âNever insult the fair folk. Talk about them with respect, unless youâre just dying to be cursed.â + dukeceit! - loveceit
:))))
AO3
***
âWhoâs there?!â Remus shouted, struggling against his spider-silk bonds. His head still throbbed from whatever powder it was that had knocked him out, and the forest around him looked⊠worryingly unfamiliar. âIf youâre a damned faerie then I wonât-â
âNever insult the fair folk. Talk about them with respect, unless youâre just dying to be cursed.â The voice near his ear made him jump and squeak a very high squeak. The voice chuckled, warm breath on his neck that moved as the figure walked around to stand in front of him where he was bound to the tree. âDonât you humans learn anything anymore?âÂ
The fair folk were accurately named, it had to be said. The fae that stood before Remus now was quite literally stunning, with beautiful long white hair that gleamed with gold thread woven through, and the most perfect face heâd ever seen. No thoughts were left in the humanâs brain apart from âwowâ.Â
The fae chuckled again, like molten gold over marble. Remus wanted to roll over and show his belly and pledge his undying servitude. That was only partially from the faeâs natural bewitching aura. Remus was, after all, very gay indeed.Â
âI love you,â he said very seriously. The fae stared at him and then burst into giggles, stifling them with his hand. Remus pouted at that lacklustre reaction to his declaration, waiting until the fae had calmed down somewhat to snark again. âWell you didnât have to be rude about it. I know I may not be the catch you were imagining, but Iâm very eligible. I had all my own teeth and I can lift a whole cider barrel by myself, Iâll have you know!â He tried to puff his chest out proudly but the spider-silk held fast and he ended up just wheezing helplessly.Â
The fae looked curious, tapping one long, artistic finger against his tapered jaw. âA whole barrel, you say?â He murmured, a spark in his eyes that Remus wasnât sure about. Was he playing along, amused by the idea and toying with his catch, or genuinely intrigued? Actually, why had he bothered catching Remus at all? Wasnât that against the rules?
âYeah. Um, I didnât step in a ring. So uh, why am I allâŠâÂ
âTied up?â Remus nodded. âWell, that would be on account of you setting traps in my part of the woods. Itâs only fair I should do the same. Just desserts, I believe you often say?âÂ
Oh, right. âWoops?â Remus grinned sheepishly. To his good fortune the fae didnât look overly annoyed when he rolled his eyes, although you could never tell. âI donât suppose youâd consider an apology enough of a payment in kind?âÂ
âAn apology is a useful thing indeed. But no. I would rather leave you here until you either die or get found and released. What an exciting riskâŠâÂ
âUh, or donât do that? Set me free and I willâŠâ this was the worst idea in the history of ideas, Remus. âIâll owe you a favour. One single favour.âÂ
The fae lit up. No literally lit up. He glowed, his eyes sparkling with reflected light from a source that didnât exist. âA favour?! Freely given by a man caught in my trap. Well, well, well. You really are getting more stupid as a species. Fascinating.â
Remus opened his mouth to protest, but he had just proven that to be unfortunately true. Hurtful, but fair enough.Â
âVery well, human. I accept. I will release you and you will owe me one favour, to be collected at a time of my choosing. I will, naturally, decide what that consists of.â He moved closer to cut the silk with a sharp knife. Remus took the presented opportunity to sniff his shiny hair. Sunshine and meadows, beautiful of course.Â
The fae gave him an exasperated look but didnât comment, standing back once he was freed and holding a hand out instead.Â
And when Remus took it and shook it, it was hard to tell whose grin was the more excited.Â
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Summary:Â Deceit doesn't talk to humans that often. And he usually doesn't bother with them unless they step directly into his fae circle. But... he supposes one does many things, when they're bored.
Title from Come Along by Cosmo Sheldrake, which is kinda what inspired this fic dsflgjkdfj. So!! Have my second one shot of the day, this time centered around anxceit because I guess I've got an actual ship preference now?
