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tell me who you are, i can be the gentle boy
The staff party starts at midnight and I don't have to work during it! Make sure you come in costume!
[ He Ming sends the text, a reminder, and runs off to work that evening. It's not exactly Halloween—the bar will inevitably be far too busy on the night of—but an earlier day when they're allowed to bring plus ones. Rune's costume, which mostly employs his already ironed black dress clothes and is only vampiric by dint of a borrowed cape and some fake fangs and blood, is left laid out on his bed for him to pick up. With Rune already having a key, he can let himself in.
His own outfit gets picked out of a hat at the bar. He Ming laughs at his luck with the others and gets dressed in the bathroom before starting service.
The "French maid" costume is cheap, but it fits him, and the thigh garter that's as frilly as the rest of it is kind of cute. He ties the bar apron over the top and takes a picture for Rune, posing cheesily in the mirror. ]
Look, I got my costume assigned! What do you think?
[ He Ming sends the text, a reminder, and runs off to work that evening. It's not exactly Halloween—the bar will inevitably be far too busy on the night of—but an earlier day when they're allowed to bring plus ones. Rune's costume, which mostly employs his already ironed black dress clothes and is only vampiric by dint of a borrowed cape and some fake fangs and blood, is left laid out on his bed for him to pick up. With Rune already having a key, he can let himself in.
His own outfit gets picked out of a hat at the bar. He Ming laughs at his luck with the others and gets dressed in the bathroom before starting service.
The "French maid" costume is cheap, but it fits him, and the thigh garter that's as frilly as the rest of it is kind of cute. He ties the bar apron over the top and takes a picture for Rune, posing cheesily in the mirror. ]
Look, I got my costume assigned! What do you think?
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[ Which he doubts is the case since He Ming's co-workers don't see the type, but Rune wants to support him regardless of that. He gives him a squeeze and rolls his head so that part of his face is resting against He Ming's hair. This is a familiarity he likes, and it's nice that they're so comfortable in it, wondering how much longer it's going to be like this until the next time it isn't. That would depend on Rune, but he turns his focus to He Ming.
The rest of what he says though — Rune sighs. ]
You can forage for mushrooms if you want, but it's not necessary. [ A light tease before he relaxes against him. ] I want to show you where my family lived. It's a private place.
[ For him, at least. It's full of memories—some good but mostly bad. His parents had died there. His coven had died there. Parts of Rune, too, had died there, but he would like to share that with He Ming and hopes he understands the gravity of why. He might not be able to specifically say he loves him, but he can show it. Rune draws him closer. ]
Would you like me to take you there?
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But He Ming opens his eyes again—just realizing that they've closed—when Rune mentions his family. That must include his coven. That means they must have been there before they died. The realization is unsettling, because from where his head is, all he can really see is Rune's chest rising and falling. He slowly moves his hand to rest on it. ]
Of course. [ Even if Rune doesn't feel comfortable saying certain things out loud, opening any part of his life to He Ming seems a step towards it, or at least the feeling he's pretty sure that they share. ] If you're okay with it, I want to see where you're from.
[ He'll take his offer gladly. He also kisses the side of his neck, and though he's tempted to nip him back for the bites earlier he settles back down without doing so in favor of peaceful sleep.
On the day of their departure, He Ming is packed (perhaps over-packed, unfamiliar as he is with places that don't have a 7-11 within a mile radius) and excited to go, but he settles a little when he sees Rune. Still, he's curious and obviously so when he asks— ]
Do you go back there often?
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Right now, the goal is to put things into the car and drive as far as they can before he has to use his magic. ]
No. [ He sighs to himself, thinking about it. ] I haven't been there in a long time. But it's something I want to share with you.
[ Which is probably a lot considering, but it's much easier for Rune to show his affection than speak how he feels. So, that's what he's doing. Even if the memories of that place are bound to make him uncomfortable, it's what he wants. It's what he'd like He Ming to see firsthand—a place no one else knows about except Rune. ]
Do you want to drive? I'll tell you which way to go. [ Though it doesn't matter to him, either way. ]
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I can drive! [ He'll take one more load off of Rune's mind if he can. He doesn't know exactly what he's anticipating other than time with him in a new setting. As they pack their things into the car, He Ming lets himself embrace excitement. The last week has been largely uneventful and he wants to just enjoy this trip. Don't they deserve it?
