#fae!roman

Remus rolled his eyes and stretched past Logan to reach the kettle. “I knew you were there.”

Arms crossed over his chest, Roman shook his head. “That is not the same thing and you can’t—”

“Ro?” Logan prompted, giving Remus’ hand a squeeze even as he nodded encouragingly at Roman. “Why did you sneak the bough onto the path?”

The twins exchanged a look, neither saying a word, so Logan pushed.

“I understand why you made yourselves appear young…” Recalling his terror when they’d first revealed their true selves, their explanation hadn’t actually been necessary. “But why didn’t you simply come along with Re?”

Again, there was another silent conversation between the brothers. Finally, Roman shrugged. “Well…”

“He got to meet you first… first,” Remus explained, full lips curled up in that crooked smile. “When we were kids? Remember?”

And Logan did. It had taken more than a week for him to realize his new friend was two new friends and not simply one mercurial boy whose temperament seemed to shift day to day. When Logan had figured it out, spending hours playing with both of them outside their house, he’d gone running back home, calling for his mother before he’d gotten to the path to his own house.

But even Logan hadn’t been excited enough—or young enough—to miss the worried pinch in his mother’s face and her furtive protective blessing at the mention of twins.

“You should know, Logan,” Janus murmured from the fireplace. “Not all identical twins are fae. It’s only a Southern myth that says they are.” His sharp expression left Logan wondering whether mind-reading was one of those specialties Patton had said his teacher might someday share with him. “In fact most of what is ‘known’ about the fae in the South is pure fantasy and fear mongering.”

“To tell you the truth,” he said more to the floor than to the twins. “I thought the fae themselves were a myth…” Forcing the courage to meet their eyes, Logan sighed in relief at their matching grins. He bumped Remus’ shoulder and squeezed Roman’s hand. “You’re nothing like the stories say.”

“Are you sure?” Remus teased. “We might just be hoping to drag you back to our hidden castle through a fairy circle. Make you ours forever.”

“He is ours forever,” Roman muttered, shaking his head.

Logan’s eyes widened. Roman’s lips hadn’t moved when he spoke, but Logan had heard his voice as clear as anything. “What did you—” Shaking his head to free it of his hallucination, he glanced back at Remus. Had he heard it, as well?

Remus grinned back at him before sticking out his tongue at his brother. “I told he’d pick it up today.”

“No-one likes to hear ‘I-told-you-so,’ Re,” Roman retorted silently.

“Boys?” Patton said aloud from the fire. “Remember your manners, please. Use your voices.”

Remus rolled his eyes, but he nodded. “We will, Padre,” he said aloud, offering the first tea to Janus with a little bow of apology. “Mostly,” he said silently to Logan and Roman.

Eyes narrowed even as he chuckled, Janus sipped his tea. “These two must’ve been a handful when they were young.”

“You don’t know the half of it,” Patton laughed, ruffling Roman’s hair as he set down a tray laden with stew and still-warm bread. Roman smiled, not only accepting the gesture but leaning into it for a moment before heading back to the kitchen for mugs for everyone else.

Patton continued. “I think the day they tried to transform into moose to get out of chores was the day I got half of these,” he said, tugging cheerfully at the silver in his hair.

Logan found a place at the table and Roman and Remus settled on either side of him. “Did they transform inside?” Patton’s home was much larger than his own but even this space would become… dangerous with two full-size moose inside.

Laughing, the twins exchanged a guilty glance. “That wasn’t the worst of it.”

Seemingly in on the joke, Janus shook his head with a barely suppressed grin. “Transforming into an animus is the easy part,” he explained. “It’s getting out of it that requires… planning.”

“Yeah, I still haven’t gotten all this,” Remus tugged at the soft silver tuft in his own bangs, “Back to my real color.”

Roman laughed. “Are you sure you’re not just going grey like Padre?”

“Ah! The gall!” he scoffed, hand pressed over his heart. “You’re one to—” But before Remus could finish—and before Logan could stop himself—he reached over and twirled a silver lock around his finger. Remus froze mid-sentence.

“You wear the silver well,” he said, then let his hand fall back to his plate and busied himself breaking off a bit of bread to dip in the stew.

