Magnus Rushes In

“Oh yeah? Protect them from what?” She asked, looking over at Magnus curiously. 

“Whatever they need to be protected from.” He smiled at her. “My friend knows magic.” He stroked his beard thoughtfully.

Aubrey raised an eyebrow slightly, a small grin grow on her face. “Really? What kind of ma-” Before she could finish, she saw something come barreling out of the trees towards them. “Oh, shit- Get down!” Aubrey yelled before shooting a blast of fire at it.

Magnus jumped before pulling out Railsplitter. “Stay back, Aubrey!” He ran at the monster that started to barrel towards them. He tried to slice through the beast.

The young woman shot another flare at the beast before seeing Magnus run towards it, her eyes widening in shock. “Fuck- Magnus!” She shouted, pulling out Sniaytch and throwing it at the creature. “Be careful!”

Railsplitter cut through the beast like a knife cutting butter. Magnus took a few steps back, surveying the situation. He really didn’t think it would die that easily. “Be careful, Aubrey!”

Magnus rolled his eyes, smiling a bit. “Well you’re not usually the one who wants to… you know… have talks like this. Or at least, you don’t seem like you want to. I really appreciate it.” He took a swig of his water.

Taako took another sip of his drink and then put the glass down. “Nobody wants to have talks like this. Talking about feelings is the worst. If I could have cast a spell to make you feel better instead of talking about emotions I would have.”

He rolled his eyes once again, chuckling a bit. “Well thank you anyway.” He stretched out his back, cracking it. “Just remember, I’m around to talk to. If you ever need to.”

Taako grimaced. “I’m good.” He finished what was left of his water and got up to put the empty glass in the sink. “I much prefer to deal with my shit on solo.”

“I know, I know. Just in case, alright.” Magnus smiled gently, “just we’re friends so I’m here for you whenever you need it.”

Taako leaned against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. “I think I’ve had all the emotional honestly I can bear to stand tonight.”

Magnus chuckled, “Alright, alright. Just it’s on the table if you need it.” He smiled over at his friend.

Magnus rolled his eyes, smiling a bit. “Well you’re not usually the one who wants to… you know… have talks like this. Or at least, you don’t seem like you want to. I really appreciate it.” He took a swig of his water.

Taako took another sip of his drink and then put the glass down. “Nobody wants to have talks like this. Talking about feelings is the worst. If I could have cast a spell to make you feel better instead of talking about emotions I would have.”

He rolled his eyes once again, chuckling a bit. “Well thank you anyway.” He stretched out his back, cracking it. “Just remember, I’m around to talk to. If you ever need to.”

Taako grimaced. “I’m good.” He finished what was left of his water and got up to put the empty glass in the sink. “I much prefer to deal with my shit on solo.”

“I know, I know. Just in case, alright.” Magnus smiled gently, “just we’re friends so I’m here for you whenever you need it.”

Magnus rolled his eyes, smiling a bit. “Well you’re not usually the one who wants to… you know… have talks like this. Or at least, you don’t seem like you want to. I really appreciate it.” He took a swig of his water.

Taako took another sip of his drink and then put the glass down. “Nobody wants to have talks like this. Talking about feelings is the worst. If I could have cast a spell to make you feel better instead of talking about emotions I would have.”

He rolled his eyes once again, chuckling a bit. “Well thank you anyway.” He stretched out his back, cracking it. “Just remember, I’m around to talk to. If you ever need to.”

Magnus rolled his eyes, smiling a bit. “Well you’re not usually the one who wants to... you know... have talks like this. Or at least, you don’t seem like you want to. I really appreciate it.” He took a swig of his water.

Taako hopped over the counter into the kitchen and grabbed some ice out of the fantasy freezer. He dumped a pile onto a small cloth and tied it shut with one of his hair bands. His braid was already ruined anyway. He came back with the homemade ice pack and pressed it against Magnus’s eye. “I know that rushing in is your whole thing but I seriously do not understand why you do shit like this. What was that guy even doing?”

“Call me a dumbass but I’m pretty sure there are other ways to deal with assholes. Like not punching them in the face and getting yourself beat up for no reason, and he wasn’t even being an asshole to you. He was just bothering the bartender.” Taako pulled out a chair and sat down across from Magnus.

“Well yeah, but it was over stupid shit. That’s not fair.” He sighed, holding the ice to his face as he leaned over the table. “So I just decided to take care of the problem… Well, try to take care of it anyway.” His chin now rested on his free hand. He glanced to Taako before looking around again.

“It wasn’t your problem to take care off,” Taako said, his tone shifting from indifferent chatter to genuine frustration. “You can’t go around fighting every bad guy you happen to overhear at a bar. That’s idiotic. That!- That is how you get yourself killed!”

