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With each chime of the fire cricket’s chirp and every hoot of the midnight raptors, Eijirou found himself growing more and more bored.
You and Katsuki slept soundly, warmed by the roaring fire and balmy night air, while Eijirou stared off into the darkness of the forest. He didn’t mind night watch, it was a necessity for when they slept under the stars. The problem was, it wasn’t terribly stimulating. He’d began swishing his tail back and forth from pent up energy. And what was worse was the slight peckish feeling that plagued his idle mind.
It was taking all of his will power to not rummage in their bags for a snack. He knew Katsuki would either wake up to catch him red handed and throw an explosion in his face or find the food rations missing the next day and deal the same punishment.
His hand found its distraction in your hair. It was softer than any others he knew. What had you attributed it to again, Champoo and Sonditioner? Either way, your delicate strands reminded him of the few royals he’d come across, save Katsuki who cared as much about his hair as he cared about a worm under his foot.
Eijirou dragged clawed fingers through your hair carefully, taking caution not to catch a stubborn knot and wake you.
It calmed him, not just the repeated motion, but that your sleep was… serene, heavy without worry. He and Katsuki were trained to react, even in the dregs of sleep, well Katsuki more than him. However, you, coming from a world without the dangers they faced, your sleep was precious to him, something to be preserved.
HIs fear was that the longer you stayed in their perilous reality, the faster this little bit of peace would slip away from you.
A noise pricks Eijiro’s sharp ears, lighting his muscles with readiness. His eyes narrowed, attempting to cut through the shadows.
The woods answered his suspicion with laughter, tender and tingly laughter that danced along the breeze like dandelion fuzz. The darkness gave way to little lights, dots of brightness at first and then brighter and flitting through the trees. The lights were fast, making fleeting green lanterns of the leaves they hid behind.
Eijirou leaned over you, reaching out to tap Katsuki awake, but then the lights shot out of the trees, forcing him to flinch back. He hardened his skin instinctively. And then, relaxed as he discovered the little creatures fluttering just across the red sea of his eyes.
Two pixies with gray skin and wide, pupilless, black eyes faced Eijirou. They were no bigger than his large fingers and hovered close enough to his face for his eyes to cross slightly. Their wings emitted white light, turning them into floating stars that captivated the Crimson Dragon.
“Hi, there.” Eijirou greeted, unsurely.
The little creatures giggled and whispered to each other, as though Eijirou amused them.
A lightness crept along his limbs and mind, spreading until a smile stretched onto his face. A feeling like gliding down the smoothest river without worry or care of what lay beyond the calm waters.
Eijirou was about to speak again, to wonder about the dainty faes, but one shot forward sharply, demanding his focus. It held a thin finger to it’s closed mouth.
Quiet. It seemed to say.
Eijirou nodded numbly. The lightness enveloped him, bringing with a hazy, wonderous feeling after following the first order.
The pixie then stretched its delicate arm to him and then pulled it toward itself.
Come, it said, Follow me.
Eijirou rose, his mind narrowing to just the little star. As it moved away, he was overcome with the need to follow the enchanting entity. To follow the lightness that invaded his heart with cool waters on a summer day and refreshing glides along the sky currents.
And so, he followed, with every other aspect of the world being shadowed to black against the starlight.
As he walked, his tail, swinging happily behind him, dragged over you. It stirred you from your sleep, soon enough to catch his feet retreating into the forest.
You rise onto your elbows, blinking in confusion, “Eijirou?” you rasp, “Where-?”
You suck in a sharp breath as a light shoots to you. The lightness engulfs you as soon as you gaze down at the little star. You vision clouds over and your tense muscles instantly relax. When you breathe, it is as though the freshest morning air has entered your lungs and thrums through your veins, and you’re sure that you could float, as a feather does, along the breeze.
The light floats higher and pulls you smoothly from your bedroll. It floats away and you are compelled to follow, into the woods, trailing unhurriedly after Eijirou.
***
Katsuki woke to sunlight, and irritation followed. Eijirou was supposed to wake him for his watch and waking to the morning birds meant he’d likely fallen asleep sometime in the night. Katsuki rose, his mouth already open and ready to yell until the scaly idiot’s ears fell off, however, there was no one to yell at.
Not even you.
