"You really ought to be more careful, my friend," Jean-Lucien said, concern heavy in his voice as he washed the drying blood from his companion's forehead.
"Overconfidence can lead to one's downfall. It would be incredibly unfortunate for something to happen to you."
As if the Master Thief wasn't already aware of the dangers involved in scouting unknown territories. He was the one that nearly died in while flying in the sky in his hawk form alone. It was enough to be berated by Carmine and teased by the other veterans. He definitely did not need the white-haired man's mothering at this point.
He huffed somewhat annoyed and brushed the Snake Prince's hand out of the way. He snatched the rag from the other man's grasp and dabbed at his skin, grimacing once before turning away sharply.
"I don't need you to speak to me like a fool," he snapped and stormed out of the door, intentionally not seeing the hurt look on Jean-Lucien's face.
———————
He'd been out alone for hours and felt a little guilty when he'd realized just how late he'd been out sulking. It really wasn't that big of a deal, but...he sighed exasperatedly and looked for the first person on his list. Hansel. The cold blooded Jean-Lucien usually went to Hansel first when the thief was no where to be found. He could usually be found in his snake form draped around the other man's neck.
However, when he met with Hansel, the snake was no where to be found. The other brunette hadn't even seen Jean-Lucien all day since they'd arrived. Neither had Hook, Carmine, or any of the other veterans.
He spent the rest of the evening searching for the man. His efforts becoming frantic as he couldn't find the man long after the moon had taken the sun's place in the sky. He'd even asked people that he had never even spoken to in Pretium Fabula, but still his searches came up null.
Had the man gone out to look for Mathis when he hadn't shown up as usual? Perhaps, self-preservation had kicked in when the air had grown too cold and he'd found somewhere else to warm himself. But what if something happened to him while he was out and alone in this weather? The other shapeshifter was practically defenseless in the daze that would overcome his usual cognition.
Mathis angrily kicked at the trunk of a nearby tree. He shouldn't have overreacted. Now his companion was out there somewhere, alone probably, and possibly even hurt or more. He brushed a hand through his hair in frustration, he didn't even want to think about the 'more'.
The master thief was so caught up in the possibilities linked with the snake prince that he'd almost missed something pass by his feet. His breath caught in his throat.
A white snake.
Not any white snake either, it was his white snake. After knowing each other for years, the two shapeshifters were able to discern each other from similar animals. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that it was Jean-Lucien.
Mathis ran forward just as the tail of the snake disappeared under a bush.
"Jean!"
He dived his hands into the bushes search for the snake, ignoring the thorns that dug into his bare hands. He looked up just in time to see the white snake disappear further into the woods.
He cursed and pursued. The chase continued for nearly an hour before the brunette was out of breath and looking around frantically.
"Jean--Jean, where are you? It's me, Mathis--I'm here! Je--"
Pushing some branches out of the way, his call stopped short when he saw an unfamiliar cabin. It was incredibly unusual, because he had explored these woods many a time and had never seen such a lodging.
Actually, looking around him, he realized the woods were a lot bigger than he remembered.
He swallowed a little nervously before continuing towards the cabin. It could have been the work of a witch. Mathis had already had plenty of experience with witches and they had all been annoying.
Hand on the door, he opened the entrance without any event. Maybe there was no witch. Wishful thinking probably, but he could hope.
Walking in to the next room he suddenly recoiled backwards. He'd almost stepped on something. He stared incredulously at the floor. It was literally a room of snakes. The entire floor was covered by the white reptiles. And he knew Jean-Lucien was hiding among them.
He laughed wryly, "This-Is this your jest, Jean-Lucien?"
"Do not worry, I am ready to repent for my transgressions," he said almost sarcastically.
Mathis swallowed nervously when there was no reply.
"Jean."
Nothing.
He scowled and began pushing various snakes out of the way, "Do not think you can hide so easily!"
As if the man could hide--Sure enough Mathis was able to find the shifted Jean-Lucien. He grabbed the white snake by the head and pulled it out from the other scaled animals.
However, as the master thief pulled his hand away, he found the snake limp in his hold and its flesh cut just under its head--as if its throat had been slit. Mathis stared at it horror stricken for a moment. He must have grabbed the wrong snake. He had to have grabbed the wrong snake. He blinked and suddenly the snake was gone, his hands drenched in blood, and Jean-Lucien was lying on the floor.
The other white snakes slithering off the man's body and out the door suddenly made the room seem much darker. But even in the darkness, it was impossible for Mathis to miss the red liquid pooling under Jean-Lucien. It bled into the man's white hair and stained his light coat.
It was impossible for the thief to miss the bleeding wound at his companion's throat.
Exactly where his own scar was.
———————
Mathis woke with a start and grabbed out what was touching him his forehead. It turned out to be someone's wrist. Specifically, Jean-Lucien's wrist: A very much so alive and not bleeding Jean-Lucien.
"J-Jean," he choked out, "You're alive."
The snake prince raised both eye brows at the man lying in bed.
"Why would I not be alive, my friend?" Jean-Lucien started to get up, "Perhaps, your fever is worse tha-"
Mathis reached out and wrenched the prince down again.
"No! Don't leave," he breathed, "Not yet. Just...Just stay for a bit."
The white haired man's eyes softened sympathetically and he nodded his head.