“Well somebody needs to take care of it. And no one else will. Taako, it’s just a little bruising. I’m fine. It’ll be all healed up soon enough.” He sighed, his shoulders slumping a little. “It won’t be enough to kill me. It never is…” His voice was almost bitter in a sense.

Taakos ears lifted slightly and then fell down again as his eyebrows furrowed and his face contorted into a frown. “You’re not invincible Magnus. Someday you’re going to pick a fight with the wrong person and end up getting yourself killed. Missions are stressful enough without you throwing yourself into bar fights for no reason.”

“Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.” He muttered under his breath. Some days were more difficult than others. This would be one of those days. At least missions provided a distraction.

Taakos expression fell and his eyes darted around as he tried to read Magnus’ body language. After a few seconds, he frowned again and shoved his arm. “Of course it would be bad dipshit. Everybody loves you.”

“Maybe, there’s someone else I want to see. One who isn’t here anymore.” His eyes were starting to fill with tears. He felt all choked up and upset. He set the ice down to wipe the tears from his cheeks as he drew in a shaky breath.

Taako fell silent again. He tapped at the table a few times with his finger and got up from his seat. “Listen, I don’t know who this person is, but they definitely don’t want you dying sooner than you’re supposed to.” He filled a glass cup with water and set it down in front of Magnus. 

“I love her, Taako.” He sounded wounded, so different from his usual boisterous personality. “Being apart hurts so much.” He held the glass in his hands, taking a sip. “I just want to see her again.”

Taako sat back down and scratched under his ear. “You will. Just not yet, and aren’t there people here who you would miss if you died? Life is temporary, death is inevitable and forever. You’re not missing out on any time with her if you wait until you die naturally, but you are going to miss out on everything up here if you die doing something stupid.”

He sighed, “you just don’t know what it feels like…” He set the glass down, rubbing his face. “She became such a big part of my life, Taako. Being without her hurts so badly.”

Taako sighed and leaned back in his chair. “This whole thing wouldn’t happen to be related to what the cup showed you on our last mission would it?.”

Magnus sighed, “I could’ve saved her, Taako… If I’d only stayed behind, I could have protected everyone.” He grabbed the glass of water, taking a sip. Then, he took a deep breath to stay calm. “But… she wouldn’t have wanted that.”

“What would she want?” Taako said. He was already pretty confident he knew the answer but he wanted Magnus to say it himself. He didn’t know this person Magnus was talking about, but he knew Magnus and could make a fair guess at the kind of person he would fall in love with. 

“She would want me to live and be happy. I know, Taako. You don’t have to get all smug.” He sighed and rubbed his face. “It just sucks being around without her… I wasn’t there to protect her and everyone else when I should’ve been. It’s my fault she died…”

Taako smiled and leaned forward, propping his head up with his elbows on the table. “I feel like being a little smug is just in this situation, but seriously. Listen.” Taakos expression sunk again into something more serious, something he hadn’t shown in front of anyone in a long time. “I don’t know exactly what you’re going through, but I know what it’s like to feel responsible for someone innocent dying. You don’t have to tell me what happened if you don’t want to, but I know for sure that it wasn’t your fault.”

Taako was quiet, letting Magnus talk without any pressure to go further than he wanted to, and when he was done Taako remained quiet, allowing himself some time to process this new information before speaking again. “Tell me about Julia.”

He smiled sadly to himself, thinking about her. “I think you would’ve liked her. She’s perfect. She has this smile- it’s just so bright and happy like the sun. She’s kind and gentle, helping whoever she could. I dare say she even rivals your beauty, Taako.”

Taako gasped in faux offence. “I can’t believe you would even say that to me. Clearly, love has blinded you. Love and heterosexuality.” Taako snorted and got up to get himself a glass of water. “She sounds nice.” He said, his tone shifting back into sincerity. 

He chuckled, smiling genuinely for the first time since they returned. He took a sip of his water. “She’s great. I only wish I was able to spend more time with her.” He sighed, leaning back in his chair. “Thank you, Taako.” His voice was sincere as he addressed the other.

Taako hopped over the counter into the kitchen and grabbed some ice out of the fantasy freezer. He dumped a pile onto a small cloth and tied it shut with one of his hair bands. His braid was already ruined anyway. He came back with the homemade ice pack and pressed it against Magnus’s eye. “I know that rushing in is your whole thing but I seriously do not understand why you do shit like this. What was that guy even doing?”

“Call me a dumbass but I’m pretty sure there are other ways to deal with assholes. Like not punching them in the face and getting yourself beat up for no reason, and he wasn’t even being an asshole to you. He was just bothering the bartender.” Taako pulled out a chair and sat down across from Magnus.

