Xavier Shen

A Quiet Arrival

Y/N was stirring up a potion in her cauldron, the liquid inside glowing a soft gold as steam curled lazily into the air. Across the room, Xavier was asleep in the armchair again, his pale hair falling over his eyes and the blanket she had thrown over him slipping from one shoulder. Y/N sighed, tapping the spoon against the side of the cauldron. "Xavier." His eyes opened halfway. "I'm awake."

"You say that every time."

"I mean it every time."

"You were asleep."

"Only for a moment."

"You've been out for twenty minutes."

Xavier blinked slowly, then glanced toward the window as if the daylight itself had betrayed him. "It didn't feel that long." -- "That's because you were unconscious," Y/N muttered, turning back to the potion. "This is exactly why I'm making this."

The potion gave a soft pop as she added a pinch of dawnroot, the gold glow brightening like sunlight trapped beneath glass. Xavier shifted in the chair, watching her quietly now, though his eyes still looked heavy. "Is it supposed to smell like morning?" he asked.

Y/N paused. "That's probably a good sign."

"Probably?"

"Do you want me to lie?"

"No."

"Then probably."

He accepted that without arguing, which somehow made her sigh again.

Xavier had been her familiar for weeks now, ever since she found him collapsed at the edge of the forest after a storm, silver light bleeding from a wound near his side. He had looked up at her like he already knew her, calm even then, and the familiar bond had formed before either of them could stop it.

Since then, her magic had grown steadier, her wards stronger, and her cottage quieter in a way she didn't mind.

The only problem was that her familiar slept through half the day. "You fell asleep standing in the pantry yesterday," Y/N said.

"I was looking for tea."

"You were facing the flour?"

"The labels are small."

Y/N pressed her lips together, trying not to smile. "You are impossible..."

"I'm sorry."

That made her glance back at him. He looked sincere, almost too sincere, like being tired was something he thought he needed to apologize for. "It's fine," she said softer. "I just need you awake long enough to make sure this doesn't turn your hair green."

Xavier touched his hair. Y/N stared. "I was joking, Xav."

"Oh."

She laughed before she could stop herself, and Xavier's gaze softened at the sound.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing," he said quietly. "It's nice when you laugh."

Y/N turned back to the cauldron a little too quickly. "You're definitely still half-asleep."

"Maybe."

The potion shimmered once more, settling into a clear golden color. Y/N filled a small vial and held it out to him. "Small sip first. If you feel dizzy, sick, too warm, too cold, or like you can hear the walls breathing, tell me."

Xavier took the vial from her. "Okay."

"You trust me too easily.."

"You're my witch," he said, like that explained everything.

The words landed too easily. Y/N looked away before he could notice her face turning red.

Y/N looked away, her cheeks warming into a soft pink hue. "...Drink the potion." Xavier drank it without another word.

For a few seconds, nothing happened. Then Xavier blinked, sitting a little straighter.

"Well?" Y/N asked.

"I feel more awake."

"You sound exactly the same." Y/N huffed softly,

"I'm awake on the inside." Xavier tilted his head, his voice a soft hum.

"That means nothing." Y/N sighed, placing a hand on her forehead out of exhaustion.

"It means something to me."

Y/N took the empty vial back from him, shaking her head. "You're ridiculous." Before Xavier could answer, the cauldron hissed behind her.

The golden potion darkened at the edges, thin black lines curling through the surface like ink. The candles flickered low. The wards around the cottage gave a soft, warning hum.

Y/N froze. "That's not supposed to happen..."

Xavier stood.

The sleepiness was gone from his eyes now, replaced by something sharper, quieter. He stepped in front of her without hesitation, pale light gathering around his fingers.

"Stay close," he said.

Y/N's grip tightened around the vial. "Xavier?"

Something scratched against the cottage door. Once. Then again.

Xavier didn't look away from the door. "Something followed me." The latch began to lift by itself.

Y/N's heart jumped.

And for the first time since he became her familiar, Xavier looked fully awake.