The anticipation only mounts when they hit the road. He Ming bounces his leg occasionally as he drives, flicking on the music to cover some of the pause before he asks the question he's had in mind. ]
Do you want to tell me about your parents?
[ He Ming wants to hear the answer, very much so, just to see what lives under the layers. There are parts of Rune that he exposes very readily, but they've skipped a lot of the getting-to-know-you in favor of fighting witches to the death for survival. He Ming offers, in return, though he doubts it's an equivalent exchange. ]
You could... meet mine if you wanted. But you definitely don't have to do either. Tell me about yours, or meet mine.
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The question he asks though... It causes Rune to pause. His feelings for his parents are incredibly complicated, and what he does remember of them is twisted up in his anger and grief. For a second, he finds himself reaching up to touch the ear that had been tagged, but he drops his hand back into his lap before it can go any further than that. He knows He Ming is earnest, and like before, Rune wants to give parts of himself to him that he's never showed or offered anyone. It's why they're taking this trip. It's why he'd even mentioned it at all. ]
I only remember certain things about them, [ he admits, almost too quietly. ] My father preferred physical magic – like what you've seen. Like what I do. My mother... I think her obsession with divination grew too much for her. Have you heard of runestones? It was her preferred medium.
[ Would He Ming pick up on the meaning behind his name then? It hadn't been the name he'd been born with, but it's the one he's gone by for so long it might as well have been. His expression thins as he considers the rest of it. ]
Would your parents want to meet me? [ Because most people don't actually like him, and he's fine with that. ]
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Did she name you after them? [ Because He Ming certainly doesn't know anyone else called Rune, but he still doesn't know much about witches. All he knows about Rune is like a small window into a room that he occasionally hears voices whispering from. Magic is strange, and only such a part of his life because of Rune. ] Do you remember things other than their magic?
[ He can't resist reaching over and nudging Rune when he sees that expression out of the corner of his eye. So serious. ]
Of course they would. I haven't seriously dated anyone in a while, so they'd be excited to meet my boyfriend. And you can be charming if you want to.
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I gave it to myself so I'd remember not to let certain kinds of magic rule me. [ And the rest? He barely recalls their faces, but given that it's been over a century, it's probably better that way. ] It's all I have now.
[ But it's not exactly a complaint, just the truth.
When He Ming nudges him, Rune glances towards him and takes a moment just to look at him, considering those words before telling him to pull over. Once he does, he takes him by the hand and draws him close even as he leans into his side of the car. He lets his other hand comb through his hair, brushing it away from his face. ]
If it's what you want, I'll meet them. [ Since they're doing this together, it'd only be fair. ]
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I do want you to meet them. Maybe in a few more months. [ He's assuming that things will last that long. He's also assuming that this relative peace, in the car, stopped on the side of the road with almost empty fields to either side of them, will remain unbroken. Tilting his head gently into his hand, He Ming meets his eyes. There aren't any visions of the future to confirm his assumptions. He just believes it, looking at nothing and no one but Rune. ]
And I'm pretty sure nothing rules you. You're like a cat, you don't obey anyone. [ Not even He Ming. He'd asked Rune to keep him updated on his location and not disappear on his hunt those weeks ago, and he hadn't. But he's accepted that Rune does listen when He Ming needs him to. Besides, he'll probably make a better impression on his parents than some other people he's dated.
He leans forward, ignoring how the seatbelt cuts into his shoulder, to kiss him lightly. ]
Are you sure this is what you want? It can't be easy going back to where you used to live.
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That isn't how magic works. [ Which immediately stems another idea, and he sits up straighter, pressing closer so he can murmur it against his mouth. ] I could teach you – while we're there. I could show you how.
[ Rune doesn't know if he actually could given the exact nature of magic. He Ming isn't a witch, and though he does have those voices he occasionally mentions, he isn't certain it's the same. But it would bring them closer together in a way Rune's never considered before—even if He Ming doesn't pick up on it or can't use it the same way. There are other things he could show him too, and that, he thinks, might equip him better if more witches tried to target him.
He kisses him again, reassuring him. ]
If you don't want to learn, I still want to go. This is something I want to share with you.
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[ Gaining a better understanding of magic seems like it'll take a lot of study, which he hasn't done in... a while. Hopefully he won't be distracted by Rune teaching him. ]
I'll keep driving. Just give me the directions! [ And once they're there, He Ming will see where he grew up. He wonders if his childhood home will still be there. He wonders if Rune would even remember which house was his. ]
Um... while I'm driving, can I ask how old you actually are? Because you sort of mentioned it, and I figured you were either really ancient or, I dunno, forty.
