Work Text:
- Year 4, Regarden Academy, the room of Edward Serfence and Workner Norgram
“EDWARD!”
Edward winced. Workner had a voice that could shatter eardrums, when provoked.
“Yes, Norgram?” Edward drawled. Edward turned in his desk chair to observe his irate roommate. Edward didn’t wince at what he saw, but it was a close thing. In place of his usually affable, bespectacled, white-haired roommate sat a pissed-off, hyper-focused, deranged demon.
Edward just wished he knew what he’d done to deserve this transformation. Deciding on the direct approach, he squared his shoulders and prepared to ask Norgram what his problem was. Nicely, of course; despite Norgram’s current appearance, the guy was the best roommate Edward had ever had. He didn’t want to risk alienating the other mage.
“Norgram, dare I ask the reason for your current…” Edward trailed off, as Norgram’s eyes narrowed in eerie imitation of the dragons the teen loved so much. Then, much to Edward’s immense relief, Norgram shut his eyes and took a deep breath.
“Edward,” Norgram began in a deceptively calm tone, “did you, by chance, touch any of the piles on my desk?”
Edward may not be much for social niceties, but he recognized barely-leashed killing intent when it was aimed at him. Glad that Norgram’s eyes remained closed, he began cautiously, “Norgram, you know I don’t go near-”
“Did. You. Touch. My. Piles?” Norgram enunciated, eyes still closed. Edward shifted uneasily.
“One pile looked like it would fall any second, so I might have moved it away from the edge,” Edward hedged.
Norgram kept his eyes closed, but he clenched his fists. Edward hurried on,
“But I never rearranged anything, I swear! I just nudged it a bit.” Edward felt an unusual sense of unease move through him. Norgram had asked him not to touch his piles on numerous occasions. Edward never meant to upset the other teen, he’d just-
“-Trying to help,” he mumbled. Edward didn’t realize he’d spoken out loud, until Norgram opened his eyes and pinned Edward with a look. The two mages engaged in a staring contest for a few moments, before Norgram sighed and ran a hand through what remained of his pony-tail.
“Sorry, Ed,” the white-haired teen said. “You didn’t deserve that. I just can’t find the write up I did for Professor Anwen, and– anyway. I’m sorry. I get a bit protective of my piles. I know it doesn’t look it, but I know where everything is that way.”
Edward nodded slowly, glad to see Norgram return to a semblance of normalcy. “Never fear, Workner,” Edward said solemnly.
“I won’t go near your piles ever again.”