Nothing Roman said through their entire dinner could dim Remus’ grin.

~

Washing up went quickly with the five of them—well, four and a half of them: At his first yawn, Patton ushered Janus into a nest of cushions next to the fire. “You know I could get used to this,” he teased from behind one of his endless cups of tea, then looked away as though he’d said something out of turn.

Logan continued to dry the dishes the twins had scrubbed and rinsed, watching his teacher carefully. He hadn’t sounded… ill-mannered but perhaps Janus better understood the unspoken rules. Logan glanced at Roman, who nodded knowingly.

It was easy to understand everything going on when you literally had seen it all before.

But Patton didn’t seem put out in the least. Instead, he took the long way past Janus’ seat to reset a fresh kettle over the fire. He patted Janus’ knee as he passed and nodded. “I hope you do,” he murmured, nearly too quiet for Logan to hear.

Remus handed him another dish. “Do you want to know?” he asked silently.

Logan glanced again at Janus, watching his eyes follow Patton back to the shelves lining the wall next to the wood stove. Janus looked… Logan searched for a word other than ‘afraid.’ He’d watched Janus face down a dozen armed me. Why did he look afraid of Patton?

He turned to Remus and nodded. “Please,” he whispered.

“Hey, Padre,” Remus grinned and bounced over to Patton’s side. “Would you make Logan a cup of tea?”

“Oh, thank you, but that is unnecessary,” Logan shook his head. “I can prepare tea, I—”

Those kind eyes found him then and, like they had in the forest, seemed to look right into him. It only lasted a moment and a smile soon bloomed on his face. “Well, sure thing, Kiddo.” He peeked into the sink at the three remaining dishes and nodded at the already scrubbed table. “By the time it’s done steeping, we’ll be done here.”

“You heard him, Logie,” Remus danced back, rinsing the next dish with fresh energy. “Let’s keep going.” He winked over his shoulder after passing him another clean, dripping bowl. “Reading leaves works better if someone else makes the tea for you,” he added silently.

“Oh,” Logan breathed. His vision of Janus seized him. His teacher falling, a blade sticking from him as he… Janus had made him the tea that had given him that shimmer of the future. And it had… well, his vision hadn’t come to full fruition but if it hadn’t been for Patton’s ministrations it might have.

Roman turned then and wiped his soapy hands clean before putting away the dry dish Logan clung to with one hand. He kept a grip on Logan’s hands with the other. “Do you trust us?”

Busy with the dishes, the turn of Remus’ head showed he paid more attention to their conversation than it might have appeared to Patton and Janus. Logan nodded and rolled all of his hope and fear into a ball and pushed out the silent word, “Yes.”

~

The twins sat next to him, long legs folded and tucked against his as he drained most of his cup. It was likely obvious to both Patton and Janus what they were doing, but the older pair gave them as much privacy as the close space would allow, murmuring quietly to each other over their own cups of milky tea.

Shifting the dregs of his tea back and forth, Logan peered down into his cup and saw… He saw the room they were in. Fireplace blazing, bread rising on the table. Different herbs sprouted in the windowsill and three new shelves were packed into the corner, piled with books. The books he’d saved from his home, including his spellbook, were stacked neatly among them.

Patton and Janus sat close to one another, a large book balanced on their laps. The twins sat with Logan, his head resting on Remus’ shoulder, Roman’s pillowed Logan’s own lap. Roman’s hand was intertwined with his while Remus’ fingers gently carded through the hair falling over the back of his neck.

Logan’s hair was longer in the vision, well past his shoulders. He blinked lazily as he drowsed with them, warm and ensconced in softness. And love. His eyes finally closed and that was when Remus drew him back more fully against his chest and pressed a soft kiss against his forehead. Vision Logan’s eyes opened then and he tilted up his face, smiling when Remus kissed his lips.

Laughing, Roman turned and craned his neck, only laying back down when Logan gave him his kiss, as well.

Logan gasped and the cup slipped from his grip. Right into Roman’s waiting hands.