The first time the human shows up, Deceit appears because he is bored. Usually he doesnât bother unless they step into his circle, but he'd had nothing to do and it was dragging on his mood. So naturally, when the first human to come near his circle and actually stop there, he was curious.
"Hello, human," he says simply, and it seems he's startled him considering the way he jumps and presses his back against the tree he'd been leaning on.
Deceit raises a brow curiously, watching the crying human as he gathers his breath. He's dressed strangely, in bottoms that are ripped and showing strong legs underneath, a shirt that seems to have tears as well, but not nearly as revealing and a royal purple. Deceit didn't think this human was royal, or even of noble blood based purely on the hunched over way he carried himself. And then there was the overcoat, black with purple patches that looked to be stitched on with thick white thread.
How Interesting.
"Can I have your name?" Deceit asks, wondering if humans in this era were aware of the dangers of fae, knew how to approach one with caution.
The human doesn't say anything, at first, clearly still trying to regain his breath and calm his tears. When he does speak, it is not with an answer.
"Can I have yours?"
And oh, isn't that curious? Â How strange for a human to ask him to hand over such a powerful thing as his name.
Deceit grins, noting the way the human glances around the clearing at the sight of his sharpened teeth.
"You may call me Deceit, human," he says, giving a graceful bow, though it is more given as a mockery, than any real respect.
The human watches him with a strange expression, and doesn't speak until Deceit straightens and clasps his hands behind his back.
"You may call me Anxiety."
Deceit grins at the wording. So he'd picked up that he wasn't human, then. Not hard with the scales covering his face. And he'd asked Deceit to give a name before he did himself, likely for a template in how to proceed with Deceit's own question.
Clever.
"What brings you here, Anxiety?"
The boy, and he really seems to be a boy, by fae standards, doesn't he, looks back from where he'd come with a pained expression.
"Assholes, mostly."
Deceit's brow raises again at the vulgar answer, his curiosity about this human only growing.
"Is that so? What happened?"
Anxiety scrunches his face up, eyeing Deceit with distrust. A smart decision, really, but the expression only had the fae grinning in amusement.
"Information I didn't want to spread was shared without my permission."
Deceit nodded, finding he quite liked this human and how careful he was being with his answers. Though it was a tad frustrating not to have a toy to play with to ease his boredom for a few years, at least the conversation was interesting.
The two talked for half an hour before Anxiety was excusing himself, saying something about needing to get home before his roommates worried. Deceit nodded as the boy left, and found himself vaguely disappointed that he wasn't likely to enjoy another conversation with him about the modern world.
The second time the human appears, he's collapsed on his knees just outside of Deceit's circle.
"Can I have your name?" he asks again, only to frown when Anxiety gasps out the same answer he had given last time, fist buried in his shirt over his sternum.
Deceit hesitates, but the desperate, frustrated keen as he struggled to breathe had him getting on his knees in front of him.
He's not entirely sure what to do, at first, so he follows his instinct and gently places his hand on the humans shoulder. Anxiety jolts at the action at first, and Deceit understands why he picked the name he did when the human is looking up at him with wide, terrified eyes.
The green and blue that meets him almost takes Deceit off guard, but he gathers himself before his pause can be noticed.
"You need to breathe, Anxiety. I am going to count, and I want you to do your best to follow the rhythm."
He nods frantically, and Deceit begins to count steadily, starting over whenever he either hit fifty or Anxiety's breathing stuttered.
When his breathing was finally back to normal, Deceit's wrist was trapped in the human's grip. He didn't bother trying to pull away, committing to watching Anxiety as he gathered himself.
"What was the reason for your panic?" Deceit asks curiously, and Anxiety seems to sigh as he lifts his head to look Deceit in the eyes again.
He doesn't answer, and Deceit doesn't prompt him. Primarily because he's suddenly lifting his hand and his fingers are gently brushing over his scales, earning a shudder. And then Anxiety's hand is cupping his cheek, his thumb stroking softly over his cheekbone, catching slightly on the smooth scales there.
Deceit inhales sharply, when he realizes that he's letting the human touch him so carelessly, and he's about to pull back but... the inquisitive expression made him pause.
