Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The knight blinks disheartenedly at the stone floor. A guard’s pike kept in one hand, hardly used. His chainmail hanging loosely across his chest. Listening to the same discordant rattle of chains and the echo of prisoners footsteps. The daily— nightly— forever repeated song that comes with the honor of his duty.

And the door flies open. Armor jingling and clanging as other knights and guards enter the dungeon prison— dragging some new, poor victim of brutality alongside. Either deemed unfit of the king’s wishes or having broken a law. His fellow soldiers round the corner, and Octavius finds himself standing at attention, recognizing the voice of the man around the corner before he ever sees him. Ivan, head of the guard.

The group clambers around, a bloody trail following them— the newest prisoner. Octavius lifts his chin, grip around the pike tightening at the sight of the violence.

The man held in the grip of the group of knights has been battered. Hard. Nose broken so severely that blood is cascading from the purple and bruised flesh. One eye swollen with blood and visible pain. His body is dragging, unconscious— as they grip him by the horns.

A faun.

As in— a true faun. A man standing on the two, hooven legs of an animal. Horns adorning his head alongside the wide, dropping ears that follow.

Octavius has never seen one so far south— only ever in the scattered lands of the Northwest. Animalistic, simple-folk that spend their days farming and running the hillsides.

He shivers at the sight, taking in the idea of something so foreign. So outlandish looking.

His wings twitch underneath his cloak, and he grits his teeth trying to hold them still. They’ve been bound as always, to hold them in place on duty, but they give him a battle nonetheless.

In a sudden rise of energy, the unconscious faun gains control of his legs once more, hooves clacking on the stone floor, as he orients himself to the way that his captors are gripping him by the horns. Letting out a frustrated groan at the way they’ve beat him.

“Sir Octavius!! Open the hold if you would?!” The head guard spits. “Are those wings of yours all you have for wit? Quickly now!!”

Fumbling, wings trembling in their bindings, Octavius gathers the key to an empty cell in his hands. Trying to unlock the door as swiftly as he may.

“Let… let me go!!!” There’s clicking and the sound of hooves on stone as the faun struggles, thrashing his head about.

The knight opens the cell door, swinging it open so that the others may deposit their prisoner— the faun, with other plans unfortunately.

“NO!!— YOU!!— GET LOST! SAID GET OFF!!”

A single one of the faun’s bull horns is turned and jutted in the direction of the guards, hitting one upside the head so hard he stumbles away clasping a hand over an eye. Restraints tossed and more furious clacking on the stone as the faun wrestles away.

“DAMMIT I SAID LET GO!! I AIN'T DONE NOTHING WRONG!!”

“Sir—! Assist with this!!!?”

Dropping his pike at last— Octavius jumps in to help the fray. With a glare, he brings his hands to wrap about the bull horns and yank, shoving the already bloodied man toward the barred cell. The faun, far more agile than he had considered, kicks in response, a sharp hoof catching Octavius on the leg and surely leaving a cut. He slams the prisoner into the cell bars before grabbing hold of enough of the foreigner’s clothing to throw him inside.

The faun hits the stone with a thud, scrambling away and struggling to sit up properly again, before his horned head clatters to the floor yet again on a limp neck. Blood from his nose pooling there on the cold ground.

Octavius gasps in a breath from the scuffle, heaving as he glances down at his bloodied leg and the bruised cut there, and back toward the prisoner.

“… Who.. where has a faun come from?” He asks.

“This… half-man here came from the hills. A shepherd, they’re saying. His majesty found the creature conspiring against his highness Prince Ahkmenrah!”

Another glance at the blood.

“Clean yourself up, Sir Octavius.” Ivan glares. “I should not see you look so panicked in a fight again, understood?”

“Yes… yes Sir Ivan..”

“Dismissed.”

He turns to leave, not sparing a glance back at the bloodied and treasonous faun left behind in the dungeons. No matter how much he feels he should.

——————

Octavius closes the door to the empty barracks behind him, heaving a sigh of relief.

“Well.. well then.. now..”

Clean up— that was the order given by Sir Ivan. And he intends to do so. Quietly undoing his boots, examining the cut made across his leg by the faun prisoner’s hooves. The skin is bruised— though not nearly so bad as he believed. His armor begins to follow; chainmail hits the floor with a slinky sound, his hair freed from the weight of a helmet and chainmail. Arms unbound by wrist guards.

At last he stands in the mirror, a mere tunic and the cloak he always wears. With awkward and slow hands, he drops the cloak to the floor.

And they’re right there as always— his wings. Fastened tight in their bindings, and tied loosely around his waist, and lower back, to keep them from raising his cloak. Because, a knight does not display his wings. Standing with them hidden against his back like this, he almost looks normal. Regal— even. And dead-on in the mirror. Other than the pointed ears and the visible ropes around his waist.

Near human.

But never quite.

Facing the consequences, he unties his wings.

The sensation is wonderful, as they fly free and spring outward like branches of a tree held down in one direction too long. Octavius sighs and stretches, yawning and drowning in the short feeling of freedom that comes from this.

He jumps— the sound of metal sabatons rebounding off the stone floors. Octavius braces himself as yet again the door to the shared knight’s quarters opens.

Lancelot. It had to be Lancelot.

“Sir Octavius?— Ah! There you are! Oh— OH— my apologies, sir, I did not mean to… intrude upon your…”

“Ah! Sir Lancelot! I!!—“ In a rush, he makes to grab his cloak, and fasten it around his wings, hiding them now only partially. “It— it is I that owes you an apology, I should have used my key to lock the quarters before… allowing myself to.. release my flaws.”

“Ah.. no… no problems…. I simply came to…. Inform you that there is a search happening for Prince Ahkmenrah.”

“A search?!”

“Indeed— he was not in his quarters where the Royal guard last placed him… this is especially chilling due to that… that traitorous shepherd being discovered this morning!— Sir Ivan would like to see you back to your post immediately or to aid the search!”

“Yes— right away.”

“Before that… erm… ensure to.. hide your wings again. Sir Ivan was rather upset, at seeing the silhouette of them under your cloak today. And I wish not to see you lose respect— or instill fear in the guests of the palace.”

“Yes… indeed. Thank you.”

The fellow knight leaves— and in his place Octavius is left with searing heat across his nose and face. Pinpricks along his skin. Octavius always has had feelings for the knight, as seemingly perfect as he is. A walking human fantasy. Hypnotic blue eyes— lovely blonde hair. Fit and loyal.

But—

It would never work.

Not with the mass of foreign limbs branching from Octavius’s back. Not with the fear that comes from fairies.

It had been believed for centuries that the fae could not lie. And that had been held in high regard. Had given humans the idea that they were a race with a specialty— something that gave them an advantage where fairies had been blessed with flight and beauty— and the occasional bout of magic.

But it had not been true. Only— that— the fae of old had held dishonesty in a negative light— and swore it off. Any fairy could lie— if they tried hard enough. Slowly the tradition faded away.

And— of course the magic, too. Names.

Never give the fae your name— lest they take it.

Octavius cannot take a name.

He knows that— one of the misconceptions. Instead— fairies do not use the names they hear for malice— but for good intent.

To find someone who may be lost— a natural beacon that guides a fairy toward their missing companion. A magic used centuries ago in the deep forests, where it may have been difficult to find another. Only functional if the fae in particular knows the full name— the entire extent of a person. Known personally, to avoid a hostile enemy from tracking a person without their consent.

But— in the modern day?

Most see fairies as inhumane.

Dangerous.

Feral.

Unfair.

Most never offered so much as a job. Or a place. Unless conforming to the standards. Wings to never be used— nor seen in public. And any sort of magic left the fae distrusted— and sometimes even punished.

His father had chosen this life for him— before his death; some angered human stabbing him in the dead of night, never caught. They had moved from the deeper forested regions into the human kingdom, seeking a more stable solution— when Octavius was no more than a changeling. And once settled into the city and his boyhood, he had risen the ranks despite his wings. First a passing squire when his father had passed, and then into the rank of knight.

And it still aches. To hide and bind his wings. But it’s natural— he has been doing it since boyhood. Like second nature, no different than a castle woman donning her makeup for the day. Hiding his flaws in plain sight. And listening to the rules the humans have placed upon magic understandably, lest he too be stabbed and left unavenged.

But still.

He can use it— for those that trust him. For those who willingly have given their name.

Prince Ahkmenrah Meren Kahre The Fourth; his highness of the kingdom.

He yet again binds his wings halfway throwing his cloak overtop, and follows where his instincts take him. Off, to find his friend. The prince. The only person in the kingdom whose name he has been entrusted with.

—————

Octavius finds himself wandering— his typical route? Toward the dungeons. Now why on earth would Prince Ahkmenrah be headed toward the dungeons? Surely that’s the most dangerous possible location? But then again, he knows the prince all too well. Either seeking trouble or—

“I shall get you out of here— as soon as I may.”

“That brother o’ yours— packs a damn punch in his guards..”

Octavius stops in his tracks. Because the prince is standing at the cell bars, housing the very faun that tried to kill and conspire against him— supposedly just that morning. And the two are conversing casually. Ahkmenrah turns, directly making eye contact with him, as does the faun, only instead of shock on his face, there lies a furious glare.

“Sir Octavius..”

“Your Highness— you best explain why you have gone missing from your room— and why you are with this shepherd, of all the criminals.”

——————

“I promise— Sir Octavius— before you raise the alarm I have quite pure intentions!”

“This man tried to harm you!! And your brother! A traitor to the kingdom, he had to be restrained and placed into a cell forcefully, and the innocent do not behave as such!!”

“I did NO SUCH DAMN THING! Get in here and fight me again, armor boy!”

“Jedediah please!— Now is not the time!” The Prince shushes. “Octavius, I ask that you only hear me out..“

“What is there to hear out?! You are endangering yourself by spending quality time with a criminal!”

“This faun is no criminal.”

“Then— what is he?” He sighs, glaring.

“He is the man who is trying to help save me!”

“… Save you? That is the job of the guard, your highness. Such as myself. What could you possibly need saving from?”

“From my brother…”

At that— Octavius laughs.

“Your brother? The king! Oh— that sense of humor you own must at last be improving! Come along your highness, let’s get you back to your quarters.”

“No! Sir Octavius— I am here to free him!”

“FREE HIM?! He is a prisoner—!! I should have him eradicated for even being in your presence and—-!!”

A hand reaches through the bars of the cell, grasping ahold of Octavius by the chain mail, and slamming him against the bars. He finds himself face-to-face with the bull-horned faun, close enough to see just how blue his eyes are; how FURIOUS they are. Alongside the unwashed scruff sprawling over his chin and lips.

“HEY—! HEY YOU—!!”

“I’m tryina HELP the Prince you damn prissy armor-wearin ass!”

“Oh— truly? Then who are you— what is your name, faun?!”

“Jedediah St—-!”

He grins before the name can be fully revealed to him.

“My brother has been trying to have me killed!” Ahkmenrah cries.

There’s dead silence, as the confession echoed through the dungeon halls.

“… What?..”

“He sent one of the guards to kill me. Jedediah here— stopped it— and took the blame. Mother and father, I have found… left the kingdom in MY name. Not Kahmunrah’s— and he wants me gone..”

“I’m tryina help him.” Jedediah spits.

Octavius reels in it; the king, trying to kill his own younger brother? It seems insane. Preposterous. Then again— why wouldn’t he? Why would Ahkmenrah lie? He knows the Prince’s full name, what more could he do by lying to Octavius? And how long, exactly, has Octavius been serving a tyrant?

And at last— the half-tied wings on his back break free. His muscles springing into the air, the several spines of wings showing out from underneath the cloak.

Jedediah, the faun in the cell, drops his jaw.

“YOU'RE A FAIRY?! I THOUGHT YOU WERE A KNIGHT?! WHY THE HELL DID YOU ATTACK ME THEN?!”

The faun grabs him by the hair, slamming Oct’s skull to the bars, brushing his hair away to find the pointed years there.

“Dammit… almost gave you my full name— too.. but I don’t understand— why the hell are you servin’ the tyrant that’s killin off your people?!”

“The king is… what?”

Prince Ahkmenrah yet again holds his hands up in defense.

“Sir Octavius— Jedediah— please… stop attacking one another, help me free Jedediah— and I will explain what has been happening…”

He has no other reason, not to trust the Prince. The very prince who trusted him when no one else did. The young man who shared his true name with a fairy, as no more than a sign of friendship. Octavius’s only true confidant in a kingdom of humans.

All he does, is nod.

—————

Who is this fairy?

Jedediah clings to the bars of his dungeon cell as the knight— Sir Octavius, apparently— works to free him by fumbling with his keys. He steps free of the prison the moment that the doors open, throwing his arms around the Prince in a hug.

“I— er— your highness— I need your help binding my wings again, could you possibly hold my cloak back?”

Jedediah cannot believe what he is hearing.

“Binding your wings?! What the hell are you doin’— shiny britches?! Ain’t you know how bad that is for them?!”

“It’s.. a requirement— fairies are not to be seen with wings in public..”

“Yeah but most folks just hide em under their clothes!”

“I wear armor.”

“Yeah but—!”

“Jedediah, if you will, may we instead speak of this when we have reached a safe area to do so?” Ahkmenrah’s voice drops.

Another voice bounces down the hallway.

The prince’s eyes widen.

“Sir Octavius please! Follow us— do not tell my brother— nor the guard— where we travel! Please?”

The fairy spares a glance down the hall— where a light approaches. And another glance instead, at the Prince, standing beside Jedediah. At last, he silently nods.

Ahkmenrah smiles as he heads stealthily in another direction. But Jedediah the faun, his scowl, it only deepens.

Octavius follows the both of them out, and into the night. And Jedediah sighs to himself. Because this fairy is surely against everything he’s ever stood for.

Chapter Text

Octavius, curiosity and anxiety burning, follows the now-hooded Prince through the streets. Jedediah walks ahead of him as well, horns on display. Only now, the pointed ends have been covered with soft padding and bandages that allow the faun to travel legally in public. A headband covering his large cow-like ears to his skull. A poncho pulled over his likely tail, behind his back. The only thing truly showing are the hooves.

As the law dictates— no inhuman being may show their flaws in public. And no magic may be used within the confines of the kingdom. Under penalty of fine or arrest— and if used against the crown...

Under penalty of death.

It’s nerve wracking, to walk in public, through the dark and muddy streets. Surrounded by other citizens of the kingdom, either ignoring them or throwing odd glances. He tries to hide his armor underneath the red cloak.

“Hey— shiny ass— we’re here.” Jedediah grumbles, his lip still cut from the fight that morning.

‘Here’— it seems, is a tavern. Dilapidated and rather old looking. And beyond that, incredibly empty. Like an abandoned cottage in the woods, only instead in the midst of the dangerous kingdom streets and markets.

“This place… has seen better days…”

“The man who owns it is a centaur.” Ahkmenrah pitches. “Of course, with the laws villainizing inhuman peoples— he gets no business. Only good for us, is that no business means a place for us to conduct our meetings.”

“Who is… ‘us’..?” He asks, as they walk through the door. The second they are inside and have walked into another serving room, his wings twitch from the sight of a good number of inhuman beings sitting around, drinking and eating with their flaws on display.

“Us.” Jedediah smirks. “The rebellion.”

“Rebellion?!!?”

At the sight of him— several members jump to their feet, a panic rising across the room. A centaur— the large man behind the serving counter, grabs a weapon from a rack.

Ahkmenrah steps toward hurriedly.

“No! My apologies my friends— this knight here is Sir Octavius— a dear friend of mine within palace walls. And— a fairy.”

Shocked silence.

“We are hopeful he joins and aids our fight… show them— Octavius.”

“… Show them..?”

“Your wings, dumbass— I swear it’s like knights got brains the size o’ cherries— all of them.” Jedediah complains.

“My wings?!”

“Yes— show them that you are one of them! One of us!”

Slowly, he pulls off the cape, turning slowly to reveal his bound wings. Octavius waits in awkward silence.

“…. what?”

“Well let them OUT, genius!” Jedediah sighs yet again as he tugs off the bindings on Octavius’s wings, alongside his own disguises around his horns and ears. His wings spring upwards yet again, free and unrestricted with an embarrassed sigh that he emits.

“I— I don’t—!”

“Stop bein’ dramatic! Everybody else here has their damn bodies showin!”

“But—-!”

“Prince Ahkmenrah!”

A man walks over— accompanied by three others adorned in adventurers clothing.

Ahkmenrah returns his handshake.

“We are so happy to see you lad!”

“And I am pleased to see you all as well Teddy— my brother sent another attempt on my life today…”

The small group gasps.

“But Jedediah here fought off the assassin— and took the blame for it.” The Prince smiles. “I owe him my life.”

“It ain’t nothin.” Jedediah smiles, lopsided from the bruising on his face and the cut lip. Octavius cannot help but admire how strangely appealing the faun looks, even in the low lighting of the tavern and with the several cuts on his face. The clearly uneven nose. The unwashed and uncut scruff.

“Jedediah.. here— allow Atilla to help you.” The man supposedly named Teddy directs the faun toward the centaur, who holds up a washcloth of some sort. Jedediah seems to smile slightly again, walking to join him.

“And— you lad— your name?”

Octavius snaps out of thinking about the faun for a moment to consider the human in front of him.

“I- oh— Octavius. Sir Gaius Octavius— but..”

“Well it is an honor to have a knight in our rankings now!”

“… Yes.. of course..”

“This here— is my wife.” Teddy smiles, holding out his arm as another person joins him. She herself is a fairy, her wings a natural hue of gorgeously fanning aqua and deep green. Octavius cannot peel his eyes away from the sight.

It’s been so long— since he has seen another fairy. Another’s wings. Like his own but still ever so unique in color and shape.

“Hello— I am Sacajawea.” She too shakes his hand.

“And I’m Larry.” The final human in the group grins, and Octavius searches the man as well. He looks tired, so inexplicably tired— to the point where Octavius wonders whether or not he is sickly. “The centaur helping Jed is named Atilla, by the way.”

“It is nice to.. meet you all as well.” Octavius frowns. “I… feel as though I am rather lost by all of this… illegal activity..”

“It’s for a good cause. Welcome to the Revolution man I’m—“

“DAD!”

Octavius glances down as Larry sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. At the humans feet, clutching Larry’s trouser fabric is a young boy—

No—

A changeling, a young fairy… no more than eleven years old.

“Nicholas—“

“Dad we have another fairy! Hi! I’m Nick! Can you teach me how to fly? Sacajawea says she won’t yet until my wings are bigger but—!”

“Nicky— let’s calm down, okay? Sir Octavius is new to the group..”

Larry’s hand ruffles the boy’s hair. Octavius’s new smile falls, though— seeing Nick turn happily up toward his father.

Nick’s wings.

Where there should be two, both with three tiers… Nick only appears to have one side missing his lowest tier, and on the other, his smallest, upmost tier wing. A deformity of some sort— a birth defect? Nonetheless they are still developing, a navy-blue hue appearing where the color is beginning to grow in.

Larry seems to sense his confusion.

“This is Nicky, my son. He’s only half-fairy.”

“But I’m still a fairy!” Nick grins.

“Yep. You sure are buddy.. say— why don’t you go help Atilla clean up Jed’s sore face yeah?”

With a smile, Nick runs off.

“But— relationships— between the inhuman and humans, they are—-!”

“Illegal. This we know.” Teddy frowns. “And so are the children of inter-being relationships.. not truly citizens of anywhere…”

Octavius is appalled, by this all.

“So why are—?”

“Because we want to fight.” Larry adds, to Sacajawea’s nod. “We want a better kingdom. Teddy and Sacajawea want a life together— I want my son to be safe, to have a future..”

“And I wish to see my brother’s tyrannical rule upended. I wish to see my parents laws against the inhuman beings of the kingdom abolished.” Ahkmenrah nods.

Octavius watches, taking in the entire tavern. People wishing for change. A change that cannot come, not with the power of King Kahmunrah on the throne.

“So Octavius, my friend— will you help us?”

Finally, he looks at the blonde faun sitting on a table, as the centaur treats and cleans his bloody nose. For some reason, it interferes with his sense of self, with his morals, that tell him how illegal this all is. Should be.

And it makes him nod.

“Yes your highness… I… will join your revolution..”

—————-

Jedediah sighs, watching the new fairy sit in clear discomfort, even with his wings freed.

“So.” He drawls. “How’d good ol’ Sir Octavius end up as a knight with that sorta look about him, huh?”

“Ah.” The knight seems to clear out of a daydream. “Well… I.. rose the ranks as any other soldier must.”

“Yeah but— them wings— they made it harder aint they?”

“Well… yes— of course. A position as a knight should never be offered to a fairy or any other being until there are no human willing to fill the vacancy!”

He smirks. “And what gives you that idea?”

“… Obviously.. it… is only fair… humans have less advantage than us. And deserve jobs.”

“Really? What advantages ain’t they got?”

“Well.. in comparison to myself they cannot fly or find people with a true name—in comparison to yourself they cannot run as fast, or heal..”

“Think about it now— we ain’t got those advantages either, metal butt. The humans in charge, they took em away. Made them illegal. You and I, we ain’t any different in worth to a human now, are we?”

At that, the knight’s face shifts. Something distant, a first-time realization.

“And humans— they already got an advantage. Every damn person knows that a human’s endurance is uncanny. If we all lived to our true damn potential, we’d all be equals. But no! Them old tyrants, an’ now their oldest son, are tryina break humans and all other beings apart! Ahk here— he’s gonna change it.”

Ahkmenrah grins, deep in conversation with Atilla.

“Then any being is gonna be able to love how they wanna love— move how they wanna move… do whatever magic they want! Ahk’s gonna set us free.”

“… Free… that… wow..”

“But pal— he can only do that if he’s alive. We ain’t able to protect him from here, when he’s living in that castle. That’s where we actually NEED you!”

“Me?” The fairy’s eyes are brown, Jedediah is just noticing, and laced with an almost endearing, but annoyed and confused spaciness.

“Yeah you—! You’re on that damn Royal guard. You gotta let Ahk choose you as his personal knight— and you gotta guard him with all your life. Keep his brother from poisoning, stabbing, anything that’s gonna hurt em..”

Octavius frowns.

“I am… I shall do my best— this is all…”

“You ain’t able to fly, are you?”

“Excuse me?!”

“Look at your damn wings.” He nods toward the fairy, who glances at his side. “Those ain’t healthy, they’re sittin’ all wrong on your back. You must sleep with em’ bound.”

“Yes— that I do—“

“Yeah— Octavius— and that kills em. It makes them useless. You should know that dammit! If you keep tying those up forever, you ain’t ever gonna learn to fly. Hell— they might even die an’ fall off.”

The knight’s face is stricken, and he sits in silence for moments.

“….. I fear that I shall never fly, it has been too many years— and I am far too old..”

“Ain’t nobody too old to fly— look.”

Jedediah throws a nod at Nick, the little changeling with the half-formed wings. The boy bouncing excitedly at his father’s feet.

“See him? Nicky’s born with his wings growin’ like that. Cause he ain’t fully fae like you are. Now Larry feels bad about it but it ain’t stopped little Nicky. That kid— he can already almost hover, even missin’ half his wings.”

“… Truly?”

“Yes. Anybody can learn to fly. It’s in your instincts—You just gotta give it a chance…”

“In truth— no one can fly— due to the law..”

“Oh yeah but— Octopus— that’s what we’re gonna change, ain’t it?”

The knight nods before his face falls, and he pulls the snug armor and trousers at his lower leg off slightly. Revealing the sight of bloody gauze and bandages.

“Woah now— where the hell did you get that?! You pickin’ fights now metal man?”

“Actually— this is from our shared scuffle this morning..”

“Oh.” He stands, stretching. “C’mere.”

“What? Why?”

“I’m gonna heal it.”

“WHAT?!”

“Slow down hoss— magic!”

“Magic is illegal!!!”

“Yeah— but that’s why we’re having a damn revolution! Gimme that leg, wonder-wings!”

“But—-!”

“Just show me the leg.”

Face scrunched innocently, but an annoyance to Jed nonetheless, Octavius flashes those stupid big eyes full of anxiety.

“… Shall it hurt?”

“No— well— sorta? I hear it stings a bit.”

“If you are such a talented healer why did you not heal your own face?!”

“Pal— fauns can’t heal themselves. You should know that but—- dammit. Nevermind. Just share the leg.”

Half-heartedly, the fairy lifts his leg, offering it to Jedediah who undoes the terrible bandages around the cut. Purple bruising and blood fresh to the gouge in the leg.

“When did I hurt you?” He sighs.

“It was your hoof— er— you kicked me.”

“Yeah? No shit— for a knight you sure ain’t any good in a fight.”

“I am plenty fine and— ow!”

“Oh that didn’t hurt! Don’t be a baby!”

“Yes it did!!!”

Suddenly, the fairy’s hand flies out, grabbing ahold of Jedediah’s long ear and yanking.

“OW— THAT WAS MUCH HARDER!”

Octavius laughs. It’s annoying. And Jedediah hates him. He hates his stupidity, and those dumb, weak wings that he never uses. He hates that he wears armor and looks all shiny, he hates that stupid but scarlet cape. The curled brunette hair and the pointed ears at the side of his head. Most of all those big, spacey brown eyes.

Everything about the fairy is frustrating.

So why is he glad, now, that Sir Octavius has joined the revolution?

He focuses on the cut, running his thumb along it. Octavius frowns, as he does— but it quickly changes to fascination as the bruises undo themselves. And then as Jedediah brushes his thumb another two times, the cut knits itself back together. Only a small scar left in return.

“…. How did you do that?..”

He grins. Yawning. Suddenly exhausted, from the use of the magic.

“Faun’s magic, pal.”

“You look further tired.”

“Yeah— magic takes energy genius. Dunno what makes you think it doesn’t— surely you get worn out tryina’ track someone with a true name yeah? Same for me, healing somebody makes me tired—- sorta salty. I just oughta get some food..”

“Everyone.” Ahkmenrah frowns. “I must go home— before the guard raises alarm..”

Octavius nods, getting up and fixing his wings back again. Jedediah cannot help but cringe at the sight. The way they tie back so easily— Octavius’s wings are sure to die completely if he continues to restrain them more than he already has. They have probably been bound back for years.

It’s no different from the other fairies he knows. The way that Larry helps little Nick restrain his own partially-formed wings safely under his tunic. The way that Sac hides hers in ropes in order to go out and buy from the market.

But those fairies— they undo their bindings to sleep. They leave the city to work on flying in secret. And they do not bind them at home.

Octavius is different, surely living in the castle— hiding them always. Rarely a moment to allow the limbs to breathe.

And as annoying as he is— for some reason— Jedediah wants to see Octavius learn to fly.

The prince gives his farewell.

“Jedediah— be safe. Return to the hillsides and hide— do not let the guard find you.”

“I will.” He promises. “But you have that knight of ours keep you safe now.”

“I shall.”

———————

Chapter Text

Octavius frowns as he follows the prince home, standing nearby but not touching. He had found another pike to hold, stealing it to look as if he were escorting the prince home.

“That faun.” He starts. “Is he.. always like that?”

“Like what?”

“Annoyed— a stick up his ass.” Octavius scowls.

“No. Actually— Jedediah is the wildest, most free of us all. And perhaps the most loving, though he adores his personal space…”

“Then why—“

“I suspect that you annoy him. YOU are truly the one with a stick up your arse. Perhaps that clash will dissipate eventually. Oh— and you DID knock him out cold earlier this morning, did you not? I'm sure that has caused a rift.”

“… Fair..”

“That, and Jedediah tends to shy away from anyone in the guard. Understandably, he does not trust you. And fair as it is, seeing what the guard did to his flock..”

“His flock? His… family?”

“No— no. Jedediah has always been alone. I speak of his flock. He is a shepherd remember?”

“Oh.”

“Sir Capone— he is the one responsible for attempting to kill me, the one who captured Jedediah this morning as well. Though he is not the first of the guard who has done so. He is ALSO the man responsible for unleashing his hounds upon Jedediah’s grazing fields. Killing every last one of Jedediah’s sheep. That wool— it was his livelihood. And those sheep, his pride and joy.”

“…. oh..”

“Indeed. And Sir Capone— nor the king— is willing to pay back the loss. They blamed Jedediah instead, saying he should have used his horns to defend his flock— only— of course him doing so would have been illegal.”

“… That is so unfair!!!”

“It’s precisely what we are fighting for. I will take the throne— and I shall stop this… madness. The hypocrisy in our kingdom! My brothers tyrannical head shall rest on a pike!”

There’s silence, as Oct blinks at the prince.

“… Too dark?”

“Yes— I’d avoid such a comment within the palace walls..”

“Noted.”

They approach the gate, and there is of course, no other man there beside Sir Capone.

“… Sir Octavius? Really? Is that the Prince?! We’ve been searching!!”

“Yes! Indeed— I found his highness wandering after following his shoe tracks. I do believe it was sleepwalking. The guard and his majesty may rest easily now..” The lie comes out surprisingly easy.

“Oh— well— get in here! His Majesty is lookin’ for his highness!”

—————-

They wander inside, a gathering of guards following them both. The hairs on the back of Octavius’s neck rise, knowing now that some of these very men— the knights he lives amongst— have attempted to take the prince’s life.

Down the corridors he marches at alert, until the throne room sits before them. Guards open the door and Ahkmenrah walks confidently inside with Octavius still at his side.

There— on the cushioned throne— the very man that Octavius is growing to resent. King Kahmunrah, his majesty of the kingdom and all upon these lands. Sipping messily at an overfilled wine glass.

“Ah.. baby brother!!! Oh how I was so worried!— We would not want you to… wander into danger now.. would we? Where had you gone?! I have strict DIRECT ORDERS that you were to stay in your chambers!”

“Sleepwalking, brother.” Ahkmenrah nods gracefully. “Thankfully, Sir Octavius here noticed my shoe prints left dirtied on the floors, and followed me. It is him I owe my safety too.”

“… Ah— then… truly? Sir Octavius?”

He nods, keeping his eyes respectfully downcast.

“Who would’ve thought.. a fairy in my ranks,.. being the truly useful one… sees at least SOME good has come from today. That… filthy faun that attacked you and Sir Capone earlier this very morning has escaped! Clearly whoever was on guarding duty was off doing other efforts..!”

