Chapter Text
The next morning the pair set off on Yuuri's horse, whom Victor immediately fell in love with. “I haven't seen a horse in over a century!”
“From the sound of it, you haven't seen anything in over a century.” Yuuri joked.
Victor laughed along as he scratched Maka’s nose.
At the start of their day’s journey, Victor insisted on sitting behind Yuuri instead of being in his lamp. “It's too cramped in there,” Victor complained into Yuuri's ear. His chin was resting on Yuuri's shoulder as he wrapped his arms tightly around Yuuri's middle, leaving no space between them. “Plus, you like my cold touch with the sun as hot as it is.” He sang playfully.
Yuuri felt a tingle go down his spine from the feeling of Victors breath ghosting the skin of his neck. ‘It has to be the magic that's making me feel this way’ , Yuuri told himself as he tried to keep his thoughts from wandering to the affectionate immortal being behind him.
“Where are we going anyway?” Victor asked.
“To find the golden dragon and slay him,” Yuuri answered, a bit pointed as this wasn’t the first time he had to remind the genie of their quest.
“Oh, right!” Victor turned his face into Yuuri’s neck to try and see him better, which resulted in a pink blush to make an appearance on poor Yuuri’s cheeks from the closeness. “Why are you going after him? I mean, I know he’s probably done some awful things, but what made you want to conquer him?”
Yuuri opened his mouth to respond, then closed it again as he put more thought into his answer. It seems centuries inside of a lamp helped foster patience as Victor sat quietly, still looking up at Yuuri expectantly.
“Growing up there were these stories. About a silver haired knight who was the hero of the Prix. I would ask my mother to read me the tales of his heroics every night. Slaying golden dragons was his specialty. I wanted to be like him: a hero. So I trained and trained.” A dark look came over his face suddenly and he looked down at his hands grasping the reins. “The day the dragon came…” his words faltered.
Victor noticed and ever so slightly tightened his hold around the swordsman, hoping to comfort him.
Yuuri noticed and placed a hand on top of Victor’s as a silent thanks. He continued, “I wasn't ready. He destroyed so much so quickly: houses, farms, entire villages... w hen I came face to face with the beast my courage burnt to ashes. I managed to scare him off before he completely ruined my home, but I wasn't good enough.” His hand balled into a fist as he squared his jaw. “The golden dragon is still out there and I will not rest until he's mine!”
Victor smiled at Yuuri's determination. “Sounds to me like you got your courage back.”
“Huh? Oh, I mean, I guess.” Yuuri shook his head, remembering his encounter with the Fairy Knight, “No, I've been a coward. I have a lot to learn still.”
Victor shook his head as well, disagreeing with him as he turned to mist again, reappearing on Yuuri’s lap, arms around his neck. “You fought the golden dragon, handsome,” he crooned to the stunned man he was sitting on. “The golden dragon is running away from you , you see?”
Yuuri bit his lip, unable to look anywhere but at the handsome icy genie closing in on him. Unsure of how to respond he just nodded, mumbling an mhm .
Victor beamed, “You have more courage than you think, Sir Katsuki. You may just be the savior of the Prix yourself.”
Before Yuuri could respond, a large howling roar came from the thick brush that lined their path. The midday sun was blazing directly above them and casted short shadows into the dense vegetation at either side of them.
Victor jumped and clung tighter to Yuuri, his entire body flush with the swordsman. “Ah! Kill it! Save me!”
Yuuri kept himself from shaking in fear, not wanting to give this powerful being any reason to doubt him, lest he find someone more valiant to aid on their quest.
Nodding determined at Victor, Yuuri dismounted Maka and reached for his sword. Victor was still clinging to him, legs and arms wrapped tightly around him, yet he seemed to weigh nothing. “Maybe you should get in your lamp?” Yuuri suggested.
Victor nodded, glancing around the dark brush before slinking back into his lamp.
Yuuri looked around, brandishing his longsword which gleamed as it caught the afternoon sun. His eyes were trained on the shadows, seeing a rustling of leaves here and there. I can't let whatever this is get the better of me. Not when Victor believes in me so much. I need to show I'm worth his help. Yuuri steeled himself for whatever would come out of the trees.
