Apr 22, 2020
I had the drawing prompt “lost in the fog” so I decided to draw fantasy au Logan and Roman, bc why not
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seen from Canada
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I had the drawing prompt “lost in the fog” so I decided to draw fantasy au Logan and Roman, bc why not
Manners And A Muzzle (My Dearest Procyon Part 2)
(AKA Part 2 of The Cat and The Raccoon)
February Prompts 2/10
Prompt List
First // Previous // Next
The February Collection on AO3
My Dearest Procyon on AO3
Other works by me
Prompt: Manners / Muzzle
Ship: Prinxiety (kinda…)
Original story based on this wonderful post by @underdog-arts
“I still don’t understand,” Roman whined as he stumbled after the lanky wizard. Honestly, he shouldn’t be going along with this at all. He should be at home, in his cozy four poster bed, under a giant mound of blankets, not picking twigs out of his ruined locks, and no doubt catching fleas from the mongrel in his arms. However, the situation being as it was, he wasn’t quite sure which way home was… or if it was even still standing.
“Perhaps if I explain it again?” Logan offered, ducking under a low hanging branch before holding it up politely for the other man. He may be a witch but Roman had to give him props for his manners.
“No, no. Just…” Roman huffed with a shake of his head, “can you just summarize?”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” Logan nodded. “Virgil and I are young witches. As such, we are required to draw our power from a single source; that source usually being another person. Typically, this other person needs to be a powerful magic user as well, though there are exceptions. Whenever a young witch finds their source, in this case our Lord Noname-”
“Still think that is a horrible name,” Roman grumbled under his breath as Logan continued.
“We are bound to him. Each binding is different. For some, it is nothing more than companionship; a mutual bond with equal gain and loss. For others, it is eternal servitude. In Virgil’s case it is the latter.” Logan explained once more, his frown deepening.
“And you are bound to this Noname guy too?” Roman added, still trying to follow.
“Yes… and no,” Logan sighed, “It is quite complicated. I was once bound to Noname as well, but he quickly grew tired of me. You see, each witch has their own…” he seemed as if he were searching for the correct word, “Talent.” he supplied. “An area of expertise that they excel at. Virgil is a master of physical manipulation. I-”
“Can read minds!” Roman interjected excitedly.
“Well, in the most simplistic sense, yes, but I can do far more than that. If I concentrate, I am able to see worlds you have never even attempted to dream of. Places where no man has set foot.” Logan couldn’t help but smile as he explained these visions, his heart beginning to race with elation. “I can see the past and the future, each mingling with one another. I can see stars that are millions of galaxies away, or beasts that crawl far beneath our feet.”
“Wait…” Roman hummed, brows furrowing in confusion. “What is a galaxy?” The question earned a soft sad huff from the witch who simply shook his head and continued on.
“Never mind. I apologize, I seem to have gotten off topic. Where was I…” he mumbled softly. “Ah, yes: the connection Virgil and I share. Noname wished to use my gift for his own gain. When I refused, punishment ensued. Eventually, after a few years he seemed to have given up hope that I would break. As punishment, he cut off the constant supply of magic I received from him. Unfortunately, once a witch has had a taste of power, they will fade without it.”
“What do you mean, fade?” Roman pressed.
“They will die, Your Majesty. Quite quickly, at that,” Logan provided.
“Oh…. So… What happened then?”
“As I tried to explain before-” Logan offered.
“Not in English,” Roman grumbled under his breath, though if the witch noticed, he gave no indication.
“Virgil, who had been apprenticing with Noname’s brethren, had found me. Naturally, I attempted to latch onto him as a source. He was not too thrilled at the idea, but slowly came around. You see, he was as eager as I was to get away from our bindings, so eventually he agreed. However, the new bond had unfortunate, and unforeseen, consequences. Virgil’s bond with Lord Noname weakened down to a trickle, which meant that there was not enough magical energy to keep both of our human forms alive and well.” The witch averted his gaze in shame as they continued on. “If I had known…” he paused before shaking his head. “It doesn’t matter. Knowing that we would both perish if we stayed too long in our human forms, I cursed Virgil to take the appearance of the animal that most resembles his personality while I remained human.”
“So… he has the personality of a… badger?” Roman asked arching a brow as he lifted the creature in his arms high enough to examine.
“It is a Procyon Raccoon,” Logan corrected with a huff.
“Whatever,” The Prince shrugged. “That still doesn’t explain the whole cat thing.”
“It would be cruel to curse someone that had just saved my life in such a way,” Logan pointed out, “So, I cursed myself as well. Only one of us may be human at any given time, lest we both die.”
“That sounds like a pretty rough existence,” Roman admitted, hugging the still snoring Virgil to his chest.
“I will admit it is not easy,” Logan confessed. “It is also the reason we are here. We must find new sources if we are to return to the natural order of things.”
“And you think you can find them here? Why?” Roman asked curiously.
“Because I have seen it,” Logan answered vaguely. “My visions are cryptic, but they are usually correct. We will both find a new source for our powers here in these woods. I just… need time to figure out what that-”
A roar echoed through the trees, sending droves of birds startling into the air and the still shirtless witch hunching low in the brush. Roman followed a moment later, unsure of what else to do.
“What the hell was mmph!” he began to snap, just to have Logan’s hand clamp over his mouth. These two witches may be telling the truth about saving him, but they sure didn’t have any concept of respect.
“Sssh! We’re close.” Logan whispered softly, removing his hand slowly.
“Close to what?” Roman hissed back.
“Come on,” Logan urged, inching towards the large vine covered rock face a good ten meters out.
“Listen,” Roman began to complain as he followed the witch, “I get that you’re on a whole quest thing, but I have a entire kingdom I have to worry ab-”
“Roman, you really need to be quiet.” Logan interrupted.
“Don’t tell me to be quiet you no good, sorr- AH!” Roman snapped, dropping the raccoon in his hands with a loud cry. “It bit me!”
Virgil plopped on the ground, scrambling to his feet in a hurry. He turned a vicious eye onto the prince and hissed mercilessly at him, saliva dripping from his jowls. Roman reared back in sudden terror of the small monster before him, holding his injured hand to his chest.
“Virgil,” Logan called softly. He bent low enough to place an upturned hand on the ground, cloak falling open to reveal his still bare chest. The raccoon glanced briefly at his partner, hackles still raised, before shooting another hiss at the prince. He then promptly scampered over to the tall man, using his arm as a ramp to clammer into the backpack.
“I asked him to carry you,” Logan clarified. A small hiss sounded from the bag as two beady eyes seemed to glow just under the flap of the now bulging leather.
“That thing needs to be muzzled,” Roman growled as he shot Virgil a glare of his own.
“Virgil!” Logan snapped in a harsh whisper. There had obviously been some telepathic exchange between the two men that Roman obviously wasn’t privy to. “Manners!”
“What did he say?” Roman pressed, his curiosity overpowering his fear as he moved closer.
“Nothing that warrants repea-.” Logan started to sigh before another roar interrupted him.
For a moment, the grey and black fur of Virgil’s snout appeared over Logan’s shoulder, whiskers twitching as he sniffed the air. His small claws fisted against the hood of the cloak wrapped around Logan’s shoulders, giving a snarling growl in response to the monstrous cry.
The sound was not the only thing that pulled their attention this time. Smoke began to billow farther down the cliff face where a large string of fire burst from a cave mouth, torching everything within a stone’s throw from the entrance. In the next moment, Virgil was gone, as quickly as he had appeared. He was back in his bag to hide, vastly aware of his suddenly meager stature.
Roman’s heart raced, his fear of the bitey minuscule monster that was now nestled against Logan’s back all but forgotten. He had something much larger to worry about now… and apparently it knew that they were there.
“A DRAGON?! REALLY?!” Roman cried.
To be continued...
Taglist:
@hiddendreamer67 @nightashes @aequinoctiale
Sorcerers of Sanderly Place (pt. 3)
Summary: Virgil Baker is a young wizard who despite his creepy aesthetic does not approve of the way his older brother Logan is going behind their parents backs to see his vampire boyfriend Patton.
Check out more of my writing at @hiddendreamerwriting!
October Prompt #18: Fang
(Check my reblog for links to the previous parts and the taglist)
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“There you are.” Virgil looked annoyed, in the middle of a game of finger football with Thomas. The two were flicking a folded-up napkin back and forth across the counter. Still no other customers in sight, although Logan noted that could also be due to the fact his brother had ‘helpfully’ turned the sign from Open to Closed, likely in an attempt to avoid dealing with actual people.
“They are vampires.” Logan explained, flipping the sign and walking back towards his post.
“Wait…like actual vampires?” Thomas looked nervous. “I thought that was just a theme.”
“It’s a cover.” Logan began to tie his apron. “Don’t look so nervous, Thomas.”
“I’m just a big fan of keeping my blood inside my body.” Thomas gulped.
“Invest in a garlic necklace and you should be fine.” Logan shrugged.
“Wait, so how’d you figure it out?” Virgil leaned forwards, suddenly very eager to hear what his brother had to say. “Did you see jars of blood? Did they bite someone right in front of you?”
“Patton told me.” Logan answered, pulling out the dough he had abandoned before. Virgil and Thomas shared a look, both knowing how unhelpful Logan could be with giving information.
“And Patton is…?” Virgil waved him on to continue.
“A…friend.” Logan paused for just a moment too long. “As well as the owner’s son.”
Virgil’s eyes widened, recognizing Logan’s mannerisms. “Oh my god. You’re dating the competition.”
“I am not-“
“Then what’s that slip of paper in your pocket?” Virgil squinted.
Logan was quiet a moment. “…his phone number.”
Virgil let out a groan. “Seriously, the one guy you finally fall for and it’s our rival’s vampire son? What the hell, Logan?”
“He seems to act contrary to the stereotypes.” Logan insisted. “I am approaching this with a scientific curiosity only.”
