ourladytrees | the magician and the sorcerer

[ There's something about hearing him say she's special to be on that list. He's just teasing her right back, she knows that, but it still makes something in her chest go tight and fluttery in a way she hasn't experienced in a very long time. Even with James, she'd never really felt any sort of heart-pattering romantic vibes, they'd just sidestepped from friends to something more, like that's what they were always supposed to do. This feels different. She'd be lying if she said it wasn't a little scary, but that fear has nothing to do with her past trauma and everything to do with her not wanting to lose this.

She doesn't want to lose him.

His offer leaves her stunned for a second, followed by a moment of her expression crumbling into something far too emotional before she gets herself pulled back together. Nodding, she offers him a slightly watery smile in genuine gratitude. ]

Please. That would mean a lot to me.

[ Even if the Sanctum does provide enough protection, she'll sleep better knowing there's that little bit extra. And it means the world that he'd thought to offer it. ]

I'll cast the spell when I head out. It's no trouble.

[ And it is staggeringly simple and easy, it turns out, to just sit here and keep her company and talk. Stephen is so chatty that he can more than easily carry the conversation in a gentle roll of words, filling her in about the Sanctum's everyday happenings (which aren't so everyday compared to the life of a civilian, but y'know), a new antique book purchase he thinks she might be interested in, and so on, and so on. Whenever Julia starts to peter out, he picks up the slack, the conversation like a susurrus to start to lull her towards sleep.

She's here; she's home; she's safe. ]

[ Is it hours they spend together or just a collection of minutes? They drift by easily as the conversation continues, the sound of Stephen's voice and the topics themselves combining to relax her mind and body. She's home; she's safe. Each word they share reinforces those feelings as she finishes her tea and settles properly back into the pillows, propped up slightly but in a way where she'll still be able to fall asleep.

And before long, she does begin to drift off, her eyes staying closed for longer and longer stretches as she fights to hold on for just a bit more. But then she realizes she doesn't have to — she will still be at the Sanctum tomorrow and Stephen will still be in her life. She can rest now.

So she does, falling into slumber in the middle of one of his stories about a new book he's acquired. It really does sound interesting — but she'll ask him about it tomorrow. ]

[ The minutes trail by and her responses come slower and slower, until they don't come at all, and then Stephen leans a little forward to check on her. Julia's breathing is steady and low and even, as she's curled up against those pillows; she's finally fallen asleep.

Getting back to his feet, he reaches out and carefully retrieves the long-empty cup from her hands. He magics away the tea set, tiptoes across the room trying not to make the floorboards creak, and then stops at the foot of her bed to press various corners of the bedposts with his fingertips, his mouth forming incantations that he doesn't say aloud (once again, it's the intent that matters). Then there's a faint glow of light as the runes layer themselves into the wood, protective wards established. They require topping-up every six months, but it'll do for now.

And that done, Stephen quietly leaves, closing the door behind him. ]

the magician and the sorcerer — psl

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