“Well yeah, but it was over stupid shit. That’s not fair.” He sighed, holding the ice to his face as he leaned over the table. “So I just decided to take care of the problem… Well, try to take care of it anyway.” His chin now rested on his free hand. He glanced to Taako before looking around again.

“It wasn’t your problem to take care off,” Taako said, his tone shifting from indifferent chatter to genuine frustration. “You can’t go around fighting every bad guy you happen to overhear at a bar. That’s idiotic. That!- That is how you get yourself killed!”

“Well somebody needs to take care of it. And no one else will. Taako, it’s just a little bruising. I’m fine. It’ll be all healed up soon enough.” He sighed, his shoulders slumping a little. “It won’t be enough to kill me. It never is…” His voice was almost bitter in a sense.

Taakos ears lifted slightly and then fell down again as his eyebrows furrowed and his face contorted into a frown. “You’re not invincible Magnus. Someday you’re going to pick a fight with the wrong person and end up getting yourself killed. Missions are stressful enough without you throwing yourself into bar fights for no reason.”

“Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.” He muttered under his breath. Some days were more difficult than others. This would be one of those days. At least missions provided a distraction.

Taakos expression fell and his eyes darted around as he tried to read Magnus’ body language. After a few seconds, he frowned again and shoved his arm. “Of course it would be bad dipshit. Everybody loves you.”

“Maybe, there’s someone else I want to see. One who isn’t here anymore.” His eyes were starting to fill with tears. He felt all choked up and upset. He set the ice down to wipe the tears from his cheeks as he drew in a shaky breath.

Taako fell silent again. He tapped at the table a few times with his finger and got up from his seat. “Listen, I don’t know who this person is, but they definitely don’t want you dying sooner than you’re supposed to.” He filled a glass cup with water and set it down in front of Magnus. 

“I love her, Taako.” He sounded wounded, so different from his usual boisterous personality. “Being apart hurts so much.” He held the glass in his hands, taking a sip. “I just want to see her again.”

Taako sat back down and scratched under his ear. “You will. Just not yet, and aren’t there people here who you would miss if you died? Life is temporary, death is inevitable and forever. You’re not missing out on any time with her if you wait until you die naturally, but you are going to miss out on everything up here if you die doing something stupid.”

He sighed, “you just don’t know what it feels like…” He set the glass down, rubbing his face. “She became such a big part of my life, Taako. Being without her hurts so badly.”

Taako sighed and leaned back in his chair. “This whole thing wouldn’t happen to be related to what the cup showed you on our last mission would it?.”

Magnus sighed, “I could’ve saved her, Taako… If I’d only stayed behind, I could have protected everyone.” He grabbed the glass of water, taking a sip. Then, he took a deep breath to stay calm. “But… she wouldn’t have wanted that.”

“What would she want?” Taako said. He was already pretty confident he knew the answer but he wanted Magnus to say it himself. He didn’t know this person Magnus was talking about, but he knew Magnus and could make a fair guess at the kind of person he would fall in love with. 

“She would want me to live and be happy. I know, Taako. You don’t have to get all smug.” He sighed and rubbed his face. “It just sucks being around without her… I wasn’t there to protect her and everyone else when I should’ve been. It’s my fault she died…”

Taako smiled and leaned forward, propping his head up with his elbows on the table. “I feel like being a little smug is just in this situation, but seriously. Listen.” Taakos expression sunk again into something more serious, something he hadn’t shown in front of anyone in a long time. “I don’t know exactly what you’re going through, but I know what it’s like to feel responsible for someone innocent dying. You don’t have to tell me what happened if you don’t want to, but I know for sure that it wasn’t your fault.”

Taako was quiet, letting Magnus talk without any pressure to go further than he wanted to, and when he was done Taako remained quiet, allowing himself some time to process this new information before speaking again. “Tell me about Julia.”

He smiled sadly to himself, thinking about her. “I think you would’ve liked her. She’s perfect. She has this smile- it’s just so bright and happy like the sun. She’s kind and gentle, helping whoever she could. I dare say she even rivals your beauty, Taako.”

Taako hopped over the counter into the kitchen and grabbed some ice out of the fantasy freezer. He dumped a pile onto a small cloth and tied it shut with one of his hair bands. His braid was already ruined anyway. He came back with the homemade ice pack and pressed it against Magnus’s eye. “I know that rushing in is your whole thing but I seriously do not understand why you do shit like this. What was that guy even doing?”

“Call me a dumbass but I’m pretty sure there are other ways to deal with assholes. Like not punching them in the face and getting yourself beat up for no reason, and he wasn’t even being an asshole to you. He was just bothering the bartender.” Taako pulled out a chair and sat down across from Magnus.

