Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Bede hates water.

He hates the feeling when he has to dip his body into it, when his master decides that an cats lick wasn’t enough. No matter how much Opal heats the water, how many rose petals she puts in or what kind of scented candles she lights, he will never be able to make friends with it.

The old witch always says that it is normal, that it is in his nature, but the familiar is sure that it is because he once fell into a pond as a kitten.

That was when Opal had just taken him in. At that time he still wanted to prove himself, show that he was worth keeping and climbed up a tree to get an flower. It was said to have healing powers and the old woman had mentioned that her back had hurt. Anyway, the branch collapsed under his weight and he fell head first into the pond. He almost drowned and his master had forbidden him to climb a tree ever again.

As if it was his fault that he had to get used to a completely new balance and weight ratio back then.

He started climbing again after a few days.

Anyway, Bede is sure that this was the start of his water-hatred.

However, it was also the start of something else...

"HEY, I'M HERE NOW AND YOU BETTER COME OUT, BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND AND LEAVE AGAIN!"

His voice echoes throughout the forest as he sits down on the mossy ground, a few feet away from the Fateful Pond.

At first nothing happens and he can feel his tail start to flap back and forth out of boredom. Hopefully the other really heard him, or he will have to wait for hours again.

It takes a few minutes before he sees something golden shimmering in the water.

As a precaution, he crawls back a bit as the person he had called for comes up with a loud splash.

"Bede! You're here!"

Hop beams a big smile at him as he slowly swims to shore, resting his arms and head on it.

Bede wrinkles his nose briefly as he moves closer to the water again. The other almost splashed all over him.

"Can't you be more careful! You don't have the slightest idea how hard it is to get this dirty water out of my clothes?!"

He sounds pretty annoyed, but still a smile forms on his face as Hop begins to giggle lightly.
The other boy just doesn't understand how much work goes into fashion.

"So, how was your day? Did you learn a new spell? A new potion?"

He sounds curious and his gill branches wiggle back and forth excitedly, which only adds to his cuteness. What is kind of unfair. Briefly, Bede rolls his eyes as he crosses his arms.

"Depends. How much did you terrorize those poor fishermen?"

The white-haired one has heard the men in the nearby village getting upset over destroyed nets and chased away fish.

He wonders who's to blame.

At least the other seems a little bashful as he dives a little deeper into the water.

"... I just wanted to make sure that there was still something for me to eat. People are always hunting so much and lately there's hardly any fish anyway and..."

Hop sinks a little deeper into the water as he breaks off his sentence. He seemed really embarrassed,

The smile leaves his face as a bad feeling spreads through the pit of his stomach. In all the years he's known him, he's only reacted like this when something was up.

"Is something wrong?"

The dark-haired one averts his eyes before looking at him with a big, but fake, smile.

"Are you worried about me? How sweet of you! But I'm not a small guppy anymore!"

Bede's eyebrows draw together as he eyes the other. He realizes the other is just trying to distract him, but now he's sure something is wrong with Hop.

"Hop... you're not as fat as normally."

The other squeals briefly and he briefly regrets his expression.

But he is sure that Hop is a lot thinner than he normally would be at this time. Soon it will get colder and the other has barely built up a layer of fat to keep warm in the water.

Shit.

"You know-, Miss Opal would have hit you with her umbrella for that."

Hop chuckles lightly and has moved away from the shore a bit. Like he's worried Bede might get a hold of him.

For good reason.

The familiar just feels like he's been thrown into the deep end. Fear, worry, anger and resentment run down his spine and he feels like he's about to burst.

"HOP! This is serious shit! Why didn't you fucking tell me!"

He bares his teeth as he lets his emotions speak for him.

Doesn't the other guy know how dangerous this is? Hop could die. He could fall asleep because of the cold and not wake up. he could starve because he doesn't find enough fish. He could just disappear and Bede wouldn't know about it because it's all happening under a thick layer of ice.

"Please don't get so upset! Everything is going to be fine. It always turns out right."

It can't be. Bede doesn't want to believe that the other really believes that. He can't be serious.

