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Chapter Text

To say Martyn was surprised to be awake was an understatement. The last thing he remembered where his own screams and pleas for mercy, his siblings sobs, and his brothers quiet apology. He wanted so badly to have told him it wasn’t his fault, but he couldn’t. He wanted to scream at them, when they told his brother off. His brother's name was Grian. He still couldn’t yell at them, couldn’t move. He was certain he was dead by then, and this was simply what his ghost was hearing, but then they moved him. He screamed in pain as they dragged him out, he sobbed and screamed and just wanted it to be over. It wasn’t fair. None of this was fair.

“Are you sure we should just dump him? What if he lives, we need him dead,” someone whispered.

“Lives? He’s bleeding from dozens of holes in his wings and a scar on his head. There’s no saving him,” the other laughed and Martyn knew they had to be right, at this point even, he thought death would be a release and so he closed his eyes and prayed for it as he was dragged away, the pain so unbearable that he fell unconscious as they continued to drag him on the ground, towards the world outside.

Ren wasn’t much of a prince, the nephew of the king was all he was, but after his parents death here he sat. He hadn’t wanted to leave home but his uncle had insisted. If he was now the heir to the throne, per his uncles ideals, then he needed to live within the kingdom.

Now he was being pulled across the continent on a few month journey and they were finally almost done, just a couple weeks, when he spotted the boy.

He had practically jumped out of the carriage and moved to him. The boy was laying in the grass, covered in blood. He had decided as soon as he saw him, that he couldn’t just leave the kid there without at least seeing if he was alive.

“My prince-“ a guard called but Ren was currently reaching for a pulse, finding although the boy whimpered at the movement.

“He’s alive!” He cried out and the boy whimpered again, a tear rolling down his blood crusted face.

“I’m sorry… shhh… here,” without thinking, Ren ripped a strip of fabric from the bottom of his green vest, wrapping it tightly around the wound in the boys forehead, the strange eye.

“My prince!” A guard seemed appalled by the tearing of his clothes. Ren seemingly ignored him as he tied the fabrics as tight as he could and took in the wings.

“Do we have any bandages in the carriage?” Ren asked quietly as he stood, his tail swishing side to side.

“We shouldn’t be bothering my prince-“

“He’s my age… I can’t just let him die like this. We’ll bandage what we can and find a healer in the next village,” Ren whispered as he went to the carriage himself, grinning when he found both a regen potion, which would help the injuries heal just a little bit, and a roll of bandages.

“He isn’t our responsibility, especially not yours, my prince-“

“I wish you’d stop calling me that. My uncle is only king because he won the crown. I’m not of noble blood and I’m only here because my parents died… I’m gonna use my current place to help others, starting with him,” Ren grumbled as he moved to slowly and carefully wrap the strangers' wings. He didn’t have enough bandages and completely destroyed his vest to cover the rest.

“Look at that, all wrapped up… I know you’re in a lot of pain but can you drink this for me?” Ren whispered as he tipped the potion, smiling when the boy gulped some of it down.

“Good job…. You’re gonna be okay, I promise,” Ren turned and quietly his guards moved to help lift the boy and carry him into the carriage. While the carriage moved towards the village, Ren used a handkerchief he found to carefully wipe the blood away from the boy’s face. 

“Hurry! Let’s get going to the next village,” Ren called loudly. He did his best to keep the boy okay but he’d occasionally feel his pulse slow, almost disappear, before suddenly coming back. 

“You’re gonna be okay,” he whispered again but he feared that he may have been lying.

————

“Hello,” the red king hummed, wrapping his arms around his hands waist, and Martyn laughed.

“Hello m’lord…” he hummed and the red name groaned a bit, releasing Martyn immediately.

“Don’t call me m’lord when I’m trying to be cuddly,” he grumbled and Martyn rolled his eyes softly.

“You pretend you’re so different to Ren, your host, yet you still act all the same when you want attention,” he sighed and shivered as frost covered the ground around him, suddenly.

“No I don’t-“

“Red dear, the floor is freezing over and I’d rather stay green if I can continue to help it. Freezing to death is a pretty nasty death,” Martyn hummed and Red sighed.

“No! No!” Martyn swung his axe madly towards Scar and Grian. His kings, his loves, were dead. He knew Red had just been released, he could feel the cold air settling over his shoulders, but Ren was dead, he’d been killed and Martyn didn’t get to say goodbye.

“ He knows, ” Red whispered in his ear, ghostly, and Martyn froze. That moment of freezing up ended with a sword through his chest.

“ No! ” Red had screamed but Martyn just smiled. At least he wouldn’t have to live a life without his partners, without Red or Ren. They meant the world to him.

“ Martyn ?” Red whispered and Martyn opened his eyes. He shouldn’t have remembered but as he stared at the participants of a second life game, he did.

“Red? You’re here?”

“ In every life I shall… Ren requested me too… he does not remember like you do, Grian is the only other that does, ” Red whispered and Martyn closed his eyes. Ren didn’t remember? Yet he had Red.

“Are you why I remember?”

“ I suspect so, ” Red whispered and Martyn watched Ren run off and sighed.

“I love you Red… I love Ren too…” he whispered and he felt ghostly arms surround him.

“ Let’s go, my love, ” Red whispered and Martyn set off.

———

“Shhhh! He’s waking up!” A small voice called and Martyns eyes peeled open. He shouldn’t be alive, let alone opening his eyes, yet he was and suddenly he felt a ghostly pressure against his side. Red. Red was beside him although silent in his head. In every life, that’s what his blurry mind reminded him with the new memories in his mind. He wondered, idly, why it had taken Red so long to find him but that was a question for later.

“Hi,” he turned and the dog ears on the boy next to him made his chest ache.

“ How am I- How am I alive?” He caught himself, grateful that he hadn’t ever allowed himself to forget the common that his parents taught him before his capture.

“You were dying when I found you, outside. I took you with me, and now where here in a village… they couldn’t save your wings though, they’d already started to develop an infection by the time we got you here,” the boy whispered and Martyns eyes widened, filling with tears when he reached behind him and screamed in pain as his back lit up in pain at the movement. He had no wings, he’d been able to tell, and that shattered him more than any pain.

“Careful!” The boy moved closer to his side, worry in his eyes.

“What’s your name?” Martyn whispered. He wanted to know the name of the boy who saved him.

“Ren,” he whispered and Martyns heart stopped. His memories of his past were fuzzy, maybe due to his age, but he knew that name, that face.

“I’m martyn,” he croaked and Ren smiled a bit. He didn’t hold the same recognition Martyn had and he knew Ren didn’t remember, which was almost better.

“So where are you going after this town?” Martyn whispered and Ren laughed.

“My uncles, he’s a king and my parents died… he’s making me the crown prince so I gotta be there… do you have any place to go?” Ren whispered.

“I was about to wonder if you needed a guard or something, I was trained to fight… I don’t have a place to go-“

“Then come with me!” Ren smiled and Martyn couldn’t help but smile back, the other boys smile was infectious.

“Of course, my prince,” he hummed and Ren stuck out his tongue.

“Yuck, no. I’m just Ren,” he giggled and they both started laughing, despite how it hurt to.

Martyn had a second chance. A second chance at this life, at a time with Ren, and he wasn’t about to waste it. He’d make sure he was happy this time.

Chapter Text

“My prince! Don’t run in the castle!” A very upset maid called but Ren just laughed, tugging more on Martyn’s arm as the ran down the hall, two kids much too late for school.

“I can’t believe you, I can’t believe this!” Martyn said, purposefully overdramatic, as they ran. Ren had slept in and no amount of shaking had awoken him. At some point Martyn, rather exhausted himself, had fallen back asleep instead of continuing his attempts to wake his friend and now it was nearly eleven and they were around 3 hours late for school.

“You’re the one who fell back asleep!” Ren laughed, his tail wagging as they darted out the castle gates. 

“Uh-huh? And who kept me awake for way too long last night because you didn’t wanna stop our board game!?” Martyn accused as they turned the corner, their school in the distance. They were both eleven, although Ren was almost twelve, three months older than Martyn, and had started middle school earlier in the year. Luckily that meant with when they’d make it to school, they could slip into the crowd during passing time.

“Martyn!” Ren shouted as they were almost there. The airborn turned and tilted his head.

“What?” He asked and Ren looked down, looking away from his face and then Martyn realized, he felt the breeze against the Scar and his chest burned.

“I forgot it…” he usually hid the scar of the eye underneath a strip of green fabric, much like the one Ren had given him that good while ago.

“We can go back, I’ll take the blame. I know you don’t like it-“

“It’s fine… it’s just one day and my hair is long enough to cover it…  you don’t know I trust you right? I’m fine with you looking at it. You saw me with it when you saved me, it’s everyone else I care about seeing the scar,” Martyn whispered and Ren sighed.

“I’m sorry, dude. I’m sorry I didn’t notice it before. Do you want me to find something to cover the scar?” Ren slowly raised his hand, brushing his fingers carefully over the scar. It had healed kindly but the imagery of the eye would never fade. Martyn leaned forward against his friend’s hand.

“Yes please,” Martyn trilled softly, something he avoided doing as it made him anxious, without thinking. He only seemed to be able to do so around Ren. Maybe it was the faded memories that allowed his openness, or just the kindness Ren and always showed him.

“Okay,” Ren smiled and knelt to dig through his backpack. Martyn just sighed and flinched when a ghost ‘breeze’ pressed against the scar. Red. He always disappeared then showed himself at the strangest moments, he’d been so particular in this life and he hadn’t even spoken to Martyn yet.

“Why won’t you talk to me?” Martyn whispered and as soon as he asked the question, the ghost was gone. Martyn frowned and partially wondered if maybe Red had given up on him.

“Huh? What did you say?” Ren asked as he continued to search.

“Nothing, talking to myself. Did you find anything? If not I just need you to help me cover it with my hair,” Martyn hummed and Ren sighed.

