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Noise had tried to stay in Neon, to go back to their duty as First Chair and the people they were supposed to command. He didn't succeed.
It was a good thing Roman picked Noise up and threw him into the car when he did, because Youngblood didn't want to think about what might have happened if he hadn't.
Noise put up a token struggle as Roman carried them away from the collapsing city but once he managed to get them into the car, they just... stopped.
Youngblood threw himself after them and slammed the door, heart pounding. They couldn't get out of there fast enough.
It was only as they were driving away that Youngblood began to worry. He and Roman, already criminals by Bard law, had just kidnapped the First Chair. Sure, Noise didn't seem too upset about it – but that was a whole other can of worms. Youngblood wouldn't put it past the Bard King to accuse them of abandoning their post as First Chair. And Noise had already suffered too much at that bastard's hands.
In trying to keep him safe, they may have put Noise in even more danger.
The journey had been quiet. Noise hadn't looked back at Neon once, but Youngblood knew they were thinking about all the citizens and Bard Guards they were leaving to be overpowered by the fey.
A pang of guilt went through Youngblood as he remembered all the people that he'd left to fend for themselves against such a powerful attacker. But he couldn't regret doing it.
He couldn't handle the thought of Roman, bright and smiling Roman, being hurt as he tried to save people. Or the idea of Noise, already beaten down and hardened, charging back into danger on behalf of the College that had hurt him? It was unbearable.
Maybe he was selfish. But Youngblood knew that his friends, the two most important people in his life, were safe and happy, and that was more than worth all the lives in Neon.
They hadn't talked about it since arriving at Frogtown. Youngblood knew that Noise was conflicted, mourning the people they had lived and worked with, and relieved to be out from under the Bard King's thumb (at least for now). But they hadn't talked about it.
The drive had been uncomfortable, to say the least. Noise silent, Roman unusually subdued, and Youngblood having no idea how to bridge the gap between them.
The taxi driver dropped them off at the inn, where the innkeeper introduced himself as Lily Padton.
“Free of charge!” he said as Roman began to get out his money bag.
“Thank you!”
“Why?” Youngblood demanded.
“Well, you’re newt to the area! Besides, you three look like you’ve had a rough day. I’m perfectly happy to house you while you figure out where to go from here! Now come in, come in,” he said as he herded them all inside. “You can leave your things in the croak room.”
Youngblood thought he should probably be a little suspicious of that but Mr Padton gave them such a big smile as he herded them inside, and he was just so tired. Roman and Noise seemed to trust him. They would be okay if he just let it go for a little while.
Roman of course made fast friends with their host. He smiled and joked and made pleasant conversation, offering to help as Mr Padton bustled around the kitchen and insisting on doing something even after being waved away. He seemed much brighter now than he was on the way here.
Meanwhile Youngblood sat to the side and watched Roman in what was apparently in his element. He didn't know what else to do with himself. He tried not to glower too hard but it was difficult. Social niceties were not his strong suit, especially not with the mood he was in.
The only person missing from the scene was Noise. The minute they got inside he'd made a beeline up the stairs and claimed a room for himself, slamming it shut behind him. Youngblood didn't think they were angry per se, but they definitely weren't happy, and he didn't know what he could do other than give them space.
Youngblood wanted to help, to do something. But if he got it wrong, he risked shattering the friendship they were slowly rebuilding entirely.
No matter how much he wanted to help, he was helpless.
So he sat there, quiet and brooding, managing to feel alone even surrounded by Roman's chatter.
"Right!" Mr Padton exclaimed suddenly, snapping Youngblood from his thoughts. "Dinner is almost ready. I just need to set the table, then I'll serve it piping hot!"
"I can do that!" Roman jumped in front of Mr Padton, collecting cutlery from the draw and sweeping into the dining room before he could protest.
Mr Padton chuckled, before turning to Youngblood. "Do you think your friend will be hungry, kiddo?" he asked gently.
Youngblood blinked. It was so obvious. Why didn't he think of that? "Yes!" He blurted out. "Yes, I'll go get him!"
Maybe Youngblood couldn't help Noise with everything they were dealing with right now, but he could make sure they ate. That was something.
He leapt up, making a beeline for the stairs before Mr Padton could respond.
