@expuracordis : touching affectionately without asking ( MARKL & CAL )
calcifer hates the new boy.
the phoenix curls his talons on the maple perch howl made for him. watches the strange orphan as he trails after howl-- eating the hot soup, accepting the freshly washed cloak. it’s the first time his wizard’s accepted a stranger into their cobbled together castle.
it’s always been howl and calcifer. though the familiar is around the same age as this fresh intruder he turns up his beak, and angles his face away from the boy’s inquisitive fingers.
“i’m markl.”
calcifer ignores the meat pinched between the child’s fingers-- dripping red, fresh, and tempting. the phoenix’s tongue flicks and licks and tucks back between his beak, but refuses to rise to the bait.
when the child goes to sleep-- calcifer finally shifts to human and eats the meat himself, knees tucked to his chest, vicious and bitter at the diversion of howl’s interest.
---------------
“hey! calcifer.”
the familiar tightens his grip on markl’s wrist. guides it closer to his mouth so he can wrap his lips around the fresh cut of beef, dragging his teeth along the tips of markl’s fingers until the meat is in his mouth. he chews as he backs away to the door of the kitchen.
“boys,” howl warns.
calcifer opens the door and dashes out into the sun. when markl catches him they roll in the grass and clovers until the familiar pins markl down by his weight on the boys hips.
they breath heavily. cal smells bread in the apprentice’s pocket.
“you can feed me,” he offers.
he’s not sure if markl remembers--
when the fingers are in his mouth again he nips and bites and takes what markl offers him.