Let The Show Begin!

Making his way up the aged stairs, the sunlight peaks through the cracks, guiding him to the only room that was in the abandoned tower. Keeping a hand firmly on the handle of his blade, refusing to let his guard down for even a millisecond. Something could always go wrong, especially at the most inconvenient times.

His ears perk up at the sound of soft and gentle breathing, reaching the stop of the stairs and in front of a decorated room. He's greeted with painted mural walls, a bookshelf and a bed canopy sits in the far left of the room. The knight sees a tapestry and several books on the floor. His eyes glance over and he inspects the tapestry, lifting it to see an entire wall's worth of tally marks.

' Damn… Must've been here for ages…' Turning his razor sharp attention towards the lone bed, the slightly sheer curtains shielding the person resting inside. Slowly making his way towards the bed canopy, his gauntlet covered hand reaches out to push the curtain back. His eyes widened slightly, there you were, slumbering peacefully as an open book was laid beside your pillow.

Your chest rising and falling slowly, he recalls the description of you and confirming you're the princess he's looking for.

Leaning forward, he lightly shakes you awake. "Hey, wake up. Here to rescue you or whatever the hell." You stir and stretch, blinking groggily at him. Rubbing the sleepy dust from your eyes.

"Huh..?" Your eyes looked towards the towering man, crouching down to your eye level.

Upon further inspection he looked to be a couple years older than you. Flinching in surprise, attempting to make space between you and the raven haired stranger.

He takes the hint and let's you have space. "Why are you here?? How did you find this place??" The lone knight pulls out a scroll of paper, handing it over to you.

Carefully grabbing it from his hands, eyes reading over the details. "You're here to save me..?" Seeing the wheels in your head turning, massaging your slightly throbbing temple. "Guess it's time to say goodbye to this place…"

Staring at his outstretched hand, your gaze wanders to your room. "Let me pack a few essentials before we leave, if that's alright with you." He nods and allows you to fish out a satchel you pack a couple essentials. Toji sits on the bed, waiting on you. Analyzing your every move, taking note of your reactions.

"How long have you been in this tower for?" You hummed and counting to yourself. "Around, two, three… No, no... I'd say around five thousand four hundred seventy three days… Give or take." His brows raised. "How long in years?" Toji clarifies, your eyes widened. "Oh! Uhhh, hmmm, let me recall… For around fifteen years…"

The lone knight decides to not probe into your reason for being put here. The two of you are perfect strangers, both a means to an end for one another. ' They need to be rescued, I need the money. It's as simple as that. '

"I'm all set!" You chirped, bouncing with energy. Adjusting your crown, wanting to look presentable. He escorts you out of the tower, taking you by the hand. Guiding you down the long staircase, each step you took felt scary yet exciting. The sunlight and lush greenery greets you.

Looking around in awe as you crouch down and graze your hands against a patch of clovers. "The smell of the dirt and grass, the cooling pond–Oh!! Ooh!! New flowers to collect!" Eagerly plucking various flowers, Toji keeps his eyes on you from afar. Letting you collect flowers and preserving them.

During the journey, you find a small yellow flower. And you found many more and started weaving them together. Toji returns to take you to a campsite he's created. "Oh, umm..?" Toji utters his name to you and in return you tell him yours. "Could you close your eyes?" His brow raised and got a whiff of dandelions. Barely utters a word and does as you say.

Placing the flower crown on his head and smiled at your craftsmanship. The yellow flowers popping against his midnight black hair. It was a huge contrast to the man who's decorated in silver, battle dented armor. A cape as black a starless night sky.

"You can open them!" With a low chuckle, opening his deep blue eyes, his gloved fingers caress the petals.

Toji asked, "Why give me this?" You pondered and replied. "You saved me. Even if you're after the reward, letting me explore and give you a gift speaks volumes!" The knight let's your words sit with him.

"Is that so?" You nodded happily, Toji laughs it off. The fact you view him in such a positive and affectionate light, he nearly forgets the relationship between the two of you.

The raven haired knight sees the sun setting, the moon taking it's rightful place in the twinkling sky. "Looks like we gotta call it a night." He motions you to follow him.

