[ Arriving at Chaldea had been... tumultuous, to put it lightly. McGillis knew to be prepared for a whole lot of nonsense that seems not only improbable but straight-up ridiculous to him, but being prepared is not the same as experiencing it for real. From Sunset City, to the innards of a truck far too large for its size, under scrutiny by a large variety of mythological and historical figures who regard him with emotions from curiosity to open suspicion. He's charming enough, certainly knows how to present and introduce himself, but "Hi, I'm Izou's boyfriend that he got from a different dimension nobody even knew existed" is not the greatest introductory segment even here.
But nevertheless, he's here now, and that is an immutable fact nobody can change. His whole life, McGillis has lived by inserting himself into social spheres he does not belong in, faking it until he makes it. This is really no different. He'll shadow people, take notes on how the Shadow Border works, catch up on the lore, make himself useful on benign tasks before being trusted with larger ones--
And he makes it all look effortless, but that doesn't mean it's not exhausting. The only place he feels like he's not under an insane amount of tension is the room he shares with Izou. McGillis is not so childish as to faceplant on the bed, but he certainly feels like it whenever he returns to this singular safe haven.
He's back earlier than Izou today, and he expects the other has gone out to explain some more of their nonsense to the people waiting for explanatory statements. Maybe he's talking to Ryouma. That would be reasonable. (McGillis has greeted Ryouma with perhaps a tiny hint of too much passive aggression, and left him alone ever since - a state of affairs he should rectify as he's coming up on a week in Chaldea.)
When Izou returns to their quarters, he'll find McGillis sitting crosslegged on the bed, reading... well, reading The Life Of Agnika Kaieru. What else did you expect? ]
[You and your comfort book, my god. Unlike McGillis, Izou has no compunctions stopping him from faceplanting on the bed next to McGillis, where he replies to the welcome with a muffled indiscernible noise, before turning his head so he can speak properly.]
You already finished yer "lesson" for the day from the Director?
[Goredolf, pleased to finally have someone on the team from polite society, had taken to McGillis and volunteered to giving him a proper grounding in magecraft, at least enough to carry along on field missions with Ritsuka.]
[ There he is. His boyfriend, the impeccable genius swordsman, now a boneless fish flopped over on the mattress. It's hard to resist giving him a pat on his fluffy head, so McGillis doesn't resist it. ]
Would I be slacking off if I had not?
[ He nods in the direction of the desk, on which a folder of meticulous notes rests. ]
[Yessss... pets. He leans into the touch as per usual. He's got zero reason to be dishonest about it when it's just the two of them.]
Readin' counts as slacking off? You really are a square.
Apparently there's some sorta singularity Sion's been keepin' an eye on. Wanted me to ask you if you're feelin' like you'd be ready fer field testing soon.
[ McGillis exhales in amusement at the insult. If he's such a boring man, then what does that make Izou who brought him here? Checkmate.
But alright, serious question. ]
That would be acceptable, yes. There is only so much I can learn by staying cooped up in here, and I'd rather not have people think I am shirking my duties.
[ He craves to hold more authority than just "Izou's arm candy". ]
[Slightly teasing, the way McGillis feels like he has to always be Working... But at the same time he understands wanting to pull your weight so it's fond as well.]
Seems like it's in Japan, so that'll be good. You can see it properly for yourself. But I also figured Ryouma & the snake'd get deployed too, so I figured I needed ta talk to him, y'know?
[ The petting stops at that, though his hand still rests on Izou's head. This was going to happen sooner or later, and really this is leaning a lot further to the 'later' end than McGillis expected for a conversation that had been announced weeks and weeks ago in a different world. ]
Entirely reasonable. How did that go?
[ A very carefully neutral question, but he's putting his book to the side now. ]
[Oh McGillis... you're going to enjoy iy so much. He was so nervous about it and that is clearly obvious by what he recounts;]
Well... I flagged him down to talk. But then when he answered me as Izou-san I just sorta lost it and told 'im to stop calling me like we're strangers and say Izou like he used to.
This is simultaneously the funniest and most pathetic thing he has ever heard. He's not even sure how to process it, really... Headpatting resumes!!! Not exactly congratulatory for a job well done, but... well. ]
That is one part of your list done, then. But where did the bravado of a man who bursts into my room in the middle of the night to demand honesty go?
[Tugging his own hair over his reddening face. He would normally try harder to hide embarrassment, but... It's easier not to. And with McGillis it's like whatever.]
Ya don't understand, it got worse. He chased after me.
Yeah! I couldn't believe him! All this time bein' weird and cagey and all I do is say that and suddenly he's tryin'???
[It does not occur to him somehow that McGillis may be a factor. Because he's stupid and only thinks of immediately obvious causes.]
He said he was just trying ta honor my feelings by keepin' his distance. So I told him that ain't what I want... I fumbled my way through a proper conversation about how I really feel....
But then at the end he said he was gonna have ta thank you fer openin' me up, so I punched him in the nose.