“..Brother.” Ahk frowns. “I… I am concerned— tightened for my own safety— since that instance. I request that I be given a personal guard..”

“Oh? Truly— well in that case I am sure Sir Ivan or even Sir Napoleon are willing to take the mantle up of—“

“Actually brother— I… request Sir Octavius.”

There’s silence.

“Baby brother— you are aware… that Sir Octavius may be a knight but he is.. flawed? You truly wish to have someone with… ugh… WINGS around your company?..”

“I am unworried. Sir Octavius is a noble man, who willingly binds his wings. He has so forth proved loyal, and I owe him for helping save me as of tonight— who knows where I may have wandered if he had not noticed my leave…”

More silence. Octavius does not glance up, but knows the king is likely thinking long and hard over the idea.

“…. Yes… I suppose… Sir Octavius— you are now honored with the promotion to a personal guard to your Prince! Do not disappoint me, now.”

He nods. “Yes, your majesty— I am honored endlessly..”

“Good. Now— leave me be, I have many important matters to attend to.. where is my fool?! Dexter!”

As they leave the hall, he sees Ahkmenrah smile. A distant relief.

“Thank you, Octavius.”

“Of course your highness— it is my duty to follow the king’s orders.”

“No. You follow mine, now— and your own. Soon, the kingdom will be free.”

He follows the Prince to his place and quarters within the halls, coming to stand just outside, at guard.

His mind wanders as he stands at alert, to the faun. Jedediah.

Something about him IS free. Almost beautiful.

Octavius does not know why.

————————

Dawn tracks over the kingdom. Octavius only took one break the night before, and has stood here now, for hours. Even without a human’s endurance.

The door opens.

“Your highness?”

“Ah— Sir Octavius— I am glad you are here. I am… to visit the kingdom today. Shall you follow me?”

“Of course.”

The prince leaves his quarters dressed in basic finery, and Octavius follows along after him.

“You must know— with you now as my guard— my brother shall watch you closer. And he will try and separate us. Listen to his order but do not ever drop your alert.”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

“Your highness— what duty do you even have in the kingdom today?”

“The.. revolution is… in a way— going in search of supplies.”

“Supplies?”

“You shall see.”

Cloak up— they walk. Octavius lifts his own over his skull as well, overtop his helmet which he chose to wear out for the day unlike last night. Ahk appears no more than a commoner in his clothing, and Octavius is glad for the stealth. Gradually the prince brings him back to their previous place; the tavern. Only now, he notices the name of the establishment.

Tavern of Natural Historical Ales

It isn’t overly creative, rather weird in his eyes. Perhaps being a centaur isn’t the only reason Atilla is losing business?

The tavern is completely empty when they enter it. Aside from Atilla at the front, washing an old mug while pacing on his four legs.

“Uhhh..”

“Here.” Ahkmenrah throws the centaur a wink. “Atilla— my friend— we should like your finest flowers.”

Oct raises an eyebrow. “Flowers?”

Walking to a rack, Atilla pulls an old looking ale. But instead, a click resounds in the empty room, as a bookshelf gives way nearby to a secret room.

“… Well then.”

Ahkmenrah walks within, giving the knight no choice but to follow suit. It’s dark inside the secret hall, a table with candles set up. And not a window in sight.

Larry, Teddy, and Sacajawea appear to be inside. Nick as well, sitting beside his father, and holding onto his sleeve.

And of course—

None other, than Jedediah.

“Well! I see Sir Shiny-shit came back to the revolution afterall!”

“Octavius is my personal guard now.” Ahkmenrah nods, as Oct hurries to sit beside him. In a seat, unfortunately, next to Jedediah. Atilla joins as well, closing the entrance to the room in darkness, and standing beside their table.

Dramatically, Larry rolls out a map, spinning a dagger and sticking it into the wooden table. A hole left in the map’s surface. This, it seems, sparks Jedediah’s rage.

“DAMMIT— GIGANTOR!!! I spent HOURS ON THAT SHIT! You ain’t got NO idea how hard mapmaking is!”

“Oh— oops sorry Jed—“

“I agree.” Sacajawea frowns. “Our new nicest map.. damaged.. we still must use it soon enough today… why would you do that?”

“Did you just call him ‘gigantor’?” Octavius adds.

“He thinks he’s big in the britches— clearly— seein’ he just RUINED my map to look cool! That’s my nicest ink! Stabbed! Like a damn common criminal! What did my map ever do to you?!”

“Just calm down Jed.”

“I’ll use my horn to poke out your dad-gum eye!!”

“Yeah— dad— that was stupid.” Nick pitches.

“OKAY— I’m sorry— let’s just get on with it..”

Octavius leans in, watching as the adventurer points to a location on the map.

“We have ONLY today to get there and back— with Ahk needing to return to the castle and all…”

“Did you just call his highness AHK?” Octavius rises to stand, but the pharaoh’s arm stops him.

“Sir Octavius— it is quite alright.. I am fine with it.”

“… Alight..”

Larry continues.

“Right here— is where the sword is supposed to be.”

“What sword?”

“My sword.” Larry grumbles. “I lost it to a Griffin that called himself McPhee awhile back..”

“It glows in the dark.” Nick pitches. “It’s awesome— isn’t it dad?”

“Absolutely it’s awesome.”

“We get my sword back— and I’m hoping it gives us an advantage for when we sneak into the castle to steal the crown.”

He doesn’t even respond to that.

Octavius instead, plans to cross that bridge when he reaches it. Because that plan is a definite death wish.

“We travel in pairs of two, watching eachother’s backs through this part of the woods alright? Nicky goes with me— Teddy and Sacajawea stay together— We need someone strong watching Prince Ahkmenrah..”

He puffs up his chest for a moment in pride.

“.. So Atilla.”

“What?!??”

“He’s a centaur! That’s about as strong as you can get! And he can carry Ahk if he gets worn out! I don’t care if you’re his personal guard— so that leaves… Jedediah and Octavius as a pair.”

“Woah woah— I’m not workin’ with shiny boy!”

“Knights work alone!”

“I don’t care!!! Deal with it— you two might have more in common than you realize. I need team unity here! Now let’s go!”

As they all get up, dressing in adventurous clothes, Octavius receives a jab to the side by the faun.

“Watch your damn backside pal— faun horns hurt.”

He sighs under his breath, halfheartedly following.

————

There’s a howl in the distance.

“You know— I rather do not like the forest.”

“You’re a FAIRY— get used to it dammit! It’s where you’re supposed to be from!”

“That does not mean I must like it!”

The dull side of a bull horn thwacks Octavius upside the head.

“OW!”

“That didn’t hurt!”

“Yes it did!”

“Don’t be such a changeling!”

He reaches for one of the faun’s long, drooping ears, yanking it down.

“thAT WAS MUCH HARDER—!!!”

They nearly tackle eachother in their fighting.

“GUYS! Would a certain faun and a certain fairy at the rear of the group knock it off?! Come on!!”

Grumbling, Octavius listens. Just because he’s with a faun in the forest does not mean he must enjoy the time. Just because that faun is handsome, and carefree, and—

He drowns the thought.

“Okay! Here we are everybody.” Larry declares.

“This is a clearing..”

“Exactly.. this is where it’s supposed to have last been see—!”

The adventurer is hit from the side, as a rock comes tumbling down out of nowhere. Nick making to dodge as it does.

Out from the trees, three spirits seem to appear. Giants.

—————

“Why are you here— pipsqueaks?! Eh?!” The most stout of the three giants growls.

“This is our part of the forest.” Another adds. “Scram..”

Larry puffs out his chest, almost seeming proud. “Nick, stay behind me—- you guys! Yeah—! You!! I want my sword back!!!!”

“Hmm..” The third one ponders, tugging at the glowing sword tied on a rope around his neck. “Sword, you say?..”

“Yeah you idiots— it shines— it’s awesome— it’s MINE!!!”

“Dad.” Nick frowns. “Maybe this isn’t worth it?..”

“Stay back— I’ve got this buddy— just—!”

“ATTACK!!”

The shortest of the giants surges forward— and Octavius sees his chance. He dives forward, rushing to tackle and sweep the young fairy out of the fray. Knight training kicking in as he does so. Once back to his feet, he leaves Nick at the edge of the fighting grounds.

“Are you okay— young one?”

“Yeah— thanks!” Nick smiles.

Sacajawea shouts from behind them some distance. “Sir Octavius!!! LOOK OUT—!”

He has only moments— that are too slow— to turn around as the leader giant’s arm sweeps down, reaching toward him for an open attack. But not before Jedediah charges forward, skidding on his hooves to stand in the way.

The giant pricks his hand upon the faun’s horns.

“OW!”

“HA! Serves you right!!”

As the giant backs away, the knight turns in confusion to the faun. “.. You saved me?”

“I uh… don’t mention it. To anybody— come on let’s go FIGHT!!”

“Well! Try this then!” The lead giant bellows, inhaling dramatically—and there are only seconds to change stance before a wind rushes in.

The giant’s breath like a hurricane blowing in from over and through the trees. Octavius scrambles to grab a tree branch, as the wind threatens to topple him over, but finds instead, only finds a faun at his back instead, hoofs planted in the dirt with strain. The two of them so suddenly fighting the same battle as behind, Prince Ahkmenrah goes flying from the wind, alongside young Nick Daley. Atilla rushing to catch the two.

“SAVE YOURSELF!!!”

“I AIN'T QUITTIN’ YOU!”

The giant's breath is over before it had started. Leaving the two nearly toppled over and rushing to fight back once more, when the first giant collapses.

Teddy standing boldly atop the fallen giant’s hairline, Sacajawea beside him; having taken down the foe together. Octavius watches in shock as the second also falls, Atilla rushing forward to kick in his kneecaps with all the strength a centaur may muster. Ahkmenrah cheering from nearby, holding Nick at a safe distance and seeming to shield him.

The leader of the giants swivels his head dramatically, looking upon his fallen friends, before pulling a face of shocked horror. The glowing sword drops upon the floor as Larry reaches to grab it and the giant runs— deeper off into the woods.

“HA! Serves you RIGHT!” The adventurer cheers, sheathing the sword. “Is everyone alright?! Nicky— Prince Ahkmenrah? Sacajawea?”

“We are fine.” Sacajawea smiles. “A small cut on Teddy’s waist is all— nothing Jedediah and I cannot mend.”

“I’m okay dad.” Nick butts in. “Ahk is too, he helped me dodge!”

“Good— good. Jed? Sir Octavius?”

The two only turn in unison to one another, wind shaken and still holding one another up to keep from blowing away. In only milliseconds they break apart, turning away each with a sneer.

“Very well.” Octavius huffs. “I was fine without assistance.”

“Damn hell you were—- but— yeah I’m fine too I guess.” Jedediah rebuttals. “Let’s just… go back to the damn camp… you got your sword now Gigantor..”

Clambering back overtop a giant’s arm for their path back to the kingdom in the forest, Octavius cannot help but glower at the faun. The carefree way he holds himself. The flowers in his straw-blonde hair. The sneer he himself even wears. And even so the knight still hates him.

So why did Jedediah save him? And why had Octavius been glad he did?

Chapter Text

Larry sheathes the sword, holding his arms out as Nick runs back to his father’s side. The group trekking now back through the forest and on their way back to camp.

Jedediah huffs— watching Octavius fuss over Ahkmenrah. Asking if he has been harmed— checking the Prince over with clear anxiety and spacey eyes.

“So.” Sacajawea begins. “You truly seem to enjoy the company of our new traveling companion.”

“What?! No!” He hisses.

“You protected him several times within battle— even when you have scarcely gotten to know him.”

“I just… it’d be a damn shame to lose our newest member— especially when we need ‘em to keep Ahk safe..!”

“That is true..”

“But I ain’t trust him.. he could be waitin’ for a promotion from the king by unraveling all the damn work we’ve done.. could be a set up!”

“Jedediah please.” Teddy sighs. “He is a fairy— just as Sacajawea and Nicholas— and furthermore an inhuman being such as yourself.. surely he would not betray us now!”

“You say that— but dammit— prissy britches like him that live in the castle… they’re all the damn same… I get the feelin’ it ain’t too long until and we’ll have a traitor on our hands..”

“I believe you simply lack faith in people— just as the King claims all inhuman beings are immoral and dangerous— YOU categorize all knights as prissy and blindly loyal!”

“I just..”

“I say we give Sir Octavius a chance— truly. He protected Nicholas— and fought loyally! And not to mention— any person Prince Ahkmenrah believes in, I shall support wholeheartedly.”

“I… yeah I s’pose you’re right— Teddy…”

Larry hurriedly wanders to the chatting group of three, Nick on his shoulders. “Jed— actually since Octavius is new to the rebellion— we could really use your help getting him informed and all. I don’t think he’s really left the castle like this in ages. He needs somebody to teach him how the rebellion works..”

“Me?!”

“Yeah— you! Take away the fact that you’re a shepherd and he’s a knight, and you actually might have a lot in common! You’re both stubborn.. you both seem to want what’s best for people.. try and be his friend!”

Halfheartedly, Jedediah only shakes his head. “I… I reckon I’ll think on that one, pal..”

“Perhaps you can even assist him with flying— and the health of his wings.” Sacajawea frowns. “He appears unhealthy— it is second nature for him at this point, and he must learn to fly soon. We need another fairy with that skill set— and if he does not, you and I both know his wings shall die.”

The faun frowns. “Yeah I.. and when a fairy’s wings decay— they usually follow soon after..”

The idea of the knight dying, for reasons he cannot understand, upsets him inside. Jedediah brushes off the feeling instead, hoping it is only something that will pass.

“But… dammit I guess— I’ll try..”

————-

“You are sure the giants failed to harm you?”

“Yes— yes I assure you.” Prince Ahkmenrah pitches. “Please, Octavius— I am entirely fine.. how about you use this walk as an opportunity to introduce yourself more?”

“I…”

At the front of the group, Larry Daley skids to stop. “Wait! Before we go back into the kingdom…”

Without another word, Octavius watches as Larry lifts his son from the path.

“Oof— you’re getting too big man… alright— Sacajawea? Atilla?”

“Yes— of course!” She smiles, walking to the adventurer’s side alongside the centaur.

Octavius leans toward Teddy and Jedediah, Ahkmenrah joining.

“What are they doing?” He asks.

“We are outside kingdom walls.” Teddy explains. “We use these opportunities to teach the boy to use his wings.”

“In this part of the forest?”

“Well— yeah. It definitely ain’t as safe, somethin’ could attack at any time— but flyin in the kingdom is illegal and all so… gotta make the best of it..”

Octavius watches intently, as after Sacajawea seems to share some advice from the distance, Atilla and Larry each take one of Nick’s arms, before gently tossing the boy into the air. Nick’s wings flutter uselessly for only seconds before Atilla catches him again, sharing some level of congratulations for a good effort.

And under his own cloak, Octavius feels his own wings twitch.

He watches as Larry ruffles his son’s hair.

“What is their story?” Octavius almost whispers the question. “I hadn’t realized they even allowed half-fairies to live past birth.. where is the boy’s mother?”

“Normally— they would not— Nicholas’s mother was executed after being found guilty of seducing a human and having his child. The boy was meant to be killed alongside her— only Lawrence begged them not to.” Teddy’s voice is solem.

“Oh.. but— fairies have no power in seduction.”

“Indeed— but she was considered the one at fault for their relationship nonetheless.. and I believe Lawrence has carried that guilt alongside him.”

“And young Nicholas is considered nonexistent within the kingdom— he shall never be a citizen unless we win this revolution.” Ahkmenrah adds. “Larry had considered leaving with the boy at some point— but the wilds are far too dangerous for any inexperienced human— and a young half-fairy that cannot yet fly.”

Across the forest trail, Octavius watches the scene. Smiling as the young boy yet again whoops to be tossed higher, his wings rapidly fluttering. His falls seem to be slower now— slowly learning to hover himself to the ground.

Seemingly with the boy already tired from trying to fly, the group continues on walking down the path.

“Nicky is all he’s got.” Jed smiles softly. “Aside from us— of course.”

“Actually I was going to ask how you all met.” Octavius begins. “JedediAH—“

“Huh—?”

Something thwacks the knight upside the skull, darkness taking over in a quick wave.

————-

“—avius…”

“— Sir Octavius!..”

The knight gasps, sitting up hurriedly only to regret it immediately, being lowered back gently to the forest floor.

“What…. Happ..en… we’re attacked..?” He asks.

“No— you merely walked too close to Jedediah, my friend.” Ahkmenrah’s voice is cheery.

“Huh..?”

“He swiveled his head— and you received a horn to the skull.”

He squints, bringing a hand to his skull as bull legs bend down toward him. Jedediah.

“Hey— sorry about that one, kemosabe. I s’pose ain’t none of us warned you about walkin’ too close to a faun.”

“It was you that— that hit me over the head?!”

“Ain’t mean to do it, shimmer-butt, but that’s the curse of havin’ horns… here— let’s get you up.”

He winces as he shifts, helped to his feet but stumbling nonetheless.

“Steady hoss—“

“My..balance feels off..”

“Damn— how hard did I thwack you?” Jedediah jokes.

“I believe.. I fell upon my wings— I—“

“Wait— really now?!”

Hands assist him, guiding him to sit on a dilapidated old log.

“Sir Octavius?” Ahkmenrah starts. “Are you alright?”

“Yes.. just.. disoriented— that is all..”

“I just can’t seem to stop hurtin’ you, huh?” Jedediah butts in, tugging on the cloak. “Let’s check your wings— make sure you ain’t hurt yourself fallin’ over?”

“Do not touch me— you knocked me out!”

“Not on purpose!”

Sacajawea joins the crowd, actually putting in the work to brush aside Octavius’s cape much to his disapproval. Untying his wings swiftly.

“They look unharmed from your tumble there.” Her voice is kind, but concerned. “But… they do look.. off.. your wings are not meant to sit like this.”

“Whatever do you mean?”

The other fairy lifts one of the wings. “Naturally— wings in a resting position are supposed to be lifted ever so slightly, and in opposite directions. But yours are nearly flush with your back, and curve inwards…”

“I…”

Sacajawea turns to face him. “Octavius, if you should continue this— your wings may die. And there is high chance you will fall ill as a result. You understand? You must at the least begin untying them to sleep— or when you are outside the kingdom.”

Ahkmenrah nods. “I shall do my best to protect you, should anyone in the barracks speak up about seeing them.”

“May I ask— how many years have you been binding them back?”

“Since I was eight.” Octavius only shrugs. “Ever since my father was killed.”

There’s silence, but no one continues on the matter, as Sacajawea only helps him tie the wings again, and Larry helps him to his feet.

“We’ve got to get Ahk and yourself back to the castle. Everyone be safe alright? Get your coverings back on.”

————-

Hoods up, the group wanders back toward the castle, through the kingdom gates alongside several other travelers.

Octavius keeps his cloak around his armor. Ahkmenrah shielded as well.

A knight greets them in the town square, standing upon a podium in the beginning of a drizzling rain. Sir Bonaparte, his chin held aloft with unbridled confidence. A long scroll unfolding before him.

“Attention all! Attention— a new declaration from his majesty the king!!”

The group pauses, blending in with a wandering crowd of citizens in silence.

“As I’m sure rumor has spread, our dearest Prince Ahkmenrah was as of yesterday placed in danger from a faun. Yes! An inhuman yet again threatening the disadvantaged human people..”

He cannot help but turn to Jedediah, the man’s hood up but his horns wrapped and padded. Head down.

“His Majesty has seen the threat and is due to handle it… to lead us into a new age of equality! All inhuman beings within the kingdom, are to be given a new opportunity at life!”

A murmur spreading.

“Any faun shall have their horns removed with the help of the guard, beginning within the span of two months of planning for this grand event! It is for the safety of ALL our peoples that this is put in place.. just as we de-horn our cattle we shall eliminate this threat…”

Jedediah’s blue eyes— shockingly blue in fear, are wide as he stares at the cobbled streets in horrified silence.

“Work is in place to ensure all unfair advantages are removed!.. A safe removal of fae wings— and several safety improvements for all inhumans… long live his majesty King Kahmunrah!”

The crowd erupts with approval, or unsure mixed fear. But the revolution only quietly slides away. Larry lowering Nick from his shoulders to hold him in his arms instead. Sacajawea and Teddy both pulling their hoods further. Atilla with his skull down.

Octavius frowns, grabbing Jedediah by the poncho cloak and guiding him quietly back to the tavern.

The silence only follows.

Chapter Text

The tavern, the room with just the eight of them yet again, is silent.

It’s Atilla that is the first to speak up.

“What about me? Centaurs?..”

“We.. don’t know.” Larry mutters. “We don’t know..”

“Dad— are they going to take my wings? I don’t even have enough of them already.. I’ll never learn to fly if they aren’t all there…!”

“No, Nicky. Don’t panic, we won't let that happen.”

“Shall they allow our marriage once these changes are made?..” Sacajawea voices. “At.. such a cost?”

Teddy mutters his own grief. “That cost is far too high, my dear— I’d never ask it of you..”

“Back to bein’ compared to cows..” Jedediah whispers, both hands on his horns.

Octavius watches on in a shell shocked state. No matter how much he should dislike the wings on his back— is it worth it to lose them? To have them taken against his will? To have the entire kingdom lose their own features? Should each fairy die, then, without their wings?

It’s Prince Ahkmenrah that stands on the table.

“My friends— we have two months, until this plan is in place— and I shall NOT allow my brother to get away with his plans. He may be jealous of the traits of inhuman beings. But this.. this is genocide, surely.”

Solemn looks are passed between everyone, and Larry continues the information.

“Ahk is right. Whatever Kahmunrah is planning, it isn’t good. We all know fairies need their wings to control their balance— not even to mention to control their magic and their body heat.. anyone that loses their wings to the Royal guard will probably die.”

Jedediah hugs himself, and the sight makes Octavius frown.

“I reckon they’ll take fauns’ tails too, we need em to walk… hell— what about our legs?!… I..”

Atilla motions at his own legs. “How could I hide my legs more than they are?… Already I wear cloaks… cannot live without my legs..”

“Whatever he is planning is twisted. But I vow to take down my brother.” Ahkmenrah pitches. “For now.. we must protect those we can— and continue our quiet message.. if I should kill my brother in time…. I may just be capable of winning the crown and reversing this horrid plan..”

“We’re gonna need to steal that golden crown, too.” Larry leans on the table. “People need to see who it fits best.. and see that you’re the true king we need for now..”

In a sudden rush of confidence, Octavius leans forward. Watching Jedediah in his side-vision, still a headache from the horn to the skull persisting.

“I shall do whatever it takes to protect the Prince— and remove the tyrant from his throne.. and…. And I can assure we shall find a way to steal that crown.”

Silence reigns once yet again, until the only sound is Ahkmenrah and Octavius leaving once more in their cloaks. Dread heavy in the air.

————-

The barracks are quiet.

Octavius yawns, shifting as he prepares to sleep following the end of his watch of Ahkmenrah’s quarters. Worry strums on his mind at the idea of the prince in the hands of any guard beside himself. But rest is needed— too. Lest he place the Prince in more danger with his own exhaustion.

The knight pauses in the mirror, armor strung up properly in its places, leaving only a tunic.

That— and the ropes tying his wings together.

Quietly, he drops the ropes within his few belongings under the bunk, gathering the blanket sheet in his hands, he allows the limbs to breathe for moments before crawling into the bunk.

Octavius curls the blanket around himself, trying to keep the wings still against his back but unable to help himself as they stretch out, lightly hitting the wall behind him. Already he knows, he’ll have to sleep on his side and stomach again tonight.

The barracks are cold as he lies still, eyes heavily lidded, watching other knights quietly filtering into the room.

…

Gaius Octavius awakens with a yawn, carefully crawling from his small bed in the wall of his current home. Onto bare feet upon the cold wooden floors.

It’s still so different in the kingdom. Different from the forests. The memory of them already blurring with time. Not that he minds, though, his father pushing the importance of leaving the forests for new opportunities.

“Father!” He calls down the stairs. Octavius swiftly places a cloak about his shoulders. A necessity now, his father claims. One cannot show off their wings in public, now. Not in the kingdom.

Here, order is needed. Cleanliness. Oneness. Just as the King and Queen order it.

Octavius admires the rulers. The way they are set to make all citizens feel connected. The same. Bringing fairness to the land.

He gets no response from the bottom of the stairs, though.

“Father?”

Still when nothing happens, the boy makes his way down to the small first floor room. This is where they have been living since moving to the towns. Surely, his father hasn’t slept in. He does not do so, often, usually the one to wake Octavius and send him off to gather food from the market to share for the day. Perhaps— he went out to collect instead? As some sort of surprise? Though the boy cannot recall any special occasion.

“…Father?”

The room is too quiet, as he brushes aside the curtain that leads to the next room.

Something cold— wet— hits his foot. Red and viscous, poured across the wooden floors. He only stares at the pool around his feet for moments, unsure what to make of it all.

“…. Father, where are—? FATHER!!!”

…

The knight jolts awake, skin chilled from the room. Hands tucked to his chest, where he has curled into a ball on his side.

It’s still dark. And the dream was only a mere memory. The past— before he desperately joined servitude to the Royal guard as a young squire, anything to keep a roof over his head.

He knows that his father is gone.

The murderer, though— haunts him. No one willing to search, no nearby person saying anything. Back then, he had merely accepted it as the harshness of life. A reason to join the guard, all the better to keep people such as himself, and his father, safe.

But he sees now— why it happened. Surely his father had insulted someone. Done one simple thing wrong. And it cost his life. Alongside the life of himself, as a boy. His childhood.

Was that truly the last time he slept with his wings free?

Perhaps it is time, for the kingdom to stop, and the Revolution truly does have the right idea.

“Sir Octavius.” The room echoes, Sir Lancelot’s voice followed by nearby footsteps approaching his bunk. Octavius rushes to tug the blanket over his wings, keeping himself wrapped in them as he sits up slightly.

“Ah!” The blonde man grins. “There you are— you have next watch over Prince Ahkmenrah’s quarters, Sir Ivan has sent for you.”

Octavius feels his face flush. Like a lady caught concealing herself from an unexpected guest upon her bath. “Yes.. yes I was just getting up— thank you, Sir Lancelot, I shall be on my watch in moments, simply let me don my armor if you would?”

“Very well.”

—————-

The door to the prince’s chambers opens, his curly-haired skull appearing alongside. Regal as ever even at this time of morning.

“Ah! Sir Octavius, may I ask you enter my chambers? I should… feel much safer. Besides, I should only need one guard, truly.”

The knight nods to signal he has control of the area. In turn, the other guard in the hall alongside him leaves, off to any other duty at the Prince’s command. Octavius enters the room shortly after.

“Your highness?”

“Ah— yes.” Ahkmenrah smiles, looking all too much like sunshine personified, before concern hits him. “Octavius, did you follow Sacajawea’s advice, on sleeping?”

“I… yes. I did indeed.”

“… And?”

“And…”

He does not say that it now aches to wear the binds on his wings again. But Ahkmenrah seems to sense his pain anyway.

“You should see to it that you free them again, today. In any form you can. Be that only the next time you sleep… but I would ask you try and conceal them without tying them while I send you on your way today.”

“When you send me on my way?”

“Yes.” The Prince wears a mischievous look, before walking closer and tucking a small pouch of coins into the side of the knight’s armor. “I have a job I must ask of you.”

He nods. “Anything.”

“The revolution is going hungry. Larry last night made it clear to me, that many of our members are still unable to afford food alongside shelter. These funds I’ve given you come from my own Royal ownings. I must ask you to accompany Jedediah to the marketplace today.”

“Jedediah?” He deadpans. “Why must it be him?”

“Because— he is a simple looking man. And the only one available as of today. Anyone watching our movements shall notice a centaur in public. Or two fairies if I should send you alongside Sacajawea. Teddy is helping spread the revolutions help to the outer reaches today.. so it cannot be him either.”

“But Jedediah— he is not inconspicuous, your highness! With what the king said only yesterday we must be on—“

“I have spoken to my brother.” Ahkmenrah frowns. “He has made it clear, that the effort in ridding the kingdom of inhuman features shall take place in months, and nothing until then. He seems to fear that should fae people suffer death from the loss of their wings, there will be revolt by the people..”

“Ah, truly? I cannot imagine people being upset over genocide.” Octavius sasses.

“Exactly. He is planning this well.. to insure that citizens do not lose faith in their king— in his lies.”

“So Jedediah shall be safe until then?..”

“Yes. He is not the only fawn in this kingdom afterall. Though the guard shall still be on the search for him since his escape… I more than anything wish for you to keep him safe. He is a valued member of our cause..”

“I.. understand.”

“And— he may help you learn more about the revolution— how we operate. Perhaps how to fly..”

“Fly?! Your highness I cannot—“

“Relax.. our goal is only to help you. Even if he is a faun, Jedediah seems to know more about wing health than even yourself.”

“He is an idiot.” Even as he says it, the knight knows how childish it sounds. A young boy trying to avoid the strange neighboring child.

“And we are hoping you two shall make a good team due to this— you are both idiots it would seem.”

He only sighs. “When must I leave?..”

“I send you off after this watch. Leave your armor in the barracks, blend in as a citizen for once. And leave your wings untied, cloak overtop only.”

“Yes, your highness.”

“Do not call me that. Octavius, you and I are friends, so much so that I even provided you with my full name. I trust you and I have faith in you… when we are speaking privately, simply call me Ahkmenrah.”

“… I understand.”

“Oh— and meet Jedediah near the fountain in the market center. He shall be waiting for you there with a list of what the rebellion needs purchased.”

————-

Jedediah frowns, tugging his mask higher over his nose, the hood and bindings over his long ears snug over his features. Horns protruding from the fabric wrapped in cloth.

It’s hot, almost, standing in the sun. Waiting impatiently.

How long can that damn knight even take to show up, after all?

“Jedediah.”

He turns.

Wrapped in that typical loose red cloak is Octavius. But now, he isn’t wearing armor. The faun bites his lip, fighting the heat on his face. He tells himself it’s only the warmth from standing in the sun too long.

“Well— guessin’ I ain’t able to go around callin you shiny-hiney today, huh?”

