Magic and Promises

Who: Isaac and Peyton
When: early Afternoon
Where: Isaac's house

After spending the morning catching up on the homework she had fallen behind on, Peyton decided it was time to get out of the house. Her dad was working, and Tyler was with friends, as usual, and the occasional ghost passing through the house did nothing to to really put her at ease being alone. She changed from her pajamas into jeans and a sweater before pulling on her shoes and jacket to leave. It was a decent day, weather wise, and Peyton was thankful it wasn't snowing. She walked a few blocks before she started to feel a bit restless, and when she pulled out her phone, she thought about texting Kavin to see if he was busy, but really, all she wanted to do was see Isaac. She wasn't sure if he was home, or he if had plans with Thom or something, but she started walking in the direction of his house anyway. She was halfway there before she realized that if he wasn't then maybe Kaysen would answer the door. And Peyton wasn't stupid enough to think Kaysen might actually like her, so that definitely had the potential to be awkward. So rather than take the chance, Peyton decided to take the cowardly way out and text Isaac beforehand.

hey you. are you home? I'm down the street and wanted to see you if you weren't busy..

Isaac did happen to be home and was -- gasp and awe -- working on homework. Some days he didn't know why in the fuck he bothered at all, seeing as how the world was apparently coming to an end and everything. But his competitive nature made it hard for him to accept losing, and his grades fell under that banner too. Granted, they'd slipped in the time since his eyes were actually opened to everything, but he would do well to bring them back up. Just in case the world didn't end. He picked his phone up when it buzzed on the desk, lips moving as he read the last sentence he'd typed from the computer screen. He made one edit, tongue caught between his teeth, and then looked at the message. An immediate smile came on to his face and he thumbed out a response.

Hey you. Yes home & never too busy for you. How far down street? Need a ride?

no not too far. like 3 houses down. probably be knocking on your door by the time you get to it Peyton sent the message and true to her word, was walking by his neighbor's house by the time her phone said the message had been sent successfully. She did her best to ignore the ghost that was walking toward her. She just hoped it... he?... didn't try to speak to her. Peyton still had no clue how to react to the whole 'ghosts are real!' thing and it made her uncomfortable to try for some reason.

Oh well hell. She'd been banking on him being home, hadn't she? Isaac stood up and pulled on a t-shirt -- the house stayed warm in the winter, and he was more comfortable working on stuff shirtless, for some reason -- and thumped down the stairs. He opened the front door before she got a chance to knock, warm smile in place. "I coulda come and got you, you know," he informed her as he pushed open the storm door and tugged her inside. "It's cold." So it wasn't that cold, by Marquette standards, but still. Inside the car was warmer.

"Fresh air is good for you," Peyton countered, stepping inside with a smile and wrapped her arms around him once the door was shut. She loved hugging him almost as much as she loved doing all the naughty things to him. "I just wanted to go for a walk and decided halfway through that I would rather see you. I'm not intruding on anything am I?" She didn't know if Thom was over, or if Kaysen was going to be appear glowering at her or something.

"Oh I see, I'm just an afterthought," he teased as he hugged her back, lifting her off her feet for a second before he let her back down. Isaac planted a noisy smooch on her cheek and then took her hand to lead her toward the stairs. "Just homework, is all, so you're only putting my entire academic future in jeopardy. Which really, I don't mind." He flashed her a grin over his shoulder and pulled her upwards with him. The living room was all nice and good, but the more privacy they got, the happier he was.

"You're never an afterthought. And see, I got up bright and early and did my homework then," Peyton said as she followed Isaac upstairs to his bedroom. "Just so I would have the time to come bug you for awhile without French verbs on my brain." Generally she got her homework done the day it was assigned, unless it was French, but with the weirdness in Marquette as of late, homework had been falling by the wayside. She waited until they were in his bedroom before she shrugged out of her jacket. "I hung out with Kavin yesterday... he told me that he told you about ... uh, what he does."

"French verbs can be sexy. That's what they say anyway. Language of love and all. Maybe sometime I'll get you to whisper sweet French nothings in my ear. Or something." He comfortably wrapped his arms around her after she rid herself of her jacket, just because. If she was around he wanted to be touching her. His expression sobered up slightly at the other subject she jumped to, and he couldn't help but wonder if Kavin had told her that he'd asked to learn some shit. "Yeah, he did. Honestly? I've quit being surprised hearing shit like that, y'know? I'm just ... really glad that he ran into you that night. Really glad."