“Is…” Back in the real world, in the now, the vision wouldn’t fade, and Logan’s eyes were drawn to each of their mouths. “Is it real? Will—will it be real?” he whispered, falling into the same sort of tense confusion the twins had earlier.

“It can be,” Roman said carefully.

Remus gripped his hand, biting his lower lip. “If you want it to be.”

Logan shivered, mouth dry as he fought to make sense of his vision. This wasn’t at all what he'd expected to see. He'd expected to see some explanation for the odd, careful way Janus and Patton moved around each other. He'd expected to see whether he would master all the spells he needed to become a full mage. He'd expected to see nearly anything but…

Still smiling, Roman pulled a soft blanket from the basket next to them and laid it across their laps. “You’re cold,” he whispered, smoothing it over their legs. “And Re’s practically asleep.”

“Wha—” The candles in front of them were noticeably lower than last he’d looked. Janus and Patton sat across from them, backs straight and attention on him. Eyes closed, Remus was curled against him, still holding his hand. The other loosely tangled in his sleeve.

Janus made no effort to hide what he knew. “Would it help to talk about your vision?” he asked.  “Was it… concerning?”

Logan’s cheeks warmed and he shook his head, looking down at the blanket Roman had laid in his lap. It was the same one from his vision. “No,” he finally said. “Not concerning a—at all. It was…” He smiled when Roman took his other hand and leaned close. “It was rather nice, actually.”

Not pretending to understand, Janus nodded. After a long moment, he returned to his quiet conversation with Patton, leaving the rest of the questions swimming in his eyes for another time.

Logan settled back against the cushions and Roman moved with him, his own sleepy eyes drooping. They’d helped him carry Janus on the day's hike back to their home. And stayed up with him the night before while he’d waited for Janus to wake.

It seemed, though, even fae needed sleep. Head heavy on Logan’s shoulder, Roman, too, was soon asleep.

Before long, Logan felt sleep’s embrace pulling him down to join them. As he was about to drift off, Remus curled closer, one long arm wrapped tightly around his middle. “You never do choose,” he mumbled close to his ear. Uncertain if he was even awake, Logan craned his neck and was met by bright green eyes smiling back at him. “And you won’t ever have to.”

~

Patton and Janus’ conversation quieted as they watched the trio fall asleep. Whatever Logan had seen lost its bite under the twins’ gentle care. The phantom ache in his side reminded Janus that Logan’s visions were accurate to the point of pain. Learning to cope with the knowledge of what was to come could be… challenging. Especially if he tried to bear the burden alone. He hoped that between all of them gathered in Patton’s home, Logan would decide to confide in one of them when he needed.

Though Janus couldn’t quite allow himself to hope that they would be there for long.

“So when you left our school to study in Kalgree, you went South instead?” He wanted to sound stern or perhaps even a little angry as they returned to their earlier discussion. The catch in his voice betrayed him.

“I was called,” Patton shrugged with a little wince, and stood to drew a thick knitted blanket over the three of them. “The boys were children. Barely more than five when the village exiled them. If they’d been human they…” He shook his head, dark clouds hiding his ordinarily sunny smile. “They wouldn’t’ve survived, Jan.”

“Like the miller’s child,” Janus frowned into his cup.

Surprise flashed over Patton’s face but it didn't last. Two decades raising precognitive fae seemed to have made it unnecessary to ask how Janus knew about the third child the town had banished. “Like the miller’s child,” he nodded. Patton settled on the cushion next to him, thigh to thigh. “After I’d found them, the boys wouldn’t leave the woods. Not without Logan, they said.”

“You said they called you?” Janus tilted his head at his student, face slack and smooth in sleep. How many of his luminaria had been going to these fae?

“Their powers called me. Drew me here. I couldn’t’ve resisted if I’d tried.” His little smile told Janus he was glad for it, too. “Their powers run through this whole forest. I don’t think they’ve even discovered the full extent of what they can do yet.” He watched them sleep, face softening into that fond little smile.

“They’re of the forest,” Janus murmured, the magic he’d seen swirling through the woods suddenly making more sense.

Patton nodded. “It’s what drew them to Logan when they were children. I…” He shrugged and finished Janus’ neglected cup. “I don’t know how much they consciously understood then.”

