🩷 bundollier

“He’s not asking you anything, Bruce,” Jason interrupted. He sighed and looked back towards Tim. “I don’t know why we are here.”

“I’m telling you, Bruce,” Tim stated with a frown. “This isn’t us asking you for permission. I’m telling you a choice that’s already been made.”

Bruce paused and looked back at Tim and then his eyes slid over to Jason. “What?”

“We’re telling you, Bruce,” Tim corrected with a smile towards Jason. “We’ve got traditional rings of gold picked out for civilian times, but we decided to get tattoo designs as well. We’ve weighed the risks and this is what works for us.”

“No input needed, big guy,” Jason kept his voice light, teasing, trying to not let Bruce’s issues get to him.

“Tattoo rings,” Bruce repeated a little softer. “Tattoo wedding rings.”

“We’ll be getting them done after the ceremony for less publicity. The public ceremony will only have the gold rings.” Tim added, sharing a smile with Jason. “I wanted to let you know as a professional courtesy.”

Bruce exhaled, “I don't approve, but–”

“Again not asking,” Jason interrupted.

“But,” Bruce continued, “I am… happy… for you.”

Tim blinked and Jason's jaw dropped as he openly gawked. “Happy?” he questioned, disbelief coloring his tone.

Tim rolled his eyes and gave Jason a light shove. “Don't tease him for having good feelings, Jason. He'll never try again.”

Bruce grunted, then– “Do you have a location for the ceremony?”

Jason brightened at the change in topic, beginning to list all his thoughts on the location he was envisioning.

Tim smiled as the two began discussing what types of flowers would be in bloom for an outdoor wedding and the appropriate guest space they’d need. 💍💛

The gold glinted in the sunlight as Jason slid the ring over Tim’s finger. Tim’s hand held a slight tremor as he returned the gesture.

“This is a really bad idea, you know,” Tim said as he tried to shift to a more comfortable position in the cage. A difficult task since the cage bars were reinforced with blessed iron and burned his skin whenever he accidentally brushed up against them.

“Shut up!” One of his captors banged the side of the small cage, rattling Tim within. He hissed lightly as his hand hit the side and he got a new small welt from the cursed metal.

“That is completely unnecessary,” Tim reprimanded as he pulled his limbs as tightly around himself as possible. His thin, whip-like tail wrapped around his waist and his small wings twitched against his back– tucked up beneath his overly large black cloak. Underneath the cloak however, he wasn’t even wearing pants.

They’d captured him while he was sleeping, snatching him right out of his bed while he was nearly naked and barely had a chance to grab a nearby cloak before they’d bound him tightly and shoved him in the magic resistant cage.

The heavy, dark leather cloak wasn’t even his size… but at least it was fire proof.

There was another loud roar from overhead and the men gathered closer to the carriage with their cargo – the one particular cargo of Tim. Tim merely raised an eyebrow and pulled the cloak tighter around himself. His magic should naturally protect him from what was coming but the cloak provided more reassurance along with covering his nudity.

It also had a lingering scent of a campfire that soothed at Tim’s agitated nerves, providing him solace and reminding him that this would all be over soon– with none of these captors having a way of stopping it.

“I’m starting to think the demon is right lads.” The man who’d spoken raised a shaking sword as he glanced fearfully around the dark forest. “The demon is cursed, and we should have left it where we found it. I said we should have never taken this job!”

Tim resisted rolling his eyes at the cursed comment and perked up on the mention of a job.

“Stop it!” The group's apparent leader commanded. “He’s spreading fear! It’s what demons do! Don’t listen to him.”

“Well that’s stupid,” Tim advised primly as he began to fidget with the pointed end of his tail. “I do not spread fear. But could you tell me what’s in the contract you accepted? The one you took to capture me?”

A few of the men glanced towards him warily, even as their eyes lingered on the slivers of exposed skin from Tim stretching out an uncovered leg.

“Oh I think a few of you might help at least,” Tim smirked. He purposefully let his robe slip off his shoulder, exposing a bit of creamy unblemished skin from underneath. “I can show you more if you come closer,” he teased with a wink at the group of guards.

A blonde man dropped his sword and swayed closer on unsteady feet– until the man next to him slapped him across the face, knocking him from the daze Tim had placed him under.

“Idiot! He’s an incubus, his power is over our minds. Don’t look and don’t be weak to his wiles. Hold your crosses and silver for protection.”

Tim pouted at the man who’d spoken as he pulled up his robe, and everyone’s eyes quickly averted away. “You guys are no fun. Still, it’s not really me you have to worry about.”

