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At the noise Khadgar made when Medivh pulled him close - he had for a brief moment, wondered if he had made a mistake. But just as the tension seemed to bleed out of his old apprentice, so too, did the Magus relax as Khadgar's arms slid around him. The greatstaff clattered to the ground at their feet. Medivh could feel the other man's hold tighten, and he felt a hand grip his cloak in a fist. Emotions roiled within the mage, causing his chest and throat to constrict. He wasn't certain who needed this more...and guessed that perhaps both of them did. The Magus simply murmured a quiet sound as he held him tighter, resting his head against Khadgar's snow white hair. Overcome, he closed his eyes as a tear slid down his cheek.

They stood like that in silence for an indeterminate amount of time, lost in both memory and emotion. Medivh was very much warm and alive in Khadgar's hold; his heartbeat strong and even beneath Khadgar's cheek. A warm hand soothed through the Archmage's hair. Surprisingly, the hug never reached that awkward point where one wasn't sure when to let go or if they were holding on too long. Apparently neither of them wanted to let go yet.

Khadgar's voice broke the silence, muffled against his chest. Medivh's lips twitched into a soft smile as he nodded, the strands of his beard brushing against the other man's temple. "I know." He murmured. All would be told in time. He knew that Azeroth had changed since his demise, and wished to know as much as he could in order to help fight against the Legion.

The mention of Dalaran reminded Medivh that time was of the essence. It appeared their quiet moment was coming to an end. He couldn't deny that such a realization gave him quiet sadness. He could hear the emotions in Khadgar's voice, and he briefly squeezed the other mage in his arms.

The pleading tone, and Khadgar shifting his head, caused Medivh to look down at the Archmage's face just inches away. He...hadn't intended on going to Dalaran. Being with the Bronze Dragons made him more aware that his presence might cause some...stirrings among the older mages who might remember him. Also the somewhat reclusive Magus wasn't really of a mind to be in any city. But...Khadgar....

He uttered a soft shaky sigh - his own eyes filled with emotion as he studied the other man's face. Azeroth needed his help. Khadgar needed his help. How could he say no?

"I will remain to offer what aid that I can. But I must exercise caution." He said gently. His own voice roughened with emotion. "But first...what were you looking for. Perhaps I can help you in your task?"

Feeling the hand smooth through his hair picked up a shiver that went down his spine and the coarse beard hairs tickling against his temple had him realizing how close he was to Medivh. That alone nearly made him gently pry himself away because it screamed too much physical contact and he was very tired.

The steady thrum of Medivh's heart had almost forced the anxiety from the anticipated response to leave as fast as it began. It wasn't until he heard the answer that he completely relaxed and accepted that yes, he would have Medivh's counsel in Dalaran in some form at least.

It wasn't until Medivh mentioned that he perhaps offer him insight on his task that he had turned to the books for answers on, that he slowly released his white-knuckled grip on the back of Medivh's cloak and began unwillingly untangling himself from the dark haired mage's hold.

"Ah, I have a question to ask first," Khadgar began, finally stepping back completely, "do you have any idea where anything is in this Library Medivh?"

Medivh felt Khadgar loosen his hold and almost reluctantly, let the other man go. Without a staff to hold or lean on, he wasn't really sure what to do with his hands so he merely crossed his arms again while trying to retain as much dignity as he could at the situation, and at Khadgar's question.

"Hrm...point taken." He said grudgingly. "However since you had organized it, I have a better idea where things are...." It had been a long time since he had stepped into his tower though - and things could have been easily taken or moved around. Besides, that's what a quick divination or finding spell was for. It made it quicker to find a lost item.

Restless, he paced again - idly running fingers along the edge of a shelf, brushing away at the dust. His mind had always been so busy, that aspect of him never changed. The energies of the tower tugged at him, around him and beneath - always distracting but also comforting.

"It has been so long..." He found himself murmuring. "It is good to be home again." The candlelight accentuated the shadows of his face. Not as heavily lined as in his previous life when Sargeras had taken such a toll on him physically - but he still had shadows under his eyes betraying lack of proper sleep.

The younger mage bent to pick up the great staff off the floor, murmuring an apology to the adored weapon, before he lit up the room with it. He let it go soon after, allowing it to float next to him and help him better watch Magus from where he stood. Just taking in the way Medivh moved and how the raven feathers caught the light of Atiesh.

Something twisted in the pit of his stomach and Khadgar did not wish to name what he was feeling in that moment. He could, if he truly wanted to, call it longing, but Khadgar had long become friends with said emotion and this was more... potent than that. Maybe it was more than just simple longing.

