Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Each day Stolas awoke before even the first bird cried, changing from his nightclothes to his day clothes in the eerie half darkness that existed in the hours before dawn. After quietly checking on his still-sleeping daughter, he’d grab his wicker basket and head out into the misty forest. This strange time between the darkness of night and the brightness of day was ideal for picking the herbs he needed for his apothecary business. Using the tome his father had left him, he’d been able to learn how to identify each herb and its respective uses, as well as the proper ways to prepare them to treat any described ailment. There were certain common elixirs Stolas always tried to have on hand, for treating fever and cough, and then more specialized elixirs for customers who would come in with more complicated conditions. He wasn’t the most trusted or popular apothecary in town, but he had a handful of loyal customers who would come to him whenever they or their family were feeling under the weather. The unfortunate thing about being a good apothecary, and healing your customers well, was that healthy customers did not return to buy another tincture. While business was not booming, it was going well enough for him to not worry about feeding his daughter three meals a day, and even entertain the notion of taking her on a trip to the Capital one day. 

The sun began to slowly rise, gradually bathing the quiet forest floor in her light. Birds began to stir and chirp happily away, their lives so simple, so free. This was Stolas’s signal to start heading back home. Looking down at the herbs he’d collected and carefully wrapped in cloth in his basket, he deemed his harvest for this morning adequate, and started his way back. 

ꫂ❁

As Stolas neared the small cottage he shared with his darling daughter, he smiled upon seeing her already up, stepping out of the coop with today’s harvest of eggs in a small basket. 

“Gooood morning Octavia!” He called as he stepped out of the forest, his daughter turning and smiling wide at him as she raised the hand not holding the basket high to wave back at him. 

Soon they fell in step with each other, circling to the back of the cottage where their living quarters were. 

“Did you sleep well, my owlette?” Stolas asked as they entered their small kitchen, both of them placing their baskets down on the kitchen table. Stolas then moved to wash his hands in the kitchen sink with the water he’d fetched earlier that day. 

“Yeah, can’t complain,” she replied with a yawn, taking her usual place at the kitchen table to watch her father putter about the kitchen to make the two of them breakfast. Her ashy gray hair which matched his own was sticking up wildly in all directions, making it obvious that she had not taken the time to brush her hair this morning. It made her look like a fluffy newborn owl, hence the nickname. 

“How are you enjoying the book you picked up at the library? I believe it was ‘ Introduction to Taxidermy’ this week?” Stolas asked as he threw a fresh log into their cast iron stove, striking a match to light the fire which would heat and cook their breakfast. 

Octavia sat up a little straighter, her ruby red eyes sparkling with excitement as she started rattling off everything she’d read about taxidermy, which had recently become her special interest. Stolas was a bit worried he’d have to invest in taxidermy tools soon...but it wasn’t a major cause of concern or stress. There was little he wouldn’t do for his darling girl.  Anything to make her childhood warmer than his had ever been.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

It was Wednesday, which meant that their shop was closed for the day. It meant that Stolas did not wake up before the sun to forage for herbs, but allowed himself to sleep in a little more so than usual. Once the sunlight from the window hit his face, he rose, heading to Octavia’s room to wake her up for their lazy day ahead. The chickens still needed tending to, as they did every morning, but on Wednesday mornings Stolas was the one to feed them and collect their eggs. Eggs in hand, he headed into the cottage, where he found Octavia fully dressed in her late autumn dress, her bed head a mess as always. Even though she was nearing adulthood now, and didn’t need her father to brush her hair in the mornings, on Wednesdays they indulged. Stolas carefully ran a brush through her hair before neatly braiding it and fixing it all together with a piece of twine. In spring he would weave flowers into her braids, but in fall there was a distinct lack of flowers in the landscape as it readied itself for the long unforgiving winter. 

The two of them donned their hats and their coats before heading to town, headed straight for the bakery for their breakfast this morning instead of cooking it themselves. Wednesday was a day of indulgence, for the both of them. After carefully selecting their pastries from the bakery, the two headed to the fountain in the center of the town, perching on the edge of the fountain as they ate their breakfast. 

