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“This is stupid,” Max came back to his team, defeated. He climbed on the chair in front of the bar, actively ignoring confused looks his teammates wore, called the barmaid and ordered mead. His gaze was stuck on his own knuckles the whole time until the pint was placed in front of him. He then finally lifted his head, smiling sheepishly, “Excuse me, ma'am… Has anyone told you that you have the most beautiful eyes out of all…"
He stopped when was finally looking at the woman’s face: in the place where her other eye was supposed to be was an eyepatch instead.
“Really? Hoping for half the price, boy?” She leaned on the counter to tower over Max.
“That's even better!“ Mr Wizard exclaimed before the cleric could open his mouth, “One of a kind, like the brightest star in the sky!“, he murmured, sneaking a glance at teammate sitting beside.
The barmaid clicked her tongue and went to serve other customers, but as she turned away, Max noticed a smile appear on her face.
“There's absolutely no way.” he whined, head in hands.
“That’s actually impressive how you keep messing things up!” Ruby chuckled, “I’m assuming that’s what happened to these guys too?” she pointed in the direction Max came from with a mug. There was a table with another party in the different end of the tavern.
Max mumbled something in an excuse, refusing to look up.
“Aw, don't worry about it, I'm sure someone else will love your mediocre backflip!” Brohini laughed along with others.
Max jumped in the chair and raised his voice, ready to defend his honor, “Listen, there are many factors that determine if it's gonna be successful—”
“You can still buy a crystal from me…” Mr Wizard smirked, “I can actually cut the price for that pretty face of yours, ho-ho.”
“— your silly crystals are not one of them!” he yelled, “Ugh… What are we gonna do now?”
This tavern was supposed to be the starting point of the new adventure. Everyone they’ve met pointed at it like it was heaven for travelers! Run by a local guild it simply had to be the place with neverending quests and maps and rummers of all kinds. There was a particular map they were after — the one that was bought minutes ago by individuals Max just came back from.
“I can always just steal it.” Ruby shrugged, “Give them half an hour to drink enough and I can take it in front of their eyes".
“And if they notice anyway? They will probably start a fight and then we'll have to be against half of this tavern.”
“I don't see a problem with that!” Bro lightened up.
“I do! I’ll have to heal you afterwards!”
“I’ll talk to them.” Mr Wizard stood up and took his bag. Max choked on his mead and tried to stop the wizard, but the coughing silenced his warnings.
Max cleared his throat and turned to Ruby and Bro, shocked. They didn’t seem to share his concern.
“Have faith in him,” Bro smiled, “He had his way with words so far.”
He looked at Mr Wizard actively gesturing at the four complete strangers in front of him. Maybe Bro was right. After all, it seemingly was his job — talk people into some nonsense.
The man peeked back at him, still talking to the party, and now all of them were looking in his direction. Max turned away, pretending he wasn't staring.
“Yeah, even I can admit he sometimes knows what he's doing.” Ruby jabbed him with the elbow.
Max's gaze stuck on the bottom of the mug. He stayed silent like that until the wizard came back. It was easy to guess how the mission went by the smug look on his face.
“Got it, ho-ho!” he proudly presented a map before shoving it in the inner pocket of his robe.
“Good job, man!” Brohini heavily patted Mr Wizard on the back, making him wince.
“Told them there is ancient dark arcane in the paper,” he rubbed his beard, “poor morons don't have any idea on how magic works, ho-ho! Can you believe it Mr Blunder?”
“No way…” Max hissed, rubbing his brows, “I can't believe it.”
“Exactly!”
Max jumped off his chair, now facing the man, “How!?” he felt helpless, how in the world this man- painfully obvious phony- could make others trust him just like that!?
“Well, I was polite, we talked about you, about adventuring —”
“Why did you talk about me?”
“— you see, they didn't want that map in the first place and got it because it was the last one. And I’m pretty sure someone made them buy it…” he covered his mouth saying last words and looked around.
“And… they just gave it to you?..” Max heard Ruby and Bro snorting. He had already lost all hope. He didn't believe in the world where people just gave this man free stuff. And because of what? What made him look so trustworthy? The fake beard!? The slippers!?
“Oh, no! Of course not, ho-ho! We traded.”
Before Max could feel relieved the loud rumble and a shout behind the wizard made them both freeze.
“Hey! You!”
The room fell silent. Confused visitors, no longer interested in their drinks and meals, were turning their heads around, looking for the one who started the fight. Some were already getting up, ready to join it.
“What did you sell to them!?” a new adventurer was standing next to the table behind them wearing a furious look. They seemingly just came back to check on their party of idiots, “And where did our map go, huh?”
“It was a fair trade, ask your teammates!” Mr Wizard hastily backed up, bumping into Max.
“Oh really?!” They got closer, practically shoving some kind of a cloak in his face, "This junk?!"
“Excuse you! This was my most prized possession !”
“What even is that?..” Max added to the offence, realising it only when he met the wizard’s angry gaze. That was a rare sight.
“We might want to leave —” Mr Wizard said through clenched teeth. He was already lifting the hem of his robe to make running easier, but was rudely interrupted by the heavy fist landing at his face.
Maybe Mr Wizard was a charmer, but mostly because he also was a terrible liar. He, however, liked to sum those qualities by calling himself a businessman.