“Yeah yeah, whatever you say.” Virgil rolled his eyes. “Keep telling yourself that when you come home with a bunch of love bites.”
Virgil seriously couldn’t believe it. The longer things went on, the more Logan’s secret relationship became a pain in his neck, pun intended. Logan would duck out of the evening shifts early, likely sneaking off to somewhere cool like a graveyard or something to hang out with his weirdly preppy boyfriend. Weren’t vampires supposed to be goth? Virgil hadn’t met the guy, but just staring out his bedroom window Virgil was surprised to see so many colors. It seemed counter-intuitive to the whole bloodsucking monster thing.
There was another problem with Logan’s relationship. Virgil had to repeatedly lie about knowing anything to their parents, and he had to cover more and more as Logan began to get more reckless with his secrecy. It was driving Virgil insane, and definitely affecting his already lousy magic studies more than ever.
“So why don’t you just tell your parents?” Thomas suggested, listening to Virgil moan on and on over the phone.
“I can’t, Thomas.” Virgil insisted, laying his head over the edge of the bed so that the cool night breeze wafted through his hair, courtesy of the open window. “He’s…. he’s actually happy for once, you know? I’ve never seen Logan so much as take a second look at a boy, but he talks about Patton like he’s the center of his universe or something.” Virgil made a gagging noise. “It’s disgusting.”
“Mhmm.” Thomas made an unimpressed noise.
“...what?” Virgil raised a judgmental eyebrow, hoping it came across in his tone since Thomas couldn’t see him.
“I’ve seen the way you were hitting up the exchange student in art class.” Thomas teased. “The hot British one?”
Immediately Virgil turned a bright shade of red. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He lied.
“Oh really?” Thomas showed no signs of stopping. “Is that why you two were exchanging notes all class?”
“I- that was just flirting!” A flustered Virgil argued.
“Virgil Baker has never flirted in his life.” Thomas’ statement made Virgil snort in resigned agreement. Human socialization had never been his strong suit. “You’re head over heels for this boy. And you’re only talking to me right now because you don’t have his number yet.”
“That’s not true.” Virgil argued. “You’re my best friend, I wouldn’t choose you over a guy.”
“And how do you know you won’t go as gaga in love as your brother?” Thomas argued right back, though he didn’t sound very annoyed, instead endearingly exasperated.
“Because I’m talking to you right now.” Virgil fiddled with his sleeve, biting his lip. “...and I already have his number.”
“You do not.” Thomas gasped. “Virgil! Why didn’t you tell me? Wait hang up- call him! Have his children!”
“That’s not how any of this works.” Virgil chuckled.
Virgil’s smile faded, attitude turning melancholy as he thought back to Roman’s evening radio silence. “Besides, I can’t. He said he was too busy tonight.” He glanced out the window, staring up at the stars. It was then that Virgil’s attention was diverted from his singleness to a dash of movement outside his window. A little shape flitted across the glow of the full moon, a small shadow in the darkness of night. Actually… the longer Virgil looked, the shadow seemed to be getting...closer?
Virgil had only just enough time to recognize the shape was a bat before it was swooping into his bedroom and transforming into a fully grown vampire. Virgil yelped, startled into falling completely off his bed and dropping the phone.
“My fangs! Look, they grew in!” The vampire loomed over Virgil, proudly showing off his razorous fangs what felt like inches from Virgil’s face. Virgil gulped, turning as pale as the stranger in fright. The vampire seemed to realize his error, giving an awkward chuckle and backing up so that Virgil could breathe again and see the figure’s face.
“Oopsies, wrong window.” The vamp gave an awkward chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. Virgil looked him over, taking in the way the man was dressed in khakis and a polo. Not exactly intimidating. Definitely preppy, more like a puppy than a predator.
“...I’m hoping you’re Patton?” Virgil said warily.
“The one and only!” Patton stuck out his hand, but Virgil didn’t bother to shake it. Instead he continued to look Patton over, full on judging his brother’s boyfriend. Even past the fangs, Virgil had to wonder- what did Logan see in this guy? It was hard to imagine Patton as any more than a flower child, and that just didn’t fit his older brother’s serious demeanor in the slightest.
“Are you going to kill me?” Virgil asked, though he sounded far too casual about the question.
“What? No!” Patton quickly shook his head. “No no no, I would never. I’m not that sort of vampire.”
Virgil gave an understanding nod. “Tonight was no good for me anyways.”
Patton cleared his throat, looking a bit uncomfortable as he slowly lowered his hand back down. “...You must be Virgil. It’s a pleasure to meet you, kiddo.”
Virgil frowned, not liking the demeaning nickname even if Patton could be hundreds of years old, if not older. “Logan’s door is first on your left.” Virgil jabbed his thumb towards his bedroom door, eager to get the vamp out of his hair so he could continue to bitch about said vamp over the phone.
“Oh, okay.” Patton gave Virgil an encouraging smile, heading to the door. “Well, see you around then, kiddo!”
Virgil rolled his eyes, picking up the phone again. He wondered how much Thomas had overheard. “You’ll be interested to know I’m not dead.”
“Yeah, ah, what was that??” A nervous Thomas asked, clearly worried for his safety.
“Just got a heart attack.” Virgil shrugged. “Also finally met Patton. Dude crashed through the window.”
“Aren’t you about a billion floors up?” Thomas sounded skeptical.
“Give or take. But he’s a magic bat, Thomas.” Virgil reminded him. Honestly, he really couldn’t see how Logan put up with all of that- Roman might be energetic, but at least he was normal.
Sorcerers of Sanderly Place (pt. 2)
Summary: Patton is the youngest in a long line of cafe-owning vampires. When one of their rival owners comes over to scope out the place, a handsome young wizard no less, Patton doesn’t think twice before inviting Logan into his home.
Check out more of my writing at @hiddendreamerwriting!
(Check my reblog for links to the previous parts and the taglist)
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If Patton had a heartbeat, he was certain it would be one so fast that his heart would surely leap right from his chest. The young vampire felt incredibly nervous, guiding Logan down to his bedroom. He knew his family was watching him, likely thinking he had finally decided to partake in some mortal prey. They had been bugging him for centuries to settle down and properly suck a human’s blood. Thankfully, all the coffee scents in the shop above had masked Logan’s magical aura, or else Patton would have never even made it down the stairs.
Wizards were a vampire’s greatest enemy. They liked to hunt down vampires and would love to send a stake through Patton’s heart or send him to prison for eternity. As it turns out, eternity is quite a long time when you actually live that long.
Was Logan armed? Patton realized he should have checked before leading the wizard down into his home. Then again, Patton had a habit of acting with his heart rather than his brain. Besides, Patton couldn’t blame Logan for coming prepared- after all, not many vampires had souls like himself. Most were bloodthirsty killers just like the wizarding world feared.
“Well, here we are.” Patton announced, opening the door. It was the first time he had shown anyone his room in several hundred years, and Patton was now nervous for a multitude of reasons.
“…oh.” Logan said, staring around in surprise.
Patton gave an awkward chuckle. “I take it’s not what you expected?”
“Well, I did not have time to adequately prepare a hypothesis, but upon second evaluation, it suits you.” Logan gave a slow turn in the middle of the room. The walls were a bright blue, and the room could almost be taken for that of a human child if not for the Birch-wood coffin pressed against the back wall. Logan approached it, softly running his fingers along the white velvet lining.
“Thanks.” Patton gave a proud sort of smile, closing the door to keep Logan’s scent from wafting up. He absolutely reeked of alchemy.
“Is it not claustrophobic to rest in a coffin?” Logan asked, and as he turned back to Patton the vampire could see more questions brimming behind his eyes. Patton knew he wouldn’t be able to help but answer every single one, in the hopes of seeing Logan smile again. Wow, Patton had really fallen fast this time, huh? Usually it took Patton at least a year to build up a crush this strong. But then again, the men of the past didn’t have Logan’s eyes.
“Not really, no.” Patton shrugged, sitting cross-legged on one of his high-rise stools. They were quite nice for perching on when Patton felt like reverting to bat form. “I’m a deep sleeper. Dead as a door-nail.”
“Is that a fact or another pun?” Logan squinted.
“A bit of both.” Patton laughed. “So, I take it wizards don’t have any fancy bedding of their own?”
“No particular magic traditions, no.” Logan confirmed. “Although in our youth my brother and I shared a bunk bed.”
“Oh, I’ve always wanted to do that.” Patton sighed wistfully. “Ever since humans invented them I always thought it was such a fun idea.”
“Were you around for their invention?” Logan seemed surprised, and Patton could see him trying to recall when bunk beds were invented.
“Yup!” Patton gave a playful grin. This was always one of his favorite parts, when boys tried to figure out his age. “I think that was back in the 60’s or so.”
“The 1960’s?”
“The 1460’s.” Patton corrected, watching Logan’s eyes turn into wide saucers. Patton outright laughed, amused by the adorable bewildered expression on the wizard’s face.
“You’re…” Logan paused, clearly doing rapid calculations in his mind. “…five hundred and sixty years old?”
“Older, actually.” Patton teased, never once having given away his actual age. Logan observed him again, and for a moment Patton worried that his age might drive the cute mortal away.
“…you’re quite attractive for your age.” Logan said finally, causing Patton to laugh again. The young vamp hoped his cheeks didn’t appear as pink as they felt from Logan’s compliment.
“Vampires mature more slowly than humans.” Patton was quick to explain. “I’m not full grown yet, that’s why my fangs haven’t grown in.” Patton opened his mouth, his tongue running along the human-esque teeth.
“I was wondering about that.” Logan admitted, sitting on a stool next to Patton as he inspected his teeth to confirm.
“They’re due to grow in soon.” Patton explained, closing his mouth again. He watched Logan subconsciously rub at his neck, and Patton couldn’t help but feel a bit hurt. “I still won’t bite, though.”