“Well yeah, but it was over stupid shit. That’s not fair.” He sighed, holding the ice to his face as he leaned over the table. “So I just decided to take care of the problem… Well, try to take care of it anyway.” His chin now rested on his free hand. He glanced to Taako before looking around again.

“It wasn’t your problem to take care off,” Taako said, his tone shifting from indifferent chatter to genuine frustration. “You can’t go around fighting every bad guy you happen to overhear at a bar. That’s idiotic. That!- That is how you get yourself killed!”

“Well somebody needs to take care of it. And no one else will. Taako, it’s just a little bruising. I’m fine. It’ll be all healed up soon enough.” He sighed, his shoulders slumping a little. “It won’t be enough to kill me. It never is…” His voice was almost bitter in a sense.

Taakos ears lifted slightly and then fell down again as his eyebrows furrowed and his face contorted into a frown. “You’re not invincible Magnus. Someday you’re going to pick a fight with the wrong person and end up getting yourself killed. Missions are stressful enough without you throwing yourself into bar fights for no reason.”

“Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.” He muttered under his breath. Some days were more difficult than others. This would be one of those days. At least missions provided a distraction.

Taakos expression fell and his eyes darted around as he tried to read Magnus’ body language. After a few seconds, he frowned again and shoved his arm. “Of course it would be bad dipshit. Everybody loves you.”

“Maybe, there’s someone else I want to see. One who isn’t here anymore.” His eyes were starting to fill with tears. He felt all choked up and upset. He set the ice down to wipe the tears from his cheeks as he drew in a shaky breath.

Taako fell silent again. He tapped at the table a few times with his finger and got up from his seat. “Listen, I don’t know who this person is, but they definitely don’t want you dying sooner than you’re supposed to.” He filled a glass cup with water and set it down in front of Magnus. 

“I love her, Taako.” He sounded wounded, so different from his usual boisterous personality. “Being apart hurts so much.” He held the glass in his hands, taking a sip. “I just want to see her again.”

Taako sat back down and scratched under his ear. “You will. Just not yet, and aren’t there people here who you would miss if you died? Life is temporary, death is inevitable and forever. You’re not missing out on any time with her if you wait until you die naturally, but you are going to miss out on everything up here if you die doing something stupid.”

He sighed, “you just don’t know what it feels like…” He set the glass down, rubbing his face. “She became such a big part of my life, Taako. Being without her hurts so badly.”

Taako sighed and leaned back in his chair. “This whole thing wouldn’t happen to be related to what the cup showed you on our last mission would it?.”

Magnus sighed, “I could’ve saved her, Taako… If I’d only stayed behind, I could have protected everyone.” He grabbed the glass of water, taking a sip. Then, he took a deep breath to stay calm. “But… she wouldn’t have wanted that.”

“What would she want?” Taako said. He was already pretty confident he knew the answer but he wanted Magnus to say it himself. He didn’t know this person Magnus was talking about, but he knew Magnus and could make a fair guess at the kind of person he would fall in love with. 

“She would want me to live and be happy. I know, Taako. You don’t have to get all smug.” He sighed and rubbed his face. “It just sucks being around without her… I wasn’t there to protect her and everyone else when I should’ve been. It’s my fault she died…”

Taako smiled and leaned forward, propping his head up with his elbows on the table. “I feel like being a little smug is just in this situation, but seriously. Listen.” Taakos expression sunk again into something more serious, something he hadn’t shown in front of anyone in a long time. “I don’t know exactly what you’re going through, but I know what it’s like to feel responsible for someone innocent dying. You don’t have to tell me what happened if you don’t want to, but I know for sure that it wasn’t your fault.”

Taako hopped over the counter into the kitchen and grabbed some ice out of the fantasy freezer. He dumped a pile onto a small cloth and tied it shut with one of his hair bands. His braid was already ruined anyway. He came back with the homemade ice pack and pressed it against Magnus’s eye. “I know that rushing in is your whole thing but I seriously do not understand why you do shit like this. What was that guy even doing?”

“Call me a dumbass but I’m pretty sure there are other ways to deal with assholes. Like not punching them in the face and getting yourself beat up for no reason, and he wasn’t even being an asshole to you. He was just bothering the bartender.” Taako pulled out a chair and sat down across from Magnus.

“Well yeah, but it was over stupid shit. That’s not fair.” He sighed, holding the ice to his face as he leaned over the table. “So I just decided to take care of the problem… Well, try to take care of it anyway.” His chin now rested on his free hand. He glanced to Taako before looking around again.

