Chapter Text
Chris sighed as he moved into his bedroom. What am I going to do about sleeping arrangements? I really didn’t think this through very well before I decided to summon him.
Phichit padded quietly after Christophe, loathe to let him out of his sight. The poor guy knows next to nothing about protecting himself. And until I can get wards around the house, it is for the best that I stay with him as much as possible. I can’t cast spells, or set new wards, in this form. But, I can try protect him. Somehow.
Phichit mewed to get Chris’s attention. “What are you doing?”
Chris sighed and scratched his head. “I’m trying to figure out where you are going to sleep tonight. This is the only bed I’ve got, and I hate to make you sleep on the floor…” Even if you are technically a cat right now…
Phichit sat, curling his tail over his feet. He’s really concerned. My former masters treated me like a pest. But he seems to really care for my well being. Maybe…
No, stop that. He’s going to send you back at the end of the month and try for a stronger familiar. He’d be a fool not to…
“I don’t mind sleeping on the floor.”
Chris turned his head to look at Phichit. “ I mind. You shouldn’t have to.”
He sighed. “I really should have thought ahead more. Then I could have had a bed ready for you.”
“It’s okay.” Phichit moved closer to Chris. I want to stay close to him anyway, and if that means sleeping on his bedroom floor, so be it.
He is my master, and it is my duty to protect him, until he sends me back.
Chris shook his head. “No, it’s not. I don’t even have a spare pillow for you.”
Chris sighed. “You’re going to have to sleep on my bed with me tonight. And then tomorrow we’ll think of a better solution.”
Phichit went still. “What?”
He wants me to sleep in the same bed as him? No, this can’t be happening. Gods, this is going to make things so much harder…
Chris slowly said, “Of course, that is only if it is okay with you. The bed is plenty large enough. I could just stay on one side and let you have the other…”
“I just… want you to be comfortable.”
Phichit looked up in surprise. He’s really that concerned for me? Why? I’m worthless…
Chris said, “So, is that a no? Should I just sleep in the study? There’s a couch in there, and you can have the bed…”
Phichit let out a quiet mewl. “No… I was just surprised. That’s all. I’m okay with sharing the bed…”
If I could blush as a cat, I would be bright red right now. I can’t believe that this is real. It is like a dream.
Chris smiled warmly. He’s so adorable. Is he embarrassed? But… it’s like he feels the need to stay close to me. I wonder why?
Chris sat down on the bed. He said, “We should probably call it a night, then. It’s been a long day, and tomorrow I’ll need to go into town.”
“Why?”
“Well, I usually go a few times a week to buy food. And, if I’m going to fill a mattress for you, I’ll need some cotton to stuff it with.”
Phichit jumped onto the bed. He moved next to Chris and curled his tail around his feet. “I don’t need a bed. I’m okay with sharing a bed with you, or even sleeping on a pillow on the floor.”
Chris arched an eyebrow as he asked, “Are you sure?” How badly was he mistreated? It must have been bad, if he thinks that common courtesies are unnecessary…
“I’m sure.”
***
The Next Morning
Phichit yawned and stretched his arms as he followed Chris into the kitchen. It has been a while since I had to revert to my cat form. I forgot how long it takes to readjust after I turn back.
Chris grabbed a few eggs off of the counter as he walked past. “Are fried eggs okay for breakfast? I still have some bread left, so we can have some of it, too.”
Phichit cocked his head slightly to the side. “I’ve never had any food before, so this will be an adventure to me.”
Chris nodded “Okay, then. Let’s see if you like eggs.”
As Chris moved around the kitchen, preparing the eggs, Phichit asked, “How are we going to town? Are we walking? Or do you have a horse?”
Can I stay in this form? Or do I have to revert to my cat form?
Chris chuckled. “Neither.”
Phichit sat on a stool sitting next to the island in the middle of the kitchen. He asked, “ Neither? Then, how?”
He doesn’t know any teleportation spells, does he? I think he would have mentioned that. And even if he did, spells like that can go awry very easily. Not to mention that it would undoubtedly draw a lot of unwanted attention…
Chris replied, “I have a bicycle. We’ll go to town on it. As long as you are in your cat form, you can ride in the basket easily.”
Phichit quirked his head slightly. “What’s a bicycle?”
Chris smiled. “Oh, I guess that they are something new since you’ve been here last? I could try to explain it to you, but I think it would be easier to just show you. Are you going to be alright with staying in your cat form while we go to town?”
Phichit said quietly. “I would prefer to be in this form…”
I could protect him that way. I only have my teeth and claws in that form. I can’t use my magic. And I haven’t had a chance to cast any shields or wards on him yet…
“Why? Is that form distasteful?”
Phichit’s tail flicked in irritation. I guess I should just tell him the truth. He needs to know my limitations. Even though…
If he knows just how useless I am, he’ll just want to send me back…
Phichit looked up at Chris. “I can’t use my magic in that form. I can maintain wards and shields that have already been set, but I can’t cast any new ones.” He looked away as he added, “I can’t protect you…”
Chris tapped his finger on his chin as he thought. He snapped his fingers as he moved the frying pan off of the stove. “I have an idea.”
Phichit leaned forward eagerly. “What is it?”
Chris grabbed two clean plates out of the cupboard and slid two fried eggs off onto each plate. He added a thick slice of brown bread, slathered with butter, to each plate. He set one plate down in front of Phichit and handed him a fork.
Chris picked up his fork and cut into his eggs as he said, “What if you cast some shields or wards, and then reverted back to cat form? You said that casting magic wears you out, and that you can maintain spells like that. It seems like a win-win.”
Phichit thought for a moment. That… might actually work. I was already trying to figure out how to cast the spells that I need to use to protect him without exhausting myself too much. This might be the perfect solution.