“What book do you think you shall be selecting this week, Starfire?” Stolas asked, as he always did. It was part of their Wednesday tradition, discussing their book choices for the next week over breakfast. 

“I think I’ll get another taxidermy book, if they have one,” Octavia replied before taking another bite of pastry. “I think I’ve pretty much figured out what the introductory book is trying to say, I’m ready to try a more advanced one. And if I don’t get it, I’ll just look back over the first one again.” 

“That sounds like a splendid plan,” Stolas said with a smile. “I’m sure you’ll be a taxidermy expert in no time.” 

Octavia rolled her eyes at that, but a light blush was on her pale cheeks. “You can’t become an expert just from reading, Dad.”

“Well I’m sure if anyone can, it’s you , Starfire,” Stolas replied with a soft chuckle. 

Brushing off the compliment, Octavia fired back a question of her own, “And what do you plan on picking up for this week’s book?” 

“Hmm...well, since I just finished a romance, I think I’ll opt for an adventure novel next.”

“You’re always reading fiction, Dad, why do you like it so much?” 

“Well...it’s fun to read about people and places I’ll never be able to meet or see in this lifetime. It’s like getting to experience many different lifetimes within one, through the power of fiction.” 

It was a little disappointing that there weren’t ever any gay characters in any of the novels he read, but he supposed that in a small town like this, there wouldn’t be. Maybe a library in the Capital would have such books...he’d been hoping to take Octavia on a trip there for her eighteenth birthday. He’d been steadily saving up money for this trip for years now, and, with her eighteenth birthday a little over a year away now, he felt like it was doable, even with his estimated budget being over what he thought it would realistically cost. The hard part now was keeping it a secret from his Starfire; he couldn’t wait to see the excited look on her face when he told her of his plan. But the time wasn’t right just yet, it would have to be much closer to her eighteenth birthday so that the excitement would still be fresh by the time they left for their little excursion to the Capital. 

Chapter Text

Winter was fast approaching, and the spike in illnesses and therefore customers last week had put more of a strain on Stolas’s supplies than he’d prefer. Loathe as he was to admit it, he needed to make a supply run to the nearby city to buy more glass vials, enough to get him through the winter when travel was impossible. 

That was how he’d found himself at his neighbor’s home, sitting by his well-stoked fire in his too-plush loveseat. Stolas had befriended the Spanish redhead two years ago when the merchant had become quite ill while traveling through their small town, a terrible illness that no other doctor or apothecary had been able to find the cure to. 

“Hmm, that is unfortunate, my friend,” Vassago said, leaning back in his armchair and looking troubled. “I’m already done with all of my trips to the city for this year, otherwise I’d offer to pick up what you need myself.”

Stolas sighed. Of course it wasn’t going to be that easy. “I suppose I have no choice but to walk there on foot myself, then,” he said glumly, staring into the fire. If he hurried, or perhaps took a shortcut, and was extremely lucky, he might be able to make it back before the first snowfall. But the odds were, quite frankly, not in his favor. By his calculations, winter would fall while he was on his way back from the city if he traveled there on foot. 

“Now now, what friend would I be if I let you go on foot, so close to winter’s first snow,” Vassago said with a smile, “I’ll lend you one of my horses. That should cut your travel time down significantly.”

Grateful tears filled Stolas’s eyes, “Thank you, Vassago, thank you. I don’t know how I can repay you...” 

Vassago waved a hand dismissively, “None of that, my friend, for if it was not for you, I would not have made it to this winter.” He leaned forward and put a comforting hand on Stolas’s shoulder, “And don’t worry about Octavia. I’ll make sure to keep an eye out for her while you’re gone. Do let her know that if she needs anything, she can come to me. After all, that’s what friends do; they look out for each other.” 

“Thanks again, Vassago,” Stolas said with a smile. It had truthfully been difficult, raising Octavia on his own after her mother had died during childbirth. Having even just one other adult to be able to rely on now was a huge relief. And he knew that if something bad happened to himself, Vassago would take Octavia in without a second thought. Of course he hoped it never came to that, but you never know what life will bring. 