Logan quickly returned his hand to his side, unable to hide the tremor in his voice. “Ah, how does b-blood, ahem, blood transfer work for you creatures?”
Patton winced, not fond of being called a creature. “Well, most vampires just take directly from the source. My parents included, sometimes, but we don’t suck anyone dry. That can be lethal, or turn someone as well. I am against that and drink blood substitutes, like animal blood. Recently I’ve also taken to blood bags donated from different facilities who want to help our kind. There’s a bit of pressure from my family, however, because while my methods are fine for a baby bat, everybody wants me to find ‘real’ prey once my fangs come in. I’ve been very firm about that though, and the topic has been dropped for the past several years.”
“Is your resistance to direct human blood perhaps a consequence of your humanity being retained after you were turned?” Logan suggested.
“Oh, I wasn’t turned.” Patton corrected. “I was born a vampire. We’re rare, but I’m not the only one.”
“Intriguing.” Logan leaned forward. “Do all vampires communicate with each other?”
“No, not everybody, although we’re mostly aware of each other.” Patton shrugged. “I’ve traveled around a lot with my family, and met vampires of… all kinds. Other supernatural beings as well. Not many wizards though, and I’ve certainly never had one come so close.”
“What makes me special then?” Logan asked, and suddenly Patton was hyper aware of how close they were. When had he leaned in to meet Logan? The two of them were practically nose to nose, but Patton saw no fear behind Logan’s glasses, only unbridled curiosity.
“Well…” Patton found his words drifting off, unable to vocalize the way Logan made him feel. The way that little twitch of his eyebrow indicating Logan was waiting for an answer only sent a thrill up Patton’s spine. He wanted to run his fingers through Logan’s hair, which would be so inappropriate for having just met and yet already Patton felt his hand lifting of its own accord. What would Logan’s lips feel like against his own? Patton found his mind wandering as he imagined pulling Logan closer-
“PATTON!”
Patton jumped, separating quickly from the wizard and turning on his stool to face the pounding on his bedroom door. His face was beet red, both embarrassed about what he had almost done and terrified that he had forgot to lock the door. “Y-yeah?”
“Hurry up darling, we need you for the lunch rush.” That was his mother. She was not a patient woman.
“Coming!” Patton dashed over to his desk, pulling out a quill and cursing quietly when the ink would not flow as quickly as Patton’s superhuman limbs could twitch.
“Perhaps that is my queue to leave.” Logan stood up, only for Patton to suddenly be putting a hand on his chest.
“Wait.” Patton insisted, flapping the card so it would dry faster. He felt bad, having clearly startled Logan with his speed. “Sorry. Um, here.”
Logan took the card, glancing down at the numbers scrawled. “…you have a telephone number?”
Patton laughed, once again amused by Logan’s queries. “Just because I lived through the middle ages doesn’t mean I’m stuck in them, you know.”
“I apologize for my ignorance.” Logan corrected, fanning the card once more before placing it in his pocket.
“Don’t; you’re cute.” Patton booped Logan’s nose, a jolt of happiness running through him when he got that adorable bewildered expression again and wasn’t driven away. “I was thinking maybe you’ll give me a call at a later hour, and we can go somewhere besides my bat-chelor pad.”
Logan took a moment to digest Patton’s pun. “That was atrocious.”
“I’m glad you liked it.” Patton teased, slipping his hand once again into Logan’s own. “Here, you can go out the back exit. I doubt my parents will take too kindly to you.”
“There’s a back exit?” Logan said, seeming unfazed by the implication that Patton’s parents were still bloodthirsty killers.
“We’re vampires living on the same street as wizards, of course there’s a back exit.” Patton realized a moment too late that meant perhaps he shouldn’t be showing Logan this passageway, but as he moved the bookcase Patton found he didn’t care. He trusted Logan. More importantly, he liked Logan. A lot. Patton hadn’t felt butterflies this strong in centuries.
“Just around this corner.” Patton pointed, not wanting to risk getting caught in the sunlight on the street.
“Thank you.” Logan took a step forwards, but Patton continued to hold him still by the wrist.
“Sorry, I just…” Patton paused, not sure what he wanted to say but knowing he didn’t want Logan to go. “I’m being silly, but I feel like I miss you already.” And now you’re being desperate. Patton cringed, scolding himself. You’re just going to fall for another mortal and get your heart broken all over again.
Logan was quiet. Then, he took a step forward, leaning forwards to plant a kiss on Patton’s cheek. The vampire gasped, immediately releasing Logan’s wrist to cradle his cheek as if to confirm that happened.
“I understand how you feel.” Logan said softly, before disappearing around the corner.
The God of Arepo
First // Previously
My Dearest Procyon
Masterpost
MDP Discord Server
Chapter 40 out of 40
Original story based on this wonderful post by @underdog-arts
Roman stepped forward as soon as Virgil stilled, bending low to scoop him up into his arms.
He recalled the first time he had held the man,well, raccoon, at the time.
To think he had actually been worried about rabies...
He pulled Virgil’s unconscious human form against his chest before turning to address the two men next to him. Patton and Logan still looked so concerned.
“It’ll be fine,” Roman chuckled. “Come on, I’ll show you.”
He took another step forward. An ethereal archway appeared, curved polished stone towering over them.
The god paused, gaze shifting towards the two men who had started all this, Noname and Remus.
“You two as well,” he growled, causing them to pause in their whispered discussion.
Noname hesitated as he glanced between his lover and the deity, obviously trying to figure a way out of this.
“R-Roman...” he chuckled nervously, “Surely we can talk about this. Perhaps we can come to an agr-”
“No,” Roman replied flatly, Noname’s voice suddenly dying in his throat. “You can come willingly, or I can force you to. The choice is yours.”
Noname hesitated for a moment, obviously nervous at the reappearance of the prince. Remus leaned in toward his lover, whispering something in his ear. Noname glanced at him before nodding and following after Roman.
Patton moved to follow, pulled to a stop by the hand that suddenly appeared on his arm.
“I’m not so sure about this,” Logan breathed, concern dripping from his voice.
“I’m sure it’s fine, Lo,” Patton tried to reassure, offering one of his signature smiles.
“Well, I’m not! How are we sure that this really is Roman?” Logan pointed out. “What if this is another trick. What if-”
“Wow, you really are paranoid,” Remus chuckled as he approached.
“No one asked you!” Logan snapped glaring at the mustached man.
“Logan!” Patton chided. “Don’t be rude!”
The witch hesitated, glancing between the two men before dropping his hands.
“My apologies,” he grumbled like a scorned child, glaring at Roman’s look-alike.
“Don’t worry, Teach,” Remus teased as he brushed past. “I’m sure a god won’t mind you disrespecting his brother.”
The words made the witch tense further.
“Come on, Lo,” Patton chuckled as he moved to follow Remus. “What do we have to lose?”
Both men disappeared, leaving the witch to stare after them with his own reservations.
Logane sighed softly, the memory of Patton’s death weighing heavily on his heart.
“I could lose you...”
……………………………………………….
The white expanse of Roman’s domain stretched out before him as his boots clicked against the non-existent floor.
He hadn't realized he had missed this place so much. Though he supposed, you couldn’t miss something you didn’t remember.
An ornate slab of gold, encrusted with purple and green jewels materialized before him as he began to lower Virgil atop it, pausing halfway.
“No… That’s not right,” he hummed. A brief moment passed before a large fur cloth appeared across the top, pillows scattered among it.
“Perfect.”
He lay Virgil atop them slowly to make sure he was comfortable, his tattered and stained clothing suddenly repaired and clean, before straightening.
“I won’t be long, Stormcloud, ” Roman reassured, brushing back the witch’s dark locks. “Try and get some rest...”
…………………………………………………………………
“Logan?” Patton called, voice echoing through the empty whiteness.
No answer came.
Was he alone?
“Remus?” he attempted once more, glancing down at the clothes he now wore. His original outfit was crisp with cleanliness, blood and tears now gone.
He didn’t like the idea that he was the only being in this never ending expanse. He felt so lonely. The worst part was that he didn’t even have his bond with Logan to keep him company.
“Roman?!” he called desperately.
“I’m here, Patton,” Roman’s kind voice came, startling the smaller man and causing Patton to spin on his heel to face him.
“Thank the gods,” Patton breathed in relief before realizing what he said. “I mean… uh… Thank… you I guess,” he chuckled nervously.
Roman gave a small laugh at the man’s unease.
“Relax, Patticake,” Roman teased lightly. “I’m the same charming and extremely handsome man you know and love. I just have all of my memories and power back now.”
Patton hesitated, eyes downcast as he shifted from one foot to the other.
“Right,” he breathed softly, “Of course…”
“I think I get it,” Roman chuckled before opening his arms wide.
Patton didn’t even hesitate, expression brightening instantly as he launched himself into the larger man’s arms.
Roman wrapped him up in a giant hug, squeezing the dragon until Patton could barely breathe, sending the small puffball into a fit of giggles.
“I was so worried about you, Kiddo,” he managed as he was set back on his feet.
“Me?! You died!” Roman laughed in return.
“So did you!” Patton accused, causing Roman to pause.
“Point made,” he chuckled before the amusement faded. “Listen, Pat… I’m… I’m so-”
“You don’t have to say anything,” Patton interrupted, “I’m the one that got in the way and I don’t regret a thing!”
“Still… Patton-”
“No sir!” Patton interrupted once more. “I won’t have any of it!”
The world around them suddenly shimmered and shifted until the white dimmed into the large sitting room that Patton had brought Logan to when they had first met. Patton’s sitting room.
The dragon glanced around, taking in the sight with wide eyes.
“Are we-” he mumbled, moving to touch one of the blankets still folded neatly on the arm of his chair.
“No,” Roman answered, understanding the unspoken question. “We’re still in my domain. I just thought this might be a bit more comfortable for you while we talk,” he explained.