"Oh-" he ribbited, "Alright then, kiddo! You two come on down when you're ready."
"Thank you, Mr Padton," Youngblood called back, not even waiting to see whether he heard it.
***
"Noise?" Youngblood knocked on the door gingerly. "We’re about to have dinner, are you coming?"
"Yeah, yeah." The response sounds distracted, hastled. Like something was wrong. "I'll... I'll be down in a bit. You guys start without me."
It set off alarm bells in Youngblood's mind.
He couldn't help it. After everything that had happened these past days – the injuries Noise sustained in the bards duel, watching their fingers slip past his own as they were swallowed by the cart, learning exactly what happened to their eye – the idea of Noise distressed and alone was unbearable.
Before he could even think about it, Youngblood burst through the door, sword already in hand.
But there was nothing there, nobody who posed a threat. Just Noise, squawking at the sudden entrance.
So what was wrong?
Youngblood turned his attention to Noise, whose face was slowly turning pink as he babbled about "privacy" and "manners" and "what's even the point of knocking if you're just going to barge in" and hurried to sweep his cloak over himself. Because their shirt lay on the bed, along with a small vial. Youngblood's face started to heat as well as his eyes fell on their bare chest, before Noise managed to wrap the cloak around his shoulders and draw it around himself.
"What are you doing?" they shrieked.
"I- I didn't-" Youngblood spluttered, hastily putting his sword away like that would undo the awkwardness of the situation. "I thought something was wrong!"
"Wrong? What could possibly be wrong?"
"I don't know!" His voice rose. "Forgive me for being worried about you!"
"Well there's nothing to be worried about," Noise snapped. "So if you could go off to dinner with your new friend and close the door behind you, that would be great." A hand slipped out from behind their cloak to point like he might not be able to find the door himself.
Youngblood froze as his gaze locked onto that hand, and Noise froze with him. Starting at the wrist and disappearing into their cloak, was a mass of dark purple, twisted flesh.
Burn scars.
There was silence.
Youngblood swallowed. "Was... was that me?"
Noise paused.
"…What do you think?"
Feeling sick to the stomach, Youngblood strode across the room, grabbed his hand and flipped back the cloak. His heart sunk as he took in the full extent of the scarring, twining around their elbow, up their bicep, and touching their collarbone.
Noise hissed through his teeth and snatched his hand away. He stumbled backwards, gingerly wrapping his other hand around his wrist.
"Sorry!" Youngblood blurted. "Sorry, I didn't mean to... Does it hurt?"
"No." They looked away.
"Noise," Youngblood said softly, prompting them to meet his gaze. "Please, don't lie to me."
They didn't reply.
"I can help?" The thought of using magic on Noise again made his stomach twist, but the idea of leaving them in pain was far, far worse. "I might be able to heal it."
"You think I haven't tried that already?" Noise scoffed. "I've seen countless healers, and none of them could do it." They looked at him, considering. "I don't know why, Bloody, but your magic sticks."
"But I was the one to do it! Surely I can undo it."
Noise sighed. "That's what they all said."
Youngblood frowned at them, anguished but silent.
"I can’t be healed. The best I can get is to ease the pain."
"Then let me do that."
They waved him off. "I don't need you for that. I just need to apply the salve the College Healer gave me."
"But I-"
"Youngblood." Noise cut him off. They spoke softly, but his mouth snapped shut. "You don't have to feel guilty. It was an accident."
"No." Youngblood shook his head. "It's not that."
He still felt guilty, of course he did. After almost every interaction with Noise, his mind drifted back to what he'd done and the state they'd been in when he left. But that wasn't why Youngblood wanted to help, not really.
It took some courage to admit it, but once the words were out Youngblood knew they were some of the truest he’d ever spoken.
"I want to help you because I care about you, Noise."
There was a pause.
Voice small, Noise asked, "You do?"
And Youngblood's heart broke.
"Yes. Yes, of course I do. Please, Noise. Let me help you."
Noise stared at him for a long moment. "Okay," they whispered.
Hesitant, Youngblood drew closer. He lifted his hand to the edge of the cloak.
"May I?"
Eyes wide and cheeks flushed, they nodded silently.