"Come here. You're coming with me now and you're going to spend the winter with Miss Opal and me. Don't look at me like that. I know you have the magic to form feet. I'll drag you home if you don’t want to."

Hop looks at him with wide eyes as he quickly swims further back, accidentally splashing him wet. This causes Bede to recoil in disgust from the wetness.

"What's gotten into you all of a sudden! You're not normally like this!"

Bede can see that the other is stressed, but so is he. Why didn't Hop come to him? He would have provided him with enough food and made sure he had a safe winter.

But no. He kept it to himself and thus put himself in danger.

Hop just shakes his head, though, as an expression of incomprehension spreads across his face.

"You know what! You don't know anything at all! I wouldn't live on the land with you, until you voluntarily join me in the water!"

With that he disappears again and Bede can feel himself getting sick. Now he has scared Hop away with his manner. Opal always says that he comes across too harsh, but now he probably really fucked up.

After all, Hop has never reacted like this before. Usually the other one is very patient with him, especially when it comes to emotional things. He would counter with smiles and jokes. He would never just leave him like that... What if the other one tried to calm down not him, but himself. Tried to convince himself that everything will be alright again, because it worked the last few years. He has probably robbed him with his emotional outburst the last hope he gave himself.

God, why can't he control his emotions for once?

For a moment he can do nothing but stare at the water.

Should he call out to Hop? Apologize immediately? Or give him time to calm down?

Chapter Text

Bede feels terrible as Opal slowly strokes him over the head. He must look really pathetic right now. He, one of the best apprentice magicians in the country, lies in his master's arms like an kitten that didn’t get enough milk.

Why?

Because Hop has given up on him and their friendship.

The familiar thought that he should give him some time, so they could both calm down a bit. So that they could both sort out their thoughts and feelings and then make an clear-headed decision.

But he had thought wrong.

When he called for the other the next day, he did not come. No matter how long he waited or how many times he called again.

That was almost a week ago, during which the cat had called for his friend every day and only now, did he dare to ask Opal for help. He wanted her to try to talk to Hop and get him to spend the winter with them.

After all, Hop was mad at him, not Opal.

But the old woman only had a look of concern on her wrinkled face, when she told him that the other had left the pond. She could no longer perceive his aura.

A world shattered for Bede when she told him this.

Hop is important to him. More important than his magic, the witch's hut and even more important than any milk in the world. The sea creature was one of the few constant things in his life. Whatever was happening around him, Hop was in the pond and would be there waiting for him, taking his mind off the here and now.

Just the thought of him leaving, hurts him more than anything else.

Opal's voice is strangely soft as she offers him some comfort.

"I know you are very down right now, but I am sure your friend will come back. You're very important to him and even though you've been shouting at each other, you're still very close."

No matter how hard Bede tries to believe her words, part of him is still sure that Hop has left him for good.

What would keep him in this far too small pond? He had often told him about his big brother, who was probably swimming somewhere in the vast oceans. He had probably had enough of hanging around in this tiny body of water and had decided to look for his family...

But that wouldn't be Hop at all.

The Hop he met wouldn't just disappear like that, especially without saying a proper goodbye. At least, that's what he thought.

Maybe he just didn't care that much about him.

These thoughts plagued him into the night. Now, all alone in his room, he had no Opal to give him a good talking to. Just his thoughts giving him a distorted version of Hop.

He hates it.

No matter how many times he closes his eyes in an attempt to sleep, images of his friend leaving him just like that keep coming up. Then he even starts to imagine his singing voice.

The singing of water creatures is something incredibly beautiful and private. It is a way for them to communicate, even when they are several miles away. Hop had only sung to him once and he had never forgotten it. Even if it is impossible for him to imitate it.

But the song that sounds now is very different. It sounds sad, fearful and warped with pain. Not at all like the happy music he sang back then.

For a moment it becomes very quiet and Bede decides to sit up. He knows that he will not fall asleep. Not with his own mind torturing him.

The images disappear, but the singing comes again.

It takes a while, but he soon realises that he is not imagining the singing, which can only mean one thing to him.

Hop has come back. His friend has not left him. He is out there in his pond, as he should be.