“I would prefer you avoid such insults any day, truly. Even those I am wearing my armor.”

“Yeah yeah whatever. You ready to hit the market? You got the money from Ahk?”

The red cloak shifts to reveal a pouch of coins at the knight’s hip.

“Good. Alrighty— let’s go then. We ain’t got all day, so try to keep up.”

“Believe it or not I do not have hooves.”

“Really? Ain’t noticed! Still— bet you can’t keep up with me!”

“We shall see about that.”

Trying desperately to keep the same pace in their strides, the two walk toward the kingdom’s market center. Jedediah rolls his eyes— but smiles, knowing already he has managed to annoy the newest member of the revolution.

Chapter Text

“So.” The faun begins. “The market is crowded today— ain’t gonna be too hard to blend in..”

“Indeed..”

“Did you listen to Sacajawea then? Did you sleep without those ropes last night?”

“I… yes.”

“And? How was it kemosabe?”

“It… was cold.” Octavius sighs. “I did not sleep well— nor on my back..”

“You’ve been sleepin’ on your back?”

“Well yes! I have been concealing them for years, it is fairly easy to sleep on ropes and your own wings once you get used to it!”

“That just ain’t sound healthy! I’d think you would sleep better without all that shit!”

“They weren’t wrapped up.. it was chilly— alright? It is hard to keep wings under a blanket. And I had to sleep on my side— or my stomach! I wouldn’t expect you to understand.”

“You’d be surprised, sparkles. Try sleepin’ with horns— or a tail.”

“And?”

“Well on one hand I can’t lay my head to the side. So sleepin’ on my stomach ain’t fun unless I want a bruised forehead. But on the other hand.. sleepin’ on your back with a tail aint nice either.”

“… I guess I hadn’t considered that. How do you sleep then?”

“I sit— prop my head up sometimes. It works out fine. Or lay on my side with my head up.”

“Sleep aside.” Octavius begins. “What are we here to get?”

“Fruit. Bread. Fresh water.. blankets— the works. For everybody that’s been hidin’ out in the tavern and can’t leave. Or the revolutionaries livin on the streets.” Jedediah whispers.

“Ah.. I see. And how is it we are meant to go about distributing these items without the notice of the guard around the market?”

The faun can only chuckle. “Cause we ain’t goin’ out for supplies in OUR market… we’re goin’ elsewhere.”

“… What?”

“Just follow along, lord-o-helmets.”

“But there’s only one market in town! How are we meant to—?”

“Y’all guards think you know everythin’, ain’t ya?”

“I mean—“

“Just watch— and follow me.”

He leads them both down another alleyway in the rows of houses and propped up tents that make up the market, toward instead, the small cropping of trees near the center of the town. A willow tree shielding them as he nervously checks his sightline for guards.

“What—“

Jedediah walks between the willow tendrils, hoping that the knight stays on his heels, before he finds the rock rolled in front of a shady oak tree, tapping a rhythm on the front.

“Hey— Octopus? Get your hood up over them pointy ears of yours, alright?”

The knight tugs his cloak higher, and it isn’t missed by Jedediah that he nervously tugs on the red fabric as if to ensure his wings stay hidden.

“Don’t be lookin’ so nervous now— this ain’t too dangerous.”

The stone rolls aside, revealing a hollow space in the tree trunk. A tunnel down into the earth and big enough for a person to walk through. A rickety old ladder down into the earth.

The gnome guard, as always, appears. Much to the knight’s apparent shock.

“Howdy, Albert!” Jed grins. “It’s me.”

“I shall need the password!” The gnome begins. “No exceptions!”

Jedediah sighs. “Three point one four one five nine..”

“Yes! Yes! Pi!”

“Can we climb down now?”

“Yes!”

Jedediah begins down the ladder, and Octavius joins him. Until they’re fit within the tunnel together. Dark, mossy, and chilly. Light disappears as the stone rolls back in front of the door.

“Now THIS.” Jed nods. “Is the way to the REAL market— the underground market. Literally..”

“This was here the WHOLE time?! And— and who was that gnome?!”

“His names Albert Einstein— he knows damn well why I’m here, he’s part of the rebellion. But he ain’t ever let me in without that password.. safety first I suppose..”

Jedediah jumps as a hand snakes around his own, and he pulls his arm away.

“HEY! Watch it!!!”

“You said to follow you..”

“Yeah! But I ain’t meant to hold my damn hand?!. You scared or somethin’?!”

“I… it is not every day I am in a TUNNEL!”

“Knock it off— you’re a big strong knight, aint you?! Hold your OWN hand!”

There’s awkward silence as they keep walking into the darkness, Jedediah revealing a small lantern from his poncho. Brown eyes meet his own in the light, big and nervous like a baby cow or a little lamb. And he only sighs, offering one hand.

“Fine— but hold it through my poncho cloth— your damn hands are clammy..”

Octavius hums his appreciation for the gesture, holding his hands through the soft fabric. Jedediah rolls his eyes.

The things he does for the rebellion.

—————

Octavius isn’t really sure why he wanted to hold hands. But it only felt appropriate in such a long tunnel. A way to stay together? To not get separated?

Yes.

It’s a while that they walk. Jedediah taking up the lead. The faun curses when he gets his horn stuck and tangled in a mossy tree root sticking out the side of the tunnel. Octavius works to free him.

Light gives way, as they step into a massive underground cavern. Moss and trees growing out from the ground. It takes him moments to realize that it is not a cave, but instead a large sunken ravine in the forest. A hundred or more feet above, trees and sunlight filter through.

A small world shielded from the kingdom’s everyday eyes. Market tents and stalls strung up in each direction. And inhuman beings are walking everywhere. No guards in sight.

“I… wow…”

“Well? You gonna let go of my hand or not, brown eyes?”

Awkwardly, he allows himself to let go of the man’s hand.

“This way— we oughta start by getting blankets. We ain’t need too many so shouldn’t be too bad to carry em..”

“This place.. is amazing…”

“Yeah— you get used to it. Say partner, help a faun out? Can you reach the wrap around my right horn?”

“You’re undoing your coverings?!”

“Well yeah! All folks in these parts let it happen! You should too!”

He tugs his red cloak closer. “I… I do not know— this does not feel safe..”

“Trust me here, kemosabe, we’re plenty safe.”

He watches as the faun undoes the padding over his horns; followed shortly by the muffs overtop his ears. Jedediah stuffs them into the satchel at his side, followed shortly by his extinguished lamp.

“Alrighty— is that cloak comin’ off yet or what?”

“I…”

“Come on now— I’ll carry it for you? You want that?”

“I… I should rather keep it on.. it..”

“Then how’s about we brush it to the side? Those wings need air! Gotta let ‘em stretch!”

He nods, shifting the cloak and allowing his wings to spring up behind him. Octavius gives the faun an awkward and nervous smile.

“There! Ain’t so hard— just gotta get past all that trainin’ drilled into your head by that king..”

He frowns. “Jedediah?”

“Yeah?”

“Is it normal for wings to ache?”

“…. I mean.. after they’ve been tied up so damn long, I reckon that’s normal.”

“Could it be possible for you to heal them?”

“Faun magic can’t undo damage from that many years, Octavius. It’s mostly good for cuts— bruises. They gotta get better on their own somewhat. That reminds me, your skull all good? From where I knocked you flat?”

“My— oh— yes… yes it’s fine. I have no headaches..”

“Good— alright… this way..”

————

Carrying a satchel with several rolls of bread, Jedediah curiously watches the fairy beside him. He cannot help but daydream about how long the man has spent inside— within the walls of a quiet castle. Rotating in and out of guarding jobs.

It sounds like a great way to die of boredom.

“Jedediah?”

Great— more questions. He sighs before shaking his head.

“Yeah, kemosabe?”

“Why did you join the rebellion? Do not mind me asking— it’s just.. I was told the guard killed off your sheep— your livelihood?..”

He had been dreading this question.

“Yeah— their dogs, the hounds they use to hunt down criminals? They tore into my flock… I… every last one of em was killed.. and the guard ain’t owned up to it either.. said it was all my fault for not stoppin it. But it would’ve been illegal for me to fight back all the damn same..”

“I… am sorry.”

“Ain’t your fault, exactly. I reckon it’s your boss that did it to me.. but still I…. After that, I had nowhere to go. A shepherd without any damn sheep or wool ain’t much of one at all. Found the rebellion when Larry spotted me one day.. offered me a place in the tavern.. as long as I’d fight..”

“… You’ve been sleeping in the tavern?”

“Yeah. Atilla can fit some of us in the back rooms— but when there ain’t any room for me, I sleep in the forest.”

“That doesn’t sound safe!”

“It ain’t. But I’m a wanted man. Hell— they’re puttin posters of my face up too. I ain’t able to sleep in the streets unless I wanna be drug back into that dungeon of yours..”

There’s quiet.

“Your accent, though?.. Where are you from? Do you have no family?..”

“… I make my own family. I came from up north in the fields— split away from my Ma years ago to start the wool trade. Ain’t seen her since..”

“… I see..”

“Why’d you join the guard then?”

He watches as Octavius wrings his hands in his cloak again. “I… my father was killed— I needed a home— and I believed it would lead to me helping people… keeping that from happening to another young changeling..”

“… Well I reckon you are gonna help people— but not cause you’re a knight. Because you joined this revolution instead.“

The two stop, gathering and folding the blankets that the faun collects from another tent booth. Silence yet again stretching.

The fae’s voice is soft. “… Do you have plans after the Revolution then?”

“I…”

In truth— he hadn’t really thought so far.

“I…. Yeah.. reckon I do…”

“Such as?”

“I.. I wanna settle down?” He considers. “I wanna be done traveling— ain’t got sheep anymore… I wanna stay close to friends.. wanna.. maybe start a family?.. Get a little cabin near the edge of the kingdom and a lover of my own..”

It feels so far away.

“What about you?” He asks. “What’s the knight got in mind?”

Octavius looks distant for moments. Jedediah sits in comprehension, slowing his walk speed significantly in response to the knight’s pause.

But all that leaves the fairy’s mouth is. “I… would say similar plans to yourself… a cabin.. a family.. that is a valid idea..”

The faun jumps as music begins, in the center of the market a hodgepodge band of musicians have placed themselves in a set up. Wailing fiddles— flutes— even a drum. It’s all loud to his longer ears, but satisfying to hear anyway.

In response to the music, several appear to have swept into the stone path, all already bouncing and swaying to the song. More flooding in fast as the lead fiddler makes an announcement.

—“IN RESPONSE TO THE KING’S WORD, WHICH HE CAN STICK UP HIS ARSE, WE DANCE UPON HIS NAME!”—

The kind of activity that wouldn’t be tolerated in the main market— inhumans dancing. Jedediah can see now that on the cobblestones of the street, the golden tablet symbol of the kingdom’s sidgel has been painted. People now walking and clattering overtop of it as they join in a dance.

“Well I’ll be damned— look at that! A real surprise to see street performers today! Come on, let’s keep goin—“

Before he can finish, the zoned-out fairy is pulled away from Jedediah’s side. Into the unexpected crowd.

“Jedediah—!”

His jaw falls open, watching the knight get twirled on the makeshift dance space by an older faun— she seems apparently keen on having the young fairy as a dance partner. Jedediah hurries to join the dance, placing their newly purchased things in a safe nook near a door.

The faun throws himself into the fray, going after the fairy he is supposed to keep by his side.

“Octy!”

Another hand grabs his own instead, much to his hatred. Jedediah finds himself being swung around by another fairy. A young lady who leans in close.

“Hello— chance meeting, yes?”

“I.. I— uh— howdy— sure.”

The second he has the chance to, Jedediah spins the woman around, passing her to another dance partner all together. Continuing his journey for the fairy. Octavius— flustered and red in the face, has found himself between several ladies it seems. All trying to gather the man as a dance partner. Likely due to his unfamiliar face.

Or the fact that he’s handsome.

Jedediah stops for a moment, blinking away the thought.

Rushing forward again, he grasps the fairy by the wrist. Unhappy about the touch but— it isn’t as bad as it normally is.

“Sorry ladies— this one’s my partner! Ain’t kind of y’all to yank him away from our conversation for a dance!”

The knight looks relieved, until Jedediah sparks the idea of messing with his new revolution member just a bit. Pulling Octavius into a dance with him instead. He spins the fairy on his feet, even as the knight stumbles.

“Jedediah— what—?!”

“Relax, Octy— all in a bit of good fun! Loosen up a bit! Let your wings down!”

“I do not dance— and I do not admire that name!”

He grins, guiding the fairy further into the circle and leading them into a spin. Jedediah can’t help but chuckle seeing the golden wings flutter behind Octavius with frustration; he wonders if the fairy even knows he’s doing that.

“Say. That reminds me, partner. Names.”

“… And what of them, you… ridiculous peasant!”

“Hey! I ain’t ridiculous— stop gettin’ your top wings in a twist! I wanna ask you something!”

“What is it then?”

“How’s the name Jedediah Strong Smith sound to you?”

———-

Their dance almost stops as Octavius stumbles.

Those eyes opposite him are so blue— blonde hair catching the sunlight. He isn’t even sure he’s heard the faun right.

“I.. I… what?”

The dance continues anyway, with Jedediah once again spinning them by the hands and pulling them only a fraction closer. He isn’t sure why he wants them to be closer still.

“You heard me.”

“Did.. no! You didn’t— why would you share your true name with me?!”

“Cause.” The faun grins— and Octavius finds himself frustrated by the cockiness in it. “I reckon Ahk won’t always be with the revolution when you need to find where we’re hidin’… but I WILL be. Just use your magic on me and you’ll have a one way ticket to find us every time.”

“You… you understand the risk in this, right? I shall always be able to find you— from now on. You.. you trust me this much?”

“Eh— ain’t too worried about it. Besides, even if you track me down in the future, what’s a shiny-hiney like yourself gonna do to hurt me?!”

He glowers at the faun, but is shocked when some instinct makes him rest his hand on the man’s shoulder as they continue to dance. Fiddle music filling high through the sunken ravine.

“I ain’t think you could hurt a fly.”

Octavius punches the faun in the arm.

“OW! Hey!!”

“Do not so easily forget I am a knight! Just because I am a fairy does not mean they never train me!”

“Alright alright! Calm down, Octy.”

“I still despise that name.”

“Well I reckon you ain’t given me any better options— and too bad for you, ‘Octavius’ is a damn mouthful!”

The music winds to a close, the crowd dispersing.

Quickly, and awkwardly— the two pull apart. As if they had never been meant to have been touching in the first place.

“… Alrighty.. let’s get the rest of the supplies, yeah? And head back to the tavern.”

“… Indeed.”

He follows the faun again, only now noticing the way his wings stand up behind him from being flustered. Octavius does his best to cool the heat settled overtop his nose, but nothing seems to drown the fire.

Chapter Text

The ache persists. Even worse though, once the ropes are back on each day— but off at night. A repeated struggle between work to protect the Prince and work to ensure his health does not fail.

“Sir Octavius— are you getting up for not?! Your lazy arse is getting worse lately!” Sir Capone chants down the barracks hall.

The fairy groans, laying back on his wings. He must’ve rolled over in his sleep— restless lately, since that dance. And tired from the use of magic. Because he cannot stop hearing It.

Jedediah Strong Smith.

Trusted with another name? Why? Why himself? Just for safety, or for something else? Jedediah held his hand— after all.

Could it mean something else? Could Jedediah adore his company? The faun TRUSTS him?

Octavius cannot stop imagining the name— using the magic it provides.

Jedediah is in a forest.

And then he is in a field.

And another time— in an alleyway, with his hood down. Moved quickly into the tavern.

He sees it all in his mind's eye. It’s impulsive to use magic like this— but it’s even harder to stop. Addictive. And for reasons he does not understand, he needs to know if the revolutionary is safe or not.

“Hello?”

Blonde hair appears at the side of his bunk as Octavius glares dead-eyed up at the roof of the bed. He turns exhaustedly to Sir Lancelot, keeping the blanket held up over his wings underneath him.

“.. Yes?”

“I would be getting your armor on— if I were you my fellow! Sir Capone is in a rather sour mood as of today. And is not to be tempered anymore..”

“And why is that?”

“The jester— Dexter— it seems he stole a set of dungeon keys and accidentally lost them somewhere outside..”

“…. Ah.”

“Well? Get up!”

He frowns, heat settled over his face. “Sir Lancelot I mean no offense by this, but I do not have my wings tied. So I must ask you turn away should you not wish to see them.”

“Ah.. I see— I should not mind… I see plenty of wings arresting those with public indecency often enough anyway, right?” The other knight jokes.

“… Yes. True..”

Awkwardly, he shuffles from his sleeping place, wings stretching behind him.

“It’s a shame— I cannot imagine being born with wings, no matter how beautiful they may seem…”

“It… is a hassle.” He frowns.

“Sir Octavius?”

He blushes. “… Yes?”

“You should know, my friend— that if you did not possess such flaws, I would consider taking you in as a companion. A lover even. You would make one handsome human.”

Octavius only stares, unsure what to say— if anything at all. Stunned silence. It’s the exact words he always hoped to hear from the other knight. A confirmation of returned affections. But why does it, now, hurt so badly?

“I—I…”

“Considering your worth to the castle— and his highness as a personal guard— I should say you deserve the honor of being the first fae to have his wings removed! One of the first at the very least, for you! And I should ask of you, when you are human, would you consider a courtship?”

He still only stands in shock— but something, perhaps fear?— Makes him nod.

“Splendid! I look forward to our future arrangements!” Lancelot takes his hand, pressing a kiss alongside a wink. “You shall never know— two knights can go far in the world! Ah— but I shall see you on guard! Farewell for now!”

It takes him several more minutes to get dressed from the shock. Wincing as the ropes go back over his wings.

—————

“Octavius.” The Prince begins. “Are you well?”

He grits his teeth, still reeling from the shock of his fellow knight’s advances. And the surprise on how much he hates them.

“Very well.”

“You do not look it.”

“… I..”

“You needn’t explain. But I must ask something of you today. I wish to go to the forest again to meet up with the revolution.” Ahkmenrah’s voice is soft and quiet. “Will you accompany me?”

“Of course, your highness. Get a disguise on and I shall follow wherever you wish.”

“Your wings are aching you— aren’t they?”

“…. That is not important.”

“… I shall not push you to talk about it, then.”

—————

Jedediah wakes up to his single blanket shifting, and he jumps when he realizes it’s someone tugging on it.

His heart calms down though when he spots that it’s just Nicky waking him up; sat on Larry’s shoulders to reach where Jedediah has curled up in a tall tree branch.

The tavern back rooms were too full.

“Jed!”

“Mornin’ Nicky!”

“I’m gonna learn how to fly more today! Wanna come help?”

“Course I do!”

“Prince Ahkmenrah wanted to come as well— to help me plan more.” Larry grins.

Jed only sighs.

“That means he’s gonna be there— ain’t it?”

“Octavius is getting a flying lesson too— he just doesn’t know it yet.”

“… Whoohoo..”

—————

The fairy yawns, as he follows the prince into an open clearing in the woods again. Only to find the leader of the revolution, his son, Atilla—

And Jedediah.

Quietly, he avoids the faun’s gaze.

“Howdy Sparkles!”

“That name…”

“Hey! Octavius— listen, we’ve planned a joint lesson today. Ahk and I are going to talk about Revolution plans while the rest of you work on flying.” Larry orders.

“You knew of this?” He asks the prince, who nods.

“Yes! You must learn to fly eventually!— This way, you may teach Nicholas how to use true-name magic, while he may teach you all he knows about flying so far!”

Oct turns to the grinning boy, before huffing a sigh.

“…. Alright… we may as well sit down in the grass for this.”

Even Atilla joins as they sit in the grass. To his surprise, Jedediah rounds to his side and taps his shoulder.

“Yes?”

“I’m gonna untie these wings of yours.”

“… Very well.”

He turns to Nick once more. The child is beaming as he leans forward on his hands and elbows to listen intently.

“So— you have no idea how one uses true names?”

“Nope..”

“… Then this may prove difficult— it was the only and first thing my father taught me of being a fae.. second nature to me..”

Nick only blinks, waiting.

“Do you have a true name of someone close to you? Their entire full name?”

“Yeah! My dad is Lawrence—“

“No! Shh!” He smiles. “Shh— we do not hand out true names. There is no greater offense or insult— or even danger to the person who trusted you with such information.”

Nick’s lips go thin as he listens, apparently more fearful now.

“It is believed… that our wings tune us into being more sensitive to location— and that is how we can use true names where no one else may..”

“They’re also close to the spine! And the lungs! That’s why we can’t breathe right when they aren’t there— or balance.”

“… Yes. That is true.”

“So how can I track people then?”

“Here is what you shall do. Think of your fathers name— his ENTIRE name, the full name. Consider it in your mind. And consider the person attached to that name. What they mean to you.”

Octavius watches the child nod.

“Good. And next— ponder where they are. Their safety. A need to speak with them..when they magic works you should see them and their location in your mind’s eye..”

The boy's face contorts as he tries to focus.

“It is a calm magic— but you just focus. Simply relax. Magic takes energy, Nicholas.”

There’s a long pause before Nicky sits up. “Hey! I did it— I imagined dad standing thereby Ahk in the trees! I did it!! It was kinda blurry but..”

“That is normal when you are so physically nearby someone..”

“Thanks Sir Octavius!”

“Of course— but— one true name is not great.. is it?” He drops his voice. “Shall you keep my secret?”

Nick, jaw slightly open, nods in surprise as Oct leans in to deliver his own name.

“Gaius Augustus Octavius.”

Nick seems in awe.

“Why did you tell me?”

“Because should you ever need me, you now know where to find me.. if you ever need help..”

“… Really?”

He grins. “Of course— I am a knight, it is my job to protect you. Oh, and keep practicing your magic but do not overdo it.. you shall find yourself tired fast.”

Octavius watches as Jedediah sits and leans against a tree nearby, untangling dead flowers from his hair and weaving new ones in. The sight distracts him for moments before he manages to turn away and back to Nick.

“Sir Octavius— did you ever learn any flying?”

“… No.”

“Oh okay— okay. I’ll teach you what Sacajawea taught me! You gotta start off with spinning your wings.”

“Spinning?”

“Yeah— watch!”

The knight tilts his head in contemplation, watching the small boy flutter his wings in a figure eight. Octavius notes the way Nick shifts his wings to accommodate the missing lower-tier.

“You try!”

He follows suit, brushing aside his cloak for a moment and shifting his wings in a similar pattern.

“Okay okay that was good! But you gotta use all your wings. The little top tier is for steering!”

“Perhaps you could show me? By truly flying? I am embarrassed doing such simple tasks..”

“I… yeah! I’ll try! Atilla, will you help me?”

The centaur saunters forward, before grabbing the young fairy by the torso.

“Ready?”

“Yeah! Throw me!”

Octavius takes a step back, watching as the boy is tossed in the air, frantically fluttering his wings. It’s a sweet effort, allowing him to slowly hover back down into the centaur’s waiting arms.

“I see.. I see. So I should try and move my wings in that form, as quickly as I may?”

“Yeah!— Atilla can you throw me again?”

Nick is thrown into the air a second time, fists tucked to his chest, kicking his feet in effort to balance. And the knight gawks as the boy truly makes progress upwards. From his spot under the tree, Jedediah throws encouragement.

“Nice job, Nicky boy! Try and reach for the branches this time, that's the longest you’ve ever held your hoverin’!!”

Octavius continues to move his own wings as he was instructed. Something about it is entirely new, but quickly becoming familiar. Atilla chuckles as Nick is once again tossed upwards with a heave.

The boy doesn’t fall back down this time, hovering in place for seconds before slowly rising up on his own accord. Atilla gasps and so does Jedediah.

“Guys… looK LOOK AT ME! I’m doing it!”

The faun rockets up on his bull legs, wandering forward in disbelief. Nick continues to flutter, obviously growing tired with the effort.

“Larry… Larry— GIGANTOR! Ahk!! Get over here!!!”

Across the way, the two bolt and begin running as Atilla once more catches the boy. Larry nearly crashes into them, in his rush to gather Nick into a hug.

“NICKY! Holy— did you do that?!”

“YEAH!”

“You did that!! YOU DID IT!! See I KNEW you could do it!”

“I did it!!!”

“I’m so proud of you!! Oh man I’m so proud of you— did you guys see that?! Nicky I knew you could do it!”

He watches the display, missing his own father ever more with each second it continues.

“Okay! Do you think you can do it again?” Larry beams.

“Yeah!”

Ahkmenrah grins. “Show us!”

Larry uses most of his own apparent effort to toss the boy, and Nick goes soaring upwards. Stopping short when he reaches a tree branch. Hanging there for a second with heavy breath.

“Nicky! Can you get back down?” Jed starts. “You tired?”

“… Yeah!”

“Let go and flutter down, I’ll catch you buddy!” Larry chants.

Nick clumsily flaps down into his father’s arms again, wrapping a hug around his neck. Leaves and one small stick tangled in his hair from being up in the branches. Both Daley’s laugh as they stand there, grinning from ear-to-ear.

Octavius smiles.

Just before the cracking sound appears overhead. Looking up revealing the falling tree branch Nick had held onto. About to fall right upon—

“YOUR HIGHNESS— JEDEDIAH—LOOK OUT—!”

Octavius runs forward with his arms out in a shove effort when the branch falls.

———

Things come back in flashes, with his lungs thundering in his chest. Octavius makes to move, but hands stop him. The image of sun-blonde hair filters in first. And then stricken blue eyes— several pairs of them. Striking blue. A beautiful greenish blue. A dark blue.

“—ir Octavius.”

The hearing comes in second.

“Hold still.” Ahkmenrah’s voice is heard. “The branch was dead, it fell upon you.”

“What— happen..”

“You saved us— is whatcha did! Don’t go movin’ now.”

It’s bleary, trying to see through tears in his eyes, and rolled onto his side. A strange and unfamiliar pain.

“Allow me.. to move— I must..”

“Octavius.” Ahkmenrah’s hand on the back of his hair. “The branch pierced your wing, we are to move you to the tavern, but first you must stand.”

Hands pull him to his feet, and he glances back at his own wings best he can. A bloody gash in one where a tear and holes have formed.

“Wings.. wings bleed?”

“Yeah they do— you ain’t even known that? We’re just damn lucky that branch missed your head and it was hittin’ the ground that knocked you outta your senses.”

“Atilla?” Larry begins. “Do you think you can carry him?”

“Yes.”

“Alright— let’s go look him over in the tavern.”

—————

Wrapped in his cloak and balancing upon the side of Atilla’s back, Octavius is led back to the tavern. Past guards that hardly regard the group of cloaked individuals, lazy in the setting sun. The centaur helps him back to his feet, where Larry is one there to grab his hand.

“Sir Octavius?” Nick frowns. “I’m sorry.. I was hanging on that branch..”

“Do not be… these incidents happen.. you could not have known any better than I that the branch would fall..”

The boy pulls his own cloak higher up in embarrassment.

“Nicholas— do not fret… I shall be alright..”

“But your wing—?”

“It’s but a tear… I… I do not fear the consequences. Instead celebrate your flying accomplishment!..”

Larry ruffles his son’s hair. “Octavius— go lay on a table and wait for Jed.. Sacajawea and Teddy are on the far reaches of the kingdom tonight and can’t be here to help.”

“… Jedediah?”

“He’s a faun— he’s the best thing we’ve got right now. And I don’t want you losing anymore blood. Go.”

He sits on the table near an oil lamp and waits.

———-

Jedediah frowns as he approaches the fairy. “Alrighty Sparkles— let’s see what that damage is.”

The knight flinches away and he moves to shift one of the wings.

“Come on, Octy.”

“Do not call me that.”

“Well what would you rather be called, dammit? I don’t suppose you prefer Gaius?”

“No— my father called me that.”

“Well I gotta have something— otherwise I’m gonna keep calling you Sparkles.”

“Why must you do this..?”

“Your wings sparkle in the light.. so does your armor!”

“All fairy wings sparkle, you imbecile..”

“Looks like somebody is cranky again— come on, I gotta see that wing. It’s bleedin’ still.”

The knight sits up, scooting away and only holding his cloak tighter.

“Octavius. So help me.”

“…. I shall handle the wound myself.”

“You can’t reach it! And I gotta make sure there ain’t anything else out of place!”

“I…”

“Come on.” Jedediah drops his voice to a whisper. “There ain’t nothin’ to be scared of— I’m just gonna help you, I ain’t gonna take your wings or nothin’.”

“… I do not appreciate having my.. flaws on display..” The knight is pale, flinching at the pain in his limbs. And Jedediah can see it all clearly.

“And I reckon nobody likes havin’ their body out when they’re hurt.”

“… You shall not take them?..”

“Why would I?”

“… I imagine that is what would happen if I were ever injured beyond my own care in the castle and..”

“Woah now! Slow down partner, this ain’t the castle. And I ain’t gonna hurt you any worse.”

Octavius looks away and Jedediah inches closer. Slowly undoing the buttons that hold the back of Octavius’s tunic in place, the cloak following it. He bites his tongue so as to not make any rude comments on a shirtless man visibly in pain.

“How’s about you lay down at your side, and I’ll just check you over and you tell me what hurts. Yeah?”

As Octavius eventually lays on his side, Jedediah hurries to move around to his back. Sure that the knight has lost more blood than he’s realized— or at least isn’t used to the sensitivity of pain in his own wings. The faun presses a cloth to the tear in the golden wing.

“Hey, Nicky— you wanna get Sir Octavius a blanket?”

The kid nods and rushes off, returning with a blanket that he holds up toward Jedediah.

“Here Jed!”

“Can you cover ‘em up for me? Thanks for helpin’.”

He smiles as the boy climbs a chair to toss the blanket over the knight. Octavius takes it to hold over his bare torso and shoulders. Nick running off once more into another room of the tavern.

“Is.. this meant to hurt so badly?..”

“Well— yeah. Wings hurt for a reason, you need ‘em to fly, so they’re sensitive I reckon.. kinda like horns.”

“… Horns are sensitive?.”

“Of course they are! Sometimes! We use em to fight, after all.”

“… So they— they are sensitive? You can feel them? As if they were skin?..”