"If I tried to whisper sweet French nothings to you, I'd probably have to keep calling Kavin in between to make sure I got them right," Peyton teased. Her arms wrapped around him and she leaned in to nuzzle his neck, breathing in his scent and just... basking. How was it that just touching made her feel better when she was feeling blue? "I wasn't too surprised either... I'm glad he was there to help. I asked him to like... help me. Learn stuff. I don't think I'd be any good with weapons but... you never know. Anything helps. It's just weird that someone we go to school with hunts stuff."

Hearing that was a relief and made him balk internally at the same time. Peyton with weapons? Fighting anything? No. No, she was supposed to be in a fifteen-inch-thick-walled steel box lined with magical safety and protection all the time, she wasn't supposed to be in any sort of fights, ever. His arms tightened up on her just a little bit. He knew that was completely unrealistic. And things were getting ... stranger. And the day might come when they had to fight. "I asked him the same thing," he murmured, leaning his head over to lightly rest against her's. "And I've kind of been practicing, with the magic. I'm almost ready to give you something to try wearing."

She felt him tighten his arms around her, but wasn't at all bothered by it. She knew his instinctive reaction would be to want her protected and safe. Weapons and fighting were not safe. Peyton pulled back in surprise to look at his face. "You have? Really? What have you been doing?" She had let her desire to learn magic fall by the wayside in light of... well, everything. "Has Thom been teaching you?"

He shook his head. "Nope, just been reading and trying stuff," he said with a little smile. Sometimes it was pretty cool to be self-taught. It had been how he learned the bass, and the bit of guitar he knew. He kissed the tip of her nose, but wasn't in any rush to let go of her. "I'm trying to make this bracelet kind of ... protecty. Like something Thom did to one of my sister's hoodies. Probably not as strong, but yeah." And if it worked, he was giving one to Kaysen as well. The more layers of magic on that girl, the better.

"That's awesome," Peyton said, feeling extremely proud of him. And a tad bit jealous, since she wished she would have been doing the same thing, or that maybe he had included her like they had talked about. Then she could have given Kavin something in the park, or maybe done something really cool and magicky when that werewolf had come out of that hospital room at them both instead of being a useless, shrieking girl. Peyton pressed a kiss against his lips and pushed the envious thoughts aside. She would help somehow... she just didn't know how yet. "I think the warding you and Thom did in my house is holding up. I haven't had any ghosts invading my room or anything yet. Maybe once you get really good at the magic stuff, you can teach me a few things?"

Isaac smooched her back and nodded. "Good, good, glad it works against ghosts too," he said. He took her hand and moved to sit them on the bed finally, as it was a bit more comfortable. It didn't occur to him at all that she might feel left out, even though they'd talked about doing it together. They just ... hadn't yet, and somebody needed to be doing it. "Sure, of course," he said, giving her a smile. "Once I'm sure that I know what I'm doing and won't blow myself up or something. 'Cause I don't want you around for that, could get messy." He poked her in the side playfully, in a much better mood now that she was over. School was the farthest thing from his mind.

"You're too competent to blow yourself up," Peyton pointed out with a small smile. "I think I need to be pro-active when it comes to this stuff. I mean, I keep talking about doing something? But then I don't... then I feel like crap when something happens and I realize maybe I could have done more if I had just like, followed through or something." Peyton pushed her hair behind her ears while taking a quick breath. "It's just really frustrating to be like, totally helpless."

He shrugged at the compliment. He was competent at some things, but magic was a whole new realm for him. Isaac took her hand with a gentle smile. "I know, trust me," he said with a low chuckle. That was what had gotten him started doing anything in the first place, after all. Before things started to get even more serious. He'd put it off a good deal himself, but god knew what was coming. "You wanna look through some stuff now?" he asked with a slightly raised eyebrow, nodding to the stack of books in the corner of his room. "No time like the present, right?" He reached up to untuck some of her hair and tug on it lightly, just to mess with her. He liked how it framed her face.

She tried really hard not to pout, because pouting was so unbecoming for most people, including her. "You don't mind? I mean, maybe even just something basic..." She glanced at the books he had motioned to and she wondered if he had actually read all of them. "Where did you get all of those? Thom?"

