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There is a legend in the Western Country about a mythological winged beast that appears to guide a person to their true love. It is a nonsense story, like most of the ones told in the West. But Rutile remembers how his mother used to tell him that story as a child, and thinks, as illogical as it sounds, every love story is special.
It was a warm spring morning when Rutile woke up, sun rays illuminating his room through the green curtains. He was about to roll in his bed and go back to sleep when a loud honk abruptly woke him up. In front of him there was a winged beast honking and flapping its wings, it was apparently biting his blanket to try and uncover him.
The legend of the west came to his mind immediately, and giggling he wondered excited if his moment has come.
The winged beast tried to throw a bite and Rutile went back to real life, thinking that maybe the best way for getting out of this situation without being too hurt was to befriend the beast. He slowly stretched his hand to pet him, greeting the beast. It worked. "oh, you're so cute" Rutile cooed, cradling the beast in his arms and getting up.
The southerner went to the kitchen to grab something as breakfast, happily thinking about how his day was going to be, ignoring the beast's noises as if trying to speed him up.
He gathered some necessary things in his bag such as water, some food for him and fruit for the winged beast. With that he was ready for his adventure.
Excitement bubbled in his chest, wondering who his destined person might be, and the thought of a certain northern wizard appeared in his mind. The one who's been keeping his thoughts occupied for a while.
Matching with Bradley was something he didn't expected would happen, he likes to be friendly with everyone, true, but there's something that feels different when he thinks about the northener. Bradley is different.
Rutile isn't someone to believe in stereotypes but he have seen first hand that he isn't the same as people says about northerners. He might tease him but doesn't takes him as a weak useless southern wizard, he remembers how when they fought together Bradley gave him advice and guided him, achieving that way their victory.
And they share some interests too, their liking for drinks, their passion for crazy driving. Rutile likes how he doesn't scolds him for his manners that aren't "fitting" for someone like him, but encourages his behavior and accepts him as he is.
He's nice to Mitile too, even offering in more than one occasion to train with him, showing real interest in his growth as a wizard. As the responsible big brother Rutile is, that gives Bradley more positive points. (He wouldn't be with someone Mitile doesn't approves after all.)
And he thinks. About how they often meet up to drink in Bradley's room, and their fingers touch when they pass the bottle, lingering for a bit before breaking apart. the way they side glance at each other, pretending not to know the other is watching. The proximity making itself more noticeable as the bottles empty and time passes. But nothing else happens. And Rutile wonders what is he expecting to happen, if Bradley is expecting something too. Then he finds himself wishing that they're on the same page, wishing for the feelings in his chest to be reciprocated, as the silly romantic he is.
A honk takes him back to real life, noticing he was carried away by his fantasies. The winged beast is starting to lose patience again. And Rutile remembers there's no point in daydreaming that much if he's going to face his destined person soon anyways.
The tiniest thread of fear runs through him at the thought of finding someone at the end of his journey that is not the northener he dreams of.
After walking for some time with the beast guiding him, they made way to a wood zone with tall trees and a calm river, not too far from the manor but quiet enough. The blonde sat on a fallen tree to rest a bit, taking out his sketchbook and pencil to draw, inspired by the beautiful scenery. The winged beast sitting at his side.
"Mister beast, how much longer will I wait?" he asked while tracing lines on the paper. another honk the only answer he got.
Getting immersed in his art Rutile almost didn't noticed when a puff of air exploded and a wizard materialized in the place. One with black and gray hair, accompanied with another winged beast.
And Rutile felt his heart start to work again. The worrying feeling vanished from his self. Of course it was going to be him.
A little "Ah" was the only sound that escaped his mouth in his shock state when he made eye contact with Bradley. He was equally as shocked, his nose and cheeks tinted a faint red.
The moment broke when the winged beast in Bradley's arms jumped to the floor. Honking to the other beast, they started to walk into the woods together.
Rutile smiled sweetly and waved his hand to them, giving farewell to his small and agressive friend.
Then looked back to Bradley, sweet smile still in his face. "Hi" he said, patting the spot next to him to make the guy sit with him. When he did, Rutile noticed his hands full of cuts and dents, some still with bits of blood.
"What happened? Did you got in a fight?" Rutile asked while gently holding Bradley's wrists, looking worriedly at him.
Bradley frowned. "What? that hell of a beast almost eats my hands and i couldn't land an attack on it."
"Did you seriously tried to fight it?" Rutile giggled, shaking his head as if his story was the funniest thing he ever said. His thumbs soothingly drawing circles on his skin.
"yes?! and then I sneeze myself here and you are having the time of your life with one of those!"
"You are insane, Bradley. Let me heal your wounds". Bradley's gaze softened, and he watched as the younger closed his eyes, murmuring ortonik setomaoge, a faint green aura visible in their touching hands as the wounds started to disappear.
Once his hands where healed the northener properly hold Rutile's hands, lacing their fingers together. Then slowly closed the distance between them. When the blonde opened his eyes they were centimeters away. He blushed a bit, being so close in this conditions.
"Thank you" Bradley said, then closed the distance in a kiss so slow and soft Rutile felt himself falling in love a hundred times harder. He smiled, then opened his mouth to deepen the kiss a bit, before breaking apart.
Bradley tried to chase after him, stopping when he heard Rutile's lovely laugh, opening his eyes to the view of the blonde's pretty face, green eyes glittering like the stars in the south at night. They leaned in to share a small kiss, then separated again.
"I like you, Bradley, a lot." Murmured Rutile, voice soft but still full of love.
"I do, too. A lot." He said back, giving him another kiss after.
They found themselves just looking at each other after that, not much more words needed. It was easy for them, to understand each other with gazes that said everything.
Bradley smiled, the biggest proud-of-himself face, as if he just got his hands in the best treasure a bandit could get. And in all honesty, for him it felt a lot like that.
"Should we go back to the manor?" Rutile said, getting up and letting go of his hands in the process. "I'll prepare us rollito de pollo for lunch!" all while smiling he gathered his belongings, abandoned in the rush of things.
"Let's go, Bradley" he grabbed his hand, intertwining their fingers again. And Bradley would happily follow him everywhere.