In sleep, the trio piled together in a tangle of limbs and interlaced hands, pups snuggled close. Patton refreshed both their teas, watching him watching them.

Janus murmured a thanks and blew at the hot brew before taking a careful sip. “Will they leave the woods now that he’s with them?”

Carefully resting one arm over the cushion at Janus’ back, Patton drank his own tea. “They’ve told me for years they go wherever he goes.”

Janus sipped his tea, swallowing back the question fighting its way to his lips. The fireplace crackled across the room as he counted his breaths, waiting for Patton to say something—to say anything that might draw the conversation down a different path.

He never did. Eventually, Janus’ cup emptied and he whispered into it, “And what about you?” The question sat between them as he turned the cup in his hands.

Patton finished his tea and had set down the empty cup, butter yellow curls shining in the afternoon sun. “Thank you, Jan,” he grinned, meeting Janus’ eyes. “Just what I needed for the road ahead.”

Janus’ tea had grown cold and he stared down into the pale brew. Don’t leave. They don’t need you in Kalgree as much as I need you. Please just stay here. Stay with me. Stay—

“Stay safe,” Janus said instead, passing him his travel satchel.

“You’ve enchanted it,” he’d smiled, hefting the loaded bag easily with just two fingers. “Always looking out for me, aren’t you, Jan?”

Eyes wet, Janus had ducked his head as he cleared away the cups. “Always, Pat.”

Patton was smiling when at last Janus looked up. He took Janus’ empty cup and set it next to his own, then he held his hands, calloused thumbs rubbing circles into the backs of them. “Let’s find out together,” he whispered, raising Janus’ hands to his lips. “If you’ll have me back, that is.”

“Just go to your own room before you get all ‘reacquainted,’” Remus rumbled from his spot curled against Logan’s left side. He winked at them over the blankets then settled back with a sleepy sigh.

Stifling a laugh, Janus nodded, allowing Patton to help him to his feet. “Always, Pat.”

Epilogue

“Very good,” Janus nodded, hefting another stone as Logan readied himself for the next attack. “Keep your staff high until you’re prepared to…”

“To take ‘em out!” Remus cheered from the doorway. He tugged at the satchel looped over his shoulders and skipped down the steps to meet them.

“Re!” Roman called after him. “You left me with the heavy one!”

Remus rolled his eyes and sat cross-legged a few feet from where Janus was drilling Logan's defensive charms one last time. “They’re enchanted, Ro Bro! They're all the same!”

“It’s the principle,” he muttered, pout melting when Patton gave him a side hug.

"Perhaps we can trade bags for the trek back home?" Logan suggested with a soft smile.

Roman preened, nodding as he blew a kiss back. "Thank you, Lo," he said before shooting his brother a frown. "Someone understands."

"I understand, I'm just saying—“ he silently shot back.

“Okay, Kiddos, let's let Logan get in one more round, please,” Patton said, shaking his head. He sat next to Remus and smiled up at the dueling pair. “Show him how it’s done!”

“Precisely which one of us are you cheering, Pat?” Janus asked, smiling too much to sound annoyed.

Patton simply shrugged and beckoned Roman closer to watch with them.

“You've got this,” the twins’ voice filled Logan’s mind and he shot each of them a quick smile before raising his staff just in time to block the fiery stone Janus lobbed in his direction.

Janus laughed as the twins leapt to their feet and swept Logan up in a hug. “Well done, Logan!” he said, moving closer to squeeze his shoulder. “You’re ready.”

Nodding, Logan stood a little taller as his teacher adjusted the clasp on his new blue cloak. “And you know who to look for,” he said for at least the tenth time that day. Janus raised a single finger when Remus inhaled, ready to speak. “Do not speak his name until someone speaks it first. No matter the inroads we’ve made, two fae and a Mage traipsing into the village and asking to meet a toddler named Virgil will not end well.”

“I was going to say 'doesn’t Logie look good in blue,'” Remus said in mock offense.

“No you weren’t,” Roman muttered.

“Yeah, no, I wasn’t.” Remus shrugged and winked at Logan. “Doesn’t make it any less true.”