Suddenly, emerging from the leaves, grunting and growling was a bear the height of an oak tree, sitting up on his back legs. He was four times larger than Maka with black fur and a dark brown belly. His face was cool and determined. Something about the way he looked at Yuuri felt different from other beasts he had taken on; there was something in his eyes that seemed… human.
The beast roared finally, on all fours and directly in Yuuri’s face, leaving the swordsman with ringing ears. However, Yuuri did not waiver. Widening his stance, he lifted his sword up to the beast and yelled back, “I am Sir Yuuri Katsuki of Kingdom Hatsetsu! My quarrel is not with you, beast! If you dare to challenge me this day, know that you are but a stepping stone on my journey. I will not hesitate to cut you down!” He finished his speech with a few forceful slashes of his sword to get his point across, closing in on the beast with each movement.
The monstrous bear sat up again, quiet and collected as he watched the swordsman. After a moment, he simply turned and rejoined the woods, disappearing into the thick dark leaves.
Yuuri couldn't believe his eyes. The beast actually listened to him. If he was being honest, his speech was really to gear himself up. He was definitely not expecting the bear to heed his warning. Blinking unbelievingly at where the bear retreated, Yuuri lowered his sword, his mouth agape.
“My hero!!” Exclaimed Victor as he sprang from the lamp and jumped on Yuuri. Knocking him onto the ground, he embraced the swordsman tightly, rolling them around in glee. “So strong and courageous! You saved me!”
Yuuri couldn't help but laugh, his arms snaking around the genie’s waist. “Aren't you immortal, though?” He couldn't help but ask, enjoying the cool sensation of Victor’s touch again.
Victor nodded to the side, laughing, “Yes, but he was very scary!”
Yuuri laughed along with him, sitting up and mounting Maka again, who was standing quietly nearby, unperturbed by all the shenanigans.
Victor returned to his spot behind Yuuri, hugging him close. “You're the most formidable knight I've ever seen! You have hidden ferocity in you, Yuuri.”
“Okay, okay, don't give me an inflated ego.” Yuuri waved off the compliments sheepishly.
~
Much later, as dusk was falling, Yuuri became fatigued from the long day. Victor was unfazed and didn't halt his nonstop ramblings and questions. Yuuri dozed off a few times, the sound of Victor's voice in his ear and the feeling of him holding tight was a comfort he had never known. The poor genie had endless questions on the current state of affairs of the Prix.
“Do the dwarves still make those delightful chocolates? They were the best. What about the elves? They were always pretty uppity but their parties were the most fun!”
Yuuri couldn't answer him. Not only because he had no idea such magical creatures really existed, but his consciousness was slipping away as he drifted off to sleep. His head tilted back to rest on Victor’s shoulder as his eyes sank shut, getting heavier from the entrancing voice in his ear.
Yuuri was in Hatsetsu again. He missed his kingdom so much... Suddenly everything was on fire! The dragon! Quickly Yuuri reached for his sword but it was not at his side. The dragon flew to him and growled deeply through its nostrils, embers cascading all around the young knight. “VICTOR! I need my sword!” He yelled, looking around for his icy companion. He's gone. Victor’s gone. Yuuri felt fear take him over, wrapping like hot heavy chains around his every limb and sinking him to his hands and knees. The genie… his genie… he left him. He wasn't valiant enough. He was a coward. ...he left him. A roar erupted in front of him, fire swelled around him and he descended into darkness.
Yuuri awoke with a start, sitting up quickly and taking in gasping breaths, clutching at his heart.
“Oh dear!” Victor exclaimed, placing gentle hands on Yuuri's shoulders and rubbing gently. “You poor human. Your kind always has the worst dreams.” He said with a tut.
Yuuri caught his breath and twisted backwards to see Victor. “I want to make my first wish.” He said very decidedly.
Victor’s eyes shone like crystals as he clapped his hands gleefully. Suddenly he floated up and around them, appearing in front of Yuuri and Maka. The bottom half of him was mist as he hovered there, arms crossed in pride as he puffed his chest out. “What is your first wish, Yuuri?”
Yuuri met has gaze with determination hardening his features. “I wish for unending courage.” He declares, balling a fist in front of his chest.