He stood immobile next to the staff left to him by the man brushing up the dust with the tips of his fingers and he, as a whole, seemed like he was always in motion. It reminded him of the first time he watched Medivh take the steps of the tower two at a time and it caused his lips to tug into a soft, perhaps even sad, smile.

Khadgar couldn't tear his blue eyes off of him, like if he looked away for even a second he would disappear and the man would find himself alone. As if a whisper of wind swept Medivh up on its breeze and carried him out as if he was smoke or dust.

Briefly, he wondered how he must've looked standing there just observing the former guardian with what he was sure was a gaze that could only be considered bittersweet.

Oh yes, he was happy, but his stomach and heart were protesting that Medivh would be gone again after the Legion's defeat and Khadgar would be left to continue on. His heart ached more at that thought reverberating through his skull, bouncing against the sides and making his head mind begin the same thought process as his heart and stomach. Troublesome, traitorous parts of his body that held him him enraptured by the dark haired male before him.

The Archmage could still hear the steady lub-dub of Medivh's heart against his ear if he really tried, letting it become the beat of some piece of music hidden away in his head. He knew then, he would truly never be able to let the Magus go in any way. They had not been together long and there was the heavy glint of Sargeras in every memory he had, however, he remembered brief instances like this. Where Medivh was almost like a child in his wonder and perhaps this would just join the many other memories that he had of the Archmage when the time came for Medivh to once again leave.

The white haired man's hair began to fall back into his face and Khadgar simply gave up trying to brush it out of his vision as it was not going to cooperate this night (At least he assumed it was night outside, The Light knows how long he had stood there going through the books, rearranging and cleaning as he went along). It was enough to draw him back into the now, that there was a massive threat headed their way and he had a reason – and very glad for that reason he was now – to be within the library of Karazhan. He almost didn't want to come out of his revere, wanted to stand there and watch the elder mage continue fuss with the books that Khadgar would have to put back in order after he was done. But, he had come for a reason and the thought of the message that Turalyon had sent back with Light's Heart, he needed to focus.

"I am here looking for something, anything that could help me awaken an artifact that was sent to us to help in the war against the Legion. I have reason to believe that perhaps one of the Pillars of Creation could help with. I am just at a loss as to how or even which one. I came here for answers, as I did before, on the Pillars of Creation."

Only instead of finding an answer, he found Medivh.

"I do not want to damage the poor thing by using the wrong Pillar..."

Khadgar finally strode to stand shoulder to shoulder with Medivh and glance at the books he was looking at.

"This," Khadgar murmured with a soft snort, "would be where the romantic epics are, Medivh."

He couldn't stop the smile that grew upon his face nor could he stop the soft laugh that busted out of him as he realized that he may not actually remember what this section was. Even if he was sure it was the romantic epics that Medivh had collected, he still wasn't completely sure.

“I could be wrong, however,” Khadgar admitted and then moved from the Magus's side and began look for where he thought the tidbit he needed would actually lay, fingers beginning to dance across the spines of the tomes knowingly occasionally stopping to brush off dust so he could get a better look at what he was touching.

He used the chance to detach himself from the intense urge of simply drawing Medivh back within his grasp and cling like a toddler missing their parent. There was no time for it, there was no time for anything but work really and maybe, while he glanced at the ex-Guardian from the corner of his eyes... Well, perhaps maybe he did deserve to attempt to sleep for more than a few hours. He could tell the other was just about as sleep deprived as Khadgar, though he never really thought of why he could be, at least when he was 17 he could chalk it up to the green eyed mage being eccentric.

Now that was his excuse for anything he did and yes, perhaps he did take a bit more amusement in it than he should...

“When was the last time you slept, Medivh?” He finally settled on, pausing in pulling out a book to really look up at him. “You look more in need of a goods night rest than I apparently do. Perhaps you should find a place to settle down for a short while, I doubt I will be able to concentrate on attempting to find the book I am in need of right now as you are here."

Was that rude? Khadgar hadn't meant it as such, he honestly doubted he could do anything with the Magus's presence being so intensely distracting. He didn't think there was anything that could distract him more than Medivh right at that moment. Instead of searching for the information, he was taking to standing around and staring at the man like a lost puppy.

He supposed that one night of simply catching up with the man would serve him well in getting him back on track. Instead of him attempting and becoming frustrated when all of his attempts landed him back in the same place, he could simply focus on his want for the moment.