Maybe we are a good match for each other…?
“I think that would work.”
Chris smiled widely. “Great! After breakfast, you can spellcast to your heart’s content. We’ll plan on going to town this afternoon, so as to be home before dark.”
***
Phichit took a deep breath as he studied Chris, seated in a chair in the middle of the workroom. I need to concentrate. This is my chance to prove myself useful to him. If I can convince Chris that I can be of use to him, perhaps he’ll decide to let me stay. I can’t afford to mess this up.
Chris waited patiently for Phichit to begin. I wonder what familiar magic looks like? Does it require incantations or rituals like human magic? Last night he used that healing spell on my wrist… He didn’t use an incantation for that. Does all of his magic work like that?
Phichit said, “I’m going to try to place a basic mental shield on you, and a magic ward. It won’t stop everything, but at least no other witch can attempt to read your mind, and the ward will absorb some magic. I can add more later, if you decide that you want them.”
Chris paled. “Do you mean to tell me that all of this time, there have been people with the ability to read my mind? And I’ve been unprotected?”
Phichit nodded. “I’m afraid so. But after this, you shouldn’t have to worry about it again.”
Chris asked, “So, how does this work? Do you need me to do anything?”
“No, just stay as still as you can, and stay quiet? I have to concentrate.”
Chris nodded. I can do that.
Phichit closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He let it out slowly through his mouth. I’ve never done this before. Or, I’ve never cast it on someone else. Can I do this?
I know that it can be done, from listening to other familiars. So I should be able to. I just need to concentrate, and push my magic out towards Christophe…
Will I have enough to set both the shield and the ward? Or will my magic run out?
Phichit opened his eyes and stepped closer to Chris. He held one hand out towards Chris, hovering slightly above the man. His fingers were splayed out, and his other hand grasped his forearm to hold it steady. A soft glow surrounded Phichit’s hand.
Chris sucked in a surprised breath. He doesn’t need an incantation or anything. That’s amazing. I remember that he did the same thing last night, both when he healed me and when he transformed, so does that mean that familiars don’t need to speak to use their magic at all?
The glow left Phichit’s fingertips and settled over Chris, spreading out over him. Chris sighed as it settled around him. It feels comforting, like being wrapped in a warm blanket. Or a lover’s arms…
Chris shook his head slightly. Now is definitely not the time to think of such things…
Phichit swayed slightly. Chris stood in alarm and grasped his arm in an attempt to steady him. “Are you all right? Here, sit for a minute.”
Phichit allowed Chris to gently push him down into the chair. Phichit fought back the tears that were threatening to fall from his eyes. Why? Why am I so weak? I should be able to cast a simple spell without nearly passing out…
Chris knelt down so that he was eye level with Phichit. “There’s no hurry. I don’t want you to hurt yourself. And besides, I’ve gone this long without wards. I’ll be fine.”
Phichit sniffled, trying to keep the tears at bay. “No, it’s not. You summoned me here to help you, and I can’t even manage this! I’m… I’m worthless…”
Chris took one of Phichit’s hands in his. “You are not worthless. I know nothing about wards. Hell, until five minutes ago, I didn’t even know that other witches might have been reading my mind. And now, thanks to you, I don’t have to worry about it. That has to be a hard shield to maintain.”
Chris cleared his throat. “So teach it to me. Teach me how to shield my mind so that you don’t have to. So you can concentrate on other things.”
Phichit blinked away his tears in surprise. “What?”
Chris smiled. “Teach me. I want to learn.”
“I can probably teach you shielding, but anything else…” Phichit sighed. “I don’t know…”
“Then we’ll start with shielding.”
Phichit nodded. “I… I think I’m ready to try setting the ward? If you’re ready?”
Chris asked, “Are you sure? I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”
Phichit nodded as he slowly stood. “Don’t worry. The worst thing that will happen is that I might revert to my cat form. And that would be okay.”
Chris narrowed his eyes. No, it wouldn’t. I don’t want you exhausting yourself like that.
Chris sat in the chair, keeping his tongue in check. How poorly were you treated in the past? What did they do to you to make you feel so worthless? And is there anything I can do to convince you otherwise?
Phichit took a deep breath, his brow wrinkling in concentration. This should be easy. It is only a basic ward, to absorb some magic if Christophe were to be attacked. Much easier than the mental shield. I can do this… I think…
Phichit held his hand out like before, fingers splayed slightly. He pushed his magic away from him, to surround Christophe. Almost there, just a little bit more and the spell will be set…
Chris watched, his eyes full of concern. He is going pale, and is he swaying a little? I wish that he had not done this, but I’m also afraid to interrupt in the middle of the spell. I know that unfinished spells can have some pretty dire consequences…
The ward settled over Chris. He sighed slightly as it settled over him, warm and comforting.
Phichit swayed where he stood, his face drained of color. I did it… His eyes rolled back in his head as he crumpled to the floor.
“Phichit!” Chris called out to him as he fell, but could not reach him in time to stop his fall. A strange smoke enveloped Phichit, causing Chris to jump back in alarm. When the smoke cleared, Phichit had reverted to his cat form.
He wore himself out, to this point, to protect me. Why? He barely knows me!
Chris knelt down next to Phichit. He was breathing normally. Chris sighed in relief. I can’t just leave him here on the floor. I should carry him into the bedroom.
Chris gently gathered the unconscious cat in his arms. He’s shivering. I need to cover him once I get him on the bed…
He gently carried Phichit upstairs to his bedroom. Chris walked towards the bed and pulled the covers back from Phichit’s side. Then, he gently laid the cat down and covered him up, leaving only his head uncovered.
There. I only hope that that is enough.
Please, let him be okay…