Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Roman has no idea how they survived the day the mountain rose. All he remembered was terror and sprinting as fast as his small cold legs would carry him away. It was late spring, yet frost was spreading across the wet grass faster than he could run, sticking to the soles of the boots he’d barely managed to slip on while being rushed. The ground thrummed and pulled up and backward as it sounded like an avalanche was behind him. Like a storm was trapped under the ground and escaping. Don’t stop, don’t fall down. Don’t look back at it. His momma told him to run past the barrier no matter what. He wanted to look. But then what if it caught him?

A wail of fright startled him. Tiny hands reached out from the messy blue bundle in his arms, gripping at his momma’s scarf around his neck and trying to wiggle free. Why he’d been entrusted with this he did not know, only that he was told to run to the eastern forest he was never allowed to go into before.

He didn’t know what was in there and he wanted to turn back and find the kind teacher that made him feel safe: to stay with his mom who had hastily ushered him out the backdoor of the cottage with the baby in his grasp and locked it behind her, separating them. He thought about them and the way the earth shook as it was uprooted at his heels and he didn’t slow down.

The sky cracked as if struck by whatever was making the ground move. Beyond the gentle orange and soft blues of the sunrise was a void, dark and creating more spindles and winding edges as if the sky barrier above their town was a glass dome. Roman had never known magic to be so destructive as to shatter the sky and make the clouds fall with it, shrouding the area in dense fog and raining shards. Roman tripped more often, unable to see a foot in front of him let alone either of his own, but he knew it was just the valley’s treeline somewhere in front of him now. And it hadn’t been much further to the border meant to protect them. 

He could feel the wayward energy pulsing off the translucent wall before he ever saw it, crackling with static like a warning that made his hair rise as a new fear coursed through him. It never felt like that before, it was never supposed to turn on anyone who lived here. The ink of the sigil permanently etched onto his shoulder ached like he’d just gotten it placed; the protective shield marking that let him cross the barrier freely as a resident here now scared him. He held tighter and did not slow down. He turned his shoulder to protect the terrified younger boy that had ended up in his arms...

He remembered bracing for the impact and any pain that’d come with it because he had no choice but to go forward. He remembered passing through the veil he likely shouldn’t have been able to cross at all, startled and bracing his arms so as not to fall on the squirming soft blanket as he tripped. He stumbled to his knees and scraped them on the hardened cold dirt. 

The ground shook violently in the aftershocks of a powerful spell being cast, and it was more noticeable out here as uprooted trees fell around them. Roman could only clutch the blanket tighter, desperately against his chest as they rode out the earthquake, not getting up from where he’d fallen. The ground cracked sharply around them as if to engulf and sink with them, threatening to crush the tiny beings who dared attempt to escape fate.

Roman couldn’t see with how much dirt was flung into the air. The barrier seemed to have stopped most of it, which could have been a disaster for the surrounding area and the boys, as Roman just didn’t think he could have kept running. The barrier could not stop what shook beneath it. They moved with the earth and that did not help clear the air. Ro helplessly tucked the bundle against himself to block the debris. He whimpered, staying put until the shaking and noise stopped. Only then can he hear crying, in the stark silence that followed. Even the animals had already fled. He shuddered and knew he shouldn’t look back as he uncurled cautiously. He had to keep it together because it wasn’t just him here. His mom always said to be brave and look out for those who needed help.

They hid, huddling in bushes nearby and covered in dirt and debris as the magicborne left the scene of the tragedy, their tempestuous rampage over but leaving the land scarred by their wrath. 

Roman knew it would be a mistake to look back even now, but he had to know. He let out a startled cry at the mass within arm's reach beyond the haze.

A jagged peak towers over them, icy and immense, just like what created it. An elemental god by any definition. Roman did not want to meet them and find out what they’d do with anyone who escaped. Because he wasn’t supposed to be able to escape.

It ran the length of the wide, sparking barrier in both directions as far as Roman could see, a white wall of ice and snow like a blizzard whipped around inside it, captured. 

Roman tentatively sticks his hand through the magical membrane and the other side is icy and frigid. Some of it seeps out, but he yanks his hand back out and takes a step away. The symbol on his arm stopped reacting now that he was beyond it and he swallowed nervously and gasped, still trying to catch his breath from the sprint.

Roman didn’t try to look for his parents nor the baby’s. There is no way they were still okay in there. Everyone…

The mountain existed over the entire meadow now, the flowers and stream and familiar buildings nowhere to be seen. Roman let out a shaky breath and started backing away, as hard as it was to tear his eyes away. There was no one he could see. A short distressed whine finally pulls his attention back to his present and away from the realization he’d been on the verge of trying to process. But not now. They need to get away. Roman promised to protect him. 

He sang quietly to calm the younger boy down, his voice shaky even to himself and not very soothing, but it was comforting to do and the tiny warmth in his settled against him, constantly clinging as if afraid Roman would leave him, too. Roman pets his soft curly hair gently, always gently with a baby, he’d been told. 

“...it’s okay, Pattie. We’re gonna find h-help, okay?”

The smaller boy gazed at him, head on Roman’s shoulder. Roman would never leave him alone. They needed each other and Patton liked to be held. It’s a good thing because Roman felt better while holding him too, his only lifeline as he wondered when momma or Mr. Picani would show up and tell him he’s been a brave knight, and that it’s okay to cry because they’re safe and that they would take care of them now. Then he remembers why they won’t. 

Chapter Text

Roman tried to be confident. He also learned to be more wary of their surroundings and kept his comfort songs low as he walked in the unknown area. There was no edge to walk along as the barrier fully encased the valley. It would lead him in a circle trying to get anywhere. He did not know in which direction the nearest human town was, let alone how far. Hours passed and the deeper they went in, the larger the forest became, rather dramatically. Leafy plants that had been low and stout got larger the further they traveled, becoming the height of trees themselves while the actual trees towered, more looming than before with bases wider than the pond Roman learned to swim in. 

