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A distraction. That’s what Chase needed, away from the books, away from the keys, especially away from him. Buddy. God that man knew how to get on his last nerves. The bickering, arguing and teasing couldn’t be getting worse… right? Wrong, it's almost as if the universe was testing his patience and will. What started as harmless jokes just started to provoke Chase even more. Everytime Buddy held his hand against his jaw, or his thumb grazing his lip ‘accidently’ it was as if sparks flew from the two, any physical contact felt like magic, magic that could kill (kill Chase specifically). It isn’t as if he could pour his guts out to Deacon, that man had felt the touch of another person or even never felt such emotions in his life. it felt impossible. How could he ever explain it? Oh yeah I'm sorta crushing on a guy who’s my rival and also wants to murder me with his cult thing because I stole a key. Yeah, Okay. But the way Buddy says his name, that smooth voice that reminds him of a cat's purr brings a shiver to his spine and makes him want to throw away any level of dignity he has left and throw himself at Buddy’s mercy. But that won't do, he needs a distraction.
So when Deacon approached Chase, holding a book, during his 15 step skincare routine and eating his feelings in fruit, his first instinct was to shut it down, but somewhere, he wanted to.
“Deacon i told you i need a breaakk”
He groaned, trying to shut deacon out.
“I know, but it's sleeping beauty, you just get to sleep the entire time”
A pause
“Please?”
He agrees, of course. What else could he have done? He wouldn't even need to see Buddy, he just has to sleep.
At least that's what he thought… until he realised that the story has actual plot before that part.
The beginning of the story is a blur, it isn't until Briar Rose’s 16th birthday to where they actual grip what is happening. Chase is dressed in a deep blue bodice with knee length-shorts to match and a light blue undershirt, it wasn't Silver’s best work, however it still looked pretty stylish. Deacon was dressed in earthy colours to resemble his part as the fairy that raises him.
“Okay now all i have to do is tell you of your true identity, and then you go to the castle and let buddy kidnap you… Got it?”
“Oh my I'm a princess!? Shock. Ive got it”
He fake gasps before walking off into the direction of the castle.
“God he is so grumpy.”
The landscapes are beautiful, that's for sure. Every fairytale has remarkable terrain and the prettiest buildings, he wouldn't be against staying here forever. In fairytales everyone’s happy. A happy ending if you will. Maybe if he lived in a fairytale then he wouldn’t need to be doing this. Jumping over hurdles and sacrificing himself to save his Mom. He loved her, so much, but it was so exhausting.
He began rubbing his eyes and sniffling as he realised tears were beginning to form. No you don't get to feel like this. You don't deserve to feel sad.
He didn’t even know where he had to go, or even where to find buddy. He just needed him right now. A quick remark, anything, he needed to find that familar comfort in his voice.
“Well well, there's the little idiot. How are you sweetheart? Find your way here fine or did you lose your way~”
He looked up and was immediately pulled into a trance. He couldn’t even begin to describe Buddy’s outfit without foaming out the mouth. A purple corset paired with shorts, a jacket that he couldn’t even tell you the colour of and knee high boots. By the time he noticed his staring, his face was already flushed red and his heartbeat quickening.
“Do you ask to dress up like halloween costumes or does that happen naturally?”
“Like what you see?”
It wasn’t really a question, more just a snide remark but Chase had to physically stop himself from saying yes as Buddy began walking off in the direction that the story continued. They walked in silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Chase found himself paying extra attention to Buddy’s walking and breathing patterns, becoming oh so aware of how heavy his breathing was.”
“I cannot stress this enough, don’t actually prick your finger on the spindel.”
“Yeah, yeah Buddy don't worry.”
He flapped his hand in Buddy’s direction as to dismiss him but said no more.
“You act as if I would let the little princey kiss me, no chance. Chase Hollow deserves more than some self absorbed prince.”
Buddy felt a small smile appear on his face understanding what he meant too well.
“That you do…”
He whispered
“Huh? Did you say something”
He coughed and turned away.