Wasn't 'til I'd gotten halfway here that I realized he didn't mean it sexually speakin'
[ All of this sounds pretty reasonable for a minute there. If Ryouma had manned up like that sooner, maybe everything would have gone very differently before McGillis and Izou ever even had the chance to meet... But it's good that the air is clear now. The uneasy feeling it gives McGillis will pass, and he's glad to rip the bandaid off on it.
[Listen he's still not used to talking about open and honest communication and more used to having bawdy conversations!!! Being emotionally mature is new for him!!!]
Cause- Well-
[His face is going bright red.]
I mean, I was gonna be all worked up after dealing with a stressful conversation like that, and so I was gonna come back here and, y'know!!!
[ Though usually controlled even in his amusement, that gets a genuine bark of laughter out of McGillis. There really is nothing to soothe your irrational jealousy like knowing that your partner was already mentally climbing into your bed while still talking to their "ex". He's laughing at Izou as much as he's laughing at himself. (And a little bit, he's laughing at Ryouma getting punched. Sorry, Ryouma.)
Unfortunately, even amusement and relief do nothing to suppress the desire to tease a bit. ]
[ Izou really makes it too easy, but in its own way that is one of his charm points. A lot of aspects that used to be points of irritation to McGillis have become kind of soothing in the long run.
He reaches over Izou so he can put The Life Of Agnika Kaieru onto the nightstand. ]
Mhm, that's true. 'Forgettable' might just be the last word I could use to describe you.
[Izou simmers down a little both at the acknowledgement of his boast and also the book being put down because that means the attention is all on him now. As he deserves.]
That's right!! And so are you in a different way, that's why work so good.
[ Do they work well? It feels like the answer should really be a resounding 'no' on that one, but somehow McGillis is still sitting in this supernatural tank in a different world with Izou and feeling fairly content.
Two wrongs might make a right just yet. ]
You said it.
[ Since Izou is not making any efforts to sit up and get on McGillis' eyelevel, he's instead going to lay down fully as well. ]
So, did you explain the punch to him or was that the end of the talk?
[Ah!! Izou cosies up to him almost instinctively. His doggy instincts.]
That was it... But when I turned around ta storm off that bastard just laughs and says we'll "talk more later" so he probably figured out I misunderstood somethin' anyway... Pisses me off.
[Izou: How dare my best friend understand me so well.]
[ A bloodthirsty assassin should not be this big on cuddling... and yet.
McGillis himself still feels a little take it or leave it on this level of casual physical intimacy, but as Izou enjoys it there is no real reason to deny him. It's easy enough to wrap an arm around his waist and just keep still, soaking in warmth. ]
And yet it appears to me that you achieved all you came for, albeit in a roundabout way. Good job.
[Even someone as simple as Izou contains multitudes. He makes a low rumble of thought as if he hadn't considered that he technically did accomplish his objective.]
I suppose I did... But I looked like a fool doin' it an' people saw.
[Given the vast majority of the "people" on the shadow border and the rest of the wandering sea are famous historical figures... Embarrassing.]
But if you think I did a good job does that mean I deserve a reward?
[ Yeah, the looking like a fool part is difficult to deny. But at the same time, the multiple ways in which this went awry are just making it more impressive that somehow communication was achieved regardless.
McGillis isn't sure he wants to field the 'opening Izou up' conversation with Ryouma later, but... that's a problem for tomorrow. He'll have to lie through his teeth and pretend his first advice hadn't been 'become torturously obsessed with making him look at you'.
It's a good thing that Izou never took that advice. If he hadn't, there'd be no expectant eyes on McGillis right now, and McGillis himself might still be a person incapable of finding joy in that fact. ]
You were going to come and claim one either way, weren't you?
[ But he'll be merciful and kiss Izou before he gets a chance to protest. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
WELCOME TO THE FREAKSHOW
But nevertheless, he's here now, and that is an immutable fact nobody can change. His whole life, McGillis has lived by inserting himself into social spheres he does not belong in, faking it until he makes it. This is really no different. He'll shadow people, take notes on how the Shadow Border works, catch up on the lore, make himself useful on benign tasks before being trusted with larger ones--
And he makes it all look effortless, but that doesn't mean it's not exhausting. The only place he feels like he's not under an insane amount of tension is the room he shares with Izou. McGillis is not so childish as to faceplant on the bed, but he certainly feels like it whenever he returns to this singular safe haven.
He's back earlier than Izou today, and he expects the other has gone out to explain some more of their nonsense to the people waiting for explanatory statements. Maybe he's talking to Ryouma. That would be reasonable. (McGillis has greeted Ryouma with perhaps a tiny hint of too much passive aggression, and left him alone ever since - a state of affairs he should rectify as he's coming up on a week in Chaldea.)
When Izou returns to their quarters, he'll find McGillis sitting crosslegged on the bed, reading... well, reading The Life Of Agnika Kaieru. What else did you expect? ]
Welcome home.
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You already finished yer "lesson" for the day from the Director?
[Goredolf, pleased to finally have someone on the team from polite society, had taken to McGillis and volunteered to giving him a proper grounding in magecraft, at least enough to carry along on field missions with Ritsuka.]