“They’re ready, Jan,” Patton murmured, hooking his arm through Janus’. “We’ll see you tomorrow if all goes well?”

Janus thrummed his fingers against his staff. “And tonight if it doesn’t.”

“It’ll go well,” Roman and Remus said in unison, laughing as they headed toward the creek and the village beyond the edge of the woods.

Logan lingered, and waved one more time at Patton and Janus. Patton held Janus’ hand close to his own heart, the only sign his teacher was more anxious than he was willing to admit to his student.

 “Excuse me, sir?” Some random guy came up to his dad. Logan turned towards him, eyes glancing towards the forest entrance but otherwise giving the other man his full attention as the guy went on about something Virgil could care less about.

 No, all Virgil currently cared about was getting closer to that glowing butterfly and when his dad’s grip on him was released, Virgil slipped away.

 Logan spoke briefly with the man before a sound filled the air. It was melodic in nature but nothing Logan had ever heard before Still, he could infer that it meant the Fae prince was arriving. The one who would be choosing this century.

 “Greetings!” The Fae greeted, holding his arms open wide. Logan took a good long look at him. He looked human but...not. It was hard to tell what exactly was off about him but it unsettled Logan to no end. The only thing he could for sure tell was that the Fae before him was absolutely beautiful.

 He watched as the Fae’s eyes glanced between each of the humans lined up. For their credit, they all stayed as still as possible though there were a few that could not hide their trembling. Again, Logan could not imagine himself being in that position. Especially once the Fae said nothing more and started going down the line, looking them all over one by one. Logan saw a hunger in the Fae’s eyes that he didn’t like.

 He reached out to hold his son close again but his hands wrapped around empty air. He looked down, eyes going wide with panic as his son was nowhere to be seen. “No…” He whispered, turning his focus away from the choosing and looking rapidly around for his son.

 Virgil kneeled down in the grass, crawling closer to the glowing blue butterfly, trying hard not to scare it away. His eyes widened in awe as he got closer, his own eyes reflecting the glowing light. He reached out but the butterfly flapped its wings and started to fly away. He gasped and stood up, quickly following it.

 Logan moved through the crowd of people, staying silent so as to not disturb the ritual but still actively searching around for his son. Where are you? He thought desperately.

 It was then that he spotted him...but he was not the only one.

 Virgil watched as the butterfly landed once more and carefully bent down to look at it. He was about to reach for it once more, when a shadow covered over him. He looked up, meeting the unfamiliar gaze of a...man? 

 “Well...hello little one~” The man spoke, his voice sweet like honey. Virgil, shy as always, stepped back a little as his hands went to mess with his hoodie.

 “No!” A voice shouted. Virgil blinked and turned to see his dad, eyes wide with an emotion that was strange on his dad’s face. Fear.

 The Fae’s eyes snapped up to Logan as Logan ran forward and pulled his son to him. Holding him close and shaking with a kind of fear only a parent could have. “P-Please, leave him alone, he is not part of the line-up.” Logan said, keeping his voice as steady as possible.

 The Fae’s lip twitched upwards. “The line-up has always been but a formality.” At those words, Logan paled and a shiver ripped down his back. Before he could say anything in response, the Fae kneeled in front of Virgil.

 Virgil flinched back but the man gave him a smile as sweet as his voice. “You may call me Prince, little one. Tell me, what is your name?” The man, Prince, asked. Eyes sparkling with something the six year old couldn’t identify.

 Logan’s eyes widened, realizing what the Fae prince was trying to do. “No! Do not give him your name.” 

 Prince looked up at Logan before standing back up. His eyes were searched by the Fae’s and Logan did his best to not turn away. “Please…” This couldn’t happen. Not to his son. Not to Virgil.

 But the Fae didn’t seem to care about Logan’s pleas. He turned his gaze back to Virgil. “I choose him.”

 And with those three words, Logan’s life fell apart.

 Before Logan could react, Virgil was pulled out of his arms by one of the Fae guards. Virgil screamed at the sudden motion, trying to turn and reach out for his dad. “D-Dad!” Virgil couldn’t understand what was happening. Why was he being taken from his dad? Why was the grip around his arm so tight? Tears started to form in Virgil’s eyes, freely falling down his cheeks.