ꫂ❁

“Why do you have to go to the city for supplies now ?” Octavia exclaimed, pacing agitatedly across their shop’s wooden floor. “Winter is right around the corner. Can’t it wait?” 

Stolas watched his daughter calmly from his seat behind the counter. He should have known she’d react like this to the news. No matter, there was no changing what was done. “It can’t wait,” he replied firmly, “You know how harsh winters can be; I’d rather not turn someone away who needs our help merely because we ran out of supplies.”

Octavia huffed dramatically, her anger unappeased. 

“Besides, Vassago is lending me one of his horses to expedite the trip,” Stolas continued, “With its help, I should easily be able to travel there and back before winter’s first snow.”

With a great exhale, Octavia flopped into the seat beside her father, her arms draped dramatically over the counter. “What if something happens to you?” she muttered, avoiding his eyes. 

“Nothing’s going to happen to me,” Stolas reassured, rubbing soothing circles into her back. “I’ll be back before you know it. You’ll see.” 

Octavia pushed herself up off the counter and turned to pull her dad into a hug. “Promise?” she asked, her voice small. 

“I promise,” Stolas replied, squeezing her tightly against his chest. He only hoped fate didn’t make a liar of him. 

ꫂ❁

“Make sure to go to Vassago if you need anything,” Stolas said from atop the black horse, wrapped in his thickest winter cloak. Autumn was cold when you were standing still, much less astride a galloping steed. 

“I know, Dad,” Octavia said with a little eye roll, a fond smile on her face. 

“Don’t worry so much! You won’t be gone long,” Vassago said with a smile. 

Stolas looked down at his little farewell party. It was nice, the send-off, but he still couldn’t help worrying. He took a deep, steadying breath. All her life, he’d been preparing Octavia to become independent, to be able to live a life without him. She’d be fine for a few days without him. She always was. “You’re right,” he replied, forcing a smile that he hoped was reassuring. “I’ll be back soon!” And with that, he turned and headed into the forest.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Cool mist clung to the ground as Stolas rode the black steed through unfamiliar forest. Thanks to the horse, whom Vassago had informed him was named Midnight, Stolas had made excellent time in traveling to the city. He’d made his purchases, spent the night at an inn, and headed back in the direction from whence he’d come. But something about this path felt...strange. Unfamiliar. Stolas had stopped to double check the map three times now, and was certain that he was heading in the direction of home. He may have made a wrong turn, and ended up on a different path, but he was cardinally still headed in the correct direction. 

By late afternoon, the sky was still overcast, the mist still clung to the ground around Midnight’s hooves, and a feeling of dread had settled over Stolas. Nothing about this felt right . But, if his calculations were correct, then he would be arriving at home by nightfall. If his calculations were incorrect, however...he’d be hopelessly lost in this misty forest as darkness fell around him, with no hope of finding his way back home to his darling girl. 

As if summoned by his negative thoughts, a wolf’s howl rang out in the eerily quiet forest, shortly followed by a cacophony of accompanying howls. Midnight bucked, terrified, and Stolas lost his grip on the reins, tumbling gracelessly to the ground with a sharp snap . Spots floated in and out of his vision as pain spread throughout his thin frame. He took deep breaths in, trying to ignore the searing pain in his arm and leg. By the time his vision had cleared, Midnight was nowhere to be found. Dread pooled in his stomach. This was it. It was over. He was alone and injured in the middle of an unfamiliar, frankly spooky forest, with a pack of wolves nearby. 

No, no, he couldn’t give up yet. He had to get back to Octavia. He’d promised . Looking down at his leg, he could see it was bent at an odd angle. Okay, probably broken, but at least it wasn’t a compound fracture. With a makeshift splint, he could probably hobble his way out of the forest, hopefully in the direction of civilization, where he could ask someone for help getting home. Stolas sat up and looked around for anything to splint his leg with. 