Youngblood gingerly peeled away the fabric and put it on the bed, leaving their torso bare once again. Noise didn't meet his eyes as he put a hand on their shoulder, the contact feeling like it burned, and led them to sit next to him on the bed.
"What do I use?" He murmured.
"What?" Noise blinked. "Oh! Here." He scooped up the small vial on the bed and placed it in Youngblood's palm.
The salve was a paste, pale green with small flecks of herbs that hadn't quite been crushed, and cool to the touch. Taking Noise's arm into his lap, Youngblood began to work it into their skin with diligent care. Keeping his touch as gentle as possible, rubbing small circles across the scars and making sure to give equal attention to every inch.
He started at their shoulder, applying the salve with one hand and gently holding their wrist with the other as he moved down their arm. The scars were a strange shape, spiralling around Noise's arm like vines. It became methodical, almost meditative, to work his way down those lines. Youngblood couldn’t say how long he spent at his task, all his focus on doing the best job he could for Noise. He just moved his fingers to the vial, back to Noise, softly circling, and repeat.
A heavy silence had settled over them, but not an uncomfortable one. Noise's hand was heavy in his, the touch of his fingertips against their skin unignorable even as he tried to keep it light as possible.
There was something familiar about this. The silent significance in every action was new, but the deep affection in the air and the things unspoken but mutually understood were like old friends to him.
Finally, Youngblood reached Noise's palm, still cradled in his hand. The first point of compact, the place that first got burned. Youngblood scooped up another dollop of salve and, taking a deep breath, continued smoothing it in.
Noise made a small sound as his fingers ghosted over the knot in the centre of their palm and Youngblood paused, gaze snapping up to look at them.
"Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"You didn't hurt me," Noise hurried to reassure him. "It just... feels nice."
They were staring steadfastly at where his own wrist was held tenderly in Youngblood’s hands.
"Oh." Youngblood replied, suddenly too flustered to do anything other than continue soothing the scars he had left on them with the pads of his fingers.
***
Roman raised his eyebrows at the colourful display set out across the dinner table. He knew this was a town of frogs, but he still hadn't expected such an... insect-based diet.
Mr Padton looked his way, seemingly for approval, and Roman immediately replaced the doubtful expression with a beam. It was just a difference in culture, no need to be rude. He'd already eaten his fair share of insects as a child running around Reston, and these ones were even cooked!
But back in Fantabulous Neon, Youngblood had seemed horrified when he thought they were being served cockroach – he wouldn't like this one bit. And Roman could only imagine how Noise would react.
Speaking of: Noise still hadn't come down for dinner, and Youngblood hadn't returned since offering to go get him.
It had been a while now, but that wasn't too surprising. After such a long couple of days, they both deserved a chance to rest in privacy. But they won't be able to recharge if they're hungry - Roman should bring some food up for them.
And if that would give him the chance to see the horror on their faces when they saw what was on the menu, that was only a bonus.
He swept up a few serving plates - some kind of insects lightly drizzled in syrup, a plate of brownish mush with tiny legs sticking out, and something that might actually be cockroaches served on a bed of roasted vegetables - to take upstairs.
"Your friends not coming down?" their host asked as he began to ascend the stairs.
"I figured I'd take some food up for them." Roman smiled. "It looks delicious!"
"You're a good lad," the Mr Padton said, pleased. "You go on up, kiddo."
It was a strange balancing act to carry the three large plates without dropping anything, but Roman managed, walking slowly and taking care not to trip.
Eventually he made it to Noise's room, where he assumed Youngblood was too.
With his hands so full, he knew he didn't have a hope of knocking. Deciding manners would have to be forgone, Roman shoved the door open with his shoulder and called, "I come bearing gifts!"
He was stopped short by the sight in front of him.
Youngblood and Noise, curled up together on the bed. Noise, shirtless, rested with their head on Youngblood's shoulder, a scarred hand placed on his chest. Youngblood had an arm wrapped tightly around his waist, and their tail twined around his upper thigh.
It was so tender, so vulnerable yet relaxed, in a way that he'd never seen either of them. He'd been travelling with Youngblood for a while now, and slowly getting to know Noise since leaving Neon, but this was a level of familiarity and trust that he couldn't even dream of. The sight had his heart aching with a sudden craving for this, this intimacy, with them.