If Max wouldn't have caught him, he would’ve been in big trouble. Not that he couldn’t have handled this on his own, after all, it wasn’t the first time he was caught selling the most useless artefacts. But it was gladdening to finally land in the arms of an ally and not the hard floor.
Ruby and Bro left their places, ready to defend their teammate as well.
In mere moments the tavern was hosting a huge fight. Some visitors were defending the wizard and his team, others tried to get them to inflict justice, but most were just happy to be included.
Max helped Mr Wizard on his feet, while he tried to cast an attack spell with his own blood blinding him. Even if he was aiming at someone, he definitely missed and the beam of magic hit the ceiling, causing the chandelier to fall down and add up to the mess. Max caught his hands too late and pulled him closer to the exit, trying to avoid flying bodies and dodging hits from every direction.
“You two are so bad at this!” Ruby appeared on his side, making him jump. She had a weirdly happy look for a situation like this. “Look at all these!” she presented him with handfuls of coins and other things she already managed to pocket.
“When did you — Ah, whatever! Where is Bro?” he hit someone with his leg, still holding the wizard close.
“I don’t know, somewhere here…” she squinted, “Oh, look!” she pointed at Brohiny, almost standing on the back of the adventurer who confronted them, punching and kicking them, while they tried to get to the wizard, “You should probably go.”
“And you?”
“Well, I think we’re thriving here.” She smiled just as width as Bro and went for the other bag left without supervision.
Max was quick to agree with Ruby, upon seeing at least three people and the barmaid trying to make their way to them. Mr Wizard was wiggling in his hold, trying to get the blood out of his eye. Without a second thought he picked the wizard up, threw him over the shoulder and jumped on the nearest table to then lounge in the direction of the exit, pushing other retrieving adventurers out of his way.
He heard the barmaid shouting after him and winced recalling the day he met his teammates.
—
Only now, running down the empty street Max managed to make out Mr Wizard’s yells and complaints. He made a sharp turn to the alleyway where was finally able to stop. Thankfully, nobody seemed to chaise them.
Putting Mr Wizard back on his legs was a mistake, as he immediately started falling.
“Wasn’t that a ride…” He muttered as Max led him to the wall for both to lean onto, “I’ve lost my precious hat!”
Max ignored his pitiful whine.
For several minutes they’ve only heard themselves panting.
“You’re not selling anything anymore, Ester.” he was still out of breath and yet couldn’t help but laugh, “For a second, I really thought your plan went smoothly…”
“Well, it did at first…” Mr Wizard chuckled as well. His hand went up to the forehead to examine the half-dried wound, “Gosh, did that guy have spikes on their glove?...”
“Let me get that for you.” Max wearily pushed himself away from the wall to face the other man. His hand went to the back of Mr Wizard’s head, gently guiding it down, so it would be easier to assess the damage, “You don’t feel dizzy?”
“Not sure.” The wizard held his breath as the palm slid down to hold his neck.
Max was unbelievably close, eyes focused on his forehead. While his glowing scar provided some help, it still wasn't enough to really estimate the damage.
“Eh, I’ve seen worse,” Max moved closer and Mr Wizard felt the breath on his cheek distracting him from the burning of the healing magic, “but this will probably leave a scar.” he murmured, stroking the wound with his thumb.
“Would you mind giving it a kiss then?” Mr Wizard didn’t know what he was saying, “So it would heal faster.”
Max froze for a moment as if he was considering the offer, a slight blush appeared on the tips of his ears, “...and it gave you a concussion.”
“It definitely wasn’t a soft landing,” he laughed.
“Healing doesn’t work that way…” he tried to appear focused on the task, but his gaze was drifting down at the wizard’s face.
“Have you ever tried it?” their eyes met. Max was silent.
The hand that was burning his forehead a moment ago traveled down to his jaw and carefully slipped behind the fake beard, cupping his face. Mr Wizard was doing everything in his power holding himself together, not trembling at the sensation of the warm gentle hand making itself comfortable on the side of his face. He wanted to place his own at the shoulders of the man in front of him, but he couldn’t peel his palms off the wall he was holding onto. To be frank, he found himself unable to move at all, enamored by Max.
“If you want this so much…”
It felt like hours had passed while he was caught in the trap of other's eyes. Mr Wizard turned his head, sinking in the touch. His lips almost brushed the palm, but Max's ears flinched and eyes darted to the end of the alleyway.
He came back to Mr Wizard, “...You should really lose the beard.” He pulled his face down and pressed a kiss at the wound, healing it completely, before backing up.
Two silhouettes appeared from the corner.
“I'm surprised no one followed you here!” Ruby exclaimed, fixing a bag on her shoulder.
“Yeah, you left a blood trail, gotta be careful next time.” Brohini agreed.
“There won't be a ‘next time’.” Max crossed hands on the chest and joined them.
Mr Wizard was left leaning onto the wall, staring at the empty space his hands were trying to grab a moment ago. His face was burning.
“Hey, wizard! I have your hat.” Ruby waved it in the air, “You good?”
“Ah, I very much am!” he smiled, putting the hat back where it belonged. His heart felt even warmer now, “Thank you.”
“Let’s go,” Max called, shyly glancing in his way, “or those guys will actually catch up.”