Khadgar rationalized that one night without him vigilant and focused would not end the world, at least he didn't think it would. Though Azeroth had proved him wrong before and truly, was it him not being on guard if he was still vaguely able to make sense of things if it happened?

Edited 2016-09-26 15:59 (UTC)

Medivh wandered restlessly among the shelves, aware that Khadgar had used Atiesh for more light, but unaware of the other mage studying his every movement with a wistful, longing expression. The Magus was lost in his own mind and whirling emotions - unable to process them all.

His emotions had always been intense and confusing and mixed as far as his old apprentice was concerned. That had never changed - though some of the nature of those emotions seemed to have evolved over time. Even now, he could remember as if it was yesterday quiet moments playing chess, or deep conversations over meals. Spirited debates or magical training. Quiet moments where the demonic presence wasn't as prevalent - though thinking back - Sargeras had always been there, staining every experience.

Along with the good memories came the bad. The time when he had walked in on Khadgar in the library, thinking he was a thief and attacking with a wave of magic. The murdering of Moroes and Cook and all that transpired beneath the tower. His own death.

Yes. Both intense affection and joy, mixed with intense shame and regret. Even now, sadness hung about him like a silent cloud - seen mostly in his tired eyes. In his second chance at life - all of his focus and efforts and energies had been put towards trying to make up for all the horrible crimes of his past. To make up for his failures. Rage flitted about within the other emotions too. Rage at Sargeras. Rage at the Legion - wishing he could just obliterate all of it. And so his emotions flitted back and forth rapidly - as if unsure what to settle on first. That, combined with being immersed in the heady comforting energies of Karazhan - gave him an almost dazed almost distracted expression as he wandered lost in it. It was Khadgar's presence that helped keep most of the rage at bay, though it lay in wait. Just the thought of their recent contact - holding him and running a hand through his hair was enough to soften his heart.

Khadgar was speaking. Pillars of creation? He felt a flash of recognition and he straightened slightly from where he was leaning against a shelf. "Pillars?" He murmured. "Yes...yes...I know this...." He sounded almost distant as he thought hard on it, continuing to walk slowly to another shelf and stare without really looking at the books on it. It was when Khadgar suddenly stood at his shoulder that he came back to himself, looking over at the mage at the remark about romantic epics. The other man's laughter pulled a grin out of him, green eyes twinkling as he uttered a soft chuckle of his own.

"Eh..I'll take your word for it." He said, turning to continue wandering. He paused though, to silently study the way Khadgar's fingers danced along the books and scrolls as he searched. "I still retain all that my mother placed in me at my original birth. I will offer what knowledge I can." He assured. Silence resumed as both men moved about the shelves - though Medivh was a lot more distracted than Khadgar seemed to be. The sudden question about the last time he slept caught him by surprised, and he blinked over at the Archmage, brows furrowed in thought.

"The last time I tried? Or the last full sleep I had?" He quipped, not offended in the slightest at Khadgar's words. "I tend to put that as a second priority when existence is at stake." He would catch naps when he could and consider it a success if it wasn't disturbed by visions or horrific nightmares.

Perhaps is was more that Khadgar could not keep his attention on anything but Medivh, Khadgar had to wonder as he mulled over the answer his question over the other's sleep. It did sound familiar to him, as he said the exact same thing whenever he was attempting to balance everything all at once.

"Is there truly a difference between them?" He asked off-handedly, only slightly curious if there was a difference between them for Medivh before closing his eyes to focus and try to think of another way to attempt to get his awkward request for simply just to rest next to Medivh out in the open.

Bluntness would always work, though he thought that was to forward and Khadgar had noticed he nearly shied away from the prospect of more touches from Medivh from both his tired state and the reaction such things usually brought with it.

"I ask because as I do not believe I will be getting much done tonight from how distracted I am, I was going to find somewhere to rest for a short while. I missed my second nap and find my mind focusing on other things."

"Hrm...perhaps....or perhaps not." Medivh folded his arms, cocking his head slightly. "Any rest without being disturbed is a luxury to be honest." He huffed a sigh, the feathered mantle shifting as he shrugged a little. "It has been far too long since I have last properly rested. If it's not a battlefield, it's horrific visions." He started to pace again, agitated. He really missed his staff.

He hesitated for a moment before turning to face Khadgar again with a quiet expression. Considering.

"Perhaps we can both take this lull to at least attempt at rest then. We will be of no use to our allies if we do not."

The discomfort of Medivh was not lost on Khadgar and well, he could fix one source of it and reached out for the floathing great staff. He brought it down and handed Atiesh to the Magus, urging him to take the staff.