“Shitty Hair?” Katsuki called, “Traveler?”
Only the rustle of trees answered him.
“For fuck’s sake.” Katsuki growled as he hurriedly got off his bed roll. He didn’t pause to pack their things, knowing that something must have happened for both of you to be out of earshot.
He checked the foliage and dirt for traces of you and Eijirou and noticed, near your bedroll were snapped branches. He inspected the area, finding that certain bushes had twigs on the floor or broken of pieces.
Eijirou’s tail, Katsuki realized.
There was a clear path cut out through the trees and Katsuki didn’t hesitate to charge through. A million possibilities of what could have happened flicking through his head.
There didn’t seem to have been a struggle, at least not one loud enough to wake him. If whoever had taken you and Eijirou had somehow sedated the large dragon, there would be dragging marks on the ground. Eijirou was much too heavy for even a group of people to lift without struggling after a few paces. And why take you? A live dragon would be worth more gold than they could carry. You’d have no use to them. And why not kill Katsuki in his sleep for good measure?
And why leave such an obvious trail to follow? Could dragon hunters afford to be so careless or were they… hoping Katsuki would follow?
Katsuki had woken a good few hours after daybreak and the forest was bright. However, across the path that Katsuki hastily followed, there was a wide clearing that glowed. Almost unnaturally.
It reminded him of the sunlight outside the Dark Forest with how the clearing light dimmed the rest of the woods. It screamed wrong, but Katsuki followed the path to the edge. He could not afford caution, not when it came to you and Eijirou missing for who knew how many hours.
He stepped onto the border of the clearing taking in the richly-colored meadow.
An expanse of the greenest grass and multitudes of various flowers covered the ground so no speck of dirt was seen. The sunlight bared down, throwing every little ladybug, butterfly and bee sitting on delicate petals into a vividly artistic sight. Though Katsuki could see the forest curve around the clearing from where he stood hesitantly at the entrance, beyond it the beautiful plains seemed to stretch through eternity. Magic thrummed conspicuously through the air; he could taste it’s spark on his tongue. And each gulp of air spoke, Come. Rest. Sleep.
And though the floral smell was heavenly and the grass below seemed softer then any bed he’d laid on before, he could feel the true intent of the wonderous meadow.
Come. Rest. Sleep. Die amongst that which is more beautiful than you.
And amongst the meticulously structured meadow, you and Eijirou were. Two beings that were so well placed, it was as though you both were painted onto the canvas by the artists themselves.
Both dragon and human giggled cross-legged on the floor, happiness pure and open exuding from the wideness of your smiles and the sparkle in your eyes. Eijirou leaned forward, placing a flower crown laced with fire lilies, aster and freesia atop your head and you returned the gesture with a similar crown of your own. Both of you gazed at the other, as though enamored by the sight of the other in their personalized gifts.
Katsuki hadn’t noticed it before, but as he stepped into the clearing, intent on getting the both of you out of the bizarre environment, he caught something circling the area you and Eijirou sat on. Two glints like specs of sunlight that had escaped its sphere, orbited you both at even paces.
Just as he stepped into the meadow, the glints of light sped up. Their light almost leaving a trail, a circle reminiscent of a large halo.
Eijirou reached for you, his large hands coming to rest tenderly at your neck. You were unphased by the action, only smiled sweetly as Eijirou squeezed his clawed hands around your throat.
All caution drained from Katsuki in an instant. He charged forward, into the heart of the meadow, yelling as loud as he could to break the obvious trance, “Eijirou! Wake up! Wake up!”
But neither of you heard him, hadn’t even glanced in his direction, just gazed at each other not unlike lovesick fools.
Katsuki could see you relaxing, your limbs falling limp. Though you didn’t struggle, you lungs did, your chest moved up and down as though they were desperate to escape and retrieve the air they were being denied. Your eyelids drooped and you swayed, leaning into Eijirou’s hands as though they weren’t trying to kill you.
Katsuki got there before your eyes shut. He tackled Eijirou to the ground, bringing you down with them but thankfully out of Eijirou’s claws.
“Snap out of it, you idiots!” Katsuki shouted.
The little glints fluttered away when Katsuki broke their trance-like circling and with their disappearance, Eijirou’s eyes began to clear. His pupil size reduced significantly, giving way for the sunset red to blossom. He blinked up at Katsuki in confusion, “Katsuki? Wha-
He was cut off by your desperate gasps for air.