Blondie glanced back at him, before slapping a hand over his eyes. “What do you mean?”

There was another roar and the trees shook around them. They’d already doused all lanterns so the only source of light was from the moon. A shadow crossed above, blocking the moonlight and darkness surrounded them as the group circled in close for protection.

“You should have paid more attention to your surroundings,” Tim offered solemnly. “If you tell me who paid you, I can ask for mercy on your behalf.”

The leader of the group, only obvious by the bossy air he carried himself with, turned towards him with a glare. “What the hell does that mean?”

“Tell me who hired you and I–”

Fire erupted around the small caravan and the men screamed as their bodies lit up under the intense heat. Tim sat back down, pulling up his cloak up high to protect himself from the heat with another pout in place as the kidnappers, all their equipment, and probably the contract that Tim was hoping to read burst into flames. It was a quick end, the high temperature of the dragon’s flames reduced everything to ashes in a matter of moments.

Tim’s cage of blessed metal melted around him, though a shimmering spell of protection along with the fire proof cloak kept him completely unharmed.

“Blessed metal is not impervious to dragon fire,” he noted to himself, his fingers itching for his notebook to write the details down. “I wonder if it’s the properties related to the metal or the blessing that make it weak.” He reached out to touch the bubbling metal when a hand snatched his wrist before he could burn himself.

“I think that’s enough injuries in the name of research for one day, Tim,” Jason said as he began observing the burns across Tim’s hands and arms.

“Oh come on,” Tim laughed, not bothering to pull his hand back. “I want to mettle with the metal meltings.”

Jason huffed, causing a stream of smoke to emerge from his nose as he smiled fondly. “Fine, I’ll do the collecting though. Did they tell you who sent them this time?”

“They were about to before you decided to toast them all. You could have left one alive for questioning!” Tim accused. The robe slipped down his shoulders again as he pointed. Jason grinned, eyes lighting up as a flame shaped brand appeared.

Seeing what distracted him, Tim huffed and straightened the robe, shooting him a glare. “Stop staring at your mark. How are we going to figure out who sent them?”

“I’ll never get tired of seeing my magic on your skin,” Jsaon immediately pipped bac,

Jason glanced around the empty space contemplatively. Where once there had been trees and a road with a small caravan, now there was nothing but ash. On the edge of the area the previous greenery was still smoldering as hot coals. He frowned as he began to kick at the various piles of ashes until–

“Don’t hurt me!” Blondie from before emerged from under a pile, completely unharmed.

“There you are!” Jason beamed as he turned to Tim. “I cast a protection on the one closest to you so either I could personally roast him slowly for touching or possibly you could question him!”

It was Tim’s turn to give a fond sigh as Jason’s tail wiggled with happiness. The dragon rarely took a fully human form, choosing instead the lazy approach of just accepting the pieces that made life more convenient for him. Jason’s humanoid form therefore looked far more demonic with dark horns emerging from his head and a large scaly tail, than even Tim’s full demon appearance.

“Okay, yes,” Tim allowed, “you did a good job. But he didn’t touch so I get to question him!”

Jason growled as he heaved the man up by his collar. “I can still roast him while you ask your questions. Slowly burning something piece by piece until you are done sounds like a great time.”

Tim frowned as the man gave a final squeak and promptly fainted in Jason’s grasp. “You broke him already,” he admonished. He finally took a step towards Jason, but a sharp burning had him yanking his foot back with a gasp.

“The metal is all around you. Sorry about that,” Jason dropped the man in a heap and quickly knelt down in front of Tim. “Climb on my back.”

Jason’s wings stretched out, showing off the strength of his back muscles before Tim. “Hmm, can you just carry me in your arms? I’m feeling so faint.”

Jason turned back to him with a concerned frown, but at seeing Tim’s smirk once more gracing his lips, Jason laughed. “If I carry you, how am I supposed to also carry your new captive and your precious metals?”

“You’ll figure it out won’t you?” Tim started to step towards him but Jason scooped him up before his feet could touch the ground.

Tim wrapped his arms around his dragon’s neck, inhaling the smokey scent. “Thanks for coming for me.”

Jason’s returning embrace was tight, secure, and protective. Tim sank into it, enjoying all the warmth offered.

The dragon gave a happy grumble before: “No one takes a dragon’s mate."

The dark sky opened up before him – filled with bright moonlight. There was a moment of anticipation, like a held breath, and then the peace ruptured as screeching filled the air and dozens of bats swarmed the sky.

