just what it takes
Looking at the Magician Markus took a deep breath, knowing there was a lot more going on here than was going to be fixed in a night. But that didnât mean he shouldnât at least try to help, even if Juvion threw it back in his face.
 âI can see why sheâd be mad at you.â He said quietly absentmindedly picking at the label on a beer bottle. âI mean hell Iâm sitting here right now fighting the urge to fucking roll my eyes at this pity party youâve been throwing yourselfâ He paused trying to figure out how to phrase the rest of his statement âBut the thing about it it I know how it feels like wondering how youâre going to get by. Maybe not with a useless hand, but with other things. And i know it fucking hard, especially when you have others telling you to man up, or get over it.â He shook his head thinking of some of the similar situations heâd been in the previous year. And sure he hadnât had to figure out how to live with a new handicap, but some days, without Borus, yea it had felt like he was going to have to.Â
âBut you know the thing is,â He started again âThey are right. Shit happens, but life goes on, and ultimately you are the one that decides how you let things affect you. So you can sit here and drink your sorrows all you want, thats your decision. But sooner or later if you donât make different choices, no ones gonna care enough to try to pull out. So thats my advice you can take it or leave it, but you definitely not getting another beerâ He smirked at the other boy.
As Markus talked, Juvion was caught half between a laugh and a snarl. Yeah, he was pathetic. Yeah, this was a pity party, and part of him was glad that Markus wasnât dousing him in sympathy. But the other part could have done with just a little bit, and eventually, when Markus started in about how âshit happensâ, the snarling won out. The space around them dimmed, his magic leaving Markus in a silver-lined shimmer of partial shadow as he spoke. It wouldnât have been full blackness to the otherâs eyes most like, but to Juvion everything looked like it was sparking with quicksilver lights. Peaceful--- as though it was trying to counter his own anger that was slowly resurfacing. Heâd been feeling bouts of it since heâd woken up in the hospital, and he knew it wasnât fair to take it out on Markus, but he couldnât help it.Â
âYou donât know fuck all about me, little lordling,â he said quietly, and the smile that graced his features now hadnât even a trace of camaraderie. âDonât think you quite âgetâ the feeling of having your fucking arm burned off, and your whole usefulness as a Being with it.â He pushed himself to his feet, staring icily down at the younger man. âBest keep your sage tough love speech for the next time you or one of Garkouwâs other preschoolers need to be told the way the world is. Come back when youâve actually lost something.â He turned with a hoarse laugh and wandered out into the night, hoping darkly that Markus would follow and take a swing at him just so heâd have an excuse to hurt someone else.



