"I would like that," he murmured roughly, allowing himself to look as tired as he felt. His other hand gingerly reached out to touch Medivh again, though he paused and pulled his hand back. His blue eyed gaze fixated upon the floor and move the hand to his brow to rub lightly.

Too many feelings all one time and he needed to sort them out when he had a moment alone, but he knew touching... well, it would need to be done sparingly until he managed to sleep for a short while. If only so he didn't manage to put his head back onto Medivh's chest and not move for who knew how long.

"There are only few places within the tower still suitable for such a thing, one of which... is here. I apologize for that, I have not been back upon this early for more than two years in the first time in years."

Medivh's green eyes watched the movement of Khadgar's hand - aching to reach out for it, but he restrained himself. He had never experienced such urges to such an intensity before. Or at least...perhaps he never got a chance to. His eyebrows rose and he glanced from the staff to Khadgar when it was offered to him. After a stunned silence, the Magus couldn't help but approach and reach out to rest a hand on Khadgar's shoulder. He slowly shook his head.

"Khadgar." He murmured, tones soft, though there was a quiet sad look to his eyes. A small smile softened his features. "Keep it. You have earned it more than I. In the end, it chose you."

He looked about them, considering a good location to at least attempt rest. There was some some quiet sitting areas off the main room of the library - and perhaps the old reading couches were still there. The kind that one could lounge on.

"Come. We can use one of the smaller sitting rooms. I believe there are couches to lounge on that will suit our purpose."

Edited 2016-09-27 01:49 (UTC)

"I was not telling you to keep it, Medivh," Khadgar pointed out, brows raising as the hand was set upon his shoulder. "You are fidgeting without something to hold." Maybe he was a slight bit amused that Medivh assumed he was giving him the staff back.

Atiesh would be his one reminder in the end, when Medivh left after the Legion was dealt with he decided it wasn't worth arguing with the ex-Guardian over and instead made an agreeable sound at the suggestion that they move to one of the dusty couches would be better than the floor against a book shelf.

"Lead the way," he suggested and did not stop his hand from setthing on top of the one against his shoulder, "I am beginning to see what the Champions believe about me. For the most part, at least."

At the words that Khadgar didn't mean for him to keep Atiesh, the Magus straightened and lifted his chin slightly - a slight hint of a flush on his high cheekbones. "Hrm. I knew that." He quipped finally, though his lips turned up at the corners as Khadgar touched his hand. Despite the mis-assumption, he did mean what he said. "I'll figure something out..." He added quieter. There was plenty of staves that he could use as a temporary focus until he could return to the Caverns of Time. Perhaps he would look to find one when they went to Dalaran.

Medivh gave the Archmage's shoulder a squeeze before letting it go, turning to lead them both to one of the smaller rooms off of the main library. "Oh really?" He said, looking over his shoulder at Khadgar's words. "Don't tell me you've picked up my bad habits?" He teased lightly.

The room the Magus led his old apprentice into was small and a cozier size compared to the cavernous high ceilinged library. Tapestries lined the walls, and an unlit brazier was in a corner. A small table and chairs dominated the middle of the room and a large lounge couch against the far wall.

With a wave of a hand - Medivh lit the brazier with magical fire that had no need for wood, but would warm the chilled space a little. Finally he stepped to the door and set a protective ward out of old habit. Fingers of a single hand danced - tipped with the arcane as he set the spell and without a staff to thump - he simply thumped his foot on the ground. Arcane energies flashed in a circle at his feet, spreading outwards and disappearing. Yes, he was linked closely to Karazhan and he would sense presences good or bad on his property - but this would add extra insurance. It would also wake them if they ended up sleeping too deeply. Absolutely nothing, not even a dreadlord could creep up on them now.

Finally, he tugged back his hood and headed to the lounge couch with a weary sigh - sitting on an end and rubbing his face. He was emotionally exhausted as well as physically.

Khadgar couldn't help but raise his brows in awe as he watched even the faintest blush spread acros Medivh's face for making the wrong assumption about Khadgar's offer of Atiesh to hold for the moment. For a few seconds, Khadgar couldn't hear anything else over quickening sound of his heart in his ears and then smiled at the man. But the man was squeezing his shoulder just as fast and turning away to lead him to where they'd rest. The Archmage perhaps, wanted to tease him over it, but instead... well he lifted the greatstaff and used the ornate top to bonk Medivh lightly on the head.