The area was in constant low light as the light had more obstacles to get down into the dense foliage on the ground, and the moving shadows were just as scary as the large tracks in the dirt, belonging to animals whose size Roman couldn’t even imagine. 

Eventually, Roman couldn’t tell which way was back. The canopy seemed higher up than mountains, and Roman felt entirely too small. He would find them somewhere safe to hide from what rustled the leaves and stay away from the footsteps and noises that didn’t sound at all human. 

*

Roman stirred for the second time that night as Patton started to squirm and whimper. He learned to not ignore it in the past days with too many close calls as the little guy had an uncanny sense of danger. Roman sleepily picked him up to soothe him, trying to be alert of what must be nearby.

Patton was awake and eerily silent as if he also knew what monsters lurked just beyond their flimsy shelter of giant tied leaves. Shadows passed them by and Roman had to be brave and not make a sound, still as all he had for their defense was a jagged rock and a long stick he’d sharpened hung through his belt at his side. He knew they were poor tools for any sort of real fight, no matter how much he pretended with such things playing in the meadow with the other children in their games of castles and monsters. None of that had ever prepared him for this. It was nothing like the situation they were in now. Wielding a branch would not stop a dragon or even a determined squirrel if they were larger here too. But it was still better than only having his bare hands. He isn’t sure he’d be any better off with a real sword, untrained as he was, but he felt reassured with a chance. He hoped he never had to use it on something bigger than him. 

He doesn’t go back to sleep that night but Patton dozes quietly as the rustling circling them doesn’t settle until dawn. He wondered if sleeping in the daytime would be better.

*

Roman wore the scarf like a sash in the summer and it helped him carry things. Oftentimes, it’s Pattie, as he fashions it wrapped several times around them to hold Patton on his back or to his chest while keeping his hands free. Patton slept while they could keep moving, and carrying his dead weight was a little easier. It was still awkwardly distributing his weight, as it wasn’t made for this, but Roman got good at it with much trial and error and a few slip-throughs. 

Thankfully, it wasn’t long before Patton was walking more than Roman was carrying him. The younger boy had long ago taken his first steps in the village. While Roman was visiting, Pat regularly moved a few shaky steps across the carpet between his papa and the chairs, he just hadn’t been very consistent at it yet. Mr. Emile had said Pattie was a “late bloomer” but that it was expected and Patton was making good progress still.

Roman didn’t know how to teach him better, but it’s easy enough to try and get Patton to walk toward him because Patton didn’t like him getting very far away. Patton, in a too small onesie meant for sleeping, didn’t like awkwardly balancing when he could just crawl, but Roman held his hands and he got used to it again.

It took a long time to keep him standing up instead of crawling, but Patton does more often now, copying Roman with long steps. Roman beamed at him. Patton was bubbly under his praise and liked to chase Roman around, getting faster each time. 

Roman carefully cut the feet from the rest of the kinda dingy onesie so Patton would be more comfortable moving in it. Patton could still wear them separately until Roman figured out how to make them both new shoes from what was around in the forest. He wore them for as long as he could before his feet began to hurt. Roman kept his still, in case Patton could fit them one day. He’d grow into them eventually.

*

Roman made a game of their gathering and moving around from hiding place to hiding place each night. He still hadn’t found another settlement of any kind, let alone a way out of the forest. He didn’t know if he could, but he kept looking. 

Patton just believed they were having fun and exploring most of the time, but he asked about his papa, usually as Roman got them ready for bed or over a meager meal of whatever was safest to eat nearby. Roman never knew what to say. Eventually, he started saying that both his papa and Roman’s mama were back home, waiting for them to bring back help. He didn’t elaborate and he hoped Patton remembered less than he did of that day.

Patton sometimes asked when they’d go back to see them and Roman just held him in his arms and covered them in the blanket, the worn balled-up scarf as their pillow.

He told Pat that maybe they would visit someday, even though he told the same hopeful story to himself each day. He wasn’t sure if the ice would still be there, covering everything it had overtaken. He wondered how long it would take to melt in the summer if not. He idly wondered if anyone else had escaped or been away during the attack, not that they’d ever run into them now. 

No matter how much her brave knight he tried to be, it was harder than he’d imagined, and he couldn’t help thinking he was failing. Had he been supposed to find others to help? Had he misheard her in the panic and gone the wrong way? Doubt crept in and swirled around him, and his anxiety refused to let him rest easy.

Maybe he would see his momma in his dream again tonight and she could help. He eagerly shut his eyes, desperately desiring her comfort and encouragement more than ever. He’d see her again any way he could.

*

Ro had lost count of the days now, but the seasons were easier to track. It was autumn.

The weather was cooler and there were a lot of large leaves on the forest floor, longer than Roman was tall at least twice over, big enough to be a blanket for both children if they were not so thin and brittle. He fashioned them both some crude footwear by padding pieces of bark with soft down they’d found in a recently abandoned nest and tied them on with carefully sliced blades of grass, and that worked well enough. He had less of an idea of what to do about their too-small clothes. He didn’t know how to weave or knit or stitch pieces of leaves together and he didn’t have the time to learn, always looking for food and safe shelter every day. 

That was until they got a break and stumbled across a weathered little stone cave while walking downwind along the low riverbank. It was the dry season and the water was always low, so he thought it a good place to stay where they’d no longer be out in the open or merely hidden under large but drafty leaf tents. He spent the day gathering large still-green leaves off of low plants to pad the cool floor with, Patton either following him around or dozing wherever Roman was. 

Soon, their little home had a soft leafy floor for them to sleep on more comfortably. Between the scarf and the little tattered blue blanket Patton has always had, they slept, curled up and warm, protected from scary monsters that lurked in the shadows and the wind. Roman didn’t have to worry about being awake all night to keep watch and Patton no longer woke him in alarm for nearby dangers. He’d spend a few days gathering as many supplies as he could, now with a home to stash them and not worry about how to carry it all. Then he spent longer trying to use fibers from a weird stringy reed plant to stitch together tan sheets of a soft material he’d found near an old burrow. He felt pride at his creation, though they hung a little large on Patton. A shirt was much more difficult though, and he ended up carefully cutting the legs off of the onesie for good while widening the neck hole messily. 