“How did you know?” Patton whispered in awe.
“I’m a god, Pat,” Roman gently reminded. “If it exists, I pretty much know about it. Past, future, here, there, doesn’t matter.”
It wasn’t often Patton was humbled in such a way. He was so used to being the most powerful being in the room. It was a bit strange now that he wasn’t, and he wasn’t quite sure how he was supposed to be acting. He just hoped Roman would forgive him for any missteps.
Patton gave a small nod, moving to allow his fingers to brush against all his familiar possessions.
It felt like it had been so long since he had been there, waiting for Logan… Waiting for everything to start… and now, now it was over.
“What about the others?” Patton asked, “Logan, Remus, Virgil-”
“They’re all fine,” Roman reassured, moving to sink down onto the sofa, lounging across the countless pillows as if he belonged there. “Logan and I are having a similar discussion at the moment. Remus is yelling at me that he’s bored and Virgil is resting.”
“Wow! You can talk to them all at once?” Patton breathed in awe, sinking down into the chair across from the god.
“Yup!” Romen grinned “Pretty cool, huh?”
The smaller man fell silent for a moment.
“So… Why are we all here anyways?” he asked softly.
“Well,” Roman huffed, adjusting himself to sit more properly in the approximation of Patton’s cave. “I owe you and Logan a debt for everything you did for me and I would like to repay it.”
“Aw! You don’t have to do anything like that, Kiddo!” Patton chuckled, waving away his words. “We were happy to help!”
“Still, I would feel better if-”
“You gave us our lives back! That’s good enough-”
“Patton!” Roman said with amusement cutting the dragon off. “I want to.”
“Oh…” Patton giggled, flushing slightly, cheeks matching the color of his new hair color. “I guess if it would make you happy, I won’t argue.”
“Good!” Roman chuckled. “Now, what is it that you want… really want in life…”
The dragon hesitated a moment as he thought about it, a minute detail in their conversation suddenly apparent to him.
“You didn’t mention my brother,” Patton pointed out.
“What?”
“My brother. You mentioned Lo and Virge and even Remus, but you didn’t mention my brother.” the smaller man confirmed “What are you planning to do with him?”
……………………………………………………………………………………………
“You’re late,” Roman huffed as Logan finally stepped through the archway. “Then again, I guess if anyone would be suspicious, it would be you, Teach.”
Logan glanced up at the obviously amused man before him, before taking in the white void around them.
“Where am I?” He mumbled before he realized he and Roman were alone. “Where is Patton?!” he demanded, panic rising.
“Relax, Logan,” Roman laughed, giving him a soft pat on the shoulder. The action caused the witch to tense out of habit, the pain it usually caused nowhere to be found. “Patton is fine, I promise. He’s here, in another space. We’re having the same discussion you and I are… Well… close to it anyways.” Roman shrugged as he began to walk.
“I don’t… I don’t understand,” Logan admitted as he fell into step next to the man.
Roman gestured towards himself. “I’m a god… remember,” he teased lightly.
“So you say,” Logan huffed as sceptical as ever, making Roman laugh again.
“You’re always so serious,” the god mused as the white began to fade into deep blues and blacks, stars flickering into existence around them. “It’s something I’ve always liked about you, even when I passed as a human.”
Logan’s gaze shifted to the countless galaxies around them, his breath caught in his throat at the beauty of it all. He could make out so many of the countless stars he had only ever been able to view from a distance. There was Kaus Media… And over there was Chertan… and in the distance, past the rest, just barely visible from where they stood was Procyon…
“I don’t know where I would be without you,” Roman admitted. “Or where Virgil would be for that matter.”
The mention of the other witch’s name had Logan snapping back into focus.
“Where is he?” he asked. “Is he alright? Can I see him?”
“Whoa! Slow your roll there, Pocket Protector,” Roman teased.The nickname causing Logan a great deal of confusion. Why did a pocket need a protector? Before the witch could ask, Roman continued. “Virgil is fine, just like everyone else. He just needs some rest. You’ll see him soon enough. For now, we have other matters to attend.”
“Like the reason we’re all here?” Logan asked, with a suspicious glance.
“Ha! You’re so… Debby Do-too-much,” the god teased. “Take it easy for once, Microsoft Nerd! I just want to show my appreciation for everything you’ve done.”
“By kidnapping everyone into an alternate dimension and separating us all?” Logan asked flatly, causing the other man to hesitate. He didn’t bother to address the additional nickname he obviously didn’t understand.
“A valid point,” Roman conceded with a click of his tongue. “But I thought that our discussion might be a bit too personal for the others to hear…”
……………………………………………………………………….
“Give me one good reason why I should not smite you where you stand?!” Roman snapped as he appeared before Noname, taking hold of the man’s shirt and dragging him up right. “You dragged me to Earth, imprisoned me, tried to ciphon off my powers, and if that weren’t enough, you attempted to murder the man I love!” Roman accused as he watched the dragon’s mouth flap uselessly. “You deserve a worse fate than death! How do you plead?!”
“No! Wait!” Noname cried, his voice suddenly returned from his panic. “I can explain!”
“Then start!” Roman demanded giving him a shove.
“I had no other choice!” the man pleaded, cowering before the god. “I needed your power to go back and save someone!”
“Who?” Roman questioned flatly, obviously sceptical.
“My Mother…” Noname admitted, voice cracking with heartbreak.
…………………………………………………….
“It’s true,” Patton acknowledged, nodding in response to Roman’s question. “Our mother died giving birth and our father blamed him for his loss,” Patton whispered, his blue gaze lowering as he recounted the sad tale. “Father resented him, tried to kill him more than once, even refused to give him a name. It was horrible to watch growing up, but so much worse for my baby brother”
“So, that’s why he goes by Noname,” Roman acknowledged, earning another nod.
“I tried to protect him,” Patton continued. “Took the majority of the beatings, stole food for him when he was left to starve. When he was old enough, I packed up our things and we ran away.”
“It sounds like you care a great deal for him,” Roman whispered, studying the smaller man.
“I do!” Patton nodded eagerly. “He’s the only family I have! We tried to take shelter with the humans, you see… but… Well…”
“Humans can be cruel,” Roman acknowledged, trying to comfort the dragon as he caught sight of the tears welling up in his eyes. The people of the village stealing their supplies as Virgil bled out in his arms, still as jarring as it had been the day it happened.
“We jumped from town to town,” Patton whispered, “living off scraps and scrounging what we could, doing our best to hide what we were from the people around us and from our past. Eventually, news of our father’s death reached us. We were finally free. Free to come out of hiding. Free to actually live the life we were meant to.”
“So… What happened?” Roman pressed.
“Well, Brother had grown resentful of humans and dragons alike. He hated what we were,” Patton explained. “Said he had found a way to fix everything. I didn’t believe him, at first,” Patton sighed, sounding remorseful. “He was just a wyrmling back then. Still, it was good to see him find something he was passionate about. I just… I never thought that it would lead to… to…” the dragon’s breath hitched.
“It’s alright Patton,” Roman reassured, moving to offer another blanket to add to the mountain Patton was currently curled under.
“I… I think I know what I want to ask for…” Patton admitted, glancing up at the god.
…………………………………………………………..
“BOOOORRRREEEDDD!” Remus yelled into the nothingness for the tenth time.
“You’ve been here for less than five minutes!” Roman huffed, appearing next to him.
“Is that all?” Remus sighed. “It feels like eternity!”
“For the love of-” Roman growled. “You are such a drama queen!”
“Nuh uh!” Remus counted.
“Uh huh!” Roman huffed.
“Nuh uh!”
“UGH! You are so lucky we have the same dad or I would totally strangle you right now,” Roman growled.
“It’s not my fault he left you with all the brawn and me with all the brains,” Remus shrugged, making Roman scrub a hand down his face in annoyance. “What? It’s true! Besides, you’re obviously the favorite…. So, powerful and responsible! Gross,” Remus grumbled with a roll of his eyes.
“I can’t believe we’re related,” Roman huffed under his breath. “Listen, I just wanted to say thank you for-”
“I know,” Remus shrugged, earning another annoyed growl from his brother.
“Would you let me finish?!”
“Nope!” Remus grinned. “You’re going to offer me something as payment and I already know what I want.”
“Thank all that is holy!” Roman sighed,“Then just tell me so I don’t have to put up with you any more…”
………………………………………………….
“Come on, Sleeping Beauty,” Roman whispered softly as he sank down next to Virgil, brushing the witch’s dark locks out of his eyes. “It’s time to wake up.”
Virgil shifted, curling more firmly into the pillows beneath him, tugging his blanket tighter around himself.
“Everyone’s waiting on you, Stormcloud,” Roman chuckled, unable to keep a smile from his lips as he watched the witch’s brows furrow in annoyance.
“Piss off, Princey.” the rough voice came, still dripping with sleep.
“Rude!” Roman gasped in feigned offense. “And after everything I’ve done for you?!”
The witch gave no reply, content to drift back off.
“If you don’t get up, I’m telling Patton what really happened to those cookies he stashed at the bottom of his pack,” Roman warned, causing the witch to bolt upright.
“You wouldn’t dare!” Virgil accused, before pausing at the sight of the prince.
Roman’s grin only broadened as he waited for Virgil’s sluggish mind to catch up to what had transpired.
“I’m dead,” Virgil stated, matter of factly.
“Nope,” Roman laughed with a shake of his head.
“You’re dead,” Virgil offered instead. “And I’m just stuck in some weird waking dream.”
“Wrong again,” Roman teased.
“Then what the FUCK is going on?!” the witch demanded.
Roman shifted, moving to take the smaller man’s hand in his before meeting his purple gaze once more.
“It’s a lot to explain,” Roman offered softly.
