Chapter Text
In a far-off antique land, stood a child. Messy-haired with tearful eyes. The child, a young boy, stood proudly despite the statues surrounding him. Each statue stared wide-eyed and afraid. In front of the boy stood two others his age. The left one was tidy, unsure however his bright blue eyes were comforting. The unkempt boy found some serenity in staring into them. His eyes darted to the second boy, his hair just as messy as his own. Green eyes stared back in wonder as a smile continued to grow. The boy could blind him and he would still follow him to the end of the earth.
He was aware of his breathing, how his chest grew and deflated rapidly. He was aware that no matter what he would not be accepted by this town. The town he had only been a part of for a day. His own parents didn't want him so why would they? The townsfolk stayed still with fear, at least that's what the boy chose to believe. He was a monster, wasn't he? Wasn't that what he had been told? Wasn't that why he was alone? The boy on the right stepped forward. He stepped back. He rubbed his eyes, the look on his face was too much for him.
“Dylan, my name is Dylan,” The messy boy stepped closer, this time he did not try to run away, “What’s your name?”
The boy behind him whispered, “What are you doing?!”
The messy boy - Dylan - looked back, his smile faded slightly and his eyes darkened. He turned his head back, his eyes brightening again. The boy could not help but be drawn in, the statues - the townsfolk - around him began to move again, some reaching out for their families or friends.
“My... My name is Tobias,” Tobias slowly gained confidence, his eyes drying up and his breathing evening out to a steady pace.
“Okay then, Tobi, how about you come back to mine for a bit,” Dylan said with a smile and began to walk;
Tobias and the other boy followed, the boy had so much on his mind and it seems that the other did as well, however, neither of them spoke a word. Tobias instead took his time to take in his surroundings, tall buildings ran through streets which split off in awkward angles into more streets with more buildings. Towering over these buildings, at the end of the main road stood a powerful building. A castle that stood taller than what Tobias thought was possible, before he could take it in, Dylan shouted at him to hurry up. Down the main street where he was closely following the boy he had trusted so quickly, there were rows of shops and marketplaces. Dylan stopped at one for a second and quickly passed two apples to the boys and pocketed a third and a fourth. They all picked up the pace, spurred on by the instinctive thought that they were doing something wrong but not caring enough to take back what they had just done.
Dylan ran slightly ahead, “C'mon guys! They’ll find us if you two keep being so slow!” he turned his head to smile at them before turning into an alleyway, “Jamie, you are even slower than usual!”
“You are the one that stole! Why should I care! And you-” Jamie turned towards him, “my name is Jamison not Jamie, don't listen to him”
The boy nodded as he set his sights on Dylan who had taken yet another turn. Tobias sped up so he would not lose him. Behind him, Jamison was checking the surroundings to make sure they were not being followed. The three of them ran for what felt like an eternity. Tobias was content with that, he would always be content with that. Dylan slowed down somewhat once they entered a wooded forest, allowing Tobias and Jamison to catch up and catch their breaths. The trio walked until they found a clearing. Jamison and Dylan sat on a small patch, clearly worn down from long days and nights filled with laughter and lengthy conversations. Jamison had begun lecturing Dylan about the penalty for stealing, to which Dylan only looked bored and began to eat his apple to ignore him. Dylan shot Tobias a smile before looking away and continuing to eat his apple. Tobias took the time to look around and observe the breathtaking clearing.
A pond sat in the middle, a waterfall fell perfectly into the pond causing violent splashes. The forest around seemed to gloat about this natural beauty that had been created, or maybe it was the work of a divine goddess giving a calm place before the noisy storm that was the townsfolk. Bird nests rested untouched at the tops of trees while a gentle pile of nuts sat at the bottom. Tobias continued to stare in wonder, stepping around. In his wonder, he did not notice that the two boys were staring intently at him. Tobias stepped towards the water and dipped his hands in. The water was cold however it relaxed him, a heat and tension that he did not know he was holding onto leaving him. Tobias sighed, slightly too deep in thought, maybe he could be happy here.
Dylan stalked towards him, a mischievous glint in his eyes that only Jamison could recognise. Jamison sat with his head in his hands ready to watch the show unfold. Dylan grabbed the back of Tobias's shirt, quickly pushing him forward but securing him gently so that he wouldn't fall in.