“Traveler!” Eijirou exclaimed, rushing up from under Katsuki to come to you, “What happened?”
You were on the ground, clutching your throat as you struggled to suck in breath. Eijirou pulled you up gently, lending his arm as a back rest as you coughed and shuddered.
“You nearly choke them to death. That’s what.” Katsuki said, as he crouched down to examine your injury.
Eijirou stared at him incredulously, “I would never-”
Katsuki flicked his fierce eyes to him, “Wanna bet?” he sneered, and brought his forefinger to your chin and jerked your head up. There lay the reddened indents of Eijirou’s hands that were sure to bruise later.
Eijirou falters at the sight, his eyes mist over as he struggles to believe what he sees, “I didn’t- I wouldn’t-” he stutters. His hands move away from you and you almost fall over, but Katsuki catches you, holding you to him as you finally catch your breath.
“Ei-ji-ro would-n’t.”, you rasp, reaching for him but his eyes were transfixed on the red skin.
“Hey, relax. Focus on breathing, dumbass.” Katsuki ordered you softly, squeezing your arm gently to steady you, “He didn’t do it on purpose. It was those faeries making him.”
Eijirou looks around with realization, “The pixies. They lead us here. A Fae Meadow.” He says with wonder, “I never thought I’d see one. Most people who come into these…”
“Die.” Katsuki finishes bluntly, “Figures. I let you do one night watch and you manage to fall into a faerie trap-”
The earth splits, and then the ground beneath them crumbles. You scream through your raw throat as you fall out of Katsuki’s grip. You flail trying to grab something to stop your decent, however neither of your hands nor your eyes could catch a single thing in the darkness.
You heard Eijirou shout for you and then a flap of powerful wings. Something collided with you, “I got you. I got you.”
He’s flapping slowly, descending but at a much slower rate, “Kat-suki-” You say in panic, because Eijirou was not instantly zooming to catch him.
“Don’t worry.” Eijirou said, “Katsuki has his own way of flying.”
Then the bright explosion of Katsuki’s magic cuts through the darkness and you relax into Eijirou’s hold. You grip his shoulder, fighting the nauseating feeling of your feet dangling in open air.
You and Eijirou land next to him, knowing that only because his palms crackled to provide a little light.
“Shit.” Katsuki grumbles, his eyes are not on them but up to where you’d fallen. There was no hole, no inkling of the brightness of before.
“How is that possible? We just fell.” You say as you gape at the black.
“Faerie magic.” Katsuki spat, “They obviously want us here.” He starts to move around the underground space and Eijirou ushers you gently to follow.
“The fae-ries?” you ask, anxiously, “Like Tink-er-bell?”
“What the fuck does bells that you tinker with have to do with Faeries?” Katsuki snaps.
Okay, you think, that ones on you. “Where are we?” you ask, instead.
“The entrance to the Realm of Fae.” Eijirou states. You notice that he held you loosely, like he was afraid to touch you but also didn’t want to risk losing you in unfamiliar territory. You think back to when Eijirou had almost hurt you and Katsuki before. You remember how guilty he’d felt before, enough for the careless words of others calling him a monster to make him plummet into sadness. You didn’t want him to spiral again.
You loop your arm through his, holding tightly even as he flinches and stiffens. You can barely make out his outline in the minimal light and you’re unsure of how much Eijirou can see in this darkness, but you smile reassuringly at him anyway, hoping that he’ll understand that you didn’t blame him, so he shouldn’t blame himself either.
Eventually as they stumble their way through the tunnels, he relaxes and holds your hand a little firmer. A silent understanding.
“I thought Faerie Realm would be… greener? More flowers? And you know, full of faeries?” you say, your throat still sore and crying for some water or anything to soothe the burn. Though the pain was not unmanageable, you decided to try to keep talking to essential phrases only.
“Oh, the bastards are out here.” Katsuki grumbled, “They just like to laugh at us ‘lesser’ beings. They’re enjoying watching us get lost.”
“This is outside the Faerie Realm. Like an entrance” Eijirou explained, “They’re a very proud species. Normally, no one is allowed so close without being killed or used for entertainment.”
