Calyx_Lytsong

Aichi spoke for hours, and Kai listened. The afternoon shadows lengthened and Aichi, without realizing it, somehow came to rest with his back against the dragon’s side, drowsy with his radiant heat. Kai did not protest, instead falling into a dazed wonder, his chest expanding with a growing warmth toward the boy cuddling against him.

Finally, Aichi’s voice thickened and slowed as his eyelids fluttered closed. “I wish I could have played Vanguard with you,” he said, “I really hope I can one day.”

“Vanguard caused all of this,” Kai growled.

Aichi stared at him, mind awhirl. “But finally, after all these years, the people of the castle are starting to wake up. Why?” he asked, brow creased.

Ren grinned and pointed at him, nodding and whirling his fingers as a gesture to continue.

Aichi had read enough fairytales to know how this worked. “Because the structure of the accidental curse was to always get what he deserved… So for some unbeknownst reason, the prince is starting to deserve something… different… something better?”

Ren watched him with the gaze of a proud parent, noticing that the stammer had disappeared.

Aichi gaped. It was the most handsome boy he had ever laid eyes on. He was regal and aloof, glancing at the viewer side-eyed, a sword in his hands, his emerald green eyes cold and challenging. Aichi’s breath grew short, and he put a hand up to his throat. Ren watched him out of the corner of his eye, still and arrested.

Ao3's membership drives are like a semi-annual game of Mother May I.

AO3 be like: "Users, may I have Fifty Grand?"

“There used to be this card game. Vanguard, ever heard of it?” Kamui asked hopefully. When Aichi shook his head, he looked crestfallen. He pulled the corner of his tunic up, unhooking a clever little lacquered box from his belt and handing it to Aichi.

“You’re not going after him?” Rekka asked skeptically, “We just took that job tracking down that runaway Katsuragi kid.”

“That job should only take a day or two." Kourin shrugged dismissively. "He’s a 12-year old kid, he can’t have gotten far. I’ll catch up to Aichi on the main road before he gets to the ruins. Even Aichi Sendou can’t get in trouble on the King’s Road this close to the capital.” She snorted, mirthlessly.

“You didn’t even tell him about that big, scary dragon who strafed us, and how that clearing near the castle with the wagons was all burned. Why not?”

“No point. I'll catch him up long before that." Kourin sighed and stretched, wincing as she rubbed at the shoulder of her sword arm. She mused, "He never would’ve believed me, anyway. No one would believe it. No one alive’s ever seen a dragon."

Chapter 7 & 8 added. Fic (finally) completed. Work 1 in Kaichi Fairytales series.

Kai’s heart returned to its normal pattern… until he saw Ren’s roaming hands disappear in the froth of Aichi’s skirts…

“A-ha!” the Red Queen shouted. “You’re a Vanguard player!” He brandished Aichi’s deck box in the air, and yelled, “Bring the table!” The cheering started up again.