“It wasn’t your problem to take care off,” Taako said, his tone shifting from indifferent chatter to genuine frustration. “You can’t go around fighting every bad guy you happen to overhear at a bar. That’s idiotic. That!- That is how you get yourself killed!”

“Well somebody needs to take care of it. And no one else will. Taako, it’s just a little bruising. I’m fine. It’ll be all healed up soon enough.” He sighed, his shoulders slumping a little. “It won’t be enough to kill me. It never is…” His voice was almost bitter in a sense.

Taakos ears lifted slightly and then fell down again as his eyebrows furrowed and his face contorted into a frown. “You’re not invincible Magnus. Someday you’re going to pick a fight with the wrong person and end up getting yourself killed. Missions are stressful enough without you throwing yourself into bar fights for no reason.”

“Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.” He muttered under his breath. Some days were more difficult than others. This would be one of those days. At least missions provided a distraction.

Taakos expression fell and his eyes darted around as he tried to read Magnus’ body language. After a few seconds, he frowned again and shoved his arm. “Of course it would be bad dipshit. Everybody loves you.”

“Maybe, there’s someone else I want to see. One who isn’t here anymore.” His eyes were starting to fill with tears. He felt all choked up and upset. He set the ice down to wipe the tears from his cheeks as he drew in a shaky breath.

Taako fell silent again. He tapped at the table a few times with his finger and got up from his seat. “Listen, I don’t know who this person is, but they definitely don’t want you dying sooner than you’re supposed to.” He filled a glass cup with water and set it down in front of Magnus. 

“I love her, Taako.” He sounded wounded, so different from his usual boisterous personality. “Being apart hurts so much.” He held the glass in his hands, taking a sip. “I just want to see her again.”

Taako sat back down and scratched under his ear. “You will. Just not yet, and aren’t there people here who you would miss if you died? Life is temporary, death is inevitable and forever. You’re not missing out on any time with her if you wait until you die naturally, but you are going to miss out on everything up here if you die doing something stupid.”

He sighed, “you just don’t know what it feels like…” He set the glass down, rubbing his face. “She became such a big part of my life, Taako. Being without her hurts so badly.”

Taako sighed and leaned back in his chair. “This whole thing wouldn’t happen to be related to what the cup showed you on our last mission would it?.”

Magnus sighed, “I could’ve saved her, Taako… If I’d only stayed behind, I could have protected everyone.” He grabbed the glass of water, taking a sip. Then, he took a deep breath to stay calm. “But… she wouldn’t have wanted that.”

“What would she want?” Taako said. He was already pretty confident he knew the answer but he wanted Magnus to say it himself. He didn’t know this person Magnus was talking about, but he knew Magnus and could make a fair guess at the kind of person he would fall in love with. 

“She would want me to live and be happy. I know, Taako. You don’t have to get all smug.” He sighed and rubbed his face. “It just sucks being around without her... I wasn’t there to protect her and everyone else when I should’ve been. It’s my fault she died...”

Taako hopped over the counter into the kitchen and grabbed some ice out of the fantasy freezer. He dumped a pile onto a small cloth and tied it shut with one of his hair bands. His braid was already ruined anyway. He came back with the homemade ice pack and pressed it against Magnus’s eye. “I know that rushing in is your whole thing but I seriously do not understand why you do shit like this. What was that guy even doing?”

“Call me a dumbass but I’m pretty sure there are other ways to deal with assholes. Like not punching them in the face and getting yourself beat up for no reason, and he wasn’t even being an asshole to you. He was just bothering the bartender.” Taako pulled out a chair and sat down across from Magnus.

“Well yeah, but it was over stupid shit. That’s not fair.” He sighed, holding the ice to his face as he leaned over the table. “So I just decided to take care of the problem… Well, try to take care of it anyway.” His chin now rested on his free hand. He glanced to Taako before looking around again.

“It wasn’t your problem to take care off,” Taako said, his tone shifting from indifferent chatter to genuine frustration. “You can’t go around fighting every bad guy you happen to overhear at a bar. That’s idiotic. That!- That is how you get yourself killed!”

“Well somebody needs to take care of it. And no one else will. Taako, it’s just a little bruising. I’m fine. It’ll be all healed up soon enough.” He sighed, his shoulders slumping a little. “It won’t be enough to kill me. It never is…” His voice was almost bitter in a sense.

Taakos ears lifted slightly and then fell down again as his eyebrows furrowed and his face contorted into a frown. “You’re not invincible Magnus. Someday you’re going to pick a fight with the wrong person and end up getting yourself killed. Missions are stressful enough without you throwing yourself into bar fights for no reason.”

“Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.” He muttered under his breath. Some days were more difficult than others. This would be one of those days. At least missions provided a distraction.

