said, my voice low and soft.

“I’ll never forget”.

“No get some rest, work can wait until tomorrow”.

He looked at me as the closed the door, not turning away until the last minute when the door closed. Like he couldn’t take his eyes off me. But finally the door clicked shut and any lingering magic of the moment was gone.

I turned and looked out the window behind me to stare at the moon, almost full in its journey across the sky. The cool white light bathed me in its glow, somehow warming me. I turned to leave for my own room, but not before taking one last look back at Kaz’s door, almost hoping.