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It is Christmas Eve, and snowflakes whirl around a quaint, quiet town. It's night time, and all is silent; the town is lit solely by the colourful Christmas decorations beautifying every home. Snow covers the grey pavement with a soft, sparkly blanket, and the snowmen that the children of the town made throughout the day stand tall, happy and proud on the lawns. There are many small businesses, a humble school, and a baseball field around, but perhaps most notable of all, in the center of this jolly, homey burgh... is one particular home.
This particular home is the largest one in the town, and in it resides the town's most beloved (and only) librarian, her husband, and, for the past week, some of the town’s kids whose parents could use a break. This woman loves taking care of the children, and she’d raised enough kids of her own to know how important time off is. She has so much Christma spirit in her heart, enough room in her home, and a never ending amount of Christmas stories to tell the kids, that she could not imagine a better way for her to spend her holidays.
Long after the woman’s husband had kissed her white hair, waved to the children, and then headed up to bed, the woman and the children remained awake: they sit collected around the fireplace, tummies stuffed with homemade cookies, milk and a whole bunch of Christmas spirit. Next to the fireplace sits the woman on her rocking chair, a thick book as heavy as stone settled on her brittle lap. The children sit on a furry carpet in front of her, legs crossed or laying down in positions only children could find comfortable. Their small eyes are all different colours, although they all reflect the warm flicker of the fireplace nearby. Their eyes have something else in common too: the same look of vibrant expectancy directed at the delicate turn of the final page. It is the final page, and as soon as the woman reads the final word the children erupted in a mix of cheers and groans.
“Awww! But it can’t be over!” whined the smallest of the group, an adorable little girl named Oki.
“I’m afraid it is, dear Oki.”
“NO!”
“Another one!” added her brother, Shida. He then realized his tone of voice and looked down. “I mean, please, another one, Bachan?”
Everyone in the town called the woman Bachan.
The others, Oki and Shida’s 10-year-old brotherother brother 10-year-old Shio, their neighbour 8-year-Koj, and their other neighbour 5-year-old Bako, aside from Oki and Shida raised their voices in agreement, causing the woman to laugh heartily. She turns her head to take a look at the Father clock on the wall and with the combination of her confidence to speed read and their begging, she relents.
“Okay,” whispers the woman, opening the large book again. “But! Only if you all agree to be quiet. Remember: inside voices.”
The group of children instantly switch from babbling to quiet whispers, their small bodies in footie pajamas positively vibrating with excitement over the prospect of hearing another tale from the town librarian’s book of incredible fairytales.
“Okay. I will read one more story, but only because it’s Christmas Eve and you all decorated the cookies so well.”
The children begin to applaud, but one warning look from the woman stops them. The woman pretends to zip her lips and all five children imitate her.
"Alright. Gather round, children," the woman grins as they swarm her. She readjusts her rocking chair, pushing her frail glasses up the bridge of her nose. "Have you all heard of ‘The Nutcracker?"
They nod enthusiastically.
"So you know of Clara… and Prince Philip?"
Several thumbs spring.
"And the Mouse King?"
Gasps and frightened nods arise.
"Well, splendid, because this tale occurs in the same universe, only it's not about Clara, Prince Philip, and it's not about the evil Mouse King, either. Instead, it’s about the beautiful, magical…"
"SUGAR PLUM FAIRY!" hollers little Oki, springing to her feet.
The small girl's enthusiasm so wonderfully amused the woman that she doesn’t even chastise her for the noise she'd asked them not to make.
"That's right, Oki," the woman giggles, "Now get comfortable, kids, so I can tell you all about the Suga Plum Fairy, the OTHER Nutcracker, and the Fifth Realm."
The Suga Plum Fairy is in a rush. Dashing through his wondrous castle made of the finest candied-brick in the land, he left a path of enchanting sparkles in his wake while collecting the last of his belongings.
“Whoa!” screamed an innocent cook as Suga floated the cauldron of his favourite soup over the cook’s head. It just missed him.
“Oops, sorry, Den!” apologized the Suga Plum Fairy, offering the chef one of those smiles that no one in the castle had the ability to stay mad at. The fairy smiled wider and shrunk the cauldron, placing it in his backpack and then making the backpack disappear altogether.
“Thank you!” Suga scrambled out, half floating half skipping to the next royal room to seek more of his belongings.
“Are you almost done, my liege?” asked Noya, who had been expecting Suga in that very room.
“Why, yes!” Suga answered, floating over more belongings to shrink before poofing it into his sac.
“That means no,” grumbled Tanaka as he entered the room, making room for himself on the royal couch as if Noya hadn’t been sitting there.
“Hey!” Noya growled at him.
“Hey. Sup,”
“No! Not hey as in ‘hey’. ‘Hey’ as in I was sitting th--”
Tanaka covered Noya’s mouth with his hand. “Listen. Boss. Do ya really gotta go?”
“--I thought we were calling him liege, now?” mumbled Noya
“--NO, we switched it to boss after we heard what they call the winter guy in the realm of snowfl--”
“Guys! Call me whatever you want. Including out of here.” Suga marched to the front gates, a scrambling Tanaka and Noya on his heels.
The enchanting Suga Plum Fairy said goodbye to everyone in his palace, personally sending magical messages to each household in his kingdom. He smiled sweetly, even though he was sorrowful about leaving. Nevertheless, he was not worried of his kingdom because his trusty right and left hands Nishinoya Yuu and Tanaka Ryu would be in charge in his absence, despite the pleas from his advisors.
Tanaka and Ryu promised to prove his decision right and the advisors wrong, which Suga only smiled at.
At the edge of his candy kingdom, Suga is officially seen off by Tanaka and Noya, who cried like there was no tomorrow. Suga chuckled and assured them that this was only a temporary trip, and that the previous events of last Christmas with Princess Clara, Prince Phillip, and The Evil, defeated Mouse King taught him that life is too short. Suga explained that now that things have settled it was time for him to find love. Like Clara and Phillip had.