“I wish I found something. Come here, I’ll help cover it as best I could,” Ren whispered, his voice filled with guilt. Martyn frowned a bit but nodded. He didn’t like to see Ren this upset, especially over something that would only be a bother for a few hours, but he couldn’t simply change his friend's emotions.

“It’s not your fault,” Martyn reminded Ren as they started walking again.

“Doesn’t stop the guilt, does it?” Ren hummed, his shoulders suddenly tense.

“And what did you expect to do? Find me before they did? I was six when they took me… Ren stop with this,” Martyn grabbed his friends arm but was shrugged off as they entered the school, quickly getting lost among the crowd. Martyn had a feeling that Ren was purposefully making it hard for him to find, even though they had most of their classes together.

“What the hell is that?” Someone called as soon as Martyn walked into class, their eyes narrowing in on the scar. Martyns breath hitched.

“I’m not gonna talk about it,” he raised his hand to cover it more.

“Is that what you cover with the green thing? Are you even more of a freak?” Martyn wished Ren was in this class. The kids in that class were simply awful. 

“I don’t have anything to explain to you,” he hummed as he moved to sit down, smiling a bit when the kid made a comment about the cold. Maybe Red hadn’t given up on him, seeing as he was messing with the kid so rude to him, although he still felt conflicted when the cold settled over his shoulders, wrapping around him almost. It brought a memory of a previous life, when they were older. It was one of the stranger memories, but he liked to think about it and let himself settle into memories instead of the boring times of school.

Martyn frowned as he stared at the bridge overtop the ravine. It wasn’t fair. He seemed to always be pushed away. In 3rd life he’d been accepted but his home was destroyed, in last life his home had fallen apart and the people had cast him out, now in this life his own ‘soulmate’ hated him. He was all alone. Except, he was reminded by a cold breeze, he wasn’t.

“ Are you okay? ” Red asked as the cold settled on his shoulders, wrapping around him. He imagined Red now, his head likely pressed against Martyns own, arms pressed against his shoulders where he felt the cold. It was almost as if he still had a physical body.

“I miss dogwarts… at least I had a home there,” Martyn whispered and he could hear Red sigh.

“ You’ll always have a home with me, ” he offered and Martyn nodded.

“I just wish I could have a life with the people I love, you and Ren, and be in peace,” he hummed and flinched as Cleo, wherever she was, got hurt.

“ One day, ” Reds promise sunk into him and he smiled.

“Hey Martyn? You good?” Ren asked softly, standing in front of Martyns desk. He blinked a bit before looking up at his friend and tilting his head.

“What happened?” He whispered and Ren sighed, moving to pack his friends bag.

“I waited outside your class as usual and when you didn’t come out, I came in and found your teacher waving her hand in front of your face, what happened?” Ten asked and Martyn frowned.

“Kids were being awful, saw the scar and called me a freak. I zoned out after it,” he whispered and Ren frowned.

“Let’s go home,” he whispered.

“What? Just because you’re a prince doesn’t mean you can skip class and I’m… im just the kid you brought home with you, I most definitely can’t skip-“

“And they don’t have any right to be awful to you. I won’t stand for it… you’re so much more than just a random kid,” Ren whispered. Martyn laughed softly and didn’t even realize he was starting to cry until a tear was wiped from his cheek.

“One class. Our next class is together and if I still want us to go after, we go,” Ren whispered and Martyn, after a moment’s hesitation, agreed.

“Fine,” he whispered and his gaze softened more at Ren’s grin. How was he supposed to be sad when his best friend smiled so warmly?

“Let’s get going then, don’t wanna be late,” Ren pulled Martyn up and began to tug him towards their next class. Martyn started to laugh and snatched his bag from his friend before hurrying to class as well.

“Your scar is weird,” a girl beside him whispered and he stifled laughter at the immediate growl from Ren behind him.

“Ren,” Martyn hummed and the animal-shift looked at him, tilting his head innocently.

“What?” He asked.

“She wasn’t trying to be rude, no need to go guard dog,” he teased and Ren bared his teeth at his friend, which ended with an eraser to the face in response.

“Excuse me! My prince, Martyn, do I need to talk to you two after class about paying attention?” Their teacher called and Ren laughed.

“No sir!” He called. Martyn, on the other hand, was absolutely flushed a bright red in horror.

“You’re gonna get me in trouble one day,” Martyn accused later, as they left class.

“And I can get you out of it too,” Ren hummed, completely unbothered. Martyn just playfully shoved him.

“Dumb-dog,” he teased. 

“Bird-boy,” Ren countered. 

Quickly both boys fell into fits of laughter.

Chapter Text

“Rennnnn,” Martyn called as he hunched over his desk, now thirteen. He’d turned thirteen only a couple weeks ago but thirteen was big for both of them. It was when Ren was to be frowned upon officially and for Martyn, thirteen was when he decided his future. He could be removed from the castle, taken away from his life beside Ren. Nowadays, Martyn was doing his best to prove himself worthy, find a spot beside Ren, and he simply hoped the king would allow him to stay. The king had waited until they were both thirteen but that left very little time for Martyn to prove himself,

“What’s up Martyn?” Ren asked, appearing behind his closest friend and resting his chin against the avain’s shoulder.

“What is the king’s Hand? It says the prince often chooses his hand, to stay beside him his whole life, upon crowning…” Martyn hummed. Ren leaned over more and stared down at the book Martyn was reading.

“The king’s hand is different in every kingdom, most don’t have them assigned so early as Dogwarts does. Most don’t even have Hands stay as we do… but in dogwarts they are the kings closest companion. They live their whole life together, they are treated as almost royalty. They’re the last line of defense in an attack…wait Martyn, I don’t have a hand picked yet what if-“

“That’s what I was thinking… there is no prior knowledge or experience needed, just someone the prince trusts,” Martyn smiled. Ren laughed. They’d been stressed about figuring it out since Ren’s thirteenth birthday, looking through all the books for rules. Martyn had been labeled as the prince’s companion but when the prince is crowned, he has no use for companions anymore as he had his hand. 

“We have a way! We can do this!” Ren laughed and his tag began to wag excitedly. Martyn laughed a bit and stood from his desk, moving to wrap his arms around the prince. Ren threw his arms around him more and almost lifted Martyn into the air in his excitement.

“We have to talk to my uncle! Tell him, make sure it’s okay!” Ren hummed and Martyn giggled more, pressing his face against his friend’s shoulder. Safe. Whenever Ren hugged him, he felt safe.

“We did it… and thank goodness… I think I’d much rather give away the crown than lose you,” Ren joked and Martyn smacked his arm. 

“You wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t let you. I’d just hide away in your closest,” Martyn teased and his friend’s laughter roared in his ears, in his chest.

“Are you ever gonna talk to me again?” He asked early that next morning, seeing the frame of Red’s ghost as his cold hair hit the warmth around him and formed a bit of fog. He watched the figure move closer, flinching when the cold reached his skin.

“Are you upset with me? Are you finally tired of me, yet your contract sticks you with me? Is that why you don’t speak to me?” He ignored the way the tears built in his eyes. He was always so confused, and the cold rubbing against his back did nothing to aid the constant confusion. He was upset, confused, and although Red never spoke, he somehow comforted him.

“Why? Why won’t you talk to me? Hate me or don’t! Please just tell me!” He hiccuped and began to sob. The cold surrounded him and he screamed out a sob. He just wanted to know, just wanted his answers. “Three years! Three years you’ve ignored me!” He sobbed out and a moment later there was a panicked knock on the door.

“Martyn?” It was Ren and oh he sounded so worried.

“Ren!” Martyn stumbled away from the cold and threw the door open, finding his best friend staring at him with worry.

“Why won’t he answer me?” Martyn hiccuped before falling against his friend. Ren had no idea what was going on but he’d do his best to help him, rubbing his back and moving him to rest.

“Will you ever tire of this? Being stuck with me?” Martyn asked as he sat in an attic, his ears flicking with each noise as the others moved about their day.

“ Tire? Of you? Never… and that’s not just a joke, m’ hand, ” Red whispered, his cold settling around him, his head seemingly pressing against the crook of the blond’s neck. That seemed to still be his favorite spot to rest his head, as it had been as long as they’d known each other.

“You’re tied to me… Don’t you miss your contracts that brought adventure? You’ll never have that again as long as you’re stuck with me,” He whispered.

“ So? You make me absolutely delighted… I’ll never tire of you, of our conversations… I love you, ”

“I love you too,”

“Today we are gathered to place the crown upon the head of the prince… His companion will be stepping down and the royal hand shall be named. Preparation for this day has taken months… Thank you all for being here for such a momentous occasion,” The king announced and Martyn picked at the corner of his sleeve as he stood behind and to the right of Ren, the spot where the prince’s companion always stood. The crowd roared in applause and Martyn flinched, his hand moving toward Ren’s sleeve before catching himself. A companion wasnt ever meant to be so close and he couldn’t show his reliance on the prince. 

“You’re okay, our hands are hidden behind the balcony,” Ren whispered suddenly, without moving, and Martyn relaxed, reaching to catch the edge of his friend’s sleeve. Ren’s hand moved and briefly ran over his friend’s fingers, a comfort they’d practiced for years.

Martyn didn’t pay as much attention as he should have during the speech, focusing on the connection his hand had with Ren’s hand, feeling the way the prince tensed as well. And then Ren stepped forward, separating their hands. Ren leaned down and a crown was pushed onto his head Ren raised his eyes and Martyn knew what came next. 

They’d practiced this dozens of times. He stepped forward and raised his hand, touching the center stone of the crown before abruptly pulling his hand to his chest and then stepping away and forward. He now stood in front of the prince, no longer in the companions' spot.

“Live your life, Free from my side,” Ren’s voice cracked at the well rehearsed words, something common when releasing a companion. Martyn crossed in front of Ren, to his left, now completely separated from his place.

