IC INBOX for The Last Voyages

[magician_king]

You know what to do.

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[credere]

"Oh."

Credence's shoulders tighten a little. Rune chirps at him reassuringly.

"I...thought we were still friends."

[magician_king]

"Of course I do. But it feels- like you're furious with me, and like I keep disappointing you?"

He goes ahead and blurts out.

[credere]

"I'm not. You don't. I don't know how to stop doing that."

This is probably one of those same situations that makes Fives suspect Credence hates him, even though he barely has an opinion beyond vague secondhand approval because Quentin likes him.

[magician_king]

"Tell me you don't wish I was gone and I'll believe you, until I ask you to say it again."

He proposes, with a slightly shaky breath.

[credere]

Credence lets himself experience the lurch of emotion in his throat, the horrible pang of guilt that he's making his friend feel like that. He does what he was long since taught to do when words aren't up to the task: he just leans forward, gently dislodging Rune, and hugs him tightly.

"I don't," he says, very quietly, into his neck.

[magician_king]

He leans over into him, and closes his eyes, cheek resting against the top of his head.

"Okay. Thank you."

Returning the hug as tight as he can.

[credere]

This would be a nice, salutary moment if Credence didn't immediately ruin it by kissing the corner of Quentin's mouth and then immediately throwing himself backwards.

"Sorry. Sorry."

[magician_king]

"Don't apologize," says Quentin, utterly flabbergasted, "just- come back here. Wait, talk to Shiro first- but then after you do- standing invitation to come back over here on a more decisive basis is an invitation that stands."

Bowled over though he may look by the development.

[credere]

Credence nods. Rubs his hands over his face.

"...I have a question. About...something else. Not to do with any of this."

[magician_king]

"I have a thirty percent chance of being able to focused enough to answer it coherently, but I will do my best."

Which is about all he can offer.

[credere]

He bites his lip.

"...Is there a way of finding out who shared a dream with me without just...asking everyone?"

Because he's not uttering a word on the network about his weird Grindelwald sex dreams.

[magician_king]

"Uh-"

Says Quentin, and tries to think through his mental rolodex of magic and flood event logistics, and all the like.

"-unsure. I would need to sit back and spend some time on the idea."

[credere]

"Thank you. There was someone I didn't recognise from the Barge, but it wasn't someone from home, and...I want to know who saw what he saw."

[magician_king]

"Probably just a new guy."

He reasons, quietly, and shakes his head, trying to get himself to really not talk about it. Except-

"It's- up from one point five to two, by the way. I decided I was being dumb. Just- full cards on the table."

[credere]

"Oh. Right. That - that's good. I'm..."

Awkwardly jealous. Even more embarrassed somehow.

"I'm happy for you."

Also true.

[magician_king]

"I think I could handle a two point five, is my point."

He says, and looks up at the ceiling.

"Which is- up to you to think about."

[credere]

"Oh," Credence says, vaguely wondering what would count in a capacity of half a boyfriend. "I - yes. I...I will."

[magician_king]

"Three, if you warm to the idea."

He says, cheeks going bright red.

"No pressure. Weird timing, since a minute ago I wasn't sure we were still- well, anyways. Two point five edging into three once we're settled and secure with one another."

[credere]

Credence just nods, very nearly as pink as Quentin.

"And - I need to talk to Shiro. I don't know how she'd...feel. About that."

[magician_king]

"As do I."

He says, breathing in a deep breath and letting out again.

"Good, good, moving on then. How is Shiro? And how's Ray turning out?"

[credere]

"She's been in a coma for a while. I haven't spoken to her much since I got back."

Which makes this small transgression feel worse somehow.

"Ray is fine. There's no magic in his world, or he doesn't know about it, so I think he worries about how to deal with me."