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I'm much older than that. [ Though not quite as old as ancient? Whatever number that's supposed to be. ] If I remember – I'm a little over two-hundred. There's really no need to keep track of those things like humans do. I don't think I have since I was young.
[ When he was around He Ming's age, he means. It's strange to find himself talking about it, thus thinking about it, but it's just the natural progression of someone with a long lifespan. Most witches don't look terribly old regardless unless something went wrong with their magic or they've been cursed, so it's almost always difficult to pinpoint their age. Ciro is older than him, but Rune's discipline makes him seem older. It's all rather different when mortality isn't a factor.
Which has him thinking about He Ming and his limited time here. It cuts deeper than he's expecting, and it's something he wants to change. Somehow. Some day. ]
Does it bother you? [ Because he can never be sure. ]
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It doesn't. I mean, it's kind of funny, but I don't mind.
[ Trying to even conceptualize what Rune's history is like, a life almost ten times longer than his own, is hard even when He Ming has a well of strange alternate worlds and dimensions to draw from. They might inform him on how to better charm or flatter, but that information is not the same as living through an experience or having Rune tell him. ]
Do you mind that I'm way younger? Sometimes I feel like I don't know so many things compared to you. It's mostly the magic-related stuff, but... I guess it can be weird sometimes.
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Maybe it is strange for those who compare "old" age to someone who looks the part. From what he can remember, his parents had looked young, but he's certain they'd been just as old as he is now—maybe older. A witch's life isn't discerned by the number of years they've been alive anyhow, something that Rune had known but is now experiencing for the first time himself. He's never had anyone to share it with, and He Ming is... He means more to him than he realizes. ]
No. That doesn't matter to me. I've never really thought about you in that way – as just your age. [ There's a pause as he thinks. ] What do you find weird about it? I meant what I said about showing you.
[ In fact, going to his old home might be a good opportunity for both of them as there's a lot of untapped power there. He hopes, at the very least, He Ming will appreciate that. ]
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[ They'd grown up in different environments. Their families have—or had—different ways of life. He Ming hums softly and turns his head to look at Rune for a moment before he returns his gaze to the road. ]
And when you were thirty, people weren't telling you to settle down, and get married, and pop out a grandkid or two, right? [ That probably isn't just because of the magic; it depends on the family. He Ming figures he's relatively lucky, because his parents don't push him on furthering the bloodline as long as he's self-sufficient. But he is repeating the attitude he's heard stated by so many relatives. ] That's sort of the deadline for humans to get going.
[ And all because there's a hard cutoff for all humans. He Ming no longer worries about it, knowing that there's so much else, but death is still a fact. ]
We have different expectations, I think. But that's okay. And I'm not thirty yet!
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He's the last of his bloodline and his coven. Shouldn't that be what he wants?
A glance at He Ming, and his expressions falls a little. Maybe. But he wonders what life would be like for them, years from now, when He Ming is much, much older. Rune doesn't want to be alone, and that's something he's going to have to work on to fix now that he's certain it's what he wants. He'll explain that to He Ming after they've spent a few days out in the middle of nowhere together. ]
You're right. I wasn't doing those things. [ In reality, all he was doing was trying to survive. ] But I think it's something we should discuss if we're going to be together for a long time.
[ All those things are so small and insignificant in the scheme of things, and yet, if they mean something to He Ming, Rune wants to try. That's all he's been doing lately, hoping it makes some difference because he knows he can never change the fact he'd put He Ming through much worse than anything he's ever experienced. After several minutes, he directs him to take an exit and follow the road all the way to the end. From there, they'll get out and walk for a little while.
As they're getting out of the car: ] Do you want to get married?
[ Some day, he means. Not necessarily right now or to him. ]
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But I can imagine you in a tennis uniform. [ He reaches across the console for his hand. ] We can have our serious talk when we get there.
[ It'll kind of be their first relationship talk. All the stuff with the witches and magic and curses was life-or-death, but it wasn't directly related to how much He Ming likes Rune and being around him—which, to He Ming, is the core of a relationship. All the surrounding mess is no worse than the chaos of the rest of the universe. Besides, the universe doesn't have Rune all to themselves. He Ming curls his grip so his fingertips bunch together in the center of Rune's palm. He doesn't let go until they get out of the car. ]
Married? [ Popping up onto his toes, He Ming looks over the top of the car at Rune with wide eyes. ] —I'd like to. [ He nearly catches himself in the door when he closes it. As fast as he comes around the car to Rune's side, he doesn't grab for his arm again. ] I like weddings. And I want to be married to someone. In sickness and in health, 'til death do us part. All of that.
