Work Text:
The Day after Regarden Graduation, the end of Edward and Workner’s first year teaching
“I can’t believe it,” Workner said, misty-eyed as he watched the newest batch of Regarden Graduates celebrate. Edward just scowled.
Workner elbowed the other mage in the ribs. “At least try to look pleased, Edward. These are your students, too.” Edward just scowled harder, then said under his breath, “Do you think all of them deserve it? I count at least a dozen that won’t last a day, even Colorless.” Workner stared in shock.
Edward turned a sharp eye on the white-haired mage. “When you pitched me this job, you said the students needed to know what they were getting into, that they needed to be prepared. It’s quite literally our job, Workner, to weed out the unworthy.”
“It’s our job to make sure they are worthy,” Workner shot back, glaring. Edward snarled, and strode off into the night. Workner closed his eyes, and counted to ten.
When he was younger, Workner had an anger problem. His parents taught him any number of calming techniques, but few helped him cope with the force of nature that was Edward Serfence. Something about the man got under his skin like a Razormole, burrowing deep past all Workner’s defences. Something that ignited Workner’s emotions in ways few things had since he’d learned to control himself.
Part of it was that Workner didn’t want to control himself around Edward. As a rule, he didn’t have to. They snapped and snarled at each other, circled each other like prey at times. They also held each other up, and cared for each other. It had taken Workner a while, but he finally thought he worked out why Ed’s door had let him in, that time after Ed failed to become a Magia Vander.
It was because the spell was meant to keep out outsiders, and Edward had never really seen Workner as such. His spell had counted Workner as someone who belonged inside that dark, pain-filled room and granted him access.
Choosing to take a walk before returning to the rooms he shared with Ed, Workner arrived home almost an hour after Edward had stalked off into the darkness. It was still early, so Workner wasn’t surprised to find Ed up, in the sitting room. He was surprised, however, to find Edward staring at an un-wrapped package like it would transform into his namesake and attack.
“What is that?” Workner asked, in way of greeting. Edward’s face darkened, then he sighed.
“My sisters’ idea of a joke,” he growled lowly. Curious, Workner walked over to the couch and sat down beside the other mage. He looked in the box, and became puzzled. Reaching out, he waited for Ed’s nod of permission before he delicately lifted a beautifully-made cream and brown sweater from the box. The quality was evident, and the fit looked right; maybe a tad big, but sweaters were made to wear over other clothing.
Workner laid the sweater out over his lap, and smoothed a hand down the fabric. Soft, but sturdy. He turned a quizzical eye to Ed. “I fail to see the problem, Ed. It’s not spelled for anything, so there’s no risk of some trap.” Edward just glowered further, but a light blush tinted his cheeks.
Leaving the prickly mage alone, Workner looked into the box again. Several jars of hair and face ointments, and a jewelry box, along with an opened letter. Ignoring the letter and the jars, Workner took the jewelry box and opened it.
A large silver pin, made to hold a cloak or cape together. It had the Serfence family emblem engraved on the top with exquisite care. Turning the object around so it caught the light, Workner looked up to find Ed staring at him.
“It all looks fine to me, Ed,” Workner said again. “Where’s the joke?”
Edward ran a hand over his face and sighed. “It’s a family tradition, to give gifts to each other after Barrier Day,” Ed began. Workner nodded. He’d seen Edward frantically preparing gifts around this time of year as long as he’d known the other man. Most people weren’t aware, but Ed was the youngest of four siblings. He was also the only boy.
Once Workner had figured that last part out, the hair and face lotions and creams made a lot more sense. Growing up, Edward had been both a living doll and fierce protector for his sisters. Now he was grown, but nothing much had changed. His sisters sent him gifts they thought were useful, and Edward used them because it gave them joy and reminded him of his home. Edward took his role as brother very seriously, and it was probably the sweetest thing Workner had ever seen.
“It’s not the gifts, exactly,” Edward hedged in a way that told Workner he wasn’t sure how the white-haired mage would take what Ed was about to say. Without being prompted, Edward took the opened letter from the box and held it out to Workner.
Workner accepted the letter, opened it, and skimmed the contents. It contained the usual greetings and familial admonishments for Ed to take care of himself and write more. Nothing out of the ordinary at all, until the last paragraph.
“Make sure to give Workner the sweater, dearest. He’s family, whether you two ever make things official or not. Mother and Dad wouldn’t care in the slightest if you did. He’s a wonderful young man, and we’re all so happy for you. You must take him home sometime to see the family after things get settled before the new term.”
Workner looked at the exquisite sweater, and back to the letter. Then, he looked at Edward and his flaming face. “It’s for me?” Workner said in awe, running his hand over the sweater again. Edward threw up his hands.
“That’s what you took away from that letter?” Edward said in exasperation. Workner just looked at Edward, and frowned.
“What else is there? Your parents think of me like family? That’s nothing to be embarrassed about, Ed. You know my mom all but adopted you back in our academy days.” Edward just stared some more, then shook his head. A horrible thought crept into Workner’s mind, and he suddenly went cold.
“Unless, you don’t want us to be. Family.” Workner said lightly, trying not to show how much the idea hurt. Edward’s face snapped around, his horror evident.
“No! I mean, I don’t… It’s… I don’t…” Edward cut himself off, and took a deep breath. Grabbing Workner’s clammy hands, he held them tightly. “I would be honored to be your family, Workner,” Edward finally managed. “You know my sisters refer to you as their albino child, don’t you?” Workner laughed a bit, but it was watery. All of Ed’s family had dark eyes and dark hair, so he could see where they were coming from. Ed relaxed a bit, but didn’t let go of Workner’s hands.
“It’s how that letter phrased things. Also, look inside the sweater.” Workner withdrew one of his hands, and tugged the sweater so he could see inside. There, on the back, was a subtly done Serfence family crest. It was picked out in a shade of cream that wouldn’t be obvious to everyone, but was definitely there.
“It’s tradition,” Edward said quietly. Workner traced the pattern, and looked up to meet Ed’s eyes. He gave Ed a crooked smile. “Tradition when you adopt an albino child?” He joked. Edward rolled his eyes. Workner sighed heavily, and put his free hand on Ed’s knee.
“Ed, I get that whatever you’re so embarrassed about is difficult to say, but really, just spit it out. This is just painful.”
Edward shifted, and gripped Workner’s hand tighter. “Myparentsthinkwe’retogether” he mumbled out in a rush. Workner paused, decoding Ed’s words. When he did, he felt his eyes widen. Ed nodded.
“That,” he said, pointing to the sweater, “is the traditional gift my family gives to people who… marry in. Not the sweater, the mark. It’s supposed to show the new member is part of us, and under our protection. Rather old fashioned, but…” Ed’s voice trailed off. Workner let them lapse into silence. He was still processing all the information.
“Your parents think we’re rooming together, as… a couple,” Workner said slowly. Edward nodded. Then, he shook his head, and released Workner’s hands. Ed stood abruptly, and grabbed the rest of the open box.
“It’s yours,” he said gruffly. Workner’s heart sank, as Ed didn’t turn to face him. Instead, he said over his shoulder, “you can do whatever you want with it.” Then, for the first time in months, Edward Serfence went into his own room and shut the door.
Workner sat alone, staring at the sweater, long into the night.