Offering to help him gather materials, at first Toji hesitates, but you wouldn't let up. Finally giving he assigns you different tasks, making sure to keep an ear out in case someone felt bold enough to try kidnapping you.

As he chopped various logs with a stray axe he'd found. Toji's thoughts lingered on certain details that didn't add up to him. ' How come no one bothered saving her, security may have been lax. But wouldn't someone be assigned as her caretaker? ' With a huff as he chops down the last log, wiping the sweat off his brow. He's heard of various knights and dimwitted princes getting entangled or maimed by cursed damsels, though Toji wasn't sure if they were gossip or truth.

His ears picked up hushed voices, Toji drops what he's doing and immediately follows your trail. Screams can be heard, but he couldn't hear yours. His eyes widen upon seeing a large beast with four eyes, it's claws cleaved down the aggressors down with it's razor sharp claws. The perpetrators scamper away. "A BEAST!! A BEAST!!" They cried out.

Immediately drawing his sword, attempting to find you. But his nose detects your scent, but emanating from the monster in front of him. ' Did it eat her..? No, there's no blood anywhere… Maybe she fled?? '

His thoughts swirled, continuing to stare down at the (h/c) furred beast. It's eyes looking strangely familiar to him. The beast soon crouches down as if to communicate to the knight that it wasn't a threat to him.

"The hell..?" His grip remains firm on the handle of his sword. Unwilling to take any sort of risks. The beast slowly sniffs the ground and pulls out a very familiar crown and places it on top of it's head.

Soon petals surround the creature and reveal that the beast was you. Toji utters your name in disbelief, unsure if this was really you. "Yes, it's me… Please, don't put me back in the tower…" Pleading as your hands clammed up, Toji started putting the pieces together.

"I just…" The words die in your throat, unable to utter a single sentence. The knight approaches you, slowly and carefully. "Guessing you're cursed, huh?" Toji blatantly puts it, you nodded slowly and stiffly. "Mhm… Are you gonna put me back the tower..?" He sighs and shakes his head. "No, I won't. To think we're more alike than I thought…" He murmured to himself, your ears perked up at this.

"You're cursed too??" You then quickly clarify. "If you're comfortable, I'm deeply sorry for such an intrusive question…" He chuckles and gently pats your head. "I'll tell the tale another time, but for now let's grab what we need and rest." You nodded, understanding. "Of course!"

Swiftly returning to your tasks and bringing back the fruits of your labor back to the campsite. You offered to help prepare the meal, it felt nice to talk to someone. Even if he's a bit rough around the edges. It didn't deter your blossoming feelings for him.

୨୧ ⏔⏔⏔⏔♡⏔⏔⏔⏔ ୨୧

A week had come to pass, you and Toji grow ever more closer to one another. Day after day, learning a little bit about one another.

Toji has come to fully understand the curse and it's conditions. Encouraging you to use your beast form. Believing there's potential to come from it and the form came in clutch during desperate times, especially when word spread about you specifically.

"Does it hurt when you transform?" Toji asked, picking some fruit off of a tree. Currently on your back, holding a basket in his left hand, his right gathering fruit.

"Honestly no, at first it was frightening. It happened when I was five…" Trailing off as you vividly remember the look on your parents' faces. Their expressions coiled with disgust, ordering for every solution possible. "You okay?" He asked, turning his attention towards you. "I guess, it's just…"

Toji, throughout the entire journey made you feel something you've always yearned for. Genuine affection one where you don't have to fight for it, often praising you for protecting and saving him. Encouraging you to embrace a side of you, that you once held grief, resentment and anger for.

' At first I thought being alone was nice and yet now that he's shown me the world and his kindness… I don't know if I can bear returning home, knowing I'll likely be wedded off to a nobleman who isn't like… '

Internally fighting with yourself in wanting to be realistic or idealistic. "You can tell me when, you're comfortable." Toji assures you, not wanting you to feel obligated.

"I am—It's just… Remembering it just drags the mood down…" Toji's calloused hand pets your head, quelling your worries to rest. Offering patience as the silence sits snuggly.

"If it puts you at ease. I'll share that tale, I'm sure you're curious about." Toji was the first to break the silence, he recounts the time he'd gotten the scar, along with his family exiling him for not being a child with magical capabilities.

