Archive of Our Own

For a few moments after the bracelet went into the water, there was complete silence. Then chaos erupted.

As the Princess ran to the side of the boat with the Duke's secretary right behind her, Buddy's look of shock shifted. He smirked up at the blonde teen standing over him. "Well now, this is quite a deviation from the story. My my. However will the story be resolved now, I wonder? It would appear that you have... failed?" The last was said on a note of surprise mixed in with a dash of 'Wait, what's going on here? Unhand me, sir!' as Buddy was suddenly, and very unceremoniously, hoisted up from the boat's deck in a way that was only possible due to the fact that he was, as far as the story characters were concerned, a cat.

The Duke's voice boomed out, overly loud as usual. "Fear not, Princess! My Mewcifer is an excellent swimmer. She shall easily retrieve the bracelet for you." He glared at the wide-eyed feline dangling from his hand and only Chase and Deacon were close enough to hear him add. "You'd better. I won't forget about your disobedience otherwise. I told you to behave yourself." Without another word, or any chance for the cat in his hand to try to wriggle free, the Duke threw Mewcifer over the ship's rail and into the water.

Chase looked absolutely delighted by this development… until he heard Buddy's scream of terror as he flew through the air. "Buddy?" Trading concerned glances with Deacon, the cousins ran for the rail to check out the situation.

It turned out that becoming a character in a story did not mean a key holder would get all of that character's abilities. Some, perhaps, but not all. Buddy may have gained Mewcifer's claws, but not her 'excellent swimming' skill. It only took the sight of Buddy struggling in the water and going under twice to make that all too clear to Chase and Deacon.

Honestly, Deacon wasn't even surprised when Chase immediately dove in after his supposed nemesis. He had a feeling he'd be seeing rather a lot of that sort of thing from Chase in the future. It was just the sort of Heroine he knew Chase would be. The sort that was truly the female equal to a Hero and not the sort to just sit around waiting for one.

With a sigh, he started to make as big a fuss as his cat-form could, so the Princess would notice what was going on. Just as a back-up plan. He could see Chase already had Buddy under tow. Good thing Chase's fear of boats had led his cousin to learn to swim when he was younger.

In all the commotion that followed to get both cats back on board, Deacon was the only one who noticed Chase diving down for a moment and coming back up with the bracelet hanging off his tail, then sneakily dropping it as he was carried past the Duke's secretary. Deacon was also, therefore, the only one who wasn't completely surprised when the Duke's secretary suddenly called out, "Princess! It looks like your bracelet didn't go into the water after all!"

Well, that was that problem sorted out, at least.

As the boat headed back to the dock, Deacon wasn't sure where his attention was best placed.

On the one hand… er… paw, Buddy and Chase were both wet and cold so had been placed in a sunny spot on the deck, wrapped up in a blanket. Just the one blanket, of course, because why would a Royal boat taking a leisurely sail need to carry more than that? It was weirder how little the two usually fussy boys were complaining about having to share the blanket, really. Although, that could have had something to do with the reason for Deacon's divided attention.

The Princess really liked cats. Everyone in this story world knew that. Everyone. So it had been quite shortsighted of the Duke to have thrown his own cat overboard. Especially since he'd made that loud announcement right before he did so, ensuring the Princess would observe his actions. As soon as the Princess had been reassured by the boat man that both cats were unhurt and would just need some time and warmth to fully recover, she had turned on the Duke and begun to deliver the most scathing dressing down Deacon had ever heard.

So far, she'd covered his false accusation of his secretary for the theft his own cat had perpetrated within the first five minutes of her tirade. Since then, the topic had switched to how he'd thrown his cat into the water after lying that she knew how to swim.

Deacon had already started taking notes on his phone. There was some really great stuff here! The Princess had quite a way with insults and this was by far the most entertained Deacon had been since arriving in the story. Considering how quiet Chase and Buddy were being, as well as how wide eyed they were as they stared in shock at the Princess, Deacon suspected it was the same for both of them.

The boat's return to the dock didn't take all that long but, when Deacon checked on his cousin and their nefarious foe as they were all being put in a carriage for the ride back to the castle, he was immediately concerned. Chase seemed fine apart from a bit of shivering now and then and his own obvious worry. The problem was Buddy.

Even paler than usual and shivering constantly, Buddy seemed to be having a lot of trouble keeping his eyes open. His breathing sounded a bit strained, too.

The Med Student part of Deacon wasn't at all happy about any of those symptoms. To the point where, as the carriage drove into the palace courtyard, he quietly suggested to his cousin that they try to sneak Buddy off to one of the palace's many empty guest chambers. There were so many, surely they could find one where he could rest more comfortably than the cushion he was likely to be expected to lie on. That was fine for the cat everyone saw him as, Chase too for that matter, however both of them would definitely recover faster if they could lie down for a bit in real beds. Chase clearly thought the same way, considering how quickly he agreed with the plan. Buddy was harder to persuade but, when he was barely able to stand on his own after being lifted down from the carriage, he finally agreed.

The three 'cats' ended up sneaking into a bed chamber only a short corridor walk away from the palace throne room, but even that was almost too much for Buddy. Chase had to help him over to the bed from the doorway and he spoke over his shoulder as he moved. "We'll probably be needed at some point to finish off the story. I'll stay here with Buddy in case he gets worse. Can you go keep an eye on the Princess?"

Buddy couldn't hold back a soft groan as he finally sat down on the side of the bed. It was soft, covered with decadently silky sheets, wonderfully plush blankets and the pillows looked like they were stuffed with down, if not real clouds. As much as he wanted to just curl up and sleep, though, the blonde brat was talking to him. He tried his best to focus. He'd already missed the other one leaving, this might be more important.

"There should be towels around here somewhere. I'll be right back, okay?"'

Towels? Towels meant no more being wet. That was a good thing. He managed the slightest of nods in response and heard movement so he assumed the brat had noticed. Ugh. He was so tired. However, lying down while wet held no appeal at all. He just needed to wait a bit. He could do that. Right? Right. Maybe.

He must have dozed off, just a little, as he opened his eyes to find himself lying down on his side, his legs up on the bed. A towel had been carefully wrapped around his hair and his clothes felt a bit dryer, like someone had patted him down. It must have been very gently, since it hadn't woken him. More surprisingly, his collar had been undone, so his chest was a little more on show. Not that he minded that at all. The wet material had been uncomfortable near his neck and having it open also made it easier for him to breathe. His surprise was that the blonde brat had dared undo it.

It took him a moment longer to realise, it hadn't been his collar being undone that had woken him. There was a rustling somewhere nearby. Buddy glanced around and, on seeing the source, went very still. The other boy was standing not far away, his back to him. Since he was in the middle of toweling himself off, he must have looked after Buddy first, although Buddy could not focus on that thought as much as he wanted to.

Not with the blonde having taken off the top half of his outfit to dry off.

His movements. The way the towel rubbed against his skin. The occasional peek of that same skin from under the towel. Buddy's mouth was suddenly very dry. He'd been hiding THAT under clothes, yet Buddy was the one considered a Villainess? The world was insane.

Also, he was obviously getting feverish to be even having such thoughts. Maybe he should just close his eyes again.

… Right after the floor show finished. It would be rude to not watch when the blonde was putting so much effort in.

The movements of the towel were almost hypnotic though and Buddy was so very tired.

Freckled Brat's irritating voice woke Buddy next, but he could perhaps be forgiven for not realising that right away as his initial attention snapped to the warmth against his back, the lower limbs tangled with his own and the arm around his waist that was holding him just firmly enough to be more enjoyable than it perhaps should have been. It seemed the blonde had decided to join him and while Buddy was surprised by the brat's boldness, he was more startled at how… nice… it felt to have his company.

More importantly, the part of the arm that he could see was bare. Had the blonde not put his clothes back on? Buddy might have turned to check if he hadn't registered that there was a whole conversation going on that he was missing.

"You sure you're not jealous?' That was the blonde, a note of tease and smirk in his voice that Buddy easily recognised from his own conversations with him.

Wait. The words. Focus on the words. Was this his chance to find out what the relationship was between them?

He was glad he had stayed motionless since waking. It made it much easier to feign that he was still sleeping. They'd surely speak more freely if they thought he couldn't hear them.

"Of what? Finding you in bed with him? Why would I be?"

Freckled Brat didn't sound particularly jealous but Buddy didn't know him all that well so… maybe?

"It's not like we haven't shared a bed before."

… What?

"If anything, I pity him. You're a starfish, a covers thief and an octopus, all rolled into one."

Interesting. That could prove useful. No! Wait! Go back to the bit about sharing a bed with him, Freckles!

"Yep. I'm amazing, I know. Good looking and multi-talented, that's me!"

The image of the blonde without his shirt on promptly reminded Buddy that it was now seared into his mind.

"I never said a word about your looks. You do know that, right?"

Maybe they weren't together? Surely he would have said something at that point if they were?

"You're just in denial. Anyway, what's going on with the Princess? Is the story ending?"

"Um. Not exactly. It might take a bit longer."

Why did it sound like Freckles was trying not to laugh?

"Huh? Why?"

Nice to know the blonde could ask the right questions sometimes, at least.

"Well, you know how she was telling him off before about throwing his cat into the water? She's still doing that." The blonde didn't say anything but Buddy suspected his expression was speaking volumes as Freckles paused a moment before continuing. "Yeah. It's been around two hours now and she's still going strong."

Well. Such a shame he wasn't able to hear it. A rant of that duration over throwing a cat overboard? That was rather impressive. Not to mention amusing. Also possibly terrifying.

"Oh wow. I wish we could hear it from here. That sounds awesome! Also… is she okay?"

There were a few, a very few, completely random times when Buddy thought he and Blondie might have been friends if they had met under different circumstances. Such as that moment. It seemed they shared an opinion on a two hour plus rant on cat throwing. It would likely never come up in conversation or be of any use to either of them, but it was still something they had in common. A very weirdly specific something, but still.

"You know, I think she's been wanting to tell him off in some way or another for a while now. This is the happiest I've seen her since we got here. Speaking of being okay though, how's Buddy doing?"

Did he actually sound a little concerned? No, surely not.

"I wish he was as hot physically as he is to look at."

What?

"Don't give me that look. I don't mean I want him feverish. I mean, he's still way too cold."

Oh. Well. That was… better? Probably.

"That's not good. That's why you got in with him, right? To try and warm him up?"

Oh! That explained a few things. Unfortunately.

"Yep. It doesn't seem to be working, though."

"He's still in wet clothes and you don't have any covers to keep the warmth in. Hang on, there's a spare blanket here."

It was just enough warning for Buddy to keep feigning sleep, when the blanket covered him a moment later.

"Thanks dude. Are you heading back to the throne room?"

"Don't mention it. Ever. Yeah and, before you ask, yes. I'm taking lots of notes on the best bits of her rant for you."

Chase snickered softly as Buddy made a mental note to strike a bargain with him later for a copy of those notes. "Good. That's one thing I won't mind reading!"

"Heh. Try and rest. You got wet and cold too, remember. I'll come back when the story's ending."

"Okay."

"Have fun with your catboy."

"He's not a catboy! He's a guy in a sparkly cat eared tiara. There's a difference!" Despite his indignant reply, his voice remained quiet so as not to wake said sleeping 'catboy'.

"If you say so."

Footsteps sounded across the room, followed by a door opening and closing and they were alone again.

Buddy relaxed a little, surprised to find how tense he'd been. Then the blonde snuggled in closer behind him and he almost gave himself away by gasping in shock. Luckily for him, it was a very quiet gasp and the blonde made a soft humming sound at the same time that covered it. Maybe. When the teen started talking, Buddy was sure for a moment he'd been caught out. Only a moment, though. He relaxed again as he realised he wasn't really meant to hear this.

So, naturally, he listened very carefully to every single word.

"This is all my fault. You wouldn't be sick if I had just done what the story said and tackled you. I'm really sorry, Buddy. You looked like you were so ready and waiting for me to jump on you. I… My mind sort of went in a different direction for a bit and I… I got nervous. I thought if I could talk you into giving the bracelet up, I might not… well… embarrass both of us and make things awkward. More awkward, I mean." He paused to sigh softly. "Guess I made a mess of that, too."

Oh honestly. Buddy was good at feigning sleep, sure, but how was a guy supposed to resist an opening like that?

"Big surprise."

"What?! You're awake?! Oh no. You're awake. Uh. How much did you… hear?"

Chase initially stilled with his surprise, but when he did remember exactly what position they were in, he immediately started to move away.

Well. Buddy couldn't really have that now, could he? He caught the blonde teen's hand where it had moved from his belly to his hip and moved it back to where it had been. From the boy's gasp and the way he went still again, Buddy figured that was probably enough of a hint that he didn't want him going anywhere.

Now… Ah yes. He was asked a question.

"All of it." He'd probably have enjoyed the resulting whimper more if he could have seen the face the other was making, but oh well. Sometimes sacrifices must be made for the greater evil. Or something like that. Speaking of… perhaps it was time for just a little honesty on his part. "You were right. I knew what was coming and I was definitely anticipating it." He managed not to say the last part with a low purring note. That would have been too much.

The other boy made a chuffing sort of sound that reminded Buddy, oddly, of a grumpy squirrel. "So you really did want my attention, huh? I knew it!" Hm. Maybe not a GRUMPY squirrel. That was definitely a smug tone in his voice just then. Oh no. That wouldn't do. That wouldn't do at all.

Buddy huffed. "Psssh. You didn't really think the way I was sitting was an accident, did you?"

Wait. He hadn't actually meant to admit that much. Uh. Well, too late now. From the blonde's silence, he may have actually rendered him speechless.

"Next time…"

Or not. He knew it was too much to hope for.

Chase cleared his throat. "I mean… How about we try this book again some time? Next time, I'll definitely fight you for the bracelet."

Buddy considered that. The book in general wasn't that bad, as long as the ending wasn't changed like it had been this time. He certainly didn't object to spending so much time sunning himself, lying on things, scratching up the Duke's couch or wearing those sparkly ears that made the blonde drool. It wasn't really a bad deal for him to agree to. Especially if he got a fight out of it. "Fine. Don't bring your… friend… and I might even let you win that fight. Might."

"Deal, but no 'might' about it. I'll definitely come out on top." He could practically hear the grin in the blonde's voice.

Maybe that was why it took a few moments for Buddy to process what the other boy had actually said.

When Deacon returned to the room to collect them for the end of the story, shortly after, he decided not to ask why his cousin looked like a cat who'd just had a tasty treat. He certainly wasn't going to ask why Buddy looked so wary of Chase. He had a feeling the answer would just give him a headache.
Buddy already had one. Trying to figure out if Blondie had worded his comment that way intentionally or innocently would definitely haunt him for quite some time.

Or at least until the next time they visited this particular book.