They had a ton of extra material and Roman just decided to make skirts out of them, as those were just far easier to make and took him only an hour. 

Patton appreciated the options, freeing as they were. He alternated between them often, as did Roman, as much as they felt like.

*

Roman turned 8 and Patton is 3 now, he thought. He isn’t actually sure of that because Patton didn’t tell him the same number every time. But he’s pretty sure Patton had only been at their village for two springs, at most. The reason he knew Patton was the same reason he’d been close enough to save him— they’d been visiting Patton’s family, as they sometimes did on his momma’s work-free days. Mr. Emile was a close family friend of theirs and also the school teacher for Roman’s age group. Roman liked to visit and often played with Patton or would help the man make his “famous” strawberry pie, which Roman couldn’t deny was amazingly delicious. He didn’t think he’d get the chance to make it anymore.

Roman watched Patton, who was sitting and playing with some dull sticks Roman had gathered. The older boy had noticed some peculiar things about Patton. If Patton got excited, his hands got really warm. Sometimes to the point that small things he held caught on fire. Roman was alarmed the first time it happened, and yet Patton was unharmed and entirely unbothered, happily waving it around.

Roman doesn’t know what to make of it. But at least it keeps them relatively safe from the cold night and scary creatures that are more scared of fire. He was careful to keep Patton away from it, but he didn’t think it could hurt the person who made it. If anything, Roman was a little worried about the leaves in their home, and told Patton to be careful. Roman wondered if Patton knew other magic and who taught him. 

Roman tried to make his hands make fire, but he didn’t think rubbing them together made them quite hot enough. He decided to keep practicing at it.

*

There were weird voices out in this part of the forest sometimes. Low but deep, and usually distant. Roman hadn’t realized they were voices for a while. He couldn’t understand any words and he stayed wary of everything here, as all of it was unknown. They were accompanied by steady quakes of the ground, like something heavy being dropped. Roman frowned and kept Patton away from the cave entrance until the noise faded out. 

Whatever they were, they weren’t other humans.

*

“Stay behind me!”

Patton was wedged between Roman’s back and the cavern wall. Roman pressed them back as much as he could, and it was a miracle they weren’t reached by the claws. Roman growled lowly and swiped at it with his stick sword to scare it, but the beast was unperturbed, trying to snap him with its jaws when Roman got any closer. They were trapped and had no exits, but he wasn’t going to let it hurt his little brother. 

The hooked claws carved deep canals into the layered rock and shredded their leaf bedding at their feet as if it were just clay and paper. In a terrified moment, Roman realized it wouldn’t be long before the scaled beast figured out it could turn its claws on the crack in the stone to get to them. Though perhaps its violent bashing would have the same result soon. 

But then it was snarling and bashing back at something behind it, and it backed out, forgetting about the tiny defenseless prey it had cornered. Its horrific snarls and screeching got further and there was a bright flash of purple as lavender smoke curled into the cave and up to the ceiling where it lingered. Roman eyed it warily before his attention was fully back at the entrance, tense as he still hadn’t let Patton out from behind him. Roman clutched a broken piece of the stone floor, ready to chuck it with everything he had if necessary.

There were two large beings out there that must have gotten rid of the creature. That made Roman nervous, because whatever was strong enough to fight that also knew they were here. Part of a huge face was suddenly visible, blocking their entire view and almost all the light from outside. They looked relieved even as Roman jolted, raising the rock in threat. It didn’t seem to deter the giant, though.

“They’re fine, Lo. Hey, you two. You need to come with us, it ain’t safe out here.” the man stated, coaxing with his tone. 

Roman hesitated, not wanting to leave their safety. Patton whimpered, and that set him more on edge. Roman crouched, pulling him close. He glared out at the face at the cave entrance and it frowned. “Hey, we wouldn’t have gone through the trouble of saving you if we were gonna hurt you.”

“Virgil.” the one behind chided, “Do not scare them.”

“Remus’ abomination already did that plenty.”

“Lo” sighed. He knelt by the small crack in the stone, patient. “Young ones. It is unsafe to be out here at night, let alone at your stature. Please, we will not harm you.”

“Leave us alone!!” Roman demanded, trying to sound braver and more threatening than he felt.

Lo straightened from where he’d been kneeling, debating with himself as Virgil kept trying and not being successful. He only seemed to be stressing them out more, making them far more likely to run and not come with them later either. Getting Janus it was, although their friend was away on a trip for more iolite and spadetail…he should be on his way back now. “We… will be back tomorrow with help. Please, do not leave.”

Roman didn’t answer and he absolutely did not want to stay here. He was reluctant to leave, torn between staying somewhere hard to reach or running out in the open when they left. Would the giants be waiting to capture them if they tried?

Virgil glanced back at him with a frown. “I really don’t think they’ll stay, Logan. I don’t want to scare them, but it’s risky.”

Logan really did not want to leave these small children here either, especially because they appeared small enough to fit in Logan’s palm, which was…more than a little alarming to see in person. These children had been out here for stars knew how long, all alone, and apparently had been lucky the giants had come to investigate Remus’s claims when they did. 

But the small ones were obviously terrified of the two towering beings trying to coax them out and Logan couldn’t blame them. They likely hadn’t survived for however long they’d been here– months if Remus was to be believed— by being trusting and uncautious. Their resilience was truly unfathomable and the knowledge had made Virgil want to throttle the chaotic wild mage for not telling them sooner.

“Should we go retrieve Janus?” Logan asked his fidgeting companion quietly. “They may take to him more easily if he shifted down to their size.”

