seen from Germany
seen from Jamaica
seen from China
seen from Türkiye
seen from United States
seen from Japan
seen from China
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Netherlands
seen from Germany
seen from United States
seen from Argentina
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Philippines
seen from China
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from Russia
seen from China
Hello and welcome to the Fan TDP-Tober (2025)
For the month of October in celebration of The Dragon King lets make some fan content!
Anything goes: fanart, fanfiction, poems, songs, theories, speculation, metas, and even a puppet show if you'd like!
You do not need to do every single day or even start on the first, feel free to jump around and hop on whenever you want it, if you want to.
The typed out list is below!
Have Fun!!
Harvest
Moon
Portal
Legacy
Heir
Disguise
Warrior and Mage
Destiny
Truth
Spell
Something new
Flight
Oath
Puzzle
Secrets
Music/Dance
Dragons
Sun
Creatures
Myth
Heart
Books
Stars
Innocence
Sweets
Hug
Victory
Bread
Shadow
Star
All Around You Is Love
Another year, another tdptober/tdktober yippee!!
Not sure if I'll be posting every single day, but I may do weekly posts here?
TDP-Tober 2025 Day 2: Moon
Oh The Moon Pales In Comparison To You AO3
Summary:
Rayla takes Callum to his first ever Bloodmoon Festival.
Day 2: Moon
The Bloodmoon Festival was beginning. The Festival holds a lot of strange and complicated emotions within Rayla, usually she tries to avoid the festivities all together but this year was different. This year she had Callum. And the human brimmed with delight, gasping and awing at things as simple as their flying lanterns and moon kites.
It was enough to bring a giggle out of her as he gawked and poked at the lantern, earning a raised eyebrow from a nearby elder who gently moved the lantern away from the human without so much as making eye contact.
Regardless, Callum's eyes trail it in delight.
“How do they work?” Rayla crosses her arms tilting her head at the lantern she never gave much thought to.
“I dunno, they just...do?”
“Who makes them? Do you know? I’d love to see if I could copy the runes and ask them a few questions.”
“It's a festival, Callum. Don't you think you could put down your book for a minute and just...enjoy it?”
“Trick question, this is me enjoying it.”
“Yea, that’s true.”Rayla concedes with a smile, finding his poking and prodding as endearing as ever.
“But how about we leave the questions till after the shows?”
Callum gives her a soft pout glancing back at the lanterns before closing his book and latching it back into his belt.
“Yeah, alright. Show me the way.”
Their hands interlock as Rayla tugs him through the busy streets, children run past their feet laughing and carrying trays of sweets. Most of the games and stalls were meant for the children but regardless Callum took delight in all of them.
“Oh look! Bone Biscuits! I haven’t had any in forever.” Rayla stops them in front of a stall, every year this merchant and her family sold these biscuits,
“Bone biscuits?” Callum hesitantly asks, with a raised eyebrow. In response Rayla playfully flicks the spot between his eyes.
“They aren’t actually bones. Dummy.”
As Rayla picks up a biscuit she continues with a smirk,“besides aren’t ya the one who eats bone marrow’ in that squishy thing?”
“They are called marshmallows and that’s totally different.”
“Whatever you say, bone snatcher.” When Callum opens his mouth to protest Rayla shoves the biscuit into his mouth. After a few tentative chews he hums in delight.
“I think I can get behind this bone stuff.” with a soft chuckle Rayla passes a few coins to the merchant thanking them in Moon’s Elvish before guiding Callum away.
They get to look at a few more stalls, and try various snacks Callum has never tried before, then bells chime and children from all over the camp rush away to follow the sound. Callum looks around, in shock stepping aside awkwardly to allow children to pass.
“Uh what's that?”
“Ah it's just the Harvest Play, it's about the Bloodmoon Huntress and fighting her. The kids love it.”
Callum glances over to where the children had gathered by a wooden stage, music playing and adults ushering children into seats on the ground or cradling them on their laps.
“You want to watch it?” Rayla asks, seeing the curious twinkle in his eyes.
“I-I mean well, if you want to.” Rayla rolls her eyes and takes his hand to drag him to the back of the crowd, urging him to sit on the grass beside her.