“Fucking narcisstic, snobbish, prideful, petty bastards.” Katsuki growls in distaste.
“I fear that your elaborations of us are quite negative and biased considering that you are all those things, Katsuki.” A woman’s voice sings through the black.
Katsuki stopped dead and groaned, “Oh for fuck’s sake.”
Torches flared to life high above your heads, one-by-one igniting in flickering emerald fire. Their faint illumination revealed the spacious cavern around you and a woman standing a small distance away in a dress resembling the night sky. Long, black and flowing to the ground, her dress was fitting and alive. Every inch held a dark butterfly whose little insect head gleamed white. It was elaborate, the most beautiful gown you’d ever seen, and it complimented the wearers dark blond hair and high crown. The crown was a shaped jewel, onyx you assumed, and reflected that this person was of consequential importance.
Katsuki growled at your side, “Camie.” He took a threatening step forward, “Were you behind all of this? Trying to get Eijirou to kill the Traveler?!”
“Why would I go through such a scheme to kill one insignificant human?” she drawled.
You pouted, Ouch! Uncalled for!
“Hey!” Eijirou defended, “Traveler is not insignificant! And how dare you make me hurt them-!”
Camie glanced at him in disinterest, “In any case, I only played out that little scene so you wouldn’t hesitate to rush in and save them. You’ve always been too clever for your own good, Katsuki. Couldn’t have you thinking too much.”
Katsuki exhaled, sharp and annoyed, “What do you want, Camie?” he asked, each word sounding as though it was forced at gunpoint out of his mouth.
There was an odd familiarity between the beautiful woman and Katsuki. In the way that he used an obvious nickname, that may have once been affectionate and more so, in the wicked way she smiled at him, like she knew Katsuki more than you or Eijirou.
That weird familiarity drove you to ask, “Who are you?”
By the way Eijirou looked at Katsuki, a little sad an confused, you were sure he wanted to know that as well.
Katsuki breathed out through his teeth and reluctantly introduced, “Camella. The Queen of the Night Court.”
Eijirou’s eyes widened comically, “You know the Queen of the Night Court?!”
“Shut up!” Katsuki snapped, the vein at his temple close to popping, he turned back to the woman in black, “Camie, what do you want?”
Camie’s smile took on an amused curve, as though seeing Katsuki teeming with irritation gave her great satisfaction. She stepped forward casually, slowly, her extravagant gown trailing behind. You weren’t completely sure of her significance in their world but as she grew closer, her beauty amplified. Each movement she made was lined with infinite grace, but she was not just a piece of art. Her dark eyes spoke the threat of her power disguised under the pretty dress and fragile features.
When she spoke, it was light and playful, but you didn’t dare trust her words. Not when Katsuki’s hackles were raised and Eijirou tense beside you, “Rumors have been flying around about your little band of explorers and it made me curious. I wanted to see for myself.”
She paused in front of you, and you resisted the urge to shrink back from her dark calculating stare and cynical smile.
“How do you and Katsuki even know each other?” Eijirou questioned tentatively.
Camie’s sharp eyes flicked to Eijirou, and said cheerfully, as though saying that it’s a bright and sunny day, “We used to have sex.”
“What!” you and Eijirou shouted simultaneously and looked directly to Katsuki for confirmation.
Katsuki groaned, “You don’t have to tell everyone about that.”
“I was merely answering a question, Katsuki.” Camie said with airy superiority.
Finally, she walked to him and he met her eyes in his glare, “You left quite a mess when last I saw you.”
“I did you a favor!” Katsuki snarled, “You were going to kill him yourself anyway. It’s not my fault he attacked me first.”
“Yes, true, but since I had to take care of everything after you escaped. I believe you owe me…” she shifted her eyes away and back as though considering, “Entertainment me.”
Katsuki’s eyes narrowed and he crossed his arms, obstinate, “I’m not fucking with you.”
Camie rolled her eyes and giggled, “Not that kind of entertainment.”
She raised her palm to her lips, blowing a kiss that shimmered the air and evolved into a glittering black butterfly. The little thing fluttered towards Katsuki, landing on his nose deftly and then exploded all around them.
You felt magic ripple through you briefly like a wave of cold water and in the next instant, you, Eijirou and Katsuki were trapped in a black sphere.
