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Chapter Text

The house had been abandoned a long time, 

Nature creeping in and overtaking the dilapidated wood and shattered glass. 

The shrine had gone unlit for years, cold stone where there should have been candle flame.

Nature creeped in, twisting and diving around the structures of man. 

It grew and grew, around and through

Under foundations and over roofs. 

Wood grew from its fallen brothers and brick crumbled to the weight of time.

And when nature came, so did we. 

The melody of dawn kept us here, 

The old giving to new as balance danced with time and breathed life into the earth. 

To trade, to sing, to give and to take

Spirit and friend

Keeper and guide.

Chapter Text

The difference was immediate, the van was a cacophony of voices and retro music blasting as they drove along the poorly maintained roads towards a place Rae hadn’t been since his childhood. The city noise was far behind them, no sound but the wind battering the windows and their ears. The eight of them had been looking to move for a while, the winter just starting to wane as they decided it was finally time to pull the trigger on leaving the city. Rae leaned against the window, distantly listening to the sound of Athena and Caspian play fighting in the front seats as blue eyes gazed upon the landscape that rushed past the windows. The towering trees and rolling jade hills that left him almost dizzy in the wave of nostalgia that washed over him. The iris blue sky and baby’s breath clouds that rained the fury of the earth down upon the warm summer ground and covered the ground in crystal snow in the winter. 

Arisanna got his attention, by getting shoved into his seat by Fenris but got his attention nonetheless, drawing his eyes from the window and towards the rest of the people in Caspian’s 70s BMW. They had just passed the half mile sign, Caspian tapping his fingers along with the music as he drove further and further from the life they had known for over a decade. It honestly wasn’t as hard of a decision as they and everyone around them thought it would be, packing everything into the van and leaving for Pelican town. Rae fiddled absently with his field notes, the leather a familiar comfort in his shaking hands, laughter drawn from his aching chest as Jamie dramatically gasped at something Ulysses had said. 

He wondered how different the town would be, now that almost 15 odd years had passed. “Rae! Cas! Your boy toy’s bullying me!” Ocie’s voice cut through the fog, joking and annoyed at the same time as she attempted to dodge Fenris’ noogieing. “Knock it off, you two. We’re almost there.” The words were broken by soft snickering and mirth, Rae simply shrugging as Ocie shouted in indignation and Fenris laughed. The van almost seemed to buzz with the excitement of those within its orange painted metal, the town slowly coming into view between the rapidly thinning trees. They had made it, they were free. 

Caspian pulled into the bus stop, an older man and a redhead woman standing there chatting as the midday sun shone down through the trees. The 27 year old in the driver's seat rolled the window down, watching as the older man rounded the front and began to speak in a faint drawl. “Hello there! You must be the new folks in town, it's a pleasure to meet ya’.” Caspian smiled and awkwardly shook the man’s hand through the window when he offered it, replying with a simple “Caspian Solcrest.” The older man smiled with a little too many teeth for comfort, “Mayor Lewis, glad to have y’all here in the valley. I don’t want to keep y’all waiting so lets get ya to the farm and unpacked. Just how many of ya’ are there?” Caspian titled his head back at the others before answering, “Eight, sir.” 

The mayor whistled, nodding as he motioned towards his left with his arm. “Well, farms that way, Robin and I will meet y’all there.” Caspian rolled up the window, exchanging wide eyed glances with the others in the van before driving further down the dirt road. It was a similar consensus, ‘this guy is fucking weird’. The crimson-eyed brunette parked just beyond the gate, resolving to park better later, and killed the engine. Ulysses popped the back doors open just as Robin and Lewis walked through the swung open gate. Ulysses and Fenris helped the others down while Caspian reached for his jacket and keys before hopping out as well. 

Rae turned towards the farm he spent countless days at (He’s certain you could count but there would be no point), running barefoot between rows of hops and grapes and into sunflower and barley fields. The fields had overgrown, wild flowers and grasses covering the sprawling ground as trees and buildings broke up the sea of colours and waving tufts. It felt almost surreal, the sun shining upon the fields and forest he spent years adoring. As weird as his grandparents had been: with statues that glowed, charms hung from the window sills, the tales of spirits, and such knowledge hidden behind old eyes and even older bookshelves- Rae couldn’t help the ache in his chest at the fact they were gone. 

“Oh my Yoba-” Rae turned at the familiar voice, turning to see Robin staring at him. “Rae, is that you?” The carpenter pulled him in for a hug, Rae laughing as she pulled him slightly off the ground. “Oh you’ve grown so much! I haven’t seen you in so long!” Rae felt the others staring at him as Mayor Lewis approached as well, clapping the blue eyed man on the shoulder once his feet were on the earth once more. 

“I would hope so, I’m not exactly ten anymore Aunt Robin.” The red head laughed, throwing her head back just like Rae’s mother did. Robin wasn’t his actual aunt but she and his mother were practically attached at the hip so she might as well be. 

“Do tell your mother we said hi, will you? We’ve missed Isla out here in the valley, she rivalled ol’ Evelyn in the gardening department!” Rae grimaced slightly before nodding at Lewis, mentally willing to be out of this awkward conversation. Thankfully he let Rae go and began on a clearly practiced spiel. “It’s definitely seen better days but there's nothing some good ol’ elbow grease can fix! Ha, there’s the main house and two others so feel free to split them amongst yourselves but you can always give Robin a holler if you need any more buildings here or there. We’ll leave y’all to settle in, lots to unpack I’m sure!” 