“Well, it's a good thing you like the sound of your own voice, Princey,” Virgil scoffed, “‘Cause you’re not getting off that easily.”
Another chuckle escaped the god as he shook his head. How could anyone make him laugh the way Virgil did?
“Alright, but don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Roman replied. “I’m not sure if your badger sized brain can handl-”
“I’m not a badger and you know it!” Virgil snapped. “You prick!” he added, giving him a playful smack.
…………………………………………………………………….
Logan stepped out of the arch, shoulders stiff as he anxiously searched for-
“Logan!” Patton called, giving no other warning before jumping into the taller man’s arms, “There you are! I was starting to worry.” the dragon admitted as he squeezed the witch uncomfortably tight.
Logan’s own arms wrapped around the man’s smaller form, burying his face into his pink locks and breathing him in. The smell of campfires and mulled sweets would never cease to comfort him.
“My apologies, Patton,” Logan breathed as they pulled apart. “Roman and I had a few things to discuss.”
“That we did,” Roman called from where he suddenly appeared a few paces away, letting go of the man he held by the scruff of the neck. Noname dropped onto his knees next to the god, glaring down at the ground before him.
“Brother!” Patton cried, rushing to the scarred man’s side to make sure he was alright.
“Don’t worry, Patton,” Roman reassured. “I haven’t harmed him.”
Nonamed pulled away from his older brother as if disgusted, though it was difficult to tell if it was with himself or with Patton.
“H-he’s….” Patton stuttered, in awe, already sensing the change.
“Only human now, yes,” Roman clarified. “You and Remus both pleaded for his life. I couldn’t in good conscience kill him, but I certainly wasn’t willing to allow him to keep his powers.”
“R-Roman,” Patton whimpered, tears filling his eyes as he stared up at his friend. “Thank you!”
Logan shifted closer to the god, lifting a hand to rest on Roman’s broad shoulder.
“Yes, thank you,” he mumbled as well.
“Careful, you’re going to give him an even bigger head than he already has,” Virgil’s voice came, his amusement obvious as he suddenly stepped into existence next to Roman.
“Virgil!” Patton called out in surprise, straightening and dancing from foot to foot in excitement. “Can I hug you?”
“Um-”
“I’m going to hug you now!”
“Don’t hug me. I’m sc-Oof!” Virgil barely got the words out before Patton was glued to his side. “Great,” he huffed indignantly.
Logan glanced up at the other witch, hesitant for only a moment before he moved closer wrapping his own arms around Virgil, causing the dark haired man to tense.
Logan never hugged him.
Logan never hugged anyone…
Virgil hesitantly lifted a hand to pat Logan awkwardly on his head before untangling himself from the two men.
Roman couldn’t help but give an amused smile, earning yet another glare from his lover.
“Not a fucking word,” Virgil warned as he straightened his cloak around himself.
“I wasn’t going to say anything,” Roman defended.
“Liar,” Virgil huffed.
“I’m so glad you’re okay, Kiddo,” Patton breathed, already pressed into Logan’s side. “You had us real worried there for a minute.”
“Says the guy that jumped in front of a sword!” Virgil accused.
“I stand by my choices!” Patton retorted.
“All of this aside,” Logan interrupted, pulling the groups attention, “What happens now?” he asked curiously.
“Well…” Roman considered for a moment. “I suppose whatever you’d like,” he shrugged. “Noname is powerless. As we speak, Remus is gathering up all the individuals he had bonded with and starting to rebuild the fortress. Noname is to stay in my brother’s care, helping everyone here and in the surrounding areas,” Roman explained. “As for you Logan, you and Patton are free to go where you wish. You have your own source now. You will never be required to bond to another being again. You can live your life to the fullest.”
“Thank you, Roman,” Logan whispered, smiling up at his friend. “Thank you for everything.”
“What is it, Patton?” Virgil asked, sensing the man’s uneased.
“Oh!” the dragon squeaked, forcing a smile on his lips. “Nothing! Nothing at all!”
The dragon contemplated what Roman’s words meant.
Did that mean Logan didn’t need him anymore?
Now that their bond wasn’t a requirement did that mean Logan was through with him?
Would Patton be alone again?
“Perhaps, now would be a good time to share your gift Logan,” Roman offered with a knowing smile.
Logan tensed as he was called out, a flush darking his cheeks.
“R-right… Of course,” he acknowledged, digging into his vest pocket. “I um… I just…”
Patton stared up at him curiously.
“Is everything okay, Lo?” he asked softly, reaching out to rest a hand on his arm, hoping to reassure him.
The action only made Logan tense further.
“Y-yes… Everything is fine I just… Well…” he mumbled, still fumbling in his pocket.
“Cat got your tongue, Kiddo?” Patton teased, grin widening.
The joke earned a snort from the muscular god, although Virgil gave him an elbow to the ribs before Roman could comment.
“Got it!” Logan exclaimed, producing a small silver ring, matching the one he now wore on his index finger.
Patton’s brows furrowed in confusion as Logan offered it out.
“Patton, I’m not…very adequate with these sorts of things… I suppose that is more your area of expertise… What I mean to say is… Well… ” the witch stuttered, “you’re... you are my… my guiding star if you will… My very own Procyon… Of course, I understand if you regret the bond we-”
“Do you regret our bond?” Patton rushed in confusion.
“What?! No!” Logan rushed in shock. “That wasn’t what I- That is to say-”
“Oh for fuck’s sake,” Virgil huffed in annoyance, “This is too painful to watch. He’s asking if you want to bond with him again, Patton,” the other witch clarified.
“Oh,” Patton blinked in surprise before it really dawned on him. “OH!!” he repeated, his smile appearing once more hidden behind his hands currently raised to his mouth in surprise.
“YES! I DO!” the diminutive dragon exclaimed, “Of course I do, silly!”
The tension in Logan’s shoulders washed away as he breathed a sigh of relief and extended a hand, requesting for Patton’s.
The dragon’s hand shot to Logan’s without hesitation, allowing the witch to slide the ring onto his finger, their bond instantly reestablishing itself.
Both men’s affection washed through them, increasing the intensity of the sensation as Logan pulled the smaller man into his arms, bending low to press his lips to Patton’s, warmth enveloping them. Logan could taste cinnamon and chilis, the sensation burning his skin as he kissed the smaller man with as much passion as he could muster, hands tangling in his unnaturally pink curls.
“Now, the bond is a bit different than your last one,” Roman explained as the two embraced. “You’ll be able to control the amount of emoti-”
“Ro,” Virgil interrupted, nodding towards the two, obviously too engrossed in one another to pay the god any attention. “Maybe we should give them a minute?”
“Oh,” Roman mumbled before nodding. “You’re probably right,” he acknowledged, turning and offering an arm out to his partner.
Virgil accepted the offered limb, falling in step next to him.
“I usually am,” Virgil shrugged as they walked. “Question, if we’re bonded does that make me a god too?”
“Technically, yes,” Roman admitted.
“Oh! Wait until I tell Remy! They’re going to freak!” Virgil laughed, excitedly.
“Speaking of… Do I really have to make a deal with-”
“Yes,” Virgil replied flatly as they began to fade back out of existence.
“But Stormcl-”
“You’re not getting out of this, Roman. Deal with it!”
“Whatever you say, Ser Virgil…”
“Oh, put a sock in it, Roman!”
“My dearest Procyon?”
“Don’t make me hurt you…”
A breeze blew through the courtyard as the two deities vanished, causing the black smoke tendrils still rising from the embers of the fallen tree to swirl in its wake. The smoke dissipated slowly as it rose closer to the brightening sky overlooking the crumbling fortress, the source of so much destruction.
Still, life seems to always find a way to raise from the ashes, to plant seeds where forests were laid to waste, to grow new ideas where there once were none, to coax the good out of even the worst. Life would always persevere as long as there is a bit of kindness to nurture it.
La Fin.
Taglist:
@hiddendreamer67 @nightashes @aequinoctiale @sumersnowlilly
Wounded
First // Previously // Next
My Dearest Procyon
Masterpost
MDP Discord Server
Chapter 34
Original story based on this wonderful post by @underdog-arts
“It isn’t working,” Logan huffed, feeling ridiculous.
“It will, just give it time!” Patton sighed.
“Time is something we’re wasting!” Virgil grumbled from where he sat under a nearby tree. He pulled the blanket tighter around himself as he watched the other two.
“We’ll be wasting more of it if you don’t stop whining,” Patton shot back with a glare before turning back to his partner.
Logan sat, legs crossed, on the ashy ground, hands resting on his knees, eyes closed as he focused on his breathing. He could hear Patton shift closer, could feel their bond transfer the dragon’s confidence, so different from his own.
“All you have to do is reach out, visualize,” Patton urged.
“Patton,” Logan sighed softly, cracking an eye open to look at him, “Maybe we should try quiet?” Logan offered, causing the dragon to pause before giving an embarrassed chuckle.
“Right, sorry.” Patton nodded, falling silent as Logan tried to return to his meditative state.
It had been a long while since he had had a vision, since he and Patton met in fact. That of course, was not a vision he wished to dwell on in their current situation. Still, he had to acknowledge the fact that the vision still hadn’t come to fruition, which did not bode well for any of them.
“Ugh! This is hopeless!” Virgil spat, lifting the corner of the blanket to cover his mouth as he coughed.
“Virgil!” Patton grumbled in response.
Logan could hear the other witch move to stand, causing Patton to do the same.
“Relax,” Virgil huffed, “I’m just going to scout around a bit while you do…. Whatever.”
“I’ll go with you,” Patton urgered, stepping around his partner.
Logan could feel the dragon’s worry without seeing it on his face. He was fairly certain that if allowed, Patton wouldn’t let the smaller witch out of his sight for more than an instant. Virgil was far too fragile in his current state.
“Fine,” Virgil growled after a moment. “Whatever!”