"Toji…" Tears stain your furred cheeks. "Thank you for trusting me, Toji… Well I'm ready." Taking a deep breath, reciting your memory, the anger brewing within your tone. Their harsh words as you huddled into a corner, utterly terrified out of your mind. It was during a dinner party when you first took on the form, it echoed cruelly in your mind.

"It was my first heartbreak… I have to wonder why adults treated us so cruelly…" The knight pondered, noting you were still aching from the entire incident. "Whatever the reason, it'll never undo the harm they've inflicted." His voice firm, speaking with experience in his tone.

"Does it ever stop hurting?" You asked softly, Toji nearly missed the question. "You learn to live with it and not let it haunt you. Though that's my guess. I'm sure you'll find your resolve."

Looking to see the basket filled with ripe and juicy fruit. "Resolve…" Letting Toji's words sink in, you recall the times he's praised you and kept communications with you honestly even if it was a bit blunt at points. You cherished it, all of him. He may be rough around the edges and a bit selfish, but you loved those parts of Toji dearly.

' Do I love Toji..? Can that be possible??? ' His calloused hands pat your head, bringing you back to present time, slowly lowering your form so Toji can get down. "Maybe I've formed it? I'm still not sure how to execute it." The clank of his boots, made your head turn towards him. His hands cupped your cheeks, thumbs caressing them.

You took in his features, jotting them in your mind. His skin slightly damp from working up the sweat, the scar on his lip and his dark blue eyes. "Heh… Cute…" Your eyes widened as your tail wags on instinct, daydreaming once again and forgetting where you were.

His forehead lays against yours, sighing in bliss. "And soft too…" Your heart was singing, unable to stop what had just ignited.

"Are you being truthful or sarcastic?" You questioned, your time in isolation has left your insight on social cues incredibly lacking. He shook his head. "I mean it, every word."

You hummed, content with his answer. "I thought you'd at least be disgusted or try to save my feelings…" Toji sighed, petting your fur, "You really are unaware, huh?" He chuckled at how obtuse you were. Still disillusioned and scourned, believing this beastly form was a curse. Despite the many times it has helped the both of you.

"Well, when your family locks you up for having the ability to become a beast, it's natural to be skeptical." Your words gave him all he needed to know. Toji understands the feeling all too well from his own upbringing. To be seen as undesirable and unworthy of any kindness or warmth. It brings him ease to know you understand that feeling like he does. "To me, it seems like we're kindred spirits."

"Really?" Toji nods, pulling away to look you in the eyes. "Mhm…" The gears in your head begin to turn. ' Do I truly want to go home..? The place where all my misery began..? '

Toji attempts to read your expression, but the lack of facial muscles on your beast form hinder him. He takes notice of your ears flattening, your tail remaining still. "Hey, whatever you're thinking, I'm right here." Toji's words continue to surprise you.

"Toji…" You utter so softly, he was able to catch it right on time. "Remember, take your time." He reaffirms, not wanting you to be alone. "Could anyone love or care for someone like me? All of me, even the parts that are undesirable..?"

Toji ponders on how to answer the question. Yet he can't even pull one out given, Toji's always been content on being alone. The relationships he's fostered were never this intimate. Keeping people at arms length and never letting them know what he was thinking.

Yet you broke those walls he's built for years, your warm smiles and heartfelt words. Toji saw how much you've changed for the better. Slowly coming to terms of how much he's changing because of you.

Ultimately deciding to let his actions to answer for him, Toji presses a soft kiss on bridge of your nose. He hears you purr, happily wagging your tail. Nuzzling your face against his, Toji holds you close.

"Toji!!" You swooned, your heart felt confident in your feelings for the lone-wolf knight. He mutters yours, affectionately. "I don't want to return to my kingdom, but I know you need the reward money…" Toji pulls away and sees your visibly deflated form. "Hey, don't worry about it. We'll figure it out."

Your ears perked up. "Together? Are you sure, I mean you accepted this job, knowing the amount of money you're after. I can't let you throw it all away…" Even in times like these, you're still thinking of him. Shaking Toji's hands off to transform back to your human form, your hands grasp his.