Robin gave Rae one last hug, waving to them all before heading after Lewis and disappearing from sight. “Well, the people here are . . . interesting.” Ocie hummed, gently shoulder checking Ulysses on her way back to the van. “That’s one word for it. A nicer word than what I would use but a word that's for sure.” Arisanna chimed in from the porch of the main house, a box labeled “ARISANNA” in blue sharpie clutched in her arms. She nudged the door with her foot, Rae wincing at the shrieking creak it let out. 

The young woman emerged soon after, tightening her ponytail so it wouldn’t get in her face. “So, Who's getting what house? Because there's eight of us and three buildings.” Everyone looked to Rae, the man startling before quickly going through a mental list of each house. “Well, the main house has four rooms including the master bedroom and it's the biggest. The house closest to the forest has three rooms, and the house near where the orchard used to be has two.” 

“So what I’m hearing is that the gays over there get the forest house, Ulysses gets the orchid and I get the main house with Jamie, Athena and Ocie?” Arisanna got no objections as everyone started to grab bags and boxes from the van. “Works for me.” Fenris hummed, gruff voice booming as he lifted a large box labeled “study” in purple sharpie. Rae helped Athena sort the stuff into groups depending on who’s it was, suddenly very grateful for the foresight to colour code the sharpies. The group split off, Rae left with his boyfriends and an empty house that should never have been empty. 

“Are you alright, love?” Caspian’s voice shook him from his thoughts, a headache starting to form as the afternoon sun felt disturbingly bright all of a sudden. “’m okay Cas’, I just want to take a nap after we get set up.” Fenris and Caspian chuckled, Rae unlocking the door to the cabin and nudging it open with his knee. A wave of dust flew in the air, attacking their lungs with vigor as the spruce wood swung open with a creak. “New grocery list, wd40 and a shop vac-” Caspian quipped as the three entered their new home. Rae laughed, dropping boxes on the table they had sent with movers ahead of time. Most of the major things were done that way, because there was no way everyone's furniture would fit in Caspians’ van. 

The sun had nearly set by the time they had moved everything into the house, air getting cold as the sky was painted a baroque display of warm hues on golden clouds. Rae stood on the porch, staring out at the approaching dusk as pain stabbed through his skull and throbbed behind his eyelids. He turned back to the house as Fenris called his name for dinner, dismissing the way the wind picked up and the trees began to rustle as the door shut behind him. His lovers were waiting for him in the kitchen, Rae coming up and hugging Caspian from behind while Fenris set about plating the quick pasta dinner they had made themselves. They didn’t talk as they ate, too hungry and tired to bother breaking the comfortable quiet that had fallen over the farm. The night brought an almost unthinkable quiet after so long in the city, bird song swapped for the wind and the almost inaudible rustling of trees. The sun dipped below the jagged horizon and the world did not sleep but almost seemed to rest as the constellations danced above in the indigo wine sky.

Rae was the one to wash the dishes and pack the leftovers, Fenris setting up the bed while Caspian got a shower running for the three of them. The night wound down as the sound of water hitting porcelain filled the house through the bathroom door, the lovers helping each other undress before stepping into the water. The warm water felt like heaven after the labor of the day, tense muscles relaxing and dirt and grime washing down the drain. They didn’t stay in the shower for too long, sleep dragging on their joints and tugging on their eyelids as they began to dry themselves off. They climbed into bed, more accurately flopping then scooting into a better position, fresh pajamas and the same bed a comfort in the not so new place they had come to. 

Caspian and Fenris were out as soon as their heads hit their pillows, cuddled under the blanket as the sun set upon the old life they all had lived. Rae sighed from between the two, leaning his head forward onto Fenris’ chest while the slightly tanned arms of Caspian wrapped tight around his torso. He was so glad the two agreed to come with him, to his old hometown that was so different than either of them knew. He loved them both so much, the way they laughed and how pretty the two men were. Caspian’s dumb jokes and Fenris’ stubbornness and unwillingness to admit he liked cats. 

The three of them had been together through thick and thin, hell and back. All eight of them had. When Rae had taken in Athena after Aunt Soul went missing and Auncle Netherum refused to leave the island. When Caspian got into a car accident and was in the hospital for a week. When Fenris lost his parents. When Momboo died and Ocie and Jamie stayed with them for the entire summer. After Ulysses had a fight with his parents over Vesperae, all those years ago and ran to what had basically become the group’s home for shitty chinese take out and horror movies. A small apartment down by the markets that's a/c never worked and the faucet leaked. But it was where Ari got back on her feet again, and where Rae first dyed his hair, and where Caspian hung his first trans flag, and where Jamie asked Rae about confessing to Athena.  

Rae could only hope that the farm would offer the same, a place to rest amongst the rough and cruel world. That they would be okay. That they would be free.