Victor's smile falters only slightly as Yuuri watches him expectantly. He taps a finger to his lips in thought as he looks over Yuuri from head to toe, considering something. “Very well,” he says, tossing his head to one side and letting his hair fall over the side of his face. “Courage it is.”
Yuuri watches in awe as Victor floats closer, his hand reaching out to Yuuri's cheek. The chill of his touch sends a shiver down Yuuri's frame, his eyes locked on Victor's as they came nearer and nearer. Yuuri's eyes blew wide as Victor's soft, icy lips met with his. Unsure of what to do, he closed his eyes and managed to kiss back for a brief moment before Victor was floating backwards again, a pleased smile on his face. “How do you feel?”
Yuuri grinned like an idiot, unable to tear his eyes away from Victor. His heart was pounding madly in his chest; he felt like he could conquer the world. Victor kissed him! Sure, he was doing magic, but a kiss is a kiss! “I feel… amazing!” Yuuri confessed, feeling bulletproof as Victor grinned back at him.
“You look amazing, too!” The genie said, raking his eyes down Yuuri.
Yuuri looked down and noticed he had new armour! His shabby clothing before was replaced by a gleaming black set of armour with glittering stones set in the breastplate and down one side of his leg. He jumped off of Maka and twisted around, admiring every detail of his new look.
The fit was slim, not bulky, allowing him to remain dexterous as he unsheathed his sword and sparred with nothing, trying out the feel of his new gear. “Victor this is unbelievable!” Yuuri called, twirling around to find Victor floating nearby, smiling at him with pride.
“No, Yuuri, you're the one who's unbelievable.” He said with a wink, making Yuuri's heart nearly melt on site.
The moment was put to an end by a growling from Yuuri's stomach. “Maybe we should find a pub.”
“Yes! Let's! I haven't been to a pub in-”
“Over a century?” Yuuri laughed as the pair mounted Maka again and headed towards the sight of fire smoke and the sound of ruckus in the distance.
Riding up on the squat pub that sat amongst the thick trees along the winding clay road, the pair noted many horses tied up outside and the orchestra of jolly laughing and grandiose storytelling.
“Let's go! I haven't been to a party in so long!” Victor said, floating quickly ahead, pulling Yuuri by his hand.
“Wait!” Yuuri's exclaimed, dismounting quickly and tying Maka up next to the horses. “Maybe don't float and-” he flailed his arms around in exasperated vague motions, “mystify. It'd probably be for the best if no one knew you were a genie… I mean we've never seen anything like you before.”
Victor nodded thoughtfully as he was engulfed in white mist, yet again, coming out of the other side with an ornate deep purple nobleman's outfit with gold trimmings. Sliding their arms together by the elbow, Victor grinned and held a hand out towards the door. “I'm a simple traveling nobleman and you are my very handsome guard aiding me on my journey. In case anyone asks, of course!” He finished with a smile at Yuuri's blushing face.
The door swung wide as they entered, but the party did not stop or even really notice them at all. Victor pulled them to the bar and ordered before Yuuri could get a word in. “Two of your finest meals and drink, good sir!”
“Victor!” Yuuri almost hissed, pulling him close to whisper in his ear, “I don't have that kind of money!”
Victor turned to look at him, keeping their closeness as their noses brushed together, breath hot and cold between them. Yuuri shuddered with the reminder of their kiss and continued to tell himself it was the enormity of Victor's magical power that made his knees weak and not the sly smile and kind, daring eyes that trained on his every move.
“ I have that kind of money,” Victor said in a sultry, teasing tone. Holding his palm out between the two of them a swirl of icy mist flurried quietly and as it died down a small pile of gold pieces rested in Victor's palm.
Yuuri's eyes were blown wide with shock, “ I s it real?”
Victor chuckled, reaching up to thumb at Yuuri's bottom lip, placing the cold metal between Yuuri's teeth, who bit down in disbelief. “As real as you and I.”
The barkeep came by with two plates which he plopped down, turning to pour them two mugs of warm wine.
“Vkusno!” Victor exclaimed at the skewers of meat, rice and beans, eggs and half of a pomegranate. Yuuri was already stuffing his face before Victor could proclaim his excitement.
When they were done, the pair slumped back in their chairs, Victor's head resting against Yuuri's shoulder as they sipped on their wine.