"Of course I don't mind, sweetie," he said with a little laugh. If it made her feel better, and like she was doing something -- and fuck, she might have some latent talent for it that he didn't -- then it was completely worth it, just for that. Isaac leaned over to give her a quick smooch and slid off of the bed to pad to the book-stack. "Yeah," he said vaguely, even though it wasn't true. But that truth was something he was unprepared to get into yet. Not until he had the all-clear from the person who's secret it was. He grabbed a few of the more beginner-geared books, and the one he had personally bookmarked and brought them back to the bed. "I flagged a bunch of stuff in that one," he said, settling again and pointing to one. "Herb and stone references, mostly, what's useful for what."

Peyton wasn't too sure she would have any talent for magic, but that didn't mean she didn't want to try. Especially if Isaac was working on it. She didn't want to be the only one left who didn't know how to do anything helpful. Picking up the book, Peyton rested it on her lap and flipped it open. She skimmed over a few things before smiling. "Magic seems like it could be an expensive hobby." Turning another page, she glanced at him. "Which spell have you been working on? Will you show me?"

"I'm tellin' ya," Isaac chuckled his agreement. There were just so many supplies for everything, and once shit started getting more complicated? Those supplies seemed like they'd be harder and harder to find. "I saw some flier a while back for a magic shop that I might look into, though," he added as he remembered, busily flipping to the pages that held the spell he'd been focusing on. "Wanna come with me when I go? Here, this one. Just something to make you less noticeable to ... lycanthrope things. Like the bracelet from Thom, only more specific." He turned the book around so she could see and held it out for her. "I don't think I've gotten it right quite yet, I keep fucking up the words."

"I definitely want to go with you," Peyton said. A magic shop in town? She hadn't heard anything about it! But if it was a legit shop, then she definitely wanted to check it out. She looked down at the spell Isaac referenced. Protected against lycanthropes... Peyton smiled a touch. That would have come in handy the week before... and unfortunately it might come in handy in the future. "Specific is good. Are the words in a different language?" If so, she would probably suck at it too. "I wonder if these books have anything about sending ghosts back to, er, where they came from? Exorcism sounds too much like a bad thing when none of the spirits have been vengeful so far."

"Yeah, some of 'em are Latin, some of 'em are I-don't-even-know-what-the-fuck. Some books have a pronunciation guide, some not," he said, giving a shrug. "If there are? I think they're probably way above us. Like ... I think there are the types of people in this town that if it could be done, it would've by now." He picked up another one he'd brought over and flipped through it, just sort of looking to see if anything jumped out of him. "I haven't had any trouble with them either. It just ... makes me wonder what happened, y'know? And if any of them know anything that we need to know."

"There has to be some people who know enough magic to do that stuff. Maybe they just don't want to come forward... that's a lot of attention and pressure, you know?" Peyton paused to think it over. "Wow, I didn't think of it that way... that maybe they're here because they know something? I don't know. I know it's unsettling." She chewed on her bottom lip, staring at the book in front of her before she glanced at Isaac. "Do you think maybe... like, Lullaby or Chrissy are somewhere out there?" She felt bad bringing up Lullaby at least, since she and Isaac had been close. But it had been on her mind since the entire thing started. As freaky as the situation was, wouldn't it be nice to have a second chance to say goodbye to someone?

Isaac looked up, a surprised sort of expression on his face. But then he realized that she meant as ghosts, and not the way that Lullaby was out there. God ... damn, he hated this shit. Hated lying to her, keeping things from her, and there was so much of it that he was. "Oh ... I don't know," he said after a beat, going for some mix of thoughtful and casual, which was hard. This whole damn stupid thing was hard. He really had to talk to Lullaby. He trusted Peyton, and the guilt was so shitty, but after everything with Gabe ... he didn't know. He dropped his eyes to the book again. "They might be. But I don't think everyone who dies becomes a spirit, so ... maybe not. It is unsettling. I'd like to talk to one of them, just to see."

"You don't? Do you think there are like, requirements to becoming a spirit?" She wondered what would happen to her if she died. Would she be stuck between worlds? Or stuck in this one? Would she go to Heaven? Was there a Heaven? Why was she even asking herself these things? "I thought about trying to talk to one, but it just feels weird. Like I shouldn't. Like, even though they're here, I shouldn't acknowledge it. But I know if I lost someone I was close to, I would want to know if they were there somewhere... being able to talk to them again or something. It's just... a nice side to all of it."