Chapter Text

Dawn broke upon the valley in an array of golden light and vibrant hues painted upon the scattered clouds, a chorus of bird song the melody that dragged the sun from its bed and into the ombre sky. Athena yawned as she sat up in her bed and reluctantly pulled away from the warm embrace of their partner, sighing as her joints popped when she stretched. He did not want to get up- at all. A knock at the door ruined any chance of staying in bed, Ocie popping her head in looking just as tired as Athena felt. “Sorry ‘thena, we gotta get up. Ari’s started on breakfast.” The blond woman smiled at him, dipping back out again as Athena turned to attempt to wake Jamie. 

‘Poking the bear’ was a very accurate statement when it came to waking up Jamie. The brunette could sleep through a tornado and would sleep forever if they would let them. Athena flopped down next to them, calling out their name and nudging them until they got a grumpy “hmph”. “Jamieee. You gotta get up, it’s-” Athena turned to the clock on the wall, “It’s 6:15, baby. You gotta get up.” Jamie’s warm brown eyes peeked at Athena from behind mostly closed eyelids, a small smile gracing their face before they quickly reached out and dragged the older into their embrace. “Hey!” Athena laughed as Jamie rolled both themselves and Athena over, before peppering her face with kisses. Athena pressed a chase kiss to Jamie’s cheek, pushing herself up and off the bed to go get breakfast as Ari yelled from the kitchen that food was ready. Jamie groaned, resigning himself to getting ready. The brunette didn’t even bother to make the bed, dragging themselves to the bathroom with a fresh pair of clothes in hand. 

The house was a light with noise as Ari and Ocie set about setting the table, the faintest sounds of water hitting the metal sink echoing through the walls. Ocie set down the final plate before sitting down at the table to finish braiding her hair, throwing the long blond plait over her shoulder. The weather report played softly in the background, sun streaming in lazily through the dust covered windows and warmed the tile floor. Breakfast was quiet, dishes ending up in the sink to be washed later as Jamie and Athena dashed out the door to the shouts of Ocie. “Meet us at the saloon by sun down!” The two shouted back promises that they would, heading into the mountains north of the farm. 

The sun was not high in the sky nor was it low, still rising from its bed as the sky began to lighten amongst the streaks of colour painting the clouds. The air was still cool enough to send goosebumps down Athena’s dark skin, trees dancing with the breeze as the eighteen year olds rushed through the valley. Jamie gently bumped Athena on the shoulder, smirking before running off in a make-shift game of tag. The older of the two groaned playfully, pink hair vibrant under the morning sun as she chased her lover and best friend through the woods. Laughter rang into the air, playful taunts of “Get back here!” and “You’ll never take me alive!” lighting up the sky while footfall rained upon the earth. 

They passed by building and nature alike, though the former only thrice, and ran and ran until the sun was high and beaming with a fury that would only worsen in the coming weeks. It streamed through the trees and spotted the moss and grass covered ground, dappled and warm as day gave way to evening. They dove between thickets and over gulleys, hopped on stones and around the stream misty veil of the waterfall. Bird song and laughter tangled in a melody foreign and oh so familiar as they explored a world so much larger than they had ever imagined. Bigger than the islands and bigger than the city. Bigger than the trees that reached to the heavens and the waves of the sea. Bigger than any tempest and any tyrant thrown its way. For nature did not care, life found its way amongst the rough. 

The two dropped to the ground beneath a large ash tree, chests heaving and clothes more than a little dirty. Athena laughed as Jamie dramatically flopped on top of her legs, gentle enough not to hurt but still enough to get the desired effect of making their partner laugh. “It feels so much easier to breathe here. Than in the city, I mean.” Jamie clarified, humming as Athena played with their messy brown curls. The breeze seemed to slow, then pick up again, the world around slowly coming alive as spring danced on the wind and summer loomed on the horizon. Athena had to agree, part of her aching to be back home on the island while the other was just glad to be away. It twisted her stomach with guilt, the almost relief she felt to be away from it all. 

“Yeah, it really does.” came from her mouth instead, looking out into the woods. The nether native almost turned away when something caught her attention. He sat up proper, startling Jamie as he tried to get a better look. “Jamie, look-” The younger’s gaze followed Athena’s pointed finger, eyes landing on a glimpse of grey through the trees.

“What is that?” Jamie scrambled to get up, their question hanging unanswered in the air. The older teen shrugged, teal shirt bunching beneath his overall dress. “Come on, let's go check it out!” Athena grabbed the brunette’s hand and dragged them along, leaving them sputtering. 

The grey blob became clearer as they got closer, the pine trees thinning as the duo entered a clearing. It was a statue, at least the part they had seen from the distance was. It was a shrine, with unkempt shrubbery and a bench that looked more like a table overgrown with creeping grape vines and wild flowers. The statue sat behind it, one arm extended above to almost cup the setting sun in her marble palm while the other rested just below the sternum with her palm up to the sky. An amethyst moon sat embedded in the statue's chest, the gemstone refracting the sun's light in a mesmerizing glow. 

“Hey, ‘Thena? Doesn’t the statue look kinda like Rae?” Jamie gently nudged the older teen, warm coffee brown eyes almost gold in the evening light. Athena turned back to the statue, with its long hair and longer gown, and nearly jumped as he realised that it did look like their uncle. The same nose and eyes, slim jaw and lips. It looked like the half of Rae you didn’t find in his mother and you certainly didn’t find in Fable or Icarus. Like you could take the statue and Aunt Isla and get Rae exactly. “Yeah that's not creepy at all, totally.” Athena gave a small side-eyed glance to his partner and sat down on one of the many fallen columns that littered the clearing’s flowering grass. 

