--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

[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.]

[stripartist]

Then will you let me court you, Ame?

[hoshikiri]

Please... please do.

[A head tilt.]

"Ame"...?

[stripartist]

Ah. A nickname. Is that okay?

[hoshikiri]

[Probably for the first time since he arrived... Takame had a warm smile on his face.]

Mm. It is. I like it.

[stripartist]

[Oh that smile. Yusuke blushes a little.]

My Ame. Let me finish tending your scales? And then dinner and then...sleep?

[hoshikiri]

... Mm. Your Ame.

[Takame liked this. The idea of being his. It gave him... a purpose finally. He leaned in, pressing his forehead against Yusuke's.]

Yes, please.

[stripartist]

[So cute. And so quick to fall for him. Impressive.

Yusuke moves Takame to his room that evening, and they sleep the night away in each other's arms. That becomes their new normal. Yusuke loves it.

A few months pass like this. Takame's change is slow so as not to aggravate him too much, but by now he has scales and the start of horns. (And teeth, his teeth are much sharper now.) He is so clearly a dragon-in-the-making.

So it's a bit weird when he's taken from Yusuke's home by a more powerful being, talking the entire time about making Takame his.]