“It would be a temporary fix until we could find another,” he said firmly. Though he dropped the subject as suddenly he was being accused of picking up Medivh's bad habits and it was his turn to blush. First his ears went, then it travelled over his cheeks and down his neck. Khadgar was faintly sure that he should refute what was said, but instead he simply hit the Magus over the head once more.

“I am human, despite my attempts at being... well, ever alert. With the looming threat of the Legion, I am always looking for ways to help the Champions.” His head tilted defiantly and maybe he sounded a bit petulant at the implication that he purposely picked that bad habit up. “I find sleep gets in the way of possibly progress of such.”

Khadgar would've said more, but they were already in the room and it was lit up by Medivh. Wonderful, this should've been his first idea to rest in, though he knew that it was definitely not to say anything bad about his character. His piercing blue gaze scanned the room and allowed his gaze to stop on the pile of books that he had left so long ago. He didn't move forward, instead turned his attention on Medivh and his sudden cascade of black hair falling out of the now down hood.

“I thought it was strange not to see you with long hair,” he murmured quietly, “I assumed it was cut for whatever reason.”

But just as Medivh was pulling his hood down, Khadgar moved into the room properly and sat down to at least get some of the stiff leather and cloth off of him. He paused mid way taking off his gloves, looking up at Medivh (and maybe warily scootching Atiesh toward himself with a foot).

“It's uncomfortable to rest in some of this.”

At least he was being honest.

If it had been anyone else but Khadgar bonking him lightly on the head with their staff, they would have gotten an earful from an irritable Magus - but instead, his old apprentice got a bemused snort and a roll of the eyes. He couldn't help a self satisfied smirk though at the response to his teasing jibe. He didn't need to see Khadgar behind him to know the Archmage was blushing. He could hear it in his voice.

Once they were situated in the room, he glanced over at Khadgar when the other man sat on the couch. The fire from the brazier cast a warm glow on his face, softening his features, causing his green eyes to stand out and his dark hair to contrast starkly against his skin. He smirked a little at the hair comment.

"It grew out." He said simply. "Hard to find a barber in a battlefield." He raised a brow as he worked on undoing the clasps on his mantled cloak. "I prefer it long anyway." He offered a sound of agreement in his throat, agreeing with the fact that sleeping in layers of clothing could be...uncomfortable. Out in the field, there was no luxury to change into something preferable. One pretty much slept where they were, in what they were wearing at the time.

With a sigh, he removed his cloak, draping it over the back of the couch. He wore a sleeveless tunic, and a tabard over that - belted at the waist. Loose and comfortable trousers were tucked into leather boots, worn from traveling. He wasn't a wall of muscle like a warrior, but he did have a lean strength in his frame with healthy fit muscle tone for one his age. He wasn't your typical mage. He worked on removing the bracers around his forearms before tugging off his boots. Ah...much better.

He settled back against the couch. Trying to figure out how to relax his busy mind enough to get some sort of rest. Being overtired didn't help.

Khadgar had a moment to pause as he listened to Medivh, before he started up shedding the heavier parts of his blue tunic (it hit the ground with a loud thump) and was left in was sleeveless white undershirt he wore. His belt was moved from its spot haphazardly sprawled to being put with his tunic, followed by his gloves, bracers and boots. He felt under-dressed, though the Archmage was infinitely more comfortable sinking back into the couch after the weight was off.

Seeing the Magus in such a state was something that prickled in the back of his mind, it was more intimate than when he had sat upon the floor of the man's bedroom waiting for him to awake from his two-week nap and he had been wearing less then. Perhaps it was just the light drawing his eyes down Medivh's arms and pausing on one particular spot. He wasn't sure if it was right to have the urge to bite at a shoulder or his triceps, but it was a tempting idea that roved through him. He dismissed it and shook his head free and moved to look at his hands.

Though Khadgar would always say he was sure he was repulsive due to the curse he was laid with, there are many who disagree. The Archmage was handsome in his own way, they would say. He was tall, broad-shouldered and surprisingly lean under all the layers of blue he tended to wear. He was no warrior, that's true, but he did have muscles that proved to help him when carrying heavy things. Khadgar never particularly heard any Champion say such things, though it could just be that he didn't hear it because he didn't want too and liked to hold staunchly to the suggestion that he was unattractive as a way to get out of ... attempting to find someone to spend the rest of his life with.

(He didn't want anyone, he told himself sometimes, though he knew it was a lie.)