It was regrettably a skill Logan did not have despite his knowledge and diligent practice of other magic subsects. There were so many minor disciplines. Their partner, however, specialized in transformative magics as it was related to his base soul magic. The mage did not like being brought out, though, much less in the evening. He might not even agree to take them in regardless of if they grew attached to him.

Still, Virgil nodded in reluctant agreement and they both stood. Roman listened as the large beings retreated. He cautiously sat down and huddled with Patton, deciding it wasn’t worth the risk, even if they still needed food for the day.

After some time, Roman attempted to rearrange the salvageable leaves to cover the gouges in the floor and refused to think about the monster that might be back in the night. Roman didn’t leave, unsure when the giants would be back, even as hours passed. Even if they did, Roman was determined that they wouldn’t leave the safety of the cave…even if he felt more uneasy about its protection now.

Neither he nor Patton slept easy as Roman fretted over what to do now.

*

Patton was sitting on the floor tiredly. He had been up all night and he was drained from the constant state of fear. They hadn’t eaten because they hadn’t gone out since the giants’ last visit. Roman was scared it might be dangerous, and he was out of energy to spend hunting for anything edible. The season made it harder to forage, making them go further each time in their searches.  It also made it more difficult to stay hidden outside of a cave or burrow or hollow tree, as leaves were not grown in where they’d usually hide.

“Roro…’m too tired,” he whispered, leaning and pleading to be left to lie down. Roman’s soft eyes held an exhaustion he was trying to hide.

The older boy knelt by his side, running a hand over Patton’s tangled curls before turning. "Here, come on. I can carry you."

Patton hesitated, because he didn’t want to make Ro pick him up again when they were both tired. Patton didn’t even think he’d be able to hold on, and the fatigue he felt…the idea of trying to move from this spot made him want to cry. 

“Ro… tired too.”

“I’m fine, Pattie, I promise,” Roman told him and smiled. It didn’t reach his eyes, and fell from exhaustion two seconds later. 

Patton must have looked as doubtful as he felt because Roman let out a quiet shuddering sigh, eyes wet. “I have to get us out of h-here. You gotta trust me, Pat. Please. We can’t stay another day. We have to get out of this place and find help. We need food and to find other humans.” he stressed, cupping Patton’s face pleadingly.

Patton’s mouth trembled as he frowned, before leaning forward and wrapping his arms around Roman silently, pressing his face into Roman’s chest. Roman clung to him, and Patton barely had it in him to squeeze back. Kneeling here, Roman didn’t know if he had the strength to stand right now, let alone pick up his brother. He held him awkwardly, helpless while trying both to comfort him and to not let Patton see him crying either. He stifled overwhelmed sobs.

He didn’t feel old enough to know what to do. He wanted his mom. 

*

It had just been a trip to the stream for water, to forage near it for safe things to eat. That was all. Roman always made that trip, following the river until it got to the faster-flowing, safer waters. It was just routine and after nearly a full day, Roman had gotten desperate and taken the risk. But he should have known doing the same thing too many times would lead to something— someone?— noticing his patterns.

Patton sobbed over Roman, too terrified to look at his leg that had blood-red branching magic spreading along it just below his knee. Patton had known something was wrong when Ro had crawled back into the cave and collapsed, trembling. He mentally berated himself for coming back here to safety just to die in front of Patton who’d be alone regardless. He didn’t know what would have been better. 

Patton cried hard and shook Roman, laying against him as he cried out all the energy he had left. Roman had just wanted to get them water. Roman wished he could soothe Patton, to hush and reassure him so that his cries would not draw anything dangerous to them. 

Roman could only lie there as the poison made him too sluggish to move anymore. It had been hard enough to make it back here the short way. His leg burned where the barbed vines had wrapped and cut into his calf, where he’d yanked them off and run. His hand was in a similar shape for his efforts.

He didn’t know when he shut his eyes, Patton’s crying quieter now at least. Or maybe he was just sleepy. 

Patton hiccupped trying to get his words out, begging Roman to sit up and look at him. Just to open his eyes. He clutched the older boy tightly, tiny hands clinging to his makeshift cape. He yanked it off from Roman’s neck with trembling hands to drape it better over Roman, but he was too big for the tattered baby blanket Patton had been wrapped in so long ago. He still remembered Roman holding him, cuddling under it with him, keeping him safe. He didn’t want Roman to leave him. Why wouldn’t he wake up?

Patton laid against Roman’s back, the slow rise and fall of Roman’s chest soothing even as it was labored.

The leaves Roman used to poorly shield the entrance to their hiding place moved and Patton whimpered quietly as he’d drawn that attention. 

A man stepped inside cautiously, observing the scene. He frowned, looking at Patton curled over Roman, wide teary eyes already trained on him.

He walked in and knelt by them, Patton scared but unwilling to leave Roman’s side now by the stranger. He said nothing until the stranger reached out.

“N-No! No, stop–” he protested, trying to tug Roman back with him, but his little arms were not strong enough to pull the older boy even to his chest. The best he could manage was clutching his arm and holding Roman’s head against him protectively. As if such a little one could even protect himself.

The stranger hadn’t touched, instead visually examining Roman shortly and sighing. “Human. From the Escudar no doubt.” he seemed to speak to himself before looking up at Patton, the hint of a grim emotion on his otherwise unreadable face. “I’m sorry. He won’t survive the trek. I wish they could have got you two home with them the first time.”

Patton stared, shellshocked, but then he was suddenly being reached for and picked up. Patton gasped a loud objection, shoving at the person who was now taking him away.

“NO! No!! You’re leaving Roman!!” he shouted, and when that didn’t work he screamed it, and screamed Roman’s name. “No!! Roman!! Let go!!” he sobbed anew, fighting weakly in his sleep-deprived, weak state. He couldn’t take it. How could they just give up on him, just like that?

