The Magic of Proximity (f/f college of magic | opposites attract)

Bitten Pink

The following morning I had a mild headache and was desperate for some water. That beer clearly had ill intentions.

When I arrived at class with a knit sweater to curb the cold I decided I would have the students practice forming light.

As we filed out into the courtyard, I witnessed numerous students practicing shrouding the air with darkness. I sighed. A tactic to dissuade your enemies. I searched around for Logan and spotted her through the plumes of darkness in the corner. She had a satisfied look on her face, watching the students, and it was almost sweet how much she cared. My intentions had switched though; I would have my students dissipate the dark with light.

I padded across the court, blowing darkness out of my view until I was eye to eye with Logan. She smiled with caution.

"Clarinna, how are you?" She asked.

"I am doing well... but I have an idea," I responded. "I want our students to do a duel of some sorts. Practice letting the light blow out any dark." lt was almost against my policy to consider a duel, but today it felt right.

She looked at me with consideration. "I suppose that's not a bad idea." Her fingers lifted to her chin then she whistled to round the students together.

My best student, Belinda, and another student from Logan's class, Gina, stepped to the middle of the courtyard. Belinda held her stance a little too seriously, but I had belief she would knock it out.

I clapped my hands together, feeling the feathers of excitement.

Logan placed her hands on her hips and instructed. "Begin".

Gina waved both of her hands up and down, spreading darkness like a plague. She was good, I had to admit. Then Belinda breathed in through her nose and blasted light through the darkness. Soon the courtyard shined brighter than the sun could summon and I smiled wide, proud of the living proof that light prevails. But Gina wasn't done, she pressed on with the darkness and soon the courtyard was full of shadows with streams of light poking through. My eyes widened and I began to slow clap. Logan joined me, a sparkle in her eye.

The rest of the students battled against each other until I was dizzy with my eyes adjusting. Class was dismissed, and soon it was only me left with Logan. She grinned at me.

"Care to take a gander at it?" She suggested coolly. Her demeanor was innocent, but I knew she had other intentions.

I shrugged, fully believing in my power.

She began dusting the air with darkness, it spread like fog quicker than I anticipated and I spread my own light through it. I focused with intensity and attempted to flush out all the darkness, but Logan kept going, stifling my light as it fought to grow.

Finally I dropped my hands to my sides, breathing a bit heavy. My brows furrowed in minor frustration but I couldn't even see Logan. I felt a hand touch my elbow in the shadows and jumped.

"I only meant to steady you," Logan said gently. My eyes focused as the shadows receded and I was eye to eye with Logan. I took a step back, my breath hitching as my face flushed. She looked like she belonged to the darkness. It billowed around her like an aura. I was dumbfounded. I shouldn't be attracted to such a sight, but I couldn't help it. She was so stunning.

"Are you okay?" She asked a second time.

I brushed my sweater down and grounded myself. I couldn't let her see how lost I was in her beauty. "Yes, just surprised is all," I responded.

She raised an eyebrow at me. "I'm glad you suggested this. A perfect example of light and dark working together."

"I'm not sure I would call that working together." I managed out.

"Regardless, the students practiced valuable magic. I respect what you do, Clarinna." Her eyes were sincere and I felt the tension loosen from my shoulders.

"Thank you, Logan. I'm quite impressed with the volume of your power... It's not often I'm out matched." I admitted.

"You're one of the reasons I came to teach here," she smiled. I felt my own smile soften.

—-

That night I poured a glass of wine and sat out on my little porch. I had a blanket wrapped around my shoulders, reminiscing on how Logan looked today. I was a strong believer that light would outweigh the dark, but Logan proved me wrong today, and she looked so devastating while she did it. I didn't mean to ponder on the thought of her, but she remained on my mind. I took another sip of my wine and when I looked up I saw Logan walking towards my cabin. My face grew puzzled.

She was now a few feet away. "Mind if I join you?" She asked, a confident smile showing the fine lines that surrounded her mouth. I caught myself staring at my favorite feature and forced myself to look in her eyes.

"Sure," I said, and scooted over to make room. She was starting to grow on me. "Would you like some wine?" I offered. She obliged and I went inside to pour a glass.

I handed her the thin stem and she took it, taking a sip as she peered up at me. I ran a hand through my hair and sat down. I needed to pull it together.

"I wanted to ask you something," she said, her dark brown eyes seeming to look right through me.

I crossed my legs and nodded.

"Why are you so against defensive magic? I've never used it to hurt others unless absolutely necessary. I've never been nefarious with its use and I teach my students the same." Her face appeared more steeled.

I uncrossed my legs, the wine helping me relax as I leaned against the back of the bench. "I feel as though you would never need to defend with harmful magic if you were able to protect yourself with light magic." I bit my lip, my tongue loosening. "I witnessed my sister trapped in dark magic. She defended herself the best she could, but she couldn't deflect. She couldn't protect herself. Initially at least. Her last moment she blasted a defensive spell and blew both herself and her adversary up." I was far removed from the trauma, but I still burnt my eyelids as they pricked with tears. "I made it my goal to master protective spells. To build students up with the ability to protect and heal and persevere. I was so young, but it made me who I am. I realize I am biased." I slumped back against the bench, drained.

Logan placed a tentative hand on my knee. "I'm so sorry Clarinna," she said quietly. I blinked back the tears and sat back up.

"It's okay now, maybe okay isn't the word, but I'm stronger now. More resilient." I said, peering at the hand on my knee. It drew warmth.

"You are incredible, I mean it. I just wish I could show you why defensive magic isn't solely for ruin." Her voice was strong and gentle at the same time. I looked into her eyes again. I wanted to believe her. "Would you come to one of my classes?" She asked.

I sighed, at war with my emotions. But I gave in, a seed of hope planted. "I will come to one," I said, a small smile pulling at my lips.

We spoke a couple more hours, losing track of time. I was well beyond tipsy. I looked at Logan in her messy professional attire and felt that want I'd been brushing off start to fill me. I knew it was a bad idea. I knew it was wrong. I just couldn't fully digest that at the moment. Logan had moved closer to me, facing me with one knee folded on the bench. She made me laugh, and I leaned back to let it out before pulling my head forward just a little too close. Logan stopped laughing, her throat bobbed. I looked at her eyes, then her lips. I swallowed. And then I kissed her. Warm velvet against cool silk. She was frozen for a moment, then came back and kissed me with fervor. I laced my arms around her neck, running my long fingers through her tight curls and let out a soft moan as she pressed her tongue past my lips. I accepted it hungrily and found myself straddling her. Her hands moved to my hips, I thought to pull me in, but instead she gently pushed me back, breaking all contact. I gasped, her lips glistened.

She put a hand to her brow. "I am not the type to take advantage of someone," she said heavily. "I'm sorry, I need to go." And she stood and took long steps away. I watched her. Mouth agape and thoroughly confused. I looked around in the darkness, acutely aware that someone could have seen us, but all was her striding away in the distance.