Katsuki charged forward, banging onto the shimmering, semi-transparent trap, “Camie, what the fuck?”
“Do you remember our last conversation, Katsuki?” she asked, sweetly, “you told me you couldn’t fall in love anyone. And yet here I find you attached to not one, but two lesser creatures.”
You touched the black surface of the force field, feeling the buzz of magic. Eijirou jabbed his hardened claws to the sphere, but he yelped as one of his nails broke.
“That won’t work, little dragon.” She warned, “You are merely a welp, but I am a thousand years of cultivated power.” Her fictitious smile dropped, her expression finally matching her eyes.
“So, fucking what if I’m attached! That doesn’t mean I’m in love with them.” Katsuki yelled.
Camie merely hummed noncommittal, “Here’s my deal for you.” She stepped close to Katsuki, if not for the sphere separating them, they would be breathing each other’s air, “You can kiss one of them, and you and that person will be free of the sphere. Or you can kiss both of them and only the one you love the most will leave with you. The other will be left in my care and belong to me until their mortal life ends.” Camie glanced at you and Eijirou, “I would prefer the dragon, if you’re feeling generous, Katsuki. He’ll last longer in Faerie. But the choice is yours. You have a human day to decide.”
She turned on her heels and walked away. Katsuki banged onto the sphere, screaming, “Get back here right now! Camie! Fucking let us go!”
She didn’t flinch, stepping through the rocks across the cavern. The solid stone rippled like a pond as she disappears past it.
***
The sphere was impenetrable. Unwavering against both Eijriou’s and Katsuki’s magic and the little weapons they carried. A couple hours of hacking at the swirling black force field did nothing but drain your energy. Eijirou suggested using his fire, however Katsuki wasn’t sure whether that would do anything more than eat up their oxygen.
At a point, Eijirou and you surrendered to the hard ground and watched Katsuki rage against the inanimate cage. He was feral, exploding his hands and smashing his fists, all for the sphere to silently still stand.
Eijirou and you looked on worriedly as Katsuki bristled and fumed like a beast bolted in chains.
When you caught specs of blood on his knuckles, you’d finally had enough. You stood up and tried to place your hand on his shoulder to stop him from charging forward again, but he whipped around and grabbed your hand tightly in his, “Don’t touch me!” he growled, his eyes dangerous like wildfire.
“It’s pointless.” You say, softly, trying not to cringe back from his aggression.
“You don’t know that!” he shouted, his hand clenching around yours so hard you were afraid it might break something.
Eijirou rose as well, “Let go of them, Katsuki. You’re hurting them!”
Katsuki let go in the next instant, a look of surprise breaking through the anger briefly as though he didn’t realize how hard he’d gripped until Eijirou said something. He turned away from you, his jaw clenched with annoyance, “Fine. I’ll stop.” He gritted out and plopped onto the ground.
“And apologize to Traveler for nearly breaking their hand.” Eijirou growled.
“That’s okay-” you try to say, but Katsuki snaps, “It’s not okay!” His tongue flicks over his teeth and his hand falls back on the dentless sphere. He doesn’t look at you, but mumbles, “Sorry. This is just so fucked up.”
You sit back on the ground, giving Katsuki breathing room, “We’re gonna figure this out. We’ve been through worse.”
“This is different.” Katsuki grumbles.
“Who did you kill anyway?” Eijirou asked, curiously, “Some Fae Lord?”
“I did her a fucking favor, the ungrateful bitch!” Katsuki curses, “Around the time we were fooling around, the Fae Council was busy getting their asses kissed by this Fae Lord. He was trying to bribe his way into a higher position in the court. Whispering in their ears that Camie was unfit to rule alone and should marry to better suit the Night Court’s agenda.
“She was furious and was going to assassinate him quietly to avoid the whole ordeal entirely but the moron picked the fight with me. What was I supposed to do? Let the bastard kill me? So, I killed him and escaped. I didn’t think it would cause enough of a mess to warrant this type of response from the bitch.”
“This does seem like an overreaction.” You comment, “I mean if she was just going to kill him anyway.”
“Maybe we should take a few hours to rest.” Ejirou suggest, “We can figure out what to do after with fresh minds.”
“Fine. Whatever.” Katsuki said, facing the rock walls.