 “Give him back!” Logan cried but was stopped by another guard. All it took was a hand on his chest to keep him back and Logan hated it.

 Prince paid him no mind, other than a sideways glance, instead kneeling in front of Virgil once more as the guard took him to the entrance of the woods and finally let go of his arm. Virgil looked towards his dad but his gaze was also drawn to the man in front of him. Virgil met Prince’s eyes.

 “I-I want my dad.” Virgil told him softly. Prince’s expression didn’t change, other than a slight look in his eyes. He reached up, touching Virgil’s face softly, causing the six year old to flinch back.

 “Shh~ It’s alright.” Prince spoke softly. 

 “No!” Logan cried and desperately looked around at the crowd, hoping someone would help him. But no one would dare to step between a Fae and his chosen. It would only end badly.

 “D-Dad?” Virgil asked, scared and wanting nothing more than to go to him. But Prince shushed him again, using the hand still on his cheek to turn his head back towards him. Their eyes met once more and Prince smiled.

 “Give me your name.” Virgil didn’t know why, it wasn’t cold outside after all, but he felt a chill go through his body.

 “Don’t! Don’t give it to him!” Logan shouted and Virgil thought maybe it was a good idea to listen to him. After all, his dad was never wrong. He knew what was best for Virgil, which was why Virgil almost always listened.

 But looking into Prince’s eyes...Virgil thought that maybe, just this one time...his dad was wrong.

 “Virgil.” He said and Logan’s shoulders slumped in defeat. Because once a name was given to a Fae...there was nothing anyone could do.

 “Virgil…” The Fae tried the name out and another chill ran down Virgil’s body. Different this time, though Virgil couldn’t even begin to tell the difference. “My Virgil.”

 Prince stood up, holding his hand out to the young human. “Take my hand.” He ordered. Virgil did so despite feeling like he hadn’t moved his own arm.

 “Please…” Logan called out, gaining the Fae’s attention. He couldn’t help but try one more time. “Please don’t take him.”

 Prince stared at him. “Virgil is in good hands.” Was all he said before he led Virgil back into the forest. The guards followed soon after and then any trace of the Fae having been there...was gone.

 Virgil was gone.

Patton jumped, nearly tripping over himself in his haste to turn around. He squeaked, trying to hide his fear when he realized there was a strange being right in front of him. It was clear this was a fae, his beauty too ethereal and his ears too pointed.

“Aww, have I startled you, sweet pea?” The fae took a step closer, not looking sorry in the least. In fact, he looked rather amused. Patton flushed, standing his ground even as the monster got closer and his heart began to pound.

“Y-yes.” Patton stammered, realizing the fae was waiting for an answer. “I did not expect you.”

“You did not expect me in my own realm?” The fae teased.

“No, ah, well…” Now Patton felt a bit silly. “I just meant- I didn’t expect you to be so close.”

“I can be closer, if you like.” The fae’s smile turned mischievous, leaving very little room between them and now Patton’s heart was pounding for an entirely different reason. It seemed cruel how the fae could use his beauty as just another trick to warp Patton’s mind.

“No, I don’t want that.” Patton shifted, trying to find somewhere to look that would help him calm his nerves, but now the forest was beginning to look hazy, almost as if he were looking through a fog. He felt the world becoming confined to just this circle, where both of them stood as if they were the center of the universe.

“Oh?” The fae tilted his head, curious. “And what is it you want, darling crocus?”

Patton paused. He should have an answer for that. After all, he was the one who had sought out the fae tonight, against his common sense and better judgement. He was here, against everything that was screaming at him that he was in danger, danger, danger-! But now, looking up at the fae, Patton couldn’t seem to sort out what could have driven him into this fairy circle.

“I… I don’t know what I want.” Patton admitted.

The fae looked at him for a moment before throwing his head back in laughter. Patton felt the tips of his ears turning pink in embarrassment.