The sorcerer's apprentice didn't even notice how he jumped out of his room and ran out of the little hut. His whole body moves as if on autopilot, as he chases the path to the little pond.

He can almost see the glint of the other's golden scales in the full moonlight, as the smell of blood hits him. It is a choking, metallic stench and Bede stops when he finally catches sight of the pond.

The usually murky water is red.

The familiar can feel panic rising in him as he jumps into the cold water without a thought. The only thing he can think of now is Hop, lying somewhere on the streams bottom, calling for help.

"Hop! Show yourself! I'm here!"

His voice calls through the forest, as he wades deeper into the water. He just tries to ignore the smell and colour of the liquid as he looks for his friend's golden scales.

"Bede?"

A body collides with his, as arms wrap tightly around his torso and Hop presses his face into his shoulder. For a moment, Bede felt as if he couldn’t move.

A sigh escapes the other, a sound distorted by pain and happiness.

"You came..."

He sounds so happy and Bede wraps his arms tightly around him.

Hop is here. Hop has not left him. Hop is in his arms and safe. Hop is....

"Of course. If you think you're goanna get rid of me that easy, you got the wrong idea. Hop, where were you? Why'd you leave?"

He's sure the other is hurt, but he's worried he'll say the wrong thing again. The last thing he needs right now is Hop getting mad at him again. Even though the whole thing scares him a lot. He is absolutely terrified right now.

"You were right... I'm not ready for the winter, but I didn't want to ask you or Opal for help.... I was just too scared. I know I sound like a coward, but I thought I could still make it if I took some of the humans fish."

Bede can feel himself getting sick at the thought that his friend would rather steal from others than come to him. Especially because Hop is usually such a apostle of morality.

"But I got careless and hurt myself. But you came, even though I was so mean to you!"

The other looks at him overjoyed and for a moment he looks over him. Even with his good eyes, he cannot see the other's injuries properly. But he knows him and his way of hiding such things. So if he tells him so openly, it must be bad. Really bad.

"I'll take you to Opal. She'll be able to take care of you."

For a moment Hop has an almost fearful expression on his face and his grip on him tightens. He's not very skilled in healing magic. Even Hop, who has next to no magic is a better healer. His master is their only chance for help.

"Didn't you say yourself, that you would come to me on land, if I jumped into the water with you first?! Here I am, dripping wet in your pond. So keep your part of the bargain too!"

Chapter Text

Bede is not sure how he managed to not only hoist himself and Hop out of the pond, but also to drag him back to the witch hut. The only thing he really noticed were the arms of the sea creature clawing at him as if his life depended on it.

Which it might even do.
Bede just doesn't want to think about it.

Opal is already waiting at the door in one of her nightgowns. He'd probably woken her up when he stormed out of the house. Which is probably his luck. At least she can help Hop faster that way.

The old woman looks at him briefly before her gaze moves to the boys in his arms. Her face is unreadable, but he can see something flashing in her eyes. Something dangerous.

"Take him to the living room."

Her voice sounds pressed, as he runs past her into the small closet and loads Hop onto the old armchair. His friend makes a hissing, startled noise as he begins to fidget slightly back and forth on the cushions. Like a fish out of water.

"Sorry, I should have given you a heads up before I sat you down."

Hop's chest rises and falls ponderously, as he places his hand carefully over his. The other is frightened and Bede hasn't the slightest idea how to reassure him. His golden eyes are fixed on him as a strained smile stretches across his face.

"This isn’t how I imagined my first time with you."

An airless laugh escapes him as the other breaks eye contact and leans back. Briefly he squeezes his hand, whereupon Hop squeezes back slightly, as his gaze slides down on him.

Now that the sea creature is on dry land and under the warm lamplight, he can see his friend's injuries better.

His torso is littered with abrasions and small bruises. It looks painful, but not very dangerous.

Then his gaze slides further to his fin, which is in the process of splitting. The scales look completely out of place and as if some of them have been torn out. Hop had once told him that the scales grow like hair. So they should grow back.

At least that's what he hopes.

His eyes briefly fall to his tail fin before he quickly averts them again.

He now knows the main reason for Hop's pain.

A fishing net has wrapped itself tightly around the fin and cut deeply into the flesh. It wasn’t pretty.