Noise's eyepatch was off to the side, eyes closed and the right lid slightly slack. He was still slumbering peacefully but Youngblood's snapped open, frowning at his clumsy entrance.
Roman flushed.
He wasn't supposed to see this.
"Roman-!" Youngblood started.
"Sorry! Sorry, I didn't realise-"
It was such an intimate moment, and he'd just walked in without thinking twice.
"I just thought, food! Sorry, I'll um I'll go-"
The arm Youngblood had around him tightened as Noise began to stir at the sound of his stammering and Roman cursed. He'd only managed to disturb them more.
They stretched, languid as a cat, and rolled their head to face him.
"Roman?"
Their voice was so soft that his mouth immediately snapped shut. Somehow, he managed to feel even more guilty that he'd disrupted their peace.
"Sorry," Roman whispered, trying desperately not to make it any worse.
"What are you doing here?"
Roman cringed. "I thought you might want some food?"
They propped themself up on an elbow at that, peering at the plates Roman still had precariously balanced in his arms.
Noise's eyes lit up. "Are those honeyed dragonflies?"
"Uh."
Roman looked closer at the dish. Those could be dragonflies.
"Maybe?"
Youngblood wrinkled his nose.
"Ugh," he said at the same time as Noise cheered sleepily.
"Give, give!"
That wasn't quite the reaction Roman was expecting, but he found himself delighted by it.
"One plate of dragonflies, coming right up!"
The pair sat up, Youngblood leaning against the headboard and Noise soon returned to their place curled against his side. Roman deposited the dish in his lap, careful not to spill any food - he knew how particular Noise could be about their clothes.
They blinked blearily and smiled at him. "Thanks, farm boy."
"It-" Roman flushed, busying himself with arranging the remaining plates on the bed, "it's farm man. And you're welcome."
He did his best to hide how jittery Youngblood’s intense gaze made him, but he was sure they both noticed his hands shaking slightly before he could tuck them behind his back.
"Well-" Roman said, almost hysterical and definitely too cheery. "Enjoy your dinner! I'm just gonna-" He swallowed. "I'm gonna go."
"Roman?" Noise called, freezing him in place just as he was about to flee the room. "Where are you going?"
"I- I’ve got to eat too, you know," he said, a half hearted joke that fell flat.
He looked back to see Noise looking at him with big, mournful eyes.
"You're not eating with us?"
"I thought you two would want some time alone, you know, I wouldn't want to intrude."
"Roman," Youngblood interrupted. He’d been silent for so long that even that low muttering of his name immediately stopped Roman in his tracks. "You're not intruding. Come eat with us. Please."
And that was all it took for Roman's admittedly feeble resolve to crumble. His shoulders slumped.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Roman. We want you here."
So, hesitating and slightly clumsy, Roman climbed into the bed. He didn't know what to do with himself but Noise didn't let him flounder for too long, pulling him against their side.
"I love honeyed dragonflies," he said, already digging in, and beaming at the taste. "I haven't had them in ages! Youngblood, here!"
Youngblood grimaced and screwed his eyes shut, but obligingly opened his mouth to let them feed him a spoonful. He looked faintly sick as he swallowed.
"Oh, Bloody," Noise cooed, half mocking and half sympathetic. "We'll find some other food for you tomorrow."
"I'm sure Burgundy has a stall around here," Roman chimed in. "She's everywhere! Her employees are very resourceful."
Youngblood looked at him, despairing. "I can't just eat bread, Roman!"
Noise couldn't hold back their giggles. "You might have to!"
Then they turned to Roman, another spoonful in hand. "Your turn, farm boy!"
"Oh! Um-" his face heated as he let Noise feed him the dragonflies. It was odd – crunchy, and with a bitter flavour that cut through the sweetness of the honey. Roman decided he liked it. "Mm." He grinned at Youngblood, who pretended to gag.
Roman soon found himself absorbed into the serenity of the couple, spooned around Noise and laughing with them as Youngblood groaned at the food (although Roman suspected he may have been exaggerating his disgust slightly to make them both laugh).
A little bubble of joy burst into existence inside Roman, and for the rest of the evening it only glowed brighter.