Taakos expression fell and his eyes darted around as he tried to read Magnus’ body language. After a few seconds, he frowned again and shoved his arm. “Of course it would be bad dipshit. Everybody loves you.”

“Maybe, there’s someone else I want to see. One who isn’t here anymore.” His eyes were starting to fill with tears. He felt all choked up and upset. He set the ice down to wipe the tears from his cheeks as he drew in a shaky breath.

Taako fell silent again. He tapped at the table a few times with his finger and got up from his seat. “Listen, I don’t know who this person is, but they definitely don’t want you dying sooner than you’re supposed to.” He filled a glass cup with water and set it down in front of Magnus. 

“I love her, Taako.” He sounded wounded, so different from his usual boisterous personality. “Being apart hurts so much.” He held the glass in his hands, taking a sip. “I just want to see her again.”

Taako sat back down and scratched under his ear. “You will. Just not yet, and aren’t there people here who you would miss if you died? Life is temporary, death is inevitable and forever. You’re not missing out on any time with her if you wait until you die naturally, but you are going to miss out on everything up here if you die doing something stupid.”

He sighed, “you just don’t know what it feels like…” He set the glass down, rubbing his face. “She became such a big part of my life, Taako. Being without her hurts so badly.”

Taako sighed and leaned back in his chair. “This whole thing wouldn’t happen to be related to what the cup showed you on our last mission would it?.”

Magnus sighed, “I could’ve saved her, Taako... If I’d only stayed behind, I could have protected everyone.” He grabbed the glass of water, taking a sip. Then, he took a deep breath to stay calm. “But... she wouldn’t have wanted that.”

Taako hopped over the counter into the kitchen and grabbed some ice out of the fantasy freezer. He dumped a pile onto a small cloth and tied it shut with one of his hair bands. His braid was already ruined anyway. He came back with the homemade ice pack and pressed it against Magnus’s eye. “I know that rushing in is your whole thing but I seriously do not understand why you do shit like this. What was that guy even doing?”

“Call me a dumbass but I’m pretty sure there are other ways to deal with assholes. Like not punching them in the face and getting yourself beat up for no reason, and he wasn’t even being an asshole to you. He was just bothering the bartender.” Taako pulled out a chair and sat down across from Magnus.

“Well yeah, but it was over stupid shit. That’s not fair.” He sighed, holding the ice to his face as he leaned over the table. “So I just decided to take care of the problem… Well, try to take care of it anyway.” His chin now rested on his free hand. He glanced to Taako before looking around again.

“It wasn’t your problem to take care off,” Taako said, his tone shifting from indifferent chatter to genuine frustration. “You can’t go around fighting every bad guy you happen to overhear at a bar. That’s idiotic. That!- That is how you get yourself killed!”

“Well somebody needs to take care of it. And no one else will. Taako, it’s just a little bruising. I’m fine. It’ll be all healed up soon enough.” He sighed, his shoulders slumping a little. “It won’t be enough to kill me. It never is…” His voice was almost bitter in a sense.

Taakos ears lifted slightly and then fell down again as his eyebrows furrowed and his face contorted into a frown. “You’re not invincible Magnus. Someday you’re going to pick a fight with the wrong person and end up getting yourself killed. Missions are stressful enough without you throwing yourself into bar fights for no reason.”

“Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.” He muttered under his breath. Some days were more difficult than others. This would be one of those days. At least missions provided a distraction.

Taakos expression fell and his eyes darted around as he tried to read Magnus’ body language. After a few seconds, he frowned again and shoved his arm. “Of course it would be bad dipshit. Everybody loves you.”

“Maybe, there’s someone else I want to see. One who isn’t here anymore.” His eyes were starting to fill with tears. He felt all choked up and upset. He set the ice down to wipe the tears from his cheeks as he drew in a shaky breath.

Taako fell silent again. He tapped at the table a few times with his finger and got up from his seat. “Listen, I don’t know who this person is, but they definitely don’t want you dying sooner than you’re supposed to.” He filled a glass cup with water and set it down in front of Magnus. 

“I love her, Taako.” He sounded wounded, so different from his usual boisterous personality. “Being apart hurts so much.” He held the glass in his hands, taking a sip. “I just want to see her again.”

Taako sat back down and scratched under his ear. “You will. Just not yet, and aren’t there people here who you would miss if you died? Life is temporary, death is inevitable and forever. You’re not missing out on any time with her if you wait until you die naturally, but you are going to miss out on everything up here if you die doing something stupid.”

He sighed, “you just don’t know what it feels like...” He set the glass down, rubbing his face. “She became such a big part of my life, Taako. Being without her hurts so badly.”

“Oh yeah? Protect them from what?” She asked, looking over at Magnus curiously. 

