Fairytale au, forest spirit!reader falling for mage!yamaguchi, reader eventually becomes his familiar.
I am all about this good stuff!!! Literally hopped right into action once I read this. Thank you so much! - ✿
The wilderness is not a kind place, and it’s certainly no place for a weakling. After all, it’s kill or be killed and there are plenty of monsters hiding in the darkness, waiting for the right moment to strike. Plenty of hungry, sharp-clawed, and even-sharper-teethed monsters looking for a snack.
‘Oh god…. Where am I…?’ Yamaguchi clutched his wooden staff to his chest and timidly pushed through the bushes in what he thinks is the right direction home. This started as a mere errand as he ventured out to forage and restock his herbs. Of course it’d be his lucky day and he, a greenhorn mage with barely any combat experience, would get lost in an enchanted forest.
Some leaves rustle and he quickly points the head of his staff in its general direction. After a few moments, it’s clear that it was probably some harmless forest creature and he lowers his arm with a sigh of relief. He pushes forward, scared but determined to make the best of this harrowing situation.
Every step he takes deeper into the undergrowth means less and less light as the vines and branches grow thicker. Eventually, Yamaguchi casts a light spell, causing the staff’s head to glow dimly and shed some light on his surroundings. This is definitely not the way home.
“…ou” The hairs on the back of his neck stand straight up and he fearfully glances around.
“You….” The voice sounds very far away, like a distant echo.
“H-Help! I’m really, REALLY lost!” He’s too desperate to find his way back to even consider that this voice might belong to a hostile spirit.
“This way…” He hurries in the direction of the fading voice, not slowing down even when he gets slapped and scratched by stray branches. Eventually, he sees a glimmer of sunlight and breaks into a run, headless of the foliage. He rushes headlong into the light and the sudden brightness causes his eyes to water.
In front of him is a small lake with lily pads and lotus flowers dappling the surface, a scene almost straight from that of a fairy tale. Animals are drinking and they look up at him, wary but not ready to flee just yet. His eyes slowly adjust and he can see someone sitting by the shore, their back and… wings facing him. Their hair is long and a woven into a braid of flowers and leaves.
“Are… you the one who lead me here…?” His voice squeaks and he hesitantly approaches the figure, afraid that he might spook whoever this being may be.
“Yes.” The figure turns their head to face him and the first thing he notices are how bright and inhumanly green their eyes are. They’re mesmerizing and he hopes he isn’t gaping.
“Uh! Well, thank you so much, I’m so grateful! I was probably getting so lost in there! B-But I need to get back to town. Could you possibly show me the way there?” Jittery energy wracks his brain.
“I’ll help you. You seem… trustworthy. Very unlike the other humans who come barging this deep into the woods. All they seem to be intent on is hunting us down and killing all the game they can find.” They hold their gaze and it almost seems like they’re peering deeper and deeper into his heart.
“Wait, what… are you? I mean! No offense or anything! You’re just talking as if you aren’t a human and you’re very pretty and all and nice and haha oh goodness what am I saying?!” He’s making a complete and utter fool of himself!
“Pfft.” Yamaguchi’s babbling breaks their stern expression and they let out a small chuckle. Oh no, they’re cute…! “It’s fine. I’m a forest spirit, one who looks after this neck of the forest and all the animals within it. I was looking into the lake when I saw you stumbling around like a newborn fawn. So….” They raise an eyebrow.
“Oh! My name is Yamaguchi!”
“So Yamaguchi. What exactly are you, a human, doing so far away from town?”
“I was out looking for herbs but I sort of… lost my way.” He chuckled nervously.
“It’s fine.” Their grin grew a little bit wider. “The way back to town is over there.” With a flick of their wrist, plants and roots parted, forming a straight, clear path out of the forest. “Just keep going and you’ll eventually find your way home.”
“Thank you, oh thank you so much!” He bowed deeply. “I promise, I’ll come back and repay you for your kindness!”
“…You intend on coming back?”
“Well, yes! You saved me!” He looked up at them, eyes unwavering and determined. The spirit is taken aback for a moment. After all, humans and spirits have a rather strained relationship.
“Heh. Fine. Do as you please. However, please take her with you.” Their eyes flicker to the trees and a dove takes flight before gently landing on Yamaguchi’s shoulder. “She will guide you here safely.”
“Thank you! I’ll see you then!” He beamed at them and with a sunny grin so innocent and lovely, the spirit couldn’t help but grin too.