“May my time bring me well,” Martyn felt tears building as he and the prince nodded to each other, their one moment of equality before the companion would leave. Martyn’s eyes watered, and he wouldn’t even be leaving for long. He wondered how in previous, the prince and companion never broke tradition to hug. 

“Release of yee,” The king finally spoke and Martyn turned to walk back off the balcony as the crowd cheered.  He sat down and took a few deep breaths to calm his nerves as the speech to announce the freedom from companionship and the entrance of the hand began. 

“The king's right hand, equal in nearly every rule, will grow and learn with the prince, the prince’s choice shall be announced on this day,” it wasn’t uncommon for hand’s to have been prince’s companions, although it was still unlikely. Most companions were chosen at birth, the child of another noble, yet Ren brough Martyn with him when he arrived, announcing immediately that this wounded Airborn was his companion. There had been outrage, a homeless orphan, and even more so that he’d take residence in the castle. The only reason the royal court allowed it was because it would only be three years. They’d be enraged over Ren’s choice but to rebuttal the choice of hand was considered treason.

“May my hand reveal themselves, my hand and heart until death, my closest guard,” Ren spoke and Martyn realized he had stopped paying attention. He quickly lifted his new cloak, the sign of the royal hand, and pushed his way onto the balcony.

“M’lord, my sworn to,” Martyn announced as he entered and the crowd gasped. Martyn seriously questioned why they had doubted Ren’s choice.

“My sword, my right hand, my axe, my heart,” Ren greeted, trying to keep emotion out of his tone but his eyes gave away the fondness. Ren walked over and took the cloak gently, wrapping it around his friend before placing his right hand against Martyn’s heart.

“With this, I make you my right hand, my will and action,” He spoke. Martyn bowed his head before lifting both hands to wrap around Ren’s right hand, lifting them into the air.

“With this I become your hand, the end of your right arm, your will and action,” Martyn spoke loudly before dropping their hands, his left clutching Ren’s to his heart.

“With this, I name you mine,” Ren announced.

“With this I give my name, my being, to be yours,” Martyn countered and slowly they turned to the crowd, Ren’s right hand staying linked with his left against his chest as Ren raised his left hand, Martyn raising his right to match.

The crowd blew into applause and cheers right before an arrow blew into Martyn’s right shoulder, closer to his chest. Martyn collapsed as the crowd broke into screams. He couldn’t hear much, or see much. The arrow had definitely hit something it shouldn’t have and he found himself gasping for air.

“ Martyn! ” He heard Red’s voice and he sobbed, feeling the cold pressing against the side of his head. Why would Red only talk to him in these moments. He tried to move, tried to sit up.

“ No! No do not stand! Please! ” Martyn realized, as Red spoke, how hard it felt to breath and he lowered his gaze down, finding the arrow had likely hit part of his lungs. 

“ I’m dying, ” he whispered in horror and soon after real hands replaced Red’s.

“No you aren’t, I won’t let you,” the person whispered. Red, that sounded like red and Martyn laughed weakly.

“Why did you only speak to me now? Three years and only now, as I’m dying… I missed you, Red,” he croaked.

Now Ren had no idea who Red was, but right now he couldn’t ask Martyn about it, tears rolling down his cheeks as Martyn laid in his lap, bleeding and struggling to breath.

“Shhh… don’t talk, don’t talk, guards caught the shooter, someone is on their way to help you…” he whispered. Who had don’t this? Why? Ren would have thought it was aimed for him but it wasn’t, someone had purposefully targeted Martyn, his hand. They’d waited too long though, waited until after it was done. They’d attacked the royal hand and after the ceremony was completed, they’d attacked a member of the royal family.

“I’ll make sure they pay, Martyn, I promise,” Ren lowered his head to press against Martyn’s. Martyn had always been ever so loyal to him. He’d return that loyalty tenfold. He’d never let this happen again, never let someone get away with this again.

“They’ll pay for it, I swear, I’ll make them pay myself,” he whispered and Martyn laughed weakly.

“You always do, Red,” Martyn wheezed as his eyes fell shut.

“No! Nonono! Come on my hand, stay awake for me!” He cried out, pressing his head to Martyn’s and sobbing. He only screamed louder and louder as his hand was taken from his arms and carried away.

It had only happened once, where a hand died before their king, and the king had ended his life in retaliation. The entire kingdom cried for their prince, their hand, as they awaited. They rejoiced when the king announced the good news, the hand lived. 

Martyn lived, but his attacker did not.

The prince, only a kid, now had blood on his hands but, to him, it was worth it. He’d kill hundreds to protect his hand, his other half.

Chapter Text

“You know, Ren, it’s been two months. I can take care of myself,” Martyn hummed, picking at him best friends sleeve as the prince attempted to help him sit up.

“Two months since you were shot, since an arrow practically pierced your lungs… you almost died, let me take care of you,” Ren huffed as he pushed himself onto his heels, sitting on top of Martyns bed.

“Isn’t it supposed to be my job to take care of you? Not the other way around?” Martyn hummed.

“You’re my hand, my heart-“

“My other half. I know,” Martyn smiled fondly and his friend lightly shoved his good shoulder.

“Then why do you keep asking?” He laughed and Martyn laughed more.

“Because that isn’t an answer!”

“Yes it is! We take care of each other’s! You’re my equal!” Ren leaned forward and lightly jabbed martyns side, making the boy laugh just as much as he did.

“How are you doing? After what happened…” the day Martyn had awoke, Ren had gone into the the dungeon and told his attacker before ordering a guard to kill him. Red held no remorse but Martyn was constantly worried about him.

“I’m fine… he deserved tenfolds but as he didn’t kill you, I couldn’t draw his death out much,” he whispered and Martyn huffed.

“You’re mad, my prince,”

“I’ll be as mad as I need to be, you’re my family and my best friend, I’ll always protect you, I promise,” Ren wrapped his arms around his friend and Martyn leaned against him.

————

Martyn first noticed how serious Ren was about that promise only a few years later, Ren’s sixteenth birthday. Martyn was still fifteen and was teasing him about it when Ren’s uncle walked in, a scowl on his face.

“Uncle? What’s wrong?” Ren asked, standing and moving to his uncle, Martyn followed although flinched back with the kings glare landed on him.

“Get out of my kingdom, you monster,” he hissed and Martyn gaped wildly.

“What? No!” Ren snapped and his uncle laughed.

“Did you ever do any research into what that damn scar means?” He hissed and Ren glanced towards Martyn. He hadn’t been wearing the headband to cover his scar, he wouldn’t until the party that night.

“Yes, I did. I found him left for dead because of that mark. I don’t get what you’re getting at, uncle,” Ren reached behind him and took Martyn’s hand, just like they’d done so many times before, even more so since Ren was crowned prince.

“I want him out of my castle! He is not your hand anymore!” The king stood and Martyn let out a terrified trill, one that shook Ren to his core.

“No. He is my hand. If you do not stop, I will report this as treason!” Ren hissed and Martyn was shaking. Not again! No he couldn’t be separated from Ren again! This life was supposed to be different.

“Treason!? I am the king!” He roared and Martyn let out a small sob, tending when Rens hand tightened around his and pulled him closer, more directly behind him.

“And I am crowned prince, which I cannot be without a hand! You could be trying to take away my right to the throne!” Ren countered and Martyn hid his face against Ren’s back.

“ Stop! Stop arguing Ren, you’ll get in trouble, I’ll leave just please don’t let yourself get hurt! ” Martyn whispered, knowing only Ren truly understood what he was saying.

“Not a chance, I promised after all, I’ll always protect you and that includes from my king,” Ren whispered as his stare off continued.

“You’re damned, my boy. He’ll only bring upon the end, he’s a curse on our people and-“ Ren, the guards in the room, and his uncle jumped away as ice spread along the floor. Martyn just froze as the ice crawled up the kings feet.

“What the hell?” The king roared before his eyes snapped to Martyn, ice crawling up his body.

“You bring HIM into my lands? You’re a monster! A curse! A plague! I should have the guard kill you here-“ the ice rose to cover his mouth and his eyes widened.

“ Never speak that way about m’ hand !” Red's voice was sharp and loud, causing Ren and the guards to cover their ears while Martyn stood frozen, tears bubbling in his eyes as he stared at the king, now unconscious but thawed. Red could have killed the king, Martyn knew he could, yet he didn’t.

“Martyn… oh Martyn, let’s get you out of here,” like a light switch, Rens attention was back on him, wiping away a few tears and leading him out as of Red hadn’t done all that. As he looked at the king, there was suddenly no signs of ice on him or the room, as if Red had never been there.

What just happened?

“Why do you keep protecting me?” Martyn asked later as he leaned against Ren, the prince’s hand carding through his blonde hair. 

“Because I care about you,” Ren whispered and Martyn laughed.

“Why? No one has cared about me since I was ascended… and even then I have no clue if my siblings knew what it was like to truly love… not if they grew up in that hell,” Martyn whispered and Ren frowned.

“You’re so loved, at least by me,” he whispered and Martyn tensed up and looked at his friend in tears.

“Love? I doubt anyone can love me… I’m a curse, you heard your uncle and I doubt he’s wrong…” Martyn gasped a bit as Ren sat up and cupped his cheeks.

“I love you. That’s the truth. If no one else can, I love you, my heart,” Ren whispered and Martyn let out a surprised chirp.

“You… love me?” He honestly had no idea how to feel. He could discern his past lives love for Ren from what he was feeling. Did he love his Ren or only the memories of his past?

“Yea… I don’t know when I started to but I do…” Ren whispered, “and even if I didn’t, you’ve always mattered to me-“ Martyn cut him off by kissing his cheek.

“I… I don’t know how I feel Ren… but knowing makes me happy…” he admitted and Ren hummed, threading their fingers together as he moved back to simply sitting next to Martyn.