“A bit different— kemosabe. I reckon there’s uh… a lot more fragile parts of any faun’s body.. if you get what I mean.” He chuckles, trying to lighten the mood.

“… Are you referring to… disgusting! Ugh— are all fauns so low cultured and keen on talking about such.. inappropriate topics?!..”

“Hey! We all got bits to deal with in this world— just tryina be funny!”

“I am sure you can.. find humor without telling me about your hairy nether regions..”

“Okay— NOW you’re the one makin’ this gross.”

Octavius laughs, wincing again soon enough. Seeing that the bleeding has stopped for a moment, Jedediah gathers a bandage to patch the tear.

“Can.. can you not just heal it?..”

“Wings are a tricky one— do it wrong and it’ll mess up your balance when you fly.. and unfortunately I ain’t got enough energy to heal anybody right now.”

The fairy shudders at the touch. Jedediah carefully places the torn wing back upon the table, shifting the next one.

“This hurt?”

“.. No.”

“How ‘bout here?”

“.. No— not there either… Jedediah?”

“Yeah, Sparkles?”

“That name— no. I have a question for you.”

“Go ahead and shoot partner I’m listenin’.”

He watches as the fairy shifts to rub the back of his own hand anxiously within the blanket. Octavius’s face unfocused and sad.

“Say.. You thought for quite some time that you admired someone for their looks. For their beauty.. or talent..”

“Alrighty?”

“And to your surprise you were offered a chance at romance with this person…”

“Well damn— is a certain fairy here gettin’ lucky with the ladies?” He smiles, but inside is somehow concerned. Disappointed.

“But.. the cost of the romance, according to them.. is to change yourself.. to… become human..”

“… What?”

“… I… there is a knight.. we share a bunk rack within the barracks.. and for years now I have.. admired him…”

“Slow down.”

“He has ..hypnotic blue eyes.. blonde waves.. and as of this morning he offered me courtship once.. once I should be stripped of my wings and—“

“Octavius… no! No!! Hell naw!”

“But I..”

Something akin to fury burns inside. Jealousy? No— is it? No.

“Listen to me damn well. Fairies die without their wings. They die, Octavius. You know that.”

“But I—“

“That man.” He swallows the fury and insults already welling their way up inside. “— That knight is askin’ you to die for him. You hear me? That ain’t love, it’s straight up… he ain’t want you for who you are… and it just ain’t love. Not the kind you need.”

The fairy is silent.

“… You understand me?”

Jedediah rages inside, but does his very best not to show it, tugging Octavius’s blanket higher again as he moves onto shifting the next wing.

“He.. simply… kissed my hand and I thought… if this Revolution should not work out… perhaps I could still have a happy future..”

“Not with him— you can’t. But I—“

Octavius yelps, legs curling in toward his torso. Jedediah gently drops the wing he had been holding before grabbing it once more.

“This one?”

The knight nods.

He examines it close, frowning as he moves it.

“Just think about somethin’ else… here— I never said thank you.”

“For— for what?..”

“For savin’ the prince and I! Maybe… maybe you’re a better knight and guard than I gave you credit pal…”

Jedediah moves the wing, leaning in closer. “Octavius? This one’s displaced. It alright if I put it back in place?”

“.. H-how do you..?”

“It’ll be quick. Do y’trust me?”

The fairy seems to contemplate it, shoulders shifting for moments before he only nods. “.. Yes.. yes you gave me your… true name… it’s only fair I trust you back..”

“Okay— lay on your front. Take it slow, Tavius.”

“That.. is a better name than Octy..”

“Glad— I’ll try an’ use that one. Lay still for me..”

As quickly as he can, he snaps the wing back into place, watching Octavius shout and grip the table before falling calm yet again.

“There— how’s it now? Better?”

“… Yes. Yes it’s.. not to painful..”

“Good— good!— Alrighty, you stay here, we’re gonna have you sleep here tonight.”

“Wait! No I— The Prince! They shall not notice I am gone but..”

“Ahk can find his own way home, you know he’s plenty damn capable.”

“But—“

“No but’s. I’m gonna be right back with a cushion for your head an’ another blanket, yeah?”

“I.. I do not require two. I am plenty capable of sleeping with one, I do at the castle..”

“Well how's about I get you another one anyway? Sacajawea will be around tomorrow to check you out and I’ll see what healin’ I can do.”

“… Very well.”

“Good.”

As Jedediah walks away, gathering another blanket, he scowls.

A romance promised at the cost of wings? Of identity? It hardly seems like a romance at all. Hell! Even he could do better than that— he’s probably got the better blue eyes and blonde hair, anyway. Right?

But why would he want to do better? Why is he thinking about this still?

He doesn’t care about the fairy— he doesn’t.

When Jedediah returns to the table he finds the knight asleep with heavy eyes, and he works a cushion under his skull and another blanket gently over his shoulders.

He doesn’t care about Octavius. He promises.

He just feels guilty— for being saved from that falling branch— that’s all. Nothing more than that. No sir.

He isn’t jealous— either.

“Oughta do better— first I kicked you, then thwacked you with my horn.. now this happened. I ain’t been a great friend lettin’ you take the beatin’s… maybe a knight needs someone to watch his back better.”

Passing though and checking on others in the room, Atilla snorts at Jedediah talking to a sleeping man.

“Sweet.”

“Oh shut it—! Just worried bout him is all.”

“Yes… yes. I believe you..” Atilla chuckles, leaving.

“Hey—!? What’s that sass for?!”

Chapter Text

Jedediah awakens when he eventually slides from his sitting position, horn clacking on the floor as he bumps it. His snore interrupted.

“Huh?.. Oh.”

The faun rubs his eyes. He fell asleep sitting, with his back up against the leg of the table. One glance upwards reveals a callused hand hanging off the table’s surface, and Jedediah rises to stand.

Octavius is there— still asleep, snoring violently with his face pressed against the wooden table. Jedediah represses the urge to pat his shoulder, instead working to lift the knight’s arm back onto the table and shift the blankets higher.

Lest he get too cold— it’s just the nice thing to do.

He takes a moment to admire the knights face, and his arm before he gently tucks it back under the blanket. The knight really is more muscular than he gave him credit for— Jedediah can’t help but wonder if he competes in jousting. Or… some kind of knight activity?

“And what are you admiring, son?” Teddy smiles, closing the door behind him.

“Nothin’— you know damn well I ain’t admirin’ anything.”

“Whatever you say— my friend.”

Looking away in embarrassment, Jedediah can see in the corner of the room where Larry Daley is asleep. Propped up with his head on his father’s lap— Nicky. Neither of them have a home.

“Have you spoken with Lawrence— or the Prince yet?”

“…Naw… not really— been busy watchin’ over chainmail boy here.”

“… Lawrence has filled me in on the plan. We are forming the details still… but.. do you wish to include Sir Octavius on the mission? His position at the castle shall be placed in a risk but he is incredibly valuable to this plan..”

“… I’ll talk to em— we can fill him in on whatever that plan of y’all’s is once he wakes up.”

Jedediah glances down when his poncho is tugged at.

“Hey— Nicky boy! You sleep alright?”

“As good as I can on a wooden floor!” Nick beams, rubbing the drowsiness from his eyes. “Don’t wake dad yet.”

“Ain’t gotta worry— we won’t.”

“Nicholas! My boy— I’ve heard of your flying! Sacajawea and I are so very proud!”

“Thanks Teddy.”

“We have something here— we purchased these a while ago as a gift for when your flying truly began… for any training hazards!”

Jedediah smirks as Teddy removes a pair of brassy goggles from his own coat, handing them to the boy. Nick takes them with wide eyes.

“Go on! Here— lemme help you get those on yeah?” Jedediah fits them over the boy's hair. “Look at you! Lookin’ all serious!”

Nick runs off yet again but towards the table.

“Nicky, wait don’t wake him!”

But Octavius is already shifting. “I… am awake now anyway.. Nicholas?”

The changeling holds up his goggles to his face. “Sir Octavius! Look!”

“… Oh my— those are quite impressive. Are they made to help with your flying..?”

“Yeah! They look so cool! Okay I’m gonna wake up dad I want to show him!”

Jedediah wills away the heat setting over his skin as he approaches the table.

“Hey there Armor boy— how’s the wing?”

Octavius only groans, skull thunking against the table again.

“Alrighty I get you— come on now, let’s get you off the table and looked at here.”

He hooks his arms underneath the fairy’s shoulders, helping him to sit before motioning Sacajawea over and undoing the patch he had used to bandage the wing.

“Let me see I— Ah… the bleeding stopped then? This looks well done..”

Octavius glances over his shoulder back at his own wings. “Shall they heal?”

Sacajawea laughs warmly. “Of course they will, do not fret.”

Jedediah frowns. “I’m just worried I ain’t put the lower right one back into place— does it look alright?”

The woman takes a step back to consider. “… Yes. They are beginning to lay outwards as well— this is good, it means they have not been bound as much.”

Octavius smiles and Jedediah blinks, forcing himself to look away.

“Jedediah, would you be willing to heal this tear in the wing? I shouldn’t like him to catch it on anything and worsen it..“

The faun freezes. “I— I… uh..”

“He shall be alright— you cannot hurt him any worse I assure you.”

He turns to the fairy, lips thin. “Are you… alright with that?”

“… You gave me your true name. I have no reason not to trust you, I should suppose.”

Cautious, he takes the wing, running his hands along the tear.

“Try and make it quick if you may— I truly do need to hurry to the castle. Before the prince is placed in further danger..”

“There is no need.”

Jedediah looks up as the secret door slides open. Atilla following Prince Ahkmenrah inside.

“Your highness!” Octavius begins. “You should not wander alone..”

“The castle is a far more dangerous environment for myself, you know that. I managed to slip out unguarded… but I did have Sir Lancelot as my guard as of last night— he asked adamantly where you had gone…”

“And what did you… tell him?”

“I said I had supposed you’d wandered off and gotten yourself lost outside the city. No alarm was raised.”

“… Ah.”

The faun notices the change in expression on the fairy, but says nothing as he runs his fingers along the tear. The semi-transparent and leathery wing stitching itself back together with his magic. Some of his own energy leaving alongside. It somehow makes him feel hungry.

“Alrighty— Sparkles, you're all stitched up. How’s it feel?”

“… Well! The pain is gone— other than the ache of the displaced one..”

“I ain’t able to do much for the ache— sorry.”

“And do not call me Sparkles.”

“Alright alright fine… Tavius.”

“… I shall tolerate that for now.”

There’s a loud thunking noise as the group turns. Only to see a boy getting up from where he has fallen into a mass of boxes and barrels. Nick pops off his goggles, sitting them in his hairline with an awkward face. Larry’s voice pitches up after.

“Nicky I TOLD you no flying inside!”

“Sorry dad..”

The leader lifts his son from the pile, hauling him to a chair at the table and setting a piece of parchment upon the surface.

“Okay everybody gather around. With the King’s announcement— it’s time we get our plan moving.” Larry smirks. “It’s time.. we steal back The Golden Crown of Ahkmenrah. Right off that tyrant’s head.”

“But Gigantor— how are we supposed to manage that?! Even Tavius here can’t get close enough!”

“It is true. I would be killed and found immediately if I tried.. the Crown Jewels are guarded even more securely than the Prince..”

“I can agree.” Ahkmenrah frowns, sighing wistfully. “Though my father used to say that I myself was the crown jewel… and the people wonder why my brother has ended up as he has..”

“Lawrence— go on. How are we to pull off such a heist?” Teddy ponders.

“Because.” Larry pitches, as Atilla slaps down the parchment that had been rolled up. “The king is planning the annual ball— and this year.. he has a fun theme in mind..”

The paper is clear as day.

—“Palace Annual Ball.”—

And from the illustrations, the dress code is wings, horns, or pointed ears.

“… Aw hell.”

——————-

“Wait— wait hold up!” Octavius hears the faun raise his voice. “Are you tellin’ me the king is gonna throw a ball… for US?! For all of us to wear our damn features out in public?”

“No.” Larry purses his lips. “All human guests are expected to dress as inhumans— and will be wearing.. trophies..”

Teddy tilts his head at that. “Trophies?..”

Larry looks down. “Hey, Nicky, why don’t you run downstairs and check on how many blankets we have for tonight?”

“But dad—“

“No but’s. Please?”

The boy frowns and nods, before wiggling off his chair and hurrying from the room.

“Trophies.” Ahkmenrah frowns. “The collected and preserved wings, horns, or features of inhuman beings. Usually taken from executed inhuman prisoners.. my brother has a… collection.”

Octavius’s stomach does a flip, and he watches as both Jedediah and Sacajawea hold their cloaks closer. Atilla crossing his arms sadly.

“We—“ Jedediah swallows. “The guests— they’re supposed to WEAR em?!”

“They’ll be handing out and selling some all week until the ball— the most beautiful for the wealthy. The least beautiful for the poor. Inhumans are allowed to attend but as always must cover their own flaws..”

The knight feels sick, listening to the plan.

“And as always… it is an open invitation.. so long as the guards deem you safe to enter the ball?..” Sacajawea asks.

Larry only nods. “.. Yep.”

“The plan..” Ahkmenrah joins again. “Is that we shall all attend the ball. Myself and Sir Octavius shall be there already amongst the other castle goers. When he slips into rotation on guarding the King— we shall use his unwillingness to attack us to allow one of us to grab the crown.”

“Ahk will step in and create a diversion, and scold Octavius and block the other guard members. And we all run. After we pull this off— every guard member in the kingdom will be aware there is a Revolution afoot. And we won’t be as safe..”

“But why must we gather the crown?” Oct frowns. “This is quite dangerous… though I am willing to risk it..”

“Because— the only way to convince the people I am the more fit ruler is to place the crown on my own head… and to show the people their king is not so untouchable…” Ahk explains.

“We get the crown— we get the people’s attention— we get our word out. And we can warn everybody to stop listening to the king and work together.” Larry adds. “But only if you’re in, Octavius. We need your help and we need to make this happen.”

“… Yes… I am in.” The words are foreign and burning on his lips. But with each moment after, he is beginning to realize further and further that he truly means it.

And the aches from binding his wings only help that decision more.

————-

The knight tugs his cloak higher. “Why must we go to the forest?.. We are ALWAYS in the forest..”

“So Nicky can try to fly more.” Jed muses. “You yourself too—- and… we gotta get outta that tavern every once and awhile..”

“Ah but you have never been locked in your personal quarters, Jedediah.” Ahk butts in. “You would not believe how stuffy it is in there..”

“That and we need to plan outfits.” Sacajawea sighs. “We must blend in at the ball..”

“We do not have a seamstress amongst us?” Oct adds.

“Atilla sews— made my poncho!” Jed grins.

Octavius watches the smile for just moments too long, and makes himself turn away as blood rushes to his face. The faun doing the same in tandem.

“Well.. well I shall not need that— they are the provide us with our guard uniforms during the event… I will not be allowed to change..”

“At least you ain’t gotta change! I on the other hand have gotta wear damn formal clothes..”

“… But you should look quite handsome in fine fabric?”

Jedediah nods shortly. “.. Thanks.”

Octavius tugs on his red cloak, fingers running along the fabric and holding his wings against his back with it. Willing away his ability to talk.

Handsome?

HANDSOME?

Just shut up— he tells himself to shut up. Knights are not meant to speak out of line in any way.

Something bumps his shoulder. The tall and intimidating centaur. Octavius shies away from Atilla, as standing next to him proves awkward and almost intimidating. But soon enough is handed a roll of bread.

“… What is this?”

“Food— we feed all members.. of Revolution.. you too.”

“Ain’t they feed y’all knights in the castle?” Jedediah chuckles.

Octavius turns away in a scoff. “Of course they do… during set times.. it is abnormal to simply be handed bread..”

“Well— its about all we’ve got other than fruit— so make it count.”

He looks around.

Teddy and Sacajawea seem to be spreading out a cloth to sit on. Jedediah already has begun picking wildflowers— Nick holding one up in an attempt to help. A smile given in return. Larry and Atilla gathering to talk as Ahkmenrah gathers bread onto the blanket.

“Are we.. eating out here?”

“Course we are, Kemosabe! This is our break from plannin’—- we gotta eat and we gotta keep eachother sane, after all!”

The faun sits down. “Come join me?”

The fairy takes a deep breath, sitting on the blanket by Jedediah— but too far from him all the same.

Octavius frowns.

It feels like they should be planning— but… how bad could one small break prove?

“Hey— Sparkles. Take this.”

He makes a deadpan face at the faun as he is passed water in a flask, taking a long drink of it.

Octavius immediately chokes, spitting it out at the faun. “… WHAT IS THIS?! Why is it so BITTER?!”

“Dandelion wine.”

“Why not purchase red wine, you.. bull-legged fool?!”

Jedediah laughs heartily. “Cause you fell for it! Dammit everybody does!”

“You are absolutely insufferable…” He turns away.

“Oh dammit I ain’t that bad.” Jedediah smirks, as he passes Octavius another slice of bread, this one coated with honey. “You know you love me.”

“No… I do not.”

And it’s true. Octavius does not love him. He hates him.

But it doesn’t stop the fact that he wants to leap up and fly for the very first time with every bicker they have, each moment of eye contact far too fleeting.

There has to be a reasonable explanation— he knows it. But knights do not handle such trivial matters. So he focuses, instead, on the bread— ignoring the blue eyes on him entirely.

… Maybe not entirely.

Mostly.

—————

King Kahmunrah glowers.

“Whatever do you mean— a key is missing? Has anyone been released from a cell?..”

“No your Majesty.” Sir Ivan bows. “But… you see.. the jester stole them— the keys. And both the fool and the keys have gone missing..”

“… I want that… fuzzy little imp back in my sightline IMMEDIATELY!”

“It is not like he understands orders your majesty.. he is an imp— he does not talk..”

“I DO NOT CARE! Dexter the fool has reached my last nerve.. I want him stuffed and taxidermied the moment he is found!!”

“… Very well— your Majesty..”

No one notices, though, as the little imp, wings on his back, fur standing on edge, and keys in his hand, escapes from the castle.

Finally, Dexter is free from juggling. And finally open for mischief.

He heads first, for the forest.

Chapter Text

Octavius is doing everything in his power to fight his urge to be staring at the faun. Gnawing instead at the bread in his hand, covered in honey.

Sacajawea and Teddy have sat down beside them by now. Ahkmenrah nearby— himself still acting as guard, after all.

Nick hurries toward the group carrying a bundle of flowers.

“Jed look!”

“Aw— thanks Nicky boy! Do you want your hair done?”

“No! That’s okay— but can you do yours?”

“I already got plenty of flowers in my hair right now, partner.”

“…. Oh— can we do Sir Octavius’s hair then?”

“Well? Tavius— can we?”

The knight frowns, running one hand through his curled hair.

“I uh… is there even enough of it?..”

“Well sure! We’ll manage!”

“What color do you want?” Nick grins. “I collected a lot of colors!”

“I… uh..”

Octavius glances up at the faun staring at him with a mischievous face.

Blue eyes. Bluer than the sky, even?

“… Blue.” He almost whispers it. “The most vibrant blue you found.”

He can’t help but smile softly as the other two grin back, and approach his back to begin weaving the flowers in.

“Jedediah.” Atilla trots up. “Outfits… what will you wear to the ball..?”

“Uh…” The twisting of the hair behind Oct’s skull stops a moment. “I dunno… ain’t this fine?”

“No. Fancy clothes needed— nice fabric. And to hide your tail… horns..”

“I uh…”

Octavius finds himself interrupting. “Silk.”

There’s silence.

“… silk. He would look proper in it— and silk would be seen as a well-kept wrapping for his horns..”

“Silk— eh? What do you think I’m made of, Armor Boy? Money?”

“I shall pay for it.” Ahkmenrah butts in. “In fact— I shall get the outfits made for everyone in secret, so Atilla will have no need to do so.”

Larry leans forward. “Ahk— Octavius. That’s actually a great idea. It’s a masquerade anyway but having better fabrics will help us blend in with the rich more.”

“…. Dad?”

“Yes— Nicky?”

“… You and Teddy are humans. Are you going to have to wear wings or horns for it?..”

“I..”

Octavius turns, as Jedediah scoots forward more. His efforts toward his hair pauses.

“… Nicky who told you?”

“… I overheard you guys— I listened. Dad, are they really going to take my wings away?”

“… Yes. Not for the ball, but when the king’s time is up and they find a way how to, the guards are going to take everyone’s wings. Horns. Maybe even ears. That’s what we’re fighting for.”

“How… is that fair though? We die without them, we can’t breathe and— and I’m just learning to fly it isn’t fair—!”

“Nicky— listen to me. Everything will be fine. We’re gonna find a way out of this, right? It’s all gonna be okay.”

Octavius’s frown slowly rises, watching the two hug; memories burning just behind them.

—-“But father, why do we have to leave the forests?”—-

—-“The wilds are no place for a fairy any longer, Gaius. Everyone is leaving for the cities… the kingdom. And it is safer for us, other fairies will be there, and we shall live happily.”—-

—-“… So there’s no war in the kingdom?”—

—-“No. I know I am not your true father, or your mother. But you do trust me, yes? We will have opportunity here, rather than a life of civil war amongst the fae. And there are others… fauns… centaurs… humans even. They say the king and queen are changing the laws but it is nothing you and I cannot handle.”—-

—-“… I trust you, father. I’m just scared..”—

—-“Ah yes Gaius but there are times we must be scared in life.. it teaches you to fight past fear, yes?”—-

—-“… Yes.”—-

“Octavius?”

The knight turns. Only to see Jedediah staring at him, blue eyes right through his very soul.

“.. yes?”

“You alright there, partner?”

“… Indeed. Lost in thought, is all. Nevermind that.”

“Alrighty…”

There’s a rustling sound, everyone turning to the shrubs around them to look, frozen in fear. Octavius is the one to slowly rise to his feet, stepping in the way of the Prince. Jedediah and Nicholas too, pulling his sword from its sheath. The Revolution leader joins him in standing, glowing sword suddenly radiant in the forest lighting—as do Sacajawea and Atilla.

Larry tilts his head. “…. Whoever’s in the bushes… show yourself!”

“We are armed and unafraid to express it!” Sacajawea chants. “We are merely having food, may you not leave us be?”

All that leaves the bushes though, is some small creature. Nearly the size of a gnome, only slightly taller. Covered in fur and humanoid in an odd way— but with leathery red wings upon its back.

Ahkmenrah is the one to speak up. “It is an Imp!”

Octavius’s jaw falls. “That is not simply any Imp, your highness! It is the Royal fool— your brother’s fool!”

“You are right— Dexter!”

Squinting, he can see the creature holding something shiny. It takes moments for Octavius to realize it is a key ring.

More importantly— a key ring, not to the dungeons only, but to interior rooms instead. Something owned only by the three head guards, and perhaps the King himself.

“…. Everyone… that imp is carrying something rather valuable… those keys grant access to the armory.. the storage rooms.. even personal quarters..”

Teddy frowns. “Perhaps do they grant access to the Crown Jewels, by any chance?”

“…. Yes.”

“Well then. It’s our lucky day..” Larry smiles, slowly creeping forward. “Hey… Buddy… what’s your name? Dewy?..”

“Dexter.” Ahkmenrah adds.

“Dexter! Yes… there we go that’s it— hey buddy you wanna give me those keys… be a nice little imp? A good little imp?..”

“Lawrence— I should suggest against that.. imps are famously volatile…”

“He’s just a little guy Teddy… he’s not gonna hurt me. There we go, good boy… nOW—-“

The imp jumps in a blur, and chaos bursts forward. Visibly latched to the leaders nose in a fanged bite,

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAA—-!!”

“DAD!”

Octavius hurries forward, sword held aloft. Sacajawea attempting to join the fray and somehow grab the imp. Jedediah backing up on his hooves as Larry falls against a tree in his struggle, stumbling about the meadow clearing.

But it’s Teddy that grabs the imp as Larry falls to the grass. The creature still feral in his arms.

“OW!!!”

“These creatures must be handled with care! And respect, Lawrence! As so!… My friend, may I have those keys?”

The key’s drop into the other human’s hands.

“Thank you kindly.”

“… WHAT?!” The leader holds a hand to his bleeding nose as Sacajawea stands to Teddy, taking the now-calm imp in her own arms, running a hand along his fur and smiling.

“Dad.” Nick starts. “Can we keep him?”

“WHAT?! NO!”

“Gigantor I ain’t think we got any other choice.” Jedediah voices. “The imp gave us the damn keys— and he’s a victim of the king too. Might as well have him on our side than against it…”

“Jedediah is.. Jedediah is right.” Octavius grins. “We have found a very important new piece in this plan— and a new ally as well it should seem…”

“… I..”

“And besides— Jedediah is happy now that he is not the only one here with a crooked or once-damaged nose.”

“HEY— SPARKLES! Ain’t cool!”

Octavius laughs. He must do that more often, he’s decided—- make the faun frustrated. Because it looks so sweet with the way Jedediah’s eyebrows furrow in annoyance. The knight isn’t even sure why he enjoys it. This companionship he never found at the castle.

“… Fine— the imp stays. But I’m not happy about it.”

——————

The sun goes down. Darkness settled over the forest clearing. An entire day of planning outfits— masks as well. Talking and going over potential flaws— or even traps in the upcoming heist. Octavius feels the way the flowers woven into his hair move in the night breeze.

“Sir Octavius?”

He turns.

“Your highness?”

“The guard believes you wandered and found yourself lost. You cannot come back to the castle looking as you have— and not so soon after vanishing. I suggest you stay another night with the Revolution…”

“But your safety—“

“Shall be fine. I am being careful. And I do not believe Sir Lancelot is one of the guard’s set to harm me, in fact he seems rather oblivious.”

He shudders, thinking of the other knight.

—-“ You should know, my friend— that if you did not possess such flaws, I would consider taking you in as a companion. A lover even.”——

The words echo in his mind.

He knows deep down that Lancelot knows no better than he once did only a few weeks prior. But it still hurts— haunts. The thought that he would only be loved for a false version of himself. The idea of his wings being traded for love.

And he knows he cannot yet face his knight friend. He cannot yet sleep in the bunk underneath his, and feel at ease. Not with their still budless relationship.

“The tavern.” Atilla voices, packing items up. “Full.. it will be full… all night.”

“Dad— we can trade our spot in the tavern for Sir Octavius if—“

“Nick, no. I’m sorry but I don’t want to sleep in the streets again with you— I’m scared someone is gonna hurt us if we do..”

“… Do not trade with me— I shall find somewhere else to go and…”

He turns to look at the faun.

“Jedediah.”

“Somebody say my name?”

“Yes— Jedediah, I shall sleep with you!”

There’s silence, and the faun stamps one hoof onto the dirt, arms crossed and face flustered but disgusted.

“You ain’t even got a damn CHANCE..”

Octavius only blinks. “…. Oh…. NO! No— not in that way, you buffoon! I shall sleep in the same location as you! In a forest!”

“… You wanna sleep with me in the damn woods?!”

“It is better than sleeping in some alleyway and risking being recognized.”

“…. Fair enough… I guess I’ll show you the tree I use for a bed…”

“Thank you.”

He watches the faun huff, and decides this stupid idea will be worth it to see the man’s annoyed face again.

————-

The others having departed for their own hiding places, Jedediah looks up at his tree. The guards haven’t spotted him yet, so he refuses to change it. But sleeping by a fairy outside just might ruin the security of it for him.

“First up— Sparkles. You ever slept outside before?”

“Yes, actually.”

“Oh.”

“I was a young fairy in the wilds once, you know. I am not ENTIRELY removed from fae culture..”

“Well you ain’t gotta go all sassy on me now!”

The knight only makes a snorting sound suppressing a laugh and Jedediah rolls his eyes.

“You sure are gettin’ ornery on me lately.”

“What else should you expect I ate nothing today aside from honey bread— that is more sweets than I have had in over a decade with the Royal guard.”

“Honey bread shouldn’t make you act like you’re tipsy on wine and your own damn mischief!… But whatever floats that boat of yours.. okay I’ll give you a boost and—“

Before he can finish talking, the knight is already climbing up the tree.

“HEY—!”

“I shall race you to the branches!”

“Get back here shiny hiney so help me—!”

Bracing his hooves in the tree, Jedediah hauls himself upwards, but a hand extends down as he rises. A mischievous fairy face and curly brown hair poking out of the leaves above it.

“I AINT NEED A HAND!

“Truly? It seems as if you are struggling.”

“Shut it!”

In the end he does accept the hand, and is helped to the center of the tree. A flattened space enough to fit himself— and maybe if generous, three people. Shielded by a swath of leaves and willow vines.

“Alrighty Tavius— you make yourself comfy and I reckon I’ll take any spot I’ll fit beside you up here.”

Jedediah sighs as he extinguishes his lamp, the tree canopy shaded now in almost total darkness. In the pale moonlight he watches the fairy shift to his side, wings pressed against a few branches and leaves but set free from their bonds. And that’s enough for him, at the least.

He leans back, tossing a blanket at the fairy and another over his own legs.

Things are quiet before a small gasp.

“What? Tavius?”

“Look..”

Nothing seems out of the ordinary before something is held before his nose. A hand in the darkness— Octavius’s hand— with a simple firefly sitting on his index finger.

“… Well would you lookat that… you made yourself a little friend.”

“… It is beautiful..”

“Ain’t so special.. they’ll be flyin’ all around us in a few minutes I reckon. They’re out most summer nights in these parts.”

“Not special?..” He can hear the fairy’s breath on the wind. “I should say they are quite special… never in my life have I seen anything so mesmerizing…”

“Somebody's been guarding that damn dungeon too long.”

It’s quiet again. Jedediah frowns in the darkness, watching the vague silhouette of the fairy sit back up, keenly looking at the lightning bug crawling across his hand. The swarms have come now; blinks of light scattered across the treetops where he is desperately trying to sleep.

He almost tells the knight to leave the bug alone when the soft voice breathes again.

“…. My wings look like theirs.”

More quiet.

But he cannot find space to argue.

“…. Yeah. They do, don’t they?”

“… Perhaps it is not so bad, having wings.. not as long as I share a likeness to such a spectacle… it is as if the stars left the sky…”

He doesn’t mean to say it, but does anyway. “… Octavius— I’d say you’ve got prettier wings than the fireflies.”