[ If Rune means getting married to him, then that's even better. But they're approaching the place where his parents were murdered, so He Ming doesn't push the question of love or even a courthouse marriage for the moment. Who knows how that'd work with Rune being inhumanly old. ]
How are you feeling?
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But he knows what he means, and Rune's feelings on commitment – even something as slight as marriage – isn't always easy to parse. He'll have to get better at explaining those things to He Ming—if he can. For now, all he does is nod in response to what he's said, wondering what it might be like to live a somewhat normal life with someone who cares for him as equally as he cares for them. It's difficult to consider when he'd never had time to want any of it, but with his magic free and his life mostly his own, there's nothing else has except that.
Rather than dwell on those things, he turns away from the car and looks at the path that ends a few steps from where they've parked. There's nothing but trees and forest here, though he remembers the clearing up ahead as though he'd been there just recently. It's been too long though, and Rune's frowning as he reaches to take He Ming's hand. They can return for their things once he's secured a connection to the place they're actually going; this is just a midway point between here and there. ]
I don't know. [ And remarkably, it's the truth. ] I never wanted to come back, but I want you to know where I come from.
[ Maybe he needs the reminder too, walking with him through the trees and into a grassy field that's empty of everything that should be in it—including wildlife. Rune squeezes He Ming's hand once before letting it go, a quiet indication that he wait there as he moves a few steps away.
The spell is an easy one. He's used it several times before, and it comes much faster to him now that there's nothing inhibiting his magic, recalling how such things had always drained him to the point of exhaustion depending on how far he needed to travel. They're going a particularly long distance as it is, crouching down to rest his hand against the ground and reciting the words that form the anchor as he slowly stands and lifts his arm with it. A faint shimmer rests in the air, and it's what he holds onto with both hands now, pulling in opposite directions as if trying to tear it apart. The doorway that he opens only gives the slightly glimpse of what's on the other side: more grass, more hills, mountains far in the distance. A ring of stones slowly rises up just ahead, their shadows long against the ground as the sun begins to set. ]
Are you ready?
[ Turning to He Ming, he offers his hand to him and ignores the way he can practically feel the whisper of his long-forgotten home calling to him. ]
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Well, thanks for bringing me with you. [ This is all he'd wanted. He doesn't need Rune to repeat the exact words back. At the same time, he's ready to say all the sappy stuff out loud himself. Maybe not right now, because Rune seems uncharacteristically off-balance and reserved, and he doesn't know if all the I love you and your faces in the world will help that. He focuses on holding onto his hand when it's offered, sticking close and staying in his orbit. Still, he's not sure if he understands yet, and he considers asking exactly what sort of house Rune lived in.
The touch of his hand is enough of a nudge for him to pause and stand by. The magic, though different than before, still sends a prickly thorn down his spine while the air parts under Rune's hands. There are no hills or mountains like that here. He Ming comes forward and grabs his fingers again. ]
As long as you are. [ Will it feel weird when he steps through that rend in the fabric of space? He Ming looks it up and down, more curious than wary. ] Take me through!
[ When they do step out and into the new place, He Ming's drawn to the stones first. He takes a few steps on his own, blinking as he moves out from under a shadow and the golden sunlight strikes his face. ]
So you grew up... here?
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A long time ago. [ He gestures in the distance at something He Ming might not be able to see. ] My coven moved around, but this is the place I remember most. This way.
[ Rune takes He Ming's hand again and pulls him up the slight hill in the direction of the stones, vaguely recalling the massacre that took place on these lands and wondering if any of the bones remained. For He Ming's sake, he hoped not, but it's something he considers even as they crest the peak and stand beneath the tallest stones that have started to careen into one another. There is so much power here, untapped and waiting, and part of him wants to set aside his original intentions to collect it. Yet, He Ming is worth more to him than that, and there's something he wants to ask him later anyway. Something important. Something that has to do with these stones and this very place they stand upon. ]
We didn't have houses then. They were more like tents – something easy to move and could easily be expanded on. [ Down on the other side, there's the remnants of those structures still standing; some of them protected enough by magic to have weathered the elements all these years. ] We can find one to use or stay elsewhere. It doesn't matter to me.