“You don’t need to know yet, or even anytime soon, feel free to take your time… I just… don’t ever say you aren’t cared about or loved, because you are and always will be, at least by me,” he whispered and Martyn smiled, leaning his head against Ren’s shoulder.

“Happy birthday, Ren,” he whispered and Ren smiled. Usually the prince would have a birthday ball but as Martyns birthday was so close, and often the hand got a celebration as well, the ball would happen on martyns birthday instead, meaning they had the rest of the day mostly off. Martyn closed his eyes and allows himself to think, think about his feelings, his past, and everything in between, but also he couldn’t stop thinking about Red and what happened… and why Red still wouldn’t talk to him, as the reasoning obvious wasn’t hatred at this point.

Some point in his thinking, he fell asleep.

“Ren!” Martyn ran over in an instant, tears in his eyes as he cupped the cheeks of the recently yellow man. He’d watched the man explode.

“I’m going to destroy him, I swear!” Ren hissed but softened a bit, leaning his hand into Martyns hand.

“I’m fine I promise,” he whispered and Martyn laughed, his eyes watery.

“You died,” he whispered and Ren wrapped his arms around him in a hug before walking out of the room towards Grian and Scar.

“I hope you know what you’re doing, Grian. We aren’t on the same side and this isn’t Evo anymore,” Martyn whispered and flinched a bit. Evo was still the only thing he really remembered. He was sure he’d had plenty of lives in between then and now, Grian had, but he remembered none of them.

“I love you,” Ren whispered later that night and Martyn smiled weakly. He should have been surprised but he really wasn’t.

“You do?” He whispered, his head pressed against Rens shoulder.

“Yea, of course I do,” Ren shifted and kissed his head.

“Do I need to respond?” Martyn whispered and Ren shook his head.

“You don’t need too…”

“I do… I feel the same but I can’t… can’t say it,” Martyn admitted and Ren smiled. The pair leaned in and their lips met.

Two in the dark, in a work meant for death.

Their time together had been short, ended only a few weeks later by an ax and a ghostly deal.

When Martyn awoke, he knew. He knew what his answer was, he just didn’t know how to voice it.

Chapter Text

“Martyn… my hand… Martynnnnn, wake up, my heart,” Martyn awoke to the familiar loving whispers of his prince, hands gently on his shoulders.

“Sleep…” Martyn hummed, grabbing one of Ren’s hands, much to the prince’s delight as he started to laugh.

“I wish we could. It’s your birthday which means we have the ball tonight. We have to prep- hey,” Ren laughed as Martyn just turned, yanking Ren onto his stomach, falling over him.

“My hand, I adore you but we have things to do today,” Ren hummed and Martyn huffed, opening his eyes and making eye contact with his prince.

“Hello, my heart,” Ren whispered and Martyn chirped, smiling. Ren smiled back and moved to sit up. Martyn let out an upset trill and grabbed his arm again, releasing it when Ren sighed in defeat. Martyn let out a happy chirp and leaned back a bit. Ren shook his head.

“Bird brain or are you just too tired to talk human?” Ren teased as he moved to sit beside Martyn on the bed.

“You’re not human either,” Martyn mumbled, turning to lean his face against his friend’s side. Ren hummed softly and began to card his fingers through the other’s hair as his tail began to slowly wag. Oh if only the royal court could see them here, cuddling as if they were just too friends, maybe even loves, waking up slowly instead of a prince and his hand. Ren wanted to laugh in their faces.

“True… did you know animal-shifts are technically nature born? I could, technically, enter the fae world as it’s open to natureborns,” Ren teased and Martyn pouted.

“But you wouldn’t. You’d leave me behind and you love me too much,” he huffed and Ren smiled weakly. Since he told Martyn, the other had used his love in common phrases and even though it embarrassed him slightly, he loved it.

“I do,” he hummed, moving to kiss the avian’s head. The airborn leaned into his kiss before moving to bury his face against Ren.

“What if I did too but didn’t know how to say it?” Martyn asked weakly.

“Then I’d give you all the time in the world to find the words…” Ren felt his chest tighten at Martyn’s question, allowing his hopes to spike.

“Thanks…” Martyn closed his eyes again and Ren let him. They should have gotten up but he was too comfortable and, after a moment, Martyn was too fast asleep to wake up. Ren smiled and pulled him closer, his ear flicking at some strange far away noise within the castle, before falling asleep.

“Hand! Hand! The king is dead and we cannot find the prince-“ they were awoken, rather abruptly, by the kings hand, an older man, running into Martyns room. Ren sat up in an instant, a snarl of warning on his lips before it fell away.

“My uncle?” He whispered, feeling Martyns grasp on his arm.

“Dead, we’re being attacked, my prince. We came to look for you,” the hand bowed his head and Ren stood, Martyn dragging himself out of bed.

“I went to awaken my hand and we both ended up back asleep… what’s the situation?” Ren asked. He’d allow himself to mourn once things were safer. Martyn found his place at his right side, tying his headband and ignoring the strange looks from the other hand.

“Guests for the ball, we believe a terrorist snuck in with them. The king was in his office while I looked over the lists. I heard a scream from farther in the palace and when I went to his room to get him to safety, he was dead. An arrow straight through his head,” the hand hissed as he quickly led the pair out. Ren tried not to notice the way he shot a subtle glare towards Martyn.

“What now?” The younger hand spoke up, his own slipping into Rens grasp.

“We get the prince to safety and you and I track down the terrorist-“

“No. He’s not leaving my side. I’ll search alongside you both,” Ren snarled suddenly. When Martyn looked up at him, he briefly saw cold red eyes and the situation fell in on him, chilling his bones.

This was so much like the siege on dogwarts, that awful day where he and Red had fallen for the last time, one after the other, screams of rage filling the air.

“My prince-“

“Martyn I swear to godsborn, don’t fight me on this,” Ren whispered, unable to hold such a harsh tone.

“Have you always been this protective, prince?” The elder hand asked and Martyn laughed a bit.

“Ever since I got shot by that arrow, mostly because Ren’s protective, and he made that stupid promise, which he really shouldn’t have because his safety should be my priority, not mine being his, ” Martyn didn’t notice his slip in language but Ren just laughed.

“Almost three years, almost three years of your complaining. You still haven’t changed your mind on this… but neither have I. I’m not my uncle, one to hide from battles, I will have my hand in them… both literally and figuratively,” Ren hummed and Martyn laughed a bit while the older hand continued to watch them.

“You’re certainly closer than the king and I, much more like how it had been before the royal family's death and the battle for the throne,” he whispered, a smile forced on his lips.

“That’s what happens when you chose friendship over simply skill,” he hummed and the trio pushed forward.

“Shit it’s really fallen to chaos,” Martyn laughed as he looked around. There were a few injured guards and civilians. In the center stood a man, cold blue eyes shining coldly. Martyn recognized him though, cold sunken eyes and a terrible glare. He hadn’t seen this man since he was taken. His breath hitched and he grabbed Ren’s hand.

“You…” the man hissed, eyes narrowing in on Martyn. The avian flinched more and let out a terrified chirp that chilled Ren to his core. He’d never seen Martyn this scared, this… this vulnerabile.

“You should be dead! They told me they killed you!” He roared and Martyn let out a muffled sob, covering his mouth with his hand.

“What are you doing here?” Ren asked, far beyond pissed. His hand was scared of this man, completely breaking down. He moved to pull Martyn closer and he could feel his hands back muscles flexing, attempting to wrap his long since gone wings around himself. 

“Him… I heard he was alive. The king promised he’d get him out of this castle, promised a few weeks ago, but here he is. He should be dead, not living in this damn castle. The king betrayed me, broke our deal, after I even paid him. I’m here to do the job myself, now,” he laughed and Ren’s eyes widened. His uncle had tried to remove Martyn from the castle, tried to kick him out, a few weeks ago.

“You’re the reason my uncle…” he whispered as his thoughts ran through his head. It suddenly all made sense.

“Give me the damn freak and I’ll leave, no one else has to die,” the man held out his hand.

“No way,” Ren snarled as his eyes narrowed, hair sticking up on end. He was a natureborn and although he’d never used his abilities, all natureborn’s could interact with nature. It was supposedly harder for animal-shifts but in that moment, when the vines from some hanging plants crawled towards the man, it was like nothing. Ren realized that the world around him was slipping away, pulse in his ears as he felt the vines moving.

“My prince!” A guard-in-training yelled suddenly, pushing Ren and Martyn away, snapping Ren back to the moment. Something sunk into the guard’s stomach, a magic projectile Ren noticed a moment later. The guard’s eyes widened and Martyn’s eyes widened when he saw the ruffled white hair.

“Etho?” He whispered in shock, snapping out the haze the man had him in. Ren wanted to ask how he knew the guard, the guard that was actively dying after saving Ren, but it wasn’t the time. Ren’s vines wrapped around the man and quickly guards took him while another training guard ran up.

“Etho!” He cried out. So they knew each other?

“Ren… I’m gonna go get a health potion,” Martyn stood and flinched when the other hand handed one to Skizz, who was panicking over Etho.

“His heart stopped! Oh godsborn his heart has stopped!” the young guard panicked.

“He’s still breathing, the health potion should help,” Martyn’s eyes were focused on the attacker and Ren knew what he wanted to do.

“Go…” he whispered and Martyn looked back at him.

“I’m scared,” he admitted and Ren offered him a hand.

“Then I’ll come with you,” he whispered and Martyn’s eyes filled with tears.

“You shouldn’t… you won’t like it…” he whispered but Ren shook his head, moving to press his forehead against Martyn’s.

“I’m not gonna leave your side when you’re hurt,”

“Let me heal Etho first,” Martyn whispered and pushed himself away. He looked empty, his eyes gave only a dead stare. He was on the brink of shutting down, something Ren had only seen a couple times before, on the first few anniversaries of their meeting.

“Okay just… please don’t shut me out,” Ren whispered and Martyn smiled, tipping his head back as if it would stop the tears from falling.