It was then that he noticed a grey wolf (Canis lupus lupus, if he’s not mistaken) walk into his view before throwing its head back and howling. A series of howls echoed after, much closer than before. The wolf bared its fangs and growled as it slowly prowled towards Stolas, who yelped and used his good leg to scoot himself further away from the approaching predator. He felt his back hit a tree as his retreat was abruptly halted. He was trapped. 

Soon more wolves came crawling out of the woodwork from behind the first, all displaying similar acts of aggression. The first wolf was now within biting distance of his legs, and Stolas tried to twist his legs away from the wolf, jostling his broken leg in the process and causing a pained whimper to escape his lips. 

A sharp bark echoed through the clearing, one that felt similar to a command, and the wolves all backed up, their growling ceasing as they lowered their heads in submission to a massive wolf the likes of which Stolas had not thought possible. The clear leader of the pack approached Stolas silently, its glowing red eyes scanning over his form. Stolas didn’t dare move or make a sound as the massive wolf began to sniff at him, one of its paws pressing lightly down on his broken leg, causing him to cry out in pain once more. 

Tears filled his eyes and he begged, despite knowing it was useless, “Please spare me, I need to get home to my daughter, please...” 

The massive wolf huffed as it stepped back and seemed to consider him for a moment before turning away and giving another barking command before sprinting off into the forest. The wolves approached Stolas again, but this time without any hostility. They pressed their bodies against his and laid down, surrounding him in their collective body heat. 

It was...strange. Everything about this was strange. Why hadn’t the wolves just attacked him to begin with? Why had they merely growled as they slowly approached? And why had their leader decided to spare him? Perhaps...perhaps they were domesticated in some way, and the larger wolf was going to get help? That would be...nice. Stolas would like to believe that...it was much better than any alternative. Besides, he didn’t really have any options right now...he was surrounded by wolves on all sides, not to mention injured. He was truly, at their mercy...

ꫂ❁

Had he dozed off? Suddenly he was being startled awake by the wolves standing up and howling, likely in response to something. In the far distance, Stolas could hear the responding howl. The wolves then laid back down around Stolas like nothing had happened. He remembered reading that wolves used their howling to help locate each other when they were separated...perhaps the larger wolf needed help finding its way back? 

 After a while of silent waiting, Stolas could hear the flapping of massive wings overhead, and the wolves all stood up excitedly, their tongues lolling out and their tails wagging happily. Suddenly a massive figure descended from above, landing a few yards away from where Stolas was propped up against a tree. Startled, Stolas let out an entirely undignified squawk. The wolves rushed over, circling and dancing around the figure in a playful way. 

It took Stolas a moment to parse just what had come into the clearing from the sky. It had ruby red scales, large batlike wings, and glowing amber eyes. It was...roughly shaped like a man, with clawed fingers, a broad muscled chest, and black pants on its legs, with a red cloak draped around its wide shoulders. No, it was no man. It fit all of the descriptions Stolas had only read about in tales of fantasy...it was a dragon .

Its red irises stared long and hard at Stolas, who could only silently stare back as the reality he once knew crumbled around him. A moment later, the massive wolf from earlier rushed up to stand beside the dragon, its size appearing normal now in comparison to the dragon’s height. 

Then, the dragon spoke, a deep timbering voice that very obviously belonged to a man , and sent delightful shivers up Stolas’s spine, “This the one?” 

The wolf barked, a high pitched sound, its tail wagging like the others. 

The dragon sighed deeply before approaching Stolas, who had gone utterly still. He’d thought he was powerless against a wolf pack before, but a dragon ? A real life dragon ? He was fucked. Completely and utterly fucked .

“Hold still,” the dragon commanded as he leaned down to scoop Stolas up in his big strong arms. He was surprisingly gentle, and didn’t jostle Stolas’s broken leg at all. It was enough to make a maiden swoon, honestly... 

“Hold on,” the dragon said, which was the only warning Stolas got before the dragon lifted off into the air with a powerful thrust of his wings, sending the two of them flying high above the forest treetops, towards a massive castle in the distance. 

It was all far too much for Stolas in all honesty...and he fainted.