Patton’s hands sparked and heated with magic, clutching at the dark sleeve of the arm around his torso as he demanded to be put down. His caped captor jumped as his shoulder got shocked, the contact sizzling. He quickly held Patton out at arm’s length with a frown. “Oh, wonderful time for that to manifest. Of course you would be of the fire magicborne.”

Patton squirmed and kicked to get free. “Get off!! Off, off – Roman!! ” he called, hoping the other child would stir at his alarm. Roman didn’t, and didn’t even seem to hear him.

The man reluctantly paused, taking a moment to explain, little though he thought it would help. “He is marked. We cannot help him, especially not now. But you can still be saved.”

Patton vehemently struggled, refusing to hear it. The man looked wholly unhappy with this child who couldn’t understand the pointlessness of arguing. That his protector and friend will be taken by nightfall. But a child so young wouldn’t understand. He should leave before the marked doomed them all, and yet…the pleas are too devastatingly familiar.

The child got set down and he immediately flung himself back at the still boy on the old dry leaves still left on the marred cave floor.

And he knew a way that no one would be happy with, but it was a way nonetheless. Janus stepped up. His eyes flashed from yellow to red as he made a sweeping gesture over Roman’s still form, lighting it in the same glow as Patton startled back.

Patton trembled, kneeling by where Roman had just been as the little crystal ball was handed to him, warm in his palms and tinted red. Inside floated his brother, looking like he was merely asleep and finally getting the rest he needed. Patton shook more, overwhelmed and hurting. He didn’t think it was a hurt that could be fixed with clean water and a fired grass bandage. 

The man stood by, pitying. “This is the only way I knew to take him and keep him from the mark’s tracking. It merely paused the inevitable. As soon as he is released, it will restart the process. But for now, he is safe and will stay alive in there. Maybe one day we’ll have the power to free him from the mark.”

Patton is too weak to do anything and he didn’t say a word as he was picked up once again and taken away without comment. The giant from before, in a purple-patched cloak, knelt outside. He observed the two and his neutral expression fell as the one who held him just shook his head in silent answer. Rather than pick the two up, he followed after the sprite at a distance, steps light and hardly disturbing the ground beneath his heavy tailored boots.

Chapter Text

Patton barely registered as they entered a clearing in full sunlight until it glared into his eyes and he winced, blinking as he tried to see. It was early afternoon and the sun was bright and unimpeded, warm on his skin and making him want to pull up his sleeves. That did not feel right, given what had just happened. It should have been dark or raining. If Roman were holding his hand, maybe it would be less terrifying. He’d long stopped struggling as the man had adjusted him in his hold, walking quickly to get them inside. They passed through an almost undetectable veil that shimmered like a bubble over the massive home, sized for the giants like the one that trailed behind them. Patton glanced back at him, shrinking in on himself at how small he felt. 

He knew he was small, all he remembered was growing up in an oversized forest even though he’d come from a home and lands that were not so oversized for them. But to see a person that fit in here, in this giant world with a truly massive man…people-made home fit for them, really put that into perspective more than the odd natural plants of all sizes could.

They approached shortly, and there was a smaller set of steps along the giant wooden ones up to the porch, and Patton was carried up those. The giant waited until they made it up a moment later before walking up himself and opening the door for them. Patton glanced back outside anxiously, only now realizing he’d just allowed himself to be taken by people he did not know. But what else was he supposed to do? He couldn’t do everything that Roman did: didn’t know everything he knew about surviving even as he’d tried to learn. He had no other reasonable choice but to trust these strangers really were trying to help, and he did not like that one bit.

*

He learned that the smaller stranger was “Janus”, a mage who also lived with Logan and Virgil. The three seemed sympathetic to him losing his brother but acted as if he was already gone. The only thing Patton had been able to give back was his own name when “Logan” had asked it and he had said little else. 

Some little warning went off in his mind– a story from Roman and the danger of giving strangers his name, but that was hardly on his mind long. Patton was practically palm-sized to them (even to Janus, he soon discovered, as the man changed size at will to help with dinner, taller than even Virgil was as he bent down to peck the other on the cheek as he made plates), there was little more a name would do if they were dangerous.

They gave him a meal that was easy on the stomach, and Patton would hardly touch it until Janus claimed Roman would be glad he was getting enough to eat.

Patton tearfully held the orb in his lap and got down a few bites of the mashed fruit and practically a crumb of Virgil’s mushroom butter bread. He was quiet during most of the meal and no one pressured him to talk.

“Roman needs to eat too.” 

Logan paused at the small voice speaking up for the first time to him. He looked across the table to their small guest. “He does not need sustenance in there, do not worry.”

For some reason Patton wilted a little more, concerning Logan as he stopped eating entirely.

“Patton?” the older mage inquired.

Patton sniffled, wiping at his face as he hugged the little ball to his chest, pressing closer to the warmth. “I w–want him out here.” Patton whimpered, tucking his face into his knees as he huddled there, miserable. 

Logan looked on, trying to be considerate as he too paused and set his fork down. He did not want to startle the child, but he did not know how to offer comfort he needed.

“...we will search for a way. I promise we will do everything within our power to extract him safely. Until then, it is a big responsibility to look after him just as he did for you all that time. He…trusts you to keep him unharmed. You should keep him close.”

Patton looked up at Logan with what was almost a grimace before it faded and Patton nodded, thoughtful. “I–I can do that,” he murmured, loud enough for Logan to catch thanks to an amplifying enchantment on a white gem necklace Janus had given him. 

Logan offered him a tentative smile. “You must keep your strength up. I assure you, he is in no pain. I’m uncertain if he even dreams in that state. Roman will be alright.”

They finished dinner quietly, and Logan offered to read to Patton before bed. Patton appreciatively accepted. He wondered if it would be like the stories Roman told him.