"You're a snake," he breathes, and it's not an insult. It's just a statement of fact that has Deceit swallowing.
"I... Yes. That is the animal I favor."
He hums quietly, tilting his head as he eyes the scales reverently. And wasn't that new? A human looking at him with such an expression, as if fear was the farthest thing from their mind. It... was almost intoxicating.
Finally, Anxiety pulls his hand away, his face turning red as he clears his throat and sits back on his heels.
"I've... gotta go. Thank you, Deceit. For your help."
Deceit nods numbly, watching Anxiety leave without looking back.
It's a long time, before Deceit sees Anxiety again. He isn't sure why that disappoints him, as a year and a half passes, but it does that aggravates him.
And then a human is in his fae circle, and Deceit is eagerly following the tug of a summons in hopes of distracting himself from feelings he shouldn't be having.
He sees Anxiety there, and he goes to ask for his name but before he can get the words out, the human's lips are on his.
Deceit, though he would deny it, made a noise of surprise. His shock does not keep him from returning the kiss, though. And as nice as the sensation is, it doesn't keep Deceit from smelling the blood on the boys skin and hearing the voices of humans in the distance.
The fae pulls back, cupping Anxiety's face in his hands as he stares at his face, inspecting it for an answer.
"What did you do, Anxiety?"
The human grins wickedly, baring his teeth in a way that would send a lesser being running. Deceit just finds it attracts him to the human all the more.
"Virgil," he says and Deceit wastes no time taking the human away, regardless of the lack of answer to what he had done.
The clearing is empty, when the humans that were chasing Virgil arrive.
Many years later, there are legends. Stories passed around the small town not far from the forest where Deceit's fairy circle lay about a fairy king and his husband once human.
The stories all tell of the ruthless couple, luring children from their families in the dead of night, killing men and women in their beds. No one questions that these fae are dangerous, everyone wonders why they are suddenly so active, when years in the past they'd been essentially dormant.
Nobody discovers the children had been rescued, that the humans murdered were practicing something vile within the confines of their own homes.
Nobody cares.
But Deceit and Anxiety find themselves not caring either, so long as they can do what they've set out to.
Um, for the fic title thing could you do False Innocence?
Fae Patton lures in human!Roman, offering fae treats and to grant wishes and so much beauty that the mortal eye can barely comprehend it. Heâs sweet, heâs loving, heâs ever so gentle...and then he convinces them to give him their name, and traps them.
Meanwhile,Logan, Remus and Virgil notice Roman is gone, and decide to try find him. They meet a younger, less powerful Fae (Deceit) whoâs willing to help them get Roman and neutralize Patton, in exchange for finding a way to make him human.....again.
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"They'll try to lure you with pretty songs and sweet words. If you value your life, do NOT listen."
This took forever, Iâm so sorry. This is my first attempt at actually writing a fae story! Particular thank you to @mariniacipherâ and @potestessemagishomosexualitatisâ for help with Sneky Boi
Little Songs
relationships: Royality; Roceit; possible pre-Royaliceit
word count:Â 3,038
read on ao3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Roman King always has a song in his mind. Always. He wakes humming, he sings arias in the shower, he serenades the kitchen and its occupants as he makes breakfast. If he isnât singing, heâs listening to music, the beats and rhythms and words flowing through his veins, as vital and ever-present as his blood. Sometimes itâs Disney ballads, sometimes pop songs he canât get out of his head, and frequently itâs show tunes from the latest production to open on Broadway. And sometimes itâs little songs that his boyfriend doesnât quite recognize but loves all the same.
So it is not a surprise when Patton AmhrĂĄn hears Roman making his way to the kitchen and the tune heâs humming is one Pat has never heard before. He thinks almost nothing of it. He just hums in response as Roman loops his arms around his waist from behind and rests his chin on Pattonâs shoulder.
âGood morning, honeybear,â he purrs, still barely awake.