After such a long day, Yuuri was exhausted; a yawn took over his face, which was turning pink from their drinks. He barely had a moment to take a deep breath before a slight figure appeared quietly next to him, stabbing a steak knife into the wooden bar next to Yuuri's hand.
“Pig!” Plisetsky shouted as Victor and Yuuri both jumped. “I told you to leave my kingdom; the golden dragon is mine . I don't want you stinking the place up.”
“Yuuri is this a friend?” Victor asked excitedly. He held out a hand, “Hi, I'm Victor!”
Plisetsky scoffed and smacked the hand away, jumping minutely at the shock of cold running through his system. He stared wide eyed at Victor, “you… what are you?” He asked in a hushed tone and a grit in his voice.
Victor pulled his hand back and rested it dramatically on his chest. “More powerful than you can imagine, my child ,” he snarked, easily hitting a nerve as he watched Plisetsky begin to sputter.
“He's my… my liege!” Yuuri butted back in.
“Your liege?” Plisetsky asked doubtfully. “What kind of magic do you possess?” He asked earnestly. “As a resident of this kingdom it is your duty to aid me on my quest to defeat the dragon and not this pig boy.”
“Oh my . ” Victor responded, raising his eyebrows at the young man.
“He ’ s not a pawn to be traded off!” Yuuri exclaimed, calling a little more attention to them than he wanted. The audacity of this small , rude boy to demand of Victor to share his power was infuriating; with the newly acquired courage Victor bestowed upon him, Yuuri rose to his feet, squaring off with the boy and finishing the rest of his wine.” Let's do this. If I win, you leave Victor alone and don't bother us again.”
Plisetsky nearly turned red from the challenge, puffing out his chest as well. “If I win, Victor comes with me and you go back to your pig sty.”
“Let's go . ” Yuuri stated calmly, anger dancing in his eyes.
By now their confrontation had drawn a crowd; all of the rowdy patrons were calling out bets for the winner of the unfolding fight, all of them more than happy to egg on the contenders.
“Yuuri, you don't have to--” Victor started.
Yuuri grabbed his collar and pressed their foreheads together, the cool sensation centering and calming him. “You've given me courage, Victor. How could I back down?” He finished with a smirk, turning back to his opponent and unsheathing his sword.
“Right, courage . ” ‘Oh what have I done?’ Victor thought to himself as he bit his nails and looked on.
The sounds of metal clanging, grunting, whoops and upturned furniture filled their ears as the two young swordsmen went toe to toe with all their might.
Plisetsky was quick and forceful in his offensive attacks, driving Yuuri into the wall a few times. But the knight in glittering black simply held him off with firm defensive moves as the Fairy Knight tired himself out. After ten minutes of the repetitive attack, Plisetsky started looking weary and desperate. He lunged forward at Yuuri predictably and the other simply stepped to the side, turning swiftly to kick Plisetsky to his knees. The white knight lost the handle of his sword which went clamoring to the side out of reach. Turning over, Yuuri's foot still pressing against his chest plate, his broad sword cold against the neck of the younger knight.
Plisetsky actually had a spark of fear in him, unsure if the pig would actually end him. Yuuri's eyes betrayed no emotion, cool, calm, and collected with no glimmer of doubt to be found.
Suddenly he pulled his sword away, sheathing it to his side and holding out a hand to the boy.
Plisetsky got up on his own accord, glaring daggers at Yuuri.
“My fight is not with you. It is with the golden dragon. Now… leave us alone.”
Plisetsky scooped up his sword and sprinted out, cursing under his breath.
A dark haired knight who was resting against the entry way followed him out. His dark eyes pinned Yuuri where he stood. He could have sworn he'd seen them before but couldn't quite place the stormy eyes to anyone he'd met.
Victor cheered and jumped on Yuuri's back, snuggling his face into the knights neck as the pub continued their uproar at his win.
Suddenly a loud roar shook the crowd to a brief silence, before returning back to their merriment.
Yuuri pieced it together, the sound echoing in his mind, the fear it enticed in the pit of his stomach, those eyes. “The bear…” he murmured as Victor cut him off.
“My hero, yet again! Drinks for everyone!”
The echoing roar was drowned out by the chaos of the pub.