Rolling a shoulder, the mage twisted suddenly to stretch out to let his sore muscles roll and relieve themselves. He didn't particularly remember to tell Medivh about the mark on his shoulder, the important spell that had saved Azeroth from Sargeras a second time if only by chance. Perhaps it was the thought of the demon that brought his eyes back to Medivh and down towards his neck.

There was a scar from where Lothar had beheaded him and his stomach sank to his feet as he wondered if there was one from where he had stabbed the ex-guardian. Quickly he glanced away and focused back upon the floor, ignoring the nauseous feeling that began to form with knowing there were marks from where it had happened. But it wasn't like Khadgar didn't have scars of his own now, because he had plenty of them, most on his forearms and chest from where he poked too hard at something and it... exploded, or a fight he got into that had turned to another mage sending a fireball at his chest. That was one of the more nasty patches of scar tissue he had, ugly and not at all sightly.

Before his mind could tangle down the road of self-loathing and anger directed inward, Khadgar wracked his brain for something to say so they could focus on something else.

“Varian named his son Anduin.”

Well, that was a bad topic and he was already rubbing his face because, how do you tell someone that Llane's son had died against the Legion?

As an after thought, Medivh tugged off his belt and tabard and draped them neatly with his cloak, leaving the sleeveless tunic on. With the warmth of the fire in the brazier, it was getting much cozier in here now. During all this time, he had been watching Khadgar out of the corner of his eye, noting every scar, mark or exposed skin. He told himself it was a natural instinct to 'check' to see if he really was okay...but...in a sense he couldn't help but eye the snow white haired man in the firelight.

He quickly looked away - rubbing at the scar along his neck absently. It wasn't common for him to disrobe this much either. He wasn't a vain person, but he did do his best to be clean and neat in appearance. He never really thought of himself as handsome or ugly - he had never really considered how he looked to others or worried about it much. He sat poised on the edge of the couch, wondering just how to get comfortable. He saw Khadgar stretch and smiled to himself slightly, glad that the other man was able to get comfortable. Medivh's main problem was that he wasn't used to 'relaxing'.

"Hmm?" He murmured at something Khadgar said, looking over. When it registered he smiled a little, eyes softening. "Really? How old is the lad now?" He leaned back on the couch in an attempt to get comfortable with a soft sigh.

It was honestly less that Khadgar was stretching to become comfortable and more that he was honestly simply just stretching out to soothe the aches that seemed to appear out of no where.

He caught Medivh rubbing at the scar along his neck and wanted to say something that would soothe him, but he doubted there was anything to say that could even remotely do anything but seem awkward and out of place.

"19," Khadgar finally replied, having to wrack his mind for Anduin's age, "a fine priest and he has proven himself worthy of the crown Varian left him." At least in Khadgar's opinion Anduin would be the most celebrated king of all of Stormwind's history. He would learn that while he could not use his words to fight every battle, that his words were still his greatest ally. Khadgar couldn't help but be proud for the current King of Stormwind.

"Varian died upon the Broken Shore in a way to allow his allies to escape," Khadgar glanced down and watched the floor flicker with dancing shadows, "He gave his life so Champions and the other leaders of the Alliance could survive, we do not know of how he died, but he will be remembered non-the-less. I will take you to Stormwind before we leave for Dalaran. I will have to use a portal for both, but you'll find the reasonings rather intriguing."

Khadgar offered his old mentor a half smile, though he quickly returned his pensive gaze to the floor as he wracked his brain for what to do.

"To Stormwind, because I think you should meet the boy. You may like him."

Medivh tried shifting position so that he was leaning more against the high arm of the couch, sitting so that he could face Khadgar directly and fold his legs in front of him. "Ah...a priest. Hm, they grow so fast don't they?" He mused as an aside. He had never met Anduin, but his father - he knew of from afar in Stormwind. Varian was only a young boy at the time.

Wait...it registered what Khadgar said. He spoke of Varian in the past tense and his expression fell as realization set in. "Varian?" He sighed and shook his head. "No..." He was silent for several long moments, eyes lowered. "I hadn't seen him since he was a young lad." He turned his head away. "I also know about his father Llane. And Lothar. I hope they all find peace." He also knew about the sacking of Stormwind too...and the idea of seeing it again, soothed the initial ache of loss.

He nodded after a moment, looking up at Khadgar's small smile. "I would like to see Stormwind yes...." He murmured softly. "It has been so long." Stormwind was more of a home to him than Dalaran could ever be. It was where he grew up with Llane and Lothar. It was the time of his life where he could be a boy and things were normal - before everything went down hill when he turned 14. He offered a small smile back though it didn't quite reach his eyes - not wanting to worry Khadgar about his mental state. He'd survived worse.