âGood morning, sweetie,â Patton responds, continuing to fry eggs. âYouâre up early for a weekend.â
âI woke up with an idea!â Roman replies, grinning. âSince my rehearsals donât start until Monday, we have all of tomorrow free, and itâs supposed to be so nice out- letâs go on a hike!â
Sliding eggs onto a plate, Patton grins. âOoh, we could be outdoorsy! That sounds wonderful. Where would you like to go?â
âRowanberry Woods is just outside town, how about there?â
Patton freezes, turning slightly to see Romanâs expression. The actorâs face is open and happy, completely unperturbed. âCupcake, why there?â
Roman shrugs. âIâve just heard so much about it. Everyone around town talks about it so much.â
âWell, thatâs true, but thatâs because weâre mostly locals. So we all know about it, quite well.â
Roman starts humming again, catching Pattonâs hand and pulling him into slow waltz around around the kitchen table, ignoring the freshly-prepared breakfast. âMy ginger-peachy love, what is there to know?â
Patton canât help smiling, so besotted is he with this wonderful man he has the fortune to be in love with. In the morning light that slides into their window from pearly-grey clouds, thereâs already a firecracker energy in Romanâs dark eyes. But there are other concerns at the moment.
âItâs a sensitive forest, a chroĂ.â
âSensitive?â
Patton shrugs. âThe trees are⊠touchy. And the clearings arenât much better.â
Roman grins. âOh my god, Pat, are you talking about fairies? Lo said this would happen!â
Patton grimaces. âI know, I know, the fae arenât real, Logan has explained their impossibility many times. And yet, everytime someone treats the woods in a less-than-respectful way, it goes badly for them.â
Roman keeps dancing Patton around, shifting from waltz to a calmer sway so that he can kiss his boyfriendâs cheek. âThen we wonât offend the trees, sweetie-pie. I just want to see it! And thereâs supposed to a view of the whole valley from the hill.â
Patton feels his knees go just a little quivery at the kiss, just like they always do. Romanâs just so pretty and wonderful and Patton is absolutely infatuated. And now Roman is staring at him with those big brown eyes and how can Patton do anything other than agree?
He makes the mistake of mentioning their plans to Virgil, whoâs just as native as Pat. Yes, the other man is more frequently subjected to his boyfriendâs skepticism now that theyâve moved in together, but Virgil waits until Logan is in the washroom to give Roman a warning.
âI know you Americans think youâre too progressive to be affected, but listen to me. The fae folk are very much real, and very clever. Theyâll try to lure you with pretty songs and sweet words. If you value your life, do NOT listen.â
Roman rolls his eyes and scoffs, but heâs still humming, tapping a beat on Pattonâs waist as they lean against the counter in Virgil and Loganâs kitchen for family dinner night. âHow could anything distract me, Tall, Dark, and Spooky?â he asks, a bravado-filled grin flashing out against his dark skin. âIâm in love with the prettiest song the world could have given me.â
âThe prettiest song?â Virgil asks.
âIâve been learning just enough Irish to know what Pattonâs last name means,â Roman says, more than a little proud. He caresses Patâs face, grinning with his own achievement and adoration in equal measures. Patton blushes, leaning into his partner to kiss his cheek, too distracted by that beautiful smile to wonder why the steady tap-tap-tapping of Romanâs long fingers hasnât stopped for hours.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning is bright, comfortably warm and relatively dry, but fluffy grey clouds cover the sky. Roman is practically skipping as he and Patton climb the hill through the lush woods. They stick dutifully to the path, but Roman has far too much energy to walk slowly. He walks ahead to take pictures of flowers and leaves, then comes back to carry the picnic hamper and let Pat walk unburdened, gets distracted by birds flying overhead, and gets even more distracted by pulling his boyfriend close to kiss him softly and sweetly.
Somehow they manage to get to the top of the hill, setting up the picnic they brought. Patton relaxes, enjoying the nice weather and the view - it really is lovely. He can see his hometown and the neighboring towns, too, and the white dots of sheep up and down the hills. Itâs a warm green bowl, brimming with familiarity and life.
