Prompt: Marth & Xane | Shackles (MonShonen AU)
“You should keep a better eye on your property, Prince!” A crude and snide remark from the man who tossed the bundle of chains and dragon to the floor at Marth’s feet. “Caught him tryin’ to flee through the mountain pass, must’ve took away when you were sleeping. Made sure we got ‘im so he can’t try that again.”
A pained growl and gasp from the prideful dragon, his blue eyes remaining averted from the Prince’s boots as best as he could. The chains were heavier and dug into his bruises and cuts and the cold metal made him hiss as he was shifted about by his captors, the same people who had presented him as a ‘gift’ to Akaneia’s prince.
“This...” Marth’s hands clenched into fists to slow the trembling rage that threatened to overtake his body. He’d looked the other way when Xane had run away despite his promise to release him as soon as they got across the border but after seeing the way the dragon had been treated... even his normal aversion to the sight of blood gave away to his anger. “T-this is how you treat someone else’s property..!?”
While it hadn’t been his intention to state Xane as his own it was the only language these dastards seemed to understand. “Get out of my sight! You clearly have no respect for me if you would treat one of my possessions in this manner!”
The small outburst seemed to do the trick as the men finally left. The moment they were gone from sight he dropped down and started to undo the heaviest of the bindings on the dragon, frowning slightly but understanding why Xane refused to look at him. Patches of scale around the male’s ears and arms were entirely missing and the bruising along his abdomen and legs was awful. He wouldn’t have been surprised had they actually attempted to break Xane’s legs but fortunately it seemed the dragon was a little too sturdy for that to come to pass.
"I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, Xane. I....” Marth pulled his hands back momentarily, taking most of the chains with him while the dragon-human hissed violently. At least most of them had been done in such a way that the Prince had no trouble removing them, but were bindings this heavy really necessary? Even then... as long as they were passing through allied land he would have to keep him shackled here. Even if he wished he could just let him go now...
Xane kept his gaze averted and hidden beneath messy and matted red hair. Gentle movements carefully moved a knife to cut away the rest of his shirt so his wounds could be cleaned and although he understood the Prince desired to help the dragon refused to accept it. Refused to accept that he’d been given as a gift and that his attempt to flee had only landed him in worse shape. A hiss as the damp cloth passed over his wounds and in a flash of teeth fangs had sunk into the blunet’s shoulder.
“There, there...” Through clenched teeth Marth chose to simply endure the pain and continued his work to clean the dragon’s wounds. He had to, lest they become infected. Even though the scars that littered the male’s body made him sick and the long-healed gashes down Xane’s back made the Prince want to sob at the thought that the dragon must have once had wings as well. The disgusting effort put into keeping the shapeshifter enslaved... it would take a long time to undo that damage and for now if Xane felt silence and biting would help Marth would accept that. He’d finish bandaging the dragon and then talk to Shiida about something the too-thin captive could eat.
“I promise.. as soon as we’re across the border, Xane.... but for now please... please just let me help you.”