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Would I be slacking off if I had not?
[ He nods in the direction of the desk, on which a folder of meticulous notes rests. ]
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Readin' counts as slacking off? You really are a square.
Apparently there's some sorta singularity Sion's been keepin' an eye on. Wanted me to ask you if you're feelin' like you'd be ready fer field testing soon.
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But alright, serious question. ]
That would be acceptable, yes. There is only so much I can learn by staying cooped up in here, and I'd rather not have people think I am shirking my duties.
[ He craves to hold more authority than just "Izou's arm candy". ]
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[Slightly teasing, the way McGillis feels like he has to always be Working... But at the same time he understands wanting to pull your weight so it's fond as well.]
Seems like it's in Japan, so that'll be good. You can see it properly for yourself. But I also figured Ryouma & the snake'd get deployed too, so I figured I needed ta talk to him, y'know?
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Entirely reasonable. How did that go?
[ A very carefully neutral question, but he's putting his book to the side now. ]
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Somehow I ended up yelling at him again...
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There is a moment of silence here and then McGillis gives a chuckle. ]
Some habits are difficult to break.
[ He does want Izou and Ryouma to resolve their issues, for Izou's sake, but that doesn't mean he can't be a little amused here. ]
Did you at least yell any of what you meant to say?
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Well... I flagged him down to talk. But then when he answered me as Izou-san I just sorta lost it and told 'im to stop calling me like we're strangers and say Izou like he used to.
Then I got embarrassed and ran away.
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Izou.......... Izou.............................
This is simultaneously the funniest and most pathetic thing he has ever heard. He's not even sure how to process it, really... Headpatting resumes!!! Not exactly congratulatory for a job well done, but... well. ]
That is one part of your list done, then. But where did the bravado of a man who bursts into my room in the middle of the night to demand honesty go?
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Ya don't understand, it got worse. He chased after me.
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[ Did the whole mystery boyfriend episode spur him into action to try and figure Izou out for real?! ]
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[It does not occur to him somehow that McGillis may be a factor. Because he's stupid and only thinks of immediately obvious causes.]
He said he was just trying ta honor my feelings by keepin' his distance. So I told him that ain't what I want... I fumbled my way through a proper conversation about how I really feel....
But then at the end he said he was gonna have ta thank you fer openin' me up, so I punched him in the nose.
Wasn't 'til I'd gotten halfway here that I realized he didn't mean it sexually speakin'
[McGillis he is truly so stupid.]
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And that is all very well!
But!!
.................................................. ]
Okay, please break this down for me. How was that the first place your mind went?
[ Dear god, he knew you had your mind in the gutter, but?? ]
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Cause- Well-
[His face is going bright red.]
I mean, I was gonna be all worked up after dealing with a stressful conversation like that, and so I was gonna come back here and, y'know!!!
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Unfortunately, even amusement and relief do nothing to suppress the desire to tease a bit. ]
Do I know?
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Izou sputters, knowing he's being teased but not having the emotional control to avoid rising to it.]
Y-you better!! I know I'm too good of a lay fer you ta forget!!!
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He reaches over Izou so he can put The Life Of Agnika Kaieru onto the nightstand. ]
Mhm, that's true. 'Forgettable' might just be the last word I could use to describe you.
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That's right!! And so are you in a different way, that's why work so good.
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Two wrongs might make a right just yet. ]
You said it.
[ Since Izou is not making any efforts to sit up and get on McGillis' eyelevel, he's instead going to lay down fully as well. ]
So, did you explain the punch to him or was that the end of the talk?
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That was it... But when I turned around ta storm off that bastard just laughs and says we'll "talk more later" so he probably figured out I misunderstood somethin' anyway... Pisses me off.
[Izou: How dare my best friend understand me so well.]
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McGillis himself still feels a little take it or leave it on this level of casual physical intimacy, but as Izou enjoys it there is no real reason to deny him. It's easy enough to wrap an arm around his waist and just keep still, soaking in warmth. ]
And yet it appears to me that you achieved all you came for, albeit in a roundabout way. Good job.
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I suppose I did... But I looked like a fool doin' it an' people saw.
[Given the vast majority of the "people" on the shadow border and the rest of the wandering sea are famous historical figures... Embarrassing.]
But if you think I did a good job does that mean I deserve a reward?
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McGillis isn't sure he wants to field the 'opening Izou up' conversation with Ryouma later, but... that's a problem for tomorrow. He'll have to lie through his teeth and pretend his first advice hadn't been 'become torturously obsessed with making him look at you'.
It's a good thing that Izou never took that advice. If he hadn't, there'd be no expectant eyes on McGillis right now, and McGillis himself might still be a person incapable of finding joy in that fact. ]
You were going to come and claim one either way, weren't you?
[ But he'll be merciful and kiss Izou before he gets a chance to protest. ]
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I finally washed the blood off of Izou
he had a doggy bath...
he got those little bows on him now
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YELLS I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS MY TURN
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