Roman takes a couple of selfies with the view, then plops down next to Pat to capture them both, kissing his boyfriendâs cheek as the phone clicks. Patton smiles, and pulls Roman closer to connect their lips, and then again, and again, and Romanâs phone is set aside as both men are thoroughly distracted by each other.
Parting, Roman is panting just the slightest bit, and Patton is no better off. They smile at each other, glowing, and Patton caresses Romanâs cheek.
âIf you stand on that rock there, youâll get the best view.â
âBut the best view is right here,â Roman responds, turning his head to kiss Pattonâs hand. A blush spreads across his boyfriendâs pale cheeks, and he smirks. âIâll go check it out though. Maybe it manages to be half as breathtaking as you.â
âStay on the path, okay?â
âYes, dear,â Roman drawls, already walking away.
Patton reclines on the picnic blanket. It really is so lovely here- why doesnât he do this more? Is it just the trap of living so close all the time that he can never make a special occasion out of local attractions? One of the many wonderful perks of dating Roman has been having a newcomer to show around, so that every occasion becomes special. He hopes the view is all Roman was hoping for. Glancing down, he grimaces. Romanâs phone is still on the blanket.
âSugarpie, did you want your phone for pictures?â he calls.
Thereâs no response. He looks up to see his love just short of the wide, flat-topped rock heâd pointed out. Roman doesnât seem to be able to hear him- or to move. Patton looks down and blanches. Both Romanâs feet are solidly planted within a circle of tiny white mushrooms.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
âWonderful view, is it not?â
Roman turns to see a man smiling fondly at the valley below.
âIt is. Sorry, didnât mean to intrude- I didnât realize anyone else was up here.â
âWhat intrusion? Iâm always here,â the man says, turning to smile directly at Roman. Roman gulps, hoping itâs not audible. Heâs no longer sure theyâre a man- heâs never seen any man or otherwise who was this beautiful. Smooth, porcelain-white skin is interrupted by a gorgeous mottling of golden spots that loop around their face. Hair so bright it appears to burn even in the clouded sunlight flys up in bright reds and oranges above a smooth-skinned face. But their eyes are what catches Romanâs gaze. They are green, so green the color is redefined by their existence. All the richness of summer leaves, the soft glow of moss, the bright energy of springtime buds- all these hues must have been inspired by the sparkling emeralds that stare back at him.
âAre you staring?â they ask, a smile spreading across their lips.
âForgive me,â Roman says with a courtly little bow, playing up his theatrical nature. âItâs not often I encounter such beautiful creatures as yourself.â
âCharming, arenât you,â they laugh. Roman chuckles as well, and turns as they do to face the view again.
After a moment, a tune starts to dance along the breeze. Itâs lovely and soft and old, and the harmonies wind together in gentle concert. Roman is humming along before he consciously notes the presence of the song. Still humming, he turns, and realizes that this lovely being is the one singing, harmonizing with themself. The minute the question appears in his mind of how that is possible, it is overshadowed by the realization that this is the song heâs had stuck in his head for days now, the one he hasnât been able to place, the one he has no memory of learning until the day he couldnât stop singing it.
Now, he starts singing the higher melody, and the other stops singing both parts to harmonize directly with him, stepping slightly closer as their words and sounds wind together. Those green eyes are staring at him, and he will do anything to keep their attention, to keep studying the sparkles and shades. But his mind feels more and more clear, and the strange, itching restlessness of the past week melts away. Together, the song rises and falls until they slow to a finish on a last sweet note.
âThank you for joining me, dear one,â the other says with a smile. âMay I be graced with your name?â
Roman blinks, and says, âMy friend keeps calling me Princey. You can too, if you want.â
Lips as pink and soft as sweet pea blossoms stretch into a grin. âYour friend is very wise to recognize such royalty. You may call me Dee, if youâd like. Are you from here, beautiful Prince?â
âNo, Iâm from across the pond,â Roman says. Dee is still staring, almost unblinking, and with the endearments, it is making Roman flush. He blesses his dark skin for hiding his blushes as the other tilts his head in curiosity.
