Willy

[eliot_thespectacular]

Though it had certainly made things interesting for a bit, Eliot was glad that things on the ship were back to normal. He'd also noticed some newcomers around - the white haired elf, his equally hot friend. And... was that another one? He moved a little closer, hoping to get a better look at him.

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[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot scowled. "If I have an ego I suppose we know where I got it from."

[willysilver]

"Eliot, my dear, if it makes you feel better to assign all your problems to a stranger you have not known even half a day, by all means...free yourself and return to your state of happiness and ignorance,” he invited.

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot looked down at his hands. “This is a lot,” he mumbled.

[willysilver]

"I understand. Which is why I will hold it for you. But eventually, you will have to find a way to own your own truth," he said, wise and placid and calm.

He was far too old to be ruffled by any of this.

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot really wanted another drink. Or five.

Though there was something that was more important than all of it.

He forced himself to look up at Willy. "Apparently the fae blood is interfering with my wizarding," he said. "Can you help me control these wild magic surges?"

[willysilver]

Willy did laugh at that. Not unkindly, but warm and indulgent. His smile was warm enough to heat Eliot's chest.

"Sweet child," he said., "You will never learn the magic of men. Stop trying. Just...do it. No child fears a stumble, they charge forward with confidence and curiosity. Will things explode? Perhaps. Sometimes. But you will learn."

[eliot_thespectacular]

Somehow that smile actually did make Eliot feel better. But at the same time, he felt a little panicky the answer.

"But I'm a wizard," he blurted. "I was top of my class at Brakebills!" He was so proud of his skill. Though that's also way he was so upset when things went sideways.

[willysilver]

"But of course you bested a school of wizards," Willy smiled, a bit of pride colouring his tone. "...But you are no wizard."

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot swallowed hard. The man he'd thought was his father had literally never expressed an ounce of pride towards him in his entire life.

"What am I?"

[willysilver]

"You are the son of the last Daoine Sidhe prince, the Poet Exile, and your mother carried magic in her blood, if not in her hands. You, Eliot, are a gift," he smiled.

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot looked down at his hands, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Well fuck, I never knew that all I ever wanted was fatherly approval."

[willysilver]

"The deepest desires are the smallest and most simple," Willy told him, easing a little closer to hold him. His touch was easy, natural. He touched Eliot with the same ease as he'd touch his own skin. Like he knew him. Had known him all along.

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot immediately relaxed into the embrace, wrapping his arms around him. Fuck, fuck, why did he feel like he was about to cry.

[willysilver]

Willy began to hum. He hummed soft and low, fingers playing against Eliot's back.

And then he began to sing. It was a common lullaby, nothing special, really. But surely it was new to Eliot.

[eliot_thespectacular]

It did calm him. Immediately. Also -

"Fuck, you have a great voice."

[willysilver]

The lullaby was interrupted by a soft laugh.

"Take care with compliments, my dear," he cautioned. "Your kindness may become a burden."

[eliot_thespectacular]

"That wasn't kindness, it was surprise," Eliot mumbled.

[willysilver]

"Take even more care with surprise," he cautioned softly.

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot pulled away, and looked at him again. "I really can't believe I wanted to fuck you," he said. "That seems exceptionally gross now."

[willysilver]

"So young," Willy chuckled softly.

He rolled onto his back and enchanted the ceiling to sparkle with stars.

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot frowned a little at that, but then lay back as well, and then looked up at the ceiling. "Tell me how you did that," he said. He needed to understand something about how their magic worked. His was all in memorization and perfect hand gestures.

[willysilver]

"Ah, that is simple," he smiled. "I decided it should be, and so it is."

He waved his hand and the stars became comets whizzing around, sunds exploding, nebulae expanding. Then the colours shifted and formed clouds, fluffy and pink, purple, golden and shining. Rain began to fall, but never quite reached them. And all the while, Willy explained how fae magic is a natural force, as easy as breathing...

"You try," he encouraged.

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot listened intently. Tried to understand. But at the same time, after so many years of work and study, it just seemed so absurd. That magic could just... happen.

He decided to start with something simpler. Familiar.

He sat up again, and using the familiar hand gesture, made a ball of light form between his hands. Closed his eyes and thought about how it felt.

Then he opened them again, held his hands out, and... after a moment... the ball of light reappeared. Without the hand gestures. Without the usual internal process of casting the spell. It just was.

"Holy fuck," he said.

[willysilver]

Willy's smile was beaming and bright.

"Why the surprise? You are the best of wizards because it has always been natural. Forget what men need to do and simply feel the power," he praised warmly.

[eliot_thespectacular]

"You mean I spent all that time, all that work, for nothing?" Eliot seemed aghast, and the light flickered away. "All this time I've been thinking I was perfecting spells but I didn't even need them the whole time?"