“I can smell the sarcasm on that comment-” Jamie laughed, sitting down next to Athena on the marble. The two leaned into one another, looking at the shrine for just a bit longer while they talked. 

“Okay but am I wrong though?” 

“Well no.”

“Exactly! I’m just saying it's weird lookin’!”

Chapter Text

The sun set above the saloon, stars twinkling in the inky indigo night sky. Golden clouds and streaks of warm colours upon ombre sky had given way to faint swirls of distant galaxies gleaming amongst planets and nebulas as yet another day had gone by on the wind. The warm lights of the tavern shined down upon glasses and laughter. The saloon was busy this Friday night, the hollow clanks of glasses against wooden tables well worn with age and the sounds of arcade machines mixing with the crackle of the roaring fire. Arisanna laughed at something Ulysses had said, Jamie and Athena having run off to the arcade machine as soon as Rae had taken a head count. If you asked the teens, the gesture felt unnecessary but they knew why their guardian did it.

Speaking of said guardian, he was currently chatting with Ocie from his spot curled into Fenris’ side as they all patiently waited for the pizzas they had ordered. Caspian sat squarely on Fenris’ lap, fiddling with Rae’s hair while occasionally chiming in between sips of cola. The Stardrop Saloon was alight with chatter and noise, the owner smiling vaguely behind the counter at seeing both old and new faces mingle for the first time in ages. The valley drew in tourists every so often, with festivals and markets and the like, but it had been years since the joint had been this alive. 

Barely a week had passed since the group had moved into Rae’s childhood home, clearing and working the land as spring crept along and left winter behind. Flowers bloomed underfoot as trees regrew their leaves and bird song accompanied every dawn. Days passed like water through loose fingers, slowly forging a place that they could call home. An undeniable life swirled beneath the ocean’s waves and the sky’s breeze, slowly awakening as time marched on to its inaudible drum. It felt freeing, a breath finally unsmothered by the heavy rain clouds. 

“Hey, Rae! I got y’alls food!” The man behind the counter shouted, startling the group from their conversation. Rae sighed, reluctancy to get up from the warm embrace of his lovers only beaten by the grumbling of his stomach. Rae shuffled up the counter, the owner Gus handing him the large trays of pizza with practiced ease. Gus was a stout man, chubby with mousy brown hair and wearing an apron more than he wasn’t. He hadn’t really been a friend of Rae’s mother, but in a town this small it didn’t quite matter when only a handful of kids were your age or even around at all. 

The researcher hurried back, footsteps light upon the worn floors as the rest of the group waited in the odd hodge podge of pushed together chairs around the circle table in the corner by the fire. Jamie and Athena had been called away from the arcade machines and Ulysses and Arisanna triumphantly set vending machine sodas upon colourful coasters. There was little talk between them, empty stomachs announcing themselves with a rapturous war cry that set hands in motion with haste. 

The day had been a full one, from farming and caving to fishing and exploring, there was no shortage of excitement. It buzzed beneath their skin and filled their lungs. It swirled like the constellations above and rushed through their veins like a coursing river. Ulysses looked out the window to the sleepy town on the other end of the glass, fiddling with the ring on his hand in absentminded reminiscense. “Hey-” Ocie nudged his shoulder lightly, startling him from his thoughts. “Wanna see who can get the higher score on Journey of the prairie king?” The medic laughed, gently waving her off as he refused. “Oh, no no. It's been years since I've played an arcade game.” 

Ocie smiled a shark-like grin, eyes lighting up in a way that let Ulysses know he was not getting out of this as easily as he wished he would. “So you're saying you're old?” The older telchin looked at the young woman with a similar glint in his dark green eyes. “Oh you’re on!” The two dashed for the old cabinets, the rest of the group looking at each other before quietly placing bets on who’d win. Or who would rage quit first. That was also a possibility. 

Fenris just shook his head before leaning into his partners, content with them safe and sound beside him. The veteran laughed as Ocie and Ulysses playfully threatened each other, Caspian and Rae having fallen asleep soon after they had gotten done eating. They should probably head back to the farm soon but he’d hate to cut the fun short. This is the most carefree he had seen his family in years. They deserved to hold onto it a little longer. He’d carry his loves to bed eventually but for now Fenris would watch Ocie kick Ulysses’ ass in Journey of the prairie king. They could worry tomorrow, when the sun rose and bathed the world in gold. The time will pass anyway. 

Chapter Text

“Grandvoid?” The young prince called, slowly peeking into the library, the hazy sun streams bouncing off the mauve walls and walnut bookcases. It was empty, neither of his grandparents sat on its plush sofas or on its grand persian carpet. He pouted, backtracking through the hall and back down the stairs into the foyer. The fire did not roar in the hearth, nor did the ashes smolder from within the brick walls. The dust echoed his footsteps back at him, faint birdsong leading his search out of the house and onto the farm land. 

