#*fairy

Happy (late) Seonghwa day!

And these days he made sure Zexion did the same.

A cracked window was an easy invite from a witch. The bit of bread and honey. It was good to make friends with the creatures around him.

Nothing could have prepared him for Zexion shaking him awake with a panicked look. For his insistent hands and clinging shadows. The Dark had always curled close around the boy. Kept him safe.

It had stormed the night before and it was perfectly common to wake to waterlogged wings on his table beside the candle made for guests.

It would go out if they meant harm.

This was different.

The candle shied away from the pair as much as it tried to help them.

Fairies were common in these parts. He took great care of the plants around his cottage to aid them.

He recognized the pink-haired one faintly. He kept around his roses and had a way with thistle. He was on high alert as he stood firmly before a blond fairy.

"You're safe." Zexion whispered. Vexen knew his tone to mean he'd said it many times before.

It was not normal for a fairy to show fear or anger.

"What happened?" Vexen questioned carefully. "You may call me Vexen."

Blue eyes were sharp on him even at hardly a foot tall. "You can call this place safe as much as you want but I've seen humans capture us. Know our rules."

"I only offer hospitality." Vexen countered. "You've given my son quite the fright. Do you not think it right to say why?"

The fae stared at him before turning to his companion. "Go ahead."

The blond moved away and sat down beside the candle.

"In your language my name is Marluxia. His is Demyx." The fairy started and walked towards them. "I am a nature fairy while he is water. He thought it smart to go out in the storm."

"Wings a bit too fresh for that?" Vexen set a hand down on the table.

Marluxia started at it carefully before walking around it a few times. "Yes. But even the oldest fairy has their limits."

"True." Vexen hummed. "I seek only explanation."

Marluxia stepped slowly onto his palm and sat down. "I enjoy walking at night. When all the flowers are asleep. I found him half dead by a pond."

"I wasn't that bad!" Demyx huffed. "You're the one that shouldn't have been out!"

"That is all there is to say." Marluxia responded. "You're a peculiar human. Hardly warm."

"My specialty is water, ice particularly." Vexen explained and slowly lifted him to offer his shoulder. "Child, start on breakfast."

Zexion gave him a look and turned away. His name was precious.

"You offered your name but fear his," Marluxia mused "Peculiar indeed."

"I did not offer it."

"Mm, but you would." Marluxia carefully climbed onto his shoulder and nestled against his neck and hair. "Thank you."

"Why were you out?"

"Because I could be." Marluxia responded. "Allow us to stay longer?"

"As long as Demyx needs to recover." Vexen was careful.

Please note we have made changes to CRUELLA and FAIRY GODMOTHER’S skeletons to give them set ethnicities.

"He looked ready to kill me." Zexion whispered as he waited for the kettle to boil.

"It's normal to be cautious. We can each steal the other's soul." Vexen responded. "They'll be gone soon enough."

"You did not fear that from him." Zexion stared up at him.

"Nothing for him to own." Vexen blinked down at him. "I thought you knew as such."

"I still think it unfair."

"You were worth everything."

Zexion sighed to himself. "Yes, father. But you still let him close."

"I don't believe this fairy is sleeping. A nature fairy should not be out at night."

"You casted a spell on him?"

"Not as such. I knew my body temperature would work." Vexen smiled at him. "Go check on our other guest."

Zexion gave a little nod and walked away.

Vexen focused on making tea and bringing down his enchanted tea set so their guests could join them.

He warmed bread and brought down various jams.

He froze when he turned to Zexion speaking to a very human sized fairy. It was common for them to be able to control their size. His translucent wings glimmer with blue as they fluttered behind him.

"S-sorry," Demyx hands moved with his words "I didn't mean to startle. I thought I might startle less like this. I-"

Vexen shook his head. "I ask that you stay longer for his sake if you are feeling better."

"Yeah. Yeah, I can do that." Demyx nodded. "He's asleep?"

"He is." Vexen replied and set down what he carried upon the table. "Did you know him before this?"

"I'd heard of him. Rumors.” Demyx rubbed the back of his neck. “The weird nature fairy that's out at night. Sounded like a ghost.” He looked to the floor, legs kicking in front of him slowly as he sat on the edge of the table. “So, I, uh, thought I'd try to find him."