Rayla leans her head on Callum’s shoulders with a happy sigh, in response Callum places a hand on his hip and shifts her closer as they watch the play. The squeals of children fill the air, some ducking behind each other and peaking through their fingers in a fitful of giggles. The adults on stage tumble through their performance making the children all the more amused.
Rayla peaks up to Callum, he’s soaking in every moment. This is all so familiar to her but all so new to him. It’s like watching the festival for the first time through his eyes.
She has long stopped paying attention to the play she's seen dozens of times, and instead watches all the new faces in the groove seeing this for the first time as well.
“Ya know...I don’t think I’d mind this either.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know, you me, the Silvergrove and maybe…” as Rayla trails her words, she watches a child rush into her mother’s arms squealing in delight over the prize she won at a booth.
“Maybe a little one.”
When Callum doesn’t say anything Rayla turns back to him, worried she said something wrong. But when she meets his eyes, she finds him brimming that goofy smile.
Callum brings a hand to cup Rayla’s face, rubbing a thumb along her ears in a motion she’s come to love. The touch lulls her into closing her eyes. Callum presses his lips between her eyebrows, then on her nose, then her lips.
Despite herself she laughs into his mouth, pulling away with a grin.
“Is that a maybe from you as well?”
“Maybe.” Callum teases before he captures her lips again.
A strong maybe was good for now.
TDP-Tober
Day 5: Heir
AO3
Word Count: 1,000-1,100
Summary: Soren and Corvus babysit.
Note: Please keep in mind I have not babysat in 10+ years and do not spend much time around babies. They actually kinda scare me. Give me a toddler or older any day. Anyway, I’m doing my best.
I also do not understand the actual urge to want kids but I am TRYING here, okay?
In sum: Don’t crucify me for any inaccuracies in regard to children lmao. Maybe she’s special as a human and elf baby, idk
…
Corvus and Soren had a serious job today: babysitting.
Rayla and Callum were visiting Katolis Castle for the first time since having Sarai, and, well… they had lots of official events they had to attend as the Prince and Princess of Katolis. Usually the new child would also be required to attend, but everyone worried for her safety.
Hence Soren and Corvus on babysitting duty.
“I don’t know what all the fuss is about, she seems easy to entertain,” Soren said, making funny faces at the baby in his lap. Sarai let out high pitched peals of laughter. Rayla had been worried about him babysitting, and for what? Sarai loved him!
Corvus snorted as he prepped her next bottle, sure that she’d soon be hungry. “How much time have you spent with children? Babies, specifically?”
“Uhmmm…” Soren’s expression turned thoughtful. “Well, Claudia. But I’ve entertained kids around Katolis plenty of times!”
“And how old were you?” Corvus asked, not even deeming the second half of that statement as worth a reply.
“Uhm… close to two.”
Corvus shook his head. “I rest my case. You were a baby yourself.”
“Oh, because you know so much about babies?!”
“You know I do,” Corvus said plainly, glaring at Soren. Then he quickly had to look away. Seeing Soren with a baby… it was too much for his heart to handle. “Having multiple little siblings I helped take care of.”
“Oh.” Soren tilted his head, watching Corvus as he switched from bottle duty to tidying the room and making sure it was safe for a baby. It made Soren’s heart feel funny. “Yeah, I guess that makes sense.”
Soren lifted Sarai above him. “If you want more funny faces, you have to pay the toll.” He told her quite seriously. “One tummy zerbert!”
Just like his father had once played with him. The thought didn’t hurt as much as it once did, not after all these years.
Sarai squealed in glee at the action, breaking Soren out of his thoughts.
He smiled at her, bringing her back down and holding her against him.
Sarai reached out to tug at Soren’s hair. He was surprised by how hard she could yank. “Ouch!” He cried out, playing up his reaction to give her more of those funny faces. “Oh, fair maiden, you are so strong!”
Sarai giggled at him and clapped her hands, nearly hitting him in the face.
“You’re just lucky she’s in a good mood,” Corvus grumbled.
“Why don’t you come sit with us for a minute?”
Corvus looked up. Soren, sitting on a sofa, with a baby in his arms, the sun streaming in the window… it made him want things.