It was obvious that the smile didn't reach his eyes and Medivh was attempting to make sure he wouldn't worry about him. Perhaps in a mistaken attempt to not pile one more worry upon his shoulders. He still remained silent, thinking of what else to say, now that he knew Medivh had seen much of what had happened, though Varian's death was news and news that Khadgar was rather distressed over.

Khadgar's gaze returned to the floor as he tried to relax his mind into allowing the need and want of rest to set in, but he was restless and his hands itched to do something while he mind began wandering towards the notes he had left behind.

Now that he was sitting there, next to Medivh, he didn't feel like he could watch and be justified in his staring at the ex-guardian and his mind had decided to run through simulations of what he would return too. Perhaps the Warlocks summoned another demon and this time it would -- he stopped short and his face turned a paler shade in near fear.

"There... is something we do need to discuss before any visits can be had..." He was dreading the reaction he was going to receive for Medivh finding out of Demon Hunters and admittedly, the more crazy of the two in his opinion, warlocks. "Warlocks, like Gul'dan are among the ranks of this world's champions. It is a common place to find them with their demons nearby and the casual use of Fel magic..." That would probably be the harder sell, really. "They are fighting for us, but I feel I need to warn you not to react adversely. I do not condone what they do, but I am not in any position to tell them what they can or cannot do. There are also..."

He sighed.

"How much do you know of Illidan Stormrage, Medivh?"

They had settled into a comfortable silence. The kind that normally happened between two people that were close. It was funny how it always happened that way. They had been apart for so long, and now that they were together it was as if no time passed between them. And now there wasn't a demon getting in the way of things.

Medivh glanced at Khadgar, frowning at his facial expression. Before he could ask what was wrong - his old apprentice's words caused him to frown further with concern. Something they needed to discuss before any visit...what?

The first sentence out of Khadgar's mouth caused all the color to drain from Medivh's face, his eyes wide and blazing with visible outrage. The change in mood was so incredibly fast, going from concerned to raging - as palpable as a thunderstorm around the ex-Guardian. His posture immediately tensed, straightening ramrod straight as a muscle in his jaw worked - words fighting to burst forth from his bloodless lips.

Casual use of fel magic? Demons nearby???

The Magus jerked from the couch - looming over it. Don't act adversely??

"THE FOOLS!" He thundered, turning away from Khadgar, muscles tensed and straining as his fists clenched tightly. "All the efforts of keeping the fel from Azeroth over aeons and it was ALL FOR NAUGHT!" He punctuated this by upending the table in a paroxysm of rage. It partially splintered when it hit the wall in a loud echo of noise. He was not just talking of the Guardians of Tirisfal (of which he failed in that duty utterly) - but other factions that worked on keeping the demons out since the Great Sundering. "You might as well let in the entire Legion in! Invite Sargeras for tea!" He raged, kicking at the remains of a table leg which knocked over a chair.

He stood there, panting raggedly. The question about Illidan Stormrage had registered but he had no idea why Khadgar would ask such a thing. He mulled over an answer - attempting to calm down. But it was hard, knowing that such...people if they could be called such...were allowed to just wander free or even alive.

"Brother to Malfurian Stormrage. Known as the Betrayer to his people. Locked away for 10,000 years...Why do you ask such a thing?" He snapped finally, voice hoarse. He of course knew of Illidan in the Nexus though he did not interact with him directly.

Khadgar rubbed his fingers against his brow, attempting not to flinch from the raging tempest that was Medivh's temper. It was harsh and unforgiving and Khadgar could feel the words vibrate his bones. He had been about to react when Medivh seemed to calm down.

Medivh was like the sea, he realized. Raging one minute then calm the next, there was no true way to predict the weather that the oceans would bring them on a voyage.

Then came the words he suspected he would hear from the ex-guardian's mouth, exactly what most had known before hand. This would not be as hard of a sell as Warlocks, he surmised, well he hoped so at least.

"Because his Illidari will also be around, they've joined the campaign against the Legion. The warlocks, while troublesome and doing things they shouldn't, are also a part of that campaign, Medivh. Perhaps the view of Fel is not so cut and dry as we had thought back then. Just..." He sighed. "Do not interact with what's left of the counsel of them."

Medivh kept his back turned to Khadgar, tensed and shivering and soft breaths audible. "Madness..." He growled, moving jerkily to pace off some energy in agitation. It was almost like watching a lion pacing in a cage.