He can hardly bear the sight and tries to concentrate on his friend. He had his eyes closed and his head angled towards the ceiling.

Carefully he pats his cheek with his free hand to get the other's attention.

"Hey Hop, don't fall asleep on me now, please. What happened?"

His friend looks at him for a moment and he can feel the pressure around his hands getting stronger. He also notices that Opal has come up behind him with a tray full of tools. But he just tries to concentrate on his hop for now.

"I'm sorry, for real now! I realise I deserve this."

He sounds very embarrassed and Bedes furrows his eyebrows. This is not what he wanted to know and way off point. No one deserved to be hurt like that.

Of course he wants to tell his friend that too, but Opal was quicker.

"It doesn't matter now. You're still young, especially for a creature of the seas. No one should be beaten up like that, no matter what you've done. But we should talk about it later, after I've taken care of your fin."

Her voice is gentle but firm as she hands Hop a small vial with pink liquid. He looks at it with a doubtful expression and Bede squeezes his hand again.

"Don't worry, it's just a mild sedative. It's not strong enough to make you sleep, but should be enough to ease the pain... I personally made it a few days ago, so it's safe."

Hop looks at him briefly before quickly gulping down the thick liquid. His face contorts briefly as he squeezes his hand. The potion is sweet. Sickeningly sweet even, when he thinks of how much fairy honey he had used to bind the individual herbs and flowers.

After placing the vial on the ground, Opal immediately starts to remove the net from the fin. Bede can't watch for long and tries to distract himself and Hop from the whole thing. If he already feels sick watching it, he doesn't want to imagine how his friend is feeling right now.

"Do you remember our last conversation? You wanted to know if I had learned anything that day."

With that, he has Hop's full attention.

He is not quite sure what he was talking about, only that he could not stop. The other only looked at him with a slight smile and squeezed his hand from time to time.

He is quite sure that he has never told the other so much about himself. Not because he doesn't trust him, but because Hop usually carries the conversation and he enjoys listening to him. It's kind of weird to pour your heart out to him like this.

"Well, that should be enough for now. You two should get some rest for now. It wasn't as bad as I first feared."

His mistresses voice is very gentle as she gathers all the materials back together.

Briefly he looks down at the fin, which has now split completely. Hop's "legs" are wrapped up to his "knees" and he can make out a few magic circles on them.

-strength-
-preservation-
-lightness-

This is something you don't normally do, as it takes a lot of extra work, but something that should help Hop with the whole situation.

The other raises both his legs briefly, as if testing if he can move them.

"Does it hurt much?"

Hop shakes his head slightly as the old woman re-enters the room with a couple of blankets and pillows. She looks at them both briefly before spreading one of the thicker blankets over the sea creature.

"Bede, please stay with him through the night, just in case."

That makes him furrow his eyebrows. Wasn't that clear? Does she really think he would leave his friend alone?

Chapter Text

Bede could not sleep the whole night.

How could he? Hop, who he thought had left him, is lying next to him, alive but injured. Even though his teacher said that the damage was not that bad, the worry still keeps him awake.

What if the wounds gets infected? Who knows how old the net was and how much dirt has already gotten into the scrap wounds. He once read that such infections can be deadly...

What if he gets a fever? The water in the lake is a lot cooler than the living room and Hops Body is normally a bit colder than a human an he has been under so much stress...

What if he gets breathing problems and suffocates in his sleep? After all, he is not used to breathing through his mouth and nose. His gills are still there and moveing, as if trying to draw in water.

What if he wakes up and is in pain? Hop would probably not wake him up and suffer in silence. Especially if he really thinks that it is his fault.

What if it doesn't heal properly? After all, it's his legs that are healing, not his fin. Maybe he should have brought him to the bathtub instead..

What if Hop can't swim properly anymore? Mermaids are hunters and if he can't hunt for Fish properly anymore, then he can't live on his own. It would make him really unhappy.

As long as there is even a small chance that his friend could get worse, he cannot rest. He needed to watch over him.

So he spends his night checking on the bandages, making sure there are painkillers nearby and studying Hop's face.

The face studying just happened.