“As if I ever could,” in that light, in that angle, Ren could see it, the sheen that held the strength of a magic born, although there was a purple ring around his birth sigil that had haunted him since he was taken. Martyn did everything he could to hide the fact he was magic, and the fact he had been taken as a child, but there was little he could do to hide the sigils. 

“Heal?” Skizz whispered and Martyn smiled weakly.

“He’ll be okay, I promise… and he’ll have the highest honor, for he saved the prince and mine’s life,” Martyn whispered as his hands began to glow. He couldn’t completely heal the wound but the health potion had done little to heal anything, it simply kick started his heart.

“His wounds have healed enough that he’ll live until you can get him to some medical treatment,” Martyn whispered before standing and turning to Ren. He still looked empty, closed off, and Ren shivered as cold air settled over his shoulders.

“Let’s go then, shall we?” The hands smile was weak but he turned in an instant, moving to walk off.

Ren could only wonder, in heartbreak, who this man had been if it was enough to tear his love apart in such a way.

Chapter Text

“Why?” Martyn asked as soon as they approached the man, now in a cell.

“Why what, you little shit,” he mocked and the young hand kept out a sigh. He could feel his princes hand tighten on his shoulder.

“Why did you sell me out to them? They killed my mother, they killed at least one of my siblings, so why?” Martyn asked and Ren held his breath.

“You has that ‘imaginary friend’ of yours… but we all knew he wasn’t imaginary, only something real can make the air cold. I worked with them, had for a long time, and I let it slip to an informant about that. They wanted you and I definitely didn’t. Your mother was simply a prince to pay, as was the children they killed that day,” he grinned wickedly.

“You never actually cared for mother, did you? You never cared about my siblings either, or any of your children… I’d ask of myself but I already know how lowly I was to you,” Martyn whispered and the man grinned.

“Your mother gave me what I wanted, avian children, but no. I don’t care about them, or her, or you. You were simply the baggage she came with, the bastard born and dragged along, less than nothing,” he laughed. The prince could see his hands’ eyes filling with tears. Ren snarled and leaned forward, pushing Martyn behind him.

“You are trash,” the prince roared, his hands balling as the other hid his face against his shirt, tears wetting his shirt quickly.

“And you’re protecting a monster, a curse… you do not know what horrid beast he brings-“

“Red isn’t a beast, and he isn’t horrid,” Martyn hissed and Ren was brought back to what Martyn had said when he had been shot around three years ago, asking why this ‘Red’ only talked to him then. Suddenly things made a little bit more sense.

“No matter what you say he is, Martyn is my hand, my heart, my other half. I don’t let people like you say anything bad of him. He’s mine to love, not yours to hurt,” Ren snarled.

“Your mistake to make,” the man scoffed and Ren snarled louder.

“If my hand wasn’t here, I’d kill you where you stood, if not for my uncle's death than from what you’ve just said… your execution date will be given to you tomorrow,” Ren turned, wrapping an arm around Martyn, and walking away.

“Ren-“

“It’s okay… I’ve got you,” he whispered and it was like he snapped, sobs starting to bubble from Martyn after his prince spoke.

“Shhh… shhh… I’ve got you, I’ll always have you…” Ren stopped moving and wrapped his arms around his hand, holding him close as the avian sobbed against his chest.

Ren sat beside Martyn as he slept. He knew what was coming. With his uncle’s death, he’d be king soon. Ren didn’t want to admit that currently, that everything would change.

“My prince? I was told I could find you here,” someone called and he looked up from his hand. It was the guard, the one who was friend’s with the one in the infirmary currently.

“Hello, yes. I’ve been staying beside my hand’s side… the intruder… was coming to kill him as well and I really don’t want to lose him… don’t want to risk him,” he whispered and the man nodded.

“You love him, don’t you?” He asked.

“How did you-“

“It’s obvious, my prince, at least it was in that moment,” he laughed and Ren looked down at Martyn.

“Don’t tell anyone yet?” He asked and the man shook his head.

“Wouldn’t dream of it… I’m Skizzle, but everyone calls me Skizz,” he hummed and Ren smiled.

“I’m Ren, but you already would know that, and this is Martyn, who you would also already know the name of,” he sighed and Skizz laughed softly.

“He loves you too, for all it’s worth I can see that,” Skizz smiled. Ren hummed and moved to gently run a finger over Martyns cheek.

“I… I know… I have a favor to ask for you,” he said after a moment and the guard hummed.

“What is it, m’lord?” He asked and Ren smiled, leaning over to kiss Martyns head before standing.

“If I die, protect Martyn and don’t let him follow my death as many hands have done in the past… make sure he lives a long life,” he whispered and the guard nodded.

“I will,” Skizz hummed and like that, they’d made themselves a deal.

“Ren?” Skizz was still in the room, acting as guard, when Martyn woke up. His eyes were splotchy still, with tears he’d been crying even in his sleep, but he smiled when he spotted Ren.

“Hi, my heart,” he whispered and Martyn smiled, reaching out and pulling the prince closer and instantly burrowing himself against his side.

“Hi…” he whispered and Ren kissed his head, wrapping his arms around him.

“How are you doing?” He asked softly. Martyn didn’t have his headband on and brushed his hair to cover his forehead.

“A bit better… what’s that for?” He yawned.

“We have a friend with us and I don’t think you’re ready for him to see your scar,” green eyes darted to the corner, spotting Skizz and sighing.

“He might as well see it,” he whispered and Ren sighed.

“Etho is okay by the way! I wanted to thank you for what you did!” Skizz called and Martyn smiled.

“I’m glad-“

“So with that in mind, I’ll guard from outside the door… I’m thinking you two have something to talk about, you in particular Ren… remember that I’m on your side and Etho will be too,” Skizz hummed before leaving. Martyn let out a confused chirp and Ren looked down at him before leaning down to kiss his head.

“You worried me earlier, my heart… you just… I hated seeing you like that… I love you,” Ren was shaking a bit and Martyn kissed his cheek.

“I love you too… I’m sorry it took me so long to say it… and I’m sorry I scared you,” he whispered and Rens grip tightened around him.

“What do we do Martyn? I’m going to be king and they’ll put all these weights on me and they’ll want me to get married and have an heir and I can’t do this-“ he was cut off by Martyn kissing him. Ren froze up and Martyn smiled weakly as he moved away, cupping Rens cheeks.

“That’s unfair, I was unprepared for our first kiss,” Ren teased although he looked ready to cry.

“I’ll be by your side through this all… you’re not alone and for one, the only one you’re gonna get married to will be me,” Martyn teased and Ren laughed.

“Oh definitely… but I think we should keep it secret for now, my heart,” he whispered and Martyn smiled before yawning.

“I know you’ll wanna know more about Red, can I tell you in the morning?” He asked and Ren moved to kiss him again, a sign of confirmation that Martyn leaned up into. 

“I’ll wait as long as you need, my heart,” he whispered and Martyn laughed softly. He liked that nickname, he realized. It wasn’t just something he’d called him as part of the ceremony, it was true.

“Can I kiss you again?” Martyn asked softly.

“Of course,” Ren whispered and Martyn smiled, leaning in once again.

He had Ren, he had his love, and he wouldn’t lose it again. He’d rather die than lose this happiness.

“I love you…” Martyn whispered, moving to settle down and sleep. Ren ran a hand through Martyn’s hair but didn’t move to lay down. Sure, they’d ended up passed out in the same bed before, but part of Ren panicked because now they were together.

“Ren, all we’re gonna do is sleep, if you don’t lay down and sleep, in here or your own, I will pummel you,” Martyn yawned and the prince laughed.

“I should go to my own room… the court will likely be looking for me in the morning,” he left after a moment.

“So… was I right?” Skizz grinned and Ren lightly pushed him, laughing.

“Oh shove off!”

“I’m gonna take that as a yes!”

Chapter Text

“Red is… well it’s hard to explain everything. In past lives he’s been my lord, my love, my ghost, my friend, my partner… in this life, he was my childhood friend, my protector… he took care of me when I had no one and he disappeared after I was taken, but he’s always been there…”

“Past lives?”

“I wish I could have everything make sense, Ren, but it’s so much to explain and I don’t know where to start-“

“Then you don’t have to. I trust you, Martyn… although I may be a bit jealous of this past love, I trust you. If he’s not a threat to us, then I see no worry to worry about it right now,”

“Thank you…” 

“Of course, my heart,”

“I’ll explain more when I’m ready,”

“And I’ll be here waiting, we have all the time we could ever need,”

—————————

“Prince Ren, do you accept that you will be crowned King soon?” a member of the royal court was staring at him.

“I understand that. Do I accept that fact? Am I ready? No, but it’s not a choice I have,” Ren spoke coldly, but Martyn could see the way his hands shook. He could hear the hesitation and he hated having to be so strict about interaction. He wanted to hug Ren, make sure he understood that he’d never be alone. Instead he let out a very quiet trill, one he could play off as simply being worried or distressed, but one he also knew Ren understood. He relaxed as Ren’s hands also relaxed.

“We’ll need you and your hand to begin learning the script for the coronation. Your hand will also need more guard training and you will need to pick your person guards, of course only second to your hand,” an advisor sighed as they pulled out a small book to read through. Changing of power was difficult when the previous ruler was still alive, a change of power was suppose to be long but with the king already dead, this needed to be as quick as possible.

“How many guards do we need to choose?” Martyn asked, knowing that it was a question he’d be okayed to ask.

“Anywhere between two and four,” one responded, Martyn didn’t focus on who.

“Etho and Skizz are two I choose. Etho risked himself to protect us and Skizz has been an amazing guard,” Martyn responded immediately and Ren smiled.

“I would have chosen them both as well,” he added and the royal court seemed to check with each other, but their whispers were loud enough that both the prince and his hand could tell their choices would be accepted.