“… What?.. Truly?..”

Jedediah almost bites his own tongue. “… Yeah..”

“….. I.. do not know what to say.”

The faun turns the awkward comment away, immediately distracting. “Plus, your ass don’t glow.”

Jedediah is met with a snarky response instead.

“And you know this how?..”

“Well I’d HOPE your ass doesn’t glow.” He chuckles. “…. Right?”

“No. My ass does not… glow.”

“Damn good— cause that ain’t even sound healthy.”

“Rather rude of you. I did not ask if your bull hair continues past your thighs after all.”

“Well NOW you have.” The faun laughs.

“…. oh.”

Jedediah can’t help but burst into laughter, and he hears as Octavius does the same beside him. It bounces through the canopy for seconds— miniatures, until quiet once again.

Jedediah only watches the fireflies, and that voices reaches out again.

“….. Does it?”

He wheezes. “NO! No dammit— dammit Sparkles, our faun hair starts just above our knees— what kinda daydreams have you been havin’ about faun legs anyway?!”

“I am merely… curious!”

“Sure.. sure…”

They both chuckle again in the darkness, before Jedediah finds himself rolling, horns propped on a branch.

“… Alrighty— get some shut eye, shiny hiney.”

“You as well, Sir Hairless..”

“HEY! I said there wasn’t faun hair I ain’t meant human and— Nevermind! Just shut up!”

The fairy, somewhere in the darkness between them, snickers quietly. But silence eventually finds its way to gain control.

Unable to sleep, he only looks in the general direction of where he knows the knight is laying. Asleep and peaceful, as he had been on the table.

Jedediah reaches one hand, and holds onto the blanket Octavius is using. It’s nice to be close to someone out here in the darkness— is all.

That’s the only reason. And he continues to tell himself that’s the only reason, as his eyes flutter to sleep.

His face feels warm. Like a terrible fire he cannot shake. And if he regrets being closer to Octavius when he wakes up in the morning— he has no energy to care about it now, only the lingering image of the fairy smiling over honey bread as the last thing he sees before exhaustion wins.

————-

Chapter Text

Birds chirp overhead, dew beading in the grass.

And Jedediah Strong Smith wakes up with a face full of curly brown hair.

His eyes fly wide open immediately— but instinct tells him not to move.

Because he doesn’t want to wake the sleeping fairy— he truly cannot handle the humiliation of Octavius knowing what’s happened. That at some point in the night, one of them had gotten cold from the looks of it, and sought the other out to hold.

And now in the dawn, he’s been intertwined with a fairy. Octavius remains out like a light, resting on his side— his face placed between Jedediah’s shoulder and neck.

The faun himself— trapped laying on his back looking up at the leaves above him, Octavius tucked just nearly under his chin. One of his arms is encircling the fairy’s shoulder. What perplexes him though, is— he must have wrapped his tail about the fairy’s leg in the night.

Just how cold was it?

He could have sworn he fell asleep propped up— was it him that moved in the night? Wouldn’t he realize the awkwardness in cradling someone as if he were married to them for several years, even if he was half asleep? Or was it Octavius that shifted to hold him?

It hardly matters now. The next problem at hand though is getting free without waking the fairy.

The faun blushes. Deep inside he is happy they stayed warm in the chill of the summer— and that Octavius got to hold someone again, even if it had to be himself. But the churning in his heart and stomach won’t leave, and he hates it all the same.

The faun softly releases his tail from around the fairy’s leg, shifting away quietly. Careful when pulling away his arms not to brush the knight’s wings and startle him awake.

He lets out a yelp when Octavius mutters something in his sleep, throwing his arms around Jedediah’s middle in return.

“Sparkles whY… alright.. alrighty I guess you ain’t gonna give me any other choice.” Jedediah grunts in frustration. Gently shaking the fairy’s shoulder.

“Hey— you. Tavius.”

He’s met with only the disappointed sound of a man that does not want to roll out of bed yet.

“Tavius.”

Jedediah huffs, moving to sit up. Something seems to possess him, as he makes the split-second decision to run his hands through the knight’s hair.

It’s soft.

And he regrets it immediately— wanting to do it again.

“Sir Octavius dammit would you wake up?!”

Startled, the fairy’s eyes fly open, blinking away sleep for seconds before he only looks upwards with an expression of horror.

“Well hi partner, you a little chilly or what..?”

Octavius shouts, letting go and immediately backing up on his hands. Wings splayed out behind him in embarassed shock.

“I—-!!

“Woah now— I—“

“… I am sorry— I shall leave and—“

“Octavius WAIT! Hey! I ain’t mad, might’ve been my fault too and—!”

He watches in disappointment as the fairy rushes to climb from the tree, already in the middle of tying his wings back.

“Octavius! Come on!!”

Jedediah follows, jumping down until he manages to catch the fairy, grabbing him by the red shirt.

“Tavius—“

“No I— I need to go home. I.. have invaded too much space, I have taken this too far and..”

“But—“

“Knights need no such comforts— I do.. I do not need your… assistance in sleeping. I must leave. I am sure.. sure the guard is wondering where I have gone..”

He has no chance to say anything before the fairy runs away, and he does not chase after. Octavius was clearly embarrassed— and for that he doesn’t blame him.

But somehow Jedediah is sure— that he was the one to move— his fault.

It’s been a long time since he was held, too.

And it’s hard to go back to.

—————-

“Sir Octavius!” Lancelot comes clanking down the hall as Octavius does his best to avoid him. To avoid the looks of the others. “Wherever have you been—? I was rather right stressed!”

“It… is a long story— but a simple one. I merely got turnt around in the forest… and.. lost.”

“Oh my— have you eaten anything?”

“Ah— yes. Plenty of mushrooms I.. I uh… know how to forage! I am quite well…”

“The head guards wish to have a word with you..”

“… I understand.”

“The king himself even has requested your audience.”

“I…. Yes… yes indeed. I shall not keep his majesty waiting long…”

—————-

The head guards hardly say anything other than the typical heavy scolding. A long ridicule over his failures in protecting the prince. And shared tips on how to stay on direction in the woods.

But in the end, Octavius only restates that he intends to do better work guarding the Prince. And they seem to regard it with both lack of confidence toward him and indignation aimed at his goal of keeping Ahkmenrah safe.

“The king— next.” Sir Napoleon nods.

“Yes, Sir Octavius, meet his majesty in the library— just off the east hall.”

He knows where it is— but does not flinch at their insult in giving him direction.

“Very well.”

As he walks toward the library though, Octavius only feels heightening anxiety. Due to speak with the king on private terms.

He reminds himself to be cautious.

———-

The scene in the library is a mess. Books stacked to act as tables for a scene that should undoubtedly be kept out of a library. And paint on the floor.

King Kahmunrah in the midst of getting a portrait painted, posing egotistically on a lavish chair. In a moment of bravery he steps forward, eyes down respectfully as he readjusts his cloak.

“… You wished to speak to me, your majesty?”

“Ah… yes yes! Sir Octavius— do come in…”

He kneels near the painter— a woman clearly deadpan toward her work.

“Shoo— run along, artist! Be back when I shall summon you, I have council with a guard can you not see!?”

Nodding, the woman rushes off, her dress sweeping behind her.

“Now… Ah yes— I overheard of your absence from the Royal guard.” Kahmunrah tilts his head forward. “It is true?”

“… Yes your majesty. It is true— I found myself lost in the wilderness for what I am told was two days…”

“…. And why is that— how did.. did you manage such a feat?”

“… Misfortune, that is all. I apologize yet again for my absence..”

“But tell me, Sir Knight— were you not meant to be guarding my baby brother?!”

“… indeed I was.”

“And you leFT HIM UNATTENDED!!!??”

The lie forms fast, and Octavius runs with it, hoping not to get caught in the web like a fly as he tells it.

“… His highness was being watched under my care for the majority of the morning, before. But he requested I gather him a specific item from the market— a local… honey of a sort? I left my armor and went to obtain it for his highness’s wishes— anything for my prince.”

“And did you gather this item?…”

“No— I had believed I had seen a criminal— one we have been seeking with our posters, while in the market. I dashed after them in pursuit, out of the walls, but it seems they evaded me and I had found myself lost.”

“So you lost a criminal?”

“… I am still uncertain if it was them, I only had my suspicions, your majesty.”

“….. Very well— but I expect bETTER KNIGHT BEHAVIOR FROM NOW ON!! Regardless of if those wings of yours make you idiotic…”

He keeps his head down, nodding.

Kahmunrah continues. “But do say, Sir Octavius— I should like to show you something. Would you follow me?”

“… Yes, it would be my honor, your majesty.”

The king rises, and Octavius follows only humbly behind. On his guard— despite being a guard himself.

————-

Down halls. A staircase. Another corridor and up yet another staircase. Octavius keeps his head down but eyes sharp, until guided toward a door that would normally be locked. Head-guard access only.

His mind wanders to the keys they have obtained— held tightly in Larry’s possession no doubt. And in connection, the embarrassment of accidentally holding Jedediah.

He shoos the thought away as the king retrieves a key of his own, unlocking the door with an apparent struggle.

“Now, Sir Octavius I have QUITE the special request of you.”

“… Whatever can I do for you, your majesty?”

“Before I open this door— I should have you drop your cloak.”

“… I apologize—Pardon?”

“Your cloak. I ORDER you to drop it— and expose your wings.”

“But your majesty it is not—“

“NOW!!!!”

As he drops the cloak; beginning to untie his wings, the king opens the door.

The sight inside makes his stomach drop.

“Ah… there we are— welcome to my collection.”

Cases— wall pins— racks— displays.

Exhibits.

All entirely filled— with fairy wings. Faun horns, and even hooves. All differentiating in size and shape— even number.

Octavius represses a gag, his own wings pressed to his back in shock and horror.

“I am… a collector— of the most valuable things. And these— are the most beautiful things you shall find anywhere in this lifetime…”

He only stands, nodding, eyes darting to all the different body parts.

“… Wherever did you collect all of these?..”

“Ah— the scum of my kingdom! Criminals… it is so shameful, to put these things on display to the human eye… with how manipulative they are..”

“…. Indeed.”

“There is nothing as dangerous as an inhuman, and I suppose you would know that, wouldn’t you? They are masters of seduction… manipulation…”

“… I would agree.”

“But— you are soon to all be human, and this is why I have requested you here.”

“Me, your majesty?”

“Yes— YES! Your wings.” The king turns, eyes wild as they search up and down, burrowing into the knight’s soul. “They are golden… all wings are different… but yours.. they are truly a regal color— that of an emperor..”

“… I…would rather not have them, though.” He lies.

“And that is why I shall take them! There are no wings I should want more in my collection.. I have already selected a gathering of my collection to be passed out for the ball… these are merely my favorites in this room..”

“… it— it would be an honor, to have my flaws go to such a… a beautiful collection, your majesty…”

“Ah yes but… in time. We both must be patient, yes? We are still developing the best way to remove these wings… as much as I’d love to take them this very moment— I’d rather not lose a guard…”

“… Indeed.”

His eyes wander to a rack on the wall where the smallest wings in the room are placed. So very little, all lined and pinned. Taken from changelings, only the size of a baby.

Several in differentiating shades of opal; their colors not yet grown in. And most missing digits. Half-fairies. Killed at birth or discovery.

He bites his lip, willing away any tears that want to form.

Color hits his eyes; and he turns.

A pair in mauve purple. So very different from his own but regal— and achingly familiar.

“… Where.. where did you gather.. gather this fine pair?..“

“Ah… an older fairy— he had been nearly arrested for stealing food I believe, but evaded. I had a guard handle his crimes… though I had that guard himself executed when he failed me, he stabbed the wings… they are imperfect— but beautiful nonetheless..”

Octavius grips his cloak.

It wasn’t a jealous person, or some robber.

It was an assassin.

For stealing food.

He swears he can still feel the stickiness of blood on his feet after he wandered down the stairs to find his father.

Julius.

“I.. I see..”

“Ah but look—! These faun horns are my favorite… their spiral is beautiful.”

He grips the handle of his sword, hands shaking. But as the gleam of the faun horns in the light, something makes him hesitate.

Killing the king now— would mean his own death, guards likely overhearing. Or— the prince would be blamed. And the fae and inhumans would be listed as traitors— murderers— again.

Larry is right; the king must go down only once the people have a better message in their hearts.

And—-Jedediah is counting on him.

He doesn’t know why that matters now, in the moment, but it makes him stop even with the tears brimming on his eyes.

“Now— Sir Octavius, do put your wings away… other humans aside from myself do not have the power to resist their glory, I am but the only exception.”

“… As you will, your majesty.”

“You may go— I must be back to my portrait— ah and, as you leave to guard my brother, find my artist and send her back to my side.”

“… I shall.”

As he leaves, Octavius takes another turn down a quiet hallway, heaving his last meal with a hand against the wall into a decorative vase.

And soon enough— it is time to guard the prince once more. He wanders back to his post, thoughts locked on it all.

His father.

The Revolution.

The king.

The prince.

And— Jedediah.

It’s always Jedediah, now, isn’t it?

Jedediah Strong Smith.

Octavius gasps, his mind’s eye flashing with magic.

The image of the faun, one bull leg propped up as he talks to a person Octavius cannot see. Smiling. Hair as golden as the sun, a light stubble on his face.

Blue eyes as vibrant— more vibrant— than the flowers now wilting in his hair.

The fairy shakes away the sight, and all that’s left is burning. An old voice, his father’s, lit up in the back of his mind.

—“Gaius— true names come with a cost. As once you should love someone, enough to think of them constantly— their image shall never leave your side.”—

“…. Oh.”

What does it mean?

Perhaps— he is starting to understand.

“…. Oh no… no… no I cannot… not him.. anything but.. no— no I do not feel love… i…”

The prince seems to hear him coming, opening the door and motioning for him to enter.

“Octavius. What… troubles you?.. Did my brother show you..”

“Yes.”

“…. I am sorry.”

“I simply… must… guard.”

“… I….understand.”

——————

Days past. Turning quickly to a week, and then another. Servants rushing to and fro with decorations. And he has no doubt that the rich of the kingdom are off buying wings. Horns. Hooves. Fur.

And the poor— that few number of humans that exist in comparison to the inhumans, as well. Excitement for the ball within the common crowd growing. Or growing more with dread.

When he can, he slips away with the prince, to review and deepen the plan of attack. How they will distract the court, how Octavius may get away with helping the Revolution whilst in armor. Each detail getting more and more intense.

Some days— spent with Nick and Sacajawea. Lessons in flying that seem to go nowhere.

“No. No.” The woman corrects. “You are not putting enough muscle into the flap downwards, you will not be able to fly upright if you do not practice it correctly.”

“Yeah! Like this!” Nick chants, spinning his own wings to show, and rising into the air. Most recently, he has learned how to hover for very long stretches of time.

“I just do not believe I shall ever leave the ground.. it feels impossible..”

“Do not give up hope! These skills, especially when learnt at an older age, are very challenging to master. But all together you SHALL learn to fly. Try again.”

He does, and the force of air against his wings pushes him off the floor only the slightest amount. Octavius stumbles forward, as Teddy holds out an arm to steady him.

“That was some improvement… flying can be hard to learn…”

“Falling usually helps.” Sacajawea frowns. “That is why we toss young changelings into the air to teach them— but that is not so easy with you. All we can do is watch you learn the basic movements… which you have almost mastered— and hope to have you jumping soon to try and hover…”

“I… appreciate your help.”

Across the tavern he catches blue eyes. Jedediah watching him half-heartedly as he whittles something in his hands. Octavius can do nothing but avoid his gaze.

They’ve hardly talked— since the tree. Embarrassment still scalding hot, he knows he has been avoiding the faun as if he were a plague. Knowing that he cradled his own fellow revolutionary without asking— probably in his sleep.

Octavius sneaks a glance at the faun again, and when Jedediah notices his own eyes go downcast again; the faun had tried to speak to him some time ago but he never allowed him to get a word in.

Ahkmenrah rises to warn him. “Octavius. We must leave— the ball begins tomorrow, and you and I must be in our places…”

“I agree— allow us… to leave. Thank you yet again for the flying lesson, I shall see you… when we strike.”

“Be safe!” Teddy smiles, stooping to hand Octavius his cloak and pick up Dexter alongside it. The imp visibly planning another attack on the leader across the room should he get close enough.

Hoods up again, taking a back alley, the prince turns to face the fairy.

“You like him— do you not?”

“What?! No!”

“Explain this behavior then— you are sluggish as of late, you have been using magic. You space off even worse on your post… you two are constantly staring at one another with wistful and sad expressions!!”

“I do not love— not fauns.”

“That is where you are wrong! I should know another person who does not sense love in that form if I laid my eyes on them.”

“… But—“

“I do not love. Larry, even, does not seem to love, nor Atilla. But you look at Jedediah as if HE were the one adorned in a frown upon our throne!”

“I do NO such thing!”

“Then you are blind to your own emotions!”

“I do NOT LOVE HIM!”

“…. And I believe you are in denial. You feel only love but with no means of showing it.”

“…. And?! And if somehow I DID love him?! I cannot! He is a faun, and I am a fairy!”

“And?”

“What do you mean ‘and’?”

“Sacajawea and Teddy are a fairy and a human, and their love is quite real if you have noticed. Why can an adoration between a faun and a fairy not be the same?”

“I…. I do not know— this is not relevant because I do not love Jedediah!!!”

“Then I shall take your word… hurry now— if I am missing for my tailoring… it shall raise alarm.”

“Very well…”

It can’t be love. It shouldn’t be.

He knows he shouldn’t love the faun— but.

What if he does?

Chapter Text

Guards are at the door even as Octavius stands watch. Clearly there to deliver some message to the Prince on the day of the ball— likely just to check in on him. He knocks on the door as Sir Capone and Bonaparte wait.

“Yes?” Ahkmenrah answers, just as an all too chilling figure rounds the hall, guarded by Sir Ivan.

“Ah! Baby brother, I should hope you are preparing for tonight’s event?”

“Of course.”

“There is something we should speak of— king and prince. I must show you. Urgently!”

As Ahkmenrah leaves his room, a cloak now pinned to his regal outfit, Octavius steps in time with him.

“Sir Octavius you may stay here instead— his majesty and his highness are the only two needed.” Sir Ivan warns.

“Truly? I wish to have my guard with me, brother.”

“He is not needed.” The king glares.

“But I should wish him anyway.” The Prince states it innocently back.

“… Very well— so long as he remains silent about our doings.”

“… Where are we going?” Ahkmenrah asks. “We have a dance to prepare for?”

“… More pressing matters have begun… the guards have captured a creature from the wilds. And I wish to show you, baby brother.”

“And what kind of creature… is this?”

“Something unseen before— a being of ancient magic… it is ferocious and we believe we may be able to train it…”

Even with his head kept low, Octavius’s curiosity is rising.

“Train it— but brother why? That sounds highly unsafe!..”

“Baby brother I am under the impression there is discourse in the kingdom due to my goals.. and I shall not be having it. Such a beast in the control of myself… the guard… it shall keep any… selfish and vain inhumans in line.”

“… I see..”

They walk, boots clicking in a grouping, down many stairs and into the dungeons. But it’s the large cells they reach, only for Octavius to find one hobbled together to be as large as possible. Drapes and darkness shielding whatever is inside the structure.

“Well? Is it even visible?” Ahkmenrah sasses. “I see no creature in this…”

“He’s hiding in the shadows.” Bonaparte comments, accent thick as always, walking forward to rattle on one of the bars. “It is just an overly tall coward at the moment.”

Growling resounds through the dungeons, causing the head guard to shriek and jump back from the cage. A claw clangs against the metal, as the creature comes into view.

Yellowish and haunting, and taller than himself by several repetitions— the monster inside the cage is entirely skeletal.

Staring and moving impossibly, empty eye sockets somehow conveying fury without even moving. And wings upon its back that offer no pads for flight, only the exposed bone.

“A tyrant… is he not?” Kahmunrah grins. “A reanimated dragon.. we haven’t a clue who or what is responsible for such magic… but it is remarkable… a weapon we cannot pass up.”

Ahkmenrah only stares and breathes. “A beast that can’t be killed…”

“Precisely.”

Octavius watches the dragon back asay once more, swallowed by the dungeon’s shadows.

Kahmunrah smiles one last time. “Any being that should challenge my rule and my hope for this kingdom shall feel what it is like to be hunted..”

There is silence.

“Now! That is all I felt the need to show— back to the ball IMMEDIATELY! We haven’t an hour to waste!!”

——————

Jedediah frowns as he looks at the group— the people who are practically family. All wrapped in formal cloaks or ponchos to best hide their bodies. Masks on top now, to hide their true faces further from sight.

All except Teddy and Nick, that is. The boy instead is cloaked in one of Larry’s few larger items, and Teddy in his typical wear.

“Dad— why can’t I go with you?..”

“It’s safer here with Teddy— we’ll be back, but Teddy will protect you no matter what.”

“I don’t want to steal your cloak!”

“Well, I need you warm and hidden. So stay by Teddy and listen, yeah? I promise I’ll be safe, Nicky.”

“I…”

“You and I shall have a nice time waiting for them… yes?” Teddy smiles. “We may be able to polish those goggles of yours.”

“True.. they are tarnishing sorta..”

“Just stay safe, and I’ll be home in a few hours.”

Jedediah smirks at their reaction, turning back to his own poncho. Silken blue and embroidered with red details. Crimson flowers, even. A second layer of wooden brown cloth overtop acting as a cloak. The pants on his legs are silky as well, matching the color of his mask.

It is not meant to be flashy but all the same feels far too expensive to be wearing. Even his hair is brushed through.

“You look lovely.” Sacajawea reassures.

“Sure… sure I do…”

“This shall go fine.”

“It will!” Atilla nods, smiling. “At least… you do not have to wear a horse blanket…”

“You sorta got me beat on that one, buckeroo.” Jedediah chuckles.

“Are you ready to wrap your horns, then?”

“… I reckon so..”

Sacajawea and Atilla both take hold of the silk cloths Ahkmenrah brought them just for Jedediah. To cover and pad his horns.

Stark red, to match the embroidery details. His tail also wrapped, unable to be tied back due to needing it for balance.

“There we are… you look perfect. A simple faun… but regal. They shall not recognize you.”

“… Y’all look nice too!”

“Just think.” Sacajawea adds. “One day we shall attend a ball where this is all not required.”

“Yeah…”

Larry joins them, fixing a very fake set of horns upon a headband to his skull. But Jedediah doesn’t protest, just glad they went for fake ones rather than buying the from the real market.

“Okay, let’s go everyone… it’s time.”

————

Guests trickle into the castle, adorned in masks and their finery. But even as his mind reels—

His father’s wings.

The skeletal dragon.

The incoming raid.

— Octavius does his best to focus on the task at hand. Keeping an eye out for his teammates while patrolling the hall. Sent out by the royals to mingle amongst the guests and meant to be looking out for any trouble.

It’s Larry and Teddy that catch his eye first. Fit with false horns to blend in with the rest of the lower class humans at the event. As if they could not afford the real thing. Sacajawea and Atilla follow shortly behind them, swathed in fabric, their features hidden well.

All surrounded by the eerie sensation that most of the extravagant costumes filtering into the ball are not costumes at all— but taxidermy. He does his best to shake off the thought, distracted in watching his teammates.

But it’s Jedediah that enters the hall last out of the group.

He doesn’t love him.

He doesn’t love him.

Surely, he doesn’t—

Blue silk has no right to look so sleek on a faun.

It’s a poncho— only different from his normal one. This one seems longer, further blue, with far more embroidered details all along it. A second drape of brown fabric frames Jedediah’s shoulders, running behind him like a cloak. All set on faun hooves, horns, and the collar of the outfit, wrapped in red silk.

And a blue mask to complete it.

Octavius hums to himself, embarrassed afterwards for making a sound, before he finds himself stumbling through the crowd to get to Jedediah. As if his legs were acting of their own accord.

“Finally gonna talk to me, armor boy?”

“I— I…”

“I see somebody ain’t get the memo, huh? You ain’t dressed up for me?” Jedediah grins, teasing with his voice low. “That’s the same ol’ smelly armor you wear most days… and to think I got all dolled up for you..”

Before he can respond though, a trumpet sounds at the far end of the hall, where Kahmunrah rises to stand, clearly wearing the crown alongside a pair of stolen wings. Opalescent in the light, Octavius wonders who they were taken from.

Eerie silence only echoes.

Stolen horns and wings along the ballroom floor glisten under the chandelier light.

Octavius spares a nervous glance at the Prince, who is dressed in all the finery the castle could spare aside from the king himself. Ahkmenrah is sat still in his smaller throne, a thousand times the regality of his older brother.

Kahmunrah finally throws his goblet of wine in the air alongside his arms.

“…. Shut the gates….MUSIC! GO! Now is the time to dance!”

Fiddles wail as the first song of the night begins.

“Listen, Jedediah I wanted to apologize for—-“

Yet again his sentence is cut short, but not by the faun. By another figure stepping into frame, hand extended, and armor polished. Wearing a pair of pinned blue wings upon his back.

“Sir Octavius?”

“… Sir Lancelot?”

“May I have this dance?”

“.. oh. Well I—!”

“Actually if you’d moved your shimmery trousers fast enough to get here a second earlier— you’d know Sir Octavius here offered me a dance first.”

“I— wait— I did?” He startles.

“Course you did.” Jedediah smiles, all mischief. “It’s sure awfully knight-like to ask me to dance… I’ll take it.”

He cannot have room for argument as Jedediah strides forward, taking Octavius by the hand much to his shock. And it is not long before the appalled and confused Lancelot is lost to the swarths of dancers once more.

“Come on! Ain’t y’all knights trained on dancin’ at all?”

“Not truly. They teach us protection— not… charm.”

“Knights are s’posed to have charm! Ain’t it come with the armor?”

“… I wouldn’t say exactly— listen!! I wish to talk to you about—“

“Bout how handsome I look?”

“What? No— no not at— well… can you just listen? I want to speak of what happened nights ago, with the tree.”

“Oh.”

“I am sorry— so severely sorry for my actions. I did not intend to make you uncomfortable I am merely not used to sleeping in such a cold location or with my wings out yet and I must have acted on instinct—“

“Octavius.”

“— That is no excuse but still I did not mean for it to happen and that does not relieve me from my actions or—“

“Octavius.”

“—- I am just trying to apologize for ruining that night and your sleep I have felt terrible but unable to approach the shame for days and—!”

“Sparkles! Could you just be quiet?”

“I—“

“Can we just dance instead, dammit? Is that so hard?”

“I find… everything is difficult around you..”

Jedediah smiles. “Well— can we try and make it easier then?”

Their hands shift, and Octavius blushes as he puts one hand on the faun’s hip, another on his shoulder. It’s only once he himself smiles though, at last comfortable with the gentle dancing pace— that the music changes.

“Oh my—“

Jedediah grins as they both begin to spin around one another, in pattern with the others dancing all around them. In a moment of panic he seeks out solace in the crowd for familiar faces, unsure of what to do.

Sacajawea and Larry appear to be dancing, both smiling and friendly until the dancing partners spin and switch. Larry lands with a red haired woman, awkwardness shown by apparently overwhelmed face. Sacajawea instead, lingers and falls out of the dancing crowd, wandering back toward Atilla. The centaur— alongside the other centaurs here—have been kept out of the dancing.

Not that Octavius is surprised by it.

“Jedediah?”

“Yeah?”

“What is the plan?”

“We wait till the king has his guard lowered, remember?” Jedediah’s voice is quiet. “Then we have Dexter pounce.”

“Ah.. yes. But until then?”

“We dance, I s’pose..”

There’s silent, and he both wants to look away but keep staring as the cowboy continues to face him. Their faces mere breaths away from one another.

“What I said moments ago— I did not mean I— you look…”

“You ain’t gotta say it. I know all the silk is sorta tacky, but it’s what Ahk gave me..”

“… I was going to say you look remarkably… handsome.. quite stunning.”

“… oh. Really now?”

“But of course. Better than the king’s clothing, in my eyes—“

“Well I reckon that’s true of anybody here… I ain’t the one celebratin’ taking away people’s rights and wearin’ their wings on my back.”

“Yes but you win overall as well.. I… the entire royal court could not complete with the look of you..”

“Aw hell— that’s… awfully sweet of you to say..”

“… You are welcome.”

“You’re a damn good friend, y’know that?”

“… And so are you, yourself. We are friends now?..”

“I reckon we should consider ourselves friends… yeah. You agree?”

“I do… yes.”

Another silence— Jedediah allows Octavius to twirl him, and when the motion stops, Jedediah swiftly moves to dip the knight instead. Left with the sight of blonde hair dangling in front of his masked eyes for moments.

“… The flowers in your hair are gone.”

“Course they are— flowers ain’t exactly ball fashion, Tavius.”

“But..” He blinks, breath winded. “They remind me of you. I miss them.”

“.. S’pose I’ll put some back in later then, yeah?”

“… I should like that— so long as you would.”

“Shall you do my hair as well?”

“Hell— if that’s what you want.. sure.”

He grins broadly as he’s brought into another spin, walking beside the faun. Eye contact not fleeting.

Until the music stops— quickly shifting to another song entirely. Their hands fall apart.

“… Allow us to gather the others?”

“… Yeah.. watch your back.”

—————

There are already small groups congregating for talk. Octavius stays near Jedediah but not too close to seem suspicious should the king or other guards be watching. Larry joins their gathering soon after.

“Gigantor. Things all in place?”

“Yeah— they are and I.. I…..”

The man stops mid explanation, eyes distant on the crowd of dancing and speaking citizens. Pale as any moonflower.

Atilla frowns. Octavius and the others turn to their leader.

“Larry?” Sacajawea tries. “What is wrong? Are we in danger are… hello?”

“I…”

The fairy looks toward where the leader’s gaze is locked, Jedediah seems to be searching as well. All he sees though, is Lancelot. Keeping pace through the crowds guarding his rounds as he should be.

But Larry’s face is horror stricken by the sight.

“Larry? What is it?” Atilla tries.

“It’s… nothing. It’s nothing.”

As he stares, it’s clearly more obvious though. The navy-blue wings on Lancelot’s armor back are eerily familiar. So familiar it is as if he had once seen a copy of them.