"Please, this is the least I can do for your troubles." Toji fell silent, you couldn't get a read on his emotions due to his practiced neutral expression.

"We have plenty of time for your decision, for now let's get more supplies." Toji assigns you on hunting meat. While you were squeamish about hunting animals smaller than both forms, you understood it's for survival purposes. Thoughts swarmed your mind as you hunted smaller prey, unable to shake the feeling of Toji wanting to stay with you.

Lingering on his touches from earlier, you weren't sure if it was your romance book logic talking. But you had an inkling of an idea that the knight was not one to do pleasantries on a whim. Rustling of branches and leaves made your fur stand on ends.

Two other beasts who look similar in physique took notice of you. Their eyes trailed to the deceased rabbit under your clawed paws, one was white as freshly fallen snow with unnaturally blue eyes. The other was black as the midnight sky with warm brown eyes.

Though they only had one set of eyes, along with leaning more into the wolf territory with stubbier horns. "Huh, didn't think there was a beast like us, eh Suguru?" The beast titled Suguru nodded. "Indeed, but much different from us, Satoru."

Heart thumping against your chest, you didn't want to take any chances with them. Knowing damn well monsters were more akin to wild cards, some were sentient and saw reason. Whilst others were chaotic and lawless, indulging fully into their primal desires. You didn't utter a word, opting to remain silent and get a read on their intentions. With a quick whiff you gathered the two of them are mated to one another.

The white one, dubbed Satoru sniffs the air. Recognition flashes through his eyes, your fur fluffed up making you appear larger. Your claws tearing through the earth beneath them.

"She's definitely like us, women like her are hard to come by. Yet she smells like a human…" Satoru attempts to piece together what you are. "A hybrid perhaps? Not uncommon these days." Suguru pointed out, something about it made your brain click something into place.

' Could it be..? It must be, there's no other way to explain it… ' Meeting their gaze you finally spoke up.

"I'm just trying to pass through, just let me leave. I mean no ill will." Firmly stating your stance. "Oh! She talks!" Satoru chirped with glee. Suguru sighs at his companion's eager reaction. "Alright then, though I must admit it's pretty smart of you to travel with that human knight. Planning to feast on him later?"

Eyes widened with shock. "NO!" The two beasts recoiled at your abrupt answer.

"Could've fooled us." Satoru chuckled, enjoying your reaction. "Stay away from him, he's helping me and means a lot to me. He is not food." Narrowing your stare at them. "Easy there, yeesh it was joke..." The white furred beast signaled to his partner to give you space as well.

"Look we get you wanting to help, but there's a likelihood it won't end well." Suguru adds onto Satoru's point with, "Especially given human's reaction to beasts like us."

"I appreciate the sentiment, but please I know what I'm doing." The gem on your tiara glints. "Aaah… A cursed princess, no wonder you smelled human." Suguru's observant eyes catch the gemstone, he huffed at Satoru's delayed conclusion.

"We won't pry, but regardless whatever is happening between the two of you, you have our unwavering support." Suguru spoke for the both of them. Still in shock of how understanding they were, you kept something in the back of your mind.

Toji's voice cuts through your thought train, the two beasts' ears flicker up. Without another word, grabbing the meat and bringing it to Toji. "Good luck!!" Satoru teases, making you huff in annoyance.

୨୧ ⏔⏔⏔⏔♡⏔⏔⏔⏔ ୨୧

The silence was tense, you could barely speak. Your emotions spiraled as the encounter with Satoru and Suguru replayed in your mind. ' Is it possible that I'm a hybrid??? If so then, why did my parents lock me away??? ' Betrayal, confusion and uncertainty wriggle around in your mind. It didn't help that Toji's offering still weighed heavily on your mind too.

His body was right next to yours, his armor was taken off for convenience. He wore a black tunic, with comfortable brown pants. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing his toned forearms and his hands were bulky and had scars scattered about. You swiftly averted your gaze, heart hammering against your chest. ' What is wrong with me?! Why now??? '

For years, the idea of a charming savior faded from your mind once you turned fifteen. Believing that being alone was a blessing. No more ridicule, no more fear of keeping up appearances and no one to disappoint. However now that Toji wandered into your life, he's changed the way you viewed yourself and your powers.