“Oh, you sweet spring lily, you’re embarrassed!” The fae hummed happily, his fingers tilting Patton’s chin up so he was forced to look into those enchanting golden eyes. They looked amused, but not condescending. Patton shuddered, not sure if he liked just how quickly he was drowning in their gaze. He couldn’t be comforted by their warmth until he knew for certain that those eyes held no malice.

“Will you hurt me?” Patton suddenly blurted, knowing he needed answers.

This seemed to come as a surprise. The fae blinked, momentarily at a loss for words before that gorgeous, unsettling smile was back. “Why, you beautiful sunflower, who would ever think of harming such a delicate blossom as yourself?”

“That- “ Patton took a deep breath, trying not to get lost in the flattery. Fae were known to be tricky with their words. “that didn’t answer my question.”

“Oh, darling Lily of the Valley, how you wound me with your remarks!” The fae let out a groan, nuzzling his face into Patton’s curls and inhaling his scent. “How can you ask such things of me when you see how I yearn to be in your presence? Is my affection not enough?”

Patton shuddered, taking a small step back. He couldn’t leave the circle, but it did give him some space from the handsome intruder.

“No.” Patton said firmly. “It’s not. I’m sorry, but… before we make any sort of deal, I just, I need to know I’ll be safe.”

The fae cocked his head, watching with an expression between amusement and pity as Patton nervously fiddled with the sleeves of his cardigan.

“Are you afraid, Tulip?” The fae asked, closing the distance between them once more. His arms wrapped around Patton’s waist, and Patton fought off the need to squirm.

“Of course I’m afraid.” Patton’s voice was hardly above a whisper.

“Afraid of what?” The fae pressed. “Afraid of me, surely, but if you were afraid then what drove you to run so willingly into my circle?” The fae brushed Patton’s locks out of his eyes. “What has made this Daffodil so frightened that he seeks comfort in my arms, even after admitting how I frighten him?”

Patton tensed, his heart beginning to beat rapidly. The fae had a point. Patton knew the risks, as every child of their village had been taught of the mischievous intentions of fae from birth. Tales spoke of humans being cursed with all variety of hexes, or children stolen off into the night, or giving away something so precious as a name and having it turned against you so you danced until your dying breath. It was a terrible, horrifying fate, and yet Patton had come despite the stories.

“I’m alone.” Patton said quietly. “I don’t- I’m not used to it. I was surrounded by loved ones for so long, but now my family has been torn from me. I can’t go on, living in a world of strangers. Every face I see I’m frightened to let any closer, because I know when they leave me too, I will not be able to repair the hole in my chest one more time.”

The fae was unusually quiet, no longer advancing. Instead, the fae looked content to continue listening to Patton’s woes, and even pouring his heart out to a monster that might use all this against him felt so good that when he received an encouraging nod Patton couldn’t help but continue.

“I just feel as though there’s nothing left for me here.” Patton gave a shrug that must have looked as helpless as he felt. “I doubt anyone would miss me, and it sounds wonderful, the idea of being wanted, especially by a being so wondrous as yourself, but even now I’m still afraid of being hurt. It’s selfish of me, fearing pain when I’m willingly submitting to it and others have worse fates thrust upon them-“

“Hush.” The fae’s voice was different this time, softer and more genuine. It reminded Patton of a gentle spring breeze. The fae’s hand drifted across his cheek, leaving a delightful tingling in its wake.

“Humans are selfish for many reasons, but this is not one of them.” The sincerity in the fae’s voice made Patton inclined to believe him- well, that and the knowledge that fae cannot lie. “The ability to feel so strongly, so passionately, is what makes your race so unique. Darling Cherry Blossom, you are right to be afraid, and you should never be ashamed of your emotions.”

Patton felt his throat tighten, a strange emotion welling in his chest. Not fear, but perhaps… acceptance? He felt overwhelmed by the fact that a magic being of the forest not only listened to his pitiful cries, but even indulged them.

Patton reached up, hesitantly gripping a hand in the fabric of the Fae’s outfit. The red sash felt unnaturally soft beneath his grasp, and distantly Patton wondered what material could create such a texture. The Fae made a small giddy noise, clearly pleased by Patton’s forward gesture.