Bare feet hit the winding stepping stones with all the grace his name demanded of him, petals and pollen floating by on the dancing wind as he looked out onto the fields in search. A sea of vibrance greeted him, reds and greens and golds under the clearest of blues. The trees that surrounded the home stretched to the sky, swaying and rustling in chorus with the birds that sang their hearts out to the world around them. 

The prince looked and looked until something caught his oh so blue eyes. A small thing, really, tiny amongst the towering pines and mighty oaks. It was the brightest blue he had ever seen, burning brighter than any flame and floating lighter than a speck of dust. It called to him “Oh, follow, follow my young prince! Follow!” It did call, voice mighty amongst the forest as it beckoned him so. 

And in a moment, the sprite disappeared and the prince was left alone. But he was never alone if he was in the forest, oh no no no. For the forest loved its prince. The sprite appeared again, farther in this time. He gave chase, running after it as it led him. He ran over the babbling brook and through the orchard, past pond and mill, coop and waterfall. He jumped over logs and stones, following the sprite in a rather one sided game of tag. 

The prince found himself in a clearing, sun settling into its bed of clouds as the constellations were slowly painted above in their brilliant  twinkling silvers. The meadow swayed in the darkness’ embrace, the search finally over as the form of Epros sat in the middle of the clearing. The void turned to greet the young prince, beckoning with a wave for the boy to sit beside them before the shrine. He ran across the meadow, flowers blooming underfoot in the most beautiful of hues. The moon shined down as the void guided the prince’s hand, plucking a flower from the ground and setting it upon the ancient stone.

“Speak, Void Prince, and more than just I shall listen.”

Rotted floorboards creaked under his weight, worn shoes sweeping away shattered glass and colourful sand as he passed the once vibrant aquarium. The faded wallpaper peeled like wilted flowers, stained with history too stubborn to let go. Light streamed in hazily through the busted windows and never seemed to reach further, leaving him stumbling over vines and what of the building nature had set on reclaiming. Rae hummed, leaving Arisanna to rummage around the old office and boiler room. “If you get tetanus, it’s another five hour drive to Zuzu!” The 25 year old called over his shoulder to no reply, but he could tell Ari flipped him off. Didn’t even have to look. 

Rae carefully moved through the hall towards the kitchen, heart silently aching at what had became of the community center. To know that this is what was the end of a building that had so many memories within its brick walls left him feeling conflicted. Nature had settled deep within the building, etched upon what once was hers and what was now hers again. It crawled up the walls and over the roof, like it was cradling what it once called child. The plants seemed to reach for him, swaying in an invisible breeze to brush against his ankles. It drove him further down the hall, the draft that had been cold just moments ago now welcoming and warm.

“ Psst .” The researcher startled, looking around before looking back down the hall to where he had last seen his friend. Arisanna was nowhere in sight, the derelict room echoing back at him as he called out to her from the precipice of what used to be the art room. He once again got no response, not even the shuffling of her footsteps. It was silent in the ghost of the community center. The place he had spent so long in, the place he and Maru would draw star charts while their brothers caught frogs and played ttrpgs. Abandoned and left to rot. 

But Rae could feel something beneath the dust filled air and debris riddled floors. It buzzed beneath his ribs and left his skin tingling, filled his lungs and called to him beneath the breeze that picked up outside the battered windows. “ Hello!” The young man spun around, stumbling backward as pale glowing eyes peered at him from the doorway. A bundle of blue waved at him before flying off faster than its little wings should have been capable of, disappearing into the room beyond the doorway. Rae followed, calling out quietly as he attempted to see where they had gone. 

He found himself in the decaying room, hazy sun rays warming his skin as it shone through the trees and dust covered glass. The art room was empty, wilted wallpaper and splintering wood looking down upon him as he stood in the echoes of what once was. For the first time since the summer he turned ten, Rae Everette Morningstar stood in the community center. It sent his heart aching beneath the brick and mortar that made up his bones and filled him with questions that he knew would never be answered. That all would become dust and bone. 

Rae turned back to the door, almost tripping over the rolled up piece of golden paper sitting in the middle of the floor. Clovers dotted the previously unmarred floor around it, the wind picking up outside. He might not be the most observant person but that scroll had not been there a few minutes ago, what the fuck. Whispers clambered beneath the now howling wind, the trees shaking outside as Rae picked up the golden parchment. Black upon gold, the letters swirled and danced before a small image revealed itself. A crude drawing of the constellation Cassiopeia appeared on the page before shifting to show a woman shrouded by trees under the shining stars. The woman felt familiar, even shakily drawn by amateur hands, the visage sent memories flying behind his eyes. Rae’s eyes filled with unwilling tears, the serene face of the woman looking so much like his own. 

The researcher shook himself from his thoughts, looking up from the scroll only to drop it as he was met with several of the same spirit he had seen earlier. They stood around in a sort of half circle, some floating in a faint blue light and some standing on the floor. Rae rubbed his eyes harsher than strictly necessary, half expecting them to disappear in the sleep deprived haze that filled his bones and weighed down his eyelids. A weight clung to his leg, the researcher’s stormy blue eyes falling upon a small thing, purple and almost apple shaped. It was squeaking and chirping happily, small arms and stubby legs clinging to the fabric of his trousers in a serene contentment. 