It is strange to see him sleeping like this. In all the years he has known the other, he has never seen him so calm. Hop is a very fidgety creature, so he actually thought he moved a lot in his sleep. But the only movement that comes from him, is him squeezing his hand every now and then.

At least he looks pretty peaceful.

The other has a slight smile on his lips, even if drool keeps on escaping from the corner of his lips. Something he always wipes away, of course.

Bede has to admit that Hop actually looks quite cute like that, but it wouldn't be good if others saw him. He doesn't care that no one, except for Opal, will see his dork like that.

But he wants to play save.

The old woman herself hasn't disturbed them all night. Though she probably wasn't asleep either, because he cant hear her snoring.

He really doesn't want to know what she was up to during that time.

"You look pretty tired."

The sun hasn't even risen yet, when Hop opens his eyes again and gives him a worried look. For a moment Bede isn't sure how to respond before he crosses his arms and raises his eyebrow. What is kind of hard, considering that they are still holding hands.

"Are you saying I look bad? Huh, I didn't expect you to care so much about looks."

His words are playful as Hop raises his hands defensively and looks at him, whilst smiling slightly. Its still a bit awkward, cause neither of them where letting go.

"Don't get me wrong please! You're beautiful, in every sense of the word, but you look tired. Please don't tell me you've been up all night because of me."

His friend sounds genuinely and Bede has to stifle his blush. The other always knew how to use his words to make him happy. But that is not the point right now.

He squeezes the other's hand briefly as a very serious expression forms on his own face.

"Who was that? Hop, who hurt you like that?"

Hop looks quite shocked as he quickly shakes his head and the Witcher is briefly concerned that the other is trying to distract him again. That is something that he wont let happen again.

"It wasn't like that at all! Nobody touched me, this is all self-inflicted! Really!"

His voice sounds quite panicked as his head shaking becomes more strongly. The grip on his hand becomes very tight as Hop looks at him pleadingly.

"Imadeamistakecuttingthenetandgotcaughtinit.Ithinksomefishermennoticedmeandtriedtopullmeupontotheirboat.Ireallytriedtofreemyself,butthesituationonlygotworse.Iwasabletobreakfree,butbecauseofthenetIcouldn'tmoveproperlyandkepthittingthegroundorrocks.Idon'tknowexactlyhowImadeitbacktothepond."

His friend says this so quickly that Bede almost doesn't understand him. But he thinks he has at least understood the most important things. Carefully he squeezes Hop's hand to reassure him a little and get him to let go of the thigh grip.

"So you're trying to tell me that all the scrap wounds and bruises are because you swam into rocks and the river bottom?"

Hop's cheeks go all red as he nods slowly. The situation seems very uncomfortable for him and even though the story sounds more like a tall tale, Bede is still sure he is not lying to him. He knows how Hop would sound if he where to lie to him.

Cautiously, he bumps his forehead against the other as he sighs briefly. Somehow he is glad that Hop has hurt himself and that he has not been caught by the fishermen.

He doesn't want to imagine how much his friend would have been hurt by them.

"You really are an idiot, you know? We could have avoided this whole situation if only you had come with me back then."

The sea creature closes his eyes, as he leans more against him and squeezes his hand briefly.

"I know and I'm sorry. I always make trouble for you, even when I try to do the opposite. Maybe I should just-"

Hop doesn't finish the sentence as Bede lightly pinches his hand. He doesn't want to hear his friend putting himself down, especially after last night.

Or ever again, come to think of it.

His friend is normally a very smart and headstrong being and he doesn't like seeing him like this. Right now he just wants his sunshine back.

"Well, it's good to know it wasn't a fisherman. It would have been a misfortune if the nets had suddenly turned into snakes..."

Bede sighs briefly as he squints at his master. He's not sure if he should be happy that she overheard and that Hop doesn't have to explain himself again, or if he should be angry that she interrupted their moment.

Maybe he should just be both.

Chapter Text

It is nice to have Hop with him.

That's not just from the fact that he's safe now in the witch's hut and not under an inch-thick layer of ice, doing knows what. Its probably the first winter that he gets to spent without worrying about him.