The Suga Plum Fairy had been ruling his kingdom alone for so long that he’d forgotten how beautiful love could be, but the new King and Queen reminded him of such. All of the rulers of the other four realms were mated (Land of Flowers, Land of Snowflakes, Land of Amusements) except for him. Let it be known that Suga had always wanted to find a partner, but his priority was his subjects and candy which were all doing fine--so maybe it was time.
Suga adored his subjects and all the candy in his land but love had always been missing; thus, a few weeks ago he sought and consulted a good wizard in his kingdom, and asked for advice. Ennoshita the wizard told Suga that love was in the cards for him, but not without dangerous travel. If this was something he truly wanted then he must venture to the dark Fifth Realm which is 1) the most dangerous and unknown of all the realms, and 2) quite possibly the “land of love” or the “land of evil,” no one really knew.
Suga was willing to take the risk.
“Be good for me, got it?” said the Fairy sweetly, handing crying Tanaka and Noya their favourite candies that he’d poofed out of thin air. They slightly sobered up.
“I’m counting on you two,” Suga added, and as the duo bursted into tears again, dramatically falling on the ground--the Fairy lifted his head to wink at their mates who were secretly the ones in charge: Shimizu Kiyoko and Azumane Asahi. They both winked back before stepping forward with the hope of collecting their mate’s from their feet.
As Suga waved and turned to leave, the scrappy duo petulantly wrapped their arms around his legs, prohibiting him from moving. From their place on the floor, Tanaka and Noya cry-not-to-talk Suga out of it yet again, warning him of all the dangers such a journey will present; stating that there's a reason no one goes to the Fifth Realm to find love or at all: and that’s because it’s known as a grey zone like the Bermuda triangle they’ve read about in fantasy books. Apparently, whoever goes in, never comes out. Not to mention the dangers there are in the path.
Suga just smiled sweetly with a hint of mischief before he used his powers to send Tanaka and Noya flying into their lover’s arms. From here, the fairy reminds Tanaka and Noya that they should not insult him like that because he is no weakling, and that he will be back in no time with a lovely partner.
Additionally, Suga added that he is taking his best friend and talking Owl with him--OwlKaashi-- who will send for help if he ever did need it. As if on cue, a gorgeous black owl soared down from the sky and perched right on Suga’s shoulder, nodding once.
Still being cradled in the arms of their mates, Tanaka and Noya wiped their faces on Asahi and Kiyoko’s shirts before reluctantly agreeing--and with that, the hopeful Suga Plum Fairy was off.
“How long will Plum the Suga Fairy be gone for?” asks a wide-eyed Oki between her sucked thumb.
“It’s Suga, the Suga Plum Fairy, dear,” Bacchan smiles sweetly down at the little girl while correcting her. “And no one knows. Perhaps a week? Perhaps a year? That’s the thing about the Fifth Realm. There is very little information about it…”
There comes a collective “ooooh”.
“But why would Suga ever leave his kingdom?” inquires the mature one of the group--Shio. “I mean… if he has such a good life there? And so many people that care about him..?”
Bacchan grins. “Well that’s a good question, Shio.” she absentmindedly smooths out the pages of her book. “The answer is Love. Because the desire to have love is a powerful thing.”
“--Even more powerful than Suga’s powers, Bacchan? It’s really cool how he can float things!” Koji pipes.
Bako seconds that. “Yeah! And he can make candy appear out of thin air! He’s the coolest Fairy King ever!”
“--Yeah! Plus he has that cool magic Owl! I want one!”
The two boys start cheering and talking over each other like they always do, excitement feeding the others. They always get louder when they get on a roll like this.
“Shhh…” Bacchan holds a finger to her lips. “Quiet voices if you want to know what happens with Suga, his magical powers, and the dangers he encounters on the way to the Fifth Realm…”
“DANGERS…?!” all the children quip with wide eyes, and Bacchan only holds her index finger to her lips again to indicate that they must be quiet.
All of the children obey, and sweet Bacchan goes on with her story.
“There are always dangers, sweet children. Perhaps the Suga Plum Fairy should have listened to Tanaka and Noya…”
Suga’s fantastical journey started out easy enough. He travelled by foot across the blue forest until he reached the Land of Flowers. He maintained a low-profile, but even so, everyone was friendly and sweet and kind to him. He was content. The people he encountered handed him bouquets and Suga was just as sweet back, handing everyone he saw their favourite candy in return.
If only Suga had known that not everyone from the Land of Flowers was friendly, sweet, and kind.
On the second night is when things took a turn. Suga had received incorrect directions and departed the Land of Flowers. He took the wrong path, ending up in the dark, scary, indigo forest when he should have ventured toward the yellow one.
It was there that Suga encountered some lowly thieves who had earlier recognized him and led him into their trap. These thieves knew Suga was rich, so they swarmed him to ambush and steal his belongings. There were a dozen of them; and only one of Suga.
“No!” screams Oki, her little body hidden behind her big brother’s.
“Oki. Keep listening dear,” Bacchan sighs.
They did not know the extent of Suga’s powers, though, so being as magically strong as he was, the Suga Plum Fairy still had the upper hand against the five of them.
“YAY!” scream the children, and at this point Bacchan only has to lift an eyebrow to get them to be quiet.
She continues,
The Suga Plum Fairy did have the upper hand; however, when OwlKaashi soared down to help Suga but ended up getting captured himself-- Suga lost his much needed focus to scream for OwlKaashi, which evidently allowed one of the lowly thieves to use that moment of distraction to knock Suga out with a tree branch.
Suga collapsed to the ground with a thud, his beautiful sparkles losing their shine as he lost consciousness. He had no idea where Owlkaashi was.
As the beautiful Fairy’s eyes became heavy and his vision blurred, Suga felt tears spring to his eyes because he was worried about his owl. The last thing Suga saw (and heard) before he passed out was a faint thud on the grass and a sword being drawn near his neck before his eyesight went black.
“Now, now. Settle down, children...”
“But Bacchan!” Oki is still hidden behind her eldest brother’s back, out of sight. “Suga is dead!”
“--Oi!” snaps Shida. “--Don’t jinx him, Dumb Dumb!”
“Shida, do not call your twin sister dumb. Apologize.”
Shida crosses his arms, stubborn.