If only he could confirm that yes, being able to talk to someone you cared about who had died again was really nice. It was fucking peachy-ass-awesome, in fact. Isaac took a quiet breath and let it out, eyes still down on his book. Guilt, guilt, guilt. "I haven't seen one yet that I really feel okay talking to," he said as his eyes skimmed pages, focusing in more on that part of the conversation than anything else. "A lot of them look ... really lost, too. So maybe they don't know anything, I dunno. I'd just like to see. But from what I've read, it's more of an unfinished-business kind of thing? Cliche' as that sounds. I dunno, though, I've kinda come to think that everything's more complicated than you think right off."

"True." Peyton went back to skimming the spell Isaac said he had been working on. She wasn't sure she could pronounce the words either, even with a guide. What if you said it wrong? Could that bring about another spell? Something bad? Knowing her luck, she'd try it and somehow unleash a vengeful demon or something. "I guess I'm just thinking more about people I know who have lost someone... like Geo and his parents, or you and your friends. Even Thom with Chrissy, though they didn't date long. It just sucks. Maybe I'll find enough courage to talk to one and ask questions. That might be more beneficial than trying to exorcise them." Peyton leaned over to kiss his cheek, since she felt maybe he needed something comforting after she had brought up Lullaby. "Knowledge is power, right? So I guess we just have to keep seeking out information. That way we're not caught off guard."

Isaac had a theory that if Chrissy was a ghost, she was an evil bitchy poltergeist, but he didn't voice it. Still keeping up the pretense that Thom had actually been interested in her, after all. His eyes closed briefly as she kissed his cheek, and he gave her a little half smile, one hand reaching out to rub over her knee lightly. "Knowledge is power," he confirmed. "The more we know, the better off we are, forewarned is forearmed, all that good shit. ... you can borrow any one of these anytime," he added, making a gesture to the books. He'd feel better about everything if she did, maybe. If she was learning too. "We can have magic study sessions and everything." Isaac leaned in to softly kiss her on the lips, smiling a little more easily.

"Thanks. I might take this one with me." She picked up the book that had been on her lap initially. "I doubt I'll try anything yet, but reading it will help." Peyton returned his kiss and then smiled. "I'm really glad you're being so pro-active with the magic though. I'm starting to picture you in a wizard's hat and robe." Peyton grinned against his mouth. "So hot."

That made him laugh, though he stayed in close to her, butting his forehead up against her's and grinning. "Yeah? You like that stuff, huh? Think I should start wearing big round glasses and running around with a stick? Or do the big long beard and a staff like in the older school?" He kissed her again, just for good measure, thumb stroking affectionately on her thigh.

"Only if I get to call you Dumbledore in bed," Peyton teased. She brought her hand up to run it through his hair, enjoying the feel of the soft strands against her fingers. "I like you scruffy, but I'm not too sure about the big, long beard part." Peyton kissed him again with a small nibble on his lower lip. "I just think it's oddly hot thinking about you doing magic. I think I'm just weird like that."

Okay well that made him feel good. That not only did she like him being pro-active, she thought it was hot. Isaac chuckled deep in his throat and kissed her again, returning the little nibble. "I think I can live with that. Maybe I'll learn to do magic and play bass at the same time and just make you implode," he said with a lazy grin, one hand moving to rest on her waist. "Or maybe I'll find some magic to make your orgasms last like ... days." Because that sounded like fun. And totally had to exist, because he said so.

Peyton laughed, enjoying the way it felt. It was like she hadn't really laughed in a long time. "Wow... magic and bass at the same time? You're getting me all hot and bothered now just thinking about that." She lifted her eyes thoughtfully, pretending to picture it all in her mind. "Yeah..." She fanned herself before smiling. "A lasting orgasm spell... huh. That would probably put me out of commission for awhile. Not that I would be complaining. I would have to find a way to return that favor to you though, and that might prove to be more difficult."