Not that they hadn’t talked about children; Corvus thought it was only right to lay out the expectations of a relationship early on. It was important to talk about if one was looking for marriage, children, and so on. Or if they were not. It wasn’t fair to either person if they weren’t what the other was looking for long-term.
Soren had told him that, while it had never been a priority, he was not against having children. In fact, sometimes when taking care of Ezran when he’d been a young king, Soren had wondered what it would be like to take care of his own child.
But they hadn’t spoken about children since getting married. Hadn’t actually talked about the possibility of adopting a child. Hadn’t talked about if they were ready for that.
Corvus was slowly learning that he absolutely was ready.
Corvus stopped what he was doing to walk over with the bottle he’d prepared. He slowly lowered himself onto the sofa. He’d left some space between them which Soren quickly eliminated, leaning into Corvus.
“Missed you,” Soren said, passing Sarai over.
“We’ve been together all day.”
Soren shrugged, stretching out his arms from being bent for so long. He slyly dropped one around Corvus’s shoulders on its way down. Corvus had to hide his smile.
“Okay, sure, but you weren’t right here.”
Corvus leaned over to kiss Soren’s cheek. “But now I am.”
Soren nodded, pleased. “But now you are.”
Suddenly, Sarai screamed. Then came the tears.
“Oh no what’s wrong what’s happening do we need to call the doctor -“
“No, Soren. She’s okay.” Corvus lifted up the bottle experimentally. “Are you hungry?”
Sarai made grabby hands at the bottle. Corvus helped guide it to her mouth and assisted her in holding it as she drank her fill.
“Wow. You really are the child whisperer,” Soren whispered.
“You don’t have to actually whisper,” Corvus replied just as quietly. Corvus smiled at Soren and then down at Sarai.
“Who knew it was possible to love a little bundle this much?” Soren said.
A moment of silence. Then:
“Imagine if it was our own.”
“Soren, I want a baby.”
Both men paused and looked at each other. Then they released a relieved, nervous laugh.
“Really?” Corvus said softly.
Soren nodded. “Yeah, I…” he shrugged. “It might not be the best time right now, but… soon?”
Corvus nodded in reply. “I agree. Soren, I’ve imagined having kids with you for seven some odd years. I can wait a few more.”
Soren’s jaw dropped. “That long?! We haven’t even been together for five!”
Corvus felt his cheeks heat, focusing on Sarai. “I don’t know when exactly it started, but… in the mushroom forest. On the search for Zubeia.” A moment of silence. “You imitated rocking a baby, and, well…” Corvus looked over at his husband. “I’ve been head over heels for you ever since.”
Soren was overwhelmed with affection. “Can I kiss you?”
“Please.”
Soren brought his hands to Corvus’s face and kissed him. Corvus wished his own hands weren’t otherwise occupied for a moment.
Suddenly, Soren pulled back, wrinkling his nose and looking ready to gag. “What is that smell?!”
“That’s the thing about babies. They do their duty. A lot.”
Soren pouted, crossing his arms. “It’s only funny when I joke about it.”
“Well then, get ready to learn about the magic of a diaper change.”
…
Author’s Note: This will be connected to day 7, so keep an eye out for that😌
TDP-tober
Day 28: Bread
AO3
Word Count: 500-600
Summary: Soren imagines another life.
...
In another life, Soren would’ve been a baker. Working with Barius, or maybe in his own business.
Everybody knew that Soren loved bread. It was one of his staple food groups. But few knew how deep his love for the baked good ran.
In childhood when he’d discovered his habit for stress eating, he’d begged Barius to teach him how to bake. He’d already discovered that doing something with his body quieted his mind, so he hoped this would help him be able to share the goods with others instead of just keeping them all to himself.
Plus Barius had said that if Soren kept eating everything Barius baked, Soren would have to pay him back somehow. So really, it was a win-win. Soren got to snack and do something with his hands.
Soren sighed, rolling over in his tent, trying not to disturb Hat who was sleeping next to his head. He heard the rain pounding down and worried about King Ezran, alone in his tent. The king was still just a teenager, but he’d already been begging Soren to let him have some independence. The least Soren could do was not go out in the middle of a storm and check on him in the middle of the night.
So Soren went back to his musings of this alternate life.