“They are good options. We will start with them and we expect answers from you if there will be more by your coronation. Now onto the next topic of interest, the prisoner. His execution date was set but recently it was… revoked?” One member of the council hummed and Ren sighed.

“That was me. I have some things I need to discuss with the prisoner, somethings I’d prefer to do after I’ve been crowned king,” he explained and Martyn stifled a sigh. He had a bad feeling about that comment there.

“ Ren ,” Martyn whispered, using watcherian to disguise his words. Rens shoulders tensed but beyond that he showed no sign of hearing his Hand at all.

“Ahh, as you wish, now, is there anything else that is in need of discussion?” A council member asked, a small sigh in their tone.

“Not that I’m aware of, am I dismissed?” Ren bowed his head.

“Yes my prince, your hand as well,” they waved him off and Martyn followed Ren out.

“ You are not planning what I think you are, right? ” He asked as the doors closed behind them. Ren sighed and lowered his shoulders.

“ He HURT you, he SOLD you to THEM, ” Ren snarled as he steered them back towards Ren’s study, something he’d been given on his sixteenth birthday.

“ I don’t want you to even touch him, let alone kill him. You already have blood on your hands from the day I was appointed, you don’t need more, especially not HIS blood, ” Martyn sighed as he sat down in the corner chair to the right of Ren’s desk.

“ I’ve already killed once, what’s one more- “

“ You didn’t have the final blow on the last guy, I don’t need you killing anyone, ”

“ I’d be doing it for you, you deserve to have someone willing to kill for you, let me be that person- “

“ Damn it Ren! I don’t want you killing for me!” Martyn snapped, “ I don’t want you to have to kill over something I’ve left in the past… please, ” he didn’t get a response after that. Ren just handed him the script for the coronation like it could erase the previous argument. Martyn let the topic be dropped for now.

“ I love you, ” Ren whispered and Martyn felt the corner of his mouth lift. He was still upset but it was so easy to forget. Ren made it easy to forget, at least for now.

“ I love you too, ” he whispered and couldn’t contain his laughter when he heard Ren’s tail begin to lightly hit against the desk chair he’d sat in.

“ Careful of your tail, love, ” Martyn hummed and Ren browned.

“You’re awful, my hand, awful,” he slipped back into common. They tried to speak a mix of both, keeping watcherian only to moments where their relationship could be otherwise discovered. Outside of Ren or Martyn’s rooms, honey could never be sure who may be listening in.

“And only joking, goodness, Ren. Have you seen this script? Not to mention the amount of movement we need to have PERFECT. Godsborn above,” Martyn was staring at a three to four page script. Yes, it had both Martyn and RENs words but it was still terribly long.

“I’m seeing it… you know, the guards jokes about how… close… the original hand naming script was when we were thirteen, this is so much more, how many royals do you think were together like us? This script is so romance hinted, ” Ren chuckled and Martyn smiled.

“Oh I agree. I feel it makes sense though, we are meant to act as one,” Martyn hummed as he studied the script.

“ My entire world… huh, that line feels pretty accurate, ”

“ You’re my entire world, ”

“Ren, I swear,” Martyn laughed and Ren pushed himself out of his chair, moving over to Martyn and lifting his chin. Martyn laughed more.

“What are you doing?”

“Oh nothinggggg,” Ren kept his tone playful. To any listeners it would likely sound like he was goofing off, but they knew more. 

Martyn leaned forward to kiss the prince before Ren could move, making the other laugh into it, a bit surprised.

“I love you so much, my heart,”

“I love you too, my world,”

“Can we change that?”

“Nah, I like it,”

“You two are shit at keeping secrets,” Etho walked into the study a few moments later and Martyn squealed in suprise from where he was, curled around the script, reading while Ren sat behind him, reading over it.

“Well usually everyone knocks,” Martyn snarled and Etho hummed in acknowledgment.

“See I understand that, but what about people who don’t? I certainly know attackers wouldn’t,” Etho pushed and Martyn rolled his eyes.

“So… I’m guessing it’s time for my training to begin?” He pushed himself out of his chair and put his script on the desk, ignoring the literal puppy dog eyes that Ren was giving him.

“Yes,” Etho said, also ignoring the pouting prince.

“Then let’s get training,”

Martyn crawled into his bed way past dark, pulling his blankets high around his shoulders and taking a shakey breath as the room grew colder.

“Red…” he whispered as the cold shrunk to only surround him, the closest thing he’d get to a response.

“Why don’t you talk to me? You’ve only talked to me when I’ve been dying and it’s just… I miss you,” he whispered and the cold shrunk more, as if trying to form like a body before it spread quickly, expanding until frost covered all his walls, everything.

“Are you… trying to talk to me?” Martyn pushed his blankets down and sat up, watching as the frost shrunk back to one spot, like the shadow of where Red would be standing.

“You are? Why can’t you?” Martyn pushed aside his blankets completely as he got up, stumbling through the cold room towards the frost which began to expand in tendrils all over the room, circling Martyn in amazing patterns before settling at his desk. He moved over to his desk and watched as the frost rose to an empty book.

“Wait… do you wanna communicate with me like this?” Martyn didn’t wait for the frost to move, instead yanking the book down and throwing it open, watching as the frost began to swirl into words, a message

“ Trapped beyond. Seperated in life. Can only guard. ” And the messages might have been worded bluntly but he understood.

Something was separating them, trapping Red on the other side of the life death barrier, or at least he guessed.

“And that’s why you can’t talk to me unless I’m dying,” Martyns hands shook as the frost dissipated and the cold surrounded him again, a hug.

“Thank you Red,” he turned back to his bed and moved to crawl back in, this time not pulling his blankets up so high.

Maybe he could learn a bit more from the cold.

Chapter Text

Moments like this were rare. Before Ren could be crowned king, he needed to tour all of Dogwarts. Martyn, obviously, needed to come with and somehow they were able to leave with only two other guards, the two who knew their secret.

That meant that for this trip, Martyn and Ren didn’t need to hide. They didn’t need to hide the fact they more often slept under one shared blanket rather than two in separate rooms, they didn’t need to hide the way they spoke to each other in private, they simply didn’t need to hide.

Moments like that were rare, a blessing even.

“Love, the ground beneath you has grown frosty,” Ren called as he watched Martyn pace.

“That’s not my fault,” Martyn hummed although he stopped his pacing.

That was another thing they didn’t need to hide, Martyn’s deep connection with the mystic being known as Red. Martyn had many wonders though, of how Red was known in this world, why their communication changed, but he’d learned to push those aside.

“I think you're stressing him, and this is near our last stop. I really don’t want any citizens protesting my crowning on the topic that we froze and destroyed their grass,” Ren moved to wrap his arms around his hand, who in return rested his head against the soon-to-be kings chest. Ren felt a cold prickle up his spine and he sighed. 

“I’m stressed, Ren… this part of dogwarts, they’re the people who deeply opposed your uncle. What if they try something?” Martyn asked. Ren rolled his eyes a bit and leaned against Martyn more and kissed his head.
“You worry too much, my heart,” Ren chided.
“I worry quite an accurate amount, given how you’re a danger magnet,” Martyn hummed.

“I think your the danger magnet, heart,” Ren grinned and Martyn shrugged.

“Yea but you attracted my danger,” Martyn laughed and Ren hummed. He could feel the cold breeze swirl around before settling beside martyn and the blond tilted his head a bit.

“I’d go through all the danger for you, to attract your danger again and again, because it means you,” Ren hummed and leaned to kiss Martyn. His hand leaned into it for a moment before pulling away.

“You’re a sap,” Martyn laughed and pushed himself away a bit.
“Only for you,” Ren hummed and Martyn rolled his eyes a bit.

“We should go into the village, it’s our last stop after all,” Martyn leaned to kiss Rens head. Ren nuzzled him and nodded.

“We should… if they try anything, I’ve got you, Skizz, Etho, and hell, even Red. We both know he’ll protect me too,” Ren hummed and Martyn laughed as he moved to untangle himself from Ren’s arms.

“You’re very right about that, if he didn’t I’d have words with him-“ Martyn was cut off by his own laughter as frosty hair rose around them and Martyn hummed a bit.

“Let’s go then, m’lord,” Martyn nodded ahead.

“Much agreed, my hand,” Red nodded and they headed into town

Things turned out well but next up was the coordination and that… Well Martyn doubted it would go as well as the tour had. They didn’t tend to have luck with big formal things. Martyn still had the scar from last time. Martyn had his cloak pulled around his shoulders as he made it to Ren’s room. No one would be watching them just yet but eyes were on them too close for Martyn to be anything but professional outside their room. 

Theirs.

Because honestly, they shared Rens room more than anything else. The only reason Martyn actually stayed in his was due to the others in town, the fe nobles left that they housed even. There weren’t a lot of overworked nobles but a few nether, end, and Faelyn nobles still existed and they’d invited all of them.

Which, unfortunately for martyn, meant they had more eyes on them. Ren wasn’t as big into hiding their relationship as martyn was, but did for his hands sake. That just meant this sucked for him even more.

Ren opened the door before martyn could even really knock and Martyn stepped in, the hood of his cloak still raised. He had to dress in his formal Hand attire. It was stiff and uncomfortable. He had to way his cloak, which he didn’t mind if it wasn’t summer and he was wearing two more long sleeve shirts under it and neither was kind enough to be a breathable cotton. He couldn’t complain though. Not when he saw Ren.

“You’re going to die of heat out there,” Martyn sighed. Ren wore his formal cream poets blouse but had both a vest, and a second, looser shirt, not to mention the lined cape on too. The layers were meant to show wealth but in honestly, they were just too much.

“We get a month and a half of warmth as of course this is when my coronation is… can you help me untuck my tail? The servants who got me dressed insisted on hiding my tail and ears,” Ren whispered and Martyn sighed. 

“They’re idiots,” he mumbled and sighed, helping Ren get more comfortable in his clothes. Ren sighed a bit.

“Got everything memorized?” Ren asked and Martyn nodded.

