Chapter Text
“It was a dark and stormy night…”
What a cliche opening, Travis sighed, adjusting his grip on the book. He had scoured the market at Thulust Harbor and only found a couple of books. Unfortunately, Travis had no interest in informational books on fish bait and boat management. So, he was left with one option: A Healing Potion for the Heart.
The book was definitely a romance and Travis could remember the first time he had read it. And the several hundred times he had reread it. There would be no shortage of poor decisions from the female protagonist that would make Travis want to bash his head into the wall.
But for better or worse, this was the book he was stuck with. And he needed to just get away from the fighting and bury himself in another, fictional world. …Even if said world was terribly overdone.
Travis shifted his position to get more comfortable. He had chosen a spot underneath a tree near the town in order to avoid the sun. Being pale as he was, he had to be careful. He began to read.
...
“She looked up to see a mysterious and devilishly handsome man.
’T-Thank you for saving me,’ she said, eyes trained on the devastatingly blue eyes staring at her.
The man simply gave her an aloof look, and left her among the corpses of the assassins he had just slain.”
...
Time flew by as Travis read and the sun slowly started dipping below the horizon painting his surroundings in a soft orange. He was so engrossed with the novel he didn’t hear the approaching steps.
”’Tis a surprise to find you buried in a nice book, Travis.”
Startled, Travis looked up to see Prince Alain standing there. He couldn’t help but think back to the passage he just read. Alain truly was quite the looker. His startling blue eyes seemed to pierce through Travis, looking into the depths of his soul. Alain smiled at him and glanced at the book he was reading.
Travis quickly collected himself and formulated a reply, “Oh yeah? Reading’s actually one of my favorite hobbies, I’ll have you know.” Alain’s eyebrow quirk up in that cute way that indicated his curiosity. Travis continued, “We used to have a huge library back home, filled floor to ceiling with any book you could ever want.”
He thought back to his home back in Drakenhold. His favorite place to go was the library. When he was little his father used to read fairytales to him and Ren. Even though his sister had grown out of it, he had never let go of the comfort that could be found in the fictional world. But now…
”It’s all gone now, thanks to Zenoira.” Travis frowned thinking about all the books that had been burned down the day Ren dragged him away from their blazing home. Away from their father left behind to die by Zenoira’s hand.
Alain spoke, drawing Travis from his thoughts, “I’m sorry to hear that.” He truly seemed to mean that. Despite his higher status as a prince, Alain too had lost his mother.
“Don’t be. You’ve lost everything in the war too. And we’re not the only ones. Just about the whole continent’s been through the same ordeal.” Regardless of all the loss Zenoira had brought to the land of Fevrith, Travis held strong to his ideals. He wasn’t about to let his despair prevent him from fighting back with the Liberation Army. “That’s why it’s so important we take back what’s ours, and get rid of Zenoira once and for all.”
Alain gave him a determined nod. As the leader of the Liberation Army he held quite the weight on his shoulders. “Right you are.” The two of them sat in reflective silence. Unsure of what to say next, Travis turned the book over in his hands. Alain’s eyes followed the movement. He seemed to remember why he originally came over. “By the way, what is that you’re reading there?”
Travis suddenly remembered he was reading a romance novel. As his embarrassment rose, he buried his face behind his scarf. “Caught your eye, did it?” He certainly hoped Alain wouldn’t recognize it and would move on.
Unfortunately for Travis, Alain nodded earnestly, “‘Tis only natural. Books have become quite a precious commodity, given the dearth of scribes operating in our lands. I would love to read it myself once you’re finished.”
Oh for the love of the Unicorn. This was exactly what Travis was worried about. How was he supposed to explain to the Prince of the country that he was wasting time reading a shitty romance rather than doing something useful. He was a scout for Unicorn’s sake! His time would be better used getting intel from an enemy camp.
”Travis? Is everything alright? Your face is quite red. Did you perhaps get sunburnt?” As Travis glanced over he was greeted with the sight of Alain’s face wrinkled with concern. He was tempted to reach up and smooth out the crease between Alain’s eyes. Alain’s face was too damn handsome to be real.
Travis startled when he felt a cool hand on his forehead. He realized that he had definitely been silent for too long. He quickly spit out a response, “Then here.” He shoved the book into Alain’s chest. “I’ll let you have it now. I practically know this one by heart anyway.”
While he seemed a little confused Alain still took the book. “My thanks Travis. I shall return it once I’m finished. I look forward to having a conversation. I’ll stop bothering you then. Have a good night Travis.”
”…Yeah. You too Alain.” Travis only had one thought as he watched the Prince’s retreating back: I’m fucked.