It may be small, but that bit of progress meant everything. You know he can't heal everything, but learning to accept it and keep moving. However, you couldn't help, but think about leaving your past fully behind you and be with him. His offer terrified you, to take a leap like that. It was a decision that would change your destiny.

' Can I really do that? Turn my back on my own kingdom and family?? Then again… ' Recalling the fact if they wanted you back, they would've done so. Yet they haven't, it spoke volumes to you.

Toji silently eats his bowl of rabbit stew, his eyes look over to see you haven't touched your food, your eyes in an internal battle. He knew that look all too well, "What's on your mind?" This causes you to snap back to reality. "Oh… Ummm…" Breaking away from his gaze, fiddling with your meal. Taking small bites, attempting to slow your racing heart and rampaging mind.

"Toji, was it easy to just leave your family behind?" Swallowing his bite down, he hummed. "To be frank, it wasn't easy at first when I was younger… But soon enough I realize things won't get better if I'd stay there." Letting the words sink in, seconds that felt like hours pass as you were oblivious to Toji's gaze. He gives you time to conjure up a response. You were struggling with the words and soon opted to let them out. "Toji, I've made up my mind…"

"Really?" You hummed in response, inhale and exhaling. Setting your bowl down, scooting closer until both of your thighs were pressed against one another. You finally had the courage to meet his dark blue eyes, you gently grab onto his wrist motioning him to do the same.

"Toji, I want to spend the rest of my life with you… You've given me a chance to live and learn to love." His eyes slowly widen as his jaw dropped ever so slightly. "I want to make sure, you won't regret it. I know that reward money will change your life…" His rough hands softly take your hands. His thumb rubbing slow and soothing circles. "(Y/n)… The money doesn't matter anymore, a life without you is one not worth having. I know I'm not those stuck up royals, but all I can give you is my heart." He guides your hand to feel his heart.

"I love you, (Y/n)… More than words can ever say." Jolting upon contact, your heart singing for the raven haired man. "Toji…" With a smile, tears stream down your face as a laugh bubbles from your throat. The mixture of love, joy and disbelief. His words solidified your decision, "I love you too, Toji…"

Toji chuckles with a subtle smile, leaning down to press his forehead against yours. "But, still there must be something I can do to compensate that reward…" Unwilling to let Toji go unpaid for. "Don't worry about it, besides your love is a hefty reward for me." You snorted at his response. "I'm serious, Toji!!" He laughed, nuzzling into you. "We'll figure it out together, like I promised.

With a sigh, you finally relented. "Alright, I believe you. We've got each other now." Cupping his cheek with a soft, comforting smile. After a hearty meal, the two of you turned in for night. Laying on your sides, Toji reaches out to intertwined his fingers with yours. His eyes staring at you lovingly, taking in every detail of yours.

"Breathtaking," He says effortlessly, causing blood to rush to your cheeks. "Heheh… You too." Your fingers brushing against his lips, feeling the scar. He takes your hand, placing slow and unhurried kisses from the back of your hand, to your wrist. "My princess…"

"My knight…" You took refuge under his large physique, his arms hugging you close. His slowed breathes lull you to sleep.

୨୧ ⏔⏔⏔⏔♡⏔⏔⏔⏔ ୨୧

Toji's nose catches a whiff of bacon, wafting through the morning air. He feels the weight of his son, Megumi. Sprawled onto his chest, he stirs in his sleep. Toji helps ease him back to sleep. "Shhh, it's okay… I've got you…" He scoops Megumi in his arms, heading to see you preparing breakfast. "Need a hand?" You turned around with widened eyes. "I was trying to serve you breakfast in bed…" Uttering it in a hushed tone with a pout.

"Oops," He laughs softly, rolling your eyes at him. You smiled at the two, happy to see Toji a bit more softer than when you two first met. "You helping me taking care of Megumi is plently." Megumi like clockwork stirs awake, blinking groggily. He cooes trying to reach you. "Our little blessing… How'd you sleep?" You booped his nose, he babbles an incoherent answer. You nodded along as you wrapped up the last of your cooking preparations.

To think your life would end up here with the love of your life and have a child together fills you with an insurmountable of joy.