Stained And Shamed

20251103

Prompt from DailyPrompt.com

Henry punched the rag back into the sudsy bucket, sweat dripping into his eyes. That’s the only reason they were watering. It was the salt. That’s all.
He must’ve been out here for hours. The sun was almost up. He’d gone through four buckets of water. His back and arms were screaming.
And still, despite it all, the sickly yellow-grey stain sneered at him from the stone.
“Kiddo…”
Henry froze, his eyes squinching shut and his head ducking. Unable to face his father.
“I told you it’d be fine. That we’d clean it up together. Why’re you out before dawn tryna wash it away with mundane soap?”
“I…” Henry’s breath faltered. He didn’t have an answer. But his father was waiting, so he stammered out “I didn’t want to bother you - it was my fault - and if people saw-”
“Son.” Jamie’s voice was pained. “It wasn’t your fault. It was an accident. And nobody got hurt, so-”
“You woulda been, if you hadn’t jumped so quick!” Henry shouted, then winced. “S-sorry, I - I didn’t mean to… get mad…”
“Ah, well, scares’ll do that to ya.” Jamie said placidly. He reached to rest a hand on his son’s shoulder, but Henry flinched away. Jamie faltered, then let his arm drop to his side. “Well. You’ve already got the bucket and all. Let me whistle up some magicleanser and we’ll see about shifting this mark, shall we?”
He forced a smile and added “This’s why making magicleanser is one of the first spells everyone learns. I had to practice with it all the time when I was your age. Now, I know you’ve seen it plenty of times before, but study how I’m doing it, ok? Once you-”
“I’m not-! I’ll just, just keep the seals on.” Henry clasped one of the engraved bands which weighted down his wrists and soul. Right now their etherial pinch was a great comfort.
“Son, that…” Jamie let his breath out in a helpless huff, his tongue shifting against his teeth in search of words. “It’s your magic. You can choose to keep it sealed forever. But… your magic is a part of you, kiddo. It springs straight from your soul. Keeping it locked up… it’s not good for you.”
He stifled a shudder. “I’ve seen what happens to folks who resort to that. And I ain’t judging them. Sure they had their reasons. Reasons far more’n just a lil learning mishap.”
Henry stood silent. Still hunched and hugging himself, a pained posture which made Jamie’s heart twist. Then he mumbled “You coulda gotten hurt.”
“That’s why every training session happens with null-puffs to hand. And it worked, didn’t it? I’m just fine.” The corner of Jamie’s mouth twitched into a wry smile. “Why, I think I came out of that lil mishap better’n you. I didn’t lose any sleep.”
Henry snorted despite himself. And when Jamie stepped close to ruffle his hair, he didn’t flinch.
“Now, humour your old man, and watch closely.”
“…Yeah. ‘K.”

Prompt was “No matter how much I wash it off, it’s still there. The evidence of what happened is still clear as day.”