(a sequel to this!)
Maddox’s heart weighed heavily in his chest as he watched Duncan shakily climb onto his palm. He had often teased the shrunken man, finding much amusement in playfully spooking him, but the fear written on his little face now only brought with it a distinct discomfort To hurt Duncan had never been his intent, but he’d never thought to account for his own carelessness. The cursling’s raw, frightened words still rattled around in his head.
You always know where I am! You always know!
Just the tiniest distraction had almost lead to Duncan’s death. Sighing morosely, he made sure to cup the little man securely in his hand, eyes focused on nothing but him as he stood up back to his full height. He saw Duncan brace himself, felt his little hands grip tightly to the fingers that surrounded him--he didn’t like being held, never did.
Maddox lifted him higher and higher until they were at eye-level. Ruby eyes took in his tiny friend with deep concern, trying his best to discern if Duncan had been harmed in any way from this little mishap. Well, of course he was harmed...just not in a way easily fixed.
“...Don’t mother hen me, Mads. You’ve got a customer waiting.” Duncan said. Though his glare was sharp and expression still weary with fear, it wasn’t as intense as it had been before...and the witch could not help the little smile he held when he heard his nickname.
“He can piss off for all I care--”
“Hey, remember all those bills you have to pay? Like rent in a week? You can’t tell rent money to piss off. Now, come on. Put me on your shoulder.”
Maddox chuckled and acquiesced, glad that he apparently hadn’t frightened Duncan enough that he wanted to run off and hide from him--an often occurrence, early in their friendship. Carefully, he lowered his hand to his shoulder, watching with rapt attention as Duncan made his way to the crook of his neck and settled there.
The pair left the backroom, and the witch went back to dealing with his rather ornery customer. After what seemed like a lifetime of haggling and insults thrown his way, he finally managed to make a sale and get the pest out of his shop. Mentally exhausted, Maddox all but fell into his seat, sinking into it as if it would ease any ounce of his suffering. Duncan, still sitting on his shoulder, snickered softly.
“Didn’t think the Other Side had Karens.” The cursling said.
“...His name wasn’t Karen?” Maddox responded, turning his head to peer down at his friend, clearly puzzled.
“No, no, it’s...never mind. Mortal joke.”
The witch hummed in acknowledgement, a grin pulling at his features.
“Fine. Guess he was a Karen.”
As he sat there, he could feel Duncan rise from his spot on his shoulder, and carefully climb his way down the witch’s arm. Eager to assist, Maddox extended his arm down to the nearby desk so that the tiny man could finally stand on solid, safer ground again. Silence passed over the pair, and the witch had been close to nodding off where he sat before he heard Duncan’s voice pipe up once more, quiet and hesitant.
“I’m sorry for going nuclear on you like that.” He said.
“It’s fine, Duncan. Really, I should have been paying attention--”
“No, it’s not fine. I...I know you’d never try to kill me or anything, and I shouldn’t say shitty things like that just ‘cause I got freaked out, okay?”
Maddox leaned forward, laying his arms on the table and resting his head atop them. The pair were more or less eye-level again, and Duncan walked forward. Without hesitation, he reached up to put his tiny hand up against Maddox’s cheek, giving it a little pat.
“...You’re not some monster I should be scared of, Mads. I know that now. Don’t ever let me forget it.”
Smiling fondly down at his friend, he reached a finger over to ruffle Duncan’s hair, relishing in the amusement it painted on the cursling’s face.
“And you’re not just some jackass with more brawn than brain...Don’t you ever let me forget that!”
Duncan rolled his eyes and sat down on the desk, leaning his back against Maddox’s arms.
“Mmm, nah, I’m still a jackass, aren’t I? Must be, if the curse is still there...”
The witch chuckled and closed his eyes, unwilling to let the contentment of this sweet moment be broken just yet.
“You’ll get there, darling. One day.”