“wo-AH!” Tobias screamed, his face staring deeply at his reflection, behind him he could see Dylan's smile grow wider. Tobias couldn't help but start giggling, “Dylan please I’ll do anything just let me go”
“Anything?” Dylan said
“Yes yes, anything I promise”
“Stay with us.” Dylan’s smile faded, a serious and stoic expression taking place instead. “In the village I mean, I don't think either of our parents wants to have another child, but please don't leave me.”
“I won't, I promise on Resma” Tobias spoke clearly and confidently.
The two stared at each other's eyes in the water’s reflection. Dylan smiled for a split second before letting go of Tobias, laughing loudly as he watched the look of shock spread across his face before he hit the water. Dylan fell to the floor unable to hide his complete glee. Tobias quickly raised above water only to grab Dylan’s hand and drag him down with him. Jamison watched in the distance, his smile unnatural to his worried features.
The trio spent the entire night laughing and smiling under the stars. Tobias told stories of his travels with his parents with only slight exaggeration, once Tobias was done then Dylan would take over and would boast about his achievements and how one day he would become king and take over. Jamison would take over and lightheartedly accuse him of treason and then shout about his future plans and his training to become a royal guard and then go further to become captain.
The trio soon fell asleep each holding on as if their moments would fade. At only nine years old, they each felt the oldest they had ever been, and yet they were the happiest they had ever been. Tobias prayed quietly, to a god that never seemed to listen, that they would stay like this forever.
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Tobias awoke in an unfamiliar place, with unfamiliar voices, and unfamiliar feelings. Despite this, he was content in laying and staying still in this bed where everything just felt right. The memories of the last day and night rested unmoving on his mind. The trio counted the stars until their eyes no longer recognised the world around them, his damp clothes clinging to his skin - the uncomfortable nature not bothering him because his friends were there -, and his friends laughing and smiling beside him. He wished he could have that sound on repeat until the end of time.
A voice in the back of his mind slowly travelled to the front. The voice was loud and familiar. He could not place where he had heard it before. His chest grew and his breathing along with his movements became erratic. He shot up, the blankets that were once a comfort were too heavy, too warm fell to his lap where he finally began kicking them off. A mess of blankets and pillows was quickly pooling on the floor beside him. He clutched his ears, praying and screaming at the voice to be quiet, to stop talking words he did not understand. Nails dug into the side of his head but he didn't care anymore, if pain made the voice go away then he would inflict it on anyone he needed to.
Hyperventilating. He was hyperventilating. The voice was trying to get him to listen, he would not. Who was the voice? Was it himself? Was he faking it? Was he only listening to his own screams? No… no no no. He couldn't be… help him. Somebody help him please-
A boy.
A messy-haired bright boy. He was staring at him. Why? The boy yawned, he covered his mouth, his eyes scrunched shut but opened quickly. What time was it? No. Why was he thinking about the time?
The boy's mouth opened. Was he talking? Why couldn't he hear him? Please let him hear him! The boy walked over? Who was this boy? Why can't he remember? He should remember so why can't he. I am begging please let him remember-
A hand held onto his wrist.
Dan- No Dylan. That is who the boy was.
Dylan slowly lowered his hand, bright red marks sat above his ears, his cheeks quickly became the same colour and his eyes drifted to Dylan to the blankets on the floor. He should not have let Dylan see him like this. He knew this feeling, he was ashamed. He hated this feeling. Dylan whispered words that Tobias did not understand. But that was okay because Dylan was with him and would keep him safe. His other hand slowly found its way into Dylan’s. His head raised and he stared into Dylan’s eyes. He wanted to disappear into them. He could swear he saw the clearing in the forest in them. The waterfall leading into the pond they both fell into.
His breathing steadied out, he was tired. Any energy he had in him disappeared the moment the voice had stopped. Dylan slowly manoeuvred around him until he was laying down, his head on the pillow and the blankets once again tidy in their respective places on the bed. Tobias snapped his eyes towards him. When had he moved the blankets? Dylan only smiled and grabbed his waist, slowly pulling him down to rest on his arm. Words were not needed to know what was needed for both of them at the moment, their expressions and eyes spoke what the rest of the world didn't need to know.
Tobias felt the tension leave him as his eyes slowly shut. Dylan occupied his time quietly singing a lullaby - in the most comforting voice he could muster - and playing with Tobias’s unruly hair. Tobias slowly closed his eyes, a relaxed smile on his face.
Dylan fell asleep soon after, his hand tangled in Tobias’s hair. The same expression rested on his face. He wished they could stay like this forever.