Though— an incomplete copy, and far smaller than the ones Lancelot is proudly sporting.

“Gigantor? That knight, those wings… there ain’t any chance they belonged to—?”

“No. I’m— stop. Nevermind guys, let’s just get this over and done with.”

The group frowns. But Larry only refocuses, whispering the plan instead.

“Get some of the food quickly, we have to wait until the king begins his speech for me to interrupt. Once we have the crown, we use the guard keys to get out of the hallway— Sacajawea will create the diversion, and Ahk will follow us. Apparently he knows a secret passage out of the castle.”

Jedediah nods. “And from there, we go runnin’.”

“Exactly. We take the crown, give them speech, and run.”

“Dexter, are you ready?” Sacajawea asks, and there’s a quiet chirp from the pocket in Atilla’s long centaur coat confirming the imp is on on the plan.

“Good. You’ll know when I give Dexter the signal. Once the plan is in action everybody be ready to run. And grab the Prince.”

“Until then.. everybody act natural.. three… two …one… blend in again.”

Octavius yelps as the group awkwardly splits apart again, Jedediah holding his hand the second time to pull him back into another dance.

“Well? Go ahead. Put your hands on m’a hips.”

“I…”

“Only if you wanna— of course.”

Cautiously, he places his hands in the proper places, and they begin to sway to the music once more. He both understands but fails to comprehend why they feel like they belong there. There is something safe about this— too safe considering they are amidst a revolution. And he feels as if he is drowning in it.

Beautiful blue silk. A warm faun. The sway of a dance. Music. Blonde hair rippled in chandelier light. Horns set strong but wrapped in red cloth. A crooked nose.

Beautifully imperfect— and he has to distract himself again surely. Before the heat on his face or the sweat on his hands are noticeable.

“Say, Jedediah?”

“Yep?”

“Do not think me rude to ask this— but… are your horns— are they..?”

“Bull horns? Yeah. My folks were farmers— shepherds and shopkeepers. I ain’t got antlers like some folk do, or spiral horns, mine stay on me forever.”

“No. No— not that. I was going to ask you if they are… heavy? And does it not hurt your neck to fight using them?”

“Oh.” Jedediah sighs. “I’m used to em— but I can’t crawl through tight spaces, or some damn doorways. But us fauns have tough necks and good balance, ain’t gotta worry about our fightin’ skills.”

“… I see. Thank you for explaining.”

Another bout of quiet between only the two as fiddles wail and a jaw harp somewhere twangs throughout the grand hall.

“… Y’know— ain’t go thinkin’ this is stupid o’ me now but— I like your eyes.”

“My… eyes?”

“… yeah.”

“Why? They are the same as any other eyes. The eyes of a guard, nothing is special about them. Not such as yours…”

“My eyes are just blue. But there’s somethin’ bout yours that are..”

“— Your eyes are more than blue. They are like flowers, or the sky— or gemstones that belong within the crown jewels— they are one of… of the most vivid sights I know of now, you needn’t be humble.”

“… I was just gonna say yours.. are soft..”

“… oh.”

“Like dirt.”

“…. Dirt? Truly. What a… compliment. I am so glad I just wrote poetry over yours when mine are compared to dirt! Surely I owe you an even better description now?” He sasses back.

“Not any old dirt! Hell— I’m talkin’ good soil.. y’know. The stuff that keeps us alive? Or the color of a sweet drink when the sunlight hits your glass— I— I ain’t good with words! I just wanted to compliment your damn eyes, you're the fairy that made it weird!”

“I am not the faun that moved to compliments amidst an important dance and mission, you are—-!”

“ATTENTION ALL! My loyal subjects!”

Silence booms in one final echo as the king speaks, his brother standing beside him humbly and eyes aimed at the floor.

“…. Thank you ever so much for attending! As you know of this kingdoms glorious plans… all of you— even the filth in this very room… shall he equal humans soon!”

Cheering resounds but quickly quiets again waiting for more news.

“… But as you know. Some features are not so easily removed.. Both without chance of death, for most that own them… and that is why I have given this ball it’s glory! All of you— wearing wings… horns… the beautiful flaws of inhumans..”

Silence.

“… I have done so to show you the danger. Where there is beauty there is power and pain. Those that possess these features will be made anew! Better off without the danger of having them, losing a wing— a tail— in the wrong way may kill! But with them safely… discarded… all shall be safe. Safe from their manipulative beauty and the consequences of these flaws! And to ensure the survival of these soon-to-be humans… those inhumans of the castle staff shall be volunteering to be the first to lose their wings! To determine the… safest methods.”

Octavius frowns, as Jedediah’s jaw drops, and he feels himself grab for his cloak fabric out of anxiety. But it’s Jedediah’s hand that settles over his shoulder supportively that somehow startles him more.

He is meant to be one of the first inhumans to lose his wings, surely this is a punishment of some kind? Or just a quicker way for the king to gather his wings for his… collection.

Further cheering— turning to gasping.

As Dexter swoops in, a blur of wings and fur, snatching the halo-like crown directly from the King’s skull, and placing it on Ahkmenrah instead as the prince backs away.

Larry leaps onto the throne platform in a hurry, pulling Ahkmenrah behind himself and Atilla swiftly behind the Prince, Dexter on Ahkmenrah’s regal shoulder. The glowing sword held by the leader, and pointed at the king.

Panicked voices battle over the hall until Larry grins.

“HEY!”

Quiet.

“YEAH— thank you! This here, is Prince Ahkmenrah. You all know him, you all love him. But what if I told you he was actually KING Ahkmenrah?!”

There’s gasping.

“THAT'S RIGHT! The current king is a criminal! He’s faked the will of our last rulers— they left their throne to their YOUNGEST SON, not this tyrant! Kahmunrah wants nothing more than to see total control— to see the inhumans of this kingdom die off, only to collect the bodies they rightfully own for his collection!”

People panic and murmur as the Royal guard moves in where they can, patient to attack with their Prince and King held by revolutionaries and criminals.

“ALL of us are human! And this failure of a king can’t see that— but now you can! Don’t we deserve a shot to keep ourselves? To fly again?— Run again? Fight back again?! WE DO! What he’s doing is bad, sorry! But if we all worked together, we can put a real king on the throne!”

“He speaks the truth!” Ahkmenrah stands tall, beaming. “My parents' true Will was destroyed! I was left the kingdom— and now my older brother wishes me dead! He hasn’t anyone's best interest in heart beside his own!! But I shall promise a land of safety where my parents and himself have failed to do so! For ALL!”

Commotion has started all around them. Octavius turns to Jedediah, as the faun nods.

“We gotta head toward the exit— careful with everybody movin’ around and—!”

As they move, Jedediah trips, mask clattering to the floor as people around the two in a panic. And it is when Octavius bends to help the faun back up, that Sir Capone points from across the way.

“YOUR MAJESTY! IT'S THE FAUN— the dungeon prisoner that escaped!”

Kahmunrah glares, arms up and held at sword-point. “Ah… and none other than my own knight beside him… SEIZE THEM!”

Larry leans in with the sword toward the king’s neck only further. “NO! Wait!”

“OcTAVIUS GO—!”

“I will not leave you—!”

“AIN'T GOT TIME FOR YOUR KNIGHTLY MELODRAMA—! GO— GET TO THE—!”

It doesn’t take long though for the remaining royal guard members to surround them both though, Sir Capone being the one to grab a battling Jedediah from the floor before he can get up, as other knights surround Octavius so heavily he cannot fight. Jedediah swears and curses, hooves scraping the floor as he is restrained too by multiple guards— and the two are drug to the side of the ballroom.

“Let them go!” Larry demands.

“Press that sword any closer and I shall kill them on sight! A traitor in my ranks.. a fairy no less… of course… do not worry I shall not hurt them.”

“YOU LET GO OF ME!” Jedediah thrashes as another knight opens the window.

Octavius fights his captors’ arms as they throw Jedediah out the window with little bravado and a strangled yelp from the faun. His hand reaching for purchase as he falls.

“OOPS! I lied! Outside is a moat— you see! Give me my crown and surrender as traitors, or I shall let that faun AND this fairy drown!”

The fairy grimaces, as Larry’s panicked face stays at the front of the room, sword shaking in his hand. Ahkmenrah and Atilla horror struck as well and surrounded on all sides. People amidst the dancing crowd still confused and panicked; some protesting toward Larry’s view and others in support of the king. Total uprising,

“LARRY!” Octavius calls. “FIGHT GET THE CROWN AND AHKMENRAH! I SHALL SAVE JEDEDIAH!”

That is the moment Sacajawea— having apparently flown above them unnoticed into the ceiling after sneaking away— drops the smoke bomb. The room thrust into darkness. Larry, Ahkmenrah, Atilla, and the others likely running.

But Octavius only kicks his shocked fellow knights-turned-captors away instead, and throws himself out the open window.

And he is falling immediately after.

Chapter Text

Octavius is lucky— that he wasn’t able to jump out far, because the fall gave him the chance to grab a clumsy tree branch hanging over the castle to attempt and slow his fall. When he does fall though, he hits the side of the moat, tumbling and rolling down until he reaches the bank of the muddy sand. Bruised, but overall unharmed where it could have been worse.

Jedediah— was not so lucky.

The faun landed toward the middle of the sandy moat, and already in the short time he’s been there, it’s obvious that Jedediah has sunk. All the way to the bottom of his hair, a single hand reaching out. He looks dazed— perhaps injured— from the fall.

And unreachable.

“Jedediah— listen to me! I am here, stay calm, they need us!!”

“AIN’T GONNA MAKE IT!! AFRAID THIS FAUN’S BEEN TO HIS LAST DANCE!”

“NO! Listen— I shall get to you, hold on only a moment!”

He is panicked, and so is Jedediah. So Octavius does the only rational thing he can think of; he begins to strip his armor as quickly as he can.

“OCTAVIUS! Remember me as I was!— Wild— and— and!”

The knight tosses a piece of his chest plate aside in a rush. “NO NEED FOR FINAL WORDS!”

“I ain’t finished yet— I wanna get to the story of our relationship from—! From enemies to friends!”

“NO! Jedediah stop struggling, you are sinking further!!!”

The faun continues to claw at the sand, more panicked than rational. “It’ll make you cry!!!”

Octavius drops another piece of armor, his leg guards— and yelps as an arrow lands near his feet impacting the dirt. The guards from within the castle watch towers are finally taking fire upon them, from the looks of it.

“JEDEDIAH! Please— I will find my way to you but stop fighting the quicksand!”

“I ain’t able— ABLE TO KICK! Somethin’s wrong— can’t get out!”

There’s several feet between them— and a lot of sand. One wrong move, and the knight knows that he’ll sink just like his friend. And if that is the case, no one at all is coming to save them. But waiting too long to plan means being struck by arrows—not even to mention the fact that Jedediah cannot seem to swim or stop himself from sinking at all.

The best course of action: spread out his balance.

So Octavius rushes to untie his wings, hands struggling on a knot in the ropes as Jedediah’s neck disappears in the sand.

“YOU ARE GOING TO LIVE—! REMAIN CALM!”

Jedediah cries out, but it’s silenced quickly as the faun’s face and horns vanish, his eyes only atop the sand for but a moment before they too are gone. Just a lonesome hand reaching out of the silt, clawing and twitching.

And suddenly it is too late for any other plan. Octavius abandons his armor at the edge of the moat— and he begins to sprint instead. Arrows flinging past as he tries.

The sinking is almost immediate. Slow progress out to his friend, struggling now through knee-high quicksand. But reaching, he desperately grabs the faun’s wrist and twitching hand, trying to pull Jedediah out from the sandy grave.

The faun doesn’t budge, and so Octavius turns instead to digging. He claws until he finds horns and blonde hair, clearing the sand from Jedediah’s face. His friend looks astoundingly pale. Likely due to the lack of breath.

“JEDEDIAH!”

The sand has reached past his own knees by now.

Think.

“I will save you— I swear I shall I—!”

Sometimes— one must just grasp life, or a faun’s life, that is— by the horns. Which is exactly what he does.

“… Now or never— Gaius.” He tells himself, focusing on the panic rather than his self doubt in the moment— he tries to recall the few lessons.

A figure eight. Use every single wing. Flap downward to stay flying.

Octavius grits his teeth and flutters his wings as fast as they’ll allow, just as Sacajawea and Nick have both demonstrated. Just as practiced. His own legs rise from their sandy prison— so in return his flying only grows more violent. Until he is able to reach down instead and grasp Jedediah’s soaked and newly revealed shoulder.

He links his own arm under the faun’s shoulder, and then the other. Jedediah’s blonde crown of hair hanging in his face, skull lulled and limp to the side.

“You are going to live! So help me I shall— shall!”

Breathing IS hard when flying.

With all the effort he can manage, he clings to the lifeless faun best he can. Wings pounding behind him— dead weight in his arms.

He flies. Pulling his friend from the moat and to the side once more. Octavius works to land on a nearby part of the castle wall, an arrow whistling past his ear. He pushes off the wall to get more air, before he is quickly and clumsily gliding and flapping away from the castle. Guardsmen shout orders in the distance but he ignores it all, too busy on getting away— on not dropping Jedediah.

Until he cannot take it anymore. Back on fire, and lungs ablaze, Octavius’s energy dies out as he plummets from the weighted flight, still clinging tightly to Jedediah as they go tumbling into the wooded areas of property around the castle.

————-

He takes seconds— all he has— to catch his breath.

“I flew… I FLEW— I—!”

Octavius has no chance to celebrate now.

“JEDEDIAH!!”

He scrambles for the faun sprawled beside himself in the grass. Octavius rolls Jedediah onto his back, lifting the bull-horned skull back in one hand and pressing the other to his friend’s neck.

“A BREATH OF ANY SORT IS APPRECIATED, YOU BUFFOON! Jedediah!!”

Octavius goes to shift the faun again, moving to clear his airway when Jedediah coughs uncontrollably, arching his back at an odd angle. The fairy hurries to press the faun close instead, waiting for his friend to catch his breath once more.

“I am here— you are alright! I am here!”

“Oc—— Taviu!!!” Another round of choking as he pats the faun’s back.

“It is I— you shall be fine, you are safe—! Breathe, catch your breath my friend.”

It takes time for Jedediah’s rattles to end, but in the entire time he does not let go of the faun, one hand circling his back in attempt at comfort.

“… There we are.. you are alright..”

“How— how’d— where?”

“Jedediah, rest, it is alright.”

“You got me?”

“Yes, I’ve saved you. We are not in the moat.”

“How’d… hell… I— did— did you jump outta a window for me?!” Jedediah wheezes. “You better not have!”

“I did— of course I did! What is done is done. I am sorry I did not free you sooner, I would’ve only sunk with my armor on.”

“How did.. did you get us out?..”

“That isn’t important— Jedediah I believe you are injured even despite the drowning! Hold still!”

“I wanna.. I wanna know how we survived that an— an I think I’m.. i'm gonna be sick.”

Octavius runs a hand through the faun’s sandy hair. “Just breathe, calm yourself… you are safe… please tell me where you are hurt.”

“My leg— it ain’t right— it— AAHHH!!“

Jedediah bursts into tears as Octavius goes to shift one of the Bull-legs and the way he is holding the faun nearly on his own lap.

“Did that hurt?!”

“YEAH— yeah an’— DON’ TOUCH IT AGAIN! Don’t— NO!”

“Stop. Stop. I am trying to help you, I am going to lay you on the grass. The fall from the window has harmed you.”

“Tavius, how did you get us outta there?! Am I dead I—? I’m scared!”

“You are not dead, there is no pyre set up to turn you to dust yet. You are panicked— I shall look at your leg when I think it is safe…..I am the one responsible here for flying us out of the moat.”

“Flying— oh… wait..FLYIN?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU AIN'T—!”

“… I did fly. After all, we are no longer sinking in the moat.”

Jedediah’s eyes widen as he leans to the side again to cough on the sand in his throat. The fairy only holds him a little closer, cautious of the injured leg and trying to clear the wet sand from Jedediah’s clothes and hair.

The faun’s voice is raspy. “But you can’t fly— you can’t—!”

“But I did… barely— it was very difficult and I did not fly too far but…”

“BUT YOU FLEW! And I missed it?! Can— can you fly us outta here?!”

“I… am exhausted— I cannot… it’s left me quite winded and.. I am sorry—“

“Why the hell are you sorry— you saved my damn life an’—!”

Jedediah hisses, shifting the leg.

“Jedediah, my friend, listen to me— we must reach safety, and the others.”

“No shit, Sparkles..”

“I am going to carry you.”

“No— no you ain’t! I can carry my damn self tha— AAAH— DON’T TOUCH IT!”

Octavius huffs, using a ripped-free section of his cape that he’s still wearing to restrain the leg.

“I must! I know it is harmed but I have to secure it— I believe you’ve broken it in the fall.”

“… sorta landed on it..”

Finished tying the faun’s hooved legs together, he cautiously shifts him in his arms. Jedediah cries at the movement, tears visibly streaking down his face again.

“I have you— try to relax, put your arms around my shoulders to hold onto me, but watch the horns I do not feel like getting hit in the face.”

Jedediah listens, clinging to the knight.

“Alright, we must move— I am going to lift you up now.”

“Wait— WAIT!”

“Yes?”

“I.. I dunno..”

“On three, shall we? One… two…”

Octavius hauls the faun up in his arms.

“There we are, I have you.”

“Why the hell.. am I so.. tired?”

“You’ve fallen from a window, broken your leg, and you nearly would have drowned. I’d say it’s to be expected.”

“How’re we gonna find the others? We’re a long way from home boy..”

The faun’s soft hair brushes against his jawline as Jedediah continues to hang onto him; Octavius blushes warmer than the sun.

“What? Am I too heavy?..”

“… No— no. Hold my hand?”

“…. WHY?!”

“…. Nevermind! I only thought to try and give you some comfort at the moment. Is that so horrendous?!”

“Mhmm…”

“For a man that currently has tears running down his face and is covered in wet quicksand, you are going to make this a very long walk.”

————-

“Is it any better in the slightest?”

Jedediah is holding onto the fairy, head leaning against his shoulder, heavy with exhaustion.

Big brown eyes stare back at him.

“… Naw.”

“And there isn’t any chance at being able to heal yourself?”

“Fauns ain’t able to do that— remember? But we do heal naturally faster than y’all others do.”

“Well… alright— but look at me, are you sure you are unharmed otherwise?”

Jedediah stares at Octavius, frustrated when he enjoys the look of the fairy. Embarrassed by having to be carried, even when he knows there would be absolutely no way he would be able to walk.

Octavius has saved his life. That’s bad enough to handle on normal terms— but Octavius doesn’t have to be so worried about him. So sweet.

“Damn fine.”

“Your voice is hoarse— we’ll have to find somewhere to wash you of this sand..”

“I can wash my damn self!”

“Not with a leg broken as yours is! You’ll hardly be feeding yourself once the adrenaline wears away completely!”

It’s already starting to wear, he knows. But Jedediah says nothing as they continue to travel over uneven ground, all effort set on escaping the Royal guard. When they walk over a slope and Octavius’s steps are thrown off, he hisses.

“Sorry! Sorry.. I believe we should—!”

Octavius is cut short as something comes barreling out of the forest. The knight yelps as a blur of fabric almost tackles him.

Until he realizes.

It’s Nicky.

“NICHOLAS!”

“Nicky!..”

The young boy pops his goggles from his face.

“Guys! I found you! I knew it— I was so worried you wouldn’t make it home— Teddy said he heard fighting at the castle and we’re trying to find everybody! Are you guys okay?!”

“How’d you find us?!” Jed croaks.

Nick beams. “I used Octavius’s true name!!!”

“WELL DONE, Nicholas! I am very proud— but where is Teddy, may I ask?”

“He’s behind me— I flew ahead.. why are you carrying Jed?”

“Jedediah has been severely hurt.”

It’s at that moment that Teddy appears to stumble out of the woods, a scolding prepared for Nick before he sees the others.

“I told you to slow— AH! You did find them! Well done! Jedediah, Octavius, where are the others?”

“We were thrown from a window. We’ve been separated— and I am sure the Royal guard is close on our heels. We must find everyone immediately and run.”

“Should you like me to carry him?”

“No— I should rather not jostle him, he’s in plenty of pain as it is.”

“But you yourself look very worn thin.”

“That is only because I have flown for the first time, tonight. And it has tired me out so thoroughly I hardly believe I’ll be trying again any time soon. Nicholas, could you use your father’s true name to help us find the others?”

Nick and Teddy only turn to look at one another.

“YOU DID WHAT?!”

Octavius sighs, continuing to hold the dazed faun— he’s convinced that Jedediah must be on his way to falling asleep. “I shall explain later.”

—————-

Larry Daley is frustrated as he walks and works to hold a ripped cloth to the cut along his jawline. He had barely been grazed by a guard’s sword on the way out of the castle.

And now— of course— they’ve been in the tunnel for ages. Ahkmenrah’s supposed emergency exit out of the halls and back into…. Wherever they end up.

Sacajawea’s face is zoned out— and Larry knows that she is using her magic. Trying to figure out where Teddy is.

“I can tell he is in a forest.” She comments. “But I cannot see who he is with, though I assume it is Nicky.”

“It better be. Those two better be careful…”

“I shall be able to track them more easily once this tunnel ends..”

“I cannot believe how stuffy it is in here.” Ahkmenrah comments, slowly leaning closer and closer to Larry as they all walk. Atilla and Dexter just behind.

“Ahk— some personal space please?”

“…. I..”

“You’re claustrophobic, aren’t you?”

“… Per—perhaps. But— but I shall be fine!”

He sighs. No one ever said working with a young Prince would be easy; the kid is bound to have discomfort leaving the castle behind for the very first time. And it isn’t like he’s inexperienced in fatherhood— so Larry reaches his hand out.

“Here.”

“… What?”

“Take my hand, Ahk.”

“But why? I am— I am no twelve year old!”

“Oh please— you’re only five years older than Nicky. That isn’t much, your highness. And now that you’ve left that castle, I’d say now is a pretty good time to try being a kid for once.”

There’s quiet, but Larry grins as the prince takes his hand— like a startled son would.

“Look!” Sacajawea points. “Light, up ahead!”

They reach a seemingly wooden wall, covered in moss and stone. Larry unsheathes his sword, illuminating the space. It’s the end of the tunnel, with light poking out from the outside world.

Atilla moves to the front of the group.

“Stand back.”

They back away as the Centaur rises on his front legs, using his back ones to kick the exit open. An ancient stone hinge door flies open, tossing moss with it, and revealing forest air instead.

Ahkmenrah adjusts the crown on his head as Larry sheathes the sword.

“Okay Sac— lead the way?”

—————

“What do you mean it hurt to fly?” Nick asks.

“My wings are not fully recovered yet— they are still misshapen from tying them…. I can only assume that is why it hurt.”

“That and you have not done it before… I am impressed you lifted Jedediah though.. that takes some strength.” Teddy compliments.

“In all fairness I was terrified of dying myself— and in a rush. I don’t believe I would have flown without the stress.”

Jedediah huffs in his arms, eyes closed tight, seemingly in pain.

“We must get him help as soon as we are able.” Teddy sighs. “I fear a faun with a broken leg is no good, he cannot heal others AND he cannot run.”

A familiar voice cuts through the forest.

“TEDDY!”

Sacajawea flies forward on her dark green wings, nearly taking her husband down as she brings him into a hug.

“My dear!!!”

Atilla, Ahkmenrah, and Larry follow after her, with Dexter on the centaur’s shoulder.

“DAD!”

“NICKY!!”

The two run and hug, as Larry lifts his son up.

“Dad you cut your face!”

“Yeah I know— don’t worry it’ll be fine.”

“It looks awesome.”

“Thanks— but it doesn’t feel awesome.”

“Octavius.” Atilla trots over to him. “Jedediah— he is hurt?”

“Yes..”

“You are tired— hand him to me.”

“But—“

“Do as he asks.” Teddy says. “Centaurs have strength, you know this. Jedediah will be more comfortable being carried by Atilla.”

Hesitantly, Octavius shifts his arms, passing the dreary faun to the centaur. “Be cautious— it’s his leg and I have no idea how bad the damage is yet. And he’s nearly drowned.”

The group turns, as over the trees, yelling is apparent. The Royal guard, still searching.

“We need to leave.” Ahkmenrah frowns, removing the crown from his head. “And we must find somewhere to hide.”

“Well.” Larry considers. “Good thing we’re headed toward the forest.”

“Why must it ALWAYS be the forest?” Octavius complains. “… But… very well.”

—————-

“We cannot find them, your majesty.” Sir Bonaparte sighs.

“AND MY BABY BROTHER WENT WITH THOSE TRAITORS?!”

“It seems so.” Sir Ivan continues it.

“I DEMAND…. To find all of them. And when we shall I want my treasonous little brother so very dead, the kingdom shall not even recognize him at his funeral.”

“And the fairy? The faun?”

“…. I didn’t consider them escaping the moat as they did…. Sir Octavius is now a deserter, you know the punishment. But I demand his wings—!! His little faun friend can be used too…. So help me I will put them both on display the moment you are to find them..”

“As you wish.”

“Unleash the dragon— see to it that he discovers where our little revolution has gone..”

“Very well, your majesty.” Sir Capone bows. And the three head guards turn to leave— ready to unleash hell.

Chapter Text

As the group trods over uneven ground, they groan when it starts to rain only lightly.

Jedediah watches drearily as Octavius brings his hood up and over his head, and helps Atilla do the same.

“Dad.” Nick blurts, voice still quiet in caution. “We need to stop soon— Jed doesn’t look very good.”

“S’alright… Nicky— gonna be… just fine.”

“No— he’s right. We need to find a cave or… or somewhere to stay. Everybody could use a rest. Keep your eyes peeled for the first thing you can find.”

——————

“Jedediah.”

He blinks, unsure of when he spaced out or had fallen asleep. Either way, Atilla is still holding him.

“Hmn..?”

“Are you awake?”

“Am now… big guy…”

“We found a cave. I’ll pass you… to Octavius?”

“Wait wait wait… ain’t you able to just set me down?.. Why do I oughta go to sparkles?..”

“No— not gentle enough.”

Octavius pitches in. “I am happy to see you have so much faith in me.”

“Sorry.. sorry ain’t…”

“Nevermind it— we must see to you now…”

He winces as the fairy takes him instead, and carefully lowers him to a mossy but dry section of stone. A bedroll has been placed out for him already.

“Teddy was quick enough to recognize we would need to flee— and gathered traveling things.”

“Better than.. than the cave floor I s’pose..”

“Indeed— let’s get you dry, shall we?”

Octavius grabs at his two layers of sand-covered ponchos and casts them aside. The sandy undershirt follows—but Jedediah protests when of all things, Octavius moves to remove Jed’s trousers.

“No— don’t you dare go… go— that ain’t your job!”

“I—?”

“Don’t get to be draggin’ my pants off, Sparkles— can do it my damn self!… I… I…”

“Are you uncomfortable? I swear I shall not harm you— would you rather Atilla or another helped?”

“… I.. dunno— I don’t want my damn trousers off..”

“Unfortunately I have to take them off— your leg needs to be seen.” Octavius turns away. “Teddy? Shall you help me?”

The bespectacled man rushes over, kneeling down quickly as well. “What do you need, lad?”

“Hold his leg still while I undo his trousers.”

Teddy does as told, but Jedediah instinctively grabs only Octavius’s nearby ankle instead. Something to steady himself. The fairy works gently as he promised to wiggle the fancy trousers free before he too sets them aside.

“Now—“

“There ain’t no DAMN… way… I’m gonna let you.. take off my undershorts… those stay the hell on..!”

“Very well.. very well. Jedediah, lay your head back on your cushion.”

He does, dizziness greeting him as he stares up at a cave ceiling. A single hand brushes through his hair; it’s Octavius’s, shaking away sand.

Someone else kneels beside him.

Nick speaks up. “Can I help?”

“I’m afraid not.” Octavius voices. “But we COULD use your help in another way..”

“Anything!”

Teddy nods and continues for Octavius. “Take your father, or someone— and carefully go find white willow bark. Or any herbs you can that will reduce pain.”

“Got it!”

The little fairy runs off again, putting his goggles on in a serious manner.

“Jedediah?”

He tilts his rested skull as much to the side to look at Octavius as he can.

“… yeah Sparkles?..”

“You’ve broken your femur.”

“Aw hell—!”

“I am going to shift it back into place— just as you did with my wing.”

“NO! NO DON’T YOU DO IT SPARKLES—! OCTAVIUS—!”

Without any further warning, there’s a sickening click and a flash of pain he doesn’t even recognize. Jedediah cries out and arches his back on the bedroll. Tears pouring out the side of his eyes again.

“There we are.”

“YOU— GOTTA— GOTTA WARN A FAUN BEFORE..!”

“And yet you survived it— lay your head down. I’ll bind it up next and then you’ll get to rest..”

“Hell—! That hurt!”

A hand swipes at his tears, and he slaps it back.

“Stop that!! I ain’t no fawn!”

“But… you are a faun.”

“FAWN! I ain’t a fawn!”

“… I am still confused.”

“A FAWN IS A BABY FAUN!”

“… I would assume so? Jedediah, lay your head down.”

He does, stubbornly. Octavius reaches to unwrap his horns, and to Jedediah’s surprise— he begins using the red silk as a bandage instead.

The faun blinks lazily at the fairy.

“Teddy? I have this under control. Thank you.”

“You are sure?”

“Yes. Octavius smiles.

Teddy moves to leave, and as he does Jedediah only feels further tired.

Octavius hums, as if in surprise.

“What is it now?”

“Your leg has no wound, aside from being severely bruised. Which is a very good thing. But something else has just caught my eye.”

“What? Am I gonna die—?!”

The fairy chuckles. “No. No— I just noticed… you were not lying when you said faun legs end above the knee, mid thigh.”

“… Why the hell would I lie about somethin’ like that?!”

“I am not saying you would— it’s just— growing up my father always said you fauns had ‘filthy cow asses’, so I had assumed you truly did.”

“… Your old man sounds like nightmare.”

“… Yes. In several ways, he was… but I find you are even more high maintenance than even him.”

“HEY!— Hey..”