“Apologize now or we will not finish the story.”
As Shida reluctantly does, Bako explains that he can’t believe Owlkaashi got captured.
“He was embushed!” Koji defends, which Bako rolls his eyes at.
“You mean ambushed…”
Koji and Bako engage in yet another bickering match, while Oki’s older brother’s were trying to calm Oki down from her minor panic attack for Suga’s “death.” This time, Bacchan just waits until they are finished.
Staring at them with a disapproving expression, Bacchan waits for the ever so predictable--
“...Sorry Bacchan….” sung the room as a collective.
There it was.
Without another word (just a smirk), Bacchan returns to the story.
After seeing black for almost twenty-four hours, the beautiful and injured Suga Plum Fairy awakened.
He had a pounding headache, one that made him reluctant to open his eyes. It took him a while to fully wake up-- groggy and apparently on horseback--with a hard figure behind and surrounding him. The Suga Plum Fairy’s memories returned to him the moment he saw two unfamiliar sturdy arms around his figure, triggering him to freak out and drop-kicked whoever it was off the horse
He jumped off right after and threatening to kill them for the ambush. Suga purposely landed right atop the stranger, hovering over him.
“Where is my Owl, thief!?”
“Ow……”
“Yes, Owl.”
“No, ow, as in ow, that hurt…”
Wincing due to being thrown to the ground from a six-foot tall horse, the stranger tried to defend himself and stand. Suga held him down with a foot on his chest and almost felt bad but then he remembered the night before. Unfortunately for the stranger, Suga was stronger (at least he is with his magic) and so the strange man was nearly seconds away from losing his freedom if it weren’t for Owlkaashi flying in, perching himself on Suga’s shoulder and telling Suga that he is fine and that the man he threw off the horse is a good guy. He is the one who saved them.
“Oh.”
Suga apologized, blushing heavily, and then he helped the stranger to his feet. From this position, the Fairy finally took a look at the stranger: realizing immediately that he was, in fact, a Toy Soldier. Along with that registered information, Suga also realized how tall and handsome he was.
They exchange formalities--Suga’s sweet and the stranger’s very cold--in which the toy soldier stated that his name is Sawamura Daichi. He explained that he is a toy soldier from the Land of Snowflakes, and that last night he had been on his way through the yellow forest when he saw some lowly thieves pass him, seemingly up to no good. Following his intuition (Daichi made it clear that Nutcrackers have great intuition) he walked into the losing fight between Suga and twelve delinquents.
It was at that point that Owlkaashi nuzzled his furry cheek into his owner’s and told Suga that Daichi had jumped in once Suga got distracted by his capture, and from that point Daichi defeated them all and released Owlkaashi from the cage they stuffed him in. Daichi then agreed to take Suga on his horse to the nearest hospital.
“Oh my,” Suga looked up at the toy soldier who was looking away as if he did not know why Owlkaashi was making him out to be so chivalrous. Suga found this endearing, and he sincerely thanked Daichi for his bravery, chivalry, and kindness. He also apologized again for drop-kicking him off his horse.
Daichi looked away from the pretty fairy, unsure why Suga’s smile made him lose his train of thought. As they proceeded to exit the Indigo Forest on foot (since the fairy had so conveniently scared off his stead), Daichi coldly called over his shoulder not to worry about it. He had places to go, people to see, and most importantly: he knew how to get there by foot.
Suga followed closely behind, smirking at Owlkaashi on his shoulder.
On the journey, Daichi and Suga exchanged their stories, both men purposely leaving out the juicy details. They realize that they are both heading to the Fifth Realm, though neither of them explicitly said what they’re going there for. While Suga is embarrassed to say to the handsome stranger that he is going there for love, and Daichi is just mysterious like that.
“Just know that I am searching for something in order to fulfill my life and be the best ruler I can be for my Land,” Suga explained.
Daichi claimed to not know what that Land was, and Suga didn't find it important to push because he wanted this journey with this plan to be normal.
Daichi insisted that Suga turn back to wherever he came from, but the stubborn fairy only laughed in his face. So, Daichi then insisted on accompanying Suga for the rest of the journey since they are going to the same place. His reasoning was because he was still a soldier sworn to protect everyone, and especially its rulers. He couldn’t live with himself if something happened to one of the Four rulers of the realms if he could have stopped it. These places can be dangerous, as shown by Suga being knocked out by a gang of lowly thieves. Suga tried to state that the only reason that occurred was because he was distracted, but Daichi is adamant about explaining that Suga cannot depend solely on his magic, as there are magicless pockets on this path where Suga has a chance undoubtedly being helpless, therefore...
“I shall protect you. Nutcrackers are very loyal.”
With another smirk, Suga’s heart skipped a beat; and they were off.
Daichi, the Suga Plum Fairy, and Owlkaashi encountered various highs and lows on their magical, dangerous, three-week-long journey. They encountered many issues, and many triumphs, but the two men kept each other safe throughout it.
Around the end of the first day was when Suga started to really realize how handsome, brave and sweet Daichi is (red nose, cold shoulder, toy-body stiffness and all). Therefore, Suga could not help but develop a minor crush on the wooden man.
“EWWWWWWWWWWWW!” gag the five children, scrunching their tiny faces in disgust.
“A CRUSH!?” Shio sticks his finger down his throat to trigger a choking sound. Bacchan quickly tells him not to do that.
“Hey, children!” Bacchan raises her voice. “There is nothing wrong with love,”
“I would fall in love with him too!” adds Oki, coming to the story’s fairy’s defense. Bacchan smiled warmly at the only girl of the group.
“Toy soldier is strong!” Oki begins using her fingers to list his qualities, really selling it. “And handsome! And nice! He saved Owlkaashi and didn’t want Suga to fall into danger again! He is a hero!”
The other boys give Oki the floor, but they do not look convinced, only disgusted.
“And then what happened...Bacchan?” asked Koj, wanting to evade the love bit of the story as fast as he can.
“Well…” Bacchan turns the page and begins reading.
“The Suga Plum Fairy and the Toy Soldier’s journey has been smooth sailing so far; however, all of that is about to change when they come face to face with a huge, strong waterfall… one with a very narrow ledge.”
