--Faerie--

[stripartist]

[A beautiful white fox sleeps on a stump outside the village. Most of the villagers are unsure of the fox, as white foxes aren't typical here and it might be a bad omen. But so far nothing has happened, so no one has tried to chase it off.

The only reason nothing has happened yet is because Yusuke is recovering from travel. Once he's had a good long nap, he plans on making this village part of his new kingdom and will be inspecting it.]

Comments

[hoshikiri]

[Yusuke might be expecting "whatever you would like". Or due to his hand in this transformation, might be expecting a slight shift.]

I think that... I would like steak. And... may I ask that it is cooked rare?

[stripartist]

Of course, Takame.

[Off Yusuke goes to get the lotion and inform the kitchens that it's steak for dinner tonight. Soon enough, he returns to Takame's room with the lotion, as well as a bowl of water and a rag.]

The water is medicated, so it should help your skin not itch so badly as your scales grow.

[hoshikiri]

[Takame waited patiently for Yusuke to get what he needed and has since tied all of his hair up into a messy bun. He gave Yusuke a nod.]

I see. Thank you for helping me, Yusuke.

[...]

Will I still be handsome to you? Even if I am growing dragon scales?

[stripartist]

[Cute. So. Cute.

Yusuke nods, gesturing for Takame to sit so he can tend to him.]

Extremely so. You might even become more handsome to me, who knows?

[hoshikiri]

Do you think so?

[Takame certainly hoped so. He wanted to be as appealing as possible for Yusuke.

But he sat down as asked so Yusuke could help him with the itch of hell.]

[stripartist]

[Yusuke starts with washing the welts, hoping that will help.]

I do. I like dragons, actually, I find them gorgeous and mysterious.

[hoshikiri]

Ah--.

[It helped. It helped a lot, and Yusuke's hands on him made his heart start racing and so much warmth envelop him. There's a sharp but relieved sigh on having the welts washed, already feeling a lot better.]

Mnh... The gorgeous and mysterious one is Yusuke...

[stripartist]

Flatterer.

[It seems to be helping. Good.]

I'm just a fox.

[hoshikiri]

A gorgeous fox... a beautiful fox that saved me.

[Saved him from loneliness and grey. It was working very well as Takame sounded so much more relaxed.]

[stripartist]

You say that a lot, that I saved you...how did I save you, Takame?

[hoshikiri]

... I had nothing before. I had a life on the run with a young lady who wished to live her own life and a man who was selfish... Before that I had a life of endless strife and war...

[Takame leaned into his touch unconsciously. He was clearly only speaking so much because he was so comfortable it just came flowing out.]

I was alone before Yusuke... There was nothing for me before Yusuke... There was no color before Yusuke...

[stripartist]

[Hm.

Yusuke casts a small spell on the water to encourage Takame to speak more.]

So you were barely living?

[hoshikiri]

[And he does. Most of the time Takame's tone contained little emotion. But some leaked into it here. Sorrow.]

I was not living... I have felt nothing since the last time I saw my mother alive... Yusuke makes me feel alive... he brings light and color into my life...

[stripartist]

I try. ...your mother?

[hoshikiri]

I've not been called by my given name since the last time I saw her. She was killed. Then I was taken to help occupy territory in the west.

I have been known as Tsurugi for most of my life... Yusuke calls me Takame. I like how Yusuke says my name... how his song sounded the day he took me here...

[He was leaning even more into the touch and not thinking about his words at all.]

[stripartist]

[It's almost as if he's forgotten he's talking to Yusuke.]

...my mother was taken from me, as well. She was sick, and my former teacher let her die. I wonder if that's why my song affected you so strongly.

[hoshikiri]

[Perhaps he has. He just knew he was talking to someone worthy of his trust and more.]

I dream about his song... I dream about him... I fear waking up and not hearing him or sensing him... I never want to be without him... I never want to see him despair... I want to give him all that I am.

[stripartist]

[Oh he is gone. And he's barely done anything.]

Would it be better if you slept with me, Takame?

[hoshikiri]

[Imagine how he'll be when Yusuke does court him properly.]

Do you want me to?

[stripartist]

I...wouldn't complain. It's very lonely in my bedroom, after all.

[hoshikiri]

Lonely...?

[Takame took one of Yusuke's hands, looking at him face to face.]

I... I don't want Yusuke to feel lonely. I love Yusuke.

I love you...

[stripartist]

[What.

Yusuke blinks, stunned.]

You--truly? Already?

[hoshikiri]

I...

[He started to shrink into himself, away from Yusuke.]

I'm sorry... Forgive me, I... I shouldn't have... said anything. I-I don't know what came over me... I was not thinking.

[He really wasn't, he was just so relaxed that it slipped out. How foolish of him.]

[stripartist]

No, shush, it's okay, Takame. I just...want to know if you mean it.

[hoshikiri]

... I do. I... I feel as though I fell for you as soon as I heard your song. As soon as I was drawn to your domain...

[He held Yusuke's hand tighter.]