âAmerica? How dashing,â Dee murmurs. âAnd yet you smell like Eire, and youâve learned our amhrĂĄn.â
Roman suddenly starts, reminded of his boyfriend. He turns, only to see Dee is standing very, very close to him. âWait, where am I? Am I still on the hilltop?â
âWhere else would you be, ĂĄlainn?â
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Patton panics for a solid minute as he tries to get his boyfriendâs attention, but the faerie circle has him caught entirely. Pattonâs breath comes faster and faster and his heart is beating out of his chest - is Roman okay? Is he hurt? Is he stuck forever?
âCalm, Patton,â he tells himself. âBreathe. In and out. I can do more once I can breathe. In for four, hold for seven, out for eight. Just like I tell Virgil.â
He breaths, slowly, bringing his galloping heart back in line. Wait, thatâs it! Virgil!
He grabs his backpack, rifling through for the emergency pack Virgil tossed in years ago. Wedged into a corner at the bottom, he finds it: iron, rowanberries, and a smooth stone with a hole worn through it. Patton braces himself, slipping the rest of the packet in his pocket, and looks through the hole of the stone. Thereâs Roman, appearing as normal⊠and thereâs someone else, tall and bright. But Patton still canât hear them.
Throwing caution to the winds, Patton strides over to grab Romanâs hand, and sound comes roaring back.
âOh, Princey, you brought a friend?â Deceit purrs, turning to face the newcomer to the circle. âHow did you know I love meeting locals from down in the valley?â
âDearest, you know who that is, right?â Pat whispers frantically, squeezing Romanâs hand tight.
âThey call themself Dee,â Roman whispers back. His tone is reverent as he watches Dee stroke a golden hand through their hair. âArenât they beautiful?â
âThis is why Rowanberry Wood is so dangerous, sugarplum!â
âThis forestâs name isnât properly Rowanberry, did you know? Rude, isnât it? Calling our home by the name of a plant that keeps us away from you?
âWhat is its true name?â Roman asks
âWould you believe me if I said Eden?â
âAs much as I believe your name is truly Dee,â Patton interjects.
âClever boy,â the fae says, trailing a smooth finger along Pattonâs jawline. Despite his fear, Patton feels a shivery tingling sensation run down his spine. It must be a glamour, but this creature is undeniably beautiful. âJust for that, you may call me Deceit, instead.â
âIs that a title, or a warning?â
âPrince, why is your paramour so rude?â Deceit pouts at Roman. âAnd he hasnât even introduced himself, what manners are these?â
âYou may call me Morality,â Patton interjects. âYou know. The thing that reminds you of right and wrong. And tells you that the right thing to do is leave this circle,â he says fiercely, tugging his boyfriendâs hand.
âMorality,â Deceit says thoughtfully, rolling the name on his tongue. âYouâre local, dearheart, arenât you?â
âYes, Iâm from around here,â Patton responds stiffly. âAnd I know enough about this forest and you to not fall for your tricks or misdirections.â
âYou think that of me? Iâm hurt,â the fae responds, splaying a perfect white-and-gold hand across their chest. âWhy would I wish to trick you, when I only want your company?â
âHoneyblossom, canât we stay a bit longer?â Roman asks, still staring at the faeâs bright eyes and hair.
âDearest, itâs all an illusion,â Patton says softly. âTheyâve got a glamour on, to seem more human. Theyâre not like us.â
âI only wished to avoid alarming you, but I can remove it if you want,â Deceit says with a shrug. They gesture, and the air around them quivers like hot sand in the sun, rippling and resolving back into full detail.
And what detail it is. Their skin remains porcelain-smooth and white, but the gold disruption shows itself to be shining, golden scales, patterned down their face and trailing down their chest. Itâs topped not by bright orange hair, as it appeared, but sheets of fire, rippling waves growing from their skull and flickering up into the sky. Their soft fingers are tipped in golden claws.