"The Fel is the Fel." He said finally, voice hard as he made a cutting motion with his hand, pausing to look at Khadgar with pain in his stormy green eyes. "You know the consequences of it. What it does to the world. What it does to a person. What it did to me. Even I could not fight it. Do you not recall what I have done?" His voice grew more pained as he spoke, turning away again to pace once more.

No. He wasn't going to go ballistic and kill every damned warlock in Dalaran or Stormwind, even though he greatly wanted to. But he was going to watch and wait...and at any sign of betrayal he would be there. So help him he was not going to fail Azeroth again. Never!

The Magus finally stopped, pressing his hands to the wall and leaning into it - spent. His head hung low - hair obscuring his face.

"Medivh, I have also seen it do great good," Khadgar began to argue, though stopped himself short and instead gentled his look as Medivh pressed his hands flat against the wall and hung his head. It was enough, Khadgar rose from his seat and attempted to move forwards without catching any splinters in his feet from the shattered table.

He didn't know what he was planning to do, he realized standing behind Medivh and then closed his eyes and pressed himself against Medivh's back, wrapping his arms around the mage's waist in a hug. This, this seemed what would calm Medivh from whatever ledge he placed himself on when dealing with the past.

He could feel Medivh's heart through his back from where he rested his forehead, the steady pulse lulling him into simply reacting without thinking, it would probably be for the best. He tried his best to shift the hair from between his nose and the back without moving his arms from where they were latched around the Magus's waist.

"Trust me Medivh, that is all you have to do now."

Nothing good could come of the Fel. Medivh just couldn't see it. At least, not now he couldn't. He squeezed his burning eyes shut as memories came up unwanted. The murder of Moroes and Cook. Countless acts that he had done under Sargeras's control, powerless to stop it from happening. It was just going to happen again and this time to someone else who played with fire they didn't understand.

He was vaguely aware of Khadgar approaching from behind, and when the other mage leaned into his back the Magus literally shuddered in the other man's hold. The tension slowly bled from him, leaving an aching sadness in it's wake. Grief and remorse both. He didn't make a sound, but the breath that shuddered from his lungs betrayed his turmoil.

Khadgar's soft words caused him to lower his face into a hand as his broad shouldered frame trembled slightly. Hard to see visibly, but the Archmage would be able to feel it. After a long few moments, he slowly moved a hand to grasp the other mage's arms around his waist - trying to absorb some of that certainty. That hope that Khadgar seemed to have.

"I....I always have." He whispered softly - voice thickened with emotion.

Khadgar had lived a man's life much faster than perhaps he should've, but that was what the path for him was. Just as Medivh's path had left him cynical, Khadgar's had left him optimistic for the world they lived on.

His arms tightened around Medivh as the breath rattled the mage's frame, then gripped more firmly as the older man had begun trembling. He was not sure what else he could do beyond hold him there and try to use this simple hug as a way to calm him down. The hand that grasped his arms made him take his own sharp inhale before he slowly began to release Medivh. With his arms loosened enough, he slowly turned the Magus to face him.

Blue eyes were wrought with despair and worry, but he only kept his gaze to Medivh's for a short while before he stepped back in and this time, burrowed his face against Medivh's collar bone, hugging him much more than he had from behind. This was better, so much better for Khadgar's mind.

"Then you know that I would not purposely steer you wrong," he finally said, voice soft and low, though muffled by how tightly Khadgar pressed his face against Medivh's chest.

Medivh felt Khadgar start to loosen his hold, and he straightened - and blinked in surprise when he was turned around and was face to face with the Archmage. His face was still pale, the scar on his neck standing out in sharp relief. His hair had become a little disheveled from his outburst and this time - it was the Magus that looked down at Khadgar a little lost. He swallowed visibly, trying to get rid of the lump in his throat.

Only his ex-Apprentice was able to undo him so much. He had never shown this much of himself to anyone.

This time, it was Medivh who uttered a soft noise when Khadgar moved in to embrace him tightly with face pressed to his collarbone. He vaguely was aware of sighing Khadgar's name as he grasped the other mage back, closing his eyes. Tears burned in his lids, as he struggled to contain his rampant emotions and retain some dignity. He had leaned back, shifting until both of them were leaning on the wall at his back. Surrendering, Medivh rested his head on Khadgar's eyes scrunched tight as he pressed his face to the other man's hair.

"Forgive me." He found himself murmuring. "Please forgive me." His voice sounded small to his ears as he expressed his remorse for many things. His current outburst - and the ones from the past. The curse that he had inflicted on him. All of it.

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