"In a storm?" Vexen rose a brow. 

"The forest was probably trying to tell me it was a bad idea..." Demyx laughed. "And now we're here." 

"Did he bring you here?"

"I'd seen your place before. Heard about it from others you've helped. He... He wasn't happy." 

“Were you happy?” 

“I was hurt. My wings useless. The forest is... scary at night. I’m not really used to all the creatures like he is. But I was curious and he was real. He... he showed up right when I needed him.” He played with the seaweed of his pants, enchanted to size with him and never dry out. “He’s special.” 

“I see.” Vexen gently picked Marluxia up from his shoulder as he sat down to rest him on his lap. “How do your wings feel now?” 

“Much better. Your candle does wonders.” Demyx jumped down from the table as he spoke and beamed at him. “Thank you.” 

Marluxia responded by tugging on it again.

"It is rude to not offer." Vexen responded. "I like to eat with others. You would be doing me a favor."

Marluxia weighed that and settled back down into the collar of his shirt. He played with the folds in it a little. "Okay. I'll have one."

Vexen smiled to himself and handed the fae a raspberry. "You could have asked."

Marluxia curled his arms around it. "I don't like to rely on others for food."

Vexen opened his door when he heard the knock. 

Demyx stood behind Marluxia. His clothing was made from bluebells. He wore simple pants and a streamlined shirt. It was all designed to make swimming easy. 

“Thank you for agreeing to keep Zexion company.” Vexen spoke carefully. He left Zexion in their home from time to time, mostly to visit the royal court, but he had no idea how long Marluxia would keep him away. 

“It’s my pleasure.” Demyx beamed. “He’s going to teach me your alphabet today.” 

“I’m going to try to.” Zexion stated from inside. “I know four alphabets.” 

“Four?” Marluxia questioned and stepped to the side to let Demyx by. 

Vexen joined him outside. 

“Yes, the alphabet of this court, the alphabet of Lord Ansem’s, the alphabet our spell books use, and yours.” Zexion explained. 

“You’re learning fairy?” 

“A fair trade.” Demyx stated as he sat down beside Zexion at the table. “Right?” 

“True.” Marluxia responded. “Good luck then.” 

“We’ll need it.” Demyx laughed. 

~~~~~

“Are you cold?” Vexen asked as they wandered through the woods towards town. 

“A little. Town is so very open.” Marluxia responded. “Your clothes are also a bit more breezy than my own.” 

“I’m sorry.” Vexen whispered and stopped to look at him. “The clothes of a fairy are very obvious. That cloak is- is that the royal crest?” 

“It was a gift from Sir Brain. I haven’t worn it in a very long time.” Marluxia explained and pressed his fingers to the large metal clasp that kept the cloak closed. “If you think it will draw attention I will remove it.” 

“Would you like to see the court?” Vexen questioned lightly. “I could try to get us in.” 

“That could be nice. Not much of a... date, though.” Marluxia responded and placed a hand over Vexen’s. “Unless you have business with them?” 

“It would not be a bad idea to give them a report on the forest.” Vexen mused and curled a hand before his lips. “If you feel up to it.” 

“Okay, I would like to see the court if you have business with them.” Marluxia nodded. He would see them by coincidence then. Convenience, no trade.

Vexen took his hand. “This way then.” 

Marluxia’s presence turned heads as they walked through town. 

Vexen was taller than most of this town and was used the attention it brought him. It made him miss home. 

“Is it normal for humans to stare?” 

“We should have hidden your hair. It shines with magic.” 

“As do your eyes.” 

“Ahh, you did notice.” Vexen smiled softly. “I’m not very good with people. A small ward to leave us alone. But people will still look and gawk.” 

“We’re diffusing the other’s magic then.” Marluxia whispered and let go of Vexen’s hand to put his hood up. “I can’t help but attract people. All these people are so willing to give. It’s a bit intoxicating.” 

“I’m rather positive making deals on a date is bad etiquette.” Vexen teased. 

“Maybe.” Marluxia took his hand back. “Carry on.”