With the vanishing of the glamour, the illusion of regular clothes have also disappeared. Roman and Patton can now both see, very clearly, that the golden scales trailing all the way down the faeâs body, following their curves, and leading their eyes straight to the only covering the fae has: a strange, leaflike gauze that covers only the area where torso meets legs. Patton may be the only of the two who is obviously blushing, but Romanâs wide eyes speak volumes in themselves.
âI hope I havenât scared you, my lovelies?â Deceit asks. The shape of their face has morphed, become higher-browed, but thatâs not enough to conceal their smirk.
Patton recovers first. âNo, you havenât. And weâre still going to be leaving now, right love?â
A sharp elbow in his side shakes Roman free of his stunned state. âUm. Yes, dear. Weâll do that. We will⊠stop looking at them.â
Deceit laughs, and it sounds like sparrows tweeting and the harsh bray of crows. âDear Morality, you know I can taste lies in the air. Your Prince has no desire to depart.â
âR- Prince. Please, just come with me, okay?â Patton murmurs into Romanâs ear. âWe need to go.â
âWhatâs the risk, love?â Roman asks. âItâs an adventure, a new discovery! I canât wait to tell the nerd.â
âPlease,â Patton begs. âIâm⊠uncomfortable, sweetheart. My feet are outside the circle, let me pull you out, okay?â
Roman hesitates.
His eyes linger on Deceit. Theyâre clearly inhuman now, but still beautiful. And their eyes are deep and dark, like staring into the tree canopy at the peak of summer. They sparkle like a pirateâs hoard and Roman wants nothing more than to learn the secrets heâs sure the fae could teach him.
But with a force of will he turns his head back to Patton. Dearest, beloved Patton. Who is even more pale than normal, his freckles standing out like paint on his cheeks. Whose hands are warm where theyâre holding his. âOkay,â he whispers. But he makes eye contact with the fae once more as heâs tugged back to the hilltop.
Patton keeps tugging him until theyâre back at their picnic blanket, and then down the hill once more, sticking to the trail. Patton presses a piece of iron into Romanâs fist, and holds tight to his own in the hand thatâs not clasped fast with Romanâs. Patton gets them out of the wood as fast as he possibly can, heart still pounding over their near escape.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the top of the hill, from within the circle, the fae known as Deceit watches them go. Theyâre disappointed - theyâd hoped to be able to talk to them further. The prince tastes of far-off lands, baked warm by a more-present sun. And Morality, a local, with all of that wise caution the humans used to grind into their children. The fae court could never hope to compare to the delightful intrigue of humanity.
But they have a consolation for how quickly these young men left them. They lift their hands, grinning, at the tiny twist of hair wrapped around their finger. Morality didnât show up quite fast enough to prevent Prince from freely giving them a piece of that gorgeous, dark, rough hair. Theyâd not charmed him or bewitched him in any way. The minute the young man had started to sing along, theyâd dropped even the beacon spell theyâd sent out into the world, the one that had apparently caught the Prince in the first place.
They absolutely must see their Prince again, and his Morality too. That much is certain.