Working at a bakery. Surrounded by the scent of bread all day. And maybe… maybe a special someone.
Soren tried to envision them. All he could picture was dark hair, dark skin, and dark eyes, with a dry sense of humor who still managed to laugh at all of Soren’s jokes. Someone who played the cello and wrote music in their free time. Someone whose hand fit perfectly in Soren’s. Someone who -
“Soren?” Came a small voice from the flap of his tent.
Soren’s eyes snapped open and he sat up, rushing to undo the button that was keeping it closed. He saw his king drenched from the rain standing outside of his tent with Bait in his arms.
“Ez? What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
Ezran nodded shakily. “It just… it got loud. Can I hang out with you for a bit?”
Soren nodded, scooting back to allow Ezran entrance. Soren found him a towel to dry off with in his things, and offered him a pair of pajamas. They were many sizes too big, but they’d be better to sleep in than the wet ones he was currently in.
Once Ezran was dried off, Soren moved Hat out of the way (Hat protested at first but then fell right back to sleep) and pulled out an additional blanket that he laid on the ground next to his sleeping mat and laid down on it.
“No, Sor, I don’t want you to -”
“You’re the king, I’m not letting you sleep on the ground. Besides, I can sleep anywhere.”
Ezran sighed, settling on the mat. “At least take your pillow.”
Soren consented, shoving the cushion under his head. Bait curled up in between them, head resting on the edge of Soren’s pillow. He was an animal used to luxury, after all.
“Feeling better?” Soren asked with a yawn.
Ezran nodded. “I am, but… Tell me a story? To distract me from the storm?”
Soren nodded.
“Of course. Once upon a time, there was a man who owned a bakery with his handsome partner. Their favorite thing to bake was bread…”
“And jelly tarts?”
“And jelly tarts.”
TDP-tober
Day 29: Shadow
AO3
Word Count: 300-400
Summary: Soren hates the dark.
Note: I reference the short story Rise Again! If you haven’t read it yet, go do that because the Reflections stories are EVERYTHING.
…
Soren laid in bed with a sigh, the shadows consuming him.
As a child, Soren had been terrified of the dark, fearful of the things that lurked in the shadows. He knew that bad things hid there, or were likely to jump out at him.
Maybe Claudia had played a few too many pranks on him with her magic.
It might not have been a prank, but he still thought of the shadowy, smoky apparition of Biscuit with a shudder. Dark magic… it did things that were unnatural and wrong.
Dark magic. Dark. That same word again. That same thing he feared, no matter the form.
As he’d grown older, he realized the fear was more than just the lack of light when the sun went down. It was all things dark and shadowy. Dark magic, a pitch black night, the unknown.
Suddenly, Soren was surrounded by light. He sat up, perplexed.
“What are you doing laying here in the dark?” Corvus asked after lighting a lamp. “I know how much you hate it.”
Soren gave him a smirk. “Just waiting for you, the light of my life, to waltz in and turn the light on.”
Corvus rolled his eyes, walking to his side of the bed and putting the lamp on the beside table. “You think you’re so funny.”
Soren pouted. “I know I’m funny. But also, I’m not joking. You really are the light of my life.”
Corvus was flustered and not quite sure how to respond to that. Soren was so good at that, being painfully earnest and sincere and catching him off guard. Corvus simply leaned down to kiss Soren’s cheek.
Then Corvus climbed in bed and Soren cuddled up to his side, closing his eyes at last.
At least, now, Soren had someone he knew would always lead him out of whatever darkness he found himself in.
…
Author’s Note: This was not supposed to be Sorvus. This started off strictly Soren-centric. And then Corvus showed up, turning the light on, and I think that’s beautiful.
TDP-tober
Day 27: Victory
AO3
Word Count: 1,000-1,100
Summary: Corvus finds a challenge Soren might not win.
Note: Set before “Changing of the Guard.”
…
Soren and Corvus were taking a break from training together outside of the castle. Corvus was leaning against a tree with his notebook, while Soren laid down a few feet away with one leg propped on the other, tossing an apple into the air to entertain himself.
“Isn’t an apple meant for eating and not throwing?” Corvus asked, setting his pencil down.