“Whatever they need to be protected from.” He smiled at her. “My friend knows magic.” He stroked his beard thoughtfully.

Aubrey raised an eyebrow slightly, a small grin grow on her face. “Really? What kind of ma-” Before she could finish, she saw something come barreling out of the trees towards them. “Oh, shit- Get down!” Aubrey yelled before shooting a blast of fire at it.

Magnus jumped before pulling out Railsplitter. “Stay back, Aubrey!” He ran at the monster that started to barrel towards them. He tried to slice through the beast.

Taako hopped over the counter into the kitchen and grabbed some ice out of the fantasy freezer. He dumped a pile onto a small cloth and tied it shut with one of his hair bands. His braid was already ruined anyway. He came back with the homemade ice pack and pressed it against Magnus’s eye. “I know that rushing in is your whole thing but I seriously do not understand why you do shit like this. What was that guy even doing?”

“Call me a dumbass but I’m pretty sure there are other ways to deal with assholes. Like not punching them in the face and getting yourself beat up for no reason, and he wasn’t even being an asshole to you. He was just bothering the bartender.” Taako pulled out a chair and sat down across from Magnus.

“Well yeah, but it was over stupid shit. That’s not fair.” He sighed, holding the ice to his face as he leaned over the table. “So I just decided to take care of the problem… Well, try to take care of it anyway.” His chin now rested on his free hand. He glanced to Taako before looking around again.

“It wasn’t your problem to take care off,” Taako said, his tone shifting from indifferent chatter to genuine frustration. “You can’t go around fighting every bad guy you happen to overhear at a bar. That’s idiotic. That!- That is how you get yourself killed!”

“Well somebody needs to take care of it. And no one else will. Taako, it’s just a little bruising. I’m fine. It’ll be all healed up soon enough.” He sighed, his shoulders slumping a little. “It won’t be enough to kill me. It never is…” His voice was almost bitter in a sense.

Taakos ears lifted slightly and then fell down again as his eyebrows furrowed and his face contorted into a frown. “You’re not invincible Magnus. Someday you’re going to pick a fight with the wrong person and end up getting yourself killed. Missions are stressful enough without you throwing yourself into bar fights for no reason.”

“Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.” He muttered under his breath. Some days were more difficult than others. This would be one of those days. At least missions provided a distraction.

Taakos expression fell and his eyes darted around as he tried to read Magnus’ body language. After a few seconds, he frowned again and shoved his arm. “Of course it would be bad dipshit. Everybody loves you.”

“Maybe, there’s someone else I want to see. One who isn’t here anymore.” His eyes were starting to fill with tears. He felt all choked up and upset. He set the ice down to wipe the tears from his cheeks as he drew in a shaky breath.

Taako fell silent again. He tapped at the table a few times with his finger and got up from his seat. “Listen, I don’t know who this person is, but they definitely don’t want you dying sooner than you’re supposed to.” He filled a glass cup with water and set it down in front of Magnus. 

“I love her, Taako.” He sounded wounded, so different from his usual boisterous personality. “Being apart hurts so much.” He held the glass in his hands, taking a sip. “I just want to see her again.”

Taako hopped over the counter into the kitchen and grabbed some ice out of the fantasy freezer. He dumped a pile onto a small cloth and tied it shut with one of his hair bands. His braid was already ruined anyway. He came back with the homemade ice pack and pressed it against Magnus’s eye. “I know that rushing in is your whole thing but I seriously do not understand why you do shit like this. What was that guy even doing?”

“Call me a dumbass but I’m pretty sure there are other ways to deal with assholes. Like not punching them in the face and getting yourself beat up for no reason, and he wasn’t even being an asshole to you. He was just bothering the bartender.” Taako pulled out a chair and sat down across from Magnus.

“Well yeah, but it was over stupid shit. That’s not fair.” He sighed, holding the ice to his face as he leaned over the table. “So I just decided to take care of the problem… Well, try to take care of it anyway.” His chin now rested on his free hand. He glanced to Taako before looking around again.

“It wasn’t your problem to take care off,” Taako said, his tone shifting from indifferent chatter to genuine frustration. “You can’t go around fighting every bad guy you happen to overhear at a bar. That’s idiotic. That!- That is how you get yourself killed!”

“Well somebody needs to take care of it. And no one else will. Taako, it’s just a little bruising. I’m fine. It’ll be all healed up soon enough.” He sighed, his shoulders slumping a little. “It won’t be enough to kill me. It never is…” His voice was almost bitter in a sense.

Taakos ears lifted slightly and then fell down again as his eyebrows furrowed and his face contorted into a frown. “You’re not invincible Magnus. Someday you’re going to pick a fight with the wrong person and end up getting yourself killed. Missions are stressful enough without you throwing yourself into bar fights for no reason.”

“Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.” He muttered under his breath. Some days were more difficult than others. This would be one of those days. At least missions provided a distraction.

Taakos expression fell and his eyes darted around as he tried to read Magnus’ body language. After a few seconds, he frowned again and shoved his arm. “Of course it would be bad dipshit. Everybody loves you.”

“Maybe, there’s someone else I want to see. One who isn’t here anymore.” His eyes were starting to fill with tears. He felt all choked up and upset. He set the ice down to wipe the tears from his cheeks as he drew in a shaky breath.

Taako hopped over the counter into the kitchen and grabbed some ice out of the fantasy freezer. He dumped a pile onto a small cloth and tied it shut with one of his hair bands. His braid was already ruined anyway. He came back with the homemade ice pack and pressed it against Magnus’s eye. “I know that rushing in is your whole thing but I seriously do not understand why you do shit like this. What was that guy even doing?”

“Call me a dumbass but I’m pretty sure there are other ways to deal with assholes. Like not punching them in the face and getting yourself beat up for no reason, and he wasn’t even being an asshole to you. He was just bothering the bartender.” Taako pulled out a chair and sat down across from Magnus.

“Well yeah, but it was over stupid shit. That’s not fair.” He sighed, holding the ice to his face as he leaned over the table. “So I just decided to take care of the problem… Well, try to take care of it anyway.” His chin now rested on his free hand. He glanced to Taako before looking around again.

“It wasn’t your problem to take care off,” Taako said, his tone shifting from indifferent chatter to genuine frustration. “You can’t go around fighting every bad guy you happen to overhear at a bar. That’s idiotic. That!- That is how you get yourself killed!”

“Well somebody needs to take care of it. And no one else will. Taako, it’s just a little bruising. I’m fine. It’ll be all healed up soon enough.” He sighed, his shoulders slumping a little. “It won’t be enough to kill me. It never is…” His voice was almost bitter in a sense.

Taakos ears lifted slightly and then fell down again as his eyebrows furrowed and his face contorted into a frown. “You’re not invincible Magnus. Someday you’re going to pick a fight with the wrong person and end up getting yourself killed. Missions are stressful enough without you throwing yourself into bar fights for no reason.”

“Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.” He muttered under his breath. Some days were more difficult than others. This would be one of those days. At least missions provided a distraction.

Taako hopped over the counter into the kitchen and grabbed some ice out of the fantasy freezer. He dumped a pile onto a small cloth and tied it shut with one of his hair bands. His braid was already ruined anyway. He came back with the homemade ice pack and pressed it against Magnus’s eye. “I know that rushing in is your whole thing but I seriously do not understand why you do shit like this. What was that guy even doing?”

“Call me a dumbass but I’m pretty sure there are other ways to deal with assholes. Like not punching them in the face and getting yourself beat up for no reason, and he wasn’t even being an asshole to you. He was just bothering the bartender.” Taako pulled out a chair and sat down across from Magnus.

“Well yeah, but it was over stupid shit. That’s not fair.” He sighed, holding the ice to his face as he leaned over the table. “So I just decided to take care of the problem… Well, try to take care of it anyway.” His chin now rested on his free hand. He glanced to Taako before looking around again.

“It wasn’t your problem to take care off,” Taako said, his tone shifting from indifferent chatter to genuine frustration. “You can’t go around fighting every bad guy you happen to overhear at a bar. That’s idiotic. That!- That is how you get yourself killed!”

“Well somebody needs to take care of it. And no one else will. Taako, it’s just a little bruising. I’m fine. It’ll be all healed up soon enough.” He sighed, his shoulders slumping a little. “It won’t be enough to kill me. It never is...” His voice was almost bitter in a sense.

Taako hopped over the counter into the kitchen and grabbed some ice out of the fantasy freezer. He dumped a pile onto a small cloth and tied it shut with one of his hair bands. His braid was already ruined anyway. He came back with the homemade ice pack and pressed it against Magnus’s eye. “I know that rushing in is your whole thing but I seriously do not understand why you do shit like this. What was that guy even doing?”

“Call me a dumbass but I’m pretty sure there are other ways to deal with assholes. Like not punching them in the face and getting yourself beat up for no reason, and he wasn’t even being an asshole to you. He was just bothering the bartender.” Taako pulled out a chair and sat down across from Magnus.

“Well yeah, but it was over stupid shit. That’s not fair.” He sighed, holding the ice to his face as he leaned over the table. “So I just decided to take care of the problem... Well, try to take care of it anyway.” His chin now rested on his free hand. He glanced to Taako before looking around again.