Taking baby steps under the insanely loud and powerful waterfall, the Toy Soldier and the Fairy pay close attention to every step they take. The ledge they must pass was a little narrower than Suga’s foot, and only half the size of Daichi’s. Any wrong move could mean a certain plummet, but there was no other path they could have taken, so it must be crossed.
The Fairy and the soldier took their steps one-by-one, Suga being first, and after each step they paused to take a deep breath and check if the other was okay. When they receive a sure nod, they continue… inching toward the other side of the falls.
As an added safety measure on the ledge, Owlkaashi flew above to keep a lookout for any proceeding danger that could prohibit them from crossing safely. It seemed that things were safe as they slowly tip-toed on, that is, until the Suga Plum Fairy accidentally put too much of his weight on one foot and slipped!
“Suga!” Daichi yelled, acting quickly. In one movement, the soldier caught Suga’s hand and safely returned him to the wall, but it all happened so fast that doing that meant he sacrificed his own balance to save Suga’s. There was absolutely no time to save the Toy Soldier before he was plummeting fifty miles per hour to his end.
Around the fireplace, it’s absolute mayhem (though Bacchan expected it).
Covering her giggle, the white-haired lady watches as all five children engage in a mix of screaming, shouting, yelling, and crying out in worry.
Once again, Bacchan warns them that if they don't keep their voices down she will send them to bed. When that doesn’t work, she asks them if they want to know what happened to the Toy Soldier on the waterfall, and when that was said--the kids apologize cutely, sheepishly, and anxiously before quieting down.
This time, all four of them hide behind Shio, who is the eldest and the largest of all the children there.
With the majority biting their nails, Bacchan continues.
Dachi is falling. He knows that soon he will meet his end but he is content that his last moment alive was used to save someone as special as the Suga Plum Fairy.
In his final moments, the Toy Soldier thought about what would have awaited him in the Fifth Realm--his family--and he thought about Suga--too--right before he closed his eyes and braced himself to hit the water.
When he hit the water, the Toy Soldier was surprised that heaven smelled like...candy. He noticed that he was rightfully floating up toward the sky--higher and higher...and the scent that surrounded him was of lollipops, candy canes, and chocolates. He didn’t remember this part of heaven’s doors--but he wasn’t complaining. It’s nice. It smelled amazing. Although, he thought the surmount would be less drafty. More comfortable. The winds on his surmount are very harsh and there’s an odd grip under his back and knees that felt like he is being held by a….
The Toy Soldier dared look up, and then he hollered as soon as he saw a beautiful, winged, majestic creature looking down at him. One that was as beautiful as an angel--but was not one. A majestic creature he knew by the name of the Suga Plum Fairy.
Little did the Toy Soldier know (even though he knew Suga had wings) that Suga could expand those cute little wings on his back to twice the size of Suga himself. The Fairy looked absolutely ethereal with full-sized wings like that, dropping a copious amount of shimmer to fall from them and onto Daichi’s shoulders. Looking up at him like this, Daichi’s breath was taken away and he realized that the pressure under his back and knees was Suga holding him up and flying them both across the waterfall. The soldier stopped gawking to look forward. He crossed his arms and hoped to God that whoever was up there in heaven didn’t allow Suga to see how badly he was blushing over being carried like this.
Flying alongside Owlkaashi, Suga easily floated to the other side of the waterfall safely. They landed softly.
Daichi aggressively wiped off the pretty shimmer on his shoulders. He growled,
“You could have told me THAT YOU COULD FLY!”
Suga only smiled sweetly at the soldier, finding it interesting how it was possible that he could sound so angry with that heavy of a blush on his face. He snapped his fingers to shrink his wings.
“Oh, but you looked so cute trying to save me, Soldier,”
When Daichi’s cheeks got impossibly redder, Suga’s voice softened. He stepped in so he could help the soldier dust off his shoulders. When he started, Daichi stopped just to glare at him.
“I can’t believe you would sacrifice your life for me in a blink of an eye like that...” whispered the Fairy, resting his hand on the soldier’s wooden shoulder. Suga looked up at Daichi with his beautiful brown eyes under white lashes.
They stared at one another for a minute before Daichi, flustered, begrudgingly tore himself away and reminded the handsome fairy that nutcrackers were loyal which is what made him save him.
Daichi is feeling all kinds of things he has never felt before, so he again tried to convince the fairy to turn back and go back to where he came from. This, the fairy laughs at, a beautiful laugh that the soldier never wants to forget. Hearing it just made his life better.
The Toy Soldier told the Suga Plum Fairy that this was no laughing matter, told him that maybe he should be the one to turn back, then--seeing as having to be saved put Suga at more risk than necessary. Daichi went on and on until he was stopped by a soft kiss on his cheek. One from Suga’s soft lips--a kind gesture of thanks. Suga pulled back to tell Daichi that, as one of the rulers of this kingdom, he ordered the Soldier to stay by his side.
With a smile, Suga skipped away, heading in the direction they were heading in before they came face-to-face with the waterfall.
The soldier stayed back for a few moments to recover from the kiss, feeling closer to heaven now because of it--than when he fell from the ledge.
Their long, hard journey continued, and it is starting to become clear that despite his hard exterior, Daichi was falling for the sweet (but spicy) Suga Plum Fairy.
“It’s so obvious. I thought crushes were supposed to be a secret?” spat Koj, flicking his wrist like he knows everything. The other children nod in agreement.
Bacchan nods as well, proud that the boys had graduated from disgust to (reluctant) acceptance.
One night, in their trek up the largest mountain in the realms, the Toy Soldier and the Fairy decided to stop and eat in a cozy, small inn they found. Except they weren’t aware until it was too late that it wasn’t just any bed and breakfast. The Toy Soldier and the Fairy unknowingly stopped at a magical truth restaurant: one that employed Truth-Only bartenders Tsukishima Kei and Yamaguchi Tadashi.
A truth restaurant was an establishment that made every patron tell the truth and nothing but the truth until they stepped out. They could be secretive about things, but fibs weren't an option. It had great food, great music, and a quaint, welcoming vibe for travellers.