Eijirou laid down, extending his wing on the ground, “Here, Traveler, sleep on my wing. The ground is cold.”
“No, no. I’ll hurt your wing.” You reply.
“You won’t. It’s just like sleeping on an arm just bigger.” Ejirou explains smiling.
It was times like this that you appreciate Eijirou’s uncanny ability to ease your anxiety. “If you’re sure.” You reply, laying next to him. Katsuki is next to you, leaning on the forcefield. His eyes closed.
You make yourself comfortable on Eijirou’s wing, but even after time passes, sleep evades you. Something Eijirou could sense effortlessly.
You felt the twinge of his muscle on his wing as he turned to face you.
“Traveler?” he called softly, “You’re not sleeping.”
You blink your eyes open, meeting his that glimmered even in the darkness. The green flames spread across the circumference of the cavern did little more than allow you to see the person in front of you.
“I’m trying.” You reply.
“Are you scared?” he asks and you purse your lips. You glance behind you at Katsuki. His breathing was even and he didn’t so much as twitch when they spoke. Perhaps all the attacks on the sphere tired him out enough to sleep.
“I’m- a little.” You admit, “Camie, the Queen is powerful. If we can’t find a way out of here, what will she do with me?”
“We’re not leaving you here.” Eijirou says, sternly. In any other circumstance, the tone would leave no room for question. And there wasn’t any. No room for question and no other choice for Katsuki. He had long since stopped despising you and you were beginning to feel that maybe he looked at you with a… similar softness that he casts on Eijirou. But not matter how much he may have warmed up to you, between saving Eijirou and you. He would save Eijirou.
This time ‘resting’ was just postponing the inevitable.
At the very least, Katsuki had done everything in his power to try and break the field and that would have to be enough.
Telling Eijirou all of that would do nothing but incite a fight, so all you say is, “Alright, Eijirou. I’m going to try to get some sleep.”
This time you did fall asleep. Eijirou shifted closer, his warmth lulling you.
Eijirou’s hands found their way to your hair. This was becomes a nervous habit of his. Something he would miss dearly once you leave. And you were going to leave. He would make sure of it.
“I know you’re awake, Katsuki.” He says to the silence.
Eijirou looks up to find Katsuki staring at his boots, impassive.
“I know what you’re thinking.” Eijirou speaks, quietly, “I know you will choose me and leave them here, but we can’t. We have to find a way to save Traveler.”
Katsuki’s jaw clenched, “Would you rather I kiss them and leave you here?” he asked, bluntly.
“Katsuki-”
“In what world, do you imagine that I would be able to save someone I’ve known a few weeks over you, Eijirou?”
There was no anger in his voice, nor in his intense gaze. It was a rare look that held on Katsuki’s face. Where the red of his iris bled into the white and his teeth clamped tight enough to crack.
Eijirou couldn’t look away as much as he hated seeing Katsuki like this. He was grateful when Katsuki finally tore his eyes away.
“I don’t want to do this.” He said, his tone straining for evenness, “But Camie is not like any other enemy. She’s been here for a thousand years and she’ll be here for a thousand more. We attack and we’re no more than insignificant flies bothering her over a sweet tea.
“Eijirou, I need you to understand. I don’t want to do this. But if there’s a chance of at least on of you making it-”
“Katsuki-” Eijirou tried to interrupt.
“I promised your mothers, Eijirou. Did you know that? You pledged your allegiance to me, to follow me to the ends of the Earth and your mothers came to me, afraid that their idiot son was in over his head. I promised them, Eijirou. I told them I would bring you home safe. How do you expect me to leave you here.”
Eijirou hated the vulnerability in Katsuki’s voice. Katsuki who was strong and crass and rough at every edge, who looked at Eijirou now as though pleading to give him an alternative.
To give him anything, any escape from this impossible decision.
“Kiss both of us.” Eijirou said.
Katsuki fell back against the sphere, looking away, “That wouldn’t make a difference-”
“It might!” Eijirou insisted, “If the Queen made that part of the game, it means that she thinks there’s a possibility that you love the Traveler. If you kiss both of us, and we all try to leave the sphere at the same time, maybe she’ll be distracted enough by the game that we can get a jump on her.”
“Eijirou,” Katsuki huffed, “That would never work.”
