Podric was entirely too right, playfully angry or not, and Maddox knew it. He’d have to make up for it by ensuring that things went as smoothly as possible, and remembering to lavish the praise later. He’d also get some points back for the hammock, he was certain of it. “I know, I know, Batty, and I’m sorry. This year just feels like more pressure, doesn’t it?” He wondered, unsure what exactly the shift was caused by, but it was there nonetheless. “Your brain is the best most wonderful brain to visit,” He reassured before leaning over to kiss Pod’s head nice and firm, to show that brain of theirs all the love it deserved. Some of their greatest plans came from the plan –– and the best get out of Azkaban plans too.
The nodding hurt just a little but it was just penance for his oversight before so he kept quiet about it, shifting just a little to try to coax Pod into not hitting his shoulder that way. “Wizard of Oz,” Maddox grinned, recalling the muggle story. “I like it, but I’m not a scam artist like that, isn’t there anyone in that story with real brains and talent?” He wondered, distracted immediately by the thought, at least momentarily, until the journal pages flipped again and he refocused. “She’s very forgiving and understanding to you, I think she still balks at me sometimes, Pod.” He grinned, but he loved Diana all the same. “You’re right though,” He grinned, squirming as Pod placed him in the headlock hug. He tossed the journal toward a crate before his arms wrapped tightly in return around their waist, “Of course you’re in, that’s why I love you,” He beamed, before he shifted his weight, sending both of them falling, Maddox landing on top of Podric, still wrapped tight around them.
“I mean .... I guess so,” Podric agreed. Maybe this year it did feel like there was more pressure – on the prank, on a lot of things. Podric didn’t know why, though, all Podric knew (or thought they knew, which, really meant what they thought they had gathered judging by the individual crazy – it was relative; you got it from your family – from person to person) was that everyone seemed to be racing, suddenly, to get somewhere, or do something. Pod didn’t know when the drive forward had really began, or even what it was, only that they seemed to be noticing it more and more, lately. Were they all just reaching those “ages” where they were supposed to suddenly panic about missing arbitrary deadlines for milestones? What was even happening? “But you say that every year,” Podric added, for good measure, though they hadn’t been silent very long at all. But the bat was willing to laugh as they accepted their flattery. “It’s a brain, that’s for sure. Maybe. Probably. The jury is still out, technically, unless you’ve had a peek in my skull when I was sleeping.”
Podric hadn’t considered that Maddox would remember the story in such detail, though .. they had seen the film more than a few times, and read it at least twice as many. Bat shouldn’t have been surprised, but they laughed anyways, outing themself. “I mean, yeah, no, you’re right, you’re right, but I meant in the ‘man behind the curtain’ sense, yeah? The man with the plan, with the answers, with the secret to getting whatever it is you seek. He had all of that stuff, mate, he just chose to play the conman .. because he was that too.” Either way, though, Podric was still sure that this prank was worth it, and that Diana would forgive them, and that Maddox was being more than just a bit dramatic – which was wonderful. And so was the very aggressive hug, it was a favorite of Pod’s, and exactly what they’d been after to begin with. There was no sign at all that they’d loosen their grip on the McKinnon anytime soon, either. “Of course I’m in, mate, cause I love you. And she’ll forgive us, because she loves us. We come as a pair, and everyone knows it. There’s no picking which half you like you just get both.”