They clouded over the moon, leaving only specks of light. They tumbled and cried out– all above Tim’s head and out of his reach.

Tim felt his skin itch with something he couldn’t name, his heart ached as he listened to the flapping wings, and the inevitable sadness overcame him. A sigh escaped him as the flock of bats slowly thinned and dispersed around him.

And then they were all gone. The unnatural quiet of the empty landscape grated at Tim’s ears as the loneliness seeped into back his bones. There was only silence, only loss. 

(^・ω・^ )

“Tim, do you need anything?” Jason’s overly concerned voice grated at Tim’s nerves.

“No.”

There was a shift on the bed, then, “What about a blanket?”

“No.”

“A snack?” Jason continued, ever doting in his tone. “I have some fresh cookies from the bakery. Or a nice soup–”

“No.”

An exasperated sigh left Jason’s lungs. “Can I read to you?”

Tim didn’t say anything for a long moment. He stared blankly ahead, fingers gripping into his pants. Then he released his breath. “Fine,” he finally allotted, seeing the lost battle and taking the easy way out.

There was a rustle as Jason snatched a nearby book and the bed bounced lightly as he climbed on, propping himself up on the bed next to Tim. “Great! I have a new one from the library. Let’s see how quickly you solve this mystery, eh Tim?”

Tim settled back against the pillows propped on the headboard behind him, pulling up his knees and wrapping his arms around them for comfort.

The air shifted and Tim could tell that Jason’s hand was hovering near him, reaching out, wanting to touch. Tim shifted to face away from where he felt the heat of Jason’s presence, unable to voice his true thoughts.

“The belltower rang three times, signaling the hour–”

Tim released the breath he’d been holding as Jason finally began to read. At least now he could pretend to be somewhere else.

(^・ω・^ )

It was an insistent tapping sound that awoke Tim. Slightly irregular, but purposeful. It was similar to the sound of a pebble on a pane of glass. Coming from the direction of his window….

Tim hesitated on what to do. He strained his ears to try and hear if Jason was also in the room, before offering a soft, “hello?” to test.

No one responded.

Tap…. tap… tap…

He felt along the nightstand for his bell, grasping the clasp to silence it before carefully edging his way around the bed towards the window. The sound grew louder, more frantic, as he approached and belatedly he realized this was all for nothing.

What was he supposed to do? Stick his head out into the darkness and a pray wild animal didn’t bite it off? What would opening the window do? Why did he want to so badly? He could smell the air in his nose, feel the breeze...

He paused, and, for the first time he could remember, began to ring the bell.

There were frantic footsteps and the door slammed open behind him.

“Tim!” Jason’s voice was concerned and Tim felt hands grip him lightly. “Tim, what are you doing out of bed?”

“There is something at the window,” Tim reported, pointing in the direction of the sound.

He could feel Jason tense before the man’s hands slid off Tim’s arms. “Okay, I’ll take a look. Just wait okay?”

Tim shrugged. It wasn’t like he had a lot of choices of activity at the moment.

Footsteps receded in the direction of the window – a sliding sound – and the furious flapping of wings as the room filled with bats.

It should have been pandemonium but as Tim felt them swirling about, calling and talking with one another, a brief happiness filled him. Their chatter rang through his ears, set him at ease, erased the loneliness that clung to his very soul.

“Out!” Jason shouted. “Out, now! He doesn’t belong to you anymore! Out, out!”

Tim signed, resigning himself back to the pillows beneath him as the bats were ushered out. A moment later he felt the bed dip slightly and then Jason’s hand was pushing his hair back from his brow. “Sorry about that, Tim. I didn’t see them until I opened the window. Are you okay?”

“Of course,” Tim answered, voice emotionless. He turned away from the weight of Jason, and pretended to sleep.

Jason’s hand lingered against his back until Tim managed to fully even his breath out into a fake snore.

Finally, Jason’s presence left the bed, and the slight squeak of the door told Tim he was alone again in his room.

He still didn’t sleep.

(^・ω・^ )

“I have some special soup for you today, Tim!” Jason announced as the door squeaked open. An aroma of garlic and onion perforated the air, causing Tim to wrinkle his nose in distaste.

“May I just have some fruit please?” he tried. He said it politely even.

“No, you need to eat more than just fruit in order to get better Timmy!” Jason admonished.

Tim didn't really know what Jason even meant by ‘get better’. Physically he felt fine, he'd adjusted to the darkness in his vision, and yet he wasn't ever allowed to leave the room.