“We have to try.” Eijirou pleaded, “We can’t leave them here. Katsuki, they would barely survive above this cavern on their own. We cannot abandon them in the Fae Realm. They torture humans, turn them into husks of themselves. You’ve seen! We can’t let that happen to-” Eijirou’s wing had begun to wrap around you protectively, his voice shook, “I’m not gonna let that happen to-”
“Okay.” Katsuki said, cutting through Eijirou’s rising anxiety, “Okay, Eijirou. We’ll try it your way.”
Katsuki’s eyes drifted to you, curled up against Eijirou and sleeping fitfully. There was a time when Eijirou’s instinctive affection to you irked Katsuki, but over time, that affection dripped steadily into him.
He cared for you. Against his will, you taken up your own place in his chest next to Eijirou and Katsuki didn’t think he would be able to claw you out.
Eijirou was right. They couldn’t leave you here. Maybe the Katsuki at the beginning of this journey could, but not this him.
“I won’t leave without them, Katsuki.” Eijirou said, imploringly, like he was afraid that Katsuki’s words held lies.
“I know, Eijirou.” Was all he replied with, “I know.”
***
Waking came with the hope that the day before was just a dream. That was a common occurrence since you’d fallen into this world, waking and expecting everything to have been cooked up in your mind. However, this time, like every other, revealed the waking world to be real, foreign but tangible in every way.
Eijirou’s wing, sharp teeth, beautiful blood-red eyes- all real.
You shift back to look at Katsuki, finding him not where he’d last been, but catching the ends of pale blond hair.
You want to look at him, want to remember the many adventures you’d all shared before Camie returned to take you away. Want to thank them for trying so hard to get you home.
“Hey.”
You turned back to see Eijirou, awake and smiling at you.
“We’re not leaving you here.” He says, so calm and reassuring it’s a struggle to not get your hopes up.
“We have a plan.” Katsuki says, rising up, “We’re not leaving you, Outsider.”
Katsuki’s gaze was solid and steady like he meant it.
You nod, overcome with emotions. Katsuki wasn’t obligated to save you. In fact, sacrificing you to save Eijirou must have been his Plan A. But he was willing to risk his friend, his loyal and selfless companion to save you.
“Here’s the plan…” Eijirou started.
The plan was simple, if not a lot presumptuous. Katsuki would kiss both of you, drawing suspense in the moment. The three of you would try to leave the sphere at the same time, keeping Camie’s attention, and in her moment of distraction, Eijirou and Katsuki would charge her with the hope that she will be off guard.
Hope was the foundation and the finish of the plan. The foolish drive that spurred it along. But they were going to try anyway. And hope not to be killed in the process.
Katsuki’s leg bounced like a jackhammer, Eijirou’s tail swished anxiously and you couldn’t sit still even if someone offered you a couple bars of gold to do so.
They were nervous, so much so that it was a relief when the stone rippled and Camie stepped through.
If possible, the Queen’s appearance was more magnificent than last you’d seen her. Her dress was flowing like the butterfly gown, but this one had a pure white base covered with plucked night tulips pressed into the fabric. A low-cut V neck exposed her cleavage and a glittering onyx necklace that complimented it’s counterparts at her ears and, most important the on her head. The striking crown that adorned her head completed her presence as a compelling, all-powerful monarch.
And thereby, diminished the probability of success of the plan.
“So, have you made your decision, Katsuki?” Camie asked. She didn’t approach the sphere like they’d expected, which narrowed the time she would be distracted.
“I have.” Katsuki growled, grinding his teeth.
“Well, don’t let me stop you.” She smiled, condescendingly.
Katsuki glared at Camie a second longer, communicating his hatred and then turned to you. You watched the fire fade a little, softening to a flame. Despite the dire situation, your heart thumped rapidly as Katsuki leaned in. Neither of your eyes closed. Your locked gazes, unbroken even as Katsuki pressed his lips to yours. Short, but gentle. When he pulled away and paused, you still could not tear your eyes from the deep pools of red. You felt almost as though you were searching for something that was not at surface level.
But this was not the time to find hidden treasures.
Katsuki turned to Eijirou.
This kiss was different. When Katsuki pressed forward, Eijirou’s eyes fell shut. The moment stretched, but couldn’t have lasted more than a second longer than yours. Katsuki watched. Watched the slight hitch in Eijirou’s breath and how he blinked his eyes open when he pulled away.