[ It would really all depend on He Ming's level of comfort since they could just come back later. ]
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How'd you keep the rain out? [ Oh, wait. ] Don't tell me—magic.
[ He can see a few of those tents below them. If it's been decades since Rune was here, there must be magic involved. ]
Is it really not going to bother you, staying here? [ Approaching Rune's side, he rests his hand on his back. If there were any skeletons in Rune's closet—even literally—they'd probably be here. He Ming worries his lower lip somewhat absently. He won't try to imagine what this place looked like when all the terrible things Rune described happens, just in case that might accidentally cause more misfortune. It really is nice out here. ]
If you're okay with it, let's pick one to spend the night in. Unless you're going to be watching the sky again tonight.
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It doesn't rain much here. Or it didn't. This was our summer home. [ He turns slowly, reaching out to bring him close so he can lean down and kiss him softly. ] I'm fine with it. If I do anything, I want it to be with you.
[ Which is all he really says on the matter, guiding him down the hill and looking through the tents that still stand and might keep the weather out if it did happen to rain. Some of the furnishings could be better, but if they move some things around, it would do for a night or two. Between them, it easy to do that and move their bags into the tent just before the sun finally sinks below the horizon, and with it, Rune lights the inside with magic—faint flames that burn as bright as anything artificial; though if it's touched, it wouldn't hurt.
Without a word, he rests a hand against He Ming's shoulder before moving closer behind him. For as heavy with history as this place is, he feels lighter somehow. That all of it might not have been for nothing, that there's still some part of his parents and his coven that live on with him. It will die there, he knows, but for now... ]
I want to show you another place, [ he murmurs quietly, directly into He Ming's ear. And to tease him, only a little: ] Unless you're afraid of the dark.
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Of course, resting can wait. ]
Is it a special place? [ The shoulder Rune is closer to lifts up, He Ming feeling slightly tickled by his proximity of voice. He turns. Their noses touch. ] You know I'm not scared.
[ He leans forward to kiss him again. ]
Show me. Let's go.
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Some might not think so, but we're the only ones here.
[ Alive, he almost adds. Still, there's no point instilling thoughts in He Ming's head, and he isn't in the mood to conjure ghosts or commune with the dead; he isn't that kind of witch anyway.
Rune takes his hand and draws him along the path they've walked into familiarity by now, diverting off course once they reach the hill that climbs to the stones and he's removed his shoes. Being barefoot strengthens his connection even further to this place, and they continue on out into the darkness, the grass not quite as tall as it should be and insects buzzing in the distance. The walk takes them far from their camp and just outside a line of trees that partially ring a small pond. ]
Here. Sit with me. [ Hopefully, He Ming won't mind getting his clothes dirty since Rune doesn't just sit—he lies completely flat onto his back to look up at the sky. ] I used to do this back then. I'd fall asleep listening to the water, the wind...
[ Is there much more to tell other than that? He'd been in this exact spot when his father had grabbed him by the shirt and thrown him over his shoulder in an attempt to flee. Rune closes his eyes once, then opens them as he turns his head to look at He Ming. ]
Our conversation earlier – it gave me a lot to think about.
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He's more ginger as he lowers himself to sit first. ]
What sorts of things did you think about?
[ As the wind wrinkles the surface of the lake, He Ming carefully lies down on his side, propping his head up on one hand to keep a better view of Rune. It takes his eyes a few more moments to adjust to the darkness, until the soft silvery light becomes enough for him to see the details of his expression. The grass is almost cold with damp. He wriggles an inch closer to Rune on the ground. ]
I'm listening. [ And touching him, laying a hand on his hip only for the sake of physical contact. ]
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Rune rests the pad of his thumb against his chin. ]
I don't know if you can feel it, but there's power here. I want – [ He pauses, shaking his head a little to readjust his train of thought. ] Would you bind yourself to me? It's similar to marriage, I suppose, but it's more than that. If I performed it here, it might be easier to teach you magic. To help keep you safe when I'm not with you.
[ His fingers slide over He Ming's cheek, cupping his jaw. ] I would belong to you, and you would belong to me.
[ There's nothing more sacred to a witch than that sort of vow, even promises made to avenge the deaths of others or what might stem from other magical bindings performed under duress. This would nothing like that. He Ming loves him, and Rune, despite his hesitance to say it, believes he loves He Ming. That kind of power could never be replicated, even in something as contrite as a love spell. ]
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