“I said you’re stupid, whatever we’re almost there.”
Buddy took the lead, Chase jogging to catch up with him shouting for him to slow down.
When they got to the tower Chase sat down away from the spindel.
“So will I have to wait 100 years or what?”
Buddy chuckled
“No. Of course not, to the inhabitants of the book it will feel like 100 but to us… a mere five minutes”
“Okay…okay is now a bad time to mention I'm scared of blood.”
A look of certain death stared him in the face
“That would be bad if you were actually pricking his finger, your not”
“Right, right yeah totally”
Nothing that bad would happen, right? I mean all it’d do is make Buddy worried for him which is such a cute look on him.
“Deacon will be coming soon to realise that your… ‘asleep’ then the prince then we can leave”
…
“Am i talking to myself he- Chase?”
A glaze overcame Chase's sight as he realised the reason Buddy didn’t want him to touch it. He couldn’t see straight. He reached a hand out to Buddy revealing a pin prick on his finger.
“Help… ple-”
He was cut off by his vision turning black, the last thing he remembered is falling against something.
“Shit. shitshitshit”
Worry overcame Buddy's face as he held Chase in his arms. Not knowing what to do he sat down and laid chase next to him, inspecting him. His heartbeat wouldn’t slow. Why was he so anxious? If he didn't wake up, he couldn’t retrieve the key. Yeah that's it. So why did the idea of Chase not waking up make him feel like he was dying. He felt a tear hit his cheek, stupid.
Deacon eventually arrived and began accusing Buddy of planning it, but Deacon eventually realised that he was genuinely in distress.
“The prince will be here soon, maybe that will wake him up.”
“Chase wouldn’t like that.”
“And what other options do we have? You wanna kiss him?”
“Wha- S-shut up! You’re being ridiculous”
He turned away towards Chase, eyes watching his seemingly lifeless body.
The hooves of a horse were heard outside signaling the prince's arrival. Buddy stood in the corner holding a small pocket knife. Footsteps echoed through the tower and when the prince saw Buddy.
“Ah! The evil quee-”
“Hurry and kiss him or i'll skin you alive.”
The colour drained from his face, Buddy only felt 5% bad, he wasn't real.
Deacon and Buddy both watched as the prince leaned down to Chase, an uneasy feeling settling in Buddy’s stomach.
One second, that's how long it took until Buddy was pulling the prince away holding the knife to his throat.
“Leave.”
He scurried away, leaving the three there.
“Jealous much?”
“Shut it freckles”
Deacon began pacing.
“What are we gunna do, we can't leave him.”
“I’m thinking.”
“Stop thinking, just kiss him.”
“Excuse me?”
“I see the way you look at him and the way he looks at you, and sure it might not work but it's either that or he remains like that.”
Buddy made a disapproving noise but made himself kneel towards Chase, his heart feeling weak just looking at him.
“I won't watch.”
“Shut it.”
He sighed, Buddy leaned down cupping Chase’s face and pressed a chaste kiss against Chase’s lips leaving as quick as he came, a pool of guilt settling in his stomach. This isn’t how he wanted this to go.
Buddy’s face turned red and turned away from him.
“Didn’t work…”
Buddy muttered.
“Jesus, what happened?”
Chase yawned, stretching his arms.
Deacon and Buddy turned towards Chase, mouths agape.
“What’s the issue? Aww Buddy i forgot you were worried, see nothing happened”
He teased, poking at his face. Buddy grabbed at his wrists, pulling them away, his face getting more red by the second.
“Yeah whatever, I'm out of here…”
Buddy grabbed at his key and pulled, sending a bright light in his place.
“Gosh, what's up with him? Did I freak him out that much?”
“Umm, you sorta fell under the curse and buddy kissed you and you woke up?”
“WHAT?!”
When Buddy came back to reality he felt an unsettling feeling in his chest, he felt his hand grasping at his shirt.
“God damn it Chase.”
His fingers ghosted his lips remembering the moment where he pressed his own against Chases’. He couldn't tell if he was excited or dreading the next book.