Also, its more than a little amusing to watch him discover the world on the land.

Everything seems to interest him. Be it the soft hem of the blanket, the knitted fabric of the jacket or the embroidered stars on his going out cloak. Whatever he gets his hands on, he touches and inspects.

Which is somehow obvious. After all, wet objects feel different from dry ones.

But he seems to especially enjoy stroking him when he is in his animal form. Bede never thought he would allow someone to do that, but when it's for his friend? Then he can tolerate a lot.

It's not like he hates it when his friend does it. Hop is always very careful and holds him in a half hug. Bede often feels like he could melt away when he does it.

If other witch students saw him like this, he would probably be the biggest laughing stock of the century.

Still, he would never regret letting him do it. Especially not when he gets that sad look on his face every now and then. He never thought he would hate a facial expression so much. It doesn’t help that Hop wont tell him why he is sad.

The wounds on his legs are healing very well. His grandmother says that scars will remain, but it's not something you should notice when he is in his finned form.

Hop has already started practising walking, although he still holds on to everything. Especially his arm or shoulder, which he would never complain about.

Otherwise, the other probably wouldn't want to touch him anymore, because he doesn’t want to be a bother and might fall and hurt himself, which he really doesn't want. Besides, he can keep a close eye on him that way. He also enjoys to be by his side, even if he would never say it out loud.

"Bede? Do you think we could go into town together sometime?"

Hop's question snaps him completely out of his thoughts, as he turns tiredly to face him. Right now it's very late and they should both be asleep by now. At least the sea creature he is now sharing the room and bed with is.

"I heard Opal mention that there will be a festival there soon and I would love to go and see it! It would also be alright if we just looked at it from further away!"

His friend looks at him with an puppy look that could soften even Opal... what it probably already has.

It's true that the nearby town is having a festival soon, but he really doubts if it's a good idea to take him there. After all, it is a festival in honour of the harvest and winter gods, and offerings are burnt in thanks for a good harvest and hopes for a mild winter. As it is a fishing village, it mostly involves fish and Hop is half fish.

Besides, half of his scales are made of pure gold.

Anyone who saw him would definitely want to hurt and use him.

That is something he must avoid at all costs, but he can feel himself softening under his gaze. How can he say no?

"I'll find a way to sneak you into town..."

Hop beams at him like he's just given him the world and Bede has to stifle a gulp. Hopefully he can keep that promise now. It would be horrible to see him so disappointed otherwise.

The familiar spends the entire night thinking of how he could fulfil his friend's wish, without coming to a conclusion. Each of his ideas had a part that was too risky or would require too many things to occur.

At least until the most obvious one fell into his hands in the morning. Literally.

Because when he wanted to reach for his cloak, to dress for gathering herbs, it occurred to him that it was an enchanted object. Opal had sewn it for him, when he looked a bit more monstrous to protect him from the eyes of the villagers.

Not only is it very warm, but it also makes you blur into the background. So if Hop were to wear it, he could easily attend the festival without attracting attention.

He realises that he still has to talk to his master about it, but at least he now has a plan...

...After being awake for another whole night because of Hop. He really shouldn't let this become a habit before Opal notices.

He can still remember exactly how she used to grab him by the scruf, then wrap him in blankets and sit by his side until he actually fell asleep.

Now it would probably be harder for her, but he doesn't want to push his luck.

"You really shouldn't do that. No matter how big you get, at the end of the day I'll still be able to carry you to bed."

The sorcerer nearly jumps out of his skin, as he hears his master's voice behind him.

He didn't say that out loud now, did he?

You can never be too sure with the old woman. She could also have read his mind.

Opal just smiles at him as she puts her hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, you were just mumbling something back and forth about yourself. I was actually just going to let you know that you didn't have to collect any pop seeds today, but then I overheard something."

I guess she really does have her ears all over the place, even if that's actually his fault now.

"Do you think it would work? If I gave Hop my coat?"

Briefly she closes her eyes, as if thinking about it. Meanwhile, Bede can feel the excitement almost making him sick. He really doesn't know what to do if this doesn't work out.

"Just be careful. There will be a lot of strangers coming and I don't want anything to happen to you or Hop."