After eating a delicious meal and resting their feet, Daichi and Suga moved from their table to the bar, both agreeing that they both deserved a nice break.
The bartender, Tsukishima, made that break feel anything like one for the poor soldier, because his blunt personality and truthful blood made him waste no time before he exposed Daichi for being a huge fan of the Suga Plum Fairy when he’d been saying the whole time that he didn't really know who he was.
Suga’s jaw dropped, smacking the Soldier on his arm. The Soldier couldn’t lie in this bar so he had to reap the consequences of his fib and feel the fiery blush sear into his cheeks.
When the live band started an hour later, an intoxicated Suga got up to dance a little bit in the quaint restaurant. The music made the Fairy want to have fun and give out candy to every table, so he did.
From where he stayed sitting at the bar, a slightly intoxicated Daichi removed his black helmet to better watch the Fairy dance around, unaware that his admiration was obvious; even for the Truth Bartender serving him.
“Soldier! Soldier!” Suga called Daichi from his place across the bar. No one even seemed to mind his awkwardly cute dancing or yelling. “This man shares the same favourite candy as you, candy canes!!! Isn’t that delightful?!”
The Toy Soldier nodded tightly, trying not to blush under the attention he received from the restaurant because this beautiful Fairy was calling him, of all people.
“Very delightful,” Daichi muttered flatly, using a word he’s never used his entire life. Whipped.
“Would you like another one, Daichi?!” The fairy poofed a jumbo candy cane in his hand, sticking it out to the Soldier.
Embarrassed by the attention, Daichi shook his head.
“No, thank you.” he dismissed, “--I have a Toothache.”
A petty tsk could be heard from behind the bar. “You mean a heart ache.” mumbled Tsukishima, gathering his glasses.
Daichi blushed as his heart squeezed when Suga smiled at him. He knew that was true too.
***
Later that night as they were closing up and the Truth-Server Yamaguchi was counting the money when he carelessly did what his mate Tsukishima did and exposed that both the Fairy and the Soldier were hiding things about their intentions in the Fifth Realm. Yamaguchi didn’t say what was being hidden, because he had no way of knowing, but he said that they weren’t being wholly honest with each other. Naturally, an air of tension beheld the Fairy and the Soldier after that.
After parting ways with the magical Truth Restaurant, Diachi scouted for a place for them to rest while Suga hung back.
During his scouting, Owlkaashi accompanied the Soldier and confronted him about his suspicions. The Owl admitted to having an inkling that the Soldier was hiding something, but because Daichi shared with him the same motive of protecting Suga at all costs, he let it slide.
Daichi blushed heavily but refused to give anything away. He appeared apprehensive and sketchy, which might have something to do with the fact that he was hiding something.
And something big.
Around the fireplace, the children make absurd guesses as to what they think the toy soldier is hiding.
Bako thinks the Soldier might be evil.
Oki thinks the Soldier was sent by Tanaka and Noya for extra protection.
Shida and Shio think the Soldier just seems sketchy.
And Koj believes that the Soldier is merely a figment of Suga’s imagination.
“All good guesses,” Bacchan whispers. “But shall I read on to determine who is correct? Or are you five ready for bed?
The answer came as no surprise.
After OwlKaashi flew away from that interrogation, the Soldier spent the rest of his time scouting for a place to rest while thinking about the little things Suga does or did on the trip that just kept nudging those butterflies in his wooden stomach. The Soldier couldn’t have caught feelings for the Fairy; he just couldn’t have.
He has always been quite serious about non-involvement, especially considering what he was hiding--so he was not about to stop now. Nevermind how easy the handsome, silver-haired, caramel coloured eyed, bubble gum-scented Fairy was to fall in love wi…
NO!
The Soldier turned off his thoughts.
He found a cave for them to rest in tonight, and called Suga and Owlkaashi over. They had to take cover immediately because an approaching intense storm took head in the distance, striking furious bolts of lightning down and booming thunder so loud it sounded like the gods were unhappy with the Soldier’s feelings, too.
Since Daichi was a toy soldier he does not get cold but they did, so after settling the Suga Plum Fairy and Owlkaashi in the cave, he ventured out to look for wood to make a fire.
When he returned, drenched in rain, the Soldier inaudibly gasped when he saw the ethereal silver-haired fairy sleeping soundly on the cave floor. Suga looked so beautiful it startled Daichi more than the thunder of lightning outside.
Without even knowing it, Daichi faintly blushed again and he did not even realize that his falling in love was turning him back into a full human.
For you see, Daichi was a human. That was the secret he has been hiding as humans are strictly forbidden in the realms.
Similar to Prince Philip, long ago, Daichi was cursed by one of the human subordinates of the Mouse King. He was turned into a full nutcracker soldier and tossed into the Realms, forced to live out his days as one in the Fourth. Daichi’s great, great, great, great grandfather was a full nutcracker, so it was in his bloodline, but as soon as that mouse-lover figured that out he decided to take his anger out on Daichi by doing this to him.
Also similar to Prince Philip, only true love has the ability to remove the nutcracker curse. But that wasn’t an option for Daichi. He had never been good at love, and even if he had been, it would be cruel to find love in a world he wished to escape from. He wouldn’t do that to anyone; not even himself.
So, the reason Daichi was even close to the Land of Flowers to begin with was because he was seeking a premonition wizard named Kinnoshita. He asked the wizard if there was a way he could return to normal without finding love, and they told Daichi that he must go to the Fifth Realm. What was present there will save him. It was not a foolproof plan, as the journey was said to be extremely dangerous, and could possibly mean no return-however, Kinnoshita made it absolutely clear that it was Daichi’s only hope.
Having dreamt only of his anxiety around the Fifth Realm, the Soldier snapped out of his thoughts. He’d apparently zoned out for quite some time because now he was sitting on the uncomfortable cave floor and he did not set up the fire for Sug-- Suga! He must be cold!
The soldiers started in alarm, inwardly chastising himself for letting the ruler of the Land of Sweets be cold, until he realized that something was off.