“Hmmm… Nope, I think it’s good for both.” Soren said, tossing it up again. When he caught it, this time he sat up and threw it to Corvus. Corvus caught it in the hand with his pencil and Soren clapped. “Well done! You passed that test. Excellent reaction time.”
Corvus rolled his eyes, giving the apple back to Soren. “Eat your apple before I throw it across the field next time.”
He was growing weary of Soren turning everything into a test or challenge of some sort. The only reason Corvus was still going along with it was because it seemed to bring Soren some semblance of joy during this tumultuous time.
Soren shrugged, taking a bite. “Not my fault you don’t like fun.”
Corvus gasped, putting a hand to his chest in mock shock. “Excuse you, I like plenty of fun things.”
Soren grinned deviously. It wasn’t often he got a reaction like this out of Corvus. “Oh yeah? Like what?”
Corvus looked around, searching for inspiration. He felt the bark of the tree at his back. “I like trees.”
It was Soren’s turn to roll his eyes. “How are trees fun?”
“Climbing them.”
Soren looked thoughtful for a moment.
Corvus was afraid he was about to regret his words.
“Well then, Tree Guy, why don’t we climb some trees as a part of our training today?”
Corvus sighed. “That’s an awful nickname.” Corvus knew there was no point in trying to talk Soren out of his new plan.
Soren took another bite of his apple and jumped up. “That wasn’t a no!”
Corvus stood slowly. “Well, I did just tell you I enjoy climbing trees. Why would I say no to that?”
Soren’s eyes lit up. He loved when Corvus bantered with him.
“Then I think you’ll love my next idea! We find the two tallest trees we can and see who makes it to the top first.”
“Wouldn’t it make more sense to -”
“Can’t hear you!” Soren said, speed-walking away. “Already searching for trees!”
Corvus let out a huff and jogged to catch up.
As they searched, Soren finished his apple. He looked around and in his pack. Nothing to put it in. “I did not think this through.”
Corvus sighed, pulling out a small container from his pack. “Here, you can use this to bring it back to the castle so it can be properly composted.”
“You really think of everything, don’t you?” Soren said with a wide grin.
Corvus gave him a small smile. “Happens when you’re on the road on your own for long stretches of time. You get used to having your own back.”
Soren’s cocky grin slipped a little. “Do you think you could ever get used to… I don’t know, somebody else having your back?”
Corvus shrugged as he looked around the trees they were passing. “Maybe. I guess it would depend.”
“Depend on -”
“I think these trees are perfect.”
Soren immediately shut his mouth, not wanting to startle Corvus from talking.
Soren looked up at the trees Corvus had his eyes trained on. They seemed… quite tall. It wasn’t that Soren hadn’t climbed trees; he just certainly wasn’t as experienced as Corvus.
But he’d never let Corvus know he was nervous.
“Heck yeah then! Let’s do this!”
Soren started his usual pre-workout stretches and Corvus followed suit.
Soren took a deep breath in preparation.
“Aaand go!” Soren said once Corvus seemed ready.
For once, Corvus knew he could win this. He couldn’t, wouldn’t let Soren beat him at this.
Soren watched Corvus in awe as they got higher and higher. Even without his kaginawa, Corvus could climb and swing from the branches as if he belonged there. Soren’s practical climb felt dull in comparison.
If Corvus could swing himself onto branch after branch, it couldn’t be too difficult, right? Surely Soren could do it, too!
Suddenly, all Soren saw were leaves rushing past him and twigs scratching at his exposed skin. He landed on the ground with a heavy thud.
At the very least he’d remembered his training on how to land properly, but that didn’t stop it from hurting. Didn’t stop him from not being able to breathe. Why couldn’t he breathe?
No, not again, he thought, eyes widening as he gasped for breath.
“Soren!” Corvus cried from somewhere above him, quickly scrambling down.
No, Soren would not panic in front of Corvus. There’s always more breath where that came from, he reminded himself.
Before he knew it, Corvus’s face entered his line of vision. Soren wheezed in greeting.
Corvus kneeled down next to him. “I think you got the wind knocked out of you, but you should be fine momentarily. We can worry about your scratches when we get back to the castle.”
Oh yeah, there were more explanations to things than just his past coming back to haunt him.