“Will you…” Patton trailed off, his thumb rubbing the fabric to reassure himself as he tried to force himself to get the words out. “Will you hurt me?”

The Fae hummed, his own fingers now traveling along Patton’s shirt to rest atop where his heart was still pounding away.  “Humans are so ... fragile. The barest twitch of my fingers could bruise your tender skin if I do not show significant restraint. And how, Primrose, could I possibly restrain myself around your elegance? I will not bind myself with promises I do not intend to keep.”

Then Patton took a shaky breath, now frightened by his lack of fear. Despite the fact the fae had very nearly threatened him, Patton did not feel threatened. Besides…maybe it was a fair point? Perhaps Patton was being silly. It could just be an accident if he was harmed, after all.

“Then perhaps you can promise me this.” Patton slowly released the red fabric, instead placing his palm over the fae’s chest to mirror the other’s actions. He tilted his head back, searching for comfort in those unnatural golden eyes. “Will you promise I will be cherished? Will you take care of me until my dying breath? If you do intend me harm, can you promise a painless ending? Will you promise me peace at the end of all my strife?”

“You certainly seek a lot of promises.” The fae’s laughter sounded like little bells. “And what, illustrious orchid, could you possibly give me in return? If we are onto the subject of deals, I’m afraid the laws of my people insist we be quite straightforward in our intentions.”

Patton straightened his posture, determined to meet his end with dignity. “I come to you seeking solace.”

The fae made a pleased noise, running his fingers softly through Patton’s hair. “And in exchange?”

“In exchange… I can offer only myself.” Patton said, feeling strangely vulnerable.

“Only yourself? Dear rose blossom, you sell yourself too short.” This time the fae’s smile was almost genuine.

Almost.

“You’re still afraid.” The fae noted, leaning closer. His breath danced across Patton’s nose, causing the human to shiver. 

“Not afraid.” Patton murmured, trying to believe it himself. He received a dazzling grin in response, the fae clearly pleased with his bravery.

“An exchange it is, then.” The fae declared. “We must seal our pact. Are you aware of our customs?”

“I am-mpfh!” The words had barely left Patton’s lips before the fae pressed his own upon them, catching Patton off-guard with a kiss. Fae deals were always sealed with a kiss, and this fae seemed particularly happy with this custom. Patton could feel him smiling, a powerful yet gentle surge of magic passing between them. Patton wasn’t certain if that was due to the seal or the fae’s natural charm.

When the fae started pulling away, Patton found himself leaning to follow, his entranced body betraying him. The fae chuckled, gently easing Patton back as the human flushed in his bashfulness.

“My little delphinium is so eager.” The fae purred, pressing his lips to the back of Patton’s hand. He wasn’t certain when exactly the creature had taken his hand to hold in the first place. “Share your name with me, my azalea?”

“My name?” Patton repeated, almost in a trance. He knew, logically, that one should not give their name to fae, but considering he had just sold his being away it did not matter now. Names had power, and Patton realized with a slight tremble that he had already given his power away. “My name is Patton.”

“Oh, my precious Patton~” The fae crooned, wrapping his hand around Patton’s back and dipping the human so suddenly he let out a yelp. “Won’t you share the rest of your name with me?”

“I-“ Patton swallowed, remembering his statement before. I don’t want to be afraid. Patton refused to be afraid. “Can I at least know what to call you, first?”

The fae gave a pleased tilt of his head, and Patton was glad he hadn’t offended the powerful being with his query. “These lands know me as Prince Roman, guardian of the Kingdom of Spring.”

Patton’s eyebrows shot up. Prince! What on earth could fairy royalty possibly want with the likes of him? Surely the fae could have his pick of mortals, and yet here he was with his overly bright smile looming over Patton like the embodiment of the sun. Looking up at Roman, Patton found himself in awe of his savior, even if he knew this was likely to end poorly for him.

“That’s a pretty name.” Patton finally spoke, his voice a bit breathless.

“You have a pretty face.” Roman replied, causing the blush to climb further up Patton’s face. The prince giggled, rubbing his nose against Patton’s in a nuzzling gesture. “Come now,  my Sun Drop, share that pretty name to match.”