A moment later, Logan felt the intensity of Patton’s emotions begin to fade as the dragon got further and further away. Finally, silence fell around him.
Even with the others gone, Logan was still apprehensive. Before Patton, Logan had only been able to see up until he met the dragon and everything beyond that was static. Patton was just too powerful! He blocked out everything else.
The dragon did have a point though. If he and Logan now shared the same power, then there was no reason Logan shouldn’t be able to have a vision. There was no power gap and therefore nothing to block him. Hypothetically, it could be accurate, but Logan wasn’t quite so convinced.
The seer tensed as realization struck him. Then again, if his lack of visions were due to the involvement of the dragon, then perhaps he could look towards something the dragon is not a part of.
Logan took another deep breath, pulling Patton’s magical energy through him. He took another inhale, centering himself before starting.
Dark blues and blacks swirled around him, reminding him far too much of the night sky as Logan stepped forward. His gentle foot falls made no sound as he collided with the translucent floor beneath him.
He knew this place…
Lights shifted around him. They appeared to be some sort of star system. Logan knew the patterns.The stars swirled around him, a small loving smile playing on his lips as he reached out for one, causing it to glow brightly.
“Hello, Procyon,” Logan whispered softly, unable to keep the smile from his lips. He lifted his other hand, caressing the star fondly before glancing about his sanctum. “Last time I was here, I had the privilege of sharing you with Patton,” he mumbled, glancing back at the star in his hands. “I believe he has grown quite fond of you. Though, he does seem quite generous in his affections to just about everything,” Logan laughed before pulling away.
“Um… Logan?” Patton’s voice came, making the man give a small start as he turned on his heel.
“Patton?” Logan mumbled, brows furrowed in confusion as he eyed the man before him.
Patton appeared saddened by something as he clung to the blanket in his arms.
“What’s wrong?” Logan rushed, heart sinking. “Has something happened to Virgil?!”
The dragon hesitated. “Roman looks cold,” he commented.
Logan’s confusion spiked for a moment before realization hit and he couldn’t help but get a small chuckle as Patton glanced away.
“I just… don’t think it’d be a good idea if I did it,” the dragon replied to some unheard comment.
Logan took a step closer, examining the smaller man’s form. He should have spotted the lack of pink in the man’s curls immediately, though he supposed he was far too surprised by his presence to really pay attention.
“C-could you… Could you maybe…” the dragon continued making Logan soften a bit more.
The witch reached out to brush a loose curl behind the dragon’s ear before caressing his cheek. It was a memory. A fond one. Patton had been so worried that Roman hated him and Logan had somehow managed to comfort him.
Patton moved as if to hold out the blanket he carried before he suddenly disappeared.
Disappointment washed through the witch at the loss, but he didn’t bother dwelling on it. He needed to continue on.
He moved further into the swirling blacks and blues, searching for something that would signal his visions. Anything to give them a clue as to-
His boot landed on the soft blades of grass suddenly beneath his feet.
“Of course,” Patton chuckled. Logan’s gaze shot to the small silhouette of the man stretched out beneath the stars. “I’ve never met anyone with so much knowledge about what’s out there. I’ve always wondered about it. How could I not?” He turned to the small specks that littered the sky. “They’re the only things that stay the same no matter how old I get.”
Logan paused. Surely he could spare a moment, just a brief minute, to appreciate the scene before him.
“I don’t remember,” Patton answered the unspoken question from, what felt like ages ago, never pulling his gaze from the stars. “I lost count a long time ago. Why try and figure it out now?”
Logan didn’t need to see Patton’s face to remember the pain he saw there. He still didn’t understand how someone so wonderful could have experienced so much pain without turning cynical.
The image faded, Logan’s disappointment returning.
They had been through quite a lot since they had met in that large cave. Logan had gone from not even realizing the dragon existed to being unable to picture his life without him. Patton was everything to him. He was his guiding light. His very own Procyon.
“So far, we’ve only found you and Patton,” Virgil’s voice came, pulling the seer from his thoughts. “Which means we need to keep going. If we can’t find this ‘source’, we’ll never be able to remain human or return home to face that bastard!” The words echoed around him, causing the witch to turn in a circle searching for the other witch.
“You mean this Noname, guy?” Roman asked, appearing on the floor a few meters off. “He sounds pretty awful.”
“You have no idea,” Virgil replied, appearing next to him.
This wasn’t Logan’s memory. That was good! It meant that he was getting closer to where he needed to be. He didn’t hesitate to move on, not wanting to invade Virgil’s privacy.
“Logan’s different,” Virgil’s voice came, “As a seer, Logan can see the truth; the future truth and the present truth…”
Logan picked up the pace.
“A half-dragon-half-witch that is also a queen?!” Roman suddenly appeared before the seer. Logan paid no mind, jogging through the image without hesitation.
He kept moving. He needed to get to the end.
“Virgil!” Roman’s voice cried out as the smaller witch appeared, eyes wide in shock as he stared down at the knife in his torso.
Logan paused, heart sinking.
The smaller witch collapsed, the prince suddenly at his side trying to save him. Roman’s first few words fell of deaf ears as Logan watched in horror, regret cementing his feet.
He should have been there for his friend. He should have stayed with him instead of spending so much time with Patton.
He watched Roman remove the knife, despite the fact that it would only worsen Virgil’s condition.
Why hadn’t Logan gone with him! He could have protected him!
“Hey…” Virgil’s weak voice came, finally pulling Logan from his panic. “It’s okay… It’s all good. Ah!... Princey…. Gonna take more… more than…”
Logan wiped the tears from his eyes. He didn’t have time for this!
He forced himself onwards, refusing to look back.
It was an old injury. He needed to focus on the injuries that were to come, not the ones from his past. If Logan didn’t find answers soon, then Virgil wouldn’t need to worry about any wounds at all. He’d be far beyond them.
The clash of metal on metal pulled Logan from his thoughts, causing him to glance up, gaze searching.
“Damn it!” Roman’s rough voice came as he appeared before the witch. The usually well kept prince was a horrific mess. His sandy locks were plastered to his forehead with sweat and… was that blood?
Roman yanked his sword back from the soldier on the end of it, suddenly materializing and dropping to the floor.
“Homuncli,” Logan breathed in relief. Roman was covered in Red clay.
He watched the prince stumble back, leaning against the wall as he tried to catch his breath. His usually white shirt was caked in the same red dust as everything else. He looked beaten and worn with large bags under his swollen eyes, lip spit, body bruised.
Roman ripped one of his torn sleeves further, managing to collect a large bit of cloth and pressing it against his opposite shoulder. The fabric quickly darkened with the actual blood Logan had missed, the color blending with the clay.
Roman was in bad shape. He wouldn’t be able to keep fighting much longer. Still, Logan watched the man push from the wall and stumble onwards.
Concealment no longer mattered. They needed to get to Roman as quickly as possible. If they were lucky they’d be able to get in and get out fast enough that Noname wouldn’t have enough time to actually react.
It appeared Logan had no choice but to agree to Virgil’s plan.
…………………………………….
Everything hurt.
Despite it all, it was a welcomed feeling. If he was in pain, then it would be difficult for Roman to fall unconscious, which meant he could keep moving. If he was in pain then he was alive. If he was alive then he could still save Virgil… he hoped.
The prince pushed onwards, stumbling down another hallway. No guards this time. Good.
Remy had been right, the place was an absolute maze. He was lucky they were on his side for more reason than-
“Roman?”
The prince tensed, forcing his sword up, ready to attack as he wheeled around.
“Holy dickcheese, Roman,” Remus breathed in surprise, stepping over another disposed soldier, mace resting on his shoulder. “You look like the dog’s fucktoy.”
“Don’t come any closer,” Roman warned, trying to look as threatening as possible despite his wounded state.
“Roman,” Remus sighed, taking another step.
“I’m serious!” Roman snapped, taking a step back.
Remus didn’t seem to pay any mind as he continued forward, starting to close the distance between them.
“What are you going to do, Ro? Kill me?” Remus mocked as he finally reached the other man.
Roman swung, the motion forcing air from his lungs at the pain it caused.
Remus didn’t hesitate to lift his own weapon, bringing the mace up to strike against the sword. The force of the blow reverberated down the blade, shaking Roman to the core and causing him to cry out, dropping it and throwing him off balance.
His twin moved quickly, dropping low and twisting to wrap an arm around his brother’s waist, steading him with one hand, the mace still in the other.
“What are you doing?!” Roman spat, trying to shove against the other man’s hold.
“What does it look like?” Remus growled in return, “I’m keeping your dumbass from collapsing.”
“I will die before I go back to the dungeons!” Roman yelled, still trying to wiggle out of his hold. “You’ll have to kill me!”
“Ugh!” Remus groaned, letting go and allowing the prince to collapse onto the floor in a very undignified manner. “You’re such a moron! I’m not taking you to the dungeon you dingus!”
Roman groaned, curling in on himself as everything screamed in protest at the impact of his body hitting the floor.
“Y-you’re not?” he breathed after a moment, glancing up at the other man.
“No, you idiot,” Remus scoffed. “I came to help, but if we’re going to get out of here, then you need to get that fatass up and keep that trap shut!”
“W-why?” Roman breathed, moving to use the wall to help him stand.
“Because you talk way too fucking much and its really annoy-”
“No!” Roman snapped. “Why are you helping me?”
“Oh,” Remus blinked before giving a sly grin. “I told you. You’re my bro…. And you’re an idiot. Somebody has gotta look after you. You obviously can’t do it yourself. Besides, what’s an older brother for?” he asked, offering out a hand.
“There is no way you’re older!” Roman argued, hesitating a moment before accepting the offered support. “We’re supposed to be twins.”
Remus considered the words for a moment, moving to pull Roman’s arm over his shoulder and making the prince groan from the action.
“You’re probably right,” Remus shrugged. “But I’m still older.”
