Jail Bird {ANY}

[magnus]

you and I both know that the house is haunted
and you and I both know that the ghost is me

It had been a long time since Magnus had been touched by another—longer still since he was touched by any who wasn’t Joelle. He had spent his entire life devoted to her; even when they had separated (when, in truth, he had left her), he had been devoted. Raaquel, Librette, and Katana had been the only other mares he had ever been with—and each had been different. They had been special to him, but he had not loved them as he had loved Joelle. She had been the one written up on his heart from the start. Now, without her, Magnus felt like a ship without an anchor. He felt the hole within him gaping, and he would be lying if the loneliness did not gnaw at him at night. It would take time for the world to feel right.

So he startles a little at her touch, his skin shivering at the contact.

He hadn’t expected that, and his muscles harden under his coat as he goes very still. He can feel his pulse beneath his skin at the warmth of her, the closeness, and he falls silent in thought as her body presses up against him. He wonders how the other stallion is reacting at the suddenness of them all together, and he does his best to untangle his own reactions to it before Teak slips from his side to stand before them.

“Currently?” he asks, his voice slightly huskier than usual. “I live in Heaven,” his lips curl at the edge, his gold-flecked eyes flashing, “Heaven’s Gates, that is.” His attention, however, is diverted at the approach of Lagertha and his gaze narrows slightly. He would recognize that scent anywhere—would always know the remnants of his birthplace. (Of course, he had no idea of knowing that his daughter, Brunhild, had served alongside her. That she too found comfort in the vines.) He brightens a little in the warrior Queen’s presence, finding himself wishing for the simplicity of his youth spent racing along the twisted paths.

“It’s always good to see an Amazonian,” he smiles in her direction.

MAGNUS

once general. once lord. once king.