*

Patton bathed in a warm bowl bath for nearly an hour, soaking in the nice smell of a soap Janus had infused in the water. He also got new well-made clothes that fit him, though he didn’t remember any of that, just that now he was clean and in soft fabric and nestled into a giant basket beside Virgil and Logan’s (and Janus’?) bed, on a table. He clutched the little orb, wrapped up with it in the washed tattered blanket and scarf he’d taken with him from their cave. It glowed softly and he wished it was Roman here, cuddling and comforting him. He is safe, he thinks he is safe, but he feels so alone.  

He can’t remember a single night in his life when Roman hadn’t been there to hold him and help him fall asleep.

Exhaustion took him eventually. He was so tired and his sleep was fitful, but he got to see Roman in his dreams for a little while. Patton asked when he would come back and Roman just smiled sadly, saying he wanted to be there, but that they’d be okay. He got a long hug and Roman sat with him on the warm sunny day, telling him stories. Until the night falls and he’s ripped away from Patton by a monster he never can see, Roman not letting him follow. 

Patton did not go back to sleep that night. 

He barely slept the following days, no matter how the others tried to reassure him and offer accommodations. He had short naps throughout the day only because exhaustion forced him to. He didn’t part with the orb either and Janus almost regretted giving him that hope. It was merely prolonging Patton’s suffering at this point, but he did not have the heart to take it as that would only worsen things for the boy in their care. He supposed it was for the better, as it would keep Roman alive as long as possible this way. This dependency could be managed, though.

*

Patton wandered and explored the first few days, which Logan thought was a good sign that the young one was comfortable enough to do so. He always had Roman with him, which was to be expected. Less expected was that Virgil often wasn’t far behind the curious boy, making sure he didn’t stray somewhere dangerous or want to climb one of their tables only to fall while accompanying him. Janus had been surprised that Virgil took such an interest, but he did wonder if it had to do with any lingering guilt about Roman and leaving them. Janus would have to talk to him about that.

Patton wasn’t exactly healthy after unknown months in survival mode as a child barely 5 years older than he watched over his well-being (the adult mages had to wonder about the circumstances of that parenting decision, but it was only speculation from what Patton occasionally mentioned). Along with piecing together that backstory, it was a gradual journey getting him up to the proper weight. They’d been adding ways for Patton to get to the most important places on his own, through little inventions of magic lifts in the kitchen while their bedside table now had a spiraling little staircase. There was a window upstairs in Virgil’s quiet nook that overlooked the forest that he loved to sit at, and so they had stairs there too for him along with new railings on the window sill. This gave Patton options, adding them to places he liked so he would not rely only on them, but Patton did not seem to mind being carried and held at all, which was yet another unexpected thing. Logan had his theories about that as well.

Janus offered to use his shifter magic to make more convenient items for Patton. Janus would shrink books (though Patton just liked to look at the pictures; he could not yet read), clothes, and other objects that the others conjured for him. Janus was a merchant, less intimidating to humans than the others thanks to his shifting abilities.

Patton enjoyed watching him create his bottled spells, amulets, and charms that they sold for money in other towns. Patton had yet to see other giants, so maybe the money was for buying human things they would then simply resize. Sometimes Janus would be gone for three days to sell merchandise and return with little gifts for them all too. Patton now had a little stuffed cat that he snuggled with alongside Ro at night. Patton particularly liked looking through Janus’s collection of gemstones among the ingredients, and Janus let him keep a few that were common with no dangerous properties. Patton asked if one of these was what Janus made the orb out of and Janus nodded, explaining it was clarified bixbite. It was a rare gem that held the sustaining properties needed to keep Roman alive. And thanks to the boys’ already small size, they hadn’t needed much of it.

Patton enjoyed Logan reading to him often, and it reminded him of how Roman would tell him fantastical stories by firelight as they were getting ready to sleep. It helped him now, too, even as Logan’s books were more informative about the world they lived in: its creatures and locations Patton wanted to see beyond the forest. It fascinated him. Their real world was often just as amazing as the stories. 

Often he found himself getting lost in the true tales and wonder of the world that wasn’t all scary forests and magic barriers. There was much more out there to want to see that was enchanting and beautiful, too. Patton wanted to see it all and prove to himself it existed. He and Roman would see it all together, protected by their new guardians.

Logan said he could take him someday to see them when it was safer for them to leave. Patton looked forward to it, wanting Roman to have that too. These were true adventures his spirited brother dreamed about and would have loved. He would love them, because Patton would make sure he was there for them, outside of his stasis, someday.

*

Virgil took Patton out on his morning walk. Janus accompanied them, perched beside Patton on Virgil’s shoulder as Virgil tried not to outwardly fret about them falling off. But Janus was at ease, securely having an arm behind Patton, who was sat between him and Virgil’s high coat collar. 

Their carrier’s hands fidgeted as if they wanted to slide into his pockets, but he kept them out in case he needed to react quickly and catch his companions.

Patton held onto the fibers of the long jacket rather easily. While he liked to lounge in the hood hammock Virgil’s usual patchwork cape had, he got used to balancing while perched on a giant’s shoulder or arm or hat. They had not let him do that one since the time he had done so unexpectedly, as Logan had looked down and had to drop a bowl of scale shavings in favor of catching a tumbling 5-year-old who had failed to get a handhold in time. (Janus and poor Virgil nearly had joint heart attacks, and Patton had never seen Logan that shaken.)

He promised to not do that one again. 

Patton tugged Roman’s scarf down more around his shoulders at the chill of the wind rushing past them. Virgil towered over the area to him, seeming to stand above the fog, but the giant seemed just right-sized among the trees and fauna that dwarfed Patton several times over. 

Patton knew why they’d asked him to come along, even though they didn’t tell. It was to show him the forest wasn’t as scary as it seemed at his own level. Patton had nightmares about it for months already, and they all knew. Patton couldn’t explain it well, but he wasn’t sure it was the forest he was afraid of. But it had taken Roman from him, in the end. 

He clutched the little sphere forever cradled in his arms closer. No, not gone. Roman was here, but unavailable. Isolated.  