He nodded minutely, breathing already coming easier as the time passed.
Corvus helped him sit up before hesitantly placing a hand on Soren’s back. Corvus knew Soren was a touchy guy, hoping it would bring him some comfort.
“Thanks,” Soren rasped out.
Corvus nodded. “Of course. You okay?”
Soren attempted a deeper breath. Still not completely possible, but getting there. “I will be.”
Corvus grinned deviously. “Good.” A beat. “Then, I guess this means I win.”
Soren’s eyes widened and he choked out a painful laugh. “I guess you’re right! Congrats, man.”
Corvus removed his hand from Soren’s back to bump his shoulder playfully into Soren’s. “I take no joy in this victory. I’d much prefer a fair fight.”
“Well then, I guess that just means we’ll have to do this again one day.”
Corvus nodded, trying to hide his smile. He would not let Soren know he was excited at the promise of more time spent together. “But not before I show you some tips and tricks, okay?”
Soren looked thoughtful for a moment but nodded. “Sounds good to me.”
TDP-Tober
Day 10: Spell
AO3
Word Count: 1,300-1,400
Summary: Corvus and Soren end up in a sticky situation.
Note: Hey AO3 user ashyyyyyy, here’s that domestic fluff walk my other fic won’t be giving you.
…
“Callum… Soren… what did you do.” Corvus said. Not a question. A statement, because they both knew something had gone very wrong in the potion Callum had been attempting to create.
It had all been Soren’s idea, really. He’d asked Callum if he could come up with some sort of magic goop that made swords and weapons more difficult to drop. He’d whipped up a batch of… something; Soren wasn’t quite sure. All he knew is that Callum had hunted Soren down in the halls to drag him to his office to try his first batch. Callum had carefully applied some to Soren’s sword, said some words, and then followed him to the courtyard to see how it worked in a sparring match.
Corvus had of course volunteered, aware that he was part of the testing of something new, but not knowing quite how close he’d get to the situation.
The goop worked great, Soren never lost his sword during the match yet was still able to switch hands when needed. But then, after Soren won…
Well, let’s just say that afterwards when Soren had been going to grab Corvus’s hang to tug him into their next adventure… Soren couldn’t let go.
“I-I don’t know,” Callum panicked. “It must be something with the compounds, I… it doesn’t stick permanently with the object, just helps keep ahold of it, but put it into contact with another human…” he continued, staring at their hands, linked fingers and all. “It must warm something up in it that I didn’t account for.”
“Okay. How do we fix it?” Corvus asked, failing to hide his growing impatience.
Soren fought back a frown. Was hanging out with him really that awful?
“I don’t know,” Callum responded cheerily, “but I will find out!” He started to rush off. “Give me 5 minutes. No, 10. 15 minutes, tops!”
Corvus groaned and went to scrub his left hand down his face when he realized it was attached to Soren. He switched hands, letting out a groan.
“We could take a walk!” Soren offered, swinging their arms between them in lieu of whatever nervous tic Corvus was sure he was actually looking to do. “Or… or pick flowers? Go bird watching? I don’t know, what only takes one hand?”
Corvus refused to answer that. He felt like Soren must purposefully set him up for dirty jokes sometimes, but then Soren acted bashful as soon as Corvus made the joke or Corvus said he refused to engage in such crude humor.
In sum, Soren was a fascinating individual.
“A walk would be great.”
…
Soren being Soren brought them up to the rampart. Soren’s favorite spot in the castle, as Corvus was near positive he’d mention at some point.
It was endearing, truly. Just repetitive. But Corvus liked repetition.
“This way, if Callum finishes earlier, we’ll see him!” He insisted. Corvus actually couldn’t argue with that logic.
“So… how’s your day been?” Soren asked awkwardly.
Corvus shot him a smile, trying to ease Soren’s apparent nerves. Soren was almost never awkward, always suave and charming and, well, irresistible. His newfound nervous energy was entirely too lovable, though. “It was good. Then, you know,” he raised their hands, “this.”
It wasn’t like this was their first time holding hands for a bit. Obviously, it was Soren’s preferred way of dragging Corvus around. Not that Corvus wouldn’t follow willingly.