“And I put a metal plate over my heart so hopefully no assassin attempts this time,” Martyn hummed.

“I’m sure Red loves that. I know I do… just a little protection for you, my love,” Ren hummed and Martyn shivered a bit, face going a bit red.

“I regret teaching you that,” martyn mumbled and Ren laughed softly.

“Almost time to go…” that meant they needed to be separated again and Martyns gut twisted at that thought.

“I… I hate leaving your side,” Martyn mumbled and Ren nodded just a bit.

“I know. But this is one of the last times we won’t have a choice but to… I’ll figure out the laws. One day I’ll marry you,” Ren grinned.

“Gotta kill my stepfather first, hot shot… I’ll see you soon," Martyn cracked a grin at Ren’s oath.

“I’d have killed him ages ago if I was able,” Ren kissed his head before stepping back, “now go, my heart. My coordination is in thirty minutes and you need to be in position,” Ren sighed and Martyn blushed a bit before leaving the room, pulling the hood of his cloak up to cover his face and hopefully hide his blush. 

The coorination.

Martyn knew he should be going up to position yet instead he found himself staring down the hall towards the prison. His step father was there.

His stepfather had known about Red. Had known what Red was. 

The watchers had taken him knowing about Red. 

He had so many questions and he could feel the cold air before the line of frost was drawn between him and the hall.

Red didn’t want him going.

“I know… I know… I just… I need answers,” Martyn whispered and the frost line grew bigger.

“I can’t. I can’t become what’s needed for this kingdom if I don’t know what you are. What you make me,” Martyn whispered and slowly the ice faded.

“Plus, you’ll protect me, forever my guard,” Martyn went down the hall and sighed. Cold air stayed around him as he walked to the cells. He knew exactly what cell to go to and once Ren was king, his stepfather would be dead. He still didn’t agree with Ren’s plan, They were dangerous, but there’s no arguing with a king.

“The prodigal son,”

“Don’t call me that,” Martyn hissed and he watched his stepfather squirm away a bit as frost grabbed at the bars of the cell.

“Oh. That’s here…” he snarled.

“What… what is he?” Martyn asked, grabbing a bar and barely flinching when the frost started to climb up his arm.

“An old god. Disgraced by his people and his physically body ripped away from him. He’s a curse, just like you. Perfect for each other-“ he was cut off as an ice spike grew on the ground of his cell.

“Red, that’s enough. Don’t kill him. I got my answers… actually. I’ve got one more. Why me? Why would a god attach himself to me?”

“Your mother was a part of that damn cult. Escaped right before the curse. You, logically, shouldn’t exist.” He scoffed and Martyn sighed, “that’s not an explanation but okay… answer me this then. Did you sell me knowing I had Red?”

“That’s why they wanted you! You really think you were special enough for minor gods to spend thousands of gold on you!? No! They wanted the god!” Suddenly all the air was gone from Martyns chest and all of red’s snow disappeared.

“Oh…” he might have asked if Red knew this but the gods seeming fear and shock answered that. Red had no clue. 

Martyn turned away and took a deep breath as the frost settled over his shoulders.

“Okay so maybe I shouldn’t have visited him now. You’re right,” Martyn sighed and moved to leave. 

He needed to get ready. Ren was about to become king.

Red wanted to do more, wanted to hold his hand and promise things would be better soon.

His stepfather hadn’t been wrong in things, a disgraced god WAS what Red was, but he was wrong on why Red hung around Martyn, even within the rules of their world. 

Martyn was special, outside of just being Reds world.

He wished he could tell Martyn just how special.

Chapter Text

Red watched martyn fidget and wished he still had the ability to grab his hands and remind him that they’d be okay.

Martyn had been so fidgety near the end of the first game. He’d been so anxious. Red had always tried his best to help him, and encouraged Ren to whenever he was in the vicinity after, as he usually still had some connection to his previous host.

But now he could only settle in as frost. The Red Winter that stayed around Martyn was all eh could be, so he’d do his best in his role.

And then he felt it. Eyes on him, eyes that could see him. He turned and was nearly blinded by the purple. They were here.

They’d found martyn.

Except… except it was only one.

And he recognized this one from the games.

He wouldn’t earn martyn just yet. He needed to see how this played out. Instead he moved to wrap his ghostly arms back around Martyns shoulders, keeping his frost from seeping into the cloak and staying instead as cold air. Martyn relaxed a bit and closed his eyes. Red liked to imagine that he helped reach that point. He wished there was only more he could do.

Reds cold air was like an immediate blanket. He wasn’t alone, Martyn had to remind himself of that. 

“The script is awful,” Martyn whispered to the previous hand, who looked exhausted. When a king is crowned, his hand is also made de facto heir, or prince, in case of the kings death. Usually it’s not needed but now it had been and the hand wasn’t doing well without his king.

“I know. I read it over… because the old king only was crowned after killing the other one in the old government downfall, we never needed to do ALL the formal things… I mean I was just his general. But we were better liked when we followed tradition,” the hand sighed.

“It sounds like a breakup,”

“Because in a way it is. The king is expected to give up all nonroyal ties… until you’re crowned de facto prince, you’re a nonroyal tie,” the hand shrugged as he adjusted Martyns cloak yet again.

“Harsh,” he grumbled and the hand sighed.

“Listen, it’s the truth. In the past there’s been noble’s sons as hands, one king even chose his younger brother, and the script was different because those were royal ties. This kingdom has been against you since the moment you showed up in our walls, prove to them that Ren was right for choosing you. Walk out there with your head held high and have no shame in what you say,” The hand took his shoulders and Martyn smiled a bit, nodding.

“Okay… yea,”

Ren stepped out onto the balcony and the crowd roared below him. There was a reason Dogwarts survived, he knew that. Well, it survived the fall of kingdoms by partially falling. His uncle had been part of an overthrow that took the old falling royalty out. Even with that in mind, he felt like a spectacle more than a leader. His ears lowered and pressed close to his head. He knew Martyn was at the other side of the balcony, he knew he’d see him soon, but he’d need to begin, he’d need to accept becoming king and all that it entailed.

He was snapped back to the present as a member of the court grabbed his wrist. He flinched a bit but he raised his ears. He had to appear proud. Strong.

“Prince Ren, do you accept your position as heir to the throne of Dogwarts?” They asked and he nodded.

“Yes, I accept my position and move to claim my spot ruling over the kingdom. I accept the crown and all duties that lie ahead,” with that Ren bowed as the crown of the prince was pulled off his head. His ear flicked a bit. Footsteps. Someone was nearby, on the rooftops. He wouldn’t act yet. If they were a threat to Martyn, Red would have acted already.

“Ren, will you promise to live your life for your kingdom? Will you swear to make every step towards the crown and the best for your people?” They asked and Ren now stood tall as he nodded, tail swishing and hitting against the posts of the balcony.

“Every breath I breathe. I swear to make the best honest decisions for my kingdom, I swear to uphold the ideal of a true king with a clear eye, heart, and conscious,” Ren swore, lifting a hand to hold over his heart, right where he could remember holding Martyn’s hand all those years ago when he was made prince.

“Do you understand that in making yourself king, you resign all non-royal ties?” That was the hardest part. That meant Martyn. However for nonroyal hands, they’d make them prince’s. Just an honorary title but it meant they were royal. Martyn would be officially royal soon.

“I resign all non-royal ties, including my hand and heart, Hand, reveal thyself,” he called then, turning towards the door, outstretching the hand he’d just held against his own heart.

Martyn’s breath hitched slightly as he stepped onstage. His cloaks’ hood fell off, perfectly timed thanks to a friendly frosty wind, and he nodded to his king. Not his prince, or his love, or his heart. Right now, this was his king. They weren’t equals at the moment.

“As a non-royal, I acknowledge that I cannot stay tied to you,” Martyn reached out and placed his hand over Ren’s heart. Perfectly choreographed, Ren placed his hand on Martyn’s. Martyn smiled just slightly as his partner rubbed his thumb alongside Martyn’s hand.

“I appreciate your years of dedication, your time by my side was an honorable sacrifice and dedication. I was honored to have you by my side,” Ren spoke loud although his voice cracked. It was known that most kings and hands shed tears. Even the advisors who’d walked them through this had told them crying was alright. Martyn tightened his hold on Ren for a moment.

“The honor was mine,” and then slowly he pulled his hand away from Ren’s heart, guiding Ren’s own towards his heart, as of taking back what he’d given Ren, “I release you,” his voice cracked and he teared up as he stepped away.

“The king is free!” He called and reached for the crown, taking it and placing it upon Ren’s head, careful of his ears, “ALL HAIL THE KING!” Martyn shouted and stepped away, bowing as “all hail the king” echoed through the crowd. He spotted a figure on the roofline then, WATCHING. Martyn!s breath hitched but given the frost stayed around him, Red hadn’t seen them as a threat.

“But a King needs his hand,” Ren spoke up then and martyn smiled.

“Martyn, do you pledge to take on the role of Prince to the best of your ability? To take on the royal title and fulfill your duty as hand to the king?” Ren spoke. In the past there had been a king or two that had chosen a new hand, learned they didn’t rule well together, but Ren? Ren wouldn’t choose anyone else.

“I do, I pledge to take on the role of Prince, to be the ruler in your absence and to continue by your side,” Martyn nodded, “I accept all responsibilities,” he spoke and Ren grinned.

“This time I get to crown you,” he whispered and he could see Martyn crack a grin as Ren placed the crown on his head. 

Martyn had never had a weight on his head like this before. The crown of the watchers, that he wore the day of his ascension, had been light. Just a silver wire braided circlet.

Instead this crown was gold with a single ruby in the center. It rested just covering the scar on his forehead. But it meant something more. The silver circlet had meant death, had been a promise that he’d never escape. This crown was his rebirth. This crown was a life with his love.