The ride-walk did help him clear his head some, as he looked out without being scared of what might be lurking as they were out in the open. The others knew magic and would be safe. They were safe and Patton didn’t know why the forest haunted his dreams anyway.

He sighed quietly and Janus quietly offered him a side hug. Patton leaned into it, Virgil’s steady pace and the rocking almost making him want to go back to sleep. Birds called above them, and the dew sparkled in the first rays breaking up the fog. Patton sleepily thought about the daurberry pancakes Logan was making when they left and he looked forward to getting some. 

He’d been dozing when Janus gently nudged him and Patton realized they had stopped. He blinked at the bright light to the east, but quickly found himself in awe as he sat forward a little, eyes wide.

They were on the edge of what looked like a drop-off, though Virgil was cautiously several steps from actual danger. They had a fantastic view of the forest valley, in all shades of greens and purples as the canopies were in bloom. The stream he and Roman had lived by must have branched from the falls before them, tumbling down into the valley on their right, the water shimmering like the crystals he’d seen in the dawn light. 

And further still, were mountains with massive cavern entrances that might not have been naturally carved, glints of rainbow colors barely seen inside them from this far. Was that where Janus traveled to collect crystals?

“This place may be dangerous sometimes. But it’s not something you have to be afraid of.” Virgil spoke up quietly, still gazing out. 

“The fear kept you alive for a long time. The worry about the unknown lurking in the dark, the wariness of new things and places…and people. It has a purpose and it kept you both safe for a long time. But you can be cautious and not have to be afraid. We want to help you not fear this place. It’s your home for…as long as you want it. Until you can fend for yourself, we will look after you. Nothing here will hurt you with us around. It’s safe to not be afraid anymore and to be curious. So…I hope you’ll let us show you our world. It…it really isn’t so bad here.”

Patton had heard similar before in the long months he’d been here now. But not like this, from Virgil. Patton leaned against his neck slowly, hugging and Virgil tried not to twitch as Patton’s hair tickled. Virgil raised a cautious hand of his opposite arm to jostle them as little as possible and set two fingertips on Patton’s arm to return the gesture. 

He could conquer this fear. It would take time, but he could find a way to do something about it and not be afraid anymore.

It might have also helped that on the way back, they ran into the cackling perpetrator himself who decided to join them for breakfast, much to Virgil’s exasperation. Patton thought he was kind of funny, in a chaotic, free type of way. He hadn’t been scary either, even though he had tall horns on his head and red eyes. It helped that he was human-sized, though still taller than Patton, being an adult. The others were a tiny bit wary, and Janus sat closer than normal as they ate, but the person said confidently that he’d told his beasts to not eat their little human now. Patton didn’t exactly know how reassured he felt, but the others nodded and seemed satisfied. Virgil still looked like he wanted to say more, but continued to eat.

The wild mage told Patton he was “Uncle Remus” and Patton cracked a tiny smile, repeating it much to Remus’s delight and Virgil’s irritation as he grumbled that Remus was not related to any of them. The “tiefling” man came around more often after that, showing Patton magic and otherwise trying to play games with him, which was a nice change for Patton. Remus did not ask about Roman, curiously enough, but also seemed to know he was off limits for rough-housing. Remus reminded Patton of Roman, in the ways he engaged him and thought up new games. And that didn’t make him sad. After a few days, the others stopped hovering as long as the duo stayed in the house with their mischief and they all noticed Patton seemed a little brighter for it: happier. 

He still clearly missed Roman and was dealing with that, but he wasn’t so overtaken by the thoughts and grief he didn’t have the words for so young.

*

Patton sat on the porch of Virgil’s home, huddled around the little ball, but unable to look at it. Some days were like that, even though he rarely set it– him– down.

He heard footsteps behind him but didn’t turn around, as he already knew who it was by the way they’d paused at the door and their unwavering even step.

There was a wave of gold magic and the shifter sat beside him. “You aren’t sleeping. Virgil and Logan are worried.”

Patton’s gaze fell. “Did they not wanna come too?”

Janus settled in his spot, looking down at Patton, who wouldn’t meet his gaze. “They did. But I elected to have a chat with you instead. You are more unhappy as the days go on.”

Patton didn’t reply and very pointedly didn’t look down at the soft glow tucked securely in his arms.

The old mage hummed. “You’re very protective of him.”

“...he protects me. He holds me when I’m scared. So I’m making sure he isn’t scared.”

The present tense wasn’t lost on him, and he didn’t comment. Janus did not know how much more endeared he could get with this young one they’d saved months ago now. Patton had been in their care for several seasons, and while Janus knew him to be their kind and curious little ward, he more often than not had an air of sadness surrounding him, when he would remember his loss and become quiet for days. Janus was not sure how much he still even remembered the older boy, but he did not let go of the grief as Janus had expected for someone so young. Patton plainly refused to forget or move on. 

“We know you want him back. And we are willing to teach you what you’ll need to learn to do it.”

Patton looked up sharply, the enchanted crystal over his eyes nearly falling into the grass below. “I could get him out?” he asked, desperation in his voice. 

Janus sighed and nodded. “Yes. It was true what I told you when this happened. With the proper training. I did not bring this up before because you were too young to begin. You still are younger than we’d prefer for you to start training, but Logan advised we should not continue letting you feel so helpless. And we can start small.”

Patton held the little ball closer to his chest. “Why can’t you just undo it? And heal him? You know lotsa magic!” 

Patton had asked that many times before, and only now did Janus have an answer he could give. It had taken a lot of time to connect their story to the Village Beneath the Mountain, but the timelines had matched up, and Roman’s mark had been unmistakable. “On the day you two escaped your home, Roman’s people were marked by someone very powerful. The symbol on his shoulder meant to protect him and allow him in and out of the barrier became a cuff that would keep him and everyone with one trapped inside. But I suspect because he was holding you, he was able to get out.”