General Tag List:
@residentanchor @royally-anxious @bewarethegrammarpolice  @jemthebookworm @arandompasserby  @sparkly-rainbow-salt @astral-eclipseâ @thelowlysatsuma @adorably-angsty @max-is-tired @almostoveranalyzed @hawthornshadow
Iâm Gay and like the Fae, so... if you wouldnât mind, would you be able to write more for the owing me owing you au? I just love it so much :0
You Donât Have To Be Gay To Like Fae But It Helps.Â
Have some more thirsty Remus making Even More Stupid Decisions.Â
Following on from THISÂ (Part 1).Â
AO3
***
Itâs wildly stupid to argue with a Fae. They speak in riddles, in rhymes and circles and they have a real penchant for tricking you into things you donât want to agree to. You have to be on your toes, cool and collected, thinking quickly.Â
Ready to lose it allâŠÂ
So basically Remus was just an idiot. The Fae he was arguing with seemed to think so too, but Remus had a handy trump card that few ever did; this Fae owed him a favour.Â
âYou are the most infuriating individual I have ever met!â Firefly shrieked, throwing his hands up in lieu of hitting Remus in the face or eating him or something. Remus wasnât sure exactly what fate he was playing with but it was probably horrible and messy. Fireflyâs teeth were bared in his direction and his eyes were alight- no literally alight- with fury. And all because Remus wouldnât accept his little gift.Â
If you could call a mountain of gold and jewels a little gift, that was. âItâs ridiculous! Youâre telling me this is worth a life?! What would I even do with it? Câmon glowbug-â
âDonât, call me that,â Firefly snapped. âOne insipid nickname is more than enough from you, human.â Hurtful.Â
âI thought you liked Firefly,â Remus muttered sulkily, tossing a sapphire up and catching it casually like it was just an apple rather than a gem the side of one. âBut fine,â he continued when the Fae just growled. âNo more nicknames. But you seriously thought Iâd take this as a repayment?âÂ
Firefly made a strangled sound that seemed like maybe he was mocking Remus in some unknown language, before he threw himself dramatically to the floor and sprawled on his back, glaring at the sunshine that filtered through the leaves. It was weak, winter sun but it had apparently offended him enough to look at it with murder written all over his face. âI suppose not. You are uncommonly hard to repayâŠâ The Fae sighed. Remus took the compliment hidden away in the words and sat down beside him, reaching for a nearby ruby and holding it up next to Fireflyâs lips to compare the depth of colour.Â
âWhat are you doing?âÂ
As heâd suspected, the gem paled in comparison. âJust a little experiment, thatâs all. Look, Iâm not gonna take just any old stuff from you for my favour. I doubt if I showed up with a pile of gold that youâd take it for yours either, and donât even both trying to deny it. You wonât fool anyone.âÂ
Firefly bared his teeth again but Remus was so used to the vague threat that he just found himself thinking about what it might be like to kiss someone with canines that sharpâŠÂ âWell what do you want then? What will it take to be rid of you at last?â There was a pause and then, âhuman?â The Fae frowned when Remus stood up and moved away, chucking the gems back onto the gleaming pile. âWhat now? Are you going to sulk again?â
âDo you really want rid of me that badly, Firefly?â Firefly kept frowning, pushing up to lean back on his hands, tilting his head at Remus. âBecause if so I-â Gods was he really doing this? It was a hell of a risk to bluff a Faerie but Remus knew Firefly by now and he was, as ever, just an idiot. âI will release you from your favour, right here; right now. If you really want that.â He turned around and faced the Fae, raising an eyebrow.Â
The way Firefly emoted was fascinating to watch. He had to be a rare case; no one ever spoke about the Fae as being easy to read, but Firefly absolutely was. At least to Remus. His face twisted, fighting twin urges to take the offer and be free of the favour, denying the truth that he was enjoying the situation as much as Remus was; and to keep the favour tying them equally together. Keeping them meeting like this, with increasing frequency, like two stars orbiting closer and closer until they met in the middle.Â
Gods Remus wanted them to meet in the middle.Â
Eventually the Fae slumped, unable to deny the truth. âNo,â he muttered, resigned to honesty. âDonât.âÂ
âAnd why ever not?â Remus probed, emboldened by this small success. âSurely it canât be fun living in this permanent state of uncertainty, trying to please me.âÂ
âNo, it is decidedly not. But thatâs just how it is. And how it will remain until you give in,â Firefly replied, standing up and walking slowly towards him. âAs long as youâre not going back on your decision to disregard saving my life as fulfilling your own favour, of course.âÂ
Remus swallowed. Oh how quickly the tables could be turned. âUm. Why, of course not. Honestly Iâd be-â oh the Fae was very close now. Back up, back up. âBe ha-ah,â Very, very, very close and oh-so-pretty- âHappy, happy! Iâd be happy to be in your debt for as long as it takes.â His back hit a tree and Firefly smiled slowly at him from barely an inch or two away, a predator regarding his prey. Remus wanted to feel that look forever. âHow about that?âÂ
âI can outlast you, human,â Firefly murmured, looking over his face with those clever blue eyes.Â