“Whatever,” Roman grumbled, breath hitching as he tried to keep his breathing level. “Let’s just go before I change my mind.”
“So bossy,” Remus grumbled, but complied. He supported the weight of his larger twin as they headed down another corridor.
To be continued….
Taglist:
@hiddendreamer67 @nightashes @aequinoctiale @sumersnowlilly
Campfire and Mulled Sweets
First // Previously // Next
My Dearest Procyon
Masterpost
MDP Discord Server
Chapter 37
Original story based on this wonderful post by @underdog-arts
TW: Major Character Death, blood and cursing.
The blackness ebbed away slowly...
Patton’s brows furrowed. Why did Roman look so shocked? Patton always liked it better when he smiled. Roman had the third best smile among them. The first was Logan and then followed closely by Virgil,mainly because he didn’t show it often. Either way, Patton definitely liked Roman’s smile.
He should definitely tell him this.
Patton opened his mouth to do just that, but the only sound that escaped him was a gurgled cough as blood ran down his chin.
Roman’s horrified gaze lifted from the hilt of his sword.
Patton’s knees gave out.
He fell, body leaning forward.
The hilt of the sword struck first, the polished pommel catching in the dirt, embedding the blade further inside him.
Patton’s gaze lowered to the intruding metal, a hand lifting to touch the shining material.
Huh…
That’s right… He’d been stabbed….
He had expected it to hurt more….
………………………………………………………………………….
“NO!” Noname cried, turning to catch sight of his brother collapsing.
His gaze lifted towards the prince, the anger and pain of his loss swirling inside him.
“What have you done?!” he demanded voice raising as his words shifted into a monstrous roar. “I’ll kill you, myself! You bastard!!!”
Scales began protruding from Noname’s skin. The yellow of his gloves tearing away to reveal the same sickly color beneath him as Noname shifted into the oversized reptilian creature.
Unlike his brother’s dragon form, Noname was sleek and snakelike, muscles expanding and retracting to allow him to move. His wings extended out of the middle of his back, large white feathers covering the thin membrane that Roman had seen on Patton’s.
The dragon twisted in on himself, his movements far too quick for the prince to have time to react. The beast’s tail whipped around, smacking Roman across his midsection and sending him flying.
The prince’s body struck one of the remaining walls, the impact causing a loud thud before he crumbled unmoving to the ground.
“Roman!” Remus cried, already rushing to his side.
………………………………………………………………………….
Virgil could smell the earthy scent of freshly bruised grass.
Everything hurt.
All he wanted to do was go back to sleep.
No. He needed to open his eyes.
He needed to help...
Slowly, he forced open his gaze, eyes slitting just enough that he could peer through his lashes.
Light flickered before him...
The fire must still be going...
He could hear someone yelling?
Noname?
Why did he sound so pained?
Had they won?
“What have you done?!” he heard the vile man cry. “I’ll kill you, myself! You bastard!!!”
Who was he talking to?
Did it matter?
He had to get up...
He had to help fight...
He forced his eyes open wider, groaning at the amount of energy it took. He shifted, his hands moving to brace under his shoulders before pushing and...
He collapsed once more, muscles weak and giving out.
“Roman!” Remus cried.
Virgil’s gaze shot up just in time to watch as the prince smacked against a wall, the impact hard enough to send dust raining down as he fell to the ground below.
“Ro-” Virgil tried to call out, voice cut off by his own hacking cough.
He had to get to him...
He had to save him...
He braced himself once more…
...he took a breath….
...then another….
He shoved against the earth beneath him, crying out in pain as he shifted into a kneel.
….another breath...
...two mor-
A pained cry!
…………………………………………………………..
Logan couldn’t move.
He couldn’t breathe.
The pain was too much.
Slowly, however, ever so slowly it began to fade.
He didn’t hesitate to push to his feet as Patton collapsed, praying they would move faster...
He had to get to him...
He had to save him...
A cold feeling slipped through the bond. It was like he was slowly marching into a lake during early spring when the water hadn’t quite turned yet.
His toes were icy, but the rest of him was still warming in the sun.
The events unfolding around the two men were distant as Logan slid to a halt, gaze shifting frantically, hands lifted as he tried to figure out how to help.
“There you are…” Patton breathed weakly, offering a small smile, lips painted the deepest red.
“P-patton,” Logan stuttered, trying to blink back tears as he tried to pull power from the man. “Y-you shouldn’t talk. I’m going to fix this! Everything’s going to be okay-”
The usually abundant power flickered briefly before disintegrating.
He tried again.
Nothing.
Patton’s power was as unstable as he was, both quickly dying.
The witch tried again.
“DAMNIT!” he snapped, slamming his fist against the ground painfully.
“I’m sorry,” Patton attempted, giving another small gurgling cough. “I’m so s-sorry, Lo-lo. I-”
“Shh shh…” Logan hushed, forcing his anger away and lifting his hands to the other man’s cheeks. “It’s okay, Patton. It’s okay…” he lied, the tears starting to fall without his consent.
Silence fell between them for a moment as Patton’s usually piercing blue gaze grew foggier.
“Hey!” Logan demanded. “Hey! Stay with me!”
Patton gave a small wheeze the witch assumed was supposed to be a laugh.
“Two w…” the dragon began, breath hitching for a moment. “Two weeks… Six and a half days.”
“What?” Logan mumbled, wiping away his tears.
“Two w-”
“Two weeks and six and half days, yes?” the witch rushed, causing the dragon to incline his head, a motion Logan assumed was a nod. “I don’t understand.”
“I… I forgot how old I was…” Patton explained, confusing the witch further.
“Patton-”
“I.. forgot… because it didn’t matter,” the dragon continued, He shifted, his gaze sluggish, palm turning outwards. Logan’s eyes followed the movement before he quickly placed his hand in the smaller man’s.
“I still don’t understand, Patton,” Logan repeated, voice cracking.
“Y-you…” Patton breathed, voice growing weaker. “You matter… T-two w… weeks… six-”
“-days!” Logan laughed wetly, finally realizing the significance behind the words.“Two weeks, six days, fourteen hours, and approximately fifteen minutes, judging from the position of the moon.” The witch’s tears returned as he reduced all their moments, all of their banter, all of their bickering, all of their laughter into the inadequate measurement of time.
Patton’s smile blossomed as he stared vaguely down at their intertwined hands.
Logan could feel him slipping.
The cold had gone, replaced by…
nothing.
Their bond was no longer there to annoy him, to make him feel all those unwanted emotions. The only feeling he had left was the emptiness of his sudden solitude.
It was just him again.
“Tell me…” Patton began in a hoarse whisper. “Tell me about the baby and its brother again… I-I… I can’t see it…. I can’t see the stars…” his voice began to sound panicked. “Logan… I can’t see the sky!”
“S-shh!” Logan urged, breath hitching in a small gasp as he failed to control his tears. “It’s okay… It's okay, P-Pat… I’ll be your eyes,” he reassured, his other hand dropping to sandwich Patton’s between them. He shifted to sit next to him, glancing at his face once more, and trying to imagine it how it usually was…. Always smiling…full of life… not this cold pale blankness now adorning his usually soft features.
He turned his face upwards.
“L-Lo?” Patton asked.
“I’m still here!” Logan reassured with a sniffle. “Can you feel me? Feel our bond?”
“You… You feel…” Patton whispered. “Happy.”
A broken sob escaped the witch.
Patton couldn’t feel his depression…. That was good.
“That’s because I am…” Logan lied. “I’m so happy I get to tell you about all my favorite things,” he reassured.
He waited for a response, but none came.
He could feel the numbness still there, still on the other side of their bond, but it was closing in.
Patton was fading fast.
“T-the sky… The sky is a bit cloudy tonight,” Logan began, gaze turned upwards. “B-but if you… if you look t-toward the constellation of Canis Minor,” he managed, giving a small sniffle before continuing.
The numbness drew closer.
He pressed closer against his dying partner, leaning a cheek against the top of Patton’s soft pink curls. Yet another one of Logan’s mistakes.
Patton smelled of campfire and mulled sweets, just as he had that night so long ago.
“N-nestled next to the constellations of…” another sob escaped Logan.
The darkness was closing in on him.
The bond was snapping.
Patton was already gone.
“Of Cancer a-and Gemini,” Logan went on, his sobs intensifying.
Death closing in on him.
“The brighter star is Procyon A, which is a spectral class.”
He felt dizzy.
“Which means… which means it’s a … it’s a baby star…” he cried, barely managing the words.
“T-though the human eye can not perceive it….”
His tears stopped.
Why had they stopped?
“There is a white dwarf… just beyond Procyon A, known as Procyon B…”
His voice was soft…
Barely a whisper…
“A..” he fought to keep his eyes open. “A tiny b-baby friend for…”
What had he been saying?
He collapsed against Patton’s side…
Huh…
At least it wasn't cold anymore…
Good…
He never really liked the cold…
To be continued....
Taglist:
@nightashes @hiddendreamer67 @aequinoctiale @sumersnowlilly
The First Winter’s Breeze
February Prompts 2/25
Prompt List
First // Previous // Next
The February Collection on AO3
My Dearest Procyon
Other works by me
Prompt: Pack / Pathetic
Ship: Prinxiety and Logicality
Original story based on this wonderful post by @underdog-arts
TW: Blood, violence, PTSD
Roman leaned against the rough bark of the tree, cradling the bundle in his arms as he dozed a bit fitfully.
“Will he be okay?” Patton whispered softly to the witch next to him as they huddled around the fire.
Logan glanced up at the two sleeping men, concern furrowing his brow. “Virgil or Roman?” he asked softly in return, studying the way Roman clung to the red stained cloak that Virgil’s raccoon shaped body was swaddled in. They had cleaned the blood out as best they could, but he was fairly certain it would never be quite the same.
“Roman,” Patton clarified, pleadingly peering up at Logan.