He could smell the sweet smell of the fairy again, but this time it was not coming from above as they flew through the air. Actually, it was coming from below his nose. The Soldier glanced down, only to have his wooden heart melt when he realized a cold, palm-sized Suga Plum Fairy was snuggled up into the crook of his neck, using a blanket consisting of tiny sparkles as a covering. Just like the enlargement of his wings, the Soldier had no clue Suga could shrink his entire body like that.
He almost cried at how adorable the man looked, sleeping soundly right on Daichi’s shoulder. He fell a bit more in love, his body temperature becoming a bit warmer as he unknowingly turned more and more human.
His heart was absolute mush, Daichi used his palm to tuck Suga in and fell asleep with a smile on his face.
The following morning, the Toy Soldier was doing what he did best, hiding his feelings from the fairy by snapping at him.
“You could shape-shift this whole time?!”
“Yeah…?” The Fairy nodded as he yawned cutely as he stretched, climbing down from Daichi’s shoulder as if it was totally normal for him to shrink down to the side of a gerbil. “Well that would have been HELPFUL to KNOW when we were fighting that family of DRAGONS!”
The fairy’s whimsical laugh in response made the soldier stutter.
Before they left the cave, Suga showed the soldier what else he could do with his powers by snapping his fingers to magically change his outfits. He asked Daichi which one looked best.
Daichi watched in awe, thinking that the Fairy looked handsome in everything he wore. He hadn’t even realized he’d said that aloud--only Suga did--to which the Fairy cheekily decided not to say anything about.
After their final day of travelling, that night the Suga Plum Fairy refused to sleep on a cave floor or Daichi’s shoulder again (even if Daichi’s shoulder was comfortable), Suga was adamant about getting them a final night's rest on a nice bed.
Therefore, he brought them to the closeby Land of Amusements. Daichi had registered in admiration that it was the first time on this entire trip that the Fairy used his privilege as a ruler. And it was just to get them beds to sleep on. He couldn't help but find it sweet.
The Land of Amusements was exactly what you’d think it was; amusing. Exciting. Almost clown-like? It was like living in the middle of the center of the world's largest fair. And the people who lived there were no different. The Suga Plum Fairy introduced Daichi to his friend and ruler of this land, and Daichi bowed with utmost respect. He was starstruck.
The King here was nice, vibrant and exuberant. The Toy Soldier only wished he could say the same about the King’s brother, too: Terushima Yuuji.
He was okay, the Toy Soldier guessed. He greeted them with just as much electricity as the kind King.
However, Daichi realized immediately that the brother of the King-- just as his hair was yellow, his ego was big--and he was utterly obsessed with the beautiful Suga Plum Fairy. His Suga Plum Fairy.
It took everything in the Toy soldier to swallow his envy when Terushima delicately looped Suga’s arm in his. They walked ahead of the group when they were all given a tour of the castle.
Daichi hid his jealousy well from everyone--everyone except Owlkaashi.
Luckily, Owlkaashi had grown to love Daichi at this point, so he perched on the soldier’s shoulder (whom the only other person he will do that to is Suga) and quietly told him that if Suga was going to end up with anyone, he would want it to be him.
The Toy Soldier almost yelped at that confession, in utter disbelief.
That was the kindest thing anyone has ever said to him and it came from an Owl, no less.
After swearing the Toy Soldier to secrecy, Owlkaashi then warned Daichi that his window to tell Suga how he feels wasn't long because a prophecy stated that Suga will find love in the Fifth Realm. Daichi was depressed by this information, but he is thankful for Owlkaashi’s candidness. His heart shattered because it sunk in that if the Fairy is to meet his true love in the Fifth Realm, then the love he has for Suga was not meant to be. At least not on both sides.
With a heavy heart, the Soldier inwardly vows to say nothing of it because he knows Suga is way out of his league, and a man as incredible as Suga deserved to find a truer--a greater-- love in the Fifth Realm anyway.
Meanwhile, up ahead with Suga and his royal admirer Terushima, Suga promised to finally marry Yuuji if he didn’t find what he was looking for in the Fifth Realm. Suga was that confident in the prophecy, but Daichi didn't know that, so when he overheard such a promise, his heart crumbled nonetheless.
Around the fireplace, the house fill with whines and groans of protest as the children say they agree with OwlKaashi and want the Suga Plum Fairy and the Toy Soldier to be together.
“Oh?” Bacchan set the book of Christmas fairytales down so she could retrieve the new batch of cookies she’s been cooling. When she re-entered with the plate of warmth and goodness, she asks, “But I was under the impression you all thought their love was ‘icky?’
“I didn’t, Bacchan! Not me!” yells sweet Oki, making the woman laugh.
“And we take our icky back! It’s not icky when it’s true love!!!” pouts Shida from beside his twin sister.
As all of the kids grab another cookie from the plate, Bacchan nods.
“I agree,” she says as she sets the empty tray down. “But unfortunately, things are not looking up for our two main characters. Are you ready for me to read the last page?”
“YESSSSSSSS!” whisper all of the children--finally (finally!) mastering the art of whispering at the very end of the night.
Bacchan gets comfortable in her chair again, slowly flipping to the final page.
This was it.
The Suga Plum Fairy and the Toy Soldier had made it.
After a long, dangerous, unforgettable journey, they were alone at the doors of the Fifth Realm. Which actually turned out to be more of a bridge.
The two men stared ahead at it in awe, unable to form words because they couldn’t believe they were really here! After everything they’d been through.
The gate on the other end was very bright, so bright that it was hard for either of them to tell what was on the other side: though they knew that this was the end.
If it was the last thing he did, Daichi wanted nothing more than to be honest with Suga by telling him what he truly was. He wanted the love of his life to know the real him, even if they’d never see each other again. Even if it wouldn't make a difference.
They stood shoulder to shoulder.
Side by side.
It was now or never.
The fairy took a step forward to the Fifth.
“Suga. Before we go in there…” The fairy stopped when he heard the soldier call to him; felt his wooden hold on his wrist. “Before we go in there there is something I must tell you.” Suga’s caramel eyes sauntered from the soldiers--softer than he remembered it-- held on his wrist and up into Daichi’s eyes. He didn’t think too much about how different the soldier looked when he weakly whispered,
“Me too,” the Fairy smiled.