Jason was his only visitor, but Tim didn't really know who else he expected to come anyway. The darkness of his vision seemed to fill his mind as well.

A spoon pressed against his lips and Tim obediently opened his mouth, accepting the food.

“Good job Tim,” Jason praised.

It tasted horrible, bitter on his tongue and burning his throat. He still ate everything Jason offered.

“Now you can have a treat,” Jason said after a few moments, and Tim perked up at the thought of his preferred choice of fruit.

Tim's chin was grasped in a soft hold and tilted slightly as Jason wiped his face, then the sweet smell of strawberry reached Tim's nose. He could have squeaked in pleasure, opening his mouth– lips crashed against his and Tim's sound turned to one of confusion.

Then he registered the sweetness of the strawberry meeting his tongue and Tim began to lap eagerly after the taste.

Once he'd taken all of it, Jason pulled back. “Another?” he asked in a low, rumbly voice.

Tim nodded eagerly, the treats of fruit making him far more satisfied than any other food that was given.

He felt Jason shift and come closer, but Tim knew what the other man wanted now. He leaned forward, eagerly meeting his mouth and this time the tart juice of a pineapple met his tongue.

Tim groaned in happiness, stealing every bit of the taste he could. The process repeated, until Tim finally felt satisfied. The fruit had a taste of Jason lingering but Tim was far too desperate to care much.

“You did good, Tim,” Jason praised, his hand stroking along Tim's brow and lingering at his ear. “Just one more?”

Tim shook his head, not needing anymore but the kiss came quickly, only carrying the taste of Jason.

Tim sighed, sensing there was no use in fighting, and Jason pulled back after a moment. “I'll let you rest now,” he offered.

The reprieve felt false, but Tim was tired– the darkness felt constricting instead of freeing as he slipped into sleep.

(^・ω・^ )

The night air was freeing in a way that Tim rejoiced in. The cool dampness of the wind around him signaled the sun was hidden and the glow of a possible moon would be the only light.

Tim didn't mind, he, nor any of his family, needed the light. They flew on the freedom of the wind, gliding through the night air, sounds mapping the way. The fruits were heavy on the trees, carrying a sweet scent that Tim couldn’t wait to sink into.

The rush of the others, the sky filled with warm bodies and joyful beats of wings, was all that Tim knew. He’d been lonely before, but now he had his new family.

All he had to do to keep them was stay in the air.

He had heard the tales of what happened if you failed to fly, what happened if you fell. His current coven shared cautionary tales of the one they'd lost to the earth.

Tim had no intention of being lost. The wind gave him flight beneath his leathery wings as he soared, following the scents of fruity food with his family.

The cautionary tales did not describe nets.

(^・ω・^ )

Tim woke with a gasp, feeling the string of the net’s wrapping around his wings and throat. He couldn't fly. He couldn't breathe! He was caught!!

Dead in the air.

falling

falling

“Tim!” Jason’s voice broke him out of the panic. Except it didn’t.

Tim threw himself in the other direction away from his captor– away from the one who did this to him.

“Tim calm down!”

“No!” Tim denied, flinging off the last of the constrictive bedsheets.

The layout of the room had become increasingly familiar over the past few weeks and now Tim could easily navigate it without sight. He darted to the window, fumbling with the tach and nearly had it open before Jason’s weight tackled into him.

“Stop Tim!”

“No!” Tim twisted, trying to escape, but Jason was bigger, stronger and Tim’s wings were missing and his claws were missing and… Tim collapsed with a wail. “Why?”

Jason huffed, holding Tim tightly against him. “You know why.”

Tim shook his head. “No, no, no,” he repeated. “Let me go back to my family!”

“You took them from me, I took you from them.”

Hot tears trailed down Tim’s face as he went limp in Jason’s arms. “Please?” He tried one last time. “I’m sorry.”

“No.”

Tim sobbed, pressing his face into the only warmth available.

“It’s okay, Timmy,” Jason said as he stroked a hand down Tim’s face. “You’ll even get your eyesight back if you bond with me.”

“No,” Tim shook even as he clutched tighter. “No, this isn’t right. I want to go home!”

Jason hummed, beginning to rock Tim slightly. “I wanted to go home too.” He rubbed consolingly at Tim’s back. “Some things aren’t meant to be.”

Tim continued to cry, wishing for the freedom of the wind while held, securely trapped, in Jason's warm embrace.

(^・ω・^ )

Cross Posted on AO3 "Love is here and here to stay" A/N

I wanted to keep this short so apologies for the rough transitioning.