But Corvus was afraid he’d say something stupid, something incriminating, something that would make Soren uncomfortable. Something that would make it obvious just how head over heels Corvus was.
Soren frowned, stopping mid-step. Corvus was tugged back to his side. “I… didn’t realize spending time with me was so rough.”
Soren had always thought out of everyone that at least Corvus genuinely liked hanging out with him. He knew he could be too loud, too talkative, just too much, but he’d thought that Corvus liked that. Liked him, at least a little.
“I’ll leave you alone once Callum breaks us apart,” Soren added glumly.
Corvus’s eyes widened, playing back his words. He wanted to kick himself. Breaking them apart for good was the opposite of what Corvus wanted. “No, Soren, that’s not -”
Corvus took a breath, trying to gather his frazzled thoughts. Soren’s warmth just made him feel like he was going to buzz out of his skin. “I’m sorry. My day is going great. Sparring and spending time with you has been the highlight.” Corvus gave their joined hands a squeeze. “I promise. It just wasn’t what I expected, and, well…” Corvus shrugged. “You know how I am when I’m off of my planned schedule for the day. As cliche as it sounds, it’s not you, it’s me.”
Soren searched Corvus’s eyes, trying to make sure he meant it. Those big, brown eyes, with those eyelashes, and that darned scar… what would it feel like if he reached out and touched it?
What was Soren doing again?
Corvus, Corvus…
Oh! Right. Corvus was groveling.
Soren paid attention again. Corvus looked genuinely upset.
Soren gave his hand a squeeze. “Hey. It’s okay. I… might overreact a bit, sometimes,” he admitted, reaching back with his free hand to scratch his neck sheepishly. “You’re just so important to me and the thought of you not wanting to hang out or talk or anything like that is just… the thought makes me sad.”
“Oh, Soren, I -” Corvus shook his head. “I never want to make you purposefully sad. Ever. Okay?”
Soren felt a warmth in his chest. He nodded. “Okay.”
Corvus looked relieved.
Then, Corvus led Soren over to the wall, looking down at the courtyard. “I’m so used to looking the other way, to the trees and the land, that I often forget how beautiful it can be inside the castle, too.” Corvus said as he watched the hustle and bustle of people going back and forth, members of the guard sparring, and… Callum!
But Corvus didn’t point him out quite yet, if Soren hadn’t noticed him yet, Corvus wanted to spend as much time up there as he could get.
“Yeah, it’s certainly a beautiful sight.” Soren said simply, staring at Corvus.
Corvus turned his head to smile at him, then realized that Soren hadn’t moved.
Oh. Corvus felt his skin grow warm. Suddenly, he wanted to genuinely be holding Soren’s hand, not because they were forced to.
“Look, it’s Callum!” he said, pointing him out.
Soren whipped his head towards the spot with a wide grin.
“Callum!” he shouted, jumping up and down and waving his hand. Callum spotted them and gave them a thumbs up, heading towards the stairs.
“Well, we’ve got a healthy 5 minute minimum before he gets here,” Soren joked, “What would you like to do in that time?”
Corvus shrugged. “Just this; just being with you is fine.”
…
Callum made it to the top only slightly out of breath.
“I think I figured it out!” He panted. “I just -”
“Callum, whatever you say next will not make any sense to either of us,” Corvus said. “As long as it doesn’t make this permanent, or change our fingers into snakes or something, give it a try.”
Callum just shrugged, sprinkling flakes of his concoction over their joined hands. It felt cold, then warm, and then tingly. Their hands unlinked.
Corvus stretched his fingers experimentally. Soren, on the other hand, let out a cheer, pumping his fists in the air.
“Thanks man!” Soren said, patting Callum on the back. With Soren’s strength, Callum accidentally ended up hunched over and pushed a few inches forward. Soren didn’t even notice.
Corvus nodded. “Yes. Thank you.” Then, he looked at Soren, offering up a hand. “Shall we continue our walk?”
Soren’s face lit up. “Yes please!” Soren grabbed his hand and they continued on their way.
Callum stood there, bewildered by the sight. “I went through all of that for you two to just hold hands again?!” He shouted after them. “If it happens again, I’m just leaving you like that!”
Corvus and Soren made eye contact, smiling.
Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.