“However in being released, I now need to reinstate you as my hand,” Ren spoke quietly before repeating the phrase louder for all his subjects to hear. Ren was king now but to martyn, the rest of the world had all but disappeared. He and Ren were stuck together for life.

“There’s nothing left now but to bring my hand back to me. My hand, my heart until death, my closest guard,” Ren projected but his fine was so fond that Martyn wanted to cry again. Martyn stood straight. He was a prince now, apart of Dogwarts for good, he was, Ren’s.

“M’lord, my sworn to,” Martyn announced, reaching forward to clasp Ren’s hand for a moment before moving back and adjusting the crown on his head.

“My sword, my right hand, my axe, my heart,” Ren speaks, doing nothing to hide the fondness in his tone. Martyn can practically feel the love seeping out of the king. 

Ren reaches out after a moment and places his hand over Martyn’s heart, thumb rubbing against his chest. Despite everything, the titles, the years, it was still them, the same two people it had been all those years ago.

“With this, I make you my right hand, my will and action,” He spoke. Martyn bowed his head before lifting both hands to wrap around Ren’s right hand, lifting them into the air. Martyn may have shook years ago but now he kept his hands strong and his grip tight. If he was asked, he’d deny the feeling of frost that twisted through both their hands.

“With this I become your hand, the end of your right arm, your will and action,” Martyn spoke loudly before dropping their hands, his left clutching Ren’s to his heart. The same words they’d echoed all those years ago felt stronger now, more filled with love.

“With this, I name you mine,” Ren announced. There was so much more that made him Ren’s. So many hours spent with the man he loved. He’d stay by him, with our without the title. He’d die for him. He already knew Ren would kill for him in return.

“With this I give my name, my being, to be yours,” Martyn countered and slowly they turned to the crowd, Ren’s right hand staying linked with his left against his chest as Ren raised his left hand, Martyn raising his right to match.

This time no bullets came to shoot him, this time they could truly be happy.

Next came naming the head guards, their knights of honor. Etho and Skizz were the obvious choices and they stepped in, receiving similar cloaks to Martyn’s. 

There was no surprises, at least not until an arrow came flying past Martyns head, cutting the ends of his hairs. Martyn’s head shot up to the rooftop where the watcher had been. The figure, dressed in purple and white dropped the bow and nodded before jumping off the edge of the building, wings extending as they soared away.

That miss was purposeful.

His gaze was pulled away by Ren, his face being held tight in his kings eyes as he studied Martyn’s face. He couldn’t hear what he was being said but he reached out, wrapping his arms around Ren.

“That wasn’t a shot to kill… that was a warning… they found me. They know I’m alive,” his voice shook as he buried his face against Ren.

“They tried to kill my hand. How dare they,” the king roared, scanning the crowd and then the skies.

“I think it’s time we talk to your stepfather, my hand,” he whispered.

“Later? Please? I… I think it’s enough excitement for now,” Martyn hiccuped. Ren sighed and nodded as he moved to get Martyn inside. Skizz and Etho followed.

“Come onnn, one royal event without chaos, please,” Skizz grumbled.

“Not a chance. Have you met our king?” Etho chuckled a bit.

Martyn cracked a bit of a smile.

Frost crept on the ground where the archer had been, freezing and then shattering the feathers left behind.

No one can know.

Not until he’s sure.

Chapter Text

Any plans of rest, or close to the sort, were immediately destroyed when both Ren and Martyn were dragged into a celebration. They’d both forgotten about the ball and party being thrown in their honor and honestly, Martyn didn’t wanna be there. Ren didn’t look much more pleased either as he encouraged Martyn to sit in the princes throne, which WAS now Martyn’s, while he got them something to drink. Martyn sighed and waited.

“So, your the kings little pet, something quite exotic I heard,” someone, some noble looking lady that had to be from an either clinging kingdom or a noble of dogwarts outskirts due to the fact Martyn had never seen her, hummed. 

It took martyn longer than he’d like to admit to process that statement. Exotic was a word less used so he had to go through the translation in his head.

“I… I’m the Prince, and the kings hand, if that’s what you mean. I’m not a pet… and exotic?” Martyn tilted his head a bit then, reaching quickly to readjust the crown as it covered the scar. Despite him and ren’s insistence, he hadn’t been allowed to wear the headband that usually covered the scar.

“I mean legally yea, you’re the Prince, but otherwise you’re just the street urchin the Prince took pity on when he was kid. Hell he’s only royalty because his uncle overthrew the crown and didn’t have an heir. The kings practically a stray mutt and you’re his pet,”  she grumbled and Martyn balled his fists.

“I’d be careful of what you say about my king-“

“Is it true you’re sleeping together!? That’s like the biggest gossip of the nobles,” she laughed and realized 2 things then. 1, she was drunk and 2, she was likely a courtesy noble. 

A courtesy noble was a noble that was either a part of the court or was higher up before Rens uncle overthrew the previous king. While he’s redone the court, he gave all those higher up lower, courtesy, titles.

“I’d suggest you stop talking in such a manner about my king, and making such accusations,”

“You probably are. I mean, you probably slept your way to your position-“

“Okay listen lady. One, gross. Ren and I are both still minors and just because our positions require us to act older, it doesn’t mean we aren’t teenagers! Secondly, they tried to make this transition between your time and ours as smooth as can be. They kept your traditions, your customs, and not to mention you probably wouldn’t have survived the fall of kingdoms if not for the change! You’re title is just honorary. And here you are, drunk off your rocker, pushing it right after I nearly got shot in the head. So shut up because if you call ren a mutt, or a dog, or anything like that again, or call me a damn pet, I WILL loose it!” Martyn snapped and suddenly the room was silent and the lady in front of him dropped her glass.

“Or maybe I already have…” Martyn sunk back as he spotting Ren hurrying his way back, two glasses of lemonade in his hands, crown somehow only on one ear although now he looked panicked.

“Ren…” he sighed as he spotted the king, who’s tail seemed a bit tucked as he sat down the glasses, glancing over Martyn.

“You okay, love?” Ren whispered and Martyn shivered a bit. The word ‘love’ in watcherian was one of Rens favorites and honestly, Martyn couldn’t blame him. However it made his heart flutter in a way he couldn’t handle at the moment.

“Just a lady being a bitch. I’ll recover,” Martyn reassured and Ren picked up one of the glasses, handing it to Martyn before turning to the noble lady who had watched everything go down in shock.

“So you two are sle-“

“That’s more than enough out of you. What house are you of and where is the head of your house? Because it better not be you or I’ll have to strip the entire houses title instead of just yours,” Ren hissed and Martyn took a slow sip of his lemonade. Ren had a temper, that was well known. It was hot, in Martyn’s opinion, but also impossible to fight. That’s part of the reason Ren still didn’t know that Martyn had already visited his step father. The king wouldn’t let him out of his room if he heard, Martyn would be back under the kings lockdown of protection.

No one really questioned the protectiveness too. Everyone knew of the attempted assassination the day Martyn was named hand, not to mention that he’d been on the same kill list the previous king had been on. Most knew by now that the hand was almost in more danger than the king. Not to mention, the hand was the only one who could even dream of calming one of the kings rages.

“Ren. She’s drunk-“

“Not only did she insult you, my love, but she also insulted me and made some quite rude accusations. So I think it’s time you’re gone. So again, what house?” He hissed and this time she spoke quietly. Ren knew that house name, by his reaction, and scowled.

It took martyn a moment later to recall.

“You’re from the portion of the kingdom that still hates Ren, I thought we made a rule against you getting too close to the king,” Martyn stood, ignoring the way his legs still shook. He chided himself for not being over what happened. The archer was just a warning, he knew that. He was fine.

“I- well I-“

“I think it’s time you leave,” Ren snarled and Martyn put a hand on Rens shoulder.

“Diplomacy, my king. Be diplomatic,” he whispered.

“Diplomatically, get the fuck out,” Ren hissed and Martyn had to fight laughing. However, Skizz and Etho, who he didn’t know were behind him, didn’t hide their snorts and giggles of laughter. 

“Ren, she’s still a noble, you can’t-“

“She’s not a noble after this. Martyn, you were 13 when you were crowned heir, do you know how sick what she’s insinuating was? I can’t have her be in my court as a house of nobles, courtesy or not, if she thinks that’s at all okay,” Ren hissed and again pointed towards the door.

“Out of my throne room before I throw you out,” Ren said and the drunk woman stumbled out. Red sighed, shifting his crown back into place as he sat down, ears pinned back.

“Ren…” Martyn reached out to grab his kings hand for just a moment, cautious of the eyes still very much trained on him, his hand soon traveled to be on Ren’s shoulder and the king sagged a bit.

“Ever wish we could go back to being the two kids late to middle school?” Ren whispered and Martyn smiled a bit but shook his head.

“No. Because I’m safer now. I have you, us, now,” he whispered and Ren smiled a bit.

The party didn’t last very long, not after everyone realized that the hand wasn’t something to be joked about. It became apparent that many people didn’t think highly of martyn, although it wasn’t a shocker. Many times, Ren had attempts to persuade a change of mind done to him. Many attempts of “but oh isn’t that noble boy going to make a better hand?” And such.

They saw martyn as a curse. To be fair until recently, Martyn saw Martyn as a curse. But if anything people misinterpreted Red, what the god was in all this. He was family. 

He was…

Well in another life, Martyn would have died for him a million times over. In many lives Red had done all he could to protect him.

There was hardly a Martyn without Red, and now there was no martyn without Ren either.

“I love you,” Ren whispered that night, having snuck martyn through the servants quarters. Neither of them had bothered to change out of their coronation attire, Rens chin tucked over Martyn’s head, arms wrapped around him protectively.

“I love you too…” Martyn squeezed his eyes shut, content despite everything.

“One day, we’ll have our happy ending here. We’ll be married and you’ll be safe, I swear it,” Ren mumbled and Martyn, who usually joked about big promises, just smiled this time.

“I’ll count on it,”