Work Text:
Three days after Ed started sleeping in his own room
Workner loved watching Ed cast magic.
Ed would deny it with his last breath, but there was a hypnotic grace to the way he embraced his power. A grace that reminded Workner of a dancer, or a music conductor. The way Ed coaxed his brilliant violet power to do his bidding, to coil and explode at will was a sight to behold.
Ed made the magic look easy. It was anything but. When he chose to use incantations, his deep voice reverberated through the large practice rooms to be lost in the boom and hiss of power unleashed.
If not, then Ed seemed to be the center of a thunderless lightning storm. It never failed to captivate, and Workner wasn’t the only one caught up in the show. Students watched on in awe and a healthy dose of fear. Other mages looked on with a professional curiosity and clinical eye. As far as he knew, Workner was one of maybe two people who would just sit back and watch the man himself.
Ed had always been exceptional, even during their academy days. The difference between now and then, however, was the lack of overbearing killing intent behind the movement. Workner, for one, was relieved by that turn of events.
Ed would never be a bulky man, but Workner’s eye detected a healthy fullness in Ed’s face after months of Workner insisting on regular bedtimes and balanced meals. For someone so brilliant, Ed could be incredibly dense at times when it came to his own health.
A particularly bright volley of a string of chain traps brought the practice session to its conclusion, and to Workner's surprise Ed looked up at Workner on the observation balcony. Workner waved, then watched as Ed disappeared under the balcony towards the stairs. Workner leaned back on the railing behind him and waited for Ed to appear.
Moments later, Ed appeared in the stairway. Workner couldn’t help the way his eyes ran over the other man’s form. Even while he wasn’t casting, Edward still had a sharp edge to his gait that spoke of the magic still riding him. A scent of ozone and electric currents hung around him like smoke. Workner pulled up a smile, and raised a hand in greeting.
He thought he knew what had brought on Ed’s recent bout of practice sessions. The letter. Once in a while, when Ed was frustrated or angry, or trying to work out a difficult problem, the man would disappear for marathon training sessions to drain some of the frenetic energy inside him. It was a release, as well as a chance to hone his skills.
There was something predatory in Ed’s eyes this time as he walked toward Workner. Workner stilled with uncertainty, though he wasn’t truly afraid. Ed came up to Workner, his chest almost touching Workner’s. Workner was about to say something to break the tension, when Ed put his arms on either side of the white-haired mage, grabbed the balcony, and leaned forward. Workner’s heart was pounding, and he held his breath. Was Ed actually going to-?
Ed broke the staring contest, dropped his head, and buried his face in Workner’s neck. Ed let out a shuddering breath, and Workner brought up his hands to stroke the other mage’s back soothingly. They stood together that way for a few moments that stretched into minutes: The Dark Viper Mage slowly coming back to himself under Workner’s hands.
Finally, Workner broke the silence. “What’s wrong, Edward?” He asked softly. Edward tensed, but Workner kept up the soothing circles on his back.
“We both know you only get like this when something is riding you. Please, tell me. I want to help,” Workner entreated.
Ed huffed out a breath on the skin of Workner’s neck. “It’s always talking with you, isn’t it?” Came Ed’s muffled voice. There was a note of fondness under the frustrated tone.
Workner smiled a bit, even though Ed couldn’t see. “I’m an adult, and adults use their words.”
Edward reluctantly pulled away. Workner felt suddenly cold as Ed ran a hand through his long hair. He wouldn’t meet Workner’s eyes.
“Ed-” he began, but Ed cut him off.
“Workner,” he countered. Finally, he looked at the white-haired mage. He set his jaw. “Do you really want to know?” Ed asked. Workner nodded. Ed was being uncharacteristically evasive for some reason.
“I… don’t really know. Sometimes I think it’s me, sometimes I think it's you. Sometimes I think it’s this entire situation. But I know it’s more than that letter. I’m not used to needing people, Workner. But for some reason, I find myself needing you.”