After much deliberation about who would go first, both men agreed to say what they had to tell the other in unison.
One…
Two…
Three.
And while Suga quietly admitted to falling in love with the soldier, Daichi admitted to being a forbidden human (who has nutcracker ancestry) in the land, explaining he’d been cursed, but will return to normal once he crosses that threshold.
Daichi spoke for much longer than Suga.
There was a long string of silence. The Fairy just staring up at the soldier trying to take everything he just heard in, and the soldier trying to catch his breath after admitting his deepest darkest secret aloud for the first time.
Once both men had a few minutes to digest...
...Daichi’s eyes widen at what had been Suga’s confession, to which he tripped over his words until he is finally able to say he had fallen in love with Suga too. His word vomit did not stop there, though:
“I’m… I couldn’t be more in love with you, Suga.” Daichi continued awkwardly, that blush Suga knows and loves spreading down to his neck like...a human. “I think I fell for you on the first day? When you kicked me off my horse to protect Owlkaashi? Or maybe it was when I thought, for a split second, that I might lose you out there on that waterfall ledge. Or maybe it was when you laughed your incredible laugh in the Truth Restaurant--I can’t even be sure anymore. I just know that I am and I also know that we can't be together because I am a forbidden human and you are... Well, the Suga Plum Fairy. I’m not a King and I can’t give you the finer things in life like Prince Terushima, and I am not magical so I can’t always protect you like Owlkaashi--heck, I am not even legal in the Realms. But I want you to know how incredible you are. How perfect you are to me. Owlkaashi made me promise not to say this but we don’t have much time and you’ll find your greatest love once we reach the Fifth Realm who will be the best thing that’s ever happened to you--which is nothing short of what you deserve--so before that happens I want you to know that meeting you and spending this time with you has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. And I will never forget this Christmas for as long as I live… because of you, and--”
The fairy smiled so big his eyes are no longer visible, and he tells Daichi to come on. Daichi is confused about what is happening when he is dragged across the Fifth Realms bridge by Suga’s hand, but all he could register is the sweet sound of Suga’s laugh as they race toward the blinding light.
They ran closer until they were utterly engulfed in it, visibility gone.
***
On the opposite end of the white light, the Toy Soldier and the Suga Plum Fairy enter the uncharted territory of the Fifth Realm holding hands.
In this Realm, they were suddenly on the streets of downtown Tokyo on Christmas Eve.
Looking at each other, Daichi looked more shocked than Suga to see that Suga was now fully human: Suga’s shimmery wings and dress were gone and exchanged for an equally attractive winter coat, denim jeans and scarf instead. He was wearing clothing from the place Daichi called home!
Daichi couldn’t understand how someone could look so pretty in different worlds.
After Suga’s beautiful chuckle brought him back to the present, Daichi took a second to stop gawking at the beautiful man in order to look down at himself and realize he is no longer a Toy Soldier-- all wooden remnants gone-- but his full human self too!
He… he couldn’t believe it.
Suga added to Daichi’s disbelief by squeezing his hand and waving to the busy Christmas shopper. He squeals excitedly and says that he will stay here in the Fifth Realm with Daichi.
“No way,” Daichi states seriously, unable to release his hold on Suga’s hand even as the silver-haired man bounced up and down with glee. “I won’t--I can’t let you lose your chance at finding true love here, Suga. The prophecy stated that your one true love is here. You can’t waste that chance on me--ow!”
“Owlkaashi?” Suga looked around.
“No. Ow as in, why did you flick me on the forehead?!”
“Oh,” Suga smiled again.
He pointedly explained to Daichi what was obvious to him: that Daichi is his prophecy. That Ennoshita’s prophecy was right all along because it said he will find love in the Fifth Realm and Daichi (the real, full human Daichi, not Toy Soldier Daichi) only lived here in the Fifth Realm. He went on to explain that Kinnoshita’s prophecy for Daichi was right as well, because Daichi turned back into a human here in the Fifth Realm (otherwise known as the Human Realm).
“Besides,” Suga chuckled, wrapping his arms around his soldier’s shoulders. “Even if their prophecies were completely wrong, I was still going to stay here with you. Wanna know why?”
Daichi was too busy staring at the pretty man in front of him to form a coherent answer, so he was thankful when Suga decided to impatiently say it anyway.
“...Because Nutcrackers aren't the only loyal creatures in the world.”
And then, right there on the streets of Tokyo, the once Fairy and Soldier shared the sweetest of all kisses. Sparkly snow fell on their jackets and Christmas carols played around them as they continued to embrace…. because that’s what happens at the end of fairy tales.
Especially the Christmas ones.
The End.
EPILOGUE
Around the fireplace…
“THE END? BUT WHAT HAPPENED TO--?”
“YEAH AND WHO IS GOING TO--?”
“WHERE WILL THEY--?”
“HOW CAN--?”
“WHEN WILL THE OTHERS--?”
“Now, now, settle down, children.” grinning, Bacchan rocks back in her chair as she closes her book. She has never received a reaction quite like this in all her years of storytelling.
They absolutely love it and that warms her heart. “One at a time you will all have a chance to ask your questions. Shio. You may start. What is your question?”
“The prophecy stated that the Suga Plum Fairy cannot return to the Realms after going to the Fifth, right? Then who will rule the Land of Sweets in his absence?”
The woman kindly explains that, naturally, Noya and Tanaka (or should they say, their spouses Asahi and Kiyoko) will rule the Land of Sweets. They are in good hands.
“But what will happen to Owlkaashi???” Bako’s eyes are very wide as he asks. “Did he cross the bridge too???”
Bacchan nods, saying that, upon entering the Fifth Realm, indeed; Owlkaashi went with them, and he, too, turned into a human. Owlkaashi actually ended up meeting and falling in love with one of Daichi’s human friends in the Fifth Realm, so he stayed by the Suga Plum Fairies side forever in that realm!
Koj asks the next question. “So Noya and Tanaka were right about the Fifth Realm being like the Banana Triangle, then? Because they never returned!”