Logan pulled his gaze away from the two with a sigh, poking at the fire absently. “I honestly don’t know, Patton. For now, all we can do is hope that Virgil will awaken. If he doesn’t… I fear Roman won’t recover.”
“Neither will you,” Patton murmured softly, voice cracking as he turned towards the fire as well.
Logan didn’t reply, though he knew the dragon was right. If Virgil perished, then so would he. However, Logan was more worried for Roman’s sake than his own. The prince had lost so much, and he and Virgil had grown so drastically attached to one another in such a short time period. Logan couldn’t shake the image of the man trying to protect his small friend when Logan and Patton first approached them in the village.
………………………………
A roar exploded in the distance, causing Roman to finally pull his tear-swollen face from Virgil’s chest as he glanced up at the source. Fire erupted, sending the village people into a frenzy as they yelled and scrambled to take cover. Roman tensed, fear mixing with his own despair as a giant monster crashed through the street, crashing into the surrounding buildings as it stormed towards the prince still holding his friend.
Its scaly body swished back and forth as it drew closer to Roman. Two massive limbs protruded from its shoulders, helping it pull itself forward a bit more quickly as it rushed at the prince. Its elongated snout billowed black smoke into the air, spreading smoothly against its arching brows before flaring into a spiked cowl.
It only took a moment for Roman to gather himself enough to stand. What was a dragon doing in the middle of the village?! Was it here for Virgil?! He wasn’t going to let that happen! The prince briefly took stock of his surroundings before scooping up a number of stones. There was no way he would be able to slay the beast, but perhaps if he could draw it away-
The ground shook with every stomp the fire breathing lizard took towards him, sending mud flying in all directions. The prince rushed forwards, just shy of the protective pink barrier the jellyfish still provided, placing himself between the monster and Virgil.
The red reptilian creature pulled to a halt just shy of the tendrils still snapping out at anything that drew close. Roman took hold of a stone lifting it high into the air, preparing to make his assault against the angry looking dragon that was snarling at the few villagers who ventured near.
“Get back you foul fiend!” Roman cried, throwing the rock fruitlessly. “You have no place here! I will not allow you to harm him further!” The pebble bounced against the shining scales before falling useless towards the ground. Still, the prince readied another bolt. If this should be the end of him, at least he was finally making himself worth a damn.
“Roman! Wait!” Logan’s voice cried just as the dragon’s sharp blue gaze landed on the prince, its snarl easing.
The witch’s voice didn’t register as Roman threw another stone. His aim was a bit off as the object smacked against the breastplate of the beast. A shiver made its way across the beast's body at the impact, the tinkling sound of scales shifting, filling the air as the deep crimson red of its torso faded into a crystalline blue.
Roman hesitated. Was that an indication of the creature’s wound? Had he actually harmed it?
“Roman, cease this foolishness!” Logan cried once more, sliding down from the dragon’s neck. The witch, dressed only in a pair of trousers, his usual cloak forgotten as he rushed forward, bare feet already filthy with mud.
The jellyfish lashed out at the new threat, causing Logan to stumble backwards out of the whipping tendrils’ way with a small grunt. The witch’s feet slid slightly against the muck of the street. His gaze shifted to the lifeless form behind the prince, taking in the small patches of fur that poked out of the red cloak that now dwarfed the raccoon. No… not lifeless. If Virgil was dead then Logan would be too.
“Roman!” Logan snapped again, pinning the prince with a measured look. “Roman, I need you to listen to me,” he urged, lifting his hands as if trying to calm a spooked animal.
The prince, to his credit, gave a passing glance at the witch before focusing back at the massive threat before him, raising another stone to throw at it. He only had a few left. He would have to make each one count.
“Don’t you dare throw that!” Logan snapped at him, raising his voice for the first time since Roman had known him. It was enough to make the prince hesitate, giving the witch another glance, this time uncertain. “He is a friend, Roman,” Logan reassured motioning for Roman to lower his hands. “He won’t hurt you or Virgil. But I need to get to Virgil,” he spoke in an even calming voice. He tried to move forward, only to jump back in order to avoid another tendril.
“Damn it, Roman! If I don’t get to Virgil soon he will die!” Logan yelled at the prince in a panic.
The words, despite their harshness, or perhaps because of it, finally struck home and Roman lowered his last ‘weapon’, dropping the stone onto the muddy ground.
“Discorporate your nightmare!” Logan demanded.
“What?” the prince’s brows furrowed.
“The Scyphozoa! The Jellyfish!" Logan clarified, "Release it! It is not one of Virgil’s or it would have disappeared by now which means you are the one keeping it here!”
“I… I don’t know how!” Roman cried desperately, eyes darting around the pink glow that engulfed him.
“We don’t have time for this!” Logan growled. Using more of their diminishing magic was not wise if he were to save his partner, but the witch didn’t see another way out. He lifted his hands to his mouth, cupping them to catch the words he whispered into them. He inhaled deeply before blowing them out, sparks flying out the back of his hands and drifting down to settle on the jellyfish’s dome. The creature thrashed against the spell for only a moment before it burst into a shower of sparks identical to the ones Logan had produced.
Logan didn’t waste a moment, rushing forward before the sparks even had time to settle. He took stock of the stream of mana the witches shared. It was barely a trickle now. At this rate, he wouldn’t have enough to heal Virgil, not with his glamour in place.
He dropped to his knees as he drew close enough to the injured raccoon, not even registering the prince as he walked backwards. Roman's eyes remained glued to the dragon, ready to battle at a moment’s notice.
Logan’s gaze shifted desperately around them searching for anything that he could use to destroy the sigil on his arm.
Fingers fumbling, he managed to take hold of the discarded blade that Roman had removed from the witch’s stomach, the weapon caked with blood and muck. It certainly wasn’t the most sanitary option, but it would have to do. He lifted it to his left forearm, slicing into the skin just below the crook of his elbow.
“Logan! What are you-” Roman began to protest.
“Quiet!” Logan snapped, in no mood to bother with explanations at the moment. He dropped the knife and whispered another incantation. The now broken sigil, hidden beneath his skin began to glow softly. It burned his flesh and caused him to shiver at the pain. The witch ignored Roman’s shocked gasp as the emblem cooled and he turned his attention back to the dying creature before him.
Roman covered his mouth, eyes wide with horror as the smooth rolling muscles of Logan’s back began to shift and slide, like snakes coiling around one another, until all that was left was the deformity beneath it.
Roman took in the horrific sight before him, unsure which parts were muscle and which parts were skin. Logan’s back was an amalgamation of burns, gashes, and torn skin that ran from his shoulder blades down to his waist. The wounds looked fresh, the blisters and welts bubbling up against the exposed air. Roman had never seen anything like it. He averted his gaze, nausea threatening to empty his stomach.
Logan paid him no mind as he pulled back the stained cloak. His hands moved to dig into the wound at Virgil’s side, coating his digits in the raccoon’s blood as he began to murmur to himself. The air filled with the same electricity Roman was beginning to associate with magic as he gave one last glance towards the dr-
Patton straightened from where he knelt, occupying a small area of where the dragon had previously been. He dusted off his pants absently, the small outline of scales still fading into his skin from his transformation. The small man didn’t notice the inconsequential detail as he hurried forward to see if he could help.
Realization struck the prince, and he couldn’t help but give a small stumble backwards at the shock of it all. Patton was a dragon?! Little, soft and far too sweet Patton was a fire breathing monster who could kill them all with the bat of an eye… and Roman… Roman attacked him!
Roman had attacked Patton! Another layer of horror washed through the prince as he fell to his knees. He had attacked his friend, gotten Virgil stabbed, and could do nothing about any of it. He really was useless; unable to protect himself or his loved ones..
“Roman, are you okay?” Patton asked softly as he reached out to the prince.
Roman flinched at the offered hand, an action he immediately regretted. Pain briefly crossed the smaller man’s features before he managed to hide his reaction. Shame filled the prince at the sight All he had ever wanted to do was be a hero to someone and he couldn’t even manage that. He was pathetic!
The prince buried his face in his hands, the force of his sobs shaking his entire body. He was as bad as the people he had sworn to protect his citizens against. The only reconciliation was that most of them weren’t alive to see just how horrible he was as a person, as an heir, and as a friend.
It wasn’t clear how much time had passed before Logan spoke, far closer to him than he had expected. “Roman, we need to move. We can’t stay here any longer,” the witch pointed out. He rested a hand on the man’s shoulder causing the prince to jerk slightly.
Roman wasn’t quite sure when it had happened, but eventually everything began to fade. His shock, disgust, fear, hatred, pain, all of it vanished, leaving him uncontrollably numb as he pushed to his feet with a silent nod. He moved to collect the discarded cloak before pausing to offer it out to Patton.
“I… I’m afraid it’s ruined. I’m sorry,” he mumbled as the smaller man gingerly reached out to take the red cloth, making a pointed effort not to allow their hands to brush against one another.
“It’s alright, kiddo,” Patton reassured with a soft smile he hoped was believable enough. “Why don’t we see if we can clean it after we get out of here?” Concern was obvious on his soft features as the dragon watched Roman give a somber nod and turn away, already heading for the edge of town.
Patton had seen many things in his lifetime, some that were strange and beautiful, some curious and bleak. He had seen the weight of society break the weak and the strong alike. It never affected him, he was immune, powerful beyond mortal measure. It was a common occurrence in such a horrible world and yet, seeing it as he did now in Roman’s eyes, his heart quietly shattered.
It was a silent, cold feeling, so different from the continuous flame that burned within him. It spread through his veins like the first winter’s breeze in autumn, signaling an inevitable change that awaited just beyond the horizon.
As their small party moved forward, Patton knew the events of the day were nothing compared to what was to come.
To be continued...
Taglist:
@hiddendreamer67 @nightashes @aequinoctiale @sumersnowlilly