Workner sucked in a breath, suddenly frozen to the spot. A strange feeling was welling up inside him as he had listened to Ed’s speech. Just as the silence seemed to stretch too long, Workner finally spoke.
“Professor Bruno said something interesting the other day,” Workner began. Ed stared, attention fixed on every word. “He said, he’s surprised we haven’t made it official yet.” Ed’s eyes widened, and Workner felt like giggling.
“Apparently, it would do wonders for our images, if you can believe that. He said we’d been together for so long, it actually set a bad example for the students. Something about not demonstrating good morals.”
Ed looked downright offended at the insinuation he was an example of poor morals. This time, Workner did giggle.
“What in the name of the wands was he on about? Together? Since when do roommates set bad moral examples…” His voice trailed off as he suddenly flushed, realization dawning.
Now it was Workner’s turn to prowl forward into Ed’s personal space.
“Apparently, it’s not just your family; half the Academy thinks we’re dating. Or at least sleeping together. All the professors are waiting for us to come out as a couple. Frankly, Professor Eliza is… hurt… we don’t trust her enough to be open about our relationship with her.” Ed’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t move. Instead, he kept his attention fixed on Workner.
When Workner was so close their breath mingled, he stopped. The two stared at each other. Ed leaned forward, and his lips barely brushed Workner’s. Electricity cackled in the air, but Workner didn’t feel any pain.
“Workner…” Ed breathed. Worker inhaled the sound, as he leaned forward as well and pressed a soft kiss on Ed’s slightly parted lips. “I missed you,” Workner murmured. He heard a hitch in Ed’s breath. Workner drew back, and looked up at Ed through his lashes. The other man didn’t respond, but the look of adoration on Ed’s face said enough.
“Professor Edward,” Workner said lowly.
“Yes, Professor Workner?” Ed replied, just as lowly.
“Would you do me the honor of becoming my partner?” Workner said, voice hushed but strong and clear.
Ed smirked, even as he reached out to cup Workner’s cheek.
“So eager to set a good moral example?” The dark-haired man said dryly, running a thumb over Workner’s cheek. Workner rolled his eyes, but leaned into Ed’s palm.
“How is it that no-one besides me has noticed you're such a smart ass?” Workner grumbled, turning to press a kiss to the inside of Ed’s wrist before moving to give Ed a loose embrace. Edward returned the hold, pressing his own cheek to Workner’s messy hair.
“Such baseless accusations, Professor,” Edward said in mock seriousness. He tightened his grip on Workner. “Whatever will the impressionable youth think, if you slander your partner in such a manner?”
Workner laughed, then tightened his own hold on Edward’s waist.
“Partners?” Workner said in question.
“Partners,” Edward said in confirmation.
///
The next day, Professor Workner was seen in the hallway wearing a new cream-colored sweater. Several female students swooned, and many agreed the coloring set off Professor Workner’s hair and eyes.
That same day, Professor Edward replaced his usual plain cloak clasp with a larger one, engraved with his family’s crest. No one dared comment on that at all.
A few months later, a small ceremony was performed at Workner’s parents’ country house. In attendance was a small cluster of dark-haired, dark eyed women and one dark-eyed, dark-haired man; as well as a tall, fair-haired woman and man. Several very interested magical beasts watched on, but didn’t interrupt.
As the sun set, and the town elder wrapped Edward and Workner’s hands in a silver and gold ribbon, everyone cheered. Several beasts got in on the action, and one particularly large sky dragon leaned down and snorted its approval right in the lucky couple’s faces.
Workner laughed so hard he almost doubled over at Ed’s disgruntled face, but it stopped as his new partner yanked him upward and sealed Workner’s lips in a possessive kiss full of relief and love. Workner wrapped his hands around Ed’s shoulders, and returned the kiss with all that had.
Ignoring the cheers and a few “awww”s from Edward’s sisters, the two broke away from each other. But not far.
They were partners, after all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Take my heart, don't break it
Love me to my bones
All this time I wasted
You were right there all along
You and I stargazing
Intertwining souls
We were never strangers
You were right there all along"
-Stargazing, Myles Smith
~Fin