He laughed a bit with her, as close to giggling as Isaac ever really got, picturing Peyton just locked up in her room, laid out on the bed and twitching in an ever-lasting orgasm while he played video games. It was just too funny -- and enjoyable for her, no doubt -- not to be tempting. "Nah, it'd be fun just to watch on my end," he told her with a little grin. "Really though, if you call me Isaac Potter in bed or something, I promise not to be freaked out," he teased.

Peyton grinned and gave a little shiver. "Promise? Because I'm getting wet just thinking about it." A silly, nonsensical conversation was exactly what she needed at the moment. And of course it was Isaac who gave it to her. She pinched his side gently. "It seems like my list of fetishes just keeps getting longer and longer. And apparently all of them revolve around you."

He pinched her back playfully, moving his head to give her another little nibbly kiss. Because she was just so damn kissable. Not that he was complaining. "If you ask me to bust out a bunny suit or something, I'm going to worry about you. But until then, I think I can deal with that," he murmured and grinned a bit against her lips.

She laughed. "No bunny suits. Maybe your birthday suit though..." Peyton set the books on her lap aside and turned on his bed to wrap her arms around his neck. She pressed her lips against his lip before nuzzling her nose to his. "I'm glad you were home. You always make me feel better."

Isaac took it one further, since she seemed to be slipping into Cuddle Mode, and kind of gentle-tackled her back on to the bed so they could stretch out. Once they were settled in each other's arms, he pressed a kiss to her forehead. "What was I making you feel better from?" he asked quietly, breathing her skin and hair in.

"Everything," she murmured, slipping her leg over his to keep him tangled up close to her. But she did feel better now, holding onto his solid warmth. "When I'm alone, I start thinking about things that have happened, or my mind goes off into doomsday scenarios. And then I just want to be near you because you make all of that go away." Peyton sighed and wrapped her arm around his waist. "I talk about it with Kavin sometimes, but it never makes me feel better like being with you does, as cheesy as that sounds."

He took a quiet moment just to lay there with her and stroke his fingers soothingly through her hair. He knew what she meant. He'd been trying to keep busy, mostly, to avoid grinding gears over what might be happening to the world. And when times like these came around ... it all sort of melted away for a while. Who didn't want that? "I know what you mean," he murmured after a moment, eyes drifting slowly over the texture of his ceiling. Then kissed her head again, still toying with her hair. He wished so hard he could tell her everything would be okay, but he knew she would see through that false promise.

She sighed and closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of his fingers playing with her hair. "Just tell me everything is going to be all right," Peyton said quietly. "I don't care if you lie to me." She just wanted to hear it. She was tired of being realistic and trying to accept things could end badly, or that more people could die, or that there were other things that could cross over into their world much worse than ghosts. She wanted some optimism, even if he didn't mean any of it.

Isaac swallowed quietly, and had to briefly build himself up to it. If he hated anything, he hated lying to the people he cared about. Especially about something he so desperately wanted to be true. "Everything's going to be all right," he told her after a moment. He brushed his fingertips over her cheekbone lightly before moving them back into her hair. "I'm going to keep you safe, and everything's gonna be fine." Isaac closed his eyes. He would give his life for it, but he didn't know if that would be enough.

It felt nice to hear it, even if she knew he didn't mean it. At least the first part. She knew he would try to keep her safe... he was already proving that much by learning protective magic. And she wanted to be able to do the same for him, and other people. Still, even if he was lying, she did feel better. Maybe because she so desperately wanted to believe it. Peyton lifted her head to look at him before brushing a kiss over his lips. She pulled back and smiled softly. "I'm going to keep you safe too... however I can. I promise."

He kissed her back softly, and then just looked at her, a little smile playing over his face. Like he was memorizing her features. Again. Isaac reached up to tuck a bit of hair back behind her ear. "Just stay by my side, that's all I need from you. All I need, period," he murmured. And as much as he loved his sister and Thom and everyone else in his life, that was the truth, in a way. If he lost them, and her, he didn't think he could survive it. Really didn't. Not that he was really honestly thinking about it, because they were safe and comfortable for the moment, but ... he wanted Peyton to know that she was essential to him.

"I can do that." She pressed her lips to his again and then shifted back to settle against him again. She had nearly lost him once before, when he had disappeared into those mines. She wasn't about to let that happen again, if she could help it. Especially now, with all the weird ghosts, and... just everything. She would do whatever it took to keep people she loved safe. Isaac most of all. And this, being there with him, was all she needed now.