Rae swallowed, slowly lowering to the overgrown floor as he gently extended his hand to another one of them. It sat upon his hand, the others crowding his lap with so little weight that it rivaled a down feather in the wind. “Um, hi little guy-” Rae was hesitant, feeling rather silly talking to the spirits that sat (and floated) around him. The wind outside had died down back to a spring breeze, drifting inside through the crumbling brick with all the grace of a ballet dancer. 

“ Hi!” “Hello!” “Hi, hi, hi!” Rae blinked, several small voices echoing around the room. He laughed, lifting his hand to eye level to get a better look. The being had different plans, giggling mischievously as it flew up to sit in his long black hair. It undid the ribbon that held the thick hair up in a ponytail, Rae yelping indignantly as waves of inky void fell into his freckled face and spilled over his shoulders. The spirit in his hair laughed, “ Sorry!”

She wasn’t sorry at all.

Chapter Text

The days went by slow, dredging by like molasses compared to the whirlwind that had been the early days of spring. The sun was still below the horizon, the blue hours of the morning lighting the predawn sky a most brilliant cerulean. It was in that predawn brilliance that Kai was shaken awake with a gentle hand, grumbling and attempting to tug the blanket over her head in the universal sign of “no, let me sleep you dick”. Ari chuckled, an almost fondness lacing the musical sound. “Come on, Goldie, wake up.” 

Kailani fought the sapphire sheets for a considerable moment longer than what wouldn’t have been embarrassing if she hadn’t been half asleep, raising her middle finger in sleepy indignation to the sound of Arisanna’s hearty laughter. Her golden hair was splayed over the pillows, ocean waves under the morning’s blue light as she sat up with a harsh glare. If looks could kill, Arisanna Mneme would be rolling in her grave a million meters underground. But instead, Ari smiled a way too pretty smile before throwing a bundle of fabric Kai’s way. “Come on, get dressed! We’ll miss it otherwise!”  

“Miss. . . what? Ari it’s like-” The seafarer turned to the window, yawn becoming a groan as she saw the darkness outside. “Arisanna, what time is it?” The dawn was slowly approaching, stars mixing with silhouetted clouds and rolling hills as the predawn indigo washed over the valley in a gentle tide. The blue haired woman just winked before dipping out of the room with the promise of coffee called over her scarred shoulder. Kai sighed, flopping back onto her bed as if the world itself weighed her down before rolling to her feet reluctantly. The island native looked down at the bundle in her arms, the soft fabric and golden clasps letting her know that it was her favorite pinafore and blouse. Arisanna knew her well, she’d give her that. 

At least she was getting coffee out of this. Kai dragged herself to the bathroom just down the hall, cursing as her bare feet met the chilled tile. It was too damn early for this. Beneath her grumbling and the sputtering faucet, Arisanna’s humming could be heard as she moved around the kitchen with light footsteps and steady hands. A wicker basket sat on the old table in the corner, patterned blanket peaking over its side like a creeping vine of ivy. Kai stood in the doorway, a dumb smile on her face as she watched the young woman flit around the kitchen like a fairy in flight, moving to music only she could hear. 

The humming cut off as Arisanna turned around, spotting the blonde near the archway. “Oh, hey, just finishing up and then we can go.” Kai jumped up on the counter, swinging her legs absentmindedly as she yawned. The seafarer clench a ribbon between her teeth, sluggishly pulling up her fluffed up waves into a high ponytail before tying the sapphire silk ribbon into a bow with practiced ease. “You still haven’t said what you dragged me out of bed at this ungodly hour for-” Another yawn, tears pricking at her waterline as she stretched. “You better have a damn good reason for it or I will throw you into the pond outside.” 

Arisanna laughed, oh so pretty, wild and free like the threat wasn’t something she had seen her friend do several times. The librarian’s brother had fallen victim to a well timed shove more often than he would like to admit and it was hilarious every damn time. “Oh come on Goldie, won'tcha trust me just this once?” The blonde sighed good naturedly, hopping off the counter and accepting Arisanna’s offered hand with a smile. “I always do.”

The two slipped out the door, basket and bags in hand as the blue hours of the morning bathed the valley in swaths of indigo. Ocie stumbled to keep up in the predawn darkness, Ari slowing down before guiding them through the farm and past the bus stop. Small voices and laughter were the only sound, the two farmers shushing each other as they moved through the sleeping town and over the bridge to the beach. They made it just in time, the wine dark sky now a brilliant display of hues that exploded upon the horizon and bled into the waves. Vermillion and ochre streaked across golden clouds on a backdrop of kaleidoscope sky, lapis waves lapping at the shore as Arisanna grabbed Kai’s hand and dragged her to set up the picnic blanket.

The coastline was quiet, the dawn bringing not nearly enough warmth to stop the blonde from shivering, chattering turning to a death glare when her friend laughed at her. The two set up the picnic, equally as eager to get food down before the long day ahead. Food took most of the blanket space, the two eventually sitting closer and closer together to save enough room. Fresh fruit from the farm, pancakes and an assortment of pastries, even lemonade and tea. “When did you even have time to do this? Holy fuck, Ari.” 