Jedediah sighs as Octavius props his now-secured and splinted leg up, before moving the bedroll coverings overtop of him.

“How quickly do you believe this will heal? For a faun? It is not shattered all the way through, for our luck.”

“Femur?.. Uh.. I dunno… a week…? Two?..”

“Rather than MONTHS?!”

“Yeah.. reckon..”

“… That is good then. For now— sleep.”

Another hand in his hair.

“Can’t sleep with you doin’ that, Tavius.”

“My apologies, I am just trying to clear your hair of sand.. you are still covered in it.”

His eyelids are heavy.

“Fairies…are a..damn nightmare..”

“I agree.”

“Ain’t even… got to see..you… fly…”

“You shall eventually— I hope.”

“Hope so..too..”

He fails to blink one last time— only hearing a single voice before fading into rest.

“Sleep, Jedediah.”

—————

Octavius hums— helping pass out the few rations of food that Teddy managed to gather before fleeing. It is then in the silence that Larry speaks up.

“So.” He chews on a loaf of bread. “Are we gonna talk about how you’re in love with Jedediah?”

“..What?!”

Sacajawea sighs. “PLEASE… it is painfully obvious at this point and I was near saying something myself.”

“I am no such thing! I do not love him— he is my friend, is all.”

“And yet you moped in the castle every time you were separated from him. And continue to mope now as sleep separates you both.” Ahkmenrah smirks.

“Your highness, with all due respect— stay out of this argument.”

“Whatever you wanna say.” Larry adds again. “It’s very clear.”

“You even flew for him!” Nick smiles.

The group that had been in the tunnel turns to one another in shock and horror. All voicing at the same time.

“YOU DID WHAT?!!??”

“I flew Jedediah out of the moat. Not very well, mind you, but—“

“That is— A BIG DEAL, OCTAVIUS!” Sacajawea begins. “Your first flight!!”

“I had to— in order to survive.”

“You flew for the first time AND carried Jedediah?!” She massages her temples. “You are going to strain yourself!”

“… It may be too late for that warning— but I assure you I am fine.”

“Color me impressed..” Ahkmenrah beams. “You ARE in love! Star crossed I should say!”

Nick sways back and forth from where he is sitting on the floor. “Jed and Octavius sitting in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G!”

“WOULD THE LOT OF YOU STOP IT?!”

“No.” Teddy laughs, elbowing the chuckling Atilla. “You cannot stop us.”

“And you cannot stop love!” Atilla booms, causing the entire group aside from Octavius and the sleeping Jedediah to burst into laughter.

“You are all being rather immature— and you are going to wake him!” He argues.

“Alright alright…” Larry chuckles. “But it IS obvious.”

“I have no idea what you are talking about.” Octavius crosses his arms.

“Whatever you say, Sir Octavius.”

He frowns. “… I hardly say I am Sir Octavius any longer..there is no way for myself to be a knight…”

“What do you want us to call you then?” Nick perks up.

“…. Just Octavius.” He smiles.

There’s a strange freedom, about not being a knight anymore. No castle walls. No safety. No barracks.

Just himself and the odd family he joined by chance.

And the faun that he will NOT admit he loves— because he DOESN'T— laying by the cave walls, waiting for his care.

“Okay everybody! Clean up your rations, find a bedroll to share with somebody, we don’t have many. Or sleep on the floor if you have to.” Larry announces. “I’ll sit outside the cave and take first watch— get some sleep.”

—————-

A low-lit lantern is all that illuminates the cave. Octavius lays on his stomach, wings lazily fanning in and out behind him. A time to finally let them stretch.

He’s sharing no bedroll— but in comparison the stone floor may as well be softer than the barracks mattresses anyway.

A sound startles the fairy, who turns to see the glint of Jedediah’s half-lidded eyes in the low lamp light. The faun is awakening, groaning from discomfort. He can see that Jedediah’s forehead is damp somehow— sweat, likely from the pain.

“Jedediah?..”

He shifts to sit up on his elbows more, reaching an arm toward the faun.

“Tavius..”

“Close your eyes again, my friend. You could use the rest.”

The blue eyes flutter in the lamp light. “Ain’t able to.. sleep like this..”

“..Are you in pain?”

“I’m healin’— somethin’ fierce.. hurts like…an arrow to the asscheek..”

“Yes, and you are sweating as if your mother caught you near a broken heirloom..”

“Reckon—“ Jedediah swallows the lump in his throat. “— Reckon I can feel my damn leg bone shiftin’..”

“You can feel it?”

“..Course I can— I’m healin’ faster than y’all ever could I—“ The revolutionary hisses in pain and at long last Octavius rises entirely to sit up, moving closer to his friend

“How may I help..? Nicholas was unable to find any of the willow bark I asked of him.. I cannot ease your pain..”

“I.. I gotta get this sand offa me. I— dammit I just wanna.. sleep..”

Voice quiet to avoid waking the others, he leans close. “Should you like me to clean you off?”

“No.. no— I… well…”

“Only if you are comfortable?”

“… I.. ain’t like that— I ain’t wanna be naked!”

“You are already without your shirt— aside from the blanket you are wrapped within. And I have seen your bare legs— what shame is left?..”

“I….”

“Allow me to help you? I shall be careful.”

It’s quiet but eventually the faun nods, and Octavius leaves to wet a travel cloth in the rain somewhere outside of the cave.

————-

Careful not to wake the others, he kneels by the faun and holds up the cloth.

“So— what does it feel like to heal rapidly. Is that why you are sweating so profusely?”

Jedediah nods. “Ain’t fun.. whole leg is on.. fire”

“Hand me your arm.”

Jedediah does and Octavius sets to work cleaning sand and mud off of the faun’s arm hair. Softly swiping away the dirt as he moves to clean his neck off next. All the while nervous blue eyes blink back.

Instead of focusing on the way it sends warmth through his body all the way through the tips of his wings, he turns to teasing instead. “… You truly did get sand everywhere.”

“Ain’t help it..”

“Yes yes… but nonetheless..”

“Now— fairy.. you ain’t go touchin’ me now— you can… can wash down my damn face an’ hair but you ain’t touchin’ my legs…!”

“Very well.” He brushes sand off the faun’s stubble. The sensation rough in his hands, and so very warm. “I am not trying to invade your personal space— or make you uncomfortable..”

Octavius brushes his hand through Jedediah’s blonde hair, freeing loose sand that falls onto the bedroll and he brushes aside.

“Perhaps we should put a shirt on you? Would you be more comfortable?”

Jedediah huffs, clearly aching. “Naw.”

“Or I could go searching for willow bark— to reduce your bruising and—“

“Tavius— could you just… hear me out?”

“…. I suppose.” He whispers. “On what?”

“I— I know I’m gonna sound a lil’ like I’ve lost my flock here but—“

“You HAVE lost your flock though, you have no sheep—“

“— It’s an expression, just— listen! I’m gonna sound crazy but I just oughta… say I… I’ll take that hand now..”

“… What hand? MY hand?” He blushes. If wings could change colors, his would surely be red at the moment.

“Yeah your hand, dammit I—!” Jedediah groans, shifting his leg. “Ain’t able to sleep like this, it— I know I sound like a ‘lil fawn here but it’d be nice… be nice.. to just have somebody by me?..”

“… You simply need somebody to hold your hand?”

“I— yeah! Yeah.. I do.”

Slowly but surely, he sets down the rag and laces their fingers. Jedediah’s hand is clammy— clearly from the pain and the rapid faun healing— but he doesn’t mind it for a minute. It creeps into his mind silently but like a tidal wave nonetheless:

Maybe— it wouldn’t be so bad, loving Jedediah?

No. No. It’s just hand holding. No massive deal. It isn’t as if he is courting a noble woman. No future wife. Just his friend— in pain— in need of comfort.

“.. Jedediah, should I lay beside you?”

“.. Reckon that wouldn’t be too bad..”

Octavius shifts to the side opposite Jedediah’s bad leg, resting on his side next to him. Every fiber burning with incomplete love despite the lack of romance. He tells himself it isn’t the time to be thinking these things. “How should you like me to hold your hand?”

“I dunno.” Jedediah breathes, eyes up at the rock ceiling of the cave overhang. “Just… hold me? If that’s alright?”

“.. Of course.”

Gently, he drapes his upper arm over the faun’s torso. Pressing the side of his face awkwardly against the crook of Jedediah’s neck, avoiding the horns.

“Is this better?”

At last, a slight smile from the revolutionary. “You bet.”

“I did not realize fauns enjoyed being held.”

“I reckon anybody enjoys bein’ held when they need it.”

“True..”

There’s silence, but something makes him reach up and run a hand through Jedediah’s hair. Praying only that it isn’t horrendously awkward. Or inappropriate. But instead all Jedediah does is lean slightly into the touch.

“You should sleep.” Octavius yawns.

“I know.”

“But you cannot?”

“Not after that moat…”

The fairy bites at his lip, focusing on finding a solution. Perhaps, simple talk would help? To get the faun’s mind back toward rest.

“… You said.” He starts. “That you wanted a simple life after this.. a cottage? A home?..”

“Yeah.”

“It sounds peaceful… but would you be alone?”

“..Alone?”

“You know it’s just… fighting for peace and unity only to end up… lonesome.. feels almost sad..? Would you wish to settle down with someone, or.. have a family?… What are your hopes.”

“… Reckon a family wouldn’t be too damn bad.” Jedediah sighs. “Maybe a love o’ mine… though I ain’t ever had somebody of my own… a little one?..”

“A little one? Truly?”

“Yeah.. yeah! Wouldn’t be too bad?.. Bein’ a father? Sounds nice..”

“… It does.”

More silence. He had never before himself considered parenthood— but now it only feels as if he is missing something, somehow. A chance he meandered past when it was right in front of him, instead choosing knighthood.

Octavius hums softly with curiosity. “.. Well, if you had a little one, what would you name them?”

“Well damn— ain’t ever considered that I s’pose.. just know it’d be nice.. what about you? Got any suggestions for me? What would you name your lil’ bug?”

“Bug?”

“You know. A little fairy? Lil’ wings and all.”

“Changeling, Jedediah.”

“Bug is cuter.”

He rolls his eyes and chuckles, humming in thought. But all that comes to mind, are purple wings covered in stab wounds. His father.

“…. Julia.” Octavius throws out. “Or.. Julius.”

“Damn. That ain’t half bad… Julia..”

“Indeed…”

“Might have to steal that from you!”

“Hey!”

They continue their soft whispered conversation as the both of them gradually grow tired once again. Jedediah fading off and dozing first, sweat beading on his forehead as Octavius clears the blonde hair from it. Eventually sleeping himself. The cave is warmer suddenly— he’s noticed.

He really DOES love him. And he’s only thankful he hasn’t already lost him.

—————-

It’s likely Jedediah that wakes up from the disturbance first. When a drop of water from the roof lands on his forehead. But it doesn’t take long for him to weakly look over to one of the puddles of rainwater not too far from him, to see them vibrating. A steady drum beat of ripples caused by an unseen force against the earth.

“Tavius.” He croaks, moving to jostle the fairy that’s still holding him in the softest yet most fierce way possible. “..Sparkles..!”

And it’s likely Larry Daley that wakes up second, even before Octavius. Ahkmenrah sleeping beside the leader and Nick stirring as well.

“Jed?..” He rubs his eyes. “What’s going on?”

The others all begin to shift awake, the cave becoming more and more of an earthquake.

Because something— something BIG— is shaking the earth. Octavius at last awakens, sitting up in alarm; his wings splayed out on alert and his hands still on Jed’s chest.

“Ahkmenrah!” The fairy startles, and for reasons the faun doesn’t understand, Octavius hurries to begin picking him up to carry him and his ruined leg. “Your Highness— hurry, gather the things— it’s found us!”

“Sparkles what the hell—?!”

Larry turns to Octavius. “What? What’s found us?”

Ahkmenrah rises to stand as a grown reverberates through the cave, from somewhere close outside.

“…The beast that can’t be killed.”

Chapter Text

“What do you mean?!” Larry starts, scooping his son into his arms even though Nick isn’t remotely awake yet. “Everything can be killed!”

“Not this!” Ahkmenrah voices.

Jedediah winces as Octavius stoops to pick him up. Even with the fairy being cautious of the leg. Atilla and Sacajawea both rush in folding up belongings and bedrolls.

“What is it?! Some kind of bear or—?!”

It’s sudden, when darkness envelops the cave overhang. Something kneeling as if to look inside.

The ginormous skull of a reanimated dragon peers in, growling echoing through the cave as it does. All within the Revolution sitting entirely still for moments before Ahkmenrah whispers.

“THAT… that is the beast that cannot be killed..”

Jedediah can see Larry and Nick’s wide eyes. And Sacajawea has a hand over Teddy’s mouth and mustache to keep him from shouting.

The shadow moves away, stomping accompanying it. The dragon is gone— but only for now.

“Go! Go go go go go!” Larry whispers.

One by one they all stand, carrying packs over their shoulders or— in Octavius’s case— a faun in his arms. Jedediah does his best to ignore the pain of being carried again when he was sleeping so peacefully only moments ago. Not a problem in the world, well— almost no problems aside from the never ending threat of the current tyrant—that is.

As they creep out of the overhang and into the rainy morning, all members of the Revolution watch in horror as the dragon wanders away from them. Ever searching and growling— almost seeming to sniff the air despite its lack of lungs or even nostrils at all. But perhaps, it will pass them by? Or they’ll get somewhere it can’t keep tracking them and—

Everyone turns.

Prince Ahkmenrah has stepped on a stick.

It’s slow as the dragon turns, boney wings alert behind it on display.

“Nobody… move… a muscle.” Larry breathes.

The dragon turns its skull to the side, staring them all down.

“Lawrence? Might I suggest a different plan?..”

The beast that cannot be killed releases an ear-splitting roar before it begins to run straight for them without warning.

“RUN!!!!!”

Jedediah wraps his arms around the fairy’s neck, clinging as tight as he can. All the while each leap and bound they make only jostles him more. He cannot help but look back behind them as they run.

The dragon is gaining.

“TAVIUS! RUN!”

“I.. am… trying!”

“RUN FASTER!!”

He watches as Larry suddenly lifts his son and tosses him in the air. “NICKY, FLY!! GO!!”

The boy flutters, quickly soaring ahead of the rest. Jedediah knows that Octavius is doing his best to follow the boy, but also that it won't be long at all until the dragon catches them. Larry turns and stops. Glowing sword unsheathed and legs held in a defensive pose. He grins awkwardly as the dragon skids to a halt alongside him almost in shock. “Bring it on, Boney!”

“Perhaps it is best not to insult it!” Sacajawea voices.

Their giant foe does not blink– only staring in undead apprehension. Larry holds the sword aloft, every muscle locked in fear or perhaps stubborn bravery. The beast matches his stance, far more terrifying than the leader of the revolution, and far far larger than him despite being made of bone.

It doesn't take long for the others to halt too, standing and waiting to see the battle that is about to start.

The dragon rears back, and suddenly, howls in its own way. Rather than the typical fire they say dragons used to breathe– the creature spits ash. A cloud of dust not unlike that from a chimney– or a volcano.

Jedediah cannot see anything, and only feels Octavius’s arms tight around his body. As if the fairy is trying to shield him. No— wait– Octavius wouldn't shield him. Why would he? Thats stupid but… that is also how it feels in the moment. It's only further proven when Octavius’s arm reaches around and presses Jedediah’s face into the fairy’s warm but sweaty tunic. To keep his eyes clear of the ash.

Octacius IS shielding him. Why?

… And… why doesn't he mind it?

The hurricane of darkness comes to an end abruptly and Octavius’s hand is in his hair still. Jedediah pulls his face back only to see Octavius covered in ash and soot.

“... Aw hell– Sparkles are you–?”

“I am well. All well. Hold onto me!”

The dragon begins its attack, first lunging for Larry and the glowing sword. Underneath them the ground shakes from the force of the giant creature hitting it as it lunges.

“Tavius? I’m gettin’ dizzy–”

“You are alright.”

Octavius rounds out of the way, hurrying to the treeline instead.

“Hey– hey wait! Can’t just abandon the others–! Don’t be a coward dammit–!”

“I assure you I am not!” Octavius glowers, as he makes to set Jedediah on the grass, head propped up on an old stump.

The faun struggles, grabbing the fairy’s hand in response. “No! You ain't able to just leave me here–! Not like this! Let me help!!”

“You surely can NOT fight. Do not fight! Do not dare.”

“But–”

“But you are unwell. You are pale! Stay put, stay out of sight! I'll be back in only moments.”

Octavius tears his own arm away. And in moments, the fairy is already storming back into battle, a sword held above his head. Jedediah cringes as he moves, doing his best not to shift the bad leg while he continues trying to watch the fight.

Larry’s glowing sword arches off of ancient dragon bone, earning a roar and a rapid turn of the creature. Octavius, though, makes to dodge its giant tail and wings as they come barreling over his head. To Jed’s shock, though, the fairy stays up, rolling to avoid being hit, and he is back on his feet in seconds. Joining sides by Sacajawea and Atilla in the fight. The other fairy riding on the centaur’s back with a slingshot made of cloth and rocks; pelting the dragon with stones to distract it.

He can also see distantly, Teddy and Ahkmenrah, as they themselves run to hide in the treeline. Nick continues to hover, and Jedediah in his simple shepherd heart– knows the boy is going to try and fight too.

And Jedediah needs to stop the kid before he hurts himself.

The faun gets up to crawl, using just the opposite leg. Quickly and awkwardly crawling best he can back toward the battle in the trees. “Nicky boy! Don’t you start!!”

Octavius though, is still fighting, that much he can see. Nick seemingly preoccupied with trying to free a tree branch nearly the size of himself while hovering beside a massive oak. The faun doesn't have a clue why the boy is doing that– only knowing he needs to reach and stop him.

Red flashes in his sightline— Octavius— backing up. The man is covered in soot and sweat, but it doesn't make him look any less powerful as he beats back the dragon with nothing but his sword. His brunette hair tosses and something about it makes Jedediah stop in awe, slack jawed.

Until the fairy spots him. Octavius’s wings flare in anger instantaneously.

“JEDEDIAH!!! I told you to lie down!!!!”

“Yeah, well— no-can-do!!! Nicky is in danger!! Gonna get himself chomped down and turned into a dragon-snack unless he hides!!”

Octavius continues to battle back the dragon’s swinging bone wings. Sword clanging as he does. “Go lay back down! I will find the boy!!”

“You’re lookin’ a little preoccupied, pal!”

The dragon roars and screeches again, standing all the way up on its only two massive hind legs, and before he can get another inch forward—- Jedediah finds himself tackled.

He goes rolling. Octavius having grabbed him and helped him dodge an attack back underneath the dragon as it rages overtop them both. Jedediah cries out in the way is leg is moved from the quick motion, and the fairy is on his knees beside him in seconds to hurriedly pick him back up.

And that is when Nick comes tumbling down beside them. A massive branch in his arms.

“ooOF—!’

“Nicky!!”

“Nicholas—!!”

“Guys! I have an idea!! We can stick the massive branch in its mouth and then the dragon can't bite us— and I heard it might chase the stick too— just—!”

The dragon on cue, turns. Larry stands nearby them, sword illuminating the forest surrounding as he swings it overhead.

“HEY!! Yeah!! Sawdust— follow me, not my kid!!”

Jedediah reaches an arm out, grasping Nick around the waist and pulling him into Octavius’s arms as well. Hoping to protect him just a bit more. He huffs at the pain in his leg, radiating toward his hip as he grits his teeth.

“DAD!!”

All turn to look at Nick, even the faun and the fairy holding him and sitting in the grass.

“Nicky—!”

“DAD! Duck!!!”

The changeling throws the branch in his hand. It arches overhead, missing Larry’s skull only as the man ducks down.

And to Jed’s shock, the dragon actually chases after it.

Larry stands in shock.

Nick smiles. “I read somewhere that some people used to train dragons to chase things! It wants to play— like a dog does—!”

It comes stampeding back, and Jedediah hugs Nick as Octavius shields the both of them.

This time though, it only drops the branch at Larry’s feet. Sitting down apprehensivly on its swishing bone tail. Looking curiously between the group of adventurers.

“Well!?” Attila voices. “Throw!! Throw again!!”

Softly, eye contact not leaving the beast, Larry lifts the stick overhead.

And throws.

The dragon goes chasing once more.

“I cannot believe it. They have been using it as a tracking dog!” Sacajawea frowns. “But it is… a typical animal… such as a house pet…”

Octavius voices up. “Larry. Could we… use this? If we continue to battle, it shall kill us. As we cannot kill it in return. But if we should earn the beast’s trust…”

“... You know… that isn't a bad idea…”

The dragon drops the sick again and Teddy leaves the forest outcropping, guarding Ahkmenrah closely.

“Your highness!” Larry beams. “I think… we might have our winning player against your brother now….”

The dragon drops the stick once again, tail wagging. Body posture friendly and loyal despite being made of bone and lacking any fur or scales.

Dexter this time is the one to take the stick from the leader and throw it, cackling as the beast goes bounding after it— like a game. A game played with a hyperactive puppy.

“Jedediah?” It’s Nick’s voice. “Jed, you don’t look so good…”

“Reckon… it's just.. healin’ fast again..”

“He is supposed to be asleep.” Octavius sighs, and Jedediah does his best not to cringe as the fairy picks him up again. “Larry— if the beast is here, it means the castle guard is not far behind it. The king wants my wings intact— and I am quite sure he wants your skull on display. All of our skulls… we must keep moving.”

“Good point Octavius. We need to keep going.”

“Dad can I carry the stick? I want the dragon to follow me!”

“.... Fine. But only if you stay by Atilla.”

Jedediah turns, a bonking sensation hitting his horn.

“OW!” Octavius cries, clearly just whacked upon the skull again.

“Sorry Sparkles.”

The fairy only sighs. “I fear by the time I stop carrying you, you shall have knocked me out cold once more…”

“Hope not..” He blinks. “Magic.. Hittin’ me harder than I just hit you.. gonna…”

“Close your eyes. Allow your magic to heal you gradually. I shall have Atilla carry you.”

“Rather have.. you… carry me..”

“Me?”

“Yeah..”

“...Alright.. Here— place your horn over my shoulder.”

He does. And it's warm, if not a little smokey from all the ash.

As he closes his eyes, leaning into Octavius’s tunic, he overhears Nick again.

“Dad. I wanna call the dragon Rexy.”

“Rexy? Why?”

“It sounds amazing!!”

“I agree.” Ahkmenrah grins. “It in a way, means ‘King’... a title the dragon much more deserves over my brother… or perhaps even myself. He has bested us all today…”

“Well at least he’s on our side.” Larry grumbles. “Otherwise we’d all be dead right about now..”

Jedediah chuckles, breathing in sleepily to the sensation of Octavius’s heartbeat.

He can deal with these feelings another time— when he’s fully awake.

Chapter Text

“Where are we exactly?” Octavius frowns, looking at the crevice of rock in front of them.

“The exit out into the wilds.” Sacajawea explains. “This ravine is a passage through the mountains and into the fields. The lesser charted forests.”

“There might be safety for us beyond it— but there might also be dangers. We have to stick together.” Larry comments, trying to shake off the rain from his coat. “Let’s go.”

————

There’s a gentle voice.

“…Jedediah?”

He stirs.

“Stay asleep if you should need, my friend. You are alright..”

Rain patters somewhere above them, and the faun shivers. Are they inside? Where?

Jedediah shifts the way he is laying, and as he does, a hand is brought to lift his skull. Someone has been lying and now sitting beside him.

“Water.”

“Hm..?”

“Water, Jedediah. You should drink something.”

He opens his eyes at last, only to find Octavius holding him, offering him a flask of water. They’re in a tent, of some kind— he isn’t sure as to why though.

“Drink.”

“Where.. the hell?..”

“This is where we are camping. I hope you do not mind but I am sharing a tent with you.”

“…Get that flask outta my face.”

“Jedediah— it’s been three days. You’ve been asleep.”

“…Three?”

“Three.”

He hadn’t realized at all. Tiredly he accepts the water and brings it to his lips, only now aware how thirsty, and how hungry he is.

“There we are.. I know you said it isn’t uncommon for fauns to sleep when healing but I hadn’t imagined this…”

He pauses between chugs of the flask. “Gotta.. gotta get the energy for fast healin’ somewhere y’know..”

The world is in more clarity now, and he almost moves to sit up more, until something cascades across his vision.

Light.

He glances to the side, only to see wings. It’s Octavius’s wing refracting the light from outside the tent. Cascading all across Jedediah’s face and the interior.

And it’s beautiful.

“Wow..”

“Hm?”

“Oh— oh…Nothin’…”

“Here, Jedediah, lay back down.”

“I ain’t need to be… cared for!”

“And I do not need you getting dizzy upon standing so abruptly. Lay back down.”

With a sigh, he listens to Octavius and rests his skull back on the bedroll.

“Do you mind if I lay beside you?”

“... I aint mind at all.”

The fairy moves, and Jedediah finds an arm underneath his neck supporting it.

“... Well?”

“Well?”

“You gonna.. I dunno— play with my hair? I..”

“Do you wish me to?”

“Sorta… got a damn good headache…”

“That would be the lack of water. And food.”

His skin prickles as Octavius’s free hand runs through his hair upon request. He wants them to be closer, but knows it would only make things more awkward. They really shouldn’t even be laying together like this. And he most damn surely shouldn't ENJOY it.

Octavius’s hand moves and instead down closer to Jed’s shoulder before carefully stroking his ear.

“... What the hell are y’doin?”

The fairy stops. “Ah. I'm sorry— that was past boundaries, I should not have— I was only curious to know what it felt like—”

“Calm down, Sparkles. I… I aint mind…”

“..You are sure?”

“... Yeah…”

What he doesn't say is that it’s incredibly soothing. Too embarrassed, he only lays there and allows Octavius to hold him. Watching rain and wind hit the canvas of the tent. Light filtering in through Octavius’s wings. He can’t bring himself to stop watching the way it scatters around like a gemstone held up to a candle would. It makes an effect similar to that of fireflies in the early rainy morning. Changing with the tide of his breathing.

“Are you feeling alright? Headache improving?”

“Reckon it is.. Yeah.”

“You maybe should sleep again…?”

“After three days? No way, Sparkles! Ol’ Jedediah can sleep when he’s dead.”

“Yes but I wish for you to sleep so you are NOT dead…”

“I’ll be just fine.” He chuckles, turning until his horn catches on the ground. Only to find Octavius’s nose mere moments from his own.

“I…”

“Oh. Sorry–”

“S’all good. Just… how about we go see the others?”

Tense silence.

Only rain.

“…Well.. alright. Come along, I shall help you up. Do you think you can walk now?”

“… Sure.”

The fairy offers a hand and he takes it— if awkwardly. Octavius is strong as he helps Jedediah back to his hooves, second arm appearing to help support him under the armpit. It’s enough to make Jedediah’s face burn.

“Steady now, I have you. Perhaps do not put all your weight down on that leg yet?”

“Feelin’ alright…”

“There is no pain?”

“Naw. Not so far.” Jed offers the best smile he can, and gets another in return. Much to his absolute but confused delight.

Right.

The feelings.

The feelings he promised himself he’d have to manage later.

Brown eyes glimmer in the refracted light of shiny golden wings. Like prisms in a way. The faun swallows the lump in his throat, glancing away shyly.

“Octavius? If it aint too bad… there any chance we could… talk? Just the two o’ us an’ —”

“Ah. Yes. Yes of course but let us get you food first, yes?”

“But—”

“Come along. I shall help you. The others have gathered things to eat, we are running low on bread but you can have some.”

“I– yeah… alrighty..”

Octavius smiles, but Jedediah cannot help but let his own smile fall when the fairy looks away. How does one even find the right moment? It’s clear that feelings– LARGER feelings—have formed. And he isn't sure when it happened or how it happened so quickly. Why does Octavius have to be so damn frustrating? So oblivious and so sweet and—

He clears the thought. It isn't the time.

“Jed!”

Attila comes trotting closer and before he can protest, the centaur lifts him off his feet and into a bear hug.

“ooOF— alrighty! Okay! Missed you too, pal!”

“Be cautious with him!” Octavius warns.

Nick appears alongside Atilla as Jedediah is placed back on his hooves in the grass. The kid is wrapped in a heavier coat but is clearly still wearing his prized goggles.

“Heya Nicky!”

“How are you feeling, sleeping beauty?”

“Yeah yeah… real damn funny. I would’a been just fine, but somebody had the bright idea o’ tryina get a tree branch in the middle of a dragon battle!!”

“... Nicholas saved us all.” Octavius rolls his eyes and Jedediah only pouts in response. “AND I told you not to move, you are at your own fault for exhausting yourself.”

“Oh CAN IT, shiny hiney!”

The fairy sighs. “Here I was believing we were past that insulting name…”

Nearby and curled up on the ground, Jedediah can see the form of the undead dragon. Somehow asleep despite what he would assume as a lack of a need for it. Ahkmenrah isn't far off, patting the giant skull as if the dragon were no more than a giant puppy.

They’re in a camp. He sees that now— and they’ve been here at least a fair amount of time seeing the set up of supplies. And despite it being rainy, it's semi peaceful. Ahkmenrah appears to be bent over a paper that he takes to Larry beside a small campfire, only for the two to begin plotting fiercely.

“What are they up to then?” Jed asks.

“Ah. Larry and the prince are plotting the attack on the castle. We are distantly now in contact with the rest of the revolution. Members are flocking to us in the wilds to set up a camp and begin plans for the takeover.”

“So we’re really gonna go for it… huh? Gonna put an end to the king?”

“Indeed…”

He glances down at the space between their hands. Too much space– the urge to reach down and grab Octavius’s is raging but he keeps his hands to himself instead.

“Hey!! Jed!! Octavius!?” Larry cups a hand to his mouth. “I could use some willow bark!”

“Gigantor, why— OH HELL!?”

It is only when the leader actually approaches Jedediah that the faun can see the gash across his face. The one he’s had since they ran from the castle.

And it’s infected.

“Yes… it has gotten significantly worse… hasn't it?” Octavius cringes.

“Yeah! And listen, I’d really rather not die. We have a tyrant to overthrow, guys.”