Patton stared at the older mage, who just looked more tired as he spoke. Patton was waiting for him to continue, and when Jan did not, he prompted. “But we were fine outside. Why did the mark hurt him so much later?”

Janus crossed his legs idly, thinking. “I believe it was a direct attack from the same person who buried your home. She found one that survived and did not care how young he was. She wanted to kill him. I suspect the process was paused with mere minutes left.”

Patton whimpered, looking down at the orb tearfully as if to check if anything had changed. Roman was still there, unmoving in his stasis.

He still looked the same, as if just asleep.

“Why? Why did she want to hurt our home?” 

Janus glanced over to Patton with a gentle frown on his face. “...it was for vengeance,” he said finally. “On the people unknowingly hid her baby from her.”

Patton’s eyes widened and he opened his mouth to ask, but no words came out. 

Janus merely nodded, sadly. “She was so angry and they didn’t know she’d be able to get in. But she was quite powerful. She found where you were hidden away, and tore the place apart in her search. 

The emotions overwhelmed Patton and tears were streaking his face. “But Roman saved me!! Why would she hu-hurt him?! I want him back!!” 

Patton hadn’t sobbed this hard in a long time, not since the night Roman last held his hand. 

Janus did not shush him, only held out an arm and Patton fell into his side, shaking and upset. “Why’d she hurt him?? H-He’s my brother, why…”

Patton trailed off and Janus squeezed his shoulder lightly. “She does not recognize that. He’s human, and as we have told you, you are not. She only sees him as the one still stealing you away from her. If Virgil and I had not found you that night and brought you back here when we did, I do believe she would have found you.”

Patton grimaced, looking more distressed by the second. “S-So– my mom is…who did all that?”

Janus adjusted the cloak over his arms, draping it over Patton’s shoulder as the night air seemed to pick up. “Yes,” he answered honestly, straight to the point. “She is one of the most powerful mages that I know of. I’ve seen her work.” Janus decidedly did not elaborate to the child in his care, though, and Patton did not ask him to.

“But you see, this is why you’re so vital. You are of her blood. Any magic she casts can be challenged and unraveled should you become powerful enough. It will not be easy training. It may take years before you can even break the mark. If you wish to save him, you must hone it. Your soul’s base is light magic. Its users have an affinity for certain kinds of healing, which you will need, but you will learn others that do not come naturally to you. Logan would be a good guide for which to focus on and Virgil would know how to measure your current limitations.”

Patton looked a little perplexed but more determined, swiping at his eyes. “O-Okay. I want to learn. I want to save him and stop my…stop her from hurting more people.”

Janus continued to hold him. “It is not your fault. What she did was awful and inexcusable.”

“...will she find me here?”

“Unlikely. Virgil and Logan keep this place under a powerful cloak. Not that she usually bothers other magicborne beings. She blames humans for taking you, after all. I do not know your father’s reasons, but I suspect he had a good one to hide you. So we will do the same. Until you can protect yourself.”

Patton tried to picture his dad. It was very difficult to even picture his face anymore. He’d been so young when they were separated. He just thought of a warm safety that he’d associated with Roman for all this time.

“...for what it’s worth, I do think she cares about you. She would not hurt you even if you did run into her. I do not know much, but she is your mother. I don’t think you can stay away forever.”

Patton let out a shaky sigh. He did not want to meet her. Not after all the things she’d done to get him back. He didn’t think he wanted love like that and was more scared he’d meet her and understand. He didn’t want to forgive her. 

“And Roman will be okay until I can help?”

Janus nodded. “He’s being sustained off of your magic,” he explained. “That is why I elected to also make him…smaller. It takes a minuscule fraction of your magic to keep him sustained. You do not have to stay near him all the time, but your being well keeps him well. And you must not be away for too long.”

Patton looked worried and Janus elaborated. “A day without you nearby would not hurt him, but I would not risk longer than 3. This should not happen, but if the sphere ever starts to become cold, get one of us immediately.”

Patton slumped, suddenly feeling far too exhausted. Janus looked down at him once more. “Was that all of your questions, Tadpole?”

Patton cracked a tiny smile at the nickname. He still did not know why Janus called him that, and Janus wouldn’t tell him. “I dunno. I’m sleepy.”

“It was a lot to take in,” Janus agreed, shifting smoothly to lift Patton into his arms as he stood. “You are free to think of more any time to ask and we will do our best to answer. We will not be keeping these things from you anymore.”

Patton nodded against his shoulder, hands tucked to still cradle Roman in his palms, the action still requiring both hands, small as he was. 

Patton was asleep before Janus returned to his proper bed. He nodded to Virgil and Logan, who were quiet but aware of what Janus had gone out to do and knew they’d be more active now in helping Patton learn his magical abilities. Virgil worried about how young he was but Logan seemed sure this was the right path as well. It was better for the boy to be prepared as soon as possible. 

Janus laid down, deciding to stay near Patton tonight, if it would help their adopted dependent rest. Patton curled against him, one hand holding Janus’ sleeve and the other arm securely around the capsule holding Roman. 

He was just a kid. Patton was so little but Roman had also been, truly. They should have never been on their own. 

Janus knew Virgil and Logan were resolute in protecting this young mage until he was old enough to protect himself. Janus would help wherever he could. For all their sakes, he hoped Patton would grow to be strong enough to face the storm that was his mother someday. He did not know how that would pan out. But there would be more at stake than just their lives once the Dragon Witch was fed up with the searching and decided to simply raze the earth in her efforts, determined as she was. She would have nothing to lose, after all. They did not have forever to prepare him, but as Janus tried to sleep, he let himself believe that they could do it.  

They all slept, knowing the future ahead was turbulent but that all was not lost. Maybe one small life giving their little one hope would be what saved them all, channeling his power towards this cause. Had they really left Roman that day, Janus feared it would have been his greatest mistake. For everyone, Roman needed to live. And perhaps one day Patton really would manage to get his brother back.