This treasure was not so easily hidden, but could not be opened yet. It was much too early and the wine was not aged.
Katsuki then turned to the sphere, the swirling black unchanged and standing tauntingly. You and Eijirou took your places at his sides raising your hands in planned hesitance.
You catch Camie’s sharp eyes focused not on your faces but the three hands, all an inch away from the answer she craved.
You all pushed forward, and Eijirou and Katsuki leaped.
A wave of scales flared on Eijirou’s skin as he shifted. His wings broaden, his horns extend and his teeth lengthen. A mid-shift that held the clear message of predator and danger. His roar was all the warning given before fire barreled to Camie.
Katsuki was not far behind, propelled forward by his explosions and cupping his hands together for his concentrated shot.
The Queen remained unphased. She smiled, the tips of her lips curling venomously. Then her eyes sparked a rich, forest green.
Thick vines broke out of the hard earth bellow them, shooting out and ensnaring Katsuki and Eijirou. The vines catch around their waists, jerking them off the course and faltering their attacks. Both flame and fire magic burn lines across the rocks above Camie’s head.
The vines rear back and toss Katsuki and Eijirou effortlessly to the rock walls, their backs hitting it harshly.
But that would not stop them. Katsuki was the first to rise, his explosions readying to charge again, when he heard Eijirou mumbled in disbelief, “How…?”
Katsuki whipped around and froze.
There, on the ground staring at your own hands touching the dirt like you couldn’t believe they were there, was you, outside the sphere.
A couple moments of flabbergasted staring was what it took for Katsuki’s brain to catch up. He growled, whirling on Camie and exploded with anger, “Camie! You motherfucking bitch!”
Eijirou rushed to you as Katsuki stormed over to Camie, his hands exploding with intent. Vines erupted from the ground, wrapping themselves around Katsuki’s legs and arms. His explosions set off as he yelled and fought against them, “You tricked us!”
Camie giggled, “I did no such thing. Honestly, Katsuki, did I say that the three of you wouldn’t be able to leave if you tried to after the day was up?”
“You said only the one I love the most would be able to leave.” Katsuki fumed.
“Love is not a quantifiable thing, Katsuki. How small minded of you, dear.” Camie sighed, as though exasperated, “You have become rather daft in our time a part. I’m afraid I’ve grown bored of this game. Kindly vacate, immediately.”
The vines grabbed you so suddenly you yelped. It wrapped around your arms and propelled you up. Eijirou and Katsuki were not far behind, judging by Katsuki’s steady stream of cursing and Eijirou’s startled shout.
The vines deposited you through the ceiling, back to the Fae Meadow you’d been at a day ago, and then recited back into the ground, back to Camie who smiled wistfully at nothing in particular.
She spoke to the sudden emptiness, “Who would have thought that the heartless Barbarian Prince would fall in love with not one but two rare finds.”
***
Katsuki thumped his fists to the ground, angrily demanding that Camie pay for the time that they had lost on her ridiculous game, while Eijirou attempted to placate him.
As you watched the two, a feeling bubbled up in your chest.
Laughter. Loud, unapologetic, relieved laughter that gave the two boys pause.
You rush them, throwing your arms around both in a fierce hug, “Thank you for finding me when I needed you, Eijirou. And thanks for not abandoning me, Katsuki.” You say, hoping the mere words conveyed how grateful you were to not be alone in this extraordinary and treacherous world.
“Yeah, yeah, okay, Outsider. You can let go now.” Though his tone was obstinate, he didn’t pull away.
Eijirou returned your hug, “You’re welcome, Traveler. We’re gonna get you home.”
“Okay. Okay. Enough with the mushy nonsense. We need to get back and make sure all our stuff is still there!” Katsuki gripes.
You release them, smiling softly as Katsuki attempts to hide the pink tints at his ears.
He leads the way back to the campsite. It’s silent, a little indulgence of the calm after the storm, until Eijirou breaks it.
“You know, Katsuki, I get you have your charms and things, but I can’t believe you slept with a woman like that. I mean what did she see in you?” he joked.
“Shut it, Shitty Hair! Or I might just sacrifice you to the Faes in the Meadow!”