After correcting ‘Banana’ for ‘Bermuda,’ Bacchan nods at the young boy. She states that yes, unfortunately; the happy couple never returned to the Realms.
“Are the Suga Plum Fairy and the Toy Soldier still together?” asks Oki, severe hope evident in her brown eyes.
Her twin brother adds a question too, unable to wait anymore. “And how do you know all this, Bacchan? Was it in the book? Did the author write more after ‘the end?’”
Smiling, the librarian is about to answer both questions when the front doorknob to her cozy little house jiggles, making them all turn to the door.
Into the warm home, in walks a group of adults--parents here to pick up their kids from storytime--dusting off their snow covered boots at the door and letting a cool, but welcomed draft in. It is a group of six men--in pairs--of which the final pair to walk in happens to be none other than the human Suga Plum Fairy and human Daichi the Toy Soldier.
“Daddyyyy!” the twins exclaimed, jumping up to run into Daichi’s open arms.
“Pa!” Shio scrambles to his feet too, racing the twins to run into Suga’s arms.
“MAMA!” Bako almost falls as he races over to the human-Akaashi and is scooped up. Bako hoots as Akaashi’s mate Bokuto starts tickling the 5-year-old and asking him, “Why didn't you run to me, huh? You like mama better, is that it?!”
“Dads! I missed you!” Koj doesn’t even need to run to his parents because Kageyama and Hinata race themselves to him anyway, always competing to see who could pick up their son first. Koj loved it, and he smiled so big when both father’s kissed him on either cheek.
Bacchan returns from the kitchen, walking over to the group of incredible parents with a fresh new batch of cookies to offer them.
The parents each take one on their way out, Daichi (who is known only as Sawamura in this Realm) has to lean over and feed one to Suga because his husband is busy dressing the twins in their snowsuits and boots.
“Thanks for watching all of them tonight, mom. We all got a ton of shopping done.” Daichi smirks. “Do you have more of these? Wanna bring some home.”
“Of course,” says the town’s librarian and Daichi’s mother. “Packed some for you right over there.”
“DADDY! TODAY BACCHAN TOLD US AN AWESOME STORY!” yells Oki.
“IT WAS AMAZING!” Shio adds.
“IT WAS ABOUT A PRETTY PLUM FAIRY AND A HANDSOME TOY SOLDIER, AND--!”
As if on cue, both Suga and Daichi (and even Akaashi, as he walks out the door with his family) simultaneously go rigid. Suga’s hands stutter on Oki’s winter boots, and Daichi chokes on the cookie in his mouth.
Sending warning glares at their Bacchan and fake smiles to their kids, the pair just say,
“You don’t say…” in unison, before quickly changing the subject.
***
Later that night, at the Sawamura residence, Suga tucks in their three kids, kissing their foreheads and listening to them rant on and on about how much they loved that story.
Daichi enters their bedroom with hot chocolate for Suga then also gives forehead kisses to the children. Since they have already recounted the story twice on their way home and all throughout bed prep, Daichi sternly reminds their kids that, while the Toy Soldier in that tale sounds very lucky to have ended up with a Fairy like the one they described, it is just a silly old tale and it is now time for bed.
Suga can’t bring himself to say anything as he smirks lovingly at Daichi for being such a dork. He sips his hot chocolate by the door.
When Daichi kisses child three out of three and makes his way past Suga, Suga whispers, “Lucky, huh?”
Daichi kisses his husbands forehead too and whispers back in confirmation:
“Very.”
The winks their parents send each other go unnoticed by the adorable and sleepy children. They happily fall asleep, excitedly awaiting Christmas morning.
***
On Christmas morning, Suga sets up the presents while Daichi is making his signature holiday breakfast when Suga steps behind him and kisses his neck.
They're so in love, and it is the most obvious thing in the world as Daichi hums and immediately asks for a real kiss.
“Mm, Happy Ten Year Anniversary, baby,” Daichi murmurs onto Suga’s lips, loving the fact that his husband always smelled like candy.
“Happy Anniversary, Soldier,” Suga smiled, looking around to make sure no kids were in sight before he pinched his husband’s ass.
The two men pull out of their love fest for one second, wondering simultaneously why the kids haven't come downstairs yet when they are always downstairs before their paren--
They do not have to wait long to get their answer when they hear combined screams reverberate off the walls upstairs, screams that instill fear in their hearts.
“Daddy, PA HELP! HELP!”
Daichi and Suga drop everything to run upstairs and slam open their kids' shared room door. Whipping around with heaving chests, they see that the room is empty--sending them into a state of panic.
They both take in a deep breath preparing to belt out their kid’s names when a familiar shimmer of sparkles drops on their heads.
Going silent, slowly, Daichi and Suga look upwards to follow where the shimmer incoming from: only to see one child of theirs, Shida--floating in midair above their heads.
“Oh my….” Daichi gasps.
The kid’s small fairy wings fluttered on his back, lifting him up, but Shida did not make a sound that had to do with the fact that he was still asleep. His wings were floating him in mid-air as he slept!
And if that wasn’t alarming enough, the parents heard the scream of “Daddy, Pa HELP!!! HELP!” again, but this time the voice was very small. Almost too small.
“Oh no…”
Creeping toward Shia’s bed, Daichi purposely squinted his eyes until--yep--he spotted a very tiny, shrunken Oki on her bed, so petite Daichi was able to collect her in the center of his palm.
Searching for their third and final child, Daichi and Suga hold their breaths as footsteps approach from the direction of their bathroom. After what felt like forever, in walks their third and final child--Shio--who is half asleep, rubbing his eyes, and asking why his father’s are looking at him like that.
Daichi and Suga exchange worried glances as they mentally try to figure out a way to tell their son that he has wooden legs.
Daichi and Suga look at all of their kids and then at each other - and then Suga shrugs.
Daichi is speechless, but Suga knows just what to say--just like he did ten years ago.
“Well, pack your bags.” Suga clapped his hands, not looking the least bit worried. “It's about time I introduced you all to my parents--and the kids’ Fairy Godparents--anyway.”
THE REAL END.