“Your face is redder than a radish with a sunburn…”

“Teddy says I need the willow bark. And there's no way I’m sending Nicky out to search for it again.” Larry signs. “So— if you two are feeling up to it… and Jed if you can walk…”

“Sure! I’ll go. You in for it, Tavius?”

“Of course. But perhaps we should wait for this rain to clear?”

“That's fine. But I could really use the help.”

Jedediah grins and salutes his leader, promising to go out searching with Octavius the moment they both can. Bread is passed to him by the fairy, only a small piece of a loaf, but it’s a caring gesture nonetheless.

But still he keeps his damn mouth shut. Right now isn't the time for a confession even if he is desperate for it.

———

Octavius is concerned about his friend. Sure, Jedediah seems to be walking fine. Eating and drinking the way he is meant to be. But it does not simply erase the fact that the faun was asleep for THREE DAYS. No matter how normal it may be for faun magic.

Those three days of traveling and rain— and Jedediah hardly stirred even once. Even as Octavius had carefully undone the red silk to closely check his leg. Even as he had gently placed the faun on a bedroll and watched closely to ensure he kept sleeping without pain or lowered breathing.

None of it gets rid of the fact that Jedediah was thrown from a window. Or that he nearly drowned in sand. And now of course, the faun’s dodgy behavior is cause for concern.

“You are sure?” He starts. “Absolutely sure— that you can walk this far?”

“YES! Alright? I aint need you houndin’ me like I’m some injured changeling!”

“Is it SO horrid that I am concerned!?”

“Yeah! Cause you’re gettin’ all wrapped up in MY space! I’m damn fine!”

They left the camp and began walking some time ago. Leaving behind the forest clearing and wandering instead in search for a river. Anywhere they might more easily stumble upon a willow tree. Octavius knows the way back— after all, possessing the Prince’s true name. The only issue now it seems is being left alone on a mission with the most emotionally disconnected man he has ever known. Why can Jedediah not simply accept help for once?

“Look, Sparkles. I just… I don’t NEED you. Y’hear me? I— I! Yeah..”

“...Oh.”

The words sting but Jed turns immediately to apology instead.

“No!! Not like that. I DO need you, dammit but— not like… nevermind!”

He huffs and sighs. “No. No. I understand.”

“Hey wait a minute! Are you bindin’ your wings again!?”

“Yes.”

“WHY!?”

“I did not want them catching on branches in our search. So I have tied them.”

“Octavius! NO! They need to stretch, how many times do we gotta go through this!? You even flew!! You flew an’ it hurt cause they’re still all twisted from the tying!! How d’you ever expect to fly again if you keep doin’ this?”

“I do not… plan to fly again.”

“... What!?”

He bunches his fists. “Listen, Jedediah. Flight was not fun— It was horrifying. Clumsy. I do not understand how to land once I begin flying. I am beginning to believe I am simply meant to be a flightless fairy. And I am alright with that fate.”

“... Well I aint, Sparkles!”

“And what do you care? You haven't any wings of your own.”

“... Maybe— maybe I CARE about you, too, alright!? And I wanna see you fly! An’ be happy!!!”

The announcement shocks him. “... You– You do?...”

“... Course I do!!!!!”

There is silence.

But then Jedediah’s face twists and changes. Mischievous smirking lips yet again— the ones he is learning to dread.

“... I do care about you.” Jedediah shakes his head. “More than I should care to admit, dammit. But you know what I care about more?”

“And what is that?”

“Beatin’ your ass in a competition.”

“Wha—?”

Octavius isn't given a moment to think before Jedediah is sprinting away in leaps and bounds.

“FIRST TO FIND A WILLOW TREE WINS THE BEDROLL TONIGHT!!!” Jed cheers.

He gasps. “HEY!!! Wait! You should not run on your leg yet!!”

“Ain’t care!!! BETCHA CAN’T CATCH ME, SPARKLES! IMMA WIN!!”

“NOT ON MY WATCH!!”

Octavius cannot help the beaming smile that finds his face as he is given no other choice but to race after the faun at full capacity.

Why must Jedediah make him so happy? It scarcely makes sense.

———

“KEEP UP!!! Or are you too damn slow, armor boy?!”

“Jedediah—!” He shouts in frustration as they scramble through the fields and the meadow. Those hooven legs so far ahead of his own over the rough ground. “JEDEDIAH! Slow down!! Please!!!!”

“Oh come on!! Spread those wings if you REALLY wanna catch me!!”

“Jedediah I just told you!!! You know my flying is—!”

“You gotta stretch em’ somehow!!!” Jedediah throws one head back over his shoulder, a playful grin alongside. Still running on those long flexible legs away from him.

Octavius cannot look away.

Jedediah beams.

Oh— that game— then? He is going to mock him, for being slower?

The knight tosses his cape aside, still running, and he cannot bring himself to care as it is abandoned in the open field behind him.

And the rope.

Octavius grins as he allows his wings to unfurl from their prison. He’s going to show that faun— who truly is the fastest of them both.

“HA!!!” He jumps, putting all his strength into the muscle in his back, wings fluttering to meet the air.

Jedediah glances back again, and yells, seeing Octavius rise into the air just enough to start catching up, before landing back again to reserve his energy.

“NO!!! DAMMIT!!”

“Jedediah!!!”

“NO! I DIDN'T MEAN IT AS A CHALLENGE!”

Octavius lands once more, jumping again, gaining ground. Flying to catch his friend in leaps and bounds accompanying short flights.

The faun gives a final glance back, just before Octavius stumbles to the ground, effectively tackling him. Wings and horns tumbling through the tall grass and down a hill, unable to stop all the momentum. Octavius yells as Jedediah does, until he lands upon his friend, right on top of Jedediah. Their noses nearly touching, faces a breath apart. Both of them surrounded by thicket and having rolled well into the forest.

“Ah— Jedediah— are—?”

“I’m alright— pal— you got me good! Caught me!”

“… I did!!”

Embarrassed but bubbly, Octavius rolls off of Jedediah. Laying down beside his friend in a sprawl, laughing over the chase.

“You did! You flew!” The faun huffs, the wind knocked out of him from their tumble. “You did— dammit! Told y’that wings get you places faster!”

“Yes… yes! It was—? It… it was..”

“Was it.. fun?”

“… YES! Fun!!! Flying was— fun! Nothing like the escape from the moat!”

“SEE!!”

Jedediah chuckles, angling his horns enough so that he is on his back completely, looking up at the forest canopy.

“See… told you. You just… gotta get outta that armor long enough— to see it. See how that damn castle has always been holdin’ you back.”

“… Get out of my armor, truly?” He flirts. “Shall I get out of my tunic for you as well?”

Jedediah’s hand thwacks against his arm.

“Oh knock it off! You know what I mean!”

Octavius chuckles, angling his head to stare at the faun’s profile. Jedediah, forced to look up always when lying on his back, horns forbidding the idea of him laying with his head to the side.

It doesn’t take long, for him to sit up instead, the grass below him scratching at his skin. He too, looks up at the branches and the gently swaying leaves. The sun filtering through.

Always— they always seem to end up in the forest. In a meadow outcropping— the same colorful flowers living their individual lives between the roots and the weeds. It’s quiet. Peaceful. Just them.

Jedediah clears his throat. “.. You look… you look nice.”

He spares the shepherd another glance downward.

“I do?”

“Yeah— without that chainmail. Lookin’ like something other than a damn walkin’ shield for once. You look like…”

“What do I appear to be?..”

“Like a fairy.”

“I AM a fairy— Jedediah!”

“A real one, now!“

“Oh? And what constitutes a real fairy, versus one donning armor?”

“The difference is— you look handsome.” Jedediah grins, face alight and as pink as the flowers around them. “But I gotta say— you did with.. the armor on— too. Only now— you look.. happy. Free.”

“Free?..”

“Yeah. Free. Wild. Fun.”

It’s quiet again.

“Jedediah—?”

“Octavius—?”

They stare, Jedediah slowly sitting up as well, Octavius notes that the faun needs new flowers in his hair.

“Do you—“ Octavius clears his throat. “I wish no offense in asking this— but I cannot help but feel as though I have been—“

Jedediah interrupts him. “Octavius, do you love me too?..”

“I—?“

“Y’heard me— I— you know I’m sorry about—?”

It breaks away into more silence.

Octavius isn’t sure what to say. All words dead on his lips. And a thousand or more things go unsaid in Jedediah’s blue eyes. Things the faun is scared of. He can tell.

But there’s the overwhelming fact that he isn’t alone, in his feelings. That by some chance Jedediah feels the same way.

“….Too?”

“… yeah. Do— do you love me, too? Do you love me back!? You shiny idiot of a—-!!!”

His body acts for him, throwing them together. Octavius gasps as his lips seek out Jedediah’s. Hands finding their way up until he tangles them into blonde hair.

Jedediah pries away in surprise, mouth open and dumbfounded.

“Woah now!”

He’s left flurrying apologies at the sudden kiss. “I am sorry— I—!”

But Jedediah only yanks their faces back together. The faun’s hands on the sides of his jawline, holding him in place. Their noses brushing into one another as they refuse to pull away. Octavius hooks one of Jedediah’s horns in his elbow lazily, fluttering his eyes open to look at the faun.

All he knows is bliss.

They break apart for air. And all is quiet.

“….. I’ll be damned..” Jedediah grins, leaning in close. “… Fairies do have seduction magic.”

“OH BE QUIET!”

The faun rackets with laughter as Octavius rolls onto him in protest.

“What?! S’true!”

“Is not! You buffoon!!!”

Blue eyes beam back at him, and Jedediah only extends a hand past Octavius’s neck, pressing it against his wing. He now notices the way Jedediah shimmers in the light bent through them.

“… Is too true. You gotta be the prettiest suncatcher I’ve ever seen.”

“.. I am calling your bluff. If I am a suncatcher than you are surely a flower. I have never seen someone more at home amongst this grass in my life..”

“Well— you gonna let me bathe in that light of yours then? Flowers need sun.” Jedediah crooks a grin amidst his flirting.

He smiles himself, leaning down until their foreheads are touching. “Should we not gather that willow bark?”

“… I reckon it can wait.”

“Ah. So we are putting Larry’s life at risk for romance now?”

“What? Would you rather stay here… just a lil’ longer? Or go runnin’ back to camp?..”

“… I..”

“We got Nicky runnin’ around camp, Sparkles. Out here… it’s just us..”

Octavius blushes. “I…”

“Just you and me.. Octavius. Out here’s nicer than any ol’ bedroll. And we’ll find a river eventually,.. What do y’say?..”

“…. I’d say… you are foolish. And I am falling for your whims.”

“It’s contagious.”

“… And so is that smile.” He flirts. “Perhaps I could also try flying again? Or I could weave flowers into your hair?”

“KISS ME AGAIN ALREADY, DAMMIT!”

He does, but cannot hold the kiss long due to smiling so brightly.

——————-

Larry uncomfortably keeps his head propped up against a bag of supplies. He accepts the glass of water that Nick and Teddy pass him.

“Thanks—-“

“WE FOUND IT YALL!”

Jedediah and Octavius trudge into the camp. The two appear to be soaked in water. And Jedediah’s poncho is completely turned around though he hasn’t noticed— apparently.

Their hair is also askew. And the way Octavius tugs his damp tunic higher on his neck tells Larry all he needs to know.

“…. What did you two get up to in the forest exactly?”

“We found the willow bark!” Jedediah holds up a small bag.

“And I uh… pushed him in the river..” Octavius awkwardly offers.”

“So why are your guys' clothes so grass stained then?”

“Lots of grass.” Jed shrugs.

“In.. indeed!” Oct smiles.

“Mhm.”

“Anyway! Here y’go, Gigantor!” Jedediah tosses him the bag, which he catches. “Feel better, Tavius and I are gonna turn in for the night!”

“Yes! Yes.. Ah… the hike was.. a long one.”

“… Alright guys. Hey— do you need an extra bedroll?” Larry smirks, knowing full well that he’s only dragging on their excuses.

“Nope! We shall make do! Do not fret!”

“Yep! We’re right as rain! No worries here!”

The two disappear and Larry chuckles.

“They sure were acting funny.” Nick frowns.

“Don’t worry about it, Nicky.”

Chapter Text

Jedediah hums, ignoring the morning light that falls through the tent. Focused instead on the fairy laying right next to him.

The bedroll is warm and Octavius is smiling. Jed plays with the brunette curls between his fingers.

Octavius yawns. “Good morning.. love.”

“Ohhh.. I like that one. I get names now too?”

“Of course you get new monikers. We are… lovers now. Are we not?”

“Damn right we are…Well. In my heart you’re always gonna be Sparkles.”

The fairy chuckles under his breath and Jedediah receives a kiss to the jawline for being witty.

“I shall bear the burden of ‘Sparkles’ only so long as I can have another name? Or more?”

“How’s about ‘Darlin’?”

“… I enjoy that.”

“Vius?”

“…. That I adore much more, Diah.”

“Woah! Another one?”

“But of course.”

Jedediah cannot help but smile. “You’re so full of shit, y’know that? I thought knights were supposed t’be all serious an’ all but you’re just a soul like the rest of us.”

“Well. I am no longer a knight, am I?”

“Damn right. You’re all mine— that’s what you are!”

Jedediah pulls his fairy into his arms, and Octavius holds him right back. Octavius draws circles upon Jed’s forearm with a single finger, apparently lost in thought. He has never once felt so entirely safe as he does now. And it’s just the two of them. Shielded from the morning dew and the outside world from their own little home inside the tent.

“We should just stay this way.” Octavius murmurs.

Jedediah smiles as he places kisses on Octavius’s jawline. “Reckon we should…”

Nothing could ruin this.

Except…

Atilla’s voice from right outside the tent flap that flies open.

“Jed! Octo! Enough sleeping fOR— AAAAAAAHHHH?!!??”

“ATILLA!!!” Jedediah complains, shrinking shyly into the bedroll. “OUT! CLOSE THE TENT! Close it, DAMMIT!!”

Octavius sits up in embarrassment, holding some of their coverings over his bare chest and shoulders, pointing his hand awkwardly toward the exit. “DO NOT ENTER! Leave! Leave us!!”

Atilla scrambles to close the tent again, yelling as he does so and in an effort to keep his hands shielding his eyes. Despite seeing nothing but potentially his friends’ chests or their ruffled morning hair. The centaur is scandalized nonetheless.

Things are quiet yet again for only seconds of their eye contact before the tent opens again.

The group is all there— minus Nick and now Atilla. All staring in at them curiously.

“Called it.” Larry grins, a patch of bandage on his jawline.

“You two seem quite happy.” Sacajawea chuckles.

Teddy throws them a nod. “A handsome couple!”

Ahkmenrah only smirks in a way that makes him appear all the more teenager rather than royalty. “Atilla! You owe me my winnings! The bet has come to a close!”

Jedediah and Octavius work together to chuck belongings in their friends’ directions. “GET OUT!!!”

————

There’s silence as the group sits around the campfire. Octavius leans his head against Jedediah’s shoulder as the others chat on.

“Octavius?”

He glances up, looking directly at Sacajawea.

“Yes?”

“I think it is time… you finally begin flying.”

“I—“

“That’s a good idea, Sac! Come on Vius, it’ll be fun!” Jed cheers.

“I uh… yes. I will learn to fly, Sacajawea. But under ONE condition.”

“..And that is?”

“I learn to fly normally and ALSO whilst carrying Jedediah. In the case I should ever need to escape with anyone injured again.”

“…. Very well.”

————-

“Come on Octavius! You’ve flown twice now!” Jedediah cheers. “You just gotta believe in yourself!”

“That is some fae magic stereotype. There is more to flying than putting your heart into it.” He rolls his eyes.

“Well you COULD give it at least a LIL’ BIT of enthusiasm! You ain’t gotta get all sassy about it!”

“Try again.” Sacajawea offers her hand, as he is already holding Jedediah’s in the other. “Jedediah and I will support you as you jump and hold on— it will offer you the chance to get further used to being off the ground and moving your wings.”

He accepts it.

“Okay, Sparkles! Three.. two… one….!”

He jumps awkwardly, attempting to fly. Octavius manages to hover for several moments before losing both energy and form—-stumbling back to solid ground.

“You are making progress.” Sacajawea smiles. “The last few times you have flown longer distances, you were fueled by fear or competition. Perhaps we need to replicate that.”

“But how?” He asks.

That’s when Sacajawea lifts her own wings, and Nick Daley comes running into the training with his goggles secure over his eyes.

“Simple. You have ten minutes with Jedediah to help you practice lifting off the ground without running. And then— we race.”

“I bet I beat you!” Nick teases.

Jed’s hands go to his hips. “Oh it’s ON, y’all! Octavius is gonna win, you’ll see! He’s just gotta practice first!”

The fairy nods at the others, nervous but anxious with excitement at the idea of a competition.

Jedediah offers his hands again.

“Okay now Sparkles. I’ll help you jump up but this time I wanna see you reach the leaves above us before you fall back down.”

————

“Aaaaand JUMP!”

Octavius keeps hold on his lover’s hands as Jedediah tries his best to help him become airborne. He hardly makes it more than inches off the grass at best, ankles buzzing as he lands again awkwardly.

“Come on! You got this— it’s just like breathin’!”

“It is NOT! This… this takes AIR..”

“That’s where the problem is! You ain’t breathin’ the way you’re supposed to be! You’ve been runnin’ every single time you’ve flown so far, you’re tryina fly without gettin’ your heart pounding!”

Octavius raises an eyebrow. “…. And how do you suggest I get my heart pounding?”

“Well for starters..”

Jedediah leans in close, pressing a kiss to the side of Octavius’s jaw. He cannot help but laugh at it.

“Okay okay your flirtatious point has been made!”

“Second off though, let’s run! Let’s jump or somethin’!”

“Run and jump?”

“It worked yesterday! Why not now?”

“…. You may be right!”

“Ready?”

“… yes!”

Jedediah grabs his hand and they take off running through the clearing side-by-side.

“….JUMP!”

On cue, he tries, fluttering his wings frantically has he can. He’s airborne for seconds before landing again. And they are still sprinting.

“AGAIN! Three two one.. JUMP!”

Octavius follows the command— only this time Jedediah pries his hand free and quickly makes to grab Octavius by the hips. Before the fairy can protest, the faun uses his arm and leg strength to jump and propel Oct higher into the air.

“FLY, VIUS! FLY!!!”

“aaAAAAAAA——!!!”

“FLYYYYY!!!!”

And to his utter surprise.

He does.

Octavius takes off into the air, making it past the treetops. Continuing to bat his wings to combat gravity.

And the canopy is beautiful.

Blue sky. The distant river. More and more things visible as he rises higher.

He laughs to himself. Taking in the glee of it all. Wind rushing past his face and lifting his curls.

The only thing missing is Jedediah experiencing it with him.

And that’s when the exhaustion hits— alongside the knowledge he does not know how to land.

Looking down— it’s far. Horrendously far— any man would die from such a height. But he begs himself not to panic. To think it through if only for moments. If all fairies before him can make it down, so can he.

“Yes.. okay… steady..”

Slowly, meticulously, he flutters. Allowing gravity to have its way if only a little. Lower and lower until he once more glides through the tree branches and toward the forest floor.

“OCTAVIUS! I gotcha! Slow and steady!”

The fairy bursts out in joyous laughter as he falls into the faun’s arms. Jedediah catches him with part stumble and twirl, working to stay up on wobbling bull legs.

“SPARKLES! You did it!! You flew! You flew for real this time on your own! Straight up into the sky!!”

Much like going for a tedious run, Octavius is winded. But it does nothing to stop his grin.

“I did!!!”

Jedediah sets him to the ground. And it’s only then that he sees the tears of joy on Jedediah’s face.

“Love are you crying?”

“I’m just so damn PROUD of you!” Jed wails.

Octavius beams, resting his forehead against Jedediah’s shoulder.

He flew.

“I flew..”

“You did..!” Jed sniffles. “Really did.”

“… It is… far more exhausting… than you would believe…”

“That’s normal— you’re doin’ pretty good for somebody who had em tied back for years!! Dammit I’m so proud of you! Now you outta race Nicky and Sac!”

“May I have a moment?..”

“I reckon you can. But first let’s have to practice some more!! Hold my hand!”

—————

“Nicky.” Larry starts. “Promise me that you don’t fly too high?”

The boy rolls his eyes. “Promise.”

“I’m serious. Never fly so high it would kill you to fall. And don’t fly too fast either, I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I won’t, dad!”

“Yes yes!” Ahkmenrah claps his hands. “Is everyone ready?”

Octavius spares a glance at Jedediah who is giving him two thumbs up.

He nods.

“Then everyone… get prepared… and…. FLY!!!”

The three fairies begin running. Though Sacajawea hardly needs to find speed at all, taking off almost immediately. Nick follows shortly behind her whooping as he flies.

“GO OCTAVIUS GO!”

The fairy bounds off the grass and into the air, using every ounce of strength to become airborne. He sees Larry as he passes, cheering for his son instead.

“WIN THIS FOR US TEAM DALEY!”

Teddy cups hands over his mouth. “Fly fastest, my dear!”

“HEY!” Jed glares and Octavius laughs as he flies away from them both.

Up ahead he can see Nick take the lead. Smaller and lighter than the both of them. Wind tangles his light curls around his goggles with each wingbeat.

The goal is to race over part of the river until looping back to the camp. And his inexperience makes it seem a horridly long way.

“CAN’T CATCH MEEEE!” Nick cries just as Sacajawea takes the lead.

“HEY!”

Octavius grins. “I SHALL… I SHALL WIN!”

Air hits his face, making him wish he had goggles of his own. Harsh with the scent of the forest and cold from being so high above the canopy. It’s hard not to think about being so far in the sky.

He focuses instead on the race. Struggling for each bound of speed or each gust of wind that threatens to throw him off course.

Until he sees Nick hovering in place, no longer racing.

Octavius forces himself to slow, fluttering beside the boy.

“Nicholas?”

Nick gives him tired eyes in response, holding a hand to his chest.

“Nicholas, are you alright?! Come here, little one.”

The changeling is huffing and puffing, red in the face from a shortness of breath. Octavius reaches out his arms, wrapping them around the boy until he’s holding him. His flying shifts as Nick stops flying and he is left to bear the burden of both their weight on his own two wings.

It’s then that he realizes that this is likely the fastest the boy has flown ever before. Still learning— just as he is.

“There we are! There..” He puts a hand on the back of Nick’s hair gently and presses his face to his shoulder in a hug. “Catch your breath, you are alright. You must be tired!”

“Can.. can we go down?”

“Of course. But… I have a better idea.. how about you and I finish the race together? Yes?”

“Yeah.. okay.”

Octavius himself is short of breath, back and lungs aching from the fluttering of his wings. But he hefts the boy in his arms nonetheless and continues on.

“Come on! We can surely catch Sacajawea!”

———

Sacajawea is the first to land back in the clearing. Turning to look behind her for the others.

“Nice job Sac!” Larry smiles. “How far behind are Nicky and Octavius?”

“I do not know.. I did not see them…”

The two others touch down. Nick holding hands with Octavius as Jed runs forward to help both fairies land on their feet.

“Sparkles!” He grins. “Nice job and— y’all practically won together! Woah.. Y’alright there Nicky?”

“He is rather exhausted.” Octavius frowns, helping the boy sit on the grass. “We have forgotten his wings are lopsided— it is harder for him to breathe.”

“Nicky!” Larry walks to kneel by his son. “Hey buddy, good job!”

“Deep breath pal!” Jed cheers. “Did better than ol’ Jedediah ever could if he had wings I reckon!”

Nick smiles, opening his arms and allowing Larry to hug him.

“You both did well.” Sacajawea smiles. “But next time.. I expect not to win. Once you have more practice…”

Octavius smiles right back.

Jedediah watches it happen, leaning forward to give his lover a kiss to the jawline.

“.. Whatever is this for?” Oct chuckles.

“A prize. You win in my heart.”

“You already ARE my heart… and a prize enough for me.”

Jedediah blushes but the entire camp groans in awkwardness.

“I should say though.” Octavius nods. “Nicholas won by account that this was his first race.”

“And yours!” Nick adds.

“Yes— but you were winning before you got winded. You did wonderfully. And I am proud to race you!”

Nick beams and the entire group laughs.

“Don’t boost his ego TOO much now.” Larry chuckles. “I don’t want him flying too close to the sun.”

Jed takes Octavius’s hand as they all disperse to their own activities around the camp again.

“Reckon we find out what else those wings can do?”

Oct turns redder than his own tunic, already flushed from the race “… I.. I… whatever do you mean?..”

“I mean you try and carry me while flying!”

“Oh.”

“Get your mind outta the bedroll already, Sparkles!”

“Fine fine.. but do your best not to be heavy, love?”

Chapter Text

“Say.” Jedediah chuckles under his breath, spinning one of Octavius’s brunette curls around one finger. “You wanna go fly? Go explore?”

“Oh. If you would? But I am also quite content to stay as we are.”

The bedroll is warm as always, the cold morning air touching their noses and foreheads free from the blankets. It’s a world of their own.

“Besides, Jedediah.” Octavius continues. “We only just woke up.”

“Yeah but… there’s a whole damn world waitin’ for us out there!”

“And it needs us to explore it NOW?..”

“Course it does! What’s the fun if we don’t? Soon you an’ I are gonna be attackin’ the castle. We gotta see the woods while we can! Dammit!”

The fairy gives a soft laugh with his forehead pressed against Jedediah’s neck. It makes the faun blush.

“Fine.” Octavius decides. “I shall follow you wherever you may wish to go. BUT I have one condition.”

“Uh oh.”

“You need to bathe.”

“HEY! You ain’t exactly the nicest flower in the meadow either, Sparkles!”

“I am aware! The flying lessons have worn me thin. And I apologize for dropping you in the mud that last attempt at lifting you.”

“Yeah. Real chivalrous, Vius.”

“I just apologized! But nonetheless we both smell like woodland adventurers and I am begging you for this one activity.”

“But the river is cold…” Jed complains. Desperate for any excuse he can muster.

“And you have me. And we have blankets at camp. We shall dry off when all is said and done and sit in the sun together.”

“But—“

“Why are you dodging this?”

“I ain’t dodgin’ nothin’—!”

“Jedediah.” A kiss to his neck. “Tell me, love?”

“I—I.. ALRIGHT! I can’t swim!!! Y’hear?!”

“..You cannot swim?”

“My legs ain’t exactly made for it!!”

“… Most fauns can still swim, Diah. And I will be there with you! I can still swim despite my wings even!”

“I dunno. Just sounds stupid an’—“

“Will you come with me? If I promise I’ll weave flowers into your hair after you are all clean?”

Silence as he fidgets with Octavius’s hand— resting over his chest in the bedroll. Watching the roof of the tent in contemplation.

“… Fine.”

————-

Jedediah dips only one hoof into the river.

“I dunno. Vius—“

Octavius shoves him into the river, yanking him by the hand. They both tumble under the water until he breaks the surface, Jedediah alongside him spluttering and looking like a soaked highland cow.

He spits water in the faun’s face. Grinning before pressing a kiss to the side of his temple.

Jed glares daggers back through soaked saggy blonde hair in his eyes.

“Maybe I reckon I preferred stuffy ol’ Sir Octavius the knight….”

They giggle but Jed shrieks as he is dunked again, Octavius’s laughter booming with delight.

——

They dry off idly by the river. Jed shaking his horns wildly and his hair in return, water flying everywhere. Octavius chuckles admiring his lover at the riverside standing amongst the rocks. He sighs, knowing the cleanliness from the wash will only last so long with Jedediah of all people. The faun tugging his poncho back on.

Octavius gently steps forward with all the grace he can muster. Taking off with a slight jump and dried wings aflutter. Jedediah gasps as he lifts him off his hooves and the riverbank, kicking slightly.

“Woah now! I don’t like bein’ manhandled remember?!”

Jed relaxes eventually though as Octavius focuses on his goal— carrying the both of them off to a tree he spotted forever ago. A flowering willow of some kind he cannot identify. Once it is in sight, the fairy eases his flapping wings enough to lower Jedediah into one of the branches, joining him there.

“Well would you look at that?… This has gotta be the prettiest thing I ever did see…”

“I would say you are the true holder of that title, Jedediah.”

“Oh shush— you…”

Back propped against a branch, Octavius pulls Jedediah into his arms. Horned head just against his chest as he reaches for one of the tendrils of brilliant purple flowers hanging down.

“It’s a Wisteria.” Jed hums, seemingly pleased and in awe of what he is saying. “Such a gorgeous damn purple…”

“That is why I have brought us here. Because these flowers are perfect…”

He runs his hands through Jed’s longer blonde locks, earning a sound of happiness from the faun before he begins braiding and twisting the flowers into his hair as delicately as his own callused hands will allow.

“You are splendid.”

“Oh you—!” Jed blushes. “You just shush. I reckon we’re both pretty nice.”

“No. You are beautiful. I wish to sit here with you forever and endlessly place flowers into your hair. There is nothing I want more. This endless peace and you all to myself. To talk for hours in this world of happiness we create together.”

“…. I want that too.”

“Then allow us to create it! We CAN!”

“We got a war to win, Sparkles. You know that.”

“The war can wait, though. Just for this moment. Just a while longer. It needn’t separate us now. We can stay…”

“… Yeah.”

Jed idly reaches up to run a thumb along Octavius’s face. Blue eyes craning up with only adoration. Only sweetness. Only peace, no war nor violence.

“…. Octavius. Do you wanna… have flowers too?..”

“So I may match you?..” He smiles. “More than anything.”

They take their time gently touching and holding one another, braiding hair and trying their best to extend the moment into longer. Knowing they must return to camp eventually. Back to war— to planning. Where they cannot focus only on one another but the fate of the entire kingdom instead.

They only want to hold one another instead.

——

Birds are singing outside in the forest as Octavius caresses his lover’s back and collarbone. Jedediah— he thinks— is asleep still though he is not entirely sure.

Content, he hums and sighs; taking in the softness of the faun’s hair. The earthy scent of the camp.

That’s when the screaming starts outside.

Wings flared from being startled, he sits up rapidly as Jedediah too awakens and drowsily springs up to sit on his level.

The camp— it is under attack. Surely.

—————-