#elf!au

Without cloak:

With Cloak

The leaves crunch beneath your feet as you take a stroll through the forest, enjoying the crisp autumn breeze as you take a deep breath. Truth be told, it had been awhile since you had last gotten this much exercise, but the weather today was simply too lovely to miss out on. You had left your house well over an hour ago, deciding you were feeling adventurous and wanted to explore the woods nearby. It hadn’t been too long since you had moved into this quaint new town, and it felt only fitting to explore when you had a day off. Signal was abysmal, so you had opted to not even bother with your phone unless you really wanted to take a picture of something; and, seeing as you needed to save battery anyway, opted to try to “live in the moment” as people always love to say.

Continuing your trek after having stopped to drink some water and rest your feet, you now find yourself in the most exquisite of flower gardens, if that could even begin to describe the wonders that lie before your very eyes. It felt almost as if you had stepped into an alternate dimension, one moment you were in the warm tones of fall, the next you’re in a picture postcard for the bountiful flora of spring. Just as you’re about to take a step to inspect closer, you hear a gasp, causing you to whip around, looking for the source of the noise.

Cautiously, you tip-toe over to where you swore the sound came from, walking around the giant oak tree. Funny enough, the person who had been startled was walking in circles around the very same tree, desperately trying to avoid you. That brilliant plan backfired when they had failed to notice that you had given up, ending up bumping into you, back to back. You both end up jumping at the contact, eyes wide and adrenaline coursing through your veins as you stare at each other in a mixture of awe and fear.

“Who are you?” you both yell in unison. Taking in the stranger’s appearance, you notice it was a young male, you’d guess he was in his early twenties, given his youthful yet mature appearance, and radiant sun-kissed skin. Though, the sleek silver hair was certainly throwing you off, skewing your mental calculations. He seemed rather skittish, very much like a deer caught in headlights, or a bunny ready to hop away at a moment’s notice. You had yet to notice how long the silence had gone on for in all of your staring and calculating, causing the boy to speak up once again, albeit hesitantly.

“W-Who are you and why are you here?” His hair flutters gently in the wind, gleaming silver parting to give way to pointy ears and crystalline eyes. If there was ever an eighth wonder of the world, you were certain this forest would contain it. Though whether you had meant the floral garden or the boy ahead, not even you were sure of. Carefully, so as not to startle him, you adjust your stance, introducing yourself as you blink up at him, stating that you were merely passing through on your hike. A deep tint of scarlet flushes across his cheeks in embarrassment, having mistaken you for a foe when you were but a mere passerby. How long had it been since he had seen a human last? Twenty, or even thirty years now?

He clears his throat before standing up straight, bringing one of his hands up to scratch his neck as he speaks. “My name is Sicheng, and I live in the area. I apologize for startling you, I was simply trying to protect my garden,” his eyes are downcast as he admits this, but all you could focus on was how the deep timbre of his voice in no way matched his soft features and demure demeanor.

“Oh no, not at all,” you wave it off, quite literally, “I’m sorry for almost stepping on your flowers! They were just so beautiful, I had to have a closer look,” you admit, now flustered yourself after having been caught in the act. Sicheng smiles at this, a beautiful, breath-taking genuine smile. The mere admiration you have for his hard work in the forest makes his heart swell at your sincerity.

“I can give you a tour, if you would like. There’s a small path up ahead that overlooks the garden,” Sicheng slightly rocks on his feet as he offers this, heart fluttering up in his throat at emotions he dares not put words to. For the first time in ages, he realizes his hands are actually sweating; he hadn’t been this anxious since the last time he had to deal with the Magical Council!

“I would be honored, thank you, Sicheng.”

Once you are both seated in the grass of the hill overlooking the clearing, you close your eyes, reveling in the feeling of the wind whipping around you, and the peace that this beautiful place brings to you. Sicheng starts to ramble off about all of the different flowers he used to decorate, excitedly blabbering on about anything he could think of, if only to keep you by his side for a moment longer.

“So beautiful,” you mumble, in reference to the garden just ahead of where you sat, your head leaning on your palms, your arms leaning on your knees.

“Yeah, breathtaking,” Sicheng mutters, in reference to the captivating human sitting mere inches away from himself on his right-hand side. He shyly looks away as you look over at him, pretending to have his gaze fixed on the hydrangeas to the far left of the field. Your eyes hone in on the sight of his pointed ears and shining hair, the questions you’re too scared to ask dying at the tip of your tongue every single time. Eventually, Sicheng gets worried with your silence, only to meet your gaze as he turns to speak to you. You take note of the way his nose and ears twitch as he fumbles with his words, nervously playing with the end of his shirt without even knowing so.

“You’re so cute,” you whisper, “adorable, even.” It’s almost inaudible thanks to the giggle that bubbles up as you admit this out loud, but he hears every last word. If his cheeks were ablaze before, he was entirely consumed by the flames now.

“Y-You’re pretty cute too, for a human” he manages to stutter out, only to immediately regret opening his mouth. This naturally catches your interest, causing your head to fly off your hands, mouth parting in awe. At your curiosity, he decides to test the waters and elaborate. “I’m an elf,” he sighs dramatically, “I’ve been living here for about forty years or so now.”

“I guess that explains your ears. And the whole living in the forest thing,” you rationalize, tilting your head before resoundingly nodding.

“You... don’t seem very surprised,” Sicheng stated, although it comes out more as a question.

“Well, something had to account for your ethereal presence,” you grin his way, eyes squinting at the sunlight temporarily blinding you. “I do have one serious question though,” you scoot over, sitting much closer to the elf.

“Sure thing, what is it?” he blinks at you almost innocently, beyond elated to have someone to talk to again.

“If I kiss you, would you blush all the way up to those adorable little ears of yours?” you half-tease, half-flirt, breath caught in your throat as he moves closer to you, his downcasting shadow now covering your face.

Castiel was the Fourth Prince of the Elves, son of the King. He had always been one of the celebrated warriors of his people, but now, he could only feel diminished and humiliated by this whole situation.

He had just taken the vows to become a Priest of the Great World Tree, not by his own choice, unfortunately. As a priest, he wasn't allowed to carry a weapon anymore. He was humiliated, and even if everyone of the Elves saw becoming a priest as one of the greatest of honors, Castiel knew what was the truth behind it. He was being punished for something he had been in his right to do. And there was even worse...

His father the King, in the idea of protecting his son from harm, had just hired a mercenary to assure his protection, as a personal bodyguard. Castiel was walking back from his father's chambers, furious. He was a skilled warrior, expert with a sword, and now they were protecting him like a damsel in distress. All because those vows forbid him to even touch his sword. 

His black hair was now cut short, and it was strange to not feel the long strands flowing as he walked quickly.  He hated this, this and everyone associated with this story. This and the clothes that he was forced to wear now, large and flowy, plain and ugly, and the lack of his hair, and his uncovered ears. Elves had no problem with nudity. But having his ears uncovered... You weren’t supposed to show your ears to anyone, anyone except your soulmate. So yes. He was a little pissed.

He stormed into his chambers and sighed. He then realized a man was standing there. Castiel froze, icy blue eyes, trademark of the Novak Royal Bloodline, fixed on the stranger. "Who are you?" He snapped.