The teacher turned farmer laughed sheepishly, remembering the many mornings she spent with Fenris making the spread while the rest of the farm slept. “Don’t worry about it.” The sunrise lit Kai’s hair a brilliant gold, Ari finding herself staring in utter adoration while the blonde laughed at the rather lame and blasé response that the ex-teacher gave. The subject was thankfully dropped, idle chatter filling the air to the score of the crashing waves. They could talk for hours and Kai would not find herself complaining, never seeming to run out of things to say despite the years that they had known each other. 

Even back in the uni days, where Ari would come home to their shitty apartment (practically a glorified closet with how small it was) after an even shittier day with enough stories to fill a notebook a million times over. Or when Kai would be out on the sea for days and come back to everyone waiting to welcome her home. The view from the blanket they sat on made her heart rock like the bow of a ship in a storm, the salinebreese and calling of seagulls reminding her that it was worth it. The pain was worth it. The struggles and sleepless nights, the tears and the life she had built in the city. Leaving it behind was worth it. 

“You okay, Goldie?” Kai turned away from the baroque display of colors that painted the clouds and marbled the sparkling sea, meeting the amber eyes of the one she had come to call her best friend. She didn’t know why the term best friend made her heart hurt so much. Why it left her feeling empty, like she wanted more. “Yeah, I’m okay. Thank you for this, I think this was worth the 5 am wake up.” 

“No throwing me in the pond?” It was playful, full of laughter while the ocean breeze ruffled their hair. 

“No, not this time.”

Chapter Text

Jamie knew instinctively that this was probably a bad idea. The feeling sat heavy in the fringes of their mind, an ever sculking shadow over their shoulder as Athena looked back at them from where they sat on the ridges above the mountain lake. The branches overhead swayed in the wind, dappled sunlight dancing on the ground. The sun bore down through the branches, the murmuration of birds and the sound of water reaching the two’s sensitive ears. “Are you sure this is a good idea, ‘Thena?” The older teen tilted her head, hand clasping around Jamie’s to pull them to sit next to her. It was quiet for a moment, the dull ambience of the valley’s mountains filling the space between the words. 

The water lapped at the bottom of the cliff the teens sat, gentle waves carried by an even gentler breeze. “Well, good idea? Not really-” Athena hedged, “But! It’ll be fun!” The island native hurriedly continued at Jamie’s very bemused face. It made the brunette laugh, earning a light shove to the shoulder from the pink haired eighteen year old at their side. “Don’t laugh at me!” The pouting only made them laugh harder, the unease lifting from their shoulders as the two devolved into teasing and bickering. The distant sound of splashing water and reeling fishing line filled the gaps between their laughter, Ulysses and Caspian fishing just down the rocky mountain lake shore. 

Baby breath clouds rolled lazily across the pale blue sky, coasting on the spring breeze as it carried summer ever closer over the horizon. They had been there for nearly half a season already, an ever flowing stream of minutes and hours and days. The bitter chill of the morning waned with the sun then returned in a cyclical ebb and flow as spring marched on and on. “Come on, if we’re gonna do this we better go while no one is looking,” Jamie laughed, an old fraying rucksack hiked over the shoulder as the two skittered down the cliffs and over the rickety plank bridge over the small stream that fed the lake from the waterfall. 

The old cave entrance sat hidden behind years of overgrowth and bramble, wooden frames creaking under the weight as the teens slipped under the supports and into the abandoned mine beyond. “Woah!” Athena exclaimed, cave walls glittering in the light of their flashlights as they stood at the entrance. Jamie had to agree, woah was correct. “What is that?” The flashlight’s beam swiveled, cold white light catching dull metal leaned against the far wall by the broken elevator shaft. “Is that a sword ?”

“Oh what the hell,” Jamie’s voice echoed back at them, pebbles skittering across the ground as Athena started towards it. The island native drug the brunette behind her, hands interlocked as the chill air sent goosebumps across their skin. The sword was leaned against the wall, dull metal and intricately carved wooden handle visible in the artificial light. Sunken into the floor nearby was a small wooden hatch, worn and chipping wood glistening with spilled oil. Broken glass crunched under their boots as Athena reached down, not to pick up the sword but instead to pick up the small piece of parchment next to it. It was waxy and powdery under her fingertips, sapphire ink faded with time. 

“There’s a note here,” Athena said over her shoulder, turning it over before moving it slightly as Jamie leaned over to see it. 

“What’s it say?” The brunette asked, playfully holding up both hands in surrender as their partner whipped around with such a look that they barely held in a laugh. 

“I was getting there! Jeez, patient much?” The two laughed, Athena starting to read the note as she held it up to the light. “ If you wish to dive into the mines, a weapon you will need. Down, down under the earth you will go, darker and darker until above becomes below. ” The teens looked at each other, confusion laced into every muscle and tendon as for the first time that day there was silence. 

“Who wrote this? Doctor Suess?” Jamie quipped, breaking the silence after several moments. Athena threw her head back cackling, ribs aching as confusion diffused into twin laughter. Jamie picked up the sword, testing the weight in their hand before looking back at their partner with a tilted head that looked oddly like a puppy. “Do you think we could convince Fenris to teach us how to use this?”

“That would require us admitting where we found it,” Athena replied, “And then he’d tell Rae,” The island native finally got up, brushing the dust off her tight covered legs. The scientist had warned them against wandering too far, the mine and quarry on the top of his lists of places to not go. They had asked why and Rae had danced around the bush for a few moments before admitting that it was dangerous and that he didn’t want them getting hurt. The quarry had a nine meter sheer drop on several sides and the mines had been abandoned when Aunt Isla was young. The pink haired teen understood why Rae was so protective. From the dock when Athena stepped onto the mainland for the first time since the funeral to every nightmare and every school achievement. Her uncle was there. Gods they were going to get such an earful from the scientist if he found out. 

“Fair point,” Jamie conceded, using his belt loops as a makeshift sheath before moving away from the hatch and towards the unmoving chain  elevator. “Any chance of this thing working? Would rather not take whatever’s under the hatch-” 

“Why are you asking me? This thing is ancient,” The chain fence rattled under the 18 year old’s touch, oil and rust coming away under her fingertips. The cage groaned and the walls echoed, machinery and nature clashing as the air temp dropped as the day forged on outside. 

“You literally spent two hours with Maru talking about engineering yesterday-” Jamie said flatly, teasing and sarcastic all wrapped in one as their partner sputtered before letting out a quiet “Okay, yeah, that’s fair-” Athena gently pulled at the cover to what should have been the calling buttons, adding more and more force until it finally swung open on rusted hinges with a high pitch squeal. Dust flew into the air, the decades of forgotten footsteps and laughter and song that once filled the mines clouding the air in a miasma of a time they had never known. 

“Okay, no yeah-” All of the buttons were jammed, the only light coming from the grime covered switch with a chipped zero in faded brown paint. “This thing is busted,” Athena wiped his hands on his overalls, streaks of dirt and gunk left in his wake. The mines fell quiet, the distant chirping of birds and wind now replaced with the sound of dripping water and echoed creaking from machinery older than either of them.

“Maybe we can get it started from lower down?” Jamie hedged, fidgeting with the embroidered sleeve of their faded green sweater. “Find where it’s been stuck? I don’t think you could break it anymore than it already is-” The brunette let out a shocked laugh as Athena grabbed their hand and practically dragged them to the hatch before pulling them into a hug with a quick forehead kiss. 

“Let’s go! Let’s go!” The excitement of a new adventure, a new thing to tinker and experiment with, was palpable as the two rushed for the hatch and began the unsteady climb down the  ladder. “Race ya’ to the bottom!” 

“Hey! No fair, you got a head start!” Jamie gave chase, sword held tightly by their belt loops as they climbed down after their lover. The ladder seemed to reach into the darkness forever, on and on as it plunged into the cradle of the earth. Darkness for ages, moments slipping by and molding together as they descended, deeper and deeper down. “Sunshine?” Jamie called, no longer two pairs of feet on the ladder as the shocks of petal pink hair disappeared from beneath them.

“Sorry Jam’, I can’t hear you over the sound of me winning!” Came their reply, Jamie letting out a groan at their lover’s teasing. They hit solid ground to the sound track of Athena’s laughter, her flash light the only thing to ward off the darkness that surrounded them. 

“You’re such a dick!” The brunette cried, gently pushing the older with not nearly enough force to matter. Athena only laughed harder at Jamie’s weak shove, smile lighting up the room far brighter than her flashlight ever could have.

“I’m sorry, baby-”Athena chuckled, offering her hand with barely contained cackling. The eighteen year old couldn’t contain the urge to roll his eyes but accepted the offer anyway, much to Athena’s smug delight. “Now come on! Let’s look around, I heard water!”

“Yeah, that’s not concerning at all-” The comment went ignored save for a small side eye that had them both laughing until their sides ached. The tight crampedness of the ladder opened wide, stalagmites and stalactites forming rows of dull teeth in sparkling whites and rings of pale ochre covered in patches of moss and algae. The ceiling rose high above their heads, drawing twin noises of awe from the teens’ throats. The stone glittered in the beam of Athena’s sticker covered flashlight, the faint whisper of water echoing off the walls drawing the teens further in. “Hang on, is that sunlight?” 

“Holy shit!” Jamie had to agree, letting out a stunned “woah” as the cavern ceiling opened in a series of winding, spindled cracks and sunlight poured into moss and clover-covered ground. Water gushed from gaps in the far wall, falling into a pool of jagged rocks and steps covered in so much plant life it practically turned the water rainbow. The air was cool with mist, ground damp as the teens stood. 

“I can’t believe this was down here!” Athena let out a shocked laugh, star embroidered sneakers finally finding a dry place to sit on the lush ground. “This place is so pretty-” 

“You’re pretty.” Jamie replied, chuckling at the whine Athena let out before she covered her face with her hands to cover her flushed cheeks. 

“Cheesy bastard!” The island native yelped, hand going to smack Jamie on the arm. She pulled the teen to sit next to her, sun shining down on pink curls to make the edges light with spun gold. The smile didn’t fade as she leaned her head on the taller’s shoulder, loving as the reckless and chaotic energy of the morning fizzled out and was replaced with the gentle thrum of breath. “I know we have to go back eventually, Doc’ll have our heads if we aren’t home by midnight-” There was a quiet laugh, gentle pressure and the warmth that seeped from clasped hands. “But do you think we can stay here for a little while?”

“Of course. As long as you need.” Was Jamie’s reply, a warm and